Patchwork Universe

Jones · Posted: Wed May 26, 2004 5:25 pm Post subject: Public Bar: A New Day

A new day was dawning outside Jones' public house and in the main room of the bar the pirates had drunk themselves into a comfortable stupor. Making themselves comfortable in the armchairs around the fire and along the more generously proportioned benches they had made a night of it, as the empty bottles and glasses around the room attested.

When Jessica Jones came in through the side entrance of the pub, ready to start her day's work she looked about with some surprise at the snoring company. At first she tried to be quiet as she picked up the empties and took them through to the kitchen but it quickly became clear that the pirates were not about to be easily disturbed.

Clattering the empty bottles and glasses with unconcern for the noise she hummed cheerfully to herself. At least with all that company they'd have finished most of the roast boar, she thought.

Taking the last load of glasses through to the kitchen she stacked them for washing up and took a generous quantity of bacon rashers out of the larder. After an all-nighter the guests would probably appreciate a cooked breakfast, she thought to herself as she took out a box of eggs to add to the frying pan.

ooc note: Jessica and other mebers of the Jones family will be comign in and out of the public bar and kitchen as the new day begins.]

Jones · Posted: Thu May 27, 2004 4:40 pm Post subject:

Jane Jones hadn't slept much that night and it could be seen in the shadows under her habitually scowling eyes as she slouched into the public bar.

Her mind was roiling with possibilities and she felt as if she couldn't bear to reject them all.

Larkin had taunted her for not being adventurous enough to leave the pub and even though he didn't, couldn't, know that the innocent building was more than it first appeared he'd been right about her cowardice. So what if her father claimed she'd vanish into nothingness without him to guide her, nothingness might be better than this shadowy existence.

Karl had invited her to come with him and he'd actually listened to her for a change. Perhaps he'd be able to help her cross the border of the pub farmland. She'd told Larkin she'd mention his quest to Karl, but now she felt as if she couldn't bear if if the two of them went on their way leaving her stuck behind.

And then there was Captain Magpie. He hadn't invited her to travel with him and Jane knew if he had nothign would have kept her from following. But it might be better still to go off on Larkin's quest and maybe, if it suceeded, she'd meet Magpie somewhere on the other side of the world and he'd be impressed to see how far she'd come...

Drifting off into daydreams, Jane was jolted alert again by a clatter of footsteps coming down the stairway. It seemed the visitors were up and awake and she turned to look to see who it was.

Karl Groever · Posted: Fri May 28, 2004 2:27 am Post subject:

As Karl came down the stairs and into the area of the Public Bar, almost the first thing he saw was Jane standing across from him, by one of the tables. And, oddly, this made him happy for a moment.
He gave her a wry smile, and greeted her.
'Hello, again, Jane. Did you have a pleasant night's sleep?'.

Jones · Posted: Fri May 28, 2004 8:05 am Post subject:

"Well enough," Jane told him with a twist of a smile. "What about you? The yellow didn't make you feel too bilious?"

She glanced around the room and added.
"I was surprised the pirates didn't wake you, they were carousing most of the night..."

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

It was at this moment that Larkin came strolling down the stairs with a rather relaxed grin on his face. Quickly slipping past the man on the stairs he noticed the pirates and gave Jane a quick nod and quietly said "So didyer think bout the offer last night?"

Turning back to look at the man he said "This that Karl fella yer mentioned?"

Jones · Posted: Fri May 28, 2004 1:46 pm Post subject:

"That's right," Jane shrugged a shoulder in Karl's direction by way of an introduction.
"Karl, this is Larkin. He's on a mission from a God and he's looking for people to help him with it. I've said I might go with him, that's if I can leave here. But I thought you might be interested as well."

Harlequin · Average Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 52 Location: Chimera

[OOC: From "Where's my hat?"]

An oddly garbed man peered around the lobby door. Dark hair and pale face were off-set by the red and gold diamonds of his shirt. His eyes darted to either side, noticing the slumbering men and women, but missing the people conversing to his right. His gaze rested on a discarded hat in front of the fireplace.

Black, triangle, hat... That's my hat!!

He was so excited about finding his spare hat, even though his home had apparently changed shape, that he cartwheeled across the floor to the hat and picked it up with a flourish and a "Ta-da!!"

Karl Groever · Posted: Sun May 30, 2004 11:55 pm Post subject:

For a moment nonplussed by the sight of a parti - coloured figure cartwheeling across the bar - room floor, Karl satisfied himself with a slightly bemused look in the figure's direction, then turned attention back to the more pressing business in hand.
'A mission, you say, for a God?' he looked searchingly first at Jane, then at Larkin. 'I may yet live to regret taking you up on this. Should we fetch ourselves a table and discuss the matter while we're eating breakfast?'.
Karl pondered to himself what this latest turn of events might portend. But as he thought he realised that he was clinging with stubborn tenacity to the notion that some concrete plan of action, regradless of what it involved, would compensate for the loss of equilbirium he felt within this alien environment. And, besides, he had promised Jane he would travel with her...

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

Larkin glanced at the cartwheeling man but then shrugged. Maybe that was normal where he came from. Turning round he said "How bout one of them window-seats. Nice and private an we ain't gunna be steppin on any of these pirates."

He gentley herded the pair before him. And because he hadn't done it for a while he gentley lifted one or two of the pirates wallets and such-like. Nothing they wouldn't miss, and he always made sure to put the slightly lighter money-pouches and such-like back.

He would have left it till later but he wasn't sure when they would start waking up and he was getting a bit tired of having to make excuses for paying things.

Once this little five minute, mildly delicate job was finished he followed after the other two.

Jones · Posted: Tue Jun 01, 2004 11:50 am Post subject:

Meanwhile Jessica had come out of the kitchen and taken up a station behind the main bar.

Smiling pleasantly at Harlequin she asked:
"Can I help you?"

Harlequin · Average Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 52 Location: Chimera

Harlequin had bowed low before the people passing him, and had turned a blind eye to the pick-pocket. After all, it was considered rather odd to take an interest in a Grey.

The plates of food brought out by the young woman explained the bacon mystery; he hoped that the other mysteries could be solved by this new piece in the game.

"Ah, mademoiselle," he said, as he slid up to the bar, "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Harlequin, a Charismocrat of Chimera." He bowed low and doffed his new-found hat.

"I live here, or at least I did until someone stole my humble abode and replaced it with this fine looking establishment. Some would call it an improvement, but I would have preferred to keep my clock tower, and possibly have this pub next door. I would ask you to beware, my dear, and trust no-one, for there is a powerful sorcerer at work - for who else could steal a building and replace it with another where one may fall into an enchanted sleep?" He gazed around pointedly at the slumbering pirates.

"Ah! but now I have put you into a tricky situation! For having told you to trust no-one, how can I prove my trustworthiness?!"

Jones · Posted: Tue Jun 01, 2004 2:39 pm Post subject:

"I see," Jessica said slowly, taking in this flood of words. "Um, and I'll trust you enough to sell you a drink if you'd like one. We serve all sorts here." A glance flickered across the room as she added. "Even thieves sometimes."

"As for the pub." she continued. "It's always been here - or at least as long as I've been alive. It's just that where here is changes." She smiled cheerfully at Harlequin's perplexed expression and added: "So, would you like a drink? Or some breakfast?"

[ooc note: Jane, Larkin and Karl move to the windowseat thread 'The Cutpurse's Quest'. Newcomers should continue to post in the main public bar thread but individual conversations will be split from this by the forum moderator when necessary.]

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

This was the moment Trubshawe picked to barge back into Jones' bar. Looking around him he was pleased to see several faces he recognised.

"Aha! The circus troupe is still all here, I see," he bellowed. "There are even some new clowns this time around - been a recruiting drive has there?"

Spotting Larkin in the window seat, he waved energetically at him.

"And, how utterly delightful, it's Mr Quickgrip back again! Don't any of you have homes to go to?"

Trubshawe's face fell slightly, however, as he continued to look around. No sign of Dr Jewel. Which meant she was probably still in the slimy clutches of that human octopus Dr Odom...

Jones · Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2004 11:38 am Post subject:

Jessica looked doubtfully at the newcomer, mistrusting his sneering mode of speech. But as she was considering whether or not to offer him a drink her father entered the public bar.

Jones beamed with pleasure at the assembled company, pleased to see that Jane was being sociable, the pirates hadn't busted up the furniture and new customers were coming in all the time. Through the lobby doors he could see another cluster of customers talking outside the door and the smile froze momentarily on his face as he recognised Kao Sheng.

Turning to Trubshawe, the only person who didn't seem to be being served he nodded politely.
"I'm the innkeeper, Jones is the name. I think we met briefly yesterday, didn't we? Can I get you anything, sir?"

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

"What did you have in mind, Mr Jones?" asked Trubshawe with a crazed grin on his face. He stabbed a finger towards a window, behind which a rosy morning glow was visible. "Bit early in the morning for drinking, wouldn't you say? On the other hand, my companions and I have had a long day already and we think it's about time for supper. Yes! Three early morning suppers, if you would, my man."