I'll Be Dog-Gone (30)

I'll Be Dog-Gone (30)

Raegun -- “Rae, put me down!”

a voice shrieked on the other side of the door.

Ragnar stared. "Was that Sunny or Raegun?"

"I'm not sure I want to know." Kay replied.

"Everything okay in there, ladies?" Ragnar yelled.

"Oof!" Rae grunted loudly. After a slight pause: "Just fine, sweetie! Why do you ask?"

"If they kill each other, call me." Ragnar muttered to Kay in disgust, walking off.

Back inside the room:

"Best three out of five?"

"I've already beat you twice. King me."

"See, ladies, how much nicer everything is when we all act like reasonable adults?"

Rae scooped him up swiftly.

Rae tossed him onto the bed. "Wanna change to Risk?"

"Black!" Rae gets up to find the box. "What do you think they'd say if they knew we were settling like this?"

"They'd be deeply disappointed, I think." Sun said. "I mean, really..."

"We do have a habit of making the rest of them seem reasonable by comparison."

"Wouldn't want to frell around with our reputations." Sun agreed. "Besides, I have no desire to meet you in the ring again any time soon."

"Nor I you." Rae agrees complacently. "Next time could REALLY hurt."

Sun nods agreement. "So, are we playing World Domination?"

"Do PeaceKeepers play any other way?" Rae laughs as the two women settle down to an intense round of competition with Raegun as Impartial Ref.

Kaybe0 -- Turning to leave

Kay heard the words exchanged between Sun and Rae and the laughter that followed. "Well, I'll be." she said, chuckling to herself as she went down the hall to her cabin. She didn't want anyone to know what she was doing. They might laugh at her. I mean, well, maybe there really is a Santa Claus. Well, maybe. And, if there is one, Kay wanted to have her list ready. Just in case.

SunAeryn -- Impartial my eema!

Sun almost yells, but remembers that no one is suppose to know what Rae and she are 'really' doing.

"Raegun is as impartial as my....Ow!"

"Your 'Ow!'? What the frell is an 'Ow'?" Rae and Raegun ask looking at Sunny squirming around the room.

"Would you be still! How the frell am I suppose to catch you if you keep moving?" Sunny is saying to her middle as it wiggles around and starts tickling her. Sun starts giggling.

"Quit moving you little furball!" Sun manages to get out.

"I think she's suffering from heat delirium" Raegun mentions to Rae.

Rae heads over to check Sunny as she gets closer she notices fur hanging out of the bottom of Sun's vest.

"Sun, you didn't get bit by one of the werewolves did you?" Rae asks, looking worried.

"No, silly. These are my pet ferrets, Midnight and Kimba." Sun says, pulling out to very wigglely ferrets. "They got away when the dogs first came on board...they found me in that cave when those frellin' vampires or whatever put us there. They've been sleeping in my shirt ever since." Sun says holding up the ferrets.

"The black one is the male and the white one is female, hence the names." Sun finishes.

"Now, as for Raegun being impartial...Midnight and Kimba will make sure he remains so!" Sun says, looking point blank at Raegun.

Mouse2000 -- Mouse looked out

from her cabin to see Kaybe laughing to herself softly. Mouse wondered what it was all about, but decided food was more important right now. She went into the galley and started gathering the ingredients to make her favorite holiday treat - cranberry nut bread.

As she hummed along, she got the feeling that someone (or something) was watching her.

Raven-Kat -- The panel of judges

watches the two ladies play their game.

"What do you think they'd say if they knew what we were doing?" Rae asks softly, taking Nova Scotia.

"You mean not fighting to the death?" Sun inquires, taking Greenland. "I think they'd just stand there with their mouths opened."

"Humans are cute that way." Rae takes northern australia.

"They are, aren't they?" Sun agrees, taking South Africa.

"Uh, ladies?" Raegun says softly.

"Are you noticing a pattern here?"

"Pattern?" Rae asks, frowning at the board,

"Well, every time she takes one of your provinces, you turn around and take one of hers." Raegun points out. "You've been playing for hours and neither of you is any closer to winning than when you started."

"Oh." Rae and Sunny both stare at the board.

"Draw?" Rae asks. "I was getting hungry anyhow."

Kaybe0 -- Finishing her list

to Santa, just in case, Kay slips it into her pocket and goes to feed the dogs and play with Honey for a while. After assuring her fast growing puppy of her love, and devotion, she then plays fetch with all the dogs to let off some of their pent up energy. Noticing that Mouse had allready been there by the treats in Juno's bowl, she patted him on the head also, and then went back upstairs. Noticing the weather had turned quite nippy here by Christmas land, Kay cooked a big pot of her famous chili and sat out bowls and crackers. Ringing the bell to announce to the Scoobs that there was food ready, she then sat down with a big bowl, herself, and her latest Dragonriders of Pern book, and contentedly munched and read.

SunAeryn -- Sun picked up her little furry pals

and started to put them back into her shirt

"What are you doing?" Rae asked watching Sun struggle to get them back in.

"Well, I can't very well let them run all over the boat. Do you know how much damage these two can do?" Sun asked holding Midnight in one hand while trying to coax Kimba in with the other hand.

"Frell! Little bugger scracthed me." Sun exclaimed, trying not to let either ferret go.

"I really could use a pouch or something to carry them in...wonder if...." Sun started to say as she noticed Rae picking up Raegun and leaving.

"Do you smell that?" Rae asked as Sun, carrying Midnight and Kimba, hurried to catch up with Rae

"Yeah, smells good." Sun said, realizing that she was hungry as well.

With that, they took off......

KaraS -- The sound of Christmas Carols....

drifted toward the longboat. The Christmas lights were twinkling on the trees. The snow was fresh, perfect for playing in. The smell of fresh baked gingerbread cookies wafted over from Christmas Island.

"Say Ragnar." KaraS said. "What are my chances of getting you to row me over to Christmasland in the row boat?"

"Not very high." Ragnar said. "I moored us way out here for a reason. If we go over there we'll just get involved in another adventure and I have things to do around the boat. We DO want to get back to the Farscape Mansion before the four part season ender in January don't we?"

"But it looks so lovely over there." Kara sighed. "Hey, if you came you might run into Candy Claus again."

Ragnar looked alarmed.

"This is supposed to entice me over there? I'd sail leagues out of my way to AVOID seeing Candy Claus again."

"Big bad Viking. Afraid of a little scorceress. And not a very good one at that. I dare you. I double dare you. Row me over to Christmas land and spend a few hours over there with me. I'll bet you have a good time. All work and no play makes Ragnar a dull boy."

"Well......" Ragnar said.

Raven-Kat -- “He’s not going anywhere!”

Rae snapped to Kara, "And neither are you, without a full meal and a strong dose of reality!"

"Reality?" Ragnar repeated as though Rae had said a dirty word.

"Yup!" Rae held up a small blue bottle. "Guaranteed to keep the spirit of the season from getting to you."

"Why would we want to do that?" Kara asked in disgust.

"Oh, death-spiders, night-vision snipers..." Sunny began.

"Shh." Rae giggled. "I only have your good health in mind. There's high cholesteral and cavities..."

Ragnar gasped in mock horror. "Oh, the humanity!"

"I'm serious." Rae snapped. "I want you two back, and I know the power these places have over us. All this good will could go to your heads in a nasty way."

"Yeah," Raegun agreed. "Peace on earth can cause permenant brain damage.

"I thought you were all into peace and love." Kara protested.

"Well, yeah, as an ideal to strive for, but not as a REALITY. Sheesh! How gullible do you think I am?"

Rae sighed and handed them each one of the little bottles. "To have if you need it. But I'm warning you, that place is dangerous."

KaraS -- Kara took the bottles and put...

them into her pocket.

"I'll see he takes it if he needs it." she said.

"And what about you?" Sunny asked.

"I won't need it." KaraS sighed. "Believe me, I wish I did."

"Why not?" Rae asked with narrowed eyes.

"That is MY buisness. I don't pry into YOUR secrets do I?" Kara asked with unacustomed heat. "Now get in the rowboat Viking. Let's go."

"I never said I would go." Ragnar pointed out.

"Shut up and row." Kara said. "Is anybody else coming?"

Lurkingghost -- I’d like to go

'Ghost pops in. "I'd love to see snow again."

Mouse 2000 -- I’m sitting this one

out" Mouse says quietly from the deck. "For some reason, I always get cranky around the holiday's and I wouldn't want to spoil it for anyone."

Kaybe0 -- “Wait, I’ll come.”

said Kaybe, feeling the letter to Santa in her pocket. As Rae held out a bottle, Kay took it. "I know, I know. But, don't worry. I just want to reach Santa and then I'll be back."

JilaCosa -- “You’d better give me a bottle, Rae.”

Jila said smiling "I'm going too. Unfortunately I'm probably the one that going to need it the most. I love Christmas, always have. And now with the little ones.... It's just so cool seeing Christmas through there eyes. I hope there's going to be room when we come back because Santa's workshop is going to be Empty by the time I'm done." :) Grabbing her heaviest sweater and boots Jila stands beside Kay, Ghost, and Kara as Ragnar gets the small boat ready to go.

Anybody Else Coming?

Raven-Kat -- “I’m staying put.”

Rae announced as she distributed little blue bottles all around. "Better to have at least one soldier defending the boat."

"This is Christmas Special Land." Kara scoffed. "Who'd possibly try to attack the boat HERE?"

"That little brat with his Red Rider BB Gun?" Rae suggested grimly. "Okay, does everybody have their comms? I made them for a reason. I'd like us to maintain radio contact at least this once, okay."

"Why are you so edgy?" Jila asked.

Rae stared at her flatly and she shut her mouth. "Do we all remember which one is the on-off switch?" Rae asked. "Yes? Good. Rag, you're in charge of the comms."

"I never said I was going." Rag repeated for the fifth time.

"Then give 'er to someone else!" Rae snapped, stalking off to the galley.

KaraS -- Kara and the others going to...

Christmasland hopped into the rowboat and Ragnar rowed them towards the shore. They moored the little rowboat to a handy dock and tromped up onto the land. There they started making snowballs and settled into a snowball fight.

Raven-Kat -- “Hot Cocoa, Mouse?”

Rae offers, carrying two mugs up on deck.

"Thanks, Rae." Mouse accepts a mug and holds it close to her face with mittened hands. "It's getting cold."

"Is it bothering you? I hadn't even noticed."

"Obviously." Mouse said sourly, starring at Rae's sandaled feet. She wasn't even wearing a coat.

"Here. Hang on." A huge fire suddenly appeared on deck, seemingly consuming half the boat.

"Woah!" Mouse yelped, nearly dropping her cocoa. Once she'd gotten over the shock, though, it was really rather pleasant. "Rag is going to kill you if that thing puts scorch-marks on his deck."

Rae snickered. "Well, he can TRY, of course..." She produced a pair of occulars. "Want to watch the snowball fight?"

"Snowball fight?" Mouse asked, frowning.

"Mm." Rae nodded and handed Mouse the occulars. "The one they're having on shore." As she helped Mouse adjust the occulars to her head size, she muttered something about human eye-sight.

"Wow, cool." Mouse said, laughing as Ragnar pretty much single-handedly took on the ladies.

The two settled down with their backs to the fire and their mugs of cocoa that never seemed to empty for a long winter's night full of enjoyable conversation and fun watching their friends get cold.

KaraS -- “Ragnar! The boat’s on fire!” Kara....

shouted, pointing at the longboat.

Indeed, the boat was wreathed in a halo of fire.

"AARRGGHH!!!" Ragnar yelled. "I knew that this was a bad idea!. You ladies wait right here."

With that, Ragnar went charging back to the rowboat and started rowing back towards the longboat.

The girls stood on the shore, looking at his retreating back, worried about all their friends.

And from back in the trees, something was watching them...

RagnarRB -- Faster and faster

Ragnar rowed, all the while wondering what could have caused such a conflagration.

"Come on Rae! Why haven't you used your magic to put it out yet?" He murmered as he drew closer and closer. He was going to be lucky to have a longboat at all by the time this was over.

Kaybe0 -- Watching the boat

Kay felt a shiver go up her back. "Does anyone feel something?" she asked. Yes, said Kara, "Ragnar's wrath".

"No", said Kaybe. "I mean, I feel like we aren't alone here.

Just this feeling. Maybe I'm just really cold."

SunAeryn -- Sun emerged from her bunk

after safely tucking her little buddies, into their cage (which they hate, they would much rather run amuck).

"Rae...." Sun started

"Hmm?" Rae responded, she was thinking about something else...

"Rae..." Sun said again

"Hmmmmm?" was Rae's answer

"RAE!!!!" Sun yelled, pointing at the rowboat that was getting closer, and closer

"What the frell?!" Rae said, jumping

"Ragnar's on his way back and he's just a little upset. I think I'll help Mouse down below and start paking. I'm taking off for a while...so you all will have to handle things here without me for awhile." Sun said, helping Mouse gather any and all breakables from the deck.

Sunny and Mouse went down below...before the 'storm' hit.

Rae just looked at the rowboat.............

(Yep, that's right folks...in case you haven't heard...I'll be gone for three weeks...so I'm signing out of the story for now. If it's still going when I get back.....I'll jump back in. HAPPY HOLIDAYS ALL! I'll miss you! )

Kaybe0 -- She couldn’t stand it anymore.

The feeling that they were being watched was giving Kaybe chills. This was, after all Christmas land, and she was not going to be afraid here. "Guys, she whispered. someone is back there." "I know", said Kara. "I felt it too." "Don't do that" said Jilla. "Don't scare me like that." "Really," said Kay. "Ghost, do you see anything?"

"Yes," said Ghost, trying not to smile. "There are several pair of eyes watching us. If I were you, I would turn around very slowly." The Scoobettes turned slowly around, and then broke into smiles. There were, indeed several pair of eyes watching them. Peaking out from behind trees and bushes. Along with the eyes were the shapes of baby reindeer. "Look how cute." said Kay easing a few steps forward, so as not to startle them. "The poor darlings are scared" said Jila. Ghost went right up to the baby deer. They weren't scared of her, as they didn't see a solid barrier in her. Kara reached down on the ground and gathered a few berries that had fallen on the snow. Holding her hand out, she reached toward the nearest baby. curiously it reached out toward her hand, and then backed up quickly. Again it did the same thing. Kara laid the berries down on the ground a couple feet in front of her, and the deer cautiously went forward and ate the berries. This time when Kara held some in her hand, the deer gently took the berries from her. "Oh wow." said Kay. Her and Jila did the same, while Ghost went among the reindeer petting their heads. Watching the babies, Kay started giggling. "What's so funny?" asked Jila, keeping her eyes out for the mothers. "Well", said Kay with humor and some dissapointment. "I've been checking their noses. There is not a Rudolph among them."

KaraS -- “Aw, how cute!” Kara said....

as the baby reindeer frisked about.

But even as she was enjoying the antics of the babies, she kept an eye on the burning longboat. Though seemingly on fire, it didn't seem to be being consumed by the flames. That was a GOOD thing. But what could be causing it?

Suddenly, her musings were interrupted by the smell of freshly baked cookies and coaco. Kara looked around. An old woman with a basket and a steaming jug was approaching.

Ah, just what we need, refreshments!

Mouse2000 -- Mouse went back

up on deck watching Ragnar's boat approach. Even without the occular's, she could tell the big guy was more than a little ticked. Rae stood there with a grin on her face, waiting for him to realize what this particular fire was all about.

As he pulled the boat alongside the longboat, Rae moved forward to give him a hand up.

"Rae! What's going on! What's with the fire? Is anything damaged?" he sputtered as he moved towards the still blazing fire. He stopped a few yards from it and then realized this fire was burning a foot off the surface of the deck. "Uh...magical fire?" he asked, feeling stupid. Rae nodded. She wasn't going to compound his feelings by pointing out the obvious.

"Mouse was cold, and we wanted to enjoy the night, so what better?" Rae pointed out. Mouse nodded and sat back down in her lounge chair near the warming fire. She held out a cup to Ragnar.

Raven-Kat -- “You look cold.”

Rae told Rag with a gentle smile as she passed him a mug of hot cocoa. "Here." she handed him the quilt Mouse had just vacated. "Still warm."

"Hey, can I get a bit of this fire for the group back on shore?"

"That can be arranged. Hang on."

Rae puttered about her room, looking for what she would need as Rag tried to finish his cocoa. The level of liquid in the mug never got and lower though.

Rae was just re-emerging from her room with full hands as Ragnar set about trying to figure out how the mug worked.

"It's magic." Rae said softly in his ear. "If you figure it out, it may stop working."

"Exactly." Rae turned to the fire. "I'll send some of the mugs back with you. Make sure they're well covered or they'll get cocoa everywhere."

"Right." He grinned. Rae's magic had about as many wrinkles as IQ's technology.

Ragnar turned to watch what she was doing as she stepped into the flames and cupped her hands. After several scooping motions, she stepped out of the fire, unsinged and without having even broken a sweat. In her cupped hands, a small flame danced.

"Powerful magic, this." Rae told him, dumping the flame into a plaster pot she had brought up. "It requires wood to survive," she dropped a handful of cedar shavings in. "But it does not consume wood."

"Pretty neat." Ragnar reached for the pot, but Rae pulled it away. "Hey!"

Rae grinned at him, giggling. "How badly do you want it?"

*Aw, damnit, Rae! You caught the Christmas Spirit! You're not yourself...*

*Get frelled. And have a merry Christmas.*

"How badly do I want it?" Ragnar frowned. "I'm NOT letting you make any more modifications to the Longboat!"

Rae snickered. "Silly, silly, boy..." She shook her head and reached into her back pocket, producing a sprig of mistletoe. "I had something substantially more benign in mind."

"Oh..." Ragnar stared from Rae to the mistletoe, trying to figure out what her problem was.

"Fun, too." The mistletoe slid out of Rae's hand and hovered several feet over her head. "Well?" She grinned at Rangar.

KaraS -- While Rae licked the back of Ragnar’s

throat back on the longboat, Kara, Jila and Kaybe accepted gingerbread and coaco from the old woman's basket. Lurkingghost, being insubstantial, could not share in the repast but she enjoyed the smell of the goodies. They were so busy with the kindly old woman that they didn't notice that the baby reindeer had all fled in fright.

When Ragnar returned with his own basket of goodies and portable fire, all that was left on the snowcovered hillside was a note pinned to Jila's hat.

I want to see Raven_Kat

and ArtistStudio in the

forest of no return at

never see your friends

RagnarRB -- With a heavy sigh....

"I wonder if Santa can loan me a transporter again? Chacing after people was tiresome. Oh well, it's not like I can just snap my fingers and make them reappear....yet."

Raven-Kat -- “Rae!”

Ragnar comes running up the plank again.

"Back for more?" Rae grins and holds up a cup of cocoa. "I know it's why you love me."

Ragnar stops dead, mulling this over for a second. "Um..." Knowing anything he says at this point is likely to be incriminating, he show Rae the note.

"Hezmana." Rae mutters, pikcing up Raegun. "Hezmana, drenn, FRELL!!!" The large fire grows larger as Rae continues shouting Sebacian curses. "FRELL, FRELL, FRELL!!!" she shrieks, stomping around deck.

"Good to see you as yourself again." Raegun mutters, opening one eye. "I was beginning to worry, especially when you-"

"Shut up!" Rae suggests, holstering him.

"Hey! Loosen this thing a little! It hurts; it's too tight."

Rae sighs and adjusts the catch. Reconsidering, she pulls him out and hands him to Ragnar.

"Wha-" Ragnar gapes.

"You! Stay put. I may need the two of you as backup." Rae stomps towards the plank.