Patchwork Universe

Rose Briar · Posted: 29 Apr 2004 09:46 am Post subject:

Rose Briar released the dark lord's hand in order to execute a few dancing steps in her delight at their new found fellowship. Then she stilled and gazed around the thicket of rose bushes that surrounded them
"Tea roses," she murmured. "Ah, now I understand. These blooms stir long buried memories, which must explain Lilac's flood of notalgia for the happy times of childhood."

Turning to her two companions she indicated that they should follow her away from this area of the garden.
"Come, let us walk together friends, and perhaps find scents that will stir us to delight and not sorrow." She glanced at the figure of Ivor and added less certainly. "Although I am not sure that the Lessons of Rosicae say anything about what happens when you eat the flowers."

Jack Frost · Posted: 29 Apr 2004 05:01 pm Post subject:

"I rather fancy moving a bit further afield." said Frost. "My place is to the east... maybe there are some others around here, too. What do the two of you say to a little exploring? Who knows-- if we go far enough we might meet those Powers that Briar talks about, and they might be able to do something for you, Lilac. Briar says they had a purpose in creating you as you are. Perhaps we could find out what it is. It might be a great comfort."

Rose Briar · Posted: 29 Apr 2004 06:42 pm Post subject:

"Yes, three is a fortunate number for travelling," the rose maiden said. "I had thought I might have three visitors - but perhaps we shall be the three visitors for someone else."

She pointed out a grassy trail through the roses.
"Since Jack comes from the East, shall we direct our steps West?"

Lord Doomshadow · Posted: 29 Apr 2004 09:53 pm Post subject:

A little exploration, Doomshadow thought. Yes, he remembered going "exploring" at home. No doubt there would be dangerously thin bridges over deep romantic chasms, not to mention caverns measureless to man which led down to a sunless, demon haunted sea. After all, there always were.

Perfect. What better way to dispose of the interloper than a tragic accident while penetrating the forgotten mysteries of some long lost world? The maiden would never suspect him...

(For a moment, he almost found himself missing the loathsome feelings of affection which he had recently entertained towards the Prince. It had been... comforting, somehow. To have a friend. But he put these thoughts out of his mind. Obviously the man had enthralled him somehow. It was fortunate that his inner strength, the heritage of the Doomshadows, had allowed him to throw off the working so quickly. He must not weaken now.)

"Indeed", he said. "I am sure our rainbow leads west. Let us go in search of the fairies' gold."

Lord Doomshadow · Posted: 29 Apr 2004 09:56 pm Post subject:

Ivor felt very strange. His stomach hurt, but he had half expected that. What he could not understand was the alien memories that crowded his head. He remembered other times when his stomach had pained him, but those times could not be real. Once when he was lying on a pile of his favourite bones, very old and... dying? And once when his body had been swollen almost to bursting, crammed with puppies...

"Ivor! Come!"

Master was calling. Swiftly he climbed to his feet and ran towards the voice. He hoped no-one had noticed what he had done when he was hungry...

Rose Briar · Posted: 29 Apr 2004 11:22 pm Post subject:

The trio walked through the scented rose bushes to the west where a veil of mist shrouded the way forward.

As they approached the boundary a silver dappled form moved out of the thickets of thorns. The unicorn stepped past the dark lord and the price of frost to greet the rose maiden with a stately bow of his horn. Reaching out, Rose Briar put her arms around the unicorn's neck and he bent down to allow her to slip easily on to his back.

"We go west, Karkadann, my friend," the rose maiden whispered into the unicorn's ear. Girl and beast moved forward as one into the mist ahead.

[ooc: thread moves into 'Rose, Ice and Shadow' in Juniper School]