Goldapple Millennium Party began 12-31-99 and ending 1-9-00 Owlharp swooped down onto the stone steps of the hunting lodge of Caer Bear and, with a ripple of harpstrings, assumed her human form. The heavy oaken door swung open and she headed gratefully into the warmth of the great hall. Clearly forces had been at work while she was gone. All the heavy ceiling beams of the lodge were twined with garlands of pine and holly, and more garlands festooned the walls. Candles and fragrant oil lamps flickered from every corner and window, and Owlharp's favorite olive-branch chandelier hung from a heavy chain above the center of the room, laden with bayberry votives. The wooden dance floor gleamed beneath it. On the huge carven sideboard along one wall, huge silver platters of delicacies rested on snowy linen. Amphorae of wine were stacked beside it, and a case of the Widow sat chilling in a beribboned tub of snow. Crystal goblets glittered in the golden light. "You're back!" commented Hunter Igor as he stirred a huge marble vat of margaritas. "I was beginning to worry a little!" "Well, it takes a while to deliver those invitations, even if I WAS flying", answered Owlharp, holding her hands out to the massive logs burning in the man-high fireplace. "After all, I had to fly all over New Greeceland and back! I had to track down the boys - they had just defeated a pair of rabid Hydras that had been terrorizing a village in Attica, but they said that they'd be here, come Tartarus or Highwater!" "Did you invite everyone?" "Oh yeah! I just hope everyone is able to come! There's some pretty deep snow in some places, and Hades kept griping that he was behind in his inventory - but I think Persephone will persuade him! Twanky said she'd bring her dance troupe by after their New Year's Eve show. Oh, and Ares made me promise that there'd be some single-malt Scotch - seems that he acquired a taste for it at the Halloween Party." "They just delivered a cask from the Hebrides while you were out. And all four Iron Chefs are hard at work in the kitchen! I don't know what they did with Falafel and I'm not going to ask!" So ... everyone is invited to a virtual New Year's Eve party in honor of the REAL millennium! Write and tell us all what you're wearing and who you're bringing as a date, and what happens while you're there! Will there be a game of Naked Twister in the library again? Will Hercules and Ares face off in the snow-boarding competition? Will Falafel break out of the mop closet? Be here, or be tetrahedral! Owlharp ------------------------------------------- The snow was crisp and white beneath the runners of the sleigh as the red robed figure at the reins whipped the reindeer into a trot. Ahead, Pythia could see the looming walls of Caer Bear where smoke was rising enticingly from the massive chimneys. "Nearly there!" Salmoneus announced, raising a ragged cheer from his passengers. Leading the huzzah was a rather anxious looking warrior, who was cradling a huge box on his knee - and wincing at every minor bump and jangle. "I know it's New Year," Pythia murmured to the salesman beside her, "but whose idea was it to get Joxer to contribute the fireworks?" "Mine," Sal answered cheerily. "I overheard Ares saying something about bringing Sam missiles if *he* were asked - so I asked around for an alternative. Xena told me Joxer had had some experience with explosives when they were in Chin." "Yeah? What kind of experience?" "I blew myself up!" Joxer interjected brightly. "So now I know how not to. Don't worry. I've got rockets and Roman candles and catherine wheels and - oh, all sorts. The fireworks will be great!" The sleigh arrived at the foot of the steps. Joxer leapt out, landed on a patch of snow and immediately fell flat on his face. Pythia sighed and climbed out after him. The rest of Salmoneus' passengers climbed out of the sleigh. Jason carefully handed Joxer down one of his boxes before helping his wife down onto the snowy ground. Iphicles unloaded the other two and then went back for the crate of Corinthian Wine that he'd brought to help add to the party cheer. "Thanks for the ride, Sal," Pythia said, shaking out the skirts of her new silver party dress. "Anytime," he grinned back. "I'll see you at the party later - I've got a few more people to pick up yeet." He clicked to the reindeer and set off again across the snow, jingle bells ringing merrily as he went. Alcmene smiled at the sight. "That really was a good idea of his," she decided. "Running a snow taxi for tonight. I wonder where he got the sleigh?" "Borrowed it from a friend of Xena's," Jason noted knowingly. "*He* only uses it once a year ..." "Shall we?" Iphicles asked, holding out his arm to Pythia, who smiled and tucked her own through it. He'd passed the wine crate to one of the Centaurs who'd come out to greet the new arrivals. Two more of them could be seen carrying away the boxes of fireworks under Joxer's anxious directions. "All right," she grinned, leading the way up the steps. "Let's go join the party ..." Pythia ----------------------- "A party. I don't know what to where." Athena said as she held the invitation in her hands. "I want to dress up and look nice but I also want to be comfortable" She goes through her closet throwing things around as she searches for just the right thing to wear. As she pulls an item out of the closet and smiles she says "Perfect, this will do." and holds up a long velvet hunter green dress with an open back. "Who needs comfort, maybe I can catch Iolaus' eye this year." "I hope I have more courage and actually ask Iolaus for a dance instead of just watching him from across the room." she sighs. But what a site to watch. She dresses quickly and then flags down a cariage. "Take me to the Millenium Party please." Athena -------------------- Frowning anxiously, Helen hesitated to urge her horse the final steps to her destination: Caer Bear. The blonde healer had been positive she'd received the invitation by mistake; after all, she barely knew any of these people. /Let's be honest, here--I've never met them before in my life,/ she thought to herself. After an eternity of wavering over wether or not to show up, she'd finally braced herself and set out. It occured to her that she'd probably spend the evening in some shadowy corner and observing, but at least she could honestly say that she'd gone somewhere. It was the temperature that finally helped her make up her mind. She was dressed well for a New Year's party, in an ankle-length burgundy satin gown and velvet lined cloak, but the style was hardly conducive to hanging around hear a snowbank. So with a deep breath and a bad case of nerves, she nudged her mount forward. ~*~Helen~*~ --------------------------- @@@@ She was dressed well for a New Year's party, in an ankle-length burgundy satin gown and velvet lined cloak, but the style was hardly conducive to hanging around hear a snowbank. So with a deep breath and a bad case of nerves, she nudged her mount forward. ~*~Helen~*~ @@@@ "LOOK OUT! Dog sled comin' through!" was the last thing Helen heard before her horse reared and unceremoniously dumped the shy beauty in a cold, but conveniently soft snow drift. The 10 dog team was anything but cooperative as it's 3 inhabitants desperately tried to slow it's ever increasing speed as it sped past the accident scene. "STOP! HALT! UNMUSH! Oh come on, guys! Stop. Pleeeeeeese!" The sled quickly disappeared from view into the thick woods surrounding Caer Bear's grand hunting lodge, a trail of blue M&M's marking the argument's progression, "I thought you said you knew how to drive one of these things!" "Me? No way! I said I could GET a dog sled, NOT drive one!" "Well, at least I didn't yell "UNMUSH!" Yeah, like that's really going to work!" "Whoever has the reins better be extra careful steering. These trees are getting awfully thick." "Reins?!?!?! What reins?" "Uhhhhh... dog sleds don't have reins." "Ohhhhhhh..... That explains a lot." "Well, we've done pretty well without them so far." "Pretty well?! You call almost killing some poor innocent rider and then careening off into this dark forest, WAY PAST the lodge AND our poor victim, pretty well?!?!?! I'd hate to see what you'd consider reckless, felonious and simply extremely inconvenient." "Yeah! Not to mention embarrassing." "Yeah! Embarrassing too." "Hey! I thought he said NOT to mention that!" Jamie, Young Iolaus, and Young Hercules continued their banter well past earshot of anybody at the lodge. Poor Helen took a quick mental inventory and was very pleased to discover that she was in one piece, as well as her stunning outfit. Her horse behaved as the well trained mount it was, never straying more than a few steps from her side. She quickly mounted up and cautiously made her way to the front of the lodge, keeping her eyes open for any other uncontrolled, unidentified obstacles. She did notice a trail of tiny blue round candies following the tacks of the sled. Never having attended an Iolausian party, the blonde healer had no idea of their significance. As branches whipped at her frost reddened face, Jamie was no longer wondering if it had been a bad idea to pick up the 'boys' at Cheron's Academy and take them to "A Real Millennium Party." She was certain! "Man oh man! There was a good reason that I was a Lurker. Now I'll be lucky if I'm not totally thrown off the list! But if I don't somehow turn this mad cap sled of head strong hounds around, there won't be any M&M's at the party." Suddenly, the sled broke out of the thick trees and speed across a frozen lake. The '3 Mushketeers' figured out that by leaning over the same side, they were able to turn the dog sled in a big circle, only to have it reenter the woods in the same place it exited just a minute before. "ALL RIGHT! At least we're heading in the right direction!" "Yeah, but we still don't know how to stop this crazy contraption!" "And we'll probably take out a few more unsuspecting party goers on our return pass. After all, it's getting very close to party time!" Luckily for the rest of the GoldApple bunch, the sled managed to crash into a clump of birch trees just outside the strong wooden doors of the lodge. The dogs' harness snapped, and they continued to run across the snow-covered landscape, howling with delight. After making sure that nobody sustained permanent damage, the three started searching through the snow for the remains of the 50 pounds of M & M's they had originally started with. Helen had almost made it safely inside when she saw the crash. Her healer instincts had her running the short distance across the snow to see if her services were needed. She was afraid that they had all sustained head injuries when she saw the 3 snow covered strangers frantically digging through the snow. Helen came up to the closest victim, kneeling to get a better view of the situation. She was greeted with a smile that rivaled the northern lights, and eyes bluer than she had ever seen before. "Are you all right?" They asked in unison. "Yes. Are you?" In unison again. After they both stopped chuckling, Young Iolaus said, "HI! Sorry for spooking your horse. Can I at least escort you into the lodge......" Young Iolaus looked expectantly at the brave blonde who came to his 'rescue' in the snow. "Oh! Helen. My name is Helen," she said quietly before blushing. Smiling even wider, the young warrior offered his arm to Helen and said, "My name is Young Iolaus." Just then, Jamie squealed with delight. "A ha! Found it! At least half the bag is still here!" Young Hercules easily swung the hefty sack of M&M's over his shoulder, and just shook his head. Speaking to Jamie as they followed Helen and Young Iolaus into the lodge, "How does he do it? Technically we didn't even arrive, and he already has a pretty girl on his arm." Jamie couldn't help but smile. "He does simply because he can. He is Iolaus. I suggest you get used to it, big guy." Owlie gave everybody the traditional 'Iolausian Greeting Hug' as she greeted them at the door. Hunter Igor had just the right number of glasses filled with his famous, or infamous margaritas ready for the first guests. As the group was oohing and awing at the gorgeous holiday decorations, another knock was heard at the massive front door...... HAPPY MILLENNIUM EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Jamie The Rambler & Full Time Lurker! -------------------- "I do so love a good party," Pythia declared a little breathlessly, sinking into a handy chair and stretching out aching feet. So far she'd danced with Iphicles, then Jason, then Iolaus (twice). She'd hot footed the tango with Hercules, waltzed with Autolycus, and had even been persuaded to join in Ares' flaming flamenco - which required quick reflexes, nerves of steel, and a bucket of cold water just in case ... "Having a good time?" Owlharp enquired, swirling past in Iolaus' arms. They were on to jitter bugging now, which Aphrodite was demonstrating with a somewhat dazed Joxer in the middle of the hall. "Oh yeah," Pythia called after her host as she was whisked away. "And if they start up the lambada," she added half under her breath, "I'm back on that floor like a shot ..." "Drink?" She looked up to find Ares standing next to her, looking both amused and dangerous, which meant he was in a good mood and that practically anything might happen. "Don't mind if I do." He clicked his fingers and a pair of glasses materialised on the nearby table. Another click, and they were filled to the brim. "Igor makes a mean margarita," the God of War decided, taking an appreciative sip. "So - what's this I hear about the fireworks?" "Oh - ah - They're taken care of. A special display - all the way from Chin." "Really," he noted. "I see. I like chinese fireworks." His smile held a knowing edge. "They use real gunpowder. Make a wonderfully *big* bang ..." "That right?" Pythia wondered if maybe she should warn Joxer to check all his fuses before he lit them. She wouldn't put it past Ares to 'arrange' for them all to go off at once. "Enjoying the party?" "I've been to better," he shrugged, then frowned, "Can't think *when*, but I'm sure I have. One of Genghis Khan's perhaps. It's not a real party unless you have at least one execution." "Ah - " Pythia was at a loss for words. It sounded dangerously like Ares was getting bored. And a bored God of War was a potentially deadly one ... Just then the music changed to something hot and latino and she leapt hastily to her feet. "La Vida Loca!" she cried, grabbing Ares hand and pulling him out onto the floor. "You just *gotta* dance to this one!" He glanced at his drink, shrugged, and then threw it away, slinking into the dance with enthusiasm. Pythia thought, seeing the look in his eyes shift from idle contemplation into predatory fire. Then he swept her off her feet and the thought became a startled . Pythia ----------------- As Athena scanned the room everyone was having a great time. They were dancing and talking and laughing."What a great party." Athena said "Everyone is all dressed up and having a ball." Raising her glass she toasted the crowd "Happy New Year everyone, may this year make all your dreams come true." Athena ------------------- Standing outside the lodge, feeling the breath of the icy wind, I could hear the party in full force -- the laughter and music, and the clink of glasses raised in toasts of friendships renewal as the new millenium begins. I still can't believe I was invited to this special celebration. These are people I respect and honour -- legends all of them...Hercules and Iolaus, the gods Aphrodite, Hephaestus, Ares, Hades...maybe even Zeus will be there...well, at least in spirit. And all the Bards, who have recounted so many of the legendary deeds, who capture the essence and magic of great deeds and great love. I'm not sure I should have come ... but, no one will really notice. After all, I borrowed the invisibility cloak from my buddy, Harry Potter, so I can just slip in and not really intrude. So, with a deep breath, holding the cloak tight around me, I open the door and slip in -- and look up and see the sparkle, the joy in everyone's face, the swirling dancers. I hope someday to really belong....and then, I notice Hercules looking at me...but surely, he can't see me, can he? Oh no, I can see that some of the gods have noticed that I have arrived. I guess I didn't think this through very well. I'd better go. In my confusion, I didn't notice Hercules cross the room. "Hello, I don't think I've seen you before? My name is Hercules." "Oh, I know your name..." "You seem nervous...you don't need to be afraid." What could I say to him, I feel awkward and, truth be told, a little scared... "I'm not sure that I belong here. Maybe I should just go.." "No, not yet. Everyone here, including you, was invited especially to join together, as friends, to greet this New Millenium. It can be hard to meet a whole crowd of new people...but, given a chance, you will find them warm and welcoming, you will find them to be your friends." Trust Hercules to have a quiet way of making someone feel welcomed and safe. Before I could respond, Iolaus wandered over, "Hey Herc, are you talking to yourself again or is there someone here I can't see?" He laughed warmly up at his friend and shook his head..."If you drank I could understand a conversation with an invisible friend, but since you don't, why don't you introduce me to your friend?" "Um, I can't ... she hasn't told me her name yet." Hercules turned back to me with one eyebrow raised and a quizzical look. Softly, I said, "My name is Arianna, and I, well I hope to be a Bard ...but, I'm not yet. I should really go..." Iolaus looked a bit surprised to hear my disembodied voice, then he and Hercules exchanged a look...these guys really never do need to seem to talk like the rest of us...they just know what the other is thinking. With one of his brilliant smiles, Iolaus turned toward my voice, "Well, Arianna, welcome...would you like to dance?" Hercules intervened, "Whoa, hold on a minute buddy, I saw her first! Come to think of it, you still can't see her at all, can you? So, Arianna, would you do me the honour of the first dance?" Their laughter was warm and engaging and I find that I cannot resist the generosity of their welcome. I nod and smile and Hercules reaches up to take the edges of my cloak, "May I..." and he takes it from my shoulders. "Here, Iolaus, would you hold this?" I must say, it was comical to see the look on Iolaus' face as I seemed to materialize in front of him. And then he smiled again. "I'm glad you came," he said..."hold the next dance for me." And, with that, Hercules swirled me into dance amongst the other couples who were moving with the joy of the music. I can't believe I'm here! I can't hold back the bubble of happiness that bursts with a peal of laughter and I think to myself, "This really is a new millenium, and it looks like it's going to be a great adventure!" Happy New Millenium Everyone! Arianna ----------------- "Whew!" Owlharp settled herself for a moment in a convenient corner to catch her breath. The party was in full swing and showed no signs of winding down. Strange sounds were coming from the library upstairs where Xobinsnest had organized a game of "Twister". Outside in the bright moonlight several of the revellers were snowboarding down a nearby hill. She looked at the clock, which showed 11pm. "One hour til midnight" she thought and raised a glass of champagne to her lips, then suddenly stopped. Wait a minute... hadn't the clock read "11:00" a while ago? Like, just before Jamie, Young Iolaus, Young Hercules, and Salmoneus had led the entire roomful of dancers in a conga-line to the strains of "Zombie Jamboree"? That had happened at LEAST an hour ago! And then Helen and Iolaus had danced "The Bird Dance" along with Arianna and Hercules, and Jason and Alcmene had done a vigorous Viennese waltz, and ... Her suspicions aroused, Owlharp got up to check the clock and almost ran into a pair of dancers whirling elegantly around the room in a blizzard of red and gold sparkles. "Oops, sorry!" murmurred Owlharp as the laughing dancers came to a sudden halt. To Owlharp's amazement, it turned out to be Widow Twanky, decked out in her red sequined dress, and The King of the Gods himself, who was holding the toothsome danseuse in a clinch that just verged on the illegal. "Ah Owlie," said Zeus in a genial growl. "Never have I encountered such a delightful dance partner!" (The Widow purred and rubbed gracefully against him). "I could dance with her forever! That's why I stopped the clock!" "So it was you, sir?" asked Owlharp, mindful of the respect due to the King of Olympus. "None other!" he replied. "Oh don't worry - I'll start it up again! But right now, I just want to dance ... and then maybe -" he bent down and whispered something into the Widow's ear that made her giggle coquettishly. The two twirled away in a shower of gold, and Owlharp watched in a mixture of consternation and admiration. Good thing they had ordered in extra supplies of everything, including margaritas - this could be a VERY long evening indeed! .... So there you have it! Zeus has stopped the clock, which means that everyone has a chance to get to the party! I suspect that time will start running again later this evening, when we shall end the whole affair with a grand fireworks display courtesy of Joxer ... and Ares DID mutter something about SAM missiles... Love to ya! Owlharp (who's getting her second wind) ------------------ >"Oh! Helen. My name is Helen," she said quietly before blushing. > >Smiling even wider, the young warrior offered his arm to Helen and said, "My >name is Young Iolaus." ***** As the evening progressed, Helen was finding it harder and harder to beleive that she'd actually considered passing this up. although she'd traded dance partners more times than she could count, she somehow seemed to end up with Young Iolaus every other dance--a coincidence she was nearly positive had been carefully arranged. Not that she was about to complain, of course; those brilliant blue eyes were enough to distract her almost completely. As a Latino beat filled the air, Helen turned and found herself yet again in the arms of the grinning young Hunter. Smiling, she allowed herself to be swept away...but in a small corner of her mind, as her gaze happened to fall on the clock, she was puzzled: time seemed to be going awfully slow... Helen -------------------- "Oh, thank you, thank YOU, Zeus!" panted Jane as she ran across the snow toward the castle. She wanted to make this party, and was afraid she'd missed it. After all, she had to show everyone her new duds. (Especially Iolaus. Watch out, boy, the Cotton-Eyed Joe queen is comin', loaded for bear!) She was met at the door by a befuzzled Charon (or was that a tipsy Charon--it's hard to tell, y'know). He wanted to take her fake coyote fur lined cloak, but she wouldn't let him. The timing had to be just right for that. And then, it happened. Gray eyes met blue eyes. Jane and Iolaus were like the only two people in the room, it seemed. They slowly walked toward each other. Just an arm's length away from Her Hero, Jane let her cloak slide from her shoulders. And there she was--black leather, skin tight jeans; knee-high retro buckaroo boots covered in silver sequins; and shiny midi top in red bandana print. Jane had left that plagued extra 80 lbs in the land of the big spring. (Hey, it's *my* fantasy! I know it'll be there waiting for me when I get back.) Her silver hair had even grown to waist length overnight. (I do *love* fantasy!) She glistened in the light from the chandeliers. Iolaus took her into his arms, as the sounds of fiddles tuning up for Cotton-Eyed Joe were heard in the background. THIS was the way to celebrate a New Year! They were joined by the other laughing, happy Iolausian couples as the music swelled. Later in the evening, after a slower two-step, Jane raised her Diet Dr Pepper high and toasted her friend Bwell, sick and suffering in the cold north country of icey Texas, and wished her a quick recovery. All the Iolausians and gods and other guests joined in the toast. Get well soon, Bwell! Or, come join the party--flu is not allowed at Caer Bear. Jane ------------------------------------ Kat dragged her hand through her short light brown hair. She really wasn't sure if this was a good idea or not. "I don't know," she muttered aloud. "It's so late." Before Kat could make a decision the door was thrown open and she was 'dragged' into the party. A margarita was placed in her hand and she was steered towards the festivities. "Happy New Year," Ares whispered in her ear after he gave her a brief peck on the cheek. "What's with this coating of white stuff you are wearing?" "It's called snow," the green eyed Amazon remarked. "Is that why you are so late? You know your favorite escort has found someone else to 'play with' tonight," the God of War taunted. "Snow is normal this time of year. A foot of it is no big deal. So YI is having fun, that's kewl. You know you could always help me make him jealous," the brunette said with a grin. "You know I'm always up for the job," Ares declared. Kat giggled. "Happy New Year," she greeted each of her friends as they approached the snow covered Amazon. Kat ------------------------- "What am I doing here?" Llyra muttered to herself as she alighted from her carriage. "I've never met these people, although I've talked to quite a few of them. I've never been to Caer Bear, so I don't even know if I'm in the right place. Certainly looks like a party going on in there; there's enough noise. Oh, well. May as well ask." With that, the intrepid little bard straightened to her full 5' 4" and marched resolutely to the door. Just before she got there, the door flew open and someone sailed out into a snow drift. To Llyra's horror, she realized it was Apollo. She ran to help him up. "What happened?" she asked anxiously, brushing snow from the Golden God's bronze bicep. 'Oh, yeah! Good party already,' she thought. "Those ... those...*mortals*!" he sputtered in his fury. "They had the nerve to throw me out! Just because I won at Twister! Just for that, I'll make sure they have a party they won't forget!" He drew back his hand to launch a fireball at the front doors. "Whoa!" Llyra shouted and grabbed the god's arm. She hung on for dear life itself as he struggled to lob fire. "You don't want to do that." "Yes I do!" he snarled. "Leggo my arm!" "If you do that, there won't be any Caer Bear to have parties in!" Llyra tried to reason. "And you won't have any more Amazons to look at! And ... and... " she groped hopelessly for a really good reason for Apollo to not fry her potential friends. "And none of us will ever send you a birthday card again!" That seemed to do it. Apollo stopped in his tracks. "None of you?" he asked plaintively. "Nope. Not a one. And I won't make you a heart-shaped birthday cake either." "Now that's just mean," Apollo pouted. Llyra crossed her arms and looked determined. "Oh, all right. I won't fry the place. But, they won't let me back in. Hercules promised to hold my head under the punch bowl if I came back in after what I did to ... well, never mind about that. The point is, they said I wasn't welcome." To Llyra's surprise, the god actually looked unhappy, rather than offended, that people didn't want him around. "They'll let you in if you can promise not to try and hurt anyone or be the offensive little twerp we all know you can be," Llyra told him gently. "and if you happen to be my escort, they'll welcome you with open arms." "You mean it? You'll take me with you?" Apollo asked whistfully. "I mean it. Now, be a good little god, wipe that pout off your face, take my arm and let's party like it's 2001 BC!" With that, the couple bounced up the steps, opened the door and burst into the room. "Pary time!" they called out in chorus, then broke into giggles. Everyone was wary about Apollo being at the party again, but figured that Llyra could keep him in check if anyone could. In fact, at her prompting, he waved a hand and the punch bowl suddenly refused to be empty. "That oughta keep them happy," Apollo chuckled. "At least they won't be thirsty," Llyra agreed, accepting a glass of punch. "Whoa! What's in here?" "Nothing that will hurt anyone," her date assured her. "Just a little something to liven things up." "Like that was necessary. Look!" and she indicated the dance floor. It looked like the entire world had gone nuts. If people weren't dancing, they were running after each other to either steal a kiss or grab a dance partner. It was all very friendly and looked like a load of fun. "Shall we dance?" Apollo asked gallantly. "Let's shall!" Llyra smiled as she shucked off her coat. She didn't notice or care that it immediately disappeared into some sort of black hole brought in specially to handle all the coats. She melted into Apollo's arms. He ran his eyes appreciatively over the midnight blue silk blouse and black satin pants that clung to her lovely figure (hey, if Jane can dream, so can I!), they swept her onto the dance floor. As they danced, Iolaus, still dancing with Helen, leaned over to kiss Llyra's cheek and wish her a Happy New Year. Hercules, using the more direct approach, interrupted his half brother, gathered Llyra into his arms and kissed her while dipping her back as far as he could. Llyra came back up breathless and wild eyed. "I am *definitly* coming back for another one of these parties in the future," she breathed as Apollo swung her gracefully around the floor. When the dance was finished, Apollo escorted Llyra to meet some of the other bards in attendance. She was thrilled to meet Owlharp and Pythia, coming all over shy at finally encountering some of her favourite bards. In the end, she was very happy that she had accepted her invitation. This was the way to go! Llyra ----------------------------- "I've just figured out how Zeus managed to stop the clock," Pythia announced a little breathlessly, returning from one of Hercules' whirls around the dance floor. Arianna and Jane gave her a bemused look, while Iolaus, who was currently trying to chose between the two of them for the next dance, giggled knowingly. "I worked it out *hours* ago," he grinned, then paused thinking about what he'd just said. "Or is that minutes ago? Back when it was - well, when it was 11:00 several dances ago." "It's *still* 11:00," Alcmene pointed out, dragging Jason over to get another glass of punch. "I know Zeus has influence, but - " "He invited the Fates to the party," Pythia explained, pointing out where Clothos was busy waltzing with Autolycus. Iolaus laughed. "Yeah. I got buttonholed by Atropos up in the library - she wanted to complain about the number of knots I've got in my life line. I told her that wasn't *my* fault," he added, the plaintive note in his voice utterly belied by the twinkle in his eye. "Of course not!" Jane declared indignantly. "I mean, Zeus tied the first one, and then - " "Hey," the hunter interrupted with another laugh. "I don't want to make a point of it, but right now I'm surrounded by Bards that try to kill me on regular occasions." Arianna blushed. "Ah - yeah," Pythia muttered, looking equally embarrassed. "Sorry about that." Alcmene burst out laughing. "Well," she said, "you *are* a hero, you know. They'd hardly write about you and Hercules if you were shoe salesmen, now would they?" "Oh, I dunno ..." Iolaus began, then laughed, rapidly dodging the poke Jane aimed at his ribs. "Pax," he pleaded, putting up his hands to fend her off. "It's okay. Really." He threw Pythia and the other bards a warm grin. "After all, I also get the girls, the glory, plenty to eat - and you *always* make sure Herc's around to keep me out of real trouble. That's when I'm not getting *him* out of it, of course." "Of course," Alcmene agreed as seriously as she could, while Jason hastily hid a smirk behind his hand. "Talking of shoe salesmen ..." he muttered as a burly figure loomed large across the dance floor. "Great party, huh?" Salmoneus grinned as he arrived. He had an Amazon on either arm, both of whom immediately let go to slink round behind the golden haired hunter instead. "Oh yeah," Iolaus agreed, giving both girls a welcoming smile. "Getting better every minute." "Hanging," Jane muttered in Pythia's ear. "Too good for him ..." Pythia grinned. "Depends what I hang him by, doesn't it?" "Ouch," Salmoneus reacted, giving her a startled look. "Remind me not to upset *you* in future." "Not so sure we *have* a future," Hercules interrupted, appearing out of the crowd with Owlharp at his side. "I haven't seen my father for way too long. And without him, we can't get the clock started again." "Last time *I* saw him, he was with the Widow Twankey. Okay, everybody," Owlharp ordered briskly. "Starting searching the entire place. We've got to find Zeus. Or we're never going to *get* a new year ..." Pythia --------------------- "Now, be careful," Alcmene advised, supervising events from the bandstand. "Help him in, don't drop him." "Mother - he's hardly going to drown if I do ..." Hercules heaved a sigh, and then heaved upwards, lifting the velvet clad figure in front of him and tossing him (gently, it has to be said) over the edge of the huge margarita vat. Iolaus, perched on the side of the vessel, led the party goers in an encouraging cheer. His alternate world counterpart let out a whoop as he tumbled through the air, and landed with a decided splash in the middle of the mini-alcoholic ocean. Everybody immediately rushed to peer over the rim. There was a huge expanding ripple on the surface, from which magarita fumes were rising with heady persistence. "Do you see him?" Helen asked anxiously. "There he is," Kat yelled, hanging on to Ares' arm so she could lean over the edge at a dangerous angle. "He's way down deep - Igor, did you *really* make so many magaritas for the party?" "I think Zeus did something to the vat," Owlharp frowned, her face as anxious as everyone else's. "You sure he'll be alright in there, Hercules?" "He's just getting a little pickled," Iolaus giggled, then darted downwards in what looked suspiciously like a dive. Everyone drew in a startled breath - then Hercules reached out and grabbed him just before he too disappeared under the surface. "Got him!" came the triumphant cry. The son of Zeus heaved - and next minute there were two Iolaus's tangled together on the dance floor, one of which was soaked in alcohol from head to tail tip. "Z'thaa wazz fun ..." the merman giggled, making no effort to disentangle himself. "Can we go'gain?" "Absolutely not," the hunter reacted, squirming free and looking for fresher air. "Nobody light a match." "Who needs a match?" Ares murmured, starting to rub his fingers together. Kat hastily grabbed his hand before he did something they'd all regret. "Did you find anything?" Hercules asked, stepping over his partner to crouch at the drunken merman's side. Iolaus grabbed the back of his belt and used it to haul himself to his feet. Iolaus II collapsed in helpless giggles at the sight. "That's - one - big - *cocktail*," he blurted out, then went off into another peal of giggles. Owlharp quietly suggested someone start brewing some coffee: Jason grabbed Salmoneus and Igor and dragged the two of them towards the kitchen. "Yeah," Hercules acknowledged patiently. "Big cocktail. Did you find anything?" The question simply re-started the giggles. Damp flukes flapped wildly, and everybody darted back to avoid the resultant spray. "Aha!" Autolycus declared, pouncing on something that had rolled from under the merman's tail. "Look at this - that's the biggest cocktail umbrella I've ever seen." "It's Twankey's parasol," Pythia realised. "And look - there something written on it." Everyone crowded round to read the message. The parasol was dry, despite having been submerged, and the letters were inscribed in gold around the outer edge. "For the year to begin," Arianna read, "give the great wheel a spin." "To help you aspire," Jane continued, following the writing round, "light the fuse and retire." "The skies all alight, will set time aright -" Helen added, peering over YIolaus' shoulder. "When you're having fun, it's 2001!" they all chorused in unison - then looked blankly at each other. "Like - what's *that* supposed to mean?" Apollo questioned. "I mean - it's not even good poetry." "As if you'd know," Llyra teased and he gave her a hurt look. "Hey. Patron of the muses, here," he protested. Pythia threw him a knowing look. "Yeah - and you should hear what *they* call him," she muttered, earning herself a broad grin from Iolaus. "It's a not a verse, it's a riddle. " she said. "And I think I know the answer. Come on, everyone - follow me." She led the way out of the great hall and out into the courtyard, Hercules and Iolaus at her heels. Practically everyone followed them out into the sharp, cold night air (Alcmene and a few of the partygoers stayed behind to help Iolaus II dry off and sober up). Outside the snow was still falling, a gentle drift of white against a velvet sky. Joxer was sitting disconsolately in the middle of the courtyard, a snow drift gathering on his hat. "Hey," he exclaimed as he saw the crowd heading towards him. "Come for the fireworks? It's not going to happen. I had everything set up *hours* ago - but now the snows got into the fuses and everything's too damp to light. Pity," he added, sinking back onto his box. "I got the great Catherine wheel a wonderful spot." He pointed upwards. There, on the side of the building, hung a huge wheel of fireworks, a single long fuse dangling down towards the ground. "I bet that's the great wheel Zeus meant," Pythia said. "All we have to do is set it off." "But how?" Jamie asked. "If the fuse is damp ..." "Ahem," Ares interrupted, slinking forward to stand by his brother. "At last - something *I* can contribute to the party." He lifted his hand with a dramatic gesture - - and unleashed a brilliant fireball that sped across the distance, straight towards the dangling fuse ... Pythia ------------------------------ Ares' aim with a fireball was, as always, unerring. The fuse ignited in a blinding flash and leaped hungrily up the rope towards the great wheel. For a single heartbeat it hung motionless at the base of the wheel, and then ... KA-BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!! POW! POW! POW! POW! POW! Slowly at first the wheel began to move, then faster and faster, spinning into a dizzying whirlpool of light that reached out and drew each of the revellers into itself, until they too were whirling along with it. The sparks from the Great Wheel showered down upon the banks of rockets that Joxer had arranged around the courtyard, igniting them. The stars in the night sky were suddenly challeged by the vast explosions of light that hurled themselves upwards in bursts of red, gold and purple. The noise shivered the very bones of the earth. How long this went on, no one was ever sure afterwards, but all of a sudden there was dead silence, broken only by the dying echoes. Smoke drifted lazily over the snow, now dotted with the remnants of the fireworks. "Wow..." breathed Joxer. No one else said anything, but abruptly through the quiet came the golden chiming of the clock in the great hall... One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. Seven. Eight. Nine. Ten. Eleven ... And Twelve. Everyone looked at each other in delight and relief. It was midnight. Time had been restarted, and the New Year had finally begun!!!! "It worked!" shouted Pythia. "It worked!" bellowed Iolaus. "It worked!" agreed Hercules. "Nice fireball!" said Kat to Ares, who preened himself elegantly. "Bitchen light show!" commented Apollo to Llyra. "You ever thought of going into the fireworks business?" said Salmoneus to Joxer. "You know ... I think I have a buzz on!" confided IolausII to Alcmene, who just smiled and poured him another cup of espresso. HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!! [The line to kiss Iolaus forms on the right, ladies. One at at time, no pushing. There's plenty for everyone!] Happy New Year! Happy New Century! Happy New Millennium (for REAL)!!!! And a million thanks to all who participated and all who enjoyed it! Love to ya! Owlharp ------------------------- Dear Everyone, I had a blast at the party, and I'm glad that I met Apollo there. He really was a very good boy, for the most part, a real party animal and a great dancer. Imagine my surprise when I found out he had crashed the party. And as for what he did to get Herc to toss him out on his gold clad butt ... Well, when I finally cornered the little twerp and threatened to have my cat claw his flying skate board, he 'fessed up. He claims that it was dark and Bwell was just sitting there and besides, he thought she understood about duct tape. What a twerp. Llove, Llyra PS Duct tape is like the force: it has a light side and a dark side and it holds the universe together -------------------------