Patchwork Universe

Dr Jewel · Posted: Sun May 23, 2004 7:54 pm Post subject: Aspects of Normality

[OOC : From Temple of Birds : Could be Worse]

Jewel-the-bird landed on the ground as quickly as possible. She was hoping that the sudden horrifying metamorphosis that occurred in the jungle would be reversed, and she did not want to fall several feet if it happened.

This proved to be a prudent measure. Within seconds she could feel her shape changing again, lengthening, growing. A few more seconds and she was Dr Jewel again. Complete with shoulder bag and notebook. The change left her crouching on the floor, so she forced herself to stand.

Dr Odom appeared from the mists. He took one look at Jewel, then collapsed against the wall of the Museum, not speaking while he tried to catch his breath.

"Never again." Jewel said with force. "I don't know what that place was, but I'm not going back."

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

Dr. Odom nodded as vigorously as he could with his head resting against the bricks. "Pub," he gasped. "Sit. Talk. Beer." He closed his eyes and fumbled for the inevitable slip of paper.

Dr Jewel · Posted: Sun May 23, 2004 9:40 pm Post subject:

"South." Dr Jewel glanced in that direction. "Is it quicker to go through the Museum or around it?"

She tried to recover some semblance of her usual calm manner.

"I guess going through means we could leave a message for Trubshawe. Either at the front desk or with George."

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

Dr. Odom Made a few false starts at answering, accompanied by feeble and essentially meaningless gestures. Finally, half a cigarette later, he picked the leaves from his hair and tried to answer.

"We could go directly south, along the wall, and come out far from any door. I don't know where we might tie a rope. We could go in, get a rope and a flag, and go through the building, sort of the reciprocal to the route we took from the zoo to here, and go out the near door. Or we could go farther along and go out the door we came in when we met Mr. Trubshawe."

Dr Jewel · Posted: Mon May 24, 2004 7:43 am Post subject:

"I think that the middle of those sounds best." Dr Jewel decided. "Go in, get a flag, retrace our route somewhat then go out again by the near door."

Staying slightly longer in the Museum where she retained her normal shape and no-one talked about strange devices or mass kidnappings seemed far and away the most suitable plan to her.

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

Dr. Odom took the liberty of resting long enough to brush off his coat, scrape the worst of the mud from his shoes and roll another cigarette before rising carefully. He combed his hair back into place with his fingers and smiled weakly.

"I think I told Mr. Trubshawe in the note I left that we would go to the public house after trying the west. Still, a note to tell him we've moved on can't hurt."

Dr. Odom stepped back inside, leaving the door ajar. He used a handful of rags to wipe the rest of the mud from his shoes and most of the grime from his trousers.

Writing at the workbench he produced another note:

dr. Mr. Trubshawe,

Dr. Jewel and I have made a brief excursion to the west. We spent some time walking in jungle, but as Dr. Jewel was not feeling herself we returned before fully exploring. We now intend to move south to the public house. Take the hall you will find in the southwest corner of the warehouse as far as it goes -- turn left -- continue to the door to which we have tied the fourth rope.

yrs,
Dr. W. T. Odom, C. G.

He went back out and tied the note to the rope with a bit of twine. Back inside once again, he picked up the rope he had selected before and the remaining two flags. He seemed to be in no hurry, strolling off the way he had described for Trubshawe.

"So, Doctor, what exactly happened back there? I must say, I was entirely unprepared for anything like that."

Dr Jewel · Posted: Mon May 24, 2004 2:37 pm Post subject:

"I don't know." Dr Jewel shuddered. "It was horrible. Suddenly I could feel myself changing shape. It was as though one long itch shook my entire body and then I was hovering above the ground. I tried to speak to you and heard the sound of bird song. Then I panicked. But I guess you worked that part out."

She glanced down at herself, watched her feet stroll along the ground with evident satisfaction.

"And I remember being drawn to something." She added, slowly. "I was supposed to fly to west. To where I would expect the centre of that piece of land to be. I managed to resist, though.

"I hope nowhere else is like that. I assume it's because I'm a ghost. I can't think of any other reason why it would affect just me. I assume you didn't feel anything happening to you?"

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

"At the risk of seeming unmanly, I was rather panicked myself. I didn't know whether your transformation was voluntary or involuntary, but I did know that without you I would probably have to continue until I encountered the mist and then walk around the entire perimeter until I found our marker."

Dr. Odom's footsteps in the long, narrow hall were, briefly, the only sound.

"I suppose we ought to stay close to our point of entry from now on when we enter an unfamiliar territory. Only if there is no sign of such an abnormality after ten minutes or so should we advance. Cautiously."

Dr Jewel · Posted: Mon May 24, 2004 10:04 pm Post subject:

"I certainly agree with that." Dr Jewel smiled slightly. "If there are going to be any more nasty surprises, then I'd rather not facing them whilst standing in the middle of unfamiliar territory."

She glanced around the corridors. The Museum was starting to become a second home just through the events of the last couple of days.

"I'm looking forward to seeing that pub again." She remarked. "Last time Larkin was there and he told us where to find the Museum. With luck we may find another source of wisdom during this visit."

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

They soon reached the desired door.

"Straight down this hall is the door through which we brought Mr. Trubshawe and Mr. Quickgrip," Dr. Odom remarked, tying one of the flags to a reasonable spot on the rope. He nudged the door open and, as usual, tied the end of the rope to the handle.

"I am quite looking forward to a little drink and someplace to sit."

Carrying the last flag with him (for lack of anything better to do with it) and leaving the door ajar, Dr. Odom stepped into the mist.

[OOC: Continued in "Mausoleum: Nasty Surprises"]

Dr Jewel · Posted: Tue May 25, 2004 3:04 pm Post subject:

Dr Jewel stood still for a moment, remembering her earlier conversation with Larkin. Then she stepped through the door, following Dr Odom.

[OOC : follows to "Mausoleum: Nasty Surprises"]