Not Quite Lovecraft

You weren't finished creating yet. You had more to do. You threw yourself into another painting, this one meant to hide you away. You hide yourself as you work on this, disappearing from even Emily's view. A single peek of this locket that you are slaving months over to create could ruin everything. You pour your whole self into it, and then shroud it in darkness and curtains, layers of secrecy to keep it all hidden. When you finally close the locket you feel yourself vanish from the world's perspective. You are just a man, a simple artist making his way through the world, nothing more.

[ ]Go on vacation to the Contented Cow
[ ]Investigate a town that has had animals and livestock vanishing from the area
[ ]Reply to an invitation from Robert Sinclair to join him in his camp in Manitoba

You send a letter back to Robert informing him that you would love to join him at his camp. Robert replies with delight, and even makes plans to meet you in Boston and escort you there. You'll have time on the train together for him to catch you up on his work and what you'll be doing together once you hit the camp. It actually sounds quite pleasant to have your friend coming to meet you. You don't have to worry about arriving just to find Robert has already gone missing or come to harm.

What do you pack for your trip?

[ ]Usual expedition supplies
[ ]Art supplies to capture the beauty of the wilds
[ ]Occult supplies in case things have gone wrong
[ ]Write-in

You head down to Boston and arrive at the train station you'll both be taking at six pm. Robert greets you with a wild smile. He looks good. His skin is beaten and weathered from his travels, and his hair more grey now with his fifties, but there's a cheerful heartiness to the explorer as he drags you into a hug. "Oliver! Look at you, you've grown!"

"I couldn't stay a skinny university student forever," you replied back cheerfully.

Robert laughed. "I guess not! But come, we need to get on board! Half an hour to departure, and you know it'll take time with the crowds." You push through the crowds together to pass your tickets to the conductor and board the train. Plush carpet lines the floor, with polished wood giving the interior a beautiful shine. Even the lights fixed along the train are decorated and not left bare. Unfortunately purchasing your tickets means the rooms you have for overnight are separate. You were lucky and got a compartment near the front. The room you have contains a bed tucked carefully into the wall of the train with a mattress that looks more comfortable than you were expecting, along with a small sink and mirror. The curtain over the window matches the fabric of your bed perfectly, giving it a cozy little glow as you tuck your bag away.

You find your way down to the dining car. Other passengers have already started taking seats in the tables that line either side of the car. You spot that Robert has taken a seat of his own, and he gives you a jovial wave to come and join him. "We'll be dining here tonight! They brought in chicken, so that'll be good. A taste of something I haven't prepared for myself, ah, what a treat!"

What do you choose to talk with him about?

[ ]His work
[ ]Your art
[ ]What Manitoba is like
[ ]Write-in