Patchwork Universe

Dr. William T. Odom · Good Joined: 01 Dec 2003 Posts: 220 Location: The Museum

[OOC: Dr. Odom enters from "Juniper School: Following Arrows"]

Dr. Odom lit his cigarette and shook his head. He was pretty sure "approaching from the other direction" did not explain just how different this place was from what little he remembered of the land around the public house.

He was momentarily distracted by the realization that he had tossed the extinguished match aside with no qualms, but only momentarily.

Ah, well, he thought, on with the chase. Find the next arrow, cross the next territory, we'll get there in time.

Dr Jewel · Posted: Fri May 28, 2004 10:08 am Post subject:

[OOC : This is my second reply. Apologies if the first one reappears]

[OOC : From Juniper School : Following Arrows]

Dr Jewel appeared from the mist and looked around curiously.

"A few similarities." She finally said. "But it isn't the pub. I guess we need to find the next signpost."

She turned to Dr Odom.

"What do you think looks most like a central point or main building?" She asked. "I suppose we need to head for the centre of the area if nothing looks particularly promising."

Dr. William T. Odom · Good Joined: 01 Dec 2003 Posts: 220 Location: The Museum

"To the center, then, I suppose."

Dr. Odom shoved his flag into the ground.

"If we become disoriented, I suppose all we need do is something like I suggested I would have had to do in that jungle place. We can head for the mist and keep it on our right until we come back here."

Dr Jewel · Posted: Fri May 28, 2004 12:21 pm Post subject:

"Agreed." Dr Jewel nodded approval, then led the way.

She threaded a path past the various buildings heading roughly east-north-east. She looked at each as she reached it with a certain amount of curiousity.

I wonder what their purpose is. She thought. None of them seem to be labelled nor can I hear the sounds of machinery at all. In fact, there is no sign of anyone being here.

However, as she was about to conclude that the patch was largely deserted, marks on the ground caught her eye. Footsteps, belonging to a seemingly large band of people. Judging from the footsize, probably mostly men.

"Look, Dr Odom." She pointed to the marks. "It seems that a number of other people have been here comparatively recently. The building over there," She pointed to a largish structure slightly south of the centre of the patch, "seems to have been a popular destination."

Dr. William T. Odom · Good Joined: 01 Dec 2003 Posts: 220 Location: The Museum

Dr. Odom had been trailing along behind Dr. Jewel, peering in at doors and windows when the opportunities arose, curious but unable to contribute anything to their search that she had not.

When she spoke of marks on the ground, he dutifully studied the places she indicated and then shook his head.

"I'll trust you're right," he said. "I wonder if this means we aren't the only ones tracking down these arrows?"

Dr Jewel · Posted: Fri May 28, 2004 4:44 pm Post subject:

"So it seems." Jewel replied. "It is perfectly possible that any or all of Larkin, Liason and Trubshawe could come here. If there are hundreds of this mist-edged lands then I guess it makes sense for some of their inhabitants to follow the arrows."

She investigated the ground, slightly nervously.

"And look," she could not disguise the relief in her voice. "Footprints come back out again as well."

Dr. William T. Odom · Good Joined: 01 Dec 2003 Posts: 220 Location: The Museum

"So far we have met nothing actively hostile," Dr. Odom observed, approaching the building, "unless perhaps you wish to include our Mr. Trubshawe. I wonder if there is anything?"

He stepped inside.

"Oh."

Dr Jewel · Posted: Fri May 28, 2004 6:49 pm Post subject:

"Wow." Jewel was impressed.

She gazed from square to square, careful not to touch anything.

"That must be the Museum." She said, pointing. "The School to the east, the Zoo to the north and those other two places. Maypole Hill must be that place on the other side, southeast of here."

She shivered slightly.

"It seems to have Liason's Foundary to the north and Mr Quickgrip's slums to the south. That sign there must be the pub, it's directly northwest of here."

She got out a pen and paper from her shoulder-bag and made a quick replica of the whole lot.

"Pity there's nothing around here to explain when the next land shuffle is. Or the last, come to that. Although I guess if every land has its own time-scale it wouldn't be particularly useful information."

Eventually happy that her rough copy was interpretable, Jewel put the notebook away again.

"Wow." She said again. "Not as many lands as I first thought, but even so. I wonder whether this place is some sort of control room, or whether it simply is a guide the same as the signposts seem to be."

Dr. William T. Odom · Good Joined: 01 Dec 2003 Posts: 220 Location: The Museum

"Some of these bits are truly perplexing," Dr. Odom said, looking up from the sketch he was making in his own notebook. "Are those really meant to be water? And whatever could these be, here to the north of us and there, between the . . . ah . . . sand and snow or whatever that's meant to be?"

Dr Jewel · Posted: Fri May 28, 2004 10:13 pm Post subject:

Dr Jewel shrugged rather helplessly.

"The first looks like an island balanced on a set of cliffs." She opined. "As for the second, well, I don't really know. I don't believe that it's the Christian one. Someone might have named their land that. Or perhaps it's a joke name for a horrible place?"

She walked around the whole map carefully.

"I'm rather hoping that most of these things will become obvious when we see the lands in question. I wish there was someone here to ask questions of, but it seems we'll just have to go to the pub and ask there. Unless you think that checking the other buildings might be profitable?"

Dr. William T. Odom · Good Joined: 01 Dec 2003 Posts: 220 Location: The Museum

"What do you think of this plan?

"First, we'll go outside and I'll give a shout, something along the lines of, 'Anyone out there?', unless you think you're louder.

"Second, I'll sit down somewhere convenient and rest my feet while you explore nearby buildings if you like.

"Third, barring answers to our hail, we go straight to the northwest and the public house.

"I've been walking for most of the day, sometimes in a stifling diving suit, sometimes carrying a great weight of rope about, and I don't know how you feel in your state, if fatigue registers,but I would really like to sit down for a while. The public house would be an excellent place for that, as well as being a place where it sounds like we may learn a thing or two.

"Have I left out anything? Have I added anything you would rather skip?"

Dr Jewel · Posted: Sat May 29, 2004 7:59 am Post subject:

"A good plan." Dr Jewel nodded. "I do feel tired, although I haven't had to carry rope around. We'll call and then wait for a short while. I'll probably have a quick look in a couple of the nearby buildings."

Dr. William T. Odom · Good Joined: 01 Dec 2003 Posts: 220 Location: The Museum

Dr. Odom tucked his notebook and pen away in their proper pockets. He strolled outside and turned slowly around once as if trying to decide the best direction in which to shout. He finally chose one, although just what it was he could not really say.

"Hello!" he bellowed between cupped hands. "Is anyone out there? Does anyone live here? Are there any other visitors from other lands?" He had to pause for breath between "visitors" and "from" and his voice almost cracked embarrassingly on "live" with the effort of being loud.

When the echoes stopped, Dr. Odom sat on a nearby step and settled down for a little tranquility with his tobacco.

Father Michael · Posted: Sat May 29, 2004 4:37 pm Post subject:

Dr. Odom looked up from his cigarette to see a small man, dressed in a plain brown robe standing beside him.

"Good morning," he said, "my name is Michael. I heard your shout. The answer to your first question is yes. To your second question, I have to say I am uncertain. To your third, the answer is once again yes. My village of San Pietro lies to the south of here, beyond the mist.

"Might I ask of you, where we are we, and what has happened here? Also, may I trouble you for a cigarette? It has been a difficult morning."

He smiled gently, and waited for Dr Odom to stop looking surprised.

Dr Jewel · Posted: Sat May 29, 2004 10:08 pm Post subject:

Dr Jewel heard a new voice speaking and hurried back to the map building. She stopped in surprise as she saw what looked like a priest talking to her companion.