From alt.pub.dragons-inn Wed Jun 22 10:06:43 1994 Xref: netcom.com alt.pub.dragons-inn:7427 Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn Path: netcom.com!netcomsv!decwrl!spool.mu.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!newsserver.jvnc.net!cyanamid!ptag2.pt.cyanamid.com!fogelincc From: fogelincc@ptag2.pt.cyanamid.com (Carl C. Fogelin -- SACA, Discovery) Subject: [PARTY] Three sides of the same coin: heads Message-ID: <1994Jun21.220605.1@ptag2.pt.cyanamid.com> Lines: 179 Sender: news@cyanamid.uucp Organization: AMERICAN CYANAMID AGRICULTURAL RESEACH CENTER Date: Wed, 22 Jun 1994 03:06:05 GMT This is an experiment in writing the same scene from multiple points of view. This first post is told as if seen through Ta Kerome de Brecouix eyes. The next from Theodora "Cat" Rediche's, and lastly, from Andrew "Worm" McTallighee point of view. I'd appreciate any comments passed my way. All characters mentioned in this story are property of Carl Fogelin, except Luthor Anside, which is owned by the Dreamer. This story is copyrighted (1994) by Carl Fogelin. Permission is granted for its distribution through usual alt-net channels and for archival, but all other rights, including repost, are reserved by the author. * * * * * The sounds of banging could be heard resonating down the residential hall of the guild, an occasional head poking out a door to see what the disturbance was all about. Kerome staggered from his room, hair bedraggled, his eyes only half-opened. Wrapped around his midriff was a blanket and his slippers "skitched" as he shuffled down the hall towards the source of the noise. Kerome had just gotten to sleep after assisting Mage McCurdy in a four day incantation and some asshole was making enough noise to wake the dead. Pausing at a hall intersection, Kerome leaned wearily against a wall, waiting for the noise to start again. "Bang! Bang! Bang! ...opppnn drmm..." Ahh, Rediche's suite. Hitching up his blanket, Kerome shuffled towards its entrance. Probably some plebe or one of those novices that Theodora and her apartment mates tolerated. Sighing, he opened the suite's door and walked in, grim faced, prepared for whatever he'd find. He was greeted by the nasty smell of stale beer and something moldy, a half-eaten sandwich or some leftover gruel. Scrinching his nose in disgust, he wandered through the communal room--books and papers lying haphazardly around, dirty dishes, various articles of clothing strewn everywhere. Shaking his head in disbelief, he muttered "these people need a maid." The room seemed empty and he began to wonder if he had been mistaken, but then he saw a bit of movement out of the corner of his eye. Down an adjoining hallway he could just make out the shape of a woman. "Umm, miss?" he said, trying to get her attention, but apparently she didn't hear him. Wading through the disaster, he got a better look at her and didn't recognize her. She was tall and slender, wearing a billowing white blouse and a brightly colored dirndl. Her feet were clad in sandals, wrapped to mid-calf. And her hair, her long black hair had been braided into a single torque, held in place by a simple silver barrette. His anger at being woken up was quickly dissipating, re- placed by wonder at whom this lovely woman could be. Combing his hair with his fingers, he self-consciously fiddled with his blanket and tried to figure out how to tactfully introduce himself. He was sure that her face would be marvelous, and maybe, just maybe she would have similar interests as his, something they could both pursue together. "Come on Worm," said the woman, sounding exasperated, "open up!" "I'm not going" came a muffled voice. The woman leaned her head on the door and said, "Makes no difference what you want, we gotta go. Archi said so." Then, more to herself, "Besides, parties ain't that bad." Kerome was startled, that sounded like Theodora. But it couldn't be, she didn't look like that, did she? "I need to study for Hninter's practical," came the voice from behind the door. "Right," sighed the women, "and High Priest Palesius pisses in the woods." Stepping back from the door, hands on her hips, she said, "Look, you little pissant bookworm, I ought to..." "That's you, isn't it Theodora?" interrupted Kerome. She whirled in his direction and he saw a face with brillant hazle eyes and distinct feline facial features--yes indeed, Theodora. Her eyes recognized him, but she seemed confused. "Kerome." Smiling, he said "I can't believe it's you, I mean," gesturing at her outfit. "I mean," he stammered, "I ummm..." Taking a deep breath, he smiled and said, "you look absolutely enchanting." She blushed and tried to cover her embarrassment with a muttered "Thanks." She then mutely pointed at his blanket and looked up questioningly. "Well, I was sleeping," began Kerome. She suddenly turned towards Worm's bedroom door and then back at Kerome. "Oh dear," she said, "I woke you with my pounding, didn't I? Damn! I'm so very sorry, Kerome." She strode over and hugged him, asking for forgiveness at her carelessly act. She smelled wonderful--lilac, with a hint of some other flower he couldn't quite place. He felt emotions stirring in him, emotions he would never have guessed he'd feel for her. "Will you forgive me?" With his head laying against her bossom, he mutely nodded yes. "Good," she said, pulling back from him with a big smile on her face, "I'm so pleased." Trying to regroup his thoughts, he asked why she had been pounding on that door. A look of disgust came to her face, "That's Worm's bedroom. You know Worm, don't you?" Worm... Worm? Wait a second, didn't Mage Halcidon call one of his journeymen Worm? That's right, Cat and Worm. Huh, what a pair of names. Ok, let's see, Worm's real name is, "Andrew McTallighee?" Smiling, she said "Yah, although most people just call him Worm. Anyway, Archi--that's Archibald Halcidon--wants Andrew and I to accompany him to a party in the elven quarters of the city." Nodding his head, Kerome said, "Shadehaven." "Huh?" "Shadehaven," repeated Kerome, "That's the name of the place, owned by, umm, Luthor Anside." "How did you know that?" Chuckling, Kerome said, "You need to leave the guild hall more often. I saw the posting at a pub I sometimes frequent." She looked briefly miffed, but continued, "Anyway, Andrew is being difficult." Then, over her shoulder, she yelled "You hear that Andrew, you're being difficult!" Shaking her head, she added in at a more normal level, "I guess I'll have to break the door in." "I wouldn't do that if I were you," came Worm's muffled voice with a hint of smugness. "I put some good stuff on it to keep you out, ah, I mean, so I wouldn't be interrupted while studying." Nodding her head in resignation, she muttered, "You can be such an asshole at times, Worm." Then, looking at Kerome, "You're good at detection spells, aren't you? Would you help me scry his door?" Kerome's shoulders sagged, and his head bowed down. "I'm sorry Cat, I exhausted my spell strength helping Mage McCurdy last night." A look of wonderment came to her face. "That's right, the legend experiment. I heard rumors about that one." Her wonderment was replaced with concern. "No wonder you look so tired... and I woke you up." She leaned next to him, her right arm over his shoulders. "Don't worry, I can handle the door. You need to get to bed, you need your sleep. I promise I'll be quiet." As she led him to the suite's main entrance, his mind was in a whirl. He had to seize the moment, he had to do something. At the door, he stopped and said, "Umm, Theodora, one last thing." "Yes?" Pausing briefly, he said, "You look real good," and quickly reached up and kissed her on the cheek. She looked surprised, but wasn't acting negatively. Smiling, Kerome said he'd see her later and turned to go back to his room. She stayed at the door until he was out of sight. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Carl Fogelin (fogelinc@pt.cyanamid.com) "All opinions are strictly mine" Up the long ladder and down the short rope, To Hell with King Billy and God bless the Pope. -- traditional