#fenixtj

"I will watch for her. She saved me, and I was meant to be here."

"Good. Give her a hug now and then. She doesn't get to give and get enough of those. "

"I can do that, too."

"Seven pieces, and sing to each one every morning for three mornings."

"With Fontaine's water."

"Yes"

"Do.... do you want this? I think you do, or you would not have suggested it."

"It's not about what I want, really, but.. it's a sign of a good leader you ask"

"I want to be a good leader."

"Don't forget to stay a good person. That's part of what Jessica likes about you. Now, this is very tiring.. so I'm going to rest.. you know what to do"

"I know what to do. I will be very gentle."

"Gentle Strength...good." And the rose goes quiet

When it goes quiet, she gives it a kiss on its petals before yanking it up.

And done!

And so she goes about - several spots in the atrium, yes, but other places - Fontaine's spring, the library, the kitchen, her bedroom...

They might not be the friendliest places for a real flower, but a magical one?

And bit by bit she goes about some just outside, some near windows...

Places where, certainly, the Balefire might want an eye.

And so it is begun. Three days, three soaks each.. in the first hour or morning light.. . or it will be lost.

Some would say the work is beneath a noble, but somehow, Ellie is sure this is a task she cannot have others do for her.

No, this is muy importante.

Eventually, she returns to her room with a double-handful of less elect flowers

And she hears ...singing

She waits and listens.

And ..it's two voices. Ariel and Phoebe in the halls..

"You know that I can't help myself
Help myself, help myself
I try but I don't do to well

And I know I disappear for days
And it keeps you awake
I almost bend it till' it breaks" Phoebe leads and coaxes Ariel

Ariel joins in "But when I come home
Lights out
Will you sleep safe and sound?
I'm obsessed with you
But you never work me out"

Then they sing together... "Get a little jealous, a little selfish
You know that it's all good
I'm just a little messed up, uh uh
I'm just a little messed up, like you"

It's not a happy song, and yet, Ariel's voice gets stronger, as if she gets energy from it

And it goes on... and ends... "Feel better?" Phoebe asks and Ellie overhears it.

"A little bit, yeah" Ariel says surprised "how come sad songs can make you feel not so sad?"

Phoebe says "Sad songs are tears for the soul, and a good cry is needed now and then"

"I don't WANT to hurt my friends feelings. I don't want the DeBukes to hurt them either" Ariel says unaware Ellie can hear

"I bet," Phoebe says "I bet your friends KNOW that. And they'll know what's your fault, and what isn't."

"I don't want my adopted family to be mean either, but what if Salma's right? And they are? And... it hurts her? I'm just a kid. what can I do?"

"I don't know," Phoebe says "But maybe.. just don't make the mistake the older genreation does? Isn't that the job of everyone younger? To make brand new mistakes?"

Ariel stops "I can do that. "

"There you go. Do what you do, not what they do. ..at least when it comes to mistakes" Phoebe says

Ariel says "I best go tell the others I'm okay" And she heads to the room to see if she can find Ellie or salma

Ellie is there, hands full of flowers, dirt on her knees.

Ariel gasps "Ellie, you got dirty. "

Then a smile "And you got FLOWERS"

"For you!"

Ariel breaks into smiles and tears all at the same time "You got me flowers to make me feel better?"

"Yes! Salma helped."

"You guys are the best FRIENDS" The satyress gives a fierce hug to the countess.

A laugh. "Good, I'm glad."

"And you ain't afraid of a little dirt' Approvingly

"Oh, no... I'm not SUPPOSED to get dirty, but dirt is fun..."

"It can be" Ariel says