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

*Lizzie, the sea chantey having attracted her attention, enters the galley.*

You have a wonderful singing voice, Mr. Martens! Do sing some more.

A lot has happened today, has it not? All of a sudden our ghost is very lively.

~ pats Lizzie on the head, making her hair bounce up and down most unnaturally. ~

*quickly stows spirits bottle*

Why Miss Lizzie, the breeze has caught your hair in a most comical fashion! I think we will blame the weather and not the ghost on this occasion. I thought you would be long a-bed, my dear, for the hour grows late. Unless Mr Martens woke you with his sea-shanties.

Now, it seems as if everbody on this vessel is a-looking for something - you for your pendant, and Mr Martens here for a raven. Isn't that right, sir?

*Lizzie lets Mr. Head's comment pass knowing full well that the ghostly captain is responsible for her dancing curls. *

And I haven't found the pendant , yet.

*Turns to Mr. Martens.*

A raven, you mean a bird? I'd imagine that would be hard to find out at sea. Unless it's a stuffed raven, maybe. Tell me about it, Mr. Martens and I'll look for it, too.

~ The drink has loosened Martens tongue more than is perhaps wise in the circumstances ~

Why little Miss Lizzie, its a warning you see from our friendly ghost.

*whispers softly so that only Lizzie might hear*

We have to be very careful young Miss. You cannot trust everyone.

*Listens solemnly.*

Yes, I know, Mr. Martens. Do you believe anyone's life may be in danger?

*Watches both men's faces carefully for their reactions.*

~ notices Goodschad come in and go out again and Cooks preoccupation with things elsewhere in the Galley ~ *in a soft whisper* Dearest Miss Lizzie I fear for us all - perhaps you'd care to join me outside for a moment http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/F72915?thread=138462&post=1270047#p1270047 ~ winks ~ ~ gets up and leaves ~

*Lizzie follows Martens.*

*walks into the galley*

Mr Head, we have something for dinner tomorrow other than fish. Uli has caught a caribou and needs your help in... dispatching it. She has taken it to the bow for the deed. Thank you.

Mr Goodschad, how goes your evening? Have you seen Lizzie? Its not like her to have missed something as beautiful as the caribou...

Begging your pardon, Ma'am, but I don't expect you mean "caribou", for that is a land animal, and we are surrounded by water, if I'm not mistaken. However, I will go and see what it is the canoe lady has caught, and if it should need butchered, then I'm your man. But if it be meat, we'll not be having it for dinner tomorrow night. It'll need to hang for a few days.

*reaches for an enormous cleaver and goes off to see the creature*

*wanders through the kitchen, enjoying the warmth briefly*

*after opening pot and crocks to enjoy the different smells coming out of each - and see what is inside - Sarah leaves frowns momentarily, then leaves the Galley*

*the cat comes in and looks around, wondering if anyone's here*

*the cat decides that no one is here, and goes off to explore other areas of the ship*

*The cook and Uli arrive with the carcass of the caribou. The cook gets to work with his cleaver and cleans out the offal, throwing it in a bucket as he goes. As a precaution against pilfering by the cat, he hangs the bucket on a hook high on the wall. Meanwhile, Uli stretches the caribou hide on hooks fixed to the ceiling above the stove. The butchering done, the cook spikes the carcass with a butcher's hook, and he and Uli hoist it up and leave it to hang among the dwindling supplies of salt pork and dry-cured beef in the store. After all this exertion, Uli sits down while the cook pulls the galley clock aside to reveal a bottle of spirits hidden behind. He sets two enamel mugs on a worktop and pours*

You've earned a drop to refresh you, Uli. I trust you'll have a drink with me? Now, let us learn some more about each other. Shall we start with where we are from?

I hope you didn't mind me putting in some actions on your behalf, Lil

The cook is surprised to find the cavity behind the painting to be empty!

Sorry - that should have been "clock" not "painting"

not at all! but I'll take the hide back down and set to work because IRL the hide has to be completely defleshed as soon as possible or it will rot

*Nods at Cook's handiwork with the frame, then pulls a long,comb-like knife of bone out of her belt, sets the frame up like a loom, and begins scraping it down as she sits near Cook*

There is an odd smell throughout this ship. It makes me think of fruit and yet it is as sharp as bile.