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

Well, your Royal-likeness, it wasWha'???

...*Stands...extending her hand...* Welcome Sir! Please come join us by the fire! ...*opens her basket...*Some cream for your kitten? And is cheese and bread alright for you? We also have
a goodly supply of strawberries. Please, join us!
...*makes room on the blanket....motions for him to sit...*
Looks like you've had a long journey!

*his old blue eyes study you wairly, he lets out an auidable sigh and his sholders drop. He wonders slowly over to the fire and sits crosslegged gratefully allowing his staff to fall by his side*
"Truely I thank you. It not common to come across such charity these days. Or not so common as once it was. Well Im sure you don't need the ramblings of an old man. What brings you here?"
*As he talks he fills a bowl with milk, his cat gratefully climbs down his arm onto his right knee and drops lithely to the floor where it begins lapping up the cream and purring sofly to pandora*

I may have been a cat in a past life. Or sumthin'.

Make yourself at home....*looks at the others knowingly...*
This is sorta' like the Hotel Califoria. You can check in but you can never leave.
Having said that. I just saw a young man escape, er, leave this garden thru a looking glass. Didn't catch his name.
But thanks to VIP...Myst, the boy and myself have all been saved from a pool of water...*whispers to the man...*you may want to keep a supply of herbs with you...wolfbane's what got us out of that last sticky wicket.
I hope you'll pardon me. I'l just so very tired....*lays down...soon is purring like the kitten...*

Hmph don't get me started on herbs, it was the herbs that got me into this mess, I just left my horse for five minutes to collect some fireweed and here I am hopelessly lost. I swear the trees move when your not looking. Just like when I was back in fangorn forest, sometimes if you were quick you'd see em' move. There was this one time...
*At this point it becomes apparent that he has noticed that nobody is listening anymore, with a sigh he turns to look out across the garden in the direction he came. He watches motionless until the last of you fall asleep...and is still there in the sams position next morning. The only sign that any time passed for him is that his kitten is now curled up in his lap*

*stirs*

*whispers*

Good morning, sir. Did you sleep well? I'm about to have some bread and cheese for breakfast, would you like some?

*smiles at the cat*

*it glares back*

*holds up his hand for silence. He stares into the distance for a moment before turning quietly.*
*whispering*
Have you ever just sat and watched nature? Ever considered how we affect it? Do you see that mouse there? *points* I've been watching it all morning. In a few seconds a bird will swoop down and catch it, its too young to see the danger it is in. If we make a noise, as we would getting breakfast, the mouse will hear us and run. If we stay quiet, then the mouse is allowed to die. Then again, from the time of year food must be scarce, that could be the last meal the bird will have for a time - if we make a noise then we could be causing the bird suffering. How can nature be so beautifull and yet so cruel? Truely a tough decision for us, and we almost made it without thinking. How many decisions do we make every day that affect the world, without us even thinking about them?
*stops whispering and speaks loudly*
I'll have bread but no cheese.
*The mouse stareled by the noise runs into a briar patch, just seconds before a bird swoops past its previous position*

Wow. Princesses never get taught things like that. Such simple things.

*reaches over to the basket*

Here, do help yourself.

What is the name of your cat?



*whispers*

Pandora? Pandora? Are you awake, my dear?

Yes your Royal-likeness, how may I be of service?

...*smiles at the man and his kitten...*I was dreaming of a Knight. A Knight from a far away land with a magical animal. Then I awaken and see you & your little friend....*reaches over and rubs the kittens face...*

...*pinches Myst's nose as to make him snort mid-snore...*haha

*It is a very beautiful morning, with dew drops glittering in the grass, a cloudless sky in pale blue, the sun just rising, making everything bathe in a golden light*

*the flower fairies are busy tending the flowers, birds are chirping (those not busy hunting mice) and there is a faint rustle in the leaves of the big trees, as if they were yawning and stretching*

*there is a faint ripple on the surface of the pool*

The kittens name is miko. I found it as I was wondering through the woods, its mother had abandoned it and I liked the sound of its purring - reminds me of ruffles. He was my mothers dog a bit silly at times, but always loyal, there was this one time where
*realised that he has digressed, again*
Is that the pool? I wonder why its rippling in this light breeze...
*starts to wonder over to the pool, kitten in tow*

Do be careful! Do not touch the surface! And make sure miko doesn't either!

*whispers privately to pandora*

Can't he just leave the thing alone? Lucky I saved some wolfbane, just in case, huh!

*chuckles quietly*

Hmm, just what is the pool? You escaped with wolfsbane eh? That would make this a...what was it...its on the tip of my tounge...transtextual magic pool.
*He considers for a second and looks excited*
If thats the case I might be able to find my horse, I haven't seen him since I got lost and i'm worried, just like the time I lost...the pool of course
*Searches through various pouches and bags about his person, laying a few leaves and roots in frount of himself as he works, suddenly he looks paniced and then dissapointed*
*sigh*
I don't have any foxroot, I'll never be able to scry without any.

...*stands, smoothing her skirts and long hair...which is in dire need of brushing...*
Sir Override? We may have seen your horse near the emerald city just on the other side of the poppy field. Of course, that could have been a horse of a different color....*pats the pouch of poppy seeds she saved when nobody was looking...*
But you needn't worry! This place takes care of it's own! Why that little bird has ample berries and the mouse has plenty of grain!
We've been here for...*looks at VIP & Myst...*for a very long time now and we always have what we need! What you wish for the fairies bring. But careful not to be a greedy soul or the elves might trick you!
Oh, and never, ever try to do harm!...*whispers...*I had my beloved half saber taken away by the narrator...*looks around...*

I'd love to paint a mural onto your walking stick when we're resting. If you tell me what you like, besides rocks and hard places I will paint it for you. I could of course paint rocky mountains and boulders if that's mostly where your interests lie.

I think it's time to move away from this pond that held us captive for...*looks at Myst & VIP...*for a very long time.

*Pandora you notice as you stand your pack is a bit heavier than it was when you went to slee*
Wha? Whos an Override? Oh you mean me! *chuckles* I don't deserve the title 'sir'. Well truely thats good news - we should set out after him right away. As for the branch, well just as I injured my back it fell from a tree - the perfect height and shape. I tend to think of it as a gift from nature and wouldn't like to see it cut or shaped if that is okay. I appriciate the offer though, maybe you'll get a chance to practise those artistic skills later.

Ahhh. Had I known the story I would never have...
...*hears a sound from off in the distance...notices her pack is a bit heavy...but the sound distracts her...*
Good Sir, I have healing herbs and I also am a Native Healer. I can do laying on of hands if you so desire. But I think you somehow need the pain...to remind you.
When I stand close to you, my heart feels as if it's breaking.
...*blinks back tears...*
What way shall we travel today? My instincts have been off since my arrival.
...*shifts the weight of her pack...*

*smiles gently* It is nice to see some wisdom in one so young. Truely if it were at all possible I would like to see this emerald city of which you speak.

It's the glow of the garden that makes me look young.
Were you to read my home page, I fear you'd find more truth there than what's in my face.
As for the city...*whispers...*myst won't allow us to go back of that i'm quiet sure...perhaps at a later date?
Shall we follow the sounds? It may be your horse! One can always hope!
Where's Miko?HEREKITTYKITTY!!!

*A whole plethora of mice scatter from the surrounding long grass, followed by one dejected kitten, the old man bends down and offers it something from his pouch - which it devours hungrily. Soon it is sitting on his shoulder purring as he starts to break camp*
So what did our friend do there to make himself so unwelcome?


If you look at my space you might notice there are is a good helf-century between my age & my characters.

been there, done that

Oh, we never really got INTO the City, I don't think.
'Twas the poppies effect on VIP & myself that had Myst in such a state....*whispers...*i sorta' liked the feeling

Ooooo I know! Let's have Miko pick which way we go!

Heh, trust to luck. Something I have never done with much sucsess, but then I feel the world is changing.
*Gently places Miko on the floor and ambels off in the direction it chooses*

I think I recognise something in your face...I can't put my finger on it...you might...just which royal line are you descended from anyway?