#brightwindsbarony

"Perhaps.. though if the Count keeps up his current activity, I fear few reputable healers will stick around - and those that find common ground with the Count may soon have the same 'habits' as his current court." A frown. "If his current healers are neglecting his people... the fish rots from the head." She realizes that she's trotting awfully close to seditious speech. "Not that I have any room to criticize the count, that is." She adds, though with an expression of distaste.

"The Count's a jerk" Says Ashblythe "he acts like he can order Sparrow around when he let that jerk baron Harken run wild before"

A tight frown, but she doesn't correct the childling.

Gerd however does look troubled, ' Isee your point, Nessa... and you have lots of room to criticize him i think, but I understand why you'd be cautious"

"The last thing I want to do is cause any trouble for Sparrow. And you know I almost did just that already." A nod to Gerd.

"You took a calculated risk. It paid off" Gerd says simple (Presses Send)

A sigh. "I helped. WE helped. But... that was then. Who is helping them now?"

"Or next time?"

She smiles to Ashblythe, and gently encourages, "Why don't you go find your friends?"

"ookaaay" Ashblythe says dubiously "But this sounds like a way to get the kid out of the way so you two can argue"

"It's not arguing, but yes we're banishing to your friends who will want to hear your news and hug you at your return. Fiendish of us I know" Gerd smiles

Ashblythe gives a troll salute, one of the things she learned how to do even better at Rivervale, to all of them, and races ahead to see which of her friends notices first

A smile as Ashblythe races off, and notices that the Hearth is chatting with Pepper. To Gerd,

"I don't know how you River Valers managed to help her, but... I'm so glad you did."

"Honestly, it was a lodge effort and much of it went over my head" Gerd admits "My Uncle? He's our Mountain now, kind of our Shaman? He researched things and learned about the cause. But hearth Kerri is the one who went into the Dreaming with her. " A curious look 'Ashblythe came out with a scar, but it's like very small and she doesn't seem to care"

"It's not so much of a scar, as a badge of honor, I'd guess. She fought for her right to be seen as who she truly is." Clearly proud.

A smile back "yeah. She's a good kid. Very girly, reminds me of me at that age. Was a time you couldn't GET me in pants"

She looks back to Gerd after Ash is out of earshot and asks, quietly, "You were at Count Pom's holding - can you tell me what you thought? Was this a one time oversight? Or was there a clear pattern of neglect?"

A frown "Vibe I got is the Count has his head so far up his own ass he's counting his own tonsils without mirror. He's not out to HURT people, but he doesn't care of they do hurt if it means he gets his galas. I..can't say it's much more than a knee jerk reaction though. I didn't exactly chat him up"

"Right. Neglect, without malicious intent, but... is the parent who locks their child in a bedroom without supper worse than the one who goes to the casino and doesn't bother to leave any food for dinner? Both are abusive to those who are under their power, those who they have a clear duty to protect and care for."

"I'm sure the guy hitting the casino thinks they're better. And maybe it's not the same sense of active betrayal but.. I see your point"

"At the end of the day, both kids go hungry."

A nod "Both need to be stopped, it's just a matter of priorities. Just because one might be slightly worse doesn't mean the other is off the hook"

Nessa sighs, and gives Gerd a searching look. "Do you think... am I out of line? I just.. I can't stop thinking about it. Maybe I'm obsessing and making a mountain out of a molehill."

"You should talk to Sparrow about it . Or have you?"

"I was worried it was nothing. She takes care of so much, and recently she's had to deal with all of the McGuffin complications. I didn't want to put more on her plate."

"I know, and she's just the sort to work herself hard, but look at it from the other side, you don't tell your chief about something you see as a problem, and then the problem bursts out and surprises her? have you really done a good thing? And if you try to fix it all by yourself and it goes sideways , she maybe upset you didn't trust her enough to tell her. Look, my uncle once told me something and I think it's true, 'the care and feeding of leaders is a delicate matter, you can give portions they can handle, but don't starve them- they get cranky'"

A sigh. "You're right. I certainly wouldn't want it to seem as though I was avoiding her."

"I DO trust her." Earnest.

"I beliieve you, but miscomunications happen all the time. So it's best to nip them in the bud"

She nods. "I'll speak to Sparrow. Might finish my fact gathering first so I'm not talking smoke without a fire, but you're right - I won't do anything else without her being in the know."

Gerd nods and puts a hand on Nessa's shoulder "I do want to help if I can. Though as Emmisary I'll soon be off elsewhere to another locale"

"Where are you headed next?"

"Well, the Hearth and I are mostly just dropping of Ashblythe and giving Sparrow the whole story as best we can, after this, well, my assignment is [YET ANOTHER THING TO PESTER RAHNE ABOUT]. Which should be fun"

"Really? How exciting! I've never been to [HOLD REDACTED]. I hope that [LOCAL CLIMATE] is nice in the summer. Maybe you can write and tell me about it?"

"I'd love to" She smiles "Thanks, Nessa. I confess, it's nice that others have an interest in my work. I'm new to it so... really hoping to please the Chief"

Gerd does feel a bit guilty and tries to hide it. She LIKES Nessa, and she knows the centaur has points about Eirfrey

Nessa shares her contact info with her new… Friend, she hopes!

Phones and emails and even snail mail addies!