Alexander: (inner monolog) "My God! Does nobody here have a sense of moderation with perfume? It's like I'm back in middle school where everyone bathed in the terrible chemical concoction, Exa. I can't wait to get out of this gilded baby factory."
As the doors are pushed open the dwarf begins the trip to the temple of Cognitios. Alexander breathes in deep, taking in the fresh frigid air. Looking at his surroundings he notices a light layer of fresh snow strewn across the ground. Three wide streets covered in packed gravel intersect a large forum that has an obsidian monolith with radiant scripture adorning its sides. Open columned structures are spread around the area with market stalls selling furs, soups, and meats; anything that could be desired on a white winter day. Horse drawn carriages stop around the edge of the forum as workers unload or load goods and crates. In the distance sparks can be seen flying as smiths hammer away at their current creations with the fires of their furnaces lighting their shops. Wood workers, tailers, and all assortments of craftsmen have set up shop at the edges of the forum. No more than a few blocks away, a monumental structure that could be called no less than a masterpiece of architectural engineering adorned the skyline. Jade columns with similar glowing scripture to the monument in the forum climbed up toward to the overhanging roof; golden leaves hung from the edges of the ceiling to appear as if they were gently blowing in the wind; shingles that shone as if they were giving off the light of a star; walls made of pure marble with inlaid carvings depicting dragons battling towering giants, and gods that loom over man; massive doors that would need at least five men to open just one, appearing to be made of pure gold; and just above the door a gargantuan stained glass window depicting an anvil; a tree with roots that circled it; a quill and cog; a raven; a golden ship; a storm with lightning; twin scimitars over a shield; and in the middle of them all a platinum dragon with wings outstretched.
Alexander: "What a lovely market. I wonder what the reason is for the glowing scripture on that monolith, perhaps it may be some kind of engraved spell work?"
"It really is too loud, these brand new ears pick up too much. I can barely hear myself think, and ugh... what is that pungent smell? It better not be stinky tofu."
Just then, a man with a chamber pot waddles over to a well like structure and dumps out the sludge like contents.
"At least these people have a sense of decent waste disposal, I would have died from nausea otherwise."
Continuing through the forum the dwarf moves in the direction of the colossal building.
"Is this where I'm headed? Why would I be brought here? This is amazing, a life of luxury and a solid chance of survival!"
The twinkle forming in Alexander's eyes is dashed almost as soon as it is formed when the dwarf trudges past.
Dwarf: (Dwarven) "Alright child, it'll be a while till we reach the temple. Come now, go to sleep."
The woman begins to hum and rock Alexander to sleep. And, with that Alexander's vision fades to black.
Unseen voice: (English) "Dad… dad? Come on, wake up."
Unseen voice 2: "Ya, hurry and wake up!"
Alexander opens his eyes again to a familiar sight of his old room. Sitting up he looks to his left, and his gaze rests upon his son and daughter with bright blue eyes.
Alexander: "Hmmm, now this is a pleasant dream. Morning John and Liz, what do y'all want?"
Reaching out, Alexander ruffles their heads full of black hair.
Liz: "You said that we'll get to go to the rifle range today."
John: "We couldn't wait, so hurry and get ready."
Alexander: "Alright, grab the keys and start the car. I'll get changed and grab the guns, then catch up with ya in a bit."
Liz/John: "Ok!"
After putting on a white button up shirt and jeans, Alexander grabs his .308 rifle and two .22 rifles. Grabbing the prepackaged bag holding the ammo and snacks he steps out of the room. As soon as he takes a step forward light begins to stretch and bend. Colors merge and dance as the feeling of weightlessness overtakes Alexander. Then his vision clears and he realizes he is suddenly at the rifle range. A symphony of gunshots refocus Alexander on his surroundings.
Alexander: "Now remember kids, make sure you can properly see the target through your scope, keep your body steady, fire on empty lungs, and never forget to create a pretty picture."
BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!
As Alexander is admiring the beginning of a simple smiley face he feels a poke on his cheeks. Turning around he sees his kids with gunpowder residue on their fingers giggling. Then Liz says something, but Alexander couldn't hear what she said so he leaned in close.
Alexander: "What was that hun, I didn't quite hear ya?"
Expecting to hear a response all he received was an even harder poke. Then Alexander awoke from his dream staring up from a wooden crib. Around him seems to be a deluge of children. One of them, a human boy with brown eyes and blond hair, is roughly jamming his finger into Alexander's chubby cheek. Eyes burning with rage, Alexander screams at the top of his lungs to attract any adult.
Alexander: "Waaaaahhh!!! Waaaaaahhhhhhh! Wwwwaaaaahhhhh!!
Alexander: (inner monolog) "You little shit, what do you think you're doing, TO A BABY?! This hurts like hell and I know pain, I've been shot before and worse! God dammit who's supposed to be watching these kids, they're doing a terrible… wait… what's that?! Is that a bunch of snot coming towards me? It's coming straight for my eyes! NO, NONO, NOOOO!!
Just as the dangling booger was about to slather Alexander's face, a ladies voice shoos the children away. A young woman, no older than 26, comes into Alexander's view. Her skin is a flawless coppertone save for light freckles that actually enhance her looks. With a body that was without a doubt 36-24-36. Her angelic face would turn the head of Aphrodite; platinum hair that has a holy aura about it topped with a very faint halo; and bright yellow eyes that would light up the darkest of nights gave her away as a person with a celestial bloodline, an aasimar.
Aasimar: (Common) "Awe, you must be hungry, come on, time for a feeding."
As the aasimar picked Alexander out of the crib, Alexander did not even look at his surroundings as he was enamored with the woman before him. Eventually they pass through a doorway to get to what seems to be the kitchen. Alexander takes his eyes off the woman for a moment to survey his surroundings, and finds that not a soul is with them….
Alexander: (inner monolog) "Wait a second. I know what's going on. Well, I've only seen one pair of melons for more than the last 60 years, at least in person. I'm glad there's actually something to look forward to everyday! Now let's get this show on the road!"
A big smile grows upon Alexander's face as these thoughts fill his mind. Due to his lust filled fantasy Alexander doesn't even notice the baby bottle until it's in his mouth.
"What's this?! How cruel this is. My expectations have been dashed, my disappointment is immeasurable, and my day is now ruined."
He continued to feast from the bottle with narrow eyes of contempt aimed at the woman. Subsequently burping up on and passing out in the arms of the aasimar who then cleaned off Alexander and brought him back to the crib.