<HTML><BODY BGCOLOR="#ffffff">story in progress Stage Sisters chapter 1 Written by & copyright of Andrew Cotton Featuring Laretta Morrigan (Cassie's rhythm guitarist) 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 Please read the prequil, "Cassie Meets Vixina", featuring Cassie and Vixina at http://members.aol.com/katkottage/cassie_meets_vixina.txt Please read chapter two, featuring Laretta and Cassie at http://members.aol.com/CassieRockVixen2/stage_sisters_ch2.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. Laretta Morrigan took one last look at herself in her dressing mirror.  Her hair dye had set in for about half an hour, the right half sported a flashy day-glo neon orange, with its opposite half tinted a subtle azure blue with a gloss of silvery sheen.   A single streak of her forelock bangs stuck out in bright bubble gum pink; she flipped it over to the left side to stand out against the blue.  With a little gauze, she dabbed eye shadow over each of her eyelids, and traced each of her eyes with a black marking pencil.  She always appreciated how this emphasized her hazel eyes, making them seem almost luminescent. She pursed her lips, evening out the trace of glossy black lipstick she had gracefully applied.  She didn't always wear lipstick, but today was special, and she felt it was appropriate. A knock at the door caught her attention, and she quickly turned to open the door of her cramped attic space apartment.  A large, slightly pudgy wolf stood in the doorway. "Heya, Eddie," she smiled at her brother.  "Is Karen here already?" The gray wolf nodded at his sister, "She's right here behind me," he said, motioning to a smartly-dressed lemur standing behind him.  He normally preferred that visitors concerned with Laretta's music would approach her themselves, through the private entrance upstairs outside, but he and his wife had become good friends with Laretta's manager, and were more than happy to let her in through the house as a guest. The ring-tailed lemur nodded, "I don't mean to rush you, Laretta, but I don't need to remind you how important this meeting is.  I have the car parked outside, so just let me know when you're all set."  Karen was always punctual and organized, and today was certainly no exception. "Sure, Karen, just give me a couple minutes to get finished up and I'll be ready to go." "Would you like me to take down your guitars for you, Laretta?" Eddie asked, "I'll bet that will help save you some time." "Sure, Eddie," the young she-wolf replied, "Just let me make sure they're all set." Laretta had already had her guitars selected and waiting in their cases.  She was only had two she regularly relied on, but they had become her favorites.  Her red 6-string Fender Stratocaster, which she liked to use as a rhythm guitar, and her personal favorite, a custom made Elektra Predator, its body painted black with red streaks and one of its rear flaring points painted to resemble a long, lethal white talon.  "I'll handle this one, Eddie," she motioned to her favorite guitar, "Thank you for helping, but you know, I just like to keep an eye on my special treasure," she grinned. Eddie just chuckled and took hold of the Stratocaster after Laretta shut and locked the cases.  "Don't mention it, sis," he said with smile as he took his load downstairs. Karen was still there, patient but insistent, "Just don't forget your sheet music.  I'll be waiting downstairs." She turned downstairs, after Laretta gave a nod of approval. With that, Laretta hurried through her preening.  She adjusted her metal studded collar so it was straight and also made sure her red bustier was on just right so that it was comfortable yet tight enough so she wouldn't fear it coming loose.   Pulling her fingerless gloves tight and securing her metal studded wrist cuffs, she leaned over to tug on the lacy frilly cuffs of her ankle socks.  Today she felt like wearing the ones decorated with glittery sparkle. She wanted to give a good, lasting impression, after all.  Satisfied, she slipped her feet into her stiletto heeled pumps, smoothed out her leather miniskirt, and gave herself a final appraisal in the mirror with a satisfied grin. Laretta clutched her Predator carefully as she headed downstairs for her waiting company.  Karen was sitting in the living room with Claire, Eddie's lupine wife, who was holding Lyle, their little toddler cub.  "Well, I suppose it's now or never," Laretta said, asserting her confidence the best she could. Claire smiled and rose, still holding her cub.  "I think you'll do just fine, Laretta. Just relax, and things will go all right with her."  Lyle looked over to his aunt, unable to contain his glee.  "an-tee pur-tee," he cooed, reaching out with his small paw to grab her nose. Laretta giggled and gently stroked his face.  "Aww, I hope all my male admirers are as gracious as you!" The ladies shared a brief laugh as a small wolf cub came racing into the room, grabbing Laretta around the knees and giggling.  Laretta herself laughed and nearly lost her balance, "Cool it there, hotshot," she smiled down to her 6 year-old niece Leanne, rubbing her red-painted claws through the cub's blond hair. The hyper wolf cub giggled and smiled broadly.  "You're gonna get to see the pretty fox lady, Auntie Retta?"  Laretta smiled and nodded, "Yep, and I promise I'll get her autograph for ya, since you asked so nicely." The hyperactive wolf cub hopped around excitedly and squealed, "Yaaaay!!  I wanna be big rock star just like you, auntie!"  She hopped around and pretended to play an air guitar quite frenetically.  Everyone had to laugh at such a sight, including Eddie, who was standing in the doorway with his arms crossed. "Congratulations, sis," he chuckled. "You've successfully corrupted her. Well, your guitars are packed away.  I think you're gonna do great." Laretta smiled, slightly nervously, to her brother, "I sure hope so.  I still can't believe you actually made it happen, Karen!" "Hey, you know me, I've never failed to get you a good gig yet," replied Karen with a smile.  Laretta smiled and nodded in response.  She had to admit, when it came to finding work, Karen always found something that worked for her. Today was amazingly different, though.  Through some very persuasive and sharp-minded bargaining, Laretta's manager arranged to have her play a gig with a living legend. Cassandra Vixena, or as the world knew her, Cassie the Rock Vixen. Laretta was gradually making herself known in the world of furry rock.  She was naturally gifted with a stunning singing voice, and learned to play guitar that would probably impress even Jimi Hendrix and Jimmy Page.  From her humble roots playing in seedy Austin and San Antonio nightclubs, with an occasional visit to Dallas, she caught fans' attentions with her looks, voice, and unique guitar playing styles.  If she could hit if off with Cassie the legendary rock vixen, she'd really be on her way to the big time. Of course, in the back of her mind, that was a big if... Laretta took her Predator to Karen's Ford Explorer SUV, parked by the curb. After getting loaded and getting a "good luck" parting wave from Laretta's relatives, they were on their way to Lycaea Studios in downtown Austin.  All the way, Laretta could think of nothing else besides meeting the legendary vixen.  Her heart was pounding like a metronome the whole time. "Now, you just take it easy, hon," Karen told her passenger, noticing her anxiety, "You sure won't make a good impression if they see you sweating." The gray she-wolf took a deep breath and tried to keep her composure, "I know, I know," she started, "but I can't help it.  Here I am, at best a second-rate back-up about to meet the  Queen of furry femme rockers!  It's just so exciting, but that's not all..." Karen could tell what Laretta was about to get into.  "Now, there's no need to get into that, hon.  It's all in the past, and they want to see you as you are now, not know about those nimrods who couldn't get along to save their lives," she reassured. Laretta often thought about her two failed attempts to lead her own furry band.  The first one she tried to lead, the Bloodstalkers, fell apart when the band repeatedly objected to her injecting folk and Cajun styles into their songs. "We're a hard rock band, no one will take us seriously with that alternative crap!" they would always complain.  Her second band - Scars & Stripes - was hardly more successful.  The other band members, all of them skunks, just couldn't get along, and Laretta was not a good moderator.  She winced as she recalled the time when she was "caught in the crossfire," which meant her having to soak in a tub full of tomato juice for nearly a whole day. "Those guys were jerks anyway," Karen continued.  "You know what they say about about a skunk full of vinegar and..." she simply trailed off with a smirk. Laretta nodded, "I know, you're right, but still," she continued slightly downcast, "I just can't help feeling that I should have done more to make things work out."  She paused for a moment as their car pulled into the studio parking lot.  "Karen, tell it straight to my face," she said abruptly.  "Where do you see my career going?  Do I really have what it takes to be a success?" The lemur was as straightforward as can be with her response.  "Laretta, I know you have what it takes.  You've got the talent and the right attitude.  All you need to do is find your niche.  It might take some time, but just don't give up hope."  She put her hands on the she-wolf's shoulders, "I honestly wouldn't have gone to such lengths to arrange this gig if I didn't feel this way.  And I know with this, things are definitely going to change," she concluded with a smile. Laretta felt her spirits lift slightly with her manager's, and friend's, encouraging words.  "Thanks.  Sometimes I just need to hear it honestly." Karen just smiled and nodded, "Think nothing of it.  Well here's our stop.   Are you ready?" "As ready as I'll ever be," Laretta replied with as much confidence as she could muster.  Adjusting her collar one more time out of habit, Laretta climbed out of the vehicle, with Karen following closely behind.  They went to the back of the vehicle to get her guitars, but before they could, they encountered the very people they had come to see. A stately wolf, dressed in a three-piece suit, came right to them with a greeting. "Well hello there, you must be the ingenue we've heard so much about," he stated amicably shaking each of their hands.  "My name's Andrew Kennan, and I'm here on behalf of Cassie's agent.  You can just call me Andy." "A pleasure to meet you face to face," Karen responded, shaking his hand.   Laretta responded in the same manner, but her attention was almost instantly deflected by the incredible sight before her.  She couldn't tell whether she saw an exotic Amazon empress, or the pure, awesome embodiment of an almighty goddess. It was her.  She was dressed in a fetching long blue dress, slit all the way up to the hip on the right side.  Sensuous brown nylons and lacy garters accentuated her long, graceful legs.  Laretta just couldn't get over how tall and elegant she was.   Even without the high heeled sandals she was wearing, the vixen would probably be at least a head taller than Laretta. An expression that could best be described as "sly, yet appeased" crossed her orange and white face as a smile came to her fanged muzzle.  Laretta could almost feel the vixen's piercing blue eyes penetrate her soul.  Long, raven black hair completed her majestic look.  It was difficult for Laretta to tell if what she was seeing was real or not. Cassie Vixen approached the group and introduced herself.  "Hello, it's a real pleasure to meet you," she smiled at Laretta as she took her hand, "You must be Laretta.  I heard the demo tape you sent us, it's pretty hot stuff.  If you're as good as you present yourself, then I think we'll have a good thing going." Laretta had gone almost completely daft.  All she could do was stare agape; the legend herself was praising her like a real professional!  She almost forgot which universe she was in before she snapped back to reality and tried to regain her composure.   "Oh...uh... I, ah..." she stammered foolishly before swallowing and saying something comprehensible. "Goodness, it's really an honor to meet you.  Thank you for your kind words, Ms. Vixena" she managed to wrench out, blushing with embarrassment all the while. Cassie simply chuckled in a good-natured manner, "Please, call me Cassie, and don't get your panties all in a bunch.  I'm just a musician, making the best of it I can like you are.  I really look forward to jamming with ya," she said with a toothy grin. Laretta just smiled nervously, "Well, uh, Cassie, I certainly do look forward to that too."  Something about the warm, personable nature of the vixen made Laretta loosen up a bit, much to her relief. Their two companions simply watched with bemusement, then spoke to one another.  "So I presume all the details are in place," Karen spoke up.  "We have the back-up guitarist, bassist, and drummer under contract, and Cassie and Laretta should be able to select the songs they'd like to record, once they're familiar with each other's styles." The male wolf nodded, "That should take care of the session business, but there are a few technicalities Cassie's agent wanted me to discuss with you, if it's no trouble." Karen shrugged slightly, "I wouldn't imagine it to be, though I think Cassie and Laretta would like to get down to playing pretty soon." Cassie gave a knowing glance to her agent's stand-in and smiled, "Actually, what I'd like to do is get to know Laretta a little better, and let you two iron out any details you need to.  I know a great cafe where we can have lunch and talk for a little while.  I hope that won't be a problem?" "Well, it's not a problem for me," Karen responded, "How about you, Laretta?"  The she-wolf was still feeling slightly flushed, but was highly keen on the thought of getting to know more about the famous vixen. She certainly seemed like a friendly type.  "Yes, I'd like that very much," she replied. "It'll be my treat," Cassie said with a smile.  "You two can get your business done. Just make sure our equipment is all set up and ready when we come back, Andy." "Sure thing, Cassie," the wolf replied, "We should have things wrapped up by one.  Try to be back by then, okay?" he asked as a couple of studio workers took Laretta's equipment into the building. "Please be careful with that," Laretta motioned to one of her cases, "That's the guitar I'll be using, a custom Elektra Predator."  The worker simply nodded and carefully handled the case. Karen was the next to speak up, "It looks like things are going along nicely.  You two just relax and enjoy yourselves."  As they were about to depart, she motioned closely to Laretta and said just out of earshot of the others, "I told ya everything would go all right.  I think you two will get along great!" Laretta smiled and nodded, feeling the atmosphere lighten up considerably.   She bade farewell to the two managers as she joined the vixen, still slightly incredulous about whether she was living in reality or not. "Well, looks like it's just the two of us for now," Cassie said with a smile.  "I don't know about you but I'm famished." Laretta smiled and replied, feeling gradually more relaxed, "Where would you like to eat, Cassie?"  The vixen turned on her heel and motioned her companion to follow her, "It's like a nice French bistro, except you can eat just about whatever you like.  C'mon over to my Corvette, and I'll take you there.  I think you'll like it," she smiled. To Laretta, it was almost too strange for words.  She had only met the vixen for a few minutes and already she was being treated like a close friend.  She smiled warmly, and knew that however unusual the day might be, it was looking very nice, indeed. END OF CHAPTER 1 Latest revision, March 11, 2001</HTML>