Stage Sisters chapter 1

Written by & copyright of Andre' 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 was tinted a flashy day-glo neon orange,
with its opposite half colored 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 so it would 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 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 basement 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 outside, but he and his wife had become good friends with Laretta's agent, 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 today's schedule 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 up 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 only had two
she regularly relied upon, 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 a close eye on this one," 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 upstairs.  Karen
was still there, patient but insistent, "Just make sure you've got everything.  I'll
be waiting upstairs."  She went up the interior staircase, 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.  Satisfied, she slipped her feet into her black
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 upstairs for her waiting company.
Karen was sitting in the living room with Claire, Eddie's lupine wife, who was holding
Lyle, their infant son.  "Well, I suppose it's now or never," Laretta said, asserting
her confidence the best she could.

Claire, cuddling her baby, smiled pleasantly and responded, "I'm sure you'll do just
fine, Laretta.  From what Karen told me, they were enthusiastic about having someone
as talented as you to play along."  The ladies happily chatted and laughed amongst
themselves just as Eddie came back into the house, followed closely by the couple's
young daughter, Leanne.  "Good luck, Auntie 'Retta!" she exclaimed.  "You're lucky, you get
to meet the pretty fox lady!"  Laretta smiled and patted the young wolf child on the head.

"Hey, you're beautiful, too.  Why would I need to leave home just for that?"  The young
wolf girl giggled, and Eddie chuckled and responded, "You're a real flatterer, you know
that?  I bet those hot shots will be all over you!" 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 style.  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 Sahara 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 to 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, Bloodlust, fell apart when the band repeatedly objected to
her combining 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 any 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 agent'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, beautiful image before her.	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 the Rock 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 bassist and
drummer signed on, and Cassie and Laretta should be able to select the songs they'd like
to practice, 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 place 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 agents 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
a 1950s style diner, the food and service there is excellent.  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, August 1, 2001