theworldofdreams.com

It was October 11 and I had just returned to Jhelom from digging up buried treasure. I was tired and covered with blood and mud but my pack was weighing me down nicely. I couldn't wait to see what all I had returned with. As I entered the backroom and slung my pack onto the counter with a resounding thud, Pau Atei spoke to me from thin air! I jumped as he intoned "Ciara's party is about to start. Pass the word!" I grinned self consciously as I relaxed. For a minute there, I thought he had been hiding behind the door but my nerves were just a bit overwrought from fighting baddies the last hour.

Earlier there had been a massive invasion of animals of all types into Britain. Not the high level mutant animals but just whacky ones with a bone to pick with humans. As it turned out, humans picked their bones, not the inverse. A huge mound of bodies were piled up in front of the Britain bank and everyone was standing around congratulating one another. They all seemed happy, unlike the general morose attitude of the evening before, and they journeyed to the bank to do the split. Since I had just arrived and killed nary a songbird, I decided to do maps.

But now it was party time and...and I was filthy from digging up chests. I have just moved recently into this new home and haven't had a chance to install plumbing or anything so I stripped off my clothes, grabbed a towel and dashed out the back door. Zada, the alchemist in the shop across from me yelled "Woo Hoo! Monte, I love this new guy!" and I blushed deeply as I dived into the sea to wash the stains of my labors from me. She was sitting on the edge of the bank when I started to come out and was dangling my towel from one crooked finger. "Ok, come on out and get your towel, big boy. " she said with a wink. I glared at her and demanded my towel but she just laughed and told me I'd have to be a good boy and come get it. I think I startled her when I charged out of the water and seized it from her hand. *laughs* I think she is more used to storekeepers like Monte and Kasen than bold adventurers like myself. At least that is what I told myself as I hurried back into my house, towel wrapped tightly around me.

I had msg'd several people about the party and arrived at the Haunt just minutes after the party was supposed to start. I left Darlin by a couple stallions that she thought were kinda cute, at least that is what she murmured to me. I can't tell a cute horse from a non-cute one, except of course for my Darlin.

I said good evening to Renfry, the Order Guard, who checked me for Death Bunnies before allowing me to enter and hailed the people who were already there. There were so many people there I got sort of confused on who was attending and who was just wandering by. I saw Errol, Chava, Terry, Gannon, Sevilin, Sibyl, Forrest, The Glorious Malakim, Master Tactician, Kontar, Bertram, Malox Xandermaya, Brina, Ogden, Vincent Tel'Imoen, Skeeter Byrch, Pau Atei, OrcHammer, Angelica, Ehran, Rocks Silivan, Cloudchaser, Augur Wildwood, Edison, Zosia, Jasper, Buster and Marcius Goodhand. The air was festive and everyone was talking, eating and drinking. There was champagne, lemon-herb fish, cheesecake and other delicious fare.

After devouring a cheesecake, something I dearly enjoy, I sat on a bench and just watched the crowd interact. Everyone was in a good mood and expectant for Rod and Ciara's arrival. Ciara, as you all know, has been ill lately and away from the World except for brief visits. She has been named the First Lady of WoD, and we have all missed her greatly.

Soon, more people streamed into the Haunt! Tamla Tamara strolled in with a wink and smile and sat down right beside me. I smiled at her and began to flirt outrageously, alas to no effect except disbelieving laughter on her part. Sachiko strode in the door in her new dark green hued attire and I waved and called to her, as do most men in WoD. Pau Atei looked a bit startled after a loud sound occured off to the side and announced in a loud voice "first vomit award to Malox!" Everyone groaned and then brightened as Angelica came in. Ogden began to play a lively tune on the piano and Buster capered wildly about, singing at the top of his lungs. Macitor came through the doors of the Haunt in a rush, ready for some ale and more.

Augur Wildwood looked puzzledly into his champagne class and said "What channel? hehe" Buster rsponded *hic* Pau Atei looked sternly at a snoozing celebrant and remonstrated "wakey wakey!"
Augur Wildwood said musingly, " *hic*" to which Angelica replied "Oh yeah".
Tamla looked at me somewhat blearily, poked me in the chest with one pointed finger and said "*hic*"
At that point, Tamla looked at Augur and Augur stared into her big eyes and they both murmured "*hic*"
Sachiko grinned in understanding and nodded her head vigorously. "*hic*", she stated unequivocally.

Then Ciara and Rod arrived. Ciara was gloriously dressed in a fantastic ensemble of Purkle and Rod looked extremely handsome with his big deer antlers poking up into the air. Everyone stood and applauded, and hic'd, and applauded again. Shouts of good will and affirmations of friendship filled the room and Ciara seemed almost embarrassed at all the attention. She was given three gifts but I am afraid I don't remember who gave them, my apologies. I think some divine influence may have been granted because she got Indestructible Purkle plate of Invulnerability and Magic Resistance, a staff of destruction and +10 macefighting, and Purkle boots of +10 healing. The gods of WoD were smiling this evening, that was for certain. They weren't the only ones. Everyone smiled and laughed, congratulating Ciara.

D'ather Soth arrived at the party as did Nia Atei, Aelfwine, Ki'Anna Stydoran, Cathaven and Granpa Ranar who was encumbered with a crate of the smoothest, finest, deadliest booze this side of the equator. Buster grinned and waved his hands in the air."lalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalallalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalallalalalalalalalalal" he remarked quietly. Then he took all his clothes off and began running about the room. I think young Buster had imbibed way too much. It took some time to settle him down and everytime someone did, he'd end up losing his clothes and hic'ing and running about. But, it was a madly cheeful atmosphere, heady with excitement and good will.

Roderick leaned towards Ciara and fed her some cheesecake. Ciara swallowed and giggled. " Ooh Rod.. cheesecake hehe"

Vincent Tel'Imoen turned to Sachiko and remarked, "I feel pretty! Oh, so pretty!" Sachiko carefully removed the empty bottle from Vincent's hand and put it on the counter. She turned to him and soberly remarked, "*hic*" He grinned widely and nodded, "Oh, so charming. It's alarming how charming I feel!" At this point, Roderick handed Vincent a cup of coffee and told him not to ride his horse for at least a couple of hours. Vincent looked astounded and exclaimed "I haven't drunk anything!" I glanced at the bottle on the counter and sure enough, it was mineral water. I hadn't heard Vincent *hic* all night.

Buster started going off the wall when many of the participants decided to see how many people could fit on one stool. I was astonished to see a dozen or more people piled onto one stool. I glanced at Sachiko, Dawn and Tamla and said, "Say, that looks like fun! Why don't you all sit on my lap?!" They laughed and began to throw lemon-herb fish at me.

Augur hicced quietly and muttered "an ex por" and Buster shrieked as he froze in place. Augur looked about innocently and Buster began to shout for someone to release him. After a protracted conversation and a promise, he was released.

I am not sure if the cheesecake was laced with anything but I could have sworn I saw a purple dragon appearing in different places around the room. I tried to chase it around but it would vanish only to appear in some other spot. I finally gave up and tried to sit between Sachiko and Tamla but they wouldn't let me. Rocks Silivan kept crooning "Craobh Cuma" and swaying in his seat and Grandpa Ranar *wuggled*.

It would be impossible to describe everything in its proper details but it a fun time was had by all and a deep sense of fellowship was shared. If I missed mentioning anyone, please forgive me. I only included small bits of what I had observed at the party as well, for to describe it entirely would take pages.

Ciara and Rod, we are so lucky to have you in WoD and feel blessed to be able to know you and call you our friends.

Vincent Tel'Imoen turned to Sachiko and remarked, "I feel pretty! Oh, so pretty!" Sachiko carefully removed the empty bottle from Vincent's hand and put it on the counter. She turned to him and soberly remarked, "*hic*" He grinned widely and nodded, "Oh, so charming. It's alarming how charming I feel!" At this point, Roderick handed Vincent a cup of coffee and told him not to ride his horse for at least a couple of hours.

Lies! I did not have a thing to drink at the party. The West Side Story stuff was all me. No alcohol involved.