#darkgatefortress

"Can't believe we're doing this" Zane says

"You've got a good voice, Zane," Spencer tells him with a chuckle "I know 'wizard' but you're also Bridge... and that means social interaction right? Be glad I'm taking lead. We'll get them revved. I mean, the song is positively BUILT for troll recruitment"

"Yeah but I'm supposed to be loyal to Dark Gate now" Zane sighs "Can't believe we got hooked trying to stir troll interest for Rivervale. That place is..."

"Where your fam is," Spencer cuts him off, "Zane, you still have ties there. Trust me, I KNOW, I travel a lot more than I ever thought now, singin from one show to the next. I love it. But places have a pull. And while you were hurt by Frank stepping down..."

"I was a kid, and I wasn't fair to him," Zane says "And yes, I wondered if I was the one who .. made him feel..."

"He wanted to retire," Spencer sighs "That much is clear now. For years now. He was just doing it by steps. Doesn't mean it was all about you. Stop that. That's Sidhe thinking."

"OUCH" The satyr says at the sidhe thinking comment

"Well," Spencer says "Look dude, any minute we're going to get up there, dedicate this song to Rivervale, and try to coax any trolls in the crowd to considering what that little lodge means to my kith, and yeah, and what a troll can be. You're not a troll, so it may lose punch, but you DO know you sleep better knowing Lydia and your folks are under troll protection there, right?"

"Right" Zane taps a hoof "I just can't help but feel other things are going on that I'm missing." he gets his guitar out. He's ready to back Spencer up in this, "Let's do it."

"When it's our turn" Spencer says with troll dignity, "Just try not to think about how we've got at least three holds worth of folks here for this show, and you and I are hoping to use this to insert a recruiting son for yet another hold under everyone's noses. No pressure right?"

Zane chuckles "Great pep talk, okay."

A clurichaun lad pops in out of nowhere , with a clipboard "You're up as soon as tihs one ends. BIG Crowd, remember, ,that's his grace out of the golden Sigil out there"

His grace is a troll, and that sets Spencer at ease despite his anti noble upbringing

Spencer nods

Zane says "Got it."

As the singer currently going on finishes up, Spencer straightens his collar, Zane takes a breath, and they step out

The crowd IS filled with changelings. It is no hold, but glamour has flown freely and chimemrical decore adorns it. To enchanted eyes, it now looks like a medly of Opera House ala Venice at its height, Theatre during the golden age of Hollywood, and Nordic throne room when Sweden was an empire in the making.

Up in a private box, a great troll Duke looms. He's a Fiona. Zane hopes he'll have a sense of humor.

Spencer knows they have only a moment to make the dedication

"I'm Spencer DeBuke..." he says starting

"And I'm Zane Wayburton" Zane announces. He's never minded crowds at parties

Some pooka makes a Wyld Stalyn joke in the third row, but fortunately it doesn't land.

Spencer says "By his grace's kindness, each performer gets to dedicate their performance to someone if they like"

Zane nods "A lady or lad who has their heart perhaps?"

"A chieftain or liege" Spencer replies nodding along "That sort of thing."

"WE " Zane says "Despite having found much joy here in the glorious Golden Sigil, would like to dedicate this next song to trolls in another place, not so far. Brave trolls, who have been protectors and heroes to many, doing right by commonors and lords alike while holding true"

Surprised looks, particularly among the trolls. They're not an openly vainglorious folks, nor does flattery often work on them.

"Particularly," Spencer continues without missing a step. They planned this, "To Rivervale! Chieftain Brekke is said to be stepping down, and with her, her trueheart. They have a journey planned, and in that, we will not speculate but it is well deserved."

Mutterings of surprise, even gasps. Jersey... the Duchy of Gardens, gets a lot of shit from Golden Sigil/New York staters, but Rivervale IS known

"Where Giants of legend step away to seek a new horizon" Zane takes up, "New Giants SEEKING to be a legend maybe asked to offer themsmelves up, and seek opportunity. If this song moves you..."

"If it CALLS to you," Spencer declares.

"If you have wondered where you might have a chance to grow under new light under a new chief..." Zane explains

"And this song STIRS you, consider that in Rivervale, you will have a chance to be what a troll is meant to be," Spencer assures, "A protector."

And before anyone can usher them off the stage... they begin their song, one meant to stir trolls to try a new location, to an old place, and to stand in the footprints of literal and metaphorical GIANTS, so they too might forge a legend!

The two are at the top of their game, and they're singing out of genuine respect, even love, for a hold where they've found friends and boon companions. That, Spencer's golden voice, and Zane's steady fingers on strings, brings power! And more than one troll in the audience swells as the words of the song, and the talk of Rivervale, capture their imaginations!

Though Chief Hewit, who had come here hoping to recruit a few after the show for Darkgate, inwardly thinks If this costs me one single troll, I'm gonna kill myself a bridge

And off stage, texts of a hospital visit earlier that night, wait on a phone, for Zane to find later. A wizard really should trust his instincts.

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