#elsewhere

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Linwood blinks "I don't understand. The lodge is on double secret probation?" He asks Layne

Connor straightens up. "Shadowpaw Decree."

"You can't have your cake and eat it too. And you can't go in the lodge or there's no cake." He explains, as though this explains anything.

Layne nods, wearing her sash that looks like she's a crossing guard "Like Squire Connor said- The Cake isn't a lie until we make it one"

Jordan blinks "You are kidding me" He looks to Linwood "We could rush past them you know?"

"I would never" Linwood observes

Connors links elbows with Lane and Jack. "Shadowpaw, unite!" Blocking the way defiantly!

Jack lowers his bumpy forehead (horns will come out ANY day he's sure)

"If you need the bathroom, you can go by the trees. I promise not to tell, and Lane won't look." He offers.

"Let's just go, Jordan" Linwood says

"Right, of course, " Jordan throws his hands up "The lollipop guild militia will win this battle.. man" And both centaurs turn to depart and go, elaving only their shorter kith member childling behind to keep the guard

Layne whispers "Do you think there WILL be lollipops?"

"Probably at the top of the Jelly Beanstalk...." A sigh. "They probably grow on a bush up there, but we're down here where we can't get a single lick!"

Jack GROANS "it's been so long"

Connor thinks for a moment. "We promised we wouldn't climb up there, right? Not without stupor-vision?"

"I think that was it.." Jack says "Also there was that 'if you go up there on your own again you're never eating again' threat"

"She did not say THAT" Layne huffs

"But.... BUUUUT.... if we go together, we're not on our OWN. And we don't HAVE to climb. We can JUMP."

Connor bounces a bit, glancing around to make sure that the elder centaurs are gone.

"that's true, we're not allowed to CLIMB the bean stalk" Jack says

and his eyes light up

Layne looks at them "You're gonna get in trooooublllee" as the girl of this trio it's her job to dash their dreams of adventure.

At least that's how Jack would say it "not if someone isn't a snitchy britches"

"I'm not a snitcher..." Layne looks nervous.

Then a voice, familiar "Shadowpaw, you've done a fine job! Our meeting is concluded -- come and receive your payment!"

"Yeee!"

"Oooo" Layne and Jack soon race ahead of their fearless but slower leader.

but, no doubt food is reserved

(End scene)

And at Goldfinch studio.. well, Piper got a copy of the key

"This is it?" Sylvi asks in almost a whisper, very excited.

"Better be or we're at the wrong adress" Sally Mae says

"Cool..." Sylvi says, looking at the faded words painted on the bricks.

She's nearly buzzing with controlled excitement.

Once they go in, They come into the reception area first , it's clear someone tried a refurbishment... but both original 1930s/40s lay out, and some attempt to salvage it it in the late 70s/early 80s have been torn into by vandals here and there

Sylvi looks around carefully. She's trying to picture it at its best. "It's been messed up...but it's got some history. You can feel it, like, below the surface."

Indeed... Sylvi can almost imagine hopefuls coming here, wanting to spread the word.. or song, their voices made immortal and shared, their gifts and joys to spread

“Wait until you hear music played in some of the recording studios… the acoustics alone…”

Cheerily accompanying, but Piper seems to be restraining her enthusiasm. “I want your honest opinion and not what I'm saying to influence you too much. So, have a good look!”

"I will, but really...I mean...it's more about how it feels for me, I think. I mean...you're happy with the potential it has for the actual recording? Like you said, the acoustics?"

Sally Mae goes on and finds a room "is this a closet? it's small" But then "oh, wait, I think it's a recording booth? For one"

"Ooooh, may I?" Sylvi takes a look into the closet.

“Let me know if you want an example.”

Sylvi definitely seems impressed by that space.

Sally Mae steps out

"Sure, Piper!"

Looking around, she picks a spot and clears her throat, before diving into first a set of scales, from the lowest to the highest register she can hit.

“You’ll have to imagine the bass…” she apologizes as the tones die away.

"that was..beautiful"

“I don’t know if you could tell, but the resonance was incredible. Normally walls like this would reflect or swallow the sound, but…” she goes off on a tangent about how sound waves work and how this is premium layout.