#fenixtj

A nod "There are many types ofdeath, lady. Loced in a stable, unable to run"

"Well, cold iron death is a pretty final one."

"So rumor has it" A nod

She rubs her horns again.

Buce shrugs "of all the knights, I fear I am the brightest, but if I may? I'm appalled that you care"

A pat on her hand "Honor,Love, and Duty are always in unity... for us all. Take comfort though that you have none of them mmm?"

"Mmm. Yes. Thank you, Sir Buce. For your counsel today, and for keeping an eye on Siv earlier. I owe you."

He snorts "Neigh"

Another puff of amusement.

"Alright." Jessica stands. "I suppose I should see what else is going on."

he bows

"Thanks again, Sir Buce." And she moves on.

And she finds Duff.

Jessica rubs at her eyes for a moment, and blinks when she sees him. "Oh. Hello."

"Sorry to intrude," he says "I heard you found a lot of trouble? UGLY trouble"

She nods. "It turned out ok, but yes. It got a little hairy there."

"How can I help?"

A tired smile. "Well. I think I should eat something."

"Here or our at our ... your place" he catches himself

She gives him a tentative look.

And he looks unsure himself, then says "Where would you like to eat? Sometimes I know a break from here does you good" He takes her hands

"Um. I guess. The apartment?"

"Come on then" He takes her to the apartment

As they go (walking?) she takes his hand to hold.

Walking... And he takes hers, "You realize I want to find out who has done this and kill them? " Beautiful day

"Done what? Or rather, which? It's been a busy day."

"Kidnapped the children and drawn you into danger" he says

"Yeah." A deep breath. "It was the Balefire itself that alerted me; something -really- had to be metaphorically on fire in the Dreaming for that to happen."

"They'd been on that train a while. It was.... bad."

"I know how ugly human trafficking can be..add to that, children? " A face "I'm actually impressed you haven't grabbed hard drink and a private corner. Most would."

"Haven't really had the chance to. First it was Siv's visit, then it was nearly Siv's funeral, then it was healing Culpepper, then it was the alert from the Balefire and rescuing the children, then it was Ellie's presence......"

"Ellie? Okay... you've had a hell of a day. You want something cozy or fancy?"

"Quiet. Something quiet."

Jessica explains about the little Countess.

"That's a hot coal you didn't want thrown in your lap I'm guessing?" he says

A sigh. "I could have done without, but she's a childling; she needs help. So."

"On the plus side, we have Dame Ash and she's going to be my go-to for Ellie."

"Good. Let the grumps work" he agrees with such dead pan humor some might not register it "Slackers."

That gets him an eye roll.

A slight smile and they head towards a shop..he talks through a window.. and orders something... then walks with her to her apartment. What is that.. is that Chinese food? It is!

And that gets him an egg roll!

"I have connections. What, you want Italian? that'll take an hour more"

"No, Chinese is fine. It's perfect." Sincerely.

"Good. I thought you liked fried rice so took a chance. Good mix in here regardless. "

Jessica opens up the apartment and flicks the light on. Still bare-bones, but serviceable.

She notices... there's a chimerical picture of her mom, dad, and Siv together that wasn't there before.

A gift

A faint frown. She examines the picture. Then her door, for signs of entry......

Nothing forced. She sighs. Her sister could have put on her face and got the super to open it under pretense of missing key for all she knows

True. Well. Jessica sets the picture aside and helps get food ready. To be fair, it -has- been quite a while since she remembers eating.