#fenixtj

'Oh, Rovers, the knights of the way.. they protect the trods" Ariel says "it's a troll group"

"Did you need me to put something in my pockets?" Adam is trying to catch up.

"Oh, Rovers are good. Sir Gerald told me of them."

"Oh! Andariego Valiente! I would like this Olgar." She nods. "No, Senor. You must give her your pockets. You come to a Baronesa as allies and without even a gift, and flaunt your storage. Muy grosero!"

"Grosero? Gross?"

"I..." Zane ponders this "I fear I cannot give you my pockets, for they are bound to my pants, and this is a place where Pants must stay on. HOWEVER... if you wish tribute... I can bring you... a purse"

"Oooo..."

She taps her nose thoughtfully. "Grosero... like, if you were to pick up the soup spoon during the dessert course, but on purpose... or the Jester who passes wind when the Baroness gives her address? MUY Grosero!"

"Oh!"

"Ooo.. very gross" Ariel agrees, "Just ONE purse?" She looks at the boys

She points to Adam as well. "Ariel has not pockets either. El guapo to Cabracita, and Cabracito to La Guapa. Fair is fair."

Gesturing from Adam to Ariel, and Zane to Ellie.

"We will bring you both purses, but..." Zane says, elbowing Adam, "you must tell Phobe how gallant and gentlemanly we are to bring not one, not two, but THREE purses"

"Four."

"Oh, no, see... I must have my hands free. And see..." She edges over and shifts aside the fold of her dress to show off something.... Oh! A bit of fabric that doesn't match, and some rough stitching!

A hand into the hidden fold, and she produces.... not one, but TWO paperbacks.

"Pockets!"

"I magicked my own out of cobwebs and moonlight."

A mysterious flair.... more like muslin and spare thread...

"oooo" Gasps Ariel. Their pooka friend IS amazing

"But you are ladies who need to flutter and preen. Your hands must be free to take the hands of your dance partners. Me? My dance partners are on the page."

"Oh, not forever..."

Ariel eyes her pooka friend "One day, when we are older, I'm going to find your cowboyrello... and he will dance with you and he will think you're wonderful"

"Si, they are forever! They will never leave me!" A proud grin as she gives the book a hug.

"And if they tried... I will LOCK the library." A snicker.

"Oh, Salma, you should read the spider book aloud..."

Zane sahys "So.. purses... and in exchange you speak of how honorable and cool we are to Phobe and other girls our own age?"

Adam jerks and grabs at one of his pockets.

"Yes! We can do that!"

"First the Purses." She answers primly. Then a sniff at Adam. "See, he flaunts his wealth of pockets!"

He pulls out a phone and looks at it, then looks around. "Should I take this here?" He asks Zane.

"He is guapo. Maybe Phoebe doesn't mind cooties."

"Oh.. up to you man..." Zane says "I have pockets, but I also have..." He takes out some cards "Magic powers." And he proceeds to show the little kids card tricks.

"Oh, do you have a conejo in your hat?" Delighted and distracted.

"Allow me to show you, the Queen of hearts. She will not be denied. Tell me when to sort, when to stop, and still she will be the card you pick" And he demonstrates

The phone... stops ringing.

And starts again! A second call! So popular, this one!

"Adam, pick it up see who it is"

"Shhhhh poop. Ok, uh... Excellency, I'm very sorry but I need to make a call. Will you excuse me?"

"Oh! Oh, this is good magic!" She claps.

"Yes, yes you may."

"Answer.." And the cards flip back and forth... Queen of Hearts even when they count to ten

Ariel gasps

Adam nods and ducks out, perhaps seeking a place where reception is good? He answers anyway, though.

"Hello?"

ANd yes, a quarter will be plucked from Salma's ear after the Queen of hearts comes near it

Ooo-ing and Ahhh-ing.

(Hey... what are you up to?) Piper, over the phone.

(Piper! Hey!) He sounds delighted. (How're you feeling? I'm exploring with Zane.)

("Exploring Zane? Geez, I didn't know you were that hard up for a date." A soft laught. "I felt bad about the way we left off last night. I thought I could make you dinner, but you weren't home." Sigh.)