#fenixtj

Phobos shrugs. He at least doesn't care.

"It's a start." Jessica says, thinking.

"I mean... if we can help the children out there, keep them somehow... hopeful....."

"I need supplies" Asho says, "Something that doesn't need batteries is best. These kids need things that won't have them begging for chargers"

She nods. "These folks don't have electricity, anyway. Not reliably. We can get you stuff. Right?" She checks with Mitra.

"We have ssome spare supplies of rate materials. Should we have PHobos move him to a work area?"

Jessica nods again. "Yes, thank you. In fact, maybe Asho can help?"

"That's what I .. Yes" Mitra changes whatever she was ssaid then looks at Phobos.

Phobos nods to Asho, "This way. We got a bench and stuff you can create toys from" He leads the nocker going "Can you make a toy bug? there's this kid named Tomas..."

Once they're out of ear shot, Mitra looks at Jack, "Jack, could you leave the Freeholder and I? I want a private audience with her."

Jess nods 'ok' to Jack, if he needs it.

Jack nods and leaves the two ladies alone.

Mitra says "I want to apologize to you. I was , perhapsk, unintetionally rude to you and to your father's house. Which I know is a sore point for you. "

Jessica exhales. "It's ok. I mean.... it took a little bit, even for me. It's.... -there-. But he's a good man."

"But the point does remain that I don't think the Liam are always right, nor are their policies and if I think you're letting your upbringing blind you to that possilbity, I'm doing you a diservice as a vassal and counselor. I shouldn't have said it in front of others though. Also, well, that's MY House's problem" A sigh "But it's certainly been baited and that's put me in a cranky mood"

"Thank you for your honesty." Jessica says. "What do you think we need to do differently?"

"I agree that priorities should be kithian, Kinian, Dreamers,... though I'm not sure the other mortals should even be a priority at all. It's an immense drain on resources and influence. Mortals are not part of your charge ,and it is stressing you out. "

"Mitra... which ones are which?" Jessica says quietly. "Which ones do you leave behind?"

"As many as you have to so your true charges thrive. " she says "I know that's not the Liam way, but your'e not a mortal mayor who they elected. You're a kithain ruler and changelings need you more and are counting on you. Do they want their kinian and dreamers safe? Of course they do. But the strangers? Even the boggans only care so much for those when compared to making sure their own are taken care of. That's not selfishness for cruelty's sake, it's just realizing there's only so much glamour to go around, so much dross, so many guards to spread about a fief. Did you know Demos nearly forgot who he was because he got too long in a crowd of mortals? Refugees aren't anymore 'pure' or any less banal than the folks who would oppress them-sad but true."

"I don't disagree, Mitra, but ... seriously... Which ones are which? Which individual out there on the streets, in the shelters... which one is -not- a Dreamer?"

"You have a point there" She admits "But with omens and the like, maybe cantrips can help us guide them?"

Jessica nods. "If we have enough people with the right Arts, sure. And boots on the ground, just people Kenning and searching. But not so many as to take away from the regular life of the fief, not to hamstring normal operations.... See the problem?"

"Perhaps we have more options than you realize." SHe says

"Or I realized either. Shard? He's got a gift not just for fighting, but for finding Dreamers."

Jessica is quiet a moment. "He is protecting our new Balefire." reluctant "And Freeholder."

"And he has a dragon helping guard the flame" She says "What if we were to allow one our thanes, one not so skilled in kenning but alert enough and good in a fight, to take up his slack? He might see reason."

She nods. "That... would work. I think."

"Yes. I should have thought of Shard earlier. Distracted of late" She says "A favor?"

"Sure."

"Sometime when you can, let me know what has been eating you with you and your family? A year from now maybe? Eiluned are naturally curious ,and to add to that I'm your friend., not knowing has been making me surly"

Jessica nods slowly. "I think I can. Later." She puts a hand on Mitra's shoulder. "I'm.... better. Getting better. Dealing with some things. But... -dealing- with them. You know?"

"I... can't know, not the same way, sidhe arcadian, you know? But... I know they mean the world to you and there fore it taakes little for them to shake your world. I think if they're not proud of you they're idiots. All youv'e done here? It's damned impressive and I don't say that just because of my aid in it." She pats the big blue hand "And I'm glad you're better. Even if I don't always understand, I'm always willing to listen."

"Thanks, Mitra. I, um, I don't have a lot of friends. People I call friends. Any, really. But. I think of you as a friend."

"You have more than you know" A thought 'I suspect even Tweak considers you one, but she'd probably refer to you as an 'investment'"

A soft chuckle. "Ok, point."

"She can be a very vexing woman, but she's on our side, usually" A thought "And Shuri is adorable, damn it."

A fond grin. "Yes, she is. Makes you wonder where she got it from...."

"I can only assume a distant distant ancestor on either side...." A smile

"Maybe so." She nods. "Ok, so.... which Thane?"

"Actually, maybe a knight. Sir Buce? He can fight well and the childling likes him"

"Ok, let's find him and talk to him, and then see what Shard thinks."

The second hold is not far away, and those who swarmed it due to mere interest have died down. Still busy, but Shard is there and when he hears them out, he says "You want me to help you help find the most likely dreamers? Dreamers I may not get to keep but others elsewhere might draw on once they get new homes?"

Jessica nods.

"How does this help me or this hold?"

"It helps lessen the stress on the city, moving people to where they are needed. I should say, you wouldn't get to keep them all, but I'm not saying you don't get -any-. Just.... it's a maybe. Does that make sense?"

"It sounds like work that aids me very little if at all. " He ponders

Symond speaks up "Do it Muscles. "

He turns on her "Why?"

"Because, it give us first peek at who might be what kind of dreamer. Gives us the best chance of calling dibs or redirecting them to folks who will owe US. Boss Wrenchwench taught me a lot of things....sometimes first look is first to get ahead"

Jessica shifts in place but doesn't object to this.