Under the cover of night.
The hall of the Hall family's luxurious villa was already brightly lit, and guests arrived one after another for the ball.
Earl Hall, Madam Caitlyn, Hibbert, and Alfred were greeting guests at the entrance.
Wrapped in a cloak, Audrey stood by the railing and watched quietly for a while.
Then.
She lightly lifted her skirt and, from far away, slowly curtsied to her parents and brothers.
A moment later.
She pulled up the hood of her dark blue cloak, concealing her face.
Beside and behind her, lights blazed amid a lively bustle.
Before her, the sea of the collective unconscious emerged, formed from countless glimmers of dim light.
"Let's go."
Audrey spoke to Suzie in a slightly husky voice.
She stepped into that dark, illusory ocean.
The golden retriever followed.
A woman and a dog.
They went farther and farther into the swaying, silent darkness.
By the time they emerged from the sea of the collective unconscious.
They had arrived at Workers' Wharf in the East Borough.
It was dark and quiet here. The evening wind swirled past Audrey, making her hood flutter.
She raised her head.
She saw a figure silently take shape in the gloom.
It was a gentleman wearing a black formal suit and a white mask.
He bowed to Audrey. "Esteemed miss, my master sent me to fetch you."
Audrey lowered her hood and nodded gently. "Sorry for the trouble."
The masked gentleman stepped forward. "Please hold on to my shoulder."
When Audrey reached out and placed her hand on his shoulder, the gentleman also laid a hand on Suzie's head.
Then the colors of their surroundings grew richer.
They had entered the Spirit World, with its distinct blocks of color.
This was not Audrey's first experience with "Travel."
She did