Patchwork Universe

Trubshawe · Good Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 153 Location: The Zoo

Trubshawe emerged from the mists, paying out rope as he went, and found himself seeing and smelling what was unmistakably Jones' patch. He fought back the wave of disorientation that surged up in him at finding the tavern somewhere where logic dictated it definitely should not be. There was a simple explanation after all, and when he got his hands on the people responsible...

"You were right, it seems!" he called back to his companions following behind. "Jones' dead ahead."

Kalyndis · Average Joined: 22 Jan 2004 Posts: 105 Location: Kerya

"Excellent!" Kalyndis breathed in the intriguing smells of this new land. "So, Head Zookeeper Trubshawe, when you met Jones before, what was he like? Does he keep humans too?"

Lady Violetta Kingsley · Posted: Thu May 27, 2004 4:51 pm Post subject:

Lady Violetta and her horse emerged from the mists just after Kalyndis spoke, thus missing his intriguing question, which was probably for the best really. "Now this is more like home. I'm reminded somewhat of the Hare and Peacock in Aldersley Village. We could very well be back in England. Well, not back because we're still in this Patchwork thingummy, assuming I'm not just imagining it all, but then I think even I'd have some trouble imagining you, Mr. Trubshawe, you're a most singular gentleman. Which is to say, where was I, yes, that this place might have been taken from my home country too. I shall have to ask this Jones.

"It's even possible the talking cow is here, I suppose, since this appears to be farmland, although thinking about it, there's no particular reason why a talking cow would live on a farm, is there? It might have it's own little cow house with hot and cold running hay or something.

"There don't seem to be many good places to attach your rope, Mr. Trubshawe. I suppose you could use that fence over there, but wouldn't it get pulled over if reality tried to move, do you think? I imagine reality's awfully heavy. I mean to say that, well, if you were to want to weight it, you'd need a pair of scales bigger than reality, so it must be really heavy, mustn't it?"

Finally, Violetta ran out of things to say and subsided. Beneath her breath, quiet enough that only someone with very keen hearing could hear, she spoke to herself. "I miss Aldersley. I miss papa. I hope I can get back soon."

Trubshawe · Good Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 153 Location: The Zoo

Trubshawe realised the other thing that was bothering him about being back in Jones' patch. Judging by the position of the sun overhead, it was sometime in the morning. Sometime in the morning, despite the fact that only a few hours had passed since he was last here in the mid-afternoon!

He shook his head groggily and tried to focus on the matters at hand.

"The fence will serve admirably, Lady Violetta. I theorise that it's not so much that reality is being physically moved around, as that our ability to navigate between different areas is being tampered with. But if you have a bridge that you know to span from A to B, it's very difficult to be fooled into arriving at place C, if you see what I mean.

"As for the man Jones, it seems to me that he must spend all his time siring snot-nosed progeny, to the detriment of being able to run an effective business. But you'll meet him for yourself soon. And, Dawkins willing, this fabled talking cow I'm hearing so much about."

Trubshawe reached into his pack to check that the electric cattleprods Daltrey had packed were still there. Satisfied, he moved over to the fence to finish his ropework, indicating with a gesture that Violetta and Kalyndis should go on ahead to the tavern, if they felt so inclined.

Jones · Posted: Fri May 28, 2004 8:22 am Post subject:

Up the road they could see the shape of a wooden signpost beside the road. It pointed east.

However the distinctive shape of the pub was further north, up the dusty road. In the distance the travellers were able to make out two figures conversing outside the main door: one dressed in red and gold silk, the other in plain travelling clothes.

[ooc note: the inhabitants of this thread can now see the 'Where's my Hat' thread up ahead. If arriving at the pub before that thread has ended, please move across to join it. See updated map of this patch in the map sticky thread for details. ]

Kalyndis · Average Joined: 22 Jan 2004 Posts: 105 Location: Kerya

When Trubshawe gestured, Kalyndis politely demurred. "You lead on -- after all, you have been here before!"

As they walked towards the inn, Kalyndis said thoughtfully, "It is difficult to theorise without knowing the constraints of the system. For instance, I assume you have noticed--" he pointed at the sky -- "that the sun appears to have moved? Someone who can tamper with space on this scale could no doubt conjure up half a bridge at either end to mislead you into thinking a connection existed between the two."

Trubshawe · Good Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 153 Location: The Zoo

"Your point is well made," said Trubshawe, looking at Kalyndis with surprise. "Indeed, I was wondering about that myself. Can we be being moved through time as well as space? Or can it be that time is moving at different speeds in different areas?"

His brow furrowed. "Let's not speculate until we have more data to work with, though. I seem to recognise at least one of the gentlemen up ahead, perhaps he can answer a few of our questions?"

He quickened his pace to intercept Kao Sheng.

[continued in thread "Where's My Hat?"]