This is a late but much needed reply to [ VENT ] Big Block of Useless by sinichi. She mentions in her rant that "another stupid night on SL left me storming off in less-than-pleased terms". Well, as I was the one responsible for that and the horrible day that followed I feel that I owe her this (at the very least). So here you go, dearest. I hope you and the rest of the world enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it.

__________________________________________

“Aheh… Y’know I’ve never done this before?” The thylacine said, her cheeks flushing as she peered up at her lupine companion. “Yeah, well, that makes two of us. But don’t worry,” the wolf said, the latex squeaking as he slipped it over his fingers, “It should get easier after the first couple of seconds. As they say ‘The first time is always the hardest.’ Alright… It’s show time.” Shannon nodded. It was taking all of her willpower just to keep from shaking. But as the eyes of those upon her drank her in, she felt the confidence to move forward. ‘The first time is always the hardest.’ She repeated that mantra to herself as she brought the microphone to her lips…

(Open this link in a new tab to get the full effect.)

Shannon (the thylacine):
Dad be still,
There is nothing here to take,
It can wait.

Marcus (the wolf):
Shi, your mother's calling me.

Shannon:
Sometimes I wanted to cry
When the people on TV were not quite the way we were
Somehow I guess I just knew.
But I didn't know I'd love you so much
I didn't know I'd love you so much
I didn't know I'd love you so much
But I do.

Marcus:
Sometimes I'd stay up all night
Wishing to God that I was the one who died.
Sometimes it's not enough time.
But I didn't know I'd love you so much
I didn't know I'd love you so much
I didn't know I'd love you so much
But I do.

Shannon:
Didn't know I'd love you so much.

Marcus:
Didn't know I'd love you so much.

Both:
Didn't know I'd love you so much
But I do.

Marcus:
Shilo, go.

Shannon:
Dad, I will not leave you here
You will live.

Marcus:
But you've already saved me, dear.
Go and change the world for me.

Both:
We will always have each other
In our time of need
(Shannon) Daddy, you're the world to me.
(Marcus) Shilo, you're the world to me.

There was a few seconds of silence as the song ended, broken only by the sound of Alexa Vega crying over the body of Anthony Stewart Head. And then the tumult broke around them, the audience giving the couple who had been randomly picked from their ranks their approval of the performance that they just witnessed. Both animals blushed, and rightfully so. Up until that point neither had laid eyes upon the other before, but after singing that duet they knew that something mystical had solidified between them. Love at first sight? Well, stranger things had happened. And was it really so uncommon? “You know…” Shannon said after taking her seat, this time alongside Marcus. “…I kinda have a thing for rubber.” Marcus blinked at her and then looked down at himself, decked out in a rather impeccable replica of the Repo Man uniform. And then both of them started laughing, and once started it was hard to stop. Neither of them complained even as they were asked to leave the auditorium; their spontaneous jubilation threatening to ruin the finale of the movie that they were attending. They laughed and laughed until their sides ached and their eyes watered, and when they were done they found themselves holding onto each other for support. And as their eyes met they knew… “You maybe wanna go get some coffee?” Marcus asked. “I thought you’d never ask,” Shannon replied.

__________________________________________

Kieth / Shannon DeLancy © Sinichi's player
Marcus Bowenford © Yours truly