Author's Note: This is a piece of fiction written just before Christmas 1998 (I think), featuring a few of the characters I've been introduced to or used over the last few years. I have deliberately left off some of the dialogue tags. See if you can figure out all the characters at this party. If you can't, and want to know who is who, email me and I'll send you the annotated version. (I don't expect anyone to recognize Darla, Nora, or Rosemary, who are all RPG characters that I'm playing.)

Disclaimer: Various and sundry of these characters belong to various and sundry parties. I'm just borrowing them. The rest are my own.

Holiday Party
by Selma McCrory
copyright 1998

It's the holidays, and certainly more than a mouse is stirring. In fact, in my place, they're certainly not quiet. More people than I really want to count, both my characters and those I've, er, borrowed, are sitting around (when they can find chairs), eating, drinking eggnog (or other things) and socializing.

"Er, I'm sorry I hit you," Teresa says behind me, presumably to Liam Kincaid.

"Where have we landed *now*?" come another voice, and I turn around to find that I've aquired four of the Mystic Knights. Angus is complaining again, I see.

"You said you wanted a celebration!" a small voice protests, and I smile as I spot Aideen.

"Watch out for that mi- nevermind," someone warns Ashley as Zhane, apparently finding out about that particular Earth tradition, holds mistletoe over Ashley and Andros' heads.

"Oh, go on, Jade, introduce yourself to him," Rocky encourages Jade.

"Teague, meet Richie. Richie, Teague."

"Hi. He isn't going to vanish in a swirl of light, is he?"

"Not unless he tinkers with Vessie's time machine."

Thunk. "Michael, it's good to see you again!"

"Uh, it's good to see you again. I think. What's the occasion?"

"I think those two have their timelines mixed up."

"Yeah. Poor Michael. So, Richie, are you going to carve up any more of my cemetery?"

"I promise I won't, okay?"

"Is she writing again?"

"Yeah, but that's okay. At least she doesn't seem as annoyed at Earth: Final Conflict fandom."

A fleeing figure brushes past me. "Sorry," Rosemary Schultz apologizes. "I have an appointment to get to."

Oops. Well at least I know which point in the timeline she's from. Poor Rosemary.

"Hercules!" Jade yells, rushing over to meet my newest guests. A bemused Boone watches her go. He isn't alone for long, as Rocky goes to join him.

"Here, dear. Are you all right?" a british-accented voice comes from my left as Darla Bennington sits down by me with a mug of tea.

"I think I will be, thanks," I say, gratefully accepting the tea. I don't think she buys it, but that's okay. I watch as more greetings erupt from the group.

"Hmmm... do you think that those two are ever coming up for air?"

"No, but leave 'em. I don't think they've realized that a Mortal-Immortal relationship tends to be quite short."

"Hey, am I late?" Lisa asks.

"A little. And by the way, you didn't tell me you were like Rocky...."

"Uh, it's a long story...."

"I have time."

"Hey! That's *my* mistletoe!"

"I'll bring it right back, okay?"

"Forrest, don't you *dare*...."

"Too late."

"What in the world are you doing?"

"I'm reorganizing these papers. Orgainization is an important thing, you know. Can't let it slide."

"Come on, Nora. It's the holiday season. Let it slide for one night."

"I can't."

"Hand her the presents. She can organize them instead."

"Okay..."

"It must be the holidays," I mutter. Behind me, the celebrations continue on.

"Angus, don't..."

"But she said to hand her these things..."

"I don't think she had that in mind!"

"Hey, get your hands off that..."

*Thunk*

Sigh.

-end

Return