#fenixtj

Eyes wide at the mention of Balor - suddenly, Jessica has all of the Countess' attention.

"You defeated a Balor?"

The other she troll nearby, the one with glasses, says "Indeed she foiled a Balor's plans. I have records of it. Forgive, I am Scribe Constance. The defeat of Baroness Rathbone is something of a legend about here so I had to work hard to gather just the facts."

Jessica nods. "I had help."

"The Balor are an abomination. Snakes and traitors."

"No argument here, honey" Rosa says

"Baroness Rathbone was.... a piece of work." She seems to agree.

"That's why I had to leave home. They were going to kill me, Gerald said." A little frown. "He was supposed to protect me."

"Gerald would be your warden?" Constance asks

"He was. The Thallian... ah..." Pout. "I don't want to talk about it."

"I see." Quietly. "I'm sorry."

"There were bad people here."

"What about the other little girls?"

Jack's report in to Jessica indicated the little girls had REAL mortal authorities helping them out now

Mind you, the TJ police are taking victory laps for THEIR human Trafficking bust... but that's fine. The Changelings are happy to let that lie take root for their own protection

"They're being cared for by mortal authorities."

"Oh, good."

"Violette, do you have a House? Or others who would want to know you are well?"

She fidgets a little, looking nervous.

"I already ran away from my host's parents. Gerald was supposed to take care of me."

The troll nods. "We won't be turning you into the authorities, if that worries you."

Sudden alarm! "A snake, scales blighted dragging chains, spitting up another snake, this one not blighted, with rage in it's red eyes. It slithers in shadows and stalks the flaming bird..." the girl declares.

Rosa and Maria almost jump back...

"They're going to come here! They're going to get me!"

Constance instead writes it down

Jessica blinks. "Who are?"

"The Balor!"

"No one's going to get you." Firmly.

"Gerald said Thallian could smell us."

"And Balor consort with them..."

"Smell..... ah. Maria, could you ask Dame Ash to join us please? Right now?"

"Right away..." She moves off quickly

And Dame Ash comes in "Jessica? you.. sent for me?"

"Yes, let me introduce you. Dame Ash, this is Countess Violette. Countess, Dame Ash."

"House Beaumayne."

The grand dame bows low to the young Countess, then to Jessica, "I think I see why you sent for me"

Eyes wide as they take in the dame... before she's up to her feet and running over to grab on to Ash's legs.

And suddenly Ash is tutting "Now now, House sister, you are safe here."

Jessica relaxes slightly.

"They're going to come here!"

And she lowers so the girl may meet her more face to face. The grump's hair color resembles her nickname a bit "Countess , I am Lady Knight Aylison LeFlamm , but Dame Ash is what most call me. Now... what have you seen?" And she offers her ear to whisper to if need be

Eleanor leans in and whispers of the snake!

"I see..." Dame Ash says "Countess I.. how would you like to be called, young lady?" Gently

Sniff. "Gerald called me Ellie..."

"Ellie, that's a lovely sweet name. Much prettier than Ash, but I'm used to Ash so you may call me that when you don't wish things formal. Ellie, has anyone told you what hold this is? what it's called?"

Rosa and Maria, boggans to their cores,fuss and look to Jessica as if hoping she can make it better.

"Renaissance. In Phoenix."

"Renaissance is the name of the barony...the fief.. but this hold? is Fenix... spelled with an F. you're in Tijuana Mexico. Now, there is a mark on your sword I see, but it is possible you are not the phoenix you saw" Gentle

"And plots are not success" She adds "You alert the Countess to a threat.. it does not mean the Dark will win. Not here." Assuring,calm "Do not let fear blind you to your vision's message"

"Renaissance County. This Freehold is Fenix. We are in Feathered Serpent; Mexico."