Patchwork Universe

Jones · Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2004 3:40 pm Post subject: If the price is right

[ooc: from Museum 'Only a Building']

Jane Jones came from the mist to the south where the dark bulk of the museum could be distinguished by those who recognised it.

Ahead of her she viewed the iron ralings that surrounded what seemed to be a small town. Intrigued, she approached what appeared to be the main entrance and viewed the turnstiles ahead wth some doubt as to their purpose. However the presence of another little hut, like the one she'd seen in the museum, with a list of prices outside gave a clue.

"Makes me think dad's losing out somehow," Jane mused. "After all he only charges for ale and such. These folks all seem to be putting walls round their patches and charging just to have a look about."

She shook her head, thinking she had better be about her business but her attention was caught by a truly powerful smell.
"What a stink," she said. "Smells like a whole bunch of animals..."
Then a grin spread across her face. Animals might include horses, or at least some beast of burden. The museum woman had looked shocked when Jane had asked about prices but maybe these people wouldn't turn their noses up at decent coin.

Banging her fist on the entrance portal, Jane shouted out loud:
"Oi! Service! There's a customer waiting..."

Yarrow · Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2004 10:46 am Post subject:

Jane was running out of patience by the time someone arrived. Along one of the curving paths of the zoo came a bright red cart with three wheels. Perches on top of this unlikely device was a small tow-headed boy, dressed in an over-sized uniform and his face and arms covered with a generous peppering of freckles.

Parking the cart and coming round inside the little inside outhouse at the gates he beamed at her over the counter.
"Ello there, mate," he said. "Specks is the name. Assistant Zookeeper First Class In Training. Come to see the zoo, have you?"

[ooc: Specks arrives from 'A Zookeeper's Job' thread also in the Zoo]

Jones · Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2004 12:48 pm Post subject:

"The Zoo... that's Trubshawe's place isn't it?" Even though the name 'Odom' had rung no bells, even Jane couldn't have missed noticing Trubshawe. "Got a moustache, shouts a lot?"

"So, you're charging people just to come in and look about then? What's in it for me?"

Yarrow · Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2004 4:13 pm Post subject:

"All the wonder of the natural world, exhibited for your viewing pleasure," Specks said glibly. He's only been a Zookeeper for less than a day but he was beginning to pick up the lingo.

"So, are you coming in, or what?"

Captain Magpie · Posted: Sat Jul 31, 2004 11:04 am Post subject:

(from Pirates meet Penguins)

Half a dozen pirates came round the corner with a serious sense of urgency. They were running fast, heavy coats flapping about and boots making loud noises on the cobbles.

Magpie shouted 'Don't stop!' to his crew but, with a quick glance backwards ignored his own advice.

"Jane" he said, skidding to a halt. "There are a couple of complete madmen in there. Trubshawe and some hunting partner armed with bloody huge muskets."

He looked into the zoo - the chasing pack couldn't be more than a few seconds away - "I can't stay. But you be careful".

Looking out towards the edge of the patch all that could be seen was an expanse of water. The gates and fences of the zoo had just a small perimeter, and the waves rolled gently in to this straight line shore.

The first of the crew to arrive looked through the shimmering barrier, and found himself unable to pass through it. He'd seen this before, at the edge of the map room but he wasn't one to worry too much about why, he just wanted out...
"Captain," he shouted.
(OOC: do rewrite anything that doesn't fit. Thanks for the post in other thread)

Jones · Posted: Sun Aug 01, 2004 9:34 pm Post subject:

Jane had been surprised into silence by the sudden arrival of Magpie and the pirates' sudden dash past her and to the west. She hesitated and for a moment seemed likely to follow them but her path lay in the other direction and besides, Magpie and his crew were pirates. It was no wonder that people were shooting at them.

She on the other hand was determined to establish herself as a customer.
"One ticket, then," she said, rattling down a silver coin in front of the urchin. "And which way to the horses?"

The urchin took her money and produced a couple of small coins as change before letting her in through the turnstiles. Once on the other side he came out of the little hut and gave her a piece of paper with an aerial map of the zoo in black and white.
"Equines is that way," he said, after pressing buttons and turning some knobs on the device he carried and comparing it to the map he had given Jane.

"Right then," Jane announced. As the urchin got back on his red cart and wheeled away she grasped her ticket firmly in one hand and placed the other firmly on the hilt of her sword.

Captain Magpie · Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2004 6:14 pm Post subject:

Magpie wasn't sure she'd be safe, but she'd probably be safer on her own than tarred with his brush.

The behaviour of the zoo keeper was completely unfathomable to the captain - why attack a possible ally, and one you'd already agreed to work with once.

Surely no-one could be that worked up about losing a single penguin.

He reached his crew members, unable to cross through the veil to the sea, but watching expectantly as the boat sailed closer.

Magpie couldn't see further pursuit so waited for the boat to slide gently along the shore before jumping across. The crew followed - able to get through the barrier now, the Captain noticed.

He nodded to Scarlet and took the wheel from her.

"Well, that took a good long while, I must say. It's good to be home, isn't it"

A cheer went up, and somewhere within the long leather coat came a purr...

(OOC They've left the patch and are in The Seventh Sea)