#fenixtj

Mamacita sits in Jessica's lap. It's a bit alarming, not the cat, how quiet it's gotten. No, how peaceful it's gotten. It's certainly more musical of late. And that's .. nice. Both Troubadours know when to play lightly, creating soft ambiance. It's just.. suddenly things aren't swamped. Selections made, prisoners serving some time.. the word load is dimming.

And that break with Duff was.. damn she needed to get out.

It seems to have restored her reserves

Marion purrs and wants pets.

And, having a cat on your lap to pet is a known calming restorative. Jess's fingers oblige.

Dame Ash approaches "Jessica? "the lack of formal title is almost a relief "Can I talk to you for a moment?"

"Of course. Come and sit."

She does "It's about Ellie. I think I've missed some clues,"

Jessica is all attention. "Clues?"

"Is she in danger?"

"Thanks to your quick action, no." She assures "I mean about her education. I know how to teach nobles, how to teach squires to be knights, but as my ACTUAL Teaching skills, I've been winging it. But I've noticed Ellie goes off script a lot.. ad libbing, which I took as just her way. But she seems to seek ways to avoid reading what's in front of her. Oh she CAN read, but certain words slow her down, frustrate her.. Salma tried to suggest to me... I THINK she did, but pooka. I don't know if Ellie is just behind, or might even have Dyslexia."

Jess nods, thinking. After a pause she asks "What has Ellie said? Have you asked her?"

"I'm worried she'll panic and close up. Pride is very important to little sidhe girls. And her most of all. Ellie's last mentor taught her many things well, but apparently there's.. she's afraid to get in trouble for having fun..for being less than the perfect little lady. Now I prefer little lady to spoiled brat, which some sidhe kids are."

"But still, I need to find away to bring this up without making her feel 'wrong' or stupid or .. I think maybe they deserve a better teacher. " She finally says "I'll be her guardian, gladly, but well, I don't want to mess this up."

The grump sidhe sighs "Guess little girls aren't the only sidhe with pride issues. But in my case I don't want to do harm"

"I'm sure no one does, in this case, Dame. I understand, I do." Jess thinks. "Who would you recommend for the position of teacher, then?"

"Academics, at least."

"I have.. no idea. I'd like your permision to discretely hunt for one. We don't need a public event for this. Too much chance someone will try to make things happen for political reasons, to mold an heir ... that sort of game"

Jessica nods. "Agreed. Thank you, Dame."

"I'll get on it. I also need to talk to Ellie about it.. I want her to realize being tested doesn't mean she's done anything wrong." Ash says "I truly feel I could have handled this better, your Excellency. I should have caught onto this weeks ago. And I still might not if it wasn't for Salma making .. odd comments and head jerks"

"Salma is a reader, that's true. She spends more time with Ellie. And that time is more relaxed, more intimate if that's the right word."

"I hope they can stay friends as the years pass. That kind of foundation can be a life saver" She nods "I might ask if Sir Vali can come along. He's got a teaching certificate"

"Just to help briefly, or find another teacher. Obviously he can't stay here"

"Obviously.... "

"Let's see if there's someone local, first?"

"As you like" She says "I thought maybe he would have recommendations"

"For a teacher in Tijuana?"

"He might know a changelingwilling to move here who is qualified"

(Pause)

...Meanwhile...

Salma slips into the library, looking up along the walls and favorite nooks for the wee pixies.

Flex and Specs bound down.. and Pose macho! "Hurumph!" "Umh!"

Why with physiques like that, they could heft ENCYLOPEDIAS... because search engines are for GURLYMEN

"Mi amigo pequenos... do you have the book that tells how to fix things?" She holds up a finger solemnly - a papercut wells at the tip! "I do not want to dirty it, but I need to see how to fix."

GASP Then they look at each other, and nod. Hrumph/ mm;ph!

And bounce down to retrieve a book on first aid! They open the pages for her and flip it when she asks

She gives them a smile and something perhaps rarer - a deep curtsy, polite and proper, as though to Nobility. "The small sirs have all my thanks! You have saved the day." She looks over the book, presses lightly on the finger to make the welling stop, and then watches with a small nod as it seals itself with a bit of pressure, it might still sting, but doesn't drip.

they give each other a high five! They earned it!

"Do you like churros?" She asks, curiously. Not sure that she's seen the wee machos eat.

The hold out hands in a 'no thanks' motion.

shaking their heads.

Constance enters in "Oh, Hello, Salma. How are things?"