Mzzkc's Mind Games

So, these single sentence entries are nice and all, but I'm worried they're making me complacent when it comes to writing up full entries.

My question, to those who care enough to respond, is what should I do about it?

I was thinking of limiting myself to no more than 5 Triple S's between full entries. Of course, this is assuming that these little bite sized snacks aren't quite cutting it for you gaiz. But if everyone is fine with them, or if some actually prefer these to fully detailed entries, let me know so I can make a more informed decision. Personally, I'm fine with either, but I really want to bring a certain level of quality to this DJ. To do that, I need to know what you, the reader, want from me.

To make this simple (and since I can't make a poll out of this), I'll write a list of possible things you may want to see more/less. Simply pick a number, and comment with that number and an optional elaboration, if it's not too much trouble, that is.

Here we go:

1. These little sizzler things don't leave me feeling full. I'd prefer a real meal from you, word-slave.
2. I like these newfangled single sentence entries. They're short, sweet, and still have enough flavorful detail to keep me coming back.
3. Give me both, in equal helpings. Or else.
4. Moar Bonus Entries of Doom, please. I need them to better construct my personality profile of you, so that when I kill you, and wear your skin, no one will notice a change in your behavior and become suspicious.
5. Those multi-dream entries have some pretty cool stories, bro. Why don't you do more of those, instead?
6. I have another opinion which I will now explain to you:

¡Single Sentence Sizzler!®

27.08.2010

This Church is Flammable. Your Argument Is Invalid. (Non-lucid)

★☆☆☆☆

NON-DREAM DREAM LUCID

Originally Posted by Mzzkc

My wife attempted to convince me, in front of a church, why I should go to Mass by reading off a pamphlet she just picked up which offered counter-points to "The Top 10 Reasons to Not Go to Church"; a counter argument to "wasting an hour of my life each week, performing bizarre cannibalistic rituals, in order to gain the affections of a bearded man in the sky" was not listed in the booklet.

¡Single Sentence Sizzler!®

21.08.2010

Ghost Town (DILD)

★★☆☆☆

NON-DREAM DREAM LUCID

Originally Posted by Mzzkc

Without any goals in mind, I wandered around aimlessly, in an eerily-deserted, colorful, suburban dreamscape, for what seemed like hours; the dream ended when I got upset with a ski-ball machine that called me out for 'cheating.'

¡Single Sentence Sizzler!®

18.08.2010

Security War (Non-lucid)

★★☆☆☆

NON-DREAM DREAM LUCID

Originally Posted by Mzzkc

I battled wits with my good friend and RA, as he tried to use the knowledge he gained during his internship to lock me out of the school's system, while I used my own summer experiences to subvert his plans and bypass his security blocks; by winning the inevitable arms race, I eventually won the entire war.

¡Single Sentence Sizzler!®

17.08.2010

Tugging at Heartstrings (Non-lucid)

★★★☆☆

NON-DREAM DREAM LUCID

Originally Posted by Mzzkc

After murdering the Chief of Police's son (before he can murder me), I cunningly convince the Chief to adopt me and another young orphan girl when he starts questioning us.

¡Single Sentence Sizzler!®

16.08.2010

The One Where I Play The Piano (Non-lucid)

★★☆☆☆

NON-DREAM DREAM LUCID

Originally Posted by Mzzkc

Not convinced of our abilities, Jeremy Clarkson, one of our instructors, forced me and the one other pianist in the orchestra to compose three separate, complex pieces on the spot using nothing but our pinkies; the music we created was beautiful, exciting, and inspiring, yet also morose and haunting.

15.08.2010

Eight (Non-lucid)

★★★☆☆

NON-DREAM DREAM LUCID

The aerial surveillance camera pans quickly and zooms in, tracking the movement of eight military transport jeeps as they blaze through the pine forest, kicking up light brown dirt into the air behind them.

"Eight?!" says a voice. Was it my own? "There are supposed to be nine. . . You don't think he. . ."

The boy, Achilles, stood before us, as his men removed the dark burlap bags from our heads. He begins talking gently to us, still trying to win us over, but the feigned kindness quickly turns into malicious indignation as he remarks on what all of us have already noticed.

There are only eight of us.

What happened to Crazy Tom? Abandoned? Left for dead? That's certainly what this scumbag wants us to believe. . .

I have to know the truth. So, when Achilles finally finishes his tirade and turns to leave, I make my move. Toggling Super Jump I leap into the air, higher and faster every second. Still airborne, 150' up, I turn myself back from whence we came and start the search for our comrade at arms.

Traveling at speeds in excess of 200MPH tends to get you places quickly. Soon enough, I spot an opening in the trees. I know this is where I'll find Tom. More than that, I know Achilles set a trap here. Still, that's not going to stop me.

Setting down, I immediately spot the remains of a crashed and burnt jeep, but upon further inspection I fail to find any corpses. Determined to locate some kind of evidence, I venture further into the forest, which quickly turns to swampland.

A woman's laughter echoes behind me. Could this be the trap? I ponder as I whip around toward the source of the surreal sound. There, in the pale moonlight, amidst the moss covered trees was indeed a woman, and she wanted me to follow her.

She takes me to a thin veil of vines under a large fallen tree that has created a natural archway. Beyond the green mess I can see movement and activity. It doesn't take my curiosity long to get the better of me after the woman passes through the gateway. Cautiously, I make the plunge.

The dark swamp is now a resort, with people everywhere, lounging about and in the many clear watered pools. Something is off. A sinister presence becomes apparent as several of the 'guests' and the woman from before slowly circle around me, moving ever closer.

Shaking my pitchfork at them, I shout, "What have you done with him! Where's Crazy To--" Lethargy strikes me as I feel a sharp prick on my neck. The swamp-woman is biting me, and there's nothing I can do about it. I feel drained, helpless, but it doesn't hurt. . . No. . it actually. . . feels kinda. . . go--NO! With a burst of will, I right myself and try to shake her off, but the other guests take their bites, too. . . latching onto my flesh. . . I really am helpless. . . aren't I. . ?

No. . . My struggle is weaker this time, and last only a moment. The power they have over me is remarkable. Most of me wants to give in and enjoy my demise, and the part that wants to fight, to live, is quickly fading. . .

I die, willingly.

10.08.2010

The Way The World Ends (Non-lucid)

★★★★★

NON-DREAM DREAM LUCID

"Good morning, Colonies! Boy, do we have a show for you today!" The announcer's voice blares over my ear-piece, as I walk through Karachi, heading to my assigned 'interview.' "We're joined today by an esteemed Physics Professor and doctorate who is conferencing in all the way from. . ." He pauses. The view cuts to the broadcaster as he quickly flips through numerous files on his holographic display. "It's Cambridge, right?" he asks, more quietly.

Another man with a thick accent begins to reply, "No, actually--"

But the announcer has already found the file in question. "Oh, that's right! Texas MIT! Before we get to that segment, however, we have another installment of our bonus lecture series!"

That's my cue, I better hurry up the stairs and find this woman.

"Today's class is presided over by one of our very own Sociological Ethics and Law Lecturers."

There she is. I greet her quickly and take out my small audio and visual recording device.

"Please feel free to join the lecture remotely, and don't forget to ask questions!"

We were live. The professor briefly introduces herself as we make our way through the dark, rundown building. My camera work is surprisingly smooth, but I seem to be having trouble keeping her in the center of the frame and following her movements. Eventually, we make it into a decent sized room and the real lecture begins.

She starts by explaining basic concepts that anyone viewing should already know. Yet still, she has the gall to ask if there are any questions. "Hold on," I say as I reach for my com device. Sure enough, there's a solid red light, indicating someone is trying to interact with the class. Or just messing with her.

Hitting the talk button, I wait for the person on the other end to say something. . . Silence. I hit the button again, "No questions," I state. She smiles, blissfully unaware that she's already lost everyone's respect.

______________

The lecture continued as I faded in and out of alertness. At one point, she began discussing law making theory. An analogy was on the board, relating the foundation of any structured law to pipework, which one builds onto over time. But what happens when the pipes get old and outdated. I think. Shouldn't they be replaced by something that can keep up with the times?

I bring the point to the Professor's attention, and she addresses it by referencing several countries whose base 'pipework' was designed to gradually be replaced to accommodate ever changing needs. Stupid. In today's day and world it'd be better to scrap the whole damn thing and start fresh. These antiquated pipes just aren't cutting it anymore. I don't press the point any further; it'd just waste time.

______________

The classroom is brighter now, and there are students here besides myself. Professor Whatserface is angrily going over some definitions. I briefly stare at the board to memorize what's on it. Simple stuff. I just wish the kids in here would stop screwing around.

Glancing around the lecture hall, I spot a friend behind me, two tiers up. Standing up from her seat, straightened arms supporting her thin boy-ish frame, I see Samael leaning over the desk of the boy beside her, who himself looks a lot like Lucidmax. She seems vastly interested in whatever is written on the papers in front of him. I turn back toward the board, and contemplate pulling out a pair of display glasses, linking into my own feed, and putting my head down. Nah, more trouble than it's worth.

Regardless, our seeming lack of attention had finally struck a crucial nerve in our Prof. She hands out tests to everyone in the room, including myself, ranting about how she expected better from us and insisting she didn't want to give us exams, but we had forced her hand.

"Look lady," commented a rather brash young man one tier above Samael, "we all know how excited you were to finally get a shot at teaching savants." His voice played off the sarcastic intonation perfectly. "Yeah, we learned everything you taught us. And, yes, this test is bullshit. But you keep in mind this whole thing is nothing more than a bonus class for us. Free time. So, don't you be surprised when most of these papers come back with 'The Great Leopold Wiggin' written at the top." The class snickers audibly. He's completely right, and the raw truth of it all brings a smirk to my face. I'm quick to hide it.

Well, I might as well work on this test.

Question 1: What are the definitions of "soul" and "biology" as discussed in class.

Crap. These were just on the board. But, for some reason, my recall is hazy, blurry, almost dream-like. It's as if what was written on the board never existed. I keep struggling, fighting through my memories like one would against the ocean's current. . . Nothing. Maybe if I work through it, BS here and there.

Soul: A spiritual essence that some believe

Samael gets my attention, only, it's not Samael anymore. She's still my friend, the same girl from before, but her hair is longer, more teal, and her figure is very pronounced. The girl begins talking to me, and I know what she's doing instantly. Brilliant. She's dropping me clues to the answer while making it look like nothing more than chit-chat. So eloquently, too. There will be no way anyone can accuse her of cheating. Though the Professor caught on right away, echoing the last thing the girl had said in a mocking tone. She's just upset because she knows there's nothing she can do about it. Just then, I remember what was written on the board.

Soul: A spiritual essence that some believe The agent that binds humanity together. Encourages moral behavior.

I take a moment to criticize the definition and its obvious flaws. Not all mankind believes in souls. Where do they fall into this definition? They don't, but hopefully, if they've got any power, they're smart enough to see the little value there is in this concept.

Biology: The genetic force that drives humans apart. Often incites violent struggles.

More flawed definitions. Though, this one has an air of truth to it. . .

______________

All of us are headed back to earth from the outlying Colony. Our shuttle, nearly finished breaking through the lower atmosphere, prepares for a hard landing. No one celebrates our safe return. We all know a sea of nuclear warheads is descending upon us, dropping through the same atmosphere we just passed through. This was it. The end of everything.

But I wasn't going to have it. "I know how to stop the nukes." Everyone looks at me; their dark, empty eyes stare blankly. All hope has left them. We touch down violently, but not a moment too soon. Immediately, I create a purple shield of energy and extend it out, all around me, protecting my classmates and a portion of the shuttle-craft. The nukes hit ground.

FFFWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHH!

Fallout descends upon us, drowning the air in a blood red hue, buffeting my shield, heating it beyond the realms of human survival. Every piece of the shuttle not protected by the shield is destroyed, yet we survive. When it was over, I couldn't help thinking, Maybe it would have been better to die quickly, instead of slowly. From the looks on my peers' faces I could tell they were thinking the same thing.

Dropping the shield, I notice my friend sprawled out on the floor, unconscious, and rush over to her, but the boy from before tries to push me away, giving me some ass-backwards reason as to why I should get away. I tell him off, refuting his point with enough logic to shut him up. Lifting her into my arms, I teleport away.

"Well this is great," comments the young man from before.

There was a long silence before anyone spoke up.

"Do you think they'll be back. . ?"

______________

I appear in a lobby. The teal haired girl is standing beside me now, perfectly alright. As I approach the uniformed security guard behind the wooden counter, he doesn't even blink at our strange and sudden appearance. After I inform him of our situation, and our need to move beyond this check point, he informs me that he's a zombie.

"You seem too intelligent to be a zombie."

"That's what all the other zombies say. So they stiffed me with job."

"Well, are you going to let me by?"

"No, sorry."

"That's not good enough. Either let me by, or I'll force my way through."

He stands up and pull his Maverick on me.

"Do it," I whisper, reaching out my hand.

"Oh, I will!"

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Reaching out with my mind, I catch the projectiles as they leave the blaster and launch them right back at the guard. He's stunned, but it wouldn't last long. Taking the girl's hand I lead her further into the facility. . .

¡Single Sentence Sizzler!®

09.08.2010

Oh, Cruel Dreams! (DILD)

★★☆☆☆

NON-DREAM DREAM LUCID

Originally Posted by Mzzkc

Catching a glimpse of the television, I noticed an intense advertisement for the new season of Arrested Development which, after sending me into fits of joyful mirth, triggered an RC, as I came to realize this news was too good to be true; I cried at my newfound lucidity and took my sorrow out on some shinigami sparring in the driveway.

¡Single Sentence Sizzler!®

09.08.2010

When You Can't Beat 'Em. . . (DILD)

★★★☆☆

NON-DREAM DREAM LUCID

Originally Posted by Mzzkc

Lucidly, I fought a man who refused to die, even when I shoved my energy shrouded katana through his heart and tore it up 'till the blade exited the top of his skull; after making a truce with the man, I taught myself a new trick using Dual Blades, while Bankai'd, wherein a flurry of golden-light charged thrusts created a powerful blast of energy which punched a large hole in the nearby wall.

¡Single Sentence Sizzler!®

05.08.2010

Why is Gandalf in my Computer Chair? (DILD)

★★☆☆☆

NON-DREAM DREAM LUCID

Originally Posted by Mzzkc

During a Lucid FA, Gandalf gives me plane tickets to the middle eastern desert town where I have to meet up with Samael and her friend (ansiel6sixtysix or something) again before my fight with the being that defeated Jackie Chan during a public, stadium hosted, dojo challenge just a couple of dreams ago; I barely make it into my court before another FA kicks in.

I think it'll be fun to post quick entries from this thread here in my normal DJ.

A nice snack between the real meals, methinks.

¡Single Sentence Sizzler!®

03.08.2010

Mzzkc's Game (DILD)

★★★☆☆

NON-DREAM DREAM LUCID

Originally Posted by Mzzkc

While lucid, I experienced the disorientating effects of nul-gravity and re-oriented myself so that the enemy's gate was down; then, a battle commenced, wherein I used my legs as a shield and fired my laser between them, taking out the entire enemy "army."

27.07.2010

Enter Nomad (Non-lucid)

★★★★☆

NON-DREAM DREAM LUCID

Transformed, behind us, likely screwing around, is Nomad, disguised as a container of sorts. Similar to the ones my friends and I had been rummaging through earlier. I know it's him because my perspective had switched to third person omniscient moments ago. He is clearly goofing off, likely without any grand motivation.

Well, I can mess around, too. I think, as I break off from the group and draw my blade. Propelling myself forward, I shoot through the air, mere inches off the ground, straight toward that metallic container. Swiping upward, the world flashes as I make my cut, rendering the object in two. Times slows enough for me to see Nomad's shocked face as he drifts backward in the air, now in his own body.

Landing smoothly, he grins before breaking apart into a platoon of smaller versions of himself. They rush me. I dart into the air, but the little buggers are too fast; They're all over me, taunting and laughing like little madmen, as they tear at my body.

"BANKAI!"

The rush of energy throws them all off, scattering them on the concrete below. I don't hesitate. Raising my sword, I form a tornado that quickly ensnares all the miniatures in a whirling vortex. The sight reminds me of how Raven divides herself, which reminds me of the Disturbed song of the same name. Feeling creative, I play through a key part in the song, but change the lyrics ever so slightly to "Form together and combine!" Sure enough, all the copies trapped within my tornado lump together into a full sized Nomad. But I wasn't done just yet.

KA-CRACK!

A bolt of lighting tears through the air, piercing the tornado and the man within it. Nomad drops to the ground as the tornado dissipates, no longer amused. I wonder if he knows who I am. Maybe I should've introduced myself first. My thoughts are interrupted as a distortion in the air brings my attention back into focus. A woman I recognize as Raven appears from the anomaly and drops down next to Nomad. Nomad brings me to her attention, and she immediately takes a defensive stance.

"Hey," I say, nonchalantly, while motioning with my dual blades, "Why don't the three of us have a spar? You two versus me."

They stare at me, shocked, before turning to each other, as if to confer. Looking back at me, Nomad nods solemnly. I'll take that as a yes, then.

KA-CRACK!

I start things off by striking the two of them with another bolt of lightning, but I had the source come from directly behind them this time. It was just enough to throw them off guard as I lunged forward, ready to strike.

I woke up.

Originally, I was going to be writing about helping some DV members build a literal dream house, but an afternoon nap cropped up this gem. Part 2 will follow later tonight.

23.07.2010

Good Cop (Part 1 of 2) (Non-lucid)

★★★★☆

NON-DREAM DREAM LUCID

Feeling less than safe, even with my Riot Shield and full SWAT uniform, I quickly crouched and raised my shield as two thugs came up the stairs. I turned as they moved past me and MTM, making sure to keep the both of us safe in case they decided to start shooting. Glaring as they passed, I could see they were making their way further up into the mall. Maybe we should be going down, then.

Motioning to MTM, who was armed with a G36C, we began moving down the stairs. As we went, I would jump over the ledge each time we reached the halfway mark, making the descent even faster. Soon enough, we were on the tiled ground floor of this vertically structured mall.

PING! PEW! PING!

Becoming very much aware of the bullets ricocheting off my shield, I ducked down, protecting the both of us from the fire raining from above. I looked up to see the thugs from before firing at us with a G18 and a Mini Uzi from a balcony several floors up. Calmly, I took out my Intervention, and peered through the thermal sights. Taking a breath, I fired a warning shot at each, hitting the barrels of the assault rifles hanging from their necks. Although, they seemed un-phased as they switched to their ARs, which were functioning perfectly fine despite the holes I had made. . .

MTM took cover behind the stairs and lay down suppressive fire; I moved in closer to try and stop them. I made it a good distance, but a stray shot clipped my arm rather badly while I was putting my Riot Shield onto my back. Just like that, I was down for the count.

The world faded in and out, as the amount of gunfire increased twofold. An old squad-mate ran over to me, unconcerned for her own safety, as she stood over my failing body, firing up at the goons who started this mess. It looks like the calvary has arrived, I thought as everything turned to black. . .

Images flashed before my eyes. First, a scene of the two low-lifes explaining their position and admitting they were wrong to start shooting me like that, especially when they realized I could have taken them out at any moment. They showed the camera the damage I had done to their guns. Then, my time in the hospital drifted past my faint consciousness, and I became painfully aware of the toll the recovery process took on my psyche.

A meaner, more bitter cop than before, I would no longer hesitate to take out a perceived threat if they even looked at me funny. The only thing that kept me from going off the wall was my family, who weren't taking my personality change very well. I feared they could leave me at any time. . . .

23.07.2010

Best Picks of The Lot (DILD)

NON-DREAM DREAM LUCID







Dream: Tearing it Down

★★★☆☆

There has been a recent strand of some kind of white powdery substance circulating the streets. People who take it are usually never heard from again. As it turns out, this stuff makes anyone into a demi-vampire whose uncontrollable transformation turns the unfortunate soul into a young girl (age ranging from the late teens to early twenties).

After unwillingly becoming one of these beings, I partake in some shenanigans whilst transformed, seducing an 'important' person in my old church, only revealing my true intent once I had gotten him into his car. He ran screaming, to my delight.

Afterwards, I'm conscripted by two true vampires and a small band of demis who reveal to me, along a tropical stone beach, the source of the white powder. Lining the ocean-side, as far as the eye can see, are oil-rig-like structures pounding the ground into a fine, magic dust and releasing pillars of smoky pollutants into the atmosphere.

We destroy everything, sparing no one.

Lucid Dream: Taking a Bite Out of Crime

★★★☆☆

Ridiculous people are being ridiculous.

Their ridiculousity triggers my lucidity, but everything is super hazy. I stabilize by grabbing something extra weird and purpley and then chomping down on it with mine mouth teeths. The rush of sensations is enough to pull me into the dream, and solidify my control.

I'm outside on a town street. Various shops and other places of interest frame the sidewalk. Some cars pass by on the intersecting street up ahead, but the few cars on this street, including one puke-green PT Cruiser, are parked in a parallel fashion.

Naiya shows up out of nowhere and we immediately stop a criminal using basic dream powers like TK, or something. After that, we hang out for a bit before I let myself wake up.

Really wish I could remember more of this one. =/

Fragments: Do You Remember That One Time At Band Camp?

★☆☆☆☆

Several fragments of me seeing Naiya in what I believed to be RL, and asking her about the dream from before, go here.

Dream: Into the Stratos!

★★★★☆

I have the pleasure of being pre-Shippuden Naruto and joining all the needless drama going on with Sakura. She gets upset and runs off, just before some bad dude comes and stops the squad from leaving. Sosuke tries to leave by fighting his way out, but gets put in his place quite handily.

Switching perspectives, I'm now myself, hanging out in tall grass for gods know what reason. But no matter, it's time. . .

Teleporting to the meeting location, I find Sakura standing there, wiping her face. I ask if she's ready to go; she nods. Taking her arm, I teleport to the next target. The kid--he couldn't be older than ten--sees me and waves. I motion to him and we all begin to run toward the ship. By now, they'd be looking for us.

Time was short, so I decided we needed to move faster. And what's faster than teleportation? Pulling the three of us together, I instantly transport everyone to my space cruiser. We get inside, I take the controls, and we take off.

Unfortunately, I have a lot of trouble getting the damn thing out of the atmosphere. I waste a lot of fuel, and burn out most of the ships engines, before switching to auto-pilot. At that point, I have to actually fuel the ship with my lifeforce in order to keep us all from plummeting to our deaths.

Now well on our way, but with me on the verge of death, Sakura is kind enough to transfer some of her life energy in order to keep me alive. But not until I ask nicely.

Dream: Adventure Time!

★★☆☆☆

Flying over Africa, I can't wait to explore the vast and exotic stretches of water below me. There were small basins, large bayous, medium sized lakes. So many environments to adventure through!

And adventure I did.

Dream: Beached

★☆☆☆☆

Hanging out in front of the beach-front property me and my friends were planning to stay at, I wait for them to show up. . .

Still waiting. . . . .

Maybe I should read this sign again?