Author:Sam

Story: What’s in A... Song?: 1 of ?

Series: none

Rating: PG-13: this is rated this high due to the fact that some of the songs I’ve chosen may contain foul language or violent scenes, but nothing too drastic.

Pairing: Okay, if you read this you may note at least the following pairings, though I don’t limit myself to these: Varla & Presto, Sheila & Hank. Any others will pop up as I see fit. :-)

Summary: A relaxing night at a tavern, spiked juice, and the Young Ones can lead from silly to soulful. Presto’s up for some fun, though, at Eric’s expense.

Spoiler: The series, pretty much, but more like the kids’ backgrounds, than the actual episodes, more or less.

Category: Fantasy, Humor

Setting: A tavern in the Realm of Dungeons & Dragons, where anyone is welcome... and we do mean anyone!

Disclaimer: Dungeons and Dragons is a trademark of TSR and the cartoon is a creation of many peoples, including Marvel Productions, TSR inc., Saban Entertainment, and Wizards of the Coast. I am in no way connected with these people, and I do not claim ownership to these characters, lands, or names. I have borrowed them to share a story... and most likely not a story any of them would have written had they had the time or no. I am making no money from this, and it is just for my entertainment, and that of free entertainment to a select group of friends. Thank You.

Distribution: Please ask first?

Note: This is just a cute, amusing side story, and not really to be taken seriously. I had a notebook and pen, several D&D episodes and a CD player blaring a variety of songs, when something suddenly clicked. The songs are not necessarily from 1983 or before, so don't try to figure out how the kids would have heard them. Hopefully this produces the desired effects: a bit of laughter and a bit of insight.

Song Note: Bad Moon Rising by Creedance Clearwater Revival.

Feedback: Yes, please? Especially constructive. samwise_baggins@yahoo.co.uk

Webpage: http://www.oocities.org/samwise_baggins/index.html

"I don’t know about this, guys. Isn’t Bobby too young for a bar?"

"Aw sis! I’m not a baby you know!"

"I think we’re all a bit young for a bar."

"Lighten up, Hank. You’d think we were going there to drink or something."

"Eric’s right, for once. Dungeon Master said we needed a break and this place caters to everyone, including children."

"And he did give us some coins to get food, too."

The six youths crested the hill, following the rock-strewn dirt road. At the top was a low, squat wooden structure alight with blazing lanterns and ringing with music and laughter. The six Young Ones stopped to stare at it a long moment before turning to look at their unofficial leader. He seemed a bit worried and continued staring for a long, silent moment.

Finally, he nodded, apparently satisfied. "I don’t see anyone drunk or causing a problem. It seems pretty safe. Let’s go."

"Yes! Food and a bed." Eric grinned widely and started for the building, a laughing Presto jogging to keep up with the Cavalier’s long-legged stride. With a whoop, Bobby and Uni ran after the pair, causing Sheila to call out, "Be careful, Bobby!" He ignored her, as always.

Diana grinned and hefted the sack of coins they’d been given, nodding to Hank and Sheila at her side. "Don’t worry so much, guys. Dungeon Master said we could ask for juice and they’d have it. I think we’ve all earned a rest out of the weather, with warm food and soft beds. We’ll be fresh when we look for home tomorrow."

That seemed to perk up the Ranger and he nodded, smiling softly. "I guess one night couldn’t hurt. And if things get a bit rowdy, we could always leave."

"That’s the spirit, Hank." Dianna laughed and tugged at Sheila’s arm. "Come on, let’s catch up." The two young women jogged off after their companions, leaving the blond to follow up, still trailing a bit slowly.

Upon opening the door, Presto’s mouth hung open and he had to be nudged inside by an impatient Eric. "Move it, Presto. You’re staring like a tourist or something." He looked around equally interested, but tried to cover his interest with a nonchalance he didn’t quite pull off.

As the others entered, Eric homed in on a large table where all of them could sit comfortably. He commandeered it before a laughing group of Dwarves could get to it, grinning smugly as they frowned and turned away. That didn’t bother him, as he was used to being quite unpopular. "Over here! Hurry!" The dark-haired young man waved to his friends, who did indeed hurry to join him.

A jolly looking man came over to the seven travelers, looking quite intrigued by Uni more than any of the others. He smiled and bowed to her, surprising everyone, including the little mare. "We are honored by your presence, and that of your companions, fair Unicorn. What may we serve such a noble party?"

Quick to home in on any advantage, used to using every asset to get what he wanted, Eric cleared his throat. "The unicorn would like food and drink for seven, right Uni?" He didn’t wait for her answer as he barreled on. "Juice and milk if you have it, meat well cooked and gravy and vegetables and fine baked bread with butter."

Diana smiled, not interrupting for once. Might as well let the teen have his day; it was rare that he could get away with ordering anyone around, and the innkeeper seemed not to be bothered by it. Instead, she nodded as Eric talked, knowing that they should have enough in their bag of gold to cover everything this place could offer.

After several more minutes, the innkeeper laughed and held up both hands. "I understand, Noble Sir. You want food and drink fit for your group, and you shall have it. Will you be wanting rooms for the night?"

"Yes, please," Hank smiled at the man. "Um... how much will that come to?" He couldn’t help but worry, and so chose the price of their stay for his concerns.

With a hearty laugh, he named a price that had Diana smiling wider. As the man left, she leaned over and whispered to the gang, "We’ve got enough to stay the entire week here... not that we’re going to."

The Ranger opened his mouth to ask why Dungeon Master would give them so much if they weren’t staying, but thought better of it. He didn’t want to complain. The happy looks on everyone’s faces, including Eric’s for once, made him reconsider what he said. After all, there’d been too few times where they’d been able to relax in the last three years in the Realm. Instead, Hank smiled and nodded. "It will be nice to sleep in a real bed tonight."

That seemed to finally allay Sheila’s fears, and she turned a welcoming smile on the innkeeper as he stepped up with what was recognizably milk and juice for them. Once he set the drinks down, with mugs for all and two bowls for Uni, apparently one for each drink, he walked off to signal to someone else. Several people walked over with food, plates, and tableware for the party, quickly disposing of their burdens and leaving the Young Ones to enjoy their meal.

It was several very long moments before anyone tried to speak, so intent was everyone on filling their bellies with the fine meal.

"Now, this is more like it!"

Even Hank had to smile at Eric’s comment, nodding like the others. He felt a warm glow in the pit of his stomach, spreading slowly throughout his entire body. From the looks on the others’ faces, they, too, felt the lethargic warmth. Finally, Presto sighed, leaning on one fist, hat slipping slightly to the side on his head.

"Know what this party’s missing? Music." He pulled off the hat and turned it upside down, waving a hand over the opening which began to glow softly. "Ala-vor-ox, I need a juke box." And he grinned as magic flowed from his hat to shape a jukebox in the corner next to their table.

It was like watching a movie or a dream. None of the other kids tried to even stop the young Magician, smiling indulgently as he pushed up from his seat to go over to the machine. With a happy sigh, Presto looked back. "It says it doesn’t need money to work. It’s free!" He turned back, not even considering the fact that the juke box wasn’t plugged into anything, for he was too busy selecting a song.

Eric pulled himself to his feet and joined Presto, looking over his shoulder at the selections and laughing when he noticed something. Pointing to a spot on the lit up machine, he laughed "It says it only does Karaoke. Looks like you get music, but no songs, Presto."

Frowning softly, the Magician seemed to puzzle through that, then his face lit up once more. "I can sing."

"I doubt it!" Eric guffawed and moved back to the table, letting the others know it was a sing-along juke box.

Sheila shrugged and smiled at Presto as he rejoined them. "I don’t mind singing a song or two. It might be fun."

Bobby made a choking sound, falling on the floor, but broke into giggles, wrecking the effect. His sister frowned down at him, and turned her nose up, indignant. Diana laughed and touched Sheila’s arm as the music started. "Who’s first?"

"I’ll go first!" Presto stood up, grinning. He cleared his throat and smiled widely. "I dedicate this song to my best friend in the entire world... er... both of them. Eric." He grinned at the Cavalier, cleared his throat once more, and started to sing in a fair imitation of the proper tune.

The other teens laughed, and Eric frowned. "What’s so funny?"

Presto continued.

Bobby, still lying on the floor, gasped for breath and pointed at Eric, giggling madly at the look of indignant confusion on his face. "You... you..."

"Me what? What are you laughing at?" His warm haze was preventing him from getting too indignant or offended, however. He turned towards Hank, who was smiling and chuckling along with the others. "What, Hank?" Eric’s voice was grumpy, though a grin tugged at his lips.

Hank shrugged and smiled wider. "It’s you. Presto’s pretending to be you." He gestured with a hand to the teen, who was, indeed, acting out being Eric, right down to imitating his arrogance interspersed with his fear.

Eric frowned, ready to get angry, but something stopped him. He blinked, tilted his head, and the smile won, stretching his mouth. Finally, he saw the humor in the act and broke into laughter, causing the others to laugh louder in pleasure.

Presto grinned and went back into his ‘Eric lecturing mode’.

Standing up on the bench, he sang a bit louder, other patrons turning and joining in the laughter and cheers.

The Magician received loud accolades, holding up his hands in pleased triumph, like a conquering gladiator. He grinned and finally sunk into his seat, turning to the others. "Okay, who’s next?"