The Ballad of Bass Rock - Introduction

[yockenthwaite]

Claire nods and follows the others.

[Priest]

It takes but minutes to make your way from the lighthouse to where the boat is landing, although it is minutes frought with nightmare where every movement in the grass, every animal or bird noise sends shivers racing down your spines.

By the time you arrive at the beach the boat has almost reached the shore and already one figure, swathed in oilskins and wearing tall seamans wellingtons, is striding through the gentle surf to the beach itself. As he walks he is slowly uncoiling a rope. He notices you with a start, "Hello".

[Mr. Handy]

"Thank God you've come," says Willam. "I'm William MacLean. We were shipwrecked here in the storm, only to find that there's...dangerous fauna on the island. The lighthouse keeper and his family were lost before we even got here, and a few of us have perished as well. One of the passengers, Mrs. O'Keefe, has gone missing in the last few minutes, and I'm worried for her."

[PatGrillo]

OOC: Is there anything to be suspicious of regarding the man in the oilskin? Was his "Hello" given in a Scots accent?

[yockenthwaite]

"Yes we encountered a strange creature," says Claire. "Very dangerous. I tried to send a radio message to call for help, but the lighthouse's radio transmitter isn't working properly. We need to get off this island as quickly as possible, but we also need to find Mrs O'Keefe. She could be in terrible danger."

[Priest]

OOC: Is there anything to be suspicious of regarding the man in the oilskin? Was his "Hello" given in a Scots accent?

OOC:   No, nothing odd, just a hint of suprise.

[Priest]

As you speak the man begins to scan the beach for something suitable to tie the rope to. Taking a brief moment from the serious business at hand, he eyes you suspiciously, "A strange creature, dangerous ye say?" Having selected a suitable looking rock he begins that task of securing the boat as two of his companions similarly attired wade onto the beach.

He looks upward to the lighthouse, "Tried to send a message did ye miss? Well there has been no contact with yon lighthouse for several days. With that and reports of the light not working we have been sent from the mainland to investigate"

[Mr. Handy]

"We checked up there," says William. "The light was smashed, but I managed to salvage a piece of glass to signal your boat."

[yockenthwaite]

Claire nods as William talks.

[Priest]

With the boat now secured and joined by his other two colleagues, the first lifeboat man produces an old much used pipe and proceeds to light it. Within moments he is puffing on it sending small clouds of smoke skyward. "Aye we spotted yon signal, thought it might be old Charlie hissen"

"Ye say that there has been some deaths? We'd best take a wee look then and sort out the light and the radio"

[Mr. Handy]

"Miss Struthers here got the radio sorted earlier," says William, gesturing to Claire. "She got through to someone briefly on it. The light is beyond repair. It needs to be replaced."

[Priest]

At William's words the oilskin clad lifeboatman looks at Claire and you briefly see a hint of incredulity in his gaze, "Och did she now?"

Looking Claire up and down in an apraising manner he returns his stare to the lighthouse, "Well then let's away and take a look at yon light and see what ails it. We can see if the radio will contact the mainland and inform the authorities of the situation here. Yon lassie said that there had been deaths, so I suppose the police will need to be informed."

Aidan, who had until now remained silent, pushes his way forward, "Ye did nay see any sign of the Westray IV and ma dad the captain?"

For a moment the lifeboatmen look towards the small lad, caught unawares by his question.

[yockenthwaite]

"I'm handy with electrical and mechanical equipment," says Claire, offering an explanation. "Though I could only get the radio working partly. I could hear what others were saying, but couldn't seem to send out any message myself. You may have more luck with it," she says, looking at the lifeboatman. "And yes, the police will need to be informed."

[Mr. Handy]

"Right, let's go then," says William.

[Cearlan]

I watch and listen to the interaction down on the beach from afar and when the group advance towards the lighthouse I step out from behind a rock "Hae ye come tae tayk us offa this accursed rock mon. I ken whit ye mean about the pollis bein' involved, and yer right, but fer pity's sake man git us oota here, at least the women-folk!"

[Priest]

Before the first lifeboatman begins moving toward the lighthouse one of the other men, roll neck sweater, beard and aged sailors cap, grabs his arm. "Davy, yon fellow may have a point. If there has been something bad happening here then we might be best leaving investigation to the pollis."

He nods back at the boat gently bobbing on the swell and continues, "Let's get these folk back to the mainland and some proper clothing. They look as though the need a good hot meal and the lassies look fair done in"

You see the third member of the boat nodding vigorously, "Aye let the pollis do the searching"

For a moment Davy continues to eye up the looming lighthouse, then seems to come to a decision, "Right we'll take these folk back to the mainland and let the pollis sort this out. Although I have nae idea of what to tell Charlie's wife and son"

[Cearlan]

"Once fortified with a hot meal I'll be willin' tae return tae help ye search if ye'll hae me along." I intone without too much enthusiasm.

[Mr. Handy]

"Aye, as will I," says William, not eager to return but willing to do so. "But Mr. Carruthers is right, we do need to get the ladies and young Aidan to safety first."

[yockenthwaite]

"Well I'll be glad to see the back of this place," says Claire, smiling weakly, suddenly realising just how terrified she has been, and how glad she will be to be on the mainland.

[Cearlan]

"I'd be glad o' the company o' one who has shown such remarkable bravery in the light of such things as we hae seen" I say offering William my hand. "Perhaps if we dae return, if we stick together we can gie each other courage where it's needed most Mr. McLean. I ken that I fer one wuid be grateful fer a familiar face"