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seeing all the people there made her feel a bit queasy to her stomach. Koni was right, she hadn't danced before people for a long while and even then, it hadn't been this big a crowd! Gulping nervously, she watched as Koni moved over to the woman who was calling out for sign ups and looked over the list. "Tis where we sign up, me dear. Do ye wish to or nay?" He wanted her to decide of her own choice. Since he wasn't dancing there was nothing for him to worry about. "I'll be cheering ye on."

"U-Um..." She looked down at her feet a bit before she met his gaze and then shyly nodded while kicking her sandled feet. "Aye... I suppose I ca-can try." Leaning into the gentle pat to her head, she watched him as he signed her up. She was going to mess up, she just knew it! But she tried to take deep breathes.. but her body was shaking way too much.

"Song.. or movement?" Her face paled as she looked at Koni. She never danced to outside music! Only the music inside of her head and she highly doubted that humming out loud would work in this case. Her worry grew as she shook her head slowly. "I... I don't have a song, Koni-papa..."

"Oh..." Now, that was a bit of a problem. She would need a song in order to dance and something to distract her from her sorrows for the moment. And he highly doubtly that there was time to get home and grab someone who knew how to play a song for her in time. Espeically since she was practically next. Taking her off his shoulder, he tried to calm her. "Shhh. There, there... we shall figure out something. We have a bit of time, aye?"

"I hope so..."

Her entire body was shaking pretty badly when she said her turn was up and she looked to Koni for guidance. But he only smiled as he before he took her over to the stage and stroked her hair. "Ye can do this, Reika. I have faith in ye..."

"K-Koni-papa... I'm scared..." She clung to his hand as he made to move away from her, shaking her head violently. "I c-cannot!"

He knew her fear was trying to overwhelm her and she knelt down a bit and made her look at him. "Ye can. I know ye can. If it's too frightening, just close yer eyes as ye always do at home, okay?" He gave her a warm and encouraging smile before he looked at the musicians. "Are ye going to tell them what song ye would like?"

"A.... anything's fine..." Sad, upbeat or high tempo. She just needed a song but had nothing in mind at the moment. Though she knew anything wasn't a good answer.

The more people talked about her, the worse it got for her and she looked at Koni with tears in her eyes. They were making fun of her! And Koni was fighting his natural urges to turn around and yell at the idiots frightening her. But she wouldn't dance and he knew that once she started, she would really be okay. However, trying to calm the tiny girl who was obviously about to have a nervous breakdown was a lot harder than it looked.

He had just managed to get her to not start to cry when the sounds of the singing was heard, though she and Koni heard it first. Looking around a bit, he was trying to find where the voice was coming from but Reika was wiping at her eyes slowly. The song was slow but there was something about it that helped her calm down her nerves. Slowly, her eyes drifted closed as she moved away from Koni and started to move. All she really needed was a song.

Dancing was something she just could do, right from the second she was born. She didn't know where this love for dance came from, but she knew it was too strong to ignore. Her braids gently bat against her face as she spun in a slow circle before she smoothly moved into a freestyle dance. Koni, realizing that she was fine now, moved away from her so that people could watch the beauty of her dance. Now they could be as amazed by her skill as he was.

At the sight & feel of all the commotion Trelweny drew up short, an ache in her breast & trepidation in her heart. Behind her Myranda made a frown. "Trelweny..." The GaiaCom warned.

A kyunru marked in the manner of a peacock tilted her head towards the young woman in a graceful, inquisitive motion. What is wrong? Near her wings, a little moomba added her own worried "meep?"

Trelweny forced herself to breathe. "It's just the crowds... I'm sorry. I'm a bit overwhelmed." She let one hand leave the handle of the stroller where it had been in a death grip to stroke the top of the kyunru's mane gently. "Give me a moment, won't you Keyna?"

Keyna nodded, her large brown eyes smiling. She did not expect to see others of her kind here today, but the lure of watching the contests intrigued her.

Myranda relaxed, permitting Trelweny her time to acclimate to the bustle of the large gathering. After a significant time had passed she tapped a black gloved finger on the woman's bare shoulder, startling her. "Trelweny, if you are to sign up for the singing competition we had better get with it."

Brushing the loose hair framing her face away from her eyes Trelweny sighed. "Yes. You're right."

She pushed the stroller forward & her two year old son Theron let out an exclamation of glee. At the sound a 6 inch blur of blue-grey flew at the small party, buzzing dangerously close to the toddler's reaching hands. "Nenemne! Eran tabas disa jetzt? Opa fun-fun!"

The chill inside her warmed & Trelweny laughed. "Yes, Tien. We will go play now."

Weaving the stroller through the throng they made their way towards the singing platform. On the way the notes of Aversham's song caught their attention & they paused in unison to both listen raptly & strain to see the little Reika dance on the stage. "oh, she did get better. I'm glad." Caylee agreed with a gentle "meep." "That sound... Lovely." Trelweny murmured entranced. "I don't stand a chance if I'm to compete against that."

"You must try." Myranda reminded. The GaiaCom was less affected by the phoenix's song but none-the-less enjoyed it in her own way. Keyna rubbed against Trelweny's leg reassuringly. I love to hear you sing. And your harp plays beautifully.

Trelweny touched her fingers to the bag holding her harp. "Yes. You're right. As always." She gave the GaiaCom a sideways glance. "Sometimes I rue the day Timex ordered your programming." Myranda smirked.

"Thanks for the vote of confidence, Keyna." Anytime

Using the excuse of buying a treat for Theron, Trelweny lingered a moment more. They did not stop again until they reached the singing platform.

[.the singing platform.]

Ah yes, no sooner had the dancing demonstration ended for Reika than the ghostly voice had returned to its haunt. None would know until they performed but it had been Aversham who had performed for the young Elysian and as he nested upon Hayaharu's lap he couldn't help but feel remotely satisfied by the manner in which he had helped - it had been indirect and he wasn't dead because of it.

"All better?" Hayaharu enquired as she glanced down at his plumed head and smiled, this smile growing as he looked up and gave a nod before both turned their attentions back towards the twins on stage.

"Last call for those in the demonstration!" Called a man from one stall, a large smile on his lips as a few new entertainers approached him while another looked up from a seperate stall and gave a nod.

"Last call for those in the next competition!" He bellowed.

Shyam had been busy with matters out of town, so when he returned a few weeks later so find the Bardic Contest in full swing he was totally caught off guard, but he found himself entranced as well.

He quickly returned to his small room to change and to leave payment for his landlord before returning to the crowds, the food and the fun.

Just as he was buying a chocolate covered banana, paid for by some spare change that he'd liberated from a passerby, he heard the crowd's murmurs as little Reika took the stage. His heart went out to the shy Elysian as she stood there, afraid. "You can do this," he whispered his encouragement to her, making his way through the crowds, closer to the stage. He then relaxed as the magical music came from nowhere and inspired the dancer. The rogue found himself not only intrigued by the song, but by Reika's dancing as well. When he'd seen her dancing in the Tavern, she'd just been messing around, but here she was putting her heart and soul into it.

When she finished dancing and ran to Koni in the wings, Shyam put his banana carefully between his teeth so that he could clap as loudly for the little Elysian as possible as they called for the next performer. He had no talent for dancing or singing, so he wouldn't be able to participate, but he knew that he could at least enjoy the performances and the food.

He watched as the tall Master left the side of the stage and headed over to the Mochi vendor, and then to where they would sit. He wover through the crowds to intercept the group.

"Excuse me, Master Koni, Reika." The rogue ran up to them as they finished their purchase, swallowing the last of his banana. He nodded his head at the tall being.

"Reika, that was wonderful! Well done!"