Patchwork Universe

Kao Sheng · Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2004 8:52 pm Post subject:

Kao Sheng nodded sagely.

"The occurrence is unusual in the light of such circumstances," he said. "The solution may lie in the nature of the Museum itself, which naturally transcends conventional perceptions of extent and dimension, although in many such cases it is informative to reflect upon the connections and associations between the individual and the elements under consideration."

Dr. William T. Odom · Good Joined: 01 Dec 2003 Posts: 380 Location: The Museum

"I don't understand how the Museum 'transcends conventional perceptions of extent and dimension.' And are you suggesting the lack of visitors is somehow associated with me rather than with the Museum itself?" Dr. Odom frowned as he tried to figure out how he could be responsible for the drop in attendance.

Dr Jewel · Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2004 9:54 pm Post subject:

"Because the Museum does not have a measurable number of floors?" Jewel also frowned with thought.

Her understanding of the Museum was probably not good enough for her to completely follow anything Kao Sheng might say on the subject. Instead she hoped that Dr Odom might be able to unravel the truth of the matter.

She also hoped that he would be able to pass that understanding on.

Kao Sheng · Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2004 10:03 pm Post subject:

"Your speculation is at once highly insightful and extremely difficult to either confirm or deny," Kao Sheng replied to Doctor Odom. "For the matter of extent, this uninformed person must merely attest that according to his extremely limited recollection of matters beyond the Patchwork, structures of such magnificent size and diversity cannot be considered commonplace, and to contain the totality of such an institution would exceed the mental capacities of the vast majority of individuals."

Rose Briar · Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2004 10:13 pm Post subject:

[ooc: From the Map Room: 'The End of a Quest']

As the group conversed they had been travelling in a southerly direction, with an increasing curve to the east. As the bank of mist to their left became clearer, two shapes suddenly dashed through it up ahead.

A young maiden with hair of crimson and scarlet rode bareback on a silver unicorn, followed close behind by a harnessed black horse. The came out of the mist at a wild gallop, but slowed as the rose maiden perceived the travellers.

Maiden, unicorn and horse approached at a canter.

Dr. William T. Odom · Good Joined: 01 Dec 2003 Posts: 380 Location: The Museum

Dr. Odom was chewing at his lip while he tried to come up with some was to fit all of the pieces together. He noticed the approach of the woman and the two creatures a bit later than his companions.

"My word! An actual, live horse!" he said with wonder. "And a unicorn, I believe! We only have three . . . well, just over two unicorns in the whole Museum!"

He watched them draw closer.

"Are such things so common in this place?"

Kao Sheng · Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2004 8:17 am Post subject:

"Whilst it would not be correct to state that unicorns are commonplace, it may yet be observed that many persons, upon finding themselves here, are very likely to encounter a large number of things which have hitherto appeared either extremely rare or entirely outside their experience," Kao Sheng commented as he watched the newcomer approach.

Dr Jewel · Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2004 8:45 am Post subject:

"Unicorns are only a legend where I come from." Dr Jewel said quietly. "I guess this is one of the benefits of coming here."

She moved to the front of the group.

"Hello?"

Rose Briar · Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2004 10:48 am Post subject:

The rose maiden had been travelling almost blindly but now she viewed the group of travellers and with relief and Dr Jewel with an expression that seemed like recognition.

"Powers be praised," she gasped softly as she slid down from the back of the unicorn. "Great trouble has come upon me and I am in sore need of aid."

She didn't look to be much more than a teenager as Dr Jewel considered her. She was slight and slender, her skin an almost poreless alabaster and the long cloak of her hair a hundred mingled shades of red. She wore a grey silk shift torn at the hem so that it came high on her bare legs. Unicorn and horse came up to flank her on either side, watching her with innocent trust.

Still looking at Dr Jewel, eyes travelling to her red hair with a hopeful expression, she continued swiftly:
"It is my good fortune to encounter you here, for surely you are one of my Godmothers? A great doom has overtaken one of our fairy kinfolk and I cannot make those other people understand. Please say you will aid me, for my heart is very low."

Crystal tears welled up in her eyes and she looked from one to the other of the travellers beseechingly.

Dr Jewel · Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2004 1:08 pm Post subject:

"I'm afraid I'm not one of your Godmothers." Dr Jewel said. "But I might be able to help you. Please tell us what has happened."

Normally, in Dr Jewel's view, being incorporeal tended to mean being unable to offer help. However, the new arrival had spoken of fairy folk, Jewel was carrying the spirit blade still and... she might as well ask after all.

Kalyndis · Good Joined: 22 Jan 2004 Posts: 205 Location: Kerya

"Perhaps introductions are in order. I am Kalyndis, this is Doctor Jewel, this is Doctor Odom, and this is Kao Sheng. How can we help? And where did you find that horse? She looks rather like Violetta's pet-servant, Blackie."

Rose Briar · Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2004 3:10 pm Post subject:

"I am Rose Briar," the maiden said, with a surprisingly graceful curtsy. "Guardian of the rose garden. This is my friend Karkadann and the black horse joined us in the last place we visited. Previously he had been travelling with a young lady named Jane Jones."

Turning back to Dr Jewel she continued.
"Up until recently I had been travelling with my Godcousin, a noble and gentle fairy by the name of Lilac Warble. Tall and dark and with magnificent wings and splendid tentacles. But Lilac is subject to a strange malady that by times he believes he is a beast called a Doomshadow, and at such times he acts out of character, ranting and raving in a manner most distressing to his friends."

"One such spell overtook Lilac here, and my friend Jack believed it was the work of a sorceress names Mercury who commands these lands. Another occurred in my own rose garden, which can be dangerous to travellers and the third and worst event was in the ivory city yonder..." she pointed back to the eastern mist. "Lilac was trying to save a man called Larkin from some beetles and then suddenly his malady came over him once more. He had only time to call a warning that he was now possessed entirely by the madness before it consumed him and he flew away."

"Please," Rose Briar gazed with beautiful eyes of a perfect leaf green from one to the other of the travellers. "Will you help me rescue my Godcousin?"

Dr Jewel · Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2004 4:02 pm Post subject:

Dr Jewel listened carefully.

"It sounds to me," she said quietly, "as though you need to find an expert of enchantments and illnesses to help your cousin."

She turned to Doctor Odom.

"Would the Museum have anything on magical curses that affect the fairy folk, Doctor?"

She then turned to Kao Sheng.

"Would you know of a cure for him or how to find one?" She paused. "I'm afraid, I'm not sure of how properly to address you, Kao Sheng. What form would you prefer?"

Finally she brought her gaze back to Rose.

"If, as you say, he flew away; it seems that we need to find a cure and then find him. Would you agree?"

Dr. William T. Odom · Good Joined: 01 Dec 2003 Posts: 380 Location: The Museum

"Anything of that sort would be in the Special Collection on 388, near the material that was sent down to you on 184, I imagine," Dr. Odom replied to Dr. Jewel. "There may be more practical and hazardous material in Restricted Access on 1552."

He was trying to get closer to the unicorn, holding his hand out, palm down, sort of instinctively approaching it as one would a strange dog. Intellectual interest aside, the unicorn was a convenient focal point to keep his eyes from being drawn to the young lady's immodest hemline.

Kao Sheng · Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2004 7:10 pm Post subject:

Kao Sheng looked thoughtful for a moment.

"This humble traveller would without doubt be honoured to accept whatever form of address your boundless munificence guides you to bestow upon him," he said. "As to the situation currently under consideration, although it may not be strictly speaking appropriate for one such as this to interfere in such matters, should he venture to do so he might suggest that one of the surest means of bringing the circumstances which the fair lady wishes to be realised into actuality might be found within the Rose Garden itself.

"However he would further caution all concerned to consider the many factors bearing upon this situation with a clear and objective eye."