#fenixtj

She skids to a dryish stop.

"Um. I, um, forgot to ask your name." She speaks to the Childling.

"The Count kindly named me Burden" the boy says shyly

She controls herself tightly. "What does that word mean to you?"

A shrug.

THe kinian looks up, "Freeholder, children can often read mood. You seemed..upset?"

"I am. Yes. Sorry. Everyone... I'm sorry." she tries to settle herself.

Burden looks at her, big eyes. Feline.. not a housecat though, "it hurts when they make you fit the wrong fur don't it?"

"It does. Can you tell me your fur?"

"my fur likes snow and freedom and I tell it bad fur, but I can't change my spots... it won't lay like it's supposdedto though... i wish folks would stop trying to get me to change my coat. it fits comfy "

"Little one, no one here wants you to change what you are." She swallows. "I promise. Winter, summer.... But I'd like to know how to call you."

"Could.. could I pick?" Startled, surprised, amazed to even broach such a notion

"Yes. You can even reclaim a name you had, and like. Might help us know how to help you."

"Otono" He smiles "You should never ever call me Otono"

"Otono." she repeats. "Welcome."

"THe Spanish word for Autumn, though his pronunciation if it is..unique. It works"

That from the nanny, of course.

She nods gently. "I know. Are you Mexican, Otono?"

"Are you with ICE?" He asks cautiously

Nevermind taht the are IN Mexico

"No. Not ICE, not la migra. I'm Fae, like you. A Troll. You know us?"

"Monstra is a troll? Why didn't anyone tell me?" He looks at the nanny?

"Monstra is an ogre. An Unseelie Troll."

"Her fur didn't fit either" he nods

"Depends. Now. About you. Tell me."

"I am sworn enemy of the green invadors" He crosses his arms.

"He refuses to eat his veggies" The Sluagh kinain translates

"Um."

A sigh.

How young is Otono?

"Seven or six? " She shrugs

Jessica nods, crouching to the childling. "Otono, I'd like to know how it was for you, before here. With the Baron Summerstrike. When you are ready."

"my fur didn't fit, he tried to make it..." The boy lowers his eyes "It didn't fit."

"Otono. You fit here. All of you. Fur, and all the rest. All of you."

"Thank you huge pooka person"

"Um. Is there anything you can tell us about... what the Baron Summerstrike plans? In general? And... for childlings?"

"He takes them camping" Otono says "And there, we play games like fire doesn't burn the honorable."

Conflict. She is speaking to a pooka......

"He loved me talking" Mischief "He kept making his eye bounce"

"Otono, I am not.... good. With pooka, but.... I have pooka here I trust. Will that work?"

A nod

She nods back. "Ok. Sir Buce will come see you. He's a brave knight horse pooka. Tell him everything, ok?"

"Hi ho, Silver"

With that, a voice says from the halls "Freeholder" Mitra's voice "More to discuss . Please."

Jessica touches Otono's cheek. "Bear with me." She rises and goes to Mitra. "Yes?"

"You need to see the footage and look over my note to the countess. The boy is in good hands. Please, follow" She says.

And reluctantly, The Freeholder and Mitra go.

(End Scene)