#anywhere

Mama? Looks tired

And pretty hungry but she purrs when touched again

"Let's get her something to eat? We must have some chicken or tune around...."

"Oh, yes." Looking contrite. "Condesa, please let me go to the kitchens. I will take care of, it will be no problema to you at all."

While Salma runs off for tuna, Ellie sits on the floor to watch the blanket-draped drawer.

"There we go." Jessica also sits cross legged on the floor.

(Are Ellie and Jess alone together?)

Ariel is there but can be diverted

"Ariel, can you help Selma? She might need translation for the kitchen staff, or we'll get crackers and kool aid instead of food for Mama here."

"Oh sure, Miss Jessica!" She says and moves with a smile "She might do that yeah" Ands she's gone to join the others 'Be back later, Ellie"

"okay..."

And the two Countesses are alone.

Ellie is enthralled by the tiny kittens, who have now latched on to tired mama.

Little fuzzy jelly beans

"Ellie?"

"Yes, Your Excellency?"

"Please call me Jess. Can I talk to you for a minute?"

She nods.

Jessica nods, but lets a moment pass before saying. "Ellie, I know you haven't been here long but....do you like it here?"

"Everybody is very nice here."

A sudden worried look. "Am I in trouble? You said you wouldn't hurt Salma if I was bad, and I wanted to see the cat, and I didn't even think to ask Dame Ash so please don't be mad at Salma or Ariel?"

"You're not in trouble, but from now one I want you to take an -armed- escort. A thane or knight, at least, when you leave the freehold. Can you do that?"

She bites on her lip and nods.

"I didn't expect to see a Dark Kin that fast."

"Which is exactly why you need an escort. Because they are difficult to predict, and expect. That's just smart, Ellie."

"I'll do better, I promise."

"I don't want to think about fighting and running. I like just playing."

"I can understand that." Jessica says. "Ellie, would you like to stay here? Like, for good? Or at least, for-good, for-now?"

"Yes! I like it here!"

Another small pause. "Ellie, what would you think about, when it's time, taking over for me here? Being the next Countess of Renaissance?"

She considers, a deeply serious expression on her round face.

"I'm not ready to rule yet, I don't think. And I have a lot to learn about the whole county. I am a Countess, though. I like the people here very much, and want to do good for them."

"Well, that's an excellent place to start." Jessica points out. "And I'm not ready to give up Renaissance yet. But it might makes sense to set things up now, since you're here."

"....that means lots more lessons, doesn't it?"

A pause. "Can I still be friends with Salma and Ariel?"

"Yes, and of course you can. I have friends. You can have friends. They help."

"They're really nice. They do help. I don't have to think about things I don't want to."

"Not yet, anyway." A small smile. "So. I've got a meeting set up with the other freeholders in Renaissance. The Baron of Tidemarch, Tweak from Skyhook, Baroness Mitra from the Pit. I will tell them you're my, um, heir at the meeting. I'd like you to be there too. And then there'll be a general announcement to all the County. I'm going to tell some key people in between, though."

She nods. "And it's important I start learning and watching now, even though it will be a long time."

A pause. "Will the feathered dragon be there? With the girl?"

"Abuelita doesn't usually leave..... how did you know about her?"

"Oh, there was a woman riding her, with this sash and a coronet..."

"Something you saw? A vision?"

She nods.

Jessica nods. "Sayda will be here with Dame Mitra, who is her Regent. Abuelita doesn't usually leave the Pitt."

"Ohhh..."

"Sometimes, what I see doesn't make sense until after it happens."

"My friend, Sir Vali, has told me of his visions, a bit. He's Beaumayn as well."

"Yeah?"

"I'd like to meet him."