#fenixtj

Ellie sulks.

"But Ariel does not wish to go." A pout as well.

"We have waited and waited!"

"We have been very good and not had any adventures. And that is not good, are we not fae too? Adventures all AROUND us, but we waste away." A sad sigh.

"She is afraid " the sluagh says "Afraid the DeBukes will lock you up as enemies working for the royals... and see her as a traitor for letting you in.. I bet they put you behind glass...there is only one who can help you, but to name names, it is only fair that one is .. shall we say compensanted? It is my culture" the sluagh says slyly

"Would you want old cookies?"

"..or tea?"

"We saved you a chocolate drink! It must be moldy by now..."

"I get fed here anyway" he says "its very nice"

"Oh! It is champurrado, though." She sighs. "What would you want, if there was something you did not have?"

"A favor, when you come to power, Condessa. I wish a place of influence at your court..where I will have your ear, not litterally of course, though that would be cool, but where I might..." He steeples fingers "Advise you"

He seems to be hearing dramatic music in his own head, played softly no doubt

Salma covers her mouth, in horror, no doubt, at this audacity.

Ellie considers this, thoughtfully.

"It is important to have the perspective of all kiths, and sluagh see what others do not. Granted."

A toothless smile of delight, then a pause "AND the chocolate drink?"

"Well, you should have asked for that first. You may have the champurrado if we succeed."

He realizes he should have asked for that as well up front, the condessa is a slyer bargainer than he realized, "You must call Baroness Vaeltilde, for she has a vehicle that can fly! Few know of this secret, but I ... well, I know much"

"You do! Thank you, Ahpuch!" A peck on his clammy cheek.

A blush and he looks at his feet.

so dazed is he, he gives information "her number is..."

oh he shouuld have traded THAT for the Champurrado, not the kiss

The number is noted!

The victim of feminine wiles, he.. ah tries to vanish into the shadows, but that's hard to do when both girls are still looking at him so.. he shuffles into the shadows instead

"I don't think we should take Vaeltide to the farm."

She removed her hand to show a small smile. "He bartered for what he already had, though. You would have offered him a place if he just asked."

A thoughtful tap of her foot. "We must use the painting. And leave a message for our amiga. She will come after us, and we will make amends, and she will help us to get home with her own way."

"The painting... yes. Vaeltide WOULD want to come."

"They WOULD put her behind glass. She is too quick, you see, to stand taller than trolls over her height. They may not appreciate why we like her anyways."

"Aesin have trouble with commoners. They can't help it."

She pats Ellie on the arm. "I do not mind. I cannot help but eat the flowers, and you still are MY friend."

"Si. And Ariel will be happy we brought her treats from home."

"It is time for an art lesson! Let's find a painting."

"I know where the thane rooms are!" And off they go!

(End Scene)

Salma carefully straightens a hem on Ellie's gown, and smooths the wrinkles out of her own yellow frock. "Which door is it, Princesca?"

The tall door with the Hawkeye banner might be it

"THAT one."

She tests the knob.

It is unlocked

Salma, ready to take a bobby pin from her thick brown hair, just pats in back in place. Yep, that's all.

Well, not like folks ROB around here INSIDE the hold

...of course not. She gives the door a little push, and calls out softly, "Housekeeping?" Just in case anyone is within.

Ellie looks for the painting.

And she finds it, there on a dim wall that doesn't get much light is a painting of a farm... very Norman Rockwell... and corn and wheat

"Okay... so..." She reaches to hold Salma's hand.

"Oooh. How do you think it works?" She whispers to Ellie, as though it's listening. "I could ask it, but a painting might listen to me, but a treasure may speak only Portuguese?"

"Well... let's see?" She touches the painting.

Magic is there, she can ken it. It's more like a soap bubble that won't break, but it bends

Salma holds Ellie's hand tightly so that neither gets lost- or left behind!