Prima

Crescendo had been busking on this corner of the square since the first day of the Greenskeeper Gathering. Though she wasn't a resident of Everbloom Vale, the local officials allowed her to claim this space beside the flower shop as her own. Mostly she sang songs that had flower or plant themes to go with the festival, but she also took requests when she knew them, which usually led to increased tips.

Business had been brisk all week; she had a good profit in her pocket, but now she was faced with a more serious decision: should she travel back to her home in the Starfall Isles or undertake a Grand Tour, busking her way across the Flights of Sornieth? Traveling alone was a dangerous prospect, to be sure, and it gave her pause.

"There she is! That's her!" Crescendo was pulled back to the present with a shock. Coming towards her, edging their way through the crowd was a lovely rose-colored Fae dragon with a regal looking Skydancer in tow. They didn't look like Everbloom police, so she waited to see what would happen. The two finally came to a halt before her, the smaller dragon panting from his exertions, the taller one pausing to brush the market dust from his wings.

"Well, Rosario, I do see, she is indeed here. Now what?" The Skydancer inquired with an air of infinite patience. Now that she got a good look at him up close, Crescendo recognized the rose dragon from earlier in the week. She had spotted him on several occasions, watching from across the square, his gembond stones glinting in the sunshine. He had never approached her before, so what could he want? He kept staring at her, but appeared to be at a loss for words, his mouth opening and shutting rather like a fish out of water.

The Skydancer stepped forward, obviously taking control of the situation. He reached into his embroidered satchel and dropped a handful of coins on her cloak, spread on the ground to catch donations from passersby.

"Let's prime the pump a bit, shall we? Now, how about a little tune, dear?" The smile he sent her was knowing, yet gentle. "Come Rosario, let us give her some space to work." The two dragons retreated a few steps then turned to her expectantly.

She didn't know why, but the first tune that popped into her head was a ditty her parents always sang to her back in her hatchling days. As she began, her eyes naturally fell closed. She could feel the sun on her face, on her shoulders, and she remembered riding on her father's back as he glided on the eddys surrounding her childhood home. The tune carried her back and she barely remembered her attentive audience until the last notes were fading in the air and her reminiscing was broken by enthusiastic clapping.

When she opened her eyes, she saw that a crowd had gathered behind Rosario and his companion, although Rosario was obviously the most animated in his applause.

"I told you, Phenophon! Didn't I tell you?" The young dragon was nearly vibrating with delight.

"You did, indeed, Rosario." Crescendo felt Phenophon's eyes take her in from the tips of her wings to her claws, finally resting on her eyes. It made her shiver. "She is...perfect."

The Skydancer put forward an elegant leg and gave a tip of his head. "If you'll permit me, madam. I am Phenophon, Master of Ceremonies for the Orbiting Circus of the Air. We have travelled here from the Windswept Plateau scouting talent for our troupe and, if you are interested, I propose we retire to the Bee & Barb (excellent pub!) and discuss the possibilities for your future. What say you?"