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Title: The
10th Muse
Author:
CN Winters
Fandom:
Xena Fanfiction, Xena fanfic, Xena fan fiction, Xena and
Gabrielle fanfiction, Xena fiction
Rating: PG-13
for naughty language, violence, drug use...the usual.
Disclaimers:
See Part One.
Author
Note: You
will find quite a mix of musical styles across several decades
and genres in this fiction piece. Some of these tunes you
might remember; others you might have never heard at all. I
tried to find not only some popular music, but also some long
lost musical nuggets too. Some are word for word while others
I did a little manipulating to fit the Xena plotline. Enjoy!
Dedication:
This story is dedicated to two of my best friends, Bridget and
Norma, who I lost within a year of each other. It was actually
through the Xenaverse that I met them so decided as a tribute
I’d finally put this story on ‘paper’.
Synopsis:
In this traditional, season six, subtext story that's part
French farce; part musical, Gabrielle has a Doppelganger, the
Poetess Sappho. It's up to Gabby, Xena and Sappho's friend,
the goddess Aphrodite, to guard Sappho during the 10th Muse
Competition...Of course they must also try to repair Sappho's
damaged relationship with her lover, and bandmate, Anaktoria.
Feedback: Sure, drop me a line
at cnwinters71@yahoo.com or feel free to
contact me via the form on my site at www.cnscaldron.com.
Act
Two
“Dead?!”
Xena and Gabrielle both said.
“He’s
dead?!” Gabrielle asked.
“How
can he be dead?! Xena demanded.
“He
stopped breathing. That’s how,” Dite replied. “Look,
it’s not like I killed him! And for the record, continuing
to ask if Sappho’s attempted murderer is dead won’t change
the outcome, ladies! He’s dead. Kaput. Finished!”
“How
did this happen?” Gabrielle asked. “He was fine when we
left him in that cell.”
“Poisoned
himself,” Aphrodite said.
“Suicide?”
Xena asked in a questioning tone.
“Yep.
Vial in his hand. No sign of a struggle,” Aphrodite added.
“He
WAS willing to let the pinch do its job,” Gabrielle told
Xena. “I guess he really wasn’t bluffing about the death
wish.”
“Well,
what did he say about the attack?” Aphrodite asked.
“Nothing,”
Xena replied.
“You
didn’t ask?!” Dite shouted.
“Of
course we did!” Gabrielle said. “We tried to find out why
he was targeting Sappho, but he wouldn’t say anything.”
“How
are we going to question a dead man, girls?” Aphrodite asked
sarcastically.
Xena
considered the question and then told the goddess. “You’re
a goddess. Go to the underworld. You can find out why he
killed himself and why he wanted Sappho dead.”
“What
‘underworld’, Xena? There’s no one guardin’ the gates
anymore. No Elysian Fields. No Tartarus.”
“Then
where are all the dead?” Gabrielle asked.
“Beats
me.” Aphrodite shrugged. “I’m so far out of the
omnipotent club now I couldn’t tell you. Like I said, if I
could use my connections to solve this I would, but all I got
are you two, and truthfully, it’s not goin’ all that great
so far. Case in point: the tightlipped dead guy in the local
jail.”
Xena sighed. “I’m gonna figure this one out even if it
kills you,” she told her.
“That’s
the spri-wait-what?” Aphrodite sputtered. “Even if it
kills ME?”
“Just
seein’ if you were paying attention,” Xena teased her.
Aphrodite pouted. “Have faith. We WILL figure this out. Even
if this guy is dead, you can bet they’ll be another attack.
So we stick to the original plan. Sappho becomes Gabrielle and
Gabrielle becomes Sappho. So what’s the first step?”
“Checking
out the competition,” Aphrodite replied. “So once you two
are clean, head back down to the main room. More acts are
arriving by the hour.” She then focused on Gabrielle.
“It’s gonna be your job to beat ‘em. For now, I’ll
stick by Sapphie and her gal. Toodles!”
With
that, she vanished; leaving the pair alone.
“Xena,
I don’t know if I can do this,” Gabrielle confessed
nervously. “Sure. I can slink around half naked on a stage.
I’ve done that. But the singing…?”
“How
can I help?”
“Give
me your voice for a while?” Gabrielle asked with a sheepish
grin. “I’ll give it back when I’m done. I swear.”
Gabrielle
hung her head and Xena took her by the shoulders. “Let’s
get cleaned up and then we’ll worry about the rest. Besides,
maybe the competition will be weak,” she said hopefully.
The
pair appeared downstairs, finally clean, when they heard what
sounded like a massive parade making its way into the hall. A
Bossa Nova melody filled the area with toe tapping clarity.
The guests watched as a wave of colorfully clothed people
danced in time with the music alongside some people – male
and female – barely clothed at all.
“Weak
competition, huh?” Gabrielle sighed in frustration to Xena.
“A carnival. This group has a carnival.”
“Look,
Sappho’s got the same amount of… flair. You’ll be
fine,” Xena offered in support.
Soon,
among the foray of humans, also came an eclectic mix of exotic
looking animals – colorful birds and primates. Gabrielle and
Xena both watched open mouthed as a small monkey bounced from
shoulder to shoulder of the un-startled performers as they
entered the hall.
“Not
only do they have naked dancers, they have cute monkeys, Xena.
How do I complete with cute monkeys?”
“Gabrielle,
settle down,” she replied. “Maybe it’s just flash and no
substance.”
When
the monkey began to hand flowers out to the patrons of the
bar, Xena turned toward Gabrielle.
“Okay.
Sappho’s gotta step up her game here,” she replied
deadpan. Then she added, “Wonder if it’s too late to buy a
monkey? Ooh! Maybe a lizard or snake! Like those ones in
India?”
“No
snakes. No lizards. No creepy things.”
“Fine.
You know, those furry spiders-.”
“Are
creepy,” Gabrielle finished.
Xena
started to mutter, “Eve and I both-.”
“Are
wrong!” Gabrielle cut her off again. Xena pouted and the
bard added, “Spiders are creepy; no matter what you two
say.”
“Are
not,” Xena muttered as she sulked.
Gabrielle
opened her mouth to reply, but someone began to sing… really
well in a thick Hispania accent. She listened to his voice for
a moment as he sang:
Under
a lovers' skyyyyyy
Gonna
be with youuuuu
And
noone's gonna be arounnnnnd
She
first looked defeated because of the quality, but then a look
of recognition washed over her face. Xena soon had an equal
expression on hers.
“Could
it be?” Gabrielle muttered.
If
you think that you won't fallllll
Well
just wait untilllll
Til
the sun goes dowwwwwn
Underneath
the starrrlight (starlight)
There's
a maaaagical feeeeeling - soooo riiiight
It'll
stealllll your hearrrrrt toniiiight
“Is
that…?” Gabrielle let the sentence hang as the watched the
singer come out from the crowd of dancers and performers. Upon
seeing him, Xena and Gabrielle both smiled.
They
looked at each other and at the same time said affectionately,
“Jace!”
You
can try to resist
Try
to hiiiide from my kiss
But
you knowwww
But
you know that you can't fight the moooonlight
Deep
in the darrrk
You'll
surrrrrender your hearrrrt
But
you knowwww
But
you know that you can't fight the mooooonlight
Nooooo,
you can't fight iiiiit
It's
gonna get to your heaaaart
Gabrielle
turned to Xena. “I don’t believe it,” she said excited.
There's
noooo escape from lovvve
Once
a gentllle breeeeeze
Weaves
its’ spell upon yourrrr hearrrrt
No
matter what you thiiiink
It
won't be too llllong
Til
you’re in my arrrrms
That’s
when Jace spotted the pair and began to dance over as he sang.
Underneattttth
the starrrrrlight (starlight)
We'll
be lost in the rhhhhythm - soooo riiiight
Feeeeel
it steal your hearrrrt toooonight
He
grabbed each one of them by the hand and led them into the
parade of people, along with a few other patrons as he
continued to sing.
You
can trrry to resissst
Try
to hiiiide from my kisssss
But
you knoooow
But
you knooooow that you can't fight the mooooonlight
Deep
in the dark
You'll
surrrrrrender your hearrrrt
But
you knowwww
But
you knowwwww that you can't fight the mooooonlight
Nooooo
you can't fight ittttt
Noooo
maaaaatter what youuuu dooooo
The
night is gonna get to youuuuu
By
the time he had finished, he made his way up to the stage with
his menagerie of pets and dancers. On the final note, with his
sequence and lace covered arm in the air, the club broke into
thunderous applause. He quickly gave his thanks and made his
way down the stairs to a waiting Xena and Gabrielle, who were
all smiles.
“Friends!”
he said in his thick accent. “How lovely to see you! The
years have been kind to you,” he remarked about their young
appearance.
“You
too,” Gabrielle said sincerely. Although he did appear older
than them, and still resembled his deceased brother Joxer, he
looked considerably younger than she expected.
“Still
singing about moonlight, I see,” Xena teased him.
“Absolutely!”
he replied without missing a beat. “The moon is powerful
enough to control the tides and it also controls the heart.
And what’s not more important than love and desire, no?”
The
pair both smiled and Gabrielle added, “You’re here for the
10th Muse Competition I take it?”
“Yes.
There are many groups that will be here. If I can make it to
the finals, I’ll be quite pleased.”
“I’m
sure you’ll have no trouble,” Gabrielle told him.
“I’m
not. My nephew is performing with his group. A little family
competition you might say. Could make things interesting,
yes?”
“Nephew?”
Xena asked.
“Yes,
Joxer’s boy. Virgil.”
“Virgil’s
here too?” Gabrielle asked hopefully.
Jace
nodded and pointed to the door. A
bass line began to thump along with a brass section of horns
trumpeting.
Yeah,
yeah, yeah, I'm rolling on…
This
is the way we roll, we roll
This
is the way we roll
Sounds
like one of those funky Virgil songs to me, Hunny
Yeah,
that's what it sounds like, yo
This
is one of those songs now when the fellas get on the floor
And
say, ‘Baby yea I'm all that.’
Down
the highway
I'm
doing it all my way
Dinars
in my pocket (Yo)
I'll
say.
It
feels good that I got it like that
My
top’s cropped;
Her
hand is in my lap (my lap)
My
group kickin' another selection
The
girlies keep lookin' in my direction
My
satchel is full
My
fame is strong
I
got it like that so…
I'm
rollin' on...
Virgil’s
entourage followed him and sang while the young ladies in the
audience look like they’re about to swoon.
Looking at the display, Xena and Gabrielle could only
shake their heads.
This
is the way we roll
We
roll...We roll
This
is the way we roll...Rollin'
(Rollin'...Rollin'...I'm
rollin' on)
This
is the way we roll
We
roll...We roll
This
is the way we roll...Rollin'
(Rollin'...Rollin'
All
through Athens I'm rollin' on)
Virgil
slid up to a rather curvy blonde admirer near the stage as he
continued. She gazed at him with puppy dog eyes and he soaked
it up.
Gotta
keep my business straight
My
tickets sell out yo
I
think great (great)
Good
news and I'm happy as Plato
With
a cute girl I
can never say
oh-no
Thinking
back to when I first got started
A
lotta poets yo
They
brokenhearted
I
don't sweat it ‘cause my game is strong
I
got it like that so… I'm rollin' on
As
the chorus began again, Virgil spotted his uncle with Xena and
Gabrielle.
Yo!
Take me to the bridge
Now
let's show them how
A
real poet breaks it down
As
the guitars broke into a bit of funky strumming he made his
way over as his background vocalists continued to sing.
Rollin'
rollin' rollin'
Rollin'
rollin' rollin' rollin'
(You
can't stop us we're rollin'
You
can't stop us we're rollin'...)
He
stood in front of Gabrielle and put his hands on her shapely
hips as he sang.
Five
years of hippin' and a hoppin'
That’s
when this poet
started droppin’ (droppin')
Got
strong and now I'm stronger
The
ladies love a man who can last… longer (longer)
He
glanced over to Xena and gave her wink before he continued.
Feels
good that I'm holding my own
Ducking
the sticks and dodging the stones (they throw)
Dis
me but never dismiss me 'cause this Virgil is strong
So
I'm rollin' on
When
he looked back again, Xena seemed less than impressed with
where his hands were. Taking note, he released Gabrielle
quickly and darted away to the other side of the room to sing.
Rollin'
rollin' rollin'
Rollin'
rollin' rollin' rollin'
To
the bridge (it's gettin' funky…It's gettin' funky...)
You
know right about now we should probably holler (HOOOO!...)
Xena
took a step closer to Gabrielle and leaned down to be heard
over the loud musical break.
“He
still wants you,” she teased.
“He
can’t have me,” Gabrielle replied. “Besides, he’s like
my nephew too.”
“Didn’t
stop you before,” Xena countered with a slight chuckle.
Gabrielle
just growled, making Xena’s chuckle deepened, as she went
back to watching Virgil.
Pass
the losers who only can talk
About
what they're going to do
Don't
you know that I walk (walk)
To
a rhythm they'll never understand
The
rhythm of a hammer beatin' down on a man's mind, spirit for oh
so long
We're
moving up (yeah) movin' on (movin' on)
To
a place where our mind runs free
You
be you and I'll be me...rollin' on!...
As
the music came to a close, Xena leaned over and began to make
kissie noises in Gabrielle’s ear as Virgil approached.
Gabrielle chuckled and slapped Xena on the arm playfully.
“Stop
it,” she warned Xena as she opened her arms to Virgil.
Virgil
swooped Gabrielle up and spun her around once before resting
her on the ground.
“It’s
been… years,” he told her. “Where have you two been
hiding?” he asked them both.
“Memory
loss in Norse country for about 5 years,” Xena replied.
“Yeah.
I napped until she snapped out of it,” Gabrielle answered.
Virgil
considered the response a moment and then nodded. No one in
the small circle seemed too confused or shocked by the
exchange.
“Are
you better now?” he asked Xena as he offered his forearm.
“Yes,
much better,” she replied dryly as she took it in a firm
shake. “You seem to be doing okay for yourself,” she
complimented him.
“Yeah,
I’m sure my dad wouldn’t approve, but Uncle Jace is pretty
cool about the creative stuff.”
“Are
you kidding?” Jace replied. He walked over and kissed Virgil
soundly on the cheek as he gripped his upper arms. “He’s a
natural! Let me get us all some drinks to celebrate good times
and good friends!”
As
Jace released Virgil, and walked a few feet to the bar, two
young women came up behind Virgil and nervously tapped him on
the shoulder.
“Virgil?”
the shorter of the two asked meekly. “Can we get you to sign
this?”
He
looked at the book. On the top, it said, Aeneid.
“Two
beautiful women who read? I would be honored,” he told them.
They
both giggled and gushed. One of them held an ink blotter out
and the other one turned Gabrielle around so her back was
facing them.
“Use
her,” she said as she put the scroll on Gabrielle’s back.
Virgil
chuckled. “Maybe we should ask her first.”
“That’s
fine,” Gabrielle chuckled.
“When
is book seven coming out, if you don’t mind me asking?”
one of the girls asked.
“Soon,”
Virgil replied. “Do you live in Athens?” They both nodded
enthusiastically. “Keep checking the Scribes Corner – the
books will be there first.”
“Thank
you sooooooooo much,” the young woman gushed again.
Unexpectedly, the other one pulled Virgil in for a passionate
kiss that caught him off guard. She pulled away and both women
squealed before they ran away giggling.
“Get
that a lot?” Gabrielle chuckled.
“Yeah,
I do,” he said with a blush. “What about you? You must
still do the bard thing. I’m sure you’re approached by
admirers all the time after a show.”
Gabrielle
nodded her head toward Xena, who was behind her.
“Not
as much as you think for some reason.”
Virgil
and Gabrielle both laughed and even Xena had to smile.
Another
band began to enter with a catchy riff from a lyre that made
all the heads turn to the sound. Next came a methodic pound of
a bass drum.
“Hey,”
Xena said as she pointed to the salt and pepper haired woman
dancing at the head of the next procession. “Is that your
thespian?” she asked Gabrielle.
Gabrielle
watched slack jawed. “I think it is. I wonder if Paulina’s
still with-.”
At
the same time they both yelled, “Minya!” when she came
into view. In fact, she was the one banging the drum while
Paulina sang the party tune…
They
hung a sign out, siiiiiiiiiign out after seven
Down
at "The Hive", where you're such a busy bee
So
sign in honey, siiiiiiiign up for heaven
Until
tonight, it's youuu and meee
Come
as you arrrrre, now come on (woo woo)
Come
as you arrrrre, and we'll have a balllll
Ain't
gonna beeee no masquerade (woo woo)
Come
as you arrrrre, or don't come at alllll
Gabrielle
and Xena both looked on in approval at her vocal skill as the
parade of band mates continued their way through the hall. In
addition to singing, Paulina was all smiles and pulling people
out of their seats to follow along so they too would dance
with them.
There'll
be a high time, hiiiiigh time at the lake side
Hower
and the boyyyyys are throwin’ it for free
We'll
jump the moon, take it for a joyriiiiiide
I
stuck it up there for you and meeee
Come
as you arrrrre, now come on (woo woo)
Come
as you arrrrre, and we'll have a balllll
Ain't
gonna beeee no masquerade (woo woo)
Come
as you arrrrre, or don't come at alllll
"She's good," Xena remarked, during the instrumental
break.
Gabrielle
nodded in agreement and added, “I can’t believe they’re
still friends after all these years.”
Paulina
continued to sing, but this time she directed the words right
at Minya.
I'm
just a bluebird, blllluebird at your window
And
it's for sure, you're a pretty sight to seeeeee
But
life's so short, IIIIIIIII know what you're into
Come
on,
it's youuu and meee
“Friends,
huh?” Xena teased Gabrielle with a slight giggle.
Come
as you arrrrre, now come on (woo woo)
Come
as you arrrrre, and we'll have a balllll
Ain't
gonna beeee no masquerade (woo woo)
Come
as you arrrrre, or don't come at alllll
As
the collection of band mates made their way to the stage, they
all shouted out the chorus and soon audience followed along
with them with Paulina's prodding and waving of her hands for
everyone to join in.
Come
as you arrrrre, now come on (woo woo)
Come
as you arrrrre, and we'll have a balllll
Ain't
gonna beeee no masquerade (woo woo)
Come
as you arrrrre, or don't come at alllll
With
a relentless drumming from Minya to heighten the rooms’
excitement, the entire room shouted as the song came to an
end.
Come
as you are!
Without
wasting a moment longer, Xena and Gabrielle both rushed toward
the stage to see their friend as the audience roared in
approval.
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