Patchwork Universe

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

Doctor Maria Devoguilla Domenova was a physician. She was a scientist, and an ethnographer. She was also, at this particular moment, profoundly shocked and utterly confused. "Yes, I - I would like another glass of port, I you please." While Mr. Jones kindly refilled her glass, she wrung her hands distractedly and tried to settle her mind. The man's explanation was fantastic, but borne out by the existing evidence. Stranger things had happened, but still, it was like something out of an old seafaring tale -"Madre de Dios! We've become like the Flying Dutchman, haven't we? Damned to sail the seas forever, never to see home again."

Wait. Calm. After all, she and Bel had each other, and they seen out worse together. There had been Black Harry, and that Phantom Ship, and well, there had been adventures. She took a long draught of the wine. Formulate a question, one that the publican could answer. "So, how does this unmooring from your world happen? Why does it happen? And what must we do to get home again?"

Jones · Posted: 04 Feb 2004 12:33 pm Post subject:

Jones appeared pleasantly surprised at the Doctor's words and his eyes twinkled as he leaned on the bar, ready to continue their conversation.
"You believe me," he said, "or at least are able to keep an open mind. I didn't expect to be able to convince you... but perhaps it's because you are accustomed to accompany your Captain on strange voyages."

Jones paused and while he appeared to be thinking the double doors of the entrance way opened again and three young men entered. They were dressed in a similar fashion to Jones and seemed familiar with the location. Without more than a glance at the Doctor and completely ignoring the two crewmen, they settled themselves noisily at a trestle table. Summoned by the noise, Jessica came out of the kitchen took up a post at the other end of the bar.

Jones lifted his hand in response to the friendly salute of one of the newcomers but turned himself so that his back was more in their direction. His tone became almost conspiratorial as he continued.

"How and why it happens, I don't rightly know. But who makes it happen, that I have an inkling about... There are only a few of them but they have more power than any wizard or warrior I ever heard tell of. They call themselves the Gods of this place - and at that, it might be true."

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

The Doctor’s eyes gleamed. Gods, myths, legends – this, she had experience with. After all, had she not shared sacred herb with shamans, breathed with the dreamtime, and walked the spirit realm with kahuna? She hastily scribbled a few more notes. “And tell me” she whispered, mirroring Jones’ conspiratorial tones. “How does one meet a God?

Jones · Posted: 04 Feb 2004 03:44 pm Post subject:

"It's said there are places that belong to them, with invisible walls that only their creatures can pass through," Jones said his own voice lowering further. "But they wander all about."

He paused and then added:
"My son thought he saw one of them come through my farm only yesterday."

***

At the trestle table the three young men were already on to their second pints and conversation was becoming rather merry. A basket of bread was being steadily devoured and Jessica's journeys to and from the kitchen were becoming more frequent as she brought out more baskets of sliced bread to the bar.

Pausing by the Doctor's stool on her last journey, just as Jones had finished speaking, Jessica bobbed a half-curtsy and said.
"Those six loaves of bread you wanted are ready, Doctor. Is it alright with you if I have your two chaps help carry them out to you. We're a bit understaffed in the kitchen today."

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

“Fascinating.” The Doctor made a few more notes in her book. Then she paused, took another sip of port and sat in silence for a few minutes. When Jessica Jones came by with her request, the Doctor started suddenly and then responded. “Yes, of course my dear, I’ll have Hay and Rodgers run over to give you a hand with those, and the casks of beer you mentioned earlier, we might as well take those back with us when we leave in -” Here, the Doctor fumbled in her jacket pocket for her watch “Good lord, look at the time! Hay, Rodgers, light along to the kitchen and assist the young lady. We must get back to the ship post haste.”

Within moments, the Doctor had paid her bill, rounded up the sailors, bread, and beer and was ready to depart. Just before leaving the public bar, she managed to catch the eye of Mr. Jones, who had been busy with other customers. “My dear Mr. Jones, thank you for speaking with me. I must say, it has been an entirely enlightening experience.” And with a smile, she was gone, off to the waiting boat and from thence, to her ship and her Captain.