#brightwindsbarony

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And Nessa might over hear her parents talking

"Montana?" A surprised sound from her dad

"Yes. Can you believe it? Liable to freeze my ass off. "

"And you think these nobles were trying to..collect us?"

"Sounded like a chevorlet owner. Most Chevrolett owners are assholes" Rose insists "I told him we were not going to be in someone's garage"

"I hate closed off places"

She closes her book and tucks a pencil behind an ear, before walking over. Trying to keep her hooves from making loud noises, but not sneaking. "Mom? Da? What's going on?"

Rose does that protective mom thing "Oh it's handled honey don't worry"

Ross however, shares a bit more "There was a guest with an interest in centaurs. Perhaps a bit too interested. Your mother explained some boundaries to him"

An unconscious flicking of her tail, and a hoof lightly pawing at the rug underfoot. "Tell me? I'm not a kid anymore. If something is going on... and there is SO MUCH going on... I want to know."

(Sorry, missed your answer)

She listens, and nods. "Is that going to be our new life? Being poked and prodded and stared at? ...maybe the RV wasn't so bad..."

"Has someone been poking at you here?" Rose arches a brow and frowns lightly

Ross puts a hand on his daughter's shoulder "We know you're a growing woman , honey , but, well, go easy, with so many changes we're going to back slide on you a little. Sorry"

She shakes her head. "No one... and kinda... everything. It's just a lot? The folk are nice and the rooms are beautiful and I know we should be grateful. Maybe once they get used to us it will be better." A nod. "I'll try not to complain."

"Oh you can complain, I know I intend to." Her mother says "It's natural , as long as it's not about US, of course" She flutters her lashes uncharacteristically

A smile. "You always do fight for us, Mom. You're the best."

"You're good for my ego"Rose says "Now, seriously.. if folks pester you too much, and you want a break you stand up for yourself okay? Baroness Sparrow seems to be reasonable. And the others maybe curious but they seem to understand we're people"

"or directt them to me" Ross says , if mom has become more warrior like, dad seems almost sage like, maybe even a shaman in some ways. "I'll be happy to answer some questions or at least bullshit them to keep them happy"

Nessa nods! "Everyone seems to be surprised that we all changed... chrysalized? Together. But I'm glad. I don't know what we'd do without eachother."

"Well, we're very lucky in that' her father agrees , "I've asked questions of my own. Many changelings transform and their mortal families don't knnow can't see."

Shaking her head! "Together or not at all. That's the Phillips clan." Grinning. "Though if one of us was left behind, I'd say just to glue them to a saddle."

Both her parents chuckle at that

"There are cool things about this," Mr. Phillips says gesturingg "Sure, I feel cooped up if I don't see a cclear exit... and I feel bulky, but we run like the wind, and the world is beautiful. "

"Tell me about it, female sidhe give me a complex" Rose snorts

Ross pats his wife's flank "Oh now, you're as beautiful as the day I married you. Only with more fire than ever"

"A complex?" Curious, and her cheeks pink a little. "She is very pretty." Nessa admits.

"It's like hanging out with movie stars " Rose says but smiles at her husband's attention, "But thanks. The boys are pretty too."

"I know right?" Ross says " And there's four fellows who are sidhe, if anyone should worry about being the ugly one it's me" He grins.

"Oh, sure... the one with the phoenix insignia, I think? And the 2nd in command... Dove? I wonder if those names and symbols are in respect to the Baroness. But Miss Sparrow - LADY Sparrow. She's pretty and kind. The others seem a bit... cool?"

"Dubh, he's a quiet one" Rose says "Dubh the Gray. Chancellior I think." SHe ponders "And yes, Sparrow did let me handle the guest rather than try to speak for us. I appreciated that"

"I guess it's probably good for the Barony to have us here." Shifting her weight a bit. "Prestige, maybe. As long as we don't end up as their star attraction for guests."

"Darn straight, we're not going to be center ring in some circus" Rose agrees

Ross chuckles, coughs, then says "Don't you mean... 'Centaur Ring'?"

A groan and a laugh. "Noooooo."

"Oh honey" Rose tries to chastise but laughs fondly anyway

"Nessi, why donn't you try talking to the sidhe if they seem stand offish, or, other kithain. Ask THEm question... if they ask about you, don't tell them about you the centaur, tell them about you the wonderful young woman we know"

That from her dad.

Her head ducks a bit. "They don't want to hear about me."

"The only reason we're HERE is... well..." She gestures towards her equine half.

"Of course they want to hear about you," Rose says "You're an intelligent young girl intested in herbs and medicine. You're sweet and nice... probably got that from your father" She admits "Now I know you can be shy, but why not try to make a friend. You might surprise yourself and get a great one"

"The kids are nice." She offers. "It doesn't bother me when they sneak peeks. ...half the time I feel like I'm ogling them back just as hard."

"mm what about other.. what are they called? Wilders? " He says "You know, teenagers, young adults, the summer to our autumn"

She shakes her head a touch reluctantly. "Just the classes with Miss Clio, and Hope keeps checking in."

Her mother ponders this, and frowns, then sees a troll walk by. About nessa's agee, the redheaded troll is Pepper, who they've seen patroling, and who cooks. Then Rose gets that .. look. That look that has always meant she'd made up her mind about something, "Pardon me, Pepper, yes?"

Pepper turns, "mmm Yes, Thane Pepper but you can call me Pepper if you like. What can I do for you?" The troll says

"Do you know where my husband and I can find that library that owl boy was talking about?" Rose asks

"Oh sure, the hallway, then turn up the steps ... uhmm sorry, might be tricky, then up to your left third door down. Need me to show you?"

"No no, I think that's it," Rose says "Oh, have you met my daughter, Nessi?" And rose motions to her daughter, then tkaes her husband's hand and... Vanessa's parents trot off.