Legion World Forums LEGION OUTPOST Mission Monitor Board Rockhopper's Rookery: Annual Holiday Party in Progress

...mmmmmm...nice...

<closes eyes while Rocky continues massaging>

...I'll pass on the sake, if ya don't mind, sweetie...alcohol and me...well, I need to stay away from that...but I'm looking forward to discovering the world of sushi with you!

<mulls the thing on his mind>

Rocky...let's say...hypothetically...that I had something to tell you that you'd really want to hear very badly--but it would probably take you out of the moment...hypothetically, would you want to hear that something right now, or wait 'til later...hypothetically...?

Don't tell me... it's sweeps week on Legion World.

Well, first, there's green tea if you'd rather not have sake.

<Continues massaging Lardy>

And--hypothetically--if it was something important that I would want to know about then you would make a judgement call and take my feelings into account, confident that I love you very much and would continue to do so no matter what you decided. <Gives Lardy a little kiss on the ear>. Hypothetically, that is.

So <Holds Lardy very close and whispers in his ear; Rocky's voice suddenly becomes very serious>, what is it?

<turns around and faces him>

After Dru died, I...spent some time in the Dark Oval. I used Kalla Hrykos to gain access to a lot of its secrets...

<pauses>

...you have to understand I've only been able to re-access these memories the last few days...

<continues, bows head>

...anyhow, well, the whole thing was pretty shady, and I'm not proud of it...

<makes eye contact again>

...but the point is, well, I know you've been really worried about Adelie, and...I remember seeing her, Rocky. Adelie was right in the heart of the Dark Oval. I think she was there with some others undercover--and, as far as I know, she's probably still there. This was...several months ago, Rocky.

You...still haven't heard any word, have you?

<Rocky shakes his head>

Okay.
<Silence>
No, I haven't heard anything, really, since she left.
<Silence>
Thank you for telling me that, sweetie. At least now I know where she might be.

And maybe we can find her and help her. I hope so.

On the other hand, there's probably not much we can do about it tonight.

<Starts massaging Lardy again>.

<stands up, hugs him>

Rocky, you have my promise that I'll do everything I can as LMB leader to bring her back to you...

<kisses him>

<'ports in from the Lair>

Rocky? Babe, you here? I really need to talk to you about something!

Hey, Lardy. Sorry for all the clutter. We're preparing the Rookery for a state visit; that is, my mother, the Empress Maryss is coming. What's up?

<embraces him>

It's great to see you again....anyhow, I don't know if you've been keeping up with this Zardi business, but--I've felt this connection with Ghost Girl and with Zardi somehow. I'm not sure you believe in this kind of thing, but I've begun to suspect I knew them in a past life. So I went to the expert on such matters.....

<tells him about the mushroom he got from Mayavale and all about the dreamwalk he just experienced at the Lair>

Anyhow, more and more, I'm feeling how huge a threat Zardi might be and how accessing this past life of mine might be useful to defeating him. I was thinking about having one of the mystics, well, bring him out.

What do you think, Rocky?

<Rocky sits and scratches his head.>

Pyngwynyy don't believe in reincarnation as a general rule, but we certainly do believe in magic <his fingers crackle with ice magic>, which regularly shows us things that don't make a lot of sense otherwise. It's certainly worth investigating. It's beyond my powers, of course. Which of our magi were going to ask? Maxx? Stu? Pagan Lass?

Well, Maxx and Stu haven't been around lately, so probably Luna, if she can do that sort of thing.

<looks Rocky in the eyes>

The point is that if I do this, I won't exactly be me for a while. Do you understand the implications, here?

I mean, trust me, I won't do it if I can't be assured that I can be brought back. But, well, in any case I won't be here with you for an extended period. I won't know you, you know?

<Rocky nods.>

I understand. You have to do the right thing, and this is the right thing for you. I knew when I signed on that this wouldn't be an easy ride.

<Rocky puts his arms around Lardy and places a small kiss on his lips.>

I love you very much, Lardy. If nothing else, you must know by now that I'm very patient. I'll still be here.

That's what I needed to hear, babe...

<kisses him back and strongly>

Just know, this guy I was, he was a really good guy. I could feel his goodness when I touched his life. I...I was envious.

<bows his head slightly in shame>

His...was the only life I touched of mine that wasn't...tainted...by evil.

Lardy, remember, we've all done things we regret. Yes, even me! Two other things we Pyngwynyy do believe very strongly in are forgiveness and reconciliation.

<Puts his hand on Lardy's chin>
You're a good man, Lardy. Don't forget that.

Yeah, I know. It's good to have you here to remind me every once in awhile. However, it sounds like you've a story you haven't told me. Remind me to ask you about it...later....

<turns out lights>

<much later, the two lie in bed spooning, Rocky being asleep>

<Lardy lies there awake, sleeplessly thinking> I'm taking a huge risk here. I've a feeling I will be testing Rocky's understanding to the limits doing what I feel I must do. There's no telling what this persona will do while he's in control. I know I can trust in his goodness, but I know he may be drawn to Ghost Girl if I'm right. If Luna can help me, I've gotta make sure there's a safety net in place, so I can resume control as soon as possible...

<embraces Rocky's sleeping form and tries to go to sleep>

<tomorrow, Lardy knows, will be a step into the unknown>

<whispers> <span style="font-size: 9px;">I love you, Rocky...</span>

(unseen, an intangible hand mimics a caress. Neither living occupant of the room sees or hears their visitor)

Sleep well, Lard Lad. May you have the strength to walk the path you seek to commence.

<wakes up, dresses, checks missed calls on communicator>

Well, I guess the honeymoon's over, so to speak...

<looks at Rocky's sleeping form>

I hope you don't come to regret your support of me. I'll do everything in my power t prevent that.

<kisses Rocky's cheek> I love you so much.

<'ports to Security Office>

And as we turn the corner on another year, we commence the celebrating at the Rookery. Pop in as you have time for festive food and beverage, as always, supplied by the Rookery's comely and scantily-clad waitstaff.

The party continues through Twelfth Night and the Birthday of Hyvvie the Wonder Beagle, so we bid you all welcome.

{Raises a glass of champagne}
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays and the best year ever in 3010!

I could use a glass. Its been a hectic few weeks and all the stress has been piling on just in time for Christmas (and not Christmas related stress).

So here's to good friends and being able to relax.

Are people still spooning? I'm not attending any party where people are spooning. Forking neither.

Drinking in moderation is okay.

I'll drink to that! and that! and that!

The spooning was over months ago, BB. Please, eat, drink and be merry.

Vanessa, Deirdre, Zach, please see to Mssrs. Cobalt, Blockade and Mattropolis.

Wheeee! Party party party!

Am I fashionably late to the festivities?

You are fashionably fashionable, Stealth.

I feel like swinging from the chandelier. (The odd part is, I haven't had anything to drink yet.)