#fenixtj

For the childlings, the ice cream in the banquet area where they are summoned is even MORE extravagant, and there is cake! Oh the cake Salma longs for

Barones Vaeltilde, ignoring the cake with great effort, Curtseys before Jessica, "Countess"

Jessica nods. "Baroness." Gravely. "I am glad you were able to attend. Did you have a favorite performer?"

"They're all very good. I thought Piper was VERY good... but something in my soul likes Dame Bevera's songs even if they aren't proper viking. But she might not like an Unseelie hold. Neema might like to be closer to the sea and like our hold but... I don't understand all her music. It's very hard to pick." She says "I think my liege likes Troubadour Hazard but all are fine skalds."

"They are all so very good!"

Ariel blushes "Did you like my one song, Miss Jessica?"

Salma plates up a piece of cake, but then notices - and sets it before the Baroness Vaeltide. "Please, won't you try some? I baked it myself."

Vaeltilde turns to Salma "you are most gracious, good pooka Salma. "

And she does take the cake.

"I liked your song, Ariel."

Ariel beams at her friend "Thanks, Ellie" Then, because it is mannerly AND true, says "I think your dress is extra nice today"

And Salma gets herself a... perhaps slightly large piece of cake. Because if you don't reward your own good deeds, who will?

"Tonto's song was my favorite. I liked when he hatched a chick and she sang a song of the savannah with a voice from the sea."

"But that's not counting Ariel. She doesn't get voted because she's already ours." Firmly.

"And I think we would understand Piper's music better if we were able to see the place she sings of." Polite, not sly at all.

And a mouthful of cake. Mmmmmm... bliss.

"I did, Ariel. Thank you for it."

"Piper's last song was.... very true."

"Oh yes, with purses and Connor and Jack says the table legs are as tall as trees..."

"I thought he said the people's legs were big as trees?"

"I think everything at a lodge is as tall as a tree. Trees come in different sizes."

Ariel says "Big blue oaks" a nod

Arielf beams at the praise of Jessica "you're welcome!"

"Yes, Paul Bunyan and his big blue oaks." Salma giggles.

"I wish Piper had wanted the job... she and Spencer were both VERY good..."

"YEah, Spencer is AWESOME.. even I admit it and I hear him a lot. "

"I liked the unicorn song, even though it was sad..."

Every one , even Vaeltilde, even the boys, sigh at that

And Jessica nods.

"I do think Elias would likely fare the best at an unseelie hold..."

"Phoebe must stay here. She wants to be here the most."

Ariel sighs "Phoebe has the prettiest voice"

"She does! But she mustn't sing Ahpuch's songs around Salma."

"but it's more fun when others are scared by them too" Ahpuch whispers in protest

"I shall be scared for you."

"I wasn't scared." She says softly into her cake.

"No, but you did not care for it. And it was very kind of you to make sure Dame Ash was alright."

"When Phoebe wasn't singing to Ahpuch, she sang to the rest of us sweetly. I would like to hear her play with Dean, the two together would be a fine Troubadour."

And her cheeks pink slightly. "The boy from Ariel's home wasn't terrible."

Siiiiigh.

"Spencer is very good." Jessica agrees.

"We - the childlings - we have some ideas about how to help Dean."

"Yes" Ariel says

Salma nods eagerly. "We have a great many leads and it will be a quest magnifico. So you must not send him away until we have had a chance."

"That is a very generous, kind thought." Jess nods. "Everyone, please understand that while I'm asking for your ideas, the decision has to be mine. I will decide what I think is best for the whole County."

"Phoebe has asked for and needs haven, and I do not think she will stay unless she believes she has.. ah... a job? A way to pay her way?"

"As is proper" Baroness Vaeltilde says

"Si, Condesa. On your horns rest the crown." Solemnly. Never minding that the other girls all had been wearing their paper crowns too...

Holger bows and waits attentively

Ariel says "But Ellie's right, Phoebe needs a place she can be safe. The farm wouldn't take her"

"I'm sure we can help in some way." Jessica offers.