index


Message-ID: <62004asstr$1333980601@assm.asstr-mirror.org>
From: TBD <tbd@hushmail.me>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Cancel-Lock: sha1:XqxwJgnV6FouzxayszgqXRRyZhc=
Subject: {ASSM} Marie's Solstice 09/14 Solstice Wedding (new) TBD
Lines: 2179
Date: Mon, 09 Apr 2012 10:10:01 -0400
Path: assm.asstr-mirror.org!not-for-mail
Approved: <assm@asstr-mirror.org>
Newsgroups: alt.sex.stories.moderated,alt.sex.stories
Followup-To: alt.sex.stories.d

Marie's Solstice 09/14 Solstice Wedding (new)
----

The alarm went off and Ted managed to hit the off button before I did,
then he rolled back to hug me.  "G'Morning, Marie."

I yawned.  "Yeah.  Let me wake up some more."

"No problem.  Nervous?"

"Only for the rest of you.  I'd really, really appreciate it if Vix
doesn't do anything to stretch our skills during the show."

He sighed.  "Can you come clean, yet?"

I sighed and snuggled briefly, then rolled out of his arms and sat on
the edge of the bed.  "To you, yes.  We, and that means Vix and I,
this time, don't want you being so shocked, you blow it somehow."

"Say what?!  Me?  Shocked?  After the last three weeks, I don't think
it's possible anymore."

I gestured vaguely and set a privacy spell.  "There.  We can talk
without other ears hearing what we talk about."

"You're being strange, Marie.  What's wrong with telepathy?"

"Nothing.  Can't afford to be overheard if one of us forgets and
speaks out loud. Plus, Connie needs to know what's going on, so she
can keep focused on me instead of letting her training take over when
the focus shifts away from us."

"Oh.  So?"

I went to the closet and studied my clothing.  "You ready to be a
groom to my bride?"

"What?!"

I giggled.  "I know we're already married by Rabelaisian custom, but
part of what Vix has planned for us, and Mark and Julie, is a mixed
ceremony, Terran/Rabelaisian wedding, officiated by her, Merlin, and
Lady Kay."

"Ah.  That explains why that odd looking gown is hanging in your half
of the closet, this morning."

"Yes.  There's a matching outfit for you, on your side.  The weddings
will happen near the beginning, so we need to be wearing them when we
show up."

"I get it.  Now I know how come we preloaded a lot of stuff in the RV
yesterday."

"Uh huh.  I couldn't say anything, but that stuff is what we'll change
into once the wedding stuff is over.  Probably take a few hours
though.  Big event and all that."

He groaned.  "I know what that means.  Titles and polite handshakes
when I want to strangle people."

I sighed.  "Yep.  Anyway..."  I put my robe on.  "Grab your robe, and
we'll eat first, right?"

"Right.  You're doing a poor job of ducking."

"I'm not ducking.  Got seventy-eleven things to think about this
morning.  You ready for the second biggest surprise?"

He put his robe on, then smiled wryly.  "Be nice if I could wear a
Bardic Cloak."

I laughed.  "Be awhile, yet.  Custom says you can't wear one until you
make Journeyman."

"I know.  So what's the second biggest surprise, if it isn't the
weddings?"

"Vix is going to announce that our school will be getting a bunch of
Rabelaisian students."

"How big is 'a bunch'?"

"Several hundred, this time.  They'll start classes next semester.
Next year, there will be more, along with a group of Rabelaisian
teachers who have been certified under Terran law."

He was silent so long I turned so I could watch him, and finally he
nodded.  "I feel slow.  I should have realized there was more to Mrs.
Ross getting Rabelaisian certification, than because she's going to be
traveling on Rabelaisia, instead of teaching here, next year."

"Vix asked, and she agreed to be the faculty advisor for the new kids
this semester, and after they get back from their tour.  However, we
didn't escape.  I've already agreed to go to work for the school, part
time, as one of her 'peer group advisors'."

He studied me, then nodded.  "I think I can predict the future.  You
want me to be one of the others?  I was wondering what we'd be doing
for regular jobs, after we graduate."

I smiled and hugged him.  "You're in?"

"Yeah.  Sounds...  Hmmm...  I just realized what I want my alternate
form to be.  Anthrofox.  Only thing that makes sense, because I know
that things are going to get chaotic a lot of the time, right?"

I giggled.  "Oh!  Lord!  That means I should be a vixen.  I thought I
was teasing her when I hit Vix with that bit about learning to be a
Rabelaisian vixen."

He laughed and hugged back, then kissed me before he pulled away.
"Traditional markings and not that...  Stuff you joke about?"

"Of course.  Admitting this isn't part of what's planned for the day,
but since everything is going to be in the open, finally, I can let
you know that after that first assembly we did, Vix called me her
'Spiritual Daughter'.  She's never done that to anyone, ever.  I
managed to score on her for the shock, by dead panning her with that
oddly marked anthrovixen as a possible alternate form."

"So now it's a running joke between the two of you?  You sure she's
never called anyone her Spiritual Daughter?."

"Right, and I'm sure.  None of her own kits earned that title, either,
even though a few of them became Bards."

"Umm...  Is that Spiritual stuff like what they did when they passed
that harmonica on to me?"

"Yes."

"Wow.  I'm awake enough to feel hungry, so tell me the biggest
surprise."

"There's a reason we've been practicing making those squares and
linking the power between us while we stand at the corners.  One of
the first things we'll be doing is clearing the basketball court and
making a barrier around the outside of it.  Those students are going
to use our links to guide them while they place shift in, with all the
stuff they need to do a traditional Rabelaisian wedding."

"You're grinning about something."

"Of course I am.  The traditional Rabelaisian wedding isn't for us."

"Oh!  You're kidding!"

"Not a bit.  Vix is going to ask Libby to show off her flying unicorn,
and have her hover over one end of the court, as a suitable greeting
for the arriving shape shifters.  One of them will be..."

He groaned, then chortled.  "A flying unicorn stallion."

"Yep.  He's also a Journeyman Mage.  Bards and Mages, when life-mated,
are one of the most respected combinations of power handlers on
Rabelaisia.  More respected than Life mated Bards, or life mated
Mages, most of the time."

"I bet.  Umm...  Do you think he'll be able to trigger her innate
controls?"

I gazed out the window for awhile, then sighed and nodded.  "Sorry
I've had to keep quiet about it.  One of the oddities of the life-mate
link on Earth, is that it acts to equalize what the people can do.  It
takes time and practice, but eventually, you have the potential to do
everything the other person can do.  It's as if...  The Zeitgeist is
committed to true equality when power handlers become life-mates.  As
soon as they make the gesture and form the power link, Libby will
never need anyone else to 'turn her on'."

"You're saying that even if I hadn't been able to use power when we
met, once we became life-mates, I would have been able to do
everything?"

I winced.  "If we'd become life-mates, yes.  However, if you hadn't
had the innate controls, we wouldn't have felt linked."

"Oh.  Makes sense.  Can't imagine being with anyone else, now."

"I can't, either.  It's more of that Zeitgeist stuff.  We're supposed
to be together, so we are.  You get used to it, eventually."

"I don't have to learn to enjoy it, do I?"

I laughed and took his hand.  "No.  Most of the time, it's ok, but
sometimes it gets...  Irritating when you realize you're caught in the
middle and you don't have a clue about what's really going on."

I couldn't stop my grin.  "Someday you'll have to catch Tom when he's
in the mood to ramble, and get him to tell you about some of the
tantrums he and Kay have used to vent their frustration with the
Zeitgeist."

"I can relate to that already.  Hasn't been easy to put up with you
keeping secrets, but it helps to know you'll have to put up with the
same from me, and there's nothing we can do about it."

"Yeah.  I'll drop the shield.  Let's go get something to eat before we
get dressed and you put all my show gear on me before we load up and
go pick up Julie and Mark."

Connie decided to speak up.  "It's a good thing everyone agreed to a
delayed feed from your bedroom."

I laughed.  "It helps that we're old news, too.  It's going to be
interesting when Roberta shows up with Merlin and Kay."

She laughed.  "I can imagine.  Your comment about my losing focus
makes sense, now.  Thanks for the warning."

"You're welcome.  Vix told me Frank is having the time of his life.
He'll be arriving with the crew that's covering the kids while they
get ready, then shift in."

She smiled.  "Sounds like his life turned out pretty well, for a
failure."

It was Ted who answered her.  "It's a guy thing.  Sometimes we have to
be forced to back up so we can go forward."

She laughed.  "Any experience of your own, yet?"

"Of course.  I thought moving here was about the biggest mistake we
could have made.  We gave up a lot,  just because mom and dad had this
vision of chucking it all and trying to do better.  All I saw was that
we sold everything, including the ancestral home, so they could chase
a dream, while Julie and I paid for it with the loss of everyone and
everything we knew."

Connie nodded soberly.  "I guess I can relate to that, a little.  When
Marie sentenced me, I felt like the world's biggest idiot, for getting
caught like that.  I was being demoted to being a gofer, for a bunch
of wet behind the ears wanna be reporters and camera handlers."

Ted smiled.  "I think the price I paid to learn who I am, and meet my
wife, was cheap, now.  What about you?"

Connie looked at me and then nodded before she faced Ted.  "I found
out I'm a teacher, and I've been given the chance to work with some
young adults who will someday be amongst the best crews on two worlds.
But, that's not the most important thing I gained from what happened.
Thanks to Marie, you, and everyone else involved in all this crazy
stuff, for the first time in years, I can feel proud of who I am when
I look in the mirror after I get up."

She lost herself in some thoughts of her own for a minute or so, then
she came out of it and turned to me.  "Sometimes, just before I fall
asleep, I feel guilty for receiving so much, at such a bargain price."

I nodded my head.  "Of course it was a token payment.  Some things
can't have a value put on them, so it's best  that a low value be
charged, so the buyer feels like they got the best of the deal."

She laughed.  "You sound like a Yankee Trader who knows she got the
best of the deal."

"I locked you into a lifetime payment plan, to be yourself, which is
something you could have done without me, if you really wanted to."

"An interesting perspective.  We both feel like we got the better of
the deal."

I laughed.  "Well, you know how to opt out.  In the meantime, you'll
be working your butt off."

She straightened suddenly.  "You...  Damnit!  You did it to me again!"

"Did what?"

"Another Bard's Lesson!"

"Not this time, unless you remembered I'm always teaching, and you
decided to pay attention.  There's nothing special about wanting
people to be the best people they can be."

"Nothing special?  You don't think it's special that you never stop
expecting it, from everyone you meet?"

I sighed.  "Connie, I'm my parent's daughter.  I was raised to live
that way.  All becoming a Bard has done, is reinforce that attitude so
I can keep doing it when it all...  Caves in on me, which it will
certainly do at some point.  Oh, and I've learned a few skills to make
it easier for me to give my lessons."

She stared at me for a few seconds, then sighed.  "I'm sure we'll
revisit this a lot over the years, but now, I'd better return to my
own job and let you two get ready for the day.  Never keep a man
hungry for longer than you have to."

I laughed.  "Good point.  Or keep a woman out of the bathroom first
thing n the morning.  Let's go, Ted.  You can go first, but don't
dawdle."

* * *

Libby was watching us suspiciously when we settled at the table.  "Was
there a good reason for that zone of whatever it was you did?  First
time I've seen your room vanish."

I grinned at her.  "Something new that Vix taught me.  Ted and Connie
needed to know more about what's going on, so they don't lose focus
later."

"What about me?"

"Sorry, Little Sister.  Bad case of need to know, and Vix wants you to
find out on your own in a few hours.  Don't worry, you already know
everything you'll need to know today, anyway."

"I have the feeling I've been scored on."

"Nope!  Not this time.  Just go with the flow.  Mostly, I'm as
clueless as you are.  I know some of the 'what', but almost none of
the 'how'."

"You're ducking."

"Big time!  Pass the pancakes before Ted and I starve."

She did, then stared at me.  "Is that a wedding gown I see in your
closet?"

"Snoop!  You would have found out anyway, because I'll be wearing it
when we leave.  Going to be a double wedding.  Us, and Mark and Julie,
so I imagine there's a special outfit for you, either in your closet,
or in the RV."

She closed her eyes, scanned with her head, then sighed.  "Nothing,
anywhere, except for some ribbons and bows that match my hair color
when I'm a Golden.  Guess I'll be a bitch when the time happens. Seems
a bit strange that Vix would leave that to the last minute..."

She glared at me.  "So that's what it was all about.  You've known,
and you had to wait until the last minute before you could admit you
knew what was going on."

"I told you, Vix only told me part of it, and that was in general,
with no details."

She sighed.  "Go back to eating.  I know things won't start until we
get there, but I want to get this over with so I can focus on those
holiday shows.  That first one has me thinking someone spent too much
time around Spartacus and Gloria, before they wrote my part."

I paused in my eating.  "Wait a minute.  You've seen them already?"

"Envelopes on my pillow when I went to bed last night."

I sighed and looked at everyone else.  "Anyone else get a special
delivery that Ted and I didn't?"

Dad spoke up.  "We did.  Musical scores.  Ty and Micky called to let
us know they got them, too.  Haven't heard anything from Mark and
Julie, so we've assumed they haven't seen anything, yet."

I looked at the ceiling and mumbled softly.  "Vixen!  I'll find a way,
someday..."

I glanced at Connie, then Ted.  "Like I was saying earlier,
'irritating'.  I'm going to eat, then go to the garage so we can load
me up for the morning.  After that we can come back in and put on the
other stuff."

Dad laughed.  "I've already loaded the portable hoist and your regular
tack."

"Thanks, Dad.  Hopefully, I'll be able to spend most of my time as a
human."

"Maybe, after the main stuff is over, you can beg off so you can go
change into something less formal."

"MIght be a few hours.  I can tell Vix is in one of her moods, so I'm
not counting on anything except things being semi organized chaos,
from my point of view.  At least I'm not responsible for it, this
time."

Mom laughed.  "She does seem to enjoy things the most, when they
are...  Freely structured, doesn't she?"

I studied her thoughtfully.  "Some of that time away from time,
talking?"

"Some.  Mostly, it's based on watching her apprentice.  You two are
well matched, aren't you?"

I gulped and knew I blushed.  "Yeah.  We are.  The way she works with
me, would never work with Liberty, so we agreed that Libby would never
have to live under the pressure of being a 'real apprentice', once it
was obvious she was going to someday be a Bard."

Libby gasped, then turned on mom and dad.  "Did either of you know
about that?!"

Dad sighed.  "No.  We were just as shocked as you were, when we found
out she made you a Journeywoman.  It makes too much sense, after the
fact."

"Huh.  All that 'I gotta be a better Marie than Marie is', bit me real
good, didn't it?  Well, I'm not going to complain about it unless I go
too long without a serious boyfriend.  I'm not going to be greedy and
demand a life-mate yet, because I know I got a lot to learn before I
decide to domesticate a man of my own."

I laughed.  "Maybe you'll get lucky, like I did, and get one that's
already housebroken."

She giggled.  "Sorry, Ted, but you're too...  Well, not right for me.
Guy I settle with is going to need to be a lot more adventurous than
you are."

He laughed.  "No problem.  Although, maybe that will change, once I
learn how to shape shift into what I want to be."

"Yeah?  Any ideas about that?"

"Just figured it out this morning.  Only one form that's right when it
comes to living with Marie and her tendency to create seeming chaos
wherever she goes.  Anthrofox to her anthrovixen."

She stared at him, then turned to me.  "Anthrovixen?  You?"

"Can you picture me as anything else, except as a mare?"

"Umm...  Something is going on, and this time I know enough to keep
out of it until it catches up with me.  I don't think you scored on
me, but...  Suddenly, I feel slow compared to you two, and I'm not
sure how you got ahead of me, this time."

I grinned.  "I've spent the last five and a half years chasing Lady
Chrystal.  It's done wonders for my speed."

"I can see that.  Well, you go back to getting ready.  Since I'm not
the main event, and dogs don't need a lot of help getting ready to go
anywhere, JayR, Sam, and I are going to leave early and walk, so we
can talk about what we have planned, *if* Vix will let us do it."

Dad smiled.  "Don't expect any privacy.  Plenty of media crews out
there, waiting to latch on to you.  Perhaps you should see about a
police escort, to keep them at a distance."

She sighed.  "Big Sister?  Keeping a pet crew around all the time is
starting to make sense.  Immunization, or something, isn't it?"

"Or something.  Ted.  Pass me the sausage platter.  As soon as I eat a
second helping, I'll be ready to go get my medallion and head for the
garage."

* * *

Ted was lowering my saddle into place when he stopped it and looked at
it thoughtfully.  "Call me especially slow or something, again.  It's
taken me three weeks to realize that you never needed any help with
this monster.  I know you enjoy all the attention, but there must be
other reasons you prefer to use the hoist."

"There are.  You've seen what happens when I wear it too long.  I get
tired enough I can't focus enough to do more than get it off my back
and on the floor.  Most important reason though, is that it's so heavy
it would take at least four people to get it off safely, so don't you
start thinking you might be able to do it alone, until you're a lot
more experienced at levitating things."

"Yeah.  I already had that part figured out, from shifting it to get
it settled right.  Didn't think about you being so tired you couldn't
focus on all that has to be done.  But, you can do it alone if you had
to, right?"

"Yes, I could.  I can levitate myself, and the saddle is a lot lighter
than I am."

He laughed and finished settling it in place.  "That was what made me
think about you doing it alone.  You and Libby both levitate all the
time, but I've never seen you move anything else, except for formed
energy."

"She's a lot more comfortable with levitation, than I am.  She and
Wolf used to get pretty wild when they played together.  Sometimes I
had to put a barrier in place so they didn't go higher than the fence
when they used power to assist their leaps, or lift whatever it was
they were chasing at the time."

He did the usual tap on my chest, then, after he made a final check to
make sure it was all in place, he came around to give me his usual
head hug.

After he pulled back I noticed he was frowning.

"Something wrong?"

"You said 'they'.  Are you telling me that a dog was able to handle
power, just like...  We can?"

"Blame Mahika for that.  She made it so Wolf could see power by
teaching her to play with an energy ball.  She had to learn how to
make it stay 'caught' when she closed her jaws around it, and she
eventually figured out she could do the same thing with physical
objects."

"Smart dog."

"Yeah.  And remember, she did all that time travel stuff, so there's
no way to tell how old her mind was.  She could have been thousands of
years older, mentally, and we never would have been able to tell,
unless she did something 'odd enough' after she got back."

"Like that levitation stuff?"

"Yes."

"Weird.  You're ready.  I'll assume we should leave the saddlebags off
this time?"

"Definitely.  This will be formal stuff and I can't afford to look
like I'm a dray mare who wandered in."

He laughed.  "I'll pack them and haul them to the RV while you go back
to being a girl, and start getting dressed."

I shifted back and grinned.  "Thanks.  I'll go grab mom so she can
help me get it all right.  That gown looked absolutely Victorian, and
I know I don't know anything about how to get it settled right."

"Not Victorian.  Rabelaisian."

I flinched.  "Good morning, Lady Chrystal.  Any other surprises?"

"No whalebone corset."

Ted looked at us, then sighed.  "I hear a strong hint that I need to
get busy, then come back and get dressed, while I do my best to ignore
you two."

She giggled.  "Feel free to join in.  Your clothing is based on
Rabelaisian formal wear.  We don't use codpieces.  Silly custom, when
most everyone at the wedding will be able to look and see the reality
underneath."

He froze, then laughed.  "Which means the men can check out the women,
too.  There's no way they can hide their real breast size, is there?"

"There are zones of vision, but the fact something is being concealed,
can't be disguised."

She gestured at her gown.  "In a practical sense, tight concealment
aggravates friction, which makes most forms of breast enhancement too
uncomfortable to wear.  It also..."  She shrugged with her ears. "Most
females on Rabelaisia take pride in who they are, and unless the
weather forces them into clothing of some sort, they display their
bodies with the pride they deserve, as do the males."

He frowned.  "Nudity is normal?  Oh!  Duh!  Cloaks and special robes
for the men, and gowns and dresses for the women, when they aren't
wearing harnesses, right?"

She laughed.  "Right.  We've an early enough start, let's not waste it
and wind up being late."

He nodded.  "Yeah.  I'll try to keep my curiosity under control until
a more appropriate time."

"Thank you, Theodore.  Marie.  Bedroom."

She shifted slightly and Ted gasped.  "Wow!  That gown..."

She laughed again.  "Thanks.  It took Tom hours to get it right, last
winter.  Marie couldn't afford to be away long enough to be fitted, so
he created something for her, that is traditional, instead of being...
Brazenly alluring."

"Umm...  Yeah.  What you said.  Think he can make one for Marie, to
wear when she's being a vixen?"

"So you can show her off at those formal gatherings you hate?"

"Yeah."

"I'll mention it to him."

"Thanks.  I'll get the saddlebags packed and loaded, then be back."

We left, and after we got to my room, Vix took the gown out so she
could look it over.  "Elegant.  This looks like a slightly modified
version of the formal gown I wore when Alex and I had to go to palace
balls."

"Modified?"

"You have only two breasts, and they aren't in the same location as
any of mine, Dear.  Plus, you're a lot shorter than I am.  He used
Sandra because she's more comfortable with using different bodies, so
it was easier for her to match yours while he worked."

"Umm...  About that..."  

I created a zone of silence and she turned to study me thoughtfully.
"Privacy, when we could have used telepathy?"

"This is too personal.  I'd rather not take any chances."

"What about your agreement to be filmed all the time?"

I turned away from the camera.  "I never agreed to let them see my
mouth all the time."

"Sounds serious."

"I probably don't *need* to know for certain, but...  It's about
Sandra.  I don't know how she did it, and it doesn't matter, I guess.
I'm pretty certain she's Wolf.  When she becomes a bitch, she's really
changing back to her natural shape, isn't she?"

"Yes.  We've been wondering if any of you would figure it out."

"Sounds like I shouldn't mention this to anyone."

"True.  Let them figure it out on their own."

"Ok.  Tell her...  Tell her we miss her."

"She knows, and misses all of you.  But, all of you have your own
lives to live, and she couldn't continue to live past her normal
lifespan, and stay in her true body."

"I had that much figured out.  I suppose she had good reasons for not
coming back later as a different bitch, but I have to be honest when I
say a real dog or bitch living here would really screw up our lives,
and theirs, now."

She put the gown on the bed.  "We will discuss this later.  Everything
in its own time, and right now, it is time for you to get ready."

I sighed and released the zone.  "Yeah.  I don't want to be late for
the wedding."

She laughed.  "That's the reason there's no set time for it.  All
events are linked."

I laughed and started putting things on after she handed them to me.
"Seems strange, that I'm not nervous.  Now I understand that stuff
about brides never being nervous on their wedding day.  Decisions have
been made, and all that."

She perked her ears in my direction.  "How do you feel about being
destined to write a chapter in the Great Book, instead of adding a
footnote?"

"Scared, but serene at the same time."

She smiled and held up the gown.  "This was designed to help that
serenity compensate for the fright.  At least the people who don't
have good noses will find it easier to believe you're just an
unusually mature teenager.  Those who have good noses will know
better, but be polite enough to not say anything about the hidden
reality."

I let her help me with it, and after I was done, Ted moved to stand
next to me so we could study our reflections.  "This is weird, you
two.  Even when she does that special stuff, Lady Chrystal just makes
us look like we are the ones who are most important, and not her.  Is
it going to be like that for Mark and Julie, when we're all in the
same place?  And what about Libby?"

Lady Chrystal touched each of us on our shoulders while she stood
behind us.  "Tom said that Mark and Julie will appear to be another
couple, and as important as the two of you, while keeping their
independence.  As for Liberty, she, too, will walk in her own space,
and people will see her as being just as special as the rest of you,
in spite of how 'tastefully ordinary' her outfit is."

I giggled.  "She's more...  'Girl next door' than I'll ever be.  I'm
not jealous, though.  It's harder to be ordinary, than it is to be
special."

Connie shifted and I glanced at her.  "Lots of people who are willing
to help a person be special, because it's so easy to do.  Takes a
Bard, or someone similar, to help people be ordinary.  Not many people
survive the full course to become a Master.  Most folks are content to
be Journeywomen and Journeymen."

She thought about it, then nodded slightly.  "Another interesting
perspective.  Roberta's going to be very upset, that she wasn't around
to follow up on it as soon as you mentioned it."

I grinned.  "I bet she's already figured out that being the 'Champion
of Light' is a fancy way of saying the same thing.  She's being
extraordinary, so others can focus on getting on with their lives, out
of the spotlights."

I refocused.  "Are we ready?"

Vix looked us both over, and smiled.  "I've done my best to make sure
you are.  Let's go find out if the rest of the world is really ready
for *you*."

I laughed.  "Us, Lady Chrystal, who is Rabelaisia's Chosen Avatar on
Earth.  You're as much a part of our future as we are."

* * *

Mark and Julie were waiting for us when we pulled up, and Ted and I
were laughing when they got in.

Ted studied Mark and grinned.  "Good thing Marie's never seen you
dressed up like that.  If she had, she might have ignored the links
and gone for you, instead.  You look good."

Mark nodded.  "You look pretty good, yourself."

He turned and held out his hand to me.  "Only one word fits, Marie.
'Beautiful'."

I held his hand briefly, then let go.  "Thanks, Mark.  I feel pretty
plain after seeing Julie."

I smiled at her.  "You're gorgeous, Julie.  That jewelry looks like
it's all family heirlooms."

She nodded slightly.  "It is.  The women in our family have
traditionally worn it at their weddings for hundreds of years.  Mom
was ecstatic when Tom and Sandra came by this morning to give us these
clothes and help us get dressed.  She thought there wouldn't be a
ceremony, so she went into a frenzy and gathered all of it up so I
could wear ALL of it, after she found out what was going to happen,
and Tom offered to do any repairs that were needed.  For the first
time in several generations, someone is getting to wear it all at the
same time, instead of the broken items being put on display."

Lady Chrystal held a paw slightly away from the locket, then smiled.
"That sly old dog.  The repairs were needed, but like usual, he did
something more.  Each item has an anti-theft spell embedded in it,
now.  Nobody can remove anything without your unforced consent."

Julie looked down, then smiled.  "He did say something about us not
having to worry about people getting close so they could steal stuff.
We assumed he was talking about the three of them being there as
wolves so they could act like bodyguards."

I laughed again.  "I'm sure somebody will try something, eventually,
but the gym is going to be full of power handlers, so I'm betting that
for a global event, this one is going to be extremely civilized."

I looked around, then sighed.  "This thing is getting crowded, and I'm
afraid to sit down while wearing this gown.  Lady Chrystal?"  Some
sort of restraining field?"

She nodded.  "Already in place.  John?  Whenever you're ready."

Dad got us moving, and Mark looked out the window and laughed.  "Quite
an escort.  The embassy paying for the police coverage?"

Lady Chrystal giggled.  "Not this time.  Marie and Liberty are paying
for it later.  They agreed to do as many 'parlour tricks' as they
needed to, at a Christmas charity auction, until enough is earned to
cover the expenses.  If there's enough interest, they'll donate 75
percent of the rest to a policeman's fund."

I blushed.  "Sam's idea, not mine or Libby's.  He bet us that a couple
of those unicorns like I made for Roberta, would probably sell for
enough to cover all the expenses, if we included a video of us
creating them."

Julie studied me thoughtfully.  "What happens later?"

"If Libby and I win, he and JayR get rides as knights on noble steeds,
about to do battle.  If we lose, they get rides on flying unicorns, as
Wizards going into battle."

Mark laughed.  "Sounds like he's seen the scripts for the New Year's
show.  Tom was describing the shows to us while they helped us get
dressed. The winner for New Year's is about a couple of Wizards
battling an evil sorceress.  Only thing that bothers me is that we'll
need three flying unicorns, and we only have two available on short
notice."

I sighed, then turned my head slightly.  "Anything to say for
yourself, *Vixen*?"

"I needed help deciding which ones to pick. Your brothers were handy,
and they know what all of you are capable of doing.  Before you think
they got off lightly, part of the deal was that they had to read
everything submitted, completely."

I shivered.  "Never mind.  Better them, than me.  Is it safe to assume
that the rest of us will get to see things after today's chaos is
over?"

"Yes."

"Good!  One other detail, the third unicorn."

"It will be there."

"Umm...  That's good to know.  You'll pass that on to Terry and
Debbie, so they can start figuring out what props we'll need?"

"That was Mahika's job, this morning, while she helped them dress
appropriately."

"Glad organizing all this is your problem, and not mine."

She surprised me with a deadpan response.  "Now you know the main
reason Bards enjoy listening to, and playing, Terran Jazz.  Creating
organized chaos is what we do best."

Mom giggled into the sudden silence.  "You two are a pair of bookends,
and the rest of us are the books."

I groaned.  "Thanks for your vote of confidence, Mom.  After all this,
this bookend is ready to get off the shelf and have some fun.  I was
never meant to be standing still for very long, and I've known that
for years.  Someone told me a long time ago, that sitting on the couch
and playing video games wasn't good for me, and I made the mistake of
listening to her."

Mom groaned.  "Thank-you-very-much!  A major player called a few days
ago, and offered us absurdly large amounts of money, including
royalties, if Mark and the rest of us would agree to license a version
of that fantasy journey he did for Debbie and Terry, to them, and do
the voice work for it."

I giggled before anyone else could react.  "Did you sic Sam on them?"

"They thought I was crazy at first.  By the time he was finished with
them, they'd quadrupled their initial offer, and he left them hanging
with 'We'll think about it.  We might get a better offer, or create
our own company.  Let you know after the first of the year.  We're too
busy to think about it right now'."

Mark looked stunned.  "A video game based on that...  Improvisation?"

"Yes.  Sam hooked them with the possibility of a long term contract
that gives them exclusive rights to anything we come up with, for the
duration of the contract.  He was enjoying himself, and I think he
went too far, but it's done, now.  He offered to see if he could get
the Rabelaisian Bards to cooperate and create am adventure series
called 'Bard's Journeys', then base them on the real life adventures
of Rabelaisian Bards.  I think he dazzled then with that vision,
because they agreed to let him try to become the agent Rabelaisian
Bards negotiate through, for the right to turn their stories into
authorized video game adventures."

Lady Chrystal's jaw had gone slack by the time Mom finished, and when
she realized it, she closed it and spoke softly.  "Any other visions I
should know about?"

This time Dad answered her thoughtfully.  "We've been talking about
that, because game consoles are a fact of life on Earth.  This might
be a good way to introduce them on Rabelaisia.  These people have an
educational line in addition to all types of games, from ones for
kids, to stuff for adults only.  Sam didn't think about that angle. If
he had, I bet he would have really taken them to the cleaners and had
them begging us to sign something, even if it was a letter of intent."

"Visions, indeed.  A heritage previously only available to those who
could read the memories contained in what they handle, brought to life
so anyone may see it, and participate in it.  One of our problems has
always been that we do not know how to place a Terran value on what we
do.  Our cultures are too different for our system to work here."

Mom turned to study Lady Chrystal, then she smiled with obvious
relief.  "Sam didn't overstep?"

Lady Chrystal laughed, and it was the deep kind that said she was
getting rid of some stress.  "I suspect he didn't step far enough.
After the first of the year, he and I will take the time to do enough
research together so he can negotiate fair prices for the ongoing, and
exclusive access, to any Bards who want to help, here...  Or on
Rabelaisia when they open up *that* market for their game consoles."

Dad nodded slightly.  "What if some Bards want to go to other
companies?"

"They will always have that option, unless they agree to work with
this company.  Sam will probably find he has created a career for
himself that will keep him busy for the rest of his life."

Dad laughed.  "That sort of thing seems to run in the family.  Once
John Junior figures out what he wants to do with his life, Martha and
I will be able to pat ourselves on the backs for jobs well done, then
hold the door open to let our dreamers fly free."

He set the parking brake and shut things down.  "And now, we are here.
While Martha and I take what we need and find our places, you folks
can figure out how you're going to negotiate your way through what's
out there, and still join us on time."

Lady Chrystal gestured after we all got out.  "The problem was
anticipated, and the game of distractions begins.  There, and..."  She
pointed in the opposite direction, and upwards.  "There."

We looked, and most of us started laughing.  Libby was in her bitch
form and strutting proudly while she led three wolves and two Irish
Wolfhounds towards us.

When we remembered to look skyward, we saw a white unicorn flying our
way.  It had three riders, and it was being paced by a blimp that left
no doubt as to who they were escorting.  The scrolling message
announced that the 'Champion of Light' was making a special
appearance, and was accompanied by her two advisors.

I laughed some more, then turned to Connie.  "Focus, Connie."

"Oh, I am.  Live coverage of you acting like all this is no big deal?
If my career hadn't already taken off like a runaway rocket, this
would certainly do it."

She lifted her head and looked at the rest of the crew, who had
appeared out of the crowd that had greeted our arrival..  "Like we
planned, folks.  We all know who we're responsible for, so focus on
your targets.   Don't worry about anyone, or anything, else, because
there are enough crews here to cover everything that we miss, if none
of us happen to get it in the background.  Don't worry about getting
caught on someone else's camera.  As long as you don't block one of
our own or get in the way of our people, do what you have to do to
maintain coverage.  Be firm, and be polite.  We're in the spotlights
as much as Marie and her people are, so...  Be sharp, and do us all
proud!

"Kevin?  You're the roving camera, just like we talked about, so you'd
better be the only one shooting and interviewing whoever interests
him.  Human interest is your job, this time."

He looked around briefly, then nodded.  "I think that's an easy
choice.  I'd never hear the last of it if I missed a chance to
interview Roberta during her first official appearance at our school
as 'The Champion of Light'.  My only problem will be getting to her."

"You're the man on the scene with a camera, and you're part of this
year's documentary staff.  Unless someone warned the others she'd be
here, get in there and welcome her back, then offer to be her guide
until someone else shows up to take your place."

"Got it!  See you inside, eventually."

"Right."

She looked down at Libby, who was grinning at her.  "Well?  You our
escorts?"

"Yep!"

Libby looked around, then spoke loudly.  "Tom!  You're point.  Mahika
and Sandra, lead flankers with Becky and Cathy behind you.  I'll be
last so I can nip heels to keep them moving."

She looked at all of us and bobbed her head.  "Clump up, and let's get
moving."

I was laughing when I nodded, then Ted and I moved to stand between
Mahika and Sandra.  "Hello, Ladies.  Good to see you again."

I looked at Sandra.  "Nice to have a Wolf looking after me, again.
Thanks."

Sandra twitched an ear in my direction to let me know she'd understood
the hidden message.  "Tom pointed out that people still have an
unrealistic fear of wolves, even domesticated ones, which we aren't.
Anyway. It would be foolish to avoid using such an advantage, when we
know we'll need all of them we can get, today."

"Let's move it, folks!"

Mahika sneezed.  "Libby can be a pushy bitch.  She's right, though. We
need to get moving."

Tom stepped and the rest of us followed him.

It was another one of those Red Sea things, and even the reporters
gave way and worked along the sides of our path without trying to do
more than film us.

I watched Connie, who was walking backwards.  "Now, I understand why
you have two mirrors attached to your head.  One to see where you're
going, and the other must be to watch Tom so you don't trip over him."

She spoke a little distractedly.  "When you don't have enough people
so someone can guide you, simple solutions are the best.  This setup
passes airport security without a lot of hassles, because it's not
electronic, or something on their watch list."

I smiled.  "And you're used to it."

"There is that."

"Only one more question.  Seems like putting a mirror on the camera so
you can face forward, then point it over your shoulder, would work,
and be safer."

"Piss on safer.  My job is to focus on whoever I'm filming.  If I was
facing forward, I'd be more likely to lose my focus, or shift the
camera until you're out of frame."

"Ah.  I'll remember that bit of professional pride, the next time I
have to discipline some of your colleagues.  Thanks.for explaining a
little of your stage magic, Connie.  Now, watch it.  We have some
poles to get past before you're going to have to shift so you're at my
side or behind me while we ..  Never mind.  I think someone is here to
be your guide."

I grinned at the girl who had moved to walk at Connie's side and be
her guide.  "Hello, Mary.  Guide girl today?"

"Sorry I'm late.  Libby took these folks out to meet you while I was
in the bathroom."

"Don't worry about it.  It's obvious that such a problem was
anticipated.  I assume you know where we're supposed to wind up?"

"Of course.  Center stage, then it's up to the Ambassador."

"Thanks."

* * *

As we stepped through the main doors, we entered a fantasyland.  What
got my attention first was the four Druids who raised their arms and
created two arches of power for us to walk under.

When they started chanting, I froze and grabbed Ted's arm to halt him.
"That's *impossible*!"

"Ow!  Can't be.  They're doing it, and it's obvious the crowd sees it,
too."

"You...  Oh.  I wasn't talking about those arches.  I'm talking about
the Druids!  They're my grandparents!  They've never been able to..."

I ran down and spun to glare at Lady Chrystal.

She shook her head.  "Not I.  That gift is from The Blacksmith of the
Gods, and Father of All Druids."

"You...  You..."

She perked her ears at me.  "I trained you better than that, Young
Lady.  Mind your manners."

"I'll manner you!  Someday..."

I gave up and glared at the wolf in front of us before I knelt and
hugged him.  "You have been a very, very bad wolf, and I love you for
it, Tom.  Thank you."

"You're welcome.  You're also holding up your wedding.  Merlin asked
us to find him some modern day Druids who knew the old ways and could
handle power.  We couldn't find any, so we decided to make do with the
best material we could find."

I sighed and put my face in his fur to hide my tears.  "Thank you for
having the courage to confront a problem I knew I couldn't solve.  How
long...  How long will they be real Druids?"

"Three days, twice a year, centered on the Solstices.  Their controls
need a great deal of power to be triggered."

I kissed his forehead, then stood and arranged my gown properly before
I touched Ted again.  "Stay here until I summon you.  There's
something I have to do."

"Can I help?"

"Not this time.  This is...  A family thing."

"Oh?"

"A greeting ritual we've been doing since I was old enough to walk."

"Ok.  Say when."

"Thanks."

I faced the archway, took a deep breath, then lifted my head and
walked forward until I was at their center.

Then I lifted my arms and let a white glow surround me before I made
it enclose all of us.

"Your High Priestess greets you, My Druids.  You have summoned, I have
answered.  What is your will?"

They lowered their right arms and pulled their hoods back to reveal
their heads.

As one, they spoke sternly.  "Your happiness, Granddaughter."

I laughed.  "Oh, you dear, dear people.  I have so much happiness that
it takes two worlds to contain all of it, for I have met, and bonded
with, my life mate, according to the old ways."

I held out my right hand.  "Come and meet the rest of my family,
Theodore."

He looked at Lady Chrystal and she smiled.  "It is an old game, and
Marie has always longed to give the proper answer to their desires.
Go."

He nodded, then grinned and held up his hands before he let the power
flow from his fingertips to mine.  "Of course, Life Mate."

Then he shocked me when he made the power flare outward from *my*
fingertips in four rainbows that touched each of my grandparents while
he moved to stand beside me.  "I greet my new grandparents, and hope
that someday, they will meet their counterparts."

They looked at each other, then at us.  "We find him a suitable
consort, High Priestess.  Now, go, and return to your own path.  We
will delay you no longer."

They put their hoods back up and began chanting again.

I nodded my thanks, then linked my arm with Ted's.  "You can explain
that rainbow bit later.  I think Libby missed the mark when she said
you weren't adventurous enough."

He chuckled.  "It was easy.  All I did was pretend your fingertips
were mirrors, then I used those mirrors to reflect the same rainbow in
four directions."

"Easy, he says.  Right.  Well, time for us to take the stage and await
our fates."

"As long as we're together, Love.  That's all I ask."

"Done!"

When we got to the stage, I realized there were more musicians and
vocalists than usual.  I didn't recognize any of the newcomers,
either, so I turned to Ted.  "You know any of those extras?"

He glanced over his shoulder at Vix, then sighed.  "We've been set up,
again.  I haven't seen any of them since our last full clan gathering.
I bet the kids are here somewhere, too.  See the grey haired old man
my dad is standing next to?"

"Yes.  Should I know him?"

"Probably not.  He's the one who gave me that mouth organ.  I'm good,
but he's world class good."

He squeezed my hand lightly.  "My turn to do a special greeting.  I
hope Lady Chrystal allowed for this..."

She spoke quietly.  "We did."

"Thank you, Mistress."

He took out his new mouth organ, then stepped over until he was in
front of the old man and held it up.  "When the time comes, Uncle
Nathan, there will be two mouth organs passed on, and I hope the
person who receives them does us proud."

"A pretty toy, Nephew.  Does it work as good as it looks?"

Ted lifted it to his lips.  Before he played, he smiled dreamily. "You
tell me."

I think most of the world was stunned silent when he launched into
'Flight of the Bumblebee.'

After he finished he lowered it and offered it to his uncle,
respectfully.  "A gift, Uncle.  Thank you for believing  in me."

Nathan studied it, then reached and gingerly took it.  He examined it
carefully, then handed it back.  "No thank you, Nephew.  You have The
Gift.  All I have is skill, and I could never give that Lady the
attention she deserves, like you can.  Keep her, and when you know
it's time, make sure another person with The Gift takes over, even if
it isn't a clan member."

They studied each other in silence for a long time, then Ted nodded.
"I have some thoughts about that, Uncle.  Don't roll too many times in
your grave when I make that person a Rabelaisian."

Nathan slapped his leg and laughed.  "You always were independent,
lad.  The Gift, is The Gift.  When the time comes, you'll know, and
the shape of the new player won't matter."

"Thanks for understanding, Uncle."

"Welcome.  Now, get back to gettin' hitched, so the women can pretend
their voices are as good as your wife's, before they show off the new
dance dresses the Ambassador had created for them."

I glanced sideways  "Created?"

"Hyperbole, Dear.  We have traditional wear for major clan gatherings,
so I loaned Ted's clan some Mages who had instructions to see what
they could come up with.  Before you ask me, I didn't see the results
until after we arrived."

"I was right.  Semi-organized chaos."

She grinned back.  "Happens a lot, when you're dealing with people who
understand the responsibilities of true freedom."

"Score.  If Ted's done, let's move on so we can all relax and quit
being...  Absurdly garbed clothes horses."

Ted laughed.  "Don't give her more ideas.  She might decide that a
certain cowboy should marry his mare."

I glared at him, then lost control and giggled.  "I don't think Terran
law is ready for shape shifters who get married, yet."

"Yeah."

He put his mouth organ away and we joined hands.  I looked around,
smiled at everyone, then turned and spoke somewhat forcefully to Lady
Chrystal.  "Your turn to have some *real* fun, Ambassador.  I hope the
rest of the world survives what I'm already used to!"

She laughed, then raised her voice.  "Places, everyone!  Merlin!  Kay!
You're on!"

This time my grandparents made their arch so it was over the steps
that allowed people on the stage, and kept silent.

Merlin was wearing his most formal robe, one that was a black so
intense it was purple appearing, and it had only a few symbols on it,
and those seemed to glow with a pale luminescence that appeared to be
captured moonlight.

Knowing him as well as I did, I wouldn't have been surprised if that
was exactly what he'd done, captured the light from the moon, and
woven it into his robe.

Kay, in a manner that shouted how serious she considered this event,
had, for the first time since I'd met her, put on a flowing gown that
was white, except for the golden threads that  trimmed its edges, and
were woven so they drew attention to her breasts and pubic area.

The two of them linked their arms, and slowly walked under the arch
and onto the stage.

When they were where they wanted to be, they separated slightly, with
Merlin a few feet to her left.  Kay pointed imperiously.  "Marie.
Theodore.  In front of me, and facing each other.  Mark and Julie. You
will face each other, while you stand in front of Merlin."

We positioned ourselves, and she nodded slightly.  "Good.  However, a
certain symmetry is lacking, that needs fixing."

She raised her voice slightly.  "Liberty-Anne!  To me, now, as
yourself..  You will stand on my right, as Merlin stands on my left."

Liberty positioned herself, and was obviously puzzled, but she
remained silent.

Kay smiled at her, then turned to face the crowd.  "The primary focus
of this ceremony is the formal bonding of Marie, Theodore, Julie, and
Mark, by the use of a Terran ceremony.  Today is Winter Solstice, and
as many who understand power know, balance in all things is important
on this day.  With that need in mind, I wish to add a third couple.
Tom.  Lady Chrystal.  Please stand facing each other, and in front of
Liberty-Anne."

I glanced at Lady Chrystal, who seemed to be frozen in place.
"Ambassador!  Don't embarrass me in front of all these people!"

She flinched, then slowly closed her slack jaw.  After that she smiled
and held out her hand to Tom.  "Will you join me, Old Wolf?"

He tipped his head slightly and studied Kay.  "Is the form I use,
important?"

"No."

"I see."

He shimmered, and when the air cleared, a tall young man with long red
hair stood where a wolf had been.  He was wearing a robe that was
green and brown, with the image of Stonehenge worked into its fabric,
over his heart.

He smiled and walked into position, then held out his hand to Lady
Chrystal.  "A fitting thing, that we are finally joined and made one
in the eyes of The Great Purpose."

She finally grinned and nodded.  "Indeed.  I will not seek to find a
suitable gift, that properly thanks Kay for her action."

I managed to keep my sigh of relief in, but I knew anyone watching us
probably saw my wince--and Kay's slight twitch.

Anyway, Kay turned back so she could look the six of us over, then she
smiled a little impishly.  "In essence, the ceremony will be a simple
one, and similar to the one Tom and I used to confirm our commitment
to each other, when I was a young girl.  Each couple will be offered a
tray that has a variety of dips on it.  These dips have varying
flavors, to represent the various types of events you may face
together.  Each of you will coat the bread sticks with the same dip,
starting with the white one, which symbolizes your newness to each
other, and the beginning of new lives as mates.

"After that, you will continue sharing the dips in clockwise order,
until you reach the next to last dip, which is...  tart, but not so
tart it will be completely unbearable.  The tartness symbolizes the
future pain in your shared lives, no matter how it arrives to trouble
you.  The final dip will neutralize the previous tartness, to
represent the manner in which you will use your love for each other to
work past any future problems.  You may share at any speed you wish,
and speak or not, as you choose, each time you offer a dip to your
partner."

She stopped and studied each of us, then spoke gently.  "Any
questions?"

We all remained silent, so she nodded again and then started pointing
at spots in front of us, starting with Tom and lady Chrystal.
"Mahika!"

She suddenly appeared in the indicated spot and she was holding a
silver tray that held a circular arrangement of dips that had some
small bread sticks at their center.

She pointed at a spot in front of Mark and Julie.  "Sandra!"

Sandra appeared and her tray matched Mahika's.

Kay shifted slightly, and I didn't try to hide my groan.  "She's up to
something, Ted.  Brace yourself."

"Umm..."

He was cut off when all the people behind us started playing and
singing Ted's song, 'Freedom's Welcome'.

Kay smiled, then turned to the crowd.  "And now, please welcome the
two who settled their differences and agreed to find a way to jointly
present the Tray of Commitment to Marie, and her Life-Mate, Theodore."

She paused, then she pointed at the spot in front of me and Ted. "Will
The Champion of Light, and her Acolyte, please come forward?"

Roberta was carrying a golden tray, and after she and the girl stopped
where they were supposed to, she handed the tray to the girl, and
smiled a bit lopsidedly.  "Does Lady Kay always manage people's lives
so...  Interestingly?"

"Yes.  Be glad you only have to worry about her, and not Lady
Chrystal, too."

I looked at the girl closely, then raised my eyebrows.  "Hello,
Jessica.  'Surprised to see you', is much too mild a way to say what
I'm feeling.  Will you forgive me for limiting the rest of my reaction
to a very sincere 'Thank You'?"

She glanced over her shoulder, then smiled.  "Yes.  In case you
haven't figured it out, I decided to let Kay and Roberta use me.  They
need me, Marie.  Nobody else can do what I can.  Once I realized that,
I relaxed and...  I guess you know what happened next, right?"

"You felt at peace with the world, for the first time in your life?"

"Yeah.  Addicting, isn't it?"

"Very.  Love to talk more, but we have to let Kay have her fun,
first."

She giggled.  "Us, too."

She raised her voice.  "We're ready, Lady Kay."

Kay laughed.  "So I see.  The six of you may begin, and when each
couple has finished the commitment ritual, the ceremony will be over,
and each pair of you will be as one in the eyes of Terran law, and
Rabelaisian custom."

The band and singers began doing our special version of 'We've Only
Just Begun', and the harmonies created by such a large group had me
smiling at Ted when I took the first bread stick and picked up some of
the dip with it, then offered it to him.

"New beginnings, My Love.  I hope we share a lot more of them."

He ate the offering, then offered some of the dip to me.  "It's a good
thing we aren't doing one of those 'repeat after me' ceremonies.  All
I can see and hear, is you, Marie."

I nodded and carefully ate what he offered, before I spoke softly.
"You first, this time."

He nodded back, then looked at the tray before he grinned and got the
next bread stick ready.  "And it's a coincidence that I get to eat the
'tart' dip, first?"

"Well...  It seemed right, to do it that way.  If you're worried about
it, though, we can eat that one, and the neutralizer, at the same
time."

He held the bread stick so I could eat it.  "Sounds good to me. Shared
at the same time.  Give that shared stuff some meaning, right?"

I swallowed the last bite and smiled.  "Right!"

We worked our way around the tray until the last two dips, then we
deliberately made our offerings at the same time, but with a pause so
we could let our noses tell us what we were going to be eating.

He winced, and I knew I must have, too.  "Good thing we both like
spicy food, isn't, Ted?"

"Yeah.  That stuff smells...  Hot.  All I can do is tell you it isn't
Habanero.  Close, I bet."

"Uh huh.  Let's do it."

We ate, and we were both grinning at the tears we had while we hastily
got the next ones ready and jabbed them at each other.

He managed to find just the right words.  "Like our shared love,
Marie, I offer you this, to let you know that whatever future pain I
may cause, I will always be there to help you recover."

I managed a whisper.  "Thank you, My Husband, and man whom I love with
all my heart.  I, too, will be there, for you."

We ate, and Kay had been right.  Once we swirled the dip in our
mouths, it was if we'd never eaten anything spicy.

I finally took the time to look at Kay, and made my voice loud enough
I knew the crowd would hear me.  "Was that some of your magic, Lady
Kay?"

She shook her head.  "No magic.  Only properly used knowledge."

"Thank you."

I looked at Jessica and Roberta.  "Thank you, both of you.  I'll never
forget what the two of you have done for us."

Jessica smiled.  "You're welcome."

She looked to each side and grinned.  "Looks like everyone else is
done, too."

Kay laughed.  "Yes, they are.  Are you ready for the most important
part, Jessica?"

"Gimmie the microphone!"

Kay held it out and Jessica took it.  "Ok, folks!  Everyone's married,
so after The Senior Ambassador makes her special announcement...

"Let's party!"

The crowd roared its approval of her enthusiasm.

Libby came over and hugged both of us.  "Congrats, you two.  I hope
mine is as memorable."

I laughed.  "Runs in the family, right?  I'm sure it will be, and if
it shows signs of being just another wedding, Ted and I will make sure
it's not.  Ok?"

"Umm...  What if the ambassador decides to help?"

"Then I'll get out of her way, and hug ya when it's over."

"Oh.  Yeah.  Thanks."

She let go and smiled.  "I'd better do the same to Mark and Julie,
before the crowd buries them.  Catch ya in a bit."

I giggled.  "Make it quick, then.  You don't want to make Vix wait
very long to make her announcement."

She studied me.  "More of that 'I have a secret' stuff?"

"Yep."

She turned slightly.  "I'll make it quick, Mistress."

"Thank you, Liberty Anne.  Before the four of them barricade the
center of the gym, I'd appreciate it if you change into your flying
unicorn and hover at one end, about twenty feet up."

Libby stared at her, then sighed a little.  "Mind if I create a small
patch of grass I can stand in?"

"Not a bit.  Whatever you feel comfortable doing."

"And I'll find out what absurd notion of the appropriate has me being
a unicorn and hovering, when you make your announcement?"

Vix laughed at her.  "Of course."

She hugged Mark and Julie while she congratulated them, then moved to
one side and shifted, drawing a few gasps of pleasure from the crowd,
before she walked to one end of the gym.  She paused, then spread her
wings and launched into a run.  Halfway across she stroked downward
powerfully, and leapt into the air.

She seemed oblivious to the fact she was about to hit the wall, and
some people started screaming just before she twisted her head back
and flipped herself backwards before she turned herself rightside up,
and slowly flew back to hover over her starting point.

After she stopped moving she got herself turned so she was facing the
crowd, then bobbed her head and created a patch of grass she could
stand in.  Once she was ready, she closed her wings and arched her
neck proudly.

"Good enough, Mistress?"

"Excellent.  Now, hold that pose while Marie and the others clear the
floor."

I smiled, and spoke softly.  "Ok, just like we've been practicing."

We met in the center and touched our hands together while we made the
links of power.  Once we had the links the way we wanted, all of us
started stepping backwards.

There were a few people wandering in the area but when our lines of
energy touched them, they were gently swept outwards, clearing the
area.

Eventually we had our backs against the walls and I looked up to check
on Libby.  "Looks good, Little Sister.  Move sideways in my direction,
until you're centered between Ted and I."

She shifted her patch of grass until I told her to stop moving, then I
looked at Lady Chrystal.  "We're ready."

She took the microphone from Jessica, then faced the crowd.  "I've
been waiting a long time, to make this announcement.  It's time that
the ordinary people of our worlds get to know each other, instead of
contact always being between the exceptional.  To help that process
along, allow me to introduce the first group of Rabelaisian exchange
students that will be attending your school next semester, then they
will be attending full time, until they graduate."

She grinned.  "Now, Weylyn!"

There was a huge puff of displaced air, and suddenly the cleared area
was full of young Rabelaisians of assorted shapes and sizes, with a
dappled grey flying unicorn hovering over them, opposite Libby.

The crowd gasped, then applauded and cheered, welcoming them.

The two unicorns stared at each other in obvious surprise, then Libby
spoke in a deceptively mild tone of voice.  "Oh, botheration."

She reared upwards and held herself rampant before she spoke calmly.

"Well?  Must I do *everything* myself, Weylyn?!"

Five bars of colored energy lanced at the other unicorn from her
hooves and horn, then paused before they made contact.

He flinched backwards slightly, then shook himself and matched her
pose before he sent the missing colors of the rainbow at her, and let
them touch her at the same time she let her lines of power touch his
hooves and horn.

"Not any more, LIberty Anne."

Suddenly the rainbow vanished and they lowered themselves so they were
on all fours again.  He dipped his head to indicate the kids below
them.  "We were told there would be a full Rabelaisian wedding today.
We were not told it would be mine."

She dipped her head slightly.  "I was told I already knew what I
needed to know, and to go with the flow.  I also find myself in
disagreement with my husband, already, about one thing."

"Oh?"

"It is not your wedding, it is *ours*, correct?"

He laughed.  "I see Terrans use the same rules we do.  The female is
always right.  Are we using the same rules you use with your family?
If so, I think we should suffer through a ceremony of the obvious,
then, after we spend a suitable amount of time letting ourselves be
accessible, we should...  Seek some privacy while we plot a means of
evening the score with the Ambassador."

She giggled.  "Us against the Ambassador, my Big Sister, and Ted?  I'm
looking forward to the challenge."

His head jerked sideways until he was studying Lady Chrystal.  "All
three of them?!"

Lady Chrystal smiled.  "Theodore didn't know until this morning.
Before you finalize the decision to plot your revenge, know that the
winning New Year's show requires a flying unicorn for the evil
sorceress to ride into battle.  Perhaps...  It would be wise to focus
on that before you seek to score against myself, and...  My *other*
Spiritual Daughter and her life mate."

He raised his head in obvious shock.  "Terrans?!  According to the
histories..."  He realized his gaffe and halted.

She smiled.  "Forgiven.  When the fit is right, the gift is given. Not
having a Rabelaisian I could name as my Daughter In Spirit, was the
only important dream I considered unfulfilled when I came to Terra."

He finally shook his neck and made his mane fly.before he turned back
to Libby.  "On Rabelaisia, weddings performed by Master Bards are
rare, and treasured.  I'm willing, if you are."

Libby bobbed her head once, before she arched her neck again.  "Since
things are obviously ready, guide me in what must be done, My
Husband."

He shifted and became an anthrowolf, then started walking towards
Libby.  "Only two things we need to know, Liberty."

She became herself, then met him halfway.  They hugged, then she
pulled away slightly and watched his face.  "What do we need to know,
My Wolf?"

"First, of course, is that you no longer need anyone's help, to be
yourself."

He made a downward motion with his right hand, and severed the link I
had with Libby.  She gasped, but before she could do more, he reached
for her forehead and paused.  "Link, Life Mate, and I will help you
find the controls within."

They touched briefly, and her posture shifted enough that I knew she'd
finally found what she'd been seeking.  After they removed their
hands, she threw her arms upwards and shouted her joy while she
watched me.  "I'm free, Marie!  I don't need anyone's help, to live my
dreams!"

I laughed.  "Free, Little Sister, but I think you are about to
willingly put on a chain that's unbreakable, except, perhaps, by
death."

She blushed, then reached and lightly stroked Weylyn's muzzle. "Sorry,
Weylyn.  I know a person is never truly free.  I've spent the last
five and a half years needing someone else to activate my power
controls.  I can feel the difference in me, and I thank you, for your
wedding gift."

She then turned slightly and cupped her hands so she could hold a ball
of energy.  "Allow me to give you a suitable gift in return."

The energy slowly faded, and when it was gone, she held a golden chain
with a winged unicorn hanging from it.  "Bend your head slightly."

His eyes were wide, but he didn't hesitate to let her put the chain
around his neck while the crowd cheered and the Rabelaisian students
raised their arms and sent colored bolts of energy skyward until they
merged into a huge varicolored ball of energy that surrounded the two
of them.

I could see her tears when she kissed him, then she shook her head and
smiled.  "What is the second thing we need to know?"

He grinned.  "We do whatever Lady Chrystal tells us to do, until she
says we're married!"

"Oh!  That's *easy*!  I've been doing what she tells me to do, for
years!"

I couldn't pass up a chance to get a dig in, after she left herself so
open to it, so I shouted at her.  "Except keep your room clean, Little
Sister!"

She laughed.  "Score!"

Then an energy bolt lanced in my direction.  "Been wanting to do this
for a long time, ya know?"

I reflected it at Weylyn, who raised a paw and sent it at Ted before
it got to them.

Ted decided to send it at one of the Rabelaisian kids, who bounced it
at someone else, then it rapidly bounced around like a pinball until
it suddenly darted at Lady Chrystal, who sent it at Tom.

He deflected it towards the ceiling and shouted.  "Mahika!  Fetch!"

She jumped, changed forms in mid leap, then caught it in her jaws and
flipped her head sideways before she shouted at Sandra.

Eventually we had a ribbon of light that joined all of us. Until Kay,
who had been the last of us linked, let the energy build until she had
a huge ball of gently glowing energy.

She looked at it, then smiled and sent the ball towards our
grandparents, where it stopped in the middle of them before it
expanded until it enclosed them all.

She smiled, then turned to the crowd.  "An thusly, as Liberty Anne and
Weylyn are linked, so will both our worlds be linked."

I looked at Ted.  "Something's missing."

"Oh?"

"Let's do the sparkle ball over the crowd.  They're part of this,
too."

"Good point."

We raised our free hands and held our palms towards the crowd.

Ted shouted 'Now!" and we formed the Life Mate link so it met over the
center of the crowd.  We built our rainbowed energy ball, then I
smiled.  "Since we are all one big family, no matter who and where we
are..."

I giggled.  "Here's our wedding gift to *you*!"

We exploded the energy ball and let the sparkles cascade down until
they'd touched everyone present, including the media people who were
scattered around.

After the crowd had settled a bit, Lady Chrystal took control.

"And now...  As was promised, Liberty Anne and Weylyn get to 'go with
the flow'.  However, to do so, we need a place for them to do so.
Spartacus?  If you and Gloria would provide them with a suitable
location?"

All of us gasped when a familiar skating rink appeared and hovered in
the center of the gym.

Two canines appeared in the center.  They were facing each other. and
waiting for...  Something to happen.

Lady Chrystal spoke into the silence.  "When one talks of flowing, and
joy, to a Rabelaisian or Terran, two names head the list of people who
are able to make us feel it in our hearts.  The Laughing Bard, and his
mate, The Dancing Bard.

"Fittingly enough, Liberty's preferred alternate form is a bitch and
Weylyn's is a wolf.  Will the two of you please change to your
alternate forms and join Spartacus and Gloria in the center of the
rink?"

Libby looked at me and I nodded.  "It was fun, Libby."

"Yeah, it was.  Coming at you, Marie."

She reached and detached the energy from her hand, then made a ball on
the end of it and tossed it at me.

I knew what she wanted, so I made it follow the energy to Weylin.
While it was moving, it 'erased' the line of energy, until it had
reached the energy ball that surrounded our grandparents.

Kay made it all vanish, then Lady Chrystal spoke into the silence
after Libby and Weylyn changed and positioned themselves.  "And now...
Taciturn Ted and his Singing Palomino, backed by The Scarboroughs and
Ted's clan members, will perform 'The Impossible Dream', while Liberty
Anne and her Life Mate Weylyn, with the help of Spartacus and
Gloria...

"Create their own 'Dance to Joy'."

Liberty stunned us all when she shouted.  "No!  Stop!"

Then she and Weylyn returned to being themselves.

I finished shifting, then, since Lady Chrystal was silent, I looked at
my sister.  "A mistake was going to be made, Journeywoman?"

"Yeah.  I appreciate all this, and I know Weylyn does too.  So don't
take it wrong when I say it isn't right.  Weylyn's used to living by a
different set of rules, but I bet once I explain it, he'll agree with
me."

I tuned my head away so I could study Lady Chrystal.  "Hear her out,
Mistress.  Then, do as you will."

Lady Chrystal finally nodded slightly before she deliberately shifted
position until it was obvious she was totally focused on Liberty and
Weylyn.  "Teach me."

"Umm...  Ok.

"I think it's good you want to give us a full Rabelaisian wedding, but
it's not *right*.  If we're talking about joining our worlds, we can't
do that exclusive stuff anymore, especially when it's public like
this."

"Continue."

"These are my *friends*, you know?  A Rabelaisian ceremony wouldn't
include them.  I *need* them, maybe more than they need me.  They
should be part of it, not made to feel like they're here, but on the
outside.  If we're going to create our own 'Dance to Joy', or whatever
we eventually call it, I want my friends to be part of it, and I think
Weylyn will want *his* friends to be part of it.  Will you listen to a
suggestion?"

Lady Chrystal shifted slightly.  "Weylyn?"

"I'm sorry, Mistress.  She's right.  We cannot be part of it, if we
are held apart.  It's against everything the Bards and Mages stand
for.  I think we are too Rabelaisian in our thinking, to have realized
that we must change, if we are to remain relevant to the people we
serve, on both worlds."

She finally dipped her muzzle slightly, before she got back to Libby.
"This suggestion?"

"Let us dance as we are now, but on a regular dance floor.  I'd like
two staircases, so anyone who wants to can join us while we create
this dance.  I want Mark to call a square dance, like he did at our
first assembly, so that eventually, Weylyn and I will have had a
chance to dance with everyone here.  To make it...  'right', for The
Rabelaisians here, I want Spartacus and Gloria there so we can make
the main square, but anyone who decides they want to stay on the
floor, can stay.  After that, let people stay mixed while you finish
up with the Rabelaisian ceremony.  The kids can clue people in, ok?"

She looked at Weylyn.  "I find her reasoning compelling.  Anything to
add?"

He peeled his lips back in a grin, then he waved his paw at the people
who were there.  "There is a custom both our worlds share.  Tokens.  I
gift each of the people present with one.  One token, one dance with
either of us, without regard to their gender."

He studied Lady Chrystal.  "I have nothing more to add to my Life
Mate's observations."

She sighed, then for some reason, turned to me.  "Marie?  You know
this part better than I do.  Would you agree that the two of them have
scored on us?"

"Umm...  Yes.  Definitely."

"Thank you."

She studied Libby and Weylyn, then grinned at them.  "I will do as you
suggest, and see that the Bard's and Mage's codes of ethics are
modified to embrace this new understanding of our shared purposes."

Before they could react she turned away and faced the crowd.  "Mark!
Determine a suitable program you can do the calling for, and let's get
this wedding moving again, so you kids can party!  Spartacus!  You
heard them!  I need a dance floor, and you two in your natural forms!"

She was grinning when she spoke to the crowd.  "I will be...  Vexed,
if any of you decide to try to spoil this event by refusing to dance
with one of the four, when Mark gestures or calls you forward."

"And now...  Until all of you have joined me in wishing Liberty Anne
and Weylyn a memorable journey as they seek to write in the Book of
Life, you are all, in Mark's capable hands."

While everyone was adjusting to the new circumstances I shifted back
to myself and grinned up at Weylyn.  "I think you'd better correct a
mistake you made, before Lady Chrystal and I get vexed with you."

"What mistake?  We scored, didn't we?"

"Yes, you did.  I think she did too, or were you expecting her to
change the codes?"

"Ahhh...  No.  Ok.  She scored, too.  What's this mistake you think I
made?"

I held up my empty hand.  "You forgot to give me, Ted, and Lady
Chrystal our tokens, so we can dance with one of you, idiot."

He winced, then made a slight gesture that left me and Ted holding our
tokens while one hovered in front of Lady Chrystal's muzzle.  "Sorry.
Pretty dumb thing to do, wasn't it?"

"Yeah.  Even dumber is that I had to remind you, instead of your wife
dealing with it, right, Little Sister?"

"Hey!  I'm new to this life mate stuff.  Give me a break on my wedding
day, willya?"

"Were you planning on giving me one?"

She sighed.  "You know we can't do that to each other.  Thanks, Marie.
So you two going to fight the crowd, or wait?"

Ted shrugged.  "We'll wait.  Be better if we join the band, right,
Marie?"

"Yeah.  This is all about Libby and Weylyn.  They don't need us
messing it up for them by being there.  Tell you what. Libby, when the
dance is over, we'll do a special request for just the two of you.
Sorta make it all family at the end.  I think folks will let it happen
that way and they won't think we're trying to score on you two."

They looked at each other, then Weylyn got a real strange look.
"That's ok for *your* family, but what about mine?  Think the
Ambassador would come out of retirement and do 'Elegy for A Bear' to
send us on our way?"

I froze, glanced at Lady Chrystal and did a fast prayer that she was
too busy to have heard him, then I created a zone of silence around
the four of us.  "Liberty?  He's your husband.  You handle it."

"Umm...  Yeah."

He looked at her.  "What did I do?"

She sighed.  "Were you aware she hadn't sung that since Alex's
funeral, until a few weeks ago?"

"But it's so...  Compellingly right!  Why would she quit singing it?
It's become the favorite song people sing when they send loved ones
off to a new life, or on a long journey away from their family.  It's
popular at funerals, too, because it captures how most people feel
when they lose someone they love."

"I don't know her reasons.  Memories, maybe.  After all, she's the one
that wrote it, and put her soul into it.  You can ask her, but I
honestly don't know what her reaction is going to be.  Umm...  Marie.
There's a problem and you know what it is."

I sighed.  "Got it.  To do it right, it's going to have to be a duet,
and it can't be you singing your translation, because you'll be
dancing.  Weylyn?  Has anyone translated it to Terran, that you know
of?"

"Liberty has done a translation?!"

Libby looked embarrassed.  "Yeah.  My 'language knack' kicked in the
first time she sang it in front of me.  Tell you later.  Anyway. yes,
I've done a translation that Lady Chrystal has heard, and approved of.
The three of us are the only ones who know it, so far.  Julie's been
too busy with learning how to be a Bard, to get involved in learning
new songs.  Don't you even *think* about asking me to sing it solo!  I
have a voice, of sorts, but that thing is serious enough that it
deserves Marie's voice, and only when she's The Singing Palomino."

He sighed.  "Be right back."

He lowered himself to the floor, then gestured for a small group to
surround him before he created his own zone of silence.

Eventually he came back, and we waited.

"Sorry.  There are several translations being sung back home, and a
few of us decided we'd do the most popular one here, to send whoever
got married, off to their future.  Let's hope Lady Chrystal agrees to
sing her original version for us.  If she does, they'll sing her
version to back her up."

I sighed.  "I'm in.  Which version do you want me to sing?"

"Liberty's translation, of course."

"Ok, I thought it might be that one.  Mind a suggestion, you two?"

He looked at Libby, then she studied me.  "Looking to score, Sis?"

"Not sure if this qualifies, since I put you up to it."

"You *tried* to put us up to it.  We haven't heard your suggestion,
yet."

"Do the obvious.  Join us.  Weylyn sings the Rabelaisian version and
you sing your translation.  Shared destiny and all the other romantic
stuff.  Lots of symbolism, too.  Let people choose which they want to
believe in, you know?"

She smiled.  "Weylyn?  If you're in, I am."

"I'm in.  I'll ask her after Marie does our request."

Ted touched me.  "Dad's waving me over, so I guess they're waiting on
us, now.  You'd better shift, right?"

"Right."  I shifted, turned my head so I could watch Ted mount, then I
sighed.  "And there went any hope of me getting rid of that saddle any
time soon.  What do you think?  Couple hours, with this crowd?"

"At least.  Try and remember that the next time we can get Merlin and
Kay off by themselves, I need to teach them something about how modern
show saddles are made.  This one is extremely uncomfortable for any
long term riding.  It's mostly ok for this stuff, but if this was a
parade, I'd be so sore when it's over that you'd have to levitate me
off and into bed or a tub so I could soak or get you to massage the
kinks out."

I laughed at his sour look.  "Well, we did agree to share everything.
You ready?"

"Let's go."

By the time we got there, enough of the Rabelaisian kids had changed
into their versions of stallions and mares so that everyone who was
going to play, or sing, had their personal horse.

Ted laughed when they tried to work us to the front and center.  "Let
us be in the background.  This is all about you folks, not us.
Besides, it's our wedding day and I want to save our energy for later,
you know?"

They whooped with laughter and giggles, then moved into a formation
that looked like one that would work in a parade.

"You know something, Ted?  I think pomp and ceremony is something all
Rabelaisians enjoy.  That was too smoothly done to be improvisation."

"Yeah.  I have a feeling some new classes are going to be taught next
semester.  I'm also thinking the dance team is going to develop some
new routines.  Think they'll take the National, next summer?"

"Won't be for lack of effort."

"True.  I'm glad you and I won't be in the middle of that.  Dad just
glared at me and he's put bow to fiddle, so it's time to do our jobs."

We let his dad do the musical intro, and once we knew the song, Ted
joined them, and I came in, for once, as a backup vocalist, instead of
the lead.

By the time the dancing was over, I was plenty ready to change back
and go take a break, but before Weylyn and Libby could make their
request, Lady Chrystal had a mic in one paw and she was smiling.  Her
ears were perked in an odd way and I whispered to Ted urgently.
"Things just changed.  She's in a mood I don't recognize.  Be ready
for...  Anything."

"Umm...  Right."

Lady Chrystal nodded at us, then looked at the Rabelaisian kids before
she faced the main crowd. and spoke, for her, unusually seriously..

"Many years ago, just before I came to Terra, my third life-mate died
of old age.  Alex was...  A bear with the soul of a poet, and
everything I dreamed of in a Life Mate.  He was also much, much more
to me, because he was the sire of my kits--and a true father to them,
as well, in spite of their sometimes 'trying ways', while they grew to
adulthood.

"I have not been unaware that the elegy I wrote for Alex, and that my
second life mate and his partner helped me sing, has, much to my
surprise and embarrassment, become one of the traditional songs that
are sung at many types of ceremonies."

She took a deep breath, and sighed.  "That being the case, I've asked
Tom and Mahika to use my memories, and adopt the forms, and voices, of
Nikkolai and Whisper, so they may help me as I send my Spiritual
Daughters, and their life mates, off on their Great Journey through
life."

She turned to us.  "If the four of you would move to the center of the
dance area, we will prepare ourselves, then...  Send you on your
journey.  May all of you write well, when you add your chapters to the
Great Book of Life."

Ted and I joined Libby and Weylyn.  I bobbed my head slightly.
"Weylyn?  Did you know about this?"

"No.  How could I?  Taking on the forms and skills of others is
something I've never heard of anyone doing.  That's it's...  Going to
be *them*, seems impossible."

"Them?"

"Nikki and Whisper.  Together, the three of them are considered to
be...  Representative of everything it is, to be a Bard."

"Ok.  I'm just as shocked.  I know that Tom sometimes becomes a
Rabelaisian Wolfhound for Lady Chrystal, but this...  I should have
seen the possibility."

Ted leaned forward and touched my neck.  "Mahika just glared at us.  I
think we'd better shut up."

We fell silent and watched when Mahika and Tom shimmered and became
two Rabelaisian Wolfhounds that towered over Lady Chrystal by at least
eighteen inches.

The three of them faced us.  Mahika and Lady Chrystal were side by
side, and Tom stood slightly behind them before he put a huge paw on
each of their shoulders.

Then, the three of them sang together.

Lady Chrystal's voice was her usual deeply resonant alto that told
everyone listening that it was impossible for her to be Terran born.

Shockingly, to me, Mahika's singing voice as Whisper was an incredibly
pure soprano that had a resonance to it that was similar to how my
voice sounded when I sang as a mare.

Tom's voice was completely at odds with the tenor I was used to
hearing when we sang together at the mall.  That huge chest gave his
vibrant basso profundo a resonance that seemed to shake the walls with
its power.

When it was over, there was only one thing we could do that made
sense.  "Get off me, Ted.  I need to change back."

He got down, I shifted back, then I curtsied.  "Thank you, all of you.
I promise I will do my best to exceed your expectations, as you have
exceeded the ones I had when this day started."

Libby unfroze and made her own curtsy.  "Thank you, Mistress.  The
three of you have given Weylyn and I a memory that..."

She sighed.  "Now I understand the reasons the three of you are spoken
of with such awe.  It will be some time, before I can go back to
thinking of you as 'just a friend of the family'."

She elbowed Weylyn's side when he didn't speak immediately after she
stopped.  "Speak, Wolf!"

Some people in the crowd giggled, and I heard some gasps from the
Rabelaisian kids, but otherwise there was silence.

He looked around, then he focused on Tom.  "I think I speak for all of
the Rabelaisians present when I tell you that for us, you've done the
impossible.  It was as if Nikki and Whisper had come back to life.
Perhaps, in some way, they did.  I don't want to know how it happened.
Thank you, Master and Mistresses, for your gift this day."

He bowed, then he turned slightly.  "Your turn, Ted."

Ted sighed.  "Ok.  I know it won't be the same, but there's only one
response I think would be right.  Marie?  It's time for you to be a
mare again.  You and Libby can sing the translation while Weylyn sings
the male part, in Rabelaisian, this time.  I'll do the musical melody
we worked out."

I shifted, he got back on, then Weylyn and Libby flanked us.

Ted gave us a short intro, then the four of us did our best to repay
Lady Chrystal for the incredible wedding gift she'd given us.

It was silent after we stopped, then someone in the audience stood and
started clapping.  Pretty soon everyone was standing and a wave of
sound roared over us as the crowd cheered.

Lady Chrystal turned in place and I could see the tears in her eyes
before she buried her muzzle in Tom's chest fur.

Tom wrapped her in a hug and looked at us.  "For all she is a Bard,
she is also a real person, with feelings of her own, and she can be
overwhelmed by it all.  As you thanked us, we thank you, for the
wedding gift you have given us.  It will be appropriately treasured."

He was smiling when he turned his head to seek out someone. Eventually
I realized who he was looking for and I pointed with my head.  "She's
trying to hide behind Kay.  I think she's a little overwhelmed, too,
and trying to hide her tears of joy, that she was allowed to be a part
of this."

He laughed.  "Thank you, Marie.  Well, Jessica?  The wedding took a
little longer than we expected, but it's finally over.  We need you,
Little One."

Weylyn gasped, then got himself back under control.

Libby whispered at him  "What was that for?"

"Calling a child 'Little One', was always Nikkolai's way of reassuring
them when they weren't sure of something."

"Oh.  Thanks."

Jessica moved from behind Kay and grinned at Tom.  "You folks sure
you're done?"

"Yes."

"Good!  About time!"

She turned her mic on, then faced the crowd.

"All right!  It's our turn to have some fun!"

She pointed at one end of the gym.  "Eats and drinks enough for
everyone, so...

"Let's PARTY!"
====

End: Marie's Solstice 09/14 Solstice Wedding (new)

-- 
Pursuant to the Berne Convention, this work is copyright with all rights
reserved by its author unless explicitly indicated.
+---------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| alt.sex.stories.moderated ------ send stories to: <ckought69@hotmail.com>|
| FAQ: <http://assm.asstr-mirror.org/faq.html> Moderators: <story-ckought69@hotmail.com> |
+---------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|ASSM Archive at <http://assm.asstr-mirror.org>   Hosted by <http://www.asstr-mirror.org> |
|Discuss this story and others in alt.sex.stories.d; look for subject {ASSD}|
+---------------------------------------------------------------------------+