PORT ROYAL DOCKING PLOT : POST 1

[nottheotherguy]

At the university, Halloween was second only to April Fools' Day for people playing pranks on each other, so I woke up on Halloween morning ready to be on my guard. I figured whatever the station had in mind for us (if anything) it wasn't likely to be something I'd find funny, and I wanted to be ready for it, whatever it was.

It hadn't occurred to me that what the station had in store for us wouldn't be something that occurred on board. I hadn't expected the station docking announcement to play, and I sure as hell hadn't expected the world to dissolve around me when I was halfway to the hub to see what was up. I'd never transported before-- it had always been my choice, before, and I'd never planned on going anywhere the other guy might make a mess if I could help it-- but I had just enough time to figure out what the lurching feeling in my stomach probably signified before the station walls vanished.

When I blinked away the sun glare I found myself staring out a window at a bustling city full of people dressed like they were definitely not from 2012. "Well, this is... interesting," I said, turning around to the roomful of Proserpinians who'd apparently been selected to join me on my little day trip.

[Halloween docking plot is open, and this is gathering post style. Tag in, get your character dressed for some 1700s style adventuring, and see the mod post for more info!]

Comments

[livinginanhgwellsnovel]

It was with annoyance that Lady Grantham registered that she was no longer walking along the corridor toward the observatory, but instead in a dusty clothes shop far to reminiscent of the one that she had been dropped into in Venice. All fondness for the providence of that shop had left her once she had discovered the wardrobe room, and she was loathe to give up on what only she seemed to know was appropriate attire. She was no fool however, and one brief step outside confirmed her suspicion that the Station had helpfully put them here for a reason. The fact that it was trying to help while stranding her here against her will made her press her lips thinly together.

She sighed and after taking a better look, through the window this time, Lady Grantham begins her search.

"This is rather tedious, you know. Would it not make more sense to announce our destination and allow time to peruse the wardrobe?" She asked, to no one in particular. It was hardly worth mentioning allowed that for the first time they had not come here voluntarily, let alone with any warning or forethought.

[the_iceman]

"Perhaps it was a fault in the system," Mycroft remarked to the Lady. "One can't help but think it a somehow a very convinient fault."

Mycroft wasn't looking for anything to wear. He was wearing a suit. There was no occasion on which a suit was unsuitable.

[livinginanhgwellsnovel]

Lady Grantham made a sound of disgust to show exactly what she thought of that theory. She may not have understood anything about the station's machinations, but she did know when she's been picked up and placed like a chess piece in a game she did not understand. The sense of being manipulated was strong.

After some time, she exited from the dressing closet and rejoined him. "I suppose you do not care to blend in?" she inquired. "No when in Rome?" Or wherever they were.

[the_iceman]

"I suppose I could trade the tie for a cravat, for the occasion," Mycroft allowed. "We're in the Caribbean, in the age of discovery and piracy. I don't think my attire will be any issue."

[livinginanhgwellsnovel]

"Perhaps not, but it may draw you a great deal more attention than you might enjoy," she said. Between the ragtag crowd outside and the old uniforms of the British Navy and Military, Lady Grantham was certain that Mycroft's usual attire would stand out far more than the outlandish garb that paraded by the windows.

[the_iceman]

"Standing out is in the manner of conduct," Mycroft assured the Lady. He found a cravat then and undid his tie carefully. A smile appeared on his face. "I'll manage, Lady Grantham, I assure you."

[livinginanhgwellsnovel]

"Hmm," was her dubious reply. His quiet conviction would be annoying were it not such a rare quality among their current company. "I suppose you have assessed the situation to your satisfaction?"

[the_iceman]

"We're in the Caribbean, mid-eighteenth century," Mycroft stated as he carefully wrapped his tie around his hand before stowing it away. "But the town seems decent enough. It could have been worse."

[livinginanhgwellsnovel]

"For the present moment," she said pessimistically. Not once had one of these ventures been devoid of over-excitement or danger. Not even that silly little place with all of the talking animals. As for the last place that had taken volunteers, look how that had turned out. It didn't bare thinking on. "If I were a woman to take a wager, I would certainly bet that it will not stay so."

[the_iceman]

"We can be sure of that," Mycroft agreed. "I was thinking of meeting the Governor, or whatever passes for such in this town," he mused aloud.

[livinginanhgwellsnovel]

"A sensible approach," she allowed. "And you will pass yourself off as a what? A foreign dignitary?" Privately she doubted that it would work out quite so well this time around. These people did appear to be British citizens after all.