#fenixtj

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Duff walks along, looking troubled by all the warriors here lately. I could be offended if I thought about it

Indeed, there are even a few warriors that he recognizes from other Renaissance freeholds in the halls of Fenix. They may not be on duty, but there are enough warriors around to provide shifts.

And all of them, even off-duty, are sharp-eyed and vigilant. But, they recognize Duff (one way or the other) and he goes unchallenged.

Duff looks for Jessica, he can't help but count who is who, how many, what weapons but that's habit

Fenix is tooled up, beyond question. Someone has brought in warriors ready for battle and some of them stand guard (but not against Duff). Jessica can be found in a meeting/planning space examining a map laid out on a table. She is frowning.

Duff says "Are we at war?"

She looks up. "Oh, hello Duff. No." a beat "Not yet."

"Not, yet?" He looks over the same maps

A deep breath. "There's... it's possible a Balor Countess is... well, after my family." and she fills him in.

He listens and frowns "It sounds like you think she'll try something overt? Instead of just working through a Daireann?"

"She might. She might send an assassin. And... it makes my folks feel better to have the extra backup here for me."

"Mmmph there's such a things as drawing in too many forces and loosing defenses at your exterior" Duff grumbles "We.. we need to alk about soemthing else"

"I thought of that, Duff. Can't get blood from a stone but we can shift some people around, call in some kinain to do secondary duties. What else?"

"How far along are you?" He asks in a low tone

She frowns at the map. "I'm pretty sure we're good for a month, but it's all defensive because I have no intel to go on the offence with. Balor had this place once before, we know they want it and its Trods back.... I hate waiting for the other shoe."

"I mean how ..." A lowering of volume "How long have you been with child?"

She looks at him, completely baffled. "What??"

"I know for a fact you're having a crib made" He says

"I'm What?!?!!?"

"Yes. Word is you're having a crib made something for a newborn? that has ye to arrive. Jessica, why didn't you tell me?"

It would appear a war is far LESS important than this

Jess puts her face in her hands and drops into a chair.

And whisper-mumbles to herself.

"Jesscia, I know you don't want to be any trouble to others, but did you think I would not accept our child? "

She doesn't look up.

"I realize that as an Usneelie there's no reason to believe... " A frustrated "Dammit Jessica. Why didn't you tell me?"

"Duff. Please listen very carefully." She speaks carefully and with tight control. "I don't know where you got the cockamamy idea that I'm... that we're.... Duff, I am -not- pregnant."

"Wait...you're not? Then why do you have nockers hired to make a crib? A LARGE one?"

What he can see of her face is lavender and growing purple as she describe what led her to not hiring, but -ordering- a crib made.

"Wait.. the giant Crib is a GIANT Crib? And for some.." Duff blushes lightly too. "Well. I think I'll kill myself. It will be only way to avoid the humiliation nervousa that are sure to stock me after this"

"Honestly, Duff, did you think I wouldn't tell you??" Still muffled.

"I... I shouldn't have but.. sometimes you're so reserved, Jessica. Evenn for one of our kith"

She drops her hands as she shoots to her feet. "I don't have time for this. Happy to put your mind at ease, Duff."

"I..." he puts his arms around her. "Jessica... this is not about my mind being at ease. I wanted to be here for you. To tell you that I would be a part of this."

"There's no 'this' to be part of Duff." she says firmly "I appreciate the thought, though."

"I See that now." He says "And, I'm sorry about your sister. Siv is strong though."

"Yes, she is."

"She'll recover.And your parents will hold Rivervale and triumph. I don't say this casually. They're a dangerous pair of people"

"They're both heros."

"As are both their daughters." He says "You have surpassed them in some ways, and as good parents, they are PROUD of that"

"I know. Thank you, Duff, but I need to get back to work."

"Fine. How can I help your work?"

"I need to focus."

"Si." He says "Jessica. You're preparing for a war with too many soldiers, not enough eyes."

"I'm going to be working on that."

"I"ll work on it" he says "I have eyes I trust already"

"Thank you." She is studying the map and notes; her inbox is full of curling pieces of paper.

Duff beggins to read some of them

"Duff?" pointedly.