Date: Monday, 22 Feb 1993 15:07:43 EST From: Michael Sander <344LWKC@CMUVM.CSV.CMICH.EDU> Message-ID: <93053.150743344LWKC@CMUVM.CSV.CMICH.EDU> Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn Subject: [L&S Party] A (not-so-)chance meeting [ADMIN: Remember, as the bulletin board says, all time lines _are_ continuous, even though people may be in several places at once. Thus, Lancos can still be at the party while the Captain is beyond it... Or, at least, that's my "feeble" attempt at explanation. ] Lancos relaxed for a second, pausing to purely enjoy the party. It was good to revisit with old friends, and to meet some new people. The more good people he knew in this town, the better he felt. But, although not wanting to seem rude, he moved on from time to time from group to group. Becuase he had a few things on his mind; because he wondered if that woman Arienne would make an appearance; because... well, because he had been born and accidently bred by his parents to move on once in a while, with anything any seeming somewhat uncomfortable. He found himself alone again, using the idea of getting more food to excuse himself. And for a change, he _had_ eaten and drank plenty, although no outward signs of it showed noticably. He looked down the table, and saw another man, one whom he hadn't spoken to yet. Lancos decided to correct that error, and walked over to him. "Hello, my name is Lancos Erredan." * * * * [ADMIN: Thanks go to Joe Carl Jr. for much if not all the below.] Darvos was having a good time at Luthor's and Serene's housewarming party. He had introduced himself as a visiting dignitary from Carpathia, a small country in the foothills of the mountains far to the east. Luthor and Serene had smiled politely; very few people knew of Carpathia. It was his homeland, but he was no longer a dignitary. His family once owned a Barony there, but it had been overthrown twenty-five years ago. His father and mother were dead, and his brother Padoin and sister Gidyana were missing. The overthrow altered his life's path, but that is a story better left for another occassion. Like a seasoned diplomat, Darvos mingled with the crowd. His attention kept being draw to the artistry that abounded in this new home. Never before had he seen a home made of living trees. The artistry was awe-inspiring. The care that went into the home's making was extraordinary. During one such episode a gentleman -- who looked every bit the ranger -- approached him, cutting off any further study. But Darvos was as polite as ever, and figured that conversation would be a welcome diversion. "Good evening. You may call be Darvos." he said, rolling the "r" in his name in a very peculiar fashion. "Hmm -- 'Lancos' -- have I not heard of that name before, perhaps in regard to some quest or something?". Again the rolling of his r's and the ever so slight lisp was prevalent as he talked. "I doubt it." Lancos lied, preferring to stay modest, and generally away from the subject of the Dragon Quest. "I know that I've never seen you around, though. How do you know Luthor?" "We have never really met before. I'm just taking advantage of an opportunity to take a small break from my work." "Work? What do you do?" Darvos didn't think that he would understand his work if he had tried to explain it, so he said "This and that. Mostly I study the magical properties of vampirism. I was trying to get rid of a coven of them that was threatening the city." Lancos almost spit his food out in ironic laughter, a move Darvos mistook as shock. 'So was I, sort of.' Lancos thought to himself. But then he remembered that Kadrys was here, and he certainly didn't want a confrontation. "Ah so..., you're a professional vampire hunter?" Darvos laughed with a slight snort. "No, not exactly. Vampires are a fascination of mine. I hope to one day study one, to see if I can remove the more... er, primal urges from it. I have skills in many other areas, though." Lancos smiled and relaxed again, having decided that Darvos wouldn't threaten Kadrys once he found out about him. "That's good -- I've certainly seen a _good_ vampire or two, and hoped you'd be open-minded. But really, you should probably talk to Kadrys over there." the warrior said with a knowing smile. "He knows a bit about the subject himself." "Perhaps another time, tonight is not for work." Darvos replied. The contact might be informative, whatever this "Kadrys" might know, but to tell the truth, he was getting tired of chasing vampires. Darovs was about say more when 'Raelf's voice could be heard over the crowd's murmur. "All right, it's Twister time!" the kani said, giving in to the demands of the Rabble. He pulled out a piece of tent-like material colored with many spots of different colors. "Excuse me," Lancos said, "but I gotta see what 'Raelf's got cooked up _this_ time. Nice meeting you, though." "Indeed, it has been a pleasure.". Darvos bowed slightly then watched as Lancos strode over the game site, obviously listening as the rules were being explained. Darvos moved on in another direction, the laughter from the game's participants softening as he moved on. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Michael Sander 344lwkc@cmuvm.csv.cmich.edu AKA Lancos Erredan