(A/n: ok! Chapter two! And someone asked if there was going to be a plot….You'll have to wait and see! But no, a bunch of angry Scanrans are NOT going to come storming in….)

George scowled at the king, we was so openly mocking him. With an impatient snap of his fingers, Marek and Ercole emerged from the shadows and stepped dutifully to his side. Servants hastily placed two more stools on the makeshift stage. Jon smiled bemusedly.

Alanna squirmed in her seat. Everyone else watched with baited breath, somewhat apprehensive. Only Jon and Alanna's closest friends knew about the silent feud between George and Jon that had taken place years ago. Now, from all the signs, it was starting up again.

"Alright, lass," George said firmly, eying Alanna. "I'll beat him with this one. Wrote it when you returned to me at House Azik." He cleared his throat and signaled to his fellow rogues.

My Alanna, don't you know I've come a long, long way
I been longing' to see her
When she's around she takes my blues away
Sweet Alanna the blazing glory surely hurts my eyes
I'm a lonely dreamer on a highway in the skies
My Alanna, Alanna I love you
My Alanna, there were some blue and sorrow times
Just my thoughts about you bring back my piece of mind
Noble lady, you're a miracle work for me
You set my soul free like a ship sailing on the sea
She is the sunlight when skies are gray
She treats me so right lady take me away
My Alanna
Alanna I love you
My Alanna
Alanna I love you
My Alanna
Alanna I love you

The room once again burst into applause. Raoul, Gary, and Douglass looked warily at Jon, who shrugged. Alanna's cheeks burned.

"Well, Alanna, I've said my piece," George said, not quite able to hide the despairing note in his voice. "But if we're back to where we were when you were 17, I guess your mentality is, too." Immediately he cringed, and the I-can't-believe-I-said-that-out-loud look stole over his face.

"Foul!" Raoul yelled, then rubbed his chin in thought. "Gods, I seem to say that a lot…"

Alanna's face was set stoically, and she called Thayet and Buri over to her (the former was still red in the face and humiliated by Jon's song). They spoke in hushed tones for several minutes before moving the stools out of the way and standing poised in front of the dark room. Everyone was silent.

"Ready, girls?" Thayet asked.

"This one's for you, boys," Buri said loudly.

Their song started.

(Prepare for embarrassed Raoul, George, and Jon!!!)