The Name's Oliver - Ben Oliver. Ch. 159: Duty vs Ethics, Pt. II

[ladybug53]

Pretty sure its ambitions.

Thanks so much ! I'll have a look tomorrow when I go in game . 

[Magz from Oz]

I had wondered if those names were cats or dogs but couldn't connect them to the in-game pets.  The Dreamweaver name didn't register with me.  <<Bangs head on keyboard!>>  Nice tidy wrap up to the story.

[RaiaDraconis]

Fantastic. What a way to end a case, and now it's off to further adventures! Go forth, Ben Oliver, and protect Simnation!

[Louise56]

I love the ending of the case! I didn't have a clue about the names lol. I can't wait for his next adventure.

[Magpie2012]

I figured out the "dreamweaver" mixed in the last names but not the cats lol Schip you get better and better the more I read!

[Blayzen]

Oh, how I love reading Ben's adventures!! I wonder if Dr. Freud will be making a visit to the new and improved Sanitarium after it is operating under much better management?  Who knows? He could offer therapy sessions designed to thwart would-be hypnocriminals! (Yes, it IS a word because I want it to be! LOL)

I was just as clueless as everybody else when it came to the list of names but I was thinking along the lines of rearranging the letters of the names... I just didn't know if I should use the first AND last names, first names, or last names. Needless to say, I quickly gave up.

As always, can't wait for the next installment!!

[Swirl-Girl]

hypnocriminals...
I could run away with this. Although an abomination birth would be required. But I call myself a chronic wild-child. On with the Abomination!

Sounds, kinda daunting. Can't say I wouldn'ta done the same.

[Schipperke]

In the Valley of Dragons, Part I

Diary Entry

"Go to Dragon Valley, Ben," De Luca had said.  "They've just joined the Federation and we want you to extend a welcome to them."

I pointed out that I was an agent, not a diplomat.

De Luca interrupted me.  "You have your orders, recruit.  Oh, and Oliver - I expect you to be friendly to the locals but not too friendly, understand me?  In other words, leave the ladies alone. You're the Federation's representative, and you will conduct yourself with decorum."

Well, of course I'd conduct myself with decorum.  As soon as I located a dictionary so I could look it up.  I dropped off my suitcase at the small house the military had rented for me and headed out to explore the town.



I tried out a sport they called archery.



I discovered a new instrument that the locals called a violin.  But after hearing the screeching sounds the thing made, I thought it must be meant as an instrument of torture.  The old fellow who gave me the violin just laughed and said with practice I'd be able to coax ethereal music from the instrument, but I wasn't sure I had the endurance to keep playing it that long.



I wandered around the town, introducing myself to everyone I met.  Most of the locals were very friendly.









Some were friendlier than others.



By the second day I had met enough people that I felt ready to throw a small party.  When I was in University, I was always receiving hoax invitations to bonfire parties.  I say "hoax invitations" because whenever I tried to go to those parties there never seemed to be anyone home and I finally gave up on them.  So this would be my first bonfire party, and I was resolved to make it a good one.  The house had a deep-fat fryer and I decided to try it out.  Fried cheese.  I hoped my guests were fond of fat and cholesterol.  As I gazed at the fatty meal, my mind went back to the Garden Sanatorium and I wondered how Adele and Caroline were doing.  I'd have to be careful to not overindulge on the fried cholesterol if I didn't want to go back on the autumn salad diet.  But my guests seemed to enjoy it.



The bonfire was a huge success.



As was the dancing.



The party had begun at 6, and by midnight I was ready for bed.  But it seemed that in Dragon Valley, parties went on all night as my guests partied on and on.



When I got up the next morning, one party guest was still dancing, twelve hours after the party had started.  Didn't the guy ever sleep?

[ladybug53]

Oh...I think Ben just disobeyed his orders just a tiny bit .    Love the screenshot of Ben learning to play the violin . He looks a bit terrified . I have a feeling that this chapter's going to be a good one too . I wonder what kind of tangles Ben's going find . Great beginning to a new chapter . 

[Magz from Oz]

Oh...I think Ben just disobeyed his orders just a tiny bit .   

I think Ben is just too irresistible for his own good.  I like this new story thread but what can he get up to in Dragon Valley?  Mwahaha!

[Louise56]

Ben sure did introduce himself to the locals lol The party was awesome, love the pictures.

[Swirl-Girl]

Those party animals! I love Ben's facepalm in the last pic.

[Schipperke]

In the Valley of Dragons, Part II

Diary Entry

The guy with the lavender hair - I had forgotten his name - was a dancing fool.  I tried several times to get his attention but nothing could tear him away from his dancing.  I finally gave up and left him to it while I set out on further explorations of the town.

The town had a charming old graveyard.  I spent some time exploring the catacombs.



I had intended to stroll around the grounds and read the gravestones, but I saw a woman dressed in black mourning at a grave and didn't want to intrude on her grief.  I left the cemetery and went to visit the art gallery.



As I was admiring the gallery's intricate tapestries, the woman in the widow's weeds arrived.



The woman stood behind me as I studied the tapestry.  I didn't want to turn around and look at her - after all, she had just as much right to be there as I did - but I had the uneasy feeling that she was looking at me instead of the artworks, and I soon left.

The park in the centre of town was an excellent place to meet townsfolk, so I headed there next.  I met a charming young woman; we were getting along splendidly, and then out of the corner of my eye I caught sight of the woman in black again. 



The woman in black kept turning up wherever I went.  What was it all about?  I was beginning to think she was following me for some reason, and my suspicions were confirmed when she waved at me.



"You, there!" her voice was loud and imperious.  "Yes, you!  I wish to speak to you.  Kindly come here."

I wasn't keen on being spoken to like a servant, but I was curious about this woman in widow's weeds.  I wondered why she had been following me.  I walked over to her, intending to find out who she was and what she wanted.

"Your name is Ben Oliver, am I right?" she asked.  I nodded.  She continued, "I am familiar with your reputation for solving problems.  People say you are good at fixing situations.  Mr Oliver, I require your assistance with a certain situation."

[Swirl-Girl]

Oooh. Cliff hanger!
I'll get you, Schip! And your little dogs too! (Hee Hee, Wizard of Oz)

[Audren]

Is that the beekeeper mask from Supernatural? Very clever to use it as a double for a mourning veil. (Is that what it's called. It doesn't sound entirely right) What does this mysterious woman want with Ben, I wonder?