Patchwork Universe

Father Michael · Posted: Sun May 23, 2004 8:27 pm Post subject: In which things stay the same

Evening Mass was over, and the last of the congregation had gone home to their suppers. Father Michael closed the door of the church behind him, and prepared to do the same. As he set out across the square to his house, Pietro the cat fell into step behind him.

"Something's not right, you know," said Michael - seemingly to himself. "If I didn't know better I'd say that fight this afternoon was the same one that happened last week. The beginning of it was identical too, wasn't it? The bit that you saw? I thought so. That's not the only thing though, is it?"

They arrived at the door of the house, and Michael opened it, allowing Pietro to precede him. Michael could smell the familiar smell of Maria's cooking from the kitchen. Pietro's nose twitched, and his tail waved gently from side to side. "That's not entirely fair, Pietro. Maria's cooking is excellent, and I'm sure there is a good reason why she is cooking another goat stew. Still, it adds to my feeling that something is not right here. This strangeness seems widespread.

"For example, I know my parishoners are not the most imaginative of souls, but I am certain there used to be some variety in their confessions. Giovanni has just repeated word for word his confession of last week." Pietro's tail stopped waving, and he looked up with interest. "No," continued Michael, "you ought to know better than that to ask that by now."

Together they continued to the dining room, where Maria was waiting for them.

Father Michael · Posted: Mon May 24, 2004 7:16 am Post subject:

"Before you say anything, Father, yes I know we have had goat stew all week, and I know you must be getting bored of it, but there's nothing else! Something's not right!"

"We had come to the same conclusion," replied Michael as he sat down. "Tell me what has been happening."

"Every morning for the last week I have been to the shop, and every morning Antonio has apologised to me that they sold the last of the mutton yesterday, and nobody is slaughtering chickens at the moment, but Giovanni has sold him a goat and will that do. I tell you, Giovanni may keep more than one goat, but he doesn't have half a dozen to send to the slaughter, and if they are always selling out of mutton yesterday, why do I never find any no matter what time I call? It's like the same thing happening over and over again!"

"Very true," replied Michael. "I think we know what is happening. Why is another matter. Have you heard from your sister in San Matteo recently?"

"No, not for weeks. I even tried to use the telephone, but the operator told me the lines were busy... Oh. That's another thing. When did we last have a telephone call, Father?"

"Well, the Bishop's Chaplain called early last week, and you told him I was out. He said he would ring back, but he didn't. That was the last. Oh dear. Maria, perhaps you'd better try the phone, and see if you can get through to your sister. Failing that, try Father Vincent in the next village."

Father Michael · Posted: Mon May 24, 2004 3:30 pm Post subject:

Maria's face when she returned ten minutes later told Michael all he needed to know.

"The lines are busy, aren't they?"

"Yes, Father - both long-distance and the local line to Father Vincent. I could get a call through to the bar, and Luigi's farm just out of town, but no further."

Supper had rapidly become a council of war, but there was little to be done without more information.

"There's nothing we can do tonight, Maria - it's getting dark," said Michael at last. "Whatever has happened can wait until morning. Pietro, I suggest you don't go too far tonight. Pietro?" The small cat was nowhere to be seen. "Oh well," sighed Michael, he never does what I suggest anyway - I'm sure he can look after himself. No doubt things will be clearer in the morning."

Father Michael · Posted: Mon May 24, 2004 5:12 pm Post subject:

Michael did not enjoy mornings, and he enjoyed them even less when he was woken up early. Pietro was well aware of this, but felt that the night's discoveries needed to be communicated swiftly. However, try as he might he could not manage it. What he had seen was simply too difficult to relay.

"Wretched cat. What is it? Don't be silly."

Pietro gave up trying to communicate, but instead waited for Michael to get dressed and followed him to church.

After the Office was over, Pietro stood in front of the door.

"What now?" Tail-up, occasionally looking behind him to ensure that Michael was following, Pietro led the way to a small door at the end of the church. Michael opened it, too bemused by Pietro's behaviour to do anything else, revealing the stairs to the tower. Pietro ascended, Michael followed.

"Pietro, what has got into you this morning? This had better be good - there are too many steps here to climb for fun, and the parapet always makes me feel... Oh."

The mist was all around, visible from every side. Scarcely more than a mile beyond the village, in every direction, the land simply stopped. "So that was what you were trying to tell me. You couldn't get through it, is that right? So what makes you think I can?"

***

Breakfast was a quick affair, in the midst of another council of war.

"We still don't know what's going on," said Michael, "and unless someone can get across that mist, we won't be any wiser. I'm going to set out and see if I can find a way through. Maria, if I'm not back by nightfall, lock the door and don't open it for anyone until morning. Pietro no doubt will please himself."

Father Michael · Posted: Tue May 25, 2004 9:15 am Post subject:

The view from the tower had suggested that the mist surrounded San Pietro in all directions, so there was no obvious path for Michael to take. No other inspiration occurred to him, so he took the main road north out of the village.

From ground level the mist was much less obvious. If he had not known better, he would have thought it was heat haze. However, as he approached the barrier its appearance became much more solid. Michael could see why Pietro would have been frightened by such a sight - he was more than a little nervous himself. He paused, muttered a brief prayer, and clutching the rosary at his belt took a step forward.

[OOC: Father Michael has now moved to the Map Room]