Patchwork Universe

Arnora · Average Joined: 29 Feb 2004 Posts: 45 Location: Yggdrasil

Arnora smiled in return and considered her answers to his questions. Some of them seemed to pertain to features of elves in his world she was not familiar with. But then she hadn't been a particularly elvish elf for some time now.

"I am indeed a member of that race but i'm afraid I do not recognise your reference to a flock. I have not lived amongst members of my race for a long time." She paused briefly at that.

" I have however been staying within this Tavern for a couple of days now and have already had many conversations with Jones. He does not strike me as all that mysterious. I do not wish to be rude and would very much like to continue a conversation with you but I have another task I have promised to perform.

Would you mind if I caught up with you within the building or at a later date? I plan to return to check up on my home shortly and visitors are welcome there. Yggdrasil accepts visitors in search of many things."

Kalyndis · Average Joined: 22 Jan 2004 Posts: 124 Location: Kerya

A shiver seemed to pass over Kalyndis's face, like a single ripple crossing a still pond.

"Er... you are an elf?" He blinked repeatedly. "Um... by all means, return to your home if you wish." He gave her a very slight nod and took a step backwards.

When Arnora had gone, he turned to Kao Sheng with an expression of agitated confusion bordering on alarm.

Kao Sheng · Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2004 5:48 pm Post subject:

Kao Sheng returned Kalyndis's gaze with one of tranquil reassurance.

"Please forgive the excessive concern of this interfering individual," he said, "But it seems to this one that you may be experiencing some slight distress?"

Kalyndis · Average Joined: 22 Jan 2004 Posts: 124 Location: Kerya

Kalyndis looked intensely embarrassed. "From her bearing, and the fact that you addressed her as 'sublime Lady Arnora', I assumed she was one of us, but she said she was an elf. Why would you, an elder dragon, speak to an elf in that way?" He pointed an accusing finger at Kao Sheng. "What sort of joke are you playing here?"

Kao Sheng · Posted: Sat Jun 12, 2004 8:29 pm Post subject:

Kao Sheng raised an eyebrow.

"Please allow this humble traveller to reiterate that you are an unmeasurable distance from everything you have ever known," he said mildly. "It is necessary to appreciate that the worlds beyond this sheltered refuge are potentially infinite in extent and diversity, and this Patchwork Universe therefore has the capability to reflect that glorious state.

"There are some worlds where beings who call themselves elves preside over all the lands to which they can travel as custodians and teachers, and the creatures which they call dragons never successfully founded a civilisation. There are other worlds where dragons rule as gods, and the creatures which they call elves are little more than animated plants. There are yet more worlds where neither elves nor dragons have ever been seen, and humans rejoice in uncontested dominion over all nature. There are even worlds where it is considered to be an elementary point of common courtesy to address another with excessive respect and admiration whilst assuming an exaggeratedly humble and unpreposessing attitude with regard to oneself.

"Nevertheless, in this particular case, whilst the Lady Arnora may have begun her life as what is known in her world as an elf, she has been for many aeons one of the most senior custodians of Yggdrasil the World-Tree, and it may be helpful to bear in mind that she is very probably older than either of us."

Jones · Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2004 4:04 pm Post subject:

Having untied the horse, Jane led it away from the pub proper and towards the northwest.

[ooc note: Jane now leaves this thread]

Kalyndis · Average Joined: 22 Jan 2004 Posts: 124 Location: Kerya

Ordinarily, Kalyndis was as easy-going a dragon as any you might meet, and he would be delighted to talk at length about the possibilities of life on other worlds. But recent revelations had taken their toll on his equanimity.

"Humans ruling worlds? Preposterous! I could almost imagine elves building a civilisation by theft and subterfuge, but humans are too weak, too foolish and too short-lived to devise anything of lasting value. As for common courtesy, I have been brought to this place without any say in the matter, I have been given no explanation of the reason why, and I am apparently expected to make some mysterious choice without being cognisant of either the nature of the choice or its consequences. And whether or not you are responsible for my abduction to this place, your own statements indicate a degree of complicity at least. You have no right to lecture me about courtesy, Kao Sheng."

By the end of this tirade, Kalyndis's hair was rising about his head as if lifted by a breeze, and a coppery smell filled the air. His hands twitched for a moment, but with a visible effort he spun away from Kao Sheng and walked towards the door of the public house.

There. I've said it. If he blasts me down, at least that will alert Trubshawe that his suspicions were right.

Kao Sheng · Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2004 6:33 pm Post subject:

Rather than smiting Kalyndis down, Kao Sheng sighed with quiet resignation before turning away.

"You have made your choice already, O impetuous Kalyndis," he said softly to himself as he strode thoughtfully away.

[ooc note: All characters have now left this thread, assuming Kalyndis proceeds into the pub.]

John Angelis · Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2004 7:59 pm Post subject:

[ooc: And someone else comes into it...]

Angelis emerges from the mist, at the eastern edge of the patch, and finds himself on a country road. With few other plausible options, he set off down the road, to see if it would lead anywhere. After walking about a mile down the road, he saw a large building in the distance. Pub?

As he walked closer, he could clearly see it had a wooden sign hanging outside. Pub!

He walked up to the front door, and entered.

[ooc: ...and then leaves it, to enter the public bar.]

Kalyndis · Average Joined: 22 Jan 2004 Posts: 124 Location: Kerya

Kalyndis ignored Kao Sheng's comment and proceeded into the pub.

Jones · Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2004 12:54 pm Post subject:

OOC NOTE: This thread is now concluded.