One Bell: [Written/Accidental Video] No Gallows Can Touch Me

[simplestgift]

[Written in a shaky hand]

I don't know if anyone is really out there. I seem to be caught up in a tree. In my defence, the tree looks worse than I do. I think I am winning. However, it is very cold and windy up here, and I can't seem to make it down on my own. I've heard about safe falling, but the only guideline we have about falling in the navy is "don't do it." If anyone can see this, then, I need your help. In the meantime, I'll keep writing, if you don't mind. It's just about the only way to keep moving up here.

I am Lieutenant Kennedy aboard His Majesty's Ship the Renown. If you'll believe it, that used to mean something. You may call me Kennedy (with or without the "mister"), or, since I suppose it makes no difference here, just Archie. I've answered to both. While I am sure you are dying to hear the endlessly dull story of my life and death, my literary skills are limited by my half-frozen fingers and my ability to manipulate this infernal book. Maybe later.

I can only hope this place has a decent glass of whiskey somewhere. I have a headache. Probably a permanent one. Not to mention I'm aching in body parts I actually did not have before. I suppose I should be glad to be alive again. Maybe that will come later.

Damned wings. I've no idea what to do with mys

[Accidental video: a flying shot of, well, mostly a grey-and-white blur as the book falls from the tree. A man's fingertips, nearly blue with cold, pass just in front. There's a dismayed shout and the sound of tearing cloth as the journal thumps to the ground, lying open. Barely visible in one corner is a very cold new feather, barely hanging on to a tree branch far above the ground. His pants seem to be caught and tearing. For a moment, he freezes with his arms around the branch, breathing heavily. Seconds later, he chuckles as if he just got a joke. He can barely be heard when he speaks.]

Looks like I d-didn't escape a hanging after all, H-Horatio.

[After a few more wheezing, half-hysterical chuckles, he goes very quiet.

The rest of the shot is of a location just outside the west side of town, north of the river.]

Comments

[WRITTEN]

[polishrule.livejournal.com]

I was caught in a tree once!!

Call somebody to get you down

[WRITTEN] - a few hours later

[simplestgift]

My apologies. I couldn't see this from my somewhat precarious station. I seem to be fine for the time being. Someone came to help.

[WRITTEN]

[polishrule.livejournal.com]

Cool

Howd you get in a tree? I got in one from a plane

[WRITTEN]

[simplestgift]

I just arrived. Last thing I knew, I was in my world. Next thing I knew, I was in a tree. A bit disorienting.

[WRITTEN]

[polishrule.livejournal.com]

Oh youre new?

Sorry it kind of sucks here

[WRITTEN]

[simplestgift]

That's quite all right.

[He has no idea what she means by "sucks," but he's gonna play along.]

[Voice]

[originaljackass]

Sounds like you've got a real problem, pal.

[Video]

[simplestgift]

[Kennedy starts upon hearing the voice, glancing around quickly.]

What?

[He looks down. Oh. The book.]

[Video]

[originaljackass]

That's right, down here. Having fun hanging around?

[Video]

[simplestgift]

[Teeth chattering]

Maybe a little too much, sir.

[Video]

[originaljackass]

I've heard you can get pneumonia staying out like that.

[Idly drinking coffee.]

Re: [Video]

[simplestgift]

I'm s-sure you can. Now, if you p-please, sir, either come help or stop bothering me. It t-takes a bit more concentration than you'd th-think to hang on like th-this.

[voice]

[beaglenapper.livejournal.com]

Oh they just love that, don't they. Dropping a man into a tree.

A Naval man, you say? How long you think you can cling on for, lad?

Re: [voice]

[simplestgift]

Until my arms f-freeze off, sir. It's good to h-hear your voice, Mr...?

[beaglenapper.livejournal.com]

Chief Engineer Montgomery Scott, USS Enterprise, Serial Number SE 19754 T. Don't ask me the bloody stardate, because I lost track of that months ago.

Now, what's that fall lookin' like? Is there a sizable drift beneath the tree?

[simplestgift]

[Pause, then the decision to ignore all the stuff he didn't understand in favor of getting out of this situation]

Thank you, Mr. Scott. It's about a twenty-foot d-drop, sir, by my reckoning. I c-can't tell how deep the snow is from up here.

[beaglenapper.livejournal.com]

[Hang on while he does some quick calculations. Physics: it's not just for Starfleet anymore.] Right. Don't risk it, man. Is anyone coming for you?

[simplestgift]

I c-can't be sure. The man I sp...spoke with must be a damned...[slight grunt as if he's trying to pull himself back up]...sadist. I'll have to shake his hand later.

[voice]

[inabook]

[most of this entry... does not look or sound good. Estelle is concerned.]

Sir, are you all right? Have you found someone to help you down?

[voice]

[simplestgift]

[Archie hears the lady's voice coming from the book and nearly loses his grip.]

I...wh...no, I'm afraid not, ma'am. Do you know someone who can help?

[voice]

[inabook]

We have a ladder at our house - I could bring it. Can you see any buildings from where you are?

[voice]

[simplestgift]

Thank you very, very kindly, ma'am. [Boy, does he sound relieved.] There is...a river to the south. I don't see any buildings. Wait. To the east. I can barely see them. I'm sorry, I'm not being very useful.

[voice]

[inabook]

That's all right. I have a general idea now.

[the forest animals should be able to direct her once she got closer. A man in a tree tends to stick out. There's rustling as she stands up, to find her cloak and the ladder.] I'll be there as soon as I can. Are you hurt at all?

[Action]

[redstringed]

*And then you might hear something bizarre over the wind, Mr. Kennedy - a odd-sounding, whistling "vwoosh" behind you. Were you to look in that direction, you might also see something bizarre: A young-looking girl, dressed in the finest black and red frills imaginable, carrying a parasol - and floating in midair.*

My, my. This is quite the predicament, isn't it?

[simplestgift]

[That can't be good. Kennedy gives a startled shout and clings suddenly tighter to the branch.]

Oh god, I really am in Hell. Oh god, no, please.

[Apparently the young-looking girl has scared a fully-grown man completely out of his wits. He hides his eyes against the bark of the tree. Making him think he might be alive again, then this. Either it's Hell or it's...a very typical day in his life.]