Patchwork Universe

The Janitor · Posted: Sun Jul 04, 2004 7:32 pm Post subject: Final delivery

[Continued from City in the Sands]

A white and slightly battered van appeared from the mists to the south, and carefully made its way along along the narrow road. It was in dire need of cleaning, as it was covered in more dust than was usual even for San Pietro.

Through the dirty windscreen it could be seen that the driver was a man in grey overalls. In the passenger seat was the local priest, holding onto his cat and obviously glad to be home.

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

The white van drew to a halt in the square, and from it emerged Pietro, followed by Michael. The former seemed unpeturbed, but the latter was looking around in wide-eyed amazement. He leaned back into the van and shook the man in the grey overalls by the hand.

"It's good to be back," he said. "The clock in the square suggests that it is lunch time, as does the position of the sun. As to the day, who can tell, but if Maria has nothing ready, the bar is open. After your kindness in bringing us back here, it seems only hospitable to offer you lunch. Will you join us?"

The Janitor · Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2004 4:11 pm Post subject:

"I certainly could do, I don't have any further deliveries to make this afternoon."

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

"Excellent," said Michael, "just follow me. You can leave the van here, it will be quite safe." The small group crossed the square and made its way to the priest's house.

"Maria," called Michael, "we're back! What day is it? Have you got enough food for a guest?"

Maria appeared from the kitchen. "So you are, Father. It's the same day as it was this morning when you left, and yes we've food for a visitor. Pleased to meet you," she added, in the general direction of the Janitor. "I wasn't expecting you back until this evening. Did you find out what was on the other side of the mist?"

"Yes, in a way. Although Pietro's travels seem to have been more extensive than mine. There is a lot to tell you, and perhaps more for our guest to add, if he wishes. Let's eat, I feel as if I've not eaten for a lifetime." With a smile at the Janitor he led the way to the dining room.

The Janitor · Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2004 7:56 pm Post subject:

The man in grey looked around the well kept house, apparently in approval.

"Hmm, yes, let us eat lunch. Perhaps there are some things I can shed some light on."

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

The first part of the meal saw Michael doing much of the talking - after all, there was a lot to explain to Maria. Finally, Michael came to the last part of his adventures. His description of returning from Heaven in a delivery van was something of a showstopper. The Janitor sat quietly for much of the time, but it was clear from his expression that none of what Michael had to say came as much of a surprise to him. At last, Michael turned to him.

"You must be one of the beings who has charge of this place. There is a host of small questions that I would like to ask you, but at the moment I have one major one. How is it that I was able to be burned to death and survive intact? It seems that I did not really die, but if not, what happened?"

The Janitor · Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2004 7:36 pm Post subject:

"Well, firstly I should say that I don't so much have charge of this place, more I am charged myself with some maintenance tasks."

"As to the more pressing question of how you have survived, it is difficult to give you an answer that is both strictly accurate and fully understandable. I can try to explain, but as Kao Sheng would say my humble explanation is by necessity unfortunately incomplete."

"There are mechanisms which bring places and people to this patchwork. These mechanisms also maintain the structure of the universe."

"You are an integral part of this village."

The Janitor gestured at the surroundings and continued.

"As such, if you suffer adverse affects that would compromise your existence, the mechanisms may take steps to care for you just as you care for the village. In extreme circumstances like those you have just experienced, this care may take the form of creating a new body for you."

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

Michael was silent for a long time. When at last he spoke, he did so far more hesitantly than normal.

"I have some trouble accepting that. My religion makes it clear that the power to perform such an act rests only with God - note that the word is singular - and also that this act has been done once, and once only. We believe that when the world as we know it comes to an end, only then will resurrection take place for all people.

"Although much has happened here to make me question my religion, my faith has been encouraged by the fact that the ritual I used to combat the evil spirits at Jones' had power.

"Might there be another possibility? If the mechanisms that control this place are as powerful as you say, could they perhaps have removed me from the path of the dragon's fire just in time, and replaced me with inert matter?"

The Janitor · Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2004 9:29 pm Post subject:

"It could indeed be as you say. The creation of a new body only occurs in the most extreme circumstances. Whether the original is the one that remains or the one removed is open to question."

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

"There is often a lot to be said for things being open to inspection," replied Michael with a smile. "I think you can probably predict the rest of my questions.

"Given the power of the mechanisms behind this place, why should they pick something of as little importance as a poor Sicilian village? Why, even the Germans left us in peace! What could be the purpose of putting us here? Furthermore, if there is a purpose in putting us here, is it also possible that we could earn our return?

"And, while I am firing questions at you, I have another one - I have asked it before, in the strange white place, but you dodged it then. Are the beings who organise this place - yourself, and the one who brought Pietro to me - bound by it in the same way as we are?"

The Janitor · Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2004 10:29 am Post subject:

"To answer your last question first, yes, we are all bound to this place. It would be very difficult to leave, and I'm not sure it is even possible anymore. I think that answers another of your questions as well."

"As to why your village was brought here, that is a rather more difficult question to address. The reasons for the choices of patches are complicated, obscure, and also a topic which I am constrained in my answers."

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

Michael suspected that the Janitor was reluctant to pursue the matter any further, and so talk drifted to other things. Michael was curious about some of the other patches in this new world, and the Janitor was able to enlighten his as to the purpose of the Map Room and the relative proximity of Jones' to the same. None of the three noticed Pietro slip quietly from the room.

Then Michael remembered a name from the conversation at Jones'.

"What about the person called The Cardinal," he enquired. "What can you tell me about him."

The Janitor · Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2004 7:45 pm Post subject:

"Ah, well, The Cardinal is another religious man, though in a rather different way to your good self. He tends rather more to the grand scale and opulent surroundings.”

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

"Such is the nature of Cardinals," replied Michael, "they are, after all, the Princes of the Church." It was as if he was going to say more, but he paused, blinked, and continued, "excuse me a moment."

How interesting... four?... heading to the village... three men and a woman... wild?... no, stay and watch. I'll meet them in the Square.

Michael once more focussed on his guests.

"It seems we have visitors from elsewhere in the Patchwork," he said.

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

"I think I ought to go and meet these people," continued Michael, "they might have some news of what happened at Jones'." He turned to the Janitor. "Do come with me if you wish, or finish your coffee. Maria, I shall bring them back here. There are four of them, so perhaps you would start the coffee."

[OOC: Michael moves to 'Searching for the House of God']