#fenixtj

"Low-key, Sir Buce! He said informal. Just make sure the place looks good!!"

"Ah, well... ;pooop" He sighs but obeys.

Calling out "call off the trumpets!"

The guys with the kazoos sigh and put their instruments away.

Jessica finishes dressing and fixing what she can, and heads to the front entry.

The Duke enters with little fanfare

Jessica bows. "Your Grace. Thank you for coming."

older bit still a childling, Tierone wears a light blue t shirt, and green blue pair of pants. To mortal eyes, he appears to be of mixed heritage, biracial with light brown skin and surprisingly light brown eyes. To Fae eyes, well, the mortal clothes, now blessed by glamour and generosity reflect nicely. He wears a doublet of blue, and breaches like sun touched leaves in summer. The light brown eyes now appear sky blue. His features are like a young angel's and his pointed ears combined with that leave no doubt to his kith. There's a small rapier at the sidhe's side, with a fine bejewled hilt. Around his neck is a chimeric medallion made of glass, depicting the symbol of House Liam

"Thank you, Chapuleh. I had been hoping to meet you sooner rather than later. You are fully recovered I hope?"

"I am, Your Grace, thank you."

He notices the crowd, and nods to Sir Jack and Father V . Sir Jack is frowning.

"I suspect Sir Jack is alarmed I came without escort" The boy duke says

"Sir Jack is" Sir Jack says but bows low

"I've lived on my own before, Sir Jack. Besides, If I came in here in great force it would look like I was invading the place. "

"Thank you for avoiding that, Your Grace."

"Indeed, this is a very delicate sitaution in manyways, and I should apologize to you for making it more so in some ways. Is there a room where we can talk just the two of us?"

"Yes, Your Grace, if you will come with me?"

She leads him to a private space off the Balefire room.

They meet, and he pulls out a small smiley face button , puts it on and puts a bit of glamour in it, "Should anyone spy on us, they'll just see happy sugary images. Pastel Unicorns cavorting and such."

"Well. That will certainly be a moment for Fenix's reputation. Can I offer you food, or drink, Your Grace?"

"Tea would be fine, but not a must. How do you feel about this? All this, the change over and more?"

Jessica nods and steps away to order the tea. On her return she answers. "Good, Your Grace. It had to happen. I regret it but... that is how I see it."

"You're far more generous than I am I think. Summerstrike was an idiot, and only Gwydion Fraternity didn't have him replaced years ago. House Liam has little loveo f Unseelie, but such strong arm tactics are the exact way to earn their hatred and eventual rebellion."

"Summerstrike was cruel. I have said before to Countess Danya, the best we could hope for was that he was mad."

"Countess Danya is a good woman, a fine general, but not always the most astute in politics beyond winning the Kingdom over all. In this she should have listened to you." He says "Yet I do regret she will no longer be in the area. She is respected, rightly so."

Jessica nods sober agreement. "I said this to her when things were... already at a tipping point. Perhaps I should have spoken sooner."

"It's a difficult thing on both sides. I hope to be more prudent, but I am untested. My ambitions have aided in gaining me a principality, holding it will mean a mix of firm resolve and an open mind. Many will think House LIam has taken advantage. I am not the whole of House Liam, but I have indeed done that. It's not mere ambition mind you, I truly want to make things better. Your success ratio... interesting. I'd be foolish to disregard that while to mortal eyes your part of the city seems the poorest; your dreamers thrive, your people are happy, and more than merely survive. "

"It is hard work, Your Grace."

"What is your advice for success in these lands?"

"Complicated." As her expression suggests.

He sips and waits for elaboration

"Your Grace, I have only focused on Renaissance. I sought to aid mortals here seeking asylum and... now we have a second Balefire. That, of course, is a matter of some .... contention. Our Cooperative of inventors has agreed to produce non-lethal weapons .... but I owe them a Balefire. I asked them to restrain their work to non-lethal weapons to show the Nunnehi I want peace. Your Grace.... peace with the Nunnehi. That is important. Not Victory, not Success.... Peace. -With- them."

"The nunnehi down in Feathered Serpent seem to have a bloodier heritrage than the ones we know in other kingdoms.." he says "I do not say I want war, I'm just saying...I don't know how long peace will last in this area even if we hold the olive branch. The Cooperative are owed? And you wish me to pass on this debt? Are you planning on giving them this hold? "

"I will be guided by Your Grace in this... .but if you ask. I would give Summerstrike's lands to the Cooperative. They have -produced- for the greater good. Mistress Tweak is a power." a pause "My father would say the same."

"Here?"

Jessica CLEARLY had no idea Tweak had her own campaign going.

He looks surprised, "You wish me..to take Fenix from you?"

"I knew the Kings were a magnamous family.. but .."

"No." Blink. "Wait."

"Sorry, Your Grace, you can.... um, you can have what you like but.... are you speaking of a visit or a ... permanent residence?"

"To run this area I need a hold do I not?"

"As you say, Your Grace."

"I .... just thought a Duchy bigger than three Baronies. Forgive me."

"It is." he nods, "It's the entire pennsiual, but this is the focus of much." A look, "Chapuleh. If I might ask? Would you enjoy return to Rivervale? Whatever happens next, you have proven yourself. Nameless no More I believe is the name of the play dedicated to you. You are a legend to these people, and whateve rhappens next, failure will not be put on your shoulders."

CONFLICT.

I.... I am .... I value my ties to Rivervale, of course. And the Name I have won through my work here.I am in vested in this place, this 'Fire."

"you seemed tempted though. " The boy says his eyes intense "or.. torn at least."

"It is your choice, Your Grace."