<AT> Ancient Times - Beginning of the <AT>'s ;-)
Sylvia L Green
Yes, I know this message is rather long, but rather than do a 3 part
recap I decided to put it all in one message. Thank you.
Again, we would all like to cordially invite you to join us in a
little different atmosphere and read along with our sagas and adventures
into ancient Greek/Roman and Mediterranean Sea area and if you would
like to join us and write your own sagas, just email anyone who is
participating in the <AT>'s and they can help you with the game plan for
this RPG. Thanks again...
On Wed, 17 Sep 1997 22:41:31 -0500, "Judy" <jtod...@worldnet.att.net>
posted this Message-ID <5vq7np$l...@bgtnsc03.worldnet.att.net> in
alt.tv.xena:
[snipped] pizzas, soft drinks, sports, endless supply vending
machines<g> and Hershey's Kisses<vbg> and motorcycles
Our story began at a Pizza Party at Tim's house celebrating the
completion of some plumbing work.... now, we continue...
><>>>So, where'd Sylvia sneak off to?
Paul wrote:
><>>::Looks around:: Oh!
><>>I believe she said something about going to the bathroom. She should be
><>>back in a minute though! <mutter>I hope!</mutter>
><>"I hope she hasn't already left, I was going to give her a test ride if
><>she wants."
><
><She said something about powdering her nose. She shouldn't be that much
><longer.
><
><A ride on *what*? ::evil grin::
>
>My bike, it should be just her size. Not too big, but with plenty of
>thrust.<eg>
>It's the Nighthawk outside.
"Hello, Judy and Paul. A 'bike'!? WOW! Hey, let's all go out and take
a look at Judy's bike! Come on gang!" Almost in unison everyone at the
party starts walking out the door to see what kind of bike Judy has.
One by one they walk laughing and joking, some arm in arm...
As the last one clears the doorway a very strange thing begins to
happen. Shapes start changing and becoming wavy. Objects are totally
distorted and people are stumbling and falling all over the place. An
extremely loud and deep sort of rumble emanates from the building our
rib cages reverberate with the frequency. All parties present begin
reaching to place their hands over their ears. The pain is immense!
They begin moaning and screaming in agony...
The entire universe begins to swirl. Each person attempting to focus on
the other people, but all they see is a whirling mass as the cosmos
literally rips apart and they are hurdled into an abyss where there is
no gravity, no light, no objects, no time...
WWWWWWWHOOSH!!!!!!!!
KKKKKKKA-THLUNK!!!!!!!
One by one they are dumped on something solid. Each one has succumbed
to the effects of the vortex seemingly created by the Endless Supply
Vending Machine's malfunction. Our story(ies) begin...
[Outdoors; daylight; early afternoon...]
Aware of something that feels like cool green grass under me and the
sounds and smells of the great outdoors my consciousness begins to
return, "What happened? Where am I? What were we doing?"
I raise my head and look about, there are others strewn across the land
as though they had been thrown from an airplane. Some of them begin to
move and start rising to their feet. I attempt to find mine and realize
that something about the air smells very different... it's sweet! "Is
this the atmosphere we came from? Where are we?" Now there are others
beginning to gather around me... we all stand there shaking our heads
and trying to determine what brought us here and what we will do next.
"I remember something about a bike... Judy!? Where is Judy?" There
were others. Who were they? "How many folks are with us? Does anybody
know? There were other people standing in the parking lot. Who were
they and are they here with us, too?" I begin to hear voices as each in
turn calls out their name... "I'm here, Judy!", "It's me, Paul",
"...Tony, over here!", "... Yoohoo, it's me, Dawn!", " ...Anni! I'm
here!", and from a bit of a distance comes, "... I'm here, Pasha!"
Still feeling a bit shaken I look at my watch to see what time it is,
"Hey, my watch is bro..." Looking more closely and thumping it to make
sure, "My digital watch doesn't have any numbers showing! Do any of
your watches work?" Apparently not only our persons have been thrown
into some other world but those items we had with us are no longer
functional. "Now what are we gonna do?", I ask the group. Each of them
look at each other and then at me and then back to each other... faces
puzzled... eyes full of concern...
Then: Judy jtod...@worldnet.att.net wrote:
>From the back of the group, Judy slowly makes her way up to Sylvia. She
> looks at her face and lifts her hand slowly up and gently removes the twig
> sticking out of Sylvia's hair. She backs up a bit and holds out her hand,
>showing Sylvia the twisted crumpled keys in her palm. "It's a good thing I
>have a spare set at home. I guess the ride will have to wait, huh?."<g>
>Judy tosses her keys and catches them, and puts them is her pocket. "Just in case."
Then Pasha poco...@dircon.co.uk wrote:
Pasha (the bard formerly known as Rusty>, shook her, head in an
attempt to reorder her thoughts, as she struggled to her feet. She
looked around her slowly, disorientated by her surroundings. There
were lots of other bodies dotted around her, all appeared to be in the
same state of confusion.
"What the....." she mumbled as her knees gave way and she sunk back
onto the ground. "Where the hell are we? And why do I feel so bloody
weak?" She asked more to herself than anyone else.
When no answer was forthcoming, she covered her face with her hands.
Maybe this is a dream and when I open my eyes, I'll be back in the car
park. This is what I get for watching Star Trek: First Contact too
many times, she thought. But, if this is a dream why aren't I dressed
as the Borg Queen? Or is this one of my Sliders nightmares?
She had been having a few time travel dreams in the last few weeks.
Maybe this was one of them. Slowly she opened her eyes. Then she
pinched herself. No. Nothing had changed. She was still sitting on
the soft grass. She stroked it absentmindedly as she tried to
comprehend exactly what had happened.
At the last minute she had decided to go to the Pizza/Chocolate party.
She remembered that as she was approaching the building, a large group
of people were leaving. Recognizing the faces she had started to run
towards them waving. Suddenly she had noticed that everything had
begun to distort. She remembered the noise and covering her ears to
block it out, then she had tripped and fallen. She hadn't fallen to
the ground though. There was a mighty whoosh, she was caught up in a
kind of whirl pool with bodies all around her.
The next thing she remembered was finding her self crumpled in an
undignified heap in this place. She noticed that the others were
begriming to form a circle around Sylvia. Questions were flying left
and right. Pasha rose to her feet and moved towards the group.
Then Bean bea...@ibm.net (BeanSong) wrote:
*What* the heck?! I was dashing in a few minutes late (to sample a
favorite food group in a new place, and of course spend a happy hour
conversing with fellow Xenites) when I ran into someone coming out the
door, but, jeez, I didn't think we collided hard enough to knock either
of us down and out!
I'm not sure whether to be glad or terrified that we seem to be
somewhere else en masse... either this is a shared hallucination, or I'm
having a psychotic break!
Then Richard Davies <ri...@aztecnology.demon.co.uk> wrote:
After an exhausting bout of Twister I limp towards the nearest unopened
can of lager when I hear a call for everyone to admire Judy's bike. I
force my cramping legs towards the door following the group. Something
resembling an earthquake suddenly appears around us. I hold my head in
pain and close my eyes but still sense a distortion, my mind is playing
tricks on me as the people around me are twisting out of shape and
partially merging with one another only to be thrust apart again. I too
am part of this terrifying dance building to a crescendo that is about
to burst my skull apart.
Suddenly the pain is gone, even in my cramped limbs and I reluctantly
open my eyes to find what the hell has happened to me. A familiar voice
beckons me to look around and I see people strewn about me. A list of
names are being shouted and I am so relieved I recognize them, "It's me
Rich", realizing a question had been asked I look at my old clockwork
watch which isn't working although it was always temperamental, "No", I
reply.
I move towards the rest of the huddled group and try to think of some
words of encouragement, "At least it's warm", I say lamely.
Then Sekhm...@aol.com wrote:
(Meanwhile, in another thread...)
Sekhmet disappears briefly below decks, returning with a brass-bound and
leather-wrapped spyglass. Her cloak billowing in the breeze, she climbs
up to the crow's nest and starts scanning the horizon. Seeing no
threats, she tucks the spyglass into her sash and prepares to climb back
down. Suddenly a flash of color catches her eye, and she looks up just
in time to see a whirlpool of light form in the air ahead. As the
vortex passes over the Dark Warrior, it neatly plucks Sekhmet from the
mast, leaving the ship untouched. "Oh no..........!"
>From the edge of the forest about 50 meters away comes the sound of
breaking branches, followed by a soft thud. "Owww..." Sekhmet finds
herself lying amid broken branches and squashed underbrush. Other than
minor bruises she seems to be undamaged, although her mind isn't working
particularly well. "This is _not_ the ocean."
Hearing voices from not too far away, she looks around, and sees that
only a few trees separate her from a meadow full of people. She
struggles to her feet, and unsteadily walks over to join them. She
recognizes several, and sees that they are equally confused.
"Hello... anyone know what happened?"
Then "Tony DeBari" <deb...@jersey.net> wrote:
As my head clears and I slowly regain command of my senses, I find
myself lying face-down in a grassy clearing surrounded by trees. Judy's
Nighthawk is gone, and so is Tim's house, the street, the neighborhood,
the... "Whoa, pardner, don't panic," I say to myself, "There's got to
be a perfectly logical explanation for this."
Making a mental note to never order bacon/cheese burger pizza from that
pizzeria again, I stand up and begin to walk around. No tire marks, no
tracks or footprints other than my own... Whoever - or whatever -
dumped me here sure was sneaky. The question is, where is 'here'? I
wrack my brain, trying to remember what happened. We went outside to
look at the bike, I heard a strange noise coming from one of the vending
machines, and then... "This is not good..."
Suddenly, I hear voices - familiar voices - through the rustling of
leaves and the singing of birds. "At least I'm not alone." One voice
seems to be louder than the rest, urgently calling out names and
listening for replies.
"Tony!?"
I'd know that voice anywhere...
"Sylvia!? I'm over here!"
I take off at a dead run towards the sound of her voice. "She should be
just over that rise." I look down from the hill and see Sylvia and most
of the others who were at Tim's party. They look puzzled as they check
their watches, beepers, and cel phones. Glancing at my own watch, I see
the reason for their confusion. My cheap-but-otherwise-functional
Wal*Mart LCD watch is blank. No time, no date, no stop-watch... even
the IndiGlow(tm) knock-off back light is dead. As I reach the bottom of
the hill and join the group, the gravity of our situation hits me.
While we all apparently survived the whatever-it-was that brought us
here pretty much intact, every piece of technology we brought with us
was rendered useless. "This is *really* not good..."
"Does anyone have any idea where we are?"
Then Dawn <metro...@earthlink.net>
Dawn pulls herself together and tries to stand. ::falls: "Whoo, that was
some ride! Maybe I'll just sit here for a while" She looks around and
sees a wide field, lucky for them they didn't hit 50 meters aways in the
forest or on the other side in a pile of rocks.
Folks start to get up and are milling around, Dawn tries again, this
time getting to her feet. "I am so glad I was wearing my Doc Martin's"
she thinks noting that she usually finds such footwear to be more than a
little too trendy for her tastes. Suddenly she feels an urge that has
eluded her for ages. "Anybody got a cigarette?"
"Here" and a white cylinder flies out from a neighbor. "I suppose you
need a light too. Here catch again." She catches the lighter but gets no
spark from the flint. "Anybody else have a light?" Those who have
matches try them all with no luck.
"What are we going to do?" "Where are we anyhow?" "I'm hungry" "Me too!"
Dawn thinks. "The weather seems ok for now, wherever this is it is
pleasant. I wonder what we could see from that hill?" "Hey Gang! I'm
going up there to see what I can see."
And with that she starts up a long rocky hill. Thankfully there is
enough room among the rocks for a bit of a path, some sort of game trail
she suspects. "It seems a bit wide for game trail. Could there be people
around?" she thinks.
Nearing the top of the hill, she can survey the area. "This is
definitely not Kansas, way to hilly and look at all that water over
there" From this vantage point she can see what appears to be a large
sea in direction of the sun. "Well, that's either East of West" she
mumbles.
There is no smoke or any other sign of human life other than the madly
scampering pirates below her. "They seem to be making the best of it"
she notes and turns her attention to the other side of the hill. The
path
continues and she decides to follow it.
(to be continued. . .)
Then Anni "L.G.A.Ruecroft" <Union_...@compuserve.com> wrote:
The vortex hovers over Rich and begins to pull him into the air from the
ship. The vortex is creating huge gusts of wind and the ship is rolling
menacingly in the rough water. "Elp!", Rich calls, waving his arms
frantically as he slowly ascends into the air towards to vortex.
Anni, being the nearest pirate to hovering Rich leaps up and just
manages to grab his ankle as he is slowly pulled higher. With the added
weight, Rich begins to descend again slowly.
As our feet gently touch down onto the decks the vortex's intensity
increases as if it is determined to pull more than just Sekhmet from the
ship. With that, the vortex begins to glow and flash in an electrical
blue colour and begins to crackle with immense electrical energy. The
vortex again begins to draw Rich and this time myself too upwards,
higher and higher. Looking down at the Dark Warrior, our vision of the
ship and sea below us becomes blurred and distorted. Our heads throb
intensely and time itself seems distorted. "Make it stop!".
Suddenly we are somewhere else.................
Then Spica <cmsa...@io.com> wrote:
"Hey Rich! Quite a slide, huh?"
I'm coming to the same realization as everyone else: This is different
and I don't even know what time it is! I look around for my horn.
::sigh:: "My sax isn't here. What's the Warrior Saxophonist without her
sax. But at least I have my friends. And this interesting bruise on my
leg."
I look around and spot a well-traveled trail about 100 feet off what
appears to be east.
"It's gonna get dark soon. Maybe we should follow that trail. Maybe we
can find an inn." Pauses. "And it's a good thing we ate before we left."
Then onew...@islandnet.com (S(ythe)) wrote:
On hands and knees, retching into the undergrowth, she hung her spinning
head. The spasm passed and moving ever so slowly she was able to pull
herself unsteadily to her feet. A bright, bright sky forced her to close
her eyes against the glancing light.
'What had happened? Why did she feel like dying?' Crickets humbuzzed
all around, the sun beat down redly against her closed lids, and,
and...were those not voices, in the distance? Her eyes shot open, then
closed as quickly against the bright sun. A slight groan passed her
dusty lips, and she squintOpened her eyes more cautiously. Moving her
pounding head slowly around, she pinpointed where the voices seemed to
originate, beyond a grove of gnarled silverygreen trees. She could see
nothing from where she stood, but had a gnawing desire to run in the
opposite direction, before a wave of nausea washed over her again.
She closed her eyes and thought cool green thoughts, and was able to
ride it out, but by the time she'd opened them again, she knew she
wouldn't be running anywhere. Instead, she began slowly and carefully
tromping over uneven ground towards the voices and the grove of trees.
'Why had she wanted to run?' She searched her memory, as she walked.
Nothing. In fact, her memory seemed remarkably bereft. She stopped.
Still. The hot, dry air around her thrummed with the sounds of insects.
'Who was she?
- - - picking up where we left off...
[Unaware of others in the distance and not at all sure of any of the
details that seem to have brought them wherever they have arrived the
group slowly begins to gather and attempt to decide their fate]
Still feeling a bit weak I find a small boulder to sit on and staring at
the ground my focus begins to drift to my shoelaces. I blink hard and
try to focus on them and notice that the plastic nibs that were at the
ends are missing. I then look at the other's shoes and realize that
some of them are completely missing their shoestrings, and others are
only missing the plastic sheaths that are designed to stop the material
from unraveling.
"Uh, folks? Just a bit of a thought here, but how about doing a search
of your clothing and see how much is missing that once was made of
synthetic materials... you know, like plastic? For that matter *any*
items you had that were made of plastic or other man-made materials?"
As I speak, I reach behind by back in search of a 'clasp' and, "Uh-oh!
Hey, gang!? I think we may have some problems with people who were
wearing totally man-made materials when whatever happened threw us here.
I happen to be wearing 100% cotton everything except for *one* item and
it is missing..." slipping forefinger and thumb in the waistband of my
trousers I realize, "and, uh, it would seem that *all* elastic band
material is also 'missing'."
With that all other parties begin checking their own clothing and gasps
of both shock and dismay begin to escape them as they realize they too
are without certain items of clothing that they were wearing when we
were all hurled into the abyss...
Looking off into the distance it becomes apparent that there is a mist
moving toward us and night fall is getting closer by the moment...
::smiling::
[Next...<g>]
Sylvia
--
Tranquillity: be still... so that you may know it.
The Dark Knight
<AT> gang:
This is cool! Once I clear a recent spate of horrendous exams the
upcoming week and a half, I'll try to jump in here, as I'm apt to do!
<bg> Keep up the good work, all!
Love ya!
--
Brian, The Dark Knight
Xena, Gabby, Xena, Gabby, Xena, Gabby, Gabby, Gabby, Gabby... <g>
Umm, big ROCophile! <g>
Aethe...@worldnet.att.net
Sekhmet209 wrote:
>
> [cc'd to various & sundry]
> Sylvia wrote:
> [big snip]
> >"Uh, folks? Just a bit of a thought here, but how about doing a search
> >of your clothing and see how much is missing that once was made of
> >synthetic materials... you know, like plastic? For that matter *any*
> >items you had that were made of plastic or other man-made materials?"
> Sekhmet is a little confused, but obeys her crewmate (who seems to be
> dressed _quite_ strangely for a pirate, as are some others she recognizes--
> and why are some of them wearing soleless leather flaps on their feet?).
> All her possessions seem to be in order: spyglass, gems, coins, knives;
> but there's something strange about the compass... Ah! the paint is missing
> from the needle, and the directional markings are gone! But at least it
> still works, and as long as there's either sun or stars I'll know which end
> is pointing north!
> [snip]
> >Looking off into the distance it becomes apparent that there is a mist
> >moving toward us and night fall is getting closer by the moment...
> tonight...
I've missed several posts on this thread already, but I know I've read
at least 4 or 5 Sc-Fi stories with this theme. Plus a whole bunch more
fantasy pieces. Fascinating. As you say: Next...
Sekhmet209
[cc'd to various & sundry]
Sylvia wrote:
[big snip]
>of your clothing and see how much is missing that once was made of
>synthetic materials... you know, like plastic? For that matter *any*
>items you had that were made of plastic or other man-made materials?"
Sekhmet is a little confused, but obeys her crewmate (who seems to be
dressed _quite_ strangely for a pirate, as are some others she recognizes--
and why are some of them wearing soleless leather flaps on their feet?).
All her possessions seem to be in order: spyglass, gems, coins, knives;
but there's something strange about the compass... Ah! the paint is missing
from the needle, and the directional markings are gone! But at least it
still works, and as long as there's either sun or stars I'll know which end
is pointing north!
[snip]
>moving toward us and night fall is getting closer by the moment...
tonight...
[Next....]
--Sekhmet
Aethe...@worldnet.att.net
Richard Davies wrote:
>
> In article <60n65u$g...@bgtnsc02.worldnet.att.net>,
> Aethe...@worldnet.att.net writes
> >
> > I've missed several posts on this thread already, but I know I've read
> >at least 4 or 5 Sc-Fi stories with this theme. Plus a whole bunch more
> >fantasy pieces. Fascinating. As you say: Next...
>
>
> You never know you may enjoy this thread, after all you managed to read
> numerous books covering the same fascinating theme and presumedly you
> liked some of them.
I did. But, how can I put this without sounding rude? The thread does
not seem to me to be one to which my contributions would be welcome.
Aethe...@worldnet.att.net
Tim Pierce wrote:
>
> In article <3431B1...@worldnet.att.net>,
> Aethe...@worldnet.att.net wrote:
>
> >Richard Davies wrote:
> >>
> >> Snip
>
> Having witnessed the destruction of the first Dark Warrior..Corellon leaps through the
> portal to parts unknown. I pass though a strange purple vortex of unknown origin.. My Rune sword
> begins to flash a warning and upon instinct I raise a magic shield about myself.. I land on a
> beach in an unknown land. TO my surprise my trusty energy rifles and computers have disappeared.
> All of my archaeic weapons and magical ones are intact as well as the rune armor, but what to make
> of the disappearance of technology..
>
> I next hear voices in the distance.. One sounds a lot like my dear friend Anni. Without
> hesitation. I run off in that direction awaiting the adventures yet to come.
>
> Corellon...Former space marine stranded in yet another strange dimention..Hopefully Daria made it
> through as well.
Tim: will you try to stop dragging my name into threads in which none
of my posts show up?
Is there nothing in the FAQ about this? Like keeping people's names in
posts where their words never show, or conversely about keeping their
words in without saying whose they are?
Or is this some sort of stupid mistake for which you will no doubt
express some regret?
Richard Davies
In article <60n65u$g...@bgtnsc02.worldnet.att.net>,
Aethe...@worldnet.att.net writes
>
> I've missed several posts on this thread already, but I know I've read
>at least 4 or 5 Sc-Fi stories with this theme. Plus a whole bunch more
>fantasy pieces. Fascinating. As you say: Next...
Hello Aethelrede,
You never know you may enjoy this thread, after all you managed to read
numerous books covering the same fascinating theme and presumedly you
liked some of them.
CC sent.
Rich.
--
Richard Davies
"Paradise lies in the shadow of the sword." - Anon
Tim Pierce
Richard Davies
In article <19970929030...@ladder01.news.aol.com>, Sekhmet209
<sekhm...@aol.com> writes
>[cc'd to various & sundry]
>Sylvia wrote:
>[big snip]
>>of your clothing and see how much is missing that once was made of
>>synthetic materials... you know, like plastic? For that matter *any*
>>items you had that were made of plastic or other man-made materials?"
>Sekhmet is a little confused, but obeys her crewmate (who seems to be
>dressed _quite_ strangely for a pirate, as are some others she recognizes--
>and why are some of them wearing soleless leather flaps on their feet?).
>All her possessions seem to be in order: spyglass, gems, coins, knives;
>but there's something strange about the compass... Ah! the paint is missing
>from the needle, and the directional markings are gone! But at least it
>still works, and as long as there's either sun or stars I'll know which end
>is pointing north!
>[snip]
>>moving toward us and night fall is getting closer by the moment...
>tonight...
>
>[Next....]
>
>--Sekhmet
Rich approaches cautiously avoiding stones clutching some souless boots
wearing tattered trousers and a woollen pullover. Realising that others
were in a similar state says "If you undo the laces of your shoes and
twist them around a bit like so, then at least you can protect your
soles and finally tie them up with the laces."
"Spica has found a trail to the East. We're going to follow it once
she's recovered from a bruised big toe that she stubbed."
Rich.
[Next....]
Richard Davies
>Richard Davies wrote:
>>
>> In article <60n65u$g...@bgtnsc02.worldnet.att.net>,
>> Aethe...@worldnet.att.net writes
>> >
>> > I've missed several posts on this thread already, but I know I've
>read
>> >at least 4 or 5 Sc-Fi stories with this theme. Plus a whole bunch more
>> >fantasy pieces. Fascinating. As you say: Next...
>>
>> Hello Aethelrede,
>>
>> You never know you may enjoy this thread, after all you managed to read
>> numerous books covering the same fascinating theme and presumedly you
>> liked some of them.
>
>not seem to me to be one to which my contributions would be welcome.
It may be a time for everyone to bury the hatchet and start over, just a
thought. (Please no jokes about burying said object into various bodily
parts).
Rich.
Aethe...@worldnet.att.net
Tim Pierce wrote:
>
> In article <3431C6...@worldnet.att.net>,
> Aethe...@worldnet.att.net wrote:
>
> If there was a problem blaim netscape. I asked it to send the message t the newsgroup thread which
> your name was a part of. If if mailed you, your name must have been part of a link somewhere.
> There is no need for me to apologize for that and I have no intnetion to. You might want to mellow
> out..You are becoming far to defensive.. This IMHO does not contribute to the good feeling this
> group used to convey.
Sheesh! First I get flamed from all directions for being 'rude',
'insensitive','aggressive', 'unfeeling', 'offensive' etc etc, now I'm
'far to defensive'. Well, I wonder why I should have changed?
And I should mellow out? I'd say you should stop posting when you get
too mellow to make sense....
Tim Pierce
If there was a problem blaim netscape. I asked it to send the message t the newsgroup thread which
your name was a part of. If if mailed you, your name must have been part of a link somewhere.
There is no need for me to apologize for that and I have no intnetion to. You might want to mellow
out..You are becoming far to defensive.. This IMHO does not contribute to the good feeling this
group used to convey.
Corellon
Aethe...@worldnet.att.net
Tim Pierce wrote:
>
> In article <3432F2...@worldnet.att.net>,
> Aethe...@worldnet.att.net wrote:
> >'insensitive','aggressive', 'unfeeling', 'offensive' etc etc, now I'm
> >'far to defensive'. Well, I wonder why I should have changed?
> > And I should mellow out? I'd say you should stop posting when you get
> >too mellow to make sense....
>
> english.. THat is why you have been so rude as of late. Let-me-explain-this-to-you-slowly.
>
> You posted a message to a newsgroup thread concerning a new ancient rpg that is being set
> up here. I replied to the thread not to you directly..Understand so far.. Now if I emailed you
> as well, which I don't believe I did, that would have been an honest mistake, not a stupid one
> as you so "elegantly" put it. If you took offense so easily at an accidently email, ordidn't
> unsatand the thread you posted to, then I suggest you leave the internet, because people will
> say and porbably do far more rude things to you in the future then you will even suffer by
> anyone here in this group.. Feel better now... Deep breaths..and of course lay off the
> prozac..;> (smiley added for the humor impaired)
I understand written English fairly well, it being my native language,
and my IQ is high enough that I joined Mensa at 17, but this stuff you
write is a little difficult to comprehend.
My original complaint was that you posted a message that included a
header on the lines of:
In article <xxxxxx...@worldnet.att.net>,
> Aethe...@worldnet.att.net wrote:
And then quoted nothing I wrote. End of problem. But then you came
back with a post that looked as if it was written with the aid of a
bottle of booze on top of whatever drug you or your doctors have decided
on: Proxac, since you seem so familiar with the name?
I didn't take offense 'so easily at an accidently email', and when it
comes to 'ordidn't unsatand the thread you posted to', as far as I can
discipher your 'elegant' prose I understood it more than you seem to.
And of course, when you say
'I suggest you leave the internet, because people will
say and porbably do far more rude things to you in the future then you
will even suffer by anyone here in this group',
I can only thank you for the kindness of your advice, but people have
said far ruder things already and 'porbably' will again. Mostly under
the influence of some combination of mind altering substances, or
insensate rage, as your ravings seem to be.
As a word of advice: try using a spell checker: it won't help the
logic, but it will make you look less of a fool. Not much, but every
little helps. <G>
Is this a typo?
Re: <AT> Ancient Times - Beginning of the <AT>'s ;-)
Surely it should be
Re: <AT> Ancient Times - Beginning of the <DT>'s ;-(
But I'm getting tired of this crap. If it isn't relevant to X:WP, from
now on you can stuff it.
Tim Pierce
Corellon.. Now ending this rediculous arguement in this thread.. Off to better things
Tony DeBari
Sylvia L Green wrote in article <60hudm$2...@bgtnsc03.worldnet.att.net>...
> - - - picking up where we left off...
>
>[Unaware of others in the distance and not at all sure of any of the
>details that seem to have brought them wherever they have arrived the
>group slowly begins to gather and attempt to decide their fate]
>
>Still feeling a bit weak I find a small boulder to sit on and staring at
>the ground my focus begins to drift to my shoelaces. I blink hard and
>try to focus on them and notice that the plastic nibs that were at the
>ends are missing. I then look at the other's shoes and realize that
>some of them are completely missing their shoestrings, and others are
>only missing the plastic sheaths that are designed to stop the material
>from unraveling.
>
>"Uh, folks? Just a bit of a thought here, but how about doing a search
>of your clothing and see how much is missing that once was made of
>synthetic materials... you know, like plastic? For that matter *any*
>items you had that were made of plastic or other man-made materials?"
>
>As I speak, I reach behind by back in search of a 'clasp' and, "Uh-oh!
>Hey, gang!? I think we may have some problems with people who were
>wearing totally man-made materials when whatever happened threw us here.
>I happen to be wearing 100% cotton everything except for *one* item and
>it is missing..." slipping forefinger and thumb in the waistband of my
>trousers I realize, "and, uh, it would seem that *all* elastic band
>material is also 'missing'."
Hearing this, I take a quick inventory of my own 'situation'. Thanks to
my preference for all- or mostly-cotton clothes, my T-shirt and jeans
survived the vortex unscathed. Well, mostly unscathed, as the nicely
silk-screened picture of Devil's Tower that was on the front of my shirt
has completely faded away. Likewise, my Fruit-of-the-Looms are still
there, though without the elastic leg and waist bands, I fear that
they're going to get really uncomfortable really fast; I'll have to remove
them at the earliest oportunity. Looking down at my feet, I see that the
only thing covering my feet are my athletic socks. Apparently, my no-brand
sneakers were cheap in both cost and construction, and have disintegrated
completely, right down to the nylon laces.
I check my pockets for any other personal effects that might have
survived. Car keys? Still there, although the imitation-leather fob and
alarm remote unit are gone. Comb? Nope. It might have been
'unbreakable', but it was still made of plastic. Wallet? Yeah, right.
Even if it hadn't been made of a nylon-like fabric, there was enough
plastic in there to disintegrate it anyway. Even my $9 Wal*Mart watch,
whose malfunctions earlier were was my first clue that something was
amiss, has completely disappeared.
"Well," I think to myself, "it could have been worse. We could have
come here from 1977..."
>Looking off into the distance it becomes apparent that there is a mist
>moving toward us and night fall is getting closer by the moment...
The sunset is spectacular, but it means we're going to have to find
shelter soon. And that mist - gray, cold, unearthly - worries me. It
could
mean that there's a body of water nearby, but then again, nothing about
this place has made sense since we arrived. As darkness approaches,
I find myself wondering, what will tomorrow bring?
--
Tony DeBari
Wandering wearer of many hats.
corellon
> > Aethe...@worldnet.att.net wrote:
> >
> > >
> I understand written English fairly well, it being my native language,
> and my IQ is high enough that I joined Mensa at 17, but this stuff you
> write is a little difficult to comprehend.
>
> I can only thank you for the kindness of your advice, but people have
> said far ruder things already and 'porbably' will again. Mostly under
> the influence of some combination of mind altering substances, or
> insensate rage, as your ravings seem to be.
>
As a word of advice: try using a spell checker: it won't help
the
> logic, but it will make you look less of a fool. Not much, but every
> little helps. <G>
>
Picking on spelling instead of ideas is a sign that you have nothing
worthwhile to say. And as for looking like a fool. Why would I do that..
You do that well enough for all of us.
Is this a typo?
> Re: <AT> Ancient Times - Beginning of the <AT>'s ;-)
> Surely it should be
> Re: <AT> Ancient Times - Beginning of the <DT>'s ;-(
>
> But I'm getting tired of this crap. If it isn't relevant to X:WP, from
> now on you can stuff it.
Ah...I mature ending from a supposed genius. Too bad your maturity is
stuck at 4th grade level. But...if you don't want to deal with pirate
issues don't read the threads..YOu will not be missed. I can guarantee
that..
See ya awefulrude...
Corellon.. pirate, space pirate, and proud of it...
Sylvia L Green
On Fri, 3 Oct 1997 03:27:15 -0400, "Tony DeBari" <deb...@jersey.net>
posted this Message-ID <6126of$g...@news2.zippo.com> in alt.tv.xena:
>Sylvia L Green wrote in article <60hudm$2...@bgtnsc03.worldnet.att.net>...
>
>> - - - picking up where we left off...
>>
>>[Unaware of others in the distance and not at all sure of any of the
>>details that seem to have brought them wherever they have arrived the
>>group slowly begins to gather and attempt to decide their fate]
- - - Movin' right along..... <vbg>
>>Hey, gang!? I think we may have some problems with people who were
>>wearing totally man-made materials when whatever happened threw us here.
>>I happen to be wearing 100% cotton everything except for *one* item and
>>it is missing..." slipping forefinger and thumb in the waistband of my
>>trousers I realize, "and, uh, it would seem that *all* elastic band
>>material is also 'missing'."
>
>Hearing this, I take a quick inventory of my own 'situation'. Thanks to
>my preference for all- or mostly-cotton clothes, my T-shirt and jeans
>survived the vortex unscathed. Well, mostly unscathed, as the nicely
>silk-screened picture of Devil's Tower that was on the front of my shirt
>has completely faded away. Likewise, my Fruit-of-the-Looms are still
>there, though without the elastic leg and waist bands, I fear that
>they're going to get really uncomfortable really fast; I'll have to remove
>them at the earliest oportunity. Looking down at my feet, I see that the
>only thing covering my feet are my athletic socks. Apparently, my no-brand
>sneakers were cheap in both cost and construction, and have disintegrated
>completely, right down to the nylon laces.
[snipped brevity
>The sunset is spectacular, but it means we're going to have to find
>shelter soon. And that mist - gray, cold, unearthly - worries me. It
>could mean that there's a body of water nearby, but then again, nothing about
>this place has made sense since we arrived. As darkness approaches,
>I find myself wondering, what will tomorrow bring?
Realizing that the warmth of the sun is beginning to wane and looking
about me I am aware that others have begun to gather and all appear
tattered and torn, as though they have survived a hurricane without
shelter. I instinctively know we must hurry and begin to clear my head
and try to think, "We need to determine exactly where we are.". Others
make sounds of agreement and I glance around at who is here, "Why don't
we divide up into groups and go in all four directions of the compass?"
Remembering 'compass' I look toward the person who seemed so familiar
somehow earlier in the day and ask, "Didn't you say your name was
Sekhmet? And didn't I see you with a compass?" Nodding in agreement
and handing out her compass to me I take it and carefully lay it on the
ground and begin rummaging through my 100% leather back pack which
managed to survive the trip through the vortex, "Ah, yes. We need this.
And these. And some of this. "Oh, goodie!" The water container came
through as well!" Taking a couple of nearby stones to assist in the
endeavor I break up some of the lodestone I always carry with me into
enough pieces for each of the search groups. Tying one of the pieces to
a small stick I found beside my foot and retrieving one of the shallow
metal pans I pour a dab of water in one and place one of the 'needles'
into the pan. Instantly the needle spins to a final direction and I
hold Sekhmet's compass along side to compare. "Great! They are the
same! This is good, now everyone can follow the same directions.".
Handing Sekhmet back her compass I take the other 'kits' and begin to
hand them to those who look as though they are ready to accept them and
be the compass tenders. I reach again into my bag of supplies and
extract 4 small glass vials and 4 small metal funnels. Taking one of
the funnels I return the water from the shallow pan to the water
container and then carefully pour as close to equal portions as possible
into the 4 vials.
Handing a water vial, small shallow metal pan, wooden replacement for a
compass needle, a small chunk of lodestone, some small bundles of
string, and a little metal funnel to each of the four people standing
closest to me I add, "These should help you keep your bearings. And
since each of us is anxious to know exactly where we are, how about
going in each direction of the compass points for 1 full daylight in
search of the sea or ocean. Regardless of whether or not you have found
water by the end of that day return here and everyone can compare notes,
so to speak. We must hurry because we don't seem to have any food or
water supplies and we will have to make arrangements depending on your
discoveries. Dawn and I will remain here as she found some caves just
behind us, and while each of your groups are gone we will determine if
the caves will make suitable housing for us until we can decide what to
do next."
As I stand to begin wishing them well on their journeys I succumb to
the after effects of the vortex again and weaving I decide I had better
sit before I collapse. I reach for a nearby boulder, "Y'all be safe and
take care of each other. And remember!?!?!? There *might* be other
survivors along the way who are unconscious. Keep your eyes open and
look for them, they may need medical attention." and with that I slip
into a peaceful little nap as I feel Dawn's arms reach out gently
caressing me and protecting me from falling to the ground....<g>
Anni
In article <343451...@worldnet.att.net>, Aethe...@worldnet.att.net
writes
>
> But I'm getting tired of this crap. If it isn't relevant to X:WP, from
>now on you can stuff it.
Go right ahead. I think I can live with it if you "stuff it".
You *don't* have to read it.
It is not aimed at *you*, it is for everyone and nobody is being forced
to read it or participate in it.
--
Anni,
Captain Designate - Dark Warrior
metro...@earthlink.net
Sylvia L Green wrote:
> snipped instructions to the crew
Unnnnhhh, O dear, Sylvia, honey, you've just got to do something about
this narcolepsy thing. I can't always be here to catch you <G> but here
rest now and I'll try to do the same. ::thinking, I've had them fall
asleep during, but before...?::
Dawn
I just hope nothing creepy and crawly comes creeping and crawling.
Good night.
Tony DeBari
On Fri, 03 Oct 1997 20:52:01 -0500, prec...@bellsouth.net (Sylvia L
Green) wrote:
>[major snippage]
>
>Handing a water vial, small shallow metal pan, wooden replacement for a
>compass needle, a small chunk of lodestone, some small bundles of
>string, and a little metal funnel to each of the four people standing
>closest to me I add, "These should help you keep your bearings. And
>since each of us is anxious to know exactly where we are, how about
>going in each direction of the compass points for 1 full daylight in
>search of the sea or ocean. Regardless of whether or not you have found
>water by the end of that day return here and everyone can compare notes,
>so to speak. We must hurry because we don't seem to have any food or
>water supplies and we will have to make arrangements depending on your
>discoveries. Dawn and I will remain here as she found some caves just
>behind us, and while each of your groups are gone we will determine if
>the caves will make suitable housing for us until we can decide what to
>do next."
I accept one of the makeshift compass kits. Primitive, but just as
good as the one I brought on my last camping trip. Now the question
is, which direction to go? "Easy," I think to myself, "just follow
the needle. Go North!"
"Okay, everyone. Listen up! Anyone who wants to head North with me
raise your hands!"
A few hands go up.
"Great. We've got to cover as much ground as possible before sundown,
so let's get moving."
Taking one last look at Sekhmet's compass, I lead my group northward.
As we make our way through the trees and underbrush, I find myself
wondering what - or who - we'll run into.
"Well," I say to myself as I notice a familiar rumbling in the pit of
my stomach, "I hope they brought lunch..."
corellon
Tony DeBari wrote:
>
> On Fri, 03 Oct 1997 20:52:01 -0500, prec...@bellsouth.net (Sylvia L
> Green) wrote:
>
> >[major snippage]
> >
> >compass needle, a small chunk of lodestone, some small bundles of
> >string, and a little metal funnel to each of the four people standing
> >closest to me I add, "These should help you keep your bearings. And
> >since each of us is anxious to know exactly where we are, how about
> >going in each direction of the compass points for 1 full daylight in
> >search of the sea or ocean. Regardless of whether or not you have found
> >water by the end of that day return here and everyone can compare notes,
> >so to speak. We must hurry because we don't seem to have any food or
> >water supplies and we will have to make arrangements depending on your
> >discoveries. Dawn and I will remain here as she found some caves just
> >behind us, and while each of your groups are gone we will determine if
> >the caves will make suitable housing for us until we can decide what to
> >do next."
>
> good as the one I brought on my last camping trip. Now the question
> is, which direction to go? "Easy," I think to myself, "just follow
> the needle. Go North!"
>
> "Okay, everyone. Listen up! Anyone who wants to head North with me
> raise your hands!"
>
> A few hands go up.
>
> "Great. We've got to cover as much ground as possible before sundown,
> so let's get moving."
>
> Taking one last look at Sekhmet's compass, I lead my group northward.
> As we make our way through the trees and underbrush, I find myself
> wondering what - or who - we'll run into.
>
> "Well," I say to myself as I notice a familiar rumbling in the pit of
> my stomach, "I hope they brought lunch..."
>
> --
> Tony DeBari
> Wandering wearer of many hats.
My head finally begins to clear so that I sense a group of people
moving north about 15 miles ahead of me. I could use magic to try and
catch up, but after that storm I am unsure of the stability of the magic
in this area.. Mistiming a teleport spell can be hazardous to your
health.. I manage to find a stream nearby with fish and waterfowl in it.
I try a weak spell. I reach out with my mind and lock onto the fish
pulling it from the water and into my hands. I quick jab with my dagger
ends it stuggles. I bring it and another back to my makeshift camp and
pull out a small cast iron pan from my backpack. I gather some wood and
use a small fire spell to start a camp fire. The spell flares briefly
then dies back down.... So magic is somewhat wild in this area. Hate to
see what a full fledged fireball spell would do. I begin to cook and
fish and season with with a few local herbs that I found. I guess the
years of survival training I had paid off.. Good.. I intend to live to
ripe old age.. About another 2000 years or so. The smell from the fish
is making me really hungry and I wonder if anyone else out there will
pick up the smell. I probably should have killed one of the waterfowl
just in case someone or something else showed up. Perhaps the smell of
food will lure Sythe from her hiding place.. I have enough water for 2
and I gathered something that resembles a cocoanut. Grated I cant get
poisoned but I should insure that whomever shows up doesn't get sick
from something I gathered.
I wish I had my medkit but it disappeared with many other useful
goodies, stangely all tech items. Oh well. If I or anyone gets sick I
guess I will have to see if magic healing works.
Corellon.
Anni
In article <19971004210...@ladder02.news.aol.com>, Sekhmet209
<sekhm...@aol.com> writes
>[posted on behalf of Anni, who can't get to a.t.x again until Monday]
>Sylvia wrote:
>> As I stand to begin wishing them well on their journeys I succumb to
>>the after effects of the vortex again and weaving I decide I had better
>>sit before I collapse. I reach for a nearby boulder, "Y'all be safe and
>>take care of each other. And remember!?!?!? There *might* be other
>>survivors along the way who are unconscious. Keep your eyes open and
>>look for them, they may need medical attention." and with that I slip
>>into a peaceful little nap as I feel Dawn's arms reach out gently
>>caressing me and protecting me from falling to the ground....<g>
>
>
>direction of where we are headed.
>
>Nodding in agreement Sekhmet replies, "Yes. Uh, that would be west. Let's
>
>get moving."
>
>The main group splits into several smaller groups all venturing off in
>
>search of the sea.
>
>"Hey, don't get lost, y'all!" everyone hears Sylvia calling out.
>
>Chuckling at the thought that *we* could get lost, Sekhmet and Anni wave
>
>goodbye to their friends and begin to walk off into this unknown place.
>
>The grass in this area is a very healthy shade of green and the sky is a
>
>beautiful unpolluted blue. Small red flowers bloom everywhere.
>
>"What a place!" Sekhmet exclaims.
>
>"I know, it's wonderful," I reply, "but where is it?"
>
>"Well," Sekhmet begins, "if we knew that we wouldn't have to find out."
>
>With a small laugh I reply, "Hmm, okay good point."
>
>
>
>After several hours of walking we both stop at the bottom of a big hill to
>
>rest for a moment.
>
>"Ow My feet!" I say sitting on the ground leaning against a large rock, "I
>
>think my feet miss the deck of the Dark Warrior, at least that didn't have
>
>steep hills to climb."
>
>"No, but climbing up to the crow's nest wasn't easy in all weathers..."
>
>Sekhmet jokes, taking off her boots and checking for damage.
>
>"Look at us," I say smiling, "We've only been here just a short time and
>
>already we're longing for the ship."
>
>"True. I can't help but wonder if we'll ever get back to it," Sekhmet
>
>ponders thoughtfully.
>
>"Lets just hope so friend," I say yawning.
>
>We sit resting for a few more minutes before rising back to our tired feet
>
>and continuing our journey.
>
>Neither of us say much but we can tell that each of us is thinking of and
>
>missing the Dark Warrior.
>
>After travelling over some more grassy land we see the mysterious mist that has
> been haunting us all day returning yet again.
>
>"This is strange," Sekhmet remarks, "that mist appeared when we were taken from
> the ship."
>
>I instantly stop and say, "You noticed it too?! I thought my eyes were
>
>blurring at the time! Tell me, did the mist seem to you as if it was trying
>
>to envelop the ship but none of the rest of the crew?"
>
>"Yes! Exactly!" Sekhmet responds, "It took me, then you and Rich, and then
>
>the ship just... seemed to double."
>
>"I saw it too! It really did look to me like there were two Dark Warriors,
>
>one had the crew on and one was deserted. I tried to yell to the crew but
>
>they couldn't hear me, also it looked as if they couldn't see this
>
>happening!"
>
>"And then my memory ends..." Sekhmet adds.
>
>"Yeah, mine too," I reply as we carry on walking. "Hey, you don't think
>
>that all this stuff about the ship *is* just a result of the vortex messing
>
>with our memories do you?"
>
>Sekhmet thinks this over. "Could be. We don't even know what this 'vortex'
>
>was, or what it can do to the human mind. Yes, perhaps it could have made
>
>us see things."
>
>We both sigh, "I guess we'll never know."
>
>Suddenly Sekhmet halts, "Wait!"
>
>Whispering, I ask, "What?"
>
>"Just listen," Sekhmet prompts.
>
>After a few seconds I hear it.
>
>"A Seagull!" I exclaim.
>
>"A seagull." Sekhmet agrees. "And there's salt in the air..."
>
>"Sea!!" we both shout at the same time.
>
>We rush fast but carefully through the mist. The Seagulls are getting
>
>louder and louder as we get nearer to what we have been searching for.
>
>The sound of waves is getting clearer and clearer.
>
>Now we both feel the soft sand under our feet and the sea is visible
>
>through the mist, silvery gray in the filtered sunlight.
>
>Suddenly in an instant we skid to a halt at the waters edge and the wash of
>
>the waves rushes onto the shore and over our feet.
>
>The look on our faces is one of sheer amazement and stunned surprise at
>
>what is in front of us just out to sea, half-hidden by the mist.
>
>It is several seconds until we can actually speak, "Oh my!.......It can't
>
>be!......It is!........I don't believe it!" is all we manage to come out
>
>with.
>
>Tears of sheer happiness slowly roll down our faces as we stare in joy at
>
>the mighty vessel the Dark Warrior as it sits silently in the
>
>sea waiting for a crew...............
>
>
>
>- Anni and Sekhmet
The sea water is mildly warm as Anni and Sekhmet swim through it and the
ship
is getting nearer with each passing second. As we near the Dark Warrior,
small
amounts of damage can be seen, and the mainsail is in tatters, but
nothing else
looks too bad.
The ship rises and drops ever so slightly in the calm sea as we now
close in on
her.
The sound of feet can now be heard on the Dark Warriors deck as two
soaked to
the bone pirates climb on board and drop to the deck exhausted from the
long
swim.
After nearly a minute we finally get our breath back and sit up, looking
around
and observing.
"Anyone here?", I call.................No reply.
Sekhmet adds, "It's only us, Sekhmet and Anni"..........Still nothing,
not even
a movement.
I can't help but notice how eerie the Dark Warrior is when she is
deserted but
the good atmosphere of the ship remains.
"I guess we're alone, then", Sehkmet concludes.
"Then I guess we should drop anchor so we don't drift any further", I
suggest.
The anchor is dropped and for several minutes we split up and look over
the
ship for any sign of anyone else being onboard and also to assess the
damage.
"Nobody here", I say when we meet up again on the open deck, "The damage
I've
seen isn't too bad. Just the odd bit broken here and there and a couple
of bits
look strained, don't worry though we're not going to sink or anything
like
that. If we can get the others here then maybe Judy can take
a look at it".
"Sounds good", Sekhmet agrees, "The mainsail is a mess, but I didn't see
anything else major. Now *what* should we do about the others?".
I look back at the land, "Well, we seem to have drifted a little since
we set
out to board the ship before we dropped the anchor".
"I thought so", Sekhmet begins, "And I can't see the shore...".
"Great, so essentially we're lost", I say.
I giggle ever so slightly as I remember how we chuckled at Sylvia's
"Don't get
lost y'all" warning only hours earlier. Sekhmet rolls her eyes and
shrugs.
"The good thing is that the food and drinking water supplies survived; I
found
them in the hold while I was inspecting belowdecks", Sekhmet says.
"That's great so at least we won't starve", I reply looking out to sea,
"Now at
least we can hope that they'll come and look for us, I mean Sylvia, Dawn
and
the others won't just forget about us".
"It's just a matter of time, Anni", Sekhmet says, "You know they'll come
looking when we don't return. Now, I don't know about you, but I'm off
to check
my cabin and see if any of my stuff is still there... *and* if it is I'm
going
to change into something dry".
"Great idea", I reply as we head off below decks to see just what else
remains
here onboard the Dark Warriorand to wait for someone to come looking for
us......................
--
Anni and Sekhmet
Sekhmet209
Anni (and Sekhmet) wrote:
>I look back at the land, "Well, we seem to have drifted a little since
>we set out to board the ship before we dropped the anchor".
>"I thought so", Sekhmet begins, "And I can't see the shore...".
>"Great, so essentially we're lost", I say.
>I giggle ever so slightly as I remember how we chuckled at Sylvia's
>"Don't get lost y'all" warning only hours earlier. Sekhmet rolls her eyes
>and shrugs.
>"The good thing is that the food and drinking water supplies survived; I
>found them in the hold while I was inspecting belowdecks", Sekhmet says.
>"That's great so at least we won't starve", I reply looking out to sea,
>"Now at least we can hope that they'll come and look for us, I mean
>Sylvia, Dawn and the others won't just forget about us".
>"It's just a matter of time, Anni", Sekhmet says, "You know they'll come
>looking when we don't return. Now, I don't know about you, but I'm off
>to check my cabin and see if any of my stuff is still there... *and* if it is
>I'm going to change into something dry".
>"Great idea", I reply as we head off below decks to see just what else
>looking for us......................
--
The sun is low in the west as Sekhmet reemerges on deck, carrying her boots and
a bundle of soggy clothing. With a length of twine she improvises a
clothesline twixt the mainmast and the rail of the afterdeck, and begins
hanging various items by their laces and drawstrings and a few strategically
placed pins. Soon Anni joins her, and for a few minutes they work in
companionable silence.
As they finish, Sekhmet says "The weather is fine, and the breeze is steady but
gentle, so our things will be safe enough, and dry by morning."
"Right," says Anni. "Hey, look! The mist is clearing, and there's the shore!"
They both go to the rail.
"I guess we didn't drift as far as we thought," says Sekhmet with a grin,
pointing at the shadow of the mainmast which seems almost to touch the beach
as the sun sinks toward the horizon. Their eyes are drawn to the land beyond
as its hills are washed with gold by the last of the day's light.
"It's beautiful, but where are we?" asks Anni.
"Well, from the warmth and the flowers and the color of the water I'd say we're
somewhere in the Middle Sea, but from the clarity of the air I think we also
need to ask _when_ are we," Sekhmet replies.
"Yes, everything is much too clean!" Anni says, as she starts to look all
around.
"See, there are two small islands to the north and northwest, and they look
untouched," she adds.
"Right, and there's another one over there..." adds Sekhmet, squinting at a
long low shape silhouetted against the blazing western horizon. "It makes me
wonder if we're on an island ourselves."
"Well, we'll know for sure when the others report back, assuming they remember
to come and tell us too!" grins Anni. "In the meantime, look what I found!"
She indicates a neat stack of folded somethings which she had brought on deck
along with her laundry.
"You found the other flags. I'd noticed that the Warrior lost her flag coming
through the vortex," Sekhmet muses, looking sad for a moment.
"Yes, and I was thinking..." replies Anni. "If we're in a different place and
time, I don't think we should fly the Roger. Who knows what it means here?"
You're right. And I always liked the red one better anyway. But why don't you
choose? I'm far too irresponsible to make that decision!"
"You mean the red with the stooping raven? I like that one too." says Anni.
"And we definitely should put up a flag so the others know we're on the ship
when they come looking," she adds.
"OK, let's put it up." says Sekhmet.
As one, the shipmates go into action, and soon it is done. For a moment the two
are awash in emotion, remembering other times as they watch the flag unfurl in
the twilight breeze, but soon their thoughts turn again to hope, and the
future.
Anni goes below to return the remaining flags to the sea chest where they
belong, and then returns to join Sekhmet, who is at the rail watching the
stars come out.
--Sekhmet and Anni
Anni
In article <19971009234...@ladder02.news.aol.com>, Sekhmet209
<sekhm...@aol.com> writes
Time has passed us by very fast and it is now very late in the night.
I have been high up in the crows nest for quite some time trying to see
any of the land features in the moonlight and also to look for any
structural damage higher up.
"It's fine up here", I yell to Sekhmet who is lowering the temporary
clothesline now that everything has had a chance to dry off in the
breeze.
"No damage then?", Sekhmet calls back.
I survey the scene one more time, "Only very slight but it's nothing to
worry about".
"That's great then", Sekhmet replies smiling.
"Hey Look!", I shout hurriedly indicating the night sky, "A shooting
star!".
We both look up as it moves across the sky and eventually fades.
Sekhmet considers this great sight, "What a wonderful omen!", she calls
up to me.
I begin to climb back down to the main deck and once there I start
thinking of what to do once we're found by the others.
"Hey, when the others get here lets have a party!", I suggest.
Sekhmet nods in agreement, "Yeah, then everyone will have the chance to
loosen up and relax after the recent events".
Looking around the ship I say, "Well the Dark Warrior has hosted several
*great* parties in her time".
Sekhmet yawns and replies, "We'll have a great party then...but first
I'm off to my cabin to get some sleep".
"Good point", I agree, "I'll take the first watch then".
--
Anni
Sekhmet209
Anni wrote:
>I begin to climb back down to the main deck and once there I start
>thinking of what to do once we're found by the others.
>"Hey, when the others get here lets have a party!", I suggest.
>Sekhmet nods in agreement, "Yeah, then everyone will have the chance to
>loosen up and relax after the recent events".
>Looking around the ship I say, "Well the Dark Warrior has hosted several
>*great* parties in her time".
>
>Sekhmet yawns and replies, "We'll have a great party then...but first
>I'm off to my cabin to get some sleep".
>"Good point", I agree, "I'll take the first watch then".
It is morning.
A bright wash of sunlight comes slanting down along the hillsides to meet the
wave-caressed shore, and reaches across the water to the patient ship beyond.
A lone figure is on deck, fishing line in hand, relaxed against the starboard
rail.
Sekhmet breathes in the morning, enjoying the play of light upon the water.
There are gulls and terns aplenty, and in the distance a hawk is rising on the
warming air.
There is a tug on the line, and soon Sekhmet pulls in the first of hopefully
several volunteers for breakfast.
As she places her catch in a waiting bucket, she glances up to see a dark
angular fin break the surface of the water, quickly followed by another, and
then several more. A good omen, she thinks, as she pauses to watch the
dolphins at play.
--Sekhmet