#fenixtj

Sigh.

"Don't worry," Ariel says "Beltaine 'll be here soon."

"We don't need any school before Beltaine, right?"

"It's going to take a few weeks to set up." Jessica agrees.

She grins, lighting up the room.

Ariel taps a hoof happily

"May we go to the ocean?"

"Alright then. Clem, staying?"

"For two nights. I can spring that" she nods

"Fantastic."

To Eleanor's question, Jessica thinks. "Eleanor, I need to meet with the Baron of Tidemarch and my Freeholders. I will set that up today. Can you be patient, a bit, until after the meeting? You can use the springs and talk to Fontaine..... He might know something of merpeople."

"Fontaine seems very nice. Thank you for your consideration, Your Excellency."

"Yes, thank you" Ariel looks torn by something as she sort of wobbles in place

Clem nods

"Thank you for your understanding, Excellency." Jessica replies with a sober expression.... but a smile in her eyes.

A whisper to Ariel "You okay?"

"Uhm. yes... i.. yes" she says nervous blush

"You two go have fun," Clem suggests

"C'mon, let's go play dolls..." Ellie declares. "Nice to meet you, Lady Chief DeBuke. Good evening, Your Excellency Jessica." A curtsy, so proper.... then she taps Ariel's arm. *Tag!"

Off she runs!

"HEY.." Chasing goes the satyress

Clem watches them go, then turns to Jessica, "You didn't tell me she looked like a feisty little angel "

"Sidhe."

"mmph.. not so used to the childlings" She admits, "Hope you don't mind the lanterns. I should have asked first"

"No, it's fine. In fact, I think you made her Spring."

"Would seem so..mmm this means Ariel will not be joining us for Beltaine. She'll be missed, but.. I'm not going to take it away from her when she's almost as excited." A look at Jessica "Are you planning on letting more childlings into the place regular?"

"Letting... Right of Rescue and Life, Clem. If someone needs help, Renaissance will answer."

"Oh now, you know what i mean... I know you'd never turn anyone away in danger... but each holder has their own standards beyond that on who becomes regulars"

"I'm not -looking- for childlings. For anyone." A side glance, dry. "And I'm not looking to -have- childlings, either."

"What am I? Your great aunt? Honest with you? I am about babied out and the're not even mine" She says

"So I'm with you. I can wait. Thanks."

Jessica nods.

"Sides, while it's not a MUST to be married to the father.. I think I'd like to find the right fellow for the long haul"

She pauses "Nope. I'm going to have to be married. I'm trying to liberalize but I think I just hit a wall in my head"

"I can't even imagine finding 'the one', so you're still ahead of me."

"Not so sure" she says "Cadman is..away a lot" Clem says "It's an irony. In the past it was 'I've got duties and folks to tend to' , now it's more like 'he's got to go places and obligations of his own' and I'm the one waiting by the window for week or so at a time. Think Da'an might be trying to teach me a lesson"

'Did you enjoy the lemonade?" She refers to the light meal.

"I did, thank you. My compliments ...who's your hearth.. uhm chefs?"

"As near as I can tell there's some kind of rotation. You want to try the lemonade with tequila in it?"

"Sure... " Clem says "We'll toast to that crazy girl in the rafters and that farm girl who was always annoying her elders with new ideas"

A smile

Jessica claps her friend on the shoulder, and they go inside.

(End Scene)