#fenixtj

and off they go... and despite her teasing, Siv will be a rock and even let Piper 'crush' her hand while the work is done

(End scene)

"Just a biiit longer," Duff assures. He has moved deftly, and with skill.

She does her best not to fidget, and gives Siv's hand a squeeze. "It just stings a little." Good thing there are no Gwydions present!

"Ah, you're a trooper. Oh now that you're kind of trapped here..." Siv leads.

"Hm?" She twists her head a bit to look at Siv, trying to not move her back.

"Is this where you nab my wallet and run? Jokes on you, it's empty." A laugh. But she remembers something. "Someone said that... there was this weird encounter when I came to Fenix for the troubador contest. I thought it was a con at best, a blackmail at worst... a letter in a bottle, saying I had to pay dross or someone would be hurt... But someone said it was actually something about you?"

"Yeah, it was. I found the glamour filled note... it saved me from dropping my cantrip of shapechanging.. and kept me aware of who I am. You saved my life, Piper." She says "Which is why I've paid Duff extra to do this in color"

She squeaks in protest and would move - if not for fear of either messing up the artist, or maybe getting nailed down if she fidgets one more time. "I had no idea! If I'd known, I would have helped, I mean really helped - I almost threw it away, thinking it was a trick!" Aghast.

"I'm glad you didn't. And I didn't have any idea it would be there either. I half way expected Raven behind it... A touch of soothsay, right place at the exact right time... but she didn't do it either."

"Keep holding still," Duff says "And don't excite her"

Siv nods to Duff, then adds "At least, I don't think she did."

Piper takes a moment to breath in, out, and opens her eyes again, stilled. "I don't know Raven... I half wondered if it was something from Vali - this kind of thing always makes me wonder if it's one of his little jokes... I swear, visions are wasted on pranksters. But not if it saved your life. Siv, I had no idea, but... I'm obviously glad."

"Vali? Maybe" A pause "But soothsay doesn't work on me so well so more like it had to be on the note... the letter could be controlled moer... ack, the nuance of Da'an give me a headache"

"And done" Dab Dab to disinfect. Duff grunts "Leave it alone for a bit"

"Vali - sorry, I guess that should be Sir Vali, always gives me a headache. Maybe HE gives DA'AN a headache." She grins, and a small wince at the final dabs. "Done already? I could have gone a few more hours..." And she cranes her head back to try to get a glimpse over her shoulder.

A mirror helps her get a look....

A wave of musical notes, at first contained within but as the wave breaks, the notes fly free and with them a butterfly unfettered among the musical notes

The ink's colors are lightly blended into the darker ink, which some how makes the blues stand out all the more.

"Oh it's taking flight" Siv says "it's beautiful.. it's almost like the Last Unicorn scene with the unicorns coming out of the water safe only with the butterfly and all the music that was trapped"

And for a moment she doesn't see it, but made as much by the gaps as anything, one can find the words 'Reflect and Remember'

once you find it, you can't UNSEE it

Her eyes widen in surprise - it's not her original, admittedly amateur design... A blink, and her eyes get misty. "It's... incredible. Hard to believe that's on ME..." And she can't help it, she is giving the troll a quick hug! "You're amazing!"

He's not a hugger, but he does agree "I'm quite good at what I do. That's going to be a bit sore"

She lets him go with a laugh. "Sorry - sorry. It's just.. you put everything together that I had thought of, all of the elements, and made it into something beautiful. I see why you're so popular..."

"And Siv, the color is amazing. " A beaming smile to her as well.

"I was actually picturing something with even more colors, flashier... but I see now this works better" Siv admits "I would have gone too gaudy"

Duff nods at that too.

It would appear lack of confidence is not a failing in the man.

"It's funny... I hated that butterfly when it was here, or I thought I did. But... maybe it wasn't really the chimera I disliked, but what it reminded me of. Looking back, I see it could have been more me just trying to hide from myself. And it's important to remember that. And this will remind me in a way that's also beautiful, and reminds me of the better parts of who I am too...." And she trails off, with a small smile. "Thank you, is what I'm trying to say."

"You're welcome" He says "A deal is a deal."

Siv says "Not to push, but we should head back now.. Got to face mom. She did that box... she's got a clue and she must be going out of her mind" Worry

"And now I suppose I can't even go swimming, here in Mexico and all." A SIGH, but a quick grin to Siv. "Kidding. It's time to face the, as we say in my biz, the music. Mr. Duff, you'l call me when I'm due back?"

"I will" he says

"Swimmng? Is that all... " Siv takes PIper's hand to drag her off "Hey, who's tall blonde and has a magic ship that can go to any beach I can name? THIS Girl"

And she is dragged off, not that she's not willing to go along!

*************