Patchwork Universe

Dr Jewel · Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2004 10:21 am Post subject: Searching for the House of God

[OOC : From Map Room : Nearly Diagonally]

Jewel stepped through and brought her hand up in front of her eyes to shield them. She felt heat coming off the land all around her.

I suppose I can't really feel the temperature any more, she reasoned sadly, it's just my mind telling me that I should.

She looked around, blinking, as her eyes adjusted (or pretended to adjust) to the sunlight. She could see people as work in the fields and a tiny village up ahead.

I was expecting a city. Jewel mused. I never thought he came from a village. Shows how little I knew about him.

Kalyndis · Good Joined: 22 Jan 2004 Posts: 252 Location: Kerya

Kalyndis emerged from the mists a few steps away. He took in a deep breath.

Now this is pleasurably warm. Obviously every patch has its own climate. I wonder if weather patterns in one area cross over into others?

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

From his vantage point in the olive tree at the edge of the village, Pietro watched the figures appearing through the mist with considerable interest. Sadly, neither of them seemed to be the old lady with the trolley, but nevertheless Michael might want to know that they were here. He continued to watch.

Dr. William T. Odom · Good Joined: 01 Dec 2003 Posts: 471 Location: The Museum

[OOC: entering from "Map Room: Nearly Diagonally"]

Like Dr. Jewel, Dr. Odom's first reaction was to shade his eyes. He was very slightly thankful to note that the brightness made the sky seem a little lower -- a little, but not enough.

Kao Sheng · Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2004 5:44 pm Post subject:

Finally, Kao Sheng stepped through the mist.

"Please allow this interfering person to express his profound gratitude for your generous agreement to this excessively stressful journey," he said formally. "It's resolution now being very close, he would merely encourage each of you to maintain an open mind upon the information which should presently become apparent, and to proceed thereafter with wisdom, discretion and careful consideration."

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

The four visitors found themselves on a track leading to the village ahead of them. It looked hot, dusty and deserted. Although they could see a few figures in the fields, it seemed as though nobody noticed them. As Doctor Jewel's eyes metaphorically adjusted to the glare, it occurred to her that the position of the sun would, at home, have indicated that it was an hour or two after midday. In a climate such as this a siesta might explain the apparrent desertion.

Dr Jewel · Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2004 6:21 pm Post subject:

"I assume we head for the village?" Dr Jewel asked, still shading her eyes. "I think I can see something that might be a church."

Kao Sheng · Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2004 6:24 pm Post subject:

"You are of course correct, O sagacious Doctor Jewel," came the reply.

Dr. William T. Odom · Good Joined: 01 Dec 2003 Posts: 471 Location: The Museum

Dr. Odom removed his coat. He tucked it into the crook of his left arm and, discarding his cigarette, fished out his handkerchief. Part of it was badly spotted with Lady Violetta's soup, but enough was clean for him to mop the sweat from his face.

Dr Jewel · Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2004 9:44 pm Post subject:

Jewel led the party forward at a moderate pace. She wanted to reach the church speedily, but was aware of the heat and the effects it must be having on her fellow travellers.

She had lapsed into silence, trying to figure out what she could possibly say of Father Michael's sudden death.

Kalyndis · Good Joined: 22 Jan 2004 Posts: 252 Location: Kerya

Kalyndis appeared oblivious to the heat. As they walked, he asked, "Kao Sheng, I notice that adjacent patches can experience different climatic conditions. But each patch seems too small to sustain an environment on its own. Are patch boundaries permeable to certain environmental inputs generated above the patchwork? Or do the patch boundaries themselves generate heat, light and water as required to maintain each environment?"

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

Pietro watched the new arrivals. There were four of them now, and as far as he could tell, there was something odd about all of them. It wasn't so much appearance, although that was odd enough, but feeling. He was pretty sure that at least one of them wasn't a person at all. Michael needed to know about this.

Dr. William T. Odom · Good Joined: 01 Dec 2003 Posts: 471 Location: The Museum

As the quartet approached the village Dr. Odom replaced his coat. It would feel miserable, but the news they bore demanded a certain formality. It had been strange enough appearing so casually dressed in front of Dr. Jewel, but she and her world seemed to have certain allowances as far as wardrobe was concerned.

Replacing his coat also allowed him to put away his sodden handkerchief and prepare a new cigarette. Just what I need in this heat, he thought, a tiny little ember inches from my face.

Dr Jewel · Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2004 1:46 pm Post subject:

"The church, I suppose." Jewel said, mainly to herself.

She led the group to the front of it, then looked briefly around as though hoping someone would intercept them before they headed inside.

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

[OOC: From 'Final Delivery']

As if on cue, the small figure of a priest in a brown habit entered the Square. At the sight of the four people in front of the Church, his face broke into a broad smile.

"Dr Jewel, William," he cried, "how delightful to see you. He paused. "And Kalyndis too. I trust you are not about to transform once more. Who is your friend?"