"What a wonderful evening" exclaimed Lord Fowler as he clapped his young
son on the shoulders.  "Reminds me of your joining!"

J'red smiled apreciatively.  This had been a really tough time for him,
beign away from his family, training to become a dragon rider, and now
being one of the "oldsters" here at a new hatching party.  "I've missed
you, Da!"  He laughed over the cup of ale.

"So, have you made yourself some friends, J'red?  Have you been in many
battles?  Tell me, tell me all!"  Lord Fowler could hardly stand it.  His
ultimate dream had been to be a dragon rider himself, but had never been
searched.  His pride in having his own son become a dragon rider could
hardly be contained.

J'red launched into a stirring oration about the wraith attacks and the
rogues attacking and stealing the eggs.  He embellished quite a bit,
making himself and his crimson dragon Firefly the heros of the battles,
and was feeling very full of himself, when he notice Merissa wander into
the party -- alone.  His father noticed at once.

"Ah, a real beauty there! -- looks familiar..."  Lord Fowler remarked.

J'red only nodded.  He had followed her around like a lost puppie,
since the time he'd met her as a bardswoman at his father's hatching
party, but she had never noticed.

Lord Fowler watched his son for a moment and said, "A woman finds a man
attractive if he is attractive to other women...."  He smiled knowingly.

J'red looked startled.  Had he been that obvious?

******
Merissa wandered about the party.  Thorin was not there!  She noticed Cali
sitting and drinking -- alone.  Smiling pleasantly, Merissa walked over to
the girl.

"Hi Cali"  Her voice soft, yet clear enough to carry over the badly
played music coming from the drunken band.

Cali looked up and smiled.  "Hi Merissa.  Some hatching, huh?"

Merissa looked at Cali's eyes and sensed a deeper sadness that her
cheerful words belied.  "I can't seem to find Thorin, do you mind if I
join you until he arrives?"

Cali nodded, indicating the vacant chair across from her.

"Missed the hatching..."  Merissa began, as Cali spoke...
"Quite a hatching!..."  And they both laughed.

"Sorry, Chrysthal was so difficult, my fault, if I hadn't gotten
injured.."  Merissa sighed.

"On, no, not your fault at all!  Totally understandable!  After all those
rogues had attacked her and stolen her eggs.  I completely understand why
she'd be nervous around all those strange people."  Cali consoled.

"Thanks, Cali.  I get the feeling that a few of the nobles were a bit
upset that they didn't get to see the hatching all that well..."  Merissa
said.

"Oh, the hell with the dumb nobles!"  Cali exclaimed.  "They only are here
for the party anyway!"

Merissa laughed, as she glanced around at all the nobles, who were
flirting with the Warrenfolk.  Having been a bardswoman, she was quite
aware of the double standard and hypocracy among the Landbound folk, who
thought the Warrenfolk were without morals.

At that moment, J'red aproached the young women, as his father Lord Fowler
watched with encouragement.  J'red bowing to Cali, though with his eyes
askance at Merissa,  stated in his most formal voice, "Cali, may I have
this dance?"

******
NRPG: Tag Les.  J'red is kind of cute :)
******
Analise was rather anoyed.  Terau seemed to allow any Tom, Dick and Harry
who thought he could play a tune join with the band.  First that boy Nalin
(who honestly wasn't all that bad), and now this large, drunken man
Pa'gan!  Really awful!  Hitting all those sour notes.  Analise turned and
glared at him.

However, Pa'gan at that moment, smashed his wooden flute and left the
hall.  "good riddance to him!"  Analise snorted.  "Terau, if you have no
more sense than an apprentice to allow these oafs to play with the band,
then you do not deserve to have me sing!"

******
NRPG: Tag Mia
******

Analise took another break shortly thereafter, and made her way to Lord
Vaddon, who was happily drinking with his wife.  She had noticed that
boy Nalin dancing with their pathetic, crippled daughter earlier, though
she reasoned it was best not to make mention of that tragedy.  Perhaps
they could use a bardswoman?

Analise smiled her most charming smile, as she approached them,  "Lord
Vaddon, are you enjoying this evening?"

"and what is not to enjoy!" Lord Vaddon exclaimed.  "My favorite daughter
and my son Derry, joined to dragons!"

"Oh!"  Analise was taken aback and without thought blurted, "Not your
crippled daughter?"

Lady Anis Vaddon turned to Analise....

******
NRPG: Tag Jill
******

Analise had struck out again!  Dejectedly she did another set, before
spotting Lord Fowler among the crowd.  Lord Fowler was a widower...  Her
mind raced.  She hardly paid any head to the songs she was singing, but
directed all her attention to him.

Lord Fowler was suddenly aware of the beautiful, blonde bardswoman,
singing her heart out to ... him?

After her set, Lord Fowler aproached Analise, who with all her coy charms,
pretended not to notice him.

"My lady, you do sing so wonderfully."  Lord Fowler gushed.

Analise smiled, "why thank you, my kind sir."

"You must be parched after singing.  May I get you something to quench
your dry throat?"  Lord Fowler asked.

"Why, some wine would be wonderful, ... but only if you will share a glass
with me?"  Analise was in her element again.

And after several more drinks, Analise, completely ignoring Terau's
requests for more songs, left the hall with Lord Fowler's arm wrapped
tightly around her own.

******
Respectfully Submitted by Arlene