The following is a bit of alternative fiction based on certain characters from the Xenaverse. It is not meant to infringe on anyone else's rights. If you don't agree or disapprove, please go read something else.
Cyrene poured Hecuba another glass of water. It had just a touch of wine in it to give it flavor (and to act as an agent of destruction for any nastiness that might otherwise be in the drink). The matchmaker continued with, "Now remember, the key words are," they all said it at the same time, "frustration and begging." The redhead grinned, "we want a certain couple to arrive at such a point of frustration that they will beg to get married." Then she sighed, "By Aphrodite, if only we'd nabbed them when they first became a couple it would have been so much easier." She slapped the table with her hand, "But I enjoy a challenge." She sipped at her ale. Then leaned forward, "So., here's the plan. I think I know someone who would be perfect for. . ." Then the conspirators really got cooking.
They were whispering and giggling like school girls, or so it seemed to their observer. Xena's mouth twitched. She spoke quietly, but her voice carried through the room as if it were an arrow. "Cherise! What are You doing here?" The Amazon's favorite matchmaker (what? You thought all those great couples got together just by chance?... Okay well quite a few, but it never hurt to have some alternative resources) startled back in her seat. Then did a quick turn around, twisting her body so she could get a good view.
Then her expression turned joyful. "Xena! Just the person I want to see!" She stood up and almost rushed over to give the warrior a quick hug. She got away with it because she hugged everyone. There was no use trying to train it out of the redhead. It was even said that she'd been captured by a burly warlord one time and had charmed him with her personality. She had, when approached by him for some "fun," given that warlord such a hug that he forgot what he was after, burst into tears (because no one had ever hugged him before) and had arranged a suitable partnership for him that had gone on three years now. She always kept track of her successful ones.
Xena stood by while receiving the hug then quirked her lips and arched her eyebrows, "Oh? And would this have anything to do with Toris?"
The matchmaker stepped back away from the warrior. She placed a hand on her heart and her expression turned disbelieving. "I am just shocked, shocked, that you would think that I would reveal a confidential. . ."
Xena waved her hand, "yeah yeah yeah." She leaned forward and gave the matchmaker a menacing glare, "well back off. He's in a complete stew about this. Not that I don't think he needs a partner in life," Her eyebrows did a different kind of lift here. She really did appreciate the concept now, "but in the state of mind he's in, I doubt you'd be able to. . ."
The matchmaker, who was no slouch in the height department, was unintimidated. Okay, well maybe a little intimidated. Okay, a lot intimidated, but she didn't show it. Cherise spoke archly, "Never doubt the power of love."
"It is not *love* that I'm worried about here," Xena began.
While Cherise distracted Xena, Cyrene and Hecuba exchanged glances and grinned. This was going to go very well. Cyrene stood up and began making her way towards the statuesque warrior, with the intention of saying hello.
Meanwhile, Toris and Gabrielle entered the inn at the same time, occupied in a conversation of their own. Gabrielle was speaking jocularly, "by then the farmer had only two choices, he could. . ."
She was interrupted in the middle of her story by a loud and piercing, "GABRIELLE!!!" One of the patrons, who'd already had too much of his wine cup, fainted dead away from shock.
Gabrielle gave an enthusiastic reply of "MOM!!" They met halfway and gave each other an astounding hug. Cherise and Xena gave up on the current topic and turned to stare.
The matchmaker looked at the warrior, "Do they always greet each other like that?" Xena nodded and grimaced. Cherise gave an assessment, "Nice Hug. . a little too long, but good if you are family." Xena gave the matchmaker a grin.
Then Hecuba started going into the --what are you doing here rap,-- before Gabrielle could. Toris answered by saying, "I just happened to be on my way to, uh, Conera and they just happened to be, uh, there."
The matchmaker nodded, "Oh yeah, the one with the hot springs. Nice place. Nice place." It was a fave among honeymooners. She gave Xena a speculative glance that softened into something else quickly. "So how were the springs?"
Gabrielle managed a smile that wasn't in the least angry, though she'd been very disappointed, "Oh, we didn't have a chance to see them. We were just passing through."
"Ah, that's too bad." The matchmaker could have kicked Toris. . then she changed her mind. Maybe he'd done them a favor. A very big favor. He should be rewarded and love is a great reward. She gave Toris her best matchmaker's assessment look. The man paled and suddenly had somewhere to be.
Cyrene caught her daughters attention with a smile and then gave her a good hug. "Glad to have you with us, even if it is just for a day. Why don't you take the room upstairs." She patted Xena's forearm. "It has plenty of room, and a very big window. I know how you get about being indoors."
Hecuba smiled, " and Gabrielle can stay with me in my room." The bard started to protest. Hecuba deliberately misunderstood the messages that Gabrielle was sending, acting as she always had except that now she knew the truth, "Oh it is no problem deary. Why the room is double the size of the one at home. Quite a lovely place you have Cyrene." Xena's mother smiled.
Gabrielle looked around, "Where's Lila?"
Hecuba stalled, "Lila? Well she's at Potedia. There was no reason to bring her all the way out here, yet."
Gabrielle thought, so they Are plotting to marry off these two. She shook her head. "Mom we have got to talk." She gave Xena an unreadable look as she was led to her room.
ŠJune 1997