I think Mercedes Lackey used italics within slashes to denote telepathy/special communication. Or maybe it was colons?

It was colons.

And I wasn't planning on replying to this particular thread (possibly still will to the main post), but about five minutes after reading it, I was no longer able to contain the urge to sift through the Mercedes Lackey pile for an answer. Fiend. ;)
::flicks candy wrapper at you in retaliation::