Patchwork Universe

liason · Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2004 12:21 pm Post subject:

There was a knock at the door and a servant escorted a new visitor into the room,

"Liason, I present our guest, who is named Meirian," the servant then turned to her, "Madam, this is Liason, Ambassador to the Foundry."

Liason bowed to Meirian, "Allow me to introduce Doctor Domenova and Lieutenant Stafford of the HMS Justice who are also guests here."

Liason was, if anything, even thinner than the servant, but had a narrow, pale face to match.

Captain Isobel DeRainault · Good Joined: 20 Jan 2004 Posts: 151 Location: HMS Justice

"Why, no Mr. L'Iason, I certainly have no objection - Lieutenant Stafford?" The Lieutenant nodded. "No, of course not." However, remaining on the alert, he moved to a corner of the room from which he could command a clear view of the door, and rested his hand lightly on his sword.

When the customer entered the room and was introducted, Lieutenant Stafford made a very correct half-bow, and Doctor Domenova inclined her head with a smile. "Very pleased to meet you, my dear. Where are you from, oh! and are you involved in military, mercantile, or intelligence matters in any way - if you don't mind my asking?" The smile had become somewhat apologetic, but the issue had clearly engaged the Doctor's interest, as she peered over her spectacles at the newcomer.

Meirian · Good Joined: 29 Feb 2004 Posts: 21 Location: The Academy

Meirian smiled at the others, and, skipping over, began to shake random hands in a constant, vaguely distracted manner. She had extremely large blue eyes, and bright blue hair, spiking out in all directions from the top of her head (although she had obviously tried - unsuccessfully - to tame it into pigtails). Speaking fast and excitedly, she said; "How do you do! I'm Meirian. Which your friend here has told you already, obviously. Anyway. I have a lot of questions, and I was told you could help - I take it you're the Liason they were speaking of? What's your name? As for military, mercantile, and intelligent matters, I don't think so, unless you count the third; I'm a professor at the Academy. Please, tell me if you know; what happened to the rest of the world? Does this place here now surround Alcos?"

Pausing for breath, Meirian let go of the current hand, and waited for an answer.

Captain Isobel DeRainault · Good Joined: 20 Jan 2004 Posts: 151 Location: HMS Justice

The Doctor was not at all taken aback by the sudden barrage of questioning. Indeed, she had been known to do the same herself when closely engaged in a problem, and she recognized the enthusiasm of a fellow academic. "What has happened to the world is a matter of no small physical and philosophical importance, but I believe it best that we put it in context for you. Perhaps, Miss Meirian it would help us to know a little about the place you are from, this Alcos that you mention in order for us to best determine how to frame the recent occurences in a way you will understand."

On the other side of the room, Lieutenant Stafford let out a breath and relaxed his stance. The newcomer seemed harmless enough, although her features and coloring were somewhat odd. Still, the Doctor was handling matters like a trooper, and this was, after all her area. There was the matter of time to consider, however. He took a few steps over to the group and sought to catch L'Iason's attention. "A moment, sir, if you will. As it appears to me that you all will need some time to discuss matters, I wondered if I might arrange a brief tour of your workshop and facility while the Doctor is otherwise engaged?" His manner was apologetic. "I do not wish to seem forward, but our time here is limited, and I thought that such an action might prove more efficient."

Larkin Quickgrip · Good Joined: 21 Jan 2004 Posts: 105 Location: The Slums

It was at this point that Larkin chose to enter the room and make his presence known. Entering the room, still quite wet, he announced his presence with "Oye Liason, is there any chance of me finding a place to dry off? Only this was the first place I came to which didn't have no sea innit."

He then saw the rest of the rooms occupants and "Oh ello by the way." was directed at the rest of the room.

Captain Isobel DeRainault · Good Joined: 20 Jan 2004 Posts: 151 Location: HMS Justice

Lieutenant Stafford was on the alert at once, as the familiar bedraggled form entered the room. Although he remained slient, his expression carried more than a hint of suspicion, and he kept an eye on Larkin as he waited to hear L'Iason's response.

"Larkin Quickgrip?! Why, I thought we'd just left you on the other shore, not an hour ago? Whyever did you decide to swim back across to the Foundry?" The Doctor was a little amused and a little intrigued. This new development did indeed seem to suggest that Quickgrip might be some sort of spy or rogue - possibly even in the industrial or technological sense, but it would clearly be L'Iason's problem to deal with. Taking yet another draft of the jasmine tonic, which was rapidly cooling, she sat back and waited for a response.

liason · Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2004 10:52 am Post subject:

Liason directed the servants, "A warm towel for master Quickgrip. Arrange for a tour of the facilities for Lieutenant Stafford any any who wish to accompany him. Bring refreshments for Meirian and Quickgrip. Provide writing equipment for our guests if they need it..."

The servants rushed in and out with silent efficiency.

Larkin Quickgrip · Good Joined: 21 Jan 2004 Posts: 105 Location: The Slums

Larkin turned to the woman and said "Oh, ello you're the docter on the ship aren't yer? Don't worry I aint here to steal yer jewellery." Appearing to think for a few seconds he added "No, course not. Yer know theres more than one sea in this stinkin place, unless the Justice has just gone missin of course." Taking a towel off one of the servants with a "Thanks mate." he rubbed his face and hands, the clothes would just have to dry off on their own.

Turning to the girl he stuck out a hand and said "I'm Larkin Quickgrip by the way. Good ter meet yers."

Meirian · Good Joined: 29 Feb 2004 Posts: 21 Location: The Academy

Meirian strtode across the room and seized the proffered hand and shook it with her usual vigour, smiling cheerfully at Larkin.
"Greetings! I'm Meirian, and I'm pleased to met you also. Perhaps you'll be willing to tell me what's going on; nobody else here seems willing to get to the point. And as for my home of Alcos" - here she turned to include everyone in the room "It's a city, home to the Academy. The Academy is the best educational establishment in the world, and it floats on an island in the midle of the sky. Or rather, it used to be the best educational establishment in the world; I'm not sure anymore, considering I don't think it's in its own world anymore."

liason · Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2004 10:16 pm Post subject:

Another servant approached Liason and the Ambassador turned to Stafford, but announced to the room:

"A tour of the facilities is on offer, should any so wish."

[OOC: Anyone leaving on the tour should move to the thread: A Tour of the Foundry]

Captain Isobel DeRainault · Good Joined: 20 Jan 2004 Posts: 151 Location: HMS Justice

At this announcement, Lieutenant Stafford nodded his thanks to Liason. Turning to the Doctor, he said "I think that in the interests of time, it would be best for me to view the facility while you continue your investigation. I begin to suspect it were best that we return to the ship as soon as we may. Will you be a-right here?"

"Yes, yes, of course. " The Doctor waved him on. "I *can* take care of myself after all." Turning to the others, she continued. "Let me see - as you your question, Miss Merian, I suggest it would be in your interest to be more patient, but if you must know, your world has been unmoored, and you and your academy are not where they once were, but brought alongside others, including that of the Foundry. How and why we do not yet know. Perhaps you could tell us, if you do." Then, with a look at Larkin over her spectacles, she added. "I'm not worried about my jewelry, Quickgrip, because I do not wear any. But, I deduce from your comment that such is in your common line of business, so to speak?" This last was said with a wink. "Ah, so much for that theory. But what is this you say about other oceans, or the Justice gone missing? It's rather hard to misplace a ship!"

Larkin Quickgrip · Good Joined: 21 Jan 2004 Posts: 105 Location: The Slums

Larkin shrugged a little at the mention of his 'common line of business', but was a bit more eager to talk about the missing ship. "Hey Doc" He began "I'm just sayin what I saw." Gesturing to his wet clothes he said "I have just swam through an ocean to get here an your ship wernt there. An neither was that island that I first washed up on."

Turning to Meriam he said "An where did yer say you was from? The Academy? So what are yers doin here then?"

Captain Isobel DeRainault · Good Joined: 20 Jan 2004 Posts: 151 Location: HMS Justice

"Ah - this may cause a problem. I will have to speak with Lieutenant Stafford as soon as he returns from his tour. We may need to leave even sooner than I had thought, despite your generous hospitality." This last was addressed to Liason. "But, this suggests something interesting - that the Foundry is somehow linked to the western shore in a way we do not undertstand, or that the landscape changes or moves as we travel through it. Either that, or some agency has seen fit to remove the Justice and the island of Moahu entire. I don't suppose you saw a boat, with some sailors and marines, did you? I thought not." The Doctor was making further notes in her book. If she was at all disturbed at the thought that the ship and its crew had vanished, it did not show - or else her interest in scientific inquiry outweighed it. "Tell me, Quickgrip, what else did you see on your journey here from where we left you on the western shore? Have you encountered any other people, or human settlements?"

liason · Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2004 9:19 am Post subject:

"Under the circumstances, I should perhaps locate the Lieutenant," Liason bowed to the room, "In my absence, please ask the servants for anything you may require."

The Ambassador turned and left the room.

Larkin Quickgrip · Good Joined: 21 Jan 2004 Posts: 105 Location: The Slums

"Well, err, not much doc " began Larkin and went on to tell the officer about his rather uneventful journey from the jungles of the East and ending up in the sea. When asked about the village he saw the thief said "I didnt get close enough ter see them proporly." When the doctor shot a questioning glance he said "Well, the huts looked a bit, yer know, primitive. I didnt want them goin mental on me did I?" He did seem to be a little embarrassed about his lack of guts over this, but carried on with the story before anyone could ask him about it.

Larkin quickly explained about how he had swam the rather short distance from the Sea, through to the Foundry. "I was just lucky I came out close ter the East" he finished.