#anywhere

PIPER finishes her latest performance. The follks whoop and holler and cheer, some ready to go

She gets a text

TXT: PIper?? Are you doing some weird TOUR to recruit folks for Brightwinds?

TXT: Because it seems like you are!

TXT: And I'd really like to know

Suddenly, Siv's phone rings. Brrrzzzzzt! Brrrrzzzzzzt!

SHe picks up "YES?" As if it's been hours waiting.. instead of oh.. 10 minutes tops

She heard noise in the background. The speaker phone button is tapped, and Piper's voice calls out, as she holds the phone high, "AND A ROUND OF CHEERS FOR LADY CAPTAIN SIV, Who started it all with her bravery! Here's to the Sea-Lioness and Hero of Brightwinds!"

Cheers break out!

Despite they can't see her, Siv blushs furiously "Piippper"

The phone returns to normal mode, though whoops can still be heard as she cups a hand and speaks into the mic. "I am staying safe and not coming to Texas." Is that... smug? "Like you asked, Siv, m'love."

"Really? Because the guys who just came in claim you performed in HOUSTON!"

"Oh, well, that's not Fort Davis. Practically a country away, you know."

"And I have a body guard with me. Since you're away, I'm lucky to have someone else to look after my body, after all..."

The phone is handed to Jonas with an impish grin. "Did they say encore?"

"argh.. Piper, you are putting a TARGET on your cute little ass..."

Jonas picks it up "As she said, I am deterrence"

She starts into a pub favorite! Singing something that can be stomped along to.

A wink to Jonas - she got to rile Siv up, now he gets to talk her down! Oh, her beloveds.

Jonas shoots Piper a LOOK...but smiles and continues to talk

Piper is performing so she can't hear the words 'Murder' 'talk to her!' or 'crazy??!'

Strumming... she picks up a flower tossed, gives it a kiss, and a small shake of her head, and tosses it back with a smile. Sorry, lad, she's spoken for.

Oh broken hearts

Jonas nods a LOT... 'yes, darling' 'I understand, siv' 'Right away, Siv'

smile and nod, smile and nod. Makes for a better relationship

And Piper has at least 3 more folks rushing to Ft. Davis

As her set winds down - which coincidentally doesn't happen until the phone call has ended, she clips over for a drink of water and to lean again Jonas. "This is exhilarating. I forgot what it was like to perform in front of a crowd on the regular..." Indeed, she's glowing - where she perhaps would have used glamour to inspire, she seems to have recovered it a touch in the sheer joy of the music and the cheers of the crowd.

"You look triumphant" JOnas admits, admiring "And.. that almost makes up for you feeding me to Siv. You sneak" Fond though

"Is she well? Did she mention plans for coming home?" She asks?

"She'll be back by yule..and she wants US home today" He says "She's worried you'll end up being a target for Balor. She's not necessarily wrong"

She blinks. "But... I'm just... it's just music. You can't be mad at music." Slightly baffled!

"It's not just music, PIper, you are recruiting men and women to solidify the powerbase of a Liam who seized a Balor hold, justly true, but the point is, you are waging a successful propoganda drive ... and you're not alone, ,but unlike Sylvi, you'ree up on stage"

A small frown, thoughtful. "Well, we'll finish out our tour. I said I would, and I don't want to let anyone down. Or make the other holds think suddenly that they're not worth hearing about."

"You could truly be in danger" He says

"I said I would do a thing... I don't want to be a quitter just because things are a little sticky. I want to... to see this through."

"As long as you're aware you are now worrying Siv. She cares for you" he strokes her cheek "As do I."

"I didn't think.... I didn't know she would worry about me just playing... I didn't think anyone would pay it any mind."

"I mean, except the recruitees, right?"

"For a woman with a shady past, you are a bit naive at times, PIper" He says worriedly "I prefer troll lodge set up. Partly because of heritage... but also because there are fewer games played with people as pawns. You have, without meaning to, joined Siv and Sylvi into playing in noble games. I tried to keep Siv from it, and failed. SO I help her. You're doing it to. I help you, but don't expect me to sugar coat the risks with either of you."

A hand on her hip. "Then you shouldn't have let me come." She says, but... a touch of teasing. Reaching up, she strokes his cheek. "If you think we should go home now, we will. Siv worries... I don't want to make the last few days of her work in Bright Winds troubled."

"A compromise. One more visit....that'll buy time to send apologies to other places? Fair?"

She nods. "Trip cut short due to Yule obligations. That's not... untrue. And... maybe we can send letters instead? Not the same impact, but we're not leaving them untold."

"More than fair, Jonas." She leans over and softly kisses his arm, a little gesture she's taken up for when she can't reach his face.

He smiles "Thank you. " ANd kisses her on the top of the head "Fiona are terrible hypocrites, aren't they?"

“Mmm. She’s lucky she’s cute.”

“So what’s our last stop? I’ll want to send a post card to the moms.”

"Outside of Texas, for reals" he says "New Mexico"

“Too bad it’s not old Mexico...did I tell you about that spa at Fenix?” Only a dozen times, to be sure. “One last show and homeward bound. Have you done all your Yule shopping... crafting... or whatsit?

"Okay okay. We'll go to Fenix sometime after Yule" A smile "Just to dunk you again. And yes. I have"

“Any hints? We’re not where I could shake a present properly. I could frisk your pockets...”