#fenixtj

Maria serves a drink to Jessica as she catches up on notes

"You know, you still haven't said how the Valentine day went.." Maria says

"The picnic was delicious, and very thoughtful Maria. Thank you." She says sincerely.

"And you and Senior Duff? It goes well between you?"

"Fine, thank you."

"Good good... a woman ages slower in the hold, it is true...." A brow "But one should not take for granted it i am thinking."

That earns her an eyebrow.

"What what? I'm just making small talk.." INNOCENT Look

Jessica looks at her steadily. "I'm not comfortable with this line of small talk."

"Si, Contessa, I shall go back to the dishes and the food and helping the Steward prep for Carnivale"

"Thank you for the drink, and again for the picnic, Maria."

"Gracious, Rosa and the girls helped, I pass it on"

Jessica nods, and continues to review her notes.

It looks like Carnivale is going to be VERY big. But the Duke might show up as the jestter if requested, s;paringg her the humiliation

Jessica takes a deep breath. She innately dislikes the spotlight, and no one enjoys being treated as the butt of jokes. But she is a troll and a King, and shirking her duty to her people and her land is not within her either. She'll survive it; she always has before.

And so she readies to send him a polite thank you but no thank you

Yes. Yes she does.

How nice, a note from the Nunnehi, wishing her peace.

Jessica blinks and reads it again. When was this sent??

No date, it is in ttoday's mail. It seems to be from ...Alaska?

That can't be right..... Jessica gets up and goes to Constance, who generally keeps up with the correspondence.

Constance greets her "Yes, Countess?" Looking up from her studies as she pets a cat with a free hand.

"Scribe, sorry to bother you, but.... do you know anything about this note?" she offers it.

She looks at it.. "Oh yes,from Alaska, the Starbear barony has a nunnehi tribe ... I believe it was Sylvi of Rivervale who made contact on your behalf"

"That was SOME time ago, but it appears they remember the kindness"

"Ooooohhhhhhh...." memory and realization. "Yes." she looks for a return address or return contact.

THere is one.. and the contact's name is Dika-Hannah of the Pugwi

"Constance, I'd like to respond to this. A 'Thank you for the kind note, and we wish the same for your and yours.' note."

"Of course" she smiles and sits down "Do you wish me to put that down in general with my own flourishes or wish to dictate in detail?"

"Do you mind letting me see yours first?"

"not at all" And she writes out a letter To the Pug'wi tribe of Kodiak Island, ally of the Star Bear Barony, our thanks for your message of peace in what can be trying times for us all. We return the message with gratitude, and particularly to the honorable Dika-hannah who acted as your voice. Maybe your land know peace and prosperity.

then noted from the Countess Jessica Freeflame, blah blah blah titles and stuff

Jessica reads it, nods. "I wish.... no, that's good. Thank you, please get that ready to send."

A tilt of her head "If there's something you want to add, please. I was just acting on your stated comment and the limits of a scribe. I can flourish, but if there's something else of substance, you DO rule and I can add it at your oders" She does no seem offended

"No, it's too risky. And, a long distance to travel."

"Oh, you wanted to invite her?" A pause "that may not be wise, they're said to be supernaturally ugly"

"I thought maybe an exchange of some kind but I don't know how the local Nunnehi would feel about that. Not so much about how the Pug'wi look."

"Well, the nunnehi local don't seem to mind other nunnehi that I've seen" she says "And Dika-Hannah is a friend of Sylvi. There's Prior connecion"

"Not direct, though." Jess thinks "Tell you what.... what if we add something about establishing communications and a relationship, see what they say, and maybe build towards the idea?"

She nods "Something like It is our hope that the bridge you have opened remains strong and hope to extend hands across the distance as often as you are willing' ?

"Yes! Very nice."

She makes it so "And if you wish to put your official seal on it" Oh that thing. the Duke insisted she havee one. the scribe uses it more than she does

"Yes, please."

And done a look at her "Isn't it amazing how far a small courtesy can go to cheer up one's day?"

A look back. "How do you mean?"

"You seem delighted, by our kith's standards" She points at the note "Just to have received this"

"Any little progress towards establishing relations with the Nunnehi is a step forward." she nods, relaxing a little "I hope that rather than be hostile to outside Nunnehi, the locals will see we can be approached."

"Other tribes even from far away may prove that to them" She nods

"Maybe." she seems less than convinced, but she's giving it a shot!

A nod "Worth the effort"