Patchwork Universe

liason · Posted: 31 Jan 2004 10:07 pm Post subject: Washed up

For a while, all he could hear was the slosh, slosh, slosh of his boots through the water. The mist thinned as he proceeded and a shoreline was visible with tall trees beyond which a bright sun dazzled his eyes.

Tired from his exertions, Liason walked up the beach then lay down in the bracken just far enough from the shore to keep the sand from his sodden cloak.

It was from this vantage that he noticed something which had previously escaped his attention. Back in the direction of the mist was some huge seafaring vessel, the likes of which he had never seen before. Too tired to give this matter his immediate attention, he resolved to study it in more detail once he had slept.

Larkin Quickgrip · Good Joined: 21 Jan 2004 Posts: 34 Location: The Slums

Larkin struggled ashore coughing up sea water, cursing mist, sea and stupid bloody scars which you THINK are becoming infected and producing a mist but aint really and in fact are hiding a bloody great OCEAN.

Grumbling he sulked his way up the beach complaining to the stupid island in general. It wasn't till he got up to the top of the beach that he realised his pockets were a lot lighter than when he started. With short gasp he felt through them realising his once all-purpose thieving kit now comprised of a rather large sea-shell and a lot of sea water and as well as this his mirror was now cracked. Rather luckily though he still had his knife which had been fastened securly in his inside pocket.

He then continued grumbling, moaning and cursing his way up the beach and it wasnt until he practically tripped over him that he noticed a body sleeping on the beach wrapped in a large cloak.

Whipping out his blade he deicided to sit and wait for the man to wake up, then see what he had to say about this stupid ocean in the middle of the plains.

liason · Posted: 01 Feb 2004 10:06 pm Post subject: An encounter with another traveller

Liason awoke suddenly and opened his eyes. He could see a bright sky, a verdant canopy and... a man.

"Good day to you sir," Liason rose somewhat cautiously to a sitting position.

The man watching him - Liason felt gentleman would be the wrong word - did not look like a tribesman or a Provincial. Liason was forced to rethink his ideas about where exactly he might be.

The other fellow appeared quite as damp as he was, if not more so. This piqued Liason's curiosity.

"I would be obliged if you were able to tell me whereabouts I find myself. Although engaged in a matter of exploration, I cannot account for the unexpected character of my surroundings."

Very cautiously, Liason then made as if to stand up, hoping the man was not hostile since to fight from this prone position might be quite disadvantageous.

Captain Isobel DeRainault · Good Joined: 20 Jan 2004 Posts: 100 Location: HMS Justice

Captain's Log (Supplemental) HMS Justice - Moahu, South Pacific - February 1, 17--. First Lieutenant William Stafford reporting.

Shortly following the departure of the Captain and the launch at six bells in the morning watch, an individual was seen struggling ashore on the island of Moahu. As the island was believed uninhabited, this caused considerable concern - however, due to the fact he was unaccompanied and appeared unarmed, we resolved to take no action until the Captain's return, while maintaining a close watch via spyglass. The quick return of Lieutenant Staves and the launch allowed us to send word to the Captain almost immediately. Just prior to her return however, a second individual was spied walking up the beach, at four bells in the forenoon watch. He was armed, and appeared to be lying in wait for the other.

***

The Captain's return on deck sparked a flurry of activity amongst the crew. Jumping up lightly from the launch, she handed off the two bottles she was carrying to Samuels, with a word to handle them with care, and "For God's sake, let the claret breathe!" In the next few moments, she had organized a troop of armed marines under the supervision of Captain MacFarlane, and a second boat was prepared to go ashore on the island.

Coming up the beach, she took in a most unusual sight - two oddly - one might say antiquely - dressed men, one looking disreputable and holding a blade, and the other, the other cautiously rising from where he had been sleeping.

"Gentlemen! You both appear to have recently floundered ashore here, and are in need of some assistance." The Captain cocked her head at both figures, taking in their bedraggled appearance and damp clothing. "I am Captain Isobel DeRainault, of the HMS Justice. May I enquire as to your presence here - in an erstwhile uninhabited island in the middle of the South Pacific?"

Larkin Quickgrip · Good Joined: 21 Jan 2004 Posts: 34 Location: The Slums

Larkin looked round to face the captain, seeing as the other fella seemed to have as few answers as he and just as many questions. Standing up and brushing off the sand from his clothes he held out a grubby palm while putting the knife quickly away with the other.

"Larkins the name." he said "Larkin Quickgrip." He grinned and took in the way she was, rather strangely to his eyes, dressed. He added "Im from the Slums of the great city of Peerblind which should be roughly ova ....." Larkins face fell as he tried to remember which way he had come from, but what with the sea and everything he had completely lost his bearings.

Realising that the other people were staring at him he regained what composure he could and continued. "So, ummm where didya say I was again. Only Im kinda lost, this is supposed ter be some Plains."

liason · Posted: 02 Feb 2004 08:44 pm Post subject:

It seemed unlikely to Liason that he was any longer in immediate danger from Mister Quickgrip. Accordingly, he rose to his feet, then swept back his cloak and bowed.

"Liason, Ambassador to the Imperial Forge."

The sweeping motion also afforded Captain MacFarlane and his marines a fleeting glimpse of his sword and pistol. Their fine workmanship and elaborate decoration hinted at wealth.

"The South Pacific, did you say ?" Liason ran his fingers through his still-damp hair, "I have no recollection of it from my cartographic studies, but your Leviathan suggests to me that there may be opportunities for trade here ?" With a gesture of one black-gloved hand, Liason indicates the HMS Justice.

Captain Isobel DeRainault · Good Joined: 20 Jan 2004 Posts: 100 Location: HMS Justice

Captain’s Log, HMS Justice – Moahu, South Pacific – February 2, 17--

Upon return to ship from uncharted landmass to the north, received report of two individuals of foreign origin washing up on the beach. Nationality of either is unclear, and the places they cite are unfamiliar, but further questioning should clarify the matter. As Moahu has no known or encountered native peoples, this has proved an unusual development, especially as both have indicated in their speech and presence that there are further landmasses to the east and south – less than a league in either direction, likely just beyond our mysterious fogbank. Further investigation is, in any case, warranted.

***

Captain DeRainault cast an appraising eye over both of the castaways. Obviously, they were both landsmen, but they did not appear to be from the same country, or indeed time period – the one dressed as she imagined a medieval peasant might, and the other looking like something out of one of her books about the Reign of Elizabeth the Great. This would bear further discussion, and it doubtless would not hurt to have a bit of dinner while doing so – neither seemed an immediate danger (though either or both could be spies, she mused) and a good wine did seem to loosen men’s tongues.

“Quickgrip, you say?” she said, addressing to the one who spoke first. “From the City of Peerblind, in the Plains. Well, you're a long way from home, as this is the South Pacific. What nationality do you claim?” From the looks of him, he could be English, or German, perhaps. Either way, she would be within the Articles of War were she to press him, and they were short a few hands after the difficult weathering of the Cape. Best not to push the matter now, but still. “Not interested in a career in the Her Majesty’s Navy, are you Quickgrip? Three squares, ration of spirits, adequate pay and a share of any prizes we take.” She gave him a kindly smile. “Think on it. For the moment, however, it seems only justice that we should offer a you a meal and a chance to dry your clothes – and it is, after all, our name.”

“And you, sir,” she said, turning to the other. “Ambassador, you say, but of what nation? And what’s this about an Imperial Forge? There’s been none who claim such title in Europe since the Holy Roman Empire, unless you count the pretensions of that Frenchman.” L’ Iason sounded like a French name, but then so did hers. Moreover, the man didn’t look French, Spanish maybe – and truth of fact, England was at war with neither, for the moment. Isobel sighed. “You have the bearing and manners of a gentleman, so if you’ll give me your word that you are neither a pirate nor a hostile foreign national, and you swear to do no harm to my crew or my ship, you are welcome to join me in the great cabin for dinner. I think some discussion is warranted in any case, though I’ll tell you now, we’re no merchantman.” One of the marines stifled a chuckle at this, and even Captain MacFarlane smiled.

“Well!” Offer made, Captain DeRainault was prepared to head back to the boat. Nodding to Captain MacFarlane, she added “Give me your parole, and I’ll even let you both keep your weapons with you, although,” and this with a stern glance of her clear gray eyes, “I’ll not have any unsanctioned fighting on my ship. Come along if you're going to. ” And with that, she is off down the beach.

liason · Posted: 03 Feb 2004 12:09 pm Post subject:

"You raise some interesting questions indeed..." Liason paused, as though trying to recall something, "But I accept the honour of your invitation to dinner. That should provide opportunity enough for discussion. And of course, I give you my word as a gentleman that the weapons I carry will be used only for my own protection here. One must take care when travelling uncharted lands."

As the group travelled, the Captain was able to pick out a curious crest in various places on Liason's dark clothing. The dark turquoise of his cloak lining matched the field of two quarters of this heraldry. Despite its fiendish complexity, none of it looked familiar.