You know, I'm still interested in fishing, Scuttle, how about showing me a good hole? "Well, Randi , I was thinking that I'm really rather into some dinner about now..you took your damn time getting over here though. I knew you were coming so I baked a cake. He chuckled a bit. Well, not a cake exactly, but are you hungry? I have some good stew going..and some nice corn bread. Random rubbed her tummy and closed her eyes, biting her bottom lip dreamily..thinking about how good that sounded to her. Scuttle, I'm So THERE! He looked at her and smiled.. Oh..yes, you are..he grinned, and gestured toward his cabin... Shall we m'lady?" Then he hooked his arm so that she should take it with her own..and keep step with him.. She laughed..so you knew I was coming did you? You know..that was kind of a mean trick making me think I was the clever one. she chided. Ahh but you are the clever one Randi.. Clever to charm this old heart so. She cocked her head at him.. I can't have charmed you so soon Thorn.. so stop that... let's nip that right in the bud.. I will show you my bitch side..and you won't feel so very charmed. He laughed as he opened the door to his cabin and gestured for her to enter first. I doubt m'lady, that you have a bitch side. She would have argued for sake of levity, but as she entered the lights turned on and a shout of salutations rang in her ears. There were the rest of the neighbors, the brownies, (well, not all of them), Eric, and Stridex. "Wow! What's all this? Randi asked..rather surprised, even though the word was not used. Scuttle spoke up.. Well, it's just that around here we do things differently. See, we welcome new neighbors at a gathering. We figured you're not dangerous..and we believe in your innocence, though we have no autonomy to say why we believe in it, we can tell you things you need to know. A gathering over a meal and fine wine.. lends easement to any trepidation you may have. Basically, we're going to have a nice party, but everything you hear won't be bullshit. Randi nodded..umm makes plenty sense to me. So.. do we start with introductions before we gather around the meal or shall we do it during the meal? Scuttle cupped his chin and pondered a moment.. you know, I think it would be very interesting to make introductions during the meal..would be kind of amusing to see which of this bunch gets caught with their mouth full. She nudged him in the ribs with her elbow.. you are a pisser aren't you scuttle? As she looked up at his little evil grin..she knew what she was going to ask him tonight. Who are you really? She thought.. Why do you look so much like Brent?...her thoughts trailed off to a memory of a kiss, the best she'd ever had.. Brent had stolen that kiss after a business meeting. She turned with her laptop held snug to her breast to find he was directly behind her..and he just grabbed her..cleaved her lips apart with his hungry tongue and seemingly in a moment drank of her passion and essence..funny thing was..she hadn't realized she desired that kiss. Nor had she realized that she was capable of that kind of thirsty passion. Her face flushed slightly as she aroused herself from the flash back.. and she shook her head slightly fanning herself umm it's a bit hot in here don't you think Scuttle? No..not at all m'lady, I think it's just you. She looked at him again.. I'm sorry I can't hold out any longer.. Are you?? Yes, I am..Brent's uncle. Random smiled.. I knew you had to be some relation..the resemblance is uncanny. I mean.. I look at you and see what he would have looked like in a few years. Oh.. I see..what he would have looked like if he was an old codger like I am..right? Hey! I don't see an old man before me Scuttle.. I see a very handsome, advanced elven male, who happens to resemble someone I loved dearly so you can dispense with the self-doubt. You're very handsome. Oh stop now m'lady.. we have already agreed this wasn't going to be a bullshit session hadn't we? She rolled her eyes at him.. oh.. you're stubborn too I see, well, that's about like your nephew..and I can see where he inherited his attitudes. Everyone gathered at the long table set up in Scuttle's back yard. It was magnificent! One large piece of Walnut, shaped and carved to naturally conform ergonomically to anyone who sat at it. Wow! I've never seen such a brilliantly carved piece of furniture in my life! I mean.. I sat down..and I swear this seat moved to my form! This chair seems to have been made especially for me. "Umm actually, M'lady, piped up a rather stout gnome.. that is really not what we consider traditional furniture..atleast not in any sense that you may know. That is what we Gnomes like to call a Wally Nuttravia. Its not carved m'lady, but it has been genetically altered..not in a scientific sense of the word, but let's just say in a natural sense with a little earth magic. You see, it's alive.. it was born. A Wally Nuttravia is actually a changeling walnut tree. Her jaw dropped.. Wow! I see there is much I need to know about this place. She wiggled her bottom in her seat a bit..and everyone could see her eyes slightly closed in a moment of almost erotic bliss.. and she blushed crimson.. umm Sorry.. but Wally here is making me more *ahem* comfortable than maybe HE? should be? Everyone roared with laughter..only deepening her blush. She laughed a bit too.. well, anyone else enjoying such *ahem* hospitality? She counted several other blushes among the female population at the little gathering..and smiled smugly noting the knowing smiles of the male population. To Be continued.. By: Robin Minick