Patchwork Universe

Sorrel Sparrow · Average Joined: 20 Jul 2004 Posts: 28 Location: Hareton

[From 'Sorrel Has A Picnic']

Something rather like a very small whirlwind swept down the street towards the costume shop. By this time in the morning, other local residents were stirring, and gazed curiously after Sorrel as she raced home. The door of the shop banged behind her.

Half an hour later, she re-emerged. The picnic was replenished and repacked, and various other pieces of equipment were tucked about Sorrel's person. She wore her favourite sensible travelling clothes - stout brown boots, a short-skirted green corduroy dress in a dungaree style (with several useful pockets), and a long-sleeved red t-shirt underneath. Her hair was woven into many plaits and twisted on top of her head into a large flat coil. The sewing basket bounced on her hip as she walked.

She locked the door behind her, making sure the sign still said 'Closed', and set off once more down the street.

On the counter in the shop behind her lay a note for her shop assistant. "Mary," it read, "if I'm not back when you get in on Monday, just open up as usual, please. I've had to go on a short trip. Love, Sorrel."

Sorrel crossed the town and followed the winding road north.

Sorrel Sparrow · Average Joined: 20 Jul 2004 Posts: 28 Location: Hareton

Sorrel bounced along jauntily, enjoying the sunshine, the birdsong, the beautiful countryside, and the unfamiliar sense of Adventure. She realised that without knowing it, she had been feeling stifled in Hareton, lovely though it was. It was so sleepy and quiet! Not that she'd change it, she mused. It was a very pleasant place - but sometimes a girl needs to get out and about and see the world!

It didn't take long before she crested a rise and saw the wavering mist spread out before her, right across the road. She advanced cautiously, and peered at it. She could see through the translucent curtain from this distance. Beyond, the land seemed somewhat flatter than it ought to have been, and more golden - though maybe that's just the sun, she thought. But it was definitely not the road down to Sheepfold Farm.

She rummaged in her picnic-bag and pulled out a dinner-knife. Reaching forwards, she prodded the mist curtain with it. Nothing happened - the knife sank through it, and returned.

"Oh well," Sorrel said aloud. "Nothing ventured, nothing gained!" Putting the knife away, she took a deep breath and stepped forwards, through the mist.

[Sorrel moves to City in the Sands, "A Visitor From The South"]