#fenixtj

A faint smile, not really amused. "Thank you for the offer, Baron."

"Second, and the meat of our meeting; Countess Eleanor is, by agreement with Duke Tieron, heir to Renaissance. My heir."

A startled look on Vaeltilde's young face but only a moment.

Tweak, perhaps predictably, does a spit-take. "She what-th'-fuck WHAT now?"

Sayda beams at Elenaor "Congratulations. The Countess has been so lonely"

Tidemarch arches a brow "Unexpected. I confess, had I known you were seeking an heir, I might have made some suggestions, my liege"

"I'll bet you woulda," Tweak mutters at Tidemarch.

Jessica waits it out.

"This is my decision, and it is made."

Ellie sits up very straight and very serious!

"Your decision? Sound t' me like Duke Doogie had somepin t'say 'bout it."

"Indeed, we would not want you unduly pressured , Countess" Tidemarch says

"It is my decisions. And it is made."

A narrow-eyed look from Tweak, first at Jessica, then turned on Ellie, measuring this new component to local politics.

She is, at most, seven... but she's also sidhe, with the grace and bearing innate to the kith.

Mitra takes it more smoothly "Countesses dont' grow on trees anyway, and we know the Flamefree well enough to know she would not take the child if she didn't see promise in her." A nod to Jessica and Ellie "I hope you have many years together learning from each other"

In other words, Ellie is essentially the polar opposite of Tweak at this table, with the exception of gender.

"That is the intention, Baroness Mitra. Many years to learn the County, it's people, and their needs."

"There be an' oath on her, B? Keep her from tryna up-end things?" Directed at Jessica, but she's still looking distrustfully at Ellie.

"There will be, I think."

"I'm afraid I'm still juist Lady or Dame Mitra, Regent, but thank you, Countess Elenaoar"

"Hm. If this be a done deal, sooner be better 'n later."

Sayda coughs at that

A snort. "An' ain' that a damn shame, Moony?"

Sayda frowns "Dame Mitra has worked hard. She SHOULD be a baroness"

Mitra holds up a hand towards Sayda "Sayda, manners."

"Hey, I'm with you, short-stuff! Moony done her time!"

"Please, forgive..." Ellie frowns.

"I tend to agree with them, Dame." Jessica admits. "And I think that should be addressed."

Sayda looks over and says to Ellie and whispers "Are you kidding? If this gets her elevated I'm gonna send you a box of chocolates every year for three years"

"She'd said she was one of the Countess' longest-serving advisors..."

Sayda nods quietly

"Would you prefer to discuss in private, Dame?"

"Private, shmivate. Titles are bullshit, but if she want one, she more'n earned one. How we make it happen?"

"Folks, I'm not the reason , nor should I be, for this meeting" Mitra says, then she looks to Jessica "That said, I would love it at your convenience. "

"There ya go. Whatcha got next, B?"

A small smile. "We will make a time, and make it an occasion."

Jessica clears her throat. "My current plan is to tell key personnel about the addition of Eleanor to Renaissance, and then make a general announcement throughout the County. I would also like to take a County tour with her."

"What, like...in a bus or some shit?"

"Think more lofty with grander escort I suspect" Tidemarch says

Jessica nods. "Something with a bit more pomp and circumstance due to the nature of it."

"Huh. So you sayin' we better get th' guest rooms tidied up."

Jessica nods.

Sayda ponders "I think I know just the spot for Countess Eleanor" a nod

Tweak snorts. "I ain' never had no guest rooms before in my life, so I guess we gonna figger out how that work at SkyHook."

"I am very compact, Craftmaster Tweak."

"Sounds like a spatial engineering challenge, Tweak" Mitra smirks "Up to it?"

"Ok." Jessica takes a deep breath. "So... that's the biggest news."

"Heh. Jus' you wait. Hover-bunk-beds, comin' up!"

"Well, it is well. I did want you all to meet my ward as well" Tidemarch nods "And now you have"