musical scene

	“Then perhaps your sought knowledge shall be exchanged to you, for a gift of words!” the old fey proclaimed.  “And it shall be… in song!”

	Lumalia pumped a fist, drawing the eyes of confused faeries.  “Yes, yes I shall,” she said excitedly.  “Oh, this will be fun!  When does it happen?”

	The bullywug paused.  “Er… well, whenever you want…”

	“Then I say here and now!” Lumalia demanded.  “We have an audience, we have a musician handy,” she said, jerking a thumb over her shoulder at the frog sitting behind the octobass

	She waved her hands and produced a magical illusion, of a quick-paced drum and tambourine.  “Sir, match the pace and try to keep up!” she said with a fierce joy.  The bullywug behind the Octobass finched at her sudden enthusiasm, but did as he was told.

	When the sound of the instruments had filled the clearing and the resident fey had quieted down a bit, Lumalia strode confidently into the middle of the open space.  Content that every eye was on her, she polymorphed back to her default shape, wings and halo included, and the whole assembly gasped.  She seized on their attention, and sang her heart out.


“Are you looking for someone to love you?
Are you seeking a way to escape?

Rise, be free!
There can be no other way!

Is hard to find out what is still true?
Does it seem the world can’t take shape?

Rise, be free!
There can be no other way!


Make no excuses, there’s no time for that
Lead by example, take woes to the mat
Seek not a diversion, shape your own goal
None can bind you out of your chosen role

Find no distraction, that’s not a prize
Shake loose the cobwebs from before your eyes
As it turns out
All souls feel doubt,
But that’s no excuse to run from sunrise


Are you looking for someone to love you?
Are you seeking an escape?

Rise, be free!
There can be no other way!

Sometimes tears spill like the wine at a feast
Sometimes change comes when the lament has ceased
But afterwards you must your wits collect
Change what your oppressors came to expect

Run towards trouble, get caught at your best
Nobody follows a leader at rest
Find a new cause, to
Thunderous applause
Take the first step, a new way coalesced


Are you looking for someone to love you?
Are you seeking an escape?

Rise, be free!
There can be no other way!

No-one has time to change the world
According to those who would stop them cold
But why let the doubters halt you outright?
For a cause worth chasing, stand up and fight

Life runs thick in the veins of the willing
In follower’s heart, you should be instilling
The insight bespoke
To break their yoke
For self-worth, a purpose fulfilling!

History does not recall timid folk
Does not look well on the indifferent
Roar defiance, and history evoke,
Not all of the good deeds aren’t voiciferant

Are you waiting for someone to thank you?
Are you hoping for an escape?
Are you looking for someone to love you?
How long will you wait?

Rise, be free!
There can be no other way!”

	It was the exact kind of silly, almost anthemically overblown music that would sound absurd coming from anybody else.  When Lumalia, radiant and gleaming, overflowing with life and power, beaming a grin that could lift the clouds, singing wildly and unashamed in naught but the wind and her own joy, however, sang the song, even the most cynical fey heart lifted.  Her voice filled the space effortlessly, her occasional twirl sent a rush of wind around her from her beautiful wings, and she made eye contact with every stunned fey in the clearing.  Her voice, an angelic clarion of intoxicating purity and spirit, rang from the side of the vintner’s, and hung from the vines around her like the grapes on their stems.

	When it was over, she swept into a graceful bow that looked like part of her dance.