The List Friendship Ring Story

Created in friendship and fun.

Page the 7th--Yes, we ARE very prolific.





Chayla Tue, 17 Feb 1998 7:13p.m.

Drawn to the lights and laughter emanating from the Hall, Chayla steps lightly to a window and peers inside. The onslaught of color and movement is breathtaking. Wishing earnestly that she could join in on the fun, a tear rolls down her pale cheek and she wipes it away with a deep blue silk scarf. If only someone would notice her and . . . It was for naught.

Chayla bends her head slightly and sees a feather covered with blood. Frightened and alone, the healer inside her takes over and she scans the bushes nearby and notices a rustling. Rushing over, she sees a wounded hawk writhing on the ground. She sends a thread of loving thought to the creature and soothes its pain. It stops its futile flapping and gazed at her with intelligence.

*Hurts* a high voice called in her mind. Chayla laid a cautious hand on the bird and sent her powers into the creature, feeling every bone and tendon along the wounded wing. It was a mess. She used her power to set the bones and begin them knitting and stitched the flesh and tendons together to the best of her training.

After many moments of silence and concentration. Chayla releases the raptor and takes a shaky step back. The bird stretched it's wing and preened at the feathers. *Hurts gone?* Chayla chuckled at the astonishment coming from the bird. It waddled over to her and brushed it's head against her ankle and then it flew off. Leaving her alone again. .

Raven Tue, 17 Feb 1998 9:52p.m.

Raven worked her way across the dance floor. When the action suddenly paused to herald the passing on of the Friendship Ring, she stopped too--(Has it been a week already? Yeesh...) She shook her head.
(All right. I've spent enough time dithering. Time to have some fun...)
She made her way towards the hi-fi set that--was it ShadowBlade?--had conjured, pausing to ask Ilia the page for a glass of wine. She waited there for him to return, absently keeping up a one-sided argument with the raven perched on her shoulder.

"...No. /If/ by any bizarre set of circumstances we should join in on the karaoke, you may /not/ sing backup. You have a horrible singing voice, Mor." She stopped suddenly, blinking. "Who said you could name yourself? You think that's going to make me keep you? Too bad. Name or no name, Mor, you're only with me for the night."
She sighed at the puzzled look Ilia gave her as he handed her a glass full of ruby-hued wine. (You'd think with all the mindspeakers here...) "Is something wrong?" she asked.
"No, m'lady," Ilia responded quickly. "Just--I thought your familiar's name was Tristan."
Raven laughed out loud. "Starfire, no! Tristan is my mentor--he's a Karilanthian elf! He'd be horribly offended if I compared him to--well--" she laughed again, and headed towards the hi-fi set, sipping from the wineglass whose contents had shifted in color from ruby-red to sapphire-blue. (No, Tristan won't be amused at all. I'll have to remember to tell him about it...)
She grinned at Ana as she reached her destination. "I know they aren't 80's, but could you play some They Might Be Giants? Hm... 'Birdhouse in Your Soul' and 'We Want A Rock'?"
(Time to have fun--and maybe annoy a few folks along the way..)

Atalaya Tue, 17 Feb 1998 10:56p.m.

Atalaya glanced over at Raven, her lips twitching when she saw her friend's recently aquired familiar. "Someday I'd appreciate knowing just how you manage to get into these situations.." With a shrug of green-velvet-covered shoulders, the redhaired warrior left the question to the philosophers as she heard the word "Karaoke" from somewhere else.

"Gods, I've /got/ to get a turn at that." she said, walking over to Ana. "Excuse me, but can you play just the tunes of songs? Raven and I have written a filk about Vanyel I think people should hear..."

Andi Wed, 18 Feb 1998 2:40a.m.

Andi flitters back into the hall to correct her song choice. "Yes, kind person, I meant 'All Soul's Night'. Thank's so much for reminding me![G]" She watches as her mind flies out the window. "I just don't know where my mind is going![G]"
From somewhere else she hears a Celtic Reel being played. She finds the player, a young woman with long brown hair. The spirals on her dress glow, and a small stool and a bodhran appear before her. She sits on the stool, and hesitantly joins in, thumping a soft beat on her bodhran. (gee, I hope this is a Celtic Reel with a beat...) She looks through the crowd, hoping to find someone with a fiddle....

Dre Wed, 18 Feb 1998 3:40a.m.

Dre slowly inches out of the shadows. She's been lurking for awhile, and isn't sure who to go talk to. She's read about everyone, of course, but to finally meet them (and their non-human friends) is a little overwhelming.
And she's trying really hard to avoid those people with buckets. She didn't announce herself when she first came, and so hasn't been pounced or drenched yet *yikes, what did I just do????*
Wow, there are so many amazing people here...and ummm, others, and the music is great, although not exactly to her taste. *hmmmm....I wonder how everyone would feel if I requested a little TuPac or Snoop....better wait 'til I know them better.*
Dre is a little confused. She was sitting home one night reading her email before she went to a party, when all of a sudden she was in the Halls of Mist. *Not that I'm sad to be here, of course...just startled! Well, at least I came prepared for dancing! I'm all dressed up for a party, so here goes!* She walks out into the light, expecting a good drenching, and decides to just talk to whoever comes up to her *Hey, I'm still shy!*

Seashimmer Wed, 18 Feb 1998 3:43a.m.

"Seashimmer! I was wanting to talk to you! I thought that your name was wonderful!" Smiling, she catches a tree limb and swings herself up to face Seashimmer, who lookes worriedly at her bucket. "No, sorry, it's empty. No worries!"

Seashimmer smiles as the Kelpie-Lady come over to talk to her "Don't worry I'm not afraid of your bucket. I -like- saltwater. I was just worried about what you would do to newbies now that you didn't have your bucket," she clarifies a bit. "I'm glad you like my name. It's the 'sea' part, right? I like your title, but do you have a name?" She's talking a little fast, but that's pretty normal. Those who think she's quiet just don't know her very well.

Ana Wed, 18 Feb 1998 5:45a.m

Blade had _politely_ asked her to allow the karaoke-ers a turn, Ana had grinned and plotted and now had it planned for three people-she wondered what the minstrel was going to do?

Ana glanced at the song list. *hmm requests, requests, Andrew Lloyd Webber, wonder if Rainbow will mind if I hold that for a bit? Well, I'm gonna have to anyway. And Garth for Stasia will have to wait, as will any recent Sarah McL., Indigo girls, and Loreena McK. requies.*
"ILI! we're gonna do the 80's/retro requests now. Think you can handle that?"
"Can do! Is fun/happy to be listening!"

She grabbed the Mic as Niki and Stasia came of the dais from singing karaoke to the Indigo Girls, "Ok folks! We've got a few more requests to get out of the way-but they're gonna have to wait. I promise to play them, but first, I'd like to do an 80's/retro request list. First up is: The Reflex with "Politics of Dancing", then The Clash, and then Rainbow will be karaoke-ing "I Will Survive". Then the song list will be: TMBG: "Particle Man"--for Jeanne, 'Harden my Heart'by Quarterflash- -for Fallenangel, then the minstrel with "All Soul's Night" by Loreena McKennitt, then: "Under Pressure" by Queen and Bowie--for Skywolf, "Tomorrow Wendy" Concrete Blond --for Morgana, then if there's another karaoke-er here, then: "Blue Monday" New Order, "Birdhouse in Your Soul" TMBG--Raven, Fleetwood Mac "Rhiannon", Erasure "Break These Chains of Love", Men Without Hats "The Safety Dance"--for Ilia, TMBG "Dinnerbell"--for Jeanne, the Cure "The Walk", Pet Shop Boys "What Have I done to Deserve This?", Eurythmics "These Dreams", Bowie "China Girl", Bow Wow Wow "I Want Candy" (C'mon its a great 80's song!), and much much more. Please more requests folks, for the retro/80's shindig bit."
People cheered and began dancing.

Ilia was looking rather mellow, Ana glanced at the pitcher of Blood wine-it was empty-she realised that Ilia had been matching her drink for drink *hmm, wonder if she realises this is highly alcoholic?*
"Ilia, you ok?"
"hmm? Oh yes, I am thank you. What is this stuff?"
"Blood wine, highly alcoholic."
Ilia's eyes widened, "Oh! No wonder I feel so odd."
"Yeah, sorry I thought you knew. " *Not that it takes much Blood wine to make anyone smashed.*
"Ilia, why don't you go eat something-that may help."
"Alright, milady, thank you."

As she watched Ilia wander and weave around the dancers, Ana worried. Glancing about she spotted ILI flollopping to "I Will Survive"-as sung by Rainbow. "ILI!"
"Yes?"
"Follow Ilia, make sure she stays ok."
"Yes, can do!"
"Thanx."

Stasia Thu, 19 Feb 1998 3:14 a.m.

Stasia finishes her number with Lady Niki, and blithely hands the microphone off to the next person in line. Over her shoulder, she tells Ana "If you need anyone to fill any karaoke spots, just let me know! I LOVE to sing!" She starts to walk away as she remembers something else she wants to tell Ana, "Oh, and if anyone happens to mention they're looking for someone to sing 'Paradise by the Dashboard Lights' with, send them my way!" She gives Niki a quick hug with a promise to chat more later and thanking her for letting her join her in a duet. Getting up to sing in front of people always helps loosen her up at a party, because she knows there's at least ONE thing she'll manage to do that won't make her feel like a fool. 'Ok,' she says to herself, 'Enough of standing in the middle of the room being anti-social. Get out there and TALK to some people!'

She wanders around the hall, trying to place people from the descriptions she has gotten from them in the mailings she has received. She thinks she recognizes a few people... especially a very distinctive changeling with blonde hair and orange fur. If she remembers correctly, her name was Catsai. 'Maybe I should go over and introduce myself', she thinks, 'I could always ask her where she's from, being in my official capacity as "where am I" list keeper!' She heads toward the newly arrived changechild, all the while reveling in the warm, good time thoughts that assail the air around her, not to mention her empathic and psionic senses.

Ana Wed, 18 Feb 1998 6:24a.m.

Ilia was wandering along the dance floor, Ana had suggested she get something to eat, but she didn't feel hungry.

*Hmm,* Ilia was baffled, she could swear that the raven had originally called him/herself Tristan. *oh, well, like it really matterss..*
Ilia also wondered where the hell her twin had gotten to *Jervin swore he'd cover for me, while I took a break, now he's disappeared, and for some reason, he never told people who he was.. Botheration. And now that poor woman, who was adopted by her familiar, thinks I'm a man, damn my twin!*

She wandered out of the room and enters another room, where: She finds a young woman with long brown hair, playing a flute. Next to her is someone playing a bodhran, and just entering from the other side is her twin brother carrying his fiddle! *So that's where Jervin went!*
She glared at him, he just smiled sweetly back. *They can get the bartender, or one of the other staff to get them drinks, I'm still on break.*

Outside in the garden, Ilia felt restless, like something was going to happen.
"Quick! Someone need/want/play!"
"ILI! What?"
"Follow!"
Around the side of the hall they went. There she saw a woman leaning against the window looking in longingly.
"Excuse me. Would you like to go inside?"

Sorana Wed, 18 Feb 1998 6:27a.m.

Sorana Shadowcat was wandering around the Hall. She had changed to her normal human form after the ceremony, and was now a 14 year-old girl, with amber eyes and reddish-gold hair that reached half-way down her shoulders then fell over them to the front creating a mane-like effect. She was probably the least dressed up of all the list-sibs, wearing only a grey trainee uniform and the grey feather in her hair.

As she moved around the Hall she heard many people wondering aloud just what a Flion was. *Havens! I came in as a Flion and still no one knows what they are. I think I'll get this over with once and for all, and tell everyone what they are.*
Sorana made her way to a table, then got up on the top and cleared her throat. No one took any notice of her. *I guess I'm going to have to be louder than that. I hope I can do this. I have never particularly liked being the center of attention, and now I'm going to call _everyone's_ attention to myself.* She gathered her courage and (nearly shouting to make sure she was heard by all the Hall) said, "Excuse me everyone, but may I have your attention for a moment?"
Every eye turned to her. *Well, it worked.* "I know that many of you have no idea what a Flion is. As the Goddess of Flions I feel I should fix this situation, and tell all of you right now what they are. A Flion is a Lion with wings so it can fly. Lion-Flyinglion-Flion. Everyone understand?"
There were nods of heads and words assent all around. "Good. Thank you for your attention. I'm sorry I had to interupt."

Sorana got down off her table feeling very relieved that it was over and she probably wouldn't have to do anything like this again. She wanted to retreat back to the shadows where she was most comfortable, but there were a few things she had to do first. *First the Newbies, then the music.*
Looking around she spotted a very wet Reighyn. *Looks like Yvonne got to her first. I think I'll gave her a sheep towel when I'm done. She could definately use it.* Quietly she slipped through the crowd to an area of shadow near where she was standing. Once there she switched to her Flion form and crept to the very edge of the shadow. Sorana waited there ready to pounce until she had a clear view of her and no one was in the way. Then, POUNCE! Reighyn was knocked over by a medium sized Flion. The Flion carefully stepped off her, and resumed human from before her eyes. The girl that was standing there in the Flions place smiled as she helped her back up and said, "Welcome to the List Reighyn. Have a sheep towel." Handing her the towel made of sheep Sorana resumed Flion form and lifted into the air.

*And there's the other one. she doesn't seem to be near any shadows, so I can't sneak up on her that way. I think this one will have to be done from the air.* Very carefully, Sorana flew as close to the other newbie as she could without being noticed. Then when the newbie hit a spot that didn't have quite so many people in it she POUNCED! from the air.
Again she helped the poor disoriented newbie up off the floor. "Welcome to the List! Sorry I pounced so hard. Here's a chocolate sheep to make up." Sorana smiled at the newbie as she handed the sheep to her, then sliped away into the crowd.

Moving like a shadow through her fellow list-sibs, she made it to the person who was in charge of the music. Quickly stepping to the edge of the music platform, she caught the attention of the DJ and said, "Would you please play 'Return to Innocence' by Enigma? And the songs 'Never Gonna Say I'm Sorry', 'Lucky Love', and 'Ravine' by Ace of Base? And 'Caribbean Blue', 'Epona', 'Storms in Africa II', and 'China Roses' by Enya? And 'The Mummers Dance', and 'The Highwayman' by Loreena Mckennit? And 'Kiss From a Rose' by Seal? And anything from the album 'Rythem of the Pridelands' if you have it. Thank you."
*Now that I've made my requests I can go find a quiet corner in the shadows to enjoy the rest of the party in. I wonder if Yvonne ever got the God of Typos to take the Curse off her keyboard...*

Chayla Wed, 18 Feb 1998 7:09a.m

Ilia walked up to Chayla and politely invited her to join,
@,-'--@,-'--@,-'--@,-'--@,-'--@,-'--@,-'--(roses for Ilia)
Chayla cautiously entered Hall, her hand straying to her face to brush idle hairs from in front of her green eyes. She looked around at the other faces joined in polite conversation, some faces were covered with water as well (???). Others danced fervently to the melody played by the wonderful players.

She straightened her black riding leathers over her lithe and muscular form and shook out her mane of waist-length black hair. She was still a little shaky from her healing experience, but she was determined to have a good time.

All she had to do now was find a dancing partner. . .

Lani Wed, 18 Feb 1998 2:23p.m.

Lani wandered into the music room and was dazzled by the lights, the sounds, and the company. Most of the songs were unfamiliar to her, but she was able to pick up on most of the choruses and join in. When the jigs started up, it was just too much for her; her slippered feet started to twitch in time to the merry notes. 'Drat!' she thought. 'I *definitely* need a partner for this.' She glanced around at the happy throng, and her eye was caught by someone dressed in black who had just come in. Whoever it was had a long mane of thick black hair and a dancer's figure, and seemed to be looking around for a partner, so Lani went over, and offered her hand and a friendly smile. "Hi! I'm Lani. Would you like to dance? A nice jig like this one practically *begs* for it..."

Rainbow Wed, 18 Feb 1998 8:54p.m.

Rainbow heard someone call for a violin player and called out 'if you don't mind someone who failed Grade 2 violin on scales and is hated among her classmates for her 'talent' of making everyone run out the classroom when she gets her violin out I'll play!'

Rainbow and Dee descended from the sky as Ana announced the Karaoke, (no one has spelt it right yet... Editor-type person's note: Oh, yes they have! Dictionaries are a wonderful thing!) she gracefully took up the mike and as the lyrics rolled on the screen she started singing, enhancing her voice with her magic.
Even Dee found a way to get into the song, mind-blasting everyone with her loud mind-voice and tapping her foot on the floor with entusiasm.

When the music had finished she bowed gracefully and Dee'rina gracefully bowed her head over and extended leg, purposely changing the angle of her wings to reflect on to her body and head, and making Rainbow's mother-of-pearl like dress shimmer.
:Dee, you show off!: Rainbow chided as they stepped down, :you just wanted to do that to look good!:
:And what were you doing it for? To grace us all with your voice? You KNOW Bracken is a MUCH better singer than you!:
Rainbow and Dee floated off to find some food, but Dee got distracted by the next dance and decided to stay to dance (and show off Rainbow supposed)
Rainbow sighed and walked up to a young woman who had just walked out the Shadows, 'Hi! I'm Rainbow, and you must be' she searched her mind for recent incoming messages 'Dre? Am I right? Well come on and dance! I'm just going to get something to eat, Dee'rina, my best friend,' Rainbow gestured towards her Pegasus friend, 'is over there, so I'm wondering what you'd like to talk about?'
Together they wandered off towards the dining hall....

Dre Thu, 19 Feb 1998 2:28a.m.

Dre walks off to the dance floor. *That Rainbow person is really nice....I'm glad people are talking here.....oooooh, and dancing, my fave.*

"Rainbow, I hope you don't mind, but I'd really like to make a few song requests. I promise I'll be quick! I really want to talk to you, but there are some songs I have to hear!"
She wanders over to the DJ booth to request a song ( or five [g]), "Can I hear 'Been Around the World' and 'Can't Nobody Hold Me Down' by Puff Daddy, 'The Train' by Quad City DJ's, 'Da' Dip' by Freak Nasty, 'No Diggity' by Blackstreet and 'Cotton Eye Joe' by Rednex. I know that's a lot of songs, but we need some good club music to get this party going! Thanks so much, and you're doing a really great job with the DJing. I like the Karaoke too. Thanks again!"

Dre walks back over to where Rainbow is standing. "I'd love to talk, but how about getting some food, too? I am so sick of dorm food, I would feel guilty letting a chance at good food go to waste. This is kind of wierd. I've read your posts, but I don't really know anything about you, so.......tell me about yourself. Tell me about where you're from (Animi, right?), do you have any strange or unusual hobbies, and how do you feel about that genetics discussion going on right now?"





Back to page 6.

On to page 8.

Back to the Ring Story index.


Back to the Archive.


Think this page needs some work? Just want to comment on it's splendiferousness? Then contact me, Ana Cotton.

This page is © 1998, Ana Cotton, and the Mercedes Lackey discussion list at, mercedes-lackey@herald.co.uk.