Spring Festival/Music night

From Crossroads Wiki

November 13, 2008

It's Thursday, May 06, 506 A.G.

A large tent has been secured over a small stage and a larger area, covered in straw. To one side, ale kegs are getting tapped and some food is being put out. It might be raining, but that does not stop the Green Fields party. There are a few chairs to sit upon, but most of the space has been reserved for dancing.

Upon the stage has been placed an odd assortment of instruments. A washboard, a basin with a long stick and a string, a pair of spoons, a mouth-harp, a fiddle and a few other items usually made for some other purpose.

As she walks into the area, with her cloak pulled about tightly and hood up over her head, Elena looks about. Taking a deep breath, she approaches the stage, getting under the tent, before she attempts her curtsey to the various and sundry nobility and royalty gathered. Then she moves on over to the side of the tent with least people and stands there, lowering her hood, and opening her cloak. Her expression is strangely withdrawn and distant, her eyes downcast.

Ravelle enters the pasture with her sister, drawing to a halt when she sees so many already collected. She does exectue a stately curtsy for the ranking nobility within the area and then points out some of the seating away from the rain. "How about there?" It looks as if the Eldest Soranus sister might be getting a bruise along the left side of her jaw though thank Goddess it's going to be lower in lighting around here.

"Well then I was telling her about my baby. You know Titus? He /totally/ gave me a baby. Although its not a baby as it well grew. Did you know when babies grow up they can walk adn that they shouldn't drink warrior's milk? I was like, well its milk right and milk is good for babies. Oh! Did you see that woman's hairpins. I /love/ them. I should get a pair of hairpins. Oh well this is from my family, because my family is awesome. Do you know I'm the Imperial cousin? Oh my gosh! I mean think about it my cousin is like totally the Empress. I mean its not as cool as if she was like you know a fisher. Because if she was a fisher she would have a boat and if she had a boat she could go out of the barrier. However you know she does like horses and horses are cool, but you can't ride in a horse. Well you could but it would be gross and messy. Oh! There is the empress I have to go." It is there that Aria takes a breath and releases the poor person that just said 'hi' to her about an hour ago. She whoops loudly, "MENA!

!! HEY ! MENA! MENA! MENA! MENA!MENA! MENA!MENA! MENA!MENA! MENA!MENA! MENA!MENA! MENA!MENA! MENA!MENA! MENA!MENA! MENA!MENA! MENA!" There is another breath as she runs over to the Empress. "Hi."

Mena's eyebrows lift slowly at her cousin's approach, her lips quirking slightly as Aria stops in front of her. "Good evening, Aria. I am glad you are here," she says, her voice lowering to whisper to the girl.

Mindy grins and blushes as she and Sawyer make the scene, gripping his arm lightly and nodding her head. "I mingled with gypsies quite a bit as a child, and this was the sort of thing they loved to entertain themselves with," she replies at a murmur.

Bella looks a bit surprised at the rather boisterous entrance of some girl claiming to be the Empress' cousin. Bella's found a place to sit, cradling her baby against her chest. The two boys run off to start playing in the hay. Bella watches them closely, and the nanny does, as well.

Zoe stands not far from the stage with her arms folded, surveying the growing crowd as well. Catching sight of the Empress standing nearby talking to her cousin the young woman watches for a moment or two. If she is noticed, she will smile and bow respectfully but not try to interrupt.

"Perfect," Helena tells her sister, keeping her cowl up so that her hair, and more importantly the flowers she wears in it, don't get drenched. "But you will dance a little, yes?" she asks Ravelle as they duck under the tent and Helena pushes back her hood. A few wildflowers are brushed from her locks, left to scatter among the straw, but she doesn't seem to notice. "I know it isn't courtly dancing, but we should have fun, yes?" The looks shared between sisters is almost an insisting one. She's tucking a daisy behind her ear as the shouts of the Empress's name ring out. "Sweet Providence, what ..." She turns to watch Aria and Mena.

Aria puts her hand to her heart at Mena's words. "You. Want. Me?" There is a squeal that is sure to break glass as she tosses her arms around Mena. "You are the bestest Menaburger ever! I won't forget this I mean it is awesome and everything. I'll totally entertain. Unless you mean like those girls that take their clothing off. I mean I can do that, but I don't have much clothing. OH! OH! OH! Can we have a naked hoe down because everyone should be naked when the hoe goes down." She breaths again and laughs overly loud and tries to elbow Mena, "Get it? Get it? Hoe.. it's like a whore." Then she's looking for a stage to jump on or some unwitting victim.

"Good, you can show me how to dance out here." Sawyer grins, not minding that he's getting wet with the woman as he and Mindy walk, him bowing as they come across various nobility, then pauses as a familiar voice catches his ear. "Lady Soranus." he offers in warm tones.

Noele walks up into the pasture, looking around quietly as she arrives. Fortunately, she just misses that little outburst of many menas. Her face shows calm neutrality and her gaze sweeps quietly over the crowd, searching for familiar faces as she starts the whole 'mingling' thing.

There's dancing? Ravelle does another scan of the area, finally noting the dance floor. Oh dear. She stage whispers to Helena, "I don't know any of their dances. Do you?" She does see Mindy and Sawyer and offers a gentle wave of her hand to the darling couple. "Good evening. Are you both going to dance?" She then motions to the ravishing beauty at her side. "This is my sister, Lady Helena Soranus. Hel, this is Master Sawyer Locksley, a cunning young man and this is Miss Mindy Sharpp, a lovely young woman. They both have a leaning for the Light." She gives her sister a meaningful look before inquiring, "Did you want something to drink, Hel?"

Zoe's grin widens and her eyes shine with amusement as she listens to Aria's talk. Leaning back against the stage a bit she says, "A naked dance? I'd heard some crazy things about the Green Fields hoe downs but never thought such things happened in Gateway."

"Less jesting, and more music playing," Mena tells Aria without any offense. She's /that/ cousin. You know. Every family has one. "Go pick what you want to play."

Parlan has her hands full with two identical twin toddler boys, and a baby sleeping against her chest. However, she does notice some people she recognizes. She smiles and gives a nod to Mena if she can get her eye, and waves to Ravelle and Helena .. "Hello, Lady Soranuses," she says, if Ravelle and Helena are close enough to hear her.

Bella has her hands full with two identical twin toddler boys, and a baby sleeping against her chest. However, she does notice some people she recognizes. She smiles and gives a nod to Mena if she can get her eye, and waves to Ravelle and Helena .. "Hello, Lady Soranuses," she says, if Ravelle and Helena are close enough to hear her.

Elena spies Ravelle and her sister and gives them a polite wave from way across the stage. She shakes out her hair, and shakes the residual droplets of water from her cloak. She stays over there at the periphery, looking about at who has come. She takes a deep breath, and then wanders over towards Ravelle, one eyebrow raised curiously.

The Empress then looks out over those who have arrived and are still arriving. "Good evening, all of you!" she welcomes with a bright smile. "And welcome to Green Fields Music Night. The Duke was punched in the face this afternoon by someone much stronger than him, and had his nose broken, so I hope you will all bear with us as we throw this together, but that's how it's done on the Fields oftentimes, so I'm sure we will all have a great time." She takes another breath, her smile edging into a grin. "So! Are there any out there who wish to join the band?"

Choosing wisely to ignore the girl making a scene, Mindy nods to Sawyer and seems about to reply when she's approached by ravelle, who gets a huge grin of greeting and a curtsey. "We will probably dance, my Lady, if Master Locksley will be my partner." To Helena, too, she curtseys, but does not manage a real greeting before the Empress makes her announcement.

Helena inclines her head to the pair as she shakes a bit of rain off her cloak. "A pleasure to meet you both," she tells Sawyer and Mindy. "I know that if my sister speaks well of you then you must be fine people indeed," she adds with a glance towards Ravelle. "I'll get something a little later," she tells her sister before offering some words of greeting to Bella. "Excellency, how good to see you again," Helena calls, lifting her hand in a gesture less formal than usual. This is a hoe-down, yes? Perhaps the Soranus lady will let her hair down for a few hours. "Your children are growing like weeds, how proud you must be!"

Aria springs to the stage, "What one will let me sing too? OH! The drum bell thing." She whispers to Zoe, "That is the /technical/ term. For those in the know." She picks up a tambourine sort of thing. It is hide stretched over a circle needlepoint ring and had metal disks around the side. She hits her hip and then looks confused to the sound it makes. "Mena!Mena!Mena!Mena!Mena!Mena!Mena!Mena!Mena!Mena!Mena!Mena!Mena!Mena!Mena!Mena!Mena!Mena!Mena!Mena!Mena!Mena!Mena!Mena!Mena!Mena!Mena!Mena!Mena!Mena!Mena!Mena!Mena!Mena!Mena!Mena!Mena!Mena!Mena!" And another breath is taken. However she looks blankly at the Empress, "I forgot." Then she beats the design against her hip. "Bella you need an instrument because making babies isn't music. I mean it makes noise, but it is like squish squish squish and it's not polite to show your girl parts in public. OH! Mena!Mena!Mena!Mena!Mena!Mena!Mena!Mena!Mena!Mena!Mena!Mena!Mena!Mena!Mena!Mena!Mena!Mena!Mena!Mena!Mena!Mena!Mena!Mena!Mena!Mena! I remember... can I sing the first song? Oh wait you said I could help. I'm going to sing the first song."

Standing not far from the Empress over near the stage, Zoe moves away from the stage to be able to get a good look at the Empress from the front as the woman begins to address the crowd. The young woman grins up at Aria, but then as Mena calls for volunteers, Zoe raises a hand and says with a smile, "I'll give it a go, your majesty!"

Mena just looks at Aria. You know. The look. "Perhaps you should play the mouth harp instead. It's a bit more difficult and I know you are skilled with it." That's not really framed as a request.

Who wouldn't enjoy a good ol' hoedown? Caspian .. apparently does as he comes out onto the northern fields. Although he's resisted the urge to go bootless (one never knows when he'll be called to duty, besides) he does come carrying a recorder. Joining the band? He's game! He lifts up his instrument as he heads on forward with others ready for a musical good time. "Count me in, Majesty!"

Bella looks absolutely mortified at the girl's comments to her. She blushes brightly, and looks away from the stage. She was about to volunteer to play her fiddle, but forget about that now. She smiles to Helena when she hears the lady address her. "Thank you, Helena. Yes, they are growing up fast," she says, a tinge of embarrassment still in her voice from what she heard from the rude girl on the stage.

"I would be honoured to be your partner, Mistress Sharpp." Sawyer says, with a grin towards Mindy. "Unless you would like to ask to sing? You have a beautiful opera voice after all." he says to her warmly.

Mena looks over at Caspian's call, looking somewhat relieved. "Wonderful! You are welcome to it, Deputy. Anyone else?" she asks, looking around. "Baroness Forester! Now, I know you know how to play..."

Ravelle spies Bella and awards her a radiant smile. "Good to see you, Excellency." She then sees Elena and waves her closer. "Miss Elena, come meet my sister, Lady Helena Soranus." She's careful to pronounce both names as running over them too fast might be confusing for those nearby who don't know either. "Hel, this is Miss Elena Ashlan, a professor at the university and the woman who grabbed Athar on the field of battle."

Mena's smile turns to Zoe. "If you know some good old fashion Green Fields songs, then you're welcome!" she invites.

Aileana arrives carrying a rather large moonshine jug that rests on top of her rather large stomach, "I'm ready to go!"

"Oh!" Mindy blushes, looking at Sawyer. "Do you think I should? I don't know if I want to leave you by yourself for very long."

And the Empress looks even more relieved when the Duchess arrives. "Your Grace! Just in time. I was assisting in putting the band together."

Noele just -stares- at Aria. She shakes her head and lifts one hand to lightly pinch the bridge of her nose before dropping her hands in front of her, linking her fingers together in front of her.

Lachesis steps forward and lifts her hand. "I've no idea how to play any of the instruments, but I'm dreadfully curious your Majesty. And I've been known to carry a tune. Any suggestions for one just trying one of these for the first time?" How she lived on Green Fields and managed to miss this tradition...

Helena blinks at Aria and just stares a little in shock at what is said about Bella, her cheeks turning red at it. She looks to the Baroness with an expression of sympathy before Ravelle snags her attention again. She inclines her head to Elena and gives the woman a grin. "We've met, very briefly," she says, looking to Elena. "I was covered in flour though, you may not remember me." She smiles a little bit more at that.

Aria pouts a bit and then spies the area. She grabs up the mouth harp and hops off the stage moving towards the Duchess of Green Fields. "We saved you the mouth harp and I was going to play it, but I know you like it more. You are of course you know better than me so.." She tries to hand the instrument off without Mena seeing her. Then she looks at Mena. "Can I do the first song? Pleeeeeeease? It's about a mermaid."

Mya makes her way into the tent, the young woman seeming quite chipper this evening. "Hallo, all!" she says, giving a big wave of her arm to everyone. "I've come to dance my ass off!" She notices Mindy and makes her way over to her, her gait almost bouncing. "Mindy girl! How's it going? You're not still mad at me, are ya?"

Regardless of the seeming entry order, Liam is trailing back in Lachesis' wake, a case under his arm, crutch in the other hand as the gimp ox moves along to the hoe down with a lop-sided swagger. Breaking off from that walk, wandering toward Mena and the apparently ever energetic cousin girl, Aria. "Aria. How're those shoes treating ya?" without looking at her feet, he passed a warm smile to Mena, inclining his head as the gimp gave a quick bow, gesturing to his case. "If I can't dance, might as well join in some way. Been to enough of these things I should know a couple songs." chuckling after. Bowing to the Duchess as well. "Ana."

Ethan looks at the crows as he moves in. He makes his way up to the Empress and asks simply, "So people are allowed to sing songs if they wish?"

Elena curtseys to the noble ladies as she draws near, laughing at the last. "Twas a moment of inspired adrenaline," she conceeds with a win, "and I'm positive the brandy had nothing to do with it." She gestures idly with her right hand, inclining her head towards Helena. "I believe we met at the StoryTelling, though I had a much quieter seat than your own. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, finally." She turns to regard the stage, and then looks back to the ladies. "This may not quite be what you are used to in a dance.."

At the Empress' invitation, Zoe climbs up onto the stage and goes over to pick up a fiddle. After glancing briefly out at the crowd, she starts to check the violin's tuning, testing it a bit.

Well, the Empress has called her out to play, so Bella can't really refuse, can she? She gets her fiddle and bow from the baby carriage, and hands over the small infant to her nanny. Instructing the guards to keep a close eye on her boys, she makes her way up to the stage. "Your Majesty," she says, curtseying gracefully to the Empress.

"I would not mind surrendering you for a song or two.. but since it seems that everyone wants to sing, I will also be happy to let you teach me to dance, Mistress Sharpp." Sawyer says with warm affection in his voice.

Caspian grins and hops up onto the stage, careless of the soggy day. A little rain never killed anyone! (maybe) He takes note of people who are here, most faces familiar which seems to heighten his mood that much more. Looking over to Zoe, he glances at her instrument and then begins to blow a few notes from his recorder, warming up.

"Well, this is /much/ more promising," Mena says, pleased as punch to have all the volunteers. And Bella, who was sort of pressed into it. "Perfect. Well, the band can decide what they will play first while the rest of us," Yes. Us. Mena's not one of the ones in the band. "Can get ready to dance. Any questions before the music starts?"

There is a tent covering the area!

Aileana shakes her head now, "Oh, if anyone knows me well, they know I can blow some good ones on the jug." And she heads for the stage as ready as rain to add the rhythm needed for some good shindig music, "Can we start out with Jed's Big Red Dog? I just love that story. The dog ate so many apples he turned red until the day he passed them all and then Jed's Big Red Dog turned into Jed's dog's big red log."

Mindy laughs. "Well, why don't we dance first and if there's a lull, I can sing later. I have been told that my voice is very stirring, with regards to all emotions, including anger and outrage."

Aria pouts for a moment and blows a note on the mouth harp. She then jumps to the stage and grabs up the instruments. She will walk around the crowd trying to foist instruments into everyone's hands. "I think everyone should play." She smiles at Helena. "You are pretty, will you play the bells? I bet that you sing like bells too." Then she's off to other people.

As another fiddler joins her on the stage, Zoe grins over at Bella and after a small bow says, "Greetings." Seeing Caspian join them as well she smiles and nods to the man. Then after hearing the suggestion of what to play she smiles and says, "Ah, one of the few I actually know how to play. Excellent." She smiles over at Bella and the others on the stage.

Helena watches the musicians take the stage and she smiles over at Elena, taking the minor warning in stride. "Our family attended Harvest on your fair isle last year," she explains, looking between the stage and Elena. "It was ... Well, it was eye-opening," she admits with a bit of a laugh.

Bella gives a smile to Zoe. Holding her fiddle and bow in her left hand, she extends her right. "Hi. I'm Bella. Nice to meet you," she says. No formal introductions needed. When Aileana suggests the song, she smiles. "Of course, Your Grace, that would be a most excellent tune to begin the dance with."

Phew! Caspian looks relieved, as the suggested song sounds familiar. Improv is so much easier when one knows how the melody really sounds like! He grins crookedly before his mouth is back on his instrument. The first four starting notes are played with a waggle of his brows to the Duchess of Green Fields.

Smiling charmingly, Sawyer studies Mindy's eyes. "Well, it has most certainetly stirred mine." he says to her with a fondness there as he glances towards the two Soranus sisters and then back to Mindela.

Helena blinks as the bells are pressed into her hands. "I ... umm..." But Aria's already off, the compliments hanging in the air as well as the Soranus lady's confusion. She looks at Elena and then at the bells, shaking it a couple times with some hesitation. "Excuse me," she tells the Ashlan woman as she moves towards the stage. If she heads to the back, or maybe at the side no one will hear her.

"Good to meet you, Bella. I'm Zoe," says the young woman as she reaches to shake Bella's hand with a firm hand shake. Then she looks over at Caspian, the fellow musician and smiles at him before looking back out at the crowd.

Ravelle sends the page she was talking to off and then looks towards the stage, surprised to find her sister being called there. Amusement favors her expressive features and she moves off to the side to watch her sister join in the Fielder festivities. This is priceless.

Aileana does have some challenge with adjusting the jug around her stomach, but she certainly does. She starts to blow out a beat, quick and jovial as she waits for others to join in at their appointed time.

Mindy only now seems to see Mya, who immediately captures her attention. She grins boisterously, bouncing over to the other girl for a hug. "Mya, of course I'm not. For the life of me I don't remember that I ever was." She smiles, turning to blush at Sawyer. "This is Sawyer Locksley. Sawyer, Mya Gyldynhels. My good friend."

Elena hides a smile with her left hand, giving Helena a little wave with her right, watching her join the band. She steps closer to Ravelle, smiling wryly. "It's quite simple really," she tells her in a quiet tone, "those people up there," she gestures toward the band, "make the music. Well, what we Fielders call music; might be a little uncomfortable to your ears." A pause for an apologetic smile, before continuing, "and then the rest of us dance. It's a sort of rushing, swirling thing, that's brusque and generally involved a man and a woman, though not necessarily. The idea is to move alot and look like you know what you're doing." A pause and then in a more hushed tone, "I'm -terrible- at it."

There is a brief moment when the beat is interrupted for Ana to ask Mena, "Where's Finn? He's our spoon player."

Mya smiles rather brightly at Mindy and returns the hug fiercely. Her pupils, if one notices, are rather tiny, and her eyes a little glassy. When she's introduced to Sawyer, she looks over and gives him a firm pat on the back. "Nice ta meet you, Sawyer!" she says, "Any friend of Mindy's is a friend of mine!"

Noele stands off to one side, observing this particular event. Quietly, for the moment. Her head tilts slightly as the musicians head up onto the stage, taking a moment to study each of them.

Looking over her shoulder at Aileana at the sound of the jug music, Zoe smiles and puts the fiddle under her chin, looking comfortable with the instrument. Tapping the beat with her foot she waits a moment or two before going right into it and picking up on the fast, upbeat song.

Liam fades back a little bit, meandering his way over to the stage, but taking his time. He sure as hell isn't going to be doing any dancing tonight, but he'll gladly take a back seat and listen, drink and enjoy the festivities. Tucking that case up under his arm for the hell of it and leave his hands open for clapping later on, watching the stage fill with a grin.

The Empress knows the knights hate this part of the job as she steps toward the straw laid out to be danced upon. She looks toward Ana and smirks a bit. "Got his nose broken at the arm-wrestling match. Told me he couldn't make it."

Following after Mindy, Sawyer offers a warm smile to Mya as he nods. "Likewise, but I do hope I'm a little more than friends with Mindy." he teases her lightly as he joins up with the young woman again.

"Here we go," says Caspian to no one in partucular as Aileana's beat starts, though it seems as if he's speaking to Zoe as she's nearest. And then there's Zoe's fiddling, which causes the Deputy to smirk and grin. And after a few more measures, the light sound of his recorder adds to the tune. Upbeat indeed!

Aileana rolls her eyes at that, but doesn't break her tooting into the jug. The hollowed sound being steady during the song to help others keep pace. It is a cheerful song about a farmer, a dog, a dog eating, a dog pooping a log. Gotta love Fielders.

Bella lifts her fiddle to her chin at the same time as Zoe. "You do the melody, Zoe, I'll fill in the harmony," she says to the girl. She looks over at Aileana and says, "You're not gonna have those babies here, are you, Your Grace? I'm kinda off duty right now."

Aria perks and runs over to Mena and Aileana. "Can I play the spoons? Can I play the spoons?Can I play the spoons?Can I play the spoons?Can I play the spoons?Can I play the spoons?Can I play the spoons?Can I play the spoons?Can I play the spoons?!" Then she turns and looks around. "CATSPIN!"

"Well, I don't see that we have to be too public too soon," the blonde says softly to Sawyer, before glancing at her friend again. "Mya..." Mindy says, catching Mya's cheek between two of her fingers and peering into the girl's eyes. "...Are you /high/" She bursts out laughing, as though caught between severe amusement and remembrance.

Mya gets distracted by the hyperactive girl. "Think I should dip her spoon in some Time Out Tea?" she say sto Mindy. At Sawyer's comment, she grins. "You go, boy," she says, giving him a playful wink. When Mindy pinches her cheek and asks if she's high, she busts out laughing. "Of course, Mindy girl! They're giving away free drugs, ya know! Want some?"

A small nod from Sawyer to Mindy, and he nods. "Of course, Mistress Sharpp." he says, appropriately quiet about it now.

Helena lets the song play a little bit before she joins in with the occasional ring from her cowbell. The lady might not know the song but she seems to understand rhythm well enough to figure out where to ring her bell. She glances over the group and catches her sister's eye and delivers a look, daring Ravelle to start laughing.

Drawn by the sound of music, Aimend walks down the pasture's slope. Seeing the crowd gathered here, and the musicians playing, she hangs back, seeming a bit uncertain yet intrigued by the people here and the music they make together.

Ravelle laughs lightly at Elena's explanation. "So that's the way of it. I can't wait to see everyone start dancing then." But her amusement turns full blossom when she sees that cowbell in her sister's hand, her dark eyes alight at that scene. As an aside to Elena, she says, "I don't suppose you're an artist who could sketch this moment for me?"

"You got it!" says Zoe over to Bella with a big smile as she continues playing the quick, fast paced melody that ranges all over in classic Green Fields style. One of her feet taps out the rythm in time with Aileana's jug. As she plays she steals a glance at Caspian and smiles at him as he starts to add his recorder music to the mix.

When the music starts, there is dancing that goes with it. Even if Mena's the only one out there in her pants and boots this evening, she's dancing as if she would back on the Fields. It's a lively jig, and she's pretty good at it.

The Toddlers of Emerald Hollow seem to be busy playing in all the hay on the floor. They are running through it, throwing it at each other, screaming in delight at being at such a boisterous, rowdy event. They'll probably be running into people, accidentally, too.

Cat-wha? Caspian's busy playing the song, doing his best not to grin aorund the mouth of his recorder as he rocks with the beat, following the lead of the fiddling women. But, the sound of a too-familiar name has the sound of his instrument pausing as the others go on without him, and he blinks towards Aria. Now, he does grin as he lifts an arm to wave. "What're you doing without an instrument, eh? Let's go!" he calls, gesturing her closer.

"Alas, Lady Ravelle, my art lies in the tones of the voice," she tells her, looking up at the band with a wry smile. "But many upon the Fields consider themselves singers, so I am hardly rare in that respect. I am certain your memory will suffice to bring you copious joy in the future." A pause as she starts to sway on her feet, yet she does not join the Empress on the dance floor. "It's been a while since I was pressed to dance with Zane.. Tacey's birthday party was several weeks ago.."

The music starts up, Liam's meandering steps start to go along with the beat, meandering through the crowd gathered with a case under one arm. Upon seeing Aimend hanging back, the Guardian born fellow starts that way. The man with the setting his case on a haybale before moving on. Looking kinda the fool and not giving a damn for the moment, as he hobbles through the 'dance floor' where Mena's doing her duty as an honorary fielder and bustin' a groove. Joining in on the jig as best he can, but it's a walking jig, eyes locked on Aimend in warning. "C'mon, lass. You /cant/ be a wall flower at these things..." a grin appearing.

Aria picks up the spoons and runs for the stage. She /sliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiides/ in right by Caspian's feet. "Mena doesn't want me to talk. She thinks I don't know but I totally know. I mean can you... oh your shoes are nice." Then there is the rat-a-tat of the metallic spoons hitting her thigh in tune to the music. She then looks around the area.

Ravelle does join in with the clapping, engaged in lively conversation with Elena. "This is utterly fascinating." Her gaze drifts to the Empress, warmed by the sight of the regal woman enjoying the roots of her upbringing with such zeal. She nudges Elena. "You should serve your Empress and go out there and dance with her."

Bella leans over to Zoe as the two fiddlers keep playing in a light, upbeat melody and harmony. She mutters to Zoe. She mutters to Zoe, "Do you know... girl is?"

Lachesis has a great deal of fun being a wall flower herself, really! Or at least she was having fun at that as she chatted with a messenger off to the side. But now that work is finished, she starts towards the dance floor. She hears Ravelle in passing and pauses. "And you, Baronet Soranus? Will you join in on the dancing as well?"

"/Yes/," Mindy replies, nodding her head in reply to Mya's question. "Actually, I'd better not. I've tried the potions there, and nearly got into trouble." Glancing at Sawyer, she gently slips her hand into the crook of his arm and gives him a bright smile.

The biggest challenge for Aileana and her jug is simply trying to keep herself from smiling too much and ruining her jug tooting. She does stomp one foot, just delighted even if it only shows in her eyes.

Zoe would join in the singing of the cheerful upbeat song but playing the violin with so much comotion takes more concentration than you might think so Zoe just sticks with that for now. Seeing Aria slide over so spectacularly she laughs and calls over the music, "That's the way to do it!" It's a great song. A very difficult song to not want to start dancing to. As Bella leans over and says something to her, Zoe looks over at the woman and gives a half shrug with the shoulder that isn't supporting her fiddle and says something back to her. It'd be hard to hear over the sound of the fiddles.

Mya grins at Mindy's response. She slips a vial of something into the girl's hand, and smirks. "Have fun dancing, you two," she says, "I gotta see if there's anybody worthy of my luscious bod here." She then wanders off, her step light and lively, and a big smile on her face. Yes, Mya is smiling. Paint a portrait, quick.

At the mention of drugs, there's a small downturn of Sawyer's lips, before it just as quickly disappears and he squeezes Mindy's hand for a moment. "I'm going out to see if I can mimic the Empress. See you out there." Spoken fondly, he pulls away from Mindy, squeezing her hand, in case she wants to stay with Mindy while he heads for the hay.

Her eyes shine as Aimend watches the children for a few minutes. She then turns her gaze to the musicians and looks at each one, admiring the way they contribute to the musical whole. A man addresses her, and she turns to look at him properly. Giving a bit of a nod, she smiles, pleased to be greeted, though it seems that she's content to stand back and watch the people for now.

Caspian grins and nods knowingly to the suddenly nearby Aria. "I'm sure you do know," he answers, having not a clue what she's talking about. "but now's not the time for talking anyway, is it? Though it's not your fault that I can't talk while I play and you /can/ talk while you play.." He eyes her spoons, then his recorder. "We'll talk after. I truly /do/ like this song.." he says, sounding a bit surprised at that himself. And then he's back to playing, lips occupied with his instrument as he gets right back in to the groove of the beat. He bobs along with the beat, impossible to stay still.

Mena grins wide as Liam joins her on the straw dance floor, reaching a hand out to take it as she continues to dance. Perhaps just in friendship, or perhaps to give the man an extra bit of stability. She really does love this stuff and gives a look around. "You should all come and dance!" she calls around. "There's no set way! Just.. dance!"

Ravelle flahses Lachesis a radiant smile, "I am... considering it, but I do not know these dances at all. Will you, Miss Erastothenes?" Mya's words win such a joyous laugh from her and she turns to seek the woman out with her eyes. This is the best party already.

Helena grows a little more comfortable as the song continues, but she remains a bit back and off to the side, her eyes on the dancers and occasionally on Ravelle. A couple of times she nods in her sister's direction, as if silently trying to push her to dance. If one sister's got to be involed, the other does as well. A smile even shows a bit as she gets into the melody.

Laughing, Elena does then join with the Empress, her hands in her skirts as she lifts them to keep her feet free of obstruction. She's a big girl, and either she doesn't care too much or she hasn't noticed, but her movements cause her entire body to sway as she dances near to the Empress. Her face gradually gets more and more colour as she dances - whether from embarassment or exertion is anyone's guess. One thing she was right about though; she's not exactly in time with the raucous tune.

The young Guardian steps onto the hay, watching Liam and Mena for a moment, before Sawyer starts to go into.. a rather.. well, he needs practice or a partner, really. Dancing formally? Waltzing? Sure. This is new to him.

Mindy looks at Mya and then at Sawyer, bursting out laughing as she eyes the liquid in the bottle. The little vial gets tucked away into her bosom and she shakes her head, then snaps her head up as both of her friends depart from her at the same time. She's left standing alone, and looks around for a second, then shrugs and trots out towards the dance floor, pinching hers skirts between thumbs and forfingers to make them swish in a lively way as she twirls and bounces to the upbeat tune.

Lachesis flashes a quick smile to Ravelle as she nods. "I do not know the dances either, but attempting it may well be the best way to learn." She bows with a formal flourish and then gestures towards the dance floor. "After you, Baronet."

Noele closes her eyes briefly before casting one more look over the crowd, then turning to begin walking back towards the village.

Mya notices Ravelle looking at her, and the tattoo artist makes her way over to the Lady Soranus, grinning like crazy. "Lady Soranus!" she says, "How the hell are ya? Come to convert all these dancing heathens? I sure as f*ck hope not! What a crazy party, huh?" Yep, those eyes are glassy, all right. Mya is feeling no pain.

Liam notices Aimend still fading back after he gives her that fair warning, eyes glinting greenly for the moment as he lets a deep laugh go. "C'mon, lass, we're not about to let you go on this one. Grab a bell or grab some straw." grinning as he takes Mena's hand, probably needing a little of that stability, but he's done just about everything with one leg at this point, so he was going to make a valiant effort! Glancing around quick, he spots Sawyer. A kid trying. He points, "You!!" flicking his hand over to Aimend, grinning. "Ask the pretty lass to dance. Don't be shy."

There is the thrump of metal on metal as Aria plays along. Only.. the song itself is in a 2/4 time and Aria? Aria is in a 4/4 time, which means she's totally off beat (in more ways then one). "I looooooooooooooooooooooooooooove this song. I loooooooooooooooooooove the spoons. I looooooooooooove.. are they dancing? LADY BARON NOT IT!! DANCE PLEASE!!!" Yeah nothing like calling Ravelle out. "PLEASE BARON NOT IT? PLEASE?"

Bella continues to fiddle her heart out, the Baroness actually pretty good at it. Well, what else does she have to do, but practice teh fiddle all day? It's not like she has three children under the age of two, a barony to help run, and not to mention the fact she's on call as a midwife pretty much all the time.

Noticing Mindy, Sawyer smiles, heading over towards her, while still dancing, and offers his hand to her. "Lead on, Mistress Sharp?" he says with a grin at her, before he hears the call from Liam and he glances up to where he's pointed and colours for a moment. "Come on out and dance, Mistress!"

Aimend pulls a sketchpad from the bag hanging at her shoulder and then settles down on the groud with a crayon in her hand. She plots a few marks on the page, judging proportions and distances, and then begins to make a drawing of the musicians and the dancers.

Zoe, a recent arrival from Draught, isn't too bad either. She smiles out at the crowd, her eyes shining as the wonderfully cheerful tune continues. There seems to be a bit of a conversation going on between the two fiddlers, Zoe and Bella as they stand there in the center of the stage.

Ravelle's brows skyrocket at Mya's language, though it's hard to be put off when it seems so natural for the environment. Fielders abound! Oh dear. It's a conspiracy. She laughs and looks from Mya to Lachesis and then at the littlest one cheering her on. Oh Sweet Goddess, she's not supposed to give into peer pressure. But... sure enough, she concedes with a nod, throws her sister a look that says she's somehow responsible for all of this, and then she closes with the dance floor. "Okay, I'll give it a shot." And then she stands there, watching the others hop and jig and she hesitantly tries to follow with smaller more subtler movements so as not to draw too much attention to the fact that she has no Ikolly idea what she's doing.

Caspian snickers, which causes a strange sound to emit from the recorder, as he eyes Aria, trying to follow her eyes to see just /who/ she's calling for. He can't help himself. His music is interrupted once more as he speaks. "Baron ... not it?" he questions, looking quizzical and amused. His eyes shift to the other musicians on stage soon after, his boot tapping on the floorboards. "And!" he answers belatedly, "I wasn't going to wear them, but figured I should in cas I need to leave," is spoken to Aria as he sticks out a booted foot.

Mena grins widely as people do start to join the dance floor to enjoy the night of revelry as the rain hits the tent above them all. The ale is flowing, and the music is playing, and the Empress is enjoying herself without reserve, as that expression on her features shows obviously. "That's right," she tells someone dancing nearby. "It doesn't matter if you don't know the steps. Make them up. It's just about having fun. Though, usually, people are dancing with a tankard in their hands.." It is of note that there is no tankard in the Empress's hand, though. And the knights nearby always around her? No dancing. Though they don't stand too close, letting the woman enjoy the hoedown.

The two little Forester twins make their way over to the Empress. Parlan (or is it Paley? they are so hard to tell apart) tugs on the Empresses gown. He has found those flowers some lady let fall from her hair in the straw. He has them in his fist, along with several pieces of straw, and is holding them out for her.

At the same time, Paley (or is it Parlan?) starts to tug on Ravelle's skirt as she comes to the dance floor. He starts to jump and hop around, smiling brightly at her. "Da!" he says. Well, he's only 18 months old, after all. Not much of a talker yet.

Savannah holds her lute tight against her form. She's bundled up, but is nearly bubbling over in excitement at the prospect of such an event. Not that she's joining in, but rather hangs back. A small wave offered to Caspian, at least a familiar face among the others.

As the first song comes to a close, Aileana does offer her jug, "Who wants to give it a try??? Some'un come up'n play! All you do is blow, and I know there's some women out there that can blow, right?"

Katie makes her way to the stage on a wet night. Cloak around her to keep off the worse of the wet. that is until she in under the tent and it can be put aside. Grining widely as she just looks about at all the chaos around her at the dance. Yup, good old fielder party it seeems like.

Elena's dance is actually quite energetic; she cavorts and jigs up and down, and makes her way over to Ravelle grinning, and then away again. Each swirl causes her cloak to flare out a little. Gradually, however, she traverses the dance floor towards the refreshment stands, until finally she slips away to them, breathing hard and laughing weakly. She props herself up on a table with one hand watching the melange with a smile.

Mya is no Fielder, dammit! She watches as the Lady Purist goes out onto the dance floor, and busts out laughing. "Oh Lady, look, you have an admirer!" she shouts to her, as she sees the little toddler trying to dance with the Lady Purist. Mya, on the other hand, takes a swig of whiskey from a flask she keeps in her hip pocket, and starts to wander around to every available man in the place. "Come on, dance with me, handsome," she says to the first one.

Aimend's hand moves in sure, easy strokes over the page in the sketchbook. Her crayon sets in the whirling grace of a few women's skirts, the tumble of long hair, the graceful extension of arms and hands as they dance. Her own movements seem to be in time with the music, or at least to follow its phrasing as she captures the energy and pleasure she sees before her.

Aria comes to her feet and grabs everyone's attention. "Do The Chastity Belt song!" It is here that she tries to figure out the right beats as her voice lifts. For the most part, she actually does carry the notes but not .. well. Not well at all. In fact, the high notes sound painful. (Lyrics chan for lyric spam).

Mena laughs as the first song ends, turning to the little one to accept what he offers with a bit smile. "Thank you, sweetheart," she tells him, then sticks the flowers in her hair. She doesn't get off the dancefloor, but does release Liam. "Thank you for joining me, Liam. I'll set you free now so you can go play."

Lachesis attempts a little hop, a tiny skip, a turn and a jump. Mage's robes really aren't the best attire ever for such things, but she does make the attempt. She applauds the youngsters and the brave actions of Baronet Soranus. Aielana's offer to take up an instrument does turn her head, but she ends up coughing to cover her laughter at the second part of the comment.

Ravelle laughs when she sees the darling little Forester tugging on her skirt and she lets him show her how it's done, following suit and grateful for at least some instruction-- even from an 18 month old. It just makes her evening. "Like this?" She flashes Mya a warm smile. "And I was worried I wouldn't find someone to partner with."

Caspian hurries to at least get the last note in before the song ends. He's successful, and he grins as he lowers his instrument down, reaching out to touch Zoe's shoulder. "Well played!" he compliments the fiddler with a broad and friendly grin. Helena is also acknowledged with a nod and lit of his recorder, though then he sends a wave towards Savannah, having miraculously caught her greeting from within the crowd.

Liam chuckles as he looks around to all the folks who've gotten it in their heads just how to do this dancing business. Decidedly more upbeat than he's been in months past, he bows his head to Mena, winking. "Any time, Mena. Looked awfully lonely a minute there." he looks to little Parlan/Paley offering flowers to Mena and holds his hands up, looking genuinely afraid "Whoa, sorry, lad. Didn't know she was yours." He laughs and looks around again, seeing how his victim found something to busy herself with, Liam continues his lop-sided, one footed dance, hunting someone to harass. "KATE!" he belts out in a deep, resonating voice, splitting a grin just as bold.

Stepping off the hay for a moment, Sawyer approaches Aimend, and clears his throat to offer a bow. "Mistress Painter, may I entice you away from your art for a moment to join me on the hay for a dance?"

As the song winds to a close, Zoe finishes with a flourish and a particularly loud strum and then lets takes the fiddle out from under her chin and wipes her brow with her sleeve. She smiles out at the crowd. Then hearing Aileana's invitation to the women of the crowd she laughs at that bit, grinning over her shoulder at the woman. "What song next?" Then as Caspian approaches and touches her shoulder she grins up at the man in a friendly manner and bows her head in thanks. "Why thank you, sir. Not bad for a Draughtian, eh?"

There's a reason even the Empress wore pants to this event! It makes it much easier to dance in this fashion. "You don't really need a partner," Mena tells Ravelle, overhearing the woman's comment. "Except for the slower songs, I suppose."

Savannah dances closer to the players, raising her voice to be heard. "Now Sheriff, I didn't realize you knew how to use that thing," she teases and hooks her own instrument back over her shoulder. "Here I was worried I wouldn't know the players." She nods and smiles brightly to Zoe.

"And if you're not playing in the band, you best be dancing!" Mena calls out, grinning. "Or drinking some ale!"

The hoedown, it seems, is in full force, with all its music and its dancing, when a handful of children -- five, six, seven, maybe, between the ages of six and twelve -- sprint up from the southern pasture, a hootin' and hollerin' and joining in the noise. The eldest of them leads the way with a shout of own: "C'mon, me hearties!" Dag calls to the kids, waving them into the fray with his hat, revealing his unkempt, sandy hair as he swings it around his head. "Show 'em how we does it on Gateway, won't we?"

Mya has found some poor hapless Fielder lad to join her out on the dance floor. "Why ya wear breeches like a guy?" he asks her. Mya just laughs. "I'll show you how much I'm NOT like a guy, kid," she says, giving him a wink. When they start the music up again, Mya steps in close to the lad, brushing against him as she dances. The young Fielder lad looks a bit dazed.

Well, that wasn't half bad, certainly some of the missed rings of the bell can be forgiven from the first-timer on stage, yes? Helena returns a nod to Caspian and looks out over the crowd, smiling for no particular reason at all. Hearing the title of the next song the Purist lady blushes a bit but stays on for another song at least.

Katie waves over to Liam as she hears her name bellowed. " Big Brother!" Called back at him as she tries to make her way over to the man to wrap him up in a big hug.

Bella smiles at Zoe and Caspian, as well as Aileana. "Nicely played, all of you!" she says, as she waits to hear what the next song will be. At the mention of it, she nods. Seems she has quite a few songs in her repertoire.

Parlan beams at the Empress as she puts the flowers in her hair. He then spins about, looking for his brother. Seeing him dancing with Ravelle, he starts to run over there. He gets close, and then realizes... oh no!... he's not going to stop in time.

Quietly, Elena takes a tankard of ale, slipping around to the very periphery of the tent, She stands there watching and drinking from her tankard, a wry smile on her face. Gradually, her natural colour reasserts itself.

As Savannah addresses Caspian, Zoe looks over at the woman and raises her hand holding the bow of the fiddle in greeting. Then looking over at Aileana behind her, Zoe asks, "Which song are we gonna play next?"

Aimend looks up from the drawing, giving it a nod, and then turns the page in her sketchbook. Homing in on one of the fiddlers, she gives the sketchbook a quarter-turn and begins to make a few marks on the page. A man comes up to her and speaks. She looks up at him, suddenly rather flustered at this unexpected meeting. For no apparent reason, she looks around, then looks back at him. "I... that is, it's fine, really. I'm so new here, watching is good for me," she begins. "Thank you, though. Perhaps later?"

"Oh, come on," Caspian protests to Savannah. "You didn't think that all I'm good for is throwing cuffs on folk, eh?" He winks at her, a grin and laugh following as he glances to Zoe. "Draughtian?" he says with a mock look of horror. "Well then I take it all back!" The sound of jest is in his tone though, and as Aria starts to sing, he squints his eyes. "I don't know this one well.." though he does listen to see if he can catch on.

Paley giggles at Ravelle as she dances with him. When the song ends, he just continues dancing. It's fun!

Ethan watches the festivities with interest as he flicks a smile, listening to the various songs and watching the dances.

Ravelle did /not/ wear pants and so she's not jumping or kicking as she probably should, but she does nod gratefully to Mena at her advice. "Thank you, Majesty." Some of her hair has come loose and she ushers those loose tendrils back behind her ear s she continues to dance with the youth. She starts to say something when Parlan careens into them both and she is sent stumbling back. That's /twice/ she's been ambushed by a human body today! She reaches down to steady the poor little guy, searching his features. "Whoa. Are you okay?"

"No no, I hear you've even thrown one on an ankle," quips Savannah right back. She turns away to stand on her tiptoes and try and catch a glimpse of the woman in question, though she's not overly tall. Soon, she turns back with a good natured laugh and winks to Zoe. "You play lovely, my lady." Though she lowers her voice at the promise of what may be another song.

Aileana laughs, "How about the chastity belt one?" And since no one asked for her jug, she goes back to huffing and puffing!

Liam doesn't take too much time making it through the crowd on the floor, for a broad built fellow, he makes it just fine, hobbling around in beat with the music. Jumping up on one leg and hopping around in a spin as he closes in on Katie, acting a fool just to try and make her smile. It did all end the same, in a big bear hug for his little sister girl. "Who says a one legged man cant dance eh?" spinning his crutch with some extra finess.

"If I don't hold you to that, you can ask for Lord Liam, he requested the dance." With a polite smile, Sawyer studies the art. "It looks like you have your own dance, after all, very nice." And with that, he moves to head back to the hay.

Swishing and swirling, Mindy dances in a wide arc that ultimately leads her back to Sawyer, just in time to see the poor guy rejected by the artiste. "Well, if you don't want him, I'll take him!" she chirps contentedly, grabbing the man's hand firmly and beaming at them both.

Hearing Caspian's reaction of mock horror as she reveals her origins, Zoe looks over at the man and grins. Placing her the back of her hand against her forehead in mock lament she says, "Aye! Tis true, tis sadly true, my friend... but can't do a thing about it I'm afraid." Then she grins at him, her eyes gleaming with mirth. Then hearing the choice of the song from the Duchess she thinks for a moment, trying to remember just which one is that. Strange, since it is such a memorable title. Finally though she does seem to remember it and looking over at Bella she says, "You'll have to lead this one, Bella. I don't know this one as well."

Aria looks around the area thought and then moves through trying to find any that are not dancing or playing. For a moment there is merely silence from her and then.. 'DRINK!! TIP YOUR CUP, DRINK FROM YOUR GLASS. NOT DRINKING ENOUGH UNTIL YOU FALL ON YOUR ASS!" She then goes on to look at Liam. "Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam! *breath* Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!Liam!" It should be noted she does this right beside him. "Wanna dance?"

It appears the young Fielder lad is just overwhelmed by Mya. Good thing, really, as she finally realizes something. "oh crap!" she says, snapping her fingers. "I have to do a tattoo tonight." Yes, in her condition. She bounces out of the tent, waving to everyone. "Have fun! Don't do anything I wouldn't do!" she calls to Mindy, giving her playful wink before she goes.

Katie giggles greatly as she watches Liam dance about before she caught up in her bear hug. " Your wonderful! I always knew you could dance even with only one leg." Then there is the Liam chant right next to them. "Whoa..... Umm. I think someone wants to dance with ya Big Bro."

Finishing her tankard with a quiet smile, Elena leaves the empty with the staffers. She murmurs thanks to them, and then draws her hood up hiding her oddly sad expression in shadows. She draws her cloak around, and slips away as unobtrusively as she can, into the rain and the mud.

Oh! And then Savannah's kind compliment registers with her and looking over at the woman, Zoe smiles warmly and says, "Why thank you! I don't know many Green Field songs but I do enjoy them."

Bella gives a warm smile and a nod to Zoe. "it's not that hard. You'll get the hang of it in no time," she says. Then when Aira goes all verbally spastic again, Bella lets out a sigh. "You know, I do have some calming candies in my bag..." she says, mostly to herself.

Grabbed by the hand, Sawyer grins, "If you're willing to be patient with me, Mindy!" he says, allowing her to easily take him back onto the floor.

Aimend looks a little relieved when someone else comes to take the young man (Sawyer) away to dance. She turns back to the pad on her knee, glancing from there to the bright-eyed woman in the rose coloured silk gown as she plays the fiddle. She sets a few curves and two or three darker masses on the page and then begins to connect them with a sure hand.

Caspian snickers in reply to Savannah, and he bobs his head. "Aye ... once or twice.." he muses as he taps his chin with an index finger. "Should do it more often, come to think've it. S'bloody funny, " said with a gleeful look that's soon turned to Zoe. "Ah, I suppose I can forgive you for something you can't help, Draughtian. We'll play again, soon.." His eyes have drifted out to the crowd now, and he's grinning again. "Excuse me, please." The song doesn't seem to be one that he knows, and for the moment, he hops off stage.

Savannah waves it off with a bright smile. "My mother was from here, so neither do I," she confesses just loud enough for Zoe and Caspian. The later receiving a mock look of despair. "Just don't do that at my wedding," she teases and turns away to see to a seat near the stage, not daring to try her hand at dancing yet.

Mena does wait for the next song to begin and just starts dancing all over again. With a grin, she even jigs around one of her knights with a laugh, who just smirks for a moment and goes back to looking around and guarding with the other three.

Grinning her excitement, Mindy shows Sawyer a very simple two-person dance: three hops on each foot, in time to the music, with the man leading. "I'm sure you can do this," she says, giggling.

Liam lets Katie go eventually...just in time to hear the first set of 'Liam!Liam!'s from Aria. The man turns and stares at the outspoken Forester Cousin. There's a morbid kind of curiosity as he just watches her go on and on and on. At the breath, his brows raise upward. Is she done? NOPE! So crossing his arms over his chest, just waiting with some humor clear in his gaze. The eventual question dropped, the woodworker pauses, quiet. Shrug. "Okay." Reaching out for her hand.

As Caspian takes his leave, Zoe nods, smiling, "Alright. It was fun playing with you!" Then looking over at Bella, Zoe says with a smile as she puts the fiddle under her chin once more, "Ready when you are, Bella!"

Aria squeals that annoying happy noise as she takes Liam's hand to start pulling. "We can do the jig!" She bounces on her feet as her hair is already pretty chaotic. Then she seems to look Liam over from top to bottom. "Oh.. right.. you are a Guardian. So a jig is like a jug but like nothing like it." This explains dancing in her mind as she swings around the area. Her form shifting around the area.

The cadre of children from the orphanage blend into the crowd, and mostly into the dancing crowd, throwing arms and legs and various limbs every which way. Dag? He stands back, nearer the edge, finds something to lean against and with a smirk on his face, he watches.

In Aimend's hand, the crayon dances over the page in her sketchbook as she watches the fiddler unobtrusively. One of the dark masses on the page soon becomes the woman's hair which in turn provides contrast and definition to the tilt of her head and the sweet curve of her cheek against the fiddle on her shoulder. A few deft marks define the woman's eyes, then slightly deepen the contour of her brow above them. She pauses in the drawing for a moment, apparently intent on some detail of her model. Her crayon moves again, though she doesn't look back at the page, and she turns the curve of the woman's nose and then the careful fulness of her lips.

Katie calls out to Liam as he is pulled away. " Save me a dance at some point tonight!" Bright smile on her face and giggling all over again. Now then... she's sure she saw that soon to be husband of her's around here somewhere, but looking over to where the people had been playing instruments can't find him anymore. Where did that man get to.

Nodding, Sawyer grins back at Mindy and starts to follow her steps, before he finally gains the confidence to dance with her in the lead role.

The Toddlers of Emerald Hollow laugh as Parlan runs into Ravelle and knocks her down. The two then quickly scamper off, before their mothers' guards can come chastise them. The kids from the orphanage provide perfect cover, and soon, the Baronet and Lord of Emerald Hollow are lost in the crowd.

Mena does take note of Dag just standing there. Not drinking, not dancing. She jigs over toward him, beckoning him to join her. "Come on, now. There's no standing around tonight, Master Dag. Come dance with your Empress."

Phailin slips into the festivites. Well she attempts to slip in. Offering waves to those that are here. Content to people watch as she makes her way to a chair.

"You're doing well," Mindy murmurs to Sawyer as they jig along. "Don't be nervous, it's easy. One, two, three, and one, two, three.." Soon she's leading subtley, although he is moving her backwards; she pulls him gently through the crowd so he can concentrate on commiting the steps to reflex.

Bella looks around, confused. "I thought Aria was leading this song?" she says to Zoe. "What happened to her. OK, change of plans, then. 'Devil Went Down to Green Fields', do you know it?"

Caspian weaves his way through and around dancing people, very narrowly missing getting pummeled by a woman who's getting swung around by a burly looking man. He ducks, weaves, dodges, and eventually arrives unscathed near Katie. Smirking now, he captures her in his arms which slide around her waist, his recorder still held in one hand. "Care to dance, wife of tomorrow?" asked with a grin.

Smiling at Bella, Zoe nods and says, "Ah, yes!I know that one much better." Looking over her shoulder at Duchess Aileana, she says, "Devil Went Down to Green Fields, alright with you?"

Amelia strides into the pasture from the road, an enormous grey cat lazily stretched across her shoulders, a friendly smile on her face.

Savannah smiles to herself, watching her friend slip off to the missus. She turns away to see about finding something to drink, perhaps a glass of milk or water.

Helena doesn't know the tune, but that hasn't stopped her so far. As with before, she allows the others to play for a bit before she joins in with her little ole bell. Her foot gets to tapping along with the melody, ignoring the actual lyrics of the song.

Dag is noted, and Dag is invited to dance, and Dag offers the Empress a skeptical look. "Wot, I's only here 'cause the little rats wanted to come throw themselves about an' hoot an' hollar," he points out, but he offers a bow all the same, sweeping his hat low before rising and clamping it back on his head. "But if yer majesty's askin', and since there ain't no prettier girl here to dance with, I s'pose I might make a exception." And with all that talking out of the way, he saunters onto the dancefloor.

Aimend's eyes dart quickly from the sketchbook to the fiddler and back again several times as she evaluates the portrait. She dips her chin in a tiny, apparently satisfied nod. A quick line on the page, another near it, and a sweeping, carefuly curve next comprise the angled body of the violin. She carefully picks out the angle of the instrument's F-hole, the set of its neck and the nearest tuning pegs.

Ravelle emits a soft sound of frustration seasoned with amusement as she finds her feet again, dusting off her gown and all too aware of every other ache she's feeling from her earlier baptism into Green Field lifestyle by brawl. She watches the two young ones scamper off and then slowly makes her way over to where the drinks are, needing a bit of a break before some other body careens into her. "Lemonade? Please tell me you have some lemonade." She requests of the people serving drinks.

Aileana nods at the request of the song, "Of course. I just want to play and in a few minutes, I want to dance. In fact..." She gets to her feet slowly and offers her jug to a young boy that seems to want to try, "You have to keep beat with the song."

Liam turns his head and tosses Katie a wink, "For sure, Missy." If he's the least bit uncomfortable joining Aria on the dance floor, he doesn't betray it. Though, he does look a little like a man taking a very hyperactive puppy for a walk the way Aria is tugging on his arm and leading the way energetically as he ambles along at his own pace. Straightening up, he scoffed to Aria in some over prideful manner. "Guardian maybe, but I know how to have a good time." so says the spawn of the hardest party man on the isle of guardian. He watches her interpretation of a jig and shrugs, following in kind.

Katie jumps a little as she was looking for the Deputy in the opposite direction. " There you are." hands going to lay over his own. " Tomorrow is going to be a good day. Yus! I wanna dance with you and your recorder." going to peek his cheek with a kiss even.

"I have a wonderful teacher." Sawyer compliments Mindy as she subtely leads him without him realizing she's leading, the young man moving in time with the girl eventually, though he did come close to kicking her a couple of times.

Mena grins as Dag accepts, reaching out to take his hand to sweep into the next dance. It's quick and jumpy, as these Green Fields dances tend to be. "Make sure you keep up," she tells the young man with a laugh full of enjoyment.

Bella grins at Zoe. "I'll sing the lyrics, too," she says, and she counts off the beat. "1-2...1-2-3-4-." and then a very fast song with some rather religiously-inspired lyrics starts.

Bella starts to sing as she plays the fiddle...

"The devil went down to Green Fields, he was looking for a soul to steal.

He was in a bind 'cos he was way behind: he was willin' to make a deal.

When he came across this young man sawin' on a fiddle and playin' it hot.

And the devil jumped upon a hickory stump and said: "Boy let me tell you what:

"I bet you didn't know it, but I'm a fiddle player too.

"And if you'd care to take a dare, I'll make a bet with you.

"Now you play a pretty good fiddle, boy, but give the devil his due:

"I bet a fiddle of gold against your soul, 'cos I think I'm better than you."

The boy said: "My name's Johnny and it might be a sin,

"But I'll take your bet, your gonna regret, 'cos I'm the best that's ever been."

Aileana heads to the dance floor, loops a hand around her belly for support and then starts to do some clod hopping without the clapping, of course.

Ravelle finds there is no lemonade and so she slips off to the food and drink tent at the other end of the pasture to get some.

Aimend sets in the curve of the fiddler's shoulder and the angle of her upper arm, her forearm and her hand, holding the bow as she plays. A few light strokes trail off the edge of the page, suggesting rather than detailing the woman's dress and lower body. Considering the drawing carefully, now, Aimend hatches in some contouring shadows then glances the side of one finger across them, turning the chalky crayon into a whispering mist whose contour tracks the shape of light and dark over Zoe's upper body as she plays.

The swift-moving Green Fields Song is too quick-paced for Dag's easy saunter. He's drawn into the dance by Mena's hand, and his lips quirk toward a wide grin as he hops along to the beat of the tune. Hops, more than dances, true; but a dance is a dance.

Caspian gives a skeptical glance to the recorder. "Well, I can't promise you that it will be a very good partner, but I /can/ assure you that I will be." He lifts up his chin, lips holding a smugly confident grin. Then, the music pics up and he unloops his arms from around her and grasps Katie's hand instead. "This is a good one!" he says, pulling her to the dance area.

Zoe smiles at Bella and starts to stomp out the rythme for a few beats, picking up on Bella's counting before suddenly picking up the quick, jumping tune on the fiddle. She smiles at the lyrics that the woman begins to sing and even laughs softly as the song continues. The music is even faster than the first song, and Zoe is concentrating a great deal on making sure her fingers that fly over the strings touch just right as she moves her bow over the strings further down. All the while she taps out the beat with her foot.

The lyrics are as fast as the music behind them, but Bella keeps up with both, while grinning at Zoe.

"Johnny you rosin up your bow and play your fiddle hard.

'Cos hells broke loose in Georgia and the devil deals it hard.

And if you win you get this shiny fiddle made of gold.

But if you lose, the devil gets your soul."

Amelia claps and stomps in place, hopping about to the tune. She swings the cat off of her shoulders into her arms and swings him around with a grin.

Katie laughes as she tries to keep up with being pulled. " Hopefully I don't trip this time." More then willing to make a fool out of herself even if hse does.

Aria moves with the new song that Bella is performing and leading. It makes so she doesn't actually come into contact with Liam. "You know that Titus and I have a baby? I mean it is a good baby. I misplace it a lot though. I think he has it right now. I told him that we should get married." Then she turns to look at Liam. "You have babies?" Then she's skipping and whooping happily.

And the Empress certainly doesn't seem to mind that Dag just hops around. As long as he's trying, she's happy. The knights? Still hating the dances outside. In the dark. In a bit of rain, despite the tent that covers the hoedown. But, they get paid well. "Congratulations on your win at the story telling contest," she tells Dag with a grin, and a bit of a quickening of her breath. This dancing sure takes a lot of energy.

Arriving at the hoedown, Marion grins brightly, moving her way through the crowds, twirling and getting twirled now and again as she approaches where she wants to really head, the stage. Bella knows of the young girls talent with Fielder's songs, and it's just time she lets it out.

"I won't let you fall," Caspian promises as his feet shuffle on the hay. His recorder is stuck within a sheath that looks better suited for a dagger than an instrument, the both of his hands take Katie's. Easily finding the upbeat tempo, he dances, his feet guiding her off in a near skipping beat around the dance area.

Dag hops along with the tune, then begins to experiment with hopping from one foot to the other in time with the music, his thumbs tucked in his belt. "Why, thank ye kindly!" he finds manners enough to exclaim over the crowd and the music, a grin splitting his features. "It were a good show all 'round, even if they didn't wanna let me vote for mine."

Lin stays perched in her seat and contributes to the song by using her heads to keep with the beat. Looking amused at the dancing and the music that is going on thus far.

People are going to have to take a breather after this song! Hopefully the next one will be something slower. Zoe and Bella seem to set their fiddle strings on fire as they continue to play and Bella continues to sing...

The devil opened up his case and he said: "I'll start this show."

And fire flew from his fingertips as he resined up his bow.

And he pulled the bow across his strings and it made an evil hiss.

Then a band of demons joined in and it sounded something like this.

When the devil finished, Johnny said: "Well you're pretty good ol' son.

"But if you'll sit down in that chair, right there, and let me show you how its done."

Fire on the mountain, run boys, run.

The devil's in the house of the risin' sun.

Chicken in the bread pin, pickin' out dough.

"Granny, does your dog bite?"

"No, child, no."

Liam moves along with that famous fiddle song, whooping hard as he recognizes it. "Tell it, Bella!!" Turning back to Aria, the little bee fliting around him in her hyperactive way, Liam goes about his own way. "Smithy and you got a little? Nice. Yeah I'm sure it's fine, Smithy seems like the sort to keep an eye on things." Reassuring her even though the cousin doesn't seem particularly worried about the child in her care. At this point, the erratic jigging might be pretty comical, Liam takes after Aria and just bounces around. Yep. Real men get flower tattoos and they also bounce around like a ball. "That's my babies." He points over in Lin's direction, the very round looking Lin, grinning and passing his wife a wink.

Katie whoots happily a little as she clasps Caspian's hands and they are off. Don't watch your feet, don't watch your feet. Mostly she just watch the man she's dancing with though.... she does glance down to those feet every once in a while. Just tring to follow along best she can. "You'd better now. I don;t want to hobble down the aisle with a twisted ankle after all."

Aileana just stomp dances around the dance floor, laughing as she looks around at everyone enjoying their time with her Isle traditions. To no one in particular, she comments, "Isn't this wonderful?"

Zoe returns Bella's smile before looking out at the crowd. She happens to catch sight of Aimend looking up at her and the fiddler smiles at her before continueing to scan the crowd. Her eyes briefly linger on Dag and the Empress with a grin before she finally looks back over at Bella, winking as there is an enthusiastic whoop from the crowd. There is light perspiration on her brow. Most likely, this one will need a breather after the song as well.

Mena laughs a bit as she hears Dag. "Is that what that was all about? You were trying to vote for yourself?" Now that is amusing to her, and she makes no attempt to try and hide it, just shaking her head as she dances to the music. "And yes, Ana. This /is/ wonderful."

When Lin sees Liam pointing and grinning as he passes she stops clapping very briefly to put fingers to her lips to give off a couple of piercing whistles herself. Than she drops that hand only to wave to Katie and Caspian as they pass by. The same wave given to Mena and Dag. Sure she's sitting but she's still having a good time.

Continuing to move across the hay with Mindy, Sawyer chuckles, amusement showing in his bruised face as the young man starts to finally relax and have a good time with her.

Amelia spins and twirls around the dance floor, her feet keeping time to the fiddle. She bounces with each step, a happy grin on her face as the music and cheerful ambience surrounds her.

Leading seems to come naturally to he Deputy, and he dances Katie around other dancers, not seeming to mind at all as he's bumped into by an exuberant pair.He laughs at Katie's worries, and he winks at her as he pauses long enough to lift her arm up and give her a twirl. "We can't have that, can we? That just means I'll have to keep a close eye on you and assure you don't break anything." The one twirl is followed by another, and then he's off again! He doesn't miss the wave from Phailin though, and he jerks his chin up to her, looking as if he's having a grand ol' tme.

The Empress's laughter draws a skeptical look from Dag. "'Course I did! He said vote for yer favorite, or th' one you like best, an' mine was, an' I did!" He waves at Phailin as he hops along past where she sits.

Aimend fishes in the bag beside her for a moment, then removes a small box and from it, a kneaded eraser. She works the bit of pliable stuff between her fingers, twisting it into a tight point. Her crayon in her left hand, she takes the eraser and uses it to lift away the crayon markings here and there, re-establishing highlights in Zoe's hair and on the body of her violin. The eraser twists again in her fingers, then Aimend carefully lifts small touches from the page, putting the sparkle in Zoe's eyes as she plays.

Bella grins and seems to be really enjoying herself. The Baroness Midwife always seems so prim and proper and ... well, rather unFielder-like most of the time. She finishes the song with a flourish...

"The devil bowed his head because he knew that he'd been beat.

He laid that golden fiddle on the ground at Johnny's feet.

Johnny said: "Devil just come on back if you ever want to try again.

"I told you once, you son of a bitch, I'm the best that's ever been."

And he played fire on the mount, run boys, run.

The devil's in the house of the risin' sun

"Granny, does your dog bite?"

No child, no.

"Well, considering you still won anyway," Mena says with another flash of a grin. "You really did deserve it. Now.. why don't you go over there and dance with that pretty lass," she says, nodding toward and looking right at Amelia. "While I go get something to drink. All this dancing is tiring work."

Zoe joins Bella in the flourish of the end of the song and once it has finished she laughs and says, "Hadn't played that one in a while. Gracious Providence, I think I'm going to need a break." Looking out to the crowd she calls, "Any brave soul care to take up the fiddle?"

Katie just can't stop giggling tonight, especially when she being spun all. A wink thrown to Lin as they pass her. As much as she is just tring to keep up, it is easy to see she is having one heck of a good time. Though the more she dances and relaxs they easier keeping up gets until doing more then keeping up. Girl is holding her own.

Not that playing a cowbell isn't fun and all, but Helena did tell her sister they would dance tonight, and Providence bless it, she's going to do so. Granted, she hasn't noticed that her sister has slipped out, not until after she's handed off the bell to another eager participant and she heads off the stage. Kicking up some straw as she goes, the Soranus lady peeks about for Ravelle.

After the song ends, Aileana heads back for her jug by way of the drink table. She brings a mug of cherry ale with her, drinking a few sips as she finds a seat and reaches for that jug again, "Someone else call the next one!"

Caspian does note the subtle change in Katie's dancing, and he beams a little at her as he takes her one more round around the dance area just as the song ends. Woot! He pauses, presses a quick kiss to her lips, then applauds the singer and fiddlers. "Hoo-aah Draughtian!" he calls, cupping his mouth so that his words hopefully carry far enough that Zoe can hear.

Amelia breathes heavily as the song ends and puts the cat down at the edge of the dance floor. Walking to the ale kegs, she fills a mug and quaffs it down. After filling it again, she returns to the side of the dance floor, waiting for the next song.

Aimend gives one more appraising look at the portrait on her sketchpad. A true likeness of Zoe with her fiddle seems to rise from the page, deftly created, not a line or a mark misplaced. The drawing seems to capture a brief of moment in the midst of the fiddler's music. She turns the sketchpad over and gives a sharp rap on its back that clears the portrat of any stray dust. She finds a piece of light tissue paper tucked into the back of the book and lays it carefully over the drawing to protect it from smudging, then closes the book. The crayon and the eraser go back into the little box. The box and the sketchbook return to her bag. Aimend runs her fingertips over the grass beside her, removing any stray traces of the crayon, and then she stands up. She gives Zoe a warm smile and a little wave, and moves farther back into the crowd.

Zoe laughs jovially at Caspian's cheering and takes a deep bow. "Thank you! Thank you! Ah, you are too kind!" she says to the adoring crowd with a smile. Then as a brave young Fielder hops up onto the stage, the young Draughtian hands over her fiddle and says, "Good luck!" Then looking over at Bella she says, "Care to join me for a drink or are you going to stay for another song?"

Katie takes the oppertunity as the song ends to clap greatly to the musicans while catching her breath, after a kiss of course. " That is so much fun."

"Miss Bella!" Marion says, off-duty, but the young woman smiles. "Go wet your whistle, I'll handle this song." she says with a smile.

Bella sits back, having to catch her breath after that fast-paced song. She spots Marion in the crowd. "Marion! Come up and sing for us!" she shouts out to her. When Zoe asks about joining her for a drink, she says, "Oh definitely, I need an ale. Badly." As Marion comes up, she hugs the girl. "Thanks, Marion. The boys are around here somewhere. Probably causing trouble. I'll go see if I can round them up."

Mena applauds for the fiddlers and band as well. "Good show, both of you!" And then she gives a smile and thanks to Dag as she sends him off to hit on the younger, and more single girls here. As for her, she does indeed head toward the kegs to get herself a drink and a rest, her knights following, as always.

With a smile, Marion nods. "I'll keep an eye out on them." The demure songstress climbs up on the stage and dusts herself off, and looks to the band, giving a quick curtsey. "Do you know 'The Boy Who Wouldn't Hoe Corn'?" she asks them. "If not, it's an uptempo beat with a light recorder follow."

Zoe looks briefly over at the Marion that Bella calls to and smiles at the young woman briefly before looking back over at Bella and saying, "Let's go then." And with that, she hops off the stage and heads on over to the kegs where she joins the Empress. "Excellent dancing, your majesty," says Zoe with a smile as she nears Mena.

Aria glances around the area as the song completes with Liam. She is panting pretty hard as she looks around to see who is still around. Suddenly her eyes look around the area. "WE ARE GOING TO PLAY A NEW GAME" The words are given as victims are found. "We are going to make our own song!"

Caspian grins broadly at Zoe, applauding a little more before his hands come down to his sides again, one of them slipping around Katie's waist. "Aye," he says to her, "it's to be expected from a Fielder affair. Care for a drink or anything?" asked just as he hears Aria's announcement.

Dag finishes hopping around the dance floor with Mena and flashes her a grin in return. He offers her another hat-doffing bow before he quits the floor to hit on the--

--drinks table. He slaps it and orders up an ale, taking his tankard to nurse it near the band. He may have finished hopping, but his toe keeps tapping all the same.

Bella steps off the stage with Zoe, smiling warmly at the Empress as they pass her. When they get to where the ale is, she gets two mugs, and hands one to Zoe. "To the two best darn fiddlers in Gateway," she says to her new friend, grinning a bit.

Mena lifts her tankard in Zoe's direction. "Thank you!" she says amiably, then looks around to see how everyone else is enjoying themselves.

Liam chuckles as Aria forgets about him. Having just pointed out his babies to the cousin, Liam meanders off the floor and snares a tankard on his way around the long way, draining it before he reaches the case he dropped earlier. Lifting the case, he walks to Lin, bending to kiss her cheek, bending his knee to crouch next to her. "Hey, pretty lady."

The two Forester twins have been having a grand old time with their new-found orphan friends. Squealing in delight, they race around the tent, knocking into people, probably spilling drinks, too. They don't seem to care, though. One thing for sure, two little boys will be sleeping soundly tonight.

Zoe takes the mug of ale that Bella hands to her and raises them with a laugh, "Ah yes, to the best two fiddlers! However, your friend up there soon might give us a run for our money." Then she drinks briefly before looking over at the lad who orders an ale. Catching sight of Mena's lift of her tankard, Zoe smiles at her and raises her own in return. Then looking back over at Bella then she says with a smile, "Been playing long?"

Katie shakes her head. "I'm good yet, i'll drink some latter. You might need an ale though. All that playing and dancin'." A curious look is given over to Aria at mention of a new game. " Game? I didn't know hoe downs had games."

Bella grins and lifts her tankard along with Zoe's as she sees the Empress lifting her own. Speaking to Zoe, she says, "Oh yeah, just about all my life. Got a really large family, we had our own band growing up." She looks about as Marion seems to have suddenly disappeared. "Huh... guess she found something better to do," she says.

Still not finding her sister, Helena decides to get something to drink herself. Cider seems easier to find than the lemonade Ravelle was looking for and soon enough the lady has a tankard in her hand. As with the night before she asked for a small one and was rewarded with a large.

Aimend makes her way through the crowd unobtrusively and goes back up the gentle pasture slope toward the city walls.

Mena drinks from her tankard, watching the people mill about. It is Helena who gains her attention as she comes somewhat nearby. "Good evening, Lady Helena. Are you enjoying yourself this evening?"

Zoe sips from her tankard as she listens to Bella. "A large family, eh? I'm an only child myself but my mother made sure I learned an instrument. She said it helped make you good at Mathamatics. Started when I was four."

Phailin did applaud for the musicians at the conclusion of the song. Grinning over at Bella and Zoe and giving them a wave. Having sent Hans to get her something to drink, proably cider though she rather drink ale but alas she doesn't go that route. Seeing Helena in passing that one gets a wave to. She finally takes notice of Liam's approach. How can she not when there's a kiss laid to her cheek. "Good evening, Handsome. You seem to be rather enjoying yourself."

Caspian snickers faintly and hakes his head ini answer to Katie. "With Aria present, anything is possible, really." Apparently agreeing that he does, in fact, need a drin, he heads that way, but it doesn't as if he has any intention of leaving her behind. He pulls her with him, arm still around her waist as he nabs an ale. "I received your package, by the way. And th note. Do /you/ like the flowers?" asked curiously before he takes a drink.

Amelia takes a heavy drink of her mug and joins Zoe and Bella. "You play real nice," she compliments. "I haven't danced like that in a year," she says with a laugh.

With Mindy off getting drinks, Sawyer smiles as he passes by Zoe, Amelia, and Bella. "Great playing, Excellency." he offers cheerfully.

Bella nods at Zoe. "Nine older brothers," she says, "I can hunt and fish pretty good, too." Seeing Phailin, she gives her sister-in-law a warm smile and a wave, then takes a sip of her ale. Once people come over to tell the two fiddlers how awesome they were, she smiles. "Thank you," she says to Amelia and Sawyer both.

Helena returns Lin's wave with one of her own and a brief smile as well. She takes a sip from her mug and finds the Empress nearby. "A wonderful time, majesty," Helena says, adding a proper curtsey as well. "It's difficult not to enjoy yourself when there is so much joy around you. I think someone would have to try to be in a bad mood in a place like this." Helena takes another sip and when her lips are hidden by her mug the smile disappears from her face, her eyes do not hold it as strongly. "You seemed to be havinga wonderful time dancing," she adds, looking back to the Empress. "I told Ravelle we'd dance, but I guess she went to check on the bidding."

"She /did/ dance for a bit," Mena assures Helena with a chuckle. "And yes. I am very much enjoying myself. It is a chance... to just have fun and not worry about some of the day to day things we often do worry over. A chance to just relax. Soon I'm sure it will be over, and we might sing the last song together."

Zoe smiles at Sawyer and then at Amelia saying, "Why thank you." Then looking back at Bella she says, "Nine brothers? Gracious Providence! Your poor mother. But then again they say a home without children is a home without light. Must have been a very happy and bright home you had."

Katie grins at the Deputy some at the question, more then happy to go over to the drinks with him. " It doesn't matter what I like, they are your clothes. You have to like them not me." Since they are here anyway, the seamstress grabs up a mug of cider not wanting to get tipsy just yet.

Liam chuckles and leans over, one big hand spreading over that growing belly lovingly as he looks out to the floor "Yeah, your cousin decided to drag me out. Brought something to play just incase." he raised a brow and looked back to his wife and leans in to kiss her cheek again, a touch lingering. "You're not singing. I'm surprised."

Hans comes back and hands over a mug of cider to Lin and gives a nod towards Liam. Lin gives a quiet thanks as she cradled the drink close to her as she turns some to listen to Liam. "Well, that's my cousin for you. Good to see that someone dragged you out. Dancing is always a fun thing after all." Chuckling at the question of singing, "Oh I figured I'd be late to this affair and wasn't sure how I'd feel coming to this. But I told Finn I would even if he's got that stupid ass concussion. Did you hear about that?" Laughing some when she thinks on that.

Amelia laughs, "Nine brothers? Heh, that is a lot. I only have seven myself." With a grin she says, "I'm Amelia. Amelia Hayward. What are your names? I'd like to remember such great players. I'll be throwing a grand opening for my candy shop soon, and we could use some music."

"Well I'm pleased to hear that," Helena tells Mena as she looks out over the group. "She needs to enjoy herself a bit as well, I'm glad she let her hair down a bit. And yes, it has been a wonderful distraction from other things," the Soranus lady admits. The mention of a song causes Helena to laugh and shake her head. "I'm afraid I don't know any Fielder songs yet, your Majesty. But I shall look forward hearing you sing."

Dag continues to tap his foot to the music, watching as a handful of kids from the orphanage wend in and out of the dancing. He doesn't make to join back into the dance, though.

"It," says Caspian, tapping his chin again, "/strangely/ resembles a tattoo someone had mentioned once..." He glances at her pointedly before grinning. "I do like it. Honeysuckle reminds me of you, besides.I want to keep it." He grins pleasantly and takes another swallow of his drink, though his ears can't help but pick up a bit of Phailin's words. He grimaces faintly, eyeing Katherine. "The Duke was beaten, apparently. You heard of it, too?"

"Were you not there for the last Green Fields music night?" Mena asks Helena, with a tilt of her head. "Well, every hoedown is closed with a certain song called 'Health to the Company'. It is a wonderful song, truly. I hope you get to stay long enough to hear it."

Zoe smiles over at Amelia and holding her tankard of ale in her left hand, she puts out her right hand for a hand shake. "Zoe Rye. Hire a bard though if you're going to throw a proper grand opening. I'm more of an Alchemist than a musician. So you're about to open a candy shop? In what part of the city?"

Liam nods to Hans as he comes by to tend to the flower mistress. "Heh, dragged me out? Gods, I was out there with Mena urging people on. I'm a dancing /fool/, love." sure all in jest, but he's trying to keep things upbeat tonight, grinning as he looks at all the dancers and players, inhaling deep. "Mm yeah someone mentioned he got his nose busted during arm wrestling." whistling low "Tough break, they're short their spooner."

Bella smiles warmly at Zoe and Amelia. "Yes, nine brothers. It's a miracle I survived," she says, goodnaturedly. She holds out a hand to Amelia. "I'm Bella Forester, of Emerald Hollow. Nice to meet you, Amelia." Her eyes gaze out into the crowd, and she spots her two errant boys. "Parlan! Paley! Come get a drink with mommy!" she shouts over to them. She then looks over to the nanny, who is taking care of the sleeping Paiva. Yes, she is sleeping with all this racket.

Aileana finishes another round of playing and steps off of the stage again, looking out at those present. She does wear a smile on her lips as she considers some mingling.

Katie blushing a bit at something. " I'm not at all sure /how/ they found out about any tattoo. After all I'm scared of needles for any other purpose then sewing." cough cough. " Oh good. That would have been a lot of work to pick it all out." though mention of the Duke clear the red from her cheeks quickly. "No, actually I hadn't heard. I have been.. busy in the office a great deal of late."

"Last year? No," Helena tells the Empress with a shake of her head. "I was somewhat more ... reserved last festival," she admits with a bit of a chuckle. "Probably imagined it wasn't the thing for me. But I shall stay the evening, I look forward to hearing the song. In fact, it will take a severe emergency to drag we away, I intend to stay and enjoy myself." With that she takes a long drink.

Aria bounces around from where the liquor is to where others are. She moves about towards Mena and Helene. She smiles at Helena. "You gave good bell." Then she looks at Mena. "Should we mingle, or write songs, or.. I know this song about there once was a girl from ..."

"Oh good." Lin grins when she hears Liam, "Glad to hear you recruited folks to get to a dancing. It wouldn't be a proper hoe down if that didn't happen. Sure one can play and sing but if there ain't any dancers than you might as well see it as a failure." Her words are light and really just met in a tease. Talking causelly if that. "Yeah, arm wrestling of all things. I could have sworn I heard something on my roof shortly thereafter. But that was probably my mind playing tricks since I know the shop was to far from where the arm wrestling was going on." Shaking her head as she takes a sip of her cider, finally.

"I don't imagine it will be too much longer," Mena says as she looks around and takes a moment to drink some ale. "It is starting to get a bit late, after all. I do hope everyone will be attending the wedding of Katie and Caspian over there, tomorrow night!" she calls out for as many to hear, lifting her tankard in the couple's direction with a smile.

Grinning towards the three girls, Sawyer nods his head to Mena at the mention of the wedding, it doesn't look too meaningfully for Mindy on that.

Amelia first takes Zoe's hand and then Bella's with a hearty shake for each. "Happy to meet you both. I didn't think about a bard, I just may have to look one up, and my shop is off the Plaza of the Keeper. It's not very nice right now, after the rats and all, but we're fixing it up." She grins enviously at the children and asks, "How many do you have, Bella?"

Caspian chuckles at Katie. "I'm sure they know more than they ever let on to you. You women have a way of ... talking without talking.." He makes a slight face. Yes, it's a conundrum! But the confusion clears from his face as he nods in confirmation of his words regarding the Duke. "Aye. I was hoping to see him here, though /not/ seeing him is making me hope that tomorrow truly does happen. If he is too injured to perform the wedding.." he trails off, eyes turning to the Empress at her announcement. He grins broadly and lifts his ale to her in reply.

Zoe looks over at the two children that Bella calls over to her and smileing warmly says, "Ah, are these your children then? So adorable!" Looking over at Amelia she says, "I met a bard yesterday by the name of Rook. You should look him up. He played rather well."

Liam turns to look at Lin, raising a brow. "Huh, really. Yeah, and it is a roof, who knows, maybe some bird got dropped by a falcon or something." Still with his fingers sprawled over his wife's stomach, he shouts up to the stage. "OY! Play something nice and slow so I can rub up against my wife a little!"

Lin nudges Liam when Mena says that. "I hear your gonna walk Katie down. Good for you." Projecting her voice when she hears Caspian, "I don't think you have anything to worry. If he can't do it I'm sure there are plenty of folks that will see to it that you and Katie marry!" Lifting her mug towards the couple.

Helena joins in and lifts her mug to the happy couple. "May Providence give you many years of joy and prosperity!" she calls out with a grin.

"Oh, His Grace will be there!" Mena assures the crowd with a laugh. "He'll be nice an colorful in the face, but he's not going to miss it!"

Parlan and Paley come rushing over to Bella, trying to tackle her by wrapping their arms around her legs. "Mama!" they say, in unison. Well, they are identical twins, after all. She puts down her ale, and lifts both lads up, resting one on each hip. "I have these two little scamps," she says, "And my daughter, who's over there with the nanny. She's only a few months old." She turns to the table and says, "Two ciders in small cups, please," to one of the Fielders who is tending 'bar', so to speak. She smiles at Zoe and Amelia. "This is Parlan and Paley. My daughter is Paiva." The nanny, being ever astute, makes her way over to the Baroness, holding the sleeping Paiva in her arms.

Katie giggles a lot as the wedding is announced, the blush returning to her cheeks. "It will happen. Come hell or high water Caspian Fernwick by the end of tomorrow evening you will be my husband." Ever confidence in those words too. And just for sounding like he might be doubting that.. he gets a poke in the side.

Liam grins at Lin's words, chest puffing up, shoulders back, the proud big brother. "Damn straight I am." he winks to Katie. "Also gives me a chance to sweep her up and run away if /I/ get cold feet. Lucky for the Deputy I can't run too quickly."

A drink from the concessions table in hand, Mindy comes up behind Sawyer and gently tugs his sleeve, giving him a sheepish smile. "Sorry to have run off," she says gently, offering him the mug. "I brought you a cider." It's chilled, much like the one he had before.

The band of thrown together musicians do indeed settle into a slower sort of song, though still with that Fielder flare for the couples to dance to all romantic-like.

"Thanks." Sawyer says, taking the mug, and a long drink, then smiles. "Ah.. okay, this I can handle. If I may have this dance, Mistress Sharpp?"

"How precious!" Amelia nearly squeals, keeping her voice a little lower for the sleeping infant. "Such sweethearts," she murmurs. "Can I hold the baby?" she asks, "I know she's asleep, but she just looks so squeezable."

Caspian sends a grateful look both to Phailin and the Empress at their assurances, and he nods to the both of them. "You've settled my heart!" he calls to the both of them, looking a little more at ease now, moreso as Katie speaks. He sways away from the poke, glaring a glare that's ruined by a smirk. Eyes lift to Liam, having heard that he'll be the one to walk Katie down. "Yeah? I didn't know that," he sasys with a look to Katherine, but he does sound pleased.

"Oops," Mindy says under her breath, as a slow song comes on. She grins at Sawyer, then nods. "I think this is about the right pace for me, too," she admits, tucking her hand into his.

A couple's song? Iew. Dag's nose wrinkles as the band starts a slow song, and he takes off, trudging across the field, leaving the kids from the orphanage to their fun.

"Yeah who knows." Lin shrugs towards Liam. Not seeming to bothered about it. "Its spring. Maybe birds were mating in midair and got to passionate and fell on our roof." Chuckling as she tries to picture that. Amused by it. Shaking her head again but the grin on her face widens at Liam's request and how its honored. "You'll do just fine, Liam. I am sure of it." Now its her turn to look proud of her husband and the role he'll play at tomorrow night's festivites.

While the song is playing, a young woman takes the stage, and starts to sing quietly, in time with the music.

Way up north where the snow flies

And the sun don't hardly shine

If it weren't for my true love

I'd've long ago lost my mind.

I'd've long ago lost my mind.

There's good folks here and good folks there

Most everywhere I go

But the land of my heart is down

Where the snow white cotton grows.

Where the snow white cotton grows.

When the river runs over from the melting snow

We will take to the higher ground

When the water goes down again, we'll saddle our old paint

We'll be homeward bound.

Me and my love will be homeward bound.

Katie throws Liam a wink and blows a kiss to him too. " No running away with the Bride." Then grins back up to Caspian. " I haven't had the chance to tell you of late. SO who's walking you down the aisle? Any decision made on that one yet?" On but a nice slow song. " Come dance with me again?"

Helena takes another drink and shakes her head as a slow song begins. Obviously Providence doesn't want her dancing after all. But her smile lingers, so perhaps she's not too disappointed.

Zoe smiles warmly at Bella and Amelia as the young lady takes such interest in the infant. Sipping her tankard, Zoe then looks over at the singer on the stage and listens with a faint smile, enjoying the respite.

Finishing off the cider in long gulps, Sawyer sets aside his mug and moves onto the dance floor, tucking one arm around Mindy, and slipping his hand into hers, moving with her across the hay as the two lock eyes, and he smiles. "Thanks for coming with me this evening."

Bella gives Amelia a smile. "Of course, you can hold her," she says, nodding to the nanny. The nanny handles Paiva gently as she gives her to Amelia. The two boys get their ciders, and Bella sets them down. The two guards with Emerald Hollow insignia come to stand a bit closer, now that Amelia is holding the baby. "The music is great tonight," she comments to Zoe. "And not just ours."

As the slow songs start, Mena certainly stays to the side near the kegs, enjoying her ale and the company surrounding her. "You know last festival, every one of my siblings showed up to this events. And look around... me and Lin and Bella and Ana," she says with a slow shake of her head. "Not a brother in sight. Shameful!"

Liam snaps his fingers as Katie give him that wink. "Damn" chuckling. That song comes up and he stands, extending a hand down to Lin. "C'mon, you might not be able to jump around but can you hobble with an old cripple?"

"I don't think I need to be walked," Caspian answers, chuckling slightly. "It's all very symbolic, I think. I've never had anyone to do anything for or with me before. Might as well do this very last thing on my own, as I won't have that problem anymore after tomorrow.." He smiles now, taking her hand. "There's nothing more I'd like to do at this moment," said in answer to her as he guides her back out to the dancing area, leaving behind his drink. An arm slips around her, pulling her closer to him.

Mindy looks a little taken aback. "...Oh, I wish I had something clever to say. You're welcome, Sawyer," she replies, leaning in to peck his cheek. "This is fun."

Helena glances over at the Empress after watching some of the dancers. "Well, there's still the dance at the end of the festival. I know it's not the same, but perhaps they'll be there," she tells Mena with a shrug before looking towards the stage to watch the singer.

Aileana does head back to the drinks or more accurately the food there, "Well, you know....one of them managed to break his nose." She just laughs then, "No wonder he's been hiding from me."

Lin laughs when she hears Liam. But at the offered hand she does take it and she just let's her mug drop down so she doesn't have to bend to put it away. She can always get another drink later. "Oh I think I can manage that." Looking over to Mena as she makes her way to the dance floor with Liam giving a shrug telling her, "Oh I am sure they all had their reasons."

Zoe nods at Bella's comment and says, "Yes, it certainly is. I went to a hoe down once while visiting Green Fields and I must say the Fielders on Gateway do as good a job as their cousins back home. Must be due to so many charming Fielder nobles." She says this with a grin to Bella, and then she includes her in-laws Aileana and Mena in the comment with a smile.

Aria clears her throat /loudly/ as Mena lists off her family.

"You'll learn clever things to say, just stay with me." Sawyer says, smiling at the peck as he grins, moving from hand holding so that the two are embracing as they dance across the 'floor'.

Amelia sets her mug down and accepts the infant from the nanny, cradling her gently. Cooing softly, she sways back and forth, her gaze entirely consumed with the baby. "She's so beautiful," she murmurs.

Katie hip bumps her fiance as they head back out on the floor making sure to leave her mug behind as well. " Yup, after tomorrow... you'll have me. And somehow I knew you were going to do it by yourself." A soft smile given to him as they reach the dance floor once more.

Bella smiles warmly at the two women, especially at Amelia, who is admiring Paiva. "Looks just like her Daddy," she says, "Thank Providence." She grins, and says, "I think I have one more song in me, Zoe. What about you? I think a little romantic ballad is just about the right speed now, don't you?"

Liam takes Lin's hand in his own, pulling it up to give her knuckles a kiss as they meet the pre-newlyweds on the dance floor. Liam's got an interesting set up still having to hold his crutch with one hand, his arm goes about Lin's waist, making room for that baby bump. "Took a concussion to keep Ashlan away, can't imagine anything less could keep Nix away."

Zoe grins at Bella at the suggestion of another song. She ponders the idea for a moment before nodding with a grin, "Alright, I guess I do have one more in me. Which one though? I dont know too many Fielder love ballads."

Mena chuckles and inclines her head to Aria. "And Aria, of course. And Liam, who was the only brother that danced with me this evening, thank you Liam!" she calls, even as he starts to dance with Lin. To Aileana, she grins. "That must be it. Hit his head too, I guess. I bet he's a real grouch about now."

Amelia touches her nose to the baby's as she holds her closely. "Play one sweet enough to make us all sigh and cry," she suggests, looking up from the child for a moment.

"I'm /sure/ he is. He has a way about being grouchy when things do not go the way he wished." Aileana chuckles as she reaches for a cookie in the shape of a haybale.

Lin keeps that smile as both her and Liam near Katie and Caspian. Giving a shrug at the mention of Nix. "Kind of strange he's not here. He really does actually like music night. Maybe I can find out from him what happened to make him stay away."

Bella gives Amelia a smile. "If you get tired of holding her, the nanny will be glad to take her," she says. The nanny, actually, is watching that baby like a hawk. Turning to Zoe, Bella says, "Do you know, "Someone Who'll Watch Over Me?"

"Because you know me so well," Caspian muses to Katie, sounding quietly pleased by that fact. "Mae will be there," he adds. "Though I'm sure she'll be just as happy standing near Carina." With one hand in hers and the other positioned snugly around her waist, Caspian moves in slow time along with the music, grinning over at Phailin and Liam. He keeps Katie close, though moves closer, head dipping down towards hers, nose brushing against her hair.

Helena is usually one to sip at her drink, even if it is just cider. Tonight she's ignore her usual habits and takes long drinks, nearly finishing off her tankard.

Zoe thinks for a moment at Bella's suggestion. "No, I... wait... how does it start? Maybe I do know it..."

Liam nods, making a small noncommital grunt of sound at the mention of Nix, his hand raises away from Lin's waist as Mena calls out. "I always got time for you on my dance card, Mena!" chuckling again as he winks to Caspian and Katie before getting back to his own honey, moving in time, he does lean in to kiss Lin's cheek.

Bella starts to sing it under her breath to Zoe... "There's a saying old, says that love is blind... Still we're often told, seek and ye shall find..."

Letting her free hand slip up and around Caspian's neck, Katie snuggles in close. Lin and Liam get a wink and a wiggle of her fingers before they start laying with the Deputy's hair a little. " Everything will be perfect." she agrees with him before saying something more quietly.

Mena looks at the couples dancing slow and close on the hay-strewn dance floor, a wistful and somewhat sad gaze making a brief appearance before she takes in a breath and drinks down more ale before chuckling again as she hears Liam. "That's some good family, right there."

Zoe listens carefully to the few phrases of the song that Bella sings to her. Slowly she nods, "I've heard that one before. I don't know it too well though. If you were to play the lead though I could probably pick up a decent harmony."

Hands wrap about Liam. Well sort of. Lin does have a belly to deal with after all. And really she's probably moving even slower than slow but she seems to be enjoying herself. Smiling softly when her cheek is kissed. Her eyes dim some as she lets this moment take her in.

The young woman on stage continues to sing:

Heartstrings hold tighter than the roots of a live oak tree

Holding through tornado wind

Tougher than timber, stronger than steel

They'll guide me back southward again.

They'll guide me back southward again.

When the river runs over from the melting snow

We will take to the higher ground

When the water goes down again, we'll saddle our old paint

We'll be homeward bound.

Me and my love will be homeward bound...

And with that, it fades into a violin solo, charming the couples dancing, currently consisting of Lady Lin and Lord Liam, the soon to married Caspian and Katie and Sawyer and Mindy.

Amelia hums the familiar tune softly to the baby as Bella demonstrates it, rocking her gently back and forth. "You make me miss my nieces and nephews more than I already do, sweetling," she murmurs to the sleeping infant.

Bella gives another smile to Amelia, before she nods to Zoe. "Sure, I can lead," she says, as she starts to make her way up to the stage, once the current song has ended. Speaking to the musicians there, she says, "You mind if we cut in? You're welcome to join us." She tells the other musicians the song they've selected.

Gavan wanders into the hoedown sans instrument and looking strangely less the boisterous man than he normally is. Propriety being what it is, he makes his approach to the empress first and offers her a halfbow. "Majesty." He offers her a smile then looks to the crowd. "Everyone having a good time?" Its an interest. He did help with the logistics, after all.

Zoe sets aside her nearly empty tankard and follows Bella up towards the stage. As she climbs up it, the young man she had handed her fiddle to, hands it back to her with a grin. Zoe smiles at him and thanks him, and then she looks out at the crowd and says to them, "Another love song, all! 'Someone Who'll Watch Over Me'"

The hand that Caspian holds is guided around his neck to join her other, and he releases it there. Now, both of his arms are around Katie's waist, looping lower to her hips as his eyes halfway close, nose nestled against her tresses. "Perfect," he echoes in a murmur, though likely commenting on something entirely different. Her soft words inspire a vague smile. "If it is not, will you sing it to me?"

Mena smiles and inclines her head from where she stands near the drinks as she notes Gavan's arrival. "Master Locksley. Welcome."

Aileana turns away from the table, still munching on her hay bale shaped cookie. She does wave to Gavan as he greets the Empress.

Bella smiles out at the crowd as she picks up her own fiddle again. "Grab your partner and hold them close," she says, to the crowd, "This one is a scorcher." Nodding to Zoe and the rest of the band, she counts off, then starts to play a very slow and sultry song. Her voice then adds to the music, the Baroness actually having quite a nice voice for ballads.

"There's a saying old says that love is blind

Still we're often told, seek and ye shall find

So I'm going to seek a certain lad Ive had in mind

Looking everywhere, haven't found him yet

He's the big affair I cannot forget

Only man I ever think of with regret

I'd like to add his initial to my monogram

Tell me, where is the shepherd for this lost lamb?

There's a somebody I'm longing to see

I hope that he turns out to be

Someone who'll watch over me

Im a little lamb who's lost in the wood

I know I could always be good

To one who'll watch over me

Although he may not be the man some

Girls think of as handsome

To my heart he carries the key

Won't you tell him please to put on some speed

Follow my lead, oh, how I need

Someone to watch over me..."

Thinking he heard his name from the Empress, Sawyer looks up. Oh hey, Gavan. A small smile and a wave to the older brother, and the young man nods to something said to him by Mindy and he steps back to offer his arm. "If you are ready."

Helena glances over at Gavan's voice and she nods in his direction, lifting her mug in his direction as means of a greeting.

Katie hum softly as her eyes fall closed. " I can try.. latter." then as she hears the song. " It's the same one." Nuzzaling against his neck a little.

As Bella and Zoe retake the stage, Mena takes a moment to speak with some of the people actually on duty to make sure tankards are filled. At the word from the Empress, they do start filling up more tankards to be delivered to any that will take them. And they'll be insistent. The singing of the traditional song approaches.

Even with those problems of making room for a pregnant belly and a crutch, Liam stays close to Lin, arm slid around her posessively. Bending down to press a kiss against the joining of her neck and shoulder, muttering something low for her.

Mindy takes Sawyer's arm, smiling up at him.

Zoe listens for a moment as Bella begins to sing and play, and then after a moment her own violin joins in the slow song, harmonizing gently with occasional trills. As she slowly moves her bow back and forth across the strings she looks out towards the crowd, watching people as they dance, smiling faintly.

Amelia quietly croons to Paiva along with her mother's singing, swaying back and forth to the music. She holds the baby near to her chest, a wistful smile on her lips as she follows the words.

Caspian half smiles in answer to Katie and nods. "I'll hold you to that," he says before his eyes slide shut fully and he quiets to listen to the lyrics that are sung, body moving slowly, automatically, though still with undeniable grace even in momentary blindness. His head lowers more, nose grazing down her temple as lips brush her cheek. Then, they move against her ear, speaking in tones too low to hear.

Bella has a bit of a smile on her face, too, as she watches all the loving couples in attendance. A sort of sad smile, truth be told. When she finishes the song, she takes the fiddle from her chin, holding it at her side. She gives Zoe a warm smile. "You got some talent, Zoe," she says, "Are you a bard, by chance?"

Phailin continues to stay close to Liam and whatever is exchanged she looks surprised and than embarrassed as she chuckles saying something quietly back.

And when the song ends, Mena does go on the move again, this time toward the stage. "Ana? Do you wish to sing one of the verses?" she asks, then looks to Aria and smiles. "And what of you? The second verse?"

Aileana shakes her head immediately, "I sing along. I don't lead." She laughs then, "Really, Mena. Singing isn't a strong point."

"Come on," Mena says to Aileana with a bit of a grin. "I want you to do this with me, tonight."

Zoe also finishes the song with a whistful sadness lingering in her expression. It quickly fades though once Bella smiles and speaks to her. Setting aside her fiddle for someone else to take up, Zoe grins over at the woman and shakes her head, "Oh, no, no. As I said, I am a student of Alchemy. I do try to keep up with the violin though. Music helps keep the mind fresh and lucid, I've always felt." As others start to head towards the stage to have a go, Zoe smiles at Bella and checking to see if she's followed, starts to head off the stage once more.

Katie leans into all those little touches that are given even as the song ends, she does move out of his arms just yet. Not before whispering back to him.

Aileana groans a bit now, "I'm just not drunk enough for singing." But the rules of Fielders prevails. Even if she's not, she hopes everyone else is if she's singing.

Bella thanks the other musicians on stage, and the Baroness exits the stage with Zoe. "Well, you're very good," she says, "And alchemy, that's wonderful. I'm a midwife, I always have use for alchemy. I keep Master Coleridge in quite a bit of coin." They wander back to Amelia. "I hope she wasn't any trouble," she says to Amelia, about the sleeping Paiva.

Helena allows her mug to be re-filled, but only after it is explained why it is done. Holding it with both hands she turns her attention back to the stage to watch those called up by the Empress to sing.

Zoe chuckles softly as Bella mentions Master Coleridge and the young woman says, "Ah, do you. In that case we may see a great deal of eachother. I've come to talk to him about possibly working as his apprentice while continueing my studies at the University here."

Mena smiles warmly. "Good." She gives a nod to Aria too, then turns to the crowd and lifts her voice to be heard. "Almost every time in Green Fields, a night like this is finished with a certain song of good-will called 'Health to the Company'. Now, tonight we're not going to kick you out right afterward, as we realize that the evening is just starting for some of you, and there will be music and ale going for awhile, yet. So tonight, we offer it as a toast to all of you, on this wonderful night of festival. And please, if any of you know it, or if you are a quick learner, please do join in."

Liam chuckles low at that surprised look, his arm tightening about her a moment as he leans in to drop another word or two beside her ear, punctuating with a kiss. He looks up as Mena goes up and tries to coorce Ana.

"Not a bit," Amelia replies, smiling softly. "Thank you for letting me hold her." She gently places the baby in the nanny's arms, with a soft, happy laugh. The grey cat resurfaces from who knows where, and Amelia hauls him up to her shoulders.

"Thank you, majesty." Gavan's voice is quiet, just loud enough to be heard by her majesty and those nearby. "Your grace." His attention shifts to Ana and he inclines his head again. "Any troubles, quandries, shortages?" Business before pleasure, his attention naturally gravitates towards the kegs on site and how many appear as yet untapped.

Aria is bouncing on her toes as she skips over towards Mena to find out where she goes in the song line. "I know aaaaaallll the words." She states with Fielder pride. "I even put in some swear words when on the fields."

Caspian does not seem overly concerned about letting Katie go anytime soon, music or not. But as there's no singing at the moment, he's no longer dancing, but he doesn't release his hold as he listens to her softly spoken words. His expression softens slightly, and the same on his lips is warm in reponse to both it and her kiss. His arms tighten their hold slightly, though he looks to the Empress as she speaks, gesturing to her with his head and loosening his hold on her enough that she can turn, if wished.

Bella looks about for her two little boys, who seem to have fallen asleep in a bundle of hay near the ale kegs. As Paiva is handed back to the nanny, Bella goes to get the carriage nearby, and the baby sling out of it. Putting it on, she takes Paiva and puts her in the sling against her chest. "That sounds great, Zoe. Come by my clinic sometime in Keeper East. Huge place, it's the Midwifery Clinic and Community Center. You too, Amelia, anytime. I gotta get these children to bed, though. It's getting late." The nanny goes to fetch the sleeping Baronet and Lord of Emerald Hollow, and puts them in the double-sized carriage.

Phailin doesn't mind being held close by Liam. Giving a nod to indicate she's heard his words. As a Fielder servant comes by she takes a mug and offers another to Liam, "Looks like we will be singing shortl, love." Giving a smile to him and than looking over at Mena. Even if the dancing stops she stays right where she is at unless she's lead away by Liam.

Zoe smiles at Bella and nods, "I will be sure to. Good evening then, Bella. May you and your little once have pleasant dreams."

Amelia waves goodbye to Bella, "It was a real pleasure. Stop by the candy store when we open!"

Liam laughs a little bit "Oy, me, singing...eeeehhhh..." he seems a little more than slightly reluctined. Arm still around her as the pair open up, facing the stage, he nods to the servant, thanking with a low voice for the mug from his lady.

Katie shifts just slightly so she can see better, but not much. It is way too comfy where she is after all. Her hands come down from about Caspian's neck and one slips around his waist while the other takes an offered mug of ale. "I know this one too."

Aileana takes another cookie and some ale as she heads for the stage, "I'm going to be singing, and so far everything has been great. I love festivals."

"We don't need the swear words tonight," Mena assures Aria, then looks to those still with instruments to start out the song, lifting her tankard of ale to the crowd, then. When she does sing, it is with a pleasant enough voice, starting the song off herself with the first verse and chorus.

"Kind friends and companions, come join me in rhyme

Come lift up your voices in chorus with mine

Let us drink and be merry, all grief to refrain

For we may and might never all meet here again."

Mena continues right into the chorus, encouraging all to join with a wave of her tankard.

"Here's a health to the company and one to my lass

Let us drink and be merry all out of one glass

Let us drink and be merry, all grief to refrain

For we may and might never all meet here again."

Bella gets her brood, her nanny, and her guards together, and waves to Amelia and Zoe. "I will do that," she says, "Thanks again, and hope to see you soon." On her way out, she'll say goodbye to those she knows, especially her family... The Empress, The Duchess, and Phailin.

Lin joins in the chorus and waves to Bella with her mug. Looking content and happy. She really does like this song after all.

Zoe smiles up at Mena as the Empress herself strikes up the final song. Leaning back against a post holding up the tent, Zoe folds her arms and with a smile joins in softly. Her skill with a violin is far greater than her singing and so she sings only softly, indeed being familiar with the particularly well known song.

Caspian also takes an ale and grins towards Katie. "You know more songs than I'd've guessed," he says with a wink to her, eyes going back to the stage. One hand holding his mug, one arm around tie waist of his betrothed, his voice raises up with the others as the song starts. Apparently, he knows the song just as well as anyone else, and he sings along, spirits elevated.

Helena wasn't kidding earlier when she told Mena she didn't know the song. She leans against a table and listens to the tune, perhaps trying to memorize it for the next event.

Amelia picks up her mug and raises it, singing along.

Aileana takes a drink of her ale after the first verse and then starts in on the second. She's not a talented singer, but hopefully even the dogs are too drunk to start howling.

"Here's a health to my country lass that I love so well

Her style and her beauty, sure none can excel

There's a smile upon her countenance as she sits on my knee

Sure there's no one in in this wide world as happy as we!"

And then Aileana sings the chorus as well,

"Here's a drink to the company and one to my lass

Let us drink and be marry all out of one glass

Let us drink and be merry, all grief to refrain

Fre we may and might never all meet here again."

Mena smiles warmly at Ana as she sings her part of the song, once more singing to join in the chorus herself, lifting her tankard in another toast to the crowd.

Katie just grins at that one and sings along with the song as well though more quietly then most.

Gavan doesn't have a glass but he lifts his rich voice nonetheless. The song is new to him, though, so he picks up the chorus on the second round. Not loudly, but with enough volume that he could be said to be joining in.

Aria swings her tankard around for the toast as she drinks after each verse.

Liam joins in, adding a booming baritone to the mix, and probably off key, but who's counting as he raises his mug up heartily. Still learning the words in parts as well, ah well! all in fun

Aria would normally belt out the lyrics as she's that kind of girl. However, Aria seems to take this song very seriously. Her voice raises to catch each note in a perfect sound of bittersweet good-byes. In fact, she also hits all the right notes.

"Our ship lies at harbor, she's ready to dock"

"I hope she's safe landed without any shock"

"If ever we should meet again by land or by sea"

"I will always remember your kindness to me."

Then Aria is back to clapping for the others that have sung their parts of the song. The chorus is sung with vigor and more alcohol.

"Here's a drink to the company and one to my lass"

"Let us drink and be merry all out of one glass"

"Let us drink and be merry, all grief to refrain"

"For we may and might never all meet here again."

Isabelle's soprano joins in on the chorus, weaving in with the rest of the voices. She walks up to join the group, arriving from the main road, and pours herself some ale. Hazel eyes lift to look around at each face, familiarizing herself.

Caspian grins and lifts his mug higher as he sings the chorus along with the others, stealing a glance to his companion and tossing a wink. Such an atomophere of camaradarie! The deputy eagerly drinks it all in, glancing from face to face, cementing them to his memory, perhaps, for recall when times undoubtedly turn bleaker.

Mena once more joins in the chorus of the song, then makes her statement just as the last note fades. "Thank you all for coming, and being a part of this with us. Please do feel free to stay and enjoy the bounty of Green Fields. I promise there's enough ale to flow well into the early morning hours, and there are people to keep playing music until the sun comes up. Enjoy!" Once again, the tankard is lifted in a toast before she finally drinks from it.

Phailin lifts up her mug at Mena's words and is heard saying, "Hear, hear!" Than she says, "Long live the Empress, Long live the Emperor!" Well it seemed the apporiate thing to say.

Gavan finds himself with a drink in hand. He has no idea where it came from but isn't surprised by the development. No doubt a well meaning Fielder thought to help him out. The mug gets lifted in toast to the Empress and he does allow himself a sip of the drink.

Helena echoes Lin's cries as she too lifts her mug at the end of the song and a few others nearby do the same. She takes a long drink from her cider, her gaze wandering over those remaining.

Katie raises her mug along with Lin. " To the Emperor and Empress!" It did sound good to say before taking a good swig off her ale.

Aria has drank her entire tankard by the time the song is complete. Her eyes study the empty bottom and she grabs up another one and toss her hand up in the air. "For Pony!" No wait, that was wrong. "To the Imperials." Yes, that was the correct one. She looks around sheepishly.

Liam holds that last note out for as long as the others do, his tankard held high with vigor as he downs the last bit and grins over to Lin at her cheer. A quick nod of agreement, holding onto the merriment and letting it flow around him effortlessly like all these Fielder celebrations seem to. A messy kiss to his wife's cheek, the man doesn't echo the call but calls out, rather as an addition than in competition. "To the Fields!" Yeah. Hah. From the Guardian.

Aileana takes another drink of her ale and then hands it off before she gets carried away with the excitement of it all, "This festival has been so much fun, and so many people joined in to help. I really can't thank those that coordinated it enough."

Zoe smiles at Phailin raises the cheer and the young woman joins in, calling out with a smile, "Long live their Majesties! Long live the Emperor and Empress!"

Mena chuckles and inclines her head to the well-wishes to her and the Keeper. "And back to Our people, with love in our hearts," she replies warmly to all. "Thank you again, and don't forget to get your bids in for the virtues dance! And again, the wedding of Miss Tailor and Deputy Fernwick! Enjoy all that you can," she says, then does start walking away from the stage, her part being done.

Phailin grins right up at Liam for his cheer now. Oh and a giggle escapes when her cheek is kissed. Leaning in some. Once she can be heard again after the cheers and what not's she has to tease him, "To the Fields eh?" Taking a finger to poke at his chest.

Amelia reaches up behind herself to scratch the cat on her shoulders, taking a good long drink from her mug. She smiles contently, enjoying the cameraderie.

Caspian raises his glass to toast the Empress and Emperor as well before he takes a hearty swallow that's followed by a another. "Ah!" said appreciatively as he smacks his lips. Can't beat ale from the Fields! Squeezing Katherine, he leans over to kiss the side of her neck. "I'm glad you could tear yourself away from your office long enough to come," he teases, blinking as he hears his name called by the Empress. A sheepish grin, and he lifts his glass up a moment before speaking to Katie again. "I'm afraid it's my office that calls tonight. But it's the last night I work for a few blissful days." In theory.

"It really has been just a wonderful event, all around," Mena agrees with Aileana, taking another drink from her tankard then before passing hers off as well. "I have well and truly enjoyed all of it so far."

Gavan lifts his mug to Ana at her thanks to the coordinators but doesn't speak. Its a silent nod and smile for her grace. The beer gets a skeptical sniff before he opts for the no guts no glory approach and draws a healthy swig from it. For the present, he's content to stand off to the side of the festivities and watch.

Liam looks down at his chest as it's poked, scoffing to the smaller woman. "Should I cheer to something else? Ah, right how about..." he thinks a moment, drawing out that last sylable as he jests, eyes glinting with rich humor. "To ale. Ale's pretty damn fine. Or tumbling up in the hay? Or Pony?" oh yeah Aria. He caught that. And shrugged, "Seems I got them all in one sweep with 'Fields'."

The music does strike up again, just in case there are people that want to continue dancing until the sun comes up.

Zoe takes a moment to find Amelia. "I think I'll be heading off for now," she tells the young woman. "I'll be sure to stop by your candy shop soon though. Good night, Miss Amelia."

Katie pouts just a little as he has to go back to work. Brightening at a thought though. " Last night for sleeping along though." Brushing a kiss to Caspian's lip. " I'll be by in the morning for the bake off. Your place is good smell good for days after I am done with that cake. Providence keep you safe one last night till we are wed."

Phailin laughs a bit at Liam's humor, "Fine, fine, Fields covers it." Not argueing and really just teasing the man. But at the talk of ale she stares down at her cider as if its poison. "Ah yes, ale. How I miss thee." The florist does have a love affair for it after all.

Amelia offers her hand to Zoe again. "It was a real pleasure to meet you. Yes, do come by the shop, but I hope we run into each other before then!" she says, her eyes sparkling merrily, due in some part to the ale.

Mena looks around one more time, taking in a deep breath and letting it out slowly with a smile lingering on her features. "Well. I think I should likely get back to the castle myself." And as she says that, the knights fall into preparations to leave, tightening around the Empress.

Helena takes one last drink from her mug and sets it aside, unfinished. Yes, she's probably just committed some kind of sin, but there it is. She makes her way about, giving farewells to those she knows, draws her cowl up over her hair and heads back to the castle.

Caspian practically beams at that, and he nods. "Last night for sleeping alone," he echoes, glad to have something to look forward to. The kiss is rturned with a gentle one of his own, and he faintly smirks at the talk of cake. "Which will drive me mad," he retorts, poking her side. "Though, I'm sure you'll make it up to me." He leans in, nuzling her slightly before his arm falls reluctantly from her. "Good evening to you. Make sure you walk back with someone," he says, giving a pointed look to Liam and Phailin before he steps away. "Good evening, all!" he offers to all in a louder voice, waving a hand and flashing a grin. "Majesty. Your Grace," he bows. Then, he turns to stride back towards the city.

"Good night, Caspian!" Lin says. "See you tomorrow night!"

Katie giggles and nods before waving as the deputy sets off. Nursing her ale now slowly just takes in the whole things once more.

Aileana just aims a grin towards Katie now, "Are you besides yourself excited?"

Liam shakes his head a little, wrapping that arm around Lin again in another close embrace, burying his face in her neck as arcs of dark hair swing forward to touch his wife's cheek. "Just a few more months. Just a few more." His hand landing on her stomach gently. He looks up at that call from his sister's future husband, his hand raising away from Lin "Night, sleep well. Last night of freedom, boy!" he teases with a wink to Kate

"And Miss Tailor," Mena calls out to Katie as she starts moving toward the road. "I was serious about that honeymoon! Let me know where you wish to go!"

Katie grinning brighintly to Aileana nods. " I am. I can't wait. I swear time is starting to move slower and it will never get here." Looking to the Empress. " I've been so busy I haven't had any time to figure out where we should go. When I know, you'll be the first one I'll tell. Thank you Majesty."

Mena gives a last smile and a wave before donning a cloak and heading off in the rain back toward the castle.