Patchwork Universe

Yarrow · Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2004 1:45 pm Post subject:

"Oh, I know Pietro," the old woman announced, surprisingly. Reaching out she offered Pietro a finger to sniff while adding to Michael. "So how's reincarnation working out for you, Father?"

"I'm Yarrow," she told Dr Jewel. "I've been having tea here but 'm off thataway, next." She waved a hand roughly towards the north west.

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

"To be quite honest, I try not to think about it. My religion is quite explicit about reincarnation - it doesn't happen. Mind you, I suppose returning to mortal existence in the Janitor's white van in lieu of a fiery chariot has a certain style.

"Pietro is obviously very pleased to see you," he added, as Pietro began to purr loudly and interlace himself between her legs. "How fascinating, I never knew he liked herring."

Noticing that Dr Jewel and Odom were looking considerably puzzled, Michael added, "It's a long story. The shortened version is that Pietro has seen more of the Patchwork than I have, in the company of Yarrow."

Dr Jewel · Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2004 9:17 pm Post subject:

"Nice to meet you. We're headed north-west as well. To the Rose Garden."

Jewel suddenly remembered the name 'Yarrow' from her conversation with Larkin. It must mean she was one of the gods who Kao Sheng was cautiously opposed to.

"How did you know Pietro had herring?" Jewel asked Father Michael, whilst wondering what else to say to the god in front of her. "Does he talk in certain patches?"

Yarrow · Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2004 10:13 pm Post subject:

Yarrow ruffled Pietro's fur and scratched the awkward 'behind the ear' place that cats always had to wet a paw to get properly clean.
"I'd offer you a seat, little panther," she said apologetically. "But I left me tricycle in the zoo that time and I ain't been back." Lowering her voice she added: "Don't you do either, mind. They're under orders to shoot cats on sight in the zoo now. I'll fix his wagon for it, just see if I do, but it'll take a little time."

Standing up she took hold of the handlebars of her trolley, abandoning the remains of the Skayak and started off across the fields. Turning to look back at the others she said to Odom.
"So, you're off to the rose garden are you? Going to help my poor little Rose with her problem? Isn't that a nice gentlemanly thing to do."
Her manner had shifted from the conversation she had enjoyed with the cat to somethign approaching that of a nurse with a patient.

Bending over her trolley she rummaged around in the pile of black sacks it contained to produce a battered tobacco tin and extracted tobacco and paper.
"They say flying's the only way to travel but it plays hell with me nerves. I don't usually smoke but I feel like one at the moment." Deftly rolling the cigarette into a cylinder with an ease that belied her claim not to indulge often, she began to fumble around in her pockets. "Got a light, Doctor?"

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

"Yes, certainly," Dr. Odom answered.

The conversation had turned somewhat surreal, and he was still not quite recovered from his reaction to all of the floating and falling, so it took him a second or two to remember in which pocket he carried his matches. When he found them he struck one and held it cupped against stray breezes so the old woman could light her cigarette.

"'Gentlemanly?'" he said. "I like to believe anyone would do the same. And I must confess, Dr. Jewel offered her assistance before I did. So really I'm trying to help her to help Miss Briar," he concluded with a self-mocking chuckle.

Yarrow · Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 1:21 pm Post subject:

"Ta," Yarrow said, inhaling. "Well, Rose's problem ain't a simple one but she could do with a bit of help, that's for certain. And I'd 'preciate it if you could help her out. Call it a preparation for working with Kao Sheng."

She took another drag on the cigarette and continued:
"Here's a question for you... a riddle if you like. Which is more real to you, what you know or what you believe?"

Dr Jewel · Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 2:09 pm Post subject:

"Hmm. I think what I know. It used to be what I believed in, but that was before I became a ghost. And before I was here."

Jewel thought about it.

"Is that a riddle to help us with Rose? It seemed to me that she's got a strong belief, or perhaps I should call it faith, in her godcousin."

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

"I'm inclined to disagree (sorry, Doctor). I know, for example, the difference between laid and wove paper, but it's my belief, no matter what someone from, say, Veterinary Science might think, that this knowledge is important that matters to me."

Yarrow · Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 4:41 pm Post subject:

Yarrow grinned. "Good answers," she said and her gaze flickered across them with a look somehow divorced from her little old lady persona.
"And in return I'll give you another riddle."

"Who are you? The person you think you are or the person other folks see you as?"

Dr Jewel · Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 5:17 pm Post subject:

Jewel was starting to wonder whether 'cryptic' was at the top of the job description for gods in this universe.

"Errr. Both?"

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

Dr. Odom gave in to the temptation aroused by Yarrow's cigarette and made himself one. He offered the pouch to Father Michael.

Eyes narrowed with concentration, Dr. Odom thought about the question, thinking it was rather like the matter of the screen that both Home Furnishings and Print wanted.

"Well, that's a difference between the person I believe myself to be and how little I know about how others see me, I suppose. So, in light of my first answer, I would be inclined to say . . ."

Dr. Odom stared at the ground since there was no ceiling.

"This isn't about us at all, is it? Miss Briar said her problem had something to do with her cousin having some sort of identity crisis, didn't she?"

Yarrow · Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 7:17 pm Post subject:

Yarrow smirked. "The feller's all crisis and no identity, as far as I can tell."

"I could take to this riddle game," she added. "Here's one last one to be thinking about... What's the perfect present?"

They looked at her, but that seemed to be all of it.

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

Accepting the pouch with a nod and a smile, Michael began to construct himself a cigarette. He saw that Dr Jewel was still looking at him somewhat oddly.

"I don't normally talk about this, but I suppose I had better explain, rather than leave it to your imagination. Pietro and I have a certain... connection. It's not terribly sinister - he is a very intelligent cat, but a cat nevertheless. I doubt that he would talk, even if he were able to - he thinks in images not words. That, I think, is the best I can explain it. A century or two ago, and they would have burned me as a witch. Even now, if I mentioned it in the wrong company..." He finished constructing his cigarette and puffed thoughtfully.

"That connects with your previous question, Miss Yarrow. Dr Jewel's perception of me has just changed rapidly - to her I am now a different person because of what I have told her. To myself I remain the same, and to you likewise.

"In addition to that, though, I think this place has its influence. I am not an exorcist, nor yet a knife-fighter any more, yet at Jones' Inn I behaved like both.

"As to the perfect present - why that would be exactly what I always wanted, but never knew I needed."

Dr Jewel · Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2004 7:48 am Post subject:

"The perfect present? I suppose it depends on who for. Trubshawe would like nothing better than a breeding pair of a fabulously rare species for his zoo."

Jewel stopped.

"That's the wrong way of looking at it, isn't it? The perfect present is the one that makes the receiver happiest."

Yarrow · Posted: Fri Aug 06, 2004 8:45 am Post subject:

Yarrow looked guardedly pleased.
"Not bad," she admitted. "Y'know, if things work out with Rose you should come to my shop. It's got things some of you might be interested in. And if you can help her, you p'robly deserve a reward. I'll give you a good price on anything that strikes your fancy."