The Gathering (fact-based fiction)

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“Who’s that sitting with Sir Belisarius?” Splunge was looking across the room at a table in the far corner.

“Oh, that’s Shralp”, Lord Keldin Depaara said. “He used to be a regular here, and then he disappeared for awhile. Looks like he's back.”

“He acts like he owns the place,” noted Mystra’s Chosen. The others at the crowded table nodded in agreement. “But he appears to have quite a following.” More nods. The table had originally been occupied by people from the North Country - Ofelix, Beren, reepnorp, Blog, Benanthalin and more - but others had since joined them.

“Oh no, here comes chevalier,” mumbled Morsmordre. “Don’t let him start talking, or he’ll never shut up.”

“But he usually has something intelligent to say.” Hacken Slash was renowned for coming to the defence of other members when they can’t defend themselves.

“Maybe so,” Mithrantir chimed in, “but tonight, I don’t feel like getting into some deep philosophical debate; maybe we should just steer him towards Manus. But to be safe, let's give him some coffee; that might keep him occupied. Or better yet, get him some beer; I hear that, contrary to popular belief, he can’t hold his liquor.”

Just then, the designated bartender for the evening appeared. “Can I have your attention, please!” yelled Aldeth the Foppish Idiot. “More beer has just arrived, and I need to find out what your preferences are. Do you like your ale cold, slightly chilled, or room temperature? Please note your choice on these cards and return them to me!”

While people filled out the survey, Splunge looked around the room and noted an empty table with a “Reserved” sign on it. “Who’s that for?” he asked.

“Oh, that’s for Extremist,” Beren explained. “He went missing awhile back, and they wanted to make sure there’s always a spot open in case he shows up again. But I convinced Tal to let me take Ex's place, so I better go remove the sign.”

The poll now completed, people returned to their previous activities. In another corner, an area commonly referred to as the “chatterbox”, some of the younger patrons - Aikanaro, Spellbound, Deathmage, Taza and others - were playing some games. They had just finished singing a song, and had gone on to something else.

“Arrr!” said one. “Arrr!” said another. And on and on, laughing uproariously, until…

“What the hell??!” Taluntain bellowed from his chair perched high above the masses, sounding quite irritated. “If you guys don’t pipe down, I’m going to have to come down there, and the consequences will not be pleasant, I can assure you.”

“Yeah, knock it off, you bozos!” Blackthorne TA added in support.

“Eek!!” screamed the guests in terror, and resumed their game, but now in a hushed whisper.

BTA smiled to himself at this. “They’re good kids,” he said to nobody in particular, “but sometimes they have to be kept in line.”

Just then, Death Rabbit emerged from the kitchen. “Here, try this!” he said with a mischievous grin, while holding out a plate of food giving off a delicious aroma. “It’s one of my specialities - hasenpfeffer.”

“Hasenpfeffer? What’s that?” asked Malovae.

“Rabbit” was the Bunny’s reply, and the room erupted in laughter. “Where do you think I got my name?”

Everyone was enjoying D.R.'s unique sense of humour, when the door opened. “Rallymama, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes!”

There in the entrance stood the resident care-giver, impeccably dressed in a perfectly co-ordinated ensemble consisting of an evening skirt, blouse, shoes, and various pieces jewellery; hanging from her belt was an exquisite dagger and sheath which of course matched her outfit. “I wanted to stop by to make sure everybody is enjoying themselves, and to offer assistance to anyone needing it,” she said cheerfully.

“Thanks, Rally, maybe later; in the meantime, pull up a chair.” Splunge reluctantly returned his gaze to the room, and spotted Chris Williams engaged in one of the many topics of conversation he likes to initiate, but Lazy Bonzo seemed more interested in talking about clams. Splunge was just about to join them, when JSBB addressed him.

“I’m going to pack it in for the night. How about you?”

“Nah, I think I’ll stick around for awhile,” Splunge replied. “There’s always something interesting happening here, and Grey Magistrate just came in; if we're lucky, maybe he’ll regale us with one of his tales.

“Besides,” he continued, looking down at the figure passed out on the floor, “somebody needs to make sure no-one trips over chev.”

[ November 28, 2003, 23:46: Message edited by: Splunge ]

 

Funny!

 

That IS funny. Hmm, I wonder what I was doing there?

THis needs a sequel. More!

 

Yes, I enjoyed reading it

please write more

 

A successful riposte to Shralp's opening attack!

 

Thanks for the support, folks! I decided to write this after reading Rallymama’s comment in Shralp’s ‘Age’ story. Shralp’s setting seemed like a good one, so I decided to “borrow” it; I hope he doesn’t mind.

Anyway, this is the first one of these I've tried, and I can’t believe how much work it takes to write one of these things, even for a mediocre one like mine. I have a new-found respect for people who actually do this well. As for a sequel, I dunno; I think I used up all my creative juices on this one, and I did steal the concept from Shralp, so maybe he wants to have another go, or perhaps someone else would like to take a kick at it. I have a feeling we’ve only scratched the surface.

Edit: based on the recent moderator change, I've made a change to the 9th paragraph. Weird how all I had to do was add another sentence.

[ November 28, 2003, 23:47: Message edited by: Splunge ]

 

Great job, Splunge! Wow - to think that I warrant cameos with both you AND Scralp. I've truly arrived!

Well, be careful what you wish for - I just added another "tale" to the forum. Hmm, I wonder if that's why chevalier is asleep...

 

No, I doubt he's asleep, probably just can't stop talking somewhere else
And Splung, I'm sure you can make a sequal. Go on!

 

*Yerril scratches his memory-box.

Look, ye.

Look, ye, again.

Look, ye, closer.

And there were a number of others besides.

More proof that I've been here longer than any of you whippersnappers.

 

Sequel! Sequel! where art thou?


I'm in the story yeah!!!

 

LOL, Splunge, nice work

Glad to hear that I have obtained the title of "Defender of the Helpless or Unable".

You left out one thing though...the argument between Tal and BTA over who was going to model the new SP thong in the upcoming "Sorcerer's Secret" catalogue.

 

ROTFLMAO!

Hacken Slash, methinks you are a strong candidate for writing the next instalment!

 

Based on the old stories, I was apparently arguing with Z over the custody of the kids.

Hey, does that make me the Mother of All Spammers?

 

Well done. I believe yours was more entertaining to read.

 

Thanks, Shralp, but I felt the same way about yours. I guess it's like what they say about cooking - it always tastes better when someone else makes it.

 

Just like someone else's candy is always better, yes?

 

You will burn, Splunge.

 

Yikes! I wrote this so long ago I had to re-read it to find out what I said to deserve such abuse.

Finally regained consciousness, did you?

 

LOL! Hilarious!

Glad to see I'm in it, but Spelly, young?