Patchwork Universe

Dr Jewel

[OOC : From The Map Room]

Jewel looked around with some surprise.

"I'm still in human form, at least." She said softly to herself. "But this time it makes me stand out."

Dr. William T. Odom · Good Joined: 01 Dec 2003 Posts: 471 Location: The Museum

[OOC: From "Map Room: Which way for the Roses?"]

Dr. Odom came through the mist rather quickly. Once on this side, he slowed and calmly rolled a cigarette, commenting, "It may not be a castle but it's certainly big and in the air. I suppose it's not unreasonable to wonder whether that's done by magic or science."

Dr Jewel · Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2004 9:38 am Post subject:

"I wonder what that flying machine is? It looks like an early glider or some such. I hope it's under more control than it appears to be from here."

Yarrow · Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2004 9:39 am Post subject:

As the two doctors looked up towards the floating island it was possible to make out a speck of something circling around in wide spirals, dropping down further on each circuit.

It could have been a bird but its wings were rigid, it could have been a kite but even at that height it was surely too large. The things that it resembled the most was the early aeronautical attempts of the Wright Brothers or Leonardo Da Vinci.

The tiny person who could now be seen inside the craft was evidently some reckless sort who thought gravity didn't apply to them.

[crossed-over from 'Skayak' thread]

Father Michael · Strong Joined: 30 Apr 2004 Posts: 98 Location: San Pietro

[OOC: From Map Room]

As Michael crossed over the border the first thing he noticed was the fact that his two companions were staring up at the sky. Following their gaze he could see why - there was some sort of glider in the sky spiralling down. The fact that it was descending from a floating island was just a little too much to take in for the moment.

However, Pietro also seemed very interested in the glider, and Michael wondered why.

Dr. William T. Odom · Good Joined: 01 Dec 2003 Posts: 471 Location: The Museum

This was the sort of thing that made Dr. Odom nervous about these open spaces. People and things falling, great huge rocks and buildings floating improbably in the sky like clouds with nothing visibly holding them up, ready to join in the falling at any moment . . .

Dr. Odom started to feel dizzy and short of breath.

Yarrow · Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2004 5:39 pm Post subject:

It wasn't a very well designed craft and when the single occupant lifted an arm to wave at them, it lurched wildly out of control. Coming down to earth in a series of bumps it finally landed a quarter of a mile away. Even from this distance the group could hear the sound of squeaking wheels in agony as the craft juddered and bounced and appeared to decide at having made such as hash of being an aeroplane it would take a shot at automobile instead.

The propellers continued to spin from the ends of its now useless wings as it sped along the ground, the elderly woman jammed into the front of the canoe-shaped body of the vehicle frantically spinning the all but functionless wheel.

It had picked up an impressive turn of speed for something so haphazardly designed but as it speed towards them the driver could be heard to be shouting something.
"... remembered... forgotten... Skayak... doesn't have a brake!"

Dr Jewel · Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2004 6:13 pm Post subject:

"Try steering it in a circle until it slows down." Jewel shouted back.

She got ready to dodge the machine, then remembered she didn't have to.

Father Michael · Strong Joined: 30 Apr 2004 Posts: 98 Location: San Pietro

Michael recognised the occupant of the strange machine as the old lady who had brought Pietro back to him. Knowing that she was one of those who called themselves gods, and therefore unlikely to come to any harm, he decided that the best course of action would be to stay out of the path of the machine until it had come to a stop.

Dr. William T. Odom · Good Joined: 01 Dec 2003 Posts: 471 Location: The Museum

Dr. Odom's brain fought off an invasion of squirrel-like thinking like the one that had taken over during the bicycle incident by the school. Instead it succumbed to replacement by a deer brain which dictated that he stand and stare with dumb incomprehension at the rushing machine.

Yarrow · Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2004 11:59 pm Post subject:

The driver had appeared to take Dr Jewel's suggestion because the vehicle finally came to a halt after having described several circles around a single tussock of land. A few metal wheels disengaged from the machine and dropped on to the gound.

Meanwhile the elderly lady who had been the pilot of this unlikely craft, climbed out and fanned herself with her disreputable looking hat.

Dr. William T. Odom · Good Joined: 01 Dec 2003 Posts: 471 Location: The Museum

Dr. Odom made several witty and insightful comments along the lines of, "Ub." After a few such well-aimed barbs he clambered over the grass and pebbles at his best speed until he was by the pilot's side and chivalry (or chauvanism, if you prefer) was able to take over.

"Are you all right, Ma'am?" The question seemed ridiculous since he was so much more obviously shaken by the near-catastrophe than she was.

Dr Jewel · Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2004 7:33 am Post subject:

Jewel joined him within a few seconds. She looked from the lady to her craft and back again.

"What went wrong?" She asked.

Yarrow · Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2004 10:17 am Post subject:

"No brakes," the old lady explained breathlessly. "Thank you, dear," she added to Odom, taking advantage of his offered arm to stagger a few paces further away from the craft. "Excellent bit of design apart from that though. I call it a Skayak."

Releasing Odom's arm she walked round to the back of the machine and wrestled a metal frame shopping trolley out of the back of the canoe part.
"Your s'posed to use the tower," she added, pointing at a tall tower directly beneath the floating island. "But a feller knocked it down with his kite earlier today."

Dr Jewel · Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2004 1:01 pm Post subject:

"That must have been one impressive kite." Jewel observed. "But I'm forgetting my manners. I'm Jewel Hart; these are my friends Dr. William Odom, Father Michael and the cat is Pietro."

Jewel gave the cat a second, sharp look.

Why did Michael bring him along? And why didn't I notice until now?