Patchwork Universe

Kao Sheng · Posted: Sun Jul 25, 2004 7:52 pm Post subject:

Kao Sheng also paused before he spoke.

"I cannot currently tell you why you are here," he said with unusual simplicity. "That much has already been said. There are paths which you might follow in order to learn that truth, if you are ready to walk them. Otherwise you must find your own way, but remember that the journey is often at least as important as the destination."

Dr Jewel · Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2004 7:40 am Post subject:

"Paths to follow? What can you tell us about them?"

Kao Sheng · Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2004 7:28 pm Post subject:

Kao Sheng glanced briefly towards the Janitor before he continued.

"There are at this juncture two particular possibilities to which I refer," he said, "But of both it must be said at the start that there are others amongst my distinguished peers who may wish to oppose your progress, and you should consider carefully whether you wish to proceed.

"One possible path would be to most generously consent to assist this unworthy outcast in gathering support for his currently highly fragile position, and thus ultimately encouraging those currently in opposition to absolve him of his restrictive oath.

"The other would require no such commitment, but bears no guarantee of success, and might be truthfully said to depend entirely upon your own inspiration. It might also require a great degree of patience and perseverence."

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

"Kao Sheng," said Michael, "I presume from what you say that there is dissent amongst your ... colleagues as to how much we should know about this place, and that you are in favour of greater openness. I would support that too.

"However, I am also interested in your second option. Would you explain a little further?"

Kao Sheng · Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2004 9:19 pm Post subject:

"The precise mechanisms involved are perhaps not entirely straightforward to explain, and this unworthy one must therefore apologise for the entirely unacceptable lack of clarity which encumbers his recommendations," Kao Sheng replied a little evasively. "However, the initial step upon the path would be merely to proceed to the highest accessible floor of the Museum and act upon what you find there."

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

"Just one minute," Dr. Odom protested. "Completely aside from the fact that the top floor is a myth, like Heaven and Hell and Valhalla and such, we've never settled the matter of accountability, and I don't want a murderer -- even a failed one -- in my Museum!"

Thoughts of some of the displays in Human Anatomy flitted through Dr. Odom's mind but he thought it better not to complicate the issue.

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

Kalyndis reined in his alarming thoughts and turned to Doctor Odom.

"Father Michael and Doctor Jewel both appear to accept that I cannot be held accountable for acts that I did not, according to Kao Sheng, intentionally commit. What else is there to be settled? However, given that we have as yet no assurance that I will not lapse again, perhaps it is best that I accompany Kao Sheng rather than visit your Museum. I have no wish to bring accidental harm to anyone."

Though I did offer to assist Rose Briar, and I must also apologise to Jones. Perhaps I am only at risk when in my natural shape?

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

"What else is there to be settled?" Dr. Odom's tone was the coldest thing in the room. "Ever since we met you have been either insulting me or threatening me because of a comment I made about dragons, based of what I knew. Specifically, I said that they were, with one exception, vicious, brutish and predatory. Now you say you can't be held responsible for attempting to kill Michael -- for killing someone, as it seemed to everyone -- because you were too busy being vicious, brutish and predatory. You came down here with the air of one who knows that he will be vindicated, and when that vindication fell through you grasped for the nearest straw and said, 'I wasn't myself.' Well, you shallow, arrogant creature, it sounds to me like where you come from 'honor' is being able to beat up your critics, but where I come from it means being honest with yourself and others, treating people with the respect they are due and taking responsibility for your actions. I accept that it was I who invited Michael to accompany us to that place, that I had a responsibility to him as his Guide and that I failed that responsibility when I let you try to kill him. All you have done is continue to insult or threaten me and attempt to avoid, through one rationalization after another, your responsibility."

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

Kalyndis was past being offended by Odom; he had come to regard the curator's tirades as a cat lover might regard the yappings of a neighbour's poorly trained dog. Indeed, consideration of this bizarre grudge helped to distract him from his earlier dismay. He replied in a tone of sincerity, in an attempt to understand how he had continued to offend this creature.

"You are entitled to your view, but I see things differently. I endured repeated insults, and was annoyed by your refusal to retract them after I apologised for my initial overreaction. I have strived to understand your views, alien though they are to me, while you have persisted in misapplying your own stereotypes to me. I have attempted, without success, to understand how I can be fully responsible for an action I did not intentionally commit -- I believe that I did not intentionally kill Father Michael, precisely because my nature is not vicious, brutish or predatory. You would not still be standing here if I was as monstrous as you claim. Nonetheless I have already accepted that I performed the act, and have offered to make reparations to Father Michael. I sincerely do not understand what else I can do. Do you not make reparations to injured parties where you come from? What do you do, in your culture, to people who accidentally kill while not in control of their own minds?"

Kalyndis was not being entirely honest; for one thing, he could not admit how incredibly embarrassing it was to confess that he had lost control.

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

"We certainly do not allow them to strut around at large, being pompous and boorish and acting like a flippant apology pays for all, especially when they don't even know if they mightn't accidentally kill again."

Dr. Odom rose.

"Now, as I feel I might say something intemperate and offend Michael's hospitality if I stay, perhaps I should excuse myself to the public house I believe I saw nearby. Doctor . . . Michael . . . gentlemen . . ." he said, bowing to Dr. Jewel, Father Michael, and Kao Sheng and the Janitor and making his way out.

[OOC: Dr. Odom steps out to "San Pietro: Sulking and Steaming"]

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

Once more, Kalyndis looked puzzled as he turned to the others.

"Have I not made it sufficiently clear that I am concerned about the possibility of harming others? I am sorry if I have misled anyone. And Father Michael, I certainly don't think my apology is sufficient in itself -- you do understand I am offering to make whatever reparation you see fit?"

Dr Jewel · Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2004 5:06 pm Post subject:

"I think this would be a good time for me to depart also." Dr Jewel rose and looked around.

"Father Michael, I am delighted to see you alive and well again. Mr, err, God-Janitor, it's been nice to make your acquaintance. Kalyndis, I believe you've made your own concern clear enough for me and I do understand that events did not occur under your control. However, I would feel more kindly towards you had it not been so obvious how low an opinion you hold of the human race."

She paused and looked at Kao Sheng.

"Kao Sheng, I thank you for your time and help. I mean to travel with Dr Odom to the top floor of the Museum as you suggest; although I intend to keep my promise to Rose Briar and visit the Rose Garden first. I hope we will meet again soon."

She waved a hand in goodbye to the room and then departed.

[OOC : Dr Jewel follows Dr. Odom to "San Pietro: Sulking and Steaming"]

Kao Sheng · Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2004 6:04 pm Post subject:

Kao Sheng bowed towards the two doctors as they departed. Once they were gone, he turned towards Father Michael.

"O most honourable Father Michael, I must sincerely apologise for this unforgivable disruption to your admirably tranquil household," he said sadly. "It was my admittedly over-optimistic hope that such disagreements as you have so unfortunately been made to witness might be resolved through peaceful discussion once the details had become apparent, but it is entirely evident that such hope was misplaced in the face of such great sentiments. I must therefore assume responsibility for the continuing disharmony and for bringing such disruptive influences into this harmonious place, and will at your command trouble you with my objectionable presence no longer."

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

"I had hoped the same thing," replied Michael. "However, the methods I might have used with my own flock would, I fear, be less than appropriate here. Still, Kalyndis, a little charity might go a long way. I think none of us is in a situation where we can afford to lose friends."

Although Michael's tone was mild, his words seemed to echo very loudly for a moment inside Kalyndis' head. The sensation was odd rather than unpleasant, but it gave Kalyndis a good indication of the way in which Michael might have dealt with his flock.

"Gentlemen, the hospitality of my house is yours for as long as you wish it, and Maria will look after you. However, I think I must join the two doctors. Please feel free to accompany me if you wish."

With that Michael rose, absent-mindedly sketched a blessing, and left.

[OOC: Michael and Pietro proceed to join Drs Jewel and Odom in Sulking and Steaming]

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

Now Kalyndis looked even a little hurt.

"'Low opinion of the human race'? I was talking to them, wasn't I?"