Ribbitting Auditions PV Frog Choir Closed

Rose was smiling as big as Pericles as he told them about the frogs and toads that participated in the Frog Choir. He thanked them first, and Rose replied with an, "Of course." But then he complimented their voices, saying that he was looking forward to their next performance. Which, Rose took as a hint that they were good enough for the Frog Choir. "Thank you," she said bashfully but politely, and definitely happily. They took some steps away from Pericles as the other students present started to audition.

Henry asked her if he thought they were in, which she took to mean the Frog Choir, the matter at hand. It was probably what he was addressing. Rose shrugged, though she was still elated at the compliment Pericles had given them. "He said he looked forward to our next performance," she whispered back. "That kinda sounds like we're in to me." She gave an excited glance to Henry. But of course, you never know. He could have just said that to say that, and he didn't really want someone like Rose in the Frog Choir. It would be sad for Squirt, though. If he got a little taste of how it felt to sing, and then his partner wasn't let into the Frog Choir. That would be really sad for Squirt, and Rose would feel really guilty if that ended up happening. "What do you think?" she asked him back.

Then there were more people who started to audition, and Rose quieted herself in respect for their performances. The first, a Gryffindor Prefect that introduced herself as Xailah. There was something unnatural about the girl- she was a little too pale, and her eyes were golden. And, Rose hadn't looked close enough to see it properly, but were her pupils slitted instead of round? Anyway, she did a very good audition, which was full of personality, especially accented by her prop. Rose wished that her and Henry had used a prop or a little more personality in their performance. They had pretty much just stood there and sang. The only extra movement they had done that hadn't been a part of singing had been Rose glancing at Henry every once in a while, mostly to make sure he was still okay, but also to make sure they were on time together in some parts where they had to start together. Even though they had practiced so much. When Xailah finished, Rose clapped for her and smiled encouragingly in her direction. Her voice certainly was beautiful.

The next person who auditioned [Piérre] was wearing Gryffindor colors. She thought she had seen him before, so he probably was a Gryffindor.

When he finished, Rose clapped for him, too, a smile on her face and said, "Good job."

Once they finished, Rose turned to Henry again. "Wow, they were good," she said in a low voice. "What do you think about them? Would you let them in if you were choosing?"

Interacting with: @Pericles Dralt & @Henry Knight
Mentioning: @Xailah Alptraum & @Piérre Marchonné
Open to Interactions

Starlee looked around at the group of people in the room, smiling voraciously. She was even happy when Pericles addressed her, mentioning that her and her new little toady companion were a naturally match. What was next was... a name. She looked down ad her little friend perched happily in her hands and contemplated.

Her toad matched her upbeat energy flawlessly and he needed a name to suit that. It only took her a few moments more before said, "Mmm... Bubbles sounds good to you, right?" The little toad approved, bouncing joyously in her hands. "Yea, I thought so! Bubbles it is!" She looked back at Pericles, happy to have found a companion.

She headed back to the group, and she smiled brightly when Henry complimented her performance. "Thank you Henry! And yea, it's actually a wizard remake of a muggle song! I just love the beat! Really gets ya moving, ya know?" she said as she did a little hop from side to side.

It was then time for the next audition, and Starlee made herself comfortable with her new toady friend as she watched. Wow, it was another stunning piece. The Gryffindor really knew how to pace the song to keep peoples interest, that was certain. Starlee clapped when the girl finished, but had a hit of concern for the trembling frog. 'I'm sure he is fine...' she thought as she peered down to her own frog sitting happily on her lap, clearly enjoying all the tunes.

Next was another student she didn't recognize, but he was dressed all up in Gryffindor pride, so she had to assume that he was a Gryffindor himself. Without introduction, the boy walked up, and began singing a rather lighthearted and funny song. Starlee caught onto some of the references, and laughed. It was quite the choice, but some probably considered hers to be strange for a choir audition, so who was she to judge? She clapped loudly again when the boy finished, happy to have found such a place for people who care about music.

She looked down to her little Bubbles and said, "Wow, these performances have been great! What do you think, little guy?" Her little frog hopped, and she took that as a 'amazing!' Today was turning out to be one of her most fun days at Hogwarts. New friends and a new toad to sing with, what more could she want?

Frog Species: Black Toad
Frog Name: Bubbles

Interactions| @Xailah Alptraum | @Starlee Kennedy | @Piérre Marchonné
Open to interactions

As she finished and started walking back over towards the older Gryffindor, she received many praises. “Thank you very much.” She would say in turn each to Henry, Peri, Starlee, and Xail as she rejoined the older Gryffindor. As she expressed her sentiments to go next, Santario would also eye the ones that had not yet gone. “I agree. I think you should show them what you’re made of.” A response accompanied by a resolute nod. Her attention turned to Starlee as she took the stage to audition.

This was a song Santario had not precisely heard before, but she was from a stuffy pureblood family, and pop was not exactly something she had been fully exposed to. Of course, she had heard some muggle songs while shopping in London. They were usually somewhat unavoidable until they walked into a more upscale store. Even places in France would play them in the larger shopping areas, but again, not generally in the stores that Santario was dragged into. She thought she might have heard this song coming from her cousin’s room, but she just wasn’t sure. Regardless, the first-year did an excellent job, and when she finished, Santario would clap for her. “Great job, Starlee!” Santario saw a lot of potential in the younger girl, especially when it came to duelling.

As Xail got up, Santario’s eyes snapped to her and followed her path where everyone had been performing. The older Gryffindor was just one of those people, at least to San, that made you want to know more. The young Slytherin saw her as extremely intelligent and found her fascinating. Probably more so after summer events had happened with her tiny doppelganger. She did not know as much as she wanted, or perhaps, needed given who her best friend was, but she knew enough to keep her alive for now. The frog shifted in her lap, bringing her mind back to the present, and Santario passively pet over the top of his head while minding Kahlan’s position on his back.

She would make eye contact when the older girl introduced herself, the first time she had ever really heard her name. A slight nod would be given in recognition of the pointed but subtle action. As she started, this was a song Santario recognized as one that her grandfather had listened to. Every so often, she could hear it playing from his study while he worked. Santario would quietly tap her foot along to the beat, and when Xail had finished, she clapped her hands exuberantly. "That was amazing!" It was clear that the Griffindor was great at showmanship and a beautiful voice. Shortly after Xail’s performance was over, a peculiar boy took the center and started his countdown off loudly. She would watch, slightly perplexed at what the boy was doing; it was not bad it was just different. When he finished, she would clap for him like she did everyone else.

@Henry Knight | @Xailah Alptraum | @Piérre Marchonné

Henry's compliment for their "froggy foster system" summoned a warm, meaningful smile from Pericles. An interesting little ecosystem had built around those amphibians. The Herbology professor allowed them to be kept in the greenhouses. In turn, they gladly gobbled up any insectoid intruders which were unfortunate enough to fall into- or fly over- their bins. Pericles swung by to feed, freshen water, and sing with them from time to time. Now he had an opportunity to share these unexpectedly interesting creatures with others, and there was a unique joy seeing them tap into their actual potential. Overlooked, underestimated, many of them were leaping (literally) at the opportunity to display what they could do. The boy murmured a soft "Thank you," though his gratitude wasn't as much meant for the compliment itself. This wouldn't have been possible without those brave enough to demonstrate their voices.

Xailah had said something about going. "But you haven't sang yet," Pericles answered with such abruptness, such an absence of tone, one would be left wondering whether or not he had actually misunderstood her, or thought himself trying to be funny. Whatever the case, he gave a cheerful ah once she clarified that she was auditioning next, to which he gave her the floor with an all too casual gesture. He was treating the matter lightly, though his gaze glowed with a distinct light of intrigue. Pericles sat cross-legged on the floor, lessening his presence as though those who sang were up on a stage. This put him alongside a bin, from which he scooped a yellow toad with black polkadots, setting it unceremoniously on his knee. It was such a tremendous specimen that its broad belly drooped flabbily over the sides of its keeper's knees. While the Sonoran Green Toad wobbled its throat enthusiastically, it remained respectfully silent. Together, amphibian and boy watched, the latter lacing his fingers together for a polite posture.

Why hadn't he heard his friend sing before? Perhaps singing wasn't something one did in regular company, but the two of them- let alone their third musketeer, Meenauh- weren't entirely regular. Perhaps it was simply because he had never asked her to before, which he now knew was a shame. Xailah Alptraum had pipes. He'd heard the song she selected, albeit not at all in the form of German pop. Ella Fitzgerald's rendition was on a record back at home. It was something swinging no matter the genre framing it, and its suaveness suited the swanky metamorph just fine. He had been content to ignore the empty threat aimed at her tiny partner before their song began. While Xai was capable of a fierce bark, he knew well enough that the Green was (probably) in no actual danger of being eaten. It was doing its very best to complement its cello bow (cane? umbrella) wielding singer's more robust voice, and he was charmed by them both, doing his best to restrain the sort of subdued grin that usually earned him a disapproving squint from a yellow leer. It shone through as he clapped at the conclusion, calling "That was brilliant Xai. Thank you for sharing." Now he could coax her into singing under the guise of "practice" or some other such formality.

Pericles had not known precisely what to expect when he made the open invitation for auditions, but there was beauty in that. It would have been safe to suppose the gathering would take turns belting out a few chords to showcase their octaves. Instead it was far more, a bouquet of songs, styles, tunes and talents to take in. The beauty of spontaneity meant they were free to forge personable expressions of their own voices, presenting a piece of their personalities aside from their ability to sing, which was only a portion of what one needed to be a choir singer. Clapping subsiding, the director-in-progress looked about, inviting "Whoever is ready next," simultaneously glancing towards the welcoming open door. It was in that moment Piérre chose to join them. Peri visibly perked, sitting a little straighter, eyes sparking, lips tugging with the start of a smile. Then he took in the unusual creeping, the haste and uncertain expression. The boy had drawn breath for a happy hello, and yet stopped himself in the last second, seeming to process the odd attempt at subtlety. Piérre did not need any sort of structural procedure. He would do things at his own pace, and the director would wait until he was ready. The Britalian was not one to disappoint. In the meantime, Peri would pretend Piérre was not there, letting him comfortably track down his singing partner while providing a bit of a buffer.

"I'm truly grateful to have the opportunity to hear your voices," he was carrying on in that cordial, soft, sleepy sort of way, lidded eyes grazing those present. "Mind, the Choir could use help outside of performance and practice. After this audition, I'll be posting another invitation to a handling course...." Peri trailed, shifting where he sat cross-legged, smiling for a second at the colossal toad perched on his knee. "If you're interested in helping me to look after our friends here, or you'd like an opportunity to bond, please come along." Piérre was moving front and center, so the director cut the fluff short there. He answered the excited waves with a thumbs up. It seemed out of character for the heir who carried himself with wafting old-world grace. Perhaps he had learned it from associating with muggleborns throughout his tenure at Hogwarts, or perhaps it was the age-old Pollice Verso, only approving this gladiator before the battle even began. Whatever the inspiration, it was a quick, convenient expression of encouragement.

Was it silly? Irrevocably. Did he understand a single referenced song? Not in the slightest. But did those things matter...? Pericles had listened to many foreign records, all sorts of singers whose languages he barely grasped. That did not mean he appreciated them any less. The auditions were more to do with the heart one put into it, their compatibility with their little partner, and their desire to be a part of something so strange and singular. He had witnessed each of these traits in every performance so far, and clapped with earnest enthusiasm at the end, finally addressing the exceptional eccentric. "It seems you've made a new friend. I'm Glad you could come, Piérre." The floor was open. On the off chance he might spy another late arrival, Pericles glanced at the open door, but not before taking a moment to admire the growing pairs of people and amphibians.

Not asking, had been part of the reason why Pericles was unaware of her ability to carry a tune- and why he was unaware about many other things concerning his friend. Though, had he asked he likely wouldn't have obtained a satisfactory answer. The other truth, was that Xailah was actually quite shy when it came to displaying her "talents". Even if the haughty tipping of her head towards the boy at the end of the routine, said otherwise. She really was more nervous than what she let on. She herself only noticed, once she put Hop-Frog back into his bin. A million little thoughts flitted about her brain. Applause brought a fleeting hue to her cheeks. Her hands shook a little as she lowered the frog, but only enough for her- or someone standing very close- to see. Hop-Frog probably thought himself to be caught in what humans called, an earthquake. What the lioness had done, was just now settling in.

She might have been a bit afraid. Just- just a wee bit. Xailah had never sang for people before. Usually Schrödinger was the judge for the song and dance routines that she put on, when alone. When the world was asleep, she sang. It was the only time she did. But now there were six witnesses to the act. Oh what did you do? Wait- no, not six. Seven. A familiar face would creep into the room, and slink over to the frog-corner to fish for a partner in the bins. Piérre. Gryffindors kid brother. Housemates were your siblings. Your brothers and sisters by default. Each were annoying in their own right. Piérre though- he outmatched all in that category. Luckily he was mostly harmless. Mostly. He was usually just... mentally draining. The boy simply had too much energy whirring in that little husk of his.

Xailah was swift to rejoin Santario. Even swifter to regather her composure. Color was forced from her face. Her back straightened. "Thank you." She rang, her voice faint with hinted bashfulness. A few glances were slid towards the snake and her pets. Er-pet. The looks could have been attempts at subtle hints. Xailah still wanted to try holding Kahlan, but she supposed now wasn't the time to ask Santario about that. A small, and likely unplanned intermission, made its way through the meeting. Was this a meeting? Meetings were more for formal things weren't they? A gathering then. Pericles took the time to introduce another aspect of the choir. Handling. Ah, but of course. Someone needed to keep care of the amphibians. "Oh!" Xailah exclaimed with mellowed excitement. A thought surfaced, but she pushed it way to ask at a later time. She teetered towards Santario, still listening to the ghostly boy. "I don't sssuppose you'll be going?" She prodded idly. There was hope that Santario would respond in the positive. Based off of her previous response to her attendance, Xailah was inclined to believe that the positive, was the only thing the girl could reply in- if Frog Choir was in question. The snakelet clearly enjoyed the club very much. Would she miss the handling on the pain of death?

Chatter from the metamorph, came to a rolling stop, once auditions were kicked back into gear. Piérre took the imaginary stage. He donned the rich pigments of his house. It was odd sometimes, to see him in Gryffindor colors, considering his apparent need to chameleonize himself with the other houses. He began his routine with a... hoping dance? Was he trying to imitate a toad? And that song- Xailah had never heard it before. Must have been one of those muggle pop songs. "Odd, that one." Now, that didn't mean bad. Odd simply meant... odd. The performance had character. Funny feelings. That was a the thing about theatrics- or any art that required a stage, and an audience. Like with choir- especially with choir. Acting was required for a successful performance. Give a treat for the ears and eyes. While Piérres bizarre dance wasn't exactly a... treat, per se; it was certainly humorous to watch. If anything, it was more of a surprise. Xailahs eyes creased at the corners- she was laughing with them. Yes, that was a thing people could do. The expression did look a bit more like a uncertain squint though. In her defense she was uncertain. At the end of Piérre's show, she found herself feeling quite confused, which was evident through a look sent to Santario. Confusion aside, she clapped at the end.

The variety presented to the choir was actually quite amazing. It was fascinating how people could gather around a general idea, and then make something different out of it, all while keeping true to its original design. The choir would fall back into audition-limbo, with the conclusion of Piérres performance. Would there be another late auditioner? Looks like the choir goers would have to wait and see. In the meantime, Xailah would be a bother. "Pericles." She trilled. "I can bring Schrödinger to the handling?" She peered, expecting a "yes". There was the thought- the one that was supposed to come after the exclamation. She looked up at the Ravenclaw director, pupils large. With a jut of her lower lip, she would tip her head in a puppy-like fashion. Normally a question like that was followed up with a highly irritating "pleaseeee", and a few batterings of the eyelashes- maybe a couple crocodile tears too if they could be squeezed out. But begging had never been Xailahs style. Bribery on the other hand- she could lower herself to that. Sure. "I'll help you with cleanup," golds flickered at the bins "if you let me bring him." Her assistance was all she had to offer at that moment in time. Well, that and whatever she had in her pockets- which wasn't much. Just a few marbles, a watch, and a bracelet that might have been found, but there was also a fair chance that it might've been stolen. She wasn't too sure. "I promise he'll be good." What had been said at the beginning of the gathering, hadn't been forgotten. Xailah was simply determined to integrate cats into the choir.

Interacting: @Rose Moon |@Starlee Kennedy
Mentioning: @Pericles Dralt | @Xailah Alptraum | @Piérre Marchonné
High Treble - VC - Conor Maynard

Last call for auditions!
Thread will be closed on the 30^th unless an extension is requested.

Interacting with Xailah, Henry, and addressing all present

A single finger carefully stroked the top of Prospero's head. The fat Sonoran Green was stationary, save the throb of its throat and occasional blink of vacant black eyes. Pericles was considering him carefully, wearing a mild frown of concentration, having averted his gaze from the puppy-dog stare Xailah was trying to weaponize against him. That pleading expression wasn't lost on him, despite any attempts to pretend he hadn't seen it, and it wasn't long before the boy heaved a short decisive sigh. A rueful smile couldn't be contained as Peri peered up again. "Only if you promise he'll behave," he stipulated, and she did. Prioritizing the safety of the amphibians, only not wishing to be unfair, the director called: "Pets will be allowed at future functions, but only if you are absolutely certain they'll get on with our friends here."

Henry Knight asked if things were on the verge of wrapping up. Pericles breathed a mute puff of laughter, gaze glowing with gentle amusement as he explained, "You didn't need to stay for any audition aside from your own. Though, it was plenty polite of you to." Everyone save @Simon Kincaid had auditioned, though the Ravenclaw suspected he may simply have stage fright and was waiting for the opportunity to sing solo. He cradled his toad to his chest and rose from the floor to address the others. "I'm going to wait awhile longer, on the off chance that any latecomers arrive, though the rest of you are free to return your new partner to their respective bins. It was a pleasure hearing each of you sing. Thank you for coming, and if you have any interest in handling- or know someone who might- please jot down your name." Pericles gestured to a low table behind the bins, upon which sat a blank piece of parchment alongside an inkwell and quill. "I'll be owling you once I've prepared the presentation. Have a happy Saturday, choristers."

Interacting with everyone in the room

Tap tap tap tap

The rhythmic beats of shoes pounding the hard pavement echoed throughout the hall. Beads of sweat started to make their appearance on her forehead. Her long brown hair whipped back and forth behind her as she sprinted towards the rehearsal room. As someone who rarely does sports, she thought her leg would fall off any second. She quickened her pace with both arms straightened out to reach the handle of the rusty door whilst silently cursed at herself for forgetting the choir audition.

“I wish I’m not the only one who’s late.” She said between her breath that came out as short gasps.

After a few seconds that felt like a million years, her short legs finally reached the finish line, the rehearsal room. The door opened at full blast, followed by the sight of a tiny first year bulldozed her way through the room and stopped right on the entrance. Hands placed on both of her knees, panting uncontrollably, desperately said something that sounded a bit incoherent.

“Hi- hi.. I’m here- for- for the- Audition, yeah.” The sweaty Ravenclaw straightened up her posture and continued, “The- the frog- singing frog, I mean- the frog choir. Sorry- I’m- I’m late, I was running as fast as i could.”

She tried to tame her windswept hair that looked as if she was just had a failed potion blew up on her face. The school robe that she wore became the object for her to fiddle with to diffuse the tension she felt at that moment. An awkward smile painted on her face, hoping no one would yell at her for being obnoxiously late on her first audition.

"Uhh.. we don't have to bring our own frog, right? be- because I don't have one." She glanced around but those who present in the room.
"I'm Aurora, by the way, okay i need to stop rambling."

@Aurora Ranvier | @Xailah Alptraum

The meet was winding down. With a number of ready and willing choristers now paired with croaking critters, Pericles considered the audition a true success. Still, he would wait, and his patience would reward him. The clack of quick steps reached his ears just before the door burst open. A prolonged stay at Hogwarts could make one reactive, jumpy when it came to unexpected movement or noises. The Ravenclaw prefect was no exception, and he flinched, focus snapping towards the entrance. That sharp glance was gone as soon as it had appeared. This wasn't some threat, but a familiar figure. Peri believed her to be one of their first-years, gaggles of which he often guided from the Great Hall to the top of Ravenclaw Tower until they learned their bearings. This one was sweating and wheezing her words. He took in her breathlessness, the obvious haste with which she had hurried to join them, and didn't find this obnoxious in the slightest. Rather, he took it as a compliment to the choir. She really wanted to be here.

"No," Peri called, calm as ever, though a mix of curiosity and delight had sparked in the silver of his eyes. "You're just in time." Reflexively hoping to help, a thought occurred, causing him to cast an apologetic frown over everyone present. "Ah... I should have brought water." He would remember that for next time. Of course students might want to soothe their throats after singing. Instead, he asked the only fourth-year present, "Xai, do you know Vera Verto...?" He was casually willing to turn a toad into a goblet so as to summon water into it, not considering the fact that Aurora would probably prefer not to drink from a transfigured amphibian. She asked about the animals, specifically, whether or not she was meant to have her own. "Not at all. Those who have a pet toad or frog are welcome to bring them, but these fellows-" a sweeping gesture to the many bins full of ribbitting animals "-are all waiting for a handler. It's good to meet you, Aurora. I'm Pericles. When you're ready, feel free to pick your partner, then let me know whenever you'd like to sing."

That was what she wanted to hear. Pleased with Pericles words, Xailah dropped the puppy act allowing for the formation of a content smile. Pupils were pulled back into their usual oblong shape. "Promise." She said. "If it reassures you, he's hardly the one you should be worrying about if behavior is in question." A statement left for interpretation; though it wouldn't take much wondering to understand what was being implied. The Gryffindor gave an impish wiggle of the nose. Indicative tresses curled devilishly, before falling relaxed around the curvatures of a well-sculpted skull.

It looked as if the club meeting was nearing its end. Looked. The abrupt entrance of a student- potential club member presumably- would reset the clock. For a moment Xailah was unsure if the child that had entered the room was really a child at all. Between the sweat and whistly wheezes; it was not too unreasonable to think the kid was actually some small creature that had crawled out of the Book Return bin in the library. Attention wavered between the rooms new addition and those former. Attention on people was eventually abandoned altogether, to continue the quiet admiration of Kahlan and the great Toadsworth. That was until Pericles called for her. Xailah turned from where she sat, but looked away once his inquiry fully registered. Did she know Vera Verto? "I do." She nodded, before falling silent. The expression that followed spoke well enough for her. It was one of complete understanding, but with blatantly flippant undertones. It screamed teenager. Her chin dipped. Blasé gaze shone through lowered lashes and raised brows. She had a good idea of what Pericles was asking of her, and normally she could be enticed to comply with his wishes. Just not this time.

She wasn't trying to be difficult. Honest. Transfiguration was often just a weird, and sometimes touchy subject for the metamorph. Transfiguration as a whole didn't particularly bother her, only the branch that dealt with transformations. To be more specific; the transformation of a living thing into something nonliving. She found the whole idea perturbing. Even disturbing to some degree. Object to animal- she could handle that, but never the other way around. It just felt wrong. The mindset was silly, certainly, but the metamorph couldn't break herself from it. Not even for friends. Xailah understood that an upset was not the boys intention, nor was the possible harm to one of his toads. He had been so adamant about the safety of his amphibious friends. Xailah didn't want to take the risk of hurting one of the little fellows, by turning them into some sort of half goblet-half toad abomination.

Rather than defend her reluctance to assist, the lioness tried to lightly brush her attitude under the ever convenient (figurative) rug, with innocent jabs. Now was not the place or time for an explanation on feelings. There was no need to put a damper on the hoppy mood of the choir. "I don't think your new chorister would be too keen on sipping from a potential singing partner." Lips quirked as a look was sent towards the the auditionee in question. What did she say her name was? Aurora. Like the lights. Or like Auror, but if someone did not know how to actually spell Auror. "Nor can I imagine the amphibian being happy about its sssudden use as a goblet." The look shifted to Pericles. "How would you like it if I turned you into a shiny cup to drink from?" Xailah wagged a reproving finger. The finger would lower, and a soft sigh would be released. "Give me fifteen," was all that would be said as she took a round object from her pocket. It was out for a minute- long enough to check the time- before it was returned from the pouch whence it came.

Assuming no one bothered to stop her, she would leave the room. Xailah wouldn't be gone long, Gryffindor was only on the floor above- which was where she would obtain a cup. The prefects bathroom was on the same floor; the water would be taken from there. If she had estimated her time correctly, she would presumably be back before any auditions started. That was also assuming the girl Aurora wasn't freakishly fast when picking a choir partner. Water couldn't be obtained for everyone in the club within a reasonable time... the Gryffindor had yet to pocket a juice pitcher- to carry larger quantities of drink. If all went well Xailah would arrive in the Rehearsal Room quickly and quietly; a slightly frosted teacup in hand. Cool water touched the porcelain brim, threatening to leap out. It would be set down with an acute clink. Aurora was certainly lucky Pericles was present. If it had been Xailahs choice- and it was a good thing it wasn't- she would have let the child dry up and blow away.