The List Friendship Ring

Being original stories, in the best order of friendship. And, being the fifth page.

This page includes the passing of the Ring from Niki to the Warrior.




Niki Sat 14 Feb 1998 11:29p.m.

Flushed and slightly out of breath, Niki jumps off the dance floor. "Boy, that was fun," she thinks to herself. Imagine, swing dancing to the Talking Heads. Looking out onto the floor, she smiles at what she sees. Everything from shimmering faeries to rather grungy-looking students. What a delightful crowd. And wolves and panthers, among other delightfully ferocious creatures, oh my. "And these must be special sheep, because they have yet to turn tail and run at the sight of all these predators." She still has to remind herself from time to time that she isn't dreaming.

She has really enjoyed herself this past week. She wonders if anybody else here realizes a week has passed. Time seems to move differently here. The dancing and partying has been fun, but she realizes she's about at the end of her social rope. She is a solitary person by nature; although she adores her listsibs and has drunk deep of their company, she realizes she will soon have to flee the closeness. She thinks briefly that perhaps something interesting will happen to end the party...but then remembers that it is not always wise to wish for interesting. In fact, isn't it a curse in some cultures? Oh well. Time to change the atmosphere a bit...

Niki approaches Shadowblade and asks her to play some Dead Can Dance. While she intends to make her transfer of the ring a private moment, she feels it will be more appropriate if the general mood is a bit more mellow. "Oh, and thanks so much for the giggle bubble. Haven't tasted that Turkish Coffee Ice Cream since the little place on Vermont closed down."

And now she has run out of delaying tactics. She must find a listsib to bestow the ring upon. "Hm...bestow upon or upon whom to bestow?" She's always being distracted by things grammatical. In fact, she's amazed at how the group has caused her to relax.
Once upon a time, seeing typos or *gasp* making them was horrific to her. But being amongst these people, learning of the Deiyst fo oTTYpos, has helped her to relax. Of course, she'd always be a proofreader at heart -- "and right now it's the only thing keeping me fed, at least until I can train myself to my real calling. But back to the dilemma at hand."

She has thought and thought on who to make the next Bearer of the Ring. And the more she thinks, the more confused she gets. Should she pass it on to another newbie? After all, it's a lovely way to welcome someone into our company. But if she does that, what if precedent gets set and only newbies ever get to wear the ring? That wouldn't be right. She has also been tempted to bestow the ring upon one of her closer friends. "Stasia hasn't been feeling well, and she's really been a good friend to me since I got here. I would love to offer the ring to her." Of course, she's struck up private conversations with a couple of other very dear people as well, and so even giving it to someone she's close with becomes a difficult proposition. Plus, it doesn't seem right -- seems like the ring should cross some distances, perhaps, bring more people into the fold. So she wonders about those lurking in the shadows. For her suspicions have been confirmed -- there are lurkers out there. She knows what it is to be on the fringes, and to watch rather than participate. Why, she has spent most of her life observing, hanging back, enjoying the goodwill and comraderie of groups of friends without actually partaking of it. And so she is torn: now that she has felt the acceptance and goodwill of these people, a part of her wants to grab every one of those lurkers and somehow drag them into the light. Yet another part of her understands and accepts that each lurker will do as his or her or its soul dicatates, and she will have to be patient. So she will continue to watch the shadows out of the corner of her eye, ready to welcome any delurkers. But she will not force the issue by presenting a ring which would result in rather high visibility.

She continues debating this dilemma in her head -- or is she? Niki suddenly realizes she's been talking to herself again. She looks around sheepishly, but nobody seems to have noticed. "Whew. I guess there are enough people here with mindspeech that they assumed I was arguing with somebody else."

As a result of looking around, Niki realizes that she has moved across the Hall. "Funny, I don't remember heading this way." As she approaches a warrior from a far-off land, she realizes that all her fretting was for nothing. The realization comes to her that, while she is free to choose whomever she will, if she will not make the choice, then the Ring will!

She finds herself standing before the Warrior. She is awed by the strength she feels in this woman. *She seems a bit shy. Well, this ring should help with that.*

"You are well come, warrior. I have worn this ring for the past week, and it has provided me with warmth and friendship. I wish to offer the wearing of the ring to you. You being a warrior, and me being...well, let's just say I'm a student of the world, I think we might both wish to forego the ceremony which the some mages and other magic-workers here seem to prefer. Do you wish the ring?"

The Warrior silently nods her head.

"Then wear this ring in friendship. I think I will quote the Mage of Green Silences, since I know little about magic of his kind, and suspect there may be some power in the words of giving:

"This ring is yours to wear and enjoy. At the end of the approaching week, I ask, however, that you pass this ring on to someone else on the list to spread the enchantment of friendship. And in the giving you will receive back threefold what is given. My thanks, Warrior, for what you have added to the list. May you enjoy the ring and give it in friendship."

So saying, Niki removes the ring from her hand and places it upon the Warrior's. As she speaks the words and transfers the ring, she once again feels a warmth. She can't tell if there's a glow as well -- her ability to see energy is rather spotty, and right now she's wrapped in a sensation that transcends all her senses.

As the intense sensation fades, Niki feels daring and gives the Warrior a hug, then dashes off. "Seems like I'm always dashing off." *Niki makes a mental note to overcome that last bit of shyness that she hasn't been able to shake.*

Once she settles down, she realizes she herself has moved to the edge ofthe shadows. Hmm, she smiles as she thinks. "You can take the shadows out of the girl, but you can't take the girl..." She decides that she is going to make the most of her time and go talk to a couple of people. First she will stop to see Adrienne -- they waved to each other on the dance floor, but it was hard to get past all the people. And they both got sidetracked by some interesting discussions. Niki was very impressed with a number of points Adrienne made. In fact, Adrienne's points were well-thought out, and Niki was left wanting to just say "Me too; yeah, what she said..." And so Niki had wandered away, knowing that she and Adrienne would get a chance to chat when the time was right. *sigh* She never would have thought to wonder about genetics of mage gift, or dispersal of magic. Not that she was complaining. She might not have anything to add, and she might not be overly concerned with the answers, but she thoroughly enjoyed sifting through the points presented. Sure, she was a huge fan of fluff. Fluff is good, fluff is fun. But fluff is that much more fun if it arrives to leaven an otherwise heavy discussion. Balance, that's the key....

Right now what she really wanted to do was track down Aerden. And wasn't there another Healer here? In fact, some sort of warrior/healer? She definitely wanted to talk to these two. She had been a healer's apprentice previously, and was thinking it might be time to look for a new Master. Maybe here she would find someone who understood her need to work with more than her hands, and could help her to reach and manipulate that energy she could sense was just out of her reach....

Muranog Shadowbane Sat 15 Feb 1998 03:53a.m.

*A large troll clad in white robes and a flamboyant purple cloak glides around within the Hall of Mist, light gleaming from the golden ring on his left hand that marks him as a Troll Adept. His Mage-Sight and Empathy detect the passing of the Friendship Ring from one wearer to another. Putting forth his power, he conjures a large chocolate sheep for the delectation of the new Ring-Wearer.*

Claire Seashimmer Cowrie Sun 15 Feb 1998 3:56a.m.

Seashimmer listens to the music, fingers tapping. Although she can't really sing, she still enjoys listening. As she watches, the dancing pauses. Searching for the cause, she sees that the Lady Niki is passing on the Friendship Ring. Has it really been a whole week? She can't recall, no matter how hard she tries. A cheer fills the hall as the reciver accepts the gift. Then the dancing resumes in full swing. Something seems to be missing from the dancing, though. She smiles, realizing what it is. Setting down her wineglass, she mutters something under her breath and makes a pass in the air. A silvery fog follows her hand, and spreads out to fill the room. Satisfied, she picks up her drink again, and heads off to refill her plate with something to eat. Perhaps she can find some healers to talk shop with on the way.

Andi Sun, 15 Feb 1998 4:35a.m.

Andi silently floats around the dancing crowd, laughing at the silly person singing Karaoke... As she dashes out of the way of a man carrying...custard... she notices a woman with a pegasus standing on the side of the dancefloor. Recognizing her as the one with the...multiple personality? problem she floats over and gives her a hug.

"Better now?"
The woman nods.
"Welcome, then! Join the fun!" she winks at the Pegasus and floats off.

She floats up to the balcony and sits, observing all of the wonderful people, dancing, laughing, talking, being happy. From her perch up high she observes the passing of the Ring. She smiles to herself...and so it continues...she smiles approvingly, though no one sees...
Floating down to the DJ she ponders the meaning of the Halls...why does everyone come here? Alighting softly behind the DJ she requests some music...
"Got any Sarah McLachlan? How 'bout Loreena McKenitt? Clannad? Yeah, I know you can't dance to it, but..."
Feeling satisfied about her music request she floats off to the garden. She loved the garden, it changed to fit the one who resided in it's needs. For her it held a giant Oak in the middle, an oak big enough for her to sit in comfortably. And of course she could still see into the hall, and wait for someone interesting to talk to her...

Shadowblade Sun, 15 Feb 1998 5:19a.m.

"Hullo", he says, "aren't you Shadowblade? Did you make those bubbles? They are great! How did you generate them? Look, what I've brought you, it's mousse au chocolat, very fine!" He puts the large bowl down on the table and digs too spoons out of his motley garb offering one to Shadowblade.
Shadowblade looks at the Chocolate..."I really shouldn't. Chocolate may contain caffeine...are you sure there's no caffeine?"
Torell nodded, so Blade took a spoon and took a small bit of the mousse.
"Mmmm! Hey! It tastes even better than my bubbles!!!" ;)
"I'd better not have too much. I'm supposed to lose some weight!" The elven mage stared down at her waist. At 28 inches, it's far too big! ;) "About the bubbles? Well, thanx to Dax -- the Goddess of Elves and Unicorns for bestowing the ability on me. Hey! No-caloried sweets! what more can we want?"

"Would you play 'This Corrosion' by Sisters of Mercy for Shantaya, please? She loves this kind of music!" he begs around a mouthful of mousse, his brown eyes giving Shadowblade the look of a lonely puppy.
"Hmm, OK. Since I got this message first..." She turns back to the mike as the Depeche Mode song faded off. "Yes people, it's time for yet another song. We are allowed two more song requests before Lady Niki needs a "Dead Can Dance" tune (frankly, I've never heard of them...but hell!)!!! Right here, we have our next song -- "This Corrosion" by Sisters of Mercy from Torell to Shantaya! Next up, we have "Mother Russia" by Renaissance -- a request by Aerden!"
As the music volume is turned up, Blade turned back to Torell and Aerden.
"OK, with the two of you?" She grins at their nods

Blade finally stands up after a week at the DJ chair. "Argh! My knees, my knees!"
She grinned at Ana, who had so nicely asked to do some DJ-ing.
"Introduce yourself as the next shift. I'll be nearby to introduce the Karaoke people!"
Ana nods and settled down on a hastily conjured, leather-upholstered, reclining arm-chair (provided by Shadowblade--- much more comfortable than that plastic thing I was sitting on!)

She conjures up a CD rack with carefully labelled partitions. "Here's the entire collection of the CDs that have ever been made in the world, and here's.." a cassette deck popped up, "the entire collection of songs that have not been recorded onto a CD!" With that, the black-robed elven-mage conjured her Blade home (Guess I won't need it here) and stepped into the dancing crowd.

ShadowWolf Sun, 15 Feb 1998 6:03a.m.

The song requests start pouring into the D. J. booth and ShadowBlade is looking a little frustrated at being tied to the booth all evening.
She blows a few more bubbles and ponders her situation.
One of the bubbles floats over in ShadowWolf's direction. {hmm...butter pecan ice cream with butterscotch topping. My favorite.} ShadowWolf walks over the the booth to see if Shadow Blade can possibly get away for a dance or two.
Just about at the same time Ana comes up to the booth and whispers something in ShadowBlade's ear. ShadowBlade's expression brightens immediately as she catches sight of ShadowWolf making his way toward her.
Before ShadowWolf can say anything she says "Quick, let's get out on the dance floor before Ana changes her mind." They walk out on the dance floor leaving Ana in charge of the booth for now.

Lady Niki Sun, 15 Feb 1998 12:26p.m.

The Lady Niki glides up to Ana to request a few songs. "Hi. I'd like to second a request for Sarah McLachlan and Loreena McKennitt. Specifically, 'Ice' and 'Tango to Evora'. Both of those CD's have been played so often, they skip and don't let me listen to the whole song. Oh, and while we're doing women, could you play 'Language' or the 'Kiss' by Indigo Girls? And then, I'd like to request some Garth Brooks for my dear friend Stasia, who's been under the weather. Of course, I'm not requesting all of them now. Just...when you get a chance? Or maybe I'll do Karaoke to the Indigo Girls, if I can get a partner for the harmonies and stuff."

Ana Sun, 15 Feb 1998 1:10p.m.

Ana wandered back to the booth,"Well, that wasn't too bad, was it?- Wait, don't answer, OK?"
Blade grinned, "OK, now take over the booth?"
"Sure."
"Just remember to introduce yourself..."

The Lady Niki had requested Dead Can Dance, Ana had looked through the stack of DCD Cds, and discovered a song that seemed to fit the mood. "Ok, and next up is Dead Can Dance 'Advent' folks, requested by Lady Niki. And remember all song requests need to come to me at cousinshirley@rocketmail.com. And karaoke to ShadowBlade."

As 'Advent' poured out of the lovely sound system, Lady Niki presented the ring to the Warrior.
Ana silently wished Niki and the Warrior luck and long life, then turned and answered Andi. "Yes, we do have some Loreena McKenitt, Clannad, and Sarah McLachlan. I think it is definitely time for a slight mood change." So saying, she grabbed a stack of cds and began to fill the cd changer with *hmm, let's see, McLachlan, Clannad, Enya, McKenitt, the Cure. Songs? 'Sweet Surrender', 'Love and Affection', 'Lothlorien', 'Come by the Hills', and 'Jupiter Crash'. That should do it.*

Ana absent mindedly reached for her glass of blood wine, and realised it was empty *drat!*
"Ilia!" the page looked up, "Yes, milady?"
"Can you refill this please?- No wait, bring a pitcher, please."
The page came back during Sarah McLachlan, "Here you go milady."
"Thank you, any requests Ilia?"
"Oh! um, well, um... Do you have 'The Safety Dance'?"
"Yup, I'll spin it after this set is done, hmm, maybe I can do a whole 80's set..."

Stasia Sun, 15 Feb 1998 3:09p.m.

Stasia wanders tentatively into the large party that includes all her listsibs. She's heard many things about this gathering, especially from the surface thoughts of her friend, Lady Niki, and she knows she is in for a very good time. That is, if she can get over her initial shyness and LET herself have a good time. She sees strange bubbles floating around her. She thinks she remembers hearing something about them, but she doesn't quite remember what she'd heard. I think I need to try and find Lady Niki, she thinks to herself. She lets her eyes wander over the large gathering of people until she spots her friend over near Ana and the DJ's box. She heads toward her friend, listening to the music swirl around her. I wonder if they have any Trisha Yearwood, or any Queensryche?, she thinks as she makes her way through the swirling mass of people laughing and having a good time. As she walks silently up behind Lady Niki, she hears her mutter "Or maybe I'll do Karaoke to the Indigo Girls, if I can get a partner for the harmonies and stuff."

Stasia greets her friend with, "I'm willing if you are!"

Rainbow Sun, 15 Feb 1998 4:28p.m.

Rainbow smiled as Andi came up to her and nodded in reply to her gentle query... Dee'rina winked back as Andi winked to her.
:She's nice: Dee's mindvoice sounded happy. :Now can we go and dance?:
Rainbow laughed at Dee's whining tone, :Oh OK, you big winged pig!:
:Pigs don't fly!: Dee said sarcastically, :and I do:
:Oh I thought you only fell?:
:Careful Rainbow, if you want a lift back to Animi...:
:OK, OK....:
Rainbow guided her friend through the crowds and mounted up. Dee's wings opened out as Rainbow stood up on her friends back and she jumped into the air.

:There's only one free dance area around here, and that's up in the air!: Dee crowed as they began sky-dancing, Dee's wings tracing ghost images in the air as the lights sparkled on her wings. Rainbow's black and copper hair moved in time to the music as she moved to the song.
"Play some Andrew Lloyd-Webber for me please!" Rainbow cried down to the Karaoke machine, as she started weaving complex light patterns in time to the beat.
As she started into a REALLY complicated pattern, Jareshs it was called in the Animiian Valley, she Felt the Ring being passed on and some silver fog enveloped her and Dee, making the magical light patterns even more spooky.

Rainbow then hears ShadowBlade asking for Karaoker's and she shouts from Dee's back, "I'll do a turn!!!! I'm great at 'Amazing Grace' and 'I will Survive', you know 'Just turn around now, you're not welcome anymore, I've got all my life to live....'" she gives everyone a burst of song and is surprised to see no-one covering their ears - though Dee is pawing her head with one foot.....
:I've got ear-ache, and a scratch:
:Uh, right Dee, if you say so....:

the Warrior Sun, 15 Feb 1998 6:00p.m.

The Warrior feels a warm feeling of friendship wash over her as Lady Niki places the ring upon her hand. Before she has a chance to say anything, Lady Niki hugs her and dashes off. The Warrior can only watch her disappear into the crowd, but as she does so she whispers, "Thank you."

She decides to try not to let Lady Niki or the Mage of Green Silences or the Ring down. She'll try to overcome her shyness and be more involved in the discussions.

She sweeps the room with her eyes, making note of all the delightful people that have graced this hall with their opinions and views.

Mage of Green Silences; Lady Niki, First Bearer of the Ring; Ana Cotton, who starts karaoke-ing, with Sloathe-ILI; Andi WindDancer, a fairy with her gifts of flower making; Aerden the Healer; a shadowy stranger; Kas with her newfound lamb; Samantha; Shadowblade and her bubbles and DJ-ing, with Ynys (Unicorn) and Danaa (fairy); Adrienne; Shadowdancer with her wolf Lurker, who found a stranger outside (Tamlin); Munarog the troll; a minstrel (Carson); the stranger in the cold outside (Sheridan); the Sunchild (Marie); Raven with her raven, Tristan; Yvonne Shadowshape with her saltwater; Shadowstalker; Sorchafyr, a Knight of Fluff; Lady Sophia, the Goddess of Music and Song; Jeanne Riverwolf with her friends, Jareth and Cheylasa, a fairy-human couple; Sorana Shadowcat, the Goddess of Flions; Mark in the library; Seashimmer; ShadowWolf, master thief; Lani Hunter; Marty; Shantaya Autumnleaf, were-cougar, mercenary, and part-time healer with her friend Torell, jester; Aldric, with maker of statements; SkyWolf with Misha and Rob, who pulls volunteers to the dance floor; Megan Glitterglass, glass artisan and pouncer; Rainbow and her Pegasus, Dee'rina; Barbara with her wet sheep; FallenAngel with her winged black panther Isis.

Some of them are newbies, some have been here longer than the Warrior. She knows there are more people in this hall than the list of people she noted here, but there are too many to mention.

Well, enough fluff for now. Fingering the Ring, she seeks discussions that interest her.



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