#fenixtj

EXHAUSTION

It wasn't the walking around, or physical side of it...

but it is the day after beltaine, and even now, the sheer amount of SOCIALIZING that was required that day was draining! It went well, but draining

Jessica gets to recover slowly, flopped near the balefire

Even so, she wonders if a little isolation wouldn't hurt; the Bale is a central room for the Freehold and by this time, the County.

It can be said, for the most part, the staff is giving her space right now, but yes, eventually someone will need the bale.

Her toes wiggle barefoot.

Those shoes she wore for dancing were okay, but.. .mmph

She takes in a deep breath and exhales, finding balance. And maybe, some peace.

And she does find it. The bale soothes.

And so she relaxes. A bit.

Holger comes in early from Rivervale, sighing

Jessica opens her eyes and shifts a little straighter. "Holger?"

"Hola, Contessa. " He says with a sigh "They do not need me at the Vale of Rivers. Very busy"

"They are busy so they -don't- need you?"

"They do not wish me in danger" he looks a bit affronted "But they must protect the Centaur"

"There's a danger in Rivervale to their centaur?" Jess sits up straighter.

"Yup. Some bad guy is trying to steal centaurs" the boy says

A huff "I COULD protect if they'd let me"

A frown. "Trying. Succeeding?

"Uhm" Holger says "I would TRY to guard her?" Misunderstanding at first

"Sorry, no, I meant the Lodge. Rivervale. You said some bad guy was trying to steal centaurs; was he suceeding?"

"Nope!" he says "And now they're on guard. Jack Flap tells me the Chieftain is FURIOUS." He says "That someone tried that is."

Jessica actually puffs with amusement. "Good."

"Well you just don't do that to a troll lodge, or here either" He adds "Lane seems very kind. A shame we do not have a centaur"

"Perhaps. I think maybe they arrived where they were supposed to. The local spirits, the Nunnehi, might be... suspicious of such Fae."

"Oh.. they still donn't trust us? " He frowns "they seem very stubborn"

"They are weighing hundreds of years of injury against one troll offering peace."

"Oh" he ponders "But you didn't DO that stuff. None of us did"

"But the injuries remain our duty to heal."

He ponders this "Si. They are not kithain, and we are not Nunnehi, but we are cousins under the dreaming"

"Yes. And for cousins to fight and waste resources and lives when there are greater dangers is foolish."

"Like the elder darks and fell, yes , the little Countess speaks of those"

Jess nods. "It is a great burden she bears."

"And you too. You would fight them, those who threaten Nunnehi and Kithain alike. Siv says you are a great hero not just because you are brave, but because of how you use your courage and who you use it for" A nod of respect to her "I hope to be a hero like that .Though, like El Montana, your papa, I shall grow a beard I think"

QUITE serious about the beard

"I don't have that option. I envy you." just as serious.

A nod, " I shall not grow arrogant about it when it arrives, for there is always someone with a better beard" He has learned wisdom studying under the Mountain and Chief

"Very wise."

A blush at that "Gracious, may I stannd guard now?"

"Have you checked in with Ellie? I know she would want to know you have returned.

"I will report to her now" He bows "Maybe she will let me guard the hallway while she ,Ariel annd Salma play. Well, mostly Salma will read, but i will guard her reggardless."

"Readers need especial protection." Jessica agrees.

"Si! And Salma is extra special"

"She is."

"You are well? Everyone else seemed to ike Beltaine. I hope you did as well?"

"I did, yes, thank you."

"And you?"

"I liked it a great deal. " he says "I almost feel guity for the fun I had" Said softly, knowing a fellow troll will understand if anyone does

A little smile. "Holger, the point of Beltaine is to have fun, to celebrate. I understand feeling almost guilty. If you have fun, you fullfilled your duty to the season."