#fenixtj

Jessica frowns and looks at Ash.

"The honey I odn't understand" She says "But..Necropsis?" A whisper

Jess nods. "Maybe. But he wasn't here." A beat. "That I saw." she amends.

Jessica speaks quietly "If you mean Tweak from Skyhook, her Trueheart is a pooka. Spider affinity. Um. You'd remember him, if you met him."

"Oh... that makes sense then. Okay."

"Beaumayn stuff I think, Freeholder" Ash says gently

"Oh." A whisper.

Ariel has given up and is sleeping

"Didn't meet him, just saw the spider."

"Very good eyes, then."

"Mmhmm." She is leaning against whatever grownup is closer, eyes closed.

turns out to be jessica

Ash looks amused as the Countess leans on the Countess

Jessica lets her rest a moment, then gradually eases her down onto the pillows.

A sleepy kitten sigh and she curls up with a pillow.

Jessica clears up the art supplies.

"You're not bad with kids, your excellency" Dame Ash whispers and helps

"Thank you. Didn't have a lot of other kids around when I was growing up, but after I Crystalized and moved out to live with my dad, there were some younger ones around."

"Mmm , that would explain some of it then. I maybe their warder, but I do believe she respects you an rfelies on you"

"Which isn't a bad thing. Oh. Dame Ash, we can formalize this if you like but as far as I'm concerned you're also her Champion, if you don't mind?"

"I need to bone up on my sword play" Dame Ash says "Just in case."

"You might." Wryly. She tucks the last of the things away, and the last of the childlings in before crossing softly to the door.

And the children are left behind

Jessica (and Ash if she wishes) walk back to the Balefire room.

Ash does go back and Duff says to them "Getting in touch with your maternal sides, ladies?"

Dame Ash snorts "Oh really? Said the man who proped one girl up, and entertained children with face painting? I do believe you like kids, Miiiister Duff. you just don't want folks to know it"

"Temporary Beltaine madness" he says a touch defensively "I was vulnerable due to seasonal pressure"

"He was." She agrees.

"Thank you" he says gratefully

"Fine. Countess, I leave you to this frail shell of a man ..guard him against the warm fuzzy cutness of the world." Ash bows

"I'll do what I can."

She nods back.

And she walks off.

Duff sighs "This lack of fear of me is disturbing. Not sure I like it"

"She's a knight, and Sidhe, and Beaumayn; it's hard to scare that kind of thing."

"I suppose not..." He says after thinking it over, mmm he looks at her "Did you mind me helping the children with the face painting?"

"No, not at all. Why?"