The Unnamed Planet's Unfinished History [Archive]

teri tait

2005-Dec-03, 04:35 AM

Momma Blue reached past Jean and picked up a thin iridescent round object...assuming the stance of a pro basestation pitcher, she whiffed a fast pitch through the near wall. She was rewarded with the last trailing words of Xaphod, "Skye, my dearest, thanks for the music..."
Jean's wings zipped rapidly, lifting him just shy of the ceiling, "Mother! That was my favorite classic cd! A collector's class 'Jethro Tulls Greatest Hits'!" Jean drifted lightly toward the general direction of the floor, "How will I get another of that rare gem!?!"
"Xappie needs it, who knows what horrors await such an adventurer!" Momma Blue jumped upward and grabbed Jean by the left handlebar of his moustache, "Besides, you never even LISTEN to it!"
"That's because it's a collector piece, too rare and wonderous for mere ear candy!!" Jean recurled the end of his moustache, "You KNOW I have never allowed myself even to think of marring it's pristine condition by the profane touch of a mechanical listening device!"
Meheshi, displaying his unique timing, chose this moment to add, "And my carpet de rojo! Weaved by the nimble fingers of sweatshop monks imprisoned on my casa de planet!"...

teri tait

2005-Dec-03, 05:27 AM

Mike grunted menacingly, "Three of Bootsie's litter mates sre monks...why I have half a mind to..."
Meheshi nervously jumped to his feet and began an awkward two step dance (Mike continued to stare at him poker-faced) "Porfavor Miguel! I do not condone the practice of monk-keying! It is my ambition to the letting loose of the nimble fingered! That is why I have been sent to casa de musica, home of the well sung Knight de Musica, Jean Blue!"
Staring at Mike beseechingly he added. "You know well mi compadre, Bootsie is the queen of mine own dear gato, Felix!" He turned an eye toward the near wall (the other two eyes still stared unblinking at Momma Blues feet) "If I could, I would show you the beauty of their handiwork! Such detail! Such love! There is nada a word to describe..." His feet continued their two-stepping, moving ever faster to match his the pace of his words...

teri tait

2005-Dec-03, 07:18 AM

"Alright, enough fancy footwork Meheshi, just remember to show a little respect for Bootsie..." Mike watched the floundering feet of Meheshi like a passerby morbidly looking at a train wreck...
"Si, si...I beg your pardona Madre de Felix!" Meheshi fell unconciously into the comfort of his more familiar waltz, "May the great conquesetors of my ancestras stab mi over and over again with their steely weaponas until mi unworthy heart is devoida de pumpa..."
"OK we get it!" Jean interrupted, "You're sorry!" Jean looked around his room, "where are my aero boots...when I catch that blue eyed, habitual mooch, I will.." He shuffled his wings impatiently.
"You are not to leave this house without your baby sitter!" Momma Blue stated firmly, "Nim! Jeanie wants to go out and play, you gotta go and keep him in one bit!"

teri tait

2005-Dec-03, 08:11 AM

"Pardona, Jean, did I abla correctly? Isn't Nim your uh, younger sister...the nina that just turned 13?" Meheshi stage-whispered to Jean. "Perhaps your Madre misspoke the word 'sitter' for the word...'sister'?" Meheshi added.
Jean stood in stoney silence as Nim glided gracefully in the room. She had been an orphan, the last of the Azuluas, when she was found by Xaphod.
After carting the baby roundabout the known universe, Xaphod had brought the cute little bundle of teeth and claws to the loving home of Skye Blue. Nim was commonly known to be the only item he had parted with (of all the wide array of thinga ma jigs he picked up) and not lamented the sorrow of loss...

teri tait

2005-Dec-03, 08:31 AM

"Ooooooh such a beautiful nina!" Maheshi stopped his waltz to caresse the velvet soft fur of the violet eyed Nim.
"Touch me and you will pull back a stump." Nim whispered through her whiskers, "I am not one of your domesticated felines."
Meheshi stared uncertainly at Nim, "I agree your size is greater, your tail longer than any gato..."
Nim yawned, "El shutto el pi hola" said she, stretching her forelegs and flexing her impressive claws, "Bootsie, how does your seed tolerate life as a companion of one such as he?"
Bootsie replied, "Mwaarerrr" giving the sound an unmisstakeable ring of snide laughing.
"Jean, if you plan on going out in public, take my advice and redress yourself...you look tore up from the floor up..." Nim added glancing disdainfully toward Jean with her glittering violet eyes...

teri tait

2005-Dec-03, 08:52 AM

"Listen Nim, it's time you recognize...my right to exist...that isn't too much to ask.." Jean was hovering off of the floor, well out of Nim's legendary reach as he spoke, "No more of that 'you scratch my back, I get scratched', it's time you learn give and take in honor, with honor, honorably..."
"Did you know Azuluas grow wings when they reach puberty?" Nim whispered, "Won't we have buckets of fun then..."
Momma Blue stepped up, "Nim stop scaring your big brother, he's going to shoot through the roof in half a stitch."
Momma Blue leaned toward Nim and whispered in Azuluas, "Be a sweetie and look out for Momma's only boy. He's goin to fly off and find Xaphod, I know you have a special place in your hearts for Xappie." Momma Blue crinkled a rare smile at Nim.
Nim enjoyed the warmth of the smile and relented, "Just kidding Jean, I wouldn't dream of allowing any harm to you...not while Momma Blue retains corporeal existence at least."

teri tait

2005-Dec-03, 09:25 AM

"Please show a little more faith and a little less might," Xaphod squeezed the words from his compressed throat, "you're going to rip the strap on mine man purse, a gift of mine own mother's artistic endeavor."
Fhillipa hung onto the man purse like the death grip of a reaper grim. Silently praying for deliverence from the vicarious (at best) travels of Xaphod...

teri tait

2005-Dec-03, 09:56 AM

Xaphod pried the red carpet from it's spot between Fhillipa and Xaphod's man purse and let it begin unrolling in seeming slow motion. He could hear Fhillipa muttering a non-relenting gibberish with an occaisional coherent word in a smattering of dialects.
"No, no need to thank me for letting you enjoy this our quest!" Xaphod said with humble joy, "But for your skill of the moderate arts, I would be void of hope in triumphant exploration!"
"I didn't ask to..." Fhillipa tried to protest his lack of enthusiasm of the unexpected.
"I know, I know, you being of fine manners and impeccable taste would never beg for such glory as this! You, with face turned toward betterment of others, peraventure of the innermost heart! I saw your need (as well mine own needs too) to champion a greater cause for all forms of life and life like entities!" Xaphod pried loose one of Fhillipa's hands from his man purse, "Have I blessed you with a gaze at my space honey's holopic?"....

teri tait

2005-Dec-03, 10:35 AM

Just then the carpet slid smoothly onto a wide field of grass, followed by Xaphod's easy landing and Fhillipa's tottering wingtips greedily grasping at terra firma. As Fhillipa kissed the ground exclaiming, "Land! Sweet, firm turf! For the love of all that is holy, I have never seen a sight more beautiful!!"
"Oh yes! She a knockout, alright!" Xaphod agreed eagerly, "Better still, she worships the very ground I scamper across!" His doting gaze never left the holopicture of his one true love. She glared back with a display of her delectable temperment, then sighed as if in resignation. Examining her nails; she then swiftly blew a small fast kiss to Xaphod.
Xaphod was struck on the corner of his very desireable lips. Stunned, it was a long moment before he could gasp, "and she's got a smooch like an angel!!!"
"Don't you forget it either Xaphod." She dropped her eyes back to her book...

teri tait

2005-Dec-03, 11:13 AM

"Let's work out the groundrules," whispered Nim, "I am in charge. No disagreeing with said leader, in fact, any words spoken may be, no, will be viewed as a veiled threat; I reserve my right to assert my authority with impunity" Nim stated without moving her lips, "For any and all requests, I hereby submit this one answer: A thousand gallons of premiun NO."
Mike boomed a loud whoop of laughter, "You just keep tellin' yerself that," he grinned, showing his own impressive teeth, "Everybody on this roundup will be answering to me and me alone." His deep set eyes gazed around the room, "If yer in on this little shindig you will report to the launch pad staging area in T minus one hour, you will be geared up and ready, you will address me as 'captain', you will address Bootsie as First Mate."
"Mike, I mean Captain, I should at least be an officer...not a mere swabbey!" Nim's tail flickered dangerously, "I do have skills that may prove valuable...what say you?"
Mike leaned in smiling widely, "No worries Nimlet my dear, you will begin your career at the coveted rank of cabin boy. You will earn your bars the same as anyone...by your effort or lack of...your duties will be to maintain the level of comfort Bootsie is accustomed to and keeping your big brother safe as requested by your mother."
Nim hissed an obscenity in Azuluas, then ran out of Jean's room to get 'geared up'.

teri tait

2005-Dec-03, 11:27 AM

"Don't forget your toothbrush and your scratchpost!" Mike yelled after her retreating form, Nim paused just long enough to give Mike 'the tail' then disappeared through the door to her room.
"So you are leading this madcap venture?" said Meheshi, "I would be honored to be mustered on your roll."
"Jeez 'o Peet, can't you say anything right?" Jean muttered, "Captain, I request the honor of service upon your ship, when you muster your list, I hope to be among those at roll call." Jean rolled his eyes at Meheshi as if to say, That's how it's done proper...

teri tait

2005-Dec-03, 11:44 AM

Xaphod pulled a fresh shirt from his man purse, the words 'Christian Rosenkreutz Lives!' boldly written on it and surrounded by roses in all stages of bloom. A golden cross logo at the nape of the collar confirmed the shirt as authentic Rosicrucian issue.
"Care to freshen up?" Xaphod waved the shirt at Fhillipa, "Christian Rosenkruetz himself loaned this to my use."
"Fhillipa gazed at the t-shirt with a nagging feeling he had seen it before...somewhere...

teri tait

2005-Dec-03, 12:40 PM

Fhillipa accepted the shirt with the proper gratitude, in British style, "Well, jolly good! I'll just pop this on straight away, do you think it will look a bit daft with my wingtips and bowler?"
"No worries mine fine fellow! If it does, your view will not be troubled, only those that brave a glance at you would assume any risk! We both know everyone always looks at mine wonderous eyes so blue before any other sight. I will be sure to warn the aged and infirm lest they risk a glance at you and die of laughter." Xaphod clapped Fhillipa warmly one the shoulder, "That should ease your heart mine stout fellow!"
Fhillipa shrugged, quickly pulled on the shirt and strutted with a certain sure step, "How could the comfort of such splendor exist and I not know until this moment?" He carefully tucked it into his woolen trousers, "I thank most sincerely, Xaphod."

teri tait

2005-Dec-03, 02:10 PM

"No thanks necessary, it's a perfect fit and it matches quite well with your look." Xaphod eyed Fhill as an artist would his masterpeice, "Just one final touch should do it..." Xaphod produced a finely made walking stick from an unknown location and handed it to Fhillipa.
"That tops it mate, you're a right good fellow now!" Xaphod winked at Fhillipa and grasped his hand in a quick confusing handshake that left Fhillipa's hand tingling smartly.
"Sure I'm not an Odd Fellow?" Fhillipa asked hopefully, "I rather like their style."
"Odd Fellow, Grand Poomba if that's to your liking!" Xaphod agreed amicably, "Known for their bravery and stout ale!"

teri tait

2005-Dec-03, 04:05 PM

Mike assessed his assembled crew...
One Knight of the Music...with delayed stress syndrome
One Ambassador of Faith...sorely lacking in same
One half grown orphan...complete with additude
One dependable cat...good to talk to, rarely talks back

teri tait

2005-Dec-03, 04:25 PM

"I would congratulate you all for your fine ship records, list your accomodations, and mention your deeds of valor...but these are things to come and I would spoil the fun..." Mike stated, this was his standard opening speech for all newly mustered crews.
"I can't promise vast riches or historic footnotes of our voyage..." Mike paused as he caught a slight motion in the ranks..."First Mate, kindly identify the inattentive ship mate that distracted me." He quietly groweled.
Bootsie, wearing a vestment with officer insignia approached the line purring. She abruptly stopped in front of Meheshi and raised one paw...Meheshi glowed with purple indignation but did not stir a muscle. After carefully cleaning her already spotless paw, Bootsie again stood up and walked directly to Nim, mewling loudly...

teri tait

2005-Dec-03, 04:47 PM

Nim hissed and did her best to fade into the background. She managed to disappear almost completely and attempted to slink away on her padded feet...and would have if Bootsie didn't follow her meowling persistently.
A flash of violet eyes materialized and glared malevolently at Bootsie, "Thanks lardo!" Nim whispered angrily, "You're a real cool cat..."
Bootsie did not react in the least, she sat patiently staring at Nim. Mike bellowed out his wrath. Nim fervently wished Azuluas had become extinct...anything had to be better than this..
Mike appeared to be winding down; Nim tuned her ears back in to allow sound penetration.
"....do I make myself clear!?!" Mike shouted.
Taking this as her cue, Nim nodded meekly. Then slunk away as soon as Mike dismissed her. (with a list of unsavory additional duties affixed to her damp nose.)
"Anyone else need a refresher on basic seaman ship?" Mike yelled to no one in particular.
You could have heard a pin drop in the Brittainy Isles, situated several thousand light years away...satisfied that the crew would avoid mischief for the ten minutes it would take to lock in one Xaphod's coordinates, Mike stepped away gruffly throwing a curt, "Dismissed!" as he went.
'Not the FSW Pirate Priests, not by a long shot..abilities are there...little spit and polish and we may be a force to reckon with' he mused. Mike headed down the main walkway to check on Nim.

teri tait

2005-Dec-03, 09:29 PM

"I quit" whispered Nim, "you're a less than desireable, overbearing and obnoxious excuse for an entity of light!" she flicked her tail and flexed her claws. "I'll stick around, to keep an eye on that off-key Knight of the Musically challenged because I promised my mother. Beyond that we have no further need of discussion."
Nim leaned back, glad to be done with the whole business of servitude.
"You sure, kitkat?" Mike asked gently as his gravelly voice would ever be.
"Quite sure." Nim whispered, she allowed herself to fade into the scenery and any passerby would have thought Mike to be talking to his own shadowy thoughts...
"Fine, you are now a paying pass..." Mike was cut off as Nim neatly flicked a small pouch in his direction.
"There's room, board, gratuity, and a little sumsum for you to pick up something nice for yourself..." Nim said lazily, "I now request your leave, I'm a growing kitten and I need my rest"
"What no nite-nite story? You used to love 'em." Mike said hiding his smile (his light burned feirce bright with glee though)
"A thousand gallons of no, Maestro...bugger off..." Nim was already asleep as Mike shambled out of the room.
"Meheshi! Good news, you have been promoted! Go prep supper for the First Mate; you are also to assume cruise director duties and tend to the every whim of all paying customers!"
Maheshi beamed exclaiming, "Si, si, el Capitan!"

teri tait

2005-Dec-04, 07:05 AM

Fhillipa glanced around trying to identify their location by a familiar landmark. As a moderator he often traveled but his casual survey confirmed he had never been Here before.
Xaphod had rerolled and tucked away the red carpet, "We needs must get moving," he said enthusiastically, "Destiny waits for nary an idle traveler!"
"Xap, old chum, have you any idea where we are?" Fhillipa asked anxiously, "I have quite a full schedule calendered for the morrow and" Fhillipa stopped talking as he saw Xaphod disappearing into the trees lining the expansive meadow, "Xap! Wait for me!" Fhillipa trotted quickly to keep Xaphod within view.
With wingtips squelching through the damp, thick turf; Fhillipa broke into a surprisingly strong sprint. He had been a cross terrian runner at university, and his body easily fell into the efficient stride that earned him top honors in many a competition...

teri tait

2005-Dec-04, 08:10 AM

Mike sat down in the con room, adjusting the various instruments to seek out and lock on Xaphod's unique physical code. He also tracked the visual feed device Xaphod had taken along.
'It has been well over fifeteen years since the Bush Wars' thought Mike, 'I can't believe Bootsie has been paying the bill on that video viewer all this time.'
He glanced up to see Meheshi waltzing in angry short steps at the entrance to the control room.
"Porfavore, el Capitan, I have mucho problemo to discuss." Meheshi entered the room and began looping around in a brutal waltz of rage, "El Capitan, I regret I have failed you! The nina el gato el grande, she is impossible! She no listen, she talks to me an Ambassador!, worse than the heartless jailers that torment the nimbled fingered monks!!" Meheshi countinued waltzing, even moving his arms to embrace an imaginary partner.
"This is no way for a man to live! This is no way for an Ambassador to be! El Capitan the el gato loco, she must end her ways!" Meshi stopped talking and absently bowed, kissing his invisible dance partner's hand.
"Look Heshi, we got less than an hour of fly time to reach Xap, add another hour for incidental, your lookin' at two hours tops to put up with her. Now I know she's a handful...she always has been..what with losin' her kin, then getting dragged all over creation by Xap, why she was practically feral before Momma Blue gave her a home. She's a kid still, no matter how big she looks and she is vulnerable acting out..." Mike fixed his eyes firmly on Meheshi, "Surely you understand, you being a statesman and all."
"She has promised me I will be picking up my teeth if I get within her reach, she is loco el Capitan!" Meheshi turned to waltz out, "I will be in my cabana."
Mike wondered what had possessed him to volunteer to be a part of this circus...

teri tait

2005-Dec-04, 08:52 AM

Nim wandered the ship hallways in boredom, she wasn't tired anymore, it would be another half hour before supper. She glanced into the various doorways as she walked silently, maintaining her barely visible form. Jean popped out of a door and began walking briskly in her direction, perking her ears in intrest, Nim froze, then slowly assumed the cat pounce stance.
Jean continued to approach oblivious to anything amiss, humming softly to himself. Bootsie appeared in the hall and assessed the situation. Bootsie turned toward Jean meowing a warning which Jean ignored completely.
With a yowling snarl, Nim lunged, jungle tiger fashion striking the wall next to Jean's head.
Jean let out a piercing scream of terror, automatically shooting upward, his wings frantically flapping.
As Jean bounced roughly into the ceiling, Nim allowed herself to materialize.
"Gotcha!" She giggled. Nim then shot down the hall in a blur, thereby making a clean getaway and giggling uncontrollably. She could hear Jean yelling profanities at the top of his voice as she rounded the corner.
"Is that any way for a noble knight to talk!" She answered gleefully, "You gonna be in for it when I tell Maestro!"
Nim slowed to a sauntering walk again after making the corner. Eyes bright with mischief, she prowled onward to find her next victem...

teri tait

2005-Dec-04, 05:30 PM

"Xap, Xap! Kindly answer when I speak, please", Fhillipa tapped Xaphod's shoulder, "Xap, where in blazes are we?"
Xaphod turned absently, a broad smile beaming, "What's that Fhil?" he boomed, "No time for chit chat, listening to a marvelous musical work!"
Sure enough, Fhillipa could see an odd contraption with blinking lights and hear the faint hint of a flute.
"Good Lord Xap! If Jean finds you listening to his most prized musical classic, why he'll rip his own wings off and then tear in to you!" Fhillipa blanched at the mere whiff of that idea...reprucussions could be astronomical, he shook his head slightly to lose the thought.
"No worries, Fhill, this is a ummm shall we say 'special' listening device...I didn't even need to unwrap the tape,er, I mean CD", he corrected himself, "Jean may even want to borrow this player when we get back.."
Fhillipa quickly jumped in, "Yes, about that Xap, when do you expect that will be..and where are we? You do know where we are don't you?"
"Of course, Fhill, stop fretting! We are clearly walking right here, right now. Stiff upper lip, mate!" Xaphod contined to groove through the woods in a seemingly random fashion. He paused on occaision to examine the odd tree trunk or shrubbery, then stopped, staring fixidly at an empty bird nest.
"Almost there!" Xaphod called out happily...

teri tait

2005-Dec-04, 05:48 PM

"We BETTER be almost there!" Mike said through gritted teeth.
Jean was sitting next to him, nervously twitching at any slight noise. Meheshi had barricaded his door loudly refusing to come out with 'diablo de gato' prowling the halls. Mike did not have any notion of Nim's current location, Bootsie had been assign to reconnaisance patrol since she was the only one able to see Nim...

teri tait

2005-Dec-05, 08:13 AM

"Ah, here we are!" Xaphod exclaimed.
He stood in front of a large tangled berry patch, thick with fruit and wickedly sharp thorns. Xaphod took a wide deep breath, drinking in the heavy scent of the wild berries.
"Fruit has bone to it...the pit is the bone of the fruit...thick as a brick..." He commented absently.
Fhillipa stared at Xaphod, sorely tempted to knock on his skull with the walking stick. "Xap, you dragged me all this way to pick berries? Have you lost all sanity?"
Xaphod took a crumpled parchment from his man purse, "Heavens no, Fhill, see perfectly sane...no worries!"
The parchment flapped open limply and Fhillipa could just make out the faded stamp mark 'sane' with Xaphod's full name printed beneath.
Fhillipa groaned and rolled his eyes, "Well yes, then that's settled..." He said drily.
"Do you still whistle, er, I mean, play flute Fhillipa?" Xaphod asked.
"Well yes, when I have time I perform for several worthy charities...why?" Fhillipa asked fretting the direction the conversation had taken.
"We needs must gain entry by musical moderation, the foliage will naut part but for a musician", Xaphod smiled widely, "I would do it mineself but I fear a thicket this fine would be insulted by my humble skill."
Xaphod droopped his stunning blue eyes humbly downward; then quickly pulled a small instrument case from his vestment pocket. "What say you, Fhillipa?"
"Yes, yes, what genre of music?" Fhillipa quickly assembled the flute.
"It must needs come from the heart, I fear you will have to play free form, whatever you feel" Xaphod replied with an encouraging smile and wink of one lovely eye.
Fhillipa didn't even bother to argue, he stepped out of his shoes and cleared his mind...

teri tait

2005-Dec-05, 08:35 AM

"Pull yourself together flyboy, we have arrived", Mike growled.
Jean started, looking around with barely cocealed dread, "What's that? I'm fine, right as rainbows..." He continued glancing about for a moment, then readied the landing sequence.
Nim materialized at his elbow and rested her chin on his arm, "Sorry for spooking you, Oh winged brethern o' mine!" she looked at him with soulfull eyes, "It was just too perfect an oppurtunity to let by." She added, "You know how young and foolish I am."
"Whatever brat cat, what goes around comes around", Jean stiffly replied, "lets see how you like it when I tell Xap your heads over tails for him!"
Nim's soft fur puffed out instantly, "That is so not true!" She protested quickly. Without another word, she turned tail and fled the room.
"Looks like you have the landing under control, I guess I better go talk Meheshi down as well" Mike stood up and stretched, then moseyed out the door.
'I hate it when he moseys', Jean thought irritably to himself...

teri tait

2005-Dec-07, 04:51 AM

"Heshi, c'mon open the door..." Mike was leaning comfortably against the wall as he watched Bootsie deftly pick lock.
"I am to stay here, I have diplomatica immunities! I am sorry, el Capitan, I have contacted the Intergalactic Federation and advised mi very life has been threatened! I left a message, I am sure they soon will return my call! An Ambassador of Faith is an importante position, they understand that or I would not have been sent..."
Mike straightened up as Bootsie turned and stared at him. The tumblers fell into place and Mike nudged the door open.
Meheshi was waltzing away as usual, his audio transmission device in one hand. The other two hands busily stuffing chips into his mouth.
"Well I heard you 'earned' your position through the good 'ol boy network...and they gave it to ya as a joke. The Lasvegian Galaxy of is running odds on which life form kills you and how..." Mike pushed the door all the way open.
"This is an outrage!" Meheshi screeched as he turned toward the door and saw Mike.
"No, this is my space bucket and you pledged to help out on this situation. Cowboy up, little buckaroo, the fun is just about start..."

teri tait

2005-Dec-07, 05:24 AM

"The fun never ends, does it Mr. Xaphod"
Both men turned and looked around, seeing no one.
Xaphod frowned cutely, "Did you hear that Phillipa? A voice on the wind..perhaps some daring new entity just learning the ways of the world.."
Phillipa stared at Xaphod for a moment then replied, "No my good fellow, it appears to be a rodent perched on your shoulder..."
Xaphod turned to confirm, "Well of course, I'd know this marsupial anywhere! Runt! My but you have grown, out of the pouch and on your own is it?"
Runt sniffed with his longish nose, "I am never alone, you of all the sentient, should know that."
Runt squinted at Fhillipa, adjusting his tiny glasses to see better, "Who's this tall glass of water?" he asked, "Where'd he get that cool shirt?"
"Ahhh! Are there words worthy enough to describe Fhillipa?" Xaphod replied grandly sweeping his arms as if presenting a prized exhibit, "He is mine fellow explorer, a gent of rare talent and deep lung."
"Oh right, the pipe guy I told you to bring," Runt sniffed, seemingly less than impressed, "Don't start playing until I give the signal." Runt warned, "I am waiting for Firestarter and Raven to get back here and...hey where's Nim? I specifically specified music and Nim!"
Xaphod struck a tragic pose, his blue eyes shining liqidly, "I thought you said 'Music and Him' that's why I brought him, he was the closest to me at the time you said it!"
Runt grouched on, "You knew what I said, you just choose not to listen! Momma Blue saved the day with that wicked fast pitch!" sniffing the air he continued, "the least you could have done is save me some of the cookies...you fairly reek of cookies Mr. Xaphod!"

teri tait

2005-Dec-07, 06:10 AM

"I hate to be a stickler, Runt is it? Yes, didn't you say you told Xap to bring me? Then you contradicted yourself by saying you asked for Nim..." Fhillipa voiced his concern in a surprisingly unfrettish way, "I hate to ask for clarification but if someone were to say, intercept our conversation, it would smack of paradox..."
Runt looked at him as if he were a honeycomb begging to be consumed, "If you must needs know, I did ask for you but Firestarter wished for Nim!" he said sarcastically. He continued with his voice turning sober, "They are both unique life forms and they both share the devastation of loss."
That having been said, he leaped onto the tangled berry bush, disappearing into its thorny shadows.
"He's a bit touchy...has a bit of short mans complex I fear, such the dour soul at only 11! I believe he took quite a bit of bullying before Nim, Firestarter, and Raven made him one of their own." Xaphod said in an offhand way. "Although word on the vine says he packs a pretty mean punch."
Fhillipa didn't even attempt to visualize that statement (for fear of laughing himself silly).

teri tait

2005-Dec-07, 06:40 AM

Nim preened her fur, checking herself in her mirror (two thumbs up showed on her mirror). Nim put her mirror away and turned her selective hearing on Firestarter, he and she could communicate anywhere any time. 'If you do anything embarrassing like throwing yours paws around me, I will make you extinct!' she warned silently.
Firestarter's reply was a hearty bit of laughter followed by, 'No worries kittyface, I would never dream of embarrassing you..' The thought trailed off amid another burst of laughter...

teri tait

2005-Dec-07, 07:30 AM

Fhillipa mulled his thoughts through and spoke again, "Xap, what was the loss suffered by this Firestarter chap?"
Xaphod's devastating blue eyes dimmed somewhat, "His pride was stolen away in one horrible instant...surprised he has managed to cope, cats need their pride..."
"Great Ceaser's Ghost! His pride was wiped out?!" Fhillipa fretted horribly over such devastation.
Xaphod nodded gravely, "Yes, he was at school...just after sports drills. The boys were washing up in the locker room, then one thought it would be funny to snap poor Firestarter with a towel...well as luck would have it he was so surprised he fell into the door and inadvertantly ended up on the wrong side of said door...standing completely devoid of his outerwear! The poor wretch was in only his undergear, which were decorated with hearts...And there he stood amidst a group of giggling girls!"
Fhillipa winched at the horror, "My word, hearts?"
Xaphod slowly nodded, "Afterwards the girls would not leave him alone...following him about...and giggling...always giggling. Until Nim stepped up that is, I'd rather not say what she did to the unlucky towel boy, it wasn't pretty. After that she went everywhere with Firestarter, nary a girl dared approach the lad with Nim's claws at his back!"
Fhillipa shuddered...

teri tait

2005-Dec-07, 08:14 AM

Jean nudged Mike with one of his obnoxiously beautiful wings, "Mike are you sure about what you're doing, I mean Meheshi is with The Intergalactic Federation, I don't want to scrap with those fellows..."
Mike glowered, "Oh ye of microscopic faith! How does your light shine so bright when you say something so...nevermind...I will explain it carefully. The Ambassador is merely the one who 'brings' something, in Meheshi is supposed to bring some sort of faith to enrich others. Phillipa was to give the show of faith, being a musician unparralled.
Unfortunately Xaphod took it upon himself to make a good man better, and by service on his own quest, his little 'hoodwink' may be for some higher good, or for Xaps own reasons, or both, so the Intergalactic Federation is willing to wait it out. Got it? Jeez, Jean little slow on the uptake today..."

teri tait

2005-Dec-07, 03:40 PM

The musical moderator (ie faith personified) and the entity with eyes so blue sat and waited. Suddenly the ground betwix them appeared to open up, out of the gap popped the cutest little fluffy pinkish sort of bunny creature.
Fhillipa eyed it cautiously and Xaphod fairly jumped for joy, shouting loudly, "Inzip! You sweet little troglodite! What brings you to the surface, hare of a different color?"
Inzip glanced about replying rather smugly, "Just checking the date, almost time for my annual painfully bad joke..." He glanced at Fhillipa, "Whell loookie here, someone not yet heard me bad joke or evenst me worser ascent, er, accent I mean to say..." He adjusted one of the many important looking electrical gadgets whirling and blinking importantly along his belt, arms, ears and even off his fluffy pink tail. "Ahem...I knew an oyster and a hazlenut who were wedded...so ever Onli 15 the oyster would attack Enamored Nuts..."
He bowed deeply, knowing better than wait for applause.
Fhillipa and Xaphod laughed politely, both silently grateful Onli 15 only came every so often....

teri tait

2005-Dec-09, 03:55 AM

As Raven flew, she adjusted her satchel of antient supernaturalist literature and thought...thinking being one of her generally overlooked assets.
Her sharp eyes viewed the horizon, she let her gaze rest directly on the large blue sun, absorbing its' solar sustenance. The orb was just beginning its descent. It's hue just about whisper close to becoming the deep purple it would be when it finally set.
Feeling revived, Raven ascended with strong sure strokes, prepping her special spiral dive...

teri tait

2005-Dec-09, 04:26 AM

Firestarter was on an entirely different task...squirrel chasing...his obsession was akin to that of a video gamist...no matter he never quite managed to catch one, no thought to what he would do if some angel smiled on his chenanigans and chanced him a win. It was all about the chase.
He hunkered down as one of the friendlier squirrels indulgently hopped within his range...by half a tail. The squirrel kindly pretended he was unaware of Firestarter and even chittered gaily as he gathered a nut here and there.
Tail fairly sparking with acceleration, Firestarter shot towards the 'helpless' tree varmit. With a certaintanty that he could not fail, Firestarter opened his rather impressive maw to roar and shook his head just a bit. (to allow his wheat colored mane to be a part of the action)
The squirrel held his mark to the last instant, then neatly stepped aside as if he had just spotted a luscious nut needing to be gathered....Firestarter shot by like a locomotive...his breath whiffed the squirrel a smidge sideways...the squirrel, ever proud of his thespian gift, quietly hung onto a tuft of sturdy grass, riding it out.
Firestarter began to backpedal, desperately trying to reorient on the squirrels new position.
The squirrel leaped lightly onto Firestarter's back, running up his mane and launched himself upward to land on a tree branch (didn't even drop a nut, that squirrel). With a parting chitter, the squirrel circled the tree to enter his nest.
"Aw c'mon, just one more try...c'mon..." Firestarter said as he ignored several guffaws from other squirrels; and even one butterfly laughing so hard she dropped her pollen pouch...

teri tait

2005-Dec-09, 04:54 AM

"I want everyone to understand, this not goin' to be a romp through the park chasin' tame squirrels, there is real danger here." Mike began, "Some of YOU may not make it back," he stated pointedly, "this is a complicated society of volatile lifeforms filled with potential to wreak havoc or usher in Paradise. Stick together, don't ask questions and when I say jump do not ask how or why..."
Jean, studiously taking notes flapped one wing toward Mike, "Which would you say are the most dangerous and what is their most likely form of attack?"
Mike glowered at Jean, "Are you planning on posting a wager of some sort, Sir Blue?"
Jean glanced guilty-like in the general direction of Meheshi, "Well, no no that would be wrong..." He trailed off lamely
"Good, then I will add just this, "Do not ever underestimate the steel monkeys, they are everywhere, yet you will not see them unless they choose to be seen..."
Nodding, Jean whispered quickly into Nim's ear.
Nim flicked her ears as if an invisible fly needed shooing and then nodded at Jean, "3 to one, 4 to one he waltzes into a whole pack." She whispered...
"NIM!" Mike roared
"Just kidding Maestro..." Nim replied, innocently staring at Mike with huge violet eyes.
Meheshi, who had been stubbornly (dare I say, rudely) ignoring everyone, waltzing intricately, suddenly exclaimed, "el Capitain! You must come to here and look at this adorable silver 'sauru'! So cutely drumming on the palms! Ahhhh!"
Mike turned quickly, fearing the worst. Sure enough, he glimpsed Meheshis' gaudy yellow boots disappearing upward into the trees' branches and an instant later, his head bobbing along the canopy...screaming with outrage, all four antennae furiously gestulating as (what appeared to be) four quicksilver flashing forms spirited away their prize, laughing wickedly...
Mike heaved a sigh, tugging his own ear to keep a straight face, "Bootsie, go make a call to the I.F., let them know we have a slight situation here...might be little longer than I anticipated..."
"Meahwerrr", Bootsie replied walking toward the ship in the unhurried fashion of all feline creatures...

teri tait

2005-Dec-11, 02:43 AM

Runts' somewhat pointed nose appeared amid the branches of the berry-nettle. He adjusted his tiny specticles
Brrrrrrrrrrrrrsooooooo cccccold

Heart. Freezing. Over....becoming....ing...ing..ng

teri tait

2005-Dec-14, 05:14 PM

Runt shook off the cold with a flicker of one winking eye...
"Allright, choirboy, and you too Xap...almost time for a musical smoochie...if you think you can kiss light good enough to gain entry that is..."
"An exchange of toungues? You didn't mention this, Xap!" Fhilla laughed a big thundering laugh, "I love swapping spit!"
Xaphod looked on in amusement, "Well you know mine fellow traveller, 'tis better to spit, er.. Whistle, um..I mean play as a harmony than as a soloist." Xaphods' deep and blue eyes twinkled merrily, "Methinks Runt will carry your tune through to the inner sanctum..."

teri tait

2005-Dec-14, 05:24 PM

Nim twitched one velvety ear, "Steel monkeys have assured me they do not intend to harm Messie, Maestro..." She purred wickedly loud, "They just want him to teach them to waltz and perhaps find out where he gets his cheeky yellow boots."
Mike silently rolled his eyes....

teri tait

2005-Dec-14, 05:27 PM

"Owww, quit it!" said Firestarter as a leaf (seemingly carried by the wind) struck his head, "Stop throwing leaves at me!"
Firestarter glanced up, readying a roar that could flatten most trees, his gaze was immediately attracted to the almost invisible contrail languishing in the sky.
"Nim's here!" He shouted with joy, "Thanks for the heads up!"
Firestarter turned and began running toward the antient berry bush...

teri tait

2005-Dec-14, 05:51 PM

Xaphod pulled the picture of his space honey from his man purse. The scenery around her had changed somewhat. The stack of books normally stacked haphazard against one wall had been replaced by a very large stone lion pin feather and his darling was typing away with ecstatic glee (using the rather talented toes of one bare foot). As Xaphod gazed in adoration, she took the cigarette from her mouth and cooly blew several smoke rings. As the rings reshaped themselves into hearts, the girl turned quickly toward Xaphod and blew him a kiss, waved, and pulled down her blinds.
"My sweet little space vixen!" Xaphod murmurred (somewhat lustfully), "Hurry up and get dressed, the concert must needs begin soon!"

teri tait

2005-Dec-14, 06:09 PM

Raven landed lightly, gently resting the antient supernaturlist literature on the lush forest rug.
"I never grow tired of seeing that spectacular spiral dive," said Runt in a rather breathless voice, "No diver like a Stone Lion, I always say..."

teri tait

2005-Dec-15, 07:25 PM

A faint scream (that became louder) issued from above, as Xaphod and Fhillipa looked up, Meheshi fell through the tree branches and landed rather roughly on the ground near the berry bush.
The wicked laughter of Steel Monkeys accompanied Meheshi as he stated, "Tom Bombadils' Boot Emporium! That's where you ungracious 'saurus'!" Meheshi shook all three fists defiantly at the trees where steel monkees continued to laugh.

teri tait

2005-Dec-16, 01:22 AM

With Bootsies' enormous girth riding comfortably on Nims' softly furred back, the remaining members of Mikes' crew set off. They were officially following the sensory equipment locked on Xaphod and the visual feed device he carried; unofficially they were following Nim as she repeated Firestarters' unerring directions..."Warmer...warmer still....colder...warmer...", Nim whispered each word as Firestarter thought it into her mind...

teri tait

2005-Dec-17, 02:49 AM

The satchel that had carried the antient supernaturalist literature so far and so well...appeared to be moving.
Runt, ever observant, noticed first and commented to Raven, "Your knapsack appears to have awoken...", rather drily.
Raven didn't glance at Runt or the satchel (which increased it's sporadic motion) she simply stated, "Babysitting".
Everyone (including Inzip, who had popped up quizzically) openly stared as the teensiest stone lion cub they had ever seen tottered ackwardly out of the satchel.
"Damian", Raven stated simply, as an introduction...

teri tait

2005-Dec-17, 02:56 AM

With one flick of her stone lion head, both Raven and Damian assumed their human forms...a tall svelte adolescent girl (Raven) and an adorable eight year old boy (Damian). Ravens' mane of black hair fell in waves to her waist, reflecting the blue sunlight in indigo hues. The family resemblence of the two was as remarkable as their dress...reminiscent of Earth Gothic circa early third millenium...

teri tait

2005-Dec-17, 03:15 AM

Inzip was cautiously peering into the now motionless satchel, "Anymore of yer kilth or ken stashed in'er?" he asked no one in particular...
Xaphod enthusiasrically replied, "Yes, yes! Dearest Raven, hast you brought your other eight siblings? I needs must meet them all someday...lets see...if memory serves...there's ah, Scottie..he never knows does he? Heh heh...the twain Jeffrey and Jeremy; that lego maniac...Zack; Joe and Jose of course; and your only sister Roxie, and whom could forget Lionel..." Xaphod beamed a dazziling smile full of white teeth and blue eyes.

teri tait

2005-Dec-17, 01:54 PM

Fhillipa briefly fretted over how many bathrooms such a large family would require, "What an amazing set of parents you must have" he added in awe.
Raven nodded in agreement with Fhillipa and flashed him a rare smile. Fhillipa was dazzled by her beauty but still managed a return (somewhat lopsided) grin.

teri tait

2005-Dec-17, 01:59 PM

Firestarter emerged from the surrounding forest and entered the small clearing proper. His look of concentration was somewhat comical as there was a squirrel perched atop his mane, betwixt his ears. The others (either too polite or assuming he meant to bring a squirrel) did not mention the furry little passenger.
"Nims almost here!" he shouted to everyone.

teri tait

2005-Dec-17, 02:21 PM

Meheshi climbed to his feet and began a somewhat stiff waltz, "She is el diablo gato!" he grumped (rather stiffly) "She has threatened mi existence..." He added as his legs warmed up and danced more smoothly.
"Oh Meheshi" Xaphod laughed, "surely you know you would be dead with nary an effort, if Nim were really trying to kill you" he added kindly.
Xaphod patted Meheshis' back as he danced by, "She is a creature of love m'boy! I have the scars to prove it!"
Runt openly guffawed at that comment, "Well you do have the advantage of being indestructable, Xap."

teri tait

2005-Dec-17, 02:30 PM

"Yes there is that", Xaphod agreed amicably, "Still, methinks she never seriously attempted to kill me...more than two or three...dozen times."
Xaphod beamed, "And I found her a good home, she always reminds me of mine kindness in her time of need..."

teri tait

2005-Dec-17, 02:37 PM

Fhillipa rolled his eyes and Inzip silently laughed to himself.
"Word underground has it yer begged Momma Blue ta takes 'er and then run screemin' likes a wee bairn.." Inzip stated smugly.

teri tait

2005-Dec-17, 03:10 PM

"Yes, my dear troglodite, I wept many tears at our parting." Xaphod stated, neatly sidestepping any issues, "Pink hares are so very, blissfully, honest..."
"I always thought 'ignorance' was bliss, Xap", Fhillipa said hopefully, "isn't honesty more like truth?"
"Like a shower of gold, truth is, mine favorite whistler." Xaphod agreebly stated.

teri tait

2005-Dec-17, 03:39 PM

Mike halted his marching crew, tapping his tracking device impatiently, "This can't be right", he groweled ominously.
"Right as rainbows, aye Nim?" Jean giggled knowingly.
"Shut your piehole", Nim said absently, "I'm getting bored, pray I don't entertain myself playing 'cat and mouse' with you..."
Jean hurridly jumped as close as possible to Mike and tucked his wings in tightly.
"Maestro, the coordinates have been confirmed by Firestarter, although every now and then I faintly hear the word 'nuts', it appears there may be some squirrel static." Nim began moving forward again, "And Xap is tormenting everyone with his devious way of speaking.." She added, swishing her tail dangerously, "I can hardly wait to hug Xap..."

teri tait

2005-Dec-17, 05:06 PM

"NIM!" Firestarter roared with abandon, leaping forward as Nims' silloute formed in the glistening fog.
The squirrel wisely abandoned her perch, landing deftly in the arms of Inzip.
"Whacher name, Sweets?" Inzip asked huskily.
"You guessed it, harebrain, I'm Candy." The squirrel said, impishly goosing Inzips' pink fluffy tail.

teri tait

2005-Dec-17, 06:26 PM

"If you show me your 'nut cache', I'll show you mine..." Candy squirrel whispered breathlessly to Inzip.
As Inzip opened his mouth to reply, Xaphod whipped out the picture of his one true love. She appeared to have just put on her rattle snicker skin boots (steel toed of course) and was stamping her feet to ensure they were on proper. She glanced up and smiled triumpantly at Xaphod, then waved a handmade sign with the word, 'checkmate' written and crossed out. Under that was scrawled, 'shoes in satchel'.
Xaphod nodded happily, checked the apparently empty satchel and found a tiny pair of glass slippers. He read the miniscule note affixed to them aloud. "'On loan to the barefoot tree varmit'." Then laughed 'till tears flowed from his luscious blue eyes.
All other eyes turned and eyeballed Candy, snuggling Inzip rather intimately...

teri tait

2005-Dec-17, 06:31 PM

Inzip, who was listening to Xaphod with one pink fluffy ear, hopped about as if his electrical gadgets had all short-circuited at once. "Ehhh, I dunno nuttin' 'bout shooin' no 'quirrels!" He finally managed to blurt out.

teri tait

2005-Dec-17, 07:00 PM

Candy snatched the glass slippers from Xaphod as if they were crystal clear nuts instead of slippers, "Thank you! She sniffed petualantly, "Since I am the only arboreal varmit that can wear girl shoes...gimme!"
Runt glanced at his rustic boots, tiny twins to the boots worn by Xaphods' lover girl, and nodded, "Excellent, now we're all properly understanding which shoe goes on which foot..."
He winked at Fhillipa, "except you Fhillipa, please stay barefoot so as to avoid 'booting up' any understanding when you begin 'playing'."
Fhillipa nodded vigorously, "I always play standinding on one bare foot...just to be doubly from the heart." He replied solemnly.

teri tait

2005-Dec-17, 07:11 PM

"Sniglet", said Nim as she approached, "standinding...to stand and ring...clearly a sniglet."
Firestarter was a blur of motion running sniglets, er, circles around Nim in a fit of joyous energy brimming over into action.
Jean did the Macarana, for the sheer joy of dancing and Mike did a neat (almost unnoticable) two-step. Bootsie remained sleeping on Nims' velvety furred back.

teri tait

2005-Dec-17, 07:41 PM

Xaphod glanced at his space honey, she was now holding a sign with 'quote ME' scrawled across it...
"Yessss, do we have time for a poem? I believe we must needs a poem...here's one of mine favorites, written by mine dearest with her own tiny hands:

"Forget-me-not Blue

We dimmed by dense solids, the Almighty Light
Yet God still carries us through souls darkest night
So it is up above, it is so down below
The seed is the root in its season to grow
God pressed first clay, sang first man to life
Compassionate love moved rib to be wife
Divine Maker! Laid all keys in our coats
Easy to find if we first pluck our motes
God so wanted to give His gifts of each day
Gifts, darkly seen, yet retained as we stray
Love is the nurture at root of each soul
With gnostic reminders to quicken our flow
Be still to listen, souls heart sparks alight
A fire rose red that burns amber bright
Bearing our crosses in the way of His son
Freely embracing the work to be done
I opened all doors, my darkness needs light
As ever deeper doors opened, I gained wider sight
My deepest dark hiding furthest witb fright
Was equal imeasure to the tallest doors height
Just as left of the zero has numbers too
Is loves' everlasting forget-me-not blue

By TMTait"

teri tait

2005-Dec-17, 07:53 PM

"Booyah!" Fhillipa said (with authority), "Don't hold back dear, tell us how you really feel..." He added with a wink in the general direction of Xaphods' coveted photo...

teri tait

2005-Dec-17, 08:14 PM

"These stupid glass slippers huuuurt," whined Candy squirrel, "I am a well respected squirrel of good report...I demand respect! R. E. S. P. E. C. T., respect and a pair of comfortable shoes..."
Inzip nodded understandingly, "Yer needly mush eairn rahspect, I reckon.."

teri tait

2005-Dec-17, 09:10 PM

"Doncha' fret 'quirrel," Inzip said awkwardly patting Candy squirrels' head. Candy was in the fetal position sobbing pathetically.
"Lemme see, yeeppers, just like I thought...yer gots 'em backwards, jesh put 'em right foot to right slipper 'n left foot to left slipper...that's better..."
Candy wiped her eyes and smiled, "Ever so much better, pinkie!" she hugged Inzip as Inzip sighed a harey rabbit sigh of contentment...

teri tait

2005-Dec-17, 09:49 PM

"Quadraped wannabe, what a drama queen..." Nim whispered disdainfully. She lifted one paw and high-fived Firestarter as he continued running circles around her.
"Roger THAT!" Firestarter chortled loudly in way of a reply.
Runt polished his spectacles which had become steamed up from his belly laughs.
Raven tied a the loose lace on Damians' left shoe, tsking quietly.
Damian laughed, "Look at that squirrel, wearing shoes, now that's funny!" he giggled with childish glee.

teri tait

2005-Dec-17, 11:13 PM

Mike stepped forward (with authority) "Xaphod, you are creating a universal incident with your little day trip, I assume you have impeccable reasononig for this."
"And here, mine own twain brother! Alas, 'tis tough to discern which be the eviel twain and which be the not as eviel one!" Xaphod wiggled his eyebrows in mock surprise, "Stay awhile and enjoin the show, firstborn by mere minutes..."
Mike grinned, showing most of his teeth, "This promises to be tasty, younger brother that sidestepped and pushed me out first!"
The two entities (mirror reflections, I daresay) both stepped closer and shook hands in a quick and complicated fashion (that left both their hands stinging sharpley).
The assorted creatures great and small paused in wonder, the close family connection of these two powerful beings was not common knowledge. Even Nim was vaguely surprised, Meheshi nearly swooned with shock and Jean had to steady him on his ever-dancing legs...

teri tait

2005-Dec-18, 12:05 AM

As the sun dipped ever closer to the horizon, so did the temperature fall...
"Here, put this on the little nipper," Mike said gruffly, handing a child size long sleeve version of Fhillipas' shirt to Raven.
Raven unfolded the brightly colored shirt of roses in various stages of bloom cascading around the words 'Christian Rosenkruetz Lives!'. Smiling a thank you, she gently pulled it over Damians' head and patiently helped his arms into the proper holes.
Damian stood with his small chest out in a proud stance, "Cool! Superhero-zilla!" he shouted to no one in particular.

teri tait

2005-Dec-18, 12:47 AM

"As to you Xap, when you gonna give up on MY true love?" Mike said burning fierce bright (with sparkle), "She only tolerates you carrying her picture for her personal amusement, you should know that much."
Xaphod faked surprise (convincingly enough), "A thousand pardons mine brooding brethern, she only has eyes for me!" He held up the picture to illustrate his brave statement. The girl in the picture was now reclining in her easily chair, with a pair of large sunglasses on her covering a sizable portion of her heart-shaped face. A flashing marquee above her was scrolling, 'I love you both, deal with it!' over and over. She raised her sunglasses only long enough to blow Mike a rather powerful kiss, loaded with love.
Mike expertly moved and the kiss made a three point landing on his incredibly kissable lips. He tossed back a tender kiss of his own which landed, naturally, where he wished it to...on the cute lips beneath the button nose of HIS one true love (ironically Xaphod was unable to stop that well timed kiss, despite his evasive manuevering of the photo).

teri tait

2005-Dec-18, 01:10 AM

"If anyone throws anymore kisses, I will toss my cookies!" Runt stated firmly, "This is a G-rated story with impressionable young minds occaisionally reading!"
Fhillipa briefly fretted his lack of kisses from the girl of HIS dreams also...until a sparkling kiss whiffled from the photo and caught him full on his surprised mouth.
"I saw that!" Runt screeched in exaspiration (a bold lie on his part, really). Runt glared at Fhillipas' somewhat flush face and shook a furry fist wrathfully, "I'm watching you..." He said menacingly, wary of being caught in a battle of love. "Just schtick to the itinerary!" He bellowed, eyes peeled in case a stray smooch hone in on him...

teri tait

2005-Dec-18, 01:22 PM

"Jean m'boy! I must needs return your musical disc of wonder and melody." Xaphod unstrapped the odd contraption he used to hear Jeans' CD and strapped it with care to Jean.
Jean started with surprise that carried him several feet up, "I never thought I would see this day! Xaphod returning something unscathed!" He ogled the disc to be sure it was scathe-free, "I thank you with the utmost sincerity" he said (a bit warily), "How could I have doubted you..." He added with a noticable lack of enthusiasm.

teri tait

2005-Dec-19, 01:53 AM

"There's an itinerary?" Fhillipa said with surprise, "What is the scheduled agenda?"
Runt quickly handed out the embossed agendas (with keepsake tassel attached) apologizing, "Drat my furry brain for forgetting these!"
Mike glanced at the the stylish card, reading it quickly:

ONLI THE FIFTEENTH
Annual Universal Attunement

Berry Seranade solo by Fhillipa

Bush Brambles Hum chorus by All

**INTERMISSION**

Closing Seranade solo by Fhillipa

teri tait

2005-Dec-19, 02:28 AM

"So as I understand it..we are here to tune the planet?!" Fhillipa said, staring at his copy of the itinerary.
"No no, mi compadre de musica vato, the words clearly says 'universa', mucho more than as we see here!" Maheshi corrected, "Your skills they must be magnifica!" Maheshi paused his waltz and gave Fhillipa a chivalrous bow of respect. The others clapped a bit in agreement as Fhillipa felt his heart ramp up its pace.
"No pressure," Nim whispered, "Just picture the whole universe in chaos if you flub it."
"NIM!" Mike groweled warningly, "This is not the time or the place."
Mike surveyed each individual, carefully choosing his next few words, "This is not a drill people, I suggest you all assemble..sopranos to the left..tenors and bass in middle with tenors forward, altos to the right...alright make it snappy!"
Everyone scrambled to comply, except Fhillipa standing motionless and Xaphod who was somehow right where he needed to be.
Mike approached Fhillipa, standing toe to toe with the hero of this story. "Fhillipa, you're a natural and the best, just let it flow..." Fhillipa nodded and Mike joined the others at the center, his deep baratone voice ready.
Fhillipa faced the thicket and filled his lungs. With his right foot raised up to his left knee and eyes half shut, he began to play...

teri tait

2005-Dec-19, 02:45 AM

The soft clear notes filled the air with a melody so fine...
The newly assembled chorus swayed with the beatiful sound, then Raven stepped forward to stand by Fhillipa and added her sweet soprano voice, enriching the melody with wordless sound. The berry bush twitched as its branches began moving.
One by one each of the small group moved forward and added their own color of sound, creating a song of beauty that could never be fully described.
As the branches gave way, a well traveled path came to view. Xaphod stepped forward leading the way and the others filed behind him. Mike moved last, gently squeezing Fhillipas' shoulder. Fhillipa opened his eyes and let his song sigh to a close, easing his right leg to the ground and moving forward behind Mike. The others contined their wordless harmony a capella as they moved through the tunnel like opening...

teri tait

2005-Dec-19, 03:05 AM

Foggy air enveloped them all as they continued walking and began to softly hum their chorus. Xaphod stepped with sure stride, since he knew the route so well. The others walked a bit slower, gazing about in wonder.
The damp bluish fog was lit with what appeared to be hundreds of fireflys darting about. They could see an enormous rose garden faintly and smell the enchanting aroma of each bloom. Birds and other gentle creatures rested on several carved statues, occaisionally rustling their colorful feathers. Nims violet eyes glowed at the wild turkeys and peacocks wandering about indifferent to the odd company of travelers.
Many of the birds approached Mike or Xaphod as if to greet a dear friend sorely missed. Mike whispered hellos and Xaphod smiled and waved, minding his duty as guide.
A small house attached to a sheer granite cliff came out of the fog, its windows lit and smoke rising cozily from its chimney.
"Home Sweet Home, aye mine brother?" Xaphod said happily, moving a bit faster.
"Yes, yes it is..." Mike replied quietly.

teri tait

2005-Dec-19, 03:56 AM

A shadow moved past the bright window of the tiny house, then the door burst open. Out stepped a somewhat portly gentleman with a full white beard and merry blue eyes.
"Santa?" said Damien in an awe filled voice.
The gentleman smiled twinkling his eyes at Damien, "No my dear, but I am his close personal friend", he said, swinging Damien up to ride atop his shoulder, "You must be Damian, that fine lad Santa speaks so well of..." He said winking at Raven and smiling, "Out with your lovely sister Raven, I see" he leaned a bit forward and grasped Ravens' hand, giving it a a light kiss.
"Well Nim and Firestarter too! Sir Blue as well, Ambassador Meheshi..an honor to meet you! Runt, what kind of apprentice stands about gawking when there are guests to tend? There's a good fellow, set a table for us m'boy!" The merry gentleman waved his hand, "Come along Inzip, you as well Candy...Nim could you jiggle your shoulders and rouse that lazy cat? Bootsie, waker upsy my little BooBoo kitten!"
He stopped talking and set Damien down on a soft cushy chair just past the doorway. Damian promptly fell asleep, snoring softly.
The cheery fellow turned and frowned at Xaphod and Mike, "Aren't you boys going to introduce your 'ol pop to this fine musician?" he said rather sternly.
Both men jumped in perfect synchronisity (making Nim smirk) and turned to Fhillipa..."Fhillipa musical moderator and faith incarnate," Xaphod said
"Allow me to introduce our father...Chris Rosen" Mike added
"Yes, well father-figure and Mentor," Chris said, shaking Fhillipas hand in a quick complicated fashion that left Fhillipas hand fairly sizziling, "I found them on my doorstep...gypsies left 'em there, the two of 'em looked so cute! I thought it would be fun to keep 'em around..." He laughed scruffling Mikes hair and pinching Xaphod cheek.
Fhillipa hung onto his walking stick...willing himself to not laugh at the comical expressions worn by the two powerful and feared entities.
As soon as he could safely manage, he replied, "An honor Sir Rosen, to meet you" in a properly dignified moderator voice.
"Yes yes, likewise m'boy, now lets all get inside." Chris replied kindly
The four men entered the small house where everyone else had already gone.

teri tait

2005-Dec-19, 04:23 AM

Fhillipa gaped at the enormity of the interior to such a tiny house, then realized the granite had been experly carved.
The living stone served as an expansive, seemingly limitless labrynth of doors and shelves filled with pot-bellied glass jars all tightly corked and containing various wonders hermetically sealed for future uses. An enormous desk covered with parchments, books, scrolls, quills, inkwells of every color, and one human skull filled one niche to bursting. Several birds flew about the cavernous ceiling; many nests jutted from cut out divits in the granite walls.
Nim, Raven, Firestarter, and Runt were clustered comfortably in a den like area by the warm hearth. Meheshi, Inzip, Candy, and Bootsie were relaxing at the huge wooden supper table. The table was liberally covered with enough food to feed a small army and Fhillipa remembered how long it had been since his last meal.
"Please wash up and help yourself," Chris said warmly, "Xaphod, don't forget soap! Mike, make sure your baby brother washes proper..you know he's always picking up any old thing that catches his eyes, no doubt he's crawling with germs."
Mike smiled, showing most of his teeth, "You heard Pop, don't be shy with the soap...germboy."
Fhillipa was already through his second helping (and Jean on his third) before Mike finally deemed Xaphod to be cleaned up enough to sit down and eat.
"Xaphod my good fellow, you look just like Mike when you frown!" Fhillipa said cheerfully.

teri tait

2005-Dec-19, 06:06 AM

"Xaphod take your elbows off the table and for pitys sake wipe that dribble off your chin...its fairly dancing each time you shovel another mouthful in!" Chris said from behind a long scroll he was editing.
Xaphod froze in mid bite and quickly scrubbed his chin. Firestarter nearly fell from his chair in silent laughter and Nim openly giggled. Xaphod whipped his head around and glared, cheeks abulge not unlike a squirrel.
"Uncie Chris, Xaphod is staring at me...with his potentially germy eyes so bluuuuwaah." Nim said in a whiny sing song voice. (Even Raven had to stifle a giggle at this point) Firestarter appeared to be choking on his own tongue...
"Xaphod stop givin' Nim germy looks!" Chris said without so much as a twitch, "and take your elbows off the table m'boy, don't think I won't turn you over my knee!"
Mike sighed with happiness, "I forgot how much I missed you, Pop!"
Xaphod sat stonily chewing with both arms locked to his sides.
"Wow, this IS great Uncie," jean said blissfully, "thanks for letting me sit at the grown-up table!" He smiled wickedly at Mike, "It is suuch a pain to be nursmaiding a baby sibling, don't you agree Mike?"
Mike laughed raising his stien of mead, "I'll drink to that!" he and Jean clinked stiens and chugged while Xaphod glared at his frothy glass of milk(Pops' homespun brew makes him gassy).
Fhillipa leaned back, feeling comfortably full and drowsey. He glanced lazily around the table and smiled at Inzip and Candy snuugled together in one seat discussing the pros and cons of various nuts.
Meheshi was asleep in his chair, head flung backwards snoring rather loudly. Fhillipa peeked under the table and was not surprised to see Meheshi legs slowly dancing to the rythum of his snores. Jean was flicking peas at Xaphod and the younger group was watching this non-stop entertainment with much enjoyment.
"Plenty 'o bedrooms down the hall if anyone feels sleepy." Chris said absently, "Runt be a good apprentice and help the Ambassador to a room, just keep him steady and he'll likely sashay along..."

teri tait

2005-Dec-19, 01:24 PM

As Runt moved rather dubiously toward Meheshi, Chris spoke again, "How's that little darling 'o yours, Son?" he asked still perusing the long scroll.
"She's great!" Mike and Xaphod said in unison, they both then traded identical glares with each other.
"Good good, always liked her smile," Chris replied, to no son in particular.
Fhillipa was still marveling at the many characteristics and like behaviours shared by Mike and Xaphod, "Sir Rosen, if I may ask, if you received these two remarkable sons of yours by way of gift, how is it you know which is the firstborn?"
Chris laughed a big jolly laugh, santa-like and replied, "That's a funny story, m'boy..."
Xaphod and Mike both turned to look at Fhillipa as if he were the featured attraction at a sideshow carnival.
"We told him, of course!" Xaphod said with stiff dignity, "As if I could forget the trauma of THAT birth." He added for good measure.
"Yep," Mike said agreeably, "What with Xaphod wailing and all the commotion, who could forget that?"

teri tait

2005-Dec-24, 06:12 AM

Chris stood up and walked over to Damian, who was sleeping in the enormous overstuffed chair (more of a loveseat really) where Chris had carefully placed him.
"Bootsie! You keeping our smallest beam of light nice and warm?" Chris said smiling at the enormous cat snuggled against Damian.
Bootsie paused her studious washing of her immaculate fur and stared unblinking at Chris. She then returned to her far more interesting fur.
Chris laughed saying, "Meiowhawer" with a blue russian cat accent.
Bootsies' head snapped up and she stared at Chris rather comically, one ear back and the tip of her tongue still visible. She replied with a sneeze and a twitch of her tail, raising her large frame up and dropping to the floor with a small thud. She then trotted into one of the many doorways carved from living stone.
"That is one special cat you have m'boy!" Chris said with eyes a twinkle, "She's turning down the blankets in the room I set aside for our small adventurer! I do believe she finds us all too easily distracted to be trusted with his care..."
Bootsie meowed loudly and Chris quickly corrected himself, "Exception being the careful eyes of Raven, of course! Bootsie wants you to relax and have fun with your friends Raven, no worries m'dear, Bootsie used to run a nanny academy some years back! Naught but her purring will get near your favorite brother"
Raven smiled, "I know, Bootsie and I have been pen pals for 2 years, she's the one that helped me design my special spiral dive...her aerodynamic diagrams and input made all the difference!"
Mike smiled with a bit of fierce bright glow at this comment, he had schooled Bootsie on the intrinsic value of giving oneself by way of teaching.
"Well, Bootsie has the knowledge of her family line, and cats are known to always land safely on their feet." He commented, slapping Xaphods hand away as it reached for his stien.

teri tait

2005-Dec-24, 06:23 AM

"Water" Candy squirrel blurted out, "Chestnuts!" she continued, "now there's a nut I can never grow tired of!" She poked the dozing side of Inzip, sending an electrical gadget into whirling motion. "Wake up Pinky, I'm only on the "W" of my alphabetical list of natty nuts preferred by the highest nested of the squirrel elite!"

teri tait

2005-Dec-24, 06:44 AM

"Yeshher, 'uirrels are nasty nuts" Inzip replied blearily, "ahwlays drabbin' aboot thish n' thatsh, I gits eahr fatigue!" Inzips' head drifted downward, resting on a comfy electric massage device (with specialized chin pillow) he rolled his ears down neatly, closing shop talk.
Candy squirrel pouted, "This is the thanks I get for giving a dirt dweller a chance to adore me!" Candy got up and hopped, in the squirrel way of walking, toward an empty wall nest. She easily climbed the wall, using engravings as paw holds, and settled into the nest to dream of nutmeg and roasted Inzip-nuts..."I'm going to PM all my really auspicious friends of distinction and we're all gonna make you all...nuts!" Were her parting words..
"Smell ya later!" Firestarter whooped out.

teri tait

2005-Dec-24, 07:03 AM

Xaphod rolled his incredible blue eyes, "We needs must tell her a prince of the blood invented and still runs all wireless communication..."
"We will do nothing of the sort!" Runt replied waving his tiny fist menancingly at Xaphod, "Have you any idea how funny her drivel gets?!"
Nim hi-fived Runts' other paw, "A thousand gallons of entertainment!" she whispered, "Like the way she implements hopelessly convoluted plans to humiliate with the oldest brick in the wall, 'Good friend facing, enimity relacing' as if that hasn't been put on a zillion pointless t-shirts."

teri tait

2005-Dec-24, 07:14 AM

Chris lifted the sleeping form of Damian, "Some lessons are best learned by way of personal experience." He remarked rather vaguely, "This 'Old Top' needs his rest" he said resting Damian comfortably on the securely strong shoulder of his, "Please remember what is said only within the five points...little pitchers have big ears." He glided smoothly toward the hallway.
'Wish I could glide like that!' Jean thought with awe and respect.

teri tait

2005-Dec-24, 07:37 AM

"If wishes were feathers, we would all be tickled to death..." Chris's voice drifted around the room and then faded with nice understated effect.
Jeans' hair stood up (an after effect of the static electrical charge) sparked s few mini bolts of bluish lightning and laid back down. "OK! I get it! You always know when someone is thinking about you!" He retorted, "I can't help it! You are that cool Uncie!" A shirt of roses in various states of bloom and the the familiar words, 'Christian Rosenkruetz Lives!' emblazoned on it whiffled out of nowhere and bounced off Jeans' left moustache curl.
"Thanks Uncie!" He said in the general direction of where he thought the shirt may have come from. Jean stood up and quickly put the shirt on, admiring the fit and fabric with much enjoyment.
Without another word he began cleaning the dinner remnants and clearing the dishes from the feast they had devoured not so long before.
"Step aside, apprentice, let a Knight of the Music enjoy a rare chance to wash Sir Rosens' own dishes!" Jean cried out happily.
"If you insist..." Runt said as if giving up a precious chance to whitewash a coveted fence...

teri tait

2005-Dec-24, 08:00 AM

Fhillipa let his swirling thoughts settle into a soothing pool of contemplation. This had been an unsettling day, even by moderator standards. He unconciously touched the small case containing the flute that gave voice to the song of his heart, wondering at the Divine Magick resonating within the dephs of the velvet lined case. He could still hear the sweet sound of the special concert orchestrated by Xaphod and Mike working together on a sublime level of kinship and love veiled in competition and one-upmanship. He marveled at the deviously genteel way of interaction via distraction...was he a party to the plan or the action?
He sighed inwardly, that was a gordian knot that could not be neatly severed, nor unraveled in one deep reflection. It would take mirrors of reflecting thoughts and the pity of an angel of knowledge to lay that line clearly and completely...
He smiled again picturing one thought of complete clarity stretching from his heart toward the limitless dephs of Universal Thoughts Divine...Love...the one constant of all actions...from the hopelessly misguided (like Candy squirrel) to the quiet faithful (like Raven). Fhillipa let loose a small thankful prayer and sent it swirling along the golden thread toward All.

teri tait

2005-Dec-24, 08:41 AM

"Dangnabbit, isht hash cames that enviable time again!" Yelled Inzip, looking around smugly, "Onli the fifteenth, on tha' button! Ahem....there were wence a manly zeabri who puhzzled his design...zeabri are made of alternated strips..equal to black and white are those stripers...Am I a whitish zeabri with blackish strips, or p'haps a blackish zeabri w'stripes o' white?...so 'ol Pete o' the saints he says, 'go ask the boss ya' mule headed wishwash!' so the zsabri he goes and he asks the Arch Tech o' 'Verse, well Boss what tha' crabapple color is me? Tha' Boss jus' smiles an' says, 'You are what you are,'. Whall, that zeabri were no closer to knowin'... Ol' Pete of tha saints he stopa by agin', 'Well tha' Boss clue ya in?' so zeabri tells him what was sais and all and how he still don' know..Pete says 'You are white, dork!' an' zeabri jus stares so Pete says, 'If youse were black, Boss woulda says, You is whut you is'...Inzip bowed, knowing better than wait for applause.
His stunned audience, paralized by the awful joke that was even further enhanced by the terrible accent..
Suddenly a bursting of peals of laughter rang out. Candys' moppet head peered from her nested view, "I get it! That's a great one!"

teri tait

2005-Dec-24, 03:20 PM

'This rollercoaster never stops', Mike mused with sardonic humor, 'I should stop in more often'

Chris swept back into the room, gazing roundabout discreetly, "Looks like we are nearly ready for phase two."
Fhillapa snapped out of his deep thoughts and put forth his most pressing question, "Sir Rosen, where are your brethern?"
Chris raised his bushy eyebrows as if surprised, "They're all around us Sir Moderator! One is about to tweak your ear."
As Fhillipa heard the words, he also felt a gentle tug at both ears, then a faint but clear laughter. "Great Caesars Ghost! Have They all become Shades?" Fhillipa asked rather frettishly.
"Oh now, Fhillipa!" Chris said jovially, "They have simply reached a higher plane...they are governed by no physical laws per se, but they have not separated from their vehicles!"
Fhillipa relaxed, smiling, "Jolly good!"
Runt grunted, "They are always messing up my nitro matchbox speedstars...and leaving doors open."
"Runt, be a good apprentice and fetch us some more firewood m'boy!" Chris said smiling.
Runt began to walk toward the woodstack tucked in a closet leanto. The door popped open and kindling sticks began sailing to meet him, "Stop rushing me, Germaine! Jeez, I don't get paid nearly enough for this kinda stuff...when do I get a schlep to boss around?"
Chris continued smiling at Fhillipa, "Is that all that is on your mind Sir Moderator? Universe is a neverending riddle with much wonder, keep your heart open wide and your eyes focused. That is the best way to find answers m'boy!" He waved vaguely toward Runt (wood still sailing into his already full arms), "Let answers find you...and be ready."
A crescendo of falling wood, Runts' cursing, and an echoing faint laugh interrupted their conversation.
Chris did not seem to notice, pausing only for effect, "It can overwhelm you if you allow yourself to be ruled by what is given..."
Runt was firing a blue streak of German profanities as he gathered the wood into managable piles. He lobbed several sticks into the hearth with remarkable percision and force, "I'm gonna call my union rep and file a greivance if Gerry does that one more time!" Runt snarled, "He is creating a hostile work environment!"
Xaphod leaned forward and twizzled one finger, "Wood be good, understood?" He called out happily.
The wood immediatly animated, sprouting twiggy legs and arms. With running leaps (and a bit of shoving to be first) each stick made for the hearth leaving Runt sitting in stunned silence.
Runt turned and glared at Xaphod, "And why haven't you taught me that?!" he said straightening his small specticles, "You are required by APPS local 213, to disclose all apprentice menial task expediting gestures!!"
Xaphod grinned, "I would have mine fellow, but alas! I could not join, I don't hold gainful employ or a member card..." He lowered his eyes sighing, "I must needs court Lady Poverty as mine steadfast companion..."

teri tait

2005-Dec-24, 08:15 PM

Fhillipa glanced out the small window and was surprised to see a Dragon perched atop one of the many statutes. He knew the creature by its formidible size and the plumes of smoke wafting from the enormous nostrils.
The unsettling part was the curious gestures and the purple beret sporting a rather gaudy star wobbling precariously on a springy wire. The star was lit with a strobe device that emitted a rather poor imitation of a genuine star.
The dragon appeared to be attempting tai bo stances with little asthetic succes..
Nim glanced at Fhillipa and followed his gaze with her violet eyes, "OMG, Firestarter! You didn't tell me that Dregga Stah was still around."
The two youngsters watched as the Dragon moved in to the next position, lifting one arm in what looked all the world to be, "officer halting forward traffic" stance (but that would be silly).
Firestarter hopped up and did a parody of the stance (blowing an imaginary whistle and motioning cross traffic to go).

teri tait

2005-Dec-24, 08:38 PM

Nim and Runt guffawed (Raven smiled a bit too).
"Lets go say hi," Nim suggested, "I mean does she still say.."
"...Mark my words, it will happen!" Runt finished gestulating into the "chicken flapping wings" position.
"And who could forget the classic, 'you won't find THAT in a sealed glass jar! Man, she really needs to recognize!" said Firestarter, going into the"'you go girlfriend' stance complete with waving finger and side to side head motion.
Jean tried to maintain the dignity befitting a knight but was unable to control his grating laughter, "Does she still talk like Mrs Bitters?" he asked, "That emotionless flat opinionated way?"
"Yes, yes Jean, go say hi!" Runt gasped between giggles, "Mahk Myuh Wuuuurds...It Will. Happen." He finished grasping Firestarters dangling mane and wiping his watering eyes with a handfull of it.

teri tait

2005-Dec-24, 09:06 PM

Jean stepped outside and crossed toward the statute, slowly sinking downward from the large creature constantly moving in her taibo ritual.
The dragon watched cannily as Jean approached, blowing an occaisional smoke ring out one nostril or another (Jean always was a smoker), "And who is this lowly entity approaching Dregga Stah?" she said in the annoying third person way that Jean remembered. Her voice sounded as if it were coming from a robot named HAL from some old movie Jean never really liked watching.
Jean firmed his courteous smile and bowed like a true knight does, "It is Sir Blue, the once and future hero knight." He said with pomp and circumstance.
"Weeell...you don't find that in a glass jar," Dregga Stah replied flatly, her eyes narrowing slightly at the three friends that came into view as Jean swept low to the ground.
"Dregga Stah, sees more of the insignificant approaching," she droned, "Dregga Stah is not impressed."
Runt replied just as deadpan, "Runt approaches, to enjoy the comical antics of Dregga Stah."
Nim and Firestarter fell out laughing like hyenas, unable to say anything at all.
"Dregga Stah hears her own clutch beginning to hatchling" She replied pitilessly.

teri tait

2005-Dec-24, 09:28 PM

Dregga Stah narrowed her eyes to slits, "You are all worthless and weak." She unfurled her wings and launched into the air (pushing the statue into the turf another foot or so).
Nim and firestarter raced along the ground, matching her speed and emitting catcalls as only a feline can.
Runt examined the statue, grumbling his displeasure, "That overgrown pidgeon is always making my job harder!"
Jean walked over and muscled the statue to it placement proper, glancing at the statue for the first time. "Hey that's me!" he blurted in surprise.
Runt gave him a withering look, "and I care because?"
"Doesn't this mean I am a candidate for initiation?" Jean said with wonder.
"I stand by my previous answer." Runt replied shortly, "and yes, it does"
Runt dusted of his glasses and stared at Jean in an unsettling grownup sort of way, "An honor and a burdon Sir Blue, be sure of whether you want such an endeaver." He placed his glasses back on and scurried off toward the two large cats.
Jean stared at the sculpted image and began searching his heart.

teri tait

2005-Dec-24, 11:21 PM

"That apprentice is shaping up nicely," Chris remarked to Fhillipa, "he picked right up on the task at hand and followed through with strength and discreet."
Fhillipa glanced outside, "Did you mean the way he went to the statue to set it right?" Fhillipa asked somewhat unsure.
"The way he steered Jean to the statue..." Chris clarified, "he caught on and ran with it, right sharp one,he is"
Chris turned and smiled at Fhillipa, "Jean is a nominated candidate to becoming part of the inner circuit. He was not told, they never are, they are shown...Runt did his duty as required: 'passerby' style.
He opted to steer by urging Jean to enjoin their small outing, once that was accomplished he initiated a diversion that allowed him and Jean to be alone; ensured the critical discovery...and walked away! Truly a work of art and finesse."
Fhillipa was stunned, this was almost the situation he had privately wondered if he, Fhillipa, had been a tool or a craftsman..., "Amazing! It would seem impossible to create and yet...does this 'passerby' way of service happen very often?" Fhillipa asked in amazement.
Chris smiled kindly, "Quite more often than most would believe."
Fhillipa felt his thoughts percolate with increasing speculation, "So not just our song was known or planned, each one present was by specific design...but what if I had arose today and Not accepted the request to accompany the Ambassador?"
Chris laughed, "I have faith that you would have arrived all the same. You see we may choose HOW we perform throughout our days (personal best or grudgingly), but our path is laid before we are called from the mist. The path steps may be walked, skipped, summersaulted or dragged from unwilling feet inch by inch...it matters not...each of us are always exactly where we are supposed to be...smiling or in tears.."
Fhillipa let the words wash through his mind and heart, resonating with simple truth and yet so overwhelming...

teri tait

2005-Dec-25, 01:08 AM

Fhillipa felt a calmness, thoroughly devoid of fret, that seemed to fill his deepest inner self. He actually wondered what the duece he had ever felt the need to fret about. Heaving a sigh of peace and even a bit of joy, he smiled at Chris.
"You make it so simple to understand, what need of I to fear? Diversity builds strength, hardship teaches lessons not learned without pain.." Fhillipa almost laughed, he felt so bouyant.
Nim and Firestarter entered the little house with Runt atop Firestarter, they all stared oddly at Fhillipa.
Fhillipa met their eyes each in turn, still smiling, "What? Haven't you all seen a stuffy brit bend a smile?" He said jokingly.
Firestarter replied, "No, not really but I was more wondering why you are glowing." He asked noncholantly, lifting a paw and dabbing it at the brilliant glow emulating around Fhillipa, "You wearing flourescent hairspray?"
Fhillipa looked at his own reflection in the darkening window, sure enough, he clearly saw the same glow, "I think I need to retire and put this day in perspective." He said, standing up and walking towards the numerous bedrooms.
"Hey, do you mind if I try some of that glow spray...?" Firestarter called after him. Runt yanked one ear backwards and hissed, "Ixnay, assjack!"

teri tait

2005-Dec-25, 08:23 PM

Chris smiled indulgently, "Out of the muzzles of the young."
Nim approached the table, Mike and Xaphod had not moved nor spoken for quite some time and...well she is a cat (and therefore curious). Firestarter trotted alongside her companiably, as he always did. Nims' small interest doubled as she realized the reason they had been so silent and still.
On the freshly cleaned table, the two sat, across one another with arms locked at the palms, eyes locked at each other, apparently stalemated in an arm wrestling contest.

teri tait

2005-Dec-25, 09:46 PM

"Oh what the Lasvegian Galaxy would give to run odds on this sporting event..." Nim whispered, "If I had my majority age status, I would call them myself!"
Runt hopped from atop Firestarter, "I'm on it!" he replied briskly. Runt scampered to his own apprentice desk, a smaller version of the instructors' desk complete with a tiny human skull. The tools were somewhat less 'old school' as the desktop sported sophisticated communication and data equipment, some devices not even scheduled for invention till twenty years hence.
Runt picked up a small rectanguler device and gently tapped its' corner. The glassy surface immediatly swiveled open, lighting the glassy surface (a cunningly made monitor) and revealing a miniature keyboard. Runt began typing rapidly as he spoke, "I'm a contributing consult for the Lasvegian Games of Speculation and I have liberty to submit contests for review..." He smiled as a snippet of music emitted from the device, "OK! Looks like our event submission has been approved unanimously!"
Nim regarded Runt carefully, "Runt, you are even younger than me, how can you have majority legal capacity at your age?" she whispered.
Runt smirked, "Well, when I filled out all of their forms, I calculated my age based on how old I would be if I traveled from here to there at the average speed of 65 LSPRs; I presented my application with precedent noted from the 'Baby X vs Sirius' Legal Lexus Logbook, and won the right to be a Major Minor!"
Firestarter was examining the input device, "Runt it lists your title as 'Booker and Oddsmaker' and what kind of user name is 'TE Speigel'? You should have a funny one like 'IP Freely'...or something."
Runt glared at Firestarter, muttering a few German words of color, and snatched up the input device. "That's just my shingle title, Milklapper! Not my job description! If you ever turned off the squirrel game looping through your head and cracked a book, you would know my user name IS funny, Moor-on Cat!" he scoffed snidly.

teri tait

2005-Dec-26, 03:33 AM

"Now, get away from my creation nook before I nail your paws to the ceiling!" Runt stormed back toward his apprentice desk, scanning it carefully to be sure Firestarter hadn't pawed at his equipment...
"I have some numbers to crunch, why don't you go play a nice game of squirrel chase?"
Firestarter stared at Runt, expressionless, then took a great breath and huffed it directly at Runt, knocking him flat.
"Hey Nim! You were right! I can knock Runt over like a feather!" he then carefully picked Runt up with his powerful jaws and set him in his Executive 3000 CEO Deluxe model chair (complete with voice control comfort adjustment and soothing whale song cranium massage).
"Its all good, TE Speigel!" Firestarter said as he rolled the chair into place, snugged to the desk. He extended one wicked claw and gently scooched the hand held computer type gadget within Runts' easy reach.
Runt shook his head a bit dazed, "Dude, what the crapple did you mooch for lunch today? Your breath smells like cinnamin toast, I will file a grievance if cinnamin toast was served and no one notified me!"

teri tait

2006-Jan-01, 09:35 AM

Mike ever glaring, Xaphod actually glaring back (just as black). "You ready to start this rasslin' match?!" They both shouted in heated anger.
Nim, Raven, and everyone else still awake, watched with riveted interest...except Firestarter he looked more bored than anything (riveted, bored...what's the difference?)

teri tait

2006-Jan-02, 04:42 AM

With a sudden flash of sparkling dash, a small keylike thingy drifted lightly to the table of Sir Rosen. Xaphod dropped one dreamy blue eye (in winklike fashion) to see what the deuce was up.
Mike had already looked at (with both eyes and numerous other ways) the object, before that dreamyzilla eye of Xaphod could even refocus correctly.
Runt took several wraparound photos of the object, sealing the entire camera in one of the many hermetic type bottles of preservation and Nim whistled corks in as only Nim could do.
Firestarter sealed the corkfling with his specially generated Moor cat drool (too scarey to describe in such a g rated tale).
Raven and Sir Rosen carried the hermetically sealed container to a specially designed completely unique creativity nook, nesting it carefully with words only Stone Lions know how to say.
Germaine laughed out loud visibating long enough to goose Runt, Gerry then laughed and chortled out, "smell ya later, suckerfishling!"
Runt didn't even look up from his data sifting but replied quietly, "I have choosen Germain St Germanium for MY Apprentice... heh heh heh.." Runt struck the entry chord, officially locking Germaine in as his designated schlep\minion. Runt giggled (a bit evielly) then shouted, "Booyah!"
Raven kissed her Godfather, Sir Rosen, lightly and went to Where Ever, a place that is known to Stone Lion Kittens for their own dreamtime.

teri tait

2006-Jan-07, 07:14 PM

Runt touched the speedshifter on his CEO throne and whiffled over to the table where Mike and Xaphod were still palming each other with much vacillation.
"OK, little buckaroos, I have a duty to my shingle and by that duty I am integrified. In other words we have to have an official start to the contest and I shall not Twain from my duty." Runt nodded to Nim.
Nim purring a deep rythum in her barrel of chest, sauntered over to Xaphods' manpurse and whiffled it open with one slow blink of her violet eyes. The photo of the girl whiffled slow whiffles breezily and rested on the tip of the Moor Cats paw.
Firestarter gazed rather crosseyed at the small picture and laughed, "Her sign says 'I'm with stupid' I think she wants us to quote her 'Reflecting Reflections' poem so we catch the mirror way out west and log an official contest start time for this fisted battle."

Runt jumped from his chair and chirped out with his terrifying marsupial voice:

Reflecting Reflections

Mayans no one ever found...
An Isle named Easter, eggs all around

So many pasts changed and refocused...
'Til Gods' own son awoke us...

How many times? How many crosses?
One son betwixt time vortex tosses

Just asked the witness of time out of place
This time is girded firmly to space

Each "time bandit" added one future more
The son gave blood on crosses galore

Theives of the webbing of time
Trampled and vandalled each vine

Willfull disregard to sacred law
They thought no one remembered or saw

Just ask the witness of time out of space
This time is all time girded in place

He found each knot and cross, replaced by a rose
Careful to ledger the time ebb and flow

Do what thou wilt? Now comes will a fee
"It follows me all ways...to when they will see"*

Butterfly kisses, deeply felt wishes
Whales are Gods' homemade satellite dishes

love,

TMTait

*quoted from, "Tesla, Man Out of Time" by Margaret Cheney

teri tait

2006-Jan-08, 02:38 AM

Nim rolled her eyes at the austentatious drama, "OK, Runt, that may be a bit too over the top for our younger readers. Lets try something I wrote instead."
Nim yawned and began, "this is called:

Totally True

He who is mighty,
turns an enemy into a friend.
He who is a dorkbag,
turns a friend into an enemy"

Nim turned her violet gaze to the grim brothers at the table. Xaphod was anxiously shifting his gaze from Mike to the photo still perched atop Firestarters enormous paw. Mikes' unblinking eyes did not waver at all, as usual.
Nim hissed quietly, "Hell in a hamsterball, this is ridiculous...1, 2, 3, Go!"
Mike and Xaphod immediately tensed their grip and began straining to pull one another to the table by their palm.

teri tait

2006-Jan-08, 02:53 AM

As the contest began in earnest, Jean came back inside and walked with strong sure steps toward Chris. The two men then quietly walked together down the great hall of carved rooms and etched art. Inzip was awkwardly repelling up a mountaineering rope to the dubious safety of Candy squirrel. As they walked by, Inzip spun a bit, then refastened his toe grippers and tightened his ear grip.

teri tait

2006-Jan-08, 10:24 PM

Fhillipa chose this moment to stop his own contemplation and come forward. He began walking out of his restroom just as Chris and Jean Blue strolled along the hallway at his door.
"Hallow mine fellows! Fine night for a quiet stroll of meeting?" Fhillipa said breezily.
Xaphods' frettish voice whistled down the hall toward them, "Hey, guys... Stop kidding around! This is mine turn to enjoin!!!!"
Mike laughed, "One trip per contest, my oh so fair brother! Official contest of the nature of our grasp has not finished... Although we both know who always wins..."
Xaphod grumped, "This totally bites!"
Nim purred, "Who's Scrying Now?" to the tune of her favorite song.

teri tait

2006-Jan-12, 01:40 AM

Xaphod turned to Nim and briefly twinkled his devastating smile saying, "Why Nim! You remembered mine favorite song! I needs must apologize, I cannot dance along with you at this moment..."
With a flick of his left hand, he drew a short ornate rope from his vestment inner pocket. The rope was clearly labeled 'Emergency Chute'.
Xaphod, with a tiny sigh, pried his glance from his favorite photo and back to his eldest brother. "Alas, mine destiny shouts to begin!" he cried out happily as he slammed Mikes' palm to the table with his right hand.
Mike grunted "Once more on the southpaw when you get back!"
"I'll pencil you in!" Xaphod replied, pulling his preset chord, he whiffled in slow motion leaning down to snatch up his man purse with one hand and the photo of his hearts' desire with the other. Then, with a silent whoosh, he whiffled doubletime; fading away in the general direction of the grandly designed hallway.

teri tait

2006-Jan-14, 02:49 AM

"Well that's a wrap!" Runt muttered as he swiftly poked buttons on his tiny data device. He tapped the Send button and smiled as the musical Received indicator wafted out of the impossibly small (yet incredibly loud) speakers.
"Crikey Runt!" whooped Firestarter, "I can't wait to see what you are doing by the time you can actually shave!"
"I will not shave per se, I will merely define a 'Vandyke' beard, Moor-on!" Runt replied menacingly, "You know that I have been planning my future look for the past five years, sheesh!"
Mike looked around the room, carefully appraising each of them. "I trust you three have the maturity and discipline to be left here to entertain one another in a civilized manner?" He snapped his fingers with his left hand, then again with his right hand, "When I get back here, I better find those snaps right where I left them..." Mike said gruffly as he shambled across the room and down the long hallway to fulfill his once a year obligation, 'The Meeting of the Minds' he mused with a bit of glowing excitement.
As Mike disappeared from view Runt turned to Nim anxiously, "What the deuce is he ranting about? Is he joking? Where did he leave his snaps? Are they real or sound? I have a spotless career! I refuse to be tarnished at this point! I will file a greivance! I will this time I really..." Runt abrubtly stopped talking and belly-flopped forward, summersaulted head over heels and came to a quiet stop as he rolled into the far wall.
"Thank you!" Nim whispered, "What took you so long?"
"I added a little top-spin and timing just so to my aim that time!" Firestarter answered proudly, "My sneak attack air roar rocks! Great idea you gave me, Nim!"

teri tait

2006-Jan-14, 05:17 AM

"There should be nine in attendance, I only counted six so far..." Nim whispered.
"Don't forget St. Germainium!" Firestarter answered, "I think Raven is invited too, she's pretty tuned in to the whole mystical picture."
Firestarter leaned forward and experimentally exhaled a blast of air with his tongue curled. He was rewarded with the sight of Runt sliding up the wall until just his head remained touching the earthy floor.
"According to the Uncial written word, nine is the best blend to orchestrate sublime energy and set the pace of conduction for the coming year." Nim whispered firmly, "I think Uncie Francis was already at the meeting space because I heard his voice singing earlier."
"All I heard was a bunch of birds singing." Firestarter replied noncholantly as he neatly flipped Runt rightside up with several short blasts of air through his nostrils.
"Birds always follow him around, dork!" Nim whispered, "He's like a brother to them. You should see his sanctuary, he dedicated it to The Mother and all who pass through its doors are forgiven material errors. Its like an official addendum to the mission statement of his order of Lightbearers"
"Yeah, I like those guys!" Firestarter grinned, "Uncie Francis told me to concentrate on more 'by learning word of mouth' and less 'by the lip service of official writing', yep, I'm down with that!" Firestarter blew softly between his frontmost teeth, watching with delight as Runts glasses slid backward up his narrow muzzle and into position proper.

teri tait

2006-Jan-15, 02:27 AM

Nim stared with her insightful violet eyes, then blinked them softly. Runts tiny form immediately rose up and wafted toward his CEO executive throne. As his form settled comfortably into his chair the Whalesong Cranium Massage began to wave out with melancholy lilts. Runt smiled dreamily.
Nim then gazed at Firestarter saying, "I jacked Uncie Xaphods whiffle belt, that's why he pulled his emergency chute, what's say we go have a thousand gallons of fun?"
Runt (who was just coming around) replied first, "Hell to the No! Lets go!"
"Hells Yes!" Firestarter yelled agreeably.

teri tait

2006-Jan-15, 02:48 AM

"Isn't Raven is going to be irked if we don't bring her along?" Firestarter asked somewhat frettishly.
"Stone Lions don't let time and place control them, Milklapper!" Runt stated disdainfully (obviously the Whale Cranium Massage was working nicely) as he flicked one of Mikes' dreaded snaps at the back of Firestarters head.
"Ow, Dude those freakin' things HURT!!" Firestarters' eyes flared bright orange and then settled back down, "Do you think I can get Uncie Mike to teach me how to do that snap trick with my tongue?" He clicked his tongue experimentally, liking the idea very much.

teri tait

2006-Jan-15, 10:35 AM

Nim ignored Firestarter and spoke to Runt, "It's like this Runt, I set the belt for a planet inhabited strictly by the feline of every variety. For some reason everytime I whiffle in, they start worshipping me like a Lioness or some such. I let them of course, who am I to be so rude as to correct their misconception, right? Anyway, the point I am dancing around is you are who you are on the inside, not on the outside..." Nim paused to wash one ear and stopped talking.
"Stop playing cat and mouse with me, Nim!" Runt said flatly, "I may be small but I have a seriously large soul that is complete and unfurled, you know that! Say what you mean to say she-kitten!"
Nim looked at Runt and blinked, 'I'm going to have to reshape your outerwear for this trip. Only felines are allowed in or out that's the natural law of this planet... A uh tree-mouse such as yourself would resemble an imported delicacy of sporting events that end with the uh mouse gently consumed by the winning feline. Extra points are given for the longest chase down and most bloody non-mortal wounds, I can't let that happen to my little buddy," Nim purred soothingly, "We both know this fact: Arboreal marsupials have little mass to mold...So I am disguising you as a small cat type creature..."
Firestarter began laughing like a hyena and dabbing his paw in the general direction of Runt. "He's got to be the cutest example of a he-kitten in all the universe! Nim, you make the best disguises!" Firestarter stared at Nim in open admiration.
Runt whipped open a drawer and pulled out a standard mirror. Sure enough, the reflection he saw was that of a fluffy and indescribably cute (Earth-style) standard size domestic cat kitten.
"This is an outrage, at the very least I demand to be disguised as a hell kitten!" Runt grumped. "This look is way too cute for a serious player like myself!"

mickal555

2006-Jan-15, 10:53 PM

Posts in this thread
teri tait 122
Philip A 1

teri tait

2006-Jan-15, 11:03 PM

Runt glanced at the scoreboard that had somehow appeared at their window. "Who the crapple is Mickal555?" Runt tried to growl menancingly (very difficult sound to emit from the kitten frame his voice is currently encased inside).
Runt ignored the silent giggles emanating from Nim and Firestarter and continued, "If you insist on adding to a surprisingly well written story thread, be more interesting, Teen Titan Twerp!"

teri tait

2006-Jan-15, 11:17 PM

"I think we should write the little Aussie in!" Firestarter whooped.
"Hmmm, we may be able to squeeze him in for a cameo or two..." Runt replied tapping the keys of his data device with his tiny (but very sharp he-kitten claws). "What say you, Nim?"
Nim rolled her violet eyes, "A thousand gallons of Whatever! As long as he's from Queensland, I mean."

teri tait

2006-Jan-16, 12:08 AM

Nim switched the whiffle belt to reverse and pointed its encompassing power at the scoreboard hanging in midair outside the window.
The scoreboard faded out and the form of a 15 year old chess extordinaire began to form. Before he could completely solidify, Nim blinked both eyes gently and the gallant teen reformatted to a teenage sized Earth style cat standing on his hind legs wearing rather longish boots folded down once at the top.
"While you're part of our adventure you shall be 'Mick In Boots' and my personal minion at all times" Nim whispered to Mick.
Firestarter opened the door and the three friends stepped outside to meet Mick In Boots.

teri tait

2006-Jan-19, 02:42 PM

Mick In Boots began speaking, "fhrub heif, gjfds dkhfur sjrjfhj gdsvvd sflceaut..."
Runt quickly slapped a translation device onto Micks' left boot muttering, "Freakin' Swahili, no one understands it but me and I'm nobodys' speakeasy!"
"...and that would in turn make us all 'time bandits'! Criky! I can barely sleep as it is right now!"

teri tait

2006-Jan-20, 12:52 AM

"Don't worry your pretty little head about it, Mick In Boots, I am a registered operator for this belt. Its the one Xap got my mom to lend out." Nim whispered smoothly.
"Well I couldn't help reading the story while I was hanging about...isn't Xaphod your, er, Uncie?" Mick replied, just as smooth and even a bit suavely.
"That's just a term of endearment we implement for the oldsters when we are in Uncie Chris's house," Firestarter answered, "Uncie Chris really is a close personal friend of Santa. Good advice to be on your best behavior when in Uncie Chris's house!" he added.
Runt adjusted his tiny glasses, pushing them up his tiny kitten type bridge of the nose, "If you wannabees plan on getting caught here, with your paws on the belt, I suggest you continue this casual banter...if you plan on actually doing something, lets go!" Runt stared around at each of them, trying to glare angrily & failing miserably.
"Lets roll!" said Nim curling her tail into a loop as Runt scrambled up Firestarters back.
Each of the others hooked his tail with Nims' tail and Nim confidently pressed the 'Whiffle' button.

teri tait

2006-Jan-20, 02:09 AM

"You're quite a sheila!" Mick In Boots shouted in the general direction he thought Nim might be situated.
They were spinning through space and time, as far as Mick could tell, it appeared as though they were entering black holes via the bottom of the funnel and shooting out the end that usually sucks matter in.
"Nim," Nim replied, "my name is Nim, not Sheila!"
Mick In Boots laughed heartily, "Well, crikey! Sheila is wot we call the girls in Australia! Wots the rest of your catter friends named?"
Runt quickly made introductions, "I'm Runt, child genius and future incarnate of Christian Rosenkruetz! That's Firestarter, he's 'wot' we call a sidekick, namely Nims future boyfriend!" Runt cackled evielly as both Nim and Firestarters' fur puffed up in the feline way of embarrassment, fear, anger, or surprise.
Runt smirked, being pretty sure that embarrassment was the proximate cause in the current display.

teri tait

2006-Jan-20, 03:42 AM

"Stop talking mush! It's obvious you exist right now...how is it your a 'future incarnate' of anyone?" Mick In Boots replied rather perplexed.
Runt smiled enigmatically, "That is neither here nor there...I could very well ask how you entered the world of virtual, unedited, unpublished literature!"
Firestarter laughed like a hyena at the whole conversation, relieved it no longer contained speculation of the nature of his relationship to Nim...

teri tait

2006-Jan-21, 02:20 AM

Abruptly they began to decellerate and resolidfy into the forms that were at the start of the whiffle.
"Don't forget to land like a cat, Mick!" Runt bellowed, "Quadraped style!"
Mick In Boots leaned forward and deftly landed as if he had been a cat his entire life.
"Welcome to my world..." Nim whispered to no companion in particular.
The landscape was reminiscent of Earth in that the planet had solid ground, running water, sentient lifeforms, and a variety of other coincidental unimportant attributes.
Directly in front of them a largish black feline with stunning dark blue eyes was surveying them silently.
"Isn't that Andrew Wiggen?" Mick In Boots asked.
"Yeppers! We just call him Ender, after some dweeb Nim read about in one of those stupid classic novels teachers love to force on innocent preteens." Firestarter replied.
"Actually, Mara forced it on me, but I like that book." Nim added, swatting Firestarter on the side of the head.

teri tait

2006-Jan-21, 05:10 AM

The infamous Andrew Wiggin approached the somewhat motley group of haphazard adventurers smiling in the feline way.
"Hey, Nimmers," He said in a carefully casual voice, "how you been?"
Nim faded away to a pair of violet eyes and the merest outline of the rest of her frame. "I'm a shadow of my former self. How things hanging for you, Ender?" Nim deadpanned (with uncharacteristic humor undertones).
"You know me, one paw away from trouble." Ender replied lazily, "A little mouse told me you be passing through this day...thought I'd come by and see how you been...no big whup, right Nimmers?"
Nim briefly glared at Runt (who was very busy avoiding eye contact) then answered, "More like a little rat, I would guess. How are my subjects doing here on planet Nim? You are steward of the planet while I'm off learning to appreciate other life forms, so what's the haps? Anything worth reiterating to your Mighty Queen?"
"Ender..ur I mean Andrew Wiggin actually works for you?" Mick In Boots exclaimed with astonishment.
Nim ignored Mick and waited for Enders' report.
The Azuluas had always been the ruling power of the planet Nim, during the horror of the Bush Wars her family was rounded up and systematically slaughtered by various factions of the attacking forces. Nim had been rescued by a series of coincidences that had led Xaphod directly to Nims' aide.
Although the Bush Wars had officially ended prior to Nims' birth, the guerrilla warring factions and mercenaries from all over the known universe continued to attack planet Nim. Nims' mother and father had been spirited away to an unknown part of the universe for safety. While they remained hidden, Nim was born and named after their home planet.
Soon after Nims' birth, her parents were betrayed and a group of mercenaries were dispatched to make short work of the mighty Azuluas. Luckily, the mercenaries never thought to look for any offspring and left quickly with the mangled bodies of Nims parents to collect their reward. Minutes later Xaphod arrived and efficiently whisked Nim out of harms way and into the "Lifestyle of the Foolish and Blessed" that is Xaphods' own path.
"Same ole same ole..." Ender stated as his official report.

teri tait

2006-Jan-21, 07:25 AM

Nim rolled her eyes and nodded, officially accepting the official report.
"So anything fun and exiting happen here at 'Furbag Central' while I've been tolerating what the 'Skinbags' so lovingly refer to as modern civilization?" Nim asked in her own official language of Azulua (to avoid the inevitable whining of any skinbag that may be lurking around disguised as a feline).
"I stand by my official report, 'same ole same ole'...its been dull as dirt around this catbox...we need something exciting to come shouting into this realm of reality." Ender replied with a gleam of mischief simmering in his midnight blue eyes.

teri tait

2006-Jan-24, 01:44 AM

"Who's the white furred sheila?" Mick In Boots blurted in a rather impressed voice.
The group turned to see another feline approaching the from the same direction Ender had sauntered up.
"Jeez, that's my sister! Her name isn't Sheila, it's Gemini!" Ender replied somewhat crossly.
Mick In Boots rolled his eyes but held his tongue. Firestarter happily replied for Mick, "Sheila is what they Aussies call girls!" He called out as if he had not just found out himself in the last fifteen minutes.
Runt scowlled as Gemini cooed, "Oooo, what a cute baby kitten!!!"
Gemini and Ender were a study in contrast. Ender with his dark fur, midnight blue eyes and impressive size; Gemini with her white pelt, sky blue eyes and slightly smallish size. Mick would barely believe them related at all, if he hadn't read about them himself on the Intergalactic Inter-Mesh.
Runt swore softly in German as Gemini began to speak again, "What's your name, sweetie? Ooooo I just want to take you home and dress you up in doll clothes and have a tea party!!" She gushed patting Runts' tiny kitten shaped head.
Ender stifled a laugh, coughed and said, "She's only 12..." toward Runts' closest ear.
Nim menacingly whispered, "Don't blow your cover!" so that the whisper went directly to Runt without anyone else hearing.
Nim smiled at Gemini saying, "Would you mind watching the little dear for me for a couple of hours?" Ignoring Runts' murderous glare.
"Oh, I would love to...is he boxed trained? Yes? Well then, I will be happy to watch him!" Gemini answered eagerly.

teri tait

2006-Jan-24, 02:14 AM

Runt turned directly toward Nim and began to raise one clenched fist, inhaling a large breath of air. His preparations for a barrage of abusive German words of color were abruptly cut off before they could start...Runt was seized from behind by the neck and overcome with 'Kitten Paralysis' a handy tool used by many a harried queen when faced with an unruly litter that needed to be moved or corralled.
Runts' head dropped as his four paws (and cute kitten tail) curled into the kitten transport position...
Gemini had reached down and deftly picked Runt up by the scruff of the neck and was now trotting off with the helpless form of Runt swinging to and fro in an undignified way.
Gemini called out, "I'll bring him back in two hours! Oooo we are going to have such fun!" in a somewhat muffled way.
Firestarter stared in disbelief, "Wow Nim...that was harsh...what did Runt do to get your fur in a bunch?"
Nim smiled whispering, "HE knows what he did..." somewhat cryptically.

teri tait

2006-Jan-24, 05:28 AM

Runt, dangling helplessly, mentally formulated the grievance he would be filing . He would have to think fast, way outside the cube of the average thinker, to liberate himself from this situation with any shred of dignity intact.
Gemini was humming softly and maintaining a non-stop dialogue while she carried her hapless prey. Runt was disgusted to notice this caused a steady deposit of Gemini drool to trickle down his immobolized neck.
"What's your favorite doll? Mine is the mythical creature ,'Thunder Cat'...more of an action figure than a doll. What's your favorite color? Mine is chartruese. What's your favorite snack? Mine is the tasty tree mouse..." Gemini chatted as she carried Runt onward.

teri tait

2006-Jan-25, 01:24 AM

Ender turned toward Nim smiling hospitably, "What shall we do for fun now Nimmers?" he asked pleasantly.
Nim smiled back and whispered, "How about I morph us into felines with aposable thumbs so we can do a round of paintball guerrilla warfare?"
Firestarter whooped joyfully, "Yes! I can incoporate my silent roar attack!"
Mick looked slightly alarmed but gamely called out, "I'll give it a spin...can't be any harder than a match with Bobby Fisher!" The others stared at him silently and Mick In Boots added, "Little chess joke, mates, do not be alarmed..."
"Nim, whiffle us over to the paintball grounds. Can you morph us enroute? Excellent! This is gonna be great!" Ender said grinning enormously.
They all linked tails again and Nim pressed the button.

teri tait

2006-Jan-27, 03:52 AM

Raven reawoke to corporeal conciousness feeling electrified and refreshed. Her part in the Meeting of the Minds was complete and she smiled to herself, reviewing her part with deep content and satisfaction.
She quickly transformed to her Stone Lion form and lifted her wings in flight back to her Godfathers house (where she had just come from really).
The short flight through the deep azure sky was invigorating. On impulse, she did a triple roll going smoothly into her perfect spiral dive as she landed in the open clearing of Chris Rosens' front meadows.
She entered the small house and peeked in on Damian, he was sitting in a circle with Bootsie, Enzip and Candy squirrel. They appeared to be engrossed in a poker game, Raven smiled to herself and slipped away without disturbing their fun.
From her ancient ancestry of druid descent she had a natural ability to move at will over great distances. It was a powerful tool she rarely implemented as she preferred the beauty afforded the eyes when flying with her stone lion wings.
She frowned, noticing a distint lack of the rest of her "hoodlum friends" as her father so lovingly called her buddies. With a small sigh, she expanded her conciousness to pinpoint Nim (knowing full well the others would be near Nim) and was somewhat alarmed to sense a vague impending aura of danger around Nim.
Raven immediately realized the danger and closed her eyes, willing her Druid power to full strength...seconds later she materialized on the planet of Nim. She quickly launched herself in the air and began to search for Runt, she would need him to facilitate a daring escape for the others...

teri tait

2006-Jan-27, 04:18 AM

Runt stared balefully at the happy face of Gemini. He was currently dressed in traditional styled leiderhosen shorts, decorated with large obnoxius polka dots, and wearing a pinstriped conductors' hat. Sitting in front of him were the remnants of the recent tea party hosted by Gemini and populated with a stellar guest list that included GI Joe and Papa Smurf.
Gemini smiled, "I told you, you would have a great time!"
Runt opened his mouth to reply just as a shadow passed over the child sized table. He looked up and immediately recognized Raven. With a whoop of pure uncut joy, Runt leaped atop the table and whistled with all his might. He was gratified to see Raven circle around and begin to drop toward him.
Runt turned to Gemini, pulled off the conductors' hat and performed a grand sweeping bow. With the words, "I bid you adeiu!" he leaned toward Gemini and planted a rogues' kiss on her stunned cheek. He then lifted one tiny kitten paw toward the sky and neatly caught hold of Ravens' extended claw with his wicked sharp he-kitten prongs; he was instantly swept upward and away.
Gemini stared after them for one shocked moment before yelling, "My liederhosen outfit! Be careful and don't get it mussed up you twerp!"

teri tait

2006-Jan-28, 05:04 PM

"This planet is the axilla of the known universe! The horror of the last hour I have spent...the trauma cannot be expressed adequately in verbage!" Runt stormed as he hastily removed the outfit Gemini had so graciuosly lent to him.
Raven did an amazing loop de loop allowing Runt to toss the bundle of clothing back to Gemini (the bundle managed to land on the child sized table still folded neatly).
"What took you so long to find me?" Runt groused, "and why did I kiss that girl?" He added rather frettishly.
Raven simply smiled, allowing Runt to vent his anger and/or frustration over being held prisoner/rescued too soon from his captor. Axioms are tough nuts to disassemble unless you're an invisible elf, afterall.

teri tait

2006-Jan-28, 08:41 PM

Raven flew with sure and steady strokes, toward the distant mountain range. They were flying to the paintball range, which was nestled in one of the deep valleys of the impressive mountains. The wingbound mystic and Runt (the normally landbound mystic) travelled rapidly.
Runt pushed his glasses closer to his watering eyes and shouted, "Humour me and tell me lies! That Cat Stevens fellow rocks! He's got dreams no one can shake! I love his music!"
Raven did not reply, she knew Runt was a bit unnerved to be flying so fast and high, he tended to ramble at times like this. Besides, she had already briefed him on the potentially volatile situation they would soon be encountering. The words that had taken were more than she normally spoke in one year, let alone one converstion. She also wanted to preserve her stamina and talking with Runt tended to weary her kind spirit (him being so passionate and 'in your face' about any and all topics).

teri tait

2006-Jan-31, 02:45 AM

Nim, Ender, Firestarter, and Mick In Boots manifested at the far end of the triangular valley. They were within spitting distance of the small equipment shed, which was loaded with enough paintball artillary and ammo to fortify an impressively long seige.
Firestarter made a 'thumbs up' with one paw and the Hawaiian 'hang loose' with the other, marveling at the dexterity of his aposable thumbs. Mick smiled at Firestarter thinking how easily amused and distracted that catter could be. Ender whipped a huge ring of keys out of some sort of pouch cleverly hidden in his fur and proceeded to search out the proper key to open the Royal Shed of the Azuluas.
Nim looked somewhat bored, twitching her tail. Really she could hardly wait to get started, paintball war games being the only form of violence she was actually allowed to indulge herself with, for the educational value. She was a great strategist and hated to lose, and once a game was started it was never called for weather, supper, length of time...no game was over until it was officially won. That was her rule and they all knew it (except Mick In Boots but who was he going to complain to?).
Ender located the correct key and quickly unlocked the shed, throwing open its double doors to reveal rows of weapons lined up neatly according to size and cases of paintball ammo sorted by color.
Mick In Boots felt his jaw drop and eyeballs bugger out a bit as he gazed at the weapons arsenal. "Crikey, this is better than Austrailia Day..." He whispered to no catter in particular as he stepped through the doorway.

teri tait

2006-Jan-31, 03:10 AM

Firestarter and Mick In Boots both began to randomly grab weapons of every description, (like kids in a candy store really) strapping them to to their bodies with chortles of glee.
"Say 'ellow to muh leetle friend..." Firestarter said squinting his orange eyes in an attempt to look ferocious.
"That's not a gun," Mick replied (in his best Paul Hogan) "this...this is a gun!" he held up a rocket launcher that took cannonball sized paintballs as its ammo. The two stared at each other and began laughing hysterically, helping each other to load on more weapons and belts of ammo.
Nim patiently waited for Ender to open her special weapons reserve cabinet. It held her specially designed precision weapons custom built for her alone. Ender had his own cabinet of similar special made custom firearms, but he was a gentleman and always opened Nims cabinent first. He turned the key and bowed grandly, murmuring "M'lady..." He stepped back and turned toward his own cabinet.
Nim quickly armed herself, efficiently hefting the familiar weaponry (which was fully loaded for her convenience) and strapping on ammo neatly, with sure steady paws.

teri tait

2006-Jan-31, 03:51 AM

Nim and Ender stepped out of the weapons shed, both efficiently armed and carrying ample ammunition. "Hurry up, laggers!" Nim whispered to Firestarter and Mick In Boots as they both staggered out awkwardly, literally, armed to the teeth (they both had handguns clutched in their mouths) and looking like moving piles of weaponry.
Nim shrugged impatiently and darted in the direction of the gaming field to warm up her firing arm with some target practice. As she rounded the corner, she came to a dead halt and stared with somewhat angry violet eyes.
The field was filled with large saber tooths, apparently in the midst of a game of scrimmage football. Ender raced up and stopped short next to Nim, then called out, "I hereby eminent domain this field in the name of the Crown!" in a loud and brave voice.
Some of the saber tooths turned and looked, several of them laughing and pointing at the two youngsters. "Who's gonna make us move...you?" one of the largest called back, blatently challenging Enders authority.
The two teams broke formation and approached Ender and Nim with thinly veiled menace growling and muttering oaths and curses only saber tooths care to know. They slowly formed a circle around the two teens and proceeded to torment them in cat fashion yelling things like, "Here kitty, kitty.." and "lookit the little kittens playin' grownup games" with ugly sneers and growls.
As luck would have it, Firestarter and Mick In Boots walked up blindly at that moment. Both being so heavily armed, neither could really see what was happening. They were still engrossed in their own conversation and did not even realize they now faced twenty or so surly saber tooths, spoiling for a fight...then one rather inventive saber tooth stuck out a big hairy paw and Firestarter promptly fell over it; Mick In Boots just as quickly fell over Firestarter and their over abundance of weapons seemed to burst outward in all directions with most of them firing off, too.
As their variety of weapons began shooting paintballs of various colors and sizes into the crowd of sabor tooths, all hell truly broke loose.

teri tait

2006-Jan-31, 02:43 PM

Nim and Ender automatically dropped to crouch position, back to back and began to carefully aim shots at the largest, most annoying sabers. Nim whispered, "A thousand gallons of fun!" as she pulled the pin on a paintball grenade and lobbed it into a cluster of saber tooths. The explosion of neon pink drenched several of the big cats and Nim smirked, fading out a bit to make herself less noticeable.
Ender was firing with his lightweight heavy artillery from guns he held in both paws. "Yeah, yeah!" he kept repeating to no saber in particular, "Wanna piece of me? Yeah, yeah!"
Firestarter and Mick had recovered sufficiently to reclaim and reload several weapons. They both remained prone on the ground, grimly firing for all they were worth.
The dust and flying paint was terrible, coupled with the enraged roars of the saber tooths. A truly horrific battlefield.
A few of the saber tooths had the bright notion to pick up weapons that were laying about; but they were clumsy shots (sadly, they lacked aposable thumbs) at best. The lopsided battle raged on, like a mad elephant, running amuck. Yet the four teens managed to begin emerging as the victors...

teri tait

2006-Feb-01, 02:38 AM

Runt had moved up to a more secure perch at the nape of Ravens' neck. He needed his front paws free to type into his hand held computer-like device. As he rapidly typed he muttered comments to Raven, such as, "You know this goes against the natural order of the planet!" and, "Are you sure you have proper clearance?!?"
Raven veered at an angle around the crest of one mountain peak and instantly noticed the melee off in the far distance of the triangular valley. It was too far for Runts' less keen eyes to notice, but that was just as well really as it was not a reassuring sight. Raven put forth more wing effort and even snapped at Runt, "Less talking, more typing!"
Runt jumped a bit with surprise, then he began typing with an almighty burst of clacking keys. His tiny keyboard was just beginning to emit dangerous looking puffs of smoke as he sat up with a satisfied smile. "There you go Raven! One portal to summon one dragon for one purpose...lets just hope she remembers she is working for me right now!" he stated sardonically.
"Holy crapple!" he added as he spied the ground below, "How many saber tooths did Nim tee off this time?"
"All of them," Raven replied, "Now hang on!" Raven went into her spiral dive formation roaring her best Stone Lion roar as she spun downward.
At the same instant, a portal opened out of thin air and the unmisstakeable form of Dreggon Stah appeared, blustering and shooting flaming sparks at any and all. "Who dares to invoke the wrath of Dreggonia Stah?" she bellowed somewhat rhetorically.
She knew what was up and was getting into her 'scarey dragon' character. She was a member of the Dragon of the Month Club, a group of dragons that lent themselves out for public and private appearances on a rotating basis.
This was Dreggon Stahs' month to be on the roster so she had jumped (literally) at the chance to play such an easy gig. Runt had listed it as, "three minutes of terror, paying triple the regular rate!" only moments ago and she had first dibs on any gig that came in while she was top of the roster. Her best friend, Pittsburg "Steely" Dragon, was minding her hatchlings for her while she wrapped up this routine scare-fest.
Nim, Ender, and Firestarter knew Dreggon Stah on sight, of course, and pretty quick put two and two together.
Mick In Boots didn't know her at all and promptly fainted dead away; Raven neatly slung him over her back. Then Nim hooked tails with all her friends and punched the whiffle button.
As they faded outward they all heard Dreggon Stah belching more flames and the saber tooths' leader roaring, "This isn't over! Not by a long shot!"

teri tait

2006-Feb-05, 09:26 PM

Meheshi awoke from his deep sleep, stretching his antennae and rubbing his many eyes with two of his hands. The other hand groped for the nearby table lamp and it ignited at his touch.
He sat up and looked around the room, remembering the delicious meal and sashaying to the comfort of this bed with the help of Runt. He quickly noticed two of his boots leaning against a wing chair where his clothing lay neatly arranged, the other two boots were no where to be seen.
"Steel Saurus! They have made a threat of coveting mi boots of yellow! Now they come as I make the sleep of the innocent and take mi mucho best dous! This is an outrage, unspoken!" he screamed to no one, as it appeared the room was empty.
A furtive snicker echoed over from the other side of the room. Meheshi whipped his head in that direction just in time to see a steel monkey dart through the door wearing Meheshis' own garish boots. Meshi raised all three fists in the air and shook them with rage, jumping from the bed, "I will be coming after your trail, you cannot hide from an Ambassador!" he shouted.
Meheshi turned back toward his remaining two boots just as another steel monkey was sliding his foot into the second of that pair.
"No, you must, must stop!" yelled Meheshi ineffectively as that steel monkey ran like quicksilver through the door after his partner crime.
Without further thought to dressing himself, Meheshi thundered out the door in pursuit. He ran past the room where Bootsie was neatly raking in a large pile of poker chips, past the rows of shelves, and into the front room just as the group of teens reappeared.

teri tait

2006-Feb-05, 11:45 PM

Runt hopped from atop Raven, brushing past Meheshi impatiently he strode toward Nim demanding, "Change me back forthwith, Nim!" and waving his tiny he-kitten paw as ominously as he could muster.
Raven allowed Mick In Boots to slide off of her and gently onto the love seat where Damian had napped. Nim glanced at Runt indifferently and then slowly blinked both violet eyes, transforming Runt and Mick to their regular outer forms.
She then turned and stared pointedly at Meheshi, who was dressed only in his undergear. The undergear was decorated with pink hearts that had cute sayings like, "Mi Amora" and "Hombre de Amore".
"Check it out Firestarter, someone with more embarrassing undergear than you." She smirked.
Firestarter stared, his orange eyes growing wide as he replied, "Wow, you're right Nim! Mine had red hearts and didn't say anything at all! Jeez, it really could have been worse!" he began to laugh uncontrollably. Meheshis' face turned deep purple as he realized he was not dressed for this occaision. He turned and fled the room, not even bothering to dance.
Ender glanced at Mick with some surprise, "He's not even a cat! Nim, you know the rules about bringing pet humans to our planet! They're not indiginous! If they got loose and populated a region, they could destroy a delicate ecosystem by disrupting the natural food chain!" he glanced at Runt as well adding, "And Runt, YOUR kind IS the food chain! How could you have taken such a risk!?!"
Runt stopped admiring his natural form and clenched his tiny fists (so much cooler than he-kitten paws!) snarling, "At least I'm not picking fights with the largest cats, ALL the largest cats no less, currently residing on your axilla of a planet!"
"Wots an axilla?" Mick asked woozily, just coming around.
Firestarter quickly whispered, "Its a fancy word for armpit, one of Runts favorite insults, he's always reading the dictionary looking for insults..."

teri tait

2006-Feb-09, 01:13 PM

Mehesi dashed back down the hallway, (along the lightning bolt he had left when he thundered) almost tripping over his own feet in his rush to get back to his clothing. As he slid between the many shelves, he was further enraged to see several steel monkeys climbing the stone wall toward a cleverly hidden opening. It was designed for birds to come and go at their liberty but was often utilized by those mercurial monkeys for their sardistic sporting events.
Meheshi screeched shrilly, "Mi offcianado uniform of de Ambassador!! There will be reprecussionos!! Deep and hard reprecussionos!! I will report this to the Intergalactica Federales!!" As usual, the steel monkeys paused long enough to point and laugh. Then quick as a wink, they slipped through the opening with their booty. No steel monkey really needed clothing, or even boots, of any sort but they had a thriving business via the Intergalactic Inter-mesh at the SBay site.
"SteelBay" as they called it, is a staunchly legal blackmarket bazaar which allows bidding on any and all manner of sundry and one of a kind items. With the current shortage of four legged trousers, they where sure to make a "killing". As a sidebar, they were planning to run up the odds on the Lasvegian Galaxy "Meheshi Murder" wager by displaying his distinctive uniform. Those curious monkeys had studied every corner of the board before making their move!
As they say in Steel Town, "Never park your car in someone else's garage, unless you can get away with it & the garage lets you!".

teri tait

2006-Feb-09, 01:27 PM

As Meheshi's screech echoed back toward the front room, a three armed version of the "Christian Rosenkruetz Lives!" T-shirt whiffled past the startled teens, closely followed by a scottish kilt of no particular plaid pattern.
Nim smirked, "Guess there really IS a shortage of four legged trousers..."
"That should look fantabulous with his style of undergear..." Added Ender.
Firestarter whooped, "That's why I wear boxers instead of longjohns!"
"I'd wager the Ambaasador may switch to boxers or even briefs after this." Raven added giggling heartily.

teri tait

2006-Feb-11, 12:32 AM

Meheshi felt something tap him lightly at the back of the head. He turned angrily expecting to ward off another abduction and saw the shirt and extremely manly kilt floating amid the air.
With wide happy eyes shining he yelled, "Santa Marias!! How have I come to be so blessed by so many?!? For so mucho time I have begged the honor to wear a man skirt! No clan would have mi and now Sir Rosens' own plaid...for one such as me...I am not worthy...I am worth less than the mer-swimmers!... Less than the woowooers... Less than..."
"OK we get it! Jeez Heshi bless us all by getting dressed!" Jean Blue said abruptly cutting off Meheshis' lamentations of worth.
He had just stepped out of the meeting for a moment enjoy a quick smoke and freshen up his moustache wax. He had witnessed most of the criminal action of the hectic preceeding minutes with the quiet wisdom of his new stature, but let his countenence fall to save himself from ear fatigue.
Jean waited rather impatiently as Meheshi danced into his new outfit. He pulled the shirt on and tucked it in neatly. Suddenly, his ever dancing stopped their habitual Waltz and stepped up to clogging. Not loud clogging proper, since his boots were currently on the open market, but certainly a respectable soft shoe.
Jean rolled his eyes and shrugged his wings thinking, 'oh well, its a step in the general direction' as he said, "Step it up, Ambassador!"
Meheshi smiled and didn't ask how, simply jumping as directed, to join the meeting with Jean Blue. As the door was closing Fhillipas' voice could be heard singing out loudly, "Great Ceasar Grandmother! Is that MY kilt? I especially asked the writer (twice) it be my outfit for this story..."

jkmccrann

2006-Feb-14, 12:40 PM

An update for mickal555

Posts in this thread
mickal555 1
jkmccrann 1
Philip A 1
teri tait 150

I'm amazed to browse through this thread and notice how much time you've put into writing this teri, I have to ask, have you actually written this down or put it in the one document? It could be the start of a novel, or are you writing a novel as it is?

Also very interesting to compare how two threads with almost identical names completely differ..................

teri tait

2006-Feb-14, 02:22 PM

(The preceding and following posts are public service announcements for your viewing pleasure, we will return to the regularly scheduled story posts shortly. Thank you for reading and please remember to feed your friendly neighborhood cats. ;))

teri tait

2006-Feb-14, 02:26 PM

jkmccrann

2006-Feb-14, 02:32 PM

Well I thank you grandly jkmccran! I write this same tired story on every world I pop into!;) its a family secret where I get the ingredients to my story...want to get married? I'm already pregnent;)

Um, would love to get married some day, but AFAIK cybersex can't result in conception, and in fact, I can't ever remember having ever indulged in it either - so I rather doubt I could possibly be the father...........

But good luck finding the lucky fella!

teri tait

2006-Feb-23, 04:08 AM

(This concludes our off topic meandering, please note the writer is neither pregnent nor interested in marriage.:)
After a brief catnap, the story will resume tomorrow morning, please be advised all off beat humor is the sole propensity of the rather quirky writer. ;))

teri tait

2006-Feb-23, 09:56 PM

Meanwhile in the front room several characters waited impatiently as Runt carefully returned Mikes' snap to its location proper. It was a difficult task and no matter how loud Runt bellowed at it, he could not reshape the slightly bent portion that had come in contact with Firestarters head.
"If I go down, I'm taking you Milklappers with me!" Runt snarled to no Milklapper in particular.
Firestarter curled his tongue and expertly blew the lopsided portion back to its pristine condition stating simply, "Hey Runt, I gotcher back!" and scruffling the tufty fur on Runts somewhat pear shaped head with his most gentle claw.
Nim watched with carefully bored looking eyes, occaisionly swishing her tail. "What about the Aussie and Ender, how do you plan on explaining them?" Nim asked yawning just wide enough to show her most impressive teeth.
Runt turned quickly toward Nim and boomed "Heelloooo she-kitten! This whole mess is due to your lack of self control and notoriously mischevious nature! I only went along with it to keep you safe, since my strength in adversity is legendary afterall!" he pushed his tiny glasses up his nose and continued as Nim gazed at him smiling smugly.
Runt rolled his eyes in frustration, clenching his fists & actually vibrating with anger (knowing as Nim did, Nim would slide out of any predicament with ease), "OK Ender, you were due here to give an official report of the state of planet Nim anyway so no worries there..." Runt turned toward Mick and continued more calmly, "Mick I'm afraid we'll be sending you back from wence you came. I have the authority to grant one T-shirt to the entity I see fit, I have chosen you."
As he spoke one of the coveted Christian Rosenkruetz Lives! T-shirts whiffled directly to the startled teen.
Mick No Longer In Boots opened his mouth to say thanks but before he could speak, he suddenly poofed out in a cluster of spiral lightning balls and sprockets.

teri tait

2006-Feb-24, 10:20 PM

Runt, still shooting daggers at Nim, spoke again, "Ender, if you give me any grief, good, bad or otherwise, I will personally whiffle belt you to the Saber Tooths. They have already petitioned for that service to be performed and I am stalling them from ramping that request to a higher authority. Before I give my decision to them I request your cooperation in maintaining order, what say you?"
Ender's midnight blue eyes sparkled with mirth as he solemnly replied, "I will do my utmost to comply to your directive. Bear in mind, O Wise and Powerful Runt, as steward to planet Nim I am required by duty to follow the request of the Monarch above and beyond all other duties. It's in the manual, 'Stewardship For Dummies' on page 15."
Ender lifted his paw and high-fived Nim in a perfectly timed sort of way. "The real question at hand is who will be minding the steward position while I am off planet?" Ender grinned evielly at Runt adding, "According to the manuel, the next closet kin takes up the mantle...that would be my little sister, Gemini"
Runt blanched at the mention of Gemini remembering all to clearly the horrors she could inflict. He also remembered his out of character kiss at his departure from her clutches, then quickly reassured himself it was just Patty Hearst Syndrome.
"Yes, yes Gemini will do fine in this pinch! Indeed I can redirect the Saber Tooth's request to her jurisdiction and wash my hands of the whole sticky mess!" Runt said brightening visibly at the thought. "No doubt she will have them over for tea to discuss the whole matter." He added grinning.

teri tait

2006-Feb-28, 12:42 AM

Runt began to type rapidly into his computer type device, advising the planet Nim liason that all planet-oriented business be rerouted to Gemini, the Surrogate Steward. He grinned a bit wickedly, picturing the enormous Sabertooths wearing dress-up outfits and drinking pretend tea with Gemini, Papa Smurf, and Barney.
Bootsie came strolling into the room; noncholantly appearing after all major evidence of the teens' off world adventure had been neatly disposed. She was purring loudly and Damian was following right behind her with a sackful of what appeared to be every known variety of nut. There was even several fine specimens of T-nuts and even the sticky sweet C-nut.
A despondent Candy Squirrel trudged behind Damien. Candy Squirrel hung onto Inzip as if he were a newel post, grimly muttering her loss of prized nuts in the recent poker game.
"How is it that a cat, a regular everyday housecat like Bootsie is sooooo good at poker... I mean how do we know she's even a cat? Or even female for that matter?!?" Candy said in a somewhat whiny voice.
Inzip patted her head ackwardly stating, "Whehl itsh justah wave them nutses goes, full houses never beats the flush... Ya shoulda quit while yah was ahead in the games deear 'est darlin'" he adjusted several electrical gadgets and checked his specialized watch of universal time. It showed actual time since they had all arrived at the planet to be less than four hours. He marveled at the way time seemed to be endless and yet so little had gone by in realtime.
Candy Squirrel shook her head vehemetly, "No, I refuse to accept this 'poker game' as an innocent game of cards! ...I'm sure, in my gut, Bootsie (if that's her real name) has wronged me and stolen my nuts... I have no proof or evidence of any type but I'm sticking to my guns with this! Mark my words...mark them well..."

teri tait

2006-Mar-01, 11:52 PM

Bootsie sat down gracefully her enormous girth, yawned and began washing her immaculate fur, carefully ignoring Candy Squirrel.
Damian piped, "Bootsie wants to donate her winnings to the Intergalactic Dating Pool in Candy's name, so as to help her locate and capture the perfect male speciman available." He then handed the large sack of rare nuts to Raven who promptly loaded them in her empty knapsack.
Raven smiled at Candy and said, "TMT says you may keep the glass slippers as they are a perfect fit for your cute squirrel feet. She also took the liberty of submitting your personal information to the elusive Peter Coolman, as he appears to be a perfect gentleman and smart enough to meet your standards."
Candy Squirrel jumped with surprise and asked, "You mean the great maker of music from string and pipes? The man who solved the mystery of the curse of the tarot? The man with an IQ of 10,000?!?"
Candy nearly swooned with delight as Raven nodded, confirming Candy's greatest dream had been sequestered and exceeded. In all of her squirrel dreams she had never hoped to meet and capture such a man... And now he was being handed to her on a silvery nut-filled platter...
Runt rolled his eyes impatiently and said, "Yes, yes the wise and powerful Mr. Coolman is yours for the taking...please stop swooning so I can transfer you to his lair...sheesh..."
Having said that, Runt immediately whiffled Candy Squirrel to meet Peter Coolman, a date with destiny indeed.
Inzip looked around somewhat anxiously, feeling a bit out of place without his favorite squirrel by his side. Without a word he promptly swan dived into to dirt floor, drilling a hole down and out of Chris Rosen whacky little house.
"Well, well, looks like the crowd is thinning out a bit." Runt stated smugly, "That must mean it's nearly time for more adventures with other key participents and our core group of players, of course."
Firestarter carefully blew the loose dirt back into the hole recently made by Inzip, tamping it down with one powerful paw. "Who do ya think we'll rope into our next adventure?" he asked no key player in particular.

teri tait

2006-Mar-02, 01:59 AM

"That is neither here nor there, Moor-on Cat!" Runt bellowed, "The task at hand is to clear up any loose ends that might sully MY pristine record... Nim, you need to be my damage control liason with Uncie Chris as I am his apprentice and he can tell if I even attempt to embellish the truth. Ender, you need to be sure to back up everything Nim says to cover my furry little rear! Firestarter, you need to avoid speaking at all costs! Raven, try not to look disapproving and no 'tsk tsking'! Bootsie, you and I already have our own silent agenda and see that you remember that! Damian, get us all a glass of soda and some chips like a good little stone lion."
Damian nodded obligingly and went toward the kitchen to do as Runt requested.
As soon as Damian was out of the main room Runt began speaking again, "Just a reminder to everybody, if I go down... You go down..."
Nim, who was pretending to have dozed off during Runts little speech (more of a rant really), began snoring rather obnoxiously. Ender and Firestarter began laughing hysterically, while Raven and Bootsie quietly smiled at each other knowingly.
Runt glared around the room and shouted, "I will NOT be IGNORED!!" rather pompously.
"OK, OK, settle on down little buckaroo." Said Ender, "Good thing Inzip already left, we wouldn't want you boiling a rabbit now would we? Heh, heh..."

teri tait

2006-Mar-03, 05:49 AM

Runt whipped his head around to verbally assault Ender, then froze as he heard the door to the Meeting room open silently.
He prided himself in his ability to hear silent happenings quite well and said a wordless thank you that he had heard this all-important silent sound.
"OK, Milklappers, just remember what I told you and no one gets hurt..." Runt hissed menacingly.
He turned his head toward Nim and added, "If ever I needed your annoying luck with Uncie Chris, now would be the time She-Kitten!"
Nim smiled and then began to fade out slowly. "Nim!" Runt squawked furiously, "Don't you dare!"
Nim allowed herself to rematerialize and smiled saying, "Just kidding Runt, jeez can't you take a joke?"
Just then Mike shambled into the room, carefully checking the location of his snaps before smiling at the teens. "Looks like you all managed to conduct yourselves with rarely displayed maturity and fortitude." He stated warmly.
"Hey, you even have refreshments ready!" Mike added taking a glass of soda from the tray Damian carried into the room.
"Xaphod, no soda for you m'boy, you know how it gives you hiccups!" Chris Rosen said as he came in behind Mike.
Xaphod came in next and reluctantly accepted the glass of milk offered by Bootsie. Behind him, Meheshi, Germanium, Jean Blue, Fhillipa, and the elusive Francis were talking and laughing, deeply engrossed in their own conversation.

teri tait

2006-Mar-09, 09:18 PM

Runt dashed quickly toward his CEO throne, madly leaping toward the chair to reach it before he was spotted by Chris. As he landed, he whipped out his computer like device and began to frantically type.
Firestarter grabbed a glass of soda and chugged it while wolfing down some chips. He figured if he continued to eat non-stop, he would be unable to speak.
Nim stretched and yawned as if tremendously bored saying, "Uncie Chris I commandeered the whiffle belt for the purposes of collecting Ender. I know he had a timely report to give and so out of my clear duty, not for my personal entertainment, I brought him to you." Nim stared at Chris with wide innocent violet eyes and added, "Runt insisted on annoying me by coming along, he said it was his obligation as an apprentice or some such. I tried to waylay him by turning him into a kitten, but to no avail! He hung on like velcro, so I made him come along, too."
Chris smiled as he replied, "Well Runt m'boy, sounds like you had everything under control! Be a good apprentice and give yourself a small raise! I'll note your permanent record accordingly."
Ender stepped forward, standing at attention and fairly shouted, "Permission to speak, Sir!" then waited rigidly until Chris turned toward him waving at him vaguely. (his usual signal to speak)
"The sabers are at it again, Sir! They were caught using the royal paintball fields for their scrimmage football, Sir! A small altercation occurred due to their encroachment, Sir! Several sabers were embarrassed and humiliated in the routing that ensued, Sir! All of the sabers are now presenting claims, Sir! My sister has been appointed the planets surrogate steward, Sir! She has forwarded her plan to ease tensions, Sir!"
"Well m'boy, I commend your on your decorum and thorough report. Runt, be a good apprentice and give us her plan of action." Chris Rosen replied jovially.
Runt was just wrapping up adding a zero to his stipend and called over his shoulder, "She's sending a video feed, I'll get the video feed device online, forthwith." He turned around smiling, "Shouldn't I get a medal or something too? I mean I risked my mortal coil to keep Nim in line and all..." Runts voice trailed off in a humble fashion, as Chris promptly answered, "Yes, yes, of course you should get the Apprentice Medal of Servitude, go ahead and requisition one and put my signature on the request."
Runt replied sweetly, "As luck would have it, I already have the form completed..." As he sent to request to the Apprentice homeoffice service.
He then trotted over to a large version video feed device and flipped the switch to on, stepping back a bit as one entire wall became a huge video screen.

teri tait

2006-Mar-09, 10:49 PM

The wall showed a huge title page, listing several dozen videos waiting to be viewed by Chris Rosen.
There were also several commercial ads, identified by their gaudy titles like, "One look at this could change your life!" and "I urgently request you respond, you may have already won!". Runt impatiently deleted them muttering, "Stupid spam!" along with a string of colorful german verbs. After clearing out the cluttered inbox, Runt scrolled to the video feed sent by Gemini.
It was listed as "live feed beginning as soon as you reply", Runt grumbled a bit about how annoying girls (especially girl felines) could be as he forwarded the standard Chris Rosen reply. The reply showed a slightly impatient Runt jumping up and down yelling, "Helllooo lesser being... Please begin your live video feed before I become bored and delete your request!! Keep in mind, off-worlder, Chris Rosen is a busy entity - so don't waste our time!!!"
Raven quietly began "tsk tsking", only stopping when Runt turned to pointedly stare at her with his most glaring glare. Damian piped up, "Wow, Runt, you're 'puter generated reply is a lot nicer than it used to be!" All of the teenagers nodded and murmured their agreement to Damian's critique as Runt ignored everyone, focusing his attention on the screen expectently. He was soon rewarded with the automatic reply from Gemini; A short animation full of fluffy clouds and Rainbow Brite type creatures singing the classic song, "Gemini Dream".
Runt rolled his eyes in disgust, plugging his ears until the song was complete and the live feed became viewable. Everyone else quickly grabbed a seat to enjoy the rare treat of a "face to face" with the legendary sabers of the planet Nim.
Chris Rosen stepped forward and a spotlight lit upon him as a lecturn appeared directly in front of the video screen. As he walked to the lecturn, the spotlight followed him. He stood comfortably at the lecturn and adjusted the old styled microphone. Everyone knew Chris Rosen enjoyed the ambiance of the old fashioned lecture hall and so this was somewhat unexpected but not quite a surprise.

teri tait

2006-Mar-10, 01:23 AM

The video feed displayed a large conference room filled to capacity with gigantic saber tooths, most of which were still stained odd colors from the recent paint gun attack. The most unhappy looking ones were a cluster of neon pink sabers, the obvious victems of Nim paintball grenade.
Gemini stood at the far end of the table behind a specially designed podium/scratching post. She smiled up at the camera and waved one paw with gusto saying, "Hi Uncie Chris! Hi Ender! Things are going great here, all the Sabers have decided to drop their charges of misconduct. They do want to set the record straight on one important point, though!"
Having said that, Gemini beckoned to one of the especially neon pink sabers. The saber slouched up to the podium, clearing his throat to speak.
"Righto Gemmie, we sabers jess wont ta say we wuss playin' Rugby, not bloomin' football!" he glared upward squinting a bit at the camera, "When's 'ol Endah goin' ta be beck? We sabers, we got a noice little souprise for that bugger!" he grinned allowing his large eyeteeth to show prominently.
"Well, then we'll have the official report updated immediately!" Chris Rosen said agreeably, "Runt, be a good apprentice and update the official report, m'boy!"
"We'll be needing Ender here for a bit, I'm afraid, he may well be gone several weeks. While he's off planet, you boys go ahead and play your Rugby at the royal paintball site." Chris said, smiling. "Any other deviations from normal planet procedure will need to be routed through the surrogate steward." He finished speaking and paused for a moment so the saber could speak.
The sabor said nothing, glowering into the camera at the faintly visible form of Ender sitting just past the spotlight. Gemini flicked on the table top speaking device positioned in front of her and spoke again, "I have declared a national holiday to celebrate my new boyfriend, Runt! The sabers are going to build a lovely statue out of chocolate and candy and when its complete, we will be having a lovely tea party!" she smiled prettily, her sky blue eyes lighting up with anticipation.
Runt made an odd strangled sound but wisely, did not actually speak. Instead, he unsuccessfully attempted to disappear into the fabric of his CEO throne.
Chris replied without missing a beat, "That sounds just peachy, m'dear! Runt be a good apprentice and add that to the official holiday log for the planet Nim, so we can celebrate it annually!" Runt began swearing softly in German but did as he was told.
"Now if that's all the current business, we'll go ahead and sign off m'dear!" Chris said toward both Gemini and the saber at the podium, "Alright then, Gemini, good work and carry on!" Chris said as he flipped off the video device.
He turned to the others and said, "Its almost time for our finishing song, adventurers! Runt, be a good apprentice and bring us a more substantial snack! Xaphod, don't eat the chips m'boy, you know they give you hives!"

teri tait

2006-Mar-10, 09:01 PM

Xaphod turned his scrumptious blue eyes toward the photo of his space honey and whispered something that made the girl in the picture laugh uncontrollably. He then tucked the photo securely into his man purse and turned toward Mike saying, "Mine space honey has agreed to travel with me today, dear brother!"
Mike stared balefully at Xaphod, resisting the urge to grab him by the ears. He replied in a nuetral tone, "She promised ME she would keep an eye on YOU, you twit! How else can she do that without having to endure your company?!? Besides I will be accompaning you also, dear brother. Oh, and just so you know, she's always loved my company and I'm the one that was her first choice. I broke it off with her!!
Just because we're good friends and still care about each other is no reason for you to be jealous, baby brother!"
Mike clapped Xaphod on the shoulder (causing him to spill milk down his front) and said, "How 'bout a hug, baby brother?" before swiftly pulling him into a bone crushing bear hug. Xaphod almost dropped his now empty milk glass, but managed to hold onto it as he extracted himself from the vice-like grip of Mike.
"Well, well, big brother, its obvious you live in a world apart from the rest of us! To think my space honey has any feelings for you other than pity! Hah, were there more photos of her here to love, perhaps she would spare you a pity date for old times sake!" Xaphod said with his blue eyes flashing dangerously. Several sparks flew out of them, falling harmlessly to the floor.
Fhillipa stared at the brothers wide-eyed, wondering what would happen next, as Jean Blue leaned in toward him and said, "Just ignore them, they always argue over that picture, apparently the girl in the photo is the writer of this story and she can't figure out which character she loves best... She's got quite a thing for you as well, Sir Moderator, but you probably already know that, aye?" Jean wiggled his eyebrows meaningfully at Fhillipa.
Fhillipa blushed a tiny bit and replied, "Great Ceasars Grandmother!! That is a private story, that we write to each other!! It's not even kept on this forum! How did you come to know of it?!?"
Jean Blue laughed heartily, his wings flapping with mirth and said, "I didn't know at all until she just made me say that last sentence! She's the writer, afterall..." He trailed off still laughing a bit to himself.

teri tait

2006-Mar-11, 11:59 PM

Chris Rosen glanced briefly at the itinerary Runt had passed out earlier, humming and tapping his foot. "Yes, Sir Moderator! You did a fine job of whistling earlier, m'boy! Are you up to doing an encore?" he asked Fhillipa.
"I say, I will be honored to play a song on the flute at your request, Sir Rosen!" Fhillipa promptly answered, "I enjoyed playing from the heart, I will be happy to give that another go!"
Meheshi fox-trotted toward Chris stating, "I demand an investigation of the Steel Monkeys that roam in and out of your casa, amigo Senor Rosen! They have mi numero uno boots and mi Ambassadora uniforma! It is a travesty!" Mehesi gestured at the long johns showing clearly beneath the hem of the borrowed kilt. "I am dressed most ridiculously, with no hope to finding pants with quatro leg holes! I will be the stalk of laughing to everyone!"
"Oh, Heshi, pipe down!" said Mike, "you're under my command and still have a job to until our mission is completed!" Mike shrugged in the direction of Nim and continued, "It appears we'll be carrying several passengers when we go off planet, if you want to be released from duty in my service, tell me now so we can get you where you need to be, and hand your duties over to competent crewmen."
Meheshi choked with rage at the implied insult, stiffly stating, "I will continue to meet mi obligations under your command El Capiton!"
Nim nudged Firestarter and Ender, smirking, "Maestro, can't someone else be in charge of the paying customers on your ship? Maheshi's constant dancing gives me eye fatigue."
"Nim!!" Mike fairly shouted, "Stop screwing around!"
Nim glared at Mike silently for a moment before fading out and slinking away. Ender and Firestarter slunk right behind her, all three heading out the front door. Raven 'tsk tsked' once and followed them outside with Damian accompanying her.

teri tait

2006-Mar-13, 01:04 AM

Nim sauntered out along Chris Rosen's front meadows, past the enormouse rose gardens, breathing the tantalizing scents the roses exuded. She squinted at the statues in the darkness, her only light the two full moons in the clear night sky. She stopped walking and sat down so suddenly, Firestarter and Ender nearly tripped over her.
Among the many statues she recognized stood the unmoving form of an incredibly tall standing wulf, who appeared to be staring at the moons. As they watched, he suddenly morphed into a large furry man-type creature.
Runt, who had followed the rest of the teenagers outside, suddenly spoke three ominous words, "It's a Wherewulf!" he then panicked screeching, "He's going to eat us!" rather loudly, as he leaped for the safety of Firestarter's back.
The wulfman turned toward the sudden sound of Runts voice and replied, "Am not!"
"Sure you are!" whooped Firestarter, "You're a creature of the moon, a man that is compelled to turn wulf where the full moon beckons!" Firestarter lifted one enormous paw and pointed at the full moons adding helpfully, "See, the moons are full and everthing!"
Ender nodded, "Yeppers, its a textbook scenario, wulf dude, what's yer name?"
"I'm NOT a wherewulf, you pathetic twerps! I'm a WHEN wulf! I change when I want, to whatever I want, for as long as I want!" The man replied, "My name is Alonewulf, as I am a loner and the last of my pack! I was just enjoying the beauty of the STARS, not the MOONS! Jeez, it's getting so a guy can't go ANYWHERE without some panic filled voice yelling Wherewulf!" Alonewulf rolled his silver glowing eyes in disgust.
Raven nodded, "He's telling the truth, he comes to the lair of the Stone Lion Council and advises them about Inter-mesh traps and such." Damian smiled, then ran up and hugged the tall furry wulfman.
"Alonewulf has a great singing voice and knows the secrets of the Educational Triangle! He tells great stories and knows how to find anything on the Inter-mesh!" Damian stated to no one in particular.
Runt tapped on his hand-held computer device muttering, "My sources say, Alonewulf is able to change whenever and as long as he likes... but he can only change to a furry man-shape of any SIZE he pleases. So technically, he just lied to us..."
"Yes, Damian, you are correct." Alonewulf said patting Damien on his head as they finished hugging.
"I'm here because I was summonded by Sir Rosen, now if you kittens will excuse me, I have an appointment with destiny." Alonewulf said as he strode past the stunned teens. (Runt gave him the sign to ward off evil and muttered something in German just to be safe)
Nim squinted at him warily, "If you try to chase me, I will turn you into a toy poodle, dog-boy."
Alonewulf looked at Nim in disgust, "As if! I wouldn't be caught dead chasing any cat, your majesty, even royal pains such as yourself."
Firestarter bellowed with laughter, nearly unseating Runt and Damian giggled. Even Raven had to smile at the comment, although Ender and Nim both looked ready to scratch the wulfman's eyes out.
The enigmatic wulfman walked swiftly to the small house and knocked on the door.

teri tait

2006-Mar-13, 11:34 PM

Germaniun and Francis had just finished their goodbyes and faded from view as a loud knock disturbed the peacful quiet of Chris Rosen's happy home.
Jean Blue flapped to his feet and across the room to open the door. Jean frowned at the tall wulfman standing on the porch. He could only see up to the middle of the wulfmans chest, due to his tremendous height, and had to crane his neck a bit to identify to see the handsome face of Alonewulf.
"Aw, jeez, Alonewulf! What the crapple are you doing here?" Jean said as he caught a glimpse of Alonewulfs silvery eyes. "I thought you were too busy for our little party here, what with springing all those intermesh traps for the free goat steaks!"
"Hey, Jean, its great to see you too." Alonewulf replied rather sarcastically, "I'm here by request...I received two separate invitations, neither of which were extended by YOU, dear friend."
"Ahhh, mine fellow travelor!!" Xaphod said enthusiastically, "So you did receive mine message! I was in fear that perhaps it had not reached you...perhaps due to some nefarious deeds from entities of ill repute..." Xaphod trailed off staring pointedly at Mike.
"My baby brother again displays his ignorance," Mike said glowing a bit fiercely, "I also extended an invitation, Xaphod, you twit!" Mike met Xaphod's pointed look with his favorite glare.
"Well, well, its good to hear of you two working together for the common good!" Chris Rosen interjected cheerfully, "Come in m'boy! I haven't seen you since I had to bail you and Xaphod out of jail! Mike, you remember that, aye?" Chris Rosen shared a knowing wink with Mike.
"Of course, Pop, Xaphod was curled up in the fetal position and Alonewulf was lifting his voice in song to keep Xaphod from freaking out entirely! The jailers were in such a good mood from Alonewulf's singing, they were persuaded to drop all the charges!" Mike smiled warmly at Alonewulf as he stooped down and entered the house, "Ever since then, I've been a fan of the wulf song."
Alonewulf nodded acknowledging Mike's compliment and replied, "Its a gift of my heritage, a dream to some...a nightmare to others...depending on my mood."
Meheshi waltzed over to Alonewulf and shook his furry hand. Meheshi then turned to Mike and stated, "El Capitan, I shall depart for your ship and ready it for the next leg of our journey! Senor Rosen! I say many thanks for your hospitalitias! Mi casa, is your casa! I feel just like a Conquistador of old! I shall be the hero of the Monks in need of rescue on my casa planet!" With no further ado, Meheshi waltzed (with the occaisional clog step thrown in) toward Mike's ship.
"I say, will he be alright by himself?" Fhillpa asked almost frettishly.
"No worries, m'boy! The steel monkeys brought him here safely and they also promised to return him to the ship just as safely!" Chris said amicably to assure Fhillipa there was no need to fret.
They all braced for the scream, which followed forthwith, letting them know the steel monkeys had made good on their promise.
"Bootsie, please accompany our young guests back to the ship and see that they do not cause any trouble. Are we also taking your apprentice Pop?" Mike turned toward Chris who nodded, "Good, the little rodent needs some life lessons to toughen him up a bit!"
"Mawheeer!" Bootsie replied heaving her enormous girth upwards. She waddled gracefully through the door to gather up the young adventurers.

teri tait

2006-Mar-19, 04:18 AM

Bootsie waddled quickly toward the group of teens, who were still discussing the rumours and speculations that followed Alonewulf wherever he went.
"I heard he defeated Dregga Stah in a chivalric tournament and now Dregga Stah is like his pet poodle!" Firestarter said in a hushed whisper.
"Oh please! Who couldn't beat Dregga Stah?" Ender asked dispairingly, "That dragon couldn't fight his way out of a paper bag!"
"Is that why he guards the eggs instead of his mate?" Damian asked
"No, his mate kept eating the offspring. Dregga Stah went through three egg layings before he caught on. Then he dumped the she-dragon and put in for a cyber hatchling partner. He disguising himself as a female as part of the egg hatching process so as not to traumatize the hatchlings." Runt stated, "Its a top secret endeavor and you should continue to refer to him as a her."
"That's the craziest thing I ever heard!" Nim advised no one in particular, "When will he break the news to the hatchlings?!?"
"I don't think he's planned that far ahead." Runt mused, "Perhaps he'll never tell them, dragons are a strange lot."
"Well, all I know is Alonewulf is kinda creepy in a cute sort of way." Nim suddenly said.
Her words were greeted with a stunned silence.
"I mean for a non-feline entity..." Nim trailed off to an embarrassed sort of way.
Bootsie picked that moment to jump gracefully onto Nim's back and utter a single, "Mawwwerrraaah" which translated into the fact that they were being mustered back to the ship with Bootsie.
"What do you mean I need 'life experience'?!?" Runt raged, "I am oozing with life experience! I make all these Milklappers look like the amatuers they are!"
Bootsie ignored Runt and curled her huge frame into a rather large ball on Nim's back. Truth be told she was already dreaming of slow moving mice before Runt had even finished speaking.
"Well, I know for a fact Alonewulf is the same wulf that was tamed by Uncie Francis hundreds of years ago." Raven said as they began their walk toward the ship. "He used to be wild and had a taste for french peasants back on Earth, until Uncie Francis spoke to him as a brother.
He converted to a lightbearer, the only known wulfish convert. He knows the secrets of Ether Travel, just like the Stone Lions. He could qualify to be a Druid if he wanted but he disdains all organized orders as too bureaucratic. He likes to work alone, in his own special way."
The others marvelled at her words, savoring the information as special. Everyone knew Raven NEVER spoke at length unless it was important and true.
"I heard he's the big bad wulf that ate Little Red Ridinghood's granny!" Firestarter blurted, "and they made a movie once called An American Wherewulf in London and Alonewulf was the stuntwulf!!"
"Well, I heard he's a big bad has-been," sneered Ender, "He's way past his prime if he's been around as long as 'ol Uncie Francis!"
"If he travels via the mist, he is not subject to the laws of time, Pinhead!" Runt replied, "On the contrary, he will always be in his prime!"

teri tait

2006-Mar-24, 02:02 AM

Alonewulf ambled gracefully across the room and seated himself on the roomy loveseat. He carefully looked over each entity in the room with his silver glowing eyes, taking in the measure of each face. His experience with each individual, except Sir Rosen, was limited if it existed at all.
His history with Sir Rosen was extensive and intertwined with his various escapades through the mists of time. Often enough, Alonewulf would find himself called to the ether to jump time and space. He was most often called to repair damage and havoc wreaked by lesser beings with just enough mystical knowledge to do real damage.
His thoughts drifted for a moment as he recalled the many situations where he rescued hapless so-call 'Golden Morning' type groups, or various 'Plant of Lifers' who truly believed the rubbish fed to them by various impish entities. 'If I had a nickel for everytime I've heard the words abracadabra or open sesame' he mused, quietly to himself.
"Hellloooo, Whenwulf... If you could please FOCUS for a minute or two..." Jean
Blue said rather rudely, "We need to discuss our impending musical intervention!"
Alonewulf glanced briefly at Jean Blue before he replied, "Keep in mind, wingman, I work alone and I don't take orders."
Chris Rosen stepped forward and spoke, "Ahhh, but this is a specialized situation m'boy! We have at our disposal, Fhillipa, the renowned whistler with a mystical flute that transcends time and space when properly played. We stand at the threshold of a formidable task; to realign, with sound, the most damaged portions of this, our universe. Further, we have a chance to increase our positive interaction with our nearest parrallel universes!"
Chris Rosen smiled vaguely, sweeping one arm toward Fhillipa, "May I present our wind section," he said, "To our vocal section." As he swept his other arm toward Alonewulf.
Fhillipa and Alonewulf stared at each other silently, neither very sure of what to think of the other.
Suddenly, without warning, Alonewulf stood up, changed to his Whenwolf form and dashed out the front door.
"What the crapple!" Jean Blue shouted startled, "what's gotten into him?"
Chris Rosen smiled vaguely and replied, "He's been called away on an immediate situation...I heard the call plain as day...it is out of the normal range of hearing for most...he'll be here in time to lend his voice...one way or another."

teri tait

2006-Mar-25, 02:45 AM

"Who wants to have a thousand gallons of fun with Maestro's ship?" Nim asked no one in particular. Bootsie was sleeping comfortably on Nim's back as they walked along toward Mike's ship. Runt turned quickly, he was at his usual traveling perch on Firestarter's furry mane. He eyed Nim with barely concealed fury, "She-kitten! I will not stand by and let you attempt to sully my record again!" Runt hissed furiously, "I will not tolerate anymore of your hair-brained schemes and criminal acts disguised as hijinks!" he pounded one tiny fist into Firestarter's mane to emphasize the strength of his words.
"Ouch...Dude! That hurts!" Firestarter yelped, "Cut it out, Runt, what did I do?!?"
Ender grinned at the pair of them, winking at Nim as he said earnestly, "Runt is right, we could get in real trouble...I mean just because Nim has incredible luck and NEVER gets caught...just because her last idea caused you to receive a medal and a raise..." He let his voice trail off.
Raven, in her Stone Lion form with Damian riding her in his human form, quietly, "tsk tsked" at the whole lot of her companions.

teri tait

2006-Mar-25, 05:38 AM

"Hah, reverse psychology, Moor-on Cat? What do you Milklappers take me for?" Runt growled, "I am far too evolved to fall for that!" he added disdainfully.
As they continued on the silence was broken by an incessant beeping noise coming from the vicinity of Runt. "Oh what now?" Runt mumbled as he pulled out his computer type device. The screen was lit with the banner of the planet Creatine in the background and a shifty-looking somewhat reptilian character that Runt recognized immediately. "Niv-Mizzet...what the crapple is he bothering me for?" Runt said as he clicked on the message.
"By order of the Overlord of Creatine, I demand you report to our planet forthwith!" the shifty-eyed character hissed.
Ender nudged Nim and wiggled his eyebrows saying, "Oooooh, Runt, did you forget something hmmmm? Don't you owe that particular planet overlord a few shekels?"
Firestarter laughed like a hyena adding, "Isn't Dregga Stah the overlord there these days? Remember? They had that big contest and Dregga Stah won the title 'Overlord' in a sporting event? Man, those dragons take their 'Twister' tournaments serious there! Who would've thought they would use it to select their Overlord?" He shook his head in amazement, almost unseating Runt who was busy with his computer device.
"Silence Milklapper!" Runt yelled, "No, not you, Niv-Mizzet! I was talking to this Moor-on Cat! Yes, I know I have to pay Dregga Stah..."
"You mean, His Honor, High Overlord Dregga Stah!" Niv-Mizzet hissed angrily, "The payment is due in full in ten hours, rodent, or a price goes on your insignificant little head!" Niv-Mizzet stated flatly just before cutting the connection.
"This is all your fault, Nim!" Runt screeched, "If I didn't have to rescue you from the Sabers, I wouldn't have this stupid lizard calling me!"
Nim looked at Runt with bored violet eyes replying, "No worries, Runt, we just borrow Maestro's ship, pop over to Creatine, pay Dregga Star, and be back before we're even missed." She continued walking toward the ship as the others stopped, frozen in a stunned silence. "What?" Nim said innocently, "You heard the lizard, we don't want our cute little Runt on 'The Universe's Most Wanted' show now do we? Its official planet Nim business, we have to take care of it...Ender why don't you give Gemini a call and tell her we need official clearance to commandeer a ship drawn up and filed all official like and then we got ourselves a spaceship with clearance and everything."
A slow grin spread across Ender's face as he replied, "Its a perfect plan, Nim! Gemini already has a crush on Runt, there's no way she'll turn us down!"
"And just who's going to fly Mike's ship?!?" Runt snarled, "Not one of us has ever flown a ship like this! Even with Bootsie, if she agreed to help, we would still need a co-pilot proficient with this sort of craft!" Runt glared at each feline, "Anybody who's flown an antique, limited edition, TMT-XL Starcruiser, raise your hand!" he added sarcastically.
They all stared back at him silent and unmoving, then slowly, a hand inched up into the air. "You? Damian?! You're like five years old! You're an experienced pilot with this rare type of ship!?" Runt sputtered, "Is this true?!" Runt bellowed at Raven.
Raven smiled and nodded, "He's been taking courses for the past three years, correspondence training with simulation flying time...he's first in his class." She stated with pride for her smallest brother in her voice.
"And I'm eight, Runt, not five!" Damian added with a bright smile.
"So, its settled then," Ender said smoothly, "Runt, be a dear and ring up Gemmie for the clearance so we can get with the business of saving your furry little neck!" Ender said as he smiled sweetly at Runt.
Runt swore softly in German as he dialed up Gemini on his device and handed the phone to Ender. A Saber Tooth answered after only one ring saying, "Planet Nim, Steward Gemini's office." In a crisp official voice.
"Hey Max, its me Ender. Be a good kitty and tell Gemmie to requisition Maestros ship OK? Thanks." Ender cut off before the stunned Saber could even reply. "OK, looks like we're all set and official!" Ender said as he and Nim smiled wickedly at each other.
"Cool!" yelled Firestarter, "We're gonna jack a real spaceship!"
"Commandeer, fool! Now be quiet, before you wake up Bootsie!" Runt replied trying hard to not sound worried as he nervously eyed Bootsie.

teri tait

2006-Mar-25, 07:36 AM

Alonewulf whomped through the brush and trees, making a beeline toward Mike's ship. He followed no trail, per se, instead allowing his esoteric senses to guide him unerringly in the right direction.
He moved quickly and silently, a blur of movement moving at seemingly impossible speed. Alonewulf moved like the mist, almost becoming mist when he ran at top speed.
He continued to hear the echo of the call that sent him running in the first place. He did not know what was needed or why he was called, he only knew where he needed to be and the rest would become known to him when he arrived. That was the way of all Whenwulves.
He rounded a hill at full speed, loping across the moonlit field and stopped in front of the silent ship. He morphed back to man shape and approached the ship entrance, then tapped a code into the entrance dial. The door opened soundlessly as he stooped his 7' frame down and entered. He looked around at the empty ship as a smile crossed his usually grim face.
Turning toward the still open doorway, he resumed his Whenwulf form and lifted his voice in a quiet song, almost a lullaby, sending the sound back to the ears of Chris Rosen only. He sang of the place he needed to be, Creatine, and that he would be taking the ship with the help of the youngest Stone Lion. He sang his promise to see that no harm came to the young members of the entourage that would accompany him.
As his voice faded into the night, carried on the wind to Chris Rosen, he sensed the approach of Steel Monkeys. They were headed straight for the ship with their unwilling cargo, Meheshi. Alonewulf sighed, rolling his eyes and stepped back outside the ship to meet them.

teri tait

2006-Mar-25, 10:15 PM

"Did you hear something?" Runt said, looking around quickly.
"Like what, squirrels?" Firestarter asked hopefully, "I haven't chased a squirrel in what seems like forever!" he added somewhat sadly.
"No, not squirrels Moor-on Cat!" Runt answered shortly, "Monkeys! Steel Monkeys! Approaching from the north, from the sound of it, we'll be running into them very close to our destination."
Runt whipped out his computer device and began typing as rapidly as possible while holding onto the mane of a Moor Cat. After some minutes he snorted with laughter and pointed at the screen with one tiny clawed digit saying only, "Meheshi!" the screen showed a video feed loop of the Ambassador being spirited through the trees by the sure footed Steel Monkeys. The looped played a video byte of a screaming, red faced Meheshi being tossed across a formidable distance, from one tree to the next. As he sailed through the air, his kilt puffed up like a balloon, displaying his heart covered long johns in all their glory. Runt laughed heartily, letting the loop play over and over several times before freezing it at the place where the kilt puffed out the most. Nim sidled over and peered at the screen with mild interest.
"Oh, great. I forgot about that annoying Ambassador." Nim said with a trace of irritation in her voice, "no doubt they're making a personal delivery to Maestro's ship... What the crapple are we going to do with him? He's going to put a kink in our fun, unless we find a way to..."
Raven frowned at Nim interrupting her to say, "He has a duty, just like Bootsie, we have to take them both with us." Raven looked at Runt, "Also, it sounds like we'll be taking Alonewulf too, only he thinks he's taking us." She added rather cryptically.
Nim smiled gleefully, "So I take it you're on board with our little excursion, Raven?" Nim high fived Ender and Firestarter in a three way fiver as Raven nodded. Runt looked at Raven suspiciously but did not say anything more on the matter, although there was clearly more to the situation than Runt had previously known. He tucked the thought away for further review later.
"So, how do we neutralize the Whenwulf and sequestor the Ambassador?" Ender asked conversationally, as if he were merely inquiring on what would be for lunch.
"Let's just stuff 'em both in a storage compartment!" Firestarter suggested, "Or, we can send them on a scavenger hunt! Maybe get them both hooked on an addictive video game."
"Firestarter! You're a genius!" Runt suddenly shouted, "I know exactly what to do!" Runt scruffled Firestarters mane and then began madly typing into his computer device. "This is gonna be great..." He added, smiling wickedly.

teri tait

2006-Mar-26, 12:03 AM

Mike stared at Xaphod, feeling mild irritation as usual. Xaphod, feeling eyes upon himself turned, smiling, toward Mike. "Ahh, mine brother! I believe we have some unfinished business to attend..." Xaphod looked meaningfully toward his left hand and walked over to the table, still laden with the meal Runt had put together.
Mike smiled, showing most of his teeth, "This is going to be the perfect ending to a surprisingly good day." Mike replied as he shambled over to the table, sitting on the opposite side across from Xaphod. Mike swept the dishes back out of the way and poured himself a glass of ale, which he promptly drained and then refilled.
Xaphod glared all the more, filling his own glass with cider and draining it and refilling it in a like manner.
Jean Blue glided over to the table, glowing with excitement as he quickly cleared the dishes from the table. "So, its part two of the arm wrestling extravaganza, is it?" he chortled, "Xaphod, Mike always win leftie and you always win rightie...what is the point?"
Xaphod did not take his eyes from Mike as he replied grimly, "We have our reasons, entity of light! I could as well ask you why you are afraid of a thirteen year old she-kitten... A she-kitten I nurtured and raised with love for months before giving her over to the loving arms of your dear mother."
Jean stiffend at the mention of his fear of Nim replying, "That particular she-kitten terrified you everyday until you begged my mother to help you by taking her in! She has been twice my size since she was six years old! She spends most of her time trying to 'toughen me up', as she puts it!"
Xaphod ignored Jean's blustering and placed his arm firmly on the table, glaring at Mike. "You may be sorely surprised, mine brother, I've long been working out mine left arm..." Xaphod stated through clenched teeth.
"Just don't tell me how you've been completing that workout..." Mike replied, setting his own arm in place, ready to start.
With each gripping the other tightly, Jean Blue called out, "One, two, three, go!" thereby starting the contest. He watched for a few moments, fascinated at the remarkable resemblence of the two brothers before wandering over to where Chris Rosen was chatting with Fhillipa.
"So you see m'boy, that is how vibration flows through this universe and the next, all the way back to the All that is love." Chris was stating to a rapt Fhillipa.
"My word! I had no idea how important each of us as individuals are to the structure of the universe, how we are all threaded through the tapestry of life, intertwined in tangible and intangible ways..." Fhillipa was replying.
Jean did not stay to listen, he'd heard this lecture many times and many ways. He headed toward the door, to step outside and poke around for the enigmatic Whenwulf.

teri tait

2006-Mar-27, 08:34 PM

Alonewulf looked up toward the distant trees and was rewarded with the sight of Meheshi crashing to the ground in a deshevled heap.
"I curse you diablo saurus! May your chiquitas grow beards!" Meheshi began yelling with all three fists waving in fury, "May you all be captured by zoos and be housed with babboons!" he took a deep breath to continue his tirade when two Steel Monkeys dropped to the ground. They completely ignored Meheshi who flinched away from them raising two legs and his hands in a judo stance. They walked deliberatly to Alonewulf carrying a wrapped bundle.
"Special delivery for TE Speigel." One grunted waving the package.
"Sign here, please." The other said holding out an electric clipboard.
Alonewulf shrugged, signing with the magnetic stylus, A. Wulf in large spiraling letters. He took the package, wondering who TE Speilgel might be. The label on the package simply listed "Mike Rosen's Ship, grassy meadow on the left" as the address.
He looked up from the package to question the delivery monkeys but they had already melted back into the trees. He then turned toward Meheshi and waved one furry hand in greeting. Meheshi had abandoned the judo stance and was dancing a furious waltz mumbling to himself about backwoods planets covered with knuckle dragging simians.
"The Intergalactic Federation will hear of this!" he barked at Alonewulf as he smoothly danced past the towering Whenwulf and into the ship, "I will be in mi cabana, do not disturb me for any reason!" he added as he glided down the hallway. Alonewulf heard a door slam shut and the muttering of Meheshi was abruptly silenced.
Alonewulf reentered the ship with the package, dropping it on a table in the main room. He went into the control room to refresh himself on ship's operation with the manual he hoped Mike still kept on board.

teri tait

2006-Mar-31, 07:31 AM

"Hey, the doors open on Mike's ship!" Firestarter called out as the group of teens stepped out of the trees.
"Good, good that means the Ambassador is already onboard. I can implement my plan as soon as we walk in the door." Runt smiled and rubbed his tiny hands together gleefully.
Nim and Ender smirked. Nim turned toward Runt and asked, "What about your best friend, Mr. Whenwulf?" in a casual bored sort of way.
"Ghaaa!" Runt relpied, making the sign to ward off evil, "I told you not to mention him! I have to find a way to neutralize any potential Wherewulf tendencies he may be harboring! If I am bitten and wherewulf out, you can ALL plan on being my first victims..." He trailed off and then mumbled some German words. (to reinforce his sign to ward off evil)
"I already told you, he's perfectly harmless." Raven gently reminded him, "I know you have a fear of wulves but he's no threat to you, Runt."
"Yeah, he's fun to talk to and he knows lots of songs that have magic!" Damian added, "If he wants to, he can make you feel tired or happy. Just by the way he sings his wulf song!" Damian smiled brightly at Runt.
"Don't patronize me, he-kitten!" Runt grunted in reply. "I have no interest in falling under his 'thrall' power! I have made the proper precautions to prevent that already!"
Raven nudged Damian with the side of her head and smiled, "Don't worry, he'll see soon enough."
Damian hopped from Raven's back and Raven transformed to her human form. They had crossed the field and were almost to the ship's door when two steel monkeys seem to appear from nowhere. "Delivery for TE Speigel." said the first one, who was lugging a huge package.
"Thata be me." Runt called out waving his tiny arms, "over here, my good monkey!" They both approached Runt, one shoving the electric clipboard forward for Runt's signature. The other depositing the large package on the ground in front of Firestarter. Runt quickly signed, then glaring at the monkeys he snarled, "Well? You don't expect the Great TE Speigel to lug that aboard, do you?!?"
The steel monkeys quickly hoisted the package into the ship, slipped back out, and snatched the electric clipboard back from Runt in the blink of an eye. They then melted back into the forest, two silvery figures seeming to just disappear.
"Wow, Runt, they didn't even cart you off and wedgie you for ordering them around!" Firestarter whooped, impressed.
"That, my Milklapper friend, is because TE Spiegel does quite a bit of business with the legendary mercurial monkeys..." Runt replied rather cryptically as they stepped into the spaceship.

teri tait

2006-Apr-01, 07:40 AM

"Firestarter! Help me get these boxes open!" Runt said, hopping to the floor and scampering toward the large and small boxes.
Firestarter obligingly extended one wickedly sharp claw and deftly sliced through the wrapping tape on the smaller box. He then turned and did the same with the larger box. Runt hopped on the table next to the smaller package and pulled the flaps back to reveal the contents. Nestled neatly inside were the boots and Ambassador of Faith dress uniform. Runt poked around for the receipt and tucked it into his pocket. He then squinted at the large box, pushing his tiny glasses upward.
"Stay out of that box!" Runt said warningly to Firestarter.
Firestarter had pulled back the large flaps and had half of his head inside the enormous box. "Dude... There's a NextBox! A virtual helmet, a whole crapple-load of games! Intermesh connectors, a snack and beverage dispenser, Intergalactic Playmate membership, sheesh!!" said Firestarter, his voice sounding muffled from inside the box.
"Back, back I say!" Runt snarled, leaping from the table to Firestarter's head. He pulled vainly at Firestarter's ears, trying to get his attention. "That stuff is to distract the Ambassador, fool, not you! You can have all this junk AFTER its served its purpose!" Runt yelled, "Do not touch anything! I haven't sent the warranty card in yet!!"
Runt scrambled down Firestarter's head and into the box, emerging a moment later with the receipt and packets of ownership information for each of the novelty items. He also clutched the Playmate VIP card. "There! Now you can carry this to the Ambassador's room, Firestarter. Don't forget his clothes box! Leave everything by his door but don't knock. I'll be down there as soon as I get my last package delivered." Runt said, pounding Firestarter several times with his tiny fist.
"OK, dude! Will do. Don't forget I got dibs on everything after we get back!" Firestarter said agreeably.
"Delivery for TE Speigel!" Everyone jumped, no one had seen the steel monkey arrive with a smallish rectangular package.
Runt hurried over, "I'm TE Speigel" he said rather pompously.
The steel monkey eyed him carefully, "I'll need two pieces of I'D." He replied in a no nonsense voice.
"Fine, fine" Runt whipped a tiny wallet out and pulled two miniscule cards out. He stuck them but under the monkey's nose. "Is this I'D enough?!?" he said rather rudely, snatching the electric clipboard and scribbling his signature. He flipped it back to the monkey disdainfully, "begone, peasant!"
The steel monkey caught the clipboard, turned and was gone in one fluid movement. Runt did not bother to open this package,dragging it to a cabinet and locking it away immediately.
"What the heck was that, Runt?" Nim asked with mild curiosity.
"Dragon denaro to settle my tab!" Runt snapped irritably, "you have cost me a pretty penny today she-kitten! I hope you appreciate that much!" Runt glared at the smirking face of Ender. "You'll be getting a bill in about 3 weeks, Steward of Nim...itemized expenses for the whole Saber Tooth rescue; including the cost of and fuel for this trip."

teri tait

2006-Apr-04, 08:53 PM

Damian walked down the hallway to the front of the ship and entered the control room.
He stood quietly watching as Alonewulf, his large head buried in the thick manual, muttered to himself. "Lets see...the power source intake/outtake is implemented by activating the instantanious action device shown in diagram #245..." Alonewulf read aloud as one hand fumbled along the third tier of the dashboard platforms. "What kind of lame diagram is this?!? I don't remember any of this 'action device' crapple!"
Suddenly the dynamic device alert center purred to life and Alonewulf's head snapped upward, staring. "I did it!" he yelled to no one in particular.
"No I did it. You have the diagram upside down, Wulfie, I have the schematics memorized and just flipped the switch here." Damian replied, pointing at a small transistor board located behind Alonewulf. "Raven says I get to copilot the ship!" he added proudly, puffing out his small chest.
Alonewulf swiveled the Captain's chair about and stared at Damian. "Jeez, Damian! You almost gave me a heart attack! I knew you had all come aboard but I didn't hear you come in here. So, you are supposed to be my copilot? I think its best I be your copilot!" Alonewulf reached out and scruffled Damian's hair adding, "If everyone is aboard, lets get this show on the road. Do you know how to program the course to Creatine?"
Damian nodded, sitting in the Captain's seat that Alonewulf had vacated for him. He tapped confidently on one of the keyboards and then turned to smile at Alonewulf. "You just needed to go to the intermesh site: StellarMapQuest.com, you put in the start and stop points and it automatically generates a preprogrammed course that is uploaded to the onboard navigation system." He turned back to the keyboard and tapped a few more times. "There, the course is set and ready when you are!"
Alonewulf smiled reaching for the PA system microphone. He flipped it on a began speaking, "Attention, crew and passengers, this is Alonewulf. We will be setting off in approximately 15 seconds. Please remain seated until we pass the stratosphere mark and artificial gravity is stabalized."
While he was speaking, Damian secured the outer doors and initiated the takeoff sequence of commands. As the spaceship rose smoothly upward Damian and Alonewulf high-fived gleefully.

teri tait

2006-Apr-04, 09:18 PM

Jean Blue lit a smoke as he idly gazed around, wondering where Alonewulf had gone. He puffed away, humming and admiring the statue of himself still sitting among the other statues.
Suddenly, a bright flash zipped just past the trees and zagged out of sight. Jean's mouth dropped open allowing his smoke to fall, forgotten. He turned back toward the house at a dead run, then launched himself into the air.
He flew through the door gasping, "Captain! Your ship has been hijacked!!"
Mike, locked in the arm wrestling match, visibly jumped, "What?!?" he roared.
"I win!" Xaphod yelled cheerfully, deftly dropping Mike's hand to the table. He stood up and did a small victory dance.
Mike ignored him, his full attention on Jean. "What are you babbling, Sir Blue?" he asked without a trace of humour.
"No worries, m'boy! Alonewulf is merely in the process of relocating his voice to the most acoustically benificial location. I'm sure he will return your ship unscathed, in due time." Chris Rosen replied, "Damian is a fully accredited pilot, has been for 2 or 3 weeks." He added.
"What?!?" Mike yelled again, actually jumping to his feet, "you sent an 8 year old to steal my ship, Pop?!?" Mike stared at Chris Rosen, shocked.
Chris smiled vaguely, "Everyone is where they need to be when the All employs them to service m'boy! You know I cannot send away or hold at bay anyone. I am just in tune with the reasons 'for' not the 'how' or 'why'. Each is on your ship, or not, for his own purpose that happens to coincide with the purpose of the All."
"Oh great, so my ship is jacked for some other nefarious purpose that just happens to align with the All..." Mike grunted, "Let me guess... Nim was bored and so my ship served her purpose for a joy ride! I will skin that cat when she gets back!!!"
Mike turned to glare at Xaphod's still dancing form, "And you did not win! I was distracted by an emergency! It doesn't count!"
Xaphod merely shook his finger at Mike and continued to dance, smiling.

teri tait

2006-Apr-10, 04:50 AM

Firestarter set the heavy package down outside Meheshi's door as requested and sat quietly with his ears turned forward expectantly. He felt the ship ascend toward the stratosphere and felt his body drift slowly from the floor as gravity lessened its grip. He blew a steady stream of air through his teeth to propel himself in various directions for amusement, finally sitting himself on the ceiling as Runt scampered up wearing a gravity belt.
"Quit screwing aound!" Runt whispered furiously, "I need your help to pull this off, now get down here!"
Firestarter jettisoned himself back to the floor, snagging the package that had floated off of the floor, and landed neatly. Runt shook one small furry fist at him menacingly and whispered, "Follow my lead Moor-on Cat!" then turned and knocked on Meheshi's door loudly.

teri tait

2006-Apr-10, 05:05 AM

Dregga Stah gazed silently at his dragon hatchlings. All had hatched without undue trouble and were tearing at the raw fresh meat Dregga had so recently coughed up for them. Dregga sighed with the equivalent of the human emotion of happiness, counting the tiny dragons once more to be sure. "Dregga Stah has thirteen, yes! Thirteen young to rear in the ways of the Dragon!!" he turned toward his ledger where he had carefully noted each individual dragling as it emerged from its shell. Each dragling would be schooled according to their order of birth until their own personal characteristics manifested in 10 or 12 months. Until then he had thirteen names to select. More importantly, he had thirteen ravenous draglings to feed. He glanced at the feeding schedule and then seared the feet of his nearest minion, getting his attention.
"Yes your eminence!" the hot footed minion yelped, "how may I be of service?"
"Dregga Stah needs to speak with the unworthy, Runt." Dregga stated balefully, "get the weakling on video contact, forthwith."
The minion limped off quickly to do the bidding of his master.

teri tait

2006-Apr-17, 01:24 AM

Chris Rosen turned to Fhillipa and smiled broadly, "Well m'boy! It's almost showtime! Are you feeling up to one more performance? You'll be playing solo from our location. Alonewulf will join your flute with his voice, from his location. The meshing of the music with fill many empty places with a song of hope. It will bridge many realms of dispair and create the vibrational bridge to salvation that many crave but cannot create without help."
Fhillipa swallowed a bit nervously and replied, "I will put forth my best effort as I did earlier, Sir Rosen, but what if I can't find the proper music in my heart? What happens then?"
"Oh, nothing happens then." Chris replied blandly.
"Well then jolly good! As long as none would suffer!" Fhillipa said with more than a little relief.
"What Pop means is nothing happens...you know...complete void of existence..." Mike added gently.
"Yes, except for those of us from an alternate universe...we would be set back by eons...life as we know it would flip upside down AND inside out!" Xaphod added cheerily.
Fhillipa let the enormity sink in. He searched his strength and found it was quite firm. He searched his heart and found it steadfast and beating strong true drumstrokes of courage. He stood up and said simply, "Then I go to prepare."
He walked across the room and picked up the case containing the magical instrument and stepped down the hall to Chris Rosen's meeting room.
Xaphod sighed as looked at his space honey's photo and said, "Isn't this exciting? I haven't been part of such a pivitol event since Nim tied me to a roundabout and set it spinning on high!"
Mike reached out and quietly flicked Xaphod's head muttering, "You are such an idiot!"

The_Radiation_Specialist

2006-Apr-17, 01:46 AM

lets see 185 posts- each an average of about 20 lines- about 15 words a line...

55500 words in this thread - say an average novel has 400 words/page..
This is a 140 page novel!

teri tait

2006-Apr-17, 01:53 AM

Meheshi head snapped around toward the knocking at the door. He was carefully strapped in to a plush recliner and had no intention of getting up until gravity was again established. Afterall he did not want to leave the floor, especially in his current outfit.
"Go, shoo, begone!" he yelled out, just as the door opened and a tiny figure strode in confidently.
"Hello Ambassador. I bring you parting gifts from the residents of this unnamed planet! Just a few tokens of graditude for your presence...I hope you will accept them..." Runt bowed deeply and swept his arm out grandly toward the box that Firestarter slid easily into the cabin room. "If you please, I took the liberty of acquiring your uniform...I also have enclosed a specially designed snack and beverage dispenser which is infinitly stocked with your known favorite foods...an interlink device with a full membership to the Playboy Virtual Club.." Runt wiggled his eyebrows meaningfully, "and a complete NextBox game entertainment center with full library of gaming entertainment!" Runt stepped forward and laid the small package on the recliner armrest.
Meheshi snatched up the package, ripping through the outer wrapping and grunted appreciatively, "Gratsi, mi tiny compadre! I will be needing to change when gravity is restored."
Runt smiled kindly, "here, take my gravity belt, I have another one." as he quickly whipped off the belt and dropped it on Meheshi's outmost left knee.
Meanwhile Firestarter had already assembled the various components with precision and efficiency. He inserted a game into the NextBox and a 3 dimensional simulated terrain engulfed his huge frame. "Yep, everything is in working order..." He saluted Runt, "All equipment is set and ready!"
Runt nodded impatiently and turned back to Meheshi, "We don't want to alarm you but you will need to stay sequestered in your cabin for the duration of this trip." Runt whipped out an official looking paper and stuck it under several of Meheshi's eyes before quickly tucking it away again.
Meheshi barely gave it any notice replied, "That is an excellent plan to mi! I will guard this cabana with mi very life!" he added quite bravely.
Runt smiled in reply and snapped his tiny fingers at Firestarter, "Come on, lets not intrude on the Ambassador any longer!"
Runt grasped Firestarter's mane firmly with one furry paw and waved goodbye with the other. Firestarter nodded and blew through his teeth, jettisoning them both from the room.
"All too easy..." Runt smirked as he closed the door behind them.

teri tait

2006-Apr-17, 01:57 AM

lets see 185 posts- each an average of about 20 lines- about 15 words a line...

55500 words in this thread - say an average novel has 400 words/page..
This is a 140 page novel!

Yes, but is it a good novel?
(Remember I can write you in and kill you off in nothing flat ;))

Dragon Star

2006-Apr-17, 01:58 AM

lets see 185 posts- each an average of about 20 lines- about 15 words a line...

55500 words in this thread - say an average novel has 400 words/page..
This is a 140 page novel!

Yea, but at least her talent is not going to waste, and she is really good, but then again I have a biased feeling because I am part of her story.:D

teri tait

2006-Apr-17, 02:14 AM

Niv-Mizzet flicked on his video communication device impatiently. He glared at the minion sent by Dregga Stah barking, "Wait here while I get the little ratboy online!" The minion nodded meekly, still nursing his blistered foot. He took a seat and dabbed salve gently on the small blisters, quietly lamenting his fate as a go between for two fast-tempered entities.
"Quiet!" Niv-Mizzet growled warningly, "I'm sending this communication virtual live!"
The screen lit up as he entered the proper coordinates and dialed the call outward. He was quickly reward with the familiar recording, "all lines busy, please try again". Niv-Mizzet swore in Dragon speak and hung up. "Drat these independant carriers! Never a free line, dropped calls, horrendous charges! Oh for the old days before Universal Bell broke up!" He quickly dialed again and managed to get through. He leaned back, eyes agleam, waiting as the call signal rang outward.

The_Radiation_Specialist

2006-Apr-17, 02:32 AM

Yes, but is it a good novel?
(Remember I can write you in and kill you off in nothing flat )

yeah... its an interesting story

i seriously suck at writing stories :o ...you make it look so easy :D

teri tait

2006-Apr-17, 02:43 AM

Damian turned to Alonewulf, "We're getting an urgent collect video call from planet Creatine, do you want me to accept the charges?"
Alonewulf nodded, "Put the cheapskates through."
The video communicator lit up and the unmistakeable snout of Niv-Mizzet filled the screen. "Greetings, lowly ones. I have an important message for the unworthy Runt. You must fetch him here. Now." He stated flatly, "Do not anger me with delays." He added menacingly.
"Hey Nivvy! Its me, Alonewulf! Remember me? I sang you to sleep when you were a wild dragon stripling and stole your hoard!" Alonewulf laughed, "those were the good old days!"
Niv-Mizzet's eyes narrowed with malice, "Ahh the famous thieving wulfspawn, we meet again." He turned and spit fire disdainfully, "those old baubles I let you take were hardly my hoard, muttboy. Now get me Runt online asap! I have no time for lesser being chit chat!"
"I'm going to have to put you on hold, lizard spawn." Alonewulf replied flicking the screen dial to hold without waiting for a reply.
"Jeez, I thought we could come in quietly and not be noticed! What business does Runt have with dragons?!?" Alonewulf asked.
"Runt hired Dregga Stah to rescue Nim and we're going there to pay him." Damian answered, "Why did you think we were going?"
"Nevermind," Alonewulf replied, "I'll page Runt." Alonewulf flicked on the PA, "Runt, report to the control room, you have a video call coming through ship communication video." Alonewulf sighed, "I can hardly wait to hear this converstion."

teri tait

2006-Apr-17, 02:48 AM

yeah... its an interesting story

i seriously suck at writing stories :o ...you make it look so easy :D

Thanks :) and thank you too Dragon Star! :)

teri tait

2006-Apr-19, 03:54 PM

Runt was still clinging haphazardly to the tufty fur of Firestarter's mane as the PA announcement rang out.
"Oh bother!" Runt grumbled, "that's gotta be Dregga Star or one of his underlings. What the crapple does he want now?!?"
Firestarter shrugged noncommittedly, too busy blowing air to answer. With his head bent low and body curled into a ball, he blew outward, propelling forward. He paused to briefly contemplate the joys of zero gravity. Happily enjoying a slow-spinning summersault before resuming to blow.
"Cut that out! You're going to make me dizzy!" Runt growled, "Just get me to the Control Room asap, so I can get this call over with."
As he was speaking, the craft's artificial gravity stabalized. Both teens dropped to the floor. Firestarter head thunked onto the floor; Runt then landing on Firestarter's head.
"Well, that's much better!" Runt said as he lightly jumped to the floor. He scampered off down the hallway and into the Control Room.
Firestarter shook his head dizzily. He stood up, still a bit crosseyed, then wobbled off to join the others.

teri tait

2006-Apr-19, 08:08 PM

Runt strode quickly into the control room saying, "Stay back Wherewulf! I'm just here to take that call not to be your latest victim!" he hopped into a chair and quickly made the sign to ward off evil, muttering under his breath in German.
Alonewulf rolled his eyes, somewhat amused at Runt's actions and replied, "Oh, please! Even if I wanted to 'convert' what kind of terror could a 12" Wherewulf invoke? You would only be able to make someone laugh to death!"
"I knew it! There, just now! He admitted he's a wherewulf! You're my witness Damian!" Runt ranted somewhat frantically.
"He's just kidding, Runt, see...his tails wagging." Damian replied with a giggle.
Alonewulf grinned (or in Runt's opinion, bared his teeth menacingly) at Runt. "You're call is on hold on video line 1." Alonewulf said, "It's Niv-Mizzet, Dregga Stah's number one henchman...be careful how you speak to him."
Runt snorted disdainfully as he clicked the call button. He turned to glare at the lit video screen. Niv-Mizzet was leaning leaning back, talking to someone Runt could not see about blistered feet.
"What the duece do you want, Miz?! I'm a very busy apprentice and I assure you, I do not have time for your dragon games today!" Runt snarled at the screen.
"Ahhh, the rodent. You look quite delectable my fleshy little friend." Niv-Mizzet paused to lick his snout as he stared hungrily at Runt, "Dregga Stah has informed me that I am at liberty to hunt you down and swallow you whole if he doesn't have his loot by sundown."
Runt took off his glasses and polished them noncholantly, "Tell your Dragon Overlord I will be there when I get there! And woe betide the overgrown gecko that tries to chomp on me!" Runt watched calmly as Niv-Mizzet roared, spitting flames in several directions at once. A faint yelp could be heard in the background, apparently Niv-Mizzet's flames hit paydirt. "Now stop calling me!" Runt snapped as he clicked the button, cutting off the video call.
"Well, quite the little diplomat aren't you, Runt?" Alonewulf said sarcastically, "You know dragons are touchy creatures with bad tempers, why antagonize them?"
Runt glared at Alonewulf and replied simply, "Arboreal Marsupials are just as dangerous to trifle with, Wherewulf, see that you remember that!"
Having said that, Runt hopped down from his perch and backed carefully out of the room, never taking his eyes from Alonewulf for a moment.

teri tait

2006-May-01, 02:53 AM

Dregga Stah retched up a nice steaming pile of dragling food and called to his offspring, "Stop flaming each other and come eat up, while it is fresh!" Dregga's eyes flickered with pride as the draglings rushed toward him, nipping and snarling at each other as they each tried to be the first one to there. He hummed a bit smiling as his many minions jumped and ran to get out of the destructive path of the swarming draglings. At just over two days old, they ranged from 300 to 600 pounds, a bit larger than typical. Dregga Stah busily licked several of them clean, efficiently bathing the little darlings as they hungrily devoured the raw flesh.
Dregga carefully counted heads and then frowned, "Baby dragons...hmmm... Dregga Stah appears to be missing one..." Dregga consulted his clipboard ticking off names, "Draco, Zirilian, Pecos, Tatsumasta, Tyrantus, Zealot, Bokura, Carrion, Izzet, Mage, Luster, Mencia, Bryan... Bryan... Where is Bryan?!?" Dregga's reptillian eyes narrowed as he looked around carefully. He spotted a sleeping mass snoring in the corner. "Ahh, Dregga Stah has found the missing baby!"
Dregga quickly whomped over to the littlest dragling and carefully picked him up by the scruff of the neck. He carried the baby over to his clutchmates and deposited him in the midst. Bryan immediately woke up hissing and spitting fire at no dragling in particular, then began tearing into the fresh meat.
"That's much better..." Dregga said with a reptilian smile.

teri tait

2006-May-07, 05:58 AM

"I'm boooored.." Firestarter whined to no one in particular.
"Can it, Moor-on Cat!" Runt replied in a bored sort of way, "we're almost there."
Nim turned her violet eyes toward both boys and hissed softly. She then closed her eyes and instantly dozed back to sleep. Her head rested comfortably draped over Ender's sleek black fur. Both were splayed out lazily on the floor, catnapping.
Runt poked Firestarter in the side as his began to drift shut as well. "Don't you go falling asleep, too!" he snapped, "Who's going to watch my back? That wherewulf is just waiting for a chance to sink his fangs into me!!"
Firestarter's orange eyes barely flickered open as he answered, "I'm just gonna rest my eyes for a minute..." As his head drooped down onto his front paws.
Runt rolled his own eyes in disgust, then dropped down and made a nest for himself in Firestarter's mane, mumbling angrily about useless lazy felines as Raven quietly tsk tsked.
"You relax Runt, I'll be here" Raven said raising her eyes from her book. She was in her human form, curled up on the sofa.
"Be sure that you do, Stone-kitten." Runt grumped rather sleepily and then promptly nodded off.
Raven checked the ETA board and noted they should be orbiting Creatine in about 45 minutes before burying her nose back into her book titled, "How to Reanimate the Technically Dead In Five Easy Steps!"

teri tait

2006-May-21, 02:38 AM

"Maaawwhheer" Boostie said as she daintily walked along next to Alonewulf. She rubbed her enormous side against Alonewulf's ankles, weaving in between his legs as he walked along with his wide stride.
Alonewulf stopped for a moment, absentmindedly scratching Bootsie behind her ears as he quietly hummed a sleepy lullaby. He peered into the common room, smiling at the slumbering teens. They were all out cold from his lullaby, except for Raven, due to her Stone Lion genetic resistance to mystical suggestions from others. Raven smiled back and waved at Alonewulf before glancing back down at her book.
Alonewulf continued onward, checking each room he passed with his sensitive nose and incredible eyesight. Nothing was amiss, he strolled out to the observation deck and tapped the into the viewer control panel. He watched as the walls melted into a visual feedback of the magnified stars of this region of space. He could see Creatine in a small cluster of planets and planetoids orbiting a large fiery sun. 16 moons of various sizes orbited Creatine, a planet roughly 50 times the size of Earth and well suited to her dragon inhabitants. He closed his silver eyes and sighed, allowing himself to transform to his Whenwulf form.
Alonewulf lifted his voice in song once again, he sang to Dregga Stah of their arrival and of their intentions. He sang a wish of good tidings for Dregga Stahh's hatchlings and the importance of their wellbeing in a world that is constantly moving forward. He sang of good times well spent as young rogues of fortune and good times to come as friends and compadres. He growled his pledge of friendship, reminding Dregga that their ties were much deeper than brothers and calling upon those ties for his mission.
After his song was concluded he opened his glowing eyes and pricked his ears to listen for drangonsong. Their song was more of vibration than sound, and difficult to hear if you are not a dragon. Except for cats, who seem to hear everything and rarely share anything. That was why he sang the teens to sleep, he didn't want them to hear the dragonsong. That was also why Bootsie had obliged his request to join him on the observation deck. Her sharp feline ears could discern sounds as faint and indistint as dragonsong, even from orbiting distance. Bootsie prided herself in her phenomenal hearing, often doing the same thing for Mike.
"Maaawwwhherahh" Bootsie mewed, then dropped down and began cleaning her immaculate fur.
Alonewulf nodded and transformed to his tall human form. He squatted down, to pet Bootsie saying, "So Dregga had 13 hatchlings and didn't even name one after me?!? Sheesh, being a prince of the blood just doesn't earn the same respect it used to, eh Bootsie? At least the dragons are singing tonight!"
Bootsie simply stared at him unblinking for a moment, then resumed bathing her fur. Alonewulf smiled and stood up, lifting Bootsie to his shoulder for a ride back to the Control Room. As they departed the observation deck, Bootsie's paw whipped out and dabbed the control panel and the walls melted back into solid, opaque material.

teri tait

2006-May-21, 04:15 AM

Dregga Stah sat poised in song, a large crystal ball clutched in his maw for amplification. His reptilian eyes were at half mast as he concentrated in song. Sitting atop one of his many piles of hoarded treasure, with the glowing crystal held in his powerful jaws, he looked every inch the classic dragon of medieval earth history. At the center of the crystal a rose formed spinning amber sparks as it carried his song to the heavens above. He being a mystical dragon of The Rose Order of Dragons who's history stretched back many millenia.
The Draglings snapped and hissed playfully at the foot of the mountain of treasures. Their eyes glittered in the light reflecting off of the thousands of precious stones. Most were still attached to crowns, swords, armour, and some still adorned the skeletel remains of their former owners.
Some of the draglings even dragged treasure off the main hoard, forming cute hills of treasure that they fought over in their play.
All except little Bryan, he had managed to extract a smaller crystal ball and was poised in dragonsong, a perfect picture in miniature of his massive father. He squawked out a lesser defined but decent dragonsong, his little crystal emitting a distinct glow and even a spark or two. Dregga Stah noted with pride his young prodigy of song and made a mental note to jot it down in his logbook.
When he finished his song, he tucked the large crystal safely away from young dragon claws and turned to his cowering minion entorage.
"Prepare for feasting! Dregga Stah has guests arriving forthwith and Dregga Stah will be presenting the draglings! Bathe them, polish their claws and open the banquet hall!"
"Your Eminence... Will we be eating the guests or serving the guests?" Niv-Mizzet asked (rather hopefully toward the former).
"Hmmmm.. Dregga Stah has not decided... Either way they shall be fed first, so go prepare fool!" Dregga replied shooting a well aimed firespout at Niv-Mizzet's feet. Several draglings followed this example by shooting their own small flames at Niv-Mizzet as he retreated quickly to do his master's bidding. Niv-Mizzet glowered at this indignity but wisely chose not to reprimand the royal draglings.

teri tait

2006-May-21, 07:37 PM

As Alonewulf walked past the door to the common room whistling, Raven set her book down and stood up. She walked over to Nim and gently shook her to wake her up. Nims violet eyes opened immediately and she whispered accusingly, "OK, who knocked all of us out?!?" her eyes following Raven as Raven walked around waking the others.
Raven smiled sweetly and replied, "Wulfie had a private communication and just lulled you to sleep for a little while, Nim."
"I feel violated!" Nim whispered in reply, batting Ender's ears with her paw, "What kind of Steward are you? Falling asleep on me!"
"You fell asleep on me, you mean!" Ender replied smoothing out his fur where Nim's sleeping head had rested, "you messed up my fur, its covered in drool! Sheesh!"
Firestarter's head popped up, "Whatzit? Whozit?" he mumbled as Runt's tiny head popped up, appearing to come out of the top of Firestarter's head.
"You let that Wherewulf in here!?!" Runt shouted, quickly checking his neck and torso for puncture wounds, "I am so filing a grievance if I turn Wherewulf because of this!" he grumped peevishly.
"No worries, Runt, he was on the observation deck the whole time." Raven replied, "you are a fully intact marsupial." She hugged his tiny form in a rare display of affection.
"OK, ok... No need to smother me!" Runt said (although he hugged her back quite fiercely)
"We're about ready to land," Raven said giving Runt one last squeeze.
"Excellent!" Runt said, "Firestarter! Haul the dragon loot out the storage closet." He flipped a ring of keys down, landing it neatly on the bridge of Firestarter's nose.
Firestarter grasped the keyring through the ring hole and stared at it. "What the crapple... There's gotta be 25 keys on this thing! Where do you carry it? Its almost bigger than you are... Which key do I use?"
"Less talk and more walk!" Runt replied tugging on Firestarter's mane for emphasis. "You should know I have keys to everything important enough to need locking! I am a future incarnation of a very important entity!"
"Oh yeah, I forgot." Firestarter said rolling his eyes, "The now and future almighty pain in the ear." He sauntered over to the closet and blew a precise stream of air through his teeth, picking the lock with more ease than actually putting a key in and turning it.
"Nice trick, Firestarter." Nim whispered, clearly impressed. Firestarter beamed happily at Nim as Ender glared jealously.

teri tait

2006-May-21, 08:55 PM

The dragons are singing tonight. Phillipa felt the thought waft through his mind like a wisp of smoke from a dragon's nostril. He glanced at the flute case still grasped in his hands. It felt warm and seemed to vibrate with unseen energy. He opened the case with tingly fingers and carefully took out the pieces for assembly.
As he carefully fitted the parts together, he heard an soft echo of the wulfsong that Alonewulf had so recently given his voice. The haunting beauty was reminiscent of philosophical dreams not often spoken in the modern times. He sighed at the melancholy sound of hope and fear, bravery and intimidation, love and love lost. He wondered if his heartfelt music could produce such a kaliedascope of feelings.
He leaned back and sitting crosslegged on the floor, put the flute to his mouth.

teri tait

2006-May-21, 09:11 PM

"Did you hear that, dear! The dragons are eating tonight!" Xaphod said happily to the picture of his space honey. She looked back at him in stunned silence, then burst into uncontrolled laughter, falling out of her chair.
Jean Blue guffawed loudly and Mike even cracked a grin replying, "The dragons are singing, little brother not eating!"
Xaphod feigned a look of hurt and turned his adorable blue eyes to Mike, "Well, they have to eat too, don't they?" he sniffed reproachfully and added, "I hope they don't eat your crew and passengers, the whole planet Nim would go into a tailspin if that happens."
Chris Rosen laughed, "Dragons usually detest the taste of any feline, although they do love arboreal marsupials." He scratched his fluffy white beard and added rather vaguely, "Though I'm sure Runt will be his usual polite self and not provoke any trouble. He's quite the diplomat, according to Alonewulf."
At that comment Xaphod and Mike both burst into laughter while Chris smiled enigmatically. Jean simply rolled his eyes and left it at that.

teri tait

2006-May-25, 05:30 AM

Damian completed a perfect four point landing as Alonewulf announced, "Now arriving at planet Creatine... Please remain seated until the star cruiser has stopped moving and the 'buckle up' sign is no longer flashing." He smiled at Damian, giving him a double thumbs up. They both stood up and headed for the door to depart with the rest.
Runt had just finished counting the Dragon loot, snapped the case shut and waited impatiently as Firestarter picked it up carefully in his powerful jaws. "Don't drop it or drool on it, Moor-on Cat!" Runt snapped. He hopped lightly onto Firestarters mane, climbing up to the top of Firestarter's head, just behind his ears. "OK, lets roll!" he shouted to no one in particular as they all ambled out of the ship.
Raven hung back a bit, waiting for Alone wulf and Damian. They all three transformed and the two Stone Lions walked with the Whenwolf between them. Bootsie sat just in the doorway, staying back to keep an eye on Mike's ship and ensure Meheshi did not do anything foolish like get off the ship. Meheshi didn't even come out of his cabin room, so engrossed in entertainment he scarcely noticed they had landed.
Nim and Ender sauntered along at the rear of the group, hoping to slink off and stir up some fun and mischief if the oppurtunity presented. They walked along slowly, pausing frequently, until the main group was a sizable distance ahead then melted into the brush, smirking.
"Lets go check out the hidden valley of ancient dragons," Nim whispered, "I heard its covered with tombs and haunted by the ancestors."
Ender smiled, "Whatever you say, Nimmers." He consulted a tourist brochure he had downloaded from the ship's database and they dashed off in the general direction of the mysterious valley of restless spirits.

teri tait

2006-Jun-11, 10:33 PM

Jean Blue pricked up his ears as he heard the faint, haunting flute muisic begin from down Chris Rosen's catacomb of rooms. The beauty of the sound took his breath away and made his heart ache. He glanced at the others to see if they had picked up on the sound as well.
Chris Rosen's front room had gone silent as everyone began to listen to the magical sound of the flute. The notes seemed to weave around and through the room, echoing and reverberating a whimsical song. Jean Blue blinked with surprise as the sound became richer and flowed with ethereal pastel colors. The colors deepened and glowed with light and substance, a flowing stream of sound that Jean reached out and touched with his fingers. The color flowed around his hand and continued on, just as if he had stuck his fingers into a stream of moving water. It felt vibrant and made his fingers tingle and his heart jump with joy. Such a warm and inviting feeling rushed through him, he smiled warmly at Mike and did not even struggle when Xaphod reached out and gave him an impulsive hug.
Chris Rosen beamed happily, "The All that is Everyone sings tonight!" he stated with twinkling blue eyes, "C'mon boys! Lets join Phillipa in the meeting room and see the waterfall of sound beginning to build! The parts that flow through this room are just eddys in the tidalwave of sound that will soon build and flow outward to meet the wulfsong and dragonsong! A night like this comes but once, let us enjoy it to the fullest!"
He led the way and the others followed down the color filled hallway where the very air itself sparkled and shimmered with color and sparkles of pure lightsound. Dodging around the various shelves and passing in and out of open doorways, the musical color and light seemed to become more and more substantial as they walked toward the source. Although it was flowing outward, Jean could feel it begin to pull him gently inward toward the meeting room. It was a strange (but not unsettling) feeling. He relaxed into the sound, letting it enfold him in the music and sighed with happiness at the all encompassing feeling of wellbeing that gently moved him closer and closer to the source of its origin.
He glided along with his fellows and entered the meeting room for the second time of his life. It was (again) a startling experience for him. Earlier he had been awed and humbled by it. A perfectly round cavernous room that seemed naturally carved from the living stone. There was no ceiling and the stars above the impossibly tall walls seemed to cluster inward so closely, Jean thought he might be able to reach up and touch them as easily as he had touched the flowing sound only moments before.
The room itself seemed a living breathing entity. As the door closed behind them, the cavernous walls crept closer making the room feel cozy and intimate. Earlier, when they had their meeting, the walls had seemed to expand outward giving the feeling of vast space and time. Jean noticed Chris Rosen watching his reactions with a faint smile, like a father watching a child open a present at Christmas. Chris winked at him slowly and threw his arms outward in a gentle sweeping motion.
"This whole cavern with soon fill with sound that will rise and flow outward through the top! As the sound builds the room expands and contracts with the energy, to build a wave. We shall help the process along by lending our own vibrant energy." He gestured to them all to sit. "Pick anywhere you feel comfortable and enjoy the show, M'boys!"
Jean looked about carefully and then unfolded his wings and flew upward. He landed carefully on a ledge that was equipped with a comfortable sitting spot carved into it that even had a small ashtray carved as well. "Wow, Uncie! I didn't notice this smoking spot earlier!" he called down to Chris Rosen, "I stepped outside to smoke."
"Yes, that wasn't there earlier, the room apparently wanted to accomodate you!" Chris answered with a smile and another vague wave of his hand.
Mike shambled over to a spot that seemed to form cmfortably around him and even had a niche to prop up his feet. It was nice to raise his bad leg up and lean back.
Xaphod's chosen spot had a convenient shelf to rest the photo of his space honey on top and tuck his man purse away underneath.
Chris pulled a comfortable stool from somewhere and rested comfortably on it near Phillipa. Phillipa was still crosslegged and playing the flute but he seemed to be hovering off of the floor. He moved slightly to and fro with the soft flowing rythum of the music he played. His eyes where still shut as he blew into the flute and his fingers danced along the body of the instrument.
Chris reached toward him and gently tapped his shoulder saying softly, "They're ready, M'boy."
Phillipa did not speak but seemed to sigh one long breath through the flute. He then filled his lungs and began playing in earnest. Apparently the music up to now had been a warm up of the main song. The width and breadth of the music expanded, flowing in a deeper and stronger river of sound that swirled with darker, richer colors and spitfires of brilliantly blinding lights. It quickly climbed upward and outward, rushing past Jean Blue with so much strength, the carefully curled handlebars of his moustache wafted as if in a strong breeze.
"Just relax and let the feeling of the sound flow through you and your energy will join with the sound to help carry it to meet wulf and dragonsong! Oh what a night for magic and music! This is a mystical landmark that will be well remembered in the corridors of time!" Chris Rosen stated softly to them all.
Jean Blue leaned back, carefully reshaping his handlebars, and settled in to enjoy the experience.

teri tait

2006-Jun-11, 11:08 PM

Nim and Ender padded along at a trot, putting as much distance between themselves and the rest of the landing party as possible. "I can't believe we ditched them so easy." Ender said, "Are we really that good or what?" he asked Nim.
"We're uber-smart as they say." Nim replied with a smirk, "Besides, Runt is busy with one eye on all that money, one eye on the Whenwolf and one eye watching for hungry draglings." She added.
"I wonder how safe it is, out here in the wilds of dragon country," Ender mused, "maybe we should disguise ourselves as dragons, Nimmers. At least we wouldn't stand out like sore thumbs like we do now."
"Not a bad idea," Nim replied. They both stopped and Nim blinked both her eyes slowly, staring at Ender. Ender immediately disappeared and was replaced by a sleek, black dragling of the winged variety. She blinked again and transformed herself to a iridescent shining dragling with wide violet eyes and long curling lashes.
Ender stared at her with his midnight blue eyes and muttered, "little flashy aren't you?" Nim smiled in reply and they both resumed walking toward the ancient burial ground of the dragons.

teri tait

2006-Jun-25, 10:29 PM

"Where are Nim and Ender?" Alonewulf asked suddenly. They had been walking for a good 45 minutes and he could not recall seeing them since the first hundred yards of their little trek.
Runt looked around nervously and the quickly brought his squinty eyes back to stare at Alonewulf, "What have you done with them, you fiend?!" he demanded dramatically. He pounded his tiny fist into Firestarter's head for emphasis, "Just because you're angry at the author of this story, doesn't mean you can arbitrarily harm the main characters!"
Alonewulf growled with disgust, "She is dead to me, sure, but I would never hurt any character! I'm the one that noticed they went missing, sheesh!" Alonewulf rolled his silver eyes sighing deeply, "I get no respect..."
"Ender and Nim snuck off ages ago." Damian piped up cheerfully, "They're going to explore the dragon burial ground of the ancients. " he pointed off into the distance and added, "I've already seen it so I didn't ask to go with them."
"Great. Just when I need them most, they go AWOL!" Runt grumped, "Typical, typical feline behaviour..."
They continued walking in silence, approaching the honeycomb of caverns that is the Lair of Dregga Stah. They could see several flying dragons flitting about in the smoky distance. Apparently, dragons prefer active volcanoes as prime locations for rearing young. The landscape was barren and rocky except for a wide stretch of carefully cultivated grazing fields which was populated by several variety of llama. The llama frolicked to and fro under the watchful eyes of several young dragons. Prominenat signs were scattered about stating in no uncertain terms, 'WARNING: Do Not Eat The Llama Under Penalty of Law'.
"This is a herd of llamas that Dregga Stah rescued from a volcano in Peru or some such a few millenia back." Runt said to no one in particular, "Well, at least the ancestors of that herd. They do quite well in this llama preserve. They are the mascot of the diety, Lance, the all powerful God of the dragons here on Creatine." Runt eyed the dragon/sheperds and called out loudly, "Blessed be Lance, brother!" in a cheery voice. The dragons did not answer, unless you consider licking their chops a reply.
They eyed Runt with some interest as one commented, "Arboreal Marsupial at 3:00." to his fellows.
Runt looked about nervously and then tugged at Firestarters mane yelling, "Get the attention of the flyers, ASAP!"
"Sure thing, Runt." Firestarter replied. He stopped walking and sat down. Taking a deep breath, he seemed to fill his lungs for a full minute, paused briefly, and then expelled the air in a earsplitting roar that echoed for miles. The llamas scattered and the distant flying specks stopped darting about and began flying directly toward them.
"Thanks." Runt managed to mutter, his ears still ringing, "I think..." He added as one of the growing specks began to spit forth flames.
"Fire in the hole!!" yelled Alonewulf, he threw Raven and Damian to the ground and then covered them with his large wolfish form.

teri tait

2006-Jun-26, 01:24 AM

"What a Tard" Runt giggled pointing at Alonewulf, "you spook easier than a puppy, scaredy wulf! That's just the flyers coming to give us a flaming escort because I'm such an important entity to these heathens." Runt added still smirking at Alonewulf.
Alonewulf slowly climbed to his feet as the flyers swooped down and landed gracefully. Their reptilian eyes stared straight ahead as the stood at attention.
"At ease!" Runt barked loudly and the dragons obediently took up the at ease stance with arms clasped at the back and rear haunches standing spread a pace away from each other. Their well polished talons gleamed smartly, their horny heels planted in neat military percision.
"Can I say it, Runt?" Firestarter wheedled.
"Oh fine," Runt said crossly, "go ahead!"
Firestarter stepped around the case of dragon loot and dramatically bellowed, "Take us to your leader!" in a deep resonating voice. He then sighed happily and grinned from ear to furry ear.
"Shore thang, sir," the higher ranking dragon drawled, "we'll be a needin' to head towards the 'cano so we's gonna be flyin' you all over directly."
He broke formation and kneeled forward onto his front and hind legs. Several saddles were strapped along his sinuous back, room enough for three on each dragon as well as the case of loot. The dragon looked around counting heads. "You alls partay seems ta be missin' a coupla folk." He said, his eyes narrowing suspiciously.
"Nevermind that!" Runt snapped, "You best keep an eye on the Whenwulf, I hear they enjoy enthralling your kind just for kicks."
The dragon's head whipped about and stared eye to eye with Alonewulf as he handed Damian up to Raven who was already seated comfortably in her girl form. Stone lion etiquette demanded that she allow the dragons to carry the entorage in as it could be considered an act of war to fly into a nesting dragon's airspace.
Alonewulf returned the stare eye for eye and then shrugged, "Don't worry, wurm, I won't sing you to sleep while we're on this peace mission." He said in his most diplomatic voice. "You're hoard is safe... For now that is..." He winked and then howled with bone chilling laughter for a moment before climbing aboard the last saddle.
Firestarter jumped carefully onto the other dragon and sat awkwardly in the saddle his legs straddling the dragon in a most ridiculous fashion. Runt remained seated in his usual spot on Firestarter's head.
"Hey look at me, I'm a cowboy!" Firestarter said gleefully, "yeeeeehaaaaaaw!!!" he whooped with wild abandon as the dragons lifted back into the air.
"Uber Tard." Runt said disdainfully as he clutched onto Firestarter's fluffy mane.

Dragon Star

2006-Jun-26, 02:30 AM

Prominenat signs were scattered about stating in no uncertain terms, 'WARNING: Do Not Eat The Llama Under Penalty of Law'.
"This is a herd of llamas that Dregga Stah rescued from a volcano in Peru or some such a few millenia back." Runt said to no one in particular, "Well, at least the ancestors of that herd. They do quite well in this llama preserve. They are the mascot of the diety, Lance, the all powerful God of the dragons here on Creatine." Runt eyed the dragon/sheperds and called out loudly, "Blessed be Lance, brother!" in a cheery voice.

:p

teri tait

2006-Jun-26, 05:02 AM

Nim and Ender wandered into the Ancient Burial Ground of the Dragons. They knew they were there when they saw the large neon sign flashing, "Welcome!" with various advertisements and coupons promising internment at rock bottom prices.
"Jeez, what a tourist trap this turned out to be." Ender mumbled in disappointment.
Nim perked her ears forward and whispered, "I think I can actually hear Dregga Stah laughing at something... Llamas or Runt... Something like that... Creepy..."

teri tait

2006-Jul-08, 02:55 AM

"I take no responsibility for any forthcoming words of action and or drama in this story. I do apologize in advance though." Nim whispered to someone in particular.
"Huh?" said Ender, rather stupidly
"By the tingling in my tail, something wicked takes this trail" Nim added, ignoring Ender except to absentmindedly swat his nose.

teri tait

2006-Jul-08, 03:17 AM

"I smell smoke." Firestarter said to no one in particular as they crested the mountiain range to the valley of Dregga Stah.
Runt snorted with mirth and then guffawed, "Looks like they got a special welcome for that treacherous Wherewulf!" Runt hastily made the sign to ward off evil in the general direction of Alonewulf.
Alonewulf turned his luminous silver eyes toward a thin line of smoke growing ever closer as the dragons flew with powerful strokes of their leathery wings. He saw several dragons of various colors and sizes chanting and whomping in unison around a central fire. He could just make out the effigy of what appeared to be a man with a wulf's head tied to a stake above a merrily burning fire. The dragons had a pile of colorful fabric rectangles that they seemed to be taking turns feeding to the fire, one by one. As they neared, Alonewulf realized with anger that they were burning hundreds of flags from his own home planet of Wulf World. He howled in rage and almost jumped off of the dragon he was riding, unmindful of any danger to himself. "They can't do that!!" he howled with his fist raised in anger, "there's an intergalactic treaty that bans the burning of any flag in an inflammatory manner!!"
Runt pushed his tiny glasses up his nose and smirked, "Is there any other way to burn a flag, Wulfie?" he said sarcastically, "besides, that proposal to ban this form of expression failed to pass by one vote." He added
Alonewulf glared at Runt, wondering briefly how much trouble he would be in with Chris Rosen if he wrung the little varmit's neck.
The flying dragons giggled a bit and circled the demonstrators below for several minutes, enjoying the show. They even let loose a few blasts of well aimed fire, toasting the charred effigy. Alonewulf held his tongue in silent outrage, trying to not give them the satisfaction of seeing how upset he really was. He could see a dragon carrying a jaunty sign with the words 'Alonewulf is a Cur!!' Scrawled across it. Other signs with various messages were displayed prominently as the dragons whomped about singing their dragonsong of disapproval. The pile of flags grew ever smaller and fire grew ever brighter.
"I never thought I would see such a travesty anywhere in this universe or even in a parrallel universe!" Alonewulf said, spitting the words in an angry burst.
"Awww quit your bellyaching." Runt said contemptiously, "Its just a harmless form of expression, very civilized and all that. Don't be such a baby!"

Dragon Star

2006-Jul-08, 03:19 AM

:DNice touch with the flags, funny.;)

teri tait

2006-Jul-09, 07:32 PM

Ender looked around suspiciously and said, "I swear I keep hearing Dregga's voice!" he sniffed the air, checking for any fresh dragon scent.
"Me too," Nim replied, "but don't worry your pretty little head, we blend in with the dragon look." She sauntered past a shiny masoleum wall and admired her iridescent shining dragon scales. She batted her long lashes and twitched her long dragon tail. "Maybe I'll be a dragon next Hallo 'een." She wiggled her horny brow and blew an experimental fiery breath, scorching the nearly barren ground.
"This place kinda blows." Ender said, "lets go check out the shrine to Llance, God of the Dragon Horde. Maybe we can spook some llamas for fun."
Nim wasn't listening to Ender, she was staring at an inscription that contained a series of glyphs and strange mandelas. "I didn't know dragons were so superstitious." She whispered to Ender, "Look at this inscription. It says 'He who disturbs this tomb shall die a laughable death'. How stupid is that?"
"Uber stupid." Ender agreed, "But I'm pretty sure it says 'languishing', not 'laughable' death."
They continued to wander through the silent buriel ground. The misty atmosphere seemed to part to allow them through and then close again behind them like a solid wall. They walked past numerous family plots and masoleums with heritage crests and mottos carved in intricate patterns. Statues of pious looking dragons chomping evil looking knights were everywhere. There were occaisional statues of virtuous looking maidens lovingly hugging strong, handsome dragons. Plaques of dedication to dragons of exceptional acts of bravery were strewn about as well. There was one section dedicated to the preservation of the memory of acts of bravery in service to Llance of the llamas.
"This is getting llame-a," Nim commented, "lets go look for some llamas to spook and I suppose we should be heading back toward the others."
Ender put away his digital camera, he had been snapping photos of himself making horrendous faces and shooting flaming plumes of fire. "Cool! I was starting to get hungry anyway. I wonder what the dragons are serving?"
Nim stared at him for a moment then replied, "Generally speaking they are quite partial to arboreal marsupials."

teri tait

2006-Jul-16, 02:15 PM

Runt tapped away on his computer-like device as the dragons began to descend once more. He looked up briefly, noting the Citadel, the catacomb of caves and caverns that served as the home for the royal dragons of Creatine. It had been the ancestral home of Dregga Stah's family for almost 10 millenia. It was imposing and garishly decorated with jewels and precious metals at the entrances. Vapors and smoke escaped from the crevices and peaks as this home was located within the mountain peaks of several live volcanos. The dragons preferred the volcanic activity as it provided warm rock to warm their reptilian blood and was a formidable challenge to any would be dragon slayer knights that might pop by. The dragons also consumed the volcanic rock as a mineral dietary supplement. It provided a natural fuel for their firepower besides strengthening their claws and scales. The dragons lived in harmony with the desolate environment. They had little use for flowers and meadows, except on their beloved llama preserve and when wooing the occaisional maiden into their thrall. They thrived quite well in the seemingly hostile environment.
Runt looked around with a mixture of interest and disdain. He twisted one of Firestarter's ears toward him and hissed, "Don't let that dragon loot out of your sight!"
Firestarter nodded in reply, "No problemo, Runt." He added sagely, "I know how slippery these lizards can be." He looked about furtively and grasped the case tightly with his teeth in preparation of landing.
Raven smiled at Damian and combed his hair into place. She checked him over for smudges and wrinkles and found him presentable enough. She lightly patted his head and smiled at Alonewulf.
Alonewulf smiled back, in a distracted sort of way. He busily scanned the numerous entrances where an occaisional blast of flame or dragon snout presented itself. He noted the various shapes and sizes of the dragons. Flamers, steamers, flyers, and various assortments of each type could be seen. His silver eyes noted a still body of water in the distance with several visible water dragons skimming along the surface.
The two flyers suddenly swooped down and swept through a narrow entrance, pulling in their leathery wings at the last possible second. They skittered expertly along the gemencrusted floor, sliding gracefully sideways in unison and stopping at exactly the same time. Several pages rushed forward and reached up to help the passengers down.
Firestarter stared curiously at the small page dragons wearing decorative collars with bow ties. "Hey look, Runt, Bonsai dragons," he whooped, "they're so cute!!"
Runt rolled his eyes and flicked Firestarter's head through his fluffy mane. "You shouldn't make short jokes, Moor-on Cat!" he snarled ominously.
One of the pages spoke to the flyers as their passengers departed, "We have an urgent report of a disturbance in the llama preserve!" the page advised importantly, "There are two unidentified draglings in the outer meadows tipping llamas. Lord Stah has need of you to depart and assist in their capture forthwith!"
Runt eyed the page shrewdly and asked, "What? What heresey is this?!? I hope they will be flayed and flambayed for such sacriligious behavior!!"
The page nodded eagerly, "Oh they're in for it alright! Lord Stah is livid and plans to example them, but good!"
Runt glared at the page beadily, "Did you get a good description of them? What do they look like?"
"There's two of 'ems," the other page replied, "a bright swirly weird colored one with purplish eyes and a solid black 'un with blue eyes, dark as midnight sky."
Runt looked at Raven and smiled sweetly, "It seems Nim and Ender will soon be joining us again." He stated with smug confidence.

teri tait

2006-Aug-05, 03:53 AM

Ender looked around nervously as Nim crouched in the stalking position and inched toward a drowsing llama. She wiggled her hindquarters and twitched her scaley tail; then froze momentarily as she sniffed the breeze. She twitched her tail again and resumed inching forward with painstaking feline care.
The llama continued to doze, blissfully unaware of any impending danger. Eyes drooped shut and head down, the llama slept peacefully on his feet. His muzzle gently nibbling at the grass as he grazed and dozed. Several other, more watchful llamas edged away from the stalking dragon but none showed any real alarm. The gentle llamas were the tame pets, protected by the dragons. This herd of llamas had thrived for generations under the care of the dragon horde of Dregga Stah. They merely moved away from the encroaching dragling and continued their own grazing.
(Several hundred years prior these had been the llamas of Peru on the Planet Earth. They had been decimated by volcanoes. The future diety, Llance of the Llamas, had taken up their cause and found this habitable planet with its largely vegetarian dragons. He had established the llama preserve and through a series of adventures became the one true god of the dragons. But that is another story and so we shall not discuss it here and now.)
Nim reached forward with her forward left talons and delicately nudged the llama. After several moments of silent nudging, the llama abruptly tipped over with a disgruntled squack of outrage. Nim giggled, turning toward Ender with a satisfied smirk said, "Nothing quite like llama tipping, hey End-" her voice stopped in mid word as she saw Ender held tightly between to rather ominous dragons and a third angry dragon glaring at her from behind Nim's left shoulder.
Nim slowly looked upward into the angry dragons reptilian eyes and whispered, "I didn't do it!"

teri tait

2006-Aug-05, 04:10 AM

Phillipa continued to play the flute as the music grew in width and depth. He slowly bounced and rolled with the beat, rising steadily higher and higher. As he drifted upward past Jean Blue, Jean reached out lazily with the end of one wing and grabbed him gently by his bare foot.
"Don't get carried away!" Jean joked as he pulled Phillipa in and anchored him to a conveniently situated iron ring. Phillipa did not even seem to notice as he continued to play.

teri tait

2006-Aug-05, 04:37 AM

Alonewulf approached Dregga Stah in his wulf form, bounding forward and howling with glee. At the last possible second, he changed into his man form and hugged Dregga tightly for a moment then clasped his right front talon in a strange and intricate handshake.
"Hello brother." He said simply
Dregga puffed out a snort of steam and replied balefully, "Hello yourself, Wulfie. Dregga Stah looks forward to sharing a delicious meal and a heartfelt dragonsong with you tonight!" his reptilian eyes gleamed with pride as he added, "You shall be among the first to be present at the formal introduction of my hatchlings!"
Alonewulf produced a genuine smile and replied, "I can't think of a greater honor, I look forward to this evening." Having said that, he bowed deeply and turned to present the members of the small company of teenagers.
"Yeah, yeah, we all know each other already!" Runt said, interrupting the formal introductions that he could just imagine would take hours of worthless protocol to complete. "Here's your money, wurm, its all there. Go ahead, count it!" he pulled at Firestarters ear and Firestarter let go of the suitcase with a muffled yelp.
Raven ignored Runt and curtsied with her natural grace and smiled at Dregga. Damian followed her and Alonewulf's lead; he somberly bowed and then stepped forward and shook Dregga's forward right talon in the exact same rather complicated fashion that Alonewulf had done. Dregga practically gleamed with pleasure at their adherance to dragon tradition. "Dregga Stah welcomes you all, even the heathen Runt and his 'dot' Firestarter!"
"Don't agitate my dot!" Runt snarled warningly as a dragon underling moved forward to gather up the dragon loot.

teri tait

2006-Aug-05, 06:21 PM

Nim and Ender were flown back to the dragon lair, flanked by the intimidating and fierce dragon guard. They flew at a steady pace, hurried along by the occaisional jet of steam from one of the three large dragons that herded them toward their doom. Nim tolerated this treatment in silence but was fast losing her patience. Ender occaisionally yelped as a jet of steam struck a tender spot on his rather soft dragon underbelly. He racked his brain for possible solutions to their plight, considering their options to potentially avoid the notoriously harsh dragon punishments. He turned to Nim in desperation whispering, "What are we gonna do, Nim? We're gonna be toast when Dregga Stah hears what we were doing!"
Nim looked at him calmly and replied, "Nah, we have diplomatic immunity. When we land I'll just turn us back to our regular forms and we'll demand to be taken to an embassy or something."
Ender stared at Nim for a long moment and then replied slowly, "Nim, you sent out a royal proclomation, cutting off all diplomatic ties to this planet and imposed a trade embargo two years ago! Don't you remember?!? You and Dregga got in an argument over the exploitation of llamas and the fundamental right to tip llamas!!! Oh, we are soooo dead. . ."
"Oh yeah" Nim whispered, unperturbed, "that's even better! We can say we were making a political statement!"
"We are so going to die!" Ender lamented pathetically.
"Suck it up, crybaby!" Nim whispered furiously, "I'm sure Runt will think of something, he always does."
"Yeah but how close are we going to be to death before he bothers to save us?" Ender replied glumly. "If you recall, you let my little sister dress him in leiderhosen and have a tea party with her stuffed animals. Papa Smurf sat next to him for cats sake! You think he's not going to let us be humiliated?!?"

teri tait

2006-Aug-07, 12:36 AM

"Dregga Stah presents the hatchlings; Draco, Zirilian, Pecos, Tatsumasta, Tyrantus, Zealot, Bokura, Carrion, Izzet, Mage, Luster, Mencia, and Bryan." Dregga swept around in one gracious motion waving toward the lined up hatchlings. Each freshly washed and polished dragling whomped forward as his name was called, bowing and sending a ceremonial burst of fire into the air. Alonewulf, Raven, and Damian bowed in return while Runt rolled his eyes and sighed impatiently. Firestarter gazed out the window, ignoring the whole lot of them. He scanned the skies for a glimpse of Nim. He knew she was on the way, she had communicated to him mind to mind direct. They had been doing that since both were cubs. Nim being the last of the royal Azualas, was born with the ability to join with willing feline minds. Firestarter had the same talent and the two using their combined ability could communicate anywhere in the known universe, as well as most places in the unknown universe.
They had met this way when they both still had their milk teeth. By mind to mind communication they became fast friends. As they grew, they spent summers and long weekends in each other's company. Firestarter being a ward in the care of Chris Rosen on the Unnamed Planet; Nim the adopted daughter (and somewhat hidden Royal Azuala) of Mama Blue.
They shared the common bond of loss of family at a tender age. It is well known that Nim lost her parents to royal assassination but the history of Firestarter was much a mystery. He just seemed to show up one day, no note attached to him, not tucked neatly into a basket, no clue as to how, when, or why he arrived so suddenly. One day he was just there by Chris Rosen's cozy house, toddling on his feet running after squirrels with his eyes barely beginning to open.
Chris Rosen immediately brought him in and cared for him in typical Chris fashion, with devout care and attention until he could manage on his own four feet. In Firestarter's case, that was about 3 weeks when his eyes were fully open. From that point onward Firestarter was expected to be forwarding his education through some sort of learning, cleaning up after himself, and doing whatever chores as required. Other than that he came and left as he pleased, spending weeks at a time hanging with Runt (which was technically learning) or chillin' with Raven (again could be considered learning) or even tracking and chasing squirrels to his hearts content. Chris Rosen was amicable to all interactions as being educational oppurtunities and so no matter what Firestarter was doing, he was considered to be furthering his education. (As long as it wasn't harmful to others)
With these wide open vistas available and serendipidous learning, Firestarter grew into a rambunctious teenage feline of unknown origins. Future boyfriend of Nim and part time sidekick to Runt. He had the perfect life, in his opinion, mostly because of Nim and the indescribable joy of chasing squirrels. Who could ask for more? He greeted each day with unbridled joy.
Firestarter caught a glimpse of flyers in the sky and whooped, "Nim!!!"
The draglings turned their heads simultaniously and stared at Firestarter.
Runt scampered toward the window and peered outside. "Yep, that's Nim and Ender all right." He agreed smugly, rubbing his hands gleefully. He turned to Dregga Stah and asked sweetly, "I wonder how many llamas were traumatized by the wanton disregard of Nim and her underling.?"
Raven quietly tsk tsked, she could see where this was going.
Firestarter growled an uncharacteristically low and ominous growl, "Don't be messin' with Nim, Runt!" he whispered furiously, "Don't be tryin' to get her in trouble. . . I'm warning you. . ."
Runt's eyes flickered with surprise to look at Firestarter, then quickly flicked back toward Dregga Stah. He paused as if considering, then opened his mouth to begin speaking again. He never got the chance as Firestarter took a wide, deep breath and blew Runt across the room, pinning him to the wall.
Runt stared at Firestarter in outrage as Firestarter said again, "Don't be messin' with my Nim!" his orange eyes glowing like bright coals of fire that clearly warned anyone when this easy going feline was done playing.
Firestarter loped across the room and stood toe to toe with his eyes locked on Runt's large green eyes. "Listen Runt, Nim could be in real trouble here!" Firestarter said worriedly, "You need to think of some way to help her!!" he stared imploringly at Runt's face, tears forming in his orange eyes, "Please. . .for the children. . ."
Runt's expression softened to one of resignation as he replied, "This is such a waste of my potential!"
Firestarter whooped again and joyfully picked Runt up, tossing him into the air gleefully and then catching him. "Thanks Runt!!" he said gratefully, all anger forgotten.
Runt straightened his glasses and smiled with just a hint of evil grin. "She'll be fine, I had a plan worked out for just such a time as this. I formulated it two years ago when Nim first imposed the embargo on Creatine. I knew something like this would happen." He patted Firestarter lovingly on the head, "Now put me down Moor-on Cat."

teri tait

2006-Aug-12, 05:12 AM

Dregga Stah ushered the draglings and his guests into the banquet hall. The table was set out with many lavish dishes, delicacies of every description. The entire room was decorated within an inch of its life. There were even several royal llamas wandering about wearing stiff collars with snappy bow ties of various colors.
Raven looked around, noticing the formal atmosphere and quickly chanted a Stone Lion/Druid type incantation, waving her fingers at Damian, Firestarter, and Runt. Each of the boys suddenly erupted into snazzy tuxedos, each complete with cumberbund and a fresh carnation at the lapel. Firestarter was transformed into human form, a tall well muscled teen with just a wisp of hair beginning to grow on his chin. Runt had spelled himself with an anti transforming spell after their trip to the planet Nim and therefore remained an arboreal marsupial, albiet a well dressed one.
Raven smiled at Alonewulf (who looked just a bit startled) and said, "You're black suit is already appropriate, Wulfie." before transforming her own outfit into a tasteful evening gown and wrap.
Runt didn't even seem to notice, he was busy on his audio communication device, apparently arguing with someone. Firestarter managed to whoop, "Thanks Raven!" in between Runt's bursts of conversation.
Runt yelled, "He's my dot...all summer...been mine...yeah...MINE!" occaisionally waving a tiny fist for emphasis.
Damian giggled as several draglings stared at Runt, openly curious about the odd little marsupial in the natty, miniscule tuxedo. "Don't mind him, he tried to call the writer to complain about Firestarter's lack of loyalty a few papragraphs ago but he ended up talking to her daughter instead!" Damian said reassuringly, patting Bryan on his scaly head. Bryan looked back at Damian in his solemn dragling way, then delicately sniffed the carnation on his lapel.
Firestarter was yelling at Runt, "When's Nim getting here? Ask her... Ask her... Ask her." In a maddening repetitive way.
Runt tried to wave him off, unsuccessfully. Finally Runt screeched "I gotta go, this is not over! Oh no, no by a long shot!!" before snapping his audio device shut and turning to Firestarter.
"What the crapple is wrong with you?!!" he stormed, "have you lost your mind?!?"
Firestarter paused for a moment and said, "No, but you still have to get Nim outta trouble and quick! She'll be here any second!"
Runt whipped a sealed scroll out of some pocket or another and bounced it off of Firestarter's nose, "Here Moor-On Cat! I told you I had everything under control! Go give this to that overgrown wurm and quit bugging me!"

teri tait

2006-Aug-12, 05:09 PM

Nim and Ender landed in the courtyard of the dragon lair, still flanked by their ominous escorts. Upon touching down, Nim blinked slowly, twice. She and Ender morphed into human form with Nim in a somewhat gothic gown and Ender in the typical tuxedo suit that never seems to go out of style. Nim pulled a comb out of a neat little pocketbook and quickly fixed her shining hair. She turned the comb to Ender to try taming his wild hair somewhat. She wrestled with it for a moment or two, vainly attempting to make it lay flat, then gave up with a small sigh.
Ender checked his tuxedo then whistled a bit as he looked at Nim, "Nice outfit Nimmers, we're gonna look great when we get roasted alive."
"No worries," Nim whispered, "Firestarter talked Runt into saving us right now instead of after enduring whatever freak show punishment 'ol Dregga had planned. We're good to go."
One of the escort dragons flamed up shouting, "That's Lord Dregga, Champion of the Llamas and High Ruler of Creatine!!!" he leaned in toward Nim and steamed menacingly.
"OK, I get it!" Nim replied crossly, "Grand Poomba of Everything and all that, OK! Now stop steaming up my outfit!" she turned back to Ender and added, "Raven let me borrow this dress, you like?"
"Totally hot, Nimmers." Ender replied agreeably. "How is Runt going to plead our case?" he asked.
"Well, apparently Runt anticipated some sort of disaster in the future. You know how he's the future incarnation of Christian Rosenkruetz and all that? Yeah, apparently that being a future guy and living in the Now comes in handy. He kinda knows a lot of stuff he never lets on about and carrys around an arsenal of stuff to counteract potential problems. Never, ever play poker with Runt. . . I cannot emphasize that enough. . ."
Ender laughed and held out the crook of his elbow, "Shall we go and grovel to Lord Dregga now and beg his forgiveness?"
Nim hooked her arm around his elbow and replied, "Sure, why not? Lord Dregga does deserve some sort of apology, I suppose." They both started walking toward an archway that would take them into the castle proper.
The three escort dragons planted themselves in front of Nim and Ender, effectively blocking their path. "None shall pass without authorization from Lord Dregga! Bow in fear puny ones, you will be spending the rest of your miserable existence in the bowels of the lowest dungeon!"
At that point, a tiny page dragon came puffing up, "I got a special proclomation from His Lordship, these two, uh, dragons or peoples or felines or whatever they are, are to be presented to Lord Dregga and the Royal Draglings in the Banquet Hall!" he took a deep breath and added, "Forthwith!" with a dramatic sweep of the stamped and official looking order clutched between his claws.
The three dragons read the order simultaniously, one of them muttering "Ah shucks, there goes our game of 'flame till they scream' dang it." Somewhat reluctantly, the three dragons (with the small page dragon joining in) reformed their position and stances to become an honor guard escort for the presentation of Nim and Ender to their Lord and King.
"Now this is more like it!" Nim whispered with a bit of a smirk. "Firestarter told me Runt's scroll or whatever made Dregga dance with glee, then he immediately rescinded all punishments and incidental bad feelings against you and me.
He actually signed an order that says all dragons have to like me, Nim, and at least pretend to like you and the rest of my entourage." Nim laughed gleefully, "Apparently you are all now considered my entourage." She laughed again.
Ender stared at her, "Even Alonewulf?" he asked incredulously.
"Especially Alonewulf, apparently he and DS are old buddies from the mystic school of know it alls or some such and now that DS actually likes me, no one else is fit to protect me." She snorted, trying to stop herself from laughing.
"Wow, you gotta wonder what the crapple Runt had in that scroll or whatever. . ." Ender replied musingly, "Do you think he's got any more stuff like that? How the heck does he know so much? How does he get his tiny little paws on so much important stuff?"
Nim stared at him balefully, "Runt never gives his sources or unveils his agenda, you know that."
With that having been said, they again linked arms and moved forward with their honor guard surrounding them in the dragon protection formation.

teri tait

2006-Aug-13, 04:18 PM

Dregga Stah had just finished his Snoopy Dance of Glee. He had Runts scroll cluthed to his chest like a cherished hatchling and was singing the dragonsong of joy.
Firestarter stared at Dregga Stah and spoke to Runt, "Dude, I've never seen him like this. What the crapple was in that scroll?"
Runt shrugged replying, "The usual mishmash of legalese and opened ended language that makes interpretation to be in the eye of the beholder. . . 'Course I added a bit of specific language too. I outlined a scholarship for royal draglings that includes the free one on one training of up to a baker's dozen. . . I think I threw in a few apprenticeships in high ranking positions throughout the known universe. Maybe a few internships for political-minded draglings. You know, the usual stuff parents always want for their kids good education and great connections for advancement. . .only with a dragon spin of course.
"Of course!" Firestarter said agreeably, although he had stopped listening after the words "the usual".
"How did you know Dregga would be a mother, ur, father I mean?" Alonewulf asked, "Usually the mother raises the draglings, you know."
Runt made the sign to ward off evil (more out of habit than anything else at this point) then replied pompously, "Clever deduction, happenstance, and such. I knew Dregga needed progeny to continue ruling this pile of rocks, I knew the female dragons had an evil plot to overthrow him and had all signed a pact to consume any eggs he fertilized. . . It was just a matter of time until he found the obvious solution. Of course, it did take him 3 or 4 egg clutches to figure it out.
"I knew he would try to cut his losses with a large group of hatchlings, I knew he would want the best for them. I figured the absolute most he could hope to raise with any semblence of order would be 12, then I threw in an extra because Dregga is an idiot and would think he could handle more.
"I drew up an offer he couldn't refuse and wrote in a contingent to forgive Nim for whatever hairbrained thing I knew she was bound to do someday, signed it, notarized it, had Sir Rosen sign it and put his seal on it and then hung onto it." He looked around shiftily and added, "The hardest part was keeping it safely tucked away, yet close at hand for 2 years." He winked at Firestarter and they both burst into laughter.
Alonewulf shook his head in wonder and let a smile light his dark, moody features for a moment. "Heh, Dregga is an idiot sometimes. You're sure do your homework little mouse."
"That's Arboreal Marsupial!!!" Runt screeched in outrage.

teri tait

2006-Aug-17, 02:26 AM

"How long do I have to wear this monkey suit?" Firestarter whined, "it itches and I can't breathe!! I wanna go chase squirrels!"
Nim's violet eyes swivled around to stare at Firestarter. "Its feast time, squirrel boy." She whispered consolingly, "you can change into something more comfortable after we eat."
Dregga was already seating the guests at the vast banquet table. Firestarter slouched over to the table, still pulling uncomfortably at his collar. Dregga directed him to his spot, seating him between Runt and Nim. The various draglings filled in one side of the table, with Niv-Mizzet and several other high ranking underlings filling in the rest of the seats on the other side with the teens.
Strange and delicious smelling platters steamed and bubbled enticingly. With Lord Dregga at the head of the table and Alonewulf at the foot. Lord Dregga lifted his glass and carefully poured a few drops on the table with the words, "One for the homies!" then raised his glass in a rousing, rambling toast to the draglings and Llance of the Llamas.
He went on for several minutes while everyones eyes slowly glazed over. Just as Raven had to physically restrain Runt from saying something insulting, Lord Dregga finally stopped speaking and downed his drink in one long gulp. With relief, the others followed suit and began to dig into the sumptous dishes.
"Hey Runt, Lord Dregga isn't serving any toasted honey possum!" Firestarter whispered loudly, "You know how he loves Arboreal Marsupial meat, especially you Noolbengers!"
The table went silent for a moment as the humans froze, somewhat mortified, and the dragons, somewhat wistfully, stared at Runt.
Runt ignored the looks and replied breezily, "Yes, yes, everyone knows we Noolbengers are scrumptous in every possible way. What's not to love?" he smiled sweetly all around and continued heaping his plate with heathy portions from every one of the different dishes. "Dig in Firestarter," Runt urged, "There's roasted dingo, deep fried wombat, baked koala, broiled bush baby, there's even stuffed kangaroo, roasted with a wallabee in the pouch!" he took a huge bite and added, "Mmmmm, now thats good kangaroo!!"

teri tait

2006-Aug-26, 04:53 PM

Jean Blue checked the tether holding Phillipa in place. It was holding securely as the music and pulsating light swirled out and away from the flute at Phillipa's lips.
Jeans sniffed the air, his moustache all atwitch, and said, "I smell broiled bush baby. Uncie, are you cooking something?"
Chris Rosen looked up and smiled hugely, "No, no, m'boy! That's coming from the other end of the musical trail! We have made contact with the dragons! There can be no doubt of that, dragons love broiled bush baby!" he waved his hand vaguely and added, "If you're hungry, I daresay there is some sort of snack tucked away near you, if you look about you will find it."
"Well, I'm not really hungry but thanks Uncie." Jean replied, "I was worried you left something on the stove." Jean did look around though and was surprised to find a small refridgerator nestled in a niche in the rock. It blended in completely with the surrounding rock and only became noticeable when he looked with care.
"I wonder what song we shall sing, my dear," Xaphod whispered to the photo of his space honey, "perhaps a medly of Earth hits of the third millenia?" he smiled sweetly at the girl in the photo who rolled her eyes in reply.
"We're supposed to bring unity, not chaos!" Mike said rather crossly to Xaphod, "I am sure it will be singing more in the nature of the dragons." He added thoughtfully, "Probably something he and Alonewulf both know very well. And I imagine that space cruiser theif and her cohorts must have a voice in it too." He glanced at Chris Rosen who nodded happily in agreement. "Then I would guess they all have a bit all their own that somehow ties together to form a cohesive concert, the likes of which we have never known before!" Mike stated confidently.
The flute seemed to gain power and volume suddenly.
"The bridge is forged and will remain until the song is completed." Phillipa stated simply. He had let go the flute, which continued to play on its own.
The music had grown in volume and intensity as soon as Phillipa had pulled his lips from the flute, as if he had been holding back its enormous power and it was now free to it own devices. The flute quivered in the air, incredibly intricate notes issuing forth as it played with passionate love and care.
Free to soar with the sound it darted about the room flying high and low, even flying into the photo Xaphod held. It hovered about, circling the surprised girl several times before flying back out into the meeting room proper. It dashed about happily, twirling and circling about each of the men before returning to Phillipa. As it circled Phillipa, it left a sparkling trail of pure beauty and light. Soon, Phillipa was surrounded by a golden haze.
The flute moved on to Jean, leaving a similar trail of sparkling sound. This time it was a deep purple haze that infused Jean.
"Ahh, our aura joins with the music!" Chris said with an approving nod, "We shall anchor the sound and the flute will travel the bridge while we serve as anchors!"
The flute fairly shimmered with joy as Chris Rosen spoke those words. It swooped and swirled, anchoring each person's aura with the flowing music. Mike's deep violet and Xaphod's deep violet matched perfectly, a splendidly rare aura yet represented twice in these twin brothers who seemed so different. Chris Rosen glowed a blinding pristine white as the flute finished its special dance with him. "Now off with you, to the dragons!" Chris said with a light stroke of his hand along the length of the instrument. The flute shivered with vibration and then shot off along the trail of sound. The various ribbons of color flowing from each of them joined into a brilliant, strangely colored rainbow of blues and purples. The flute shined bright as a beacon as it rose upward and disappeared out the opening at the top of the cavernous room.

teri tait

2006-Aug-26, 08:52 PM

Dregga Stah sighed a smokey sigh of contentment and leaned back feeling full and a bit drowsy. He stared off into space with a distracted expression in his glowing eyes. Very faintly, he could hear the sound of music growing louder and deeper but still some distance away. He looked about the table but none other seemed to notice the sound. He reached out for a crystal goblet and began to circle the rim of the goblet with the tip of one sharp claw. The crystal began to vibrate and an eerie sound soon filled the banquet hall, silencing everyone.
Dregga Stah cleared his throat and announced, "The singing shall begin forthwith!! Dreggah Stah shall start a the verses and each shall add a verse of song until the singing is complete!!" he stopped talking and in the void of silence, all could hear the flute arrive with a rush of music and colorful light.
The flute circled the room twice, weaving between the guest, draglings, and the various llamas wandering the room. It then settled above Dregga Stah as he began:

I am an unquenchable fire, the center of all energy, the stout heroic heart.
I am truth and light, I hold power and glory in my sway.
My presence disperses dark clouds.
I have been chosen to tame the fates. . .
I AM THE DRAGON

teri tait

2006-Aug-26, 08:59 PM

The rush of sound and light grew brighter and stronger as one of the many llamas stepped forward and the flute flew above his head. The llamas wide eyes seemed to grow wider and brighter as he continued the song:

I am nature's special child.
I trust and am rewarded by trust.
Fortune smiles upon my continence.
All things blossom in the gentleness of my love.
I strive to find beauty in all I behold.
I am fair of face and full of grace. . .
I AM THE LLAMA

teri tait

2006-Aug-26, 09:08 PM

As the llamas voice still vibrated throughout the room, Runt suddenly jumped onto the table and fairly shouted his words, barely giving the flute time to reach a hovering place over his head as his voice boomed out strongly:

I am the self-proclaimed inquisitor
I am a link, yet I function as a complete unit.
I aim at encompassing heights.
And strike my target sure and steady.
Life is one joyous journey for me.
Each search must end with a new quest.
I am progress, exploration, and insight.
I am a world of activity. . .
I AM THE RAT

teri tait

2006-Aug-26, 09:13 PM

Nim, Ender, and Firestarter were next. They stood as one with the flute circling above them, in a continuos figure eight pattern. They joined hands and spoke as one:

I am the mysterious one.
The one to blame and the one to trust.
I scratch when I am happy.
Kind when I want to be.
Careful all the time, quiet as possible, almost invisible. . .
I AM THE CAT

teri tait

2006-Aug-26, 09:21 PM

Alonewulf stood at the foot of the table and waited patiently as the flute swirled a last figure eight over the teens and then headed toward him. It moved gracefully into position and Alonewulf reached up and stroked it just as Chris Rosen had done only a few light years before. He then began to speak in a clear, deep voice:

The martial arts have summoned me to hear your sorrows, still your pain.
I am the protector of justice.
Equality - my sole friend.
My vision is never blurred by cowardice, my soul never chained.
Life without honor is life in vain. . .
I AM THE WULF

teri tait

2006-Aug-26, 09:29 PM

Raven stood with Damian in front of her and her hands resting in embrace around his shoulders. They smiled all around and began to sing as the flute rose above them, showering them in light and melody:

I am in tune with the pulse of the universe.
In my quiet and solitude, I hear the melodies of the soul.
I float above commonplace dissent and decay.
I subdue by my ability to conform.
I color my world in delicate pastel hues.
I epitomize harmony and inner peace. . .
I AM THE STONE LION

teri tait

2006-Aug-28, 04:50 AM

As the last verse flew from the lips of Raven and Damian, the air itself seem to shimmer and pulsate with light. The atmosphere felt lighter, more bouyant. The flute glided slowly about, shining with new clarity in the air fresh and still as the air at sunrise. Then twirled away, through space and time with a melody of light and colorful sound that faded to a glowing whisper.
"Wow," Firestarter breathed the air deeply, "Did everything just taste purple?" he asked no one in particular.
"Yes, yes it did." Alonewulf replied with a rare, wide smile, "I believe by hook and by crook we have helped restore alignment and harmony in the universe. That always leaves a distinct purple taste in the air!" he laughed heartily, "its my favorite flavor, actually, I hardly ever get to enjoy it these days."
Runt smacked his lips and nodded, "It tastes like violet, neon violet to be exact, the rarest and most delicious flavor of purple!"

teri tait

2006-Sep-10, 07:36 PM

"Well, m'boy! It seems our venture was successful and your ship shall soon be back!" Chris Rosen said clapping Mike on the shoulder cheerfully.
Mike was still staring up into the night sky at the top of the cavern. The words and rythum of their symphony still echoing in his mind's ear. He shook his head slightly and rustled his wings a bit. "So we did good, Pop?" he replied, "When do you suppose Nim will decide to bring my ship back? Not to mention, my cat! If one hair on Bootsie's furry head is harmed. . ." His voice trailed of to an unintelligible growl.
Xaphod smiled at him kindly, "Dear, dear brother, don't worry! Bootsie should be bringing the ship back in the next few hours. You can take Sir Philipa and the Ambassador onward to their original destination and stop by Momma Blues house to have some delicious cookies! I expect Bootsie will have the ship here by nightfall." He turned toward the photo of his space honey and gave the photo a loving smooch before tucking it into his man purse.
Mike gaped at Xaphod replying, "Are you saying Bootsie is going to fly my ship?! She hates to fly and you know it!"
"My word, a cat flying a spaceship? That's certainly cause for alarm! Where's her crew gone off to? Why won't they be bringing her back?" Philipa asked, jumping down from the rock platform he had shared with Jean Blue.
Jean fluttered down next to Philipa and added, "Yeah, why not? And how do you all know this anyway?"
Chris Rosen winked knowingly, "Lets just say a little bird told me. Lets just say I happen to know that the other adventurers are about to embark on a new quest. A quest so dangerous and unexpected it will take all of their cunning and resources to be successful. An endeavor that will shake the very foundations of their associations and. . ."
"Alright we get it, Uncie! Its a magical mystical tour for the younger crowd only! Sheesh, why don't you just tell me I'm too old to go!" Jean Blue said somewhat crossly, "I can't believe Alonewulf gets to go!" he added with just a touch of envy.
"Yes he does, but he has to protect your baby sister. . ." Mike reminded him as he dialed Bootsie's cell phone.
"Mwaaaarrw?" Bootsie answered somewhat surprised to be getting a call in deep space. She really had no idea how anyone could reach her. She briefly admired her cell phone meshwork technology as she listened to Mike talk.
Mike hung up his phone and grinned at Chris Rosen, "You're right Pop, she's on her way right now with the ship!"
Jean Blue looked around and fluttered his wings nervously, "Nims gonna be OK, right? My mother would kill me if she went and got herself hurt!"
". . . And you miss her." Xaphod added, tweaking one waxed end of Jean's moustache.
"And I miss her." Jean agreed absentmindedly, slapping Xaphod's hand away from his moustache.

teri tait

2006-Sep-10, 10:48 PM

As the suns of Creatine retreated behind the north and northwest horizons, a curious thing appeared an obscure corner of the courtyard of the dragon lair. A black square of voided energy, like a black hole or a time vortex. It appeared out of nowhere, and like a tunnel entrance in a roadrunner cartoon, where it led was indiscernable. It was only a few inches high and wide and it was set back in the shadows.
After a moment, a cute, fluffy squirrel hopped out and looked around furtively.
"I'm in!" Mr. Flufflykins whispered into his wristbanded communicator. A moment later, he made his hopping dash for the the doorway and slipped in with several guard dragons coming from duty.
He expertly bobbed and weaved his way around their whomping feet, avoiding injury and detection, then faded into the shadows of an open doorway to an unlit room.
Mr. Fluffykins twitched his tail and checked the acorns on his specially equipped belt, whispered, "Fear the wrath of my nuts!" and giggled maniacally.

teri tait

2006-Sep-11, 01:07 AM

Firestarter caught a flash of movement out of the corner of his eye. "Squirrel!" he whooped excitedly, "I just saw a squirrel!" he looked at the others, eyes shining with excitement.
"There are no squirrels on this planet!" Runt replied crossly, "You're talking nonsense. Again."
None of the others seemed to even hear Firestarter's excited whoop. Afterall, he whooped for just about everything and being his friend did require some filtering of his excited yelps of information.
That was fine with Firestarter, he didn't even bother replying to Runt. He simply scampered out of the room in the direction he was sure he had seen the squirrel going.
All the others were wading through tiresome dragon ritual and complicated protocols so no one seemed to notice when he dashed away.
Saying farewell after a dragon banquet can take longer than the banquet itself. Oftentimes, the guests simply give up ever getting it all done correctly and end up staying months or even years longer than anticipated. Eventually, the poor saps have to turn over their various types of treasure as 'tribute' to dragon protocol coaches to hope to learn the proper rituals. Runt was determined they would not fall for that, the oldest trick in dragon lore.
So Runt concentrated his whole being on coaching the others, with one eye on his checklist of required rituals. He had no time to notice whether Firestarter was there or not.
Just as Mr. Fluffykins knew he wouldn't.

teri tait

2006-Sep-16, 02:14 AM

Mr. Fluffykins preened his tail thoughtfully as he waited for Firestarter to catch up to him. He chewed at an especially itchy spot and smirked to himself. The trap is laid in wait, soon I shall reap the rewards of years of planning! All that and the chance to make that annoying Runt look like the pathetic varmit he is!
Firestarter came loping around the corner and their eyes met for a split second, then Mr. Fuzzykins scampered off with an enticing flip of his puffy tail.
"Squirrel!!!" Firestarter screeched with a renewed burst of energy.
Mr. Fluffykins darted into another darkened room and deftly jumped over the portal disguised as a throw rug. "Yes, yes!" he whispered with an evil giggle, "follow the harmless squirrel!" he turned and gazed back willing himself to look helpless and vulnerable despite the arsenal of nut-based weapons strapped to his belt.
Firestarter shot through the doorway a moment later. He raced across the rug reaching for Mr. Fluffykins, slipped, and disappeared into a dark hole not unlike a laundry chute.
"Ah crapple!" he gasped, "stupid human hands!"
Firestarter hung precariously by the four fingers of his right hand, desperatly clinging to the edge of what, for all he knew, could be a bottomless pit. He cursed and spit, promising himself he would never, ever wear a suit again.
Mr. Fuffykins laughed waving his tiny fists in the air and danced the squirrel dance of victory. He unfurled his flaps of skin, capelike and sinister, he was afterall a flying squirrel. "Fear the wrath of my nuts!!" he whispered to Firestarter. He then slowly pried back Firestarter's fingers one by one.
"What the crapple do you think you're doing?" Firestarter roared. His roar came out rather ferocious and catlike, despite his human form. He looked about with his orange eyes glowing wildly. "Don't you know who I am?" he roared even louder.
"All too well. . . " Mr. Fluffykins replied somewhat cryptically as he pried loose the last of Firestarters fingers.
He watched with a detached sort of interest as Firestarer plunged into the depths of the ether and disappeared from sight. He sighed happily and dropped a scrap of paper on the floor next to the portal. He then grasped the portal handle (it was a portable portal afterall) and leaped into the dark opening after Firestarter, taking the portal with him.

teri tait

2006-Sep-16, 02:40 AM

Runt's head snapped up and he stopped speaking in mid sentence. His eyes looked around distractedly and he mumbled, "There's something wrong in the universe. . . Something wrong. . ."
"Now see here Runt! That's not in the dragon protocol speech of parting!" Niv-Mizzet hissed, "you're going to have to start alllll over." He added with his reptilian eyes gleaming.
Runt ignored him and turned to Nim, "Where's Firestarter?" he asked urgently. Nim looked around carefully with her violet eyes and then reached out with her mindlink. Nothing.
Nim blinked both eyes slowly, restoring her and Ender's feline forms and replied, "He's not answering me, Runt, that's never happened before." Nim looked at Runt strangely as if he were an alien being she had never seen before. "I think I'm actually worried, Runt. . . Yes, that's it. . . I am definitely worried. . . If somebody hurt him. . .!!" she hissed long and loud.
Raven nodded in agreement, "Something is very wrong, we all feel it." She grasped Damian's hand. Damian looked as if he might soon burst into tears.
Alonewulf stepped up to Dregga Stah, "We're gonna have to finish this game later." He stepped back and motioned to Nim, "You need to stay by me, I'm sworn to protect you."
Nim stared at him for a long moment and then hissed again, loud and long.

teri tait

2006-Sep-16, 03:06 AM

Raven stared at the floor, she sharpened her eyes with her Druid/Stone Lion senses and concentrated. She willed herself to see Firestarters trail and watched as his footprints emerged, a glowing trail leading off toward the empty hallway. She willed herself to see more. She noticed Firestarter's footprints followed a miniscule set of pawprints and gasped, "Mr. Fluffykins!!" She immediately stopped and recited:

All these I place. . .
In this fateful hour.
All Heaven with its power.
The Sun with its brightness.
The Snow with its whiteness.
The Fire with all the strength it hath.
The Lightning with its rapid wrath.
The Winds with their swiftness.
The Sea with its deepness.
The Rocks with their steepness.
The Earth with its starkness.
All these I place. . .
Between myself and the powers of darkness!

She stopped speaking and raced forward, surrounded by a protective glow, following the trail of Firestarter.

teri tait

2006-Sep-17, 05:17 PM

"Mr. Fluffykins!" Runt echoed. He quickly made the sign to ward off evil, adding a few extra twirls for stronger protection. He leapt onto Ender and tugged impatiently at Ender's mane. "Quick! We have to save Firestarter before he's spirited away to some horrible alternate universe! Oh, the humanity!"
Ender shrugged his shoulders and shook his spiky mane, "Dude, don't yank so hard!" he turned toward Nim and added, "I might as well carry you around. Since Nim has her own personal guard." He slumped, "but alas, Runtie, I'm sworn to protect Nim too. I don't know who swore the Wulfman into service, but us Stewards of the planet Nim, we are the officially sworn guards of the Royal Azuala."
He stared at Alonewulf balefully, "Who swore you into service? You're just a canine anyway, what possible protection could you offer?" he sneered.
Alonewulf ignored Ender, Runt and even Damian who looked as if he start to follow after his sister any second.
Alonewulf quietly repeated to Nim, "I'm sworn to protect you and protect you I shall. We can do this the easy or hard way, to me it matters not. I can compell you to stay close to me. . ." He swept his arms upward and Nim began to reluctantly edge toward him, clearly not because she wanted to. ". . . Or you can give your word to stay nearby me. No sneaking off to visit ancient burial grounds. No tipping llamas." He finished by snapping his fingers and Nim immediately stopped edging toward him, falling backwards as if she had been in a tug of war where the other side had suddenly let go the rope.
"Well this bites" Nim whispered, "but I will promise to stay with you and everybody else." she added.
She held her paw out to shake on it. When Alonewulf reached out and grasped it, she extended her claws enough to prick him painfully. "Just sealing the promise in blood, to make it sticky." She said, her violet eyes wide and innocent.
Alonewulf grimaced and wiped his hand with his handkerchief. When he pulled it away the bleeding stripes where gone, completely healed. "See, now that wasn't so bad, was it?" Alonewulf said quietly to himself. He didn't wait for a reply. He changed to his wulf form; baying a chilling and hungry sounding wulf hunt-howl.
He trotted up to Damian and growled, "Climb onto my back, Stone Lion Cub, in your human form, please."
Damian smiled as Nim boosted him up, carefully grasping the nape of his shirt and gently resting him on the Wherewulf's broad back.
"Now we pursue this Mr. Fluffykins as an orderly pack." Alonewulf growled, "there will be no barking or nipping and no howling! If a howl is needed, I will be the one to give voice!" he glared at them one by one with his glowing silver eyes. "There's only one alpha male in the pack, remember that above all else. I don't have to tell you who the alpha male is in this pack, do I? Good, now lets go!"
He bounded off without another word. Ender looked at Nim; Nim rolled her eyes and nodded her head. They both sprinted after Alonewulf at top speed. No one noticed the dragling, Bryan, who had been hanging on Alonewulf's every word, unfurl his wings and dart after them.
The Banquet Hall had erupted into pandemonium at the mention of Mr. Fluffykins. Dragons and draglings whomped hither and fro, flying, smoking, flaming, and scorching one another in panic. A few had herded the placid llamas into a group and encircled them protectively. Several others snatched up the whomping draglings in mid whomp, their talons careful not to inflict harm, and carried them to the safety of the Royal Nursery.
A head count was attempted, but in the confusion, Pecos, was counted twice and so no one knew a dragling had gone AWOL to join in the search for Firestarter. Years later, the dragons would sing about the miscount that made Bryan the Bold the most famous dragon of three universes (and two alternate string universes as well).

teri tait

2006-Sep-17, 06:21 PM

Bootsie flew Mike's ship to a perfect landing on the unnamed planet. She set the perimeter alarm code with a few swats of her paw and waddled her enormous girth out of the ship. She sauntered up to Chris Rosen's door and meowed loudly, switching her tail impatiently. Mike opened the door and eagerly scooped her up.
"Bootsie! How was your trip? How's the ship? How's the Ambassador? Did you have a good time?" he scratched her gently behind her ears and carried her over to the table. He set her carefully in front of a nice warm bowl of milk and sardines, her favorite.
"Maaaaweeer" Bootsie said appreciately, digging in with gusto.
Jean Blue jumped up, "What do you mean Nim is going to travel through oblivion? How can she do that? That can't possibly be safe! Oh our mother is not going to like this!" Jean fluttered his wings nervously.
"No worries, m'boy! Alonewulf will protect her and all the others. He's very good at these types of life and death situations. He's come through most of them alive." Chris Rosen replied in a reassuring voice.
"And he hardly ever lets anyone else die either." Xaphod added helpfully.
Jean Blue did not appear at all convinced, his wings still fluttered nervously.
"Who is this Mr. Fluffykins that Bootsie went on about?" Mike asked Chris.
"Ah, that is a question we have often asked on this planet for many, many years. Some say he is the last survivor of a bitter squirrel empire that ruled an obscure planet in an alternate universe aons ago. Some say he is a genetically engineered experiment of Runt's, an experiment gone horribly wrong. Some say he's both of those things. Some say he is neither." Chris answered in his usual vague way.
"Well, that explains everything." Mike said, nodding his head sagely.
"I think I have heard of this Fluffykins fellow." Phillipa added, "he's really a right good fellow that is really quite intelligent, a genius flying squirrel who simply doesn't like that Runt bloke."
"Pouch envy." said Mike, "The pouch is really the only difference between a squirrel and an arboreal marsupial."
The others stared at him for a moment and then burst into uncontrolled laughter.
"You Tard," laughed Jean, "only the females have pouches! They're both male!!"

teri tait

2006-Sep-23, 06:10 PM

Firestarter flailed his arms and legs, screeching like a she kitten. His eyes were tightly screwed shut but they were in total blackness so it didn't really matter anyway. Although, if his eyes had been open, Firestarter may have wondered why he could see himself flapping his arms and legs in panic and Mr. Fluffykins calmly reclining as if sitting in an easy chair. It is more likely he would have let the matter pass with only a moment of wonder though. Afterall this is Firestarter we are talking about, he is not designed by his maker to sweat the small details.
"Please stop, I'm getting ear fateige!" Mr. Fluffykins said in a bored voice, "Why are you flapping around like that anyway?"
Firestarter unscrunched his eyes and looked at Mr. Fluffykins, "I'm obviously falling to my death! What would you expect me to do?!?" he said rather sarcastically.
"How do you know you're falling? There's no gravity here, at least not the kind you're used to. For all you know, we're going up or to the side... Perhaps we're completely motionless and the Universe is moving around us... " Mr. Fluffykins smiled kindly, "The important thing is, I have managed to bring you along with me and we shall soon be to our destination."
"Soon? How soon? Where are we? And where are we going? What the crapple is this all about anyway?" Firestarter forgot to flap and hung motionless in mid-flail, staring at Mr. Fluffykins.
"Oh, in due time we shall arrive. We are presently taking a little short cut I found through time and space and our destination is the planet that spawned you!" Mr. Fluffykins waved his furry little arms dramatically.
Firestarter's eyes grew wide and glowed bright orange in surprise, "The place I was born? Uncle Chris always told me you can't get there from his planet. . . You can only come from there to his planet. . ."
"Yes, yes, very true," Mr. Fluffykins interrupted rather rudely, "but I took you from Creatine, through a little known time portal that can only be accessed by the illuminated such as myself." He bowed his head humbly, "I would explain it all to you but I doubt your delicate little brain cells could cope with the power of my knowledge." He patted Firestarter comfortingly, "be safe in this knowledge, I know what I'm doing."
Firestarter rolled his eyes, "If I had a nickel for every time I heard that said. . . You sound like Runt."
"Speak not that name! You will anger Mr. Fluffykins if you speak of that entity again!" Mr. Fluffykins shouted with all his squirrel might.
"Who's Mr. Fluffkins?" Firestarter asked.
"You're looking at him." Mr. Fluffykins answered, "I always talk in the third person when I'm angry." He added helpfully.

teri tait

2006-Sep-24, 06:09 PM

"Evan Magillicutty Fluffykins. . ." Runt snarled, "Oh how I wish I had never heard that name. . ." As he spoke, he punctuated each word by hitting one tiny fist on the top of Ender's furry head.
They were bringing up the rear, directly in front of them was Nim and well in front of Nim they could just see Alonewulf dart around the corner. Raven was nowhere in sight, having sprinted off so quickly. Bryan flew silently, gliding just behind Ender's tail, nodding his head in agreement as Runt continued speaking.
"We first met in mammal middle school, I was graduating early of course and he was coming in early. Mammal middle school is not unlike your Planet Nim Middle School. There are three grades and it lasts a whole set of seasons for each grade. I was in my 3rd set of seasons and he was coming in his first set of seasons. I was the first genius marsupial to ever attend, he was just another mammal genius. . . Jealous of my unique ability to make friends easily with both the staff and the students. . ." Runt gazed off as if through the distance of time, to the very moment they had first laid eyes upon each other. He gazed silently for a few moments and then blinked, ". . . Anywho, lets just say we got off to a bad beginning and our relationship has gone South since then." He fell into silent contemplation (which was a relief to Ender who really didn't care anyway).
Bryan continued to nod sympathetically as he glided silently along. Bryan knew he would have to stay unnoticed or risk getting sent back to the safety of the Royal Nursury and so bided his time. Dragons are born with a natural ability to stay invisible when they want to be, except to other dragons of course. They are also born with a naturally brave and adventurous heart, (hence their high mortality rate to the less than honorable knights of Earth lore) as well as a reptilian eye for the ladies. But dragons are most universally known for their hordes of treasure.
Treasure amassed not by larceny as often told, but gained by clever investments and an uncanny ability to gravitate toward entities with great potential. Often, a dragon will work with an entity of great potential, investing their time and magic in the chosen entity and in turn, receiving back a cut of the wealth of beautiful art objects produced. Many a great artist and musician had a close, personal, nurturing relationship with a dragon. A bond of love and magic that lifts the aspiring adepts to unsurpassed masters of their craft.
Bryan had felt that pull drawing him like the pull of a magnet. He needed to be here, he couldn't explain it to anyone but he could feel it in his heart. He was meant to be here and to help some (perhaps all) of them to some great achievement(s).
So onward he flew, a silent dark shadow that whispered in the background.

teri tait

2006-Sep-25, 12:07 AM

Raven stepped carefully into the room, still following the glowing footsteps of Firestarter. She was dismayed to see his footsteps walk to the middle of the room and then stop. She noticed Mr. Fluffykins paw prints seemed to be everywhere but also appeared to abruptly stop at the center of the room. She glanced around carefully, still surrounded by the energy shield that she had conjured. She saw an innocent looking scrap of paper laying enticingly on the floor. It practically screamed, 'I am a clue! Pick Me Up!!!' and so she circled around it cautiously, giving it wide berth.
Alonewulf arrived next, with Damian still perched on his back. Alonewulf stood just in the doorway, patiently waiting for Raven to finish her survey of the room. Nim arrived and attempted to enter but Alonewulf quickly jumped in front of her.
"Stay back, Nim! Raven is sheilded from mischief and we must give her time to look with care." Alonewulf said quietly.
Nim did not reply, she sat down and began grooming her fur, a sure sign she was irritated.
Ender sauntered up a moment or two later and didn't try to enter the room. He sat down with a sigh, resigned to a boring wait with an excitable Runt yanking on his mane. Bryan sat just behind him, unnoticed and invisible in the shadows of the tall arching doorway. Ender was irritated just as much as Nim, who was this bossy canine type creature bossing them around? He had fought and beaten Saber Tooths! He was Steward of an entire planet! He did not need to be babysat by some overgrown mutt!
As those thoughts roamed through his head, his midnight blue eyes were drawn to the scrap of paper that seemed to flap a bit on the floor. It was obvious to Ender the paper was something possibly dropped by that ridiculous phantom squirrel dude. Why no one else seemed to see it was beyond his comprehension. With a sigh of disgust he quickly squatted into his pounce stance and jumped over Alonewulf.
Runt looked around in surprise, spotted the paper just as Ender started to reach for it. "Nooooo!" Runt screamed as Ender began to reach forward. In the blink of an eye, Runt was no longer sitting on Ender's head, instead he was dangling in what appeared to be midair. He looked around wildly, seeing a huge flash to one side and a smiling toothy dragling face on the other before he was gently dropped onto the head of the Dragling. Bryan had reached forward and neatly plucked Runt out of danger. Runt craned his head around and saw a gaping chasm glowing with flickering red lights and Alonewulf teetering at the edge with Ender clutched firmly in his jaws. Poor Ender was curled up in the baby kitten holding position, a humilitating spot no teen feline would want to ever be seen in.
Runt giggled uncontrollably. He could see the scrap of paper dangling from one of Ender's claws, he recognized the spidery paw-writing of Mr. Fluffykins and read the one word written on it in huge swirling letters: Buh-Bye!
At that sight, he burst into loud belly laughs and almost rolled off of Bryans head, kicking and screaming with laughter. Bryan chortled as well, emitting a puffs of steam and a faint hissing laugh.
"That's the old 'Portal to Hell' trick! I can't believe you fell for it! Man, you are a piece of work, he kitten!" Runt gasped as he wiped the tears of mirth from his eyes. "I never should have showed Mr. Fuzzykins how to make portals open. . ." He added as Ender glared at him from his immobolized position. "But still, you don't mind if I snap a couple of photos to send out as Christmas cards do you?"
Runt didn't wait for an answer as he whipped out his all in one computer like device and began clicking madly. Getting as many photos as he could stored to forward to 3 or 4 hundred of his closest friends. He shot off several of them to Gemini, Ender's little sister, right then and there.
Alonewulf stepped carefully back from the portal to Hell, ignoring the screams and howls of the demons at the bottom of the portal.
He set Ender down none to gently and asked, "And what have we learned today?" with a low growl rumbling ominously in his chest.
Ender slouched on the floor and mumbled something unintelligible in reply.
"I didn't hear yooou!" Alonewulf said in a sing-song voice.
"You're the Alpha Male!" Ender yelled at the top of his lungs.
"Ouch." Nim whispered sympathetically. She reached out and groomed Ender's fur a bit to make him feel better, the feline equivalent of a hug.

teri tait

2006-Oct-21, 08:20 PM

"Do you have any fives?" Firestarter asked hopefully. Mr. Fluffykins had conjured up a deck of cards and they were playing Go Fish as they plummeted gently through oblivian.
"No, go fish." Mr. Fluffykins lied, looking at the five of clubs held in his tiny paw with his other cards.
"Awww crapple!" Firestarter muttered, pulling a card from the pile. "This games bites!" he added, "When are we gonna get there? And where is there? What's the name of this place?"
"Doughnut Hole." Mr. fluffykins said ominously, "The mystical planet of pastries! The land of the great Donuthenge, no one knows who built it or why. . ." He let his voice trail off.
"Is there. . . Hot Chocolate?" Firestarter asked breathlessly.
"The rivers run with the purest chocolate. It's superheated in the bowels of the planet and bursts forth in frothy abundance!" Mr. Fluffykins stated, raising his arms flapping his capelike flying squirrel skin for effect.
"Mmmmm, hot chocolate. . ." Firestarter replied dreamily.

teri tait

2006-Oct-21, 09:18 PM

Runt sat comfortably at the crest of Bryan's forehead, behind a fence of bony scales. The scales were just growing in as Bryan was a mere dragling, but they were more impenetrable than any stone fortress and served as living armour. Runt felt perfectly safe and secure and urged the dragling to the air above the open portal with a sharp rap of his tiny knuckles.
As they flew above the open portal, Runt began speaking, "Hey peeps! Nice to see you all again! Unfortunately I don't have time to socialize. . . Which of you has news of Mr. Fluffykins? I seek an audience with whichever of you may aid me to find my dread nemesis! Who among the legions of your demension will come to my aide?" he asked piteously.
His request was greeted with much laughter and heckling. Demons are not known for their giving nature, afterall.
"I'll do it." A quiet voice replied from a shadowy corner of the pit.
"You will?" Runt replied with surprise. He quickly recovered and added, ". . .do. You will do." He squinted into the pit and demanded, "What is your name, daemon? Why did you answer my call?"
"I am Liam, and I am not a daemon!" he said contemptously, "I am a guardian spirit, I came here to this pit for my own purpose and now will suffer your company for the same." As he spoke a shadow detached from the flickering walls and Liam stepped up, tail flicking.
Nim's ears pricked forward with interest and she stopped grooming Ender, turning her full attention to the strange conversation.
She craned her neck to catch a better glimpse of the shadowy being. Despite her phenomenal violet eyes, she could not discern specific features and could only make out the shadowy profile of a youngish seeming man-shape with a long flicking tail.
"Liam is it?" Runt said squinting in much the same way as Nim, "What the crapple are you, if not a daemon? How do I trust you if I can't control you like a daemon?" he sighed, "I suppose you're the only creature around this pit that can help me?" he added in a kindly voice with just a trace of sarcasm.
"Of course." Liam replied sarcastically with just a trace of kindness.
Liam jumped up and grasped the dragling forepaw extended toward him. He allowed himself to be lifted from the pit and dropped noiselessy onto the flagstones of the great room. He nodded his head in silent greeting toward Raven and the others clustered together as far from the open pit as possible. He then turned toward Nim and winked solemnly at her upturned face. Nim gazed quietly at his glowing red eyes noting how they became lighter at the centers where his pupils would be if he were a man. She decided they were beautiful eyes and winked back just as solemnly.
Runt began spinning and dancing as he chanted in some ancient language, then clapped his paws together sharply. At that clap, the portal snapped shut without a sound.

teri tait

2006-Oct-21, 11:28 PM

Jean Blue puffed on his smoke, twirling the curly end of his moustache as he watched the shadows lengthen across Chris Rosen's garden. He fretted silently over his sister Nim. No matter how much a terror she was toward him or the trouble and embarrassment she caused him, he loved her dearly. He worried she had somehow gotten herself into some horrifying nameless trouble that a host of angels could not rescue her from. He worried she may be lost in some unknown part of space unable to find her way back to him. Most of all he worried that he would have to bring some terrible news of her demise to the ears of their mother. He sighed and cursed himself for ever letting her out of his sight.
He did not lift his head as the door to the house opened and footsteps approached the bench where he sat. He simply puffed morosely at his cigarette as Chris Rosen sat down next to him. Chris did not speak either, he simply fed the many squirrels that appeared bits of bread and listened to their excited chitter. After a moment or two, Jean noticed there were a lot of squirrels about. A whole lot.
He glanced up and started with surprise. The garden was full to bursting with squirrels of all shapes and sizes. Small furtive ground squirrels jumped and danced next to fluffy tailed tree squirrels and rare caped flying squirrels. Young baby squirrels as small as his thumb to giant, aged squirrel elders doddering gamely about the bench.
"What's going on Uncie?" Jean asked, trying to keep the fear from his voice as a squirrel as tall as a black bear lumbered across the meadows toward the bench.
"Hmmm?" Chris replied absently, not at all perturbed by the thousands of squirrels that rushed up to the bench. He continued handing out treats to the squirrels.
As the enormous bear-sized squirrel approached, Chris turned toward Jean and said, "Be a good fellow and leave us to speak privately." He had to shout for Jean to hear him above the increasing din of the squirrels.
Jean nodded and quickly dashed toward the front door of Chris Rosens tiny cottage. He rushed inside and slammed the door, his body pressed against it and chest heaving as he fearfully peeked out the window.
"What's up Jean? Afraid of a few squirrels?" Mike asked with a knowing grin. He poked Xaphod in the ribs with his elbow and they both began laughing like hyenas. Even Phillipa snickered a bit at the sight of Jeans bulging eyes.
"Did you see the size of some of those squirrels?!" Jean demanded, trying to regain some dignity, "that big one could swallow you whole, Mike! Why are they coming here? What's going on?!"
Mike stopped laughing and asked with interest, "Squirrelzilla is here? Wow, that is unusual. . . No worries though brave knight, they are all friends with my Pop." he pointed toward the communication device and added in a kindly voice, "If you need to call your mommy to come tuck you in and chase away the mean ol' squirrels. . ." He and Xaphod dissolved into another fit of laughter.
"That's not funny, you know I only call my mother when its really a dire situation!" Jean replied with as much dignity as he could muster, "I only came in here because Uncie Chris wanted some privacy while he speaks with the squirrel horde!"
"Hmmmm, interesting." Mike said, "I wonder what's going on? Something big must be brewing with the squirrels, normally, they only get excited like this during the interplanetary nut festival and its not the right time of year for that. . ."
Xaphod, Phillipa, and Mike all approached the small window where Jean stood staring awestruck at the sea of squirrels that ebbed and flowed around Chris Rosen. The chittering of them all was a roar that shook the small cottage and even caused the shelves to vibrate into motion. Just as it seemed the cottage would collapse into a dusty pile of wreckage, the squirrels fell silent. The enormous Squirrelzilla lumbered up, towering over Chris Rosen for a moment before dropping to all four paws. Chris Rosen bent toward the enormous squirrel, speaking as he gestured a greeting with both hands in the squirrel way.

teri tait

2006-Oct-22, 05:59 PM

Nim stared at Liam with undisguised fascination. Even with Liam crouched right in front of her, she could not make out his dark features. He appeared to be a shadow creature and her curiosity got the best of her. She reached out tentatively with one paw and gently laid it flat on his upper arm to confirm if he was a solid creature. His skin felt warm and slightly fuzzy, like the underbelly of a new born kitten. Satisfied that he was not a mere shade, she pulled her paw back again. Liam did not move at all, he remained crouched patiently on his knees in silence.
"What are you?" Nim asked softly.
"I am a guardian." He replied.
"What's a guardian doing in a hell pit? Who or what do you guard?" Runt demanded in his usual arrogant way.
Liam glanced toward Runt but did not reply.
"Daemons are so annoying." Runt muttered when it became clear he would not be getting a reply. He glared at Liam and began speaking again, "Well, daemon, what help do you have to give me? Where is my faithful dot, Firestarter? How do I rescue him? What's the best way to bring Mr. Fluffykins to his knees?" his words hung in the air for a moment and then seemed to scurry away as Liam continued to stare silently at Runt.
"You're quite a people person, there Runtie." Alonewulf chortled, flashing a rare smile. "Why don't you let Nim speak to him, she is the one with the connection."
He glanced at Nim with a strange look on his face, a mixture of respect with a dash of envy. "I'm quite sure she is the only reason he chose to speak." He added.
Raven and Damian nodded in agreement and Runt threw his tiny paws up in disgust. He stomped once on Bryans head and Bryan obediantly moved back. Ender gazed at Nim and then Liam for one jealous moment and then he moved back as well. Nim and Liam leaned toward each other and began an earnest, whispering conversation.

teri tait

2006-Nov-11, 07:39 PM

Firestarter sighed with boredom, his attention span had never been great afterall. He poked at Mr. Fluffykins with his finger whining, "I'm boooooored!" in his most annoying voice.
Mr. Fluffykins attempted to placate him with the eternal mantra of the traveling parent, "We'll be there soon. . ."
"Are we there yet?"
"Not yet."
"Are we there now?"
"No!!! Soon, have another cookie!"
"I'm sick of cookies and falling through nothingness!! I want to see Nim! And who's Runt going to boss around? He's probably really upset and edgy, he needs me!!" firestarter's eyes flared orange fire and he glared at Mr. Fluffykins.
Mr. Fluffykins smiled gently, "No need to get upset. Lets play a game and by the time we're done playing we'll be there, I promise." He reached and patted Firestarter on the arm, then quick as a blink he grabbed the arm and twisted behind his back with lightning speed.
"Ahhh! Leggoooo!" Firestarter howled furiously, "Leggo now you little freak!"
Mr. Fluffykins grinned evilly and began thumping Firestarter on the head with one furry paw, still holding him securely with Firestarter's arm twisted behind his back. "Name 10 candybars! Quick!" he continued thumping as Firestarter struggled ineffectively.
"Ow, stop it dude! Ow! Milky Way. . . Ow! Mars Bar. . . Butterfinger. . ."

teri tait

2006-Nov-11, 08:43 PM

Runt whipped out his computer like device and began tapping the keys furiously. He occaisionally paused to read the screen and then began tapping away madly once again. Alonewulf stared curiously but did not disturb Runt's concentration with idle questions.
Raven smiled at Alonewulf and explained, "That's a technological device from some future plane of existance that was crafted and given to Runt by a hyper-intelligent, captive dolphins with electrodes implanted directly in their brains. Runt rescued them from enslavement." Her smile widened, "At least I'm pretty sure he's already rescued the dolphins, sometimes its hard to tell with Runt. He's destined to do so many things and so much of what he does impacts future events, it changes past events before they even occur. He may have already saved them or maybe they weren't even captured by now. . . Either way, they gifted him with this unique device that does a myriad of unbelievable things and it continues to evolve."
Alonewulf nodded, feeling more confused by the conversation than enlightened. He turned and looked at Nim and Liam. They were still deeply engrossed and did not appear to be finishing their talk anytime soon. He tried to relax and wait patiently but found it too difficult under the circumstances. He needed to howl at the moon and vent his emotions. He leaned toward Raven and whispered, "I'll be back shortly, don't let them decide anything until I return." He then he quietly slipped out the door.

teri tait

2006-Nov-13, 07:56 PM

". . . Snickers. . . Mounds. . . Almond Joy. . ." Firestarters eyes scrunched closed as he attempted to think while Mr. Fluffykins held him fast and continued to poke him relentlessly on the back of his head, ". . . Nutter Butter. . ."
"That's a cookie, not a candybar!" mr. Fluffykins poked his head to emphasize his words.
"Ow!!! I can't think with you poking me!" Firestarter groused, "Um. . . Hershey Bar, Baby Ruth. . . Payday. . . Bit 'O Honey. . ." Mr. Fluffykins immediately loosed his arm and swooped backward, out of range for any retaliation.
Firestarter opened his eyes and peered around. They were sitting in a field, surrounded by Firestarter lookalikes of various ages. Some were mere cubs with wide orage eyes set in round adorable faces. Some where larger, older versions of Firestarter that sported full manes and menacing claws. Most were close in age with Firestarter and at least two appeared female. They all stared back at Firestarter curiously. One reached out and batted at him as if he were a large cat toy.
"Firestarter, meet your siblings. . ." Mr. Fluffykins said with a grand sweep of his caped arm.
Firestarter gaped openmouthed at the furry faces that stared back at him. For the first time he noticed squirrels scurrying about, some perched on the various Moor Cat heads. One squirrel sitting atop a larger Moor Cat raised his arms, spreading out his squirrel cape and jumped, gliding effortlessly to the ground in front of Firstarter.
"He's human!" the squirrel stated with disgust.
"He's Moor Cat in human guise." Mr. Fluffykins replied disdainfully, "look at his eyes."
The unnamed squirrel gazed into Firestarter's eyes for a moment, then grunt a grudging concession, "OK, he's a Moor Cat but what good is he to us like this?" he waved his tiny paw at Firestarter in a dismissive fashion.
"No worries, my friend. . . I have a plan. . ."
All eyes turned to Mr. Fluffykins and he smiled gleefully up at Firestarter.