Terrie paused to readjust her backpack. She'd been walking for a while, and her feet were definately starting to get sore. She was starting to consider turning back when she realized she was getting close. She waved at Summer Ison and Sikudhani McCoy, who were talking across the street. The two girls waved back, and turned back to the conversation. Suddenly, Siku popped out in the middle of a sentance, called back to work. Terrie winced in sympathy. A common occurance, true, but that didn't make it any less annoying.
Summer ran across the street, dodging a runaway plot twist as she did. "Hey, Terrie, long time, no see. You back for the long haul, or is this just a visit?"
"Hard to say. Depends on how things work out. I'm hoping to stick around for a while, but you just never can tell."
Summer nodded in agreement. "So, you headed over to the Cafe?"
"Yep. I heard a rumor that the Writers' Cafe is serving a free helping of fresh inspiration with every drink. I just couldn't pass it up." Terrie looked over at Summer. "What about you?"
"What else? The Subreality as usual. Say, do mind stopping by for a few minutes? Just to see if anyone has any messages for their writers? It's no big deal if you can't..."
Terrie thought it over. "I don't see why not. Of course, there's always a chance that the Bouncer won't let me through the door."
Summer shrugged. "Leave it to me. Everyone's been grumbling lately, and the Bouncer will be more then glad to give them a chance to let off some steam. The last thing that one wants is a homicide. I think everyone's getting a little bit of cabin fever."
"Let me guess. Siku."
"Yeah. I like the girl. And she certainly hasn't let her fame go to her head. She's just a little too popular for her own good, is all."
The two girls walked up to the door of the Subreality Cafe. In the doorway stood the Bouncer, looking imposing. "Summer, you're clear. But you," the Bouncer pointed at Terrie, "are a writer. And as such, you are not allowed inside."
Terrie smiled her sweetest smile. "Actually, I just wanted to see if anyone wanted me to run a message to their writer. I'm headed up to the Writers' Cafe, and it won't be a problem."
The Bouncer looked doubtful, but let her in anyway. " Well, fine, just this once. But be quick about it. I could lose my job for letting a writer into Subreality."
"Sure thing." Terrie entered the cafe. Shining was on stage, playing. Terrie shook her head. "I've got to get someone to write a new band."
She walked over to the table where Kelsey, Deidre, and Andreana were talking about Bobby. "Hey, guys. What's up?"
"The Thieves Guild?" Kelsey stared at Deidre. "That's something of a stretch."
Deidre gave the other woman a shy smile. "Maybe, but we're well-written, so it works."
Andreana sighed in envy. "I wish I could say the same thing."
"Hey!" Terrie exclaimed. "It was my first fanfic ever. Give me a break."
Ann shrugged. "Whatever. So, boss, any plans for a sequel? Or am I destined for early retirement?"
Terrie blushed. "Um, not yet. I'm a little busy. If you really want a sequel any time soon, you're going to have to get Sinister to clone me."
Ann sighed, and muttered to herself, "Great, just great. Next thing you know, she'll be writing that little, blue furball, Siku."
Finally, Terrie had everyone's messages. She headed out the door of Subreality, and in the direction of the Writers' Cafe. She was almost there, when she caught sight of the sign. "Siku Night! Siku Night? What the hell is Siku Night?"
One of the writers looked at her in sympathy. "Sorry, but only Siku writers are allowed. Darqstar's giving a speech and everything. It's going to be packed."
"Yeah, I'll bet." Terrie was about to give the evening up as a total lose, when she remeber the sign at Subreality. She took off running, laughing as she went.
The Bouncer was not happy to see her. "I already told you, no Writers.I'm not making two exceptions in one night. If you forgot something, someone else can get it for you."
Terrie didn't say anything, she just handed him a piece of paper out of her backpack.
"What's this?"
"Genetics test."
The Bouncer looked it over. "Well, I'll be damned. Okay, in you go. And if anyone gives you a hard time, tell them they can take it up with me. You've got as much a right to be here as anyone else. Tonight, anyway."
As Terrie happily entered the Cafe, the Bouncer galnced up at the sign over the door, which read "Welcome to Summers Night".
Summer Ison belongs to Me. (Not me, Me.)
Subreality is Kielle's.
Siku and Kelsey are Darqstar's.
Deidre is Lori McDonald's and Valerie Jones'.
Andreana/Ann is mine.
Archiver's Note: Me? Giving a SPEACH? Obviously no one around here has heard me talk, have they? :-)
The HTML work in this story was done by Belle.