#fenixtj

"I'm okay, really." She sniffles and wipes at her eyes. "It just.. right in the feels, y'know?"

"Yeah. Lil bit." He agrees, although whether the moistness in his eyes is a reflection of hers, or strictly his own emotion, is unclear.

Belatedly remembering to applaud.

"Bevera ap Gwydion in her final performance" Nancy says

And she smoothly transitions into clapping for the Gwydion lady, curious to see what she may choose to play.

Salma admires the next contestant. "She's so pretty... but not as pretty as you. Purple is much nicer than green, after all."

"She's very traditional."

Bevera walks up " I had plans for something grand and stirring , very pomp... but, we Gwydions CAN have a sense of humor" Dead pan "if it be honorable and chivalrous humor. So perhaps something a bit light eh?"

"And I think she might know lots of old stories..."

PHobe blushes at that

"She's very bright, though." Salma whispers, as the lady starts to talk. "It's hard to look right at her, and I worry that she sees through my words. Falcons are fierce birds."

"They are..."

Piper's forehead wrinkles a touch, wondering if that was meant as a slight against Phoebe.

Hard to tell. Gwydions can be arrogant, but they're not often cruel. And if it was intentional she's masking it well...

And Bevera begins to sing, her twang growing more old country.

"As a Countess, Jessica will need to entertain nobles - many sidhe. It would be useful to have someone like Bevera."

"Well, Johnny be fair and Johnny be fine and wants me for to wed
And I would marry Johnny, but my father up and said
I'm sad to tell you daughter what your mother never knew
But Johnny is a son of mine and so he's kin to you" There's a lightness in the tune despite the girl's missed chance

"Well, Jimmy be fair and Jimmy be fine and wants me for to wed
And I would marry Jimmy, but my father up and said
I'm sad to tell you daughter what your mother never knew
But Jimmy, too, is a son of mine and so he's kin to you" Groans of dismay for the poor unnamed daughter in this song from those haven't heard it.

"Well, Billy be fair and Billy be fine and wants me for to wed
And I would marry Billy, but my father up and said..." A pause and a wink because now all know what's coming

"I'm sad to tell you daughter what your mother never knew
But Billy, too, is a son of mine and so he's kin to you"

"You never seen a girl so sad and sorry as I was" wrist to forehead
"The boys in town are all my kin and my father is the pa
If this continue I shall die a single miss" Then determined notes
"So I'll go to mother and complain to her of this!"

In a tutting motherly tone, clearly meant to show who is now speaking "Oh daughter, haven't I taught you to forgive and to forget
Even if this all is true, still you needn't fret" A smile "Your father may be father to all the boys in town, still
He's not the one who sired you, so marry who you will!"

Salma's forehead crinkles as she tries to follow the twists and turns. "Oh, that's naughty!" She says, but with a muffled giggle.

BIG EYES, and her hands over her mouth as she giggles.

Piper claps along and laughs in delight at the final twist.

Ariel SNERKS

Laughter from the older couples

The Countess's lips are seen to shift slightly.

Adam laughs.

Phoebe laughs as well.

Nancy takes a moment to stop her own laughter "Okay .. next, Dean! "

Dean enters the square so to speak, and puts DOWN his beloved flute, blowing a kiss to it. He makes sign.

Head-tilt.

Nancy translates "He says he's about to cheat on his own lady, appropriate given the last song." She smiles

And he pulls out a set of pan pipes!

And then, somberly, he begins to play a song that most, even those who are not of faith, can find beautiful, as the creature some would mistake for devil born with his horns and hooves, plays Amazing Grace on pan pipes!

Piper is enthralled as she listens to the skillful playing.

Damn.. he might be a master of the flute, but it would appear he can also work a mean set of pipes!

A few folks start singing... they know the words. Rather than being insulted, he motions for them to go ahead , one hand frees enough to give a lifting 'louder' gesture

Piper gladly raises her voice in song along with the others, singing strongly, not loudly, to join rather than drown out.

Adam doesn't sing, and he loosens his hold on Piper to let her breathe.

One old boggan's creaky voice sings, so full of belief that it doesn't matter if he's not a great singer.

Nancy joins right in!

So does Ellie!

Jessica seems perhaps curious about the choice of song, but respectful of it nevertheless.

And Ariel does too. Satyrs aren't shy about singing

And.. Jessica might turn.. were Duff's lips moving???

Before she can be sure.. it ends.

Dean doesn't flourish like he does with his pipe. Maybe it's the song that calls for added humility. He bows low,and applause comes out.

And applause again, from the pooka girl, and from the satyr competitor.