#fenixtj

Then, a boot sort of motion from the cloak... and he scoots forward rubbing his butt. Behind him, now longer Pressed up behind him practially riding his back, is Neema, fastening the cloak about her neck as SHE Continues singing "It's the circle of life!"
Tonto makes clapping motions and looks relieved he's no longer possessed.

Adam blinks at the disparity between voice and appearance.

Jessica lifts an Eyebrow.

"And it moves us all
Through despair and hope
Through faith and love!"

Neema twirls her voile fluttering.

Piper laughs at the deception, a clap of approval.

Ellie sways, silently mouthing EVERY WORD.

"I never knew Tonto had such a lovely voice." Salma says sincerely.

"Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the circle
The circle of life" Neema motions the jester back "It's the circle of life
And it moves us all
Through despair and hope
Through faith and love" She gives him a hug

"Till we find our place" Tonto swings her around
"On the path unwinding
In the circle
The circle of life!" And they raise each other's hands and take a bow as she finishes

Ariel says 'Taint' tonto, it was a a pooka trick and.. oh..forgot who I was talking to"

Cheers and applause... and she turns to Tonto "It was his idea, folks," Credit where credit is due.

Applause!!!

Tonto looks over his shoulder and as if to find whatever Jerk came up with this idea, this He she is speaking of

Salma claps heartily! She is rather fond already of the bumbling pooka that gave them books.

While Disney songs were not unexpected, the twist served Neema well

Adam applauds too but... Disney? Well, the little ones liked it.

Jessica appreciates the twist the duo put on it.

"And last , Piper of Rivervale!" Nancy says

"Go get 'em Piper.... Love you." Adam whispers, releasing her.

She squeezes his hand as she parts from Adam, and clips back up to the stage, retrieving her guitar along the way. A pause as she looks over the crowd.

"Thank you all for inviting us here to your home and hold, to play and sing and hopefully, entertain you all. My last song - the last song of the night - is dedicated to the Countess Jessica King, in hopes that it inspires fond memories.

Vaeltilde whispers at the other girls "Piper has been excellent so far" But she quiets as Piper speaks

"I know, but she says she doesn't want it..."

An Eyebrow from the Countess.

And she starts playing softly - a tune that many here may not recognize, but she very well may. A smile touches her lips as she looks over to the countess, and sings to her.

"In a Gardened land, there lays a place, nestled tween two hills...
and a river runs through the valley there, always has and always will...
Oh with a falcon's cry and a strong oak's side, though battered and a bit torn
I'll know the place that calls to me, and wake inside one morn."

It catches Jess by surprise, and her eyes widen for a moment.

And she takes a few steps back, freeing up space on the stage - her fingers still playing, adding instrumental bridge as she calls out, skillfully carrying the tune with just one hand, the other sweeping an arm in invitation.

"And join me now, oh new-met friends, and lovers and family known,
Any and all amongst ye, who know the love of home.
For in our hearts and in our souls, we know, should all else pale,
We'll cherish forever deep inside, our homes, Our Rivervales."

Two voices join the song, Bevera and Phoebe, holding hands

Piper beams at them, making sure there is room on the stage.

Then comes a flute, Dean!

"O Rivervale, wait for me, I'll get to you from the sea and Perhaps place down my oars
A place Stormy shields, and Mountain stone, and Hearth fires that would me warm.
Rivervale, Rivervale, don't dim your light.
I'll walk the woods behind you, and show up the door some night."

As Dean, Bevera and Phoebe join in that one...then stepping up come Spencer's golden notes and Elias' own harp, gentle and yet strong.

"Where dogs of white guard the porch, and knights and rovers dwell
there's a story waiting, a story of home
and there I hope to dwell"

Neema steps in ..adding her own voice

all the troubadours joinining, their music, their voices

"O Rivervale, wait for me, I'll get to you from the sea and Perhaps place down my oars
A place of Stormy shields, and Mountain stone, and Hearth fires that me would warm.
Rivervale, Rivervale, don't dim your light.
I'll walk the woods behind you, and show up the door some night."

"There are folks who love me in Rivervale, waiting there for me.
And so I'll go there, save and warm, Father Mountain, Mother Storm"

The song ends, but Piper plays on a little longer... continuing past the traditional lyrics for a final verse of her own, sung by Piper alone.

Where kindly folk are welcome- sun or moon, blue, brown or white,
And the hearths glow burns so brightly, warming visitors day and night...
Sized large for folk big as their hearts, open though to all,
Leave your past at the door, when you visit their shores, a new start in these Nordic halls.

She closes softly, repeating the last lines.

"There are folks who love me in Rivervale, waiting there for me.
And so I'll go there, save and warm, Father Mountain, Mother Storm."

Jessica leads the applause.

Ellie claps! She doesn't know Rivervale, but who doesn't desire the comfort of Home?

There are cheers, even those who have never been have heard of Rivervale...and the song makes them think of their own homes and havens.

Salma claps along as well, it was a pretty song. And she heard there are honeycakes there. Surely NOW the Countess will have to let them visit.

Applause... and Spencer grins "We need something like that for the Farm"

"Well write it and I'll review" Clem tells him

Piper bows, and reaches for the hands of the musicians to either side of her, to do a group bow like in a play.

And they bow one and all, united hand to hand

Jessica stands, still applauding.

The balefire has drank deeply and well... and roars happily. Perhaps even balefires can feel kinship.

Adam is waiting right in front for Piper.

Piper beams in joy - and realizes that she doesn't even care about the purses, or the contest. As long as she can hold onto this feeling, this joy and kinship, just for a little while longer. Lingering on stage to whisper heartfelt thanks to each performer who took part.

Private exchanges... one by one... before they let her go

So different from being on stage with her old tragos, where the music blasted the audience and yanked their glamour free - yet she feels warmer and more touched by the viewers, even without mortal dreamers. It's... odd, and something for her to mull over later - but now, she sets this aside, and speaks with the other performers.