#fenixtj

Count Tidemarch greets Jessica parlor "All is well, Countess?"

"It is now." And she briefs him on the childling adventures.

The normally cool Baron actually rubs at his forehead and mutters "I swear my heir is trying to destroy me one frayed nerve at a time. She is not hurt?"

"I have not seen her but that is my impression."

"Good. When I ground her for life I'll feel less guilt"

"I am pleased to hear that."

He looks startled "Pardon? "

A small smile. "That she will be grounded, rather than another taking her consequences for her."

"My Lord, I owe you an apology."

"Do you?" Not rudely but questioning

She nods. "I have kept you at a disadvantage and I would like to rectify that. I know the other freeholders in The county more closely than you. I trust them. I would like to extend the same courtesy to you."

"I understand trust must be earned. In truth, Countess, I am a private man at times, and my House is not an open and friendly one" He concedes "You are kind to make this overture, but I have grown used to a certain degree of autonomy. I do not resent YOU, I resent perhaps the necessity of a count or countess ruling here at all. I must adapt to this shifting pattern" A frown "Perhaps I do so poorly."

"I don't mean to restrict your autonomy, not at all. Just to invite you to the table. I prefer to make decisions through consensus. Ask others; I invite comment and encourage independence. Truthfully, I could not micromanage the county. There is not enough time."

THAT gets a smile "Ha. This I hear. Sometimes there is barely enough time to manage a barony" A nod "I admit. Your distaste for the Unseelie Houses has driven me to an intersting problem. I have gained the support of them... but in exchange for that support they want me to champion their causes. This threatens to put tension between us. Are you sure my overtures on the behalf of Balor or Leanhaun subjects would be welcome at your table?"

"No." Honestly "But that doesn't mean I shouldn't hear them."

A nod "No one dcan say you are not honest"

"Understand, my Lord, I have no problem with the Unseelie. My concerns are based on what those Houses would make of Renaissance."

"The Shadow Three are not my favorite either, but they do have their place." HE says "And if that is not recognized, they will go deeper into the shadows and do more harm ultimately I fear."

Jess rubs her horns. "What do they want?"

"As much as they can get, of course" he snorts "They're ambitious. Some of it is very unreasonable. They do want more unseelie Houses to be seen at hte County level... knights or liasons and such. I think if we move quickly you can at least pick the House. I know young Antonio.. your former ward, angered you , but you still might get along better with Most Daireann than others. Varich , I of course suggest, Few Aesin are here... but my point is there are houses beynd the Shadow three you can take in and close them off a bit while still placating them"

The troll eyes him speculatively. "Would you make me a list of those you feel best suited?"

He ponders "I will do better than that. I can introduce you and your Gwydion troubadour to some of them later, and this will allow you to know them, and if need be, question them. Dame Bevara is a fine singer, but if they can impress a Gwydion as 'tolerable' then you might feel the same?"

"It would not hurt. "

A nod "I will not lie, I have my favorites, but favorite is not always the same as the right person for a job"

"We agree on that."

"Something to build on" He says

She nods. "Will you tell me a bit about yourself?" An invitation.

"What would you know?" He says

"You have said you are a private man, and I can understand that. I tend to keep to myself, too. I don't want to pry, so whatever you feel comfortable sharing. "

"I am a Varich. I am a Baron." He says straight faced

An eyebrow.

Then he lets a smile slip out "I am very proud of my barony. I enjoy the sea. While I am proud of the Russian nature of my House, I also love Mexico. There is a richness to the culture here"

She nods. "My sister is the ocean going one in my family. Do you know much about the native cultures here?:

"Ah, your quest for the Nunnehi? Not as much as you already know I'm sure with your experts." He says "I know that the Aztecs did not rule in this part of it, they were feared, of course, but that was far away. Baja California Norte was primarily inhabited by several indigenous groups belonging to the Yuman language branch of the Hokan linguistic family. Most of these early inhabitants lived by hunting and fishing, but some of them also gathered acorns, seeds, prickly pears, apples, pine nuts and other small edible plants found in the harsh desert environment. Or so i recall reading. "

She nods. "I have read as much as I can, but the Nunnehi are.... distant. I cannot blame them for not trusting us."

"You face a greater barrier" a shake of his head "You are a troll"

"And?"

"And your kith came during the time the Arcadian Sidhe were still way and settled the land, converted them, not just you, all commoners. For once, the 'elves' could not be blamed... and trolls stood out among the other commoners in the colonizers and conquerros the Nunnehi encountered. Then... when High King David seized Concordia... long may he reign... who was sent here to the Feathered Serpent to conquer it anew? Duke Topaz, a troll... and the Brotherhood of Thor as well... other trolls. For the last 40 years, your kith , not the sidhe, not the boggans, not anyoen else, has been the face of leadership of the enemy as the Nunnehi see it"

A sigh. "Isee."

"I must hand it to the sidhe traditionalists who pushed Topaz to this job. It has weakned troll noblity in a long drawn out war"

"Well. Perhaps my message will be the stronger for it. Iwant peace with the Nunnehi, and I'm not above sharing power if it can be done equitably."

He blinks "Wwait, you would let the Nunnehi co rule?"

"I am open to options."

"I'm not sure that will work, Countess. Hear me out, I am not saying Nunnehi cannot be reasoned with, but I think your non Nunnehi people would rebel..."

Jessica -is- listening.

"The Nunnahie ways are not always peaceful or 'better', and even when they are? they are alien to us. Think how hard it was to get the commoners to fall in line with the current system eduring the accordance war? It will be even worse if you try to again shift things to this degree. There will be rebels within, and then folks without moving to supply those rebels. A voice at the table, yes, but co rule? Do not offer it to them" then he catches himself "Pardon me, Countess. I mean this as advice. Obviously I cannot dictate to you"

"I underrstand the spirit in which you speak, My Lord, gand thank you for it." seriously "I would say Iagree with you, at least for now. I have worked very hard to make this a place for our kiths, our Fae. Iwill not give that up."

"That is, reassuring. Tell me, Countess. but what do YOU feel comfortable sharing about yourself, if I might ask?"

"Oh. Well. I was born in California, So Cal. My mom remarried when Iwas about 6. He's a good guy, took care of me like I was his. Iwent loooking for my dad the summer of my rising senior year, and that was a whole thing.That was when I met my mom and when I Chrysalized. After high school Imoved out to Rivervale. About a year later Iwandered around for a bit, and ended up here." she paints in broad strokes.

"You're well traveled" he nods