#fenixtj

"What would you have me say?"

"I'd like to meet peacefully with them, some of them. I'd like to find a way to stop the conflict."

"War is in the very blood and bone of this land" the dragon says "But you are not alone in hoping to change the steps to this dance. "

She nods. "I don't disagree with you about the origins of this place; if I'm not alone, help me be in touch with those whole feel the same."

"I will seek out one who like you, wants peace. then perhaps I will repay your kindness"

Jessica brightens. "Thank you, Abuela Grande. I've been working on this a long time, making no headway. Thanks."

"You are makin more than you know" THe feathers flutterr "They would not be here at ALL without you, walking among enemies they hate. You made this posssible. It may seem like nothing but do not forget that. They would be at war in the streets if you had not curbed the weapons use upon each other."

Jessica exhales. "That -has- made a difference? Good. Good. That's worth the flack."

"you do not see it, , Giantess. how your ripples on the surface are slight? but the current under the view is strong?"

"I know I feel like a swimming duck sometimes; apparently gliding along the surface smoothly, but thrashing and churning like hell underneath."

'ah, it is the only way to really get anywhere is it not? To try hard as hell while trying to inspire others not to be afraid of the water?"

"I guess."

"mmmphh.. you are a young woman, you think you are supposed to 'do it all' and do it well. You have seen other women, older women, who seem to have done it all, and you wonder why you fall short. You do not see.. that they only have won such victories because they have had so much more time to fail. " the dragon bumps her "It is the secret of the old that we had more mistakes to learn from and are better and hidding them"

Jessica flashes a short half-smile. "Yes'm. I understand. My folks have said similar things to me."

"Heh. Easy for old tongues to wag, harder for old eyes to see how the roads have changed since our own youth" A draconic head bob "Vexing, I know, but we mean well"

"Oh, I don't blame you. I appreciate the viewpoint." Sincerely.

"I appreciate open ears. You say you feel the waters churning, the troubles? Do you bear this alone? Have you no one but an old dragon to talk to about this?"

"No, I have others to help with it." She says easily. "Dame Mitra helps me with a lot of the combat, and working with the Countess when needed. Diego and Duff are good among the locals. Tweak and Necropsis... bring their own strengths. I'd like Shard, and Sayda when she's ready, to be a stronger part of it."

"Sayda is.. under my care thanks again to you" A nod, proud "But yes,s he is not ready for full weight YET. Your Necropsis? the offensive sspider?"

"Not, um, mine, no. Tweak's maybe. But he's part of our .... company."

"Interresting. He's powerful in the magic of lies"

"Yes he is." Resigned. "He can get you talking, too."

"Yes. I mean more his ability to make others see what they do not see" She says

"How do you mean? I mean... granted, you have to think through a lot just to make sense of what he says...."

"His women, the harlots? He disguises them, or the paper work they need, and to the Norte City they go"

Jessica winces slightly. "That's a good thing?"

"I donn't know, but it is a ..useful thing. yes? Where vice has found ways, maybe virtue can slip in?"

"You're saying talk to Necropsis about moving some in the caravan north?"

"I'm saying he makes his latinas look like swedes and toilet paper look like passports. The rest is up to you"

Jessica rubs at her horns. "I suppose that's a resource I didn't consider. He'll want something, though."

The dragon nods and clucks.

A sigh. "Well. I guess I should try, at least."

"More paddling, I'm afraid"

She nods. Then brightens slightly. "Still, you say it's working. So that's good."

"It is." She says "It is working. And yes, it is good. Pardon, I must check on other things. You are better?"

"I think so, yes. Thanks." Sincerely. "I hope we can chat again sometime."

"Of course" She smiles, "I enjoy your company" And off she fliies

(End scene)