#fenixtj

"Sure." she makes room

He does "You are enjoying the festiivities I hope?"

"I am, and I'm very happy to see more native involvement."

"We're happy to be involved. And I'm proud you and I and others made it possible"

"There's a lot to be happy about here." Jess agrees.

Someone offers to refill her drink and get Otem one as well.

"Thank you." she accepts.

Otem accepts as well "Thank you" then he turns to her "Yes, much to be happy about. The young ones, they don't have the same hate as the elders do. That is hope"

"That's usually where hope is found; in the youngest."

"Well said" He takes his new drink and lifts it

"To our youngest." Jess toasts, and drinks.

"To our youngest " And he drinks to that.

Jess enjoys the entertainment

The music resumes, and the two troubadours of Fenix work together in a lovely song or two

And some of the Nunehi begin to play as well, melody to the harmony

-That- interests Jess; she listens but makes some mental notes. "Otem......"

Otem sayss "A gift to you" he whispers "We'd hope you'd like it"

The instruments are different, somewould say more primative, but no, just different. How then to the soft drums join in so well? How do the pipes?

She blinks, startled. "A... what? Um....."

It's a lovely chorus all in all, as even voices are joined, wordlessly

"You wanted our peoples to do more together, I thought maybe musical display would be the symbol we both wanted"

Jess nods, impressed.

He enjoys the music with her

When the performance is over, Jess chuckles softly. "I was going to ask you if we could do an arts exchange. You beat me to it."

Otem looks surprised, but pleased "I did? Mm"

She nods. "How can we expand on this?"

"I think... I am not sure, but I think these are good avenues to pursue... our musicians should be encouraged to play togther if they wish, learn from each other. And our chefs and cooks as well"

"What about actors, dancers, singers... ok, maybe those count as musicians too.... painters, draw-ers, sculptors.... others?"

"Why not?" he agrees "A whole artistic program"

(Pause)