<HTML><BODY BGCOLOR="#ffffff">story in progress Stage Sisters chapter 3 Written by & copyright of Andrew Cotton Featuring Laretta Morrigan (Cassie's rhythm guitarist) Vixina (Cassie's fiddler) and Cassie Cassie, the Rock & Roll Vixen http://members.aol.com/rufinoform/Cassie.htm Laretta Morrigan http://velar.ctrl-c.liu.se/vcl/Artists/Richard-Foley/Laretta2.jpg Vixina http://cloudchaser.esmartweb.com/Vixina07.htm Please read chapter four, featuring Laretta and Cassie at http://members.aol.com/CassieRockVixen2/stage_sisters_ch4.txt All characters created by & copyright of Earl Bacon except Laretta, who is created by and copyright of Andrew Cotton, Alex, who is created by and copyright of Donna Fritz and Vixina, who is created by and copyright of Cloudchaser Shaconage. The two femmes found themselves caught up in traffic and ended up arriving back at the studio fifteen minutes after one o'clock.  This was not a problem, though, since the studio technicians were still busy getting both Laretta's and Cassie's amplifiers in sync. Furthermore, Cassie's amplifier was clearly not in its best shape. Cassie's favorite roadie, an otter named "Slim", dutifully worked at patching up the wiring, knowing the kind treatment he would receive from Cassie in return. No one made an issue of the two companions being late, because they knew how Cassie liked to dote on new acquaintances with long, lavish meals.  They dutifully apologized for being late, but seeing that their equipment was not quite ready, they chose to prepare their guitars instead.  Cassie also decided to take the opportunity to introduce Laretta to Slim, whom she considered one of her closest confidants. "Glad to meet ya," the lanky otter said with a smile, shaking Laretta's hand, "Cass here says you can play a mean guitar."  Laretta simply smiled and blushed slightly, "I try my best." "I can't wait to hear ya on stage," replied Slim, "assuming that Cassie's amp survives the whole session," he said with a slightly sotto voice, and joking wink towards the vixen. To this, Cassie simply put her hands on her hips and smirked, "Well now, I'm paying you good money to keep my prized possession in top form, so it had better!" Slim chuckled and returned the jibe, "I keep telling ya Cass, that thing is on its last legs.  Heck, it barely even has any legs left at all!  That circuitry blowout should be patched up fine, but I'd be expecting to do some more soon enough!" "Anything to keep my jewel surviving through the ages," Cassie replied, stroking her amplifier in a mock pose of adoration.  Laretta wasn't too sure what to make of all this banter, so she just contented herself with tuning her guitar and ensuring that her own amplifier was in working order. "It's just a running joke between us," Cassie confided, "I've had the amp since I started playing, it was a gift from my father.  It has real sentimental value, plus it gives my guitars that extra - how you'd say - "YOWZA' that grabs everyone's attention.  I just could never bear to part with it." Slim just grinned and nodded, "Say, speaking of "YOWZA', that's a pretty gnarly guitar you have there, Laretta," he said, noticing Laretta's custom-made Predator. "Thank you.  It's my personal favorite "jewel'.  I can play very good lead and rhythm guitar chords with it."  Laretta ran a free hand over the guitar's smooth black and red-streaked exterior.  Its unique "X hourglass' shape suited her perfectly.   One of its rear "points" extended out notably, and was painted white to resemble a fang or claw. The guitar drew inescapable attention towards the she-wolf, and Laretta loved this just as much as the sound it made. Cassie had taken out her own favorite guitar, a shiny black Gibson Les Paul Classic, and adjusted its strings to her preference.  "So, how about to warm up, we start with an easy two-guitar piece?  I'd like to get a feel for how you set your rhythm, Laretta," Cassie replied. Laretta nodded in agreement and felt her guitar hum to life.  Her pulse quickened as she realized that this was the part that mattered the most for the whole day.  If she performed well enough, Cassie the Rock Vixen could help Laretta launch her career higher than she had ever imagined.  Laretta allowed Cassie to take the "lead" and as she got a feel for how the vixen played her part, Laretta merged in with her energetic chords. Everyone present was amazed at how the two femmes complemented each other.   One would say that they wove their parts together into a vibrant tapestry.  A German Shepherd 'morph played the bass line, though he played nothing excessively outstanding - evidently, heavy metal was not his forte.  A badger 'morph competently provided the drum work, but the focus was unmistakably on the two femmes.  Cassie performed superbly, and Laretta excelled at matching her every move. The two ladies ceased their performance, earning polite applause and acclaim from all those in attendance.  They smiled at each other, knowing that they had what it takes to make the performance shine.  "Laretta, you were excellent!"  Cassie exclaimed, "I've played with a lot of back-up guitarists, and I don't think I've ever met anyone who could play as well as you!"  Laretta smiled broadly, "Really?  Thanks, Cassie!  That means a lot to me, coming from you." One individual from the small audience, a digitigrade vixen with long red hair, glasses, and a cut-off T-shirt and denim shorts, eagerly approached the duo.  "Heya, y'all!" she exclaimed, "That thar shore wuz th' best jammin' Ah evah heard!  She's done givin' ya a run fo' yo' money, Cass!" Laretta smiled politely to the smaller vixen (even if she had to think for a moment to understand her accent!), while Cassie appeared momentarily flushed. "Goodness, I forgot all about introducing you two!  Laretta, this is Vixina, the newest addition to our band.  She joined us while we were touring across the South," Cassie grinned. "It's nice to meet you, Vixina," said Laretta as she smiled and shook hands, "Do you play keyboards or synthesizer?"  Vixina smiled and retrieved her instrument, "Act'ally, ya know, Ah play thes heah fiddle!"  Cassie smiled and nodded, "That's right!  I was so impressed when I heard her play, I just had to ask her to join!" "Really?" asked Laretta, "That's new to me.  My dad played the fiddle at family gatherings, but I've never heard it played in a rock band!" Vixina grinned and tuned her fiddle's strings, "Well now, would ya lahke me ta play alon' and fahnd out how it sounds?"  "Well Laretta, how about it?" asked Cassie, "Would you care to let Vixina play along with us?" "Absolutely!" Laretta responded, "It sounds like it would be fun."  Vixina tuned her fiddle, and the group of femmes played their version of Metallica's "One."  Laretta was amazed at how well Vixina's ferociously energetic fiddling blended in with hers and Cassie's guitars.  Now considerably more at ease, Laretta was enjoying herself so much that she no longer cared what happened to her career after today.  She just found the opportunity of playing with some of the most famous and talented musicians in furrydom to be a major accomplishment.  All of her previous anxiety and self doubt had completely melted away, and she understood what her love of rock music was all about. "That was awesome!" exclaimed the she-wolf, shaking her head so that her two tone\ colored shoulder length hair waved about.  "Et shore was!" remarked Vixina, removing her glasses to wipe them off, "Wouldn'tcha lahke ta play with us fer real, "Retta?" Laretta smiled, wagging her tail slightly, "You bet I would!  I doubt that will happen, though.  I mean, I only came here so we could all just practice together, right?" Cassie carefully set her guitar down and brushed her hair back, "Well Laretta, that's something we all wanted to talk to you about.  You know about the big music festival the band is playing in this weekend?"  Laretta nodded, "Of course, the Lone Star Metal Round-Up.  It's all over the news, and anyone who's anyone in the music business around here makes it one of their top priorities.  Why do you ask?"   The tall vixen focused on her lupine companion, and calmly continued, "Laretta, I was hoping you would join the band for that occasion.  That's why our manager, Foxonian, and I wanted you to play with us today, to see how well you could adapt to our style.  I could definitely use someone to back me up, and I'm confident in your abilities.  How do you feel about that?" Laretta felt her heart jump up into her throat and her senses go numb.   Cassie was asking her to play in her band, live on stage, for one of the most important music events she knew of! "Cassie, I...I'm not sure what to say," she stammered momentarily, "It would be an honor!  Are you absolutely sure about this?"  Cassie nodded, "I, and the rest the band, feel entirely confident about your playing with us, but I honestly don't want to force you into a situation beyond which you'd feel secure.  It's all up to you.  Please, take a few moments to think it over, you don't have to give a final answer right away." In the mean time, Karen and Andy had reemerged in the studio, well aware of what Cassie was discussing with Laretta.  Karen motioned Laretta to come over so they could discuss the matter personally, which Laretta clearly understood as she huddled together with them. "So, I take it they broke the news to you?" Karen asked the excited she-wolf.  Laretta nodded and responded enthusiastically, "Yes, absolutely!  I just can't believe it! Me, actually playing live on stage with Cassie's band?!  That's just incredible!" Karen smiled and spoke in a hushed to Laretta, "Well, that's not all.  Let's just keep this between ourselves for the time being.  We knew that Cassie wanted you to join her band for the Metal festival, but if all this works out for the best, you could very well become a permanent addition!" Laretta was absolutely amazed.  She had to keep her tail tucked between her legs to contain her excitement.  "Oh my God, are you serious?!  Me, joining Cassie's band, for real?"  This time, it was Andy's turn to speak up.  "I can't speak for Cassie, Laretta, but she has been talking a lot about needing an extra guitarist and singer to back her up. Judging by the way you two are getting along, I'd say it's almost definitely assured for you.  This weekend's concert is really just the last hurdle you'd need to face." Laretta was only barely registering all that was being said to her.  She knew very well that she faced the most important decision of her life since she decided to leave home and embark on her musical career. All she could do now was try to collect her thoughts and keep her nerves steady.  Karen again tried to give her companion some solace.  "I know it seems like a lot, Laretta, but like I told you, today could change everything. I know you can do it, all you need to do is say the word to Cassie." It didn't take Laretta more than a moment to make her decision. She was presented with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and she wasn't about to let it slip away.   She approached Cassie, who had taken her sandals off to relax her feet, with her calmest and sincerest demeanor.  "Cassie, I've thought it over, and I would be really honored to play with your band. I'm so grateful that you're giving me this chance, and I promise you that I won't disappoint you." Cassie grinned and put her hands on Laretta's shoulders, "I'm very glad to hear that, Laretta, and I know you'll do fine." One of the other band members spoke up, though. "The festival's only a few days away, Cassie.  Are you sure she'll be ready?" asked the German Shepherd bassist.  "Of course!" Cassie replied, "Laretta won't be playing with all our songs, and most of those that she will be playing we practiced this afternoon. We would need a couple more days of practice, but I don't think that's a problem at all. Does that sound okay to you, Laretta?" The she-wolf nodded, "Definitely!  Just let me know when I need to show up, and I won't let you down!"  Afterwards, Laretta and the band relaxed with some idle chatter.  Everyone was fascinated to learn about Laretta's upbringing -- most of them hadn't even been to Canada before!  When it was time to leave, Laretta got her guitars packed up, but she was surprised that Cassie eagerly helped her load them in the car.  "You're really too kind, Cassie," Laretta chided.  The vixen grinned, "I know, it's a really bad habit of mine.  At any rate, I really am glad that you're going to be playing with us. You've got a very special gift, Laretta, one that the whole world should hear." They gave each other a friendly hug before Laretta headed home.  It was already early evening, and even this time in the summer, the sun was looming low in the sky.  As Karen drove towards home, Laretta kicked off her pumps and relaxed with a large smile on her face, very satisfied with the day's events. Karen smiled at her companion, "I hope you don't feel too silly about being so worried earlier."  Laretta just grinned and flicked her tongue out, "It was first day jitters, that's all!  Anyway, I still can't believe that I'm going to be playing at the Metal Round-Up with Cassie and her band!  You sure were good at keeping that a secret, you know that?"  "It's part of my job," the lemur replied, chuckling. As excited as she was, Laretta just felt that for the first time in her life, things were just working out so right. She knew there was something wonderful about Cassie, and today she had the chance to find out why that was.  Tonight, she was going to rest and be ready to show herself worthy of sharing the stage with her. END OF CHAPTER 3 Latest revision, August 2, 2001</HTML>