h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

GL, while I'm alone in the galley, I'm going to take some time and search it for the Soulstone. (It seems like a good place to start, given Head's seeming obsession with jewelry... ) If anyone catches me at it, I'll say that I was trying to determine the seasonings Head used on the fish that so disturbed Mr Volkerts. Let me know what I find, please.

G7

*You quickly, but thoroughly search the area. You find nothing out of the ordinary and are about to leave when you notice that a picture on the wall is hanging oddly. You investigate and find that it is hinged and that there is a small compartment behind it. In the compartment is a bottle of whisky!*

I'll hide the bottle of whiskey in my skirts. Later on, I'll show it to Bejamin.



G7

The last few minutes have been quite odd. The appearance of caribou swimming in the ocean this far from land statrled me, although perhaps I shouldn't be so startled with Uli on board. That woman has a strange control over the natural world that I cannot begin to understand. And the fact that we are so near to Ancient Atlantis can only help in creating such odd affairs.

I must say that I welcomed Benjamin's suggestion that I go to find Mr Head. It is a tragedy of the greatest measure that such a magnificent creature - and a father, the head of a family, just like Benjamin! - must meet such an end. I can only hope that the doe and fawn were able to reach land. And that they will find a way to carry on without their partner and father. I can't begin to think what would happen to Lizzie and I if Benjamin was ever to meet such an end!

Mr Head had behaved so strangely earlier - questioning Lizzie on the Soulstone without ever mentioning it by name - that I decided to search the galley after he had left. I didn't find my pendant - curse it! I MUST find it soon - but I did find a bottle of spirits hidden behind a picture! Absolutely shocking! I shall tell Benjamin when I get a chance. It could be a while though.

Watching Uli skin the caribou disturbed me more than I can say. I understand that it is a necessary step in providing sustenance, but the creature's eyes were so... intelligent. It was almost as if she were skinning a man. Again I cannot help but make the connection to Benjamin, and that thought only serve to make me want to retch. I cannot condone such violence! And I am sorry that it had to happen, simply to feed us. I shall remember the creature in my prayers tonight.

On to subjects that I am only slightly more equipted to deal with. I have yet to talk to - and this still surprises me - the cat. I must find her and gain her trust and support. But how does one do that with - what was it that she called herself? - an "android"? If this is just a long-lived, hyper-intelligent, talking form of cat, perhaps I can bribe her with kippers. that always worked with the barn cats, and I can't see that ship cats - even Androids - would be that much different...

The bottle was behind the clock, not a painting. Sorry.

Behind the clock. Got it.

G7

I am more confused than ever before. My Lizzie is not here and an elf has taken her place. At least it explains my concern for her - I knew that she was not acting like herself and now I have a reason why. But how could I have allowed such a thing to happen to my daughter? I am not a fit mother. Perhaps it is best that Lizzie is somewhere safe. At least she does not have to worry about the damage that I have done with the Soulstone.

But how can I tell Benjamin of this? God willing, we shall find the Soulstone, get Lizzie back using it, then send it to its watery grave before he has to find out. This would tear him apart, as he is already chastising himself about bringing us with him anyway.

The cat, 'Lizzie' and I must work quickly to find the pendant. They will find Mr Goodschad after we meet with the crew and ask him to help search. I shall find Mr Martens. I hate to do so, but perhaps I can use the bottle of spirits from the galley to ensure his aid. Then, I must talk to Albert. He must know that I do not recipricate his feelings - especially now, knowing what I do - but perhaps he will be able to help us as well.

Mr Volkert surprises me. His skill at both storytelling and carving are unmatched. It is as if he has many more years to perfect both than is possible. He is looking pale and complaining of hunger though. This strikes me as quite odd, as dinner was not long ago. Combine that with his apparent hatred of garlic and... Well, the picture that is painted is not one of which I am terribly fond.

Dear God, what have I done! This creature must have been sent by the Black Sorcerors to attack the ship and it is all my fault! Why did I come? Why did I throw the Soulstone away? If only I had it now, I might be able to do something with it...

WHERE IS IT?!?!?!

As a proper lady of the Victorian era I should be wearing several hat pins, roughly 8' long and very sharp. Would you agree with this?

G7

Should be 8" not 8'. What kind of hat would need an 8' pin???

G7

An 8' one would have been handy, though. Go ahead and use the 8" ones.

I have done what I promised once never to do. I have harmed a living being. There was no need for that. I am still not sure what made me do so, beyond the sight of Benjamin and Lizzie in danger. And while it wasn't really Lizzie, it certainly looked and sounded like her. And my maternal instincts kicked in and... I find myself... stabbing... the creature... with my... hatpin! How can I forgive myself for that? Ever?!

And to make it worse, I have now told Mr Lorenzen and Miss rangel something of my story. Not all of it, by any means, but enough that they know about who and what I am. Was it a mistake? I am not sure now. It might have been. Then again, it may have been the only thing that could save us...

I find that I have trouble not trusting Mr Martens, despite the fact that both Mr Lorenzen and Miss Rangel tell me that I shouldn't. Why would he throw himself so bravely into the fray and save Benjamin if he wasn't a good man?

Benjamin. My thoughts run back to him. He fought the creature so bravely! And he is alive. But how hurt is he? I do hope that Johan G brings him back to me safely and soon. I am worried about him. And I have so much to tell him about the crew on this ship!

Sparky? Sparky?! How could Albert have anything to do with this... Wait. This might be the answer to my prayers. If he falls in love with her then he will have to admit that there is nothing but friendship between us! This could be useful...

Uli might have the Soulstone. What an interesting idea. One that I shall have to check on after I get out of this room...

Your "release power" spell causes magical things to release their power suddenly and violently. How violently is determined by how magically powerful the object is. The Soulstone is extremely powerful, so the explosion should be a big one.

Just a little reminder.

I remember. I'm going to talk to Uli more in a bit. Until then, I'm going to try to find out more information, to determine who I should give this to for 'safe keeping'.

G7

I may have an even better idea to deal with the explosion, GL. One might even say that I have a 'cunning plan'.

*does Snoopy dance to celebrate her brainstorm*

G7

*tries to work out what the cunning plan might be*

Well, I can tell you now if you really want me too, or...

...I can wait until I work out exactly how I will do what I want too. Up to you, I fear.

G7

Well, if you tell me now, then I will be able to tell you if there is something that breaks continuity or if there is some other problem like that. I won't tell you whether it will work or not and I won't give it away to anyone.

It's fun to hear what you are thinking, but I'm okay if you want to wait until you have it firmed up.

I can give you the basics, then. I'm planning on taking the energy from the explosion and rerouting it, by magical means. I'm not certain exactly where I plan to direct it yet, but right now I am thinking about using it to open the veil so that:

1. I can get my Lizzie back.
2. I can help the other Lizzie stay here where she is loved.

Whatcha think????

G7