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Subject: {ASSM} Marie's Solstice 04/14 Reality Bites 2/2 (new) TBD
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Date: Mon, 09 Apr 2012 08:10:06 -0400
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Marie's Solstice 04/14 Reality Bites 2/2 (new)
---

After Libby closed the door behind her, I looked at Ted for a long
time, then wrapped him in a hug and giggled.

He held on, and after I stopped he kissed me.  "You two are a lot
closer than you let people know, aren't you?"

"Of course we are.  Couldn't avoid it after all the time we've spent
in each other's heads."

"I figured it was because you can see all the links you have."

"That, too.  You ready to get under the covers and call it a night?"

"Umm...  After I make a trip to the bathroom, and you install a new
condom once I'm back."

"Pushy."

I shoved at him.  "Go!  Sooner you get back, the sooner I can put it
on so we can snuggle."

* * *

Libby showed up with our food after Ted said we were ready, and she
had a huge grin on her face.

"Eat, you guys.  Be glad you missed it last night."

Ted nibbled on his toast, then studied her.  "Missed what?"

"Connie was waiting for me."

"Yeah?  So?"

"Now I know how Marie felt, when Vix showed up in her classroom."

Ted and I looked at each other and then it hit me.  "Oh.  'BOOM!'
Right, Lib?"

"Yeah.  It was like walking in the door to meet Vix in one of her
moods.  Connie was laid out in one of the loungers, and she just
glanced at me, then spoke in that tone mom uses when she's in no mood
to hear anything out of us.  'Sit.  Stay.  I don't care how you do it.
Call Beth and get her here.  Now.  She wants to learn from me, let's
see if she can handle being rousted out to get one of those stories a
Paparazzi would die for, but the pros around Roberta consider a fact
of life.' 

"I changed, called Beth and told her to grab her best camera, then get
her butt over here, because there was a story waiting for her."

I giggled.  "Oh, Wow.  Wish we'd been there."

"No, you don't.  After Beth got here, she got her ears pinned back
with a mix of praise and warnings, then Connie told me to call in Vix,
whichever of her media crews was on call, and Roberta."

"Roberta?"

"Yeah.  Made sense, after they all showed up and Connie went into
lecture mode on us.  I swear, you guys, what happened next was like
watching Vix's reflection come to life.  Connie *told* Vix she had her
heart in the right place, but she was a fool, for leaving a job half
done.  Vix did that thing where her head tilts to her shoulder, then
she got real calm, and asked if Connie would mind explaining what she
thought had been done wrong."

Lib shook her head a few times.  "I wasn't about to leave, but Connie
glanced at me and told me to stay, since the three of us had created
the problem and it was up to all of us to fix it.

"Then, she went in to great detail about what we'd all done wrong,
before she told me that I had the right idea, and adopting a Paparazzi
was good, but  it wouldn't be enough."

Ted studied her, "Ok.  I can't see it, but if she was acting like Vix,
I wouldn't argue with her."

"Yeah.  Vix must have realized what was going on with Connie, because
she just grinned and told Connie that 'Bottled Serenity ' suited her,
and would she like a case for later?"

I groaned.  "Oh, Lord!"

"Yep!  Connie blew, sorta.  She just pointed at Vix and *told* her
what she was going to do."

"You're kidding!"

"Nope!  After she finished, she looked at Beth, then had one of the
crew hand Beth her camera.  'Lesson one:  Teamwork and working with
someone like Roberta, isn't about you, and how much you can get for
those pictures.  You focus on what you're told to focus on, and stay
out of the way of the rest of the people you're with.  What you think
you've missed, someone else will get.  Count on it.  You're there to
record the news, not make it.  If I'd been doing my job right, you
never would have recognized me, unless you were doing the same type of
work.  Now, you take that camera, and focus on The Ambassador,  you
keep her in frame, no matter what happens, and you stay out of
Roberta's way, while she does *her* job, which is make it clear that
The Ambassador needs to clean up after herself, and how shes going to
do that.' 

"Mind you, all that was spoken in that calm 'you will listen, then you
will do what I say' tone that we *never* want to hear from mom or
dad."

I grinned.  "So...  What's the solution?"

"Make them tour guides for Rabelaisian tourists, and anyone else who
wants one."

"Huh?!"

"Register any Paparazzi who wants to do it, with the nearest
Rabelaisian embassy.  They get aura matched with whoever, then, while
they have access to the tourist they're guiding, they can get pics and
do interviews they can sell later, or market through the Embassy at a
fixed rate."

"That's insane, Lib."

"No, it isn't.  If they're doing their Paparazzi type stuff, they have
to be honest, remember?  Once word gets out, that you can call the
embassy in your area and get an honest tour guide that you can trust,
what's going to happen to the dishonest ones, if they want to
compete?"

"Connie came up with that?"

"Yep!  Completely on her own, too.  That Bottled Serenity is nasty
stuff when you glug it and happen to have a problem handy, that you
caused, with your stupid comment."

"Anyway, the interview was pretty fun to listen to, because Roberta
decided to really go after Vix.  It was friendly, but...  Intense. Vix
took it in stride, and I gotta tell you guys that I got no problem
with her being called Rabelasia's greatest Bard, and I'm *really* glad
they left me out of it."

We thought about it, and I finally smiled.  "Ok.  Yeah.  It would have
been your first time.  I must be used to it, because last time it
happened at the Mall, I was able to stand next to her and relax."

"I've seen you, Marie.  The two of you are a pair as far as your auras
are concerned."

"Thanks.  How'd Beth do?"

"Crew had to move her a couple times, because she forgot, and blocked
one of them, but she survived it and still wants to take the classes.
She freaked when Vix told her she'd get paid for her time, and how
much it was, since she was working with her best crew, and was able to
do about as well as any of the others had, when they were dumped in
the deep end like that."

Ted laughed, then went back eating.  He must have been thinking, too,
because after he finished, he settled so he was leaning on the
headboard.  "Libby?  You said it was her best crew?"

"Yeah.  All Rabelaisians, and watching them pop in and out while they
place slid to get their shots was crazy to watch.  I guess they didn't
include Beth in their talking to each other.  First couple times they
shifted, she flinched and glanced at them, but after that, she ignored
what was going on and stayed focused on Vix."

"Ok.  I can see that happening, since she'd have learned to ignore all
the other Paparazzi, if she wanted to get her best shots."

"Yeah.  She didn't move around much, since it wasn't a moving
interview."

"Ok.  I was sort of expecting Frank to be there."

"Frank?  Oh, the guy Marie caught.  Connie asked about that after it
was over.  He's still on probation, and doing some field work so he
can get used to the way Rabelaisians work together."

She ducked her head slightly.  "Umm..  Ted?"

"What?"

"How was your breakfast?"

"Umm...  Was I supposed to notice anything different about it?  Looked
and tasted like what I've had for breakfast while I've been here."

"So it was ok?"

"Yes."

"I did all the cooking.  Didn't use power, either.  Did it the hard
way."

"Oh.  I didn't notice anything different, so that makes you as good a
cook as your mother, right?"

"Is that good, or bad?"

"Good."

"Thanks."

"Welcome.  Julie's done it to me, so I know how it works.  Do I get to
know the reason you made the effort?"

"Umm...  Something silly.  You did something for me, with your hands,
so I wanted to return the favor."

He blushed.  "Oh.  Marie mentioned I might have some help when I take
care of her.  You?"

"Any of us, unless you want her to yourself for awhile.  She's like
this big meditation aid, you know?  Easy to zone while we do it,
because she's so big, and patient with us."

He thought about it, flinched, then looked at me.  "Lib?  Are you
saying it's like her serenity is contagious, when she's a mare and
you're close to her?"

"Weird way to see it, but...  Yeah.  It is like that sometimes.  All
of us like to curry her and give her rub downs, especially when we've
had a bad day, because when we do, she's not really our sister, she's
a friend we can tell our deepest secrets and fears, and we know she'll
keep them, because she a mare, and not a person, you know?"

"Umm...  Oh.  That's what I used to do with our horses."

"Yeah?"

"Sure.  Like I told Marie last night, grooming them was never a chore
for me.  You miss that while you were snooping?"

"I didn't snoop.  Sure, I saw part of the feed, but as soon as I
realized you guys were really loving each other, I found something
else to do.  That stuff I did when I wanted to talk to you guys?  I
was reading the part of your auras that was outside your room.  I'm
pretty good at it, because when I do that, it's a lot easier to be a
sneak and not get caught.  It's harder for Marie to tell someone is
focused on her when I do it that way."

He sighed.  "I have a lot to learn, don't I?"

She matched his sigh.  "Yeah, but Marie is a real good teacher, ya
know?  She's the one who taught me almost everything.  The rest of it
was lots of practice, because I was jealous of all the attention she
was getting.  Was years before I realized that for her it was some
pretty hard work, and I've been working at it harder than she has.  By
then it was too late, because for me, it's always been a lot of fun,
most of the time.  I know I gotta be serious about a lot of it, but...
It's a lot of fun even when it's serious.  You'll see."

Then she grinned at him.  "Hey!  You're a dowser.  Ever dowse for
anything other than water?"

"Julie taught me how to dowse the links between people."

"Nahh...  I'm talking about the stuff you can do now that you can see
power any time you want to."

She made a small ball of energy and held it out to him.  "See that?"

"Yes."

She made it vanish.  "Bet you don't, now."

"Nope.  Gone."

"No, it isn't.  It's only invisible to the inner vision.  Dowse my
hand for it."

"Hang on."  He got his wand out of his pants, then waved it around a
few times before he looked at her thoughtfully.  "It's like it was
before Marie helped me see things.  It's there, but even though I can
see your aura, I can't see the ball you made."

"Uh huh.   Coming at ya...  Catch!"

She acted like she was gently tossing it to him, and he stared at her,
then flinched and acted like he was stopping something before it could
hit him in the face.

"Good catch!"

She gathered our plates and stuff, then laughed.  "See you guys in the
back yard when you get there.  I'll have all the stuff ready for you.
Even hooked up the hose to the hot water tank in the garage, so Marie
doesn't have to take a cold bath, and I have the zone of warmth ready,
too.  Thanks, Ted.  You're good people."

She was still laughing to herself when she closed the door behind her.

Ted looked at what he held, then at me.  "Can you see it?"

"No."

"What should I do with it?"

"What else?  Find her aura, then throw it at her.  She made it, it's
her problem to deal with."

He closed his eyes, moved his head until he found what he was looking
for, then he made a throwing motion and we heard a scream of outrage.

He was grinning when he faced me.  "I figured she'd be expecting me to
be gentle, like she was, so she could see it coming...  Hey!"

He fell backwards and acted like he was catching a line drive.  After
he recovered he looked at his hand, then he stood up and acted like he
was pitching something at the wall.

Libby laughed in our heads.  {{Over the plate!  Good job, Ted.  I'd
keep going, but I gotta do the dishes.  Sam and JayR say you have a
mean fast ball.  See ya when!}}

He decided to start putting his clothes on and once he was dressed he
resettled on the bed.  "That was *strange*!  There was nothing there,
then, all of a sudden, I could tell something was getting closer, and
I could tell where to put my hand so I could catch it."

"Uh huh.  Wouldn't have hurt if you missed, just felt weird while it
went through you.  You could have called it back, too.  Be like
reversing what you did when you threw it and guided it so it went
where you wanted it to.  Where'd you aim the first time?  Haven't
heard anyone get her that good for years, and we all keep trying to
surprise her."

"Uhh...  Finding her aura was easier than I expected  I thought I'd
have problems doing that, but as soon as I thought 'Libby', it was
like she was the only person I could see that way.  Really stood out."

"Good!  Want to try and figure out why it worked that way for you?"

"Ahh...  Because we have some real strong connections?"

"Relax.  We're a lot alike, and it happens to both of us.  We've
shared sometimes, when one of us didn't have a steady in our life.
You'll get used to that stuff with the strong connections happening
once in awhile.  She's hot for you, but it's more as a friend, or
maybe a brother, except the sex link is stronger."

"Yeah.  A lot stronger.  Still, it's weaker than ours by quite a bit."

"Yep.  Wait until you meet another life mate.  Things can get freaky
when that happens."

"Had it happen yet?"

"Yes.  Thing is, I'm het, and...  All we can do is be friends right
now."

"I should shut up?"

"Not the right time to tell you, that's all.  I got a weird feeling
that you'll have some pretty strong links to her, too.  Works that
way, sometimes.  Quit ducking, apprentice."

"Wasn't sure how you'd feel when I admitted I could see the links
between me and Libby."

"I'm fine, so relax."

"Ok.  Never thought about it until it happened, but if you watch the
links and stuff, you can tell what position a person is in, can't you?
That's what I did.  I was trying to figure out where to throw the
ball, when she bent over and I realized she was facing away from me. I
threw it where I thought her butt would be, and I guess I got lucky."

"Her butt?!  You managed to hit her in the butt?!"

"Yeah.  I guess.  You have a better reason for that scream?"

I lost it in a fit of giggles.  After I got them under control, I
grinned at him.  "No, I don't.  That's like the ultimate score around
here, because we all try to do that to each other.  What about the
second time?"

"Didn't want to push my luck, so I tried to throw it past her tits,
like it was the center of the strike zone.  Didn't think about trying
to control it, just pitched and hoped I was guessing right."

"Sounded like you did.  If it was close enough, she would have felt it
go past, and that's...  A pretty good feeling."

"Like what you did when you felt me up with power?"

"Exactly.  Anyway, good job.  She'll back off and not try to do it to
you unless we're playing, ok?  Things are going to have to get pretty
busy, because of the lack of time, but after that, once you have a few
more clues, we'll get you mixed up in some of the games we play once
everyone is turned on."

"Sounds like fun."

"Yep.  So what do you think of Lib's way of teaching someone how to
detect power and stop people from using it against them?  Think the
same thing will work with Mark and Julie?"

He froze, then turned his head and stared in the direction of the
kitchen.  {{You're a sneak, Liberty!}}

{{Yep!  Now you know you can do it, the rest is practice, right?}}

{{You ever check on Mark and Julie?}}

{{Mom did, long before we thought of it.  They're fine, and she and
dad place shifted so they could put the basic spells in place so Mark
and Julie can practice.  Took care of your parents, too, so relax.
Guess your dad likes the fame, because he was settled on the front
porch and giving a concert to a bunch of reporters, while your mom
sang.  Good thing they made Vix their agent, because the offers to go
perform as the companion act to some big names, are getting silly.
Already talking about all of us doing that 'Justice Triumphant' thing
and releasing it as a single and a special video.  Sam suggested we
change the name to something like 'Freedom's Welcome', record it live
somewhere, and Marie and Roberta can do that call for abuse
survivors.}}

I interrupted them.  {{Gods, Lib.  We do that call in front of a full
crew, we're gonna get a riot for certain, if we handle it wrong.}}

{{I know.  Scares me, too.  What if we make it our opening song, so
people can pick their time to come out?  Then, too, someone caught it
on their phone, and that copy has gone viral.  Abuse hotlines all over
the world are adding people to handle all the survivors who've been
calling in.  I've seen it, and even though it's fuzzy, and the audio
sucks, it's like you're every mother in the world in one person, and
nobody, anywhere, can doubt how sincere you were when you said that
stuff.  Kay couldn't have done it better.}}

I sighed.  {{Ted?  You thinking what I'm thinking?}}

{{Maybe.  The Mall?  Sounds like Dad got over his stage fright.}}

{{You hear that, Lib?}}

{{Yeah.  We're hot, so let's do it.  Set it up for Tuesdays and
Thursdays, like usual?}}

{{Yes.  Make sure you warn everyone else.  Get Tom involved.  He's got
the connections we need.  Once word gets out, that place is going to
be packed.}}

{{Got it.  No way we can hide the preparations, so I'd better get Vix
involved, too.}}

{{Don't forget about Terry and Debbie.  Be a good chance for them to
start small so they can decide if they really want to keep helping
out.}}

{{What about the dance team?}}

{{Not yet.  See if the Mall would like to book them for some holiday
shows so they can get in some practice with Mark and the Scarboroughs.
Keep that separate from our shows, unless we start getting people
wanting to see us all together again.  If that happens, turn the
booking over to Sam and get out of his way.}}

{{Umm...  Am I crazy for thinking somebody might want us to all get
together and do something like we did at school, but this time set it
up somewhere, like a real concert and show?}}

{{Crud!  Better turn that over to Vix, so she can figure out how to
handle that.  We're already committed for Solstice, Christmas, and New
Year.  Leave it up to her and the winning schools, I guess, if they
want to let the media come in.  After that...  We'll still be doing
the stuff at the Mall, so we can't stop them from being there, but
maybe she can do it so  the filming is low key.  I don't want to scare
people away from that.}}

{I hear you.  Maybe we can figure on a big party somewhere, for Spring
Break.  Gotta be free to get in, no matter where we do it, right?}}

{{Definitely!  People are going to try and sell official souvenirs, no
matter what we do, so let's get the word out that we're not
authorizing any.  You and I will make our own gifts for people, on the
spot, right?}}

{{Right!  That stupid idea I had for the trash worked, so lets make
that normal.  Someone wants to talk to us, we have to see them put
some trash where it belongs.}}

I sighed.  {{Love it, but you know we can't restrict access to us.
Someone wants to ask for help, they can, period.}}

{{Oops.  Yeah,  You're right.  Maybe we can do a recycle for charity
thing.  Think we could have a dumpster nearby, and when it was full,
we could all separate it and make something special, then raffle that
off?}}

{{Talk to Vix, Lib, not me.  I know that under the right conditions,
Bards are allowed to charge for their performances, but I don't know
how we could adapt that to how it usually works here.}}

{{Got it.  We better start thinking about creating some traditions, so
we can still do impulsive stuff and go where we feel like, instead of
letting ourselves get scheduled all the time.  I bet Spartacus and
Gloria could give us some good tips about that.}}

{{Whatever.  Worry about it later.  I want to get up and take it easy
today.}}

{{Yeah.  Don't blame you.  Be easier for me to do all the leg work,
anyway.  I'll see about sneaking in a family conference while you keep
the media out of our way.}}

{{Good luck!}}

{{Hey!  It will be easy!  We're all gonna glue ourselves to the TV and
who wants to watch people stare at the tube for a couple hours?}}

{{People who want to make points by filming us as a normal family.
Anyway, the rest of you can ask for privacy, and get it, so I guess
we'll find a way to distract them for you.}}

{{Thanks, Big Sister.  See you and Ted in a bit.}}

Ted laughed.  {{I got a stupid question, Lib.  Would it work better,
if everyone gathers around your meditation aid, and zones?  Best way
might be to just do normal stuff, and chat while we're doing it.  Be
easier to hide that way, wouldn't it?}}

{{Doesn't matter how we do it, Ted, as long as we aren't around you
two.}}

{{Oh.  Right.  I think the best thing to do is hand it all to Vix for
now, since she's the one with all the plans.  Bet she's already
figured out how to deal with it all, by now.}}

{{Yeah.  Good points.  I'll check in after we get done with Marie, and
let you know, later.}}

{{Ok.}}

I sighed, then got up and grabbed my robe.  "Join me in the bathroom,
or you planning on waiting?"

"Guess I'll join you, like usual."

"Ok."

* * *

As it turned out, Ted and Lib were the only ones who groomed me, so
the three of us had a chance to relax before we had to deal with the
public again.

After they dried me off as best they could, Ted settled in the shade
and watched me do some grazing while I let the sun finish drying me.

At one point I glanced at him.  "Didn't you say something about hand
feeding me?"

"Didn't say when, and I need the break."

I laughed.  "I'm just nibbling for something to do.  Not sleepy, or
I'd doze.  Sun feels good."

He shook his head.  "Not to me.  Besides, it's nice to slow down and
just watch you.  Weird, to know we're married."

"Messes with your head?"

"Some.  You really think Lib is being groomed for something?"

"Yes.  Bugs you?"

"Yeah.  Makes it sound like all of us have been picked out for special
stuff.  Worried about Mom and Dad, too.  That's strange, how he was
nervous, then...  He just went out there and did that crazy stuff with
your dad.  Sure, we've all done that at clan gatherings but..."

I bobbed my head at him.  "I thought I was used to that sort of stuff
happening, but...  Ok.  We've done most of our singing and stuff here,
or when we go camping.  Mom and Dad can get pretty silly when he
decides to relax, but...  I would have sworn there was no way to pull
off 'Dueling Banjos' from a cold, unrehearsed start, with an acoustic
guitar and a fiddle."

He sighed.  "I didn't even know dad knew it well enough to adapt it
like that.  Sure, we've heard people do it at gatherings and stuff,
but as far as I know, he's never played anything except his fiddle."

"He's got a good ear."

"Always known that."

"Guess you would.  Ted?"

"What?"

"You have a good one, too.  You write the score yourself?"

"Kind of.  I was reading it one day, and Julie started teasing me.  We
started reading it out loud, together, like we do when we've learning
a new song.  She started messing around with it and so did I, then we
got weird and I dug out my harmonica and...  Doodled on it by picking
a chord for each word.

"Sis matched that and eventually..."

He went silent and got his harmonica out, looked at it, then did the
opening bars before he set it on the table and looked at me.  "It
worked, Marie.  We couldn't stop until we had it finished.  I scored
it for her voice, and my mouth organ, first.  We did it at the next
clan picnic, and..."

"What is it?"

"It was nuts.  Everyone that could hear it stopped what they were
doing, and didn't do anything until we finished.  And that...  Scared
the shit out of both of us, because everyone had gone silent.  I
thought we'd blown it, until one of my uncles came over to us and
shook my hand, hugged Julie, and when he did that, everyone started
clapping and cheering, like we were..."

He picked his harmonica up, slid his hand over it, then sighed.  "We
were the best in the world, and we'd done the impossible.  How could I
*not* add the rest, and score a part for the fiddle, and my Mom's
voice?"

I studied him, then bobbed my head again when he looked at me.  "And
now, the rest of the world wants you to share it with them, again. You
going to be able to handle that?"

"Again?"

"Have you forgotten?  Roberta was there with her crew, and she was
live, most of the evening and night."

"Oh.  Yeah.  I did forget that.  I can handle it.  That isn't the
problem."

"Oh?"

"I don't want it to ever, ever stop."

"Hey, Ted?"

"Uh huh?"

"I got my voice, you got your harmonica.  Want to go for a ride around
the neighborhood?"

He turned and looked at the gate.  "You, too?"

"Yeah."

"Let's do it."

* * *

Lib met us before we got to the gate.

"You guys be able to stand my company?"

I turned and studied her briefly.  "Snooping again?"

"No.  Saw the two of you go past the window.  I know the way you
think, Big Sis., and..."  She shrugged.

"Ted?  Up to you."

"You want to ride, or walk?  Plus, I have a favor to ask."

"I'll walk.  Be nice to be able to change whenever I feel like it.
What's the favor?"

"I think I'm figuring out this Bard stuff.  You never said you can't
sing, only that your voice isn't as good as Marie's.  Leaves plenty of
room for you to be pretty good, right?  Anyway, that doesn't matter.
Just thought it would be nice to hear you sing."

She tilted her head and studied him.  "Yeah, Ted.  You're figuring it
out.  I do ok, even though I know I'll never be as good as Marie.
She's...  As good with her voice, as you are with your mouth organ.
Both of you are world class.  Me?  I guess I'm national class, and
that isn't ego, it's admitting I'll never have that extra bit that she
has."

"But you want it?"

"Of course."

"You don't need it.  Matter of fact, I'm pretty sure it wouldn't be
right for you."

"You plan on explaining that?"

"After we get out of here.  Get the gate for us?"

"Oh!  Sure!"

We were ambling, when Ted glanced at Lib.  "Wouldn't be right, for you
to have the kind of once in a generation voice Marie has."

"Oh?"

"You want to be put on a pedestal all your life, and have people just
drooling over the idea that someday your voice is going to lose that
perfection?  I bet you're real good, but it's the kind of 'real good',
that other girls can dream they can match, or beat someday.  Makes you
more approachable as a...  Friend, instead of someone famous who they
feel like they're interrupting."

"Ok.  I can see that.  What about the guys?"

"You a Carpenters fan?  Know all Karen's songs by heart?"

"Yeah.  What's that got to do with this?"

"Trust me?"

"Well...  Ok."

"Thanks.  Marie, you keep quiet.  Lib?  'I Need to be in Love', solo,
while I do the melody."

She studied him thoughtfully.  "You're up to something."

"Friendly payback.  You in?"

"Sure.  Give me a lead in."

He started playing, and Lib lost herself in her singing while I...
Wondered what Ted was up to.

They finished, and Ted smiled.  "I was right.  Your voice is exactly
the one you should have, Lib.  You asked me about guys?  Look around.
I bet every one of them, no matter how old or young they are, is
dreaming of being the 'right one' for you.  You're the girl next door,
and Marie is...  Too special to ever be that, so her voice is...
Special, too."

She looked around, then up at Ted.  "And the way you play is...  Right
for you, because it's like the way you can be so gentle about getting
people to see themselves in the best way they can.  Thanks."

"Welcome."

"My turn for a request?"

"If I know it."

"I think you do.  'Against the Grain'.  You do the melody, and Marie
and I will perform it, in a way I bet you've never experienced."

"I've heard some pretty...  Enthused renditions."

"Played in any of them?"

"A few."

"Good!  As long as you keep the basic melody, have some fun with it."

She shifted, pranced out in front of us, and looked back with a grin.
"Watch my tail for the beat.  You ready, Big Sister?"

"When you are, Little Party Animal!"

"Go!"

Ted hit it, and after that, Lib and I faced every direction but the
direction we were going, while I pranced in time, and she bounced all
around me and under me while facing any direction that didn't have her
facing the way she was headed, while we both sang.

Ted didn't miss a note when our parents suddenly showed up and our
dads joined in while they stayed out of the way of me and Lib.

As soon as we stopped singing, dad shouted.  "My Night to Howl'!  Do
it, Martha!  Liberty!  You know what to do!"

Mom went wolf and let out a howl that must have carried for miles,
then Lib matched it with one of her own that wove in out of mom's
tones, before the melody kicked in and we both had some fun.

Ted shouted the next song.  "Chattahoochie!"

From there our stroll turned into a country song fest, with Lib and I
hamming it up by dancing with anyone who wanted to join us while we
kept moving and singing.

Eventually things slowed down, and I looked at Ted before I snorted
and turned to dad.  "Dad?  I think your fingers need a break, and Ted
needs to catch his breath.  How about you two trade, so Ted has
something to do?  I want to find out what he meant when he told me he
can do 'ok', with a guitar."

Dad  laughed.  "Just don't ask me to play his harmonica, because you
know I don't have a clue."

He offered his guitar to Ted, and they traded.

Ted sighed.  "I guess you figured out I've always compared myself to
my dad?"

"Suspected it, after Lib said your playing is special, like my voice
is."

"Yeah.  Ok.  Got a request?"

"Of course.  'The City Put the Country Back in Me', if you're up to
it."

He didn't answer me directly, just looked at his father, who nodded
back.

"I'm up to it.  I'll...  I'll even sing it for you."

"Thanks, Ted."

He and his dad did the intro, then he started singing...  And I froze
in shock, then turned my head and watched while he played and sang.

When it was over his smile was...  Pretty twisted.  "I *told* you I
felt I was 'ok', and have a lousy singing voice."

"Umm...  'Lousy'.  If you put a Rabelaisian chest behind that voice,
it's going to be...  Pretty recordable.  I gotta know, even though I
can guess.  Who has the male voice that makes you feel like yours is
lousy?"

"Who else?  Dad."

"Yeah.  I was afraid of that."

I swung my head around until I could gaze at Tyrone.  "You up to
joining in?  I think you know the informal rules, right?"

"No holding back?  Solo?"

"Yes.  Lib told us the offers were getting silly last night.  I bet
they'll get absurd after you...  Come clean."

"Ok if I pick the song?"

"Sure."

"Thanks."

He took a deep breath and studied Ted.  "Theodore?"

"It's a no brainer."

He tapped the guitar a few times to set the beat, then he launched
into...

'Sold'.

After Tyrone finished, he shrugged.  "It was at a high school talent
show.  We got the short straws, so I had to sing it to Micky, to get a
charity slave auction started.  Sing it to her every anniversary, just
to keep my voice in shape.  Don't ask, Marie.  I'm a fiddle player
first, then a casual singer."

"Umm...  I won't, but others might.  Soon."

"We'll deal with it when it happens."

I bobbed my head, then swung it so I could check out everyone else.
"I'm all for a break somewhere, before we head home.  Any
suggestions?"

After some discussion and a few phone calls, we ended up in a banquet
room at one of the local restaurants after those of us who needed to
change, went back to being human.

* * *

Dad and I split the bill and tip, and after we got outside, he smiled.
"We'll take the easy way back, so you kids can relax by yourselves,
right?"

"Yes, father.  If we do anything on the way back, we'll keep it to the
mellow stuff."

"Good."

The four of them vanished.

We walked a couple blocks in silence, then Lib asked the question I
figured I already knew the answer to.

"Ted?  You play the harmonica because it's something you know you can
do better than your dad?"

"That's part of it, Lib.  It was something I could do when I was
little, that didn't need a lot of coordination.  I grew in spurts and
that really fucked me up about once a year."

"Anything else?"

"Yeah.  Marie's been quiet, so she must have figured it out already.
When I'm playing the harmonica, I can't sing.  Got to be a habit,
because I really do enjoy playing more than I do singing.  We always
had lots of folks to sing, but not many of us to play the instruments.
It was a relief to avoid singing, and stay in the background."

"That keep your head down stuff?"

"Yeah.  Doesn't matter, now, so..."

He shrugged.

Lib sighed.  "Yeah.  You think you'll ever go back to where you're
from?"

"Someday.  Pretty much have to, eventually.  Worry about it after we
graduate."

"Wait until we get back from the tour?"

"Probably won't have a choice."

He gestured at the crew that was pacing us.  "Folks are going to want
all of us there, the first time, right?"

"Right.  Any reason you're talking out loud?"

"Sure.  That's going to have to be a planned trip instead of something
we do impulsively, the first few times.  This should get us a few
years of breathing space, so we can pick directions at random until
then.  I'm hoping we cool off some, but I can't make that call.  Might
as well let people have a chance to really work up some sort of world
tour, and maybe my home town can be our second stop, after we welcome
you guys back, here."

She laughed.  "What?  You guys ride our coat tails?"

"Sure.  By the time you get back, we'll be ready to take a break, and
be the filler act, for a change of pace."

"Talk about that when we get back."

"Yeah.  So...  Other than having a life mate before then, what kind of
plans do you have?"

"Marie talked, didn't she?"

"Yes, and I can see the links, remember?"

"I do remember.  Ok.  Being made a Journeywoman is still messing with
my head.  I had a lot of dreams and stuff, but I figured I'd be some
sort of understudy or...  Someone Marie could work against to lighten
things up during her shows.  Last thing I ever wanted to be, was some
sort of headliner."

"I might be able to relate to that.  I *never* wanted to be someone
who gets noticed.  Back home, it wasn't good, to get noticed."

She sighed.  "Get too uppity, and someone puts you in your place?"

"Yep."

"Sucks, Ted.  Might get some of that here.  Should be smoother and
sneakier, but eventually someone will get jealous or something and
cause problems."

"Not a surprise.  I was surprised nobody did anything about how loud
we got sometimes."

She giggled.  "We didn't get that loud, for the people who were
listening to us.  Damping spells, just like Tom and the grrls use at
the mall, when they go wolf.  We'll teach you how to do them, before
Solstice."

"So we did our stuff and it sounded normal to us, but it was like
there was a an automatic volume control for everyone else?"

"Yeah.  Written into the treaties and...  Be stupid, to do stuff that
damages people who want to enjoy themselves, when we can prevent it."

"Oh.  Never thought about that."

"We have to.  Umm...  Ted?  I know quite a bit about living in someone
else's shadow."

"And?"

"I think you need to call your dad, and tell him how proud of him you
are, and that...  You'll be the best you, you can be, if he'll be the
best him he can be.  You guys need to quit using each other to define
yourselves, like I always  defined myself in terms of being a better
Marie, instead of being the best *me*."

He didn't say anything, just kept walking, so we left him alone.

After we'd gone a couple blocks he got his phone out and looked at it,
then found the number he wanted and hit send.

"Problems, Theodore?"

"Well...   Just something I need to say to you guys, mostly you.  Good
news stuff, so relax."

"Ok."

"Umm...  I just got some personal attention from a Bard who can get
inside my head, because she's been there."

"Liberty?"

"Yeah.  I want you to know that I'm proud of you.  Always have been,
really, when I wasn't frustrated and jealous, because I knew I'd never
be as good as you are."

"Thank you, son.  I'm proud of you, too."

"Thanks, Dad."

"Welcome.  Anything else?"

"Couple things.  I know you guys gave a lot up to do what you felt was
right for me and Julie, and we...  Resented it and thought you were
being selfish.  Thanks, and now that we're on our own, it's time you
guys started doing stuff for yourselves, right?  Don't worry about us
any more, if you can make yourselves do that.  Be...  Real selfish,
and do whatever you want to do because it's right for you and Mom,
instead of letting me and Julie define who you are.  You do that, and
I'll...  Quit using you, to define myself, and be the best me I can
be, instead of always trying to be the best you."

There was a long silence before his dad spoke very gently.  "So...  Do
you think I did a good job of setting an example for you?"

"Yeah.  The best.  Sorry I didn't figure it out sooner, and on my own.
Took Lib to make me realize I was mostly there, and I needed to say
it, instead of assuming you knew how I feel."

"We both made some mistakes along the way, didn't we?"

"Yeah, we did, but...  We survived them."

"True, and we can...  Laugh about them later.  Anything else?"

"If you guys do decide to tour, and if you do some singing, keep me in
mind, to be your backup male vocalist?"

"You think I'm that good?"

"Always."

"Thanks.  I'll keep that in mind, while your mother and I talk about
possibilities.  You talk to your sister about this, yet?"

"No.  She needs to...  Do it on her own, as much as possible, so she
feels it in her heart and not just in her head, if she didn't beat me
to it."

"She hasn't.  We didn't expect to have this conversation until you
were a lot older, and had children of your own, just like the way it
happened for us."

Ted looked at me and I nodded slightly, so he took a deep breath and
let it out.  "Dad?  When you're a Bard, everyone in the world is one
of your children, and you do your best for all of them, period.  It's
what being a Bard is all about."

"I...  I'm not sure I see all of that.  Give me some time, ok?"

"Sure.  That was all I had, anyway.  Love you, and tell mom I love her
a lot, and I thank her, too, for what she gave up, so Julie and I
could be...  Us, someday."

"We both love you, Ted.  Take care."

His dad hung up and Ted put his phone away before he looked at Lib.
"Like that?"

Lib stared at him, then looked at me and I shrugged, so she refocused
on him.  "That wasn't what I expected, but...  Yeah.  Ok.  Like that.
You up to doing favors?"

"Depends."

"We still got quite a ways to walk, and I haven't had a chance to hear
you improvise, like you did for Marie before things went nuts and we
got mixed up in that block party."

"Got a mood in mind?"

"Mellow, of course.  See if you can find a way to tell the world how
we feel about them, and doing our jobs.  Lots and lots of love, Ted.
Make sure you get that part in there, ya know?"

"I'll give it a shot, if you make sure I don't trip or run into things
while I'm zoned."

"If you're gonna be zoned, how do I get through?"

"You take a stupid pill when I wasn't looking?  Wrap your arm around
my waist, and...  You know how it works from there, right?"

"Yes.  Marie?"

"I'll keep an eye on both of you, because you're probably going to
zone, just like I did, when Ted starts channeling that much love into
his music."

"That wasn't what I wanted to know."

"I'm ok with it.  Has to be you, because..."

"Oh.  I'm the girl next door."

I laughed.  "Just do it, you two.  I'll...  Stay awake, and aware."

"That sounded like a score."

"Private joke.  I'll explain it after you have some time to come down
from what Ted's going to do to you."

"Ok."

She wrapped her arm around him, then gestured vaguely.  "Do it, Ted."

* * *

We were less than a block away from home when Ted quit playing and
slowed until he stopped.

"Libby?"

"Uhh...  What?"

"You back, yet?"

"Maximum afterglow."

"You're not back yet."

"I'm not *down*, Ted."

"Whatever."

"I gotta talk to Vix about that.  Maybe she can figure out a way to
bottle it."

"Bottle music?"

"The way I feel right now."

She stopped walking and stretched, then she looked at me.  "It was
like what Kay does when she wraps her aura around someone, but..."

She sighed.

I matched her sigh.  "I know.  Same feeling, but...  Masculine,
right?"

"Very!"  

She grabbed Ted and kissed him hard.  "Thanks, Ted.  I hope the guy I
link up with can do that as good as you do."

"Umm...  Libby?  I have a confession to make."

"Oh?"

"Most of that was you."

"Talk sense!  I know how to tell the difference, and that was so
intensely male, I...  Umm...  I'm not sure, because I was too high to
keep track.  I'm pretty sure I orgasmed at least once."

"I couldn't tell you that.  What I did, was something I tried with
Marie, last night."

"Oh?"

"Yes.  You said lots of love, and you two have way more than I do, so
I...  Used my music to help me focus on using my aura to get yours to
expand so people could feel your love.  You were closer, so I spent
most of my time trying to get your aura to sort of expand outward and
touch me and everyone else."

"So...  I felt you, and everyone else felt me and Marie?"

"I don't know.  They heard the music, so that much of whatever they
felt would have been mine, I guess."

"And I did say 'we', so...  Forget it for now.  I'm too...  Languid to
want to think."

She was still drifting when we got home, so Ted opened the gate for
her and she nodded her thanks.

I followed her through, then waited for Ted.

After he closed the gate and joined me I wrapped my arm around his
waist.  "She's so out of it, she hasn't noticed you said 'expand',
instead of 'amplify'."

"Is it possible to amplify our auras?"

"I don't know.  We can link them, and that seems to add them together
so the result is stronger than when they are separate."

We settled on the patio and I studied him thoughtfully.  "Ted?"

"What?"

"Thanks for focusing on Lib more than you did me.  I got the edges of
that, and...  Managed to maintain some control over my aura.  That
was...Powerful."

He leaned back and sighed.  "Bad move?"

"Don't know.  We need to consult with Spartacus."

"Spartacus, and not Vix?"

"Yes.  He earned his Master's rank by stopping a riot, all by
himself."

"You thinking that I?..."

"Uh huh.  Music soothes the savage beast and all that.   Sure, I try
to mellow people with my singing, but...  Did we unconsciously combine
somehow, and stop people from rioting, the other evening?"

He took out his harmonica and studied it.  "Sounds like you're saying
your voice and this are...  tools we can use to control people's
emotions.  I thought we do it with words and...  Oh.  I get it."

"Ted?  You get what?"

He looked at me and shuddered.  "Tones and pacing.  I know Bards use
words as tools, that's common knowledge.  But...  What if you call
notes, words, and tones and pacing what we're trying to interpret when
we use punctuation?  Words talk to our heads, but...  Maybe music
talks to our emotions, directly, like some sort of universal language,
so nothing gets lost in translation?  Am I losing it, Marie?"

"I don't..."

I looked around, and focused on our crew.  "Hey, you guys.  Any of you
remember feeling anything different while Ted was doing his stuff?"

Kevin thought about it, then nodded.  "I've heard and read all that
stuff about Bards, but it hasn't been *real*, until now.  Ted's stuff
about all of us being your kids, made sense, but it wasn't something I
could feel.  Then..."

He sighed.  "The three of you were in some sort of zone, and it was
real easy to believe that you meant it when you talked about loving
all of us and all that.  And..."

"And what?"

"I can't tell you about anyone else, but now...  That junk about
everyone being connected isn't something I know.  It's something I
feel, and I don't think I'll ever be able to forget it.  That's going
to change who I am, and I...  I'm glad I'm going to change.  Thanks"

By the time he finished Ted was staring at him.  He finally nodded. "I
guess most of that was me, so I...  I'm going to have to take my own
advice, and be less impulsive about stuff like that.  Anyway, you're
welcome."

Then he looked at me, and I could see his fear.

My decision was easy.  This was Ted, I loved him, and he needed my
help.

"Do it, Ted.  Make love to me with your music, and do that stuff with
our auras."

"You sure?"

"Yes."

He studied his harmonica, then he looked at me again before he put it
against his lips like he was kissing it tenderly...

The next clear memory I have is waking up in bed with Ted next to me.
It was dark, so I wrapped myself around him and went back to sleep.

* * *

"Marie?"

"Mmmmm..."  I rolled and wrapped him up , then nuzzled him.

"Yeah.  Whatever.  Nice, and I'm glad you feel good, but we need to
get ready and go to school."

"School?...   Oh.  School.  It's Monday, right?"

"Yeah.  It's Monday."

"I'm...  We gotta be careful with that stuff you do with the music.  I
remember you starting to play something, then...  It was dark and I
felt the best afterglow I'd ever felt, so I snuggled and went back to
sleep."

"You don't remember the shower we took?"

"No.  Should I?"

He grabbed my hand and put it on his head.  {{I'm new to this sharing
images stuff.  Take a look.}}

{{Ted?  I *sang* you to your orgasm?!}}

{{Yeah.  The blowjob was good, too.  Later, huh?  School?}}

{{Cruel, but...  Yeah.  No more of that stuff unless we got all
weekend to enjoy it and recover, ok?}}

{{Yeah.}}  He laughed in my head.  {{It's all on camera, so...  I bet
we're going to get some odd requests the next time we're in public.}}

{{Masturbate people without touching them?  I better call Vix and have
her folks check out the laws about that.  I'm not ready, but... Let's
get moving.}}

I let go, he rolled out one side and I rolled out the other.  We did
our usual morning stuff, then got dressed and got what we needed.

We settled at the table and mom studied us thoughtfully.

"You two need to learn how to shield everyone from whatever it was you
did yesterday.  Liberty was up early, and still floating when she
left.  Your father and I enjoyed the effects, but...  It was a good
thing all those shields are in place."

I thought about it, then nodded.  "What about JayR and Sam, or whoever
was on duty with the cameras?"

"None of them felt a thing."

"So it only affects people with the innate controls or they're turned
on.  That's good, I think.  Maybe it has something to do with Ted's
focus.  Worry about it later."

Mom was grinning when she served us, so I sighed.  "Something you can
share?"

"Vix called.  She said she thought you two were going to slow down."

"Umm...  We did, sorta.  All yesterday was, was me taking Ted for a
ride, so he could look over the neighborhood.  Most of the rest of it
was for the three of us so we could relax right, now that we don't
have to hide."

She finally nodded slightly before she sighed.  "I thought it was
something like that.  Your father and I enjoyed it, too, so relax.
You're right about getting rid of the stress.  We never thought we'd
be able to be so open about some parts of our lives, and...  I don't
think 'giddy' is the right word, but it will have to do.  Now, eat,
and then try to make it to school without taking the entire
neighborhood with you."

I nodded and went back to eating.

After we finished we cleaned up, grabbed what we needed, then went out
the front door...

And froze in shock when we were blinded by all the flashbulbs that
went off.

Ted groaned.  "And this is what was left after Lib left."

"Yeah.  Ok.  time to take some serious action."

I held up a hand and spoke loudly.  "I need it quiet, so I can make a
statement, for both of us."

When I had it I looked around, then spoke reluctantly.  "Look, folks,
we're still kids in school, so until we graduate, that pretty much
comes first.  We'll do interviews and stuff on the way to and from
school, but, even though we're Bards, we're going to have to set some
limits on what we can do to help people.  That means that we'll do
what we feel we can, but there will be times people are going to have
to take rain checks.

"We're going to be doing shows at the Mall on Tuesdays and Thursdays,
and *maybe* some stuff on weekends.  We have a lot to do to get ready
for our holiday shows, so...  We'd appreciate it if you folks give us
some breathing room so we can do that stuff.  As long as you do that,
unless it's real private stuff, you can be there while I teach Ted and
the others some of what they need to know.  You won't see and hear
much, because we'll be using telepathy most of the time.

"That's all I have, for now, so we need to get moving, and you guys
can figure out how you're going to share us while we walk."

I studied everyone, then sighed again.  "Come on, Ted.  Let's part the
waves and get out of here."

"Yeah.  We'll let them worry about obeying all the laws.  Should be
fun to watch."

"Uh huh."

We stepped out and set our usual brisk pace, then I glanced at Ted.
"You thinking that we'll have escorts every morning, for awhile?"

"Yes.  Got something in mind?"

"Of course.  Don't try to do more than play the melodies while I sing
for these folks, and I'll show you how it works when you have to work
answers into what you're doing.  Do you have your own guitar?"

"No."

"Ok.  We'll go to the Mall after school, and get you one.  Tomorrow
you can bring it with us, and swap back and forth.  You can take
tomorrow morning to get used to walking and playing at the same time,
then Wednesday, we'll do things so you can get some practice, by
answering questions while you play."

"What about Mark and Julie?"

"We'll have to talk to them about it.  I'd like to meet them on the
way, then we can all do that stuff for the rest of the week."

"What are you saving for next week?"

"I'll start teaching you guys how to work with power while we're
moving, and...  it's going to be hard, but all of you are going to
have to do it without making any gestures."

"None?"

"Not a one.  It's all gotta happen in your heads, or...  There are
things you'll be doing later that can't be done, if you have to
gesture.  Not going to be easy, because you're going to need to be
able to play your music and do stuff that doesn't follow how the music
is making you and others feel."

"Sounds hard."

"It is, until you know how to do it.  You'll be able to watch inside
my mind when I do it, so that will help a lot.  Just remember, it's ok
to make lots of mistakes, and you can make the same ones a lot, too.
Stay with it, and eventually you'll put it together."

"Yeah.  Ok.  I said I was in, and I still am.  It's been lots of fun,
Marie, but it's time for me to get serious, and understand what I'm
doing, instead of doing it without thinking, right?"

"Right."

"I'm not really ready, but...  Let's get started."

I touched his arm, then let my hand slide until we were holding hands.
"I'll start, and if you know the melody, play it.  Otherwise, just
relax and think about how I'm picking my next songs, or working my
answers in."

"Ok."

I looked around, took a deep breath to help me focus, then I started
singing, and in the middle of my first song, worked in telling the
reporters and other people how to ask me questions.

After that, it was sing, listen, and give my answers while we walked
the rest of the way to school.

Mark and Julie were waiting for us, and after I explained what was
going on, they kept us company, and let me handle things.

Most of the media left us alone, but a few crews headed for the admin
area to see if they could work deals to follow us around all day.

We watched them leave, and I sighed.  {{Hey, guys.  It's bad, but at
least we can get privacy in our heads.  I told them we'd be doing it a
lot because I need to get serious about working with you.  See you at
lunch?}}

Mark laughed.  {{Sooner, for me.  Thanks, Marie.  Wasn't that bad for
us, so we had time for us, until this morning.  Mom got pretty firm
about people on the property when someone walked through her flowerbed
before that stuff happened to the Paparazzi.}}

I giggled.  {{I bet!  We got to watch Connie fix a broken branch on
Herbie, after Ted turned her on.}}

{{We heard some of that, because you guys were on one of the cable
channels later.}}

{{Adult one?}}

{{Yes.  Would you believe they had a group of experts analyze what you
did, and tell the world what they thought you were doing right, and
wrong?}}

{{What about that stuff we did yesterday?}}

{{They didn't know what to think, because it was obvious that the
three of you have pretty tight connections with each other, and that
was all they could agree on.  After that, it was lots of hand waving
while they tried to figure out how power would affect people's love
lives.}}

{{Anyone think to put a couple Rabelaisians on that panel?}}

{{Yeah, but the idea was dismissed with 'What would they know about
how humans do things?' }}

{{Not too bright of them.  Oh, well.  Ted?  See you and Julie later?}}

{{Ok.}}

Mark and I headed to our homeroom and he must have seen my grin.
"You're grinning, Marie."

"I know.  Never thought I'd be able to be myself, and be one of the
hottest masturbation fantasies on Earth."

"Oh.  That's right.  You're used to that stuff when you're Monique,
right?"

"Uh huh.  I'm a little frustrated, because Ted and I talked it over,
and now I'm going to have to save that body for our shows."

"Oh.  Good point.  That reminds me.  You think Ted can teach me how to
play the harmonica, and do what he does?  Same for you helping Julie
use her voice for that stuff?"

"We talked about the harmonica stuff on Saturday, and he said he can
show you the basics, and the rest is practice.  Want to join us while
we go to the Mall after school, so he can get a guitar?"

"Let him help me pick out a harmonica and whatever else I'll need?"

"Sure."

He opened the door, followed the rest of us in, then we all settled
and waited for class to start.

* * *

After the bell rang, Mrs, Ross looked at all of us, focused on me and
Mark briefly, then spoke calmly.  "There was a lot of sleep lost over
the weekend, but it was, we hope, worth it.  The full time filming of
Marie and Ted is going to be treated as if it is a special
documentary.  Any students in their classes, or who can be caught in
the background, have the option of getting moved to other classes for
the rest of the year, so you aren't caught on camera.  With that in
mind, that's the first thing we'll do, before we move on.  Does anyone
want to change their homeroom?"

People looked around, then they all faced Mrs. Ross again.

She nodded, then...  She relaxed.  "Thank you.  If any of you later
change your minds, nobody is going to get upset.  Let's move on, and
get back to where we left off, last week."

After that, except for the announcements, classes were normal for
December.

What wasn't normal, was how our friends blocked everyone from getting
to the four of us during lunch, so we could eat our lunches without
being bothered.  All of us looked at each other when we realized it
was happening, and finally Mark shrugged.  "I don't know about you
guys, but I'm going to pretend I don't see it happening, and thank my
friends, later."

Ted leaned back and stretched, then deliberately looked at a couple of
his friends and nodded at them.  They both nodded back, and then went
back to watching the crowd as new people kept showing up and trying to
get to us.  "Yeah.  Am I nuts for thinking we should make some badges
or something, and make them some sort of escorts, so we can have time
to worry about school stuff, instead of screwing up our lives by
trying to do the celebrity stuff?"

I thought about it, then turned slightly.  "Julie?  You've been quiet.
any thoughts?"

"I thought we were supposed to available at all times, when we're in
public."

"You would be, if you were a Journeywoman.  Apprentices aren't
expected to be on call like that.  Mark is still blocked, so he can't
do anything except the passive stuff, so that's no problem.  Since you
and Ted have stuff you've been doing, you can keep doing that, if you
want to.  Might as well answer questions, if you want to.

"Otherwise...  It's like school is a long term previous commitment, so
we have to take care of it, before we can do other stuff.  So...  Ok.
Let's make their help official, and let them help keep the crowds out
of our faces, while we focus on school."

I waved one of my friends over and we touched palms.

"Hey, Marie.  We think you're crazy, with the cameras around all the
time."

"Part of being a Bard, and it was the best compromise we could agree
on, that would let us have some control of how the private stuff is
going to be handled.  If we're completely open, it can't be taken out
of context and used to *really* screw with us."

"You guys think weird, but it makes sense.  Watcha need?"

"First, pass the world that all of us appreciate what all our friends
are doing for us."

"No problem.  Second?"

"We'd like to make it official, that you guys are handling crowd
control for us.  Come up with badges, uniforms, the works, and I'll
cover the costs if people need help paying for stuff.  I can afford
it, so relax.  Guess most people who saw the party have figured out
that the way our family is about money, has been sort of an act.  We
live on a tight budget, but...  When there's an emergency, we can deal
with it."

"Umm...  How far can we go with the uniforms and stuff?"

"As long as you guys don't look like typical crowd control, or private
security, go for it.  Keep it to a common theme, and friendly, since
we don't want people afraid they'll be turned away by you guys all the
time.   So...  Lunch is probably the only time we'll need it, anyway.
Otherwise, we'll do the casual stuff between classes, just like we've
always done."

"Fursuits be ok?"

I studied her, and finally nodded.  "Make sure you wear the ids in a
prominent place, so folks know you're *our* fursuiters.  Don't make
them a requirement, ok?"

"So...  Yeah, ok...  I'll suggest we should go sort of Rabelaisian and
adapt their harnesses so we can use them."

"Whatever.  Is anyone in charge, yet?"

"No.  Should we get that organized?"

"Up to you.  I'd like for us to be able to talk to whoever's closest
at the time, and have you guys flexible enough you can get it done
without all the usual stuff getting in the way.  Be a good idea to
stay flexible, ya know?"

She giggled.  "Yeah.  Most of us noticed you guys are pretty
impulsive.  What about Liberty and your brothers?  Should we include
them?"

"Ask them first.  Lib may not want it except when she asks for it, so
she can take a break from being an attention slut."

"Ok.  Anything else?"

"Maybe.  Let's see how it works, and if the feelings are right, and
all that, be thinking about becoming part of our road crew.  Be nice
to have a core group that knows how we think, and would be able to
work with the locals to handle the crowd stuff.  Be a good idea to
have someone look into what's involved, because as a Bard, I'm trained
to do it all on my own.  Someday these guys will be the same way."

"So you don't really need us?"

I sighed.  "When we're working, our mindset plans for that stuff,
so...  Yeah.  We wouldn't need you.  Thing is, we do need to take
breaks, and people are used to seeing some sort of official presence.
Vix knows about that, and she and I have been talking about
possibilities. One thing I can promise, is that this isn't some sort
of charity.  Once things settle, and after we graduate, whoever
travels with us can count on being pretty busy for the first few
years, because...  We're a pretty hot item right now, and we'll need a
lot of help to keep things under control."

She thought about it, then nodded.  "I'll pass the word.  Let you guys
know, as soon as we do."

"Thanks, Heather.  We appreciate what you guys have decided to do for
us.  Umm...  You guys want some practice, we're going to be at the
Mall on Tuesdays and Thursdays."

"If we do, we going to get paid?"

"You that sure about doing it?"

"Be nice, to have a job waiting when I graduate.  Even nicer if it
lets me travel.  So, yes.  I'm sure.  Don't know about anyone else.
Umm..."

She looked at Julie.  "I'll let you have me for cheap, this month. All
I want is for Julie to find me a match."

Julie sighed.  "Might not happen right away, but I'll keep looking and
let you know, ok?"

"Sure.  Not too cool to ask, but do you see any links right now?"

Julie closed her eyes, then opened them after a minute or so.  "Strong
links, but none that are all from the same person.  Sorry."

"It's ok.  I don't know if I'm ready to settle yet, and it would be
nice if it's someone on the crew."

"Ok, Heather.  Thanks for understanding."

"Did a lot of reading over the weekend, because I have this feeling
our lives are going to be changing a lot, real soon.  Anything else,
Marie?"

"No.  See you after school, for an update?"

"Sure!"

We watched her leave, then Mark touched me to get my attention.
"Fursuits, and you went for it?"

"Because Vix and I have been waiting for it to happen.  Means average
folks are getting comfortable with Rabelaisian attitudes, and they
want to imitate them."

"So when you insisted on the badges and stuff, it was like you were
giving them official approval?"

"Yes.  You notice it was her idea to use the harnesses?"

"I did, but to you it means something, right?"

"A lot. Those harnesses have had hundreds of years to evolve, and
they're like my and Julie's purses, except they are unisex and can be
personalized, yet stay comfortable.  We think that if they become
common enough, someday a lot more folks are going to be comfortable
with public nudity, because they'll have a way to carry everything."

Julie looked around, then spoke thoughtfully.  "So...  You guys think
the fursuits and stuff are going to help blur the lines between
Rabelaisians, and Terran humans?"

"Yes.  It's all about acceptance of people who are different, and we
need to get rid of shape prejudice, as a major part of that."

She finally giggled.  "I wonder if any Rabelaisians are going to shape
shift and be human?  Get pretty crazy, if that starts happening."

Ted laughed, then touched me lightly.  "Sis?  You really want crazy?"

"Sure, Bro."

"Somebody once said anything other than zero, or one, doesn't make
sense.   Must be a lot of other people out there, who can use power.
Once they learn how, anyone who wants to, can be anything they want,
right?"

She stared at him, then nodded.  "Monique, right?"

"Yeah.  Going to make it hard for people who can't shift.  Something
will have to be done to stop identity theft and all the other stuff,
but I bet that eventually, we'll wind up with a culture that ignores
physical shape for most stuff."

"I hope so.  I know some girls who would learn how to change, just so
they can fuck with people's heads."

Ted sighed.  "And I know guys who would use it as a lazy way to bulk
up for sports and stuff.  We're the first, so we need to be real
careful about the examples we set when it comes to changing our
bodies."

She nodded and looked at me, so I sighed.  "Yeah.  No more Monique,
except at shows, when it would make sense for me to use a 'costume'.
Same for you guys.  Spartacus and Gloria have done a lot to get people
thinking in those terms, so I figure we'll be the same way and help
make it official policy for  shape shifters when they're on Earth."

"Ok."

We had plenty to think about, so we went back to eating, then just
relaxed with each other and tried to forget about all the other stuff.

* * *

When we caught each other up at the end of the day, we mostly agreed
that it looked like things were going to die down for everyone but me,
Ted, and Libby, which, really, was what we'd been expecting.

The five of us decided to head home together, and because of all the
problems caused by me and Ted living in front of the cameras, Lib
would take over most of the work needed to help Mark and Julie, while
I focused on Ted, and making the overall policy decisions, since I was
the one who knew the most about what Vix had in mind.

Besides, Mark and Lib had a real good bond after that party, and it
would have been stupid to mess with it.

Then Heather joined us, and things got complicated again.

She showed up just before we got off campus, glanced at the cameras,
sighed, then walked on the side opposite Ted.  "Got an update for you
guys."

I looked at her and sighed.  "You're worried about something.  Just
tell us."

"Ok.  I guess you're in charge?"

"Yes.  Senior Journeywoman and all that stuff.  Lib is going to work
with Mark and Julie.  She's as good as I am, and she and Mark have
some sort of bond that makes them a real good team.  Plus, they're
going to be working together quite a bit while they get ready for that
tour, and during it."

"Ok.  We forgot about that, so that means that next summer you're not
going to need all of us, right?"

"Heck if I know, Heather.  With everyone gone for two years, Ted and I
are going to be pretty busy.  We'll be working with Tom and his grrls,
plus Vix, of course, which means we'll have access to Vix's people if
we need them.  I'd prefer to have humans, or a mix helping us, so
we'll need that core group for sure."

"Ok.  That should work.  I got elected as our liaison, or whatever you
want to call me.  Any of us will be available, but I guess I'm the one
who gets to be the coordinator."

"Ok.  What did you guys come up with?"

"Something real crazy, but we think it's going to work.  We want to
turn ourselves into a fan club, and then go online and see what
happens.  We'd be the charter chapter, then we could have branches all
over the world.  Kind of like that already, because...  None of you
guys are tweeting or anything, are you?"

Ted laughed.  "Don't have the time.  We're too busy.  You been doing
it, and it got away from you?"

"Yes.  We're already the insider's news feed for you guys, since we're
your friends."

I managed to control my exasperated sigh.  "Ok.  Fan club.  That means
you guys are going to do fan art, and stuff like that?"

"Yeah.  Will that be a problem."

"You thinking of doing it so you're self supporting, by asking for
donations, or selling that stuff?"

"You'd be ok with us doing that?"

"I was trying to avoid making anyone's art and stuff official, but I
guess it was a stupid dream.  Oh, well.  If you guys become our
official fan club, and do all the other stuff, all I'll ask is that
you make it a charitable organization.  Maybe you can take donations
in each of our names, so people can contribute to the causes each of
us has on a list."

"Like you have that thing about abused kids?"

"Yeah.  Umm...  How would you feel about working with Sam?"

"Kid's a shark when it comes to money.  You think he'd help us out?"

"All you can do is ask.  He'll probably hear you out, then make
suggestions.  Pay attention to them, because he's got some sort of
knack for that stuff."

Then I realized I was thinking small picture, and I groaned.  "Great.
Hang on, Heather.  I need to think, hard."

It took me almost two blocks and when I was done, I knew I'd blown it.

"Heather?  It isn't going to work like we thought.  Do the fan club
stuff, and the stuff you did at lunch.  Forget the rest of it, and
focus on fan club stuff, like art, sculptures, and newsletters.  For
the rest of it, you'd better talk to Vix, because she's got her plans,
and we're not going to be able to work with you guys on anything until
after the first of the year.  Figure on being in charge of the
concessions when we do official shows, for now."

"What about the crowd control?"

"We'll handle that ourselves.  Have to.  People need access to us when
we're in public, so we can't afford to have anyone between us and
them."

"Ok.  So we focus on getting the fan club going.  Can those of us who
were thinking about having steady jobs, assume we still have them?"

"Yes.  You have them.  I just realized we're not going to know what
they will be, because by the first of the year, things will have
changed so much we'd have to completely rethink them, so there's no
point it worrying about the details, until then."

She sighed.  "Ok.  We'll probably be pretty busy with getting the club
organized, anyway.  Bet it will take us the rest of the week, just to
find a faculty sponsor and do the charter, then all the other stuff I
bet they want us to do."

"Yep.  Start with the theater arts teachers and see if you can do it
for extra credit.  Better grab some people from the yearbook crew,
too.  Been a long time since a new club was formed, so they'll want to
document it."

"Anything else?"

"Not that I can think of."

"Ok.  thanks.  I'll call if I need more info.  See you tomorrow."

"Yeah.  later."

We watched her leave, then I focused on Libby.  "Hey, Little Sister.
We got some major problems."

"Yeah?"

"Two Journeywomen, three apprentices, and you and I are going to have
to spend most of our free time together, if you want to be a fully
functional flying unicorn, by Solstice.  The mare stuff is easy, once
you get used to the freakin' changed balance of your head, when you
got that damn horn on it.  The *real* problem, is going to be learning
how to move your wings and adjust your feathers so you look
coordinated.  Remember how long it took me, to look believable?"

"Oh.  Months, and I got a couple weeks and some extra.  Well, at least
I've tried being a mare, before I decided it wasn't for me.  Help me
build the image and I'll switch now and walk the rest of the way home
as a unicorn with wings."

She looked to her right and sighed.  "Beth?  You're not going to get
an exclusive, because Marie's crew is going to have me in the
background, while she works with me.  So...  You want it, once I
change, you can ride me to my place, then you can add it to your
memories for a later book or something, or let someone interview you
after it's over.  I think you should sit on it for now, and head home
to get your homework done after you make some notes about it."

"I can still take pictures, right?"

"Yeah.  Good idea.  Make whoever, pay.  I'll see if Sam's got some
free time, unless you want to keep using the folks you go through
now."

"Thanks."

My eyebrows shot up.  {{A polite Paparazzi?  Do we thank you for
that?}}

{{Connie.  Apparently someone in the class copped an attitude, and
Connie copped one back, in support of Beth.}}

{{Sounds like another 'glad I wasn't there'.  I was busy, so is Connie
going to work out?}}

{{She'll be fine.  They did that introduce yourself stuff, then had
her brief the class like they were getting ready for a shoot with
Roberta.  Expect a sudden change in the quality of the work those guys
produce.  I got told that we're to keep our mouths shut and let her
figure it out on her own, that she's got the touch to be a real good
instructor.}}

{{I'll let Ted know later.  You ready to make the image?}}

{{Yes.}}

I stopped walking and turned to Libby.  "You ready?"

"Doesn't matter."

We touched each other's foreheads, and after she showed me her image
of what she wanted, I helped her adjust everything, then we both
sighed and I stepped away.  "Up to you, now."

"Yeah.  I'm gonna go golden first, so you can remove my medallion."

"Got it."

She switched, I fought a frozen connector before I got it off, then
she sighed.  "Ok..."

A few seconds later she was a winged unicorn.

We waited.

"Give me a minute to get used to this.  You're right about the
balance.  Really messes with me when I tilt my head."

We waited some more, and finally she slowly bobbed her head and
brought it back up.  "Beth?  Try not to panic.  I'm not about to try
moving my wings yet, so I'm going to lift you up and help you settle
on my back, instead of asking Ted to help you get on.  Ready?"

"Yes."

Lib lifted her, and after Beth got settled, Lib sighed.  "Well, let's
see if what works when I'm a bitch, works when I'm a unicorn..."

She stepped cautiously, for her, and once she felt like it was
working, she visibly relaxed.

I glanced around and spoke softly.  "Give her lots of room, just in
case something triggers a wing movement.  They look fragile, but
they're not, and it would be easy to get some broken bones if you
happen to be there."

We held back, and walked the rest of the way in silence, until Mark
and Julie split from us.  Then, Ted and I linked arms and enjoyed the
closeness for the rest of the trip home.

After we had an early dinner, Ted called Mark, and they agreed to meet
us at the Mall, so we took off while Lib stayed home and worked on
getting some control over her wings.

By the time we got to the music store, Phil was waiting for us, and he
escorted Ted to the harmonicas.

Ted glanced at me, and I shrugged.  "Get the stuff, and hand me the
bill when you're done."

"Umm...  Ok.  I need an acoustic guitar, but first I want a mouth
organ that's good to learn on, and it has replaceable reeds.  Oh, make
it a two octave, because Mark's going to be taking it with him when
they go on that tour."

"Tour?"

"Rabelaisia.  Caller for the dance team, mostly."

"I...  See.  Instruction books and stuff?"

"No.  I'll be handling that.  He'll need a good travel case for it and
the spare reeds and stuff."

"Got it."

He dug one out, started to hand it to Ted, and Ted glared at him.  "Do
that again, and I'll go somewhere else."

"It's popular for beginners."

"It's *junk*.  Guess you don't play them yourself?"

"No."

"Ok.  Maybe it's an honest mistake."

He took it, played a few notes to get the feel, then he put some
effort into it and...

Things started rattling inside and we all winced.

Ted stopped playing and held it out without saying anything.

The owner sighed.  "Thanks, I think.  You're the first person to make
one do that.  All of them like that?"

"Yeah.  I think it's a design flaw.  You'll never hear of a pro using
one, unless they use it in a comedy act."

He winced again and sighed.  "I'll do a recall and replace all of the
ones I've sold, with ones that are better.  Pick it for me?"

"Sure.  I know of several that are about the same price, so you can
let people have a choice.  As far as I know, that's the only one in
their line that does that."

"Good news, of sorts."

He smiled and gestured at the media.  "Maybe the problem will get
fixed."

"Maybe.  Check the right forums, and a lot of people have complained
about it over the years.  It's actually pretty good to start with, but
people outgrow it pretty quickly and get something better, usually
from a different maker, so they're losing sales they shouldn't,
because almost everything else they make is show quality."

Eventually Ted settled on one he felt was suitable for Mark to use
until he was good enough to know what he wanted.  They put a package
together, then Ted went over to look at the guitars.

He walked the display a couple times, then sighed.  "These all you
have?"

"Yes.  I can special order.  Not much demand for some of them, and I
have too much slow moving stuff as it is."

"Ok.  I can understand that.  Mostly, casual folks come in here,
right?"

"Yes."

"Ok.  There are a couple of custom guitar makers in my clan, so I'll
talk to them, later.  I need something in the meantime, so I'll see
what I can do.  Mind if I try some of them out?"

"I've trusted you with the mouth organs for years, Ted.  Go ahead."

"Thanks."

Ted walked the line again, and tapped several, before he finally
picked one.

Then he tuned it and played bits of several songs before he held it so
he could look at it again.  He sighed.  "At least this one has good
resonance.  It will do."

Phil's eyebrows went up.  "I used to play professionally, and that's
the first time I've heard someone give such grudging praise to one of
the guitars I have in stock.  Mind telling me what you were looking
for?"

"Sorry.  Guess I'm more spoiled than I thought I was.  We tend to tap
the chamber to help keep the beat, so we look for one that doesn't
sound sharp or flat when we do that.  After that, it still has to work
with the notes, instead of against them.  This one does a pretty good
job of doing both.  The others I checked... They were ok, but I could
tell they wouldn't support the full range of notes.  Be pretty good
for most stuff, but I need to work with my vocal range and Marie's at
the same time, so I have to be pretty choosy.  The others would be
fine for soloists."

"Thanks.  I'm pretty sure you just explained something I've always
wondered about.  I've seen a lot of people play a guitar, and then say
it doesn't sound right for some reason, or it 'felt' wrong for them.
Yet, someone else will come in, play the same guitar, and call it
perfect."

"You're welcome."

"You folks done yet?"

Ted looked at me and grinned.  "Maybe.  Marie?  You been holding out?"

"Sorta.  I don't do the melody stuff, with anything."

"Leaves a lot of other stuff."

"Umm...  Yeah, I know.  Ok.  Tambourine, and...  Other stuff."

"Other stuff?"

"Yeah.  Let me change to Monique, then I'll need a couple of
castanets, and the ankle stuff.  After that, I'll go mare and you can
fit me with ankle stuff, before I go back to being me.  I might as
well get a good tambourine, so I can quit borrowing mom's when I'm
feeling good."

Mark blushed and I looked at him.  "Got a problem?"

"Have you forgotten something?  Monique only gives private
performances."

"Don't worry.  I do know how to do the family stuff."

He sighed.  "Ted?  I saw one of her 'performances', about a year ago,
along with a bunch of other guys.  She...  Umm...  Really gets into
them."

"Oh?  We get done here, we'll go find Monique a good party dress,
before we get on the stage, so I can try out my new stuff before we go
home, while she...  Sings and dances."

"What about me and Julie?"

"Relax.  You can be thinking about what you want to do tomorrow.
Figure you should call at least one dance, and maybe narrate something
real short, that doesn't need a lot of action."

"Thanks, Ted.  You show me the basics on the way home?"

"Sure."

Ted grinned at me.  "Waiting on you, now."

I shifted, and the first thing I noticed that Phil was staring at me.
I went hipshot and smiled at him.  "Hi.  Remember me?"

"Oh, yes.  I sold a *lot* of castanets and ankle chimes after you
bought yours.  Heard some rumors, too, and kept an eye on you.  You've
been good for business."

I giggled.  "I bet!  Stuff I bought that time was for play, so this
time I want the serious stuff, now that I know how to use it."

He sighed.  "Serious.  I better figure on doing an order tonight,
before I go home.  Maybe I can have some of it here before you do your
show."

I got my stuff, then I went mare and let them fit some ankle chimes on
me.

After that, I found a tambourine I liked the sound of, and added it to
the collection on the counter.

I looked around and when nobody said anything I dug in my purse and
handed Phil my atm card.  "Burn it."

He took it, looked at it, then handed it back to me.

"No charge.  Don't even need to tell folks where you got it."

Ted sorta freaked, and Phil shrugged.  "Look, Ted.  You just saved me
a bunch of return hassles, by showing me I'd been selling a mouth
organ that was a lot cheaper than it looked.  I can fix that and get
some of my rep back.  I've been wondering why they don't move like
they used to.  As for the rest of it, what do you think is going to
happen, when folks you inspire at your shows know you got it all here?
Sure, a lot of it will be impulse buys, but a lot of it won't be.

"After Marie bought that stuff as Monique, I sold more of it in a
week, than I usually do in a year, and I sold it to mostly teens and
young adults, instead of older, more serious performers, which means
more folks will remember the good feelings.  That translates into more
business, because when their kids decide they want to play something,
the good memories of how they were treated here, will bring them back.

"As high profile as you folks are..."

He shrugged.

Ted finally nodded.  "Way you see it, we're a bunch of John Deeres
pulling the big stuff, and those rows are gonna be straight, no matter
what gets in our way?"

"Yep.  You plow the field, I'll be right behind you, with the seed.
Just to make it sweeter, anyone comes in and says you folks inspired
them, I'll match any internet deal, plus ten percent, no matter what
it is."

"You're going to lose sometimes."

He picked up one of the castanets and held it up between them.  "This
sort of stuff moves slow, because people don't think of them as 'real
instruments', or only stuff for people that don't have any talent or
enough patience to learn how to play something like a guitar."

He set it down and grinned.  "Takes less coordination to use a couple
of those, than it does a game controller, and Marie is going to show
people how fun that can be.  Add the bracelets, and hormones, plus the
way Bards encourage audience participation, and I bet that I'm going
to get such a volume discount, I can give them away with the other
stuff, and still show a profit.

"Anyway, relax.  Giving you folks that stuff is better business than
charging you for it."

Ted studied him some more, then noded.  "You mentioned being a pro.
That means you probably have some contacts, and some garage buddies,
at least, right?"

"Yeah.  This store started as a hobby between gigs, somewhere else."

"So...  We're going to lose our backup band this summer, when everyone
but Marie and I goes to Rabelaisia for their tour, for a couple years.
Know any old hands who want to share some memories, or some up and
comers, who could use a boost?"

"What about ordinary folks, who just want a taste?"

"Sure.  Even beginners.  We're easy about audience participation,
because...  We're all one big family, so let's relax together, and
have some fun."

"Not many names work that way."

Ted grinned, then held up his hand, palm out.  "We're not names. We're
Bards.  Hold your hand about six inches from mine, then I'll pay you
for all that stuff."

He did, and Ted did the stuff to get him to see power.

He looked around, and smiled.  "That's some payment."

"Only a down.  The final payment is getting to see the connections we
have with the rest of our family."

He grabbed the guitar, then looked at me.  "Marie?  'Against the
Grain' should finish it, right?"

"A duet?"

"Sure.  Mark? Julie?  Grab the rest of our stuff, ok?"

They did, and then Ted looked at the owner.  "Know it?"

"Unfortunately, no."

"No problem.  You can watch, or join us while we go looking for that
dress.  I won't shut it off until we go home."

Ted looked at me.  "Ready?"

"Of course."

He tapped a couple times, then hit the opening, and we stepped out,
with everyone else following us.

When the first person walked up and offered some money after we
finished, Julie and Mark looked at me.

"Shopping bag.  Let folks drop it in, for now."

Julie opened the bag that had the least in it, and suddenly we were
mobbed by adults and kids who wanted to give us something.

I nudged Ted.  "You want see it get nuts?"

"This isn't?"

"Not really."

I moved to get some room, then I went mare.  People got silent, and I
looked at Ted.  "Play something we both know we know."

"Right.  Sis?  'Just Begun'."

He led us in, Julie and I did a duet, and Ted did the male part.

The reaction after we finished, was...

Enthused.  We had to stop and buy a couple large handbags so we could
improvise some saddlebags so I could carry all the loose change people
were giving us.

Ted looked at what was going on, then he sighed.  "I didn't really
believe you, but now..."

"Yeah.  There's a branch of my bank here, and they're used to me
coming in, so we'll stop so I can let them count it, then we'll split
it four ways.  I'll put my share in my account, and you guys can do
whatever you want, with yours."

Ted sighed.  "Let me pretend we're on a normal date, and I'll buy you
something to eat?"

"Sure.  Hey, Mark.  Tie those bags together and hang them on me.  I'll
make sure they stay put."

He did, then he looked in one of the handbags and shook his head.  "I
see a lot of twenties in there.  Even some fifties and hundreds.  Are
people really that...  Generous?"

"Yeah, Mark.  They can be.  Took me awhile to get used to the numbers,
too."

He looked around, then sighed.  "It finally hit me, just what it can
mean, to be a Bard."

"You ok?"

"Yeah.  Julie and I spent some time talking about the fame and how
we're going to deal with it.  I'm used to street corner stuff and
this...  You've been coming here two or three times a week, for a
couple years, and folks *still* go this crazy?"

"I usually stay at the stage in the food court, unless I'm helping Tom
out at one of the main stages.  Strolling is something I don't do that
often, so...  Yeah, this is pretty typical, so far.  I've got all the
proper permits and stuff, so we don't have to worry about getting in
trouble when we're impulsive like this."

"Didn't even think about that stuff.  You got a habit of just dragging
people in with you, and it looks like Ted is just as bad."

"Feel like you aren't contributing, so you haven't really earned your
share?"

"Yeah."

"No problem.  Once we settle at the food court, you can call a couple
dances and do that stuff you do when you tell one of your stories and
make people see it."

"Oh.  Forgot I can do that.  Ok.  You guys do your stuff, and I'll
start thinking about that.  Thanks, Marie."

"Welcome.  Oh, hey!  Grab those castanets and ankle chimes before I go
back to being a girl."

He did, then I shifted and we wandered until I found a dress shop I
liked, then we went in and spent some time searching for a party dress
that was right for what I wanted to do.

That forced me to become Monique, and by the time I was done, there
was a crowd of guys watching me, so I grinned at the sales lady when I
came out of the fitting room.  "No point in me asking how I look,
right?"

She laughed.  "No.  I think you got all the second opinions you need."

"True.  Let me pay for it, then I'll get out of here and take the
crowd with me."

She cashed me out, then I grinned.  "Come on Ted.  This is going to
give you a real ego boost."

"I know."

We walked out, and when I knew we were away from the door, I linked my
arm with Ted's.  "Hi, guys.  Meet my husband, Taciturn Ted.  Those
guys are Mark, and his future wife Julie, from The Scarboroughs."

We heard a lot of groans, and I giggled. "Hey, we can still have some
fun together.  We're headed to the food court, so if the stage is
empty, we'll take a break and put on a show before we go home."

That got some cheers, and the parting of the sea action that I was
used to when I was a mare.

Ted finally decided that the best thing he could do, was laugh.  "I
think you just managed to kill a lot of fantasies and dreams."

"Maybe.  Might get worse, because when we get home, I'm going to have
to change into Monique and take a good bath."

He groaned, and it was my turn to laugh.  "Make it good, huh?  You're
going to be standing in for quite a crowd."

"Do me a favor, Marie.  Make your 'performance' tasteful, ok?"

"Sure.  You know 'Coming 'Round the Mountain'?"

"I know one version, and it's...  A sing along?"

"Sure!"

"I'll focus on dancing while Mark calls the words, and you and Julie
can sing it."

"Anything else?"

"Yes.  We need to stop at the chicken place and get our first set of
those take out buckets.  I'll have them write our names on them, so
people can pick who they want to tip."

Then I remembered our escorts.  "Hey!  You guys hear that?  I'm going
to open with a sing along, once we get the stage, and I want you guys
to help us get things moving.  Someone go ahead of us and let them
know we're on our way, and get the buckets ready.  Need four this
time.  Put whatever name you want on mine, and the others are Ted,
Mark, and Julie.  And...  Don't run anyone off the stage, ok?  We're
willing to wait in line, like usual.  Need to get ready and take a
break, anyway, ya know?"

A couple of kids took off, and I laughed, and spoke so they could all
hear me.  "Those guys are going to get snapped up pretty quick, since
they're already trained.  Gonna miss all the fun and attention, but
we'll still be able to get together, because I got a way to work
Monique into our regular stuff."

"Yeah?  How?!"

I giggled.  "Mark, hand me the castanets, then grab a couple
volunteers from the crowd and hand them the ankle chimes, so they can
put them on me."

Once I was 'dressed', I grinned and slowly opened and closed the
castanets.  "Like this!  Everybody clap!"

I sped the beat up until I had what I wanted, then I started stamping
my feet in time to the clapping, while I wove a faster rhythm with the
castanets.

Then, with Ted laughing while he improvised around the basic beat, I
danced and spun my way to the food court.

Once things quieted, I got serious.  "Where's the guy who wanted to
know how I'd work Monique into my act?"

"Here!"

"C'Mere, Goofball!"

He did, I grinned at him, then I pulled his head down and kissed him
full on the lips before I let go and smiled.  "Thanks.  Was it as good
as your fantasies?"

"Umm...  Yeah.  I think it will be, once I realize I really was kissed
by Monique."

"Hey, relax.  Someday, you're going to meet the real thing, and
they'll give you the kind of kiss that you remember forever, instead
of something that's just for fun."

"Be hard to beat that one, I think."

"I could, but we got lots of kids here."

"Thanks, Monique."

"Welcome.  Hope you enjoy the rest of the show."

We watched him find a place to settle, then I struck a pose.  "Ok,
Mark.  Let's do it!"

* * *

Eventually we wound things down, and while we were catching our breath
at the end, I looked at the others.  "You guys ok with what's going to
happen next?"

Ted looked around and nodded slightly.  "Seen it happen.  We got
what's in those handbags, and...  It's only money, and like Marie
says, we don't really need it."

"Mark?"

"Go for it."

"Julie?"

"Of course.  Guess these two don't pay attention, because I've noticed
that you usually wind up with more than you started with."

"Thanks, Guys.  You'll never regret it."

I raised my voice.  "Ok!  A lot of you know what happens next.  We're
going to take a break, so you folks can clue the rest in, and set up
four, no interest loan centers.  You've been wonderful, all of you,
and we'll be back tomorrow, to do the usual Tuesday show."

We made the rounds to get some food, then we settled and watched what
was going on.

Mark finally shook his head.  "Am I seeing things?  Are people paying
to count our money?"

"No.  They're either contributing some of their extra so they can get
it later, in an emergency, or paying back what they've borrowed in the
past.  Nobody knows except them, which it is.  They'll sort it and
count it first, so we know how much they started with, then anyone who
needs some money, can take what they feel they need.  You guys will be
probably be a little bit shorter than what you started with, but after
this, don't be surprised if you wind up with more than what was there
originally."

I turned and smiled at Ted.  "Now, you can see the reason I wasn't
worried about you paying me back, right?"

"Yeah.  That is absolutely the most surreal thing I've seen.  All that
money out there, and some of those folks even had coin rolls with
them.  What do we do when they're done?"

"The bank branch will have a cart here by then, and they'll give us a
receipt before they take it back.  Mine will get recounted and
deposited, and any ious and stuff saved for me to pick up.  Up to you,
what you want done with yours.  If you don't have an account with
them, you can open one and get your cards tomorrow, or give them the
numbers and they'll count it and route it for you, for no charge,
because they'll be able to use the bills and stuff tomorrow, for the
businesses in the Mall.  It cuts way down on how many times they have
to call out for small bills."

Mark sighed.  "Am I dreaming?  I could swear that I have more buckets
than any of you."

Julie leaned and hugged him.  "I was watching while you did that story
about the young lovers.  A lot of girls added to it after you got
done."

"I don't get it."

"The rest of us described dreams, or made them feel things.  You made
them see it.  Big difference.  What you did was...  More real to them,
than any fantasy about Monique."

He finally looked at me.  "Marie?  She right?"

"Yes.  Which is more popular, and easier to share with your friends?
Books or movies?"

"Movies."

"Movies, or interactive video games?"

"Tough call, Marie...  Oh.  Yeah.  Now I get it.  Entertainers who
manage to get their audience involved are always more popular than
ones that keep them at a distance."

"Yep.  So.  How do you guys feel, other than tired?  Mark?"

"Awed.  I've always thought you're a great performer, Marie, even when
I didn't know it was you.  But to be up there and doing it with you,
then find out people like what I did, more than they did your stuff...
Julie's going to have to help me keep my ego under control."

"Julie?"

"I couldn't figure out how Monique could get away with everything she
did to guys, until today.  Monique is the real you, isn't she?"

"Yeah.  One thing about being a Bard, is that we have to find our own
balance in life.  I got a lot of shit I have to always keep track of,
because I'm considered the first.  At the same time, I have to have a
way to let off steam.  Monique is how I do it.  I can be wild, flirty,
casual, emotional, and just...  Treat people like people, without
worrying about all the serious stuff in life.  That's going to change,
now that people know who I really am.  Maybe I can eventually make
Monique a sort of a parody of a Bard, and get folks to relax more,
like LIb does with Helga."

Julie studied at me.  "A parody of a Bard?"

"Sure.  Instead of being sober about it, I can go the other way and
get crazy.  As Marie, folks would freak, if I did improv.  As Monique,
it would be 'Oh, that's just Monique, being Monique'.  Gives me a lot
more room."

"Just what are you planning on doing tomorrow?"

"Good call.  Mark is going to figure out a story about a slightly
naive country bumpkin, who moves to the city and meets two girls.  One
is apparently normal, with a hidden wicked side, while the other one
is so out of his experience, he fixates on her, and his...  Efforts to
capture her, eventually wear her down until she reveals it's all
overcompensation for being so down home ordinary, it's painful to see
her admit it."

"You, Marie, are so absolutely sneaky, it's a wonder you haven't snuck
up on yourself."

"Yeah, I know.  And you guys are going to be just as good, or better,
someday.  Oh, Mark, figure out a way to work in a slightly hapless
flying unicorn who means well, but doesn't always get it right, so we
can make it look like Lib is acting, instead of learning."

"Can I tell her that?"

"No.  She'll figure it out.  Knowing her, she'll enjoy it so much,
she'll want to get serious about working up a full show around the
idea."

"Ok."

I finally turned to Ted.  "That's Mark and Julie.  Your turn, Love"

"For a Bard, our bodies are our costumes, aren't they?"

"Yes, and we don't have to go to a changing room to put them on."

"Handy.  No wonder Spartacus and Gloria always work to standing room
only crowds."

"Yep.  Anything else?"

He glanced at the media, then sighed.  "I'm going to give away a
secret."

"Yeah?  Which one?"

"The one about you using Monique to prove it's possible for a woman to
be so intensely female, men and women can't conceive of being jealous
of her.  Instead, they go the other way, and make her part of their
fantasies, either as someday being that way, themselves, or being...
Gifted with a chance to be worthy of your friendship."

"Challenged you, huh?"

"Yep!"

"Good!"

"Thanks.  What about you. Marie?  Got anything you want to add?"

I thought about it, then spoke very softly and sincerely.  "Vix was
right.  You guys were meant to be Bards."

I let them squirm a little, then I gestured.  "Come on.  They're
loading up our money, so let's get the paperwork and go home.  I'll
change at Mark's place so they can take one of the handbags.  We can
worry about making the split exact, later.  You guys figured out what
you want done with yours?"

Ted nodded.  "Open an account here."

Julie looked at Mark and he nodded, so she spoke for both of them.
"Since you're obviously happy with them, same for us.  We can put
whatever we earned while we were strolling, in our personal accounts,
for now."

"Ok.  Keep a thousand in small stuff out so you have it with you
tomorrow.  Now that everyone knows you're Bards, they'll want to
either hand you some of their extra, or ask for a 'loan'.  Don't ask
if it's a loan, or they are just getting some of the money you've been
holding for them.  They'll keep track, so you don't need to make an
issue of it.  Count it again when you get home, and track that.  Most
likely, you'll feel like everyone is asking you for money, but you'll
have more than what you started with.  If you don't have enough, send
them to me or ask if they can wait until you have a chance to get what
they need."

Julie stared at me, then nodded.  "You planning on teaching us what we
need to know, so we can keep from getting mugged?"

"Yes."

Ted had been watching me closely, so I shifted and raised my eyebrows.
"Some sort of problem?"

"Couple of them.  You make it sound like we're walking bankers."

"It's a modified Rabelaisian custom, and it's covered by treaty, so
we're exempt from the usual stuff that banks need to deal with.  Call
it being friends and we're holding a friend's spare cash for
emergencies."

"You sounded pretty sure there'd be over four thousand in those
handbags."

"That's the average each time.  Early in the month it can be more.  If
there isn't, don't worry about it."

"Ok.  So...  How much of that can we consider ours?"

"I don't have a clue.  I'll have to teach you guys how to read the
memories in the money, so we can figure that out.  Eventually you'll
be able to tell almost as fast as you can count it."

"Oh.  Something obvious."

"Yes."

"The stuff going to the bank?"

"I used to check, and still do about once a month.  I have two
accounts, and do half in one for myself, and half in the one for the
loans.  So far, it's worked out so I've never had to make a transfer.
I do cheat a little, and keep half of the interest paid into the loan
account."

I felt someone focus on me, and when I looked, I groaned.  "Crud!
We've been so busy I forgot to tell you guys something.  Too late, so
it's going to have to be a surprise."

I turned slightly.  "Ok, Phil.  How bad is it?"

He held up some finger cymbals.  "We saved a set for you.  Cleaned us
out."

He handed checks to everyone but me, then waited.  Mark looked at his
and winced.  "What is this all about?"

"Your commissions.  Standard five percent."

"Oh.  Yeah.  It's a surprise, all right.  Marie forgot to mention that
to us.  What did we sell for you?"

"Since the mouth organ was for you, I gave you the commissions on
those.  I got cleaned out, with more on order.  That check is for what
I had in stock.  You'll get another one as soon as people pick up what
they ordered, or we can set it up so I make direct transfers into your
account, like I do for The Singing Palomino."

"This going to happen every time we do a show?"

"Hard to say, in your case, This time I fudged it, because I assumed
Ted wouldn't mind me giving him all the guitar commissions.  We sold
*everything*, including the amplifiers, fuzz boxes and anything else
that was related to guitars."

"Umm...  So...  I can see why you were so relaxed about giving us that
stuff, since this check is for more than all that would have cost."

"You folks are good for business.

"The young ladies get it for the sheet music sales, karaoke machines
and microphones.  Plus, Marie got some for the castanets, ankle
chimes, tambourines and other stuff like that.  I keep an employee out
when someone is using the stage, and they keep track of what is done,
so we can link sales to the performer and what they perform."

Then he studied Ted.  "Been watching you ever since you convinced me
you were a serious player.  Also been keeping close watch on what
people buy when you've been 'doodling around', ever since.  Hope you
don't mind that I cut your check short so I could use some of your
commission to cover what you owed on this."

He held out an ornate case and Ted stared at it hungrily.  "You aren't
kidding me about this?"

"No.  Been saving it for a surprise.  You were getting close, anyway.
Probably would have made it sometime in the next six months."

"Marie?  You know anything about this?"

"No.  Never heard of it happening before, either.  Phil?"

"It's rare, but it has happened.  I carry whatever it is, on the books
as a long term layaway."

I nodded.  "Take it, Ted.  Phil says it's paid for, it is, and he made
more than enough to cover his cost."

He reached, opened the case, then set it on the table and ran his
finger over what was inside before he picked it up, put it against his
lips, and blew gently.

I felt like I was going to orgasm, and from the look on her face,
Julie was probably pretty close, too.

"Umm...  Ted?"

"Huh?  What?"

"Do all the women in the area a favor, and make love to it after we
get home."

"What?!"

"Yeah.  Remember what you did to Lib?  That thing is like some sort of
weird amplifier, and...  Just wait, ok?  Do something a little less
emotionally loaded, if you just gotta play it."

He thought about it, then studied me.  "You up to trying out those
finger cymbals and singing at the same time?  Sort of a command
performance to thank Phil?"

"What you got in mind?"

" 'My Night to Howl', so Phil can get a chance to see you as Monique."

"That's evil, Ted.  I'll do it.  Phil?  Better sit down before I knock
you out of your socks."

I shifted, got ready, then got on the stage. "You ready, Ted?"

"Yes."

"Don't bet on it.  You  haven't heard me when I'm serious about
howling."

I tipped my head back, and gave my opening howl everything I had.  Ted
recovered from his surprise, and picked it up.  After that, I relaxed,
and...  Strutted while I sang.

After we finished, I went over to Phil and pecked his cheek.  "Thanks
for everything, ya know?"

"Yeah.  You going to teach Julie how to do that?"

"Yes.  Ted and Mark, too.  Just one of the things you have to know how
to do, when you're a Bard."

"Any Bard can do that?!"

"Yeah.  I toned it down quite a bit, since I didn't know who's
carrying the feed right now."

"Let me know when you decide to do The Strip."

"No problem."

He got up and left.

I stretched and sat down again.  "I wasn't kidding, guys.  By the time
you make Journeyman, you'll be able to turn it on and off whenever you
want to."

Ted looked at Mark, then he sighed.  "I need to get used to the idea
that...  I'll be able to do that."

I touched his hand lightly.  "Your body is just another instrument,
Ted.  I'm going to help you learn how to play it like it was meant to
be played."

He finally came back from wherever, and looked at me, then at his new
harmonica, before he put it back in the case.  "Didn't you say
something about paperwork, and going home?"

"Yeah.  I did, didn't I?"

I looked around, found who I was looking for, and waved at him.
"Sorry, Henry.  Whatcha got tonight?"

He came over and sat in the chair Phil had been using.  "Memories,
again.  Nice to know the human behind the mare, finally."

"Yeah, well...  Thanks for not pushing about that.  These guys are
willing to do the same thing I do, so the accounts need to be set up
and all that."

"Any of you need operating cash, before we take it back?"

"No.  There's what we collected while we were strolling the Mall."

"Ok."  He got out some paperwork and some atm cards, then got their
names before he wrote them down next to the numbers for the cards.
After that he handed them a card, with a receipt.  "Ok.  The numbers
are real.  Pretty typical for a Monday show that's impulsive. Tomorrow
night, they'll probably be larger.  You'll get used to it. Give us
about an hour, to be safe, and you'll have access to the money in the
accounts they'll be linked to.  One more question, for each of you,
then I'll leave you alone."

They looked at their receipts, then at me.  Julie sighed.  "We go to
the Mall on a shopping trip, things get crazy, suddenly I have more in
a new back account than Dad makes in a month, that's matched by an
equal amount I'm holding for my 'friends', and now I'm hearing that's
it was a *slow* evening?"

I nodded.  "Uh huh.  Wait until you can read the feelings in the
money.  Going to be so much love and trust that you'll wonder if
you're doing it wrong.  Once your loan account builds up, people will
start asking for bigger loans.  They'll pay them back, too, unless
they happen to die."

"I'm figuring you out, Marie.  How big is 'bigger'?"

I smiled.  "Henry?  I don't keep track."

He studied Julie, then shrugged.  "Biggest so far was seventy five
thousand, to cover some emergency medical expenses.  Word got out and
by the end of a month the account was almost two hundred thousand
bigger than it was before the loan.  Been some others almost as big,
and...  Same thing happens every time."

He laughed.  "Phil got about eighty thousand from it this evening.  By
the end of the month, all that will be replaced and there will be even
more.  It's taken me a long time to get used to having people walk in
and ask for money, and I have to give it to them without doing any
background checks or paperwork."

He shook his head and went on.  "People *still* default on loans when
they get them from us, but people who tap Marie's account...  Same
folks who didn't hesitate to file bankruptcy on us, are fanatical
about making payments to Marie.  Pennies, dollars, doesn't matter.
They walk in, drop it in the bucket waiting, and walk out. Incredible,
to see it happen all the time.  I'll make sure three more buckets are
on the counter when we open, tomorrow morning.

"Oh, that question.  Do you want us to add your money to our general
fund we use for investments, or keep it apart?"

They looked at me and I sighed.  "I keep both of mine apart.  Way I
figure it, it has to always be there, when someone needs it.  Can't do
that when it's invested.  Besides, like Phil says, I'm good for
business, You guys will be, too.  People are...  Not sheep, but they
do trust us quite a bit, so if we trust a bank, they will too.
Anything the bank has lost because I won't let them use my money, they
more than make up with the increased business."

Ted was the  one who spoke up.  "Then let's keep with something we
know works.  I'll do it your way.  Keep mine apart."

Mark and Julie made the same decision, so Henry added that to his
notes.  "Ok.  Thanks.  Come by when you have a chance, and we'll take
care of the rest of the paperwork."

Our money left, surrounded by security.

I stretched and then smiled tiredly.  "You guys ready to go home?  I
can carry three, if I have to."

They thought about it, then all shook their heads.  Mark managed a
slight grin.  "You go back to being you, so we don't get mobbed, and
let's just be teenagers headed home from an evening at the Mall."

"Mall Rats headed home from the party?"

"Yes."

I stood up.  "Ok.  Load me up as Monique, so you guys don't have to
carry all that stuff.  Umm...  Ted?  If you can unzone long enough,
I'll carry your guitar for you."

"Thanks."

They loaded me up, then I shifted.  "Come on."

As soon as we got outside, we were met by three wolves.

I sighed.  "Ok.  I should have expected you guys to show up.  How ya
doing?  And thanks.  The guy who is zoned and fondling the harmonica
is my husband, Ted.  The other couple is Julie and Mark.  All
apprentices, but if I had to tell you that, I'm in the wrong reality."

Tom tilted his head.  "Hello, Marie.  Nice meeting you folks.  We
figured you'd appreciate an escort."

"Always, Tom.  Hi, Mahika, Sandy.  You been keeping him on a short
leash while this stuff settles?  Oh, guys, the big guy is Tom.  The
white one is Mahika, and the ordinary looking one is Sandra.  You'll
get used to them doing that in and out stuff so they can show up when
they think it's funniest to do it."

All the introductions got taken care of, then Tom got serious.  "You
folks need us tomorrow evening?"

I frowned.  "Probably not, but I was expecting you to be there like
normal, so we can take breaks once in awhile.  They have to get used
to working with you, too."

"Relax, Marie.  We weren't planning on missing that experience.  Chrys
forgives you, for tonight.  She did note that it *was* slower than you
have been, so she decided she wouldn't make it an issue.  Good jobs,
all of you, and that's official."

"We had to make sure that what we bought was ok.  Mark hasn't checked
out his harmonica yet, but there's no rush."

"True."

The three of them turned away and he glanced back.  "Let's get
moving."

I knew my eyebrows went up, but I just sighed.  "Yeah."

We got moving again, and I let my mind drift while Tom and the grrls
worked their own brand of magic on the others, until they were relaxed
and laughing, instead of obsessing about all the changes that had
happened in the last few days.

Something nudged my hand, and when I looked down, Sandy was watching
me, and something in her posture was asking me a question, so I took
the time to look around before I said anything.

Tom and Ted were leading us, and they seemed to be engrossed in what
they were discussing.  Mark had an arm around Julie's waist while she
walked at his right side.  Mahika was on the other side, and both of
them were obviously enjoying themselves while they visited.  On an
impulse I checked the links, and when I realized what was going on
there, I was barely able to choke back my giggles before I went back
to studying Sandra. 

"Quite a context you've created tonight."

"Thanks.  I had some good help, setting it up."

"Thanks, Sandy.  Means...  Quite a bit when it comes from you.  So.
This is what it feels like, to finally understand you're an Alpha,
with your own pack?"

"Yes.  Be prepared for quite a change in your sister when you get
home."

"Oh?"

"Kay and Chrys took her back to Stonehenge for a few years."

"Both of them?  That's a pretty big picture."

"We think we're headed for a major cusp, and this is...  All the
warning we're going to get.  The rest will be up to us, now."

"All of us?"

"Of course."

"Guess I'm some sort of catalyst?"

"You and Ted.  Female and male poles of power, all that trite stuff."

"Got it.  So...  Can you tell me who it is?  Pretty obvious the four
of us are a distraction of some sort."

"You're not a distraction, Marie.  You're preparing people for the
main event, so when it happens, it won't make so big a splash people
get distracted from the message."

"Know who it is?"

"Wish we did.  Could be one of us, or it could be somebody none of us
know about."

"Lib, maybe?"

"Unlikely.  Good call, on seeing her as being the second Terran Bard.
All of you are being groomed for something, but that's obvious, and
when Bards are mixed up in it, all bets are off."

"What about that girl who was abused?"

"Jessica?  We're keeping an eye on her.  Not like Chrys, to get that
involved, but she's also right about that being the best chance she's
had, to move some of her long term plans forward."

"Sandy?  Am I being a little paranoid for thinking you guys are on
alert because of all the weird coincidences?  And...  Thank Mahika for
showing Mark what it's like, to know he's got a Muse focused on him."

"He doesn't need one, so that's the main reason she's working with
him.  Right now, she's just being a sounding board.  Let him figure it
out on his own, or with Julie's help."

"No problem."

"Marie, Chrys is on that runaway train right now.  She's doing ok, and
Merlin is a big help.  She's not at her limit, but she's near it, when
it comes to juggling things.  That bothers us, far more than it
bothers her.  So, you're not being paranoid."

"So...  It's up to me, and the others, to just live our lives, and
mostly ignore the stuff that's been following us around?"

"Yes.  Just be the best Bard you can be, Marie, and adapt when the
consequences aren't what you figured they would be."

"Huh.  Long shots coming home.  Not sure how I should play that one.
You can relax.  I'll focus on getting us ready for Solstice."

"That should work fine.  Any 'Luck' that comes your way won't be from
us.  Somebody else is doing that right now, and we learned a long time
ago that the best thing for us to do, is stand aside and let it happen
and settle, before we explore and try to figure out what happened that
wasn't obvious."

"Don't ask some questions, until it's over?"

"Yes.  Most of them are likely to get answered, eventually.  Keep the
unanswered ones in mind, and when things slow down for certain, then
you can ask them.  Not going to promise answers that mean anything.
You know how it works, right?"

"Oh, yes.  Too well.  Anyway, I'm thinking we've had two good shows
for them to get used to the idea they're names, and we can openly use
power, but most folks will see us as ourselves, mostly.  That stuff
Chrys came up with, about me being a zero interest loan service, makes
sense, now, and I'm glad they decided to go along with it."

Sandy waited me out, and finally I sighed.  "What I want to do
tomorrow, is a show that isn't as free form as what we've been doing.
Not sure what the final structure will be, but I'm sure we'll open
with that adaptation of Ted's.  'Freedom's Welcome' sounds like a good
name, so I'll use that when I introduce it.  Haven't figured out the
rest, but I am certain we should mix in a lot of audience
participation stuff, and that means Mark."

Sandy nodded her head and twisted an ear at me while she scanned the
shadows.  "What about us?"

"I'd appreciate it, if we do this like always, and you guys run it,
and just work us in.  Mostly, I need a break, but I also want to watch
how you guys add them to what we usually do, so I can take notes and
fine tune my thinking for later, when we'll be the headliners."

"No problem.  Be ok if I do things so each of you winds up in the
spotlight at least once?"

"Can you do it so Ted and I are backing up Mark and Julie?"

"Sure.  Folks are used to thinking of you as a part of our shows on
Tuesdays and Thursdays, so I can shift the emphasis a little so we can
start giving you and the others a distinct identity that isn't
supported by us."

"Ok.  Mostly, I think Mark, Julie, and Libby should be working
together, with Ted and I supporting them, so we can get them ready for
that tour."

"Good points."

She suddenly jerked her head so she was staring at some bushes, and I
laughed.  "Let me handle this.  I got something I want to try out."

She sneezed, but never lost her intent focus.

I found the guys who'd focused on us, and figured out what positions
they were in.  When I was certain  I'd found what I was looking for, I
started masturbating them with power.

I kept it up until Sandy sneezed her amusement.  "They've lost
interest."

I giggled.  "Good!"

I gave them a final squeeze each, then let go.  "I hope they don't
wait for it to happen again."

"Unlikely.  They've decided to take advantage of their seclusion and
finish what you started, with some more physical contact."

"Gay?"

"Bi, and they just discovered it, with your help."

"What am I?  Some sort of universal emotional catalyst?"

"Something worse.  You're a Bard, with a sense of humor that matches
Chrys at her worst."

"Oh.  Thanks, I think.  She and I have talked about that."

"Don't worry.  She's only waiting until the conditions are right,
before she tells the world about you and Libby."

I sighed.  "You ever get tired of being a tool?"

"Not any more.  You're doing fine.  Things will settle for now, then
we'll have some excitement on Solstice and during the holidays.  After
the first, everyone should be able to go off duty for awhile, and
things will go back to being normal, whatever that winds up being."

"Cultural shift?"

"Open awareness of better alternatives, at least."

"Ok.  That's going to help me cope."

"Hoped it would.  We're coming up on Mark's  You have enough to finish
creating your context?"

"Short term, yes."

Sandy laughed.  "That's all we're doing right now, and staying
flexible.  Have to, when you're dancing on sand."

I giggled.  "Thanks.  Great image, and it describes exactly how I feel
right now.  You going to escort Ted and I home?"

"Yes."

"Thanks.  Anything happens, I'll let you guys deal with it."

"No problem.  I wasn't expecting anyone to be serious about bothering
us, but I guess those two weren't paying attention when they had a
chance to learn about wolves."

"Maybe they thought you guys were big, cuddly, German Shepherds."

She sneezed softly.  "Whatever.  One of us will keep an eye on them,
and if they keep getting pushy, we'll do a little unpushing."

"Never stop, do you??"

"Sure we do.  That happened too close to Mark's, and I don't like
coincidences."

"A reminder, as if I needed one, to teach them how to detect that
stuff and protect themselves?"

"Possibly.  We'll start escorting you.  Since we know they're out
there, we might as well get some use out of them, before we advise
them they made a mistake."

"Sounds good to me."

"We're here, and we're all going to drop our shields."

"Thanks."

Mark hugged Mahika, then he sighed and looked at me.  "We're ready to
go call it a night, and snuggle.  You ok with taking all that money
home and bringing us what we need, in the morning?"

"Sure.  Ted and I are probably going to be up awhile so we can talk
about tomorrow.  You got some sort of handle on what kind of a
narration you want to do?"

"Yes.  Mahika assured me that no matter what I come up with, Lib won't
flub any of the action, so that's going to make it easier."

"Ok.  Were either of you trying to use the inner stuff to keep an eye
on things while you were walking?"

"I was focused on Mahika, so, no.  Julie?"

"Some.  Spotted a couple people with a pretty strong sexual
connection, and had a vague impression of some folks in the houses.
That was spotty unless they were feeling stuff real strongly."

"Ok.  Good start.  Remind me at lunch, tomorrow, to do a link so you
can learn what to look for when you want to know when someone is
focused on you.  We won't worry about spotting danger to others until
you've had a chance to get used to reading auras to figure out what
people are feeling."

She sighed.  "Thanks, Marie.  Guess with all the money, we need to pay
better attention?"

"Eventually.  Wait for us in the morning, and I'll make it so nobody
can hurt you, or take anything from you unless you volunteer to do
it."

"Ok.  See you guys in the morning."

She took Mark's hand in hers, then they went inside.

Ted studied me thoughtfully before he spoke  There was a edge to his
voice I wasn't sure I wanted to hear, but it had been a long day, and
we'd be home soon, and in better surroundings to sort it out.  "Ok.
Come clean.  Tom started laughing a ways back, then he told me I'd
find out what happened, later.  This is later."

"Couple guys were thinking about robbing us for whatever we had.  We
were able to divert them into something safer than pissing off three
wolves."

He studied me, then looked at Sandy and her grin.  "Whisper in my head
after we snuggle for the night?"

"Sure.  You ready to keep going, or do you want a ride?"

"Ride.  I got some stuff to think about and I'm ready to fall over."

"I'll keep you on, if you fall asleep."

"Thanks.  I'll leave the harmonicas put away."

"Some of that stuff you and Tom were talking about?"

"Yeah.  Mind leaving it alone for now?"

"No problem.  When we get home, you're going straight to bed, and I'm
going to give you a massage.  You'd better fall asleep on me, ok? I'll
deal with all the other stuff, then join you.  I'll reset the alarm so
we can bathe in the morning."

He nodded, so I went mare, and he managed to get on me, then, since it
was obvious he was almost out of it, I let him feel me holding him on
my back.  "You're set.  If you fall asleep, it will be on your own.
Nobody is going to help it happen, but I will make it so there's a
zone of silence around you, so cars and stuff don't startle you awake,
if you do go to sleep."

"Yeah...   Thanks..."

I turned my head to look at him, snorted softly, because it was
obvious he was already asleep, then I created the zone and looked at
my companions before I snorted again and started walking the rest of
the way home.

We walked about a block in silence, then I broke the silence. "Thanks,
Tom.  Whatever you did, it helped, I think."

"Welcome.  What about you?"

"Tired, of course, but pretty good, otherwise.  I've had time to get
used to being a tool.  Still, it would be nice, if things slow down
some."

"The Boss is like that, sometimes.  He might know what he's doing, but
it would be nice if he learned how to communicate with us better.
Could be inherent and nothing we can do about it.  All we can tell you
is that he does listen, eventually."

"I noticed.  Sandy seems pretty certain we'll get a break until
Solstice."

"She's probably right.  There was a Hell of a lot going on that you
kids haven't been involved in.  We're pretty sure that you and the
others have been doing some sort of setup for something that's a lot
bigger than you guys being open power handlers."

"Tom?  It's felt good, but it hasn't felt *right*."

His ears swiveled to focus on me.  "Yeah?  You, too?  Know what
bothers you about it?"

"I do.  Sure, you guys have been doing your shows at the Mall for
years, and there's Merlin's family.  Then we got the Rabelaisians
being tourists when they aren't hob nobbing with the important people,
so there's an awareness that people can handle power."

"But?"

"All those shows, and thousands of people have seen us in person.  We
get involved in a block party, and it's like a big happy family.  Same
for the 'Party at the Park'.  Then, we go out for a stroll, to relax,
and that turns into a moving show and song fest.  Finally, we decide
to make sure our new stuff is really going to work for us, so we don't
haul it home and discover problems and...  Yeah, ok.  We wanted to be
kids and just share some fun.  Mall Rat stuff, too.

"Instead, we wind up doing improv for several hours."

I sighed.  "Yeah, Tom, I got a real problem with all that.  Nobody
complained.  Total acceptance.  Closest we got to problems was those
muggers, and I'm wondering if that was some sort of weird test,
because this area doesn't have that stuff happen, and they had to
be...  More than a little dumb about it, even if you'd been real dogs.
Yet, it happened, and I could feel them focus on me, instead of anyone
else."

"Aren't you forgetting what happened with Jessica's parents?  Getting
a poisoned knife tossed at you isn't how most folks show they accept
you."

"Not related.  Could have been anyone."

He got as close to an apology as he ever got, unless things were
really unusual.  "Your point.  I was wondering if you saw it, that's
all."

"Not worried about it.  Same page and all that."

"Got another one for you.  Well, a couple, but they're so related,
they might as well be one thing."

"I'm not Libby, Thomas.  I got lots of patience, so I'm not going to
ask you to explain."

"Yep.  You're a Bard.  Ok.  As far as we can learn, so far, people
accept all of you, because you and Ted have made your lives totally
public, and you haven't tried to change that decision."

"Has to be more.  How do they feel about the fact we use telepathy to
keep some things private?"

"Most people think you went too far, so that doesn't bother them."

"You?"

"Hope more who are public figures do it your way.  It's drastic, but
the secrecy has gone too far.  Power handlers, of any type, need to do
whatever they have to, to get the public trust back.  After the fact,
we know it had to be done by a Terran Bard, and it had to be whoever
was recognized as the first one.  You got the call, and you did the
right thing."

"Set the precedent and stuff for those who come after me?"

"Exactly.  Same as you've done with that loan stuff you do.  Your
banker spotted it:  'You don't talk about it, you do it, all the time,
not just when it's convenient, or you're being watched'."

His ears twitched, and I laughed.  "Quit ducking."

"Every thing you've done and said, since we met you at the Mall, has
been in the open and on camera.  Is that accidental, or deliberate?"

"Even Ted's talk with you?"

"Yes.  He insisted."

I looked at Ted and spoke softly.  "I'll make it up to him,
eventually.  First part of that is waiting for him to tell me, when
he's ready to."

"Not an answer."

"Thinking like an Old Wolf I know."

He laughed.  "Touch!"

"Deliberate, and a page from the book you helped write.  When I know
it works, over the long term, I'm not afraid to commit myself."

He actually froze in mid step, which forced the rest of us to stop. He
turned around and settled on his haunches so he could focus on me.
"That, Marie, was *not* an answer I expected to hear, for a long time
to come, if ever."

"I am a Bard, Thomas.  I am also awake, and aware.  Those are more
than pretty words, spoken to reassure people.  They define who I am,
and who I someday expect to be."

He nodded slightly.  "An' it harm none, do as thou wilt."

"Some things, unless I am forced to see them, I will not see."

"Nudity should be seen, but not noticed."

"In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is King."

"Never put all your eggs in one basket."

"Love conquers all."

He stood and stretched in a bow.  "Touch.  Let us resume our shared
journey."

"Side by side?"

"Of course."

"Thank you, Tom.  As always, you have a way about you, when it comes
to encouraging young women to share your path."

Mahika laughed.  "That, he does.  Of course, there have been few
worthy of his attention, so the offer is rarely made."

"Ahh...  But is he worthy of mine?  I haven't yet decided, and I'm
sure my husband will wish to express his opinion.  Until that happens,
I will slow my journey, so Tom doesn't wear himself out by trying to
keep up with me."

Then we all laughed, because what we'd needed to say to each other,
had been said, and home was in sight.

* * *

Libby was waiting for us, as herself.  After the others vanished, Lib
studied me thoughtfully before she shook herself slightly and spoke
softly.  "Hi, Sis.  Anyone tell you what happened?"

"Sandy.  You look  good, Lib.  Both ways."

"Yeah, Thanks.  When you got both of them working on you, it...
Works."

"You up to acting like you're still learning, tomorrow?"

"Sure.  Mark, right?"

"Yes.  I've set it up with Sandy, so you three are going to be the
focus."

She sighed.  "Yeah.  The tour.  Ted looks like he's gone for the
night.  Release the zone, and I'll wake him up enough we can get him
to bed."

"Before we do that, grab those handbags and put them in your room."

"Want me to count it, so you can collapse next to Ted?"

"Thanks, but I'll put him to bed for the night, with a massage, then
I'll join you."

"Stuff?"

"Had a long talk with Sandy, as a conscious Alpha."

She sighed.  "I guess we're even, because one of the first things Vix
did when we got to Stonehenge, was admit she thinks of us as complete
equals."

"Yeah, Lib.  At least we don't have to guess about that.  She didn't
happen to act a little forced, did she?"

"Proud, and...  Now that I think about it, a little relieved."

"Good.  Inside info.  She's near the limits of her ability to juggle
stuff.  She's not worried, but Sandy and them, are.  Too many long
term plans happening at once."

Lib sighed.  "Yeah.  It's obvious we're all in the middle of that. Let
me get this stuff put away, then I'll be back."

I waited, then after she got back we went in the garage and she woke
Ted up.  "Come on, guy."

He stretched.  "Hi, Lib.  We home?"

"Yes, you are.  I'll help you down, then Marie and I will help you
find the bed."

"Levitate me?"

"Sure.  Just off Marie, or all the way to bed?"

"All the way.  Appreciate it."

"Welcome, Ted.  Tell me later, if you want to."

I took the time to study Lib.  "You didn't watch the feed?"

"I got better things to do.  Tell you later."

"Soon, later, Lib."

She nodded.  "Should have expected that.  Makes three of us who have
changed.  What about Mark and Julie?"

I sighed.  "Won't know until tomorrow, sometime.  Join us for lunch,
at the usual spot?"

"Sure."

She held out her hand.  "Grab hold, Ted."

He did, she lifted him off my back and then, once he was next to her
with his legs dangling, she let go and wrapped her arm around his
waist.  "You're not heavy, you're my brother."

"Huh?"

"Nothing important.  Just relax, and let me do the driving."

"Oh.  Yeah.  You're good people, Lib.  Just like Marie, but...
Softer."

She blushed and looked at me, so I bobbed my head to let her know I
was ok with it.

She nodded slightly, then spoke gently.  "Come on.  There's a nice
soft bed in your future."

As soon as they were gone I became Monique and put all our stuff away.

Lib found me standing there and staring at Ted's new guitar.  "You,
too?"

"Yeah.  How bad is he?"

"Zoned.  I helped him strip, and he insisted on digging out his new
harmonica and taking it to bed with him.  Mumbled something about 'He
must have known, somehow'."

"Don't know, Lib.  Could have been what Phil did, or whoever it was
who made him the designated heir.  Sounds like you didn't watch the
feed during our improv at the Mall, and after."

"Nope.  Since I had the place mostly to myself, I worked on that
translation, after I got my homework done.  That damn horn really
fucked me over, until I got used to adding some muscle to everything I
did with my head."

"Do I need to give Ted the massage I promised him?"

She turned and looked towards my bedroom.  "He's hurting, Sis."

"I know.  So am I."

"You willing to trust me?"

"Always.  You didn't need to ask."

"I did it for the cameras and Ted, Marie, not us."

"Sorry.  Stupid picture."

"Yeah.  Go mare, and relax in the back yard.  I'll...  Meddle a little
and get you guys past this, somehow."

"I gotta be all those people, Lib.  Sandy said they're pretty sure
we're at a major cusp.  Should be able to slow down until Solstice,
too.  Umm...  If he wants to play for you, let him, and go with the
flow."

"Hell of a warning."
 
"I...  What I did to him at the Mall, Sis.  I didn't have a choice. He
was making love to it, and Julie and I almost orgasmed from the first
note.  I don't know if he's more afraid of his power, or me.  He and
Tom talked, but I have no idea what they talked about, and Ted is
going to have to tell me, if he wants me to know."

"Got it.  Too much, too fast, and he overloaded.  I'll deal with it."

"Thanks.  Tell Ted I might be all mare when he shows up, so he'll need
to ease me back like he would a real mare, when he's ready."

"That's bad.  I'll let him know."

"I owe you.  Big."

"Freebie.  I'm a Bard, and you asked for my help.  Change, and go crop
the lawn, or something."

I changed, Lib opened the door for me, and my mind was already seeking
my connection to the Zeitgeist, before I was completely through it.
======

End: Marie's Solstice 04/14 Reality Bites 2/2
End: Marie's Solstice Reality Bites

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