Discworld

[Neale]

Captain Carrot

Angua rolled her eyes at Carrot's volunteering them to visit the dwarven gardener, but she followed him anyway. They made their way through the streets of Ankh-Morpork, eventually coming to the Unseen University. The gate stood open, and they walked right in. Various students walked the grounds, discussing their latest adventures in learning the fine art of wizardry.

Angua's keen nose led them right to a short figure, who was replanting a bush. They could hear him complaining about plants who kept on walking around making his job harder...

 

[Kepic]

Modo

Modo glanced round as he heard Carrot and Angua approaching.

"Be right with you" he said to the Captain, hissing "now stay this time you bugger" to the bush as he finished packing the earth around its base.

Standing up, Modo looked to Angua, and frowned.

"Don't let your pet there go fouling up against any of the trees round here... they're liable to strike back" he said, getting up, and ignoring the growl Angua made at being called a 'pet' - though Modo, as almost everyone else in Ankh-Morpork were, was unaware that she was a werewolf.

"Now, what can I do for you Captain?" the Unseen University's gardener asked. "I take it this isn't a social call, though I hope you and all the Ironfounderson's are doing well."

 

[Neale]

Captain Carrot

"Thank you, Modo, my family is well. Mother sent me some dwarfbread just last month. It is sitting on my table at home. I love just coming home and looking at it." Which is all most sane creatures would do with dwarf bread, which was not so much baked as it was forged... Trolls, with their diamond teeth would sooner chew on anthracite than proper dwarven bread.

"The reason we are here is to investigate the death of one Lucas Gretwald, a visitor to the city, who we have reason to believe was talking to you before his demise. What can you tell us about him, and your conversation, Modo?"

 

[Kepic]

Modo

"Lucus? Dead? How?" Modo asked, shocked.

Carrot explained the events of earlier that day.

"Lucus was a friend of mine" Modo said, shaking his head sadly. "He was just visiting me, bringing me some seeds for the University garden. Having to come all this way for nothing..."

"What do you mean?" Carrot asked.

"Well, someone broke into my shed and stole some flowers a few months back" Modo said.

"But you didn't report it? And I don't see the connection..."

"Was probably just some of the students playing a prank." Modo said, scowling. "Damn nuisance, too. I haven't planted their seeds yet. When I get my hands on them bloody rascals..."

"Hang on... you haven't planted the seeds... but someone pinched the flowers?"

"A very rare species of re-annual lotus. Lovely blooms, they were. Went well with the octarine lilacs. Were just beginning to desprout."

Plants on the Disc, while including those categories known commonly as annuals (which are sown this year to come up the next), biennials (sown this year to grow next year), and preannials (sown this year to grow until further notice), also include a few rare re-annuals, which, because of an unusual four-dimensional twist in their genes, can be planted this year to come up last year. They can only be grown in excessively high magical fields, such as those found in the Ramtops - or near the Unseen University.

 

[Lady_Siren]

Susan frowned at the ghost or rather the dismbodied spirit. She looked to her grandfather "What do you expect me to do? If you have forgotten you deal with the dead hence the name death?" She ran her hand through her hair agitated then looked to Lucas again "Do you have any unfinished business? You need to say goodbye to someone perhaps? Or a soap opera you missed? Anything?" When he shook his head she sighed softly. Taking a deep breath then it hit her, quite hard in fact. She made a noise and glared at the headache fairy. "Who the hell thought him up" she muttered to herself. Then she remembered what she was about to say before that annoying pest interupter her. She looked at Lucas "Were you murdered? The reason I ask is some spirits when murdered just don't move on, rather they wish revenge. Is this the case?"

 

[Kepic]

Death sighed, a sound that sounded like the opening of a crypt.

I HAVE PERFORMED MY DUTY he said in answer to Susans statement. I CANNOT TAKE THIS FURTHER THAN I ALREADY HAVE.

Lucus shook his head, or at least his spiritual representation of one. "I... I don't remember much. I was leaving the Patrician's palace, when... when suddenly I... I had these terrible visions... I don't know how to explain them... like shadows at the back of my mind... it was like someone walking on my grave... or... was getting ready to walk on my grave, at least."

He paused, scratching his metaphorical chin.

Death looked at Susan. I DON'T KNOW HOW HE DIED.

"What?" asked Susan. "You're Death, grandfather! You of all people should know!"

I KNOW, AND THAT WORRIES ME. Death tapped a boney digit to the life book of Lucus, where the page continued to be filled with full stops. HOW HE DIED IS NOT WRITTEN HERE. IT SHOULD BE.

He flicked back a few pages, to where the last bit of real writing was displayed. LUCUS LEFT THE PATRICIANS PALACE GROUNDS, AND RODE DOWN UPPER BROADWAY, WHEN SUDDENLY HIS MIND WAS FILLED WITH IMAGES OF TERROR. PANICKING, HE SPURRED HIS STEED TO A GALLOP... Death recited from the page, before he looked up and slid the book towards Susan.

OOC: It goes on to describe the encounter with Detritus, and Carrot, and the events from the first post this thread, before Lucus had a heart attack. It doesn't say he ~died~ from the heart attack however. Then the ...'s begin...

 

[Neale]

Captain Carrot

"Modo, do you still have those seeds you hadn't planted yet? Oh, and do you know of any use for these special flowers?"

 

[Kepic]

Modo

"They're in my shed" replied Modo. "Though without the pots they grew in, they're hardly fit for one of the compost heaps now. Lucus was going to bring me some more seed after he visited the palace grounds..."

Modo looked thoughtful for a moment, then shook his head. "Can't think of what someone would want the flowers for... like I said, probably some practical joke on some students part... however, if there is some connection between them and the death of Lucus... I'd not like to speculate on what that might be..."

 

[Neale]

Captain Carrot

"Thank you, Modo. I'd like to see the shed. Perhaps there was something overlooked..." Modo shrugs, and turns to walk to the shed. Carrot bends down to Angua, speaking softly in her ear, "Angua, I'd like you to memorize the scent of these seeds, and anyone recently in that shed. If the deceased was in there, please let me know." Carrot straightened and followed Modo.

 

[Kepic]

Modo

Modo's shed, situated in a secluded area behind the High Energy Magic building, was a small but sturdy affair, and he quickly unclasped the large lock at the door.

The air was heavy with the mingled smell of several of Modo's nearby compost heaps, which have been seen to heave and glow in the dark, perhaps because of possible illegal ingredients he feeds them.

Modo rummaged around in the shed for a moment, kicking out a scrawny cat that seemed quite thankful to be outside again, before emerging with a small leather bag in one hand.

"Here's the seedbag, Captain" he said, opening up the bag. He glanced in, then gasped in surprise. "This ain't reannual lotus seed!" Modo said after a moment, "its nothing but mustick seed!"

Modo started to shake in anger. "Moving my tools and pinching the odd flower pot is one thing, but breaking into my shed is another!"

He grabbed up a rake led against the side of the shed, dropping the bag of mustick seed unceremoniously onto the ground and glared towards the nearby Tower of High Energy Magic.

"Time I gave Mr Stibbons and those troublesome students of his a piece of my mind!" Modo growled.

OOC: If you're still with us Gentle, I hope this gives you a good place to introduce Ponder, and to help clear his students 'good name'

 

[Lady_Siren]

Susan studied the book frowning. "this just isn't right" looking towards Lucas then at her grandfather. "Well I am at a loss, Lucas is waiting for something before he will die all the way. What he is waiting for I don't know" realizing she was speaking as if he wasn't in the room she looked at him "sorry about that keep forgetting you are there still" looking at her grandfather again "your the almight scythe swinging death, what do you suggest we do?"

 

[Kepic]

Death

I CANNOT TAKE A DIRECT HAND IN THIS, IT IS AGAINST THE RULES, SO I WAS HOPING YOU COULD LOOK INTO THE PROBLEM FOR ME said Death to his granddaughter. MAYBE HELP THIS COMMANDER VIMES AND CAPTAIN CARROT WITH THEIR ENQUIRIES INTO THE EVENTS AROUND LUCUS'S DEATH, OR HIS DYING ANYWAY.

 

[Lady_Siren]

Susan gave Death a dirty look and it looked as if he smiled, if Death could smile that is. Finally sighing Susan nodded "I will help this Vimes character I don't have much of any other choice any how. So where do I find this man?"

 

[Kepic]

Death's Domain

OOC: As of the latest book, Thief of Time, Susan is currently a school teacher in Ankh-Morpork - one of T Pratchett's best so far I think. Recommended reading!

BINKY WILL TAKE YOU BACK TO THE CITY Death said, as Albert returned to the desk with a black tray with a white skull coffee mug upon it, which somehow managed to look like a jolly mug.

Death picked up the steaming mug of coffee and took a sip, before saying FROM THERE, I HAVE FAITH IN YOU, SUSAN. LUCUS WILL GO WITH YOU. GOOD COFFEE, ALBERT.

"Good" said the spirit, "was getting bored hanging around this place anyway."

"Thank you, master. Mistress, could you send back some soap and stuff please?" asked Albert. "I haven't got much time left back there."

SQUEAK said the Death of Rats. SQUEAK!

OH, VERY WELL, IF YOU MUST said Death. TAKE QUOTH WITH YOU, AND KEEP AN EYE ON THINGS.

Death of Rats brushed a brittle whisker and darted out of the room.

THANK YOU FOR COMING, SUSAN. ALWAYS GOOD TO SEE YOU. OH, AND THANKS FOR SENDING ME THE LAST PICTURES YOUR SCHOOL CHILDREN DREW. ALBERT SAYS THEY LOOK VERY NICE IN THE KITCHEN.

 

[Lady_Siren]

Sighing softly Susan nodded "It was nice seeing you as well grandfather, and I'll be sure to send some soap and stuff back for you Albert" glancing at Lucas she forced a smile "shall we get going? I'm just dying to see this Vimes character" then realizing what she just said she frowned. "Oh well" she said "shall we go?"

 

[Kepic]

"Lead the way" grumbled Lucus. "For a disembodied soul, I sure feel like a restless spirit."

Soon, Binky was carrying Susan and Lucus back to the Discworld, and Ankh Morpork, with Quoth the Raven flying nearby, Death of Rats riding his back.

"Are we passing any battlefields on the way?" asked Quoth, "I'm starved. Could do with an eyeball or three."

SQUEAK replied Death of Rats.

"I was just asking, no need to be rude" said Quoth.

* * *

Back in Ankh-Morpork, at the entrance to the HEM (High Energy Magic) building, Modo's rant at Ponder who had opened the door to the pounding of the gardeners fist was having little effect. After trying to explain patiently technical details to the Arch-chancellor, dealing with an angry dwarf, even Modo, paled in comparison.

"I don't know what you're talking about" said Ponder, hands raised in defence. "I know the students like causing the odd prank, but they wouldn't risk destabilising the fabric of causality. The Arch-chancellor would be most upset!"

Modo stood there, fuming for a moment, then sagged his shoulders.

"Guess you be right, Mr Stibbons" he said at last. "Sorry to trouble you."

"Quite all right, quite all right" said Ponder reassuringly.