#bergen_county

She looks at Colton curiously at his tone.

She beams up at him. "You know, I'm gonna go inside and take a turn on the mic. I have a song in me that's bustin' out. You don't have to come in, but do me a favor and crack a door at least and listen? I'd like your industry review."

Colton admits "Guy's a good looking golden voiced ex. You think I'm not feeling a WEEE bit worried? Jealous? Insecure even? I know you can have any guy you want, Sylvi. And I .. look, you told him whatever you told him quickly and cleanly and..even if it hurt him, that was the nicest way you could do it. And I ...I don't know how to say this, but thank you. Because I don't want to be a jealous jerk. I need to trust your honor as well as your love. You're amazing, beauitful, ahnd you care. And I know you're hurting a bit too because ..well, you don't want other folks to suffer. You're beautiful on the inside too. So... your call. We can go, orr drink, or dance... but I want you to know I love you even more than I realized because you are so cool and kind and.. well, you" Lamely "I am not a poet."

Spencer smiles "I'll come in. You deserve both ears and the sound to travel right. And.. thanks. "

A big smile for that, "Of course. We musicians gotta stick together." and she trots inside. Making her way over to the speakers, she messes around for a moment or two, figuring out how to plug in her phone to key up a song.

"She went to talk to the girls and then outside with Piper. But, how's it going for you??"

"Great, man. I think Maya sees me as forbidden fruit. And she is welcome to bite" Zane says

It looks like Zane's set up is easy to wire into

"Oh...Colton...it's..." Sylvi seems like she's trying to say something, or smile...but it's coming out wrong, and then she just shakes her head and sits down, hiding her face in her hands. "You...you deserve better than me."

The song starts, music playing in the background for a few moments as Piper takes a breath, centers, and taps a hoof along with the beat. When the lyrics kick in, she sings along with them - her voice, if not the miraculous tones that Spencer hits, is still good, well-trained and enthusiastic, and ringing clear with the joy of singing.

If someone made you believe
You've reached all you can be
So much that you can't see that I see

(and then, kicking in louder with the chorus)
You can't take the light from the sun
You can't take the waves from the ocean
You can't take the wind from the trees
No, you can't take the love out of me, yea!

Her gaze goes over the crowd as she sings - eyes lighting on Adam, on Gerd - on Zane and on Spencer. Singing to everyone, but also to them, and for them, directly and together.

Colton puts arms around Sylvi "hey hey... no no. I don't deserve better than you. I mean, there's.. you are better than you realize. "

Zane headwhips up at the sound "She's good." He mutters

And with her singing, comes a hint of Pan's Gift. Not inspiring lust, or even release of inhibitions - it feels... freeing, in a different way. Inspiring. Encouraging, and loving. You are loved - important - WORTH IT, and nothing can keep you down.

No matter what they do
No matter what they say
No matter how they try
No matter which way
No matter what they do, you can't take it from me
No matter what they say, you can't take it from me
No matter how they try, you can't take it from me
No matter which way, can't take it from me

Gerd lights a cigarette lighter

"That's cool, just remember Maya's parents are real strict and she's, uh, not experienced." Adam trails off as Piper sings. "Wow......"

And it goes on, as she pours her heart into her words.

"If another heart was in need
Would you help them to their feet?
Or would you watch them bleed while you bleed?

You can't take the light from the sun
You can't take the waves from the ocean
You can't take the wind from the trees
No, you can’t take the love out of me, yeah

Spencer nods, his face lighting under the message, but also admiring the way that message is delivered

Sylvi looks up, first at Colton, then at Piper's singing. Her makeup is smudged, and she sniffs.

And while they don't go out into the center of the crowd, Colton wraps his arms around Sylvi, and rocks with her to the music gently so she can cry on his shoulder if she wants and folks will just think it's dancing

She catches Sylvi's look, and gives her a smiling nod, encouraging, as the final lyrics croon.

Can't take it from me (Yeah)
Can't take it from me (Oh)
Can't take it from me (No, no, no)
Can't take it from me (Come on and)
Can't take it from me
There's no way you take it from me....

Trailing off, and exhaling hugely as the thrill of the song drains away, but leaves her feeling more energized, somehow.

Sylvi does let Colton wrap her in his arms, and she gives in to having a quiet cry against his shoulder as they sway.

Spencer applauds!

"You don't suck!" Gerd yells but her smile indicates she knows that's the least of it!

OThers join in

Her cheeks pink up a bit but she laughs at Gerd, waving to the girl. And then a look around to see if anyone else is interested in taking the mic.

Adam claps a hand on Zane 's shoulder, and heads over to the make shift performance floor.

Applause at the end of the song, though she doesn't move away from Colton's embrace.

"Go get her, champ" Zane says "ANd don't worry, I'll be nice to Maya"

Colton says "She's good"

"Yeah." Sylvi nods against his chest, and sniffs.

She grins up at Adam as he comes over, and sets the music back onto the party playlist.

And colton strokes Sylvi's hair "Feeling better? "

A sigh. "Not sure 'better' is the right word." A pause. "Sorry."

"Don't be. " Colton says "I'm sorry you're hurting. You want to split? We could walk, or we can dance or..whatever you want"

"Yeah, can we...just walk, or something? Get away from..." Sylvi makes a vague gesture at the party.

"You're amazing." He kisses her if she will let him.

And Colton and Sylvi slip away.

Spencer notices Sylvi has vanished and winces at himself

She does, and tilts up her head to give him a kiss. "Do you sing at all? We should do karaoke some time. Even if you're not great, it's a lot of fun."

Indeed, some are heading home by now, but that does open the stage for an impromtu karoke here.

"Just at parties, when I was a kid. Birthdays, you know? But heck, I'd give it a shot!"

Some of the kids are a bit buzzed, but Zane cuts anyone off if they get too trashed.

And Jimmy is singing but no one really realized

But he hands the mic to Adam when his rendition of Mr. Cellophane is done

Piper applauds for Jimmy, once she realizes that he was singing.

"Great job, Timmy!" She gives him a friendly grin.

Jimmy sighs at something, but nods "Thanks"

She snags Zane's arm as he does a drive by. "Hey, pin this for later, but we should totally put a band together!"

Zane laughs then "Holy shit you're serious."

A tiny stomp of a hoof. "Why the hell not?"