Patchwork Universe

Miss Mercury · Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2004 6:30 pm Post subject:

[Should anyone be interested, there are still signs of movement around the visible school buildings, and cars and bicycles are still visible moving around the grouds]

Dr Jewel · Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2004 8:07 pm Post subject:

Jewel looked at Rose Briar thoughtfully, unlike Dr Odom she was indifferent to the immodest hemline and instead could regard the woman with ease.

"The only difficulty is that we were on a journey of some urgency and delicacy already." She said gently. "A friend of ours has died and we were in the process of travelling to inform his people of this. His lands lie to the south of the Map Room. I would like to finish that task first as it is important to me that his friends and family are informed quickly.

"However," she hurried on judging Rose to be other than calm and tolerant, "I offer my help as soon as they have been informed. Probably in persuading Lilac Warble to return to the Rose Garden and in looking for a cure there."

Rose Briar · Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2004 8:10 pm Post subject:

The rose maiden had drunk in their words with wide eyes. Meanwhiel the unciorn had bent its head towards Odom so that he was close enough to touch the swirled silver horn. As he was reaching out towards it Rose laid a soft hand on his arm to stop him.
"It's not wise for mortals to touch a unicorn," she said gently. Turning back to the others she said. "Thank you, for your wise council. If my answer lies in the rose garden then it is there I shall go, and the roses will be in need of my care. Perhaps when your sad errand is done I may see you there..."

She paused.
"But have you seen the garden, good people? For it once lay to the east of here and now does not."

Dr. William T. Odom · Good Joined: 01 Dec 2003 Posts: 471 Location: The Museum

Dr. Odom reddened at the young lady's touch. He attempted to cover his discomfort by extracting his notebook and opening it to his copy of the map. He pointed to it and said, "There, Miss, two patches to the north, I believe. Past the public house." He took out his pen and wrote her name in beside Juniper's.

Kalyndis · Good Joined: 22 Jan 2004 Posts: 252 Location: Kerya

"Other factors, Kao Sheng? Is it possible that this Lilac was overcome by circumstances similar to my own? You see, Rose Briar, I recently suffered from a loss of memory while in Jones's territory that may have led to certain... regrettable actions on my part. The sagacious Kao Sheng suggested that this may have happened partly because I was at some distance from my own domain. Does Lilac normally reside in your garden or somewhere nearby?"

Rose Briar · Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2004 10:35 am Post subject:

"How clever," Rose said, looking at the notebook Odom showed her. "A map of the demesnes? But surely it is ephemeral, since the demesnes are not fixed in place?"

This was a surprisingly insightful question for the rose maiden. But she was perhaps due for some insight, since she had spent an hour in the map room patch without discovering the map.

"Good Kalyndis," she continued, turning to him. "I extend my sympathy that such a strange malady has overtaken you as well. Should I find a cure, you are welcome to share in it."

"And no, Lilac does not come from the garden. He visited from some other demesne. I think..." here she was less certain of her territory, "that he lives with his mother, my Godmother, and that she is very old..."

Dr Jewel · Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2004 1:27 pm Post subject:

"Perhaps you could locate Lilac's demesne on Dr Odom's map." Jewel suggested. "By the way, do you know how long he had suffered from this illness? Or would his mother, your Godmother know?"

Rose Briar · Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2004 5:49 pm Post subject:

"I fear I do not know the name of his demesne," the rose maiden said with a sigh, but she moved obediently closer to Odom, trying to fathom the symbols in the notebook.

"I recognise this place to the north," she said. "J is for Jones. I have a friend who is married to the innkeeper's eldest son. But alas, Lilac's home is a mystery."

Dr Jewel · Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2004 9:50 pm Post subject:

"Juniper Jones." Dr Jewel replied. "We met her at that establishment. They've recently had some trouble in the patch, although I think it's over now. It came from someone digging up part of the ground and opening a dungeon cave. Fortunately the breach has been sealed."

Jewel glanced to the south where she and her companions were currently headed.

"You should be safe enough travelling north past Jones' now." She said reassuringly to Rose Briar. "And I will come to see you when my business to the south of here is finished."

Dr. William T. Odom · Good Joined: 01 Dec 2003 Posts: 471 Location: The Museum

"I will also gladly offer whatever assistance I can," Dr. Odom said, still avoiding looking directly at the girl. He realized she must be close to Emily's age, or perhaps even younger, and he reddened even more. "First, though, we must visit San Pietro and do what we can to set matters straight. The sooner we get there the sooner we can return."

Dr. Odom stared at his map. He had known when he drew it that it was of limited use. The young lady's comment made him wonder if they ought to follow the arrows to the map room on a regular basis to update their maps.

Kao Sheng · Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2004 7:01 am Post subject:

Kao Sheng stood quietly in the background, and observed...

"Many things are possible, O honoured Kalyndis," he said quietly. "But what is possible need not always be true."

Rose Briar · Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2004 11:51 am Post subject:

"Well and good then," the rose maiden said. "I thank you for the use of your map."

She smiled at them all in turn and then turned to the unicorn. Bending its silver horn to touch the ground the creature bowed low and Rose was able to leap lightly onto its back.

"Fare thee well, travellers," she said. And with the black horse following after her, she departed, heading north.

[ooc: Rose Briar now moves to a new thread in this forum: 'Scarlet, Silver and Sable']

Dr Jewel · Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2004 12:46 pm Post subject:

Jewel watched Rose depart.

"I hope she manages to return home before anything changes again." She said. "And I hope that the garden does hold the key to her godcousin's problems."

She looked up ahead.

"I can see the mists." She announced with relief. "So not much further. Then we go east and south and we should be in San Pietro."

She glanced at Kao Sheng.

"Would you know if the patch had moved?" She asked. "Or... if it was no longer here? Jennifer Jones told me that there were once people and lands that are no longer on the map. How does a patch of land leave? Is it by the choice of the inhabitants?"

Kalyndis · Good Joined: 22 Jan 2004 Posts: 252 Location: Kerya

Kalyndis said to Kao Sheng, "Indeed."

Thank you for stating the obvious, he thought. I was only trying to help.

Dr. William T. Odom · Good Joined: 01 Dec 2003 Posts: 471 Location: The Museum

"Kalyndis," Dr. Odom remarked, "I must say I'm impressed. You have passed up yet another opportunity to threaten or insult someone." He picked his words carefully. "Are these improved manners likely to last?"