Patchwork Universe

John Angelis · Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2004 9:06 am Post subject:

"Let me ask you a question, though... I go through the tunnels, I end up places, that's what I expect. But you don't expect to end up anywhere new when you walk out of this place? That's different for you?"

Harlequin · Average Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 33 Location: Chimera

Harlequin was well practised at looking interested whilst not paying the slightest attention. He generally used this skill whilst politics were being discussed.
He wordlessy passed his hat to Meirian with a flourish.

Meirian · Good Joined: 29 Feb 2004 Posts: 22 Location: The Academy

Meirian didn't understand the little man's song, but she thought it sounded funny just the same. She clapped and bounced as he began his song, but became briefly distracted by the hat. She smiled brilliantly at Harly-kun, before placing it onto her head with a flourish. It peched absurdly on top of the blue spikes, apparently having about as much success as her attempt at pigtails; but she seemed pleased enough.

Trubshawe · Good Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 91 Location: The Zoo

Moon was extremely pleased that this gathering of strangers seemed to be going so well, what with the clapping and the hat-swapping and the man in black leather asking questions that no-one seemed to have the first idea how to answer.

Which reminded him. Making new friends was all very well, but he was an Assistant Zookeeper with a job to do. He cleared his throat.

"Ahem! Begging all very important pardons! We are here on conducting urgent business, later for pleasure. Which way please to the wildlife?"

John Angelis · Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2004 8:23 pm Post subject:

Angelis was now really getting onto a roll, bemusement-wise.

What had appeared to be a conversation explaining matters now seemed to become a rather surreal hat-swapping, song singing affair. Long experience had taught Angelis that once things took a turn for the surreal, they rarely reversed course. Surreality was always confusing, often dangerous, and always worth avoiding.

He sighed to himself. He really ought to have seen this coming when the guy in the funny hat arrived.

Taking a deep breath, Angelis slipped out of view, and surreptitiously slid into the mists to the south...

Meirian · Good Joined: 29 Feb 2004 Posts: 22 Location: The Academy

"Well, I could show you all round if you want..... Oh, where'd John-kun go?" Meirian's concerned was total while it lasted; but she was easily distracted. "Wildlife..? Well, there's not a lot on the outskirts; just fields and things mainly. I could show you the city if you like - and we keep a variety of animals at the Academy."
"Harly-kun? you coming too?" She smiled at him with obvious interest.

Trubshawe · Good Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 91 Location: The Zoo

"Variety of animals, oh yes please, thank you!" replied Moon enthusiastically. "Peacocks AND bengals!"

He too turned to Harlequin to see if the man was happy to go along with this excellent suggestion of Meirian's. He would probably have to, if he hoped to get his hat back...

Harlequin · Average Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 33 Location: Chimera

Harlequin met the glances of the others, and realised a question had been asked of him. He tried to pick up the pieces of the conversation, another talent practised in court.

Erm, strange song and dance, something about hats, ah yes, my hat, works well with blue hair, could do with some colour on the hat, maybe a flower or something, where was I, oh yes, the strange questions man wandered off, we were here to look at animals! That was it - bengal tigers!

"Yes!" he exclaimed, possibly a little too loudly, "Peacocks and bengals!"
He grinned at Meirian, and then thought that perhaps that wasn't a very intelligent thing to have said. Was he losing some of his charm?!

Meirian · Good Joined: 29 Feb 2004 Posts: 22 Location: The Academy

Meirian giggled.

"You're strange. I like you. I shall interpret that as a yes. Let us proceed!!"

So saying, she grabbed each of their hands, and attempted to skip forward excitedly. Unfortunately, as neither of her companions had been expecting this maneouver, she instead succeeded in falling over, and pulling the other two on top of her.

"Ouch"

Harlequin · Average Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 33 Location: Chimera

Harlequin extracted himself from the pile with a face almost as red as his trousers.

First my charm, now my poise! What is this woman doing to me?!

He lent a hand to Moon, who managed to stagger to his feet, and then helped Meirian.

"Madame, do forgive my leaden feet! I hope I have not caused you any harm!" He noticed that his hat had fallen to the floor and stooped to pick it up. After brushing the dust off, he placed it gently back onto Meirian's head.

Meirian once more grabbed their hands and they headed towards the city.

Meirian · Good Joined: 29 Feb 2004 Posts: 22 Location: The Academy

[OOC note: continued in "In the city"]