Patchwork Universe

Trubshawe · Good Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 173 Location: The Zoo

It was scarcely a minute later that Trubshawe returned, looming over the ongoing discussion.

"If I might interrupt for one moment, Kalyndis," he barked. "I've relocated my former travelling companions, the two doctors I was telling you about. Dr Jewel has asked me to make some introductions."

Rather stiffly he raised a gloved finger and pointed at everyone in turn.

"Dr Jewel Hart, archaeologist. Dr Odom, antiquarian. A new friend of theirs, Michael, whom I know nothing about as yet. And this is the Lady Violetta. Her manservant, Kalyndis. John Angelis, again I don't know what you do. And this gentleman, I forget your name but you ran away from the circus. Is that everyone? Anyway, Doctors, would you believe that some people at this table are claiming not to be Dragons?"

Kalyndis · Average Joined: 22 Jan 2004 Posts: 125 Location: Kerya

Trubshawe was not the only one feeling trapped. Violetta's declaration that she was not a dragon came as a blow, even though it explained a great deal. After all, as the stranger had pointed out, there were plenty of flying animals besides dragons. Perhaps she was from one of the experimental sites on the eastern continent -- there were strange rumours from over the water about what happened when lesser races were taught a few tricks. Certainly she was using several words that Kalyndis didn't understand, such as 'regiment', 'suffrage' and 'book'.

He shook his head at John. "Well, of course I don't look like one at the moment. It's not polite to show one's true form in someone else's domain -- it tends to frighten the animals, you know." A wave of the hand indicated that 'animals' included the occupants of the bar. "Thinking of politeness, we haven't been properly introduced. I am Kalyndis of Kerya, and in my world, dragons are the dominant species."

[OOC: to be pedantic, I don't think John Angelis has actually given us his name. Perhaps we should assume he says it so Trubshawe overhears it on coming back.]

[Following Trubshawe's return to the table:]
Kalyndis sniffed disdainfully. "Don't be silly, Trubshawe, I am neither a man nor a servant. Lady Violetta's servant is tethered outside, and is not a man either. I would have thought a keeper of animals would recognise that." It seemed obvious that, if Trubshawe was a dragon at all, he was one of limited perception and exaggerated self-importance. Nonetheless, Kalyndis stood and gave a slight but careful nod to the doctors.

Dr. William T. Odom · Good Joined: 01 Dec 2003 Posts: 266 Location: The Museum

[OOC: from "A New Day"]

Dr. Odom nodded to each in turn. He raised an eyebrow at Kalyndis's claim not to be a man and, he supposed, a woman instead.

"Of course they aren't dragons," he said to Trubshawe, trying to keep in mind that the man was mad and he should try to avoid sounding condescending. "With only one exception of which I am aware, dragons are vicious, brutish predators not much more intelligent than the average garter snake. Even that one exception was rather stupid. I don't know why anyone would want to claim to be one."

He seemed to have done a poor job of lighting his cigarette and it was burning unevenly. He puffed furiously at it for a few seconds to try to get it burning evenly.

"Anyway, I'm glad to meet all of you, and I hope that we shall get a chance to sit down individually to discuss your home regions and how they fit into the map we are attempting to develop."

Dr Jewel · Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 8:06 am Post subject:

Dr Jewel listened to the exchanges with some fascination. She focussed on Kalyndis, thought over what he had said. She nearly rejected the conclusion that her brain was coming to, until she remembered her own non-humaness and the frightening transformation which had happened in the jungle.

"You're a dragon?" She said to Kalyndis. "As in the sort with scales, wings and fire breathing as opposed to it being a codeword for something else?"

She looked at him for a moment, then asked the deductable obvious.

"And you can shapechange?"

At some point she would also realise that Dr Odom had probably offended him (it? her?), but her sheer amazement at meeting a real dragon currently pushed that line of thought to one side.

Jones · Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 8:49 am Post subject:

ooc note: In the interests of archiving and posting clarity the 'New Day' Public Bar thread will now be wound up, as will the 'Trubshawe's Table' subthread. Since almost everyone present in the bar is now roughly clustered together a new Public Bar thread now begins called 'Introductions'.

Anyone wishing to move away from the main thread to another table or area of the pub should signal so appropriately.

Lady Violetta Kingsley · Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 11:10 am Post subject:

Lady Violetta was now thoroughly confused, and as any Victorian lady knew, that meant that the best thing to do next was to fall back on the social niceties. Rising from the table, since there was clearly not enough room for everyone to sit, she courtesyed to the newcomers.

"A pleasure to meet you Dr. Jewel, Dr. Odom. If you are ever in the vicinity of Aldersley, I would be delighted to receive you at the manor." Looking more closely at the new arrivals for the first time, she was thoroughly astonished to find that one of them was a woman. In truth, Dr. Jewel had already spoken, but Lady Violetta had not been paying close attention at the time, and had somehow failed to connect Jewel's voice with her physical presence.

Almost at once she sat right down again, mouth hanging open at the sight that greeted her. Groping for words, she stared at Dr. Jewel. "But ... but you haven't covered yourself properly. And you're a Doctor. And you're ... wearing trousers! Oh dear, now I'm quite certain that mama is correct and that I'm imagining all this. You don't even look ashamed. It's quite obvious you couldn't possibly exist."

Lady Violetta slumped on the table close to tears, a stray wisp of hair landing neatly in the gravy of her unfinished dinner.

John Angelis · Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 11:33 am Post subject:

"Oh dear. This is going to be fun isn't it?"

"You know, I think that we should all start from the standpoint that nothing that seems fundamental to our own worlds is necessarily going to hold true either in this universe, or in the worlds everyone else has been kidnapped from."

"Seems to me as if these worlds have been collected as much for reasons of diversity as anything else. We're a collection. We shouldn't be too surprised if we all turn out to be fairly unique pieces."

Kalyndis · Average Joined: 22 Jan 2004 Posts: 125 Location: Kerya

Kalyndis was not one of the brutish wyrms of the deep south. He had never eaten one of his subjects or levelled their hovels with flame. With difficulty he had excused Trubshawe's comment as a foolish misunderstanding, but Odom's slur was more than could be borne.

"Yes and yes", he said rather shortly to Dr Jewel.

Glittering green eyes fixed on Dr Odom. Those near Kalyndis might have noticed that the room seemed suddenly hotter. There was a faint crackling sound as sparks flicked dimly in his hair.

"As for you, you insolent wretch, tell me the name of your master, that I may compensate him for the destruction of his property."

Jones · Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 12:02 pm Post subject:

You don't grow up in a bar without developing a sort of sixth sense for fights. Jessica and Juniper exchanged glances and then Juniper slid back through the door behind the bar into the saloon.

Jones needed to be warned that some of the customers were looking distinctly unfriendly.

Harlequin · Average Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 62 Location: Chimera

Harlequin was slightly aghast at the broach of etiquette.

"A dual? Already?! But you've only just been introduced!"

However, his frivolous nature soon over-rode his social upbringing.

"Ooh, can I be a second? You get the best view!"

Larkin Quickgrip · Good Joined: 21 Jan 2004 Posts: 143 Location: The Slums

It was at this point that Larkins sense of danger went ballistic and he decided that waiting for Karl probably wouldn't be a good idea.

Glancing at the saloon bars door he decided that Karl could probably find them later. Giving a quick wave to Dr Jewel he proceeded to practically run for the relative safety of the door and Jane.

Dr Jewel · Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 12:41 pm Post subject:

Dr Jewel was dimly aware of Larkin's exit and a quick glance at the bar showed her that one of the two women had left, hopefully to fetch help.

She stepped in front of Dr Odom, hoping that he at least would remember that this was going to be no kind of protection for him. This was the first time she could remember being grateful for her new status.

"Supposing you don't do that." She said quietly, her eyes fixed on the dragon-man. "He was not intending to be rude, there simply are no dragons from where he or I come from except in tales and legends. He did not bring you here, did not put you in a place where most people have never met a dragon before. Please understand that."

Father Michael · Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 12:44 pm Post subject:

If the occupants of Trubshawe's table had noticed the small priest in the brown cassock, they had given little sign of it. Now, however, he was difficult to miss. Stepping in front of Dr Odom he faced Kalyndis, his expression calm but resolute.

"Kalyndis, are you sure this is the most honourable course for you to take? This man comes from a different world to you. In fact, it would seem that we all come from different worlds. I am sure he needs no further proof that you are what you say you are, and that his remarks were disrespectful to you. He can be no match to you physically - a duel would hardly be fair. What is more, he knows more than many about the place in which we have found ourselves. Will you spare him, for all our sakes?"

Father Michael · Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 12:46 pm Post subject:

[OOC: Oops. Simultaneous posting. Sorry. Presume the Father M. is next to Dr Jewell, not overlapping her!]

Jones · Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 12:54 pm Post subject:

From the door to the saloon bar appeared Jones. The innkeeper suddenly seemed more imposing, the thick muscles of his upper arms and his barrel-chested figure making it clear that he was still physically fit if no longer exactly young. His face wore a broad smile as he approached the gathering, taking in the positions of the group.

The pirates, somethign to his surprise, seemed to have nothing to do with this, for all that they were watching with avidity. Neither did the cause of the trouble appear to emanate from Trubshawe. Instead it was the young man who had earlier been in conversation with the God Kao Sheng who was the focus of attention.

Green eyes glittered as he looked at the meak Dr Odom with rage and Jones spared a moment to wonder what it was about the doctor that semed to engender such venom, after all Trubshawe had also taken against him. Perhaps it had something to do with the attractive red-head attempting to shield Odom with her body. The clerical gentleman had joined her in protecting him while the rest of the party looked on.

"Now, now, gentleman, ladies, what seems to be the trouble?" Jones asked, his voice rising to address them all.