#fenixtj

Jessica has never been one to listen overmuch to gossip.....

Not in the slightest. Yet her sister who is normally the sort to throw herself into crowds has isolated herself. Utterly

Jonas look troubled but doesn ot speak of it.

And in the midst of this bustle, a satyress pops out of the trod from River Vale...

Jessica is JUST on the verge of maybe speaking with Jonas.

Piper is recognized. Neema waves between playing tunes.

She is surprised at the bustle - but picking up bits and pieces of the conversation, starts to wonder just how big of an effort this whole thing really was. It wasn't just the River Vale Mission, apparently... they were just a small part to play. And she heads over to wait near Neema - a recognizable face, to ask her for a quick update on the haps around Fenix... after she finishes her set.

"Oh you'd not believe, " The Selkie says "There was a rescue of many people who had been enslaved, everyone is working on a song about it, but the story is that a witch in white lead a force to take down the Dream Slaver Tantalus and his balor allies... corrupting magics, singing giant mice..."

"And Siv coming out the cold"

JESSICA sees Jonas, pacing a bit like a panther, but not AS A panther

She watches him for a time.

He seems to notice, then turns "Freeholder, did you require something of me?"

"A word?"

"Of course" He says

"SIV?" She asks, in surprise. "Siv King, Captain Siv, sister of Jessica King, Siv?" She clarifies. "What's she doing here??"

She approaches and speaks quietly. "Siv does not seem herself."

"She was undercover, wore a false face for days... passed on information" Neema explains

Jonas frowns then considers then says to JESSICA "She's not. I wasn't always with her.. I flew..gathered glamour, brought it to her..k eeping the banality at bay. I didn't see everything she did, had to do"

"Well, can I see her? Where is she? I could USE a sight of an old friend right now..." She asks the troubador.

"She is not normally withdrawn like this. Have you seen her? Will she see you?"

"She's in the room over there..." A gesture to the door "But she's been holed up. I don't know if she wants to see anyone" Neema says to PIPER

"She saw me," Jonas says troubled "But not to..converse"

She hesitates, but nods to Neema. And heads over to give the door a soft knock.

Jessica purples lightly. "Um. Did... could you.... um, did she allow you to, um, comfort her?"

Jonas ALSO purples lightly "That is a milder word than I would use but ..yes"

"Mmph."

A voice from SIV's door "I'm not hungry, thank you"

"Siv?' She asks tentatively. "It's, uh... it's Piper. I didn't know you'd be here, but.. you are, and... I'd really like to see you... if you're not busy..."

JESSICA hears Jonas say "I .. there was an Autumn Person. Then one time I came back, and he was dead"

PIPER hears "PIper? What are you doing here? I.. it's really not a good idea to be around me right now" Siv says

"I might not be good company either... not after the raid... not after everything... but..." She goes quiet for a moment, leaning against the door. "I miss you, and I'm hurting, and maybe that makes me selfish, but I -would - like to see you. Everyone there who saw things is a bit torn up, and I just'd like to see that you're okay... or at least, in tact."

JESSICA responds. "She killed him, you think?"

SIV says to PIPER "When I tell you to go... you go" The door cracks open

JONAS nods "To save us both. Yes. To keep the cantrips of disguise intact. I think.. I think she fears what your father will think of her kiling a human, even an autumn person"

Jessica SIGHS.

"I'm going to talk to her."

And Piper slides through the door into Siv's room....

Jonas looks at her "She wants to be alone. She says it's best she not be around other women"

"Why?"

A frown "She didn't say"

"Well, I'm her sister."

Jonas nods, then admits "She sometimes fears you feel put upon by family"

"Mmph." Jessica heads towards Siv's room.

And Piper is shoved out the door, bumping into Jessica - and Piper doesn't understand, but steps back, looking at the door -then darts off.

Siv has closed the door "Go away.."

But JESSICA is there now

"What the....." she looks from the retreating satyr to the door. "Siv. It's me."

"Not.. not a good time, Sis.. is Piper gone? I mean.. distant?"

"Yes."

"Thank God" She says "I'm not hungry, please leave me"