Stage Sisters chapter 6

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 chapter seven, featuring Laretta and Cassie and the conclusion of this story, at
http://members.aol.com/CassieRockVixen7/stage_sisters_ch7.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.

"Ladies and gentlemen of all ages and species, are you ready to rock?  Welcome one and all
to the Lone Star Metal Round-Up!  You'd better all have your seat belts fastened,
because you're about to be blown away by some of the hottest and wildest metal bands
around!  Get ready for three solid hours of the most heart-stopping, head-thrashing,
mind-blowing music you'll ever hear from the greatest rising talent in human and furry
heavy metal!  If that's not enough for you, tonight you'll also hear a special
performance from the most beautiful and talented vixen on the planet...Cassie the Rock
Vixen and her band!"

As if on cue, the crowd erupted into a screaming frenzy upon hearing the emcee's
thundering announcement.  Multi-colored lasers lit up the air and smoke poured out onto
the stage as the first band emerged to perform.  The night was rife with energy and
ecstasy, and everyone was extremely enthusiastic for the concert that lay ahead.

From backstage, Cassie and her band mates waited patiently for their turn.  Knowing that
they would come last, they contented themselves with reviewing their parts and relaxing.
The German Shepherd bass player still looked like he was struggling to get his rhythm
just right, though even Cassie admitted that he put in a great effort and had
improved tremendously.  Laretta, on the other hand, was too excited to concentrate
on reviewing her parts, and instead caught glimpses of the other bands that went on stage
to perform.  It became thoroughly clear to her that every band that night deserved to
be there.  Each and every performer showed incredible talent and attitude, and Laretta
knew that she, Cassie, and their band mates would have their work cut out for them to
top everyone else.

About an hour had passed, and Laretta found herself enthralled with the talented bands
on stage.  She considered herself proud to be a part this scene.  The time had come for
"The Wild Bunch" to perform.  Laretta hurried to where she could see them and smiled and
waved to her friends.  They smiled back, and for his part, T.J. gave a salute and twirled
his drumsticks.  Laretta was deeply impressed with what she heard.  Sandy, the lead singer
and guitarist, had a powerful yet sweet and mellow voice, and she put a lot of energy into
her guitar playing.  She was so energetic that she hopped and skipped around the stage to
the rhythm of her guitar.  Laretta was amazed at how the rabbit did this, considering that
she was wearing stiletto-heeled boots!

Laretta tremendously enjoyed watching them play.  Subconsciously, her tail wagged in time
with the rhythm of their songs, "World on Fire" and "The Power of My Love" when Cassie
decided to join Laretta.  "I can see why your friends were so excited," the vixen said with
a smile, "They're very good, and they've got the audience in a great mood.  That's good
news for us when it's our turn!"  Laretta smiled and nodded as she watched her friends take
a bow and leave the stage.  "Speaking of which, it won't be long now.  Let's go get ready."

Laretta complied and got her guitar ready.  The excitement and anxiety started to
overwhelm her.  She knew it wasn't too late for something to go wrong.  She also knew
that this was definitely the time to prove herself to Cassie and everyone else.  With
a glimmer in her eye and a smile slowly creeping across her muzzle, she held a firm grip
on the guitar's neck with her right hand-paw while gently stroking its black and red
painted exterior and the strings with her left hand-paw.  She was ready for anything
and everything, and she was grateful to be living for the moment.

Before she knew it, a stage hand gave them a "ready to go" signal.  "Come on, Laretta,
that's our cue!" said Cassie as she took her own guitar and walked towards the
stage.  Laretta's heart beat quickened with each step she took towards the stage.  The
moment had come for her to step out into the light.

"Ladies and gentlemen of all species, this is the moment you've all been waiting for!
You've heard some of the best talent in rock tonight, and now it's time for the queen of
them all to take center stage!  We proudly present to you, the one and only...CASSIE THE
ROCK VIXEN!!!"

The entire crowd erupted into a screaming frenzy as the lights went up and centered on
Cassie.  Laretta stood firmly in her place, proud to be sharing the stage with the
wonderful vixen.  She was a little surprised to see Cassie turn back to her and wink, as
the emcee continued.  "We know how excited you all are, folks, but we've got an
important announcement for you.  Cassie has a special treat for you, because tonight she
has an incredibly beautiful and talented she-wolf guitarist playing with her!
Everyone, please give a special round of applause to Laretta!"

Laretta was simply stunned.  Without her knowing, Cassie met with the emcee earlier that
day to specially request that Laretta be given a special mention.  For Laretta, the
experience was utterly amazing.  Everyone was cheering and applauding especially for
her!  Amazed as she was, Laretta maintained enough poise to smile and wave to the audience
as the cheering continued.

All television cameras focused on Laretta following the announcement.  This was
especially important for a certain family watching the events from their home.
"Mommy!  Daddy!  Look, it's Auntie Laretta!"  shouted the young wolf cub as she smiled
and bounced up and down.  "It certainly is dear," said Edmond, Laretta's older brother, as
he tried to make her hold still, "and if she were here right now, she'd tell you that it's
way past your bedtime!" he chuckled.

"Aw, Dad!"  whined the young wolf cub, "Can't I stay up to watch auntie Laretta play,
PLEASE?"  "Well, I suppose one song would be okay," said Claire, Edmond's wife, as she
cradled her sleeping infant son, "but after that it's time for bed!"

"Say, it looks like they're ready to begin!" said Eddie as their attention turned to
the television.  "Oh, boy!" cheered the young wolf cub as she saw Cassie and her band ready
to play.

On stage, Laretta felt the energy humming through her guitar.  She smiled as she
started pumping the sound out, getting the song in motion.  One more surprise lay in store
for her, though.  Just before she took the lead, Cassie kicked up one of her
stocking-clad legs, sending one of her blue high-heeled pumps soaring far into the
audience!  What amazed Laretta was how the fans madly scrambled to catch the shoe, almost
as if they were trying to catch a home-run baseball.  Cassie promptly kicked her other
shoe into the audience, causing another excited furor.

As surprised as she was, Laretta just kept on cranking out the energetic sound of her
guitar.  She felt a wave of euphoria wash over her as she felt the music come alive.
Throngs of fans cheered, waved, and danced, lifting Laretta's spirits even higher.
Indeed, the whole band was charged up and playing their best, especially Cassie.  It
soon became clear to Laretta why Cassie kicked her shoes off.  The energetic vixen put all
her body into the performance.  She leapt, pranced, and twirled about the stage with
acrobatic grace.  If she did that in high heels, Laretta thought, she could end up with
a broken heel and a sprained ankle!

The performance of Cassie's band went phenomenally.  Laretta gave nothing less than a
top-notch performance, pouring all her heart and soul into her powerful guitar riffs.
They played through two of Cassie's favorite songs,  "Beware the Night" and "Living for
your Love," and were now down to the final song, a solid favorite among Cassie's loyal
fans, "Rock You Tonight."  Laretta knew this song well and kept pace with Cassie's lead.
When they came to the grand finale, Cassie grinned at Laretta and signaled her to
come forward.  Even with all that had happened, to Laretta this was completely beyond
belief.  Cassie was asking her to take the lead!

Laretta's heart beat furiously with fear and excitement, but once she started working her
way in, the momentum of the sound carried her through.  Laretta felt the energy
surging through her body, from the top of her ears down to her stiletto heels and into
the stage.  She tore through her part with skill that easily rivaled Cassie's.  When they
came to the end, the entire audience rose to their feet and gave a tremendous cheer.
Laretta was overcome with joy.  Completely on a whim, she raised her guitar above her
head, threw her head back and gave out a ferocious howl that echoed throughout the
stadium.  The audience went wild as several spectators, human and animal alike, cheered
and howled back!

With their performance finished and a complete success, Cassie, Laretta, and the rest of
the band bowed to a standing ovation.  Cassie couldn't resist giving Laretta a warm hug
while waving to the audience.  Without saying a word, Laretta just smiled and hugged
Cassie back.

Later that evening, with the concert just a memory, Cassie and the rest of the band decided
to go out and celebrate.  They found a terrific pizza parlor and ordered the largest pizza
on the menu loaded with every topping imaginable and a round of soft drinks.  Laretta
was utterly exhausted and her feet ached, but she was also very happy and hungry and
looked forward to their meal.

Everyone in the band was obviously overjoyed by their successful performance.  They
were happily chatting and joking when Cassie stood up to make an announcement.
"Everyone, let's give a big round of applause to Laretta, our newest member!" she said
with dignity and grace.  All the band mates applauded happily.  They were deeply impressed
by Laretta's performance, and were very glad to have her on board.

Laretta was nearly speechless.  She rose to her feet unsteadily, searching for the right
words to say.  "Everyone," she started, her voice wavering, "Thank you all so much!  I
can't tell you how much this experience has meant to me.  I've never felt happier than
playing with all of you."  She smiled at the tall, elegant vixen beside her, "Especially
you, Cassie."

Cassie smiled and hugged the she-wolf.  "Now remember, it's not official until you read
and sign the contract!"  Cassie replied.  "Come by our studio again tomorrow, and we'll get
it taken care of."  Cassie's bass player, the German Shepherd 'morph, had something
important to say.  "While we're on the subject, Cassie," he started, "I'd like to go over
my own contract and set a reasonable closing date.  No offense, I had a great time with
your band and all, but I'm really missing old band!"

Laretta was slightly surprised to hear this, but Cassie just smiled casually.  "It's
no problem, Otto.  Cindy just called me the other day and told me she's feeling better,
so this is actually very good timing!  It was great having you on board, but I don't want
to keep you from doing what you love most!"  Seeing that Laretta was slightly bewildered,
she explained the situation to her.  "You see, Laretta, Otto is originally a bass player in
a jazz band.  He was the only free agent we could find to fill in for my regular
bassist, Cindy, who was out with a bad case of the flu."  Otto just nodded and grinned,
"Hard rock just isn't my style, that's why I might have sounded wonky.  I have to
admit, Laretta, you're great at setting a really good rhythm, and that made it easier for
me.  I wish you luck playing with Cassie!"  Laretta smiled and replied, "Thanks, Otto.
I'm glad you were there to back us up, too!"

As the band started in on their meal, Cassie turned to talk to Laretta again while her
pizza cooled.  "Cindy will be there tomorrow when you come to sign the contract.  I told
her all about you, and she's looking forward to meeting you!"  She paused for a moment with
a look of slight unease, "My agent and manager, Foxonian, will also be there."  Laretta saw
no reason for concern and replied, "That sounds okay, Cassie.  I was actually hoping to
meet him, since he did a lot of work bringing us together!"  Cassie still looked uncertain
as she continued, "Well, all I'll say is, he's not quite what you'd expect."

Laretta was herself confused and was going to ask Cassie why she was so concerned,
when suddenly a rowdy, laughing group came shuffling into the restaurant.  Laretta
instantly recognized her friends from the band "The Wild Bunch."  They were
equally enthusiastic about their successful performance that evening and happened to find
the same place to celebrate as Cassie's band.  Laretta smiled and waved,  "Hey you guys,
you were terrific!"

"Heya, Laretta!"  T.J. said as he tipped his hat, "Man, you were awesome out there!  I
mean, everyone backstage was psyched out by the way you were playing!  You totally blew
'em away!"

"She sho' did!"  Vixina exclaimed between bites of her pizza, "Especially whut with
thet howlin'!  Say 'Retta, we ought t' make thet a reg'lar way t' end our concerts.
Th' audience jes' loved th' way yew did that!"

"There's gonna be other concerts?"  T.J. asked, confused by what she meant.

"For Laretta, there will be!"  Cassie said, smiling proudly, "She's the newest member of
our band!"

"Oh wow, congratulations, Laretta!"  exclaimed Sandy.  "You must be the luckiest she-wolf
on earth!"  Laretta grinned and nodded, "I certainly feel lucky!  So what about you guys?
How did things go after your performance?"

"Just great!"  said T.J. as he hooked his thumbs under his suspender straps, "A couple
record execs really liked our performance and made us an offer to sign on to their label!
I tell you, playing with great performers like you and Cassie made all the difference!"

Sandy nodded as she stumbled slightly, "Yeah, but next time I'm gonna cut back on the
hop, skip, and jumping around!"  She winced as she unlaced her boots and rubbed her
sock-clad feet, "Ooh, my feet are killing me!"

T.J. grinned and put his arm around his lover's waist, "Looks like I'm gonna have my
hands full giving you a foot massage tonight!  Not that I mind..."  Sandy smiled and
rubbed his head, "Have you ever?"

Everyone laughed and Cassie smiled and said to them, "Congratulations to all of you.
You certainly deserve the recognition!"  Laretta just finished her pizza and smiled.
For once, she genuinely had no worries, and she felt that her life was going in the
direction she always wanted it to.  She was thankful to all her old and new friends for
being there to see her through.  Most of all, she was happy and proud of herself, and
perhaps that was all she needed.

Last revision:
September 11, 2001