#fenixtj

Duff looks at the tabard with the Fenix pattern on it and hands it back to the staff, "I've got shirts"

"But you should wear something" Maria says "That shows you are with Renaissance"

"Um. What about this?" Jessica had something made.

It is a sash, discrete, but it bears a badge with a copy of her tattoo.

"You don't have to but we could say you're part of my personal guard?"

He looks at it, then at her, "A sash? Mmm well, all right" A look at Jessica and he whispers in her ear
"Later, perhaps, you'll try this on for me.. JUST this...when we have free time"

And he puts the Sash on.

She purples a bit.

Maria is mollified, but mutters "Mr Duff, you are a difficult stubborn man sometime, you know this?"

"Si," He assures her. a bit of a smile "I know."

"He knows. " muttered.

Maria throws her hands up and turns to Jessica "Word from the DeBukes came in on the phone. Hearth Agnes is walking around, but still weak. They thought you should know"

A breath. "Good. Thank you."

"I know they have much food, but Rosa and I, we had to send a get well basket , we put yoru name on it too. I hope I did not overstep?"

"Not at all. I am glad you did. After the Tour, I will see about visiting. "

"You will need some rest after the tour too," Maria says "You are only one woman, Countess. "

"Good luck convincing her of that" A hurumph from Duff

"Yes, Maria." Obediently.

Duff's jaw drops open as Jessica acts almost contrite to her.

Maria pats the troll woman's hand "Gracious, thank you for undersstanding our worry. " Then she says "Have you other orders or questions. we seem to have all the suppliles we will need"

"Dame Mitra is the closest ally, distance and loyalty. Call on her if you need anything. Protect Fenix." Simply.

"Si" A nod

Dame Ash approaches "The girls are ready, your excellency, though I fear Salma's got this notion in her head that her job is to make sure all libraries and book repositories are up to a standard "

Jess blinks. "Um.... pooka?"

"Yes, but I've noticed Salma is clever enough to ..well, I have a theory that sometimes her lies go overboard , we laugh it off, and then when she gets away with less we let it slide, and she's chuckling over how she just got away with something. She's a very sneaky child. A sweet one too. Constance seems to be bonding. Biblophiles are like that. Cliquish"

"I suppose it isn't a -bad- idea.... ok, fine."

"I have narrowed down some teachers that can assist Ellie , Are Kinian all right?"

"Could be. I won't dismiss them put of hand. Tell me about them."

"Well, applicant number one is a boggan kinian, she's originally from this area in fact, but studied abroad in Spain and other parts of Europe. She's not as experienced as some when it comes to actual teaching but she has learned to recognize dyslexia and has been trained in educating dyslexic children."

"That sounds promising. "

"Applicant two is a Korred, who has tutored no less than three sidhe childlings all the way to wilderhood, he definitely has experience and is a professor of history as well as education."

"Hmmm....."

"KOrred can be terribly traditional at times, but they know a lot ,and treat sidhe very well" She says

A look at her last note "The last instructor is a clurichaun, from Boston, she is between the other two you might say, not as accomplished as the Korred professor, but not as widely traveled as the Boggan Kinain, yet she's taught for years in the school system of mortals and has worked with some children with reading troubles."

"Hm."

"We should meet with them, and Ellie too."

"I thought you might say that, not all of them can afford plane flights just for an interview. Do you want to arrange transport by flicker flash and or trod, us to pay for the flights, or to set up an internet situation?"

"Oh. In person, please. See what they would prefer?"

"I'll handle it" Dame Ash says looking troubled "I do wish I had proven to be a better teacher on the mortal side of things. I've fostered and taught the changeling side but I seemed to have failed Eille on the other part of things."

Duff raises a brow but doesn't say anything

"Dame, you have done all I have asked and more."

"You asked me to teach them , and Ellie fell behind because I missed her needs. .."

"Nothing we can't handle." Firmly.

"She was already behind," Duff snorts "And she was behind when she got here. The young girl is sweet, kind, and apparently inspiring. I don't even LIKE Kids And I like these three. You've got what, three girls and two boys out of nowhere and none of them brats? I could make a fortune on such odds if this were a bet. "

"Does he always speak his mind like that?" Ash asks Jessica

"Yes." Just as firmly.

"Mmmph. Irritatingly supportive" Ash comments on his approach, then nods to Jessica "I'll take charge of them getting here. Obviously it'll wait"

Jessica nods. "Ok! Um. Anything else?" Asking generally.

"No, I think we're actually set to go... oh," A sigh "Holger is beside himself."

A faint smile. "He's a good lad."