Wandering....(1)

I hope I'm not disturbing you, Rea. But I was wondering if I could tag along with you two on your tour of the rooms. I still need to pick one out, and I sure could use some ideas in decorating it.

Rae leads them past a sign that says: 'please check your swords at the door' and to a circle of bean-bag chairs. "Make yourselves at home. I love company." Rae throws some logs on the fire, followed by a handful of inscence and joins them. "I offer you some cocoa?"

Mouse settles into a bean bag chair and makes herself comfortable. She looks around at Rae's collection of art and what Mouse thinks are probably ingredients for spells. In the corner, a big book sits on a table.

Mouse gratefully accepts a cup of cocoa from Rae and asks, "What is all that stuff?" pointing to the collection of, um, stuff. "Do you mind me asking?" Mouse says hesitantly.

She gestures to a row of about 50 small wooden boxes. "This is where they go when they're dry." She picks up several of the boxes. "Chamomile, Rosemary, Mint, Strawberry... Can I offer you some tea?"

"Let's see, what else?" Rae looks around. She find a beautifully jeweled chalice. "Spyral gave me this. It's very special and full of good magic." She carefully tucks it away on a back shelf.

Rae walks over to the book. "Last but not least, my nanny's Book of Shadows. This has every spell she learned in her 80 years, plus others from her mother and grandmother. It was lost to our family years ago." Rae breathes a silent thanks to the golden jaguar and reverantly replaces the book.

"Well, that's MOST of my stuff. I've got an order in for some rare herbs and stones, but these are my staples. Mostly healing and protection. All those herbs make the room smell nice, eh?"

"This," Mouse replies turning the paper for Jila to see,"Is the map of Farscape Mansion. We've decided to go on an adventure to see how many other peoples rooms we can find. This is Rae's room and mine is down the hall and around the corner. Want to join us?"

"Well, normally ghosts hang around in attics or basements. But, I have an apparition in my 2nd floor apartment," IRL "so I guess you aren't limited to those. Of course, if you like that, there's a whole half of the attic that I'm not using... What would you like? We have rooms for all tastes."

I really don't want all that much space, just a little all to myself. Like Mouse, I need lots of space. Something non-cobweb-y would be nice. I don't think I'm going to go for the spooky atmosphere just yet.

I'm looking for something small. The sun sounds nice, though. I think I'd like a plant or two, too. Nice comfy bed, soft couch, cubby-hole for chocolate. All the things that make life worth living. Also a large-ish window I can open, preferably with a nice view.

The angel lifts his head from his pillow, looks around, lets it fall again then forces himself to rise up and swings his feet to the floor. Grabbing his robe and slipping his feet into his slippers, (Some cozy and furry white ones whith little gold angel wings on the backs) he walks to the door, opens it and peers out.

*Wonder where she wandered off to? No telling where in this place Maybe I will check around. Remember someone telling me that Rae had a place in the attic. MAybe she even has something that will finish off this damn bug that's crawling thru my system.*

Nodding to himself, Spyral shambled down the hallway, took a left, another quick right. Stopped to ask directions (How very unmanlike huh?) from a pretty girl in a Majorettes outfit twirling twin batons which were on fire at both ends.. "Oh, Raes' in the attic" she replied. "Go down to the end of the hall, go left, then two doors down on your right."

Shaking his head, the angel walked down the hallway in the directions given to him until he stood outside the door leading to the stairs up to Raes' attic.

"Yeah!" Spyral said. "Still got a bit of it though. I was kinda hoping that Rae might have something to kill the last of it off. Plus, I just got tired of laying around in bed. What are all of you doing?"

KaraS was in her room. It was a very nice room, not to big, not too small. There was a king sized four poster bed with a canopy and little curtains. There was a comfy chair for reading with a good light by it. There was a desk with a computer on it. There was a roomy dresser with a mirror. On the dresser top were a clock radio and a radio/tape/CD boom box and stacks of tapes and CDs. There was a large walk in closet that never ran out of hangers. On the walls were Kara's con sketches and a large framed poster of a Hawiian lava flow.

"Hey." Rae says to Spyral. "You don't look so good. Still sick?" He nods, so Rae reaches into her pocket and pulls out a metal flask. "Try this. Virtually guaranteed to kill of all intellent viruses and other nasties. Bottoms up."

Spyral's face as Rae hands him the flask. Mouse has to keep herself from laughing at loud. Spyral obviously is thankful that Rae made him a special potion, but it must not smell very good. He's torn between getting better, and not offending Rae, and his reluctance to blindly drink whatever is in that flask. But, he needs to get better, so he drinks it down, and shakes his head.

Mouse opens the door and they all file in. Kara gestures them to have a seat on the edge of the bed except for Spyral who she sits in the armchair. She hands him a box of tissues which he gratefully accepts.

"TTTHHAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNKk YYYOUUUUUUUUUUU SPYYYYYYYRAAAALLLLLLLL" Karas voice seems to drag like a 45 record played on 33. (everyone remembers what a record is right? :-) )

"UUUUUUUUUUUUU O KAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYY?" Mouse asks. As she steps toward him, her body seems to stretch like taffy from her former position all the way to her place before his chair.

Mouse thinks. "I wonder if he was taking anything for his cold that might have reacted with what you gave him Rae??" Mouse wondered. Spyral was looking pretty dazed and seemed to be on the verge of passing out. "Head between your knees! Keep breathing!" Mouse shouted, but Spyral just sat there. She pushed his head down so it was lower than his heart, and looked around for a towel, in case Spyral needed it. She held his head down and grabbed a towel that Kara provided and hoped that this was just a dizzy spell due to Spyral's cold.

"Maybe he was taking something for his cold. We should check his room." KaraS suggested. The girls agreed that this was not an invasion of privacy, and since Spyral was just sitting there, dazed, that it might be a good idea. He could yell at them later, after he was well.

With Mouse in the lead, JilaCosa and Lurkingghost head to Spyrals room. Down a long flight of stairs, turn to the left, turn to the right. Finally arriving at the door the three hurry inside.

"Now," Mouse wonders,"where would he have left whatever he might be taking. The obvious places are by the bed and in the bathroom. Jila, you go check the medicine cabinet, I'll check the night stand, and 'ghost, you check around his dressers."

Meanwhile, back in KaraS's room, Spyral's eyes keep playing tricks on him. The floor, it seems, just won't stay where a floor belongs. Spyral moans pathetically as the room dances a jig before his eyes.

"Calm down Spyral." Rae soothes, "Undoubtly you are just having a reaction to what was in the bottle. Now let me recall just what I put in there........"

Mouse looks on his nightstand and sees a couple books on Joan of Arc, a book about new puppies and their care, and a few books on the ancient cultures, Egyptians, Celts, Assyrians etc. She stops to look through the Ancient Egypt book, and finding it fascinating, unconsciously moves to Spyral’s waterbed to get comfortable. “I’ve heard of this theory, but why under the Sphinx’s paw?” she wonders aloud.

As she lays down, Ghost sees her and gently reminds her that they were here for a reason. “Ooops, he he, sorry. Got a bit involved,” she mutters as she silently reminds herself to borrow this book from Spyral as soon as possible.

Jila sticks her head out of the bathroom. “Nothing here. This guy must never get sick! Or at least he never goes to the doctor...” she says. Ghost and Mouse finish looking, and find nothing incriminat - uh, I mean, reactive and decide to head back to Kara’s room.

Kara and Rae moved Spyral over to the bed and layed him down flat. Poor Spyral moaned as the room spun slowly around him and tilted sharply to the left. He clutched the beadspread to keep from rolling off.

Rae assures Kara. Sitting down next to Spyral, she whispers, "You'll be just fine, big guy. Rae promises. But, in the future, I think we'll just stick to straight chamomile for you."

headed back through the Labyrinth that was the FS Mansion towards KaraS' room. Mouse was lost in thought, pondering Egyptian things, and the others were behind her. They rounded a corner, and ran smack into a tall, very handsome man. He was dressed all in black, and was wearing black shades. Behind him were three UPS men with handtrucks loaded with boxes.

The man in black looked over the top of his shades at the three girls. In a low, gravelly voice he asked, "Pardon me, ladies, but do you know where I can find Agent 69?"

"You're...you're Vin Diesel, aren't you?" Mouse whispered. She couldn't get her voice to work as she gazed up into his eyes. He looked at her and winked.

"How...how could I say no?" Mouse said, feeling a little swoon-y herself. It wasn't every day that something like THIS happened. Mouse took the lead back to KaraS' room, Artic and Ghost on either side of Vin, and the UPS guys following behind.

"Oh, No. You've GOT to open the door, Kara. Just wait until you see what I found in the hall!" Mouse called through the door. She couldn't keep the huge grin off of her face.

to be greeted by a smiling Jila, Artic, Ghost and Mouse. “Look who we found in the hall!” Arctic said, almost bursting. Kara and Rae looked at Vin Diesel, recognized him, and invited them in.

Mouse and Jila took Rae aside to check about Spyral, who was resting comfortably on the couch. Rae assured them that he was going to be fine, it was just a little side effect that had an unexpected result.

As they spoke, Spyral seemed to be waking up a bit, and less woozy. Mouse walked over to him and opened one eye, than the other. She felt his pulse, strong and steady, then got the normal reactions when she tested his reflexes. “Hey. How are you feeling?” she asked. “Better,” he replied. “There’s only one of you now, and you aren’t sliding anywhere.” “I guess that’s a good thing...” Mouse replied.

Meanwhile, Kara, Artic, and Ghost were all grilling Vin about “Pitch Black” and Claudia’s role in it. He seemed to be very comfortable talking about Claudia, and not at all put off that the girls seemed more interested in Claudia then in him! “If you ladies wouldn’t mind, I really need to get this equipment to Agent 69.” Vin explained. “Sure, no problems.” Ghost said, still a little starstruck. “We’ll take you there.”

Spyral was ready to travel again, so they all decided to go back to 6th’s room and show Vin and the UPS guys the way. After a bit of traveling, they came to the “Broom Closet” door. Rae knocked and said, “6th? We have a visitor for you...”

"VIN!!!" she cried. 6th practially leapt into his arms, and laid a passionate lip-lock on him. It seemed that it was a frequent occurance, as he wrapped his arms around her, returning the kiss wholeheartedly.

6th looked over Vin's shoulder at the gang. "Uh...heh,heh...yeah...we go way back." she stepped back, straightening her kimono. "Come on in guys." she took Vin's arm "What are you doing here?"

"Only if there's spanking involved." 6th lilted, looking over her shoulder at him, and fluttering her eyelashes. Mouse rolled her eyes, and KaraS put her head in her hands.

The UPS Men wheeled the handtrucks over the bridge and down into the sitting room. 6th was gleeful as she eyed the boxes. "Ooooh, New stuff!" she cried happily, clapping her hands together. Thor climbed out from under the couch where he had been napping. He sniffed Vin's shoe. "It's ok, he's nice." 6th patted the little dinosaur on the head. "Vin, Thor. Thor, Vin."

"You've really got a thing for lizards, don't you sugar?" Vin asked, getting down on his knees to pet Thor. Thor purred with glee as Vin scratched him under the chin.

"Wish I could, darlin'. But you know how work is..." he looked a bit sad for a second, then grinned wickedly. "BUT...I've got a week's vacation coming up. What's say you and I...get together then?" he looked at 6th hopefully.

She winked at him. "You got it, baby!" He gave her another kiss, then waved to the gang. "See ya 'round, guys. Don't let the...lady here get into too much trouble." And with that, out the door he went.

6th heaved a great sigh, and ran one hand through her hair. She turned to the gang, looking at their faces, and blushing. They all looked at her, grinning.

"He's...he's..." 6th took a deep breath, visibly calming herself. "Eh...he ain't so bad." She shrugged, trying to act her usual suductive 'I'm-not-fazed-by-anything' attitude. She licked her lips, and grinned her wonderful Cheshire Cat smile. "Not too bad at all." she looked at the girls and Spyral. "I'm not fooling you at all am I?" she smiled sheepishly, the blush creeping back onto her face. The gang shook their heads as one.

"So...What do think of the room? Anyone wanna help me unpack the stuff?" 6th said, trying to move the subject on to other things. Her hands shook slightly as she began to open the first box. He always had that effect on her.

Everyone grabs a box and sits down in a circle to open them. As the boxes are opened and the contents carefully placed in front of each person JilaCosa asks

6th stands in the middle of the circle checking her inventory list. "Hmmm, yup, check, check, OH YES! I was hoping that would get here soon. Okay Jila, here's the story."

"You know Jila, I don't think anyone's ever asked me exactly what I do before. Let me see, how can I explain it?...Well, see, I work for most every Government agency there is. I'm on call for the FBI, CIA, ATF, all the regular ones you hear about, as well as the ones you never hear about, and the ones that everyone thinks are just a joke, like the MIB. It really does exist, and I'm not supposed to tell people that, but I think we've all seen enough strange stuff that I won't have to have your minds all erased or anything. I hang out here at the mansion when I'm not on duty, cause...well...I have a crush on D'argo, and I'm hoping one day he'll turn up around here." 6th grinned.

"The Agency? Well, do you guys remember that Simpsons' episode where Homer joined that club? I can't remember what they were called, but basically they ran everything? I mean everything! You know, from gas prices, to the Oscar winners, to who get elected President, what laws we have, what laws we don't etc. Kind of like that group of old men in the X-Files..." She saw the gang all open their mouths to ask, she was sure--"Why are gas prices so high then?"--6th held up her hand, "I don't know 'why' anything...I just work for them when they call me. I don't do assassinations, mostly just spying and stealing information, rescue ops, industrial warfare. Stuff like that."

"Now as to why Vin is working for the Agency? I have no clue to the specifics. He probably either got bored, or got into that kind of thing. A lot of Famous Action stars work for them off and on. Some of them are clones, and some, like Vin, are QUITE real." 6th grinned, reminiscing, then continued, "It's very impressive to some of our 'enemies' if, say, Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Willis or Harrison Ford, actually broke into their stronghold and kicked some @$$. It's less believeable as well when the enemy tries telling other people about it. Would you believe it if someone said Harrison Ford broke into their house last night, and stole their important plans to take over the world? No one would, that's the beauty of it."

"If they do, they never say so to me. I don't believe they let the stars do a lot of dangerous work, mostly spying and stealing like me. But some of them get a real thrill out of risking their life. They love doing it. That's why they look so believeable when you see them do stuff like that in movies. I know they always say they use stunt doubles, but unless they're jumping off a 200 story building with no rope, it's usually the stars doing the action scenes. They just SAY they're using doubles, so people won't freak. You know how fan can be sometimes."

"All this equipment, Jila," 6th continued, "is to replace a lot of the stuff I lost in Mexico. I also got a few pairs of Oculars, like Aeryn has in FS, and some of it is very high tech weaponry, like that gun Spyral is holding."

Spyral held out the flat silver business card in his hand. "THIS is a GUN?" he asked in disbelief. 6th took it from him. She slid the end down and pushed a tiny botton on the side. Lightening-quick, with a series of whirrs and metallic clicks the card transformed into a HUGE futuristic gun which rested on 6th's shoulder. "It's based on the design of a M87 100 mm antitank gun , except the Agency had it designed to be hand-held and light weight." 6th hefted it up, and then handed it over to the gang. "It's unloaded. Mouse you've got the ammo beside you." 6th pointed to the bottles of what looked like little BB's.

the angel thinks as things finally begin to take on more solid appearances. The room no longer swims, people no longer stretch and words no longer seem to drag on forever.

"Thanks Ladies. Must have been a reaction. After all, this was my first illness and subsequent treatment in over five hundred years. Lucky me to have such loveley and attentive nurses."

"A little music perhaps?" Spyral asks walking to his large sound system that seems to take up half of on wall of the room. Two massive sound stage speakers stand on opposite sides of a very complex rack stereo system. Hanging above the stereo is a huge flatscreen television.

Pushing the power button, the angel is suddenly flung backwards by the wailing of Joan Jett and the Blackhearts that blasts out of the oversized speakers. he looks at the ladies who have their hands plastered to their ears, mouthing words to him.

"Hey! I like your collection" Sixth says walking to a wall where blades and swords of every length and shape and weapons of every kind hang in various displays. Most are ancient weapons once used by civilizations long past. Some are entirely unfamiliar though.

"Thanks," Spyral says. "Those up there are some I managed to "Bring Down" with me," the angel say pointing to an area containing a variety of blades and weapons that seem to be generating an unearthly aura.

Mouse is browsing the bookcases that line one entire wall, admiring his large collection containing books on ancient history, Scifi and fantasy and other fictional books, biographies of various musical artists, and a large collection of graphic novels and old Spiderman comics.

"Not at all," he replies. "Help yourself anytime. I don't mind sharing my books. Matter of fact, I love discussing books that we both may have read. But if you borrow some of the comics, just be sure to put them back in their sleeves. They are pretty old. Been collecting 'em for a while."

"I didn't know you liked dolphins so much!" Kara said from a corner. She had found his corner shelf with all kinds of assorted dolphin knick knacks. Including a very pretty snowglobe with a pretty white dolphin that seems to hover in mid-leap above a glassy pool of water.

"This one's my favorite," Spyral says picking up the snowglobe and giving it a shake. "My sister gave me this one." he says, watching the snow whirl around the dolphin.

"Interesting paintings" Rae said, admiring the assorted paintings hanging on the far wall. Impressionist paintings by Degas and Morisot (Spyrals two favorite artists) outnumbered the various copies of choice Renaissance canvases (Spyrals second favorite painting period).

"This one's my favorite," Spyral says pointing to a very soft and hazy Impressionist painting of a very pretty girl sitting beside a baby cradle, by the lady Morisot. "It's called "The Cradle". I love the way the light plays around them. This one too" he says pointing to a very pretty painting of a single ballerina dancer who seems to glow in the beautiful white flare of a bank of unseen stagelights. "It's by Degas and it's called "The Star".

Other then the shelves containing various toys, (assorted action figures and spaceships of all kinds from assorted television shows), the rest of the room is rather simple in decoration. A queen size waterbed set in corner, a computer desk with a very handsome looking computer system and a large 21" flatscreen monitor, a large antique dresser containing his clothes another entertainment shelf containing Spyrals laare collection of CD's and videotapes.

"If you all see anything you want to borrow, just help yourself anytime. Anyone want something to drink?" he offers walking to a large white double door refridgerator.

Rae says, turning from the paintings to the weapons. A quiet 'wow' escapes her lips. "I'm sure there's a lot more stuff in there than even HE knows about." Rae turns to Spyral and points to a sword. "That's Egyptian, isn't it? Wow... And Roman. Hey, is that Aztec?" Suitably impressed, Rae continues examining the weapons. "I can borrow these sometime, right?"

Mouse adds, looking up from the book she had seen earlier on Spyral's end table. "Where are your own paintings? Those one's you did in the livingroom are beautiful, not to mention how good you made Rae and me look...but you were using unusually good subjects! ;)

So who are your favorite authors in Science fiction and Fantasy? That is what I read the most of. My absolute favorite is Robert Heinlein but I also like Stephen R Donaldson and Piers Anthony

"Glad you like the place," he says. "Rae feel free to borrow anything that you would like. Same with the books and music and stuff Mouse and Kara. As for my paintings, well, I never display my own stuff. I am too critical of it."

The gang trooped in. The whole far wall of the living room was taken up by an elaborate bird cage in the shape of a castle. It was made of brass and wood with several different rooms and even glass window panes. It was kind of astonishing.

She tells the bird "We're on a exploration adventure. We're trying to locate everyone's rooms for future reference. Won't you come and talk to me. I heard that people might be upset with you, any idea why?"

Mouse cuts in, "We haven't been really doing much. A couple of us moved into new rooms at the Mansion and we've been on a tour of them for a while. 6th got some new toys from Vin Diesel who turns out to be an Agent too. We've seen 6th's room, KaraS', Rae's attic, Spyral's and now your's. Nice cage, by the way."

As Sweetie and the gang catch up, Mouse excuses herself and makes her way back down to her room. Once inside, the starkness of her room really hits her and she is driven by some unnamed force to make this room a home.

Out of the boxes come Mouse's textbooks. Hey, she paid a LOT of money for these things and she's not just tossing them out. Physics, Chemistry, Calculus, Philosophy, Logic, and Literature. World Religions, Ancient Architecture, more chemistry, more physics. Plus, they're great for reference, or for solving Jeopardy argument. Next come her fiction books and her non-fiction reference books. History, PDR, Dictionary, Bible.

Now she needs a bookshelf for all the stuff. As she thinks about her bookshelves, there's a knock on the door. "Delivery!" comes a voice through the door. Mouse opens the door to find an entire bedroom and livingroom set in the hall. *Cool, how did they know I wanted a king-size sleigh bed?* she thinks. As the delivery men set up her furniture, the room seems to expand to fit it all comfortably.

With all the furniture in place, and the fireplace going, out come Mouse's personal stuff. Her pictures go on the walls and are mainly of the sea, wolves, or of bright, airy, colorful landscapes and a few impressionist paintings. There are a couple framed prints of the old masters, and quite a few framed photos of her friends and family. Her candles and collected pieces of glass, rock, marble, and other rememberances go on the mantle, and throughout the room in the bookshelves and on the furniture. A few green plants are hung around the room, and her lights are set up. Her favorite chair is set near the fireplace, next to a good reading lamp. The rest of the furniture is scattered attractively around the fireplace.

No TV, she figures she can hang out in the livingroom or in someone next-doors' room if she wants to see something. There is a nice stereo with the old-fashioned earphones that are huge. And a desk with a computer, of couse.

The only things left are her treasures from traveling. She has a large Masai spear that needs to be hung from the wall, along with several masks and a walking stick from Kenya. She has a small Greek statue, a chinese wall hanging, another Thai wall hanging and a few Peruvian rugs and wall hangings from the Amazon. A lot of the glass and rocks on the mantle are from special places: Hawaii, Bermuda, Montana, California, Ireland, Greece, and the Canary Islands. (Mouse's parents took her a lot of places when she was a child. Since then she's had to pay her own way, and doesn't go away as frequently as she would like!) She sets each one up carefully, remembering the unique story that each posseses.

Well, finally done. Mouse gets a coke from her refrigerator and puts Vivaldi's 4 Seasons CD. She snuggles down into her Papasan chair in front of the fire, and surveys the room. The large windows let in a lot of light, but the blue, grey, and cream colored curtains frame the windows perfectly. The walls are a light Robin's Egg blue, and the hardwood floors have a few throw rugs for color. All in all the effect is cheery, homey, and warm. Perfect!

meet JilaCosa." KaraS said. "Jila, Sweetiepie took a bunch of us on a trip to Mexico. The trip was...eventful. And dangerous. Sometimes we got on each other's nerves a little. But we all made it back alive and even completed our objective."

The room is nice indeed. It has two large bay windows (with window seats) and fully half of the room is covered with bookshelves, some empty some full. One book that catches the eye is "The Farscape Bboards: a definative collection, updated hourly for completeness" Large and heavy textbooks have a shelf of their own, as do fantasy and classic lit. There's also a shelf devoted to old arcane-looking books. A large pastoral picture hangs on the wall, seeming to invite the 'scapers to enter it. Several small and shiny knives hang on the wall, well kept, of course. A small bed sits in the corner, covered with a soft blue bedspread. A comfortable sofa against the wall just begs to be sat on. Cheerfully colored rugs on the floor finish the picure.

Well I guess the only there's only my rooms and Mouse's left to see and since I'm just up the hall from Mouse, if everyone is ready, we can start the long trek back to that hall."

"Before we go in I'd just like to say 'Please excuse the mess', I think I'm the only one that brings their kids here but once you meet them you'll know why."

JilaCosa opens the door and is greeted to a chorus of "Mom, mom, mom!!!" The floor is strewn with toys. A small boy and even smaller girl run for the door and stop on a dime as they notice that mom has brought some friends with her.

"Have a seat everybody, just check the cushions for toys first. I know you've been offered a drink in everybody elses room but if anybody is thirsty after that walk, just speak up. I stock Pepsi, Coke, Kool-aid, and plenty of milk."

The suite is furnished in a practical sense, heavy duty chairs with the same type couch and to the far of the room are the bookcases. Four tall, wide bookcases holding both science fiction and fantasy, with a little horror thrown in for variety. Track lights give the room its radiance when the sun isn't coming in the large windows and there is a big refrigerator by the door. There are many different curio cabinets around the room, each with it's own distinctive collection. Dragons and Wizards in one, miniature Harley Davidson motorcycles in another. 11 1/2 in fashion Dolls in another each with a hand-made outfit. But the strangest thing of all about the room is the 8 foot tall green dragon sitting in an overstuffed chair reading a book and smoking a pipe.

"Oops, I guess I forgot to mention the fact that we have a dragon staying with us. I am sorry. And Geradan, I am sorry to you on both counts. I shouldn't have stayed away so long and I should have warned them about you. Please, everyone, he's not as gruff as he sounds. If you wouldn't mind staying I'm sure he'd love to get to know you too. I guess I'm just glad that Ragnar didn't come on this adventure with us. Then I'd really have some trouble."

It's okay, Spyral. Luckily Geradan is not a firebreather. If he was I probably wouldn't have a room left. Some of our discussions have gotten pretty 'heated', no pun intended."

"And since you are here," Geradan says gruffly, "I'll go out for a stretch." The dragon walks over to the open window, jumps out, and snaps his wings open. Gracefully he soars up and over the roof of the mansion.

"What I wanted to show you all was this." JilaCosa points to the stacks of files sitting on her desk by her queen size bed and the maps on the wall. "These are all of the notes that I took while doing my research on the Mansion. I also have some small maps for getting to those really interesting but little known places that I tell about on the tour."

Turning abruptly, JilaCosa stubs her toe on a cardboard box full of old Barbie dolls that she forgot to put away (she used dolls like these to make the ones in the curio cabinet).

"Frell," she mutters sitting down and cradling her foot (which isn't as easy as it sounds as she as not as limber as she used to be). "Well I guess I'll remember to put that away next time. Now I've forgotten the other thing I wanted to show you. Man, that hurt."

(She fell asleep while reading and was lucky this time. The book didn't hit her in the face like it usually does!) *Wonder where everyone else is now. I guess I'll have to go and find them* she thinks.

Eliminating possibilities, she knocks on Jila's door. The door opens just in time for Mouse to see a huge dragon take off out of Jila's window. "Did you all... what was... Ohmigosh..." is all she can get out.