Editing TheStarsAreRight:CarlNote3 (section)

=='''More Boat Stuff'''==

'''REDLAND'''

Redland comes back, looking like $10.
 

"Sorry about that."
 

He pauses a moment.
 

"Well, it sounds like you have the ocean situation under control. I'll probably add talking to the 'sea folk' onto my agenda."
 

Maybe it's the boat (or maybe something else), but Jack seems a little more scattered in his focus than normal.
 

"I was thinking about our itinerary once we get back on land. I assume our first step is to try to talk to Mr. Becker. I believe your plan is then to return to Wisphers and then push on to talk to Ms. Hamilton in Switzerland. Although I wouldn't mind looking in on Laura to see how she's doing, I could probably push straight through from London to Vienna after (if?) we've talked to Mr. Becker. Given circumstances, I'd probably rather not see Ms. Hamilton, and I would like to get this bond-breaking show on the road. Perhaps I'll have more success than Henrik and Rebecca. Er... does that sound reasonable?"

'''CARL/REDLAND'''

Carl hesitates, watching Jack for a moment.
 

“Maybe you should be ill more often,” he says dryly, “it seems to have done you a world of good!  I don’t suppose you’d like some tea?”
 

Redland interjects.
 

"You'd think tea would do me some good, but it seems that whatever I put down just comes right back up. I'm thinking about going on a bread and water diet for the duration of the voyage... hold the bread."
 

Jack blinks a couple of times and cracks his neck and generally looks a bit beleaguered as Carl continues on.
 

Carl scrutinizes Jack a bit more closely.  Is Jack just ill, he wonders, or has he been messing with the Pharaoh out here?  Or something else?  Lord knows there’s enough opportunity for confusion in this business…. But Jack’s hurried speech sounds like a bum’s rush – like he’s trying to push something through.
 

Hmm.
 

Carl continues, “Cecil Becker.  Yes.  We should talk about that some more.  And I must see Cedra Foundry while I’m here, and speak to some people about English Faerie sites.  I could be in England for a few days.  Of course, you can go on ahead if you like, though I must say, sometimes it feels as though you don’t care much for my company,” he smiles. 
 

“What I would recommend, however, is that you go to Wisphers and do some reading.  There is a lot of information there, about the various ‘sea folk’, underground dwellers, Powers, remnants, all that sort of thing.  All those folk you wish to speak to.
 

“For me, after England, Wisphers, yes.  Then Emma.  Then Vienna, perhaps, or Egypt.  Or any of three or four other places.  It depends on what Theo’s doing, and Auda, and several other things.
 

“You like working by yourself, don’t you?”   Placid stare.
 

Jack lets the conversation lag for a few moments, as Carl finishes speaking. Then he begins abruptly.
 

"Hmmm. Cedra Foundry doesn't sound familiar to me. Heck, I'm not even sure if that's a person or a place.
 

"I do like working by myself. Perhaps I'm just more comfortable that way, since over the years, that's how it's been.
 

"I'd like to avoid the Fae, if possible, but I have no objection to going out to Faerie sites.
 

"Oh, before I left earlier, I was going to ask your opinion about something. I was considering looking up one of my colleagues, with who I am (or I guess) was still friendly, while we're in England. I was thinking about the 'many gods' plan and intellectuals, you know?"
 

He continues on discursively.
 

"I think when I'm by myself I am often... bolder. When I'm with others, I tend to defer. I mean, when I defer to you in situations, that makes sense, since I'm a neophyte in many of these matters, but I'll even let Henrik take the lead in situations when we're together, and what in Hades does he know?
 

"Can I even get in to Wisphers? Will I not be ... 'zapped'?
 

"I wasn't sure if it would make sense to show my old colleague one of these sigils. Would that be a bad idea?
 

"Yes, I agree that we should discuss our plans concerning Cecil Becker. A lot has happened since we last tried to speak with him. I'd also like to discuss how to deal with this young lady in Venice. I should really figure out her name.
 

"I'm really very timid, you know. It's just that ..."
 

He trails off and then looks at Carl intently.

'''CARL'''

“Yes, Jack?”  Mildly, watching.

'''REDLAND'''

Jack seems to be sweating more than one might anticipate on a crisp, autumn day. He focuses on Carl.
 

"Er, so, right. As I was saying, we need to go to Vienna... er, Venice... to get that, uh, bond broken so that Rebecca can get away from Auda. I don't know if you noticed, but she had bruises on her arm, caused, I think by him. She's too young, I think, and we need to intercede to protect her. I'm not sure how freq..."
 

Redland staggers back and collapses on the deck.

'''CARL'''

Okay, that’s it.  I’m not sure where we are exactly (I assumed on deck somewhere, but it could be anywhere really – let’s say for now it isn’t in one of our cabins.)
 

Carl springs forward, trying to catch Jack or cushion his fall, with a quick pulse of alarm to Julian (**Jack collapsing, sickly; no one nearby**) and even if I can’t, straighten him on the deck, make him comfortable, and give him a quick once-over, kneeling by his side.  Is he feverish?  Cold?  Clammy?  How’s his pulse?  His Power level?  Anything weird, from taint to scars or wounds?  Scenarios flash through Carl’s mind like a Rolodex – ‘flu? Malaria? Drugs? Blood loss? Ponic overdraft? Exhaustion? Stroke?    Most importantly, is he getting worse?