Patchwork Universe

Jones · Posted: Mon May 03, 2004 2:17 pm Post subject: Fairytale Wallpaper

When Jones had designed his pub he'd set one room aside as a playroom. His children were grown now. Jack and Jessica both had houses of their own and Jane had colonised the attic as her area. But the Rockign Horse room remained with twin beds made up for any family member who needed to stay the night in the pub.

Sometimes it was necessary to rent it out to guests and for that reason it bore its name on the door in the same kind of brass plate as the guest rooms. But inside it was plainly the nursury it had been intended to be, down to the fairytale wallpaper on the walls.

Gnomes and fairies danced together, dragons coiled roudn castle walls, princesses in hats like ice-cream cornets embroidered tapestries or waved handkerchiefs at questing knights.

Jane Jones stumped along the corridor and opened the door to the room, turning to look behind her for Larkin Quickgrip.
"This is it," she said. "The Rocking Horse room. Enjoy."

Larkin Quickgrip · Good Joined: 21 Jan 2004 Posts: 124 Location: The Slums

Larkin looked around in a mild disgust. Taking off his bag, he placed it in one of the corners very carefully. Before taking in the magical creatures and such-like on the walls.

Larkin had never heard of any of the things shown on the walls. Being an orphan and living in the Slums, the only tales he had heard were ones with names like 'The Story of the Bazzledon Mugger' and 'James Stice and His Amazing Hands of Thievery.' Being suddenly introduced to gnomes and dragons came as quite a culture-shock and Larkin reacted by becoming incredibly disgusted with it all.

However he did not want to overly show this in front of Jane in case this was the wrong thing to do in this patch. Turning to her he said "It's alright." with a mild shrug.

Looking up he said "So, errr, didyer hear me little announcement before?"

Jones · Posted: Mon May 03, 2004 2:32 pm Post subject:

"Yeah, I heard it," Jane hunched her shoulders. "I guess I was wrong then, wasn't I? When I said this Yarrow person was sending you on a wild goose chase."

Larkin Quickgrip · Good Joined: 21 Jan 2004 Posts: 124 Location: The Slums

Larkin grinned, knowing that he was right for a change. "Yeah you were." he said "Quite wrong. If I'd listened ter you, I would have ended up stayin here fer eternity, instead of goin off ter find her."

Larkin shook his head slightly and tutted, clearly loving it. "Yer see," he began "all it takes some times is a slight sense of advencher and yer'll be fine."

He then sat down on the bed and said "So, ave yer thought about comin?"

Jones · Posted: Tue May 04, 2004 1:39 pm Post subject:

Jane sneered at Larkin's remarks about a sense of adventure but when he finished speaking her eyes were alight with amusement.

"I must be getting popular or something," she said. "That's the second offer I've had in as many hours." She shrugged again, ungraciously. "Tell you what, I'll think about it..."

She paused, looking as if she might be about to leave and then added:
"So what are you s'pposed to be doing for this God anyway?"

Larkin Quickgrip · Good Joined: 21 Jan 2004 Posts: 124 Location: The Slums

"Sorry Jane" Larkin began "Its top-secret stuff this." Larkin then gestured to the bag. "Don't want Yarrow gettin all annoyed at me now, do I?" He looked thoughtful for a second and then added "But from what she's told me, it's gonna be quite intrestin ter see what happens."

The small thief then placed quite an inquisitive look on his face and said "So whos bin givin you offers then?"

Jones · Posted: Wed May 05, 2004 3:11 pm Post subject:

"Karl," Jane said. "He's more polite than you, but he still doesn't understand."

"So what's Yarrow like then?" she asked. "Dad doesn't like to talk about the Gods. I think he'd rather pretend they don't exist."

Larkin Quickgrip · Good Joined: 21 Jan 2004 Posts: 124 Location: The Slums

"Karl, aye? And what's he doin here? Is he off on a quest given to him straight from the Gods?" Larkin then thought for a second, before adding "Any idea what place he's from?" Larkin had recently realised that the area the person was from tended to say quite alot about the person themselves.

Larkin shrugged when asked about Yarrow "She's alright." he said "I get the feelin that she'd be a bit like what my grandmum would be like, if I had one. Her patch is alright an' all, reminded me of home a little."

Larkin looked a little thoughtful then said "I wonder if anyone will come up about the job, cos I really do need to find someone."

Jones · Posted: Thu May 06, 2004 12:06 pm Post subject:

"You should ask Capatin Magpie," Jane suggested. "He's had hundreds of adventures. And his crew will do anything he asks them to."

She paused and then added: "Or there's Karl, he's something of an adventurer as well."

Thinking through the ramifications of Larkin departing with either Magpie or Karl made a cloud pass over Jane's face. They would leave and she'd be stuck here as usual. A look of grim resolve came into her eyes and she nodded to herself.
"Or maybe I will come with you at that, Larkin. After all, even if I do fade away to nothing, it can't be worse than spending the rest of my life as a barmaid, right?"

Larkin Quickgrip · Good Joined: 21 Jan 2004 Posts: 124 Location: The Slums

Larkin was caught slightly off-guard by this. Wrinkling his brow a little he said "Aye, what happened ter goin with this Karl fella, and thinkin it all over?"

But when she mentioned the fading away, he looked a little concerned before remembering what he had said earlier about a sense of adventure. If there was one thing Larkin didn't like it was people who gave out advice, but then went back on it.

Pushing himself to his feet he said "Yeah, if yer so desperate ter leave the pub, then yer should." He then nodded to emphasise the point. Larkin then thought for a second and added "Maybe this Karl wouldn't mind comin as well. Its not like the jobs restricted ter two people alone."

Jones · Posted: Thu May 20, 2004 1:15 am Post subject:

"I'll ask him," Jane said.
She shifted uncomfortably and then added. "Well enjoy your nap, Larkin. I'll think about your plan, really..."

She moved towards the door and opened it.
"See you tomorrow, alright?"

Larkin Quickgrip · Good Joined: 21 Jan 2004 Posts: 124 Location: The Slums

Larkin nodded and gave her a quick, sly grin before saying "Yeah, I'll see yer tomorrow."

He let the girl get out of the room before he quickly stripped to his underclothes and, making sure his knife was in an easily accesible postion, got his head down on the pillow and gratefully drifted off to sleep.

Larkin Quickgrip · Good Joined: 21 Jan 2004 Posts: 124 Location: The Slums

A scent wafted its way up the stairs of the hint and filled the entire corridor with the smell of bacon. In his disgustingly wallpapered room Larkin sat bolt-upright and tried not to drool.

Looking down at his stomach he heard it grumble and groan and he let a sly grin enter his face. He just hoped that he could get away with his lack of money for as long as possible. This place seemed to be the main meeting place for the universe and one thing he didn't want was to be thrown out now.

Struggling out his bed he threw on his underclothes and familiar long black overcoat and felt it slip into its usual position. Grabbing his knife he threw it into one of his deep innerpockets and threw the leather bag he had been carrying recently onto his shoulder.

Briefly stopping to check his eye for any infection he cursed for his lack of a mirror to check proporly and opening the door made his way downstairs