#fenixtj

The footage disgusts Jessica. True, you can't see the chimerical part, but one doesnt' have to notice the looks of pain on the children's faces when they act 'dishonorably'. Lying, hiding things, and , of course, defiance.

"Mitra...." a low rumble ".... remind me when I'm not going over there?"

"How tight is their security?"

A bite from her lip "We coudl get them, yes. I think but itw ould require some sneakiness, and a lot of plausible deniability."

Jessica steams quietly. "What are the chances the Countess will intervene?"

"She at least has to respond. We'll see where it goes from there"

"If I go in there.... I'll gum up what she does, won't I?"

"Right. It would have to be someone else with no official title or task"

"And dangerous."

"You know who that sounds like right?"

"Who?" Puzzled.

"Well... actuallly either Duff or Nec. Both have unsavory contacts"

".... or almost anyone at the Pit."

"Yes, but the pitt's loyalty is less tested, less proven"

"True..... Necropsis.... well, if he opens his mouth and there's a Gwydion around...."

"Then it's all lies" She nods

"I was thinking more about insults."

"Oh god no, I'm not talking about him and diplomacy"

"But if he gets caught...."

"Then he's screwed and Tweak might go to war. yes."

A sigh. "That leaves... Duff."

"yeah.. how's that feel?"

"Akward."

"honestly, if you were Eiluned this would be ideal. Man of mystery in your bed chamber but allowing you plausible deniability"

"I don't really see him as a man of mystery." She shrugs.

"Spoiling it for me here," She says with a smile "But understood. Okay. Do you want me to ask him if he'll..take a job?"

"I can say...." slowly, carefully "... that Duff and I haven't been seeing a lot of each other recently. We had... a disagreement. And I am not in control of him or what he does. Or with who. His business is his business."

"I see. " She nods "So I'm not disallowed to talk to him?"

She shrugs. "I don't control you either."

"Others will point out you are my liege, but I see what your'e saying"

Jessica nods slowly. "That is a point. "

"What , just as a curiousity, would you hope happens with these children?"

"They would be free to be themselves, and safe."

"And ... how bad would you feel if their captors got roughed up?"

"It is never my goal to see people ill or injured; the world is hard enough as it is. But I understand sometimes these things happen."

A nod of approval

Jessica looks at the now-black screen with a scowl. "Damn it...."

"We'll get them out, Jessica. " The Eiluned says

"Yeah."

"I could call in favors from House Eiluned, but... well, we collect our debts"

"I'd rather handle this..... things like this.... in house."

"That's what I thoguht" She nods "Okay. " She closes her eyes "Give me a four hour nap and I'll start to make things happen again"

"Mitra...." concerned.

"Two hours?" Assuming the troll wants her to get to it. "I need a little more rest"

"Six? Eight you need sleep to function. "

"Oh. I got it backwards" A smile.

"Allright. Six hours" She says rising "Jessica... I saw you with that kid."

"Did I do something wrong?" Worried.

"nope. Not a thing wrong. Not sure how you do it. I'm not so childling friendly"

She shrugs. "They're people. Maybe not as experienced but.... I just treat them like people."