#fenixtj

Jessica is getting kissed in a hallway. Duff caught her by surprise. "Hola"

Not a -true- surprise, as Jessica can sometimes take that as an attack, especially when it's physical.... but no, she did not expect to see him today.

"Hola." She responds when she can. "What are you doing here?" a beat "Have you been shot?"

He blinks, then .. a rumble, as a chuckle escapes him "I suppose you DO have reason to ask, don't you? "

An eyebrow.

"No, I am not shot. I thought I would check on you. See how you were doing."

"No need, but... I'm fine."

"Oh good. Your dauntainn is dead by the way"

"What?" She stiffens, pulling away to look at him. "I have people out looking for him. I specifically said no one was to approach or engage with him."

"She was dangerous.. I had her removed. She would have undone someone else" he says surprised "I ..sub contracted. I thought you'd be pleased to know the children are safe"

"Of course I am, but that doesn't mean you had the right to do that, Duff." Her eyes flash.

"The right? " he says nonplused

"You realize -I'm- responsible for the safety and welfare of the Fae in the County, yes? Damnit, Duff, I had a -plan-."

"Well I had an opportunity" He says

"You -made- an opportunity." she charges.

"A thank you would be welcome " he states

"If I could give you one honestly, I would."

"Fine, " he turns to o "Let me know if you want the Dauntain's body."

"You have it?"

"Yes. I thought it might bring the children comfort if they refused to believe she was gone. It's on Ice" A glance back as he had started to leave "A bit morbid, but possibly necessary."

Oh, her eyes are winter-ocean-dark. "I'll talk to them about it." terse.

He looks none too pleased himself "Fine. Let me know when the Countess permits me to see my girlfriend again, will you?"

Her lips tighten, thin, keeping her mouth shut which might actually be a good thing.

And off Duff goes. A door might be slammed on the way out

Her jaw clenches and she heads off in the other direction; surely there's work to be done. A patrol, all else failing.

There's Diego talking Rosa and Maria about beltaine "No no.. the theme should be love... transcendent, ephimeral" he says

Jessica looks anything but, if they see her.

Diego turns "Jessica? Is everythinn all right? "

"No." she pauses and shrugs a shoulder to release some tension; it doesn't work very well "Duff killed the Dauntain we've been looking for."

"He did?" Diego says "Isn't this good news?"

The boggans look at Diego like he's an idiot, and Rosa says "Contessa, Duff, he is a man of action, he gets idea, and he acts on it. He does not always think"

"He thinks he's clever and misses things more like" Marie says

But both look sympathetic to her "He is frustrating though with his ideas" Both agree

"I gave very clear instructions. I had plans. He's wasted a possible resources that could have been very valuable to us."

"We were going to.. use a Dauntain?" Diego says

"Not as such, but there were things we could have learned."

"At a risk, but I suppose" Diego ponders "Still, this feels like a victory"

"Well, you enjoy that feeling. I don't share it."

"Oh Diego" Rosa fusses "her love did not LISTEN... no woman appreciates that"

"That's not how he is going to see it" Diego says

"Then Duff is wrong" Marie says to Diego

"Thank you, all. This is between Duff and I. No need to discuss it."

Diego nods "I see. I.. I know we are prying, Jessica. But Duff, like me, doesn't always take orders well. He is letting pride get in the way of considering your need to be heard though. Are you sure you don't want me to talk to him though? Man to man? the offer is open" Genuine

"Thank you, Diego, but no."

He nods "then we will respect your wishes and stay out of it. As for business, we were making plans for Beltaine.. and debating themes. Do you have a suggestion or preference? "

"Not at the moment, no. I trust you; you always do an excellent job, Diego. Much better than I could."

"I am moderately amazingg yes, though I confess I often turn to Nancy for Parties. I was going to stress the romantic, but given ..current events that might dim your enjoyment of the holiday"

"Not important. Do your very best. Nancy too."

"mm" he ponders "perhaps I should also put an emphasis on the childlings.. the new and the ones who have been here a whie... the love they find here in his place of sun and healing and the love they give in return. Neema is willing to mentor Eternia by the way, Selkie to Selkie"

"That's excellent news."