*cough* Funny you should ask if there was anything being written...

Notes and etc are at the end

"Shhhh."

"Shhh yourself, doofus."

"Would you two be quiet?"

The bushes outside of the building rustled as eight beings attempted to remain silent and unnoticed. Being blue sheep this would normally be impossible. Even at night with the sliver of a moon that shone above them didn't help to provide camouflage.

"There he is!"

The door they had been so dilligently watching swung open and a young man stepped out. "They're hopeless, not ready..." He muttered under his breath, shoving a hand through his hair. "Oh, gods, why me? Scratch that--"

"GET HIM!"

The young man turned towards the shout and blinked, then turned even whiter. "Not you! But, but..."

Acetal never got to finish his sentence as eight blue fuzzy sheep piled onto him, knocking him to the ground.

There was a flash of purple light and the night returned to normal...

----

The Writer's Cafe was bustling with activity. Writers and staff running to and fro, rushing to get everything done in time. Lights were being strung, bells were receiving similar treatment as they were tied to every available surface. In one corner a small stage had been set up so people could karoake while drunk. The tables were being arranged just so, and a large space had been cleared for dancing.

Fictives ran around doing minor errands and Muses leaned against any available surface to watch in amusement at the mad dash. Frank perched on Lyssie's shoulder, The Captain standing nearby. Red and Tadgh argued in sotto voce whether the decorations would be completed in time.

Over all of this reigned the dapper Henry McCoy, seemingly everywhere, making sure that streamer stayed taped up and that balloon didn't pop. This banner hung just so, and that popcorn ball sat in the center of the table correctly.

Mary Shiva looked on in dismay as Ana and Shai mixed their own punch. The array of ingredients vaguely worried her. Especially since Ana had assured her cheerfully that she'd never actually MADE Romulan Ale. "But I've watched Stacie do it, lots!" She'd said cheerily. Mary had nodded, looking even more pained at the amount of liquor Ana was using.

"OK. Vodka in. Hand me the Triple Sec, would you Shai?" Ana shoved her thumb in her mouth and sucked the vodka off of it. "*smack* Mm. Thanks." She said, accepting the bottle from the haggard-looking young woman.

"You're welcome. Anything else, so I can go curl in a corner and die?" Shai asked, attempting her best Pitiful expression.

"Yah. Hand me the Peach Schnappes." Ana glanced at Shai and grimaced sympathetically. "Go lie down in the back room. The party isn't due to start for a bit."

Shai nodded, mumbled something that sounded like thanks and stumbled off to find the back room. Ana looked after her and sighed.

"She'll be fine." Mary grinned, some of the tension leaving her shoulders. "Besides, you were in the middle of creating a masterpiece?"

"Ah, yes." Leaving Shai to her rest, Ana turned back to the large punch bowl which currently contained a rather vibrant blue concoction. "Now, I *know* I'm forgetting something..."

"Your sanity, Writer-mine?" Lyssie asked as she leaned on the bar, grinning sardonically.

"I never had any." Ana retorted. "Remember?"

"True. The sheep have reported. They're in Subreality."

"How long till they get here? Oh, hell's bells, they're too bloody early!" Ana over road her Muse before Lyss could answer. Or not, as the case may have been.

"Want I should take some of the others out and waylay them for a bit?"

"Would you?"

"On one condition."

"Oh?" Ana asked warily, recalling the last time she'd gotten a condition from her Muse she'd spent five hours writing a rather wierd crossover that still wasn't finished.

"You finish and edit you-know-what."

"Drat." She glared at Lyss then sighed. "Fine. But you KNOW what this week is going to be like--"

"Not the weekend, though." Her muse retorted gleefully.

Ana ran a hand through her hair and shoved it back behind her ears. "Fine. Go. Slow them down--maybe tour the Subreality Maze or something."

"Subreality doesn't--"

"It does NOW." Ana snapped, reaching out and scribbling quickly on a napkin. "Now, go."

"Yes, boss." Lyssie snapped a salute, turned around and trotted back to her fellow Muses. A quick conversation and she, The Captain, Frank and Tadgh headed for the door.

Ana sighed and turned back to continue mixing the Ale.

In another section of the 'Cafe, three Writers were carefully watching a fourth stand on the edge of a ladder to dust and drape the chandelier in streamers.

"Do you need any more red?" Rossi called up to Yasmin.

"Nah, I think I've--Whoops, someone hang onto the ladder?" Yasmin was gripping the massive chandelier with one hand while trying not to look down to the far-away floor as the ladder swayed under her.

"Sure!" Epona and Rossi both stepped forward to steady the ladder. The other Writer just grunted and took another swig of his Guinness.

As the ladder steadied, Yasmin finished tying the last streamer and carefully began to make her way down. When she reached the floor she nodded to Rossi and Epona and reached out to snag Phil's mug. Taking a hearty draught she felt her shoulders untense a bit and slowly began to relax. "Thanks, Phil."

"Don't mention it. Jus' give me that back."

She grinned and handed the empty mug back to him. "Sure, mate."

"Since when are you Australian?" Rossi asked wryly.

"Since I've been hanging about you lot too bloody often." Yasmin replied, grinning.

"This is a good thing." Epona tilted her head to the left and looked at them all enquiringly, "Right?"

"Well, what d'ye mean?" Phil rumbled, already searching for another drink which Yas quickly and absently handed him off the nearby tray.

"Well..."

"That's a deep subject, you know."

"No, well, well, well is."

The two fictives rolled their eyes at the Writers and sauntered off.

Four Writers blinked after them, eyebrows buried in their hair. "Uh... I think I speak for all of us, right?" Rossi looked at them, "What the HELL was that?"

"Random continuity blip." Yasmin replied.

"Which is...?" Epona prompted.

End Part One

Intermission

The Subreality Maze was proving to have been a bad choice to take themselves, Lyssie was beginning to realise. Unfortunately, when Ana had been thinking about it--or, rather, NOT thinking--she'd absently made the thing larger than the Labyrinth. And even more dangerous. So far, no one had died, but there'd been a few close calls. Hell, they'd only made it out of the last section alive because of the flying sheep. Acetal was looking rather not all-together there at this point. Of course, the sheep had sheepishly (and embarrassedly) admitted to having sedated him. That had been a Bad Idea.

End Intermission

Part Two

When John Cleese and Michael Palin met her at the Portal, Kielle wondered if she should turn right around and flee. Being of somewhat strong mind and nature, she didn't. Now she was beginning to wish she had.

"Whose birthday is it?"

"Acetal's." Ana replied absently, her concentration apparently centered on the layering of the shot glass in front of her.

"Okay. You mind if I, er..." Kielle tried to figure out a way out of the mayhem that was sure to come. However, she didn't ever get a chance to finish that thought.

"KIELLE!!!" A purple-clad form came dashing from half-way across the 'Cafe and threw itself at her. There was suddenly a flailing of arms and legs, and the two figures collapsed in front of the bar. Ana blinked and finally looked up from her preparations.

"Ki?" She looked around, and, not seeing the Scribe, shrugged and then slammed the B52 Bomber she'd just constructed. "Ah, well," she gasped as the coffee taste spread through her warmly. "I'll ask her what she was talking about later."

Meanwhile, on the floor, untangling herself, was Kielle and-- "Lynxie?"

"Yep!" The Aussie girl grinned up at the Scribe and hugged her before helping her back to her feet. "I slipped away from the Evil One and came to help celebrate sheep-boy's birthday."

Kielle hugged her back then began dusting off the back of her jeans. "Well, cool."

"Don't look so befuddled, Scribe-lady." Lynxie admonished, then grinned. "I'm just a bit sugared up. Shawna's around." She explained, leaning closer to whisper.

"Ahh..."

It was at this moment that someone accidentally hit the on switch and the Jukebox started up. The thing had been turned off in mid-play the night before, and started right back up in the middle of--

'Near... Far... Wherever you are, I will...'

The jukebox made a choking sound as five Writers each grabbed a notepad and tried to change the record simultaneously.

'Walkin' like a man, hitting like a hammer--'

*screech*

'A clouded dream on a moonlit night--'

*cough*

'It's cold outside, there's no kind of atmosphere--'

*crunch*

'Alligators and acrobats, animals and alley--'

*squeelicle*

'I see a ship in the harbour, I can and shall obey--'

All of these sounds spilled out, attempting to each override the other. At least until Lynxie and Ana both wrote the same song.

'Sometimes you're better off dead, there's a gun in your hand, it's pointing at your head...'

And the Pet Shop Boys' first big hit began weaving its way through the Cafe.

Brooke, sitting in a corner and conversing animatedly with Sarah about various medical things while Sarah talked film right back at her, looked up and blinked. "A gun to your head doesn't sound very useful."

Nearby, her Muse snorted and nursed his scotch. "Yes it would, dear, yes it would." Marcus Rey mumbled.

Falstaff looked up from his game of five card stud--currently being conducted between himself, Dex, Alec Wire and a handy Gambit. "I hope Cel gets here soon."

"She will man, she will," Dex replied sipping his Guinness.

"What he said, man." Wire added, carefully shuffling.

The Gambit merely grunted.

Out in the back of the 'Cafe, two Rogues were doing what they do best--chopping firewood. Ana had requested a massive amount for the Birthday Bonfire.

As they chopped in rhythm, someone stepped on a twig in their approach to the 'Cafe, and the Bouncer, Manager and Cook from the Subreality Cafe rounded the bend in the path.

"Are you sure we should be here?"

"But of course."

"After all," The Bouncer smiled a bit ferally, "Acetal is just SO one of my favorite people."

Somewhere behind them, three figures navigated the streets of Subreality. The one in the lead was pointedly ignoring the two behind.

"Told you she'd get us lost." Pebbs said, nodding at Trisha's back.

"Damn right." Sparks replied, looking about her. "I don't recognise this at all."

"Well, it's your fault she forgot the map." Pebbs noted.

"Is not. You're the one that was supposed to make sure she had it."

"Uh-uh. I had the compass, smartass."

"No, I--"

"Excuse me?"

The two combatants stopped in mid-sentence and looked at the short woman standing in front of their party. Well, in front of Trisha, who'd also halted. "Hi. I'm Sabia. I take it you got roped in by Ana too?"

"Yes." Trisha nodded, then shrugged. "Besides, it's a party."

"True. Shall we go together?" Sabia grinned. "We can think up dire punishments for the Evil Twin."

"I'll hold her, Skraps can tickle."

"No, wait, *I* get to--"

"Nuh-uh, I called it first."

"But--"

"Are they always like this?" Sabia asked Trisha as they attempted to ignore the bickering duo.

"They never stop." Trisha said, looking long-suffering.

---

"D'you know how bloody difficult getting a party together is, on such short notice?" Ana demanded blearily of the man standing on the other side of the bar. She'd made several lovely drinks and sampled them all. She was now, to put it mildly, sloshed.

John Cleese reached out and patted her hand. "I'm sure it was difficult, ma'am."

"Oh, it was. There I was, I say, you don't think I should make sure the Ale hasn't fermented wacko or anything, do you?" Without waiting for an answer, the tipsy redhead reached out and snagged a cup, dipped it into the Ale bowl and sipped. "Ahh.. No, it hasn't. Now. Where was--Ah, yes." She straightened a bit and sighed.

"There I was, chatting away merrily, when all of a sudden, Melly drops this BOMB. 'Oh, by the way, Monday is Acetal's birthday.' As if I--, oh wait, that was actually, Yona. Anyway, so, Yona *burp* 'scuse me. So, Yona dropped this bomb, and what the hell was I s'posed to do, man?" Ana looked at John, pleadingly.

"Um.. Throw him a party?"

"Yeah. A party. With only TWO DAY'S notice. An' they wonder why I say I'm insane. I mean, after all, this is ACEY we're talking 'bout. The guy who's even more Certified than *I* am. Hell, the guy who encouraged me in my Certification. And it's his, BIRTHDAY, man. His birthday. Imagine that, Acey's gonna be legal." Ana shook her head, chuckling.

"He's turning 21, then?"

"No, no, this's, Austr--no, wait, 's New Zealnand--Zelanda, Zealand." Ana giggled. "New Zeanlander."

"New Zealand, I believe you mean, madame."

"Yeah. Thass it." Ana blinked at him. "You're smart."

"Thank you. Ma'am? Why don't you come over here and have a lie down? You look a bit tired." John was looking worriedly at Ana's increasingly drowsy appearance. Her eyes were drooping, her voice slurring.

"Yeah, nap. A nap. Thank you, Mr. Fawlty." She patted his arm and staggered off to the back room and a nap.

Tessela Zel grinned at her blue-haired companion. "So, this Ace guy, he gonna show up anytime soon?"

"Yeah. Y'know, he's well, he's Acey!" Azzy gestured, then giggled. "Besides, it's a party."

"There I was, all prepared to sit another night out on the roof, in the rain and then... This." Raven looked disgutedly down at his clothing. Gothic black had been replaced by a semi-darkish-grey silk.

"Let me guess," his companion said, "D'Monika."

"No. HER." Raven growled. "She said it was the least I could do after killing her messily in the War round robin."

"Ah." Peter blinked. "But you killed a lot of people, why would just ONE of them--"

"Never mind." Raven sighed. "I can't ANGST in this, man. It's horrible."

"Actually, that's not true." A young woman looked at them through her glasses. "I can angst in *anything*. Trust me on this. Now, have you seen Ana?"

"She's up by the bar." Raven said gloomily.

"Yeah." Peter nodded. "But she's not very talkative."

"That's fine with me." Tapestry (for that's who it was) smiled sweetly. "She's just gotten on my list."

"I don't think I'd want to be on her list." Peter noted as the diminutive young woman stalked off, her black hair flowing in the breeze.

In a corner of the 'Cafe, a door cautiously opened and a head looked out, surveyed the activity and quickly jerked back in, hoping to have avoided notice.

"You realise, of course," Alicia said as she shut the door to the #plotting lounge, "She's going to drag us out there for the beginning."

"Hm?" Kaylee didn't even look up from where she was rapidly typing something into a laptop.

QueenB looked up from editing and grinned. "We can use a break anyway. How much longer, do you think?"

"Not long, I don't think." Alicia looked back at her laptop and sighed. "At least she gave us these..."

----

"Bribery is a pure science, I tell you."

"Oh?" Mitai looked over at PollyMel, who was apparently tired.

"Yes," The chemist waved a hand, "You see, it's all in how you apply pressure."

"That's what Dex says, too." Mitai noted, her lips twitching.

"I'm sure he has." The other occupant of the table smirked. "In fact, knowing Dex he's said much worse. And he's right, of course." Duey noted in closing.

End Part Two

Intermission Five

Mudslides, trees falling over, rocks bouncing around like bubbles and rubber tentacled monsters had all gotten into their paths. For now, they'd avoided them. Of course, it was only due to having the requisite Innocent and Silly Teenage Girl that they'd gotten through the last level of the Maze.

Still, it was progress, of a sort.

End Intermission

Part Three

Maria Cline was perched on a table in the middle of the 'Cafe, watching the activities going on around her. She'd helped put up some of the bells, and blown up some of the balloons. Right now, was a time of rest.

"MARIA! Yo!" AnjelX pounced Maria from behind. "Let's get some gummis and booze, mate, yeah?"

"Er..."

"Anjel, not quite so enthusiastic please." KSC remonstrated as she carefully removed Maria from the crazy writer's hands. "We'll get booze later."

"Aww... Hey, I bet HE'D do well with some of my Fruzac." Anjel's lips turned up in a Sinister (tm) grin as she slowly began stalking Raven.

"Oh, dear..." KSC sighed, "Anjel, my dear, I really don't..."

"Don't stop me, KSC, I'm on a mission."

"Is it a mission from God?" Quipped Ruby as she walked up to them. "Who are we stalking this time?"

"Raven. Fruzac." Maria supplied, her lips twitching. Ruby's eyes sparkled with laughter and she quickly joined them in their stalking.

Meanwhile, in other areas of entertainment...

"I am not singing."

"Yes you are."

"No, I'm not."

"*sigh* You are."

"But, but..."

"Eric, I'm surprised I have to twist your arm on this," Victor rolled his ghostly eyes. "You should be jumping at the chance to do this. And if you DON'T, I will personally haunt you." The Ghostly Muse smiled evilly, still looking oddly cute and lost.

"Fine, fine..."

In a back booth, several people relaxed, drinks before them.

"I can't believe I got here in time!" SabreBabe hugged Indigo carefully, then plopped down on the bench next to her. "You should have SEEN the traffic."

"Traffic? In Subreality?" Frito looked up from her laptop and blinked. She'd been rather involved with arguing with herself over the fic she was currently writing.

"Yep." SabreBabe grinned. "So, what's up, ladies?"

"The ceiling?" Quipped Beverly_McIntyre as she rounded a nonexistant corner and stopped next to their table.

"Buttons!" Indigo cried.

"Watermelon cherry chipmintPipchickIndi!" The jeans-clad Writer replied with a grin.

It was at that exact moment that Gallagher smashed another watermelon in his endless quest to rid the world of the deadly fruits.

Speaking of fruit, a bat who was NOT a fruit bat (he'll smack you around if you call him that) was currently flying lazily around the rafters of the 'Cafe. His current companion was another Muse, one Kes by name and tropical parrot by shape.

"Do you think the Writers will ever get around to actually partying?" Tarquin asked Kes. She flipped her wings and nipped at a feather with her beak before replying.

"Yeah. They love to party. Oh, look, there's my Writer." Kes looked down into the 'Cafe and blinked. "Who is that she's with? He's all... covered in something dark. Like someone dumped him into a large vat of chocolate."

And down in said 'Cafe proper...

Rhianna blinked as she walked into the Writer's Cafe. Outside, she'd found Pinocchio and the Bouncer from the Subreality Cafe sharing a cigar break and discussing how many times they'd seen Acetal destroy either 'Cafe. So far, the Bouncer was leading. And then she'd stepped into a streamer and balloon and banner and bell-clad Writer's Cafe.

"You like it?" The voice sounded somewhat pleased. Before her stood... Rowan. And he was still covered in the inky black from the Subreality War round robin. "I find that the black is kinda... fitting..."

"Um... Okay." Rhianna nodded. "Right. Are they done decorating and all?"

"I think so." The RRboard moderator wrinkled his brow. "You don't like it."

"I do, it's just... very dark." She smiled weakly. "Okay. I don't dislike it, but..."

"RHIANNA!!!!!" The shout cut off whatever else she was planning to say as Tessela yelled from across the 'Cafe at her.

"Um, I think someone gave Tess too much sugar. Talk to ya later, Rowan." She turned and walked off, weaving between tables.

As Rhianna shoved her hip between two tables spaced incredibly close together, one of them snarled. She froze. Did I just hear a table SNARL? For an instant, visions of furniture turning on the denizens of Subreality flashed through her mind.

"Jess, let her be, man." David Wheatley walked over to Rhianna and smiled. "I'm sorry about that. Jess got stuck into table-form for some reason. He won't bite."

"Oh!" Rhianna grinned. "Must be a terribly wooden and boring time for him, then."

"Nah, I think he's enjoying it." David held out a hand. "D'you want to get a drink?"

"Well, I should really talk to Tess, first. But thanks." She shook his hand and slipped around him, disappearing into the maze of tables again.

"Ah, well." David shrugged and wandered off, leaving Jess the Table to watch the rest of the events.

"But, I'm not, I'm really, not--"

"Shut up, Matt."

"You shut up, Matt."

"Would BOTH of you shut up?" Spade glared at Twiller and Smoot. "This party is not so you can argue over who's got the most annoying parents."

"That's because I'd win, hands down." Smoot retorted, smirking.

"No you wouldn't." Twiller snapped back, then grinned. "Not that it matters."

"True." Smoot stuck his hand out. "Shall we get a drink, or play another hand?"

Scattered on the table in front of him were a large assortment of playing cards. Everything from Uno to Rook to Phase Ten.

"Hey, how do you play that?" Joannie popped into view, standing next to Twiller's chair as she gazed at the Uno cards.

"Well, we need a few more people to make it REALLY fun," Smoot replied.

"I'll go round up some others!" Joannie grinned and turned to dash off, the energy of such a party filling her. As she walked to the bar, she wondered who to ask.

"--so, anyway, I think I can make it work, if I just--oh, hi, Joannie." Hutch smiled distractedly at the young girl.

"Hey, you wanna come play cards?" Joannie asked, turning on the Cuteness Factor.

"Sure. That'll get me away from Tamsin, here, who's trying to make me work." Hutch grinned cheekily at her Muse, who grinned back and shrugged.

"I'll catch you later, Writer." Tamsin nodded to Joannie and turned to Mary Shiva. "A water and vodka, if you please."

Hutch followed Joannie as they searched for more people. They came upon Nova, sitting in a corner and doing her homework. She acquiesced to play rather quickly. Whitewolf was next. The semi-lupine Writer was curled up sleepily next to the fire.

"Wolf?"

"Yuh?" The Writer shook her head and attempted to wake up.

"Y'wanna play a card game?" Joannie put on the AnimeEyes and looked pleadingly at Whitewolf.

"Sure... Jus' a momen'." Whitewolf rubbed her eyes and stood, wriggling herself into a stretch. "Ah. There. Lead on."

In another corner of the 'Cafe, Marie was making the mistake of trying to drink Al under the table. The Australian Muse was so far sober. Marie, on the other hand, was not.

"I think, I think Ah'm gonnar shing, shomething."

"Nah, love, leave that to someone else." Al counseled, grabbing for her wrist as she stood unsteadily.

"But, but, Ah know Ah kin do it." Marie had found to her horror that her accent slipped into an apalling generic Southern when drunk.

Al sighed and wondered why he was supposed to be responsible. Then realising that the other Muse couldn't get into any trouble, he shrugged and let her go off to stumble through the 'Cafe.

Tottering and lurching, Marie made her way through the darker section of the 'Cafe, unerringly focussing in on her Writer.

At said moment, Peter was chatting with Raven and attempting to avoid Yona, whom he spotted. The bewinged Writer tended to *ZAP* him whenever he was near. She'd obviously never forgiven him completely for the stunt with the Absolut.

Yona herself was chatting and laughing with Doc Persona and Askanii over a large assortment of drinks. So far, she hadn't noticed Peter. Though, once she did...

End Part Three

Intermission Three

Lyssie and the Captain stood back to back, swords in hand and fought. Somewhere, a few paragraphs away, Acetal and Frank were running for their lives from a flame-beast. The Sheep and Tadgh were in the middle paragraphs avoiding a band of vicious Weavers.

Well, paragraphs that are somewhere. With the Lost Sea Scrolls, or the Black Book, or some such.

End Intermission

Part Four

The evening sky was beginning to darken and party-goers were getting restless. They'd been there for AGES and so far, the guest of honour was nowhere to be seen.

In the third corner of the large main room, there is a small section with a rather large amount of couches for such a small space (almost transcendental space...) Sitting--or, rather, bouncing--on one of the couches was Fancycatz. She swished her tail and tried not to look impatient with her fellow Writer.

"Come now, Seraph, think it through logically." She chided gently. "I'm sure he's just running late."

The angel of Subreality sighed and shifted on her own couch, curling a bit around her knees. "I know. I just wish he didn't have to have worked tonight. Bloody bastards..."

"Yeah." Fancy nodded in sympathy and reached for her drink. Finding it empty, she sighed and stood up. "I'll be right back, dear. Do you want anything?"

A silly grin crossed Seraph's face, followed by something much more in the gutter. "Um..."

Fancy laughed. "Never mind." She leaned over and hugged the angel. "I'll get you another Guinness."

"Thanks..." Seraph waved after the catwoman then grabbed a pillow and wrapped her arms around it. "HMm...." As her voice drifted off, the angel was already plotting exactly which fictives to angst, save and destroy tomorrow.

"You can't go *naked* to a party!" Kyri tried to reason with Melodist. After all, if you're going to be naked, everyone should be.

"I'm joking, Kyri, really." The girl laughed, they were running through the dark streets of Subreality, late leaving the House. "It was a thought, though..."

"Ah, yes. Thought." Kyri grinned. "Though I wouldn't think Dex would object to nudity."

Mel snorted. "No, duh."

End Part Four

Part Five

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times... Acetal staggered up to the Writer's Cafe, hair hanging in a tangled mass into his eyes. The rest of him matched the beatup look of his hair. The black slacks were missing half of the left leg, and the right was shredded (it looked like hippie fringe) from the knee down. The button-down white shirt was stained various colours from a nacreous green to a splodgy blue. Cuts and briuses shown through the gaping holes that were the tattered shirt. A nasty slice adorned his left leg from side to side on his shin. It slowly ooozed blood.

In the back room, Shai woke up and groggily made her way into the 'Cafe proper. Behind the bar, Mary Shiva casually mixed drinks and filled orders. Someone had finally written a consistent 80s selection on the jukebox, and Dexy's Midnight Runners currently reigned supreme in the air waves.

Several Writers were currently enmeshed in exactly that--Writing.

Abruptly, Joannie let out a squeal of delight. "I see him! He's here, he's here!" She jumped off the chair she'd been perched on and ran to the light switches. Earlier--very much so--Ana had put her in charge of them. "Where's Ana?" She asked, noting the absence of the lady in supposed charge of everything.

"Dunno." Shai blinked sleepily. "She told me to go take a nap. Last I saw she was--"

"Mixing drinks." John nodded. "I sent the poor girl off to sleep. I'm surprised you didn't run into her on your way out."

"YO! Everyone needs to hush up and be ready to yell, he's nearly to the door." Yona interrupted all discussion and waved. "So, hush."

The assembled Writers and Muses assented and quietly (kinda) began stationing themselves by the door. Joannie flipped off the light switches. "Remember, we all yell, 'Surprise!'"

Assorted grunts were her only answer.

The door to the 'Cafe flew open, slamming into the wall with a nasty thunk. Acetal stood silhouted in the doorway, behind him the sun was setting in all its glory. Reds, golds, blues, greens, and purples raged behind him.

For an instant, people were utterly silent, taking in his ragged appearance. Surprised perusal turned to shock. Shock made a left past go and dodged under automatic bridge.

"SURPRISE!!!!!" A large multitude of voices screamed out.

In the back room of the 'Cafe (the second one, since there were a multitude that appeared as needed) Ana blinked awake. "Ferrous Oxide is... Um..." She blinked at the ceiling and shook her head. "Never mind." The shaking motion had caused the room to spin oddly, so she stopped attempting to get off the couch she'd curled up on.

"Okay. Note to self: don't sample a ton of things and then fall asleep before you make the... birthday... CAKE."

The still stunnedish group of Writers, fictives and Muses blinked in surprise as an anguished shriek came from the back room. "OH MY GOD! I forgot the CAKE!!!!!!"

"I'm standing here, covered in blood, gore, bodily fluids, burns and a dozen OTHER things, and she is upset because she forgot the Cake?" Acetal's voice cracked on the end and he shrugged, wincing slightly. "Ah, well. I did like my sanity."

Those words snapped Epona out of her paralysis and she stepped forward and began mentally cataloguing Acetal's injuries. "Okay, Ace. I need you to sit over here and take your shirt off..."

As Epona began efficiently bandaging Ace up, someone was creeping around. Several someones, actually. And creeping did not best describe their movements. "KSC, cover me, I'm goin' in."

"Gotcha." KSC and Ruby casually leaned against a table and watched Anjel work her way into the perfect position to spray Raven with the Fruzac.

It was rather unfortunate that at the moment Anjel fired, Marie stepped in front of Raven, weaving drunkenly and intent on accosting her Writer.

Peter blinked in shock as Marie opened her mouth and was suddenly engulfed in a torrent of something that looked like neon. His Muse sputtered, shook her head and crumpled to the floor, overwhelmed.

"What in the world?" Peter blinked, interrupting Raven. "Someone just sprayed my Muse with something..."

"Fruzac." Raven said, nose twitching as he edged away from the recumbent Muse. "Pure happiness, or something like that."

It was at this point that Eric Idle took to the stage to sing a little song. "Hallo all, I hope you're all having a loooovely time tonight. I know I am." He smirked. His blue sequined tux was looking faboo, and he was ready for a bit of... singing.

"Thank you for being here, ladies and germs." Eric paused for the Expected Titters. There were none. "I think I'll start with this wonnnderful little ditty, that I wrote myself."

He turned to glance off into the distance, then shrugged. "Maestro, if you please?"

Music started up, welling around everyone in its smarminess. Eric began swaying gently to and fro.

"Hold it, hold it!" Terry stalked onto the stage. "You're not doing this now!"

"Besides," John interjected from the other side of said stage, "Someone needs to go rescue the others."

"The others?"

End Part Five

Intermission Twelve

"Follow the yellow brick road my bloody arse." Lyssie muttered under her breath. Behind her she heard the Captain making similar remarks and Frank was muttering in her ear.

Currently their band were doing just that. Following a yellow brick roadway. Supposedly it was the way out of the large Maze. Tadgh had pled with the beautiful lady guardian to let them out. Somewhere, the sheep were having the time of their lives, they'd been playing Doom and Quake.

There was a wierd shimmering and an obelisk-shaped object appeared in mid-air. Sound poured out of it, then it cleared and Tamsin was looking at them.

"Hallo."

"Hi." Lyss reached out and shoved a hand through the Gateway. "Our way back?"

"Yep."

"Good. Tadgh, you go first." Lyss stepped back to let the Muse go through. "Captain?"

"You go first, I--Oh, there they are." The blue sheep were skipping down the green and marshmallow wall towards them.

"Trust them to come when they're being saved." Lyss noted, snorting.

"Can you blame them?"

Lyss didn't answer as she stepped through the Portal.

End Intermission

Part Six

"So, anyway, I forgot to bake a cake and someone kindly wrote me one." Ana concluded tiredly.

"Ah. All's well that ends well?" Lyssie asked rubbing her arm.

"I think so. Everyone had fun, Acey was surprised, the sheep didn't do too much damage... All in all a decent party." She grinned. "Even if Marie did get knocked out."

"Yeah. She's not going to live that down anytime soon. Imagine, trying to drink AL under the table."

"And getting sprayed with Fruzac." Ana snickered.

"Well, I guess this is it." Lyss noted.

"Yup." Ana reached out and typed six words.

The End

*falls over* Ye gods. It's done. Finished. OVER with. ok. Credits, first, I think.
SC concept goes to Ki, the Staff to Staffie, and something to Tap.
WC to Seraph and Yas for ressurecting it. And Staffie for the staff again.
Any Writers, Muses or Fictives mentioned in this story do NOT belong to me, except Lyssie and Ana.
And they are, in order and by type...
Writers: Ana, Shai, Yasmin, Epona, Phil, Kielle, Lynxie, Junkie (by mention), Brooke, Sarah, Falstaff, Dex, Alec Wire, Celendra (mentioned), Pebblin, Sparks, Trisha, Sabia, Tessela, Azzy, Raven, Maria Cline, Anjel X, JSC, Ruby, Rhianna, Rowan, Jess Willey, David Wheatley, Spade, Smoot, Twiller, Indigo, Beverly_McIntyre, Sabrebabe, Frito, Joannie, Hutch, Nova Zion, Whitewolf, Fancycatz, Seraph, Kyri, and Melodist. Oh, and the birthday boy himself, Acetal.
Muses: Lyssie, Tadgh, the Captain, Frank, Red, Marcus Rey, Victor, Tarquin, Kes, Tamsin, Marie, Al, and the Blue Sheep.
Of the fictives, John, Eric, Michael and Terry are the Monty Python gentlemen and, as such, belong to themselves. I guess. The rest were basically random. (Save the staffs, of course).
Note: NONE of the aboce were borrowed with permission. You can all kiss my patootie if you don't like it. *smile*

Author's notes: This was NOT going to be this long, originally. I swear it. It was, in fact, supposed to be finished by Tuesday at the latest... Oh, and if there are mistakes, sorry. I finished the last bit and decided to post immediately.

It is, of course, dedicated to Acetal, I hope you had a good birthday, love. :)

hugs, Ana