Patchwork Universe

Kao Sheng · Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2004 6:34 pm Post subject:

Kao Sheng kept one eye on Kalyndis as he replied to Doctor Jewel.

"The directions which you suggest should indeed lead this group to the indicated destination, should you consent to continue upon the course which this impertinent person took the liberty to suggest," he said.

"The factors which determine the continuity of each area are complex in nature, although it may be worthy of consideration that even though some areas may not be currently accessible, this need not be a permanent condition."

Dr Jewel · Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2004 10:08 pm Post subject:

"So, some of the people Jennifer mentioned might return?" Dr Jewel also had one eye on Kalyndis.

She looked up ahead, noting with relief that the mists were getting closer.

"Is there any way to affect the process which chooses neighbours?" She asked, hoping to interest Dr Odom in the question. "We tied rope between the Museum and the areas around it - it that likely to secure them, or was it a waste of effort?"

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

Kalyndis looked at Odom and said guilelessly, "I don't understand. Kao Sheng may be at times frustratingly verbose and obscure, but he has said there are reasons why he cannot answer all our questions fully, and he is unfailingly polite. When he says something that is undeniably correct, why would I take offence?"

A new thought struck him.

"Ah. You are wondering whether this domain has affected my personality. I can tell you I don't feel different, but that in itself is hardly conclusive of anything, is it? Rest assured that if I suddenly lose my temper, you will be the first person to know."

He gave Odom a cheery smile.

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

"I was rather wondering if you would be more receptive to polite discourse here." Dr. Odom smiled back and casually turned his attention back to the way ahead.

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

"Oh, I'm always receptive to polite discourse. It's Insults and wild accusations that are more likely to offend me."

Kao Sheng · Posted: Sat Jul 17, 2004 4:06 pm Post subject:

Kao Sheng continued to watch Kalyndis, and also, now, Doctor Odom...

"Although there are of course a number of influences which may exert some effect upon the arrangement of connections between the areas, it is entirely permissable for any individuals with an interest in the specific configuration to express their own preferences for future arrangements of the Patchwork," he said in response to Doctor Jewel.

"It need not of course be said that should you desire to make your own enlightened wishes known upon the matter, it is not strictly necessary to convey the relevant details by attempting to establish such connections yourself," he added with a faint smile.

Dr Jewel · Posted: Sat Jul 17, 2004 10:25 pm Post subject:

"How should I make such wishes known?" Dr Jewel smiled faintly in return. "Through speaking to yourself and the other gods? If so, I'd like my future neighbours to be beings who regard ghosts - or perhaps I should say human ghosts - as of equal worth to their own lineage, corporeal state or species, and who communicate in a way I can understand."

She thought about this.

"Although I've never had trouble communicating with anyone so far, which I guess is surprising."

She shook her head for a moment.

"If the gods have influence over the setting of the lands, do they also have influence over who is and is not here? Come to that, are you gods all here because you choose to be?"

Jewel realised that the mists were only a short distance away. She turned to Dr Odom.

"I think we should move into the Map Room now."

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

Dr. Odom had been working his way through dozens of possible replies to Kalyndis.

"Certainly, Doctor. After you."

He turned back to Kalyndis.

"Please forgive my scepticism as I encountered nothing but what seemed to me uncivil and ill-mannered behavior from you until we entered this patch, despite a lack of initial offense on my part. If you have anything further to say I suggest you say it now as I believe we would both be more comfortable concluding this conversation now."

Dr Jewel · Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2004 7:40 am Post subject:

Dr Jewel stepped through the mists.

[OOC : Goes to Map Room : Nearly Diagonally]

Kao Sheng · Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2004 11:50 am Post subject:

Kao Sheng listened attentively to Doctor Jewel's questions, but he hesitated before stepping through the mists.

"If this admittedly extraneous person might interject at this point," he said to Doctor Odom and Kalyndis, "Is would indeed be his considered opinion that this matter would be best resolved before this continuing failure of communications proceeds any further.

"I would ask you, O valiant Doctor Odom, to understand that although it is certain that you intended no offence by your comments relating to dragons in the Public House, offence was nonetheless given, and such is the nature of the culture from which Kalyndis hails that the gravity of such matters cannot be understated. I would further ask you to be considerate of the great steps towards compromise and understanding that he has already taken.

"I would ask you, O honourable Kalyndis, to understand that Doctor Odom did, as stated, intend no offence by his original remarks, and further that, as has been stated previously, both the humans here and their experience of dragons are unlike anything with which you are familiar. As such, they must be treated with the respect with which you would wish to be treated yourself, and your own behaviour will undoubtedly be taken to be the example by which the nature of all dragonkind will be judged. Whether that be one of benevolence, tolerance, forgiveness, wisdom and enlightened understanding or one of a less salubrious kind is now dependant upon you."

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

Kalyndis seemed genuinely amused at Dr Odom, but waited for Kao Sheng to speak before he replied.

"Indeed, I took offence at what may have been an unintended remark. My attitude was further coloured by your unwillingness to retract that remark when you learned it was offensive, and by the striking contrast of your belligerence with the open-mindedness displayed by your companions. You have also persisted in alleging me to be responsible for an act that may be at least partially due to other agencies; an act to which you were not an eye witness; an act for which I am willing to make recompense if only my responsibility can be proven to my satisfaction. I also note that, though I threatened violence upon you with fair warning, I did not in fact attack you; it was you who subsequently attacked me without warning. And yet, willing to listen to the appeals of others, I still refrain from retaliation.

"With respect , Kao Sheng, I do not think our dispute can be settled until the circumstances of Father Michael's death are conclusively established. Doctor Odom, the initial disagreement between us can be attributed to miscommunication, but the allegation that I killed Father Michael is a much more serious issue. I am not currently able either to accept or to refute that allegation; I have come with you on the assumption that this puzzle would be solved by my doing so. Therefore I suggest we proceed."

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

"I agree with him, Mr. Sheng. I have little hope of overcoming his insistence on projecting his belligerence onto me. I had hoped to resolve at least part of our differences before we left this patch but I seem to have been over-optimistic."

Dr. Odom gave Kao Sheng a polite bow and turned to follow Dr. Jewel.

[OOC: joins "Map Room: Nearly Diagonally"]

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

Kalyndis now looked simply baffled.

"I'm sorry, Kao Sheng. I thought I was resolving some of our differences, and was simply being honest about those which cannot be resolved at this point. I don't understand his response. The other humans I've met so far have seemed quite reasonable, I will happily treat them with respect, but I seem unable to communicate with that one. What should I do?"

Kao Sheng · Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2004 3:40 pm Post subject:

"You need not apologise to me, O honourable Kalyndis," Kao Sheng replied. "I sincerely appreciate your continuing efforts, yet it cannot be denied that sometimes harmony cannot be achieved swiftly. I believe that Doctor Odom was profoundly affected by the loss of Father Michael, and I entertain some hope that his feelings may become more clear when we reach San Pietro. Until that point, it may be best to avoid dwelling upon such differences as may at this point appear to be unresolvable.

"For the moment, at least, let us proceed in peace," he concluded.

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

"Certainly. I thank you for your appreciation. I must confess that the possibility of my responsibility for Father Michael's death causes me no small distress. I can understand that Doctor Odom is much more upset by this situation, even though I do not care for the way he expresses it. It seems my great-aunt Zylaerlin was right when she observed that the brevity of their lives does not diminish the intensity of their emotions."

Kalyndis nodded to Kao Sheng and stepped into the mists.

[OOC: joins Map Room: Nearly Diagonally]