#fenixtj

"Wonderful" he dances with her "I'll let you know my plans and run them by you in the next few days. Unless you prefer it all be a surprise?"

"Ithink I'd rather know."

"I thought so..." He accepts

And so they dance. As the music ends, Jessica nods. "Thank you, Duff. THata was nice."

"It was." he looks over her shoulder "And tthere are two other gents who hope to dance with you"

She glances behind her.

Turns out there are three. One sidhe fellow she does not recognize but he wears Gwydion colors, another an Eshu, an older gent, and ..oh, there's Tonto, waggling his eyebrows now that the puppet show he was doing is done

"Gentlemen?"

"Lady" the sidhe gent says "I am Sir Di'Marcos ap Gwydion, servant of the Duke. May I have the next dance?"

"You may, Sir. May I know your name?"She answers Di'Marcos, and questions the eshu.

"Rashid Oblique" He bows. "I was hoping for a dance as well"

Tonto puts a finger over his lower lip "And I am Senoir Dashio De Mustachio"

Jessica smiles a tiny smile. "A pleasure to meet you both, and I would be happy to oblige after Sir Di'Marcos and I have had our dance. If you will excuse us?"

Duff surenders her, reluctantly

Jessica steps forward and offers her hand to Sir Di'Marcos.

Sir Di'marcos, takes it and they dance "Thank you, your excellency. May I say" He asks as they dance "You throw a wonderful party"

"The credit is due to the people of Renaissance, and those here at Fenix who planned it. And, um, most people call me Jessica."

"Most people won't have to answer his grace with a full report, and if he catches me , on Imbolc of all things, being too casual ,, I might get a talking down to."

"Oh. Very well, then."

"Is he likely to catch you? Is he planning to visit?"

"He is spending Imbolc at High King David's holding.. the source of it all but, after that, he'll return to his hold. He feels he dare not abandon it for long. .Tell me, I know you have a Gwydion among your Troubadours. Is that sufficing?"

"She is a credit to your House, and a boon to Renaissance; she more than suffices."

"I'm sure she'd take offense if I said otherwise too loudly, we're a prickly lot we Gwydions. Ah well, I wax dutifiul when you should be enjoying. Thank you for the dance. I shall visit again during a non holiday. I know you are in demand" A glance to the Eshu who waits

She curtseys at the end of the dance, and allows him to escort her back to the gentlemen, and offer her hand to Mr. Oblique.

Mr. Oblique takes it, nods to the Gwydion, and walks on with her "Countess, this is a delight. Forgive an old Eshu who seeks out stories"

"As opposed to Eshu who don't?"

"Ha, sad creatures and they are sadly too far in the grips of winter, but yes I see your point. It's just I've heard much about you, and I had to meet you."

She lavenders a little on her cheeks.

"I know, I know, i was told you didn't like discussing yourself and were not boast ful, that the fastest way I might lose talking to you is to either praise you too long, or beg you to tell your stories. So I must settle for a dance, though a very nice dance it is. Professor Wayburton and I compare notes sometimes."

"Professor.... in Rivervale?"

"Oh, you know of him. Of course you dod. , yes. His new books are so bold... He's discussed rulership before by trolls. A great reformist, but a family history, bold no?"

"His family history or mine?"

"Why, yours... Kings in Azure Will be an amazing work"

Jessica would facepalm if said palms weren't busy dancing.

"I have a copy of a chapter about you, I thought i might read it out loud to the crowds later, folks WILL want stories... and this will encourage folks to buy it when i cames out. " A wink "I confess, I helped Professor Wayburton touch it up"

"Please, do -not- read that aloud. Here, or anywhere." she asks firmly.

"But, your excellency... where better?" A pause "When better? "

"Nowhere and never."

Confusion even a bit of hurt

"I'm sorry, but you asked." she says honestly "I'm not interested in that kind of attention. I'm not comfortable with it. I don't think others in my family are either but you can ask them yourself if you rather."

"I undersand." he sighs "thank you for the dance"

"You're welcome." she swallows down the impulse to apologize again, and when they arrive at Tonto she offers a smile.

Tonto invites her to join the electric slide... and if she agrees, the slide leads further and further to the safety of friends she knows and an easy place to step out of the attention juuust for a bit. He's giving her an out

Assuming the band -plays- the electric slide? She'll dance although not very well; she has to watch for the next step. He's able to guide her away, though. She takes a breath, a little puffed at the exercise (and stress) "Thank you." quietly.

Tonto says "Sorry, Senorita... the bananas on my feet were a bad idea" A wink, and he slips off

She gets herself a (soft) beverage and watches things.

Ellie is dancing with some visiting grumps. Apparently, she knows how to waltz!

An elderly boggan woman informs Ellie she could just eat her up num num num

Nearby, a redcap grump grumbles about boggan privilege , if SHe said that , guards would appear

The girl has a gift of chatter, and LOTS of praise for Rosa and Maria. The bogganess will have gossip for weeks.