Rowan unloads spam! "A few changes since the email."
Phillips Harbour
Sunday, October 25, 1868. Night.
Miss Townes spares enough time before rushing to Dr. Greene's house to dash off a note for Rev. Hale. The note warns him that Trouble has stolen the staff, and that the coyote might attempt to free Miss Pau. Bernice figures that Hale is best-positioned to gain the assistance of the witchhunters.
While she writes the note, Herbert stows the spirit trap in the spirit-secured safe aboard the Babbage. Caliban then sneaks Bernice's message to the reverend's room at the the Milton house, while Bernice and Herbert ride to Dr. Greene's.
By the time they reach the doctor's residence, it's after 10 o'clock at night -- well past any notion of appropriate social hours. However, he is a doctor, and well-accustomed to being awakened at all hours. When Bernice knocks at his door and tells him it's an emergency, he only takes a moment to get his boots and coat on before stepping outside.
Outside, they don't go far before Bernice stops him to explain the actual predicament. Dr. Greene listens with a perplexed expression. "Your life, young lady, is the most confusing thing I've ever encountered. Rev. Locke is bedded down on a cot in the antechamber to my examining room. Miss Pau is -- so far as I know, and perhaps I should not take this for granted -- asleep in the examining room. You realize you've gone to quite a deal of trouble to see that she is not treated like a criminal? And that my examining room is not especially secure? All she needs to do to get out is jimmy the shutters without waking Locke. What exactly do you want me to do to keep her there?"
When Herbert suggests chloroforming Miss Pau, both doctors look at him as if he'd gone mad. "Absolutely not!" Dr. Greene exclaims. "I am a doctor, sir. I do not use dangerous drugs on people like some kind of ... kidnapper or whathaveyou."
The chimpanzee, a tardy arrival, ooks cheerfully at the doctors and his master before taking a short excursion to snuffle around the house, himself, just in case the scent of Trouble might be in the air.
"Well, it was only a last-resort sort of suggestion," Shaft admits, putting his hands into his coat pockets (one of which holds the Spirit Stunner).
There's no sign of Trouble around the house. Dr. Greene does use some strong-smelling chemicals for treatment, which might cover the scent of coyote (or any other animal, for that matter) but there's nothing out of the ordinary about their presence. Caliban remembers whose scents from his previous visits.
Dr. Greene thrusts his hands into the pockets of his own overcoat against the chill, looking unhappy. "I still don't see what you want me to do. How are you going to warn Rev. Locke without telling him 'Ah, whoops, we were wrong about the whole hysteria thing, she must be a witch after all?'"
Coming back to the others, the chimpanzee reports, "Ook, eek eek."
A somewhat exasperated Townes puts a hand to her forehead. "I don't mean to treat Miss Pau like a criminal either, doctor. My main reason for coming here was to warn you so that should something happen you wouldn't be caught by surprise. I don't expect you to hold Miss Pau... though I think she'd be ill-advised to leave the supervision of Rev. Locke. Most of all, I want you to please keep yourself and Mrs. Greene out of danger should anything come this way. I've passed word to Rev. Hale, whom I hope will help the other men secure things."
Dr. Greene furrows his brow and nods. "As you say, Dr. Townes. Did you want to speak with Miss Pau yourself? If you wake Locke, you can probably offer some excuse of checking on her medication or whatever."
Bernice chews her lip. "I rather do, but I don't feel I could speak candidly in Rev. Locke's presence, no disrespect to him. For now, we'll see that nothing wicked this way comes." The woman dips her head down. "Thank you again for all you've done thus far, doctor. I'm sorry I've brought so much hassle your way."
The ape adjusts his fez, then rubs his ears to help keep them warm.
"He's not sleeping in the same room with her, of course," Dr. Greene points out. "With a little luck, you can speak with her alone."
Shaft keeps an eye on Caliban, looking for signs of his neck injury acting up after all the exertion the ape has done this night. He doesn't even try looking into the darkness for signs of Yotee, knowing he'd be the last one to sense anything.
The dressing on Caliban's neck was drenched in saltwater; it's half-dried now but all that salt can't be doing him any good.
Bernice follows Shaft's gaze to Caliban, and she blanches. "Well, in the meantime I can certainly redress Mr. Caliban's neck. Then I'll see about other possibilities."
"I would appreciate that, Dr. Townes," Herbert says, smiling.
The ape looks at the two humans looking at him and gives them a 'What?' look. Perhaps the cold weather has numbed his neck.
Dr. Greene agrees, and leads them in through his office entrance. The reverend on the cot outside stirs, but nods and goes back to sleep when Greene explains that Caliban's aggravated his neck injury and they just need a few things from the office to treat him. Inside the office, Pau doesn't move on her bed when they step inside and close the door. Dr. Greene lights a lantern, then retrieves bandages and ointments.
Herbert goes to stand out of the way.. in front of the window, which he sneaks a peek out of occasionally.
The ape submits to the redressing with good grace, looking as if he's only just noticed his dressing was hurting, and being relieved that it's being taken care of by an expert.
Bernice busies herself cutting the old, salt-caked dressing away and inspecting the wounds and her stitchwork, taking a certain comfort in doing what she knows. "Thank you for trying to hold onto the staff, Caliban," she murmurs softly. "It means a lot to me that you tried so hard."
At the lantern light, Pau makes a sleepy noise and turns over. "Doctor?" she murmurs, then blinks as she sees the others with him. "Caliban? Are you all right?"
Slate waits outside, not far from the window, where she can eavesdrop and watch for Trouble.
"Ook, ook," the chimpanzee replies, trying to sound nonchalant.
Herbert suddenly feels guilty for thinking about scolding Caliban over risking himself like that.
Bernice looks up from her work. "Sorry to disturb you, Miss Pau."
Caliban smiles at Miss Pau, close-lipped, and waves a hand at her.
Shaft also nods to Pau, and glances outside the window once more to check on Slate.
Pau sits up, puzzled. It's not clear how much of the conversation she's heard. "That's all right." She waves back to Caliban. "Is everyone all right? What's happened?"
The windows are well-shuttered from the outside, but by peeking through the cracks between the shutters, Shaft can glimpse the horse. Slate looks untroubled, turning her head from side to side to monitor the situation.
Soaking a sponge from a bottle of cleanser, Dr. Townes begins swabbing Caliban's old wound, clearing away any salt and seawater. "We had something of an altercation..."
"My fault," Herbert says. "I wasn't paying close enough attention to things and let Caliban fall into the water."
Caliban rolls his eyes at his master, but manages a lopsided grin.
Miss Pau nods. "Ah, that sound not too serious." She smiles back at Caliban, and snuggles down beneath her blankets again. Despite the stove, It's pretty chilly in the doctor's office.
"How is your recovery coming along, Miss Pau?" Herbert asks.
"I am well," Pau answers, continuing with her exxagerated accent prominent, "The reverend talk with me much. He is good company. I learn many things from him, though I think he still half-think I am witch."
"Well, I'm certain everything will work out for the best," Shaft says. "In time."
"I think that way, too. Maybe we both be right," Pau says.
Dr. Greene watches Bernice work, offering items as assistance but generally staying out of her way. She does better with animals than he does.
Herbert smiles a bit, and checks out of the window again. Perhaps he thinks Pau's comment means she's willing to change sides! He can hope, after all.
Bernice gives the chinese girl a sidelong glance as she unrolls a long strip of fresh linen, treated with disinfectant. "Well, I did want to talk with you eventually. I met Li."
"Is she well?" Pau asks. "I not see her since I am accused."
The other woman nods. "She seemed alright, if worried about you. She hasn't gone far. I don't know what she's eating, so if there's anything you'd like me to bring her, please let me know."
"She likes seeds and dried berries. Thank you, Miss Townes." Pau sounds grateful.
The ape yawns a bit, a great open yawn, then covers his mouth and looks apologetic.
"How is he healing, Dr. Townes?" Shaft asks.
Bernice offers a small smile, then resumes her expression of concentration as she works. It's not long before the wound is re-cleaned and the new bandage is securely in place, irritations swabbed away. "So far so good... I don't think recent activity has aggravated the wounds."
The salt water bath didn't do him any good and the skin around some of the worst bite marks is irritated and red. but apart from that, he's recovering well. Several of the marks have already faded to pinkish welts.
"Well, that is a relief," the Englishman says, relaxing a tiny bit.
With the dressing replaced, Dr. Greene, Mr. Shaft, and Caliban all file out. Bernice stays behind; if Rev. Locke had asked, he'd be told she was 'providing a female presence to soothe Miss Pau'. But he doesn't ask.
Bernice begins packing her doctor's bag, but she seems in no hurry to leave. She looks uncomfortable as she lets an awkward silence pass.
"Is something wrong, Miss Townes?" Pau asks, kindly.
Bernice glances over her shoulder uneasily, but nods. "Yes, to be honest. I have a feeling you may be visited soon."
"Mmm?" Pau glances towards the antechamber. "The witchhunters again?"
Bernice shakes her head. "Another Closer." She's not sure why she's telling Pau this, but she can't really seem to think of another pretense to talk.
Miss Pau looks alarmed. "St. John? She knows I am here?"
Bernice almost winces at the mention of the name, but just sighs shakily. "No, no... we dealt with St. John. God willing, she shouldn't threaten anyone again. Do you know of any other Openers?"
Pau looks sober at Bernice's description of St. John, and sighs. But the question makes her smile for a moment. "If I say yes, I might be lying to persuade you that my side was stronger than it seems. If I say no, I might be lying to protect the other Openers. Would you believe me either way? Are you a Closer, Miss Townes? You must know that I am an Opener."
Bernice purses her lips, then sits heavily in one of the office chairs, setting her doctor's bag aside. "I'm indeed a Closer," she admits. "I suppose I asked as much to see how you'd answer as I did hoping you'd have one for me."
Miss Pau purses her lips. "I am comforted to hear an Opener might visit," she says, "as it means I am not the only Opener left. Although if it is another Opener like St. John, I am not so reassured. Is this where I try to persuade you to change sides, or where you try to persuade me?"
Bernice crosses her legs and lays her hands in her lap. "Well, I am interested in hearing your side of things. By all accounts, you're a reasonable woman, and I do have some time to spend here."
The Chinese woman looks cheered by this notion. She gathers her thoughts, and speaks carefully, earnestly. "I like to think that I am, Miss Townes. I am not naive. I am not an Opener because I think it will be some route to cheap and easy power. I am an Opener because I fear that for tens of thousands of years, this world and the Other has been doen a terrible disservice through Closing. We are not meant to be cut off from the Other in this fashion. The very fact that the Portal can exist shows that there is a connection between our worlds; a connection we refuse and deny time and again. In denying it, we deny the other half of ourselves. Of our souls. It is the difference between night and day, Miss Townes. Between male and female. Between yin and yang. This continual separation harms both worlds, in ways we cannot possibly understand."
Bernice threads her fingers together. "What is this Other, though? If it has some connection to our souls, shouldn't that mean it's the afterlife?"
Miss Pau gives a frustrated shrug. "I do not believe it's the afterlife." She lowers her voice to a whisper. "I have seen sometimes what happens to spirits when the body dies. They linger sometimes as ghosts. But mostly they move on, into the things of the earth, or to the bodies of newborns. Or they fade away entirely, to nothingness. No portal Opens to welcome them home to the Other. I do not know what the Other is, for the way to it is always shut. But there is a sickness in the spirits of the world. It is our spirits that let us work magic, and the work of magicians in my tradition shows that our powers were far greater a century ago, or a millenium ago, than now. The auras of the great magicians are not as strong as they were. Nothing is. Our very spirits are weakening from this repeated denial." She starts to say something more, then stops herself.
Bernice looks just as frustrated and perplexed. Still, she nods a little. "I can see your reasoning, and it meshes somewhat with what little I understand... but what of the people seeking to open it for their own horrid purposes? I know for a fact Girard intended to gain access to some sort of power, and that's all he cared for before he.." Her cheeks color a little, and she continues, "Before he stopped. I suppose that matches your observation to a degree, but it was a selfish goal. And then there was St. John, who seemed to think she could somehow wipe out humanity this way."
"It may be that great power will come to those who Open. Perhaps this great power is what St. John hoped to use to destroy humanity; I do not know. She was a madwoman in many ways, she may have been mad in this, as well." Miss Pau exhales. "There is much I do not know, and it may be indeed that there will be terrible suffering on this Earth if the portal is Opened. But that does not mean that Closing is without consequences. We are on a long slow slide to oblivion, Miss Townes. We have been for a long, long time. It is the death of the frog in the pot, slowly heated until it boils to death without ever realizing its fate. The water may seem warm and comfortable, and what is outside the pot looks dangerous and risky, but we are dying nonetheless, and running out of time in which to try anything else."
Bernice takes some time to mull this over, looking uncomfortable and unhappy. Presently, she says, "It does make me wonder what the origin of this.. portal? What the origin is. Why those who lose this game disappear forevermore. Why it exists at all." She sighs, and puts her hands to her head, as though a migraine were coming on. "It's all a bit much for someone who was just a doctor a month ago. The druids could see spirits too, however. I.. can sense them on some level as well, I suppose that's why they took me into the fold. They'd agree that there is a sickness, but we believe it's because we're not cultivating what we have. Modernization, while young people forget old practices and fail to listen to the forest." She pauses. "That's another thing... have you spoken to the older spirits about this?"
Miss Pau nods. "There is a very old spirit at the mouth of the Yang-Tze. I fasted for ten days and ten nights on his shores, seeking his advice. The Yang-Tze spirit is weary and weak with age, like a stooped man who has seen too much and must spend his days in rest and sleep. When he spoke to me ... " She hesitates, then continues carefully, "He said that this world is killing him. I asked if the Opening could restore him, and he said that nothing else could."
Townes ponders this. "If he's weak with age, could it be time for him to be reborn?" She raises her hands a little, saying, "I don't mean to imply I want to see him die, but.. all things must eventually." She sighs again, and says, "But by the same token, I'm trying to protect the Still Wood, so I sympathize with your plight. Have you spoken with them?"
"Humans must die, Miss Townes. Souls are eternal. Even your Rev. Locke knows this. Yang-Tze is not meant to die, and there is no rebirth for him if he does. He is dying because he is cut off from the rest of himself. Because the worlds are out of balance. Because the Closers have always won. He is dying, and so are we all," Pau says fervently, then nods. "Yes, I have. There is a great spirit in the Woods, but it is in denial. You must have seen the strife inside it."
"The Still Wood does have conflicting voices," the doctor grudgingly concedes. "And it is sometimes difficult to get them to agree." She sits up, just as earnest. "But they can and do agree.. their disparate voices may not be strife, but strength. The ability to see from many viewpoints may have allowed them to thrive where others could not, and they are strong. It's the way of nature for the infirm to pass on, the way old and sick deer feed the meat eaters so that the herd may remain whole and strong. Do souls that 'die' completely discorporate? Or do they move on to where they're needed?"
"I've seen souls move on, intact, to a new life but without their memories of the last. I've seen them fragment, and I've tracked the pieces to multiple new bodies. And I've seen them weaken and dissolve, like fog burning out in the sun. If you wish to console yourself with the notion that this last means they are 'moving on to a higher plane', I do not know how to dissuade you from it. But when they dissolve, they are gone. I cannot trace the pieces after that, or find them anywhere, in any form. I do not find this spiritually moving. I find it deeply disturbing, Miss Townes," Pau says.
Bernice does indeed look disturbed, though what exactly about she doesn't make clear. "Just what are you?"
"A student of balance, Miss Townes." Miss Pau catches the concerned look, and looks puzzled for a moment before her expression clears. She shakes her head. "If you are thinking me a necromancer, or one who kills to study death, be assured I am neither. I have conducted my research in hospitals and hospices. There is no need to rush death to study it ... as you noted, death is a natural and inescapable part of the cycle of mortals," Pau says sadly.
The other woman seems to consider this, then nods, looking at least somewhat reassured. "I wish you could talk to the Ovates. I'd feel better about things if I knew of a consensus. How many Closers have you spoken to?"
"Yourself, Mr. Shaft, and Rev. Hale, though the worldview of the last is such that he could believe very little of what I have to say, I fear. He thinks all the old spirits are like the Hill, evil twisted demons loosed from his Hell against the wishes of his God." Pau shakes her head again. "Perhaps you see more clearly. The Hill is twisted, yes, but because it is seeking a way to sustain itself in the absence of its natural source of life."
Bernice's mouth flattens into a grim line. "I wondered about that, actually. We... met the Hill. St. John met her fate there, her companion too, and though I .." Yes, she has to admit it. She closes her eyes. "Though I hated St. John for what she did to my circle, I never wished her soul or that of her companion's to be taken, as I'm told they were. I suppose that is how the Hill sustains itself now... feeding on spirits it captures? When I was there, I could sense it was a spirit the likes of which the druids would recognize, even revere, but.. something was wrong. I've meant to go back."
Miss Pau nods. "Yes. I believe that is what it does ... feeds on weaker spirits to sustain itself. Thankfully, most spirits are not so malign as to turn to such desperate measures."
Bernice tilts her head. "Was the Hill always this way, then? Is there no hope of reasoning with it?"
"That I cannot say." Pau lifts her hands, palm up. "I have not approached it, myself. You are a braver woman than I if you would reason with such as that."
The doctor rests her elbow on the nearby desk, propping her cheek on it. "Or just stupid," she says ruefully. "I've felt more stupid than anything in this Game. I was proud to earn my degree, and now... too many things make sense, and not enough really makes sense."
The Chinese woman leans forward to pat Bernice's shoulder. "I do not think you are stupid, Miss Townes. I think you are misguided, and I would persuade you of this if I can. But I understand your reluctance to believe. It is a difficult choice to make, and it is easy to fear what change will bring. And much as I would like to believe that an Opening will be a wonderful, miraculous event that will bring the sundered worlds together at last in blissful reunion ... even I am not so naive as to think it will be so simple, or so painless as that. But as high as the price may be, the price of Closing is higher still, if in less evident coin."
Bernice almost flinches when she's touched, but doesn't shy away, pausing a beat then touching the hand on her shoulder. "I suppose we'll see, whatever may happen. Whatever may happen, at least the Banefire is safe from St. John and Girard." She quiets a moment to consider her next words, then continues, "The other Opener is a coyote, like a... small wolf or dog. Unlike St. John or Girard, I don't think he means harm, or does what he does out of greed. He did take from me a staff, and he may bring it with him. Know that originally St. John came for it, and it was my mission to reclaim it, that she couldn't unfold whatever plot she wanted it for. The Still Wood warned me that it is an item infused with rage and hatred. She murdered many of my kin for it, and I mean to have it back. I should never have let it out of my sight."
Miss Pau listens. Her expression is carefully cultivated, showing a sympathy and betraying little else. "Was it Oldman's Staff?" she asks.
"I don't know," replies Bernice. "Should it matter?"
"It would be a great boon to your side if Oldman were here. He has been at every Game save this one and the last, for as long as Games have been recorded. And always a Closer. But I do not think he is coming this Game, either." Pau sounds oddly sad.
Bernice gives the chinese woman a confused look. "You don't seem happy about that. Why does this bother you?"
"I think he did something. Something permanent, to stop the Game from happening, ever again," Miss Pau says. "That perhaps that's why there was no Portal at the last Game. And perhaps all this -- Mrs. Everchild's death and St. John's -- is for nothing, doesn't matter. Yet I do think this Game is real ... but I fear it is our last chance for an Opening. That our window is closing, and after this Game, if we fail, it will Close forever."
Townes looks a little overwhelmed. "But.. then what is he, to have lived so long and been so determined to Close?" She pauses, then adds, "Wasn't the coyote his companion?"
Miss Pau blinks at that, looking startled. She starts to say something, closes her mouth, opens it again. "Was he?"
Bernice rubs the back of her head. "I thought that's what I was told, but I wouldn't consider anything from me reliable. I barely know which way is up and which is down anymore."
"I am very sure of what I must do. But I have been considering this matter, and little else, for more than a decade now. With time comes certainty. I do not know how else to advise you. I hope you will reconsider your course, Miss Townes. I wish that Mr. Shaft and Rev. Hale might be persuaded to reconsider theirs." Miss Pau sighs sadly again.
Bernice crosses her arms over her chest. "Well, I am starting to wonder a lot. Thinking back on it, the surviving Ovate said I was to stop St. John. I suppose I have. What are you so sure you need to do? Would it change my mind?" She pauses, her brow knitting. "Do you suppose that the coyote means to find his master by Opening?"
"I think the coyote means to find the same thing I do by Opening: Hope for all of us. And that is what I must do. Open the Gate. Reuinte the sundered worlds. If I am allowed the choice, this is what I will choose to do, whatever the risks and whatever it costs me," Pau says.
Bernice's expression is guarded. "I'll think all this over. Perhaps I'll see the Hill and leave the deciding to others... but not until I get that staff back. The Ovates tasked me with keeping it safe, and I failed. I'll see that I accomplish at least that much."
"I understand." Miss Pau's eyes are downcast, then flick up with a glint of humor. "I am sure if you agreed to Open, the coyote would be willing to return it?" she suggests.
Bernice looks a bit sour, a strange expression from her fairly soft face. "I'm not sure about that. We're not on the best of terms."
"You never know until you try, He might surprise you," Pau says.
Townes grimaces. "He already has, unpleasantly every time, though I think I accidentally provoked him the second time, when he wounded my horse. I'm here now to see that he doesn't cause any trouble, and I'm to understand that's his nickname."
A smile flickers on the Chinese woman's face, but she doesn't add anything to Bernice's words.
The doctor shakes her head. "Anyway, I've disturbed your sleep enough. I'll be here for a while, but I'll take a moment to think things over."
"All right, Miss Townes. If you have any other questions of me, let me know. I do not mind missing sleep over it; this is important." Miss Pau settles down against the bed again, watching Bernice for a little bit.