From alt.pub.dragons-inn Wed Jul 6 07:55:02 1994 Xref: netcom.com alt.pub.dragons-inn:7455 Path: netcom.com!netcomsv!decwrl!src.dec.com!crl.dec.com!crl.dec.com!caen!cmuvm.csv.cmich.edu!34ep2a2 Organization: Central Michigan University Date: Tue, 5 Jul 1994 15:15:28 EDT From: JILL <34EP2A2@CMUVM.CSV.CMICH.EDU> Message-ID: <94186.15152834EP2A2@CMUVM.CSV.CMICH.EDU> Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn Subject: Beauty and the Beast Lines: 60 W/PJmoody Chars: Wormwood, enchanted gorilla Arienne, thief and animal lover Soon 2B included: Jenever and Killian and their twin weres Tiffany and Tristan Much to Arienne's surprise the large gorilla rose to its feet and shambled towards her. As it closed, she senses the brooding power within it. It could easily rip apart the table where she sat, but she sensed that it would never do so. It gazed at her for a long moment, as if evaluating her, and said slowly--in a voice so deep that one felt it as much as heard it, "Forgive me, but there are times when being alone is unwished for." Arienne could sympathize with this sentiment. She herself had been intently watching one other of the patrons, with this thought in mind. "Do sit friend Beast," she purred, and gestured to the bench across the table. "Wine? Cheese? Do help yourself." Arienne eyed again the tall man striding past. She was a bit surprised at the fluency of this ape with language, and felt quite certain she could spare a few moments. "I Wormwood, am at such a moment. Although pointless human activities are of little appeal to me, a companion who remembers the art of joy would be appreciated. Perhaps you would grant me this boon? A place where songs of elves and such are sung would be appreciated, if you would deem it meet. Despite my appearance, I too have stories to share." Arienne smiled faintly, bringing her eyes back again from the firm backside of that man strolling past once more. "I have just come from a place of which you seem to speak. My friend and kin Jenever and her husband Killian have newly established an inn of their own, and I must say that Killian has been well known in this place, as bard and as warrior--and even more a warrior with Jenever at his side. Perhaps you have heard their tales?" she didn't really wait for a response, as the answer didn't matter. If he cared at all, Killian himself could tell them. "I will be ready to leave within a couple of hours, Master Wormwood. It appears that I have some business to attend to," she said lazily, her gaze raptly following the muscular body of her quarry up the stairway, meeting the lusty expression cast over his shoulder--and returning it. The large figure rose to it's feet, black knuckles rested upon the sticky surface of the table where some wine had been spilled. He watched her for a moment, and said slowly, "Of all the humans I have met, you seem to be most in tune with the natural side of your nature. You humans alsways seem to be at war with yourselves." Arienne snorted a bit at this, and unconscously flipped her hair back and forth. Wormwood continued, "Instead of revelling in the natural desires of loving and reproduction which are your birthrite you only seem to befieve that violence and cruelty are the legacy of the beasts. This is not true," an angry flickers in his eye, and the tip of a large canine appears briefly as his voice raises slightly. "Animals do not kill wontonly, or abuse and torture their kin." For a moment, there is a feeling of real menace in the air. "Forgive me. There have been events in the past that have left me not enamored of your race. But take your pleasure as you will, it lightens my heart some small amount. When you are finished, come join me again, and we will travel to this pub of good music," At this, the weary, saddened expression returned to his ebony face; but for a moment, as he turned to look again at Arienne, the sadness was replaced by something quite different. "Well then, it is set. I shall seek you out as soon as I am able," she was distracted for the time being, and observed no further courtesies...In a flash of gold and brown skin she leapt up the stairs to entangle her prey.