#fenixtj

"Well, he czan't decide if his duty is to stay here, defending everything of the girls while they are gone, and ready to defend the hold! Or to go along with the girls as their body shield."

"I want him to come with us, and the girls."

"Oh thank goodness. If I tell him this is your order, or even wish, then it will take the pressure off him of deciding. " in a confidental tone "I adore Holger, I am sure no troll childling being brave and fierce and loyal wants to be told they're addorable but if it wouldn't break his heart, i would just pinch his little blue gray cheek"

Duff snorts at something

Something butts into Duff's ankle.

"Let's not mortify him." Jess advises. "Are we ready, then?"

Duff bends down an looks at the ankle butter

"Mru!" Chirps Ramona.

"Hello, trouble" he says "Come here... " he bends down and picks her up. So big is the man that he can place her on his shoulder and it's broad enough to be akin to a ledge where the kitten can balance easily

"Ramooooonnnnnaaaaa!" A little voice calling.

"Dónde estás?"

"She is here, Ellie." Duff says "Possibly out of your reach"

Ellie appears. "Hello, Senor Duff! Oh, and Dama Ash and Jessica!"

"Greetings " Ash says "And how are you? "Incling her head with a smile

"Oh, bueno, but Ramona, she escaped!"

Ash points up to the shoulder of Duff where Ramona is either pleased to be above it all, or worrying on how to get down.

"So far we seem to have her 'recaptured' " Ash assures

"Oh, gracias! You found her!"

"More like she found me" Duff says but he does arc one hand to pet the kitten "Ramona seems to have a mind of her own"

"She's a cat, Duff. I would think you would understand their lifestyle" Dame Ash says

"She is a very naughty kitten."

He smirks at that

"Perhaps I should leave her chastisement to you," And he takes the kitten off his shoulders, petting with one hand , carrying with the other, and lowers her down to Ellie's level "But I don't know if she'll listen"

"Oh, she won't."

"She will always wander off to see things, that's her nature. You might as well tell Salma nto to read."

Ash chuckles "Apt comparison"

"You have to let your people be who they are." Sage nod.

"I think that counts for kittens, too."

Duff looks at the little girl with a tilted head, "You and Jessica, maybe more alike than I thought"

Ash says "Eleanor is a very intelligent and insightful young girl" proudly

Ramona makes fussing sounds at having been deserted by Ellie, nevermind tht she was the one who scampered off

Lots of ear scritches for the kitten. "Well, Jessica is a good countess, so I'd like to be a good one too. So... gracias, si."

Duff nods "when you're old enough for a tattoo, come see me"

"Absolutely not" Dame Ash says

Duff smirks just a bit

Ellie giggles.

Ash raises a brow higher.

Duff fights his smirk JUST a little then nods to Ellie "you are looking forward to the tour?"

"Oh yes! We'll get to see Vaeltide and there's a Dragon-tiger-grandma at the Pit and Ariel says we'll get to travel OUTSIDE..."

Duff nods "It is a dangerous city, Ellie. You know that for yourself. Don't be surprised when Jessica and others try to keep you childlings protected. There are places in this town even I don't go into lightly, but the paths you're taking should be fairly secure. And the holds do have their wonders. Skyhook has.. ah, space stuff"

Siiiigh.

"I know. And there's the Dark Kin, and I can't go outside or they find me."

"You're training with your sword, yes?" Duff nods

"She is" Ash says

"I am!" She demonstrated with an air-parry!

"Good. " A nod "When you're older, I'll teach you how to fire a gun"

"You will not" Ash says

"It's a skill you never want to use, but you might regret not knowing one day when you need it most" The big man grunts

"Guns are loud." Uncertain.

"And they can't be held back once released" Ash says "A ruler needs the ability to amend her actions or judgements. "