<HTML>Stage Sisters chapter 7 Written by & copyright of Andrew Cotton Wolfie8898@hotmail.com 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 chapter one, featuring Cassie and Laretta  and the beginning of this story, at http://members.aol.com/CassieRockVixen3/stage_sisters_ch7.txt Please read the sequil, "When You Least Expect it" featuring Cassie at http://members.aol.com/katkottage/when_you_least_expect_it.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 sun shone brightly on a pleasant, unusually crisp morning in the mid-summer as a Ford Explorer SUV pulled into the parking lot Sahara Studios, just as it did a week before.  This time, though, there was no heavy equipment to lug around.  Cassie happily agreed to allow Laretta's family to be at the studio for the important event, and Karen was quite happy to take them all along in her car. This meant a lot to Laretta, because for her, this was a very important day in her life. She was to be officially inducted into Cassie's band, and she wanted to have everyone close to her to be present.  Laretta quickly climbed out of the car once they reached their destination, eager to see Cassie again.  She was dressed very smartly for the occasion, since it was an important event unlike performing for a live audience.  She wore a conservative brown dress suit with a matching knee length skirt and white blouse, and low-heeled tan pumps on her feet.  She also left her hair its natural black color. She clearly treated the meeting as a serious, respectable matter and wanted to look her best. Laretta had almost crossed half-way across the parking lot without realizing that she'd forgotten about her companions!  "Hey, wait for us!" called out her brother Edmond as he and his wife, the two kids, and Karen hurried to keep up with her.  "Boy, you sure weren't this excited the first time you came here!"  Laretta grinned and paused, "Sorry everyone, but you're right, I am very excited!"  Edmond just smiled and gave his sister a hug around her shoulders, "I don't blame you.  We're all very proud of you!" Karen was the next to speak up.  "I have to admit, I'm really going to miss working with you, Laretta, but I'm still very happy for you!  You definitely deserve to be in Cassie's band!"  Laretta hugged her agent and friend, "Thanks, Karen.  I promise I'll keep in touch with you!" They had just managed to get themselves back together when a tall, beautiful vixen emerged from the building.  Cassie had been waiting for Laretta to arrive, and while she was very patient, she was also excited and interested in meeting Laretta's family. "Wow, it's her!!"  shouted Leanne the small wolf cub excitedly, "Auntie Laretta, look, it's the pretty fox lady!"  Laretta chuckled and greeted Cassie.  "I hope you don't mind my niece being this excited,"  she said after shaking hands with the vixen.  "I don't mind at all!"  replied Cassie with a grin, "I'm always glad to meet new fans!"  She then turned her attention to Laretta's companions, "It really is a pleasure to meet you all.  I was so glad to hear of how supportive you were of your sister." Eddie smiled as he shook hands with Cassie, feeling quite awed in her presence.  "Thank you very much, ma'am," he replied.  "I think this is a great day for Laretta, and I'm so glad we could be here with her today!"  Meanwhile, Leanne looked like she had something she wanted to say, although she was quite nervous herself.  "Um, 'scuse me, Miss Foxy," she started, stammering.  Cassie bent down and smiled gently to the wolf cub, "Yes, little lady, would you like to ask me something?"  The wolf cub wagged her tail nervously as she continued, "Could I...uh...you'd be really nice if I could have your autograph!"  Cassie grinned and patted the young cub on the head, "Oh, absolutely!  I always give autographs to fans who are as nice and polite as you!"  Leanne smiled and wagged her tail, seeing how nice Cassie treated her.  "Ooh, thank you!" she squealed, hopping up and down.  Laretta chuckled, "That's very nice of you, Cassie, but I hope we can get down to business soon. I wouldn't want to hold things up any longer than necessary!" Cassie generously gave a signed photograph of herself - seated on an amplifier and holding a double-necked violet guitar - to the excited wolf cub, then everyone proceeded to the building without objection.  When they entered the lobby, they found someone waiting there.  She was a snow leopard dressed entirely in black, which included her "Metal Goddess" T-shirt, her leather vest, leather skirt, nylons, and snakeskin cowboy boots.  'That blends in nicely with her charcoal-and-grey fur pattern,' Laretta thought, as she also noticed her long silver hair, uniquely braided into cornrows.  The feline removed a dark pair of sunglasses and grinned as Cassie approached.  Cassie happily introduced the two females.  "Laretta, I'd like you to meet Cindy McCormick.  She's not only the greatest bass player I've ever worked with, she's also been my best friend for a very long time!"  Cindy smiled as she shook hands with Laretta, "It's great to meet you, Laretta.  From what Cass tells me, I think you'll fit into the band wonderfully!" She paused for a moment to look Laretta over, "You know, I also seem to recall Cass describing you a little more colorfully." Laretta was slightly confused, but Cassie stepped in.  "It's okay, Cindy!  Laretta just wanted to look her best for the occasion.  I have to admit though, Laretta, that I'm really not used to seeing you outside of your stage outfit!"  Laretta just grinned, "Don't worry about it, Cassie.  I'll try not to keep you confused!" The three of them laughed, but soon settled down as their minds focused on more serious business.  As Laretta went to get a drink of water, Cindy took Cassie aside to talk privately for a moment.  "Did you tell her about Foxonian yet, Cassie?" the snow leopard asked, noticing her friend's slightly worried look.  Cassie sighed and shook her head, "No, I really couldn't bring myself to.  I just never know how people will react, knowing about him and myself, and I didn't want to risk spoiling Laretta's opportunity!" Cindy frowned and twitched her tail, "You know she's going to find out one way or another, Cass.  How do you think she'd feel if she knew you were hiding something from her?"  The vixen nodded, realizing she risked doing more harm than good by keeping Foxonian's secret so closely guarded.  "I just need to think of a way to break her the news in just the right way," she replied, twitching her own tail nervously.  Thinking for a moment, she whispered her plan to Cindy.  The snow leopard smiled and nodded, and went down a rear corridor, while Cassie returned to where Laretta was sitting. They were seated at a small table when Andy came to join them, carrying an important document.  It was the contract, which Laretta was eager to read.  "I think you'll find our terms very generous, Laretta," said Andy as he offered her the contract.  "Wow, you can say that again!"  Laretta exclaimed as she read the entire document.  She was offered a generous salary, more money than she ever made in her life!  It was also obvious that Cassie really wanted to keep her, since the contract was fully legit and would keep her signed on for at least five years, after which she could negotiate as a free agent. Laretta didn't have to think twice about the offer.  She signed her name at the bottom, closing the deal. "It's official!" announced Cassie, "You're a part of our family now, Laretta!"  "Hey, what about us?" piped up Leanne, who obviously didn't understand what Cassie meant. Laretta chuckled, "It's just and expression, dear!"  She happily shook hands with Cassie, "Thank you so much.  I promise you won't regret having me on board!"  Cassie just smiled, "I don't think I'll have to worry about that!" As this was going on, Cindy reappeared in the doorway and made a gesture to Cassie. Cassie nodded with approval and turned to her companion.  "Laretta, before we end this meeting, there's someone I'd really like for you to meet," she said calmly.  Laretta just nodded as she rose from her seat and followed the vixen.  Cassie continued as they walked, "You might be surprised when you see him, but you should also know that he's very special and important to me."  Laretta seemed uncertain, but she knew that by the way Cassie was talking, that this was a very important matter to her.  Laretta nodded, "I understand, Cassie.  Please, I'd really like to meet this person who is so important to you." Before either of the ladies said another word, they came face to face with a tall, dark human male.  Laretta took a moment to size him up.  With slick dark hair, expensive sunglasses, and dressed in a smart tailored pinstripe suit, Laretta thought he might have been a corporate raider who got lost on his way to Wall Street!  The man just removed his sunglasses and smiled warmly at the she-wolf.  He had a twinkle in his blue eyes and a sweet innocence in his smile that utterly betrayed his initial corporate appearance.  "Hello, Laretta," he finally spoke while Laretta still marveled about him, "I'm Foxonian, Cassie's agent.  It's a real pleasure to finally meet you." Laretta politely shook his hand and smiled, though in truth the encounter took her much by surprise.  Since it largely went against social custom for humans and anthromorphs to work together closely on a professional basis, she was not expecting Foxonian to be a human being.  Nonetheless, she knew she owed a lot to him for his approval of her to join Cassie's band, and for that she cared nothing about his species.  'Besides, he's kind of cute!'  Laretta thought to herself as she grinned. Foxonian continued to speak, "I must say that I'm very glad you accepted our offer, Laretta.  You have incredible talent and a terrific personality that fits right into the band, at least from what Cassie tells me.  By the way, did she not tell you that I was a human?" Laretta glanced briefly between Foxonian and Cassie as the vixen fidgeted nervously. "Well, no, she didn't," Laretta started, "Cassie, were you worried that I wouldn't approve of being employed by a human, and that's why you didn't tell me about Foxonian being one?" she asked. Cassie sighed slightly and responded, "Yes, that's one reason.  There's so much tension between humans and furries that I was afraid telling you right away would give you serious doubts.  You had enough to deal with as it was.  There is another reason, though..."  She had an uncertain look on her vulpine face as Laretta watched her curiously. Foxonian had an understanding look on his face as Cassie walked over and took hold of his hand.  "Laretta," she started hesitantly, "Foxonian and I share more than just a professional relationship.  We also love each other deeply.  I hope it's not too hard for you to understand, but you need to know about us if you really want to be a part of the band." Laretta looked at the couple quizzically and curiously.  She wasn't astonished or startled by this revelation, but she really couldn't find the right words to say.  Looking at them, she knew there was profound, genuine love between them.  She was not about judge Cassie any less just because of whom she loved.  "Cassie, it doesn't bother me at all that you're in love with a human.  I've known lots of humans in my life, and I know there a lot of good ones like Foxonian.  I can tell that he really makes you happy and takes good care of you.  Besides, what you do with your personal life is none of my business at all." She smiled at the couple, but Cassie still looked slightly uncomfortable.  "I'm so sorry I wasn't honest with you sooner Laretta," she said, "If we're going to be working together, we need to be able to trust one another.  It was wrong of me to keep you in the dark for so long."  Laretta smiled, "It's okay, Cassie, I totally understand.  Just tell me about anything this important in future, okay?  I don't like seeing you worry yourself that much!"  Cassie grinned and gave Laretta a hug, "Thanks, Laretta.  That really means a lot to me." It was Cindy's turn to speak up, "You know what?  This calls for a celebration!" Vixina hurried onto the scene, clutching her fiddle by her side.  "Hey, y'all wuzn't gonna git th' party started without me, wuz ya?"  Cassie flashed a grin at Laretta, "Well, Laretta, what do you think?  Feel up to an impromptu performance?" "Oh boy, oh boy!"  Leanne squealed, "I wanna see them play!  I wanted to watch you last night, but mommy and daddy made me go to bed!" she pouted.  Eddie chuckled, "Well, we had a hard enough time just getting you to sleep, you know!"  Laretta seemed excited by the idea, but she became instantly disappointed when she remembered one important detail. "Oh Cassie, I'd love to play with you, but I didn't come prepared.  All my equipment is still at home!" Cassie didn't appear the least bit perturbed by this.  Instead, she walked off to another room, and she returned carrying two guitars.  One was her favorite, the black Les Paul classic, and the other was a purple 'Flying V'.  "Here Laretta, you can use this one," Cassie said as she offered Laretta the purple guitar. "Really, Cassie?  You'll let me use your guitar?"  Laretta asked, quite surprised. Cassie smiled and nodded,  "Certainly!  If there's anything you ever need, I'll be happy to help you.  Besides, I've got more purple guitars than I know what to do with!" she chuckled. "Thanks Cassie!"  Laretta exclaimed, "I can't wait to play again!"  "Nor can I!" Cindy responded, "I've been out of practice for too long.  My fingers are itching to scratch those strings again!"  Laretta removed her suit jacket and rolled up the sleeves of her blouse as Cassie, Cindy, and Vixina prepared their instruments.  It took Laretta a moment to get the guitar adjusted and oriented to her left-hand style of playing, but soon she was fully prepared.  All their friends and Laretta's family eagerly gathered to watch the performance. "Let's rock!"  Laretta announced with a fanged grin.  The group of ladies played with all their skill and energy, and it showed.  Cassie and Laretta wove their sounds together beautifully.  They smiled to each other, happy to be lucky enough to be playing together for a long time to come. END OF CHAPTER 7 AND SERIES Last revision:  October 1, 2001</HTML>