Patchwork Universe

Yarrow · Posted: Mon May 24, 2004 2:53 pm Post subject: Getting away from it all

Little old ladies are commonplace. This one barely drew a glance from the sun-browned farmers when a pretty young girl would have attracted no end of attention. But while all pretty girls are are objects of interest, even unfamiliar old women are humdrum.

This old lady was pushing a small wheelbarrow. Its one wheel complained squeekily about the ruts in the dusty road and its owner stopped for a rest, lowering the barrow to the ground and sitting on it. The burden of sacks inside didn't make a very comfortable seat but the shade in the side of a bulding gave her a welcome respite from the heat.
"Nice to get away from it all for a bit," the old woman muttered to herself as she searched through the bags around her for something. "Ahhh... that's more like it."
She produced a thermos and unscrewed the cup-shaped top, pouring a flow of brown liquid into the cup with a sigh of pleasure.
"Nothing like a nice cup of tea," she said. "Now where did I put my sandwiches?"

Father Michael · Strong Joined: 30 Apr 2004 Posts: 98 Location: San Pietro

Perhaps it was the word 'sandwiches' that did it, perhaps it was the simple curiosity said to kill his species, it was difficult to speculate upon Pietro's reasons for anything, although curiosity and food did sit high upon his agenda. Nevertheless, something about the old woman persuaded him to leave his place in the sun and wander over to her.

He sat down, curled his tail elegantly around him, and looked up at her, trying hard to project the right combination of disdain, sultry promise and sheer starvation. It usually worked.

"Kind lady," he seemed to be saying, "I believe you will find them in the other bag. I can smell them. My, what a large container. Such luxury. Perhaps you could spare a single sandwich...?"

Yarrow · Posted: Mon May 24, 2004 4:25 pm Post subject:

"Aren't you a beauty?" the old woman said in the right tone of admiration. and bent down to extend a long bony forefinger to be politely sniffed.
"They're corned beef," she confided as she produced the packet of sandwiches with her other hand. "Do you like corned beef, my lord?"

Father Michael · Strong Joined: 30 Apr 2004 Posts: 98 Location: San Pietro

A deep rumbling purr signified that corned beef would indeed be more than satisfactory. It was so delightful to meet a visitor who arrived well-prepared. In fact it was delightful to be noticed - the villagers had long since stopped doing so, no matter how starved he appeared to be.

He accepted the offered corned beef, and examined his benefactor. From his point of view appearances mattered little, so he was not distracted by the clothes. The person beneath them, however, was of great interest. He sensed authority there, and a feeling of great understanding, similar to that which Father Michael showed. For that matter, where was Father Michael - he should be back by now. After all, it wasn't as if he could get any farther than the mist. Pietro was quite certain that here was someone Michael would like to meet.

Yarrow · Posted: Tue May 25, 2004 9:28 am Post subject:

Friendship now cemented with corned beef, Yarrow reached down to scratch behind one furry ear, while eating her own half of sandwich.
"What's a universe worth without a cat in it," she mused and nodded to Pietro as he glanced up. "A pretty poor one," she concluded, passing down another section of sandwich.

"So far we only seem to have two cats of character," she continued. "And both of them Toms. Not really ideal, is it my lord?" She shook her head and then lent down to whisper confidingly. "Pity the cat patch isn't part of the map right now. If you ever get the chance you must visit. They call it the Territory."

Yarrow · Posted: Tue Jun 08, 2004 2:58 pm Post subject:

Three sandwiches and a fortuitous jar of pickled herring later, the old woman and the cat lazed in the sunshine, sated and replete.

it was a while before Yarrow stirred, her head turning to look east and then north with narrowed eyes.
"Interesting," she remarked. "And potentially problematic. Smells like one of himself's ideas..."
"Well I must be getting along, Mr Cat. It's been a pleasure, that's for sure. But I've people to see, places to go, you know how it is."
She stood up creakily and scratched Pietro politely behind a furry ear before taking the handles of her wheelbarrow again before a sudden thought caused her to pause.
"Unless you fancy joining me," she said. "Your master's off himself now and I think he's aiming for Jones pub. If you come along with mne we can beat him to it... I'm off to the zoo myself and that's just a hop away from the pub."
Patting the load of black sacks invitingly she raised an eyebrow at the cat.

Father Michael · Strong Joined: 30 Apr 2004 Posts: 98 Location: San Pietro

Cats are known for their common sense, and Pietro was no exception. However, feline common sense is defined by feline logic. Faced with the choice of a boring interlude in the square, waiting until such time as Maria decided to feed him or Father Michael made his return, or an adventure with guaranteed supplies of pickled herring and respectful attention, hardly any hesitation was necessary.

Pietro jumped lightly up onto the indicated sacks, which were surprisingly soft, curled up and began to purr.

Yarrow · Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2004 6:32 pm Post subject:

Yarrow looked pleased. After all she had been wandering around the universe on her own for some time. A feline companion was much more enjoyable. Setting the wheelbarrow in motion she rumbled it out towards the edge of San Pietro.

She'd always had a tendency to talk to herself in her wanderings. But this time she directed her comments to Pietro as she walked along at a surprisingly fast pace for a little old lady.
"We're coming up to the mist now," she explained. "Over there to the west is the map room, that's where the priest is now, he's made friends with some academic types and a bunch of pirates. Anyway, best not to disturb them... so here's a trick a lot of folks would like to know how to do."

Aiming the wheelbarrow at the mists she disappeared into their grey haze.

[ooc note: Yarrow and Pietro now move to The Zoo]