#fenixtj

"Does he have a workshop?"

"He does" Vaeltilde says "it's wonderful. " A sigh

Then Vaeltilde frowns "But i don't think the Baron will put Master Jum on the itinerary. Some people don't understand how important dolls are"

"Well, if I were to ask..."

"Could you?" Vaeltilde 's eyes light up with a hope, "it is not just for the dolls and dresses, you see? Master Jum is..." She takes a breath "You know, I do not have many friends, but he is a grump friend of sorts. And I know from meeting him that there are good hard working commoners I must be a good ruler for one day, there are people like him in my barony and they deserve that. He is..." A flush "Important."

A firm nod. "I will request it."

"Thank you" Vaeltilde beams

"What about the piskie girl?"

"The one stealing food?" Vaeltilde says "What of her?"

"Piskies must steal, and pooka must twist their words, and sluagh must sneak and whisper."

"But she does not seem mean."

"And she's not a boy."

"This is true" She nods

The advantage of not being a boy are quite obvious and bear no need of mention in detail.

"So, maybe she would be a good playmate."

"I don't know, my playmates are kept on..well... I don't know, " Unsure

"Call it a 'study on the habits of commoners'. It will be a good lesson? You could take notes."

"We study for hours every day." Angelic expression, a model student.

"I've learned a lot. I wasn't allowed to play with commoners, either, as a fledge."

"which is dumb" Ariel says

Satyrs

"Varich aren't reasonable about sluagh, but piskies are pretty and friendly and fun."

Vaeltilde looks at Salma intently "I know pooka speech is often meant to be funny, but there is merit in what you say. If I push it as a study, the Baron might be more willing"

She nods. "I am certain Adalia will be more pleasant company than Brat-hell."

"If that is her real name" Vaeltilde says still doubtful

"Shes a piskie, not a pooka."

"And it can't hurt to play with her, and see if she's nice."

"Piskies might take things, but they'll give them back. I don't think they think about it."

"That's true" Ariel says "They're as likely to take something cheap and interesting as they are anything expensive"

"Maybe you could have decoy shinies!"

"Oh,like the little coins with gold foil but chocolate in them?"

"It's almost like giving a secret gift..." She contemplates this.

"you have a giving heart" Vaeltilde says, and not unkindly

"I like getting presents, and so wouldn't other people? It's nice to see them happy, and know you helped make it happen."

"Chocolate coins are ever more useful than gold ones."

"Gold is hard to spend, but I know the conversion rate for chocolate."

"yeah, the conversion is called burro droppings" Ariel snickers

"Ariel!"

Giggles.

She gasps. "Tosco!" A playful swat at the Satyr's arm, calling her rude.

Ariel breaks into a fit of giggles, even more so at the swat "Sorry..." But more giggles

Vaeltilde laughs, ,and sounds like a girl who doesn't get to very often

"Let us ask if Adalia may come play with us!"

Before Vael can stop her, the countess has popped open the door to find a thane.

Vaeltilde gasps and says "Oh I don't know if..."

But the young Countess has already found a Thane. A large troll with a grim visage. A brutal axe at his side.

Near him, mimicing him and puffing up, is Holger

"Hello, good thane!" A bright smile.

Grunt

Bow