#fenixtj

But, he also brought them art supplies the other day. A sniff. He bears more watching.

Ariel does NOT mention that some times DeBukes have hunted Rabbits. The non talking ones.

"Thank you, Countess Eleanor" Maria writes it down.

As does Constance.

Other questions by other folks... Purple is her favorite color? What shade? What is her favorite material to wear? When is her birthday? Yes, some do want to know her favorite Disney Princess. Others her favorite holiday. Does she have favorite desserts? What's her comfort food ? Is there something that might not be served here they can put into the menu?

She rebounds with safer questions - and asks questions back. Colors and animals and songs and ice-cream flavors.

And as she asks questions back, she learns that a lot of folks here are not as into spicy things are sterotypes would indicate... really sppice Mexican food is often Tex Mex. She learns that Rosa's favoite color is.. naturally, rosy pink. Maria admits she loves a fiery blue. Diego admits to a bold red. Animals of favorite types are varied. Some folks love dolphins, and that being a sea creature Ariel is happy to hear it. Certain birds of lovely song are mentioned. And YES, folks turn to Jessica expecting HER to answer questions about her Favorite Color, Animal, songs, Ice cream flavor!

"Um.... I guess... earth tones; blues and greens and browns. Um. I like most animals. Dogs, cats, horses. I like songs that tell stories. And, um, vanilla; it's versatile."

Azul walks up and plops at Jessica's feet as she mentions liking most animals

Jess looks at the pup, then at the assembly.

Wag wag thump

Diego says "I think Azul is telling us it's time to just let you and the young lady eat and we hold a fiesta?"

"We hold a fiesta, and everyone eats." Jessica agrees.

"Are there churros, por favor?"

"Si! Mucho Churros" A laugh and indeed there are.

Well, ONE happy little girl!

And music starts out, one voice chiming beauitfully as Phoebe is allowed to sing.

It's not from her favorite movie, but the message might make certain young girls smile

"I have often dreamed of a far off place

Where a hero's welcome would be waiting for me

Where the crowds would cheer when they see my face

And a voice keeps saying this is where I'm meant to be..."

Phoebe comes forward and gives flowers to each girl as she sings.... one for Salma, one for Ariel, and , of course, one for Ellie

Ellie beams and hugs the girl.

Salma is surprised but accepts the flower with a grin. And gives the stem a little nibble before deciding it goes better behind an ear than in her belly.

Phobe hugs back, but doesn't lose the song as she goes forward. And while she is splotched and odd... and her family is bad, for a moment her sidhe blood seems to light up, or maybe it's the song. And as she finishes it... "I will beat the odds
I can go the distance
I will face the world
Fearless, proud, and strong
I will please the Gods
I can go the distance
Till I find my heroes' welcome
Right where I belong"

Then she ends it on a last lingering note as she kneels before both Countesses.

"That's a good song."

"Thank you, your excellency, I thought it fitting. " Phoebe says

Now that Jessica has food, Azul is making BIG eyes! he is.. you see, starving. Surely, the Freeflame would not let her Dog , her loyal pet, STARVE? Surely, a few morsels shared with troll's best friend would be welcome?

Ellie is happy to sit with her two friends - she does pester Salma about the book. "What are you reading? Is it good?"

"You have been fed." She tells the pup.

BIGGER eyes

SADDER eyes

"Ah, it is called Esperanza Rising." She shows Ellie the cover that has a young latina girl floating over a field, a rose falling from one hand. "See, Esperanza lived in a fancy rancho with her mamá and papá, and their sirvientes, until suddenly they had to go on the run, and leave everything and even Abuelita behind and work hard labor, but see, the chica will not let this break her, oh, and mamá just got sick and cannot work, and I just have to see how she deals with...." A slight blush as she realizes that she was babbling on and on.

"Is just a silly story, that's all."

"It sounds like a good story. I can't read that much spanish yet."

Ariel says "if it makes you passionate then it's not silly at all" the satyress declares

"Ah, then maybe I need to read it to you in Ingles then?"

"If you want to. I like books with pictures..."

"This one is filled with words, but it puts the pictures in my head. I can practically seeI Esperanza as she watches the campesinos, as they go to harvest the grapes from the field... I wonder, do they grow anything here? Or just kittens?"

"ooo.." Ariel says

"There were farms near Springdale. They had cows."

"And hay."

"I like hay." A silly grin. "Is not just for horses."

"It can be fun to jump in when it's just right, but other times it can make you itch or it gets dirty" Ariel says as an expert on hay nd other farm things "Widlers go up in haylofts sometime"

"Oh, i bet it WOULD be fun to jump in..."

"Long as you don't find the legendary NEEDLE in the haystack. Then OUCH"

"oooo, yeah."

"Salma, do you have a mama and papa?"

Salma turns a page, suddenly intent on the book. "In the story, Esperanza's papi died, and that's when the troubles started. It is very sad."

"Oh" Ariel says and sits down

And she pats Salma's shoulder "it's okay. My brother's my only family left too"