#fenixtj

"Splotch is not a nice name," Ariel declares. "Ellie's right. You don't like it. You shouldn't have to use it. "

"Countess Jessica isn't bad. She's nice."

"Oh good. I .. hope so... I just wanted to practice songs."

"To impress," A cough "And it's what I'm called. I .. I was punished if I responded to other things"

"Do you have a name you like?"

"If they try to punish you, I won't let them!" Imperious surety.

"I..." A smile on Splotch's lips "You're both very sweet girls. I.. suppsoe I should stop hiding and present myself to the Countess Jessica yes?"

Ariel agrees with Ellie, drawn by the sidhe girl's certainty "me neither"

The kinaian removes dust from herself

"You haven't?"

"Oh, you MUST. It's the law."

"Yes. I suppose it is" A breath "A boggan was kind enough to take pity on me.. if only she knew" the last a mutter

"If only she knew what?"

"Oh I.. I have bad blood" She sighs "We shall see if that matters"

And rather bravely, she heads down the halls

"Well, you have SIDHE blood obviiously, but they're not all bad," Ariel says "Ellie is GOOD"

Satyrs do not half ass support

"Still, what do you want to be called that's not Splotch?"

"I'm not really sure. There was a friend who called me Phoebe. I didn't mind that. is there a Phoebe here?"

"I don't know any Phoebe. That's a pretty name." A pause, considering. "Is it Balor blood? Is that your bad blood?"

Phoebe stops, then says in a soft voice "yes."

"And Balor are mean. They'd call someone Splotch."

"Well, you aren't a Balor yourself unless you take the Oath."

"eww.." Ariel says before she can think, for saytr feelings are faster than their brains

"I hope the Freeholder is as kind as you, Countess Ellie" Phoebe says

"Well, she didn't like the Balor here before, and that's how she got the hold. But I don't think you like the Balor very much."

"No.. I don't" She admits

"Balor don't like me, so."

"Balor don't seem to like anybody" Ariel says

As they walk down the hallway.

They run into Sir Phobos, a knight redcap Herald..which... frankly, Ellie has not heard of such a thing before. Sir Phobos is LOUD, and scary.

Ellie's eyes go wide - oh, he IS scary... but SHE is a Countess, so she must be brave.

"Sir Herald, is Countess Jessica available?"

"Mmph" The herald eyes her, sniffs a bit like an animal checking for ripeness. Apparently she isn't yet as he doesn't bite her. Instead he says "I think she has a space in her day. Who am I announcing?"

"uhm... the kinian Phoebe ..." The kinian says

"mmph" his grumphs sound like a gargle in the back of his throat "Either of you two girls sponsering this kinian? We don't normally intrude on the boss for Daughter of Eves with sad stories and a skin condition"

Ariel's mouth opens "mean."

"Yes," Phobos agrees, "But that don't answer my question."

"Well, fine. I'll sponsor her."

Phobos nods, and then says into the main room "With Sponsorship by Countesss Elenaor something Violette... de Beaumayn, the Kinian Phoebe requests an audience with the Freeholder!!!"

"Hyacinth."

"Gesundheit" He mutters

Ariel GLARES at Phobos. Little Girl glares! Oooo

"Kinain? Yes, Phobos, yes....." with a sigh.

"THE FREEHOLDER WILL SEE YOU" THe Herald gestures to Phobe and the two childlings.

Phoebe gulps then says "Thank you" and in she goes

Jessica, unlike the chldlings, has seen the condition before, but she's never met a Kinian with it. Phobe drops to one knee before her, and lowers her head.

The little sidhe stand about even with the kneeling kinain. "Countess, I found her hiding here and she's kinain and needs to not go back to the Balor."

"...Please."

"Hiding here... Balor?" Jessica rises from the hearth where she was and approaches. "Your name is Phobe?" She asks directly.