#anywhere

"I'm afraid that will depend on who's selected. Each of you have different strengths."

"Decidedly so," She admits. "I needn't tell you my own advantages, they are many and I think obvious, but I do wish you luck in decidiing. Confident as I am by nature, this cannot be an easy choice for you. I am proud to have played among such tonight"

"Thank you." And Jessica offers a hand before moving on to Dean, if he's between pieces? Elias, if not.

"Most welcome," And she does shake the hand. Jessica moves on, and there's Dean. He has finished up, and he sees her and gives abow, then signs in ASL 'Countess, an honor. What a party'

Jess has to look abashed. "I'm sorry; can we use paper and pencil?"

He nods, reaches into the hat with his coins and dross and pulls those very things out, he writes "I'm the one who should apologize . I've been told you didnt' know this but I'm so used to 'running at the mouth' it's hard to forget. You talk. I'll write. How can I serve you?"

"If you were to be offered a post here as Troubadour, what would you see your role to be?"

He looks down at the paper, up at her, then writes 'I feel like I'm being asked to turn in a term paper 😉 " then he continues "Well, first and foremost I guess it has to be about the music.... and how the music can be used to help soothe the shaken, stir the sluggish, uplift the sad, and so on. Music is my passion. I would assume you'd want that passion directed for the good of your people and I would welcome that'

He shows her the paper and waits patiently

She reads it, nods. "Thank you. Do you have any questions for me?"

A thought, then he writes down 'I hear you are no friend to the balor. is that true?'

"I observe the Escheat. But I have no love of the House."

'We have a lot in common it seems' He writes 'Thank you'

Jessica nods. "I understand. Please, enjoy yourself." And off to Elias.

He bows.

And sure enough, there's Elias Hazard. He turns and sees her "Countess, give me a sec to get in bowing positon" He puts his istrument parts away

"That's... that's not necessary. Really."

"Informal's fine too." he nods "You know, win or lose, I learned a lot and I think the glory is in getting to share the experience, that I grow as.. no I'm shitting you, I really hope I've won" A grin to follow the comment to show that while he's earnest, He totally cops to selfishness in this.

"May I ask a question or two?"

"It's your hold, you're the boss. Fire away" He says

"If you were to be offered a post here as Troubadour, what would you see your role to be?"

"Half Elf Bard/Artifiicer Multi class" he says "Good aligned probably, but not LG.. too strict that"

As he gets crickets he says "Sorry, RPG joke. Ah... " A breath "Look, I want to sing. I want to play. I want to take the tools for music, my instruments, that I've made, and use it to bring beauty to this crapsack furking world so it'll be maybe just a little less crapsack. As your troubadour I know you'd call the tunes, and that's fine by me.. I just want to make them happen. You want some guy whose going to seduce folks on command, I get it, I'm okay even good looking by NOCKER standards but that's not likely gonna cut it. You want someone to watch FOR Spies? I'll keep an eye open...but mostly, I want a chance to make music, to make some beauty with my fingers and mouth that stays in people's heart, all the rest is ..just drek to get by"

Jessica nods. "I appreciate your honesty. Do you have any questions for me?"

"Who the furk won?" He says

She chuckles. "You'll know when we announce it."

"Argh.. uhm then my next question is..when is that going to be?" he says

"As soon as I speak with all the contenders."

"Well, shortly after that."

"Got it" he nods "Well, that does not relieve the pressure. The rest of these folks are just too darn talented for me to be sure of anything. Guess I'll just have to suck it up, be patient, and thank you for the chance and the good food"

"You're welcome." Jessica offers her hand, and moves on to the springs and Neema.

After the shake, She moves on. Neema looks up "Ah, Countess Jessica, it is good to see you. Just soaking my feet."

"Good to see you too, Neema. May I ask you a couple questions?"

"I thought you might, go ahead please"

"If you were to be offered a post here as Troubadour, what would you see your role to be?"

"You've been asking the others this, I can tell" she smiles kindly "And I can see why I suppose. My role as a member of the court would be to support the County, the Court, and you. The means by which I'd do this, as a Troubadour would be through song, music, poetry and making good impressions. Now , I plan to also teach folks about cultural music they may not know well, but that's more of a personal passion and I can do it without the role but that will make it easier. "

Jessica nods, thinking. "Do you have any questions for me?"

"Do you, Jessica King, want a Troubadour? Would you like to have one in your hold? Or is it going to be something you'll endure for the good of your people?"

"And please don't just answer yes leaving me to guess at which part" She adds with a chuckle

Jessica does the question the honor of real consideration before she answers. "I was not fostered in a strongly.... court-oriented Freehold. There was love, and everything I needed including the basics of familiarity with courts but.... and, I never -ever- thought I would be who and where I am today. A Countess, that is."

A tilt of her head

"I never dreamed of having a troubadour. We made our own music, when I was growing up, as we liked."

Her eyes light up a bit

"However, I have become convinced that it would be a benefit here. And in that way, yes, I want a Troubadour. I would no use the word 'endure.'"

"You said you made your own music, where you were growing up, as you liked. Do you sing? do you play an instrument?"

"Oh, no, not me. My dad plays. Guitar."

"Have you ever wanted to learn how to play an instrument?" She asks

"Um... no. No, not really."

"Ah well, then my last question is this: Why should a Troubadour want to come to work here, rather than any other hold in much safer cities?" She asks "What is so special about Fenix?"

A small smile. "Well, your feet are resting in one reason. It's not just Fenix, this Freehold; it would be all of Renaissance."