#fenixtj

She joins in with the freedom that little children have, stomping feet and waving hands and twirling!

"Oh, oh so is life
A ba tee wah ha so is life
Oh, oh so is life
A ba tee wah ha so is life"

And she whirls Salma about a bit, to get her to join in

"Water make the river
River wash the mountain
Fire make the sunlight
Turn the world around!" She explains in song

A motion to her chest "Heart is of the river
Body is the mountain
Spirit is the sunlight
Turn the world around"

And she tries to gather them into a circle, still dancing " We are of the spirit
Truly of the spirit
Only can the spirit
Turn the world around

We are of the spirit
Truly of the spirit
Only can the spirit
Turn the world around

Do you know who I am
Do I know who you are
See we one another clearly
Do we know who we are

Oh, oh so is life
A ba tee wah ha so is life
Oh, oh so is life
A ba tee wah ha so is life" And it finishes up and she bows with possibly the childlings and even Jessica in a different position where they started

Salma is much shyer, and doesn't have Ellie or Neema's grace, but she tries, and taps more or less in time!

Ellie will whirl Salma long, laughing!

And she can't help but giggle at Ellie's enthusiasm, and tries not to trod on TOO many feet.

When the singing and dancing ends (And Neema will do another refrain if the girls want to dance longer) she turns "I first heard that on a show with muppets and the late great Harry Belefonte. Long before your times little ones but the song's truth belongs to you as much as anyone"

"Oh, I like the muppets." A nod.

"And you are not that old and wrinkled, maybe just too much time in the water." She adds, with a grin. "I get so in the bath too."

"Oh the water feels so good on my skin" She smiles

"Maybe if you come to stay, you could be escort to the beach?" Innocent, but a sly gleam in her eyes.

Salma has only met one troubadour so far, but she may have a favorite.

"Ohhhh...."

"I do not swim well, but I do like it. The seawater makes even a burra feel light on her feet." A grin.

"I see... well, perhaps I will trick you back, clever one, and you will end up Selkie sitting? I can be a handful" A nod , but the smile slides to the side of her lips and escapes just a little

And a grin back!

"Salma would be a very good Selkie sitter." Ellie nods. "But, as she is my companion, I would have to go along to the beach, too..."

"Well, Eleanor, I know that if that happens, you will bear the burden of sun and sand and friends with great aplomb" A nod of exagerated somberness

"It will be a sacrifice, but duty demands!" She clutches her heart.

Jessica reminds them ".... and Dame Ash....."

"Selkie sitting, not for the faint of heart" A nod then a look to Jessica "You should be praised for having such brave childlings"

"Oh, they found me, not the other way around."

"Annnnd Dame Ash."

"Dame Ash would be very sad to be left behind. We are not so very cruel."

"She sounds very nice" Neema says then looks at Jessica "And you are blessed."

She nods.

"Now, Jessica. I understand you'll have many minstrels and the like who are allowed to walk in just for prizes and a chance to impress," Neema says "You maybe quite crowded. Would you prefer if I asked for a stay at another hold or a hotel while I wait for the big event?"

"No, this hold was once a resort and has guest rooms. If we run tight, I will find space in one of the other Freeholds."

"You're very generous" She says "Though with such lovely people I might get distracted from practice so if I hide in that room now and then I hope you all understand"

"Of course."

She says her good byes 'for now' to each childling, and yes yes, if it's okay with Jessica and Dame Ash, she'll be happy to be Selkie sat. And away she goes. Jessica watches as Salma and Ellie talk to each other about a possible beach trip... and Ash herself shows up to talk to HER privately

"How go the applicants?" Ash asks privately "See any you like?"

"Mmm." Jessica nods. "I think they all have things to recommend them." A sigh. "I did not think all this through, though."

"How so?"

"I accidentally, somehow, sent the first one to Duff to find out what music I liked.... so of course, I had to tell all of them they could ask him....."

Ash covers her lips, "Will you forgive me for saying that that is funny , from a third person point of view?"

Eyebrow.

"I will forgive you, even if I don't agree with you. Pardon me, I have to call him."

"If I may, your Duff seems adaptable. He'll hande it well, but best to tell him yes"

Jessica nods and goes to a place she can call him. Ring ring..... ring ring....

A female voice, his apprentice/assitant who doesn't normally need to be there "Hola?"

"Hola, Estoy Jessica. Me llamo Duff, por favor?"

"Oh, Hey, Jessica"

She switches to English "He's kind of busy right now. We got like 3 customers all at once. Your choice if you want to wait"

"Tell him it will only take a second, and I'm sorry, but I need to talk to him please?"

"I'll try, but you know how stubborn he is"

"Thanks."

She's kept waiting for two minutes then... "Sorry, Jessica. I was litterally skin deep when you called. Thank you for the business"

His voice shows a good mood