Patchwork Universe

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

"But what's this about 'gods' and why would they, as you put it, pilot such a thing in your village?"

Dr Jewel · Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2004 4:42 pm Post subject:

"When I spoke with Liason from the Imperial Foundary I asked him why he was heading north. After all, Larkin had told me that was where the slums were and I found that an odd destination for Liason.

"His answer was," Dr Jewel hesitated as she thought, "something about gods and shifting lands. I remember him saying that a god lived to the north of here."

She shrugged.

"After that our zookeeper friend took over the conversation and it turned to ropes and experiments. So I never really got to the bottom of what he meant. However, if anyone were to visit Maypole Hill and put a signpost in it, one that was automated of all things, then isn't it more likely to be a powerful being? Whether or not they are an actual god."

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

Dr. Odom was silent for long enough that it started to seem as if he must have either forgotten the question or fallen asleep. Eventually, though, he answered, slowly and carefully as if he was still thinking through his answer.

"I think I understand what you're saying, and I don't really have a better suggestion. But I ought to point out that there are a few weak points.

"Is your village the only place to receive such a supposed sign from the gods? Must one find Maple Hill in order to locate the sign and then the public house?

"And the assumption of greater power bothers me. Just to illustrate, your friend -- Miss Holloway? -- had, in her collection, an astonishingly fine exhibit of electromagnetic media devices. They looked as if they might even be functional! But owning functioning, highly technological devices does not actually make her more powerful.

"I suppose if these two objections can be overcome then I will dismiss any lesser objections as mere details to be filled in later and accept what you have suggested as a sort of working hypothesis."

[OOC: enter George and Trubshawe]

Soon plodding foorsteps could be heard approaching from beyond the foyer and Trubshawe and George followed them, each carrying a large coil of thick manila rope. George weaved from side to side as he walked, trying to keep his widening eyes fixed on the flyer in one hand rather than on the way ahead.

Dr Jewel · Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2004 7:43 am Post subject:

Dr Jewel was impressed.

"Those look heavy." She said. "I suggest you put them down whilst we discuss where to tie them."

Trubshawe · Good Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 155 Location: The Zoo

"Nothing I couldn't handle, I assure you, Doctor," said Trubshawe, striking what he hoped was a manly pose as the coil of rope hit the floor with a satisfying thump.

"There should be more than enough here for all our experimental needs. I propose we secure one end of a length of rope to the Museum, and one of us takes the other end through the mists... to the north of here?"

Dr Jewel · Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2004 11:53 am Post subject:

"We're currently closer to the east here." Dr Jewel replied. "But if you'd prefer north, then it would give us an opportunity to see where Liason and Larkin went. I don't know what lies in either direction, although Larkin indicated that his home was northwards."

Trubshawe · Good Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 155 Location: The Zoo

"When I first left the Zoo I travelled to the south," ruminated Trubshawe. "While nothing is certain at this stage, it seems possible that it still lies to the north, the Museum having been crudely interposed between us. And, as you say, we might meet up with Liason and Quickgrip that way."

He indicated the two large coils of rope that now lay on the floor. "Of course, thanks to my efforts we now have enough ropes to perform a large number of directions. So we could try to the east and work our way round the Museum counterclockwise, if you prefer."

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

George was wandering back to his normal duties, risking crashing into something at every step, his eyes on the flyer and his mind presumably filled with visions of living, breathing rather than stuffed, mounted animals.

Dr. Odom, in the mean time, wandered out to a cart parked under the ladder, keeping one ear on the conversation echoing out of the cloakroom. He rummaged through the cart until he found a four-foot length of wood with a conveniently sharp end, formerly a broomstick, with a balding piece of royal purple velvet, part of a decorative valance in decades long past, lashed to it. He knocked it against the leg of the ladder a couple of times and when the girl at the top looked down he waved it in the air a little and made a few motions to indicate that he was taking it. She lifted her feet slightly in a strange backwards sort of curtsy by way of acknowledgment and he returned to the cloakroom, worrying at the string that held the dusty cloth to the stick so that he could move it from the sharp to the blunt end.

"I would still like to find out what is in front of the Museum if the village isn't, even if it's only for a few moments," he added to the conversation. "And has a final decision been made about the public house?"

Dr Jewel · Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2004 2:56 pm Post subject:

"I don't believe we took a final decision." Dr Jewel said. "I'd still like a look, but it can wait. As you suggest it might be a good idea to check outside the main entrance first. It might even provide us with some better clues to the mists and their function."

Trubshawe · Good Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 155 Location: The Zoo

"Which way does the Museum front?" asked Trubshawe.

"I can't say I much care which direction we try first, as long as we take the rope with us. Care to decide for us, Doctor Jewel?"

Dr Jewel · Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2004 4:27 pm Post subject:

"East." Dr Jewel decided.

She glanced around at the others.

"I guess we should go and look for something to tie the rope to." She said. "Is everyone ready to move outside?"

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

"As ready as I can be, I suppose," Dr. Odom said, putting the finishing touches to a cigarette and propping himself against his stick.

"You may go," he said to Dr. Eddison, who responded with an imperious, "Yes, master, right away, master," while collecting the bottle and cups.

Trubshawe · Good Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 155 Location: The Zoo

"Right we are, then," said Trubshawe, licking his lips nervously and rather wishing that George was no longer around to share the rope-lugging duties.

"Whenever you're ready, Dr Odom. The mysterious orient awaits us."

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

Dr. Odom was slightly taken aback at being so spoken to by Trubshawe. He had figured Trubshawe was intentionally snubbing his authority and so, after his prank with the rope, had settled into an acceptance of Dr. Jewel's leadership; she had more field experience, after all. But now it seemed as if Trubshawe might be recognizing Dr. Odom's authority, at least as long as they were still inside.

Dr. Odom realized he had been hesitating a little longer than propriety probably allowed.

"Right. Well, no need to take both of these with us." He nudged the rope George had left with his stick. "We can always come back in and get it before we head off in another direction."

He took a few paces toward the door, swinging the stick as jauntily as if it was a gilt walking stick, before turning back to Trubshawe. "Er. . . let me know if you start to need a break from the rope."

He reached the doors. He set a hand on the one on the right and peered through the glass at the light filtering through the mist. Fool me once, shame on you, he thought at the outside world, fool me twice . . . With a deep, nervous breath he pushed the door open. He pointed to the outside handle on the left door, suggesting to Trubshawe that it might be a good place to secure the rope, if he liked, and stepped out. His heart gave a startled lurch, trying to lodge itself somewhere in the back of his throat, as he saw the brass arrow mounted on some sort of armature, but momentum carried him forward and he passed through the mist.

[OOC: Dr. Odom has passed into Juniper School: "Deja Vu"]

Dr Jewel · Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2004 9:02 pm Post subject:

Dr Jewel paused, remember that she would be no use when it came to securing rope, then followed Dr Odom.