#fenixtj

"Arrange for it then, and.. thank you" A sigh "And once I get this.. fixed. Well.. I guess that's when I find out I'm not welcome in Rivervale anyway. I murdered a mortal. Dad can't... he won't accept that"

Jess shakes her head. "That doesn't matter."

"Some of us LIKE our family, Jessica" A bit of venom

Her eyes darken just a bit but she holds steady. "Are you Liam? No. You're Fiona, or trying to be. If Dad's going to hold you to Liam standards, he's going to be eternally disappointed, isn't he? Fiona don't have the same relationship with mortals, and certainly not with Autumn People."

A wince "I'm sorry, Jessica. That was... That was wrong of me to say. I know you love him , both of them, all of us, but I've never been as good as you at walking my own way , not really. I am different that the same way doesn't work for me, but you, you CHOSE to walk your own way. I just don't always FIT at theirs and I still ..hang around"

"It's only a guess, but maybe when you find where you fit, you'll find a way to be different that does work, and where you fit with them.... or, away from them." She stands away from the doorframe. "I'll let folks know not to bother you. We'll bring food by and knock. If you need or want something, just put a note on the door or under it."

"I..yes. Thanks. " A sigh "Sis, I'm sorry I did covert ops in your county without letting you know about it. "

"I just didn't have an alternative come to mind at the time that wouldn't risk it"

"We'll talk about that later." She nods and steps back. "Take care of yourself. Let me know what you need."

"I will, thanks" And she closes the door

And Jessica moves away to leave instructions as she said.

And a system is underway

(End scene)

"What do you mean I can't see her?" Zane says

"You.Can't.See. Her." Demos says glowering

"Brujo!"

"He's a Pillar of the Mountain of River Vale - and she is OF River Vale, so you have to let him through." Piper tries to reason. From a safe distance.

"Hey,,your excellency" The satyr bows

"What's going on? Hello Miss Piper!"

Demos grunts "Okay, but no women. She don't want to see no women"

Piper looks a bit fretful, but nods to Zane. "Take what we can get..." ANd to Ellie. "Miss Countess, how is the harp lessoning going?"

"No harp lessons here... lots of stories though!"

"They stopped the bad people, did you hear?"

"So you've given up on music, then?" A pause, and she hesitates, then nods. "There were a lot of them. In a lot of places. But I think they were all stopped, yes."

Zane says "it's complicated.. and ... " Soon the door opens Siv groans

"Well, harp. But Neema's been teaching us songs."

"Oh, I saw. The Pale Lady was angry, and there were trolls, and lots of fighting. That's how I got here, Jessica rescued me from them."

A glance at the door that hides her cousin and friend. "They were very bad people. I'm glad that the Countess rescued you from them." And impulsively she offers the little girl a hug.

She hugs Piper back!

A fierce hug - thinking of the victims they saw that were in the grasp of the Bag Guys longer. And then she lets go, and gives her a bit of a sheepish smile. "I did promise to bring you something, and I'm sorry it took so long." Still keeping an eye on the door, she hasn't forgotten why they are here.

ANd Zane has vanished into Siv's room

voices raise and fall.

but can't quite be made out

"Oh... oh!"

She does a little hoppity dance from foot to foot. "An ocarina?"

"That, and I'll have some instructions to help you get started..." Biting her lip for a moment as she strains to listen, but then brings out the instrument carefully wrapped in a cloth. "You'll want to keep it oiled, the natural wood will dry out... but your trouibadors can show you how..." And she plays a few notes, low, swapping down an octave so it's lower in volume, a little richer and deeper, but Ellie recognizes the tune...

BIG EYES. "Rapunzel!"

"Here, normally you want to learn the basics about the notes, pitch, tune and breathing exercises... but if you just hold it like this, and put your fingers here... then here..." She shows her how to play the first few notes of the refrain, just enough to be recognized, even in breathy toots.

toot, toot, toot-toot-toot! She giggles when she gets it mostly right and twirls.

"I have to show Ariel and Salma! Thank you Piper!"

"Oh, and tell your Neema that if she ever wants an ocarina, I know the lady who crafted that one, and she has a full-sized one with a nautical theme..."

"We could duet!"

The world might be dark, but Piper has certainly made one seven-year-old VERY happy. The little sidhe's joy is effusive, basking the satyr like sunshine.

"Just be sure that you keep it fun. If you start having trouble, return to what you know and like. It will be worth it. " A small smile at the sidhe's happiness. They can be so sweet when they're little.

"I can do that!" And she dances off, little breathy notes fading in the distance.

The pleasant distraction gone, she sits and waits. An occasional glance at Demos if he still lurks in guard of the door, and she finds herself softly humming the tune. Catchy thing.

Yelling from inside

Demos looks bored

Piper looks concerned...

"Excuse me, sir.. it is Sir?... do they, um. Need help in there?"