Uncontrolled Chaos [Open]

[law_and_order]

Though Jonathan was separated from his home by a great gulf of space and time, it was not in his nature to shirk his duty. And one of his duties, as handed down by the holy Monastery itself, was the accumulation of mystic relics: medicines, electronics, gems, clothing, children's toys, office supplies, beauty products -- any convenience of the modern world, in short, that he could not readily identify or understand.

The problem was that the Teuberg was full of them. And all readily available for the right price!

Early this morning, the door to his room burst open, spilling his newly-collected treasures everywhere. A remote-controlled shark balloon, tubes of lipstick of varying colors, a multitude of semiprecious gems, hand lotions, socks, a horrible sweater with a misshapen turkey knitted onto its front, a small collection of shining metal storage discs, a fishing bait and tackle box filled with jiggly, soft lures imitating various types of alien bugs, packaged food (canned and boxed), and more all flooded out into the hall.

Jonathan followed shortly after, riding the small tide of trinkets to a stop a short distance outside his room. He looked uncharacteristically harried; a battery-powered toy that resembled a small baby fowl protruded from his luxuriant mane of curls. "I... suppose I underestimated the convenience that our local storekeepers afforded us."

Comments

[law_and_order]

"Thank you," said Jonathan. "'Tis a request from my superiors. On occasion, they request specific items, but we are to bring in whatever we find. I know not what most are used for."

Of course, they had other orders, too, but none that Jonathan could follow at the moment. Killing the Black Samurai, for instance...

[ungrounded]

Eccentric superiors was a totally acceptable excuse for behavior. Lafiel could tell stories from her military experience.

"You could ask whoever you purchased these from," Lafiel suggested. "But you may wish to suspend further acquisitions until you deliver this lot. You don't appear to have the storage space."

[law_and_order]

"I am afraid that I find most explanations to be of little help," said Jonathan, who was even more baffled by the alien technology available on the Teuberg than he was by the possessions of the Unclean Ones back home.

"But I am moving to a living area with more space than is available here. I do not wish to make a nuisance of myself."

Or attract people who were after his stuff.

[ungrounded]

"Some organization would also help," Lafiel suggested. "Perhaps something to secure it to shelves."

[law_and_order]

"Yes, I was thinking of doing as much once I have secured my new quarters," said Jonathan, carefully dusting off a rubbery plastic ball with brightly colored spokes.

"Though I daresay the appraisers will have to sift through everything again once I return."

[ungrounded]

"Then you're some sort of merchant?" Lafiel asked. She couldn't imagine what the market was for this stuff, but someone had to think it was a good idea.

[law_and_order]

"No," he said, frowning a little as if considering what the best answer here might be. Under ordinary circumstances, his impulse was to avoid revealing any details of where he was from or what it was he did.

On the other hand, he had no idea when or if he'd be able to return to Tokyo, and this stranger didn't seem connected to his world in any way...

"My name is Jonathan, and I am a Samurai. Ordinarily, I work to protect the safety of my kingdom and its people. However, there are times when I am asked to perform unusual tasks in the service of the kingdom. And even if the purpose of those tasks is not immediately clear, I must yet abide by them." Gathering relics was simply one of those tasks.

[ungrounded]

Lafiel nodded. "I can think of orders like that, though, in the military, some clarity can be provided, even after the fact, for those who one day might be giving the orders." The Abh had both a feudal system and a military (and merchant marine) where rank was almost completely independent of one's governmental and social rank.