#fenixtj

She holds out her hand to the troll.

Another small smile, and she takes her hand.

A smile, and she walks with Jessica.

.... back into the room where the Balefire flickers.

"Hello, our jesting friends!"

And they come to the main room, while the jesters poke and prod each other then settle a bit "Bonjour " "Your most excellencies" "Patron power"

and bow in exagerated manners

Jessica nods to all.

She acknowledges their bows with a nod and a moment of eye contact.

Bonk has his rubber beneath him like a warrior might stand with a sword point down.

Tonto takes a sip from his drink, and bubbles, soap bubbles come out of his nostrils to his surprise.

Slap and Dash hold each other's hands

"We wished to thank all of you for coming to Fenix freehold."

"You are most welcome guests, and we wish the opportunity to know you better. We would like to extend three days of hospitality to you all."

"Well, darling, it looks like three days in a luxury site," Dash tells his wife. "Can I deliver or what?" /She rolls her eyes then says to the Countesses "Thank you, your excellencies. Win or lose, we hope to entertain and thank you"

Bonk says "YYYYYYYEESS ... I shall bring the serious minded to their knees!"

Tonto claps his big hands lightly "Knock Knock"

"Who's there?"

"ME!" Tonto gasps

looking very comically surprised

Jessica applauds softly.

She smiles. "Yes!"

Holger bows then stands up straight, "Shall I show them the guest rooms, Condessa?" (In Spanish) Thane in training

"That would be very helpful, Holger. Thank you."

"De Nada, Condesa" he motions to the others to follow, and leads them on.

The Jesters exhange looks, Bonk mutters "They draft em young here..." // "The thane reveal party must have been amazing" Slap says as she and her man follow// Tonto waggles fingers at the two Countessi

A wee little wave back!

And out the jesters and Holger go.

"I think that went well, if you don't mind me saying?" Dame Ash says to both

"They're all very nice."

Jessica nods. "I think having them stay will pay off. Dame Ash, Ellie and I discussed having the position of jester be based here, but having the jester visit the other Freeholders regularly."

"Sort of a spy one doesn't expect to be a spy."

Jessica's face freezes. "I hadn't... not a -spy-. Just... spreading mirth?"

"I thought that was normally troubadours? " Ash ponders

the two sidhe apparently seeing connections

"Spreading joy is good, too..."

"I don't need -spies- at the other Freeholders."

Ash says "The young countess had some Eiluned influence, your excellency" As if that explains it

"...oh..."

Jessica glances at the 'Fire.

Ash puts a hand on Ellie's shoulder "It's not a bad plan, Ellie. It's just not inkeeping with the way things HERE are done ."

She nods.

"Oh, no, Ellie.... I just don't see the need for spies. I trust Mitra, and Tweak.... um, I trust her to be who she is. Baron Tidemarch....." She pauses, frowning. "I trust that he's going to act in his own best interests."

"I worry about him."

"Why?"

"I... not specific. A feeling?"

Jessica nods. "I trust those feelings."

"But Beaumayn sometimes conflict with unseelie houses."

"The Shadow Three bear watching, but Countess Jessica is no friend to Leanhaun or Balor " Ash assures

"Yes. But Tidemarch?"