#anywhere

Food, drink, pets, then back to the kittens . This is how the mama cat handles things

Ariel checks on them every day, and practices her Spanish on the cats 'Tu es Gata. Gata es muy importante.'

It is not often GOOD Spanish

***********

Elsewhere, Salma sneaks back into the room with the cats. "Mamacita, psss psss psss." She calls in a language familiar to cats everywhere. "I found your cena. Suppertime, los siento that it's only scraps." As she sets down a bowl that is filld with rare, red prime beef - likely filet before it was chopped fine for the mama cat. Surely intended for some lordly supper, but here it is now.

And that is how the boggans ended up in a panic when the gathering of Barons ' main course went missing.

but mama was SO happy

Surely not ALL of it was missing. But, when you are missing a few portions, any boggan worth their salt KNOWS that you daren't serve some lords filet and others chicken. Wars have been kindled over less...

While it's agreed Tweak can be mouthy, and Tidemarch is probably up to something.. yes. They definitely need to find a solution fast

............

"You feed your cat STEAK?" Blink goes the Clurichaun

"It is filled with energy to make leche for the gatitas." Salma insists.

"Mamacita needs all the help she can get, she is too skinny."

"And quatro gatitas at her! Tsk."

"Salma, this is Sayda and this is Baroness Vaeltilde..."

"Ladies, this is my companion, Salma..."

Salma's eyes widen and she straightens up, quickly giving courtsies. "Los siento, Senoritas. Forgive me for being rude."

"Oh, a pooka, they can be entertaining" Vaeltilde observes

"And Mamacita needs good food."

Sayda looks at the kittens "oh, they are so very young"

So focused on the kittens she had been, that she hadn't noticed another Fine Lady enter.

"That's why we can only look." Wistfully.

"Si, they are little... mmm, caramelos? Frijolitos..." She snaps her fingers impatiently. "Sugar beans?"

A giggle. "Jelly beans! Little furry jelly beans!"

"Oh wish I could talk to them... but yes, they do look like little furry jelly beans" The Aesin says

"Si, little dulces. This one, she will come in all dulce du leche I think. Too bad there are four, otherwise I would say that Mamacita had her own little tres leches cake baked up."

Admiring the potential calico in the bunch, now just a blotchy bean.

"Princesca, your companions, you would like any refrescas? I can go to the kitchen."

"We are exploring the hold. Do you want to come with us?"

"Yes, please join us, " Sayda says

Vaeltilde looks tempted to ask for a few more refreshements as this servant seems ready to serve ,but nods.

"I will stay and guard the Gatitas. There a rojagorro here, they may look too much like treats..."

"Do not fail this task" Vaeltilde nods firmly, seriously, grimly, "These kittens must not fall to the dark"

Ellie tries to hide her disappointment, but nods. "Okay..."

"You're taking very good care of Mamacita."

She blushes a little, and nods. "I will protect them for me, my liege!"

An approving pat on her shoulder. "I know you will. We'll be in the springs first..."

"Oh, say hello to La Capricornita if she's there!" Her latest nickname for Ariel, the sea goat.

"Of course!"

Ever since chidllings became a regular thing, Fontaine has at least taken to wearing pants as a default.

Thus, Ellie, Ariel, and Salma are already heroes.

The girls are taken through to see the atrium, the fountains, the kitchen garden... oh, the kitchen seems to be in a TIZZY, best steer wide...

Indeed!

"Your hold has powerful healing magic," Vaeltilde says surprised

"Yes! Jessica brought me here to heal."

"Such fountains are legends in some tales in the old country"

"I was in pretty bad shape."

Sayda nods "Dark paths"

"I like it here, though."

"Is the countess firm?"