#fenixtj

Ahpuch sighs. the boggans keep asking him to wipe his face paint off...

And when he bathed, and they did MAKE him bath, it came off. he chats next to the cold spot next to him, " i don't know, they're just like that. no no.. i think i can talk to you freely because you're a prodigal.. i mean, you do believe in the supernatural, right?'

The cold spot roams the hall with him

Alpuch gasps "you're not sure? aliens? SantaMaria and all her bridesmaids, you think I am the alien?"

"no no," the boy goes on "I know you don't mean it racist or anti immigrant... but still, you think I am from the planet pluto?"

Torches dim and light again

"si yes i know, they sought to strip pluto of planet hood," the boy says irritated, "but i have read the old books, and one does not mock a god of death lightly, oh no. the cold wrath of pluto awaits those that would deny him his power.. And I am agent to that dark fate."

the cold spot pauses.

"you really think i was scary just then?" Ahpuch claps

softly, of course.

"yes yes, 'and odd' folks always have to add that" Ahpuch sighs "wish they would just stop with scary"

they stop by a room, and he pauses, 'this is where the little princess, the small countess, and the 'girls' rest. it is a dangerous place, my friend, for those they are kind, they are quick to braid the hair, or suggest more bathing. they giggle for no reason, and stare at you like they know things. when I become a man, I shall be one of the wise ones who avoids the women and their beguiling ways. They will no bewitch me like other men are when they become the women. I will be strong of mind."

the cold spot spikes oddly

The boy makes a face "it's not nice to laugh"

"what do you mean I should be niceeand say hello? did I not warn you? They are devious, these senoritias. Salma she knows things and say things that are not QUITE true but I know there is something good in there so I waste the hours trying to figure out, and Areil she does the singing and tapping and the hugging without warning... and then, the most devious of all, the comtesse de Violette, for you get the oddest thoughts about her. Holger met her once, and is already to die to protect. Troll you know? Oh you would not know... they are like giants with lemming brains. Charge, over the cliff. Si, yes, she is nice, she is lovely, she is the inspiring... but still all the more reason to be cautious. For such people other people want to be heroes, and heroes are well, you know your self, senoir, they are dead. mmm?"

"it's not rude.. I am supposed to spy it is what I do. I will no tell them I am here."

Then suddenly, the 'cold spot' reaches out.. and there's a KNOCKING sound at the girl's door frame

"you rat bastard" the sluagh mutterr

"Hello-Hola!"

It's rare for a slaugh to jump, but Ahpuch does

then he bows "Senorita " He does Spanglish ..well, does ANYONE do Spanglish well?

for a moment, Ellie might feel a cold shiver, but it passes

"Hello, Ahpuch. Do you want to play? We have some boy dolls..."

Oh, there seems to be something going on - a castle built of pillows and shoeboxes, and a minefield of satin-clad dollies...

"With his face all painted up, he is a boy doll. Did you get rained on?"

"they made me bathe," he makes a face "Do ..do you have the action figures?"

"Like, lucha libre? We have none, but paper, and crayons. Princesca, can he borrow the black? We can make a mask."

"Hm. You would like Hades. He's dead!" She goes to retrieve one of the (somewhat neglected) boy dolls - indeed, pale skin, with painted blue flames on his head.

"What's a Lucha Libre?"

"Hades, a true hero" he takes it, "And lucha libre? That is the wrester... they wear masks... but there is more to it than that. Many have super natural powers and hide it before the masses. "

"Oh, you do not know? I like El Santo... he is a hero to the campesinos. He fights for justice!"

"Justice is important... so... so they're like superheros?"

Ahpuch nods to Salma, who does indeed know many things, then to Ellie "Si. but some can be the villains. Still, respect the mask."

A solemn nod.

Ariel comes in "Oh, High Ahpuch. " She says, then looks to the other kids holding up a bag "I got buttered rolls from Maria"

"Ooooo..."

And the rolls are offered out "Ahpuch, you want one?"

"Too fresh for me... it would sit in my belly, and fester like yeast" He says

"That sucks."

"Have... have you gotten enough food?"

"Yeah, if you're hungry..." Ariel says worried

"no no.. i am fine. sluagh should be skinny so we do not get caught again. also, they let the squash rot ..lots of squash. they turn it into a chunky paste and keep it from the flies" he observes

"That is NOT right." Stubborn little chin.

" i like it" he says surprised at her, "The squash."

"you LIKE Squash? Oh good grief we got nothing but at the farm some days" Ariel says

"Si, it's much better tahn what the Baron Tide march gave me" The boy says , "Salma knows. It is better here"

"You should have more than squash."

"It is right for him, Princesca. Ahpuch, do you like gatitas? Sometimes Mamacita does not feel like eating and the bowl of cream goes sour. I could save this for you."

Ellie may see the fib here, Mamacita certainly never turns down anything.

"Sure, there's that. But what about the free-hole-lays?"