Patchwork Universe

Kao Sheng · Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2004 7:06 am Post subject:

Kao Sheng looked towards Kalyndis with an expression of disappointment.

"Before you depart, this unwelcome interloper has but one further statement to make," he said. "It is important to gain understanding before any may claim to pass judgement, and although you each may have some comprehension of what has come to pass in this area, at least to the extent to which the words of this person who is now speaking may be acceptable, there is one further factor which he would encourage you to consider.

"To this end, he would sincerely encourage the interested parties to swiftly turn your steps one patch to the east and two to the south, and there consult with the local priest. You, Kalyndis, that you may make your peace, and you, Doctor Odom, that you may perhaps find solace."

Dr Jewel · Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2004 8:11 am Post subject:

Dr Jewel listened, tried to interpret, and got her map out of her bag. She examined it for a moment, frowning.

"Father Michael's patch." She announced, slightly uncertainly. "Are you saying that there is another priest there? I suppose we ought to take his remains back there at least."

She thought about it, suddenly remembering that Father Michael came from her own, bureaucratic world.

"Or perhaps it might be better to go there first without him." She hastily amended. "To try and break the matter gently to his church. Give them time to accept what occurred before they see the body."

She turned to Dr Odom.

"Supposing we go to Father Michael's patch now?" She said quietly.

Dr. William T. Odom · Good Joined: 01 Dec 2003 Posts: 381 Location: The Museum

Dr. Odom had not really heard Kalyndis's further arrogant posturing. The calm voice of the woman whose bizarre circumstances Dr. Odom could not even pretend to understand, however, succeeded in interrupting his astronomical musings.

"Patch?" he asked in a confused voice.

Trubshawe · Good Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 303 Location: The Zoo

Trubshawe pushed up his sleeve to consult his chronometer, an action which could elicit little useful information in this collection of disjointed pocket universes, but which still seemed a useful way of registering impatience.

He felt little desire to tag along with the two-person grief circus that was Odom and Jewel, especially as it seemed an uphill struggle to get either of them to acknowledge anyone except the other. Quite sweet, really, in its way.

Tipping his cap politely, Trubshawe murmured "Doctors, Kao Sheng", turned on his heel and set off after Kalyndis.

Dr Jewel · Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2004 12:25 pm Post subject:

Jewel watched Trubshawe depart with some relief. She thought it was nothing short of a miracle that his remarks during the last few minutes had not caused either Kalyndis to becoming infuriated over the suggestion of a cage or for Jones to take offence at the implication that he would serve troll to his customers as beef.

"I meant where he came from." She said to Dr Odom. "The piece of land that has become part of here."

She turned to Kao Sheng.

"Would you join us?" She asked. "I would like to ask questions about this place and Jones indicated that you may be able to provide some of the answers." She flushed slightly, remembering who she was addressing. "Sorry if I sound pushy or rude; I'm simply keen to understand what is going on."

Trubshawe · Good Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 303 Location: The Zoo

[OOC: ummm... it appears that Kalyndis may not have departed the scene after all, due to Kao Sheng's words, and if that's the case it would be an impressive trick for Trubshawe to chase after him. So it looks like I've messed things up rather. If Kalyndis is still here, my parting post and my new "Catching Up" thread should be disregarded - special apologies to Dr Jewel who followed my post...]

Kalyndis · Good Joined: 22 Jan 2004 Posts: 206 Location: Kerya

[OOC: Because Kao Sheng addressed Kalyndis directly, I'm assuming that Kalyndis stopped and turned round when Kao Sheng spoke.]

"But, Kao Sheng, I thought you were in favour of us adjourning to Jones's house for further discussion. It would seem rude to leave his territory under such circumstances. Or are you indicating that south-south-east we will find information relevant to the discussion?"

Kalyndis cast an eye at Odom's pallid face and said, rather coldy, "It also seems that Dr Odom is unwell, and might need refreshment before walking any great distance."

Perhaps his madness is taking its toll. Or perhaps he has finally come to his senses, and the realisation of his foolishness in challenging me has sent him into shock.

Jones · Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2004 3:21 pm Post subject:

[ooc: Since Kalyndis is still here I'm deleting Matt's new thread. We can think of Dr Jewel as *hoping* the others were leaving... :) ]

Dr. William T. Odom · Good Joined: 01 Dec 2003 Posts: 381 Location: The Museum

A bit of color rising to his face again as he was recalled to the situation, Dr. Odom said, "I'm not sure we should trust this fellow if he is one of the supposed gods to whom Jones lays the blame for Michael's death." A little uncertainly he added, "Of course, after putting up a great show of protecting that arrogant young thug there he ran off as soon as I started to consider letting him have his little discussion."

Trubshawe · Good Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 303 Location: The Zoo

Trubshawe hovered near Kalyndis' shoulder, hoping that the conversation wasn't going to go round in a new circle. It had looked certain for a moment there that the dragon would take his leave of the others... and there were matters the Head Zookeeper wished to discuss with the creature.

He scowled and kicked at a hapless piece of mud with the heel of his shoe.

Dr Jewel · Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2004 4:45 pm Post subject:

"I believe Jones blames the Gods for the sudden darkness and thus Michael's death as part of that." She said. "Which I think he said had something to do with the new station. Although I'm not quite sure about that bit."

She looked towards Kao Sheng.

"Either way, I wanted to ask some questions and it seemed that speaking with a God might provide the quickest answers. Particularly when it comes to finding out how Michael's death occurred."

Kao Sheng · Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2004 6:30 pm Post subject:

"O most observant Kalyndis, your analysis is correct," Kao Sheng replied. "Those who proceed in the indicated direction may have every expectation of obtaining further information which may prove to be extremely important to the matter currently under discussion. Further, whilst my hopes for this situation do indeed lie in obtaining a resolution through dignified conversation, the presence of Mister Jones is admittedly not of critical importance, and by taking his leave he appears to have expressed an element of disinterest in the current proceedings.

"Doctor Jewel, this humble traveller would be most honoured to accompany you if you are prepared to tolerate his objectionable presence, and will certainly endeavour to answer your questions to the best of his inadequate abilities. To this end, however, it may be advisable to make it known at an early juncture that there are some matters which he is not permitted to discuss, even though he would personally wish it otherwise."

Dr. William T. Odom · Good Joined: 01 Dec 2003 Posts: 381 Location: The Museum

"If we're going to visit San Pietro, ought we start while you talk?" Dr. Odom took out his notebook and spectacles and checked his map. "South to the school and east to the . . . ah . . . patch with the map would take us through familiar territory."

[OOC: We're experiencing one of our little timeslips here. This post is a response to the one that follows.]

Dr Jewel · Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2004 7:24 pm Post subject:

"I'm not sure if you meant the phrase as a figure of speech," Jewel stumbled through her more clumsy response, "but I do not find your presence objectionable."

She glanced at Dr Odom.

"I appreciate you joining us as we first came here, to the inn, in the hopes of finding someone who might be able to explain matters for us. Dr Odom and myself have been travelling companions for," she frowned, "well, I'm not certain of the exact time scale but a couple of days at least. It seems longer because we've walked through a number of different lands that Jones called patches."

Jewel thought for a moment.

"I'm not really sure what to ask first." She admitted. "Perhaps, well, was Father Michael's death connected to the change here? Is that what affected Kalyndis?"

Trubshawe · Good Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 303 Location: The Zoo

"Well, I can't say I have any interest at all in visiting... San Pietro?" said Trubshawe airily. "I think Jones made it very clear that... I won't say that Kao Sheng here is not to be trusted, but at the very least we don't know who we can trust. I have to say I think that some of you are rather too keen to scrabble for any tawdry scrap that is tossed you.

"I shall be returning to Jones', to confer with him and perhaps even brave his stew. He at least hasn't actively promised not to answer any questions that we may have."

His gaze passed cursorily over Odom and Jewel and settled on Kalyndis.

"Feel free to go with these people if you like, Kalyndis. One of them seems to want to put you to death and another of them is very likely part-responsible for state of affairs, but it's your shout."