#fenixtj

"By being an honest ruler? And by following the Escheat and being honorable. It isn't honorable to punish somebody without cause."

She fidgets a little, then controls it.

"But we don't know you will stay honorable. Summerstrike thought he was the soul of honor, and he became a monster. We had a Fiona ruler, and she was usurped by a Balor.. what failsafes will you put in to keep yourself from breing a tyrant or being replaced by a tyrant? Will you write up a pact with the people? A bill of rights?"

Diego is not agitated, but he is eloquent, so reasonable. He has moved crowds with his voice in the old days.

And there is some mumuring among the folks there

Ariel looks ... torn, conflicted, and .. agitated..her hooves tapping

"I... I would... it's my job to protect the people, I'd die before I let a Balor hurt anyone..."

A hiccup. "I know I shouldn't have left Sir Gerald behind, but he told me to run and I'm sorry... "

Jessica crouches, facing Ellie. "It's ok, Ellie. You answered well. You have done well."

Ariel says "She's done REAL well... you can't.. you can't tell someone to their face they're gonna go bad before they even DONE anything... it's wrong" She says to Diego

Lip-wobble. She's not going to cry. She's not.

"Do you want to take a moment?" softly, for her alone.

"I merely look for the protection of the common man and woman, Ariel. No different from your adoptive family" Diego says "I mean Ellie no harm, but I speak aloud what others speak to themselves."

"I..." Hiccup.

"Dame Ash." a quiet summons.

Ariel says "Sometimes DeBukes are wrong! We have to change.. and you can't . it's not so .. she's gonna do what she can.. but you have to count what she did RIGHT! She fought to save those girls! If seh hadn't maybe they'd have been carted away to slavery.. they were daughters of eve, and she still fought for them ! And you.. you just drink wine and tell folks how bad they MIGHT be and don't give any credit for how good they've been, and ARE!" aRIEL STOMPS "stop it! Be nice!"

Dame Ash is there, taking Ellie's shoulders "it's okay, sweet heart. You answered very well"

"I can do it." She rubs at her eyes. Hiccup. Oh, she IS crying.

"You did. You did do it, Ellie." Jessica stands and looks at Ash. "Give her a hand." And turns back to those assembled.

Diego looks at the outrage of Ariel, and the crying tears on the child sidhe's innocent face, and he says "This I will assure you. I will never bow to you, Ellie. I will never call you Countess. But I will give you good and honest counsel whenver you wish to hear it. I will try to warn you when I see rage building in others in shadows. And... your friend is right. Whatever you will be, you have been a heroine at a very young age. My apologies for making you cry. That was not my intent."

Rosa shoots visual DAGGERS at the Steward

Ash helps ,pulling out a clean hanky to give to the little COuntess. Nodding to the tall one

Ellie hides her face in Dame Ash's skirt.

"Shh shhh... hey. Dieogo is just very ..passionate. He's read too many college pamphlets" Ash jokes in a comforting whisper.

Jessica lets the words sit there.

A hiccup and a nod. She contains herself fairly quickly for her age. "He's allowed to ask questions."

Sniff. Hanky.

Diego raises a brow at that, "Mm promising"

Ash eyes Diego, "Oh Diego... the time will come when the final shadow threatens to swallow, and you will give all you are for a crown. And you will regret some of the seeds planted by your careless hand." For a moment, the old sidhe flares with intensity her kith is known for.

then it calms, and Ash turns back to her charge.

Jessica gives that a moment to settle in, too.

Diego steps back, frowns, then shrugs "Someone had to say openly what others will say IN those shadows."

The troll scans the room, looking to see if anyone else has something they wish to say.

Ellie is quiet, and has taken hold of Dame Ash's hand. She is, however, no longer crying.

Nancy says "I have a question. ... or rather, a suggestion?"

"Yes?"

"It does so happen that the County only has so many official positions like most holds... as far as I know , there is no Bard... and while Tito Woden is seer, Sir Phobos acting Herald, and Constance the Scribe , our troubadours tend to be shifting. I was thinking ... maybe a few musical try outs with Countess Eleanor helping to decide? Clearly they need to be up on their Disney singing. Phoebe wanted to try out... I think we should let her, but others might as well. And this would be a chance to sort as needed other jobs and roles and have our ruler and her heir work together?" A pause "mostly I was thinking the music part"

Jessica nods, looks at Ellie. "What do you think?"

"I... I think a bardic contest would be nice." Nod-nod.

Diego says "And perhaps a jester. It is.. time I think for a new one."

Many bow their heads at the memory of Ricardo.

But most agree joy should not be absent too long.

"Eleanor and I will work out the details and let everyone know." Jessica says.

Maria says "I have questions too.. I know your favorite color is purple, but... these are important too." She pulls out a list "What is your favorite animal? Do you prefer leggings or jeans ? You don't have to wear dresses all the time, but when you do, what is your favorite type of dress? Do you like Harry Potter things or Avatar the last airbender and if so what School house do you think you are, and what nation? "

Ariel smiles at Maria an whispers to Ellie "Finally, SOMEONE talking about what matters"

Jessica nods and looks seriously at Ellie for her answers.

Indeed, Constance looks ready to make official notes of this important subject

"I like rabbits, but cats and dogs are really nice. Jeans are good for going exploring the woods. I haven't read Harry Potter yet, Sir Gerald said I had to be older..."

Yup. Notes taken.

Salma is shooting Diego looks over the edge of her book. The mean man made her Lady cry...