#fenixtj

Finally, she leaps and slashes, the ribbons pull away and up... making ita challenge

Marion would not abandon her dignity, not REALLY but perhaps this will teach the kittens?

So she leaps..and with the kazoo playing, it looks like a dance

Given a quiet moment, Jessica looks around the Balefire room.

Jessica can, use the balefire like cameras to obsserve

But she doesn't; she looks around the room instead, taking it in.

With the jesters and childlings gone, it seems at peace, quiet, and serene.

Tonto is told alllll about the kittens.

Tonto nods "Do you know what you call a pile of kittens?"

"No, que?"

Somberly he looks left, then right, then shares the secret "a meowntain"

gigglesnort!

Marion wonders if she should strike him for that. But well, it does make the small two legged people happy

Constance looks mildy pained but focuses on her work

"Shhhh..."

Trying to keep the giggles contained.

Jessica rises to wander the Freehold halls, taking a moment to observe. So often things can be taken for granted; it is important to see with fresh clarity on occasion.

Oh how much stronger she's grown, Fenix hold. Jessica remembered how she always felt overcome with rot in those first few days, decay, the touch of Balor. But that was so long ago, and Jessica has seen Fenix , in renewing others, become renewed. She did this. If she does nothing else with her life, Jessica realizes, she has done this. And it is good

Honk causes a bit more chaos... and it maybe apparent that while he's no monster, he's more reckless than others. SLap and Dash are a bigger hit with the adults by a little, but Tonto is truly gentle giant, with puns and light touches of magic and soon Mamacita is tired , but accepting of him

Jessica nods to herself, and goes to her chambers.

On her door is a string with a small sea shell dangling. If she flips the sea shell over, she can see itched in it eyes, lovely, feminine, but not demure. The work is Duff's. A play or homage perhaps on his comments on her eyes, 'ocean eyes'

A brief half-smile lifts the corner of her mouth.

She takes it into the room with her, reminding herself to call Duff.

And into her room she goes

Around the county, a soft and curious chimerical breeze sstarts.. not a happy breeze, but one that searches.. but doesn't seem sure what it's searching for

Jessica stretches out on her bed. Fully clothed, but....

She drifts to sleep

and feels... someone take her hand

"Are you all right?"

A voice so much like her own

Jessica jolts, coming awake quickly. Who is in her room??

"Jessica, it's me" The flame says "If you wake up it'll be harder to t-"

and Jessica is awake again

She grunts, swinging her feet over the side of her bed to sit. She rubs her face. Damn

Meanwhile, Ellie can't keep track of ALL the jesters at the same time... but she's got some good idea of which is her favorite by now.

Indeed, Tonto might have acquired a shadow...

Tonto's lies, for he is a pooka, tend to be hard to pick up at first. He asks questions more than makes statements..and when he makes a statement it's usually a punny punch line. But she thinks questions might be how he lies. he answers questions with a question... but his tone makes it gentle rather than sarcastic

A knock on Jessica's door

"Come." she bids.

Ash peeks in "Did you ..not want to judge the jesters at all?" A beat "Oh, Also Mria and Rosa are telling me you haven't had breakfast yet. I know we started early this morning, so it's easy to forget."

And the gentleness is pleasing. And the puns amuse.

"I thought I'd had.... nevermind." A beat. "Yes, I suppose I should. Damn. I was having a dream and....."

Ellie notices that Nancy, the satyr wilder and friend of Jessica, seems to like Tonto... though she gives him a speculative look that seems to have nothing to do with his puns. Odd.

"Miss Nancy, have you met Tonto? He is a jester! There is a whole circus here..."

Ash says "Well, Ellie is checking them out, and I thought maybe you had put this in her lap..which is a fine sign of trust if the jesters aren't offended."

Nancy grins, "I was just wondering where the Beef was" A BIG smile at Tonto

"They're likely to be her jesters more than mine... but you're right, I shouldn't disregard them and offer insult. Can you take me to where I can watch them work?"

Tonto blushes

Ash says "Sure...and you can hear Maria and Rosa's opinions? "

"Yes, thank you."