#fenixtj

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

Jessica stretches in the new morning. HER hold awaits. Pennons is soon, and she is sure her peoplee will crush the rivals. It's gratifying.

She has strong warriors, skilled and well trained. They have a plan for victory, a strategy. She rolls to one side and drapes an arm and leg over Duff's warm body.

Mmm he's handsome, and both challenges her to keep her passions stirred, but is..very useful, and not just in scratching an itch. Fall is in the air, though those from furher north and new to this climate might not feel the change. A shame. Change is good. She luxuriates in the feeling of... wait. holy crap. Has she slipped unseelie?

It's not Samhain yet. there's no mists to egg her on this soon, are htey? And yet...

She frowns a little. There's that light that Summerstrike 'gifted' her with... she could use that to check.

Passion and duty are rather enter twined for her, so it can be hard to tell.. Honor...she thinks on honor, well she has her pride, but that's not honor is it? Crap. Maybe she needs that light. It's not that she minds being unseelie. Does she?

Jess sighs... more a huff, really. Damnit. This bothers her, and it bothers her that it bothers her. She's not one to give up without a fight.... she comes by it honestly, from her parent's influence. Still.

"Ugh." Muttered softly to vent some of her frustration.

An eye opens and her lover stirs 'morning...something wrong?"

"No, just... feeling restless and out-of-sorts." She tries to relax. "Did you sleep well?"

"I was well exercised before rest," He answers, running a hand along her thigh "So yes."

An unbecoming snort of amusement. "Well, glad to help."

A chuckle, "Yes, you're quite helpfulin that way, mi amour. now, what has you out of sorts?"

A shrug, which could be called interesting given the way the sheet drapes. "Fall."

His eyes observe the way the sheet drapes and what it conceals, and what it reveals. there is, he thinks, and not for the first time, a poetry in the way women move, "Fall? Worried about Pennons? " He runs a thumb along her jawline "Please, your warriors will aquit themselves well. After last year, I won't make so much betting on them as folks will realize the odds are not a longshot after all"

She shifts to look at him more directly. "Have you ever thought about participating?" Curious.

"You know me, I most often prefer arranging others to spread the chaos, but... I suppose, this wouldn't be chaos, so..." He thinks it over "well, I might consider it. I might enjoy the challenge, though a challenge it would be."

"You're good at combat."

"You are yourself no slouch" He admits.

"I do ok. I had training, of course, but... I'd rather not fight if I have the choice."

"Then don't, you have your champions. Though if you ever want sparring..." his hands go around her wrists and he grins "We could try to wrestle"

"I don't want to tire you out again." Archly.

"Ohho," A grin, "I think your tongue is more dangerous than even your maul. Like you, Jessica, though for different reasons, I don't fight often. You wish to encourage me to do so?"

"No, of course not." You dolt "But Pennons is different than street brawling. It's up to you."

"Yes, it is. I know this" He looks her over, as if trying to read her

"What?"

"Something is different about you this morning, not bad, just..different. And yes, it up to me. I have wondered about each man in your hold if I could take them in a fight. And some of the women too. Gauging others is something of a survival trait for me."

She nods and stretches again. "Understandably."

"Mitra will do well, she always does. Phobos and Demos. I wonder who else will join...."

"The co-op is putting together some displays and I know the musicians are getting ready."

"You're proud" He says "rightly so. I can hear it in your voice. Yes.... you have helped find talent and keep it so that Fenix is a force to match the other two holds."

"I should find some folks to send to the neighbors." She stops, and grins. "Emissaries. Hm"

"Alejandro... Diego... maybe Nancy? Well, Alejandro might want to participate but ... he could give it a shot while he's being an Emissary."

"He might,he's young but of a warrior house and eager"

She nods. "I want to get him more involved."

"Give him that outlet."

"Nancy? Unsainded though she is, has a way with people"

Jessica recalls her meeting with Nancy. that was... both pleasant and alarming. Seelie or Un, she prefers a degree of control oveer herself.

"Yes, she does." Muttered.

"I like the way you stretch ad I have good news.though youare concerned with tiring me out, I think... if you like... I have energy in me for horizontal expression of my interest in you. Would you be willing to let me have my say,? Or shall we to breakfast?"

Introvert that she is, he can see her 'check in' with herself. Then, with another (interesting) shrug, "First one, then the other." And she reaches for him, pulling herself atop him.

"Excellent leaderships skills a must for aany freehol..." But her lips shut him up from being clever. Another 'command' decision they both will enjoy

(Fade to black)