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

Hello MA...I am feeling rather well actually...I was also talking last night with a friend lost in a misunderstanding...and hope we have mended some fences between us....it may take a while to fully trust each other again...but at least we are communicating


Outrider has been talking to strangers....and has now disappeared again!

We really need to catch him...he is the only who knows where we are and where we can go!

I think there are some restrictions within this Kingdom!!

Trouble is boxers like to dig, but not in a helping you in the garden kind of way.

A visitor? Might have been the effect of the freeze dried bubbly, might've!?

*Outrider remembers his obligations to a long forgotten society and lights a tab. He is the only member of the group still able to recall this long forgotten ritual*

*Outrider seems to be keeping himself isolated from us..why?*


No...Outrider...I am sure...certain even, that I saw you talking with someone...someone who appeared familiar...but dressed differently..


Will you not tell me?

Perhaps if you check out the gift he left me, a silver sickle, you might guess?

*Looks at the silver sickel...it appears plain, no adornments, except for a small mark deep within the metal near the handle*

*Lil looks at Outrider in confusion*

Who gave you this...it belonged to one long gone Why do you have it?

It is a token of the 'Parr regime'. Very secretive, very necessary!

But I have seen it before....where did it come from...Please Outrider

I need to know...this belonged to someone who is lost to us! How can it be here???

*sob* This frightens me!

Gaze into the markings lil me! Those who who are bound to the kin of the stranger may be gifted by a vision.

*lil me looks intensely at the markings. After a while they begin to move towards the handle. Lm isn't sure but feels that this is a good sign, and so it is, for the fickle finger of fate has not chosen to point at her. The tip of the blade points towards O/R. Recognising him it blunts itself. It knows there is no point (sic) (sickle??) (sic, sic) in striking him a second time.

The markings grow into the shape of a hooded figure, but this one is dressed only in black (sickles usually prefer red, but this one is special, one of a kind). Lm is not affraid anymore but does not know why*

'Lil me, are you ok?'

lil stares mesmorised as the shapes and symbols move around...there is something there...she cannot quite see...but instinct is telling her..

She can hear OR speaking to her and slowly she turns to face him "Hm.. what?" Was all she asked...in a very dreamy voice.........



She is sobbing quietly and begging the memories to tell her... help her remember more......

Memories of a distant past come to light. Of tales of Sandmen, beasts and dust bunnies (beware the ). Of one who takes life and gives immortality (and a bit of immorality if you ask nicely).

For He is the seravant of life, bringer of death, servant of nature.


Yes, lil me! It's .............................



..........................



.........................

THE TAXMAN!!




Ooops! I mean...............


THE GRIM REAPER!!!

*confusion rages in her eyes*

You cannot be... you are too caring... you are my Outrider!


Do you intend *gasp* taking me?

No, No! Lm. Fear not!

GR is family, a guardian of light!

Only mortals with little knowledge should fear him, for he does Mother natures work. Your knowledge is great enough to recognise kinsmen.

He watches over our group, keeping order (turns a blind eye to pups though, typical).

If my knowledge is so great, tell me why I am here with you and how we have lost VV and MA along the way?

This journey is becoming more dangerous the further we go!

Are you capable of defending us.. and how will we find our lost companions?

They are not lost to us.

MA is busy mending fences in another realm (which I will chat to VV about soon).

VV is (sensibly) taking advantage of her good steed! (No I'm not jealous, It is far worse as Avel du waits for a gap in VFRgals list of jobs! *Fume*).

They will rejoin when the time is right (and the bubbly replenished, no doubt).

And what are you and I to be doing while we wait?

You appear to know where you are and can come and go at will!

I fear moving and unsettling this realm... and what if I come across a stranger, I never know when you or the others will come back!

How will I deal with this person, who may be unknown to me?

You may click your heels and summon GR. He won't mind. Just remember time is not the same in this realm.

*hands lm a bandaid*

If you get nervous just put this on. It contains enough nicked teens to keep O/R quiet for 10 minutes.

Have you seen the pups latest?

Oops gota go. D is restless.

Goodbye my friend

* Suddenly the two dogs start barking. The outline of two mysterious short figures can be faintly seen.

The sickle starts to hum (why didn't you wash it LM?).

The figures approach LM. Throwing back their camoflage cloaks they reveal themselves to be.......

Or not to be.....