#fenixtj

Ariel nods and takes her friend sidhe's hands "Lots of mean folks out there but we're safe here."

Adam tilts his head, nods. "Good. You should be. I mean, you should feel safe."

"There are bad people outside who take slaves and send them up north."

"Slaves?"

Zane whirls around "What?"

"Human traffickers" A nod from Ariel"BAD people doing things to helpless people"

"Very bad people."

"Countess Jessica rescued me from them."

"AND saved all the other girls, too. I couldn't."

"Bad people?" Salma peers in the spa room, and frowns as her glasses fog up. "Princesca, should I call the le guarda?"

"Salma!" Delighted.

"We were warning the boys to avoid the bad people."

Adam smiles just to see the Countess light up like that.

"Hello, Salma !" Ariel says then looksat the wilders "This is Salma. She's the smartest friend. And helping us learn Spanish. This is Zane.. " She points "And Adam"

"Hello, Salma."

"Adam's a kinain!"

She peers at them over the top edges of her glasses - probably going for a stern look, but it is somewhat spoiled as she squints to see them without the corrective lenses. "Are they here to steal your honor? Ninos are bad news! Like that wee cabracito who stole all the churros."

She doesn't sound overly concerned, though, and edges over to kick off a sandle and dip a toe into the water.

"I think older boys have fewer cooties than childling boys."

"Yeah, also their with Rivervale lodge , so they're allies" Ariel says

"We were just out exploring. Tijuana is pretty cool."

"Did they bow, Princesca?" She asks, curiously, and pointedly drops into a curtsy - oh, there goes the hem of her frock into the water.

the waters are soothing, and yet give a sort of vibrancy

"They did. They're very polite."

"Thank you, Countess." he bows with a roguish smile.

She relaxes a bit and gives the boys each a curtsy - not nearly as low as to Ellie, but she is polite. "Allies ARE important - but must they be ninos? Do they not have any proper ladies to send? Though this one is pretty." She whispers that last to Ellie and Ariel!

A glance over at Adam, and a covered giggle.

"Well, you hafa have SOME boys" Ariel whispers back "Who else will hold your stuff when you go shopping?"

Adam shoots the cuffs of his voile and brushes a speck of dust off his shoulder.

"That is what your escort does! No, they want to steal my job too? Dios mio! I SHOULD call le guarda!"

A forlorn tug of one of her ears. "Scarcely here a fortnight and the two amigos come to steal my lady away."

"Nooooo! Salma, you're my friend! You can't be replaced by a boy!"

"Even if he is el guapo?"

"Even if he's guacamole!"

Zane looks amused at this converse and nudges Adam "It's like a mini telenovella down there" He whispers

"Oh, si. It would be illegal to be stolen by guacamole, because they are not a judge, only abogado."

Ariel says "Boys have pockets.. it's unfair. "

"It IS unfair!"

"They're cute." He whispers back.

"I kind of want to meet this Phoebe " Zane admits with a whisper

"That IS unfair." She taps a (wet, bare) foot. "How will you make this up to us? You must answer for the crimes of la Moda." (Fashion!)

"Oh, def."

"Ah..."Zane blinks

(also whispered)

"Huh?"

"Pockets!"

"Yeah, pockets!" Ariel nods

"La Princesca and her attendant do not have pockets. Because of... (an ominous tone) la patriarcado!" She points at the two boys!

"Have you girls happened to meet Olgar the Rover? Just curious" Zane inquires

"Rover? El... vagabundo?"