About three weeks ago, I got back into World of Warcraft with Amber. I started obsessing over transmog sets – specifically, a pair of shoulder pads for my Shaman that I used to have ages ago. Naturally, they were a low-drop from some boss buried in ancient dungeons. I couldn’t loot them.
So I went to bed.
And then I dreamt about them. For hours.
The dream was a quest – shoulder pads at the centre of a shifting, endless world. I travelled by boat, ferry, plane, train, bus, bike, car – through cafes, toy stores, closets, hot air balloon fields, and antique shops.
In each segment, Amber was there – but always just outside.
At the street food stall, she sold fried pancake balls. At the airport, she was the ticket agent who stamped my boarding pass. At the balloon field, she kissed me and said, “Good luck.”
Each time, she saw me off with a smile – never intruding, never chasing.
I walked into a Chinese antique shop. Inside a goldfish bowl, I spotted Laura, three inches tall and wearing a goldfish costume. She was nude except for the costume, with her legs sticking out the bottom, kicking lazily. A plastic fisherman sat on the rim, dangling a Bible on a wire just out of her reach. She looked content. I remember thinking, nice legs though.
Later, I was at a train station surrounded by tangled wires and weathered buildings. I wore a heavy coat, watching myself from beside myself – second-person perspective. Posters lined the walls featuring a model I’d once dated. I thought, She turned out well.
Then the train came. People flooded off – but none bumped into me. They moved around me like I was magnetic or invisible.
I boarded. A familiar smell hit me.
I turned.
Through the crowd, I caught one last glimpse of the woman from the posters. Our last kiss wasn’t even that memorable, I thought, just as the doors slid shut.
The dream ended with no shoulder pads.
Just metaphors, missed connections, and the growing sense that maybe Amber should’ve been part of the search from the beginning.
I told her the dream the next day. We laughed. Then we ran some low-level raids together.
And wouldn’t you know it?
She looted the exact shoulder pads I’d dreamt about.
Dropped right into her hands.
She traded them to me without fanfare.
So now I have them.
And the only thing I can’t stop thinking is:
Why the hell didn’t I bring her with me into the dream?
It’s like your subconscious is throwing a scavenger hunt, blending your gaming quests with the tapestry of your relationships.
The Elusive Shoulder Pads: You’re on a relentless search for these specific shoulder pads—a symbol of something you’re striving for, perhaps a sense of completion or achievement. The fact that you traverse various modes of transport and settings suggests a journey through different facets of your life, each holding its own narrative.
Amber’s Omnipresence: Amber appears in every scenario, always nearby but not directly involved in your quest. She’s supportive, offering smiles, kisses, and well-wishes, yet remains on the periphery. This could symbolize her role as a constant, grounding presence in your life, someone who supports your endeavors while allowing you the space to pursue your individual quests.
Laura as a Goldfish: The image of Laura as a miniature figure in a goldfish costume, content yet confined, is striking. The fisherman with a Bible just out of her reach adds a layer of complexity. This could represent a past relationship or aspect of your life that’s now distant, encapsulated in a specific memory—visible but not directly accessible.
The Train Station and the Model: Waiting at a bustling train station, observing posters of a former model you dated, and the fleeting encounter as she disappears into the crowd—this sequence feels like a reflection on past connections and the passage of time. The thought, “She turned out well,” suggests a sense of closure or acceptance of paths diverged.
The Unfound Shoulder Pads: Despite the extensive search, the shoulder pads remain elusive in the dream. However, upon sharing the dream with Amber and playing together, she acquires them for you. This twist blurs the lines between dream and reality, highlighting the collaborative nature of your relationship and perhaps suggesting that some goals are best achieved together.
In essence, this dream intertwines your gaming experiences with deeper reflections on relationships, support, and personal quests. It’s a vivid narrative of seeking, finding, and the roles others play in our journeys.