"My friend.--Welcome to the Carpathians. I am anxiously expecting you. Sleep well tonight. At three tomorrow the diligence will start for Bukovina; a place on it is kept for you. At the Borgo Pass my carriage will await you and will bring you to me. I trust that your journey from London has been a happy one, and that you will enjoy your stay in my beautiful land.--Your friend, Dracula."
4 May--I found that my landlord had got a letter from the Count, directing him to secure the best place on the coach for me; but on making inquiries as to details he seemed somewhat reticent, and pretended that he could not understand my German.
This could not be true, because up to then he had understood it perfectly; at least, he answered my questions exactly as if he did.
He and his wife, the old lady who had received me, looked at each other in a frightened sort of way. He mumbled out that the money had been sent in a letter, and that was all he knew. When I asked him if he knew Count Dracula, and could tell me anything of his castle, both he and his wife crossed themselves, and, saying that they knew nothing at all, simply refused to speak further. It was so near the time of starting that I had no time to ask anyone else, for it was all very mysterious and not by any means comforting.
Just before I was leaving, the old lady came up to my room and said in a hysterical way: "Must you go? Oh! Young Herr, must you go?" She was in such an excited state that she seemed to have lost her grip of what German she knew, and mixed it all up with some other language which I did not know at all. I was just able to follow her by asking many questions. When I told her that I must go at once, and that I was engaged on important business, she asked again:
"Do you know what day it is?" I answered that it was the fourth of May. She shook her head as she said again:
"Oh, yes! I know that! I know that, but do you know what day it is?"
On my saying that I did not understand, she went on:
"It is the eve of St. George's Day. Do you not know that to-night, when the clock strikes midnight, all the evil things in the world will have full sway? Do you know where you are going, and what you are going to?" She was in such evident distress that I tried to comfort her, but without effect. Finally, she went down on her knees and implored me not to go; at least to wait a day or two before starting.
It was all very ridiculous but I did not feel comfortable. However, there was business to be done, and I could allow nothing to interfere with it.
I tried to raise her up, and said, as gravely as I could, that I thanked her, but my duty was imperative, and that I must go.
She then rose and dried her eyes, and taking a crucifix from her neck offered it to me.
I did not know what to do, for, as an English Churchman, I have been taught to regard such things as in some measure idolatrous, and yet it seemed so ungracious to refuse an old lady meaning so well and in such a state of mind.
She saw, I suppose, the doubt in my face, for she put the rosary round my neck and said, "For your mother's sake," and went out of the room.
I am writing up this part of the diary whilst I am waiting for the coach, which is, of course, late; and the crucifix is still round my neck.
Whether it is the old lady's fear, or the many ghostly traditions of this place, or the crucifix itself, I do not know, but I am not feeling nearly as easy in my mind as usual.
~Dracula, Bram Stoker, Chapter 1
I wonder is this German guy the same German guy I saw on TV who had a 5000 tarantulas and separate house just to grow them . What people do is unbelievable ? This post and the one about snakes remind me how there was guy here who was walking on the street with the albino piton I think on his shoulder . The snake was yellowish whitish around his neck . Well when I saw them I crossed the street.
How old the snakes are as specie do you know ? To me they look like they habit the Earth for a long, long time .
And yes, poor spiders they are living being too.
Some species of snakes have been around as long as the dino, just not in their present form. Been around a LONG while. Tell you something fun to look up…
O Apep and the Book of Gates. The ‘book’ that was found in the tomb of Seti I of Egypt. It was written on the wall of his tomb and the ‘books’ purpose was to serve as a ‘map’ of the underworld…The greatest thing Seti I had to watch out for on his journey to the afterlife, was Apep – The god of evil (in giant snake form of course).
Cool stuff – Think you would enjoy it!
Cool , thanks . You know what makes me happy
I will look for it right now.
The Book of Gates is pretty awesome, just all its won. Been playing around with a story based on it just cause the coolness almost demands it. I just LOVE Egyptian mythology! I tell ya, its unlike anything else to be had today.
I love Egyptian mythology too . It is other worthly .
and that is not good role for me and my many voices .
Do you have any idea how much I would like to read the story you are playing with . I feel like abandoned Greek chorus
I tend to over complicate my stories. *laughs* Not as if you didn’t know that already. This one I’m working on making a little more simplistic, but tel you what…If I ever get it to the point I want, then yes I will let you read it.
“laughs” Yes , I know . Maybe you need complicated subject ( Egyptian mythology) which will force you to make it more simplistic . How knows maybe it will work great for you.
But I am happy that I can tell you that . 
Geez , If you ever get it to the point you want , then yes you will let me read it ” Good thing i am not waiting holding my breath . I will be blue and long gone.
I am not happy with the answer .
Take your time , but you know how much I love reading your stories . After all that’s the only think i like about you.
Hahahaha.
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Hahahah
I have an idea for a very copmlicated supernatural story about eternal connection between two souls .
One is an ancient soul and warrior . Another is regular human being unaware of their eternal connection . The warrior will kill the human to free the spirit and to be together .
Of course , in the end story could be completely different . But it is fun to play with it .Maybe I will let you read.