#fenixtj

"Glad you like it. Of course, as a Caligirl I should have gotten a palm tree but.." A shrug

"No, the pine is better for Yule."

"Maybe you should have a California themed Carnival? He says

"Maybe." she looks him over again.

Those marks where he were shot are healing. He's looking less pale and more the firm bodied hunk of he troll she lusts after.*

*(ST takes the bribe Duff passes over the 4th wall for that promotion)

Jessica comes a little closer. "Only two bullet wounds?"

"Three if you count the hand." He says

"I'll me fine, Ocean Eyes. I would never die in your hold. You'd be cross with me"

"Did they shoot your finger off?"

"They did. It's reattachd now"

A frustrated huff.

"Jessica... I'm lucky I got it back. You want me to act upset that it's back?"

"No, of course not." she moves a little closer, to stand at the edge of the springs.

He holds up his good hand to touch her ankle

She crouches down and takes the injured hand to examine it carefully.

Finger seems straight, but frail.

"Probably better if this is -in- the water...." she points out.

"Yes i know, but you wanted to see it." He says knowingly "You're a worrier, my heart. You would carry the world on your shoulders if it fit"

"Troll." she reminds unnecessarily.

"Yes, butt I'm a troll too. The least you can do is let me lift heave Australia for you."

"The way you're going, they'd probably shoot you." she points out, gently putting the injured hand in the water.

"Please, with the history of Australia? I'd get along fine"

"Shoot -at- you." she amends.

"I see"

"I should let you rest." she stands.

Amused "I still say I might end up running the place. " A look at Jessica "Why don't you get a swimsuit on and join me for a time? I 'm too tired to be too frisky"

"Um....." torn "I should check and see if I'm late for something first."

"You know where to findme" He says

"Okay. I'll let you know, either way." And she goes to ask what she's scheduled for next.

Well, she's read her reports. The childlings might want to see her to talk over more holiday stuff but .. actually a lot is covered

She could -find- something to do.....

..... but......

She changes and heads back to the springs.

She slips closer and hears Fontaine singing some sort of country Christmas song

ANd Duff is chuckling

Happily, her change included an cover-up dress. She enters.

As the song ends, Fontaine looks over "Ah. I see ... COuntess, would you be kind enough to take over the patient for me? I just worked another bunk on his hand"

"Oh, that was a bunk?" some relief "Sure. You need to rest?"

Fontaine says "I was going to sit by the fire and talk to folks. Don't worry. I have pants" He rises and leaves them alone

Jess nods, and when he's gone she puts her towels down and slips the dress off to reveal a perfectly respectable one-piece.

"Well, there's motivation for a man to get his health back" Admiring "Fontaine's getting better at figuring people out. Wwas a time I would have had to ask him to leave"

Jessica glances at the doorway "He didn't -just- need to rest, then."

"I think he DOES want to talk to folks. He and tonto seem to be friendly"

"Not sure how I feel about that...." she mutters as she eases into the water near him.

A chuckle "I can understand trepidation there" A look at her "how are you doing? "

"I'm fine." Jess takes a closer look at the various wounds and scars, since she's right there. She pinned up her braids while she was gone into a bun, to keep out of the water and dry.

She checks deftly

Jessica frowns.