#fenixtj

"True, but if I had planned my set around a song and someone else played it, it would throw me for a loop!"

"Nay lady, just hark. YOu may notice other musicians who are not partaking in this... they hope to earn a ibt of coin on the edges... others hope to perform after and sway sponsors and patrons... but no minstrel worth her salt LEANS on their bassoon"

Sure enough, a satyrress is being very careeless with her instrument... flirting with the staff

Jessica (and Duff?) try to look around surreptitiously.

Duff sees her too and mutters "NOt a local."

Spencer grins "I'll roll with whatever comes. Mind you, I may also take lessons from your style. Great medly by the way, Piper"

She grins, and places a hand on her heart. "You had me half ready to run away with you from your song. That was something special."

Jessica nods. "Excuse me, Dame. Duff." She 'casually' heads towards Nancy.

Spencer is flattered "Only half? Darn."

"Well, I DID bring someone with me. You'd have to take us both as a package deal." Grinning back over to Adam.

Adam grins back, and looks at Spencer. "You got a fantastic voice, bro."

"Thanks man, you've got a girlfriend with a fantastic voice and a nice smile too" Spencer holds his drink up.

Nancy turns "Hey, Jessica. Going well huh? Crowd is bigger than I expected"

"Mmm. Speak to you a minute?" She leads Nancy away.

Nancy trots along oblingihngly "You want me to find a way to delay the party so you can enjoy Duff? No worries. Can do." She says whispering the whole time "Lots of ladies are kind churned after Spencer's song."

"He's very talented, do you know the satyr over there with the bassoon?"

"That's Patricia , she says she's just hoping to earn a bit of coin later in outside performances, and maybe hook up with a cute guy" Nancy says "Though, it's weird, she's actually been asking some pretty plain guys.. not to be rude to them about their important work here at the Freehold"

"Do you -know- her?"

"I know, right?" He beams at Piper. "I'm a lucky guy."

"No, actually I just met her SHe's not a local traggo and no one knows who invited her. " Nancy's brow knits "She trouble?"

"Maybe? Probably. I'm going to check with Diego. Keep an eye on her, and who she talks to." And Jess is off looking for Diego.

Ellie sees a figure approaching, Vaeltilde of Aaesin, "Countess. " A smile

Diego greets Jessica "So many nobles, so few explosives..oh hello, Jessica. "

She gives him a slightly hurt look but doesn't linger on it. She asks him about the bassoonist.

"Baroness!" A sunny smile.

Diego frowns "I.. Jessica. I met her... but I have to tell you something... she's on the same glass of wine she was on an hour ago."

Baroness Vaeltilde says "The skalds here are wonderful today, are they not?"

The troll nods. "Diego, Nancy's watching her too. I don't think she's here for the music or the party or for any good reason, really. Can you talk to her, see what your gut says?"

"Yes," He nods "And Jessica... my grumblings aobut nobles don't apply to you. You were practically conscripted."

"Yes, Generalisimo."

THAT gets Diego to chuckle. Then he nods and goes to inspect.

Adam sees a lot of pretty girls here. Some shoot him curious looks. He IS a kinian after all.. at least to what they can see.

"So good! Do you have a favorite?"

"Piper of Rivervale just made everything blend so nicely" Valtilde says "And ... Ariel, I know we do not always get along, but you were wonderful."

He grins back, sassy, but stays attached to Piper.

Ariel looks dubious as if expecting more to it, but then eases "Thank you"

Diego returns to Jessica "Her real name is Hektira... she's a spy for House Balor. She's wearing a magical disguise to change her fur and hair color... but she worked with Rathbone once."

Eleanor hugs the satyress. "She's our troubadour."

Ariel blushes

"I know how I'd want to deal with it but what do you recommend?"

"Allow me to spike her drink, lead her off to 'sleep it off' but make sure she wakes in a cell" He advises

Jessica nods. "I was thinking along those lines. Not exactly, but close enough. Go ahead."

Diego nods then says "For what it's worth I find Dean outstanding but hope he can play more than the flute. Young Piper has so much potential to be great it's frightening, and Elias devices seem weird but I can endure them. In truth, they're all good but I won't say anything nice about the gwydion on principle."

Jessica sighs. "Thank you, Diego. Let me know when everything is secure. If you can, find out why she's here?"

Vaeltilde asks Eleanor "Which troubadour of the wilders and older do you hope wins if I may ask?"

"Ohhh.. that one is difficult."

"I know we can't keep all of them. At least some are here for prizes and not position..."

sometime Lady, Nancy and Diego help a poor drunken satyress get to a place were 'she can sleep it off'

Jessica observes this and nods (from a distance) to Dame Bevera.

Bevera gives a silent toast.