#darkgatefortress

And Colton and Sylvi find a private darker table for some privacy

Olgar notes this. "She prefers the company of her boy friend to her old man. I am the shocked" Wryly, but he also nods "As it should be"

A smile, and she trots up, taking a moment to scan through the Karaoke library. It takes a moment, the top suggestions are always the modern stuff and the easy-to-sing suggestions like Journey and Foreigner, but she finds it.

Soon the song starts up, an older classic, and she sings. It's a song about relationships, but as she lets her Gift flow, rather than inspiring lust (which might cause some uncomfortable conversations the next day amongst guys who thought they were just good friends and patrol mates), it inspires... thoughts about that special someone, poignant, heart-felt. Not melancholy, really, sobbing over someone who isn't here, but happy. Or, perhaps inspiring them to think about someone who might just BE that special someone.

"We've been together since way back when
Sometimes I never want to see you again
But I want you to know, after all these years
You're still the one I want whisperin' in my ear

You're still the one I want to talk to in bed
Still the one that turns my head
We're still having fun, and you're still the one

I looked at your face every day
But I never saw it 'til I went away
When winter came, I just wanted to go (wanted to go)
Deep in the desert, I longed for the snow

You're still the one that makes me laugh
Still the one that's my better half
We're still having fun, and you're still the one!"

Olgar taps his foot, and doesn't fight it, sending a few texts to his wife to let her know all is well, and he loves her

Zane records his cousin as she performs live!

And a vulture pooka woots!

"Oh finally, quality music" Spencer DeBuke jokes, teasing Zane

Zane is still recording, but holds up a free middle finger

Piper waves enthusiastically at Spencer!

Spencer grins, and whne she's done, he rises up "Duet?"

"Oooh. What's your poison?"

"how do you feel about Grease's 'you're the one that i want?"

"A classic! Get up here!"

And up he goes!

Soon, the two are nailing that song.

Sullivan, who runs the theatre, feels his mouth water. He must have Piper and feed upon her talent... and maybe buy her a latte!

"Don't even think about it, Sully" Zane says "Shes not going to move here just because you ply her with vegan ffriendly coffees"

Meanwhile, Colton is getting coffee or Waterr put in him, as Sylvi directs

Oh, she's not in a hurry to sober him up (unless he's really got the spins). From the looks of things, he needed to get a few drinks in him. Mostly she's snuggling close, in part to enjoy the feel of him, and in part to keep him upright. "You and Zane were great up there."

"Oh zane did the work... he's a better singer than your dad, no offense" A sigh "I'm sorry, so sorry I didn't tell you how I felt. I didn' want you to feel like you did anything wrong, you did'nt... you're great. I love you and I .. I got so many who need me here, but.. I outrank them, you know?"

"But...what does rank have to do with it? You're taking care of these people and this place. You're Storm." She gives him a squeeze. "I love you. It's just...well...tricky sometimes. I...I guess...Colton, I didn't mean to neglect you."

"You didn't.. I ... I have to send these soldiers out to die if need be. I can't be friends with them because I can't show weakness in front of them. They have to have me a my best, at my strongest"

She regards him a long moment. "Is that working? For them, and for you?"

"For them, and.. that is enouggh" he says, firmly. like a troll

"Maybe. And...I mean, I get it. But..." she gestures around the room. "This seems to be working, too."

"Oh, well, I.. well, Zane technically isn't under me... "A blink "A phrase you will never tell him I said. your dad...also ambushed me"

"Right, but...there's other DarkGate people here, right?" She peers into the crowd...and takes a moment to appreciate Piper and Spencer singing together.

"The theatre group? Well, yes, they'e all right" He admits "A bit drama geeky, but... " Realization "Oh. You're telling I'm allowed civilian friends"

She looks at him blankly for a second. "Allowed?"

"You...you haven't been hanging out with anybody?"

"Well, there's the Gym instruction for the Special Challenges youth"

"Yes?" Encouraging him to talk about that more.

"Well, you know, I care for them and would protect them. I need to show them that our challenges don't define is" He flexes his metal hand, "Good kids. Learning well how to find their strength. I try to be a role model"

Dear lord, he shows his dreamers 'his best' too

"That's...that's not friends."

"I never said they were.. but I hang with them"

"Ooh, I want to shake you."

Owlish drunk blink "THat doesn't sound as sexy as it should when you say it like that"

"It's not. I'm annoyed with you," she says, reaching up to take one of his horns and indicate her annoyance by a gentle shake. "Wherever you got the idea that you couldn't be friends with the folks you lead, okay, maybe that's your style. But that doesn't mean you have to be the leader with everybody you spend time with! It's okay to...to do this!" She nods toward the room. "To hang out, to kick back, to have fun...and to make friends."

"I don't have the time..." He says "my duties are.. crucial..." he reorients

"Your duties include downtime for your men, and for yourself. Downtime has got to include recreation and interaction, or you're going to go crazy."

Saying that makes her frown, and she kenns him quickly, looking for signs of bedlam.

"I can't go crazy..." He says "I don't have the form filled out for that"

A smirk. "You know I'm right, though."

He seems to get mortal interaction enough to fight bedlam, but he might be heading into just plain old loneliess and depression "Well..." a sigh "Do I have to admit you're right?"

"Only if I am." Clearly, she knows she is.

"I guess" he mumbles trying not to whine "You.. might be right"

"Might be?" she coaxes.

"Oh fine.. you're right. It's going to eventually make me nuts" A look at the stage "PErhaps drive me to drinking and singing "

"I rest my case," she says with a wink, claiming another kiss from him. "You were good, though. You should do this more often."