#fenixtj

Vaeltilde says "Well, Baron Tidemarch is very hard to read. I think he likes the Lady Gwydion best, but he does find the devices of Hazard intriguing."

And Jessica moves on towards Piper.

Piper has found a drink and a few nibbles - she saw them lead off another satyress and eyes her drink - deciding to only have the one. Maybe they're stronger than they look.

"I think the trickiest thing there would be a Gwydion at a largely unseelie hold - they are honorable to a fault, but, well. Gwydion."

"Nockers seem a bit more flexible about court, as a rule."

As Jessica puts the moves on Piper... (or something like that) Nancy does return

Jessica notices, but addresses Piper. "Well done, Rivervale."

She bows to Jessica, beaming. "Thank you - I owe it your girls though, they inspired me. I hope my other songs meet your liking!" And she smiles to the man accompanying her, taking in his tattoos. "And are you the artist making bank at this event?" Amused, offering a hand.

Duff chuckles deeply, if only for a moment, then takes the hand "I am and without guilt. Drop by, you and your friend, if you want to see if you'd like some art work upon you"

Valltilde sighs "Yes, Gwydion. Good fighters though. We shall need them."

"Maybe... perhaps I'll win a purse to finance one!" A grin.

Ellie nods. "In the fight, yes. I mean, I'm seelie too - but there is a difference between winter and shadows."

"All this talk about purses." Salma sniffs, holding her sunflower bag close. "They can't have mine, they know. It was a gift from the CabraBrujo." Tagging along behind Ellie.

Duff nods "I like how you think. I'm Duff by the way"

The mortal is looking curiously at Jessica. She nods back to him.

Vaeltilde says "exactly."

Jessica gets a bright, cocky grin from Adam.

"Piper, which you know. And Adam here is my escort and paramour." A smile back at him.

And she gets a kiss on the cheek.

Nancy makes a signal to Jessica. Time to resume

"Hey, Duff." Adam offers his hand to the .... painted troll, and then to Jessica.

.... who looks over at Nancy and nods. "Excuse me. It's time to resume." She does shake Adam's hand, though.

"Now THAT is a countess." She says admiring as an aside to Adam as Jessica walks off.

"MMm." An emphatic sound of agreement as Adam watches Jessica walk away as well.

"Agreed, these are MUCH better purses."

"And somebody is getting CAKE."

"I wish I could sing." Salma expresses, at the thought of cake...

Ariel says "I'll share any cake I get, Salma" A promise

"I was already hoping you would win, but now I will hope that you win just enough for cake!"

Nancy speaks, once Jessica is back in her throne tuckussupporter "It is time for the second songs... and, the first up, is Piper of Rivervale"

Piper realizes taht as she went nearly last... now she's going first! The bastards

She gulps the last of her drink, sets aside her plate, and clips up to the stage once more! Emboldened a bit by the drink and the earlier applause and kind words, she smiles, looking over the audience. "This second song embodies something that has been near to my heart, as I search inside and try to decide for myself, what Home really means." As she starts strumming...

"I'm a phoenix in the water
A fish that's learned to fly
And I've always been a daughter
But feathers are meant for the sky
So I'm wishing, wishing further
For the excitement to arrive
It's just I'd rather be causing the chaos
Than laying at the sharp end of this knife..."

And she taps her hoof along, and this along with the soft drum-tap of the heel of her hand on the body of the guitar echoes the drumming that enhances the song - a trick learned from Tove...

"With every small disaster
I'll let the waters still
Take me away to some place real
'Cause they say home is where your heart is set in stone
Is where you go when you're alone
Is where you go to rest your bones
It's not just where you lay your head
It's not just where you make your bed
As long as we're together, does it matter where we go?"

Moving back and forth on the stage as she sings the refrain, meeting the gaze of those watching her.

"Home, home, home, home..."

"So when I'm ready to be bolder,
And my cuts have healed with time
Comfort will rest on my shoulder
And I'll bury my future behind
I'll always keep you with me
You'll be always on my mind
But there's a shining in the shadows
I'll never know unless I try..."

Standing right up in front, Adam watches her very directly.

And the last line, she croons, and then repeats, softly, in spanish - oh, she's not a native speaker, or even fluent, but for this bit, she's memorized the inflection and sings it sweetly.

As long as we're together, does it matter where we go?
Home, home, home, home, home, home, home, home

Mientras estemos juntos, ¿importa a dónde vamos?
Hogar, hogar, hogar, hogar, hogar, hogar, hogar, hogar...

And, the song ends, again with a bow.

When it endsapplause gets even more ramped up as Piper respects the Spanish speakers.! Nevermind some folks were already moved , some to tears, others to wonder.

As she straightens back up, she quickly wipes at her eyes, clearing a couple tears - apparently she is not, after all, immune to the emotion she inspires, when it comes from her own heart.

Adam cheers, hoots, and hollers!

"Damn that's good" Nancy tries not to blurt, but might fail.

Salma whispers to Ellie, "Not bad. Most people, they think 'Casa' is home. But that is just house. 'Hogar', that is real home. Like Fenix is my casa, but where my amigas are, that is hogar."

Ariel says to Ellie and Salma and yes, Vaeltilde "Hogar. Got it. Wow... she puts her heart into it. I hope I get like piper when I'm like..older"

Adam is waiting RIGHT there when Piper gets off the stage.

And Salma gives a little smile over to Holger, whose name is similar - perhaps feeling bad for the earlier comments about knights.

"And Holger is part of our hogar, too." A sniff. "If we must allow any ninos."

Piper steps down into Adam's arms! "Was I okay?"

Holger blushes