#fenixtj

"Well, so far I'm in favor of your decrees."

"And it'd be important for some freeholds to be held by commoners, I'm pretty sure. Where the Escheat is upheld."

"Did Ariel sell you on that point? Not that I don't agree."

"Ariel, and, oh, have you met Diego?"

"And the Pit, there's a Clurichan there... and a Nocker at the co-op..."

"Diego? I don't think so..." Thinking, and grinning as the small sidhe chats. "Duff seems popular here, though. Does he hold a place on court? Official tattooist?"

"Not official. He paints faces, though!"

"Is he one of the Countess's advisors?" Curious about this fellow.

She nods.

"Advice and... support. It is important for a ruler to have friends, where they are... friends."

And she is thoughtful for a while. "It's good to have friends, and close advisors. I imagine when you're in a position of power, it's hard... heavy is the head, they say. It's good to keep good friends around so you can let your hair down and relax." Smiling down. "Like your amigas."

She nods.

"I hope more than anything I will have them as friends for a long time."

"I'm glad of Duff. Countess Jessica has a lot on her shoulders, and he makes her happy."

"I think I may ask him to do some work for me. Now that it's not part of trying to get ahead at the contest. I appreciate your opinion!"

"He's nice, and he's VERY good at art."

A whisper. "He might be unseelie, though."

Thoughtful, she gives a glance at the girl. "Is that bad?"

A thoughtful look.

"Duff doesn't seem bad. And Demos is scary, but he's loyal."

"I do not like the Balor. But just because they're all unseelie doesn't make all unseelie Balor?"

A shiver. "Maybe there are Balor that might be worth knowing... but I wouldn't bet good money on it. Too dangerous, too ruthless, and too willing to resort to Iron. But my friend Sylvi? Her da is unseelie, and one of the fiercest guardians of River Vale... but a softy where his ladies are concerned." A smile.

"ANd it is important to rule fairly and justly over BOTH courts."

"Mm. Did Countess Jessica tell you so?"

"No, but surely she would!" Loyal!

A chuckle. "Do you plan on appointing your friends to court when you rule? Councillor Ariel, Grand Marshal Salma, Chief Minister of Spookiness, Ahpuch?"

"Yes, I think so. Ariel might not want to be a knight, though."

"Why's that? Oh. Do you have to have a title to serve on court?" Not meaning to interrogate the girl, but curious.

"No, but it's useful to have them. They have practical advantages."

"It's a way of protecting her, sort of, from other nobles."

"Hm, true. Some sidhe might just let it be known that these folk belong to their court, and hope that their own standing protects them. Or feel, hmm.. intimidated, maybe, by the presence of ennobled common folk."

"Well, Jessica IS a Countess."

She nods. "But someday you will be. You COULD just bring in other sidhe to help you rule."

"I could. But that would not be smart."

"They wouldn't know as much as the people here - that's why it's good I have time HERE to learn..."

And she grins. "You, Lady Ellie, are a most uncommon sidhe. I think you'll be a breath of fresh air."

"But, not for a long time!"

"Not for the longest time!"

She has an odd look, considering something.

"Hm?"

"Oh, just thinkng about a dream."

"Oh, I hope it was a nice one. Sometimes I get ideas for songs from dreams... when I remember to write them down quick enough after waking up."

"You should keep a notebook by your bead." Sagely.

A chuckle. "That WOULD be smart. "

"I have to practice writing so it will be easier for me"

"That's smart. You know, I've never been very good at woodwinds. Not everything comes easily or quickly to people the same. But helping you learn is helping me get better, too."

"Salma is helping me lots...."

"I haven't had lots of friends before, but she and Ariel are wonderful."

"I'm glad you've made good friends. Living so close to the sea, it's smart to find friends among the Mer too. You never know where having friends in different places may come in handy - and getting different perspectives on an issue can be important too. Oh, where IS that Cousin?" A soft snort. "Is Miss Phoebe still in residence? I bet he mooning over her, or another lady. Incorrigible, he is."

"She spends time here and at the church. Did you know SHE is related to the Pale Lady?"