Nathan stared at his lute, not certain he wanted to take it with him downstairs.  He was more comfortable being an observer rather than a performer.  But if the music was going to start out so sad, this was not going to be his kind of evening.  Not to say that he couldn't get a bit maudlin once he got drunk, but that usually came towards the end of the evening, by which time, everyone was too drunk to care.  The start of the evening needed music that was rousing and raucous to get everyone in a drinking mood.  Sighing, he grabbed the lute and headed downstairs.<br/><br/>Nathan shook his head to Abia's enquiry, not yet ready to eat.  He needed to rouse an appetite by getting the adrenaline pumping.  He headed to the stage and the pianist.  He still wasn't sure a piano and a lute were a good combination.  But if he got the crowd into joining the song, then the piano would be needed, since the crowd might drown out his lute.  Leaning down, he asked the pianist "Do you know Under a Violet Moon?"  The man nodded yes.  "If you can let me start and then join in at the chorus, I'd appreciate it."  Once again, the man nodded his assent.<br/><br/>Looking to the crowd, Nathan announced, "The following song is Under a Violet Moon.  If you know it, feel free to join in.  And if you feel like drumming on the table, it will make a good substitute for real drums."  He heard a cheer, which indicated some knew the song.  He took a moment to tune his lute before beginning to strum the opening.  Nathan had always been good at singing, although his voice had started to take on a gruffness that came from yelling too much in battles of the past.<br/><br/><div style="text-align: center"><span style="font-family:Fredericka the Great"><span style="font-size: 18px"><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4d4dff">Dancing to the feel of the drum<br/>
Leave this world behind<br/>
We'll have a drink and toast to ourselves<br/>
Under a Violet Moon</span></span></span><br/>
<br/>
<span style="font-family:Fredericka the Great"><span style="font-size: 18px"><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4d4dff">Tudor Rose with her hair in curls<br/>
Will make you turn and stare<br/>
Try to steal a kiss at the bridge<br/>
Under a Violet Moon</span></span></span><br/>
<br/>
<span style="font-family:Fredericka the Great"><span style="font-size: 18px"><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4d4dff">Raise your hats and your glasses too<br/>
We will dance the whole night through<br/>
We're going back to a time we knew<br/>
Under a Violet Moon</span></span></span><br/>
<br/>
<span style="font-family:Fredericka the Great"><span style="font-size: 18px"><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4d4dff">Cheers to the Knights and days of old<br/>
the beggars and the thieves<br/>
living in an enchanted wood<br/>
Under a Violet Moon</span></span></span><br/>
<br/>
<span style="font-family:Fredericka the Great"><span style="font-size: 18px"><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4d4dff">Fortuneteller what do you see<br/>
Future in a card<br/>
Share your secrets, tell them to me<br/>
Under a Violet Moon</span></span></span><br/>
<br/>
<span style="font-family:Fredericka the Great"><span style="font-size: 18px"><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4d4dff">Raise your hats and your glasses too<br/>
We will dance the whole night through<br/>
We're going back to a time we knew<br/>
Under a Violet Moon</span></span></span><br/>
<br/>
<span style="font-family:Fredericka the Great"><span style="font-size: 18px"><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4d4dff">Raise your hats and your glasses too<br/>
We will dance the whole night through<br/>
We're going back to a time we knew<br/>
Under a Violet Moon</span></span></span><br/>
<br/>
<span style="font-family:Fredericka the Great"><span style="font-size: 18px"><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4d4dff">Close your eyes and lose yourself<br/>
In a medieval mood<br/>
Taste the treasures and sing the tunes<br/>
Under a Violet Moon</span></span></span><br/>
<br/>
<span style="font-family:Fredericka the Great"><span style="font-size: 18px"><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4d4dff">Tis my delight on a shiny night<br/>
The season of the year<br/>
To keep the lanterns burning bright<br/>
Under a Violet Moon</span></span></span><br/>
<br/>
<span style="font-family:Fredericka the Great"><span style="font-size: 18px"><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4d4dff">Raise your hats and your glasses too<br/>
We will dance the whole night through<br/>
We're going back to a time we knew<br/>
Under a Violet Moon</span></span></span><br/>
<br/>
<span style="font-family:Fredericka the Great"><span style="font-size: 18px"><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4d4dff">Raise your hats and your glasses too<br/>
We will dance the whole night through<br/>
We're going back to a time we knew<br/>
Under a Violet Moon</span></span></span><br/>
<br/>
<span style="font-family:Fredericka the Great"><span style="font-size: 18px"><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4d4dff">Under a Violet . . . . .<br/>
Under a Violet . . . . . <br/>
Under a Violet Mooooon</span></span></span>​</div><br/>The last word was punctuated by a loud "<b>HEY"</b>and a stamp of their feet by the assembled crowd.  And then a cheer.  Nathan bowed to the crowd and to the pianist and went to the bar.<br/><br/>"Scotch, if you please, Abia." he asked with a wink.