#fenixtj

Jess nods. "Do you think we might have a place here she would fit?"

"If you stop hogging the patrols for yourself" Deadpan "Maybe. She's an okay figghter.. I" he ponders "Actually, she might be useful as a security advisor. SHe's used to crawling into places. She's no slaugh, but she's done ennough break ins to ggive you advice on where to shore up"

"Who should make the offer? I mean, is she more likely to say yes if you offer, or if I do?"

"She's gonnna be suspicious either way. But let me do it. I'll tell her what a soft ship you run around here, how I don't WANT my room robbed, and I talked you into considering it. That's if you don't mind me seeming like I'm putting one over on you, boss?"

"I don't mind."

"Not a problem. Course, she IS a security risk but what the hell, if she tries aythinn, Phobos and I will beat the shit out of her. Caps ain't sexist. We recognize everyone deserves abuse"

"That.... is a viewpoint." she agrees?

"No problem... you want me to tell the Steward to make room for another Cap?"

"Hopefully she'll enjoy the job and the place enough she won't want to try anything."

A grunt

"Thank you, and yes. Please let Diego know."

"No problem, boss"

And so Jess goes to get showered and tend to the business of the County.

********

And so it was that Ellie saw the impossible.

A centaur!

"Now where is the Countess?"

She's old, like SUPER Old like.. 40 plus! Maybe up to 50

"I am a Countess."

The little girl is, perhaps, six or seven. Blonde-haired, purple-eyed and cherubic in beauty.

"Oh," the woman steps back, a hoof shiting just so "Well, how nice to meet you, your excellency. I'm Fawn. It is your excellency, right? I tried to study before I came here"

"You aren't a chimera." She tilts her head. "I've never seen a centaur kithain before."

"Oh, yes! That is correct. I am Countess Eleanor Hyacinth du Violette ap Beaumayn."

"We're new" She smiles, then at the full name "Oh my, that's a very lovely name, I hope I don't mispronounce anything. Please forgive me if I do. I'm flattered to be the first centaur you've met. I admit, they told me of a Countess here, but I thought you'd be taller"

"You may call me Ellie. And I am the little Countess. You want Jessica, the Big Countess."

"Are you going to be staying here?"

"A pleasure to meet you, Ellie, and little or not, you seem very nice," Fawn nods "And yes, unless Countess Jessica doesn't take to me, I'll be staying here. Don't worry, I'll try not to be in the way"

"Oh, there's lots of room! And more outside, but I'm only allowed outside with a grown-up."

"You're a grown-up..."

"I am" A nod "But I'm also not yet sained"

"However.." A look left, and then right "Did you want to go outside?"

"Yes! Oh, the city is muy emocionante!"

"There is a man who sells tamales from a cart, and there is a shop that has rainbow-colored baskets hanging from the awning, and there are little coatls that fly - they are snakes, but they have wings and feathers..."

"Maravilloso!" she smiles "I would love to see it all in time. Will you be terribly disappointed if we don't go out now? I'm not sure if I have permission to go out myself yet you see?"

"Oh, si. But soon, yes! And we could bring mi amigas, too!"

"Come on, I will show you the hold. And because I am the heir, I will have Maria and Rosalita make you churros. They are a specialty of the house. Doesn't that sound fancy?" She takes Fawn's hand, trusting and, perhaps, a touch bossy.

"It does," She takes the little girl's hand "Mmm bending down to take your hand I can do, but if w'ere going to talk... oh no no. I suppose little girls don't like riding on the backs of willing centaurs"

BIG eyes. "I know how to ride! I do! May I please?"

"You may, and you're right to be mannerly. We're not horses, and some of us get huffy if treated like it, but I offered, you said please, and besides, I won't have to bend down to hold your hand. Now, may I lift you up to my back? Please? Manners work both ways" She seems a bit like Ash

"Yes'm." Arms up!

And UP she goes, it's not enntirely easy because centaurs can't turn 180, but Ellie has ridden before and knows how to help the transition "Okay, you okay there?"

"I am! Balanced right for you?"

"Mm yes. " She says after considering it

"Excellente. So, this way leads to the dining hall, and then fancy rooms for meetings, or "assignations" - I think those are special kinds of meetings? - and then on the left will be the kitchens.... there's TWO, there's an indoor one but then another one that's outdoors too for hot days..."

"There's a lot of courtyards, so you can be outside without an adult."

They move at a slow easy pace, and Ellie finds she can stay on pretty easily

"Oh " She looks relieved at the larger rooms and court yards "A relief"

"Oh yes, Salma says that this was once a spa."

"Salma's my best friend, she's a pooka and a burra and she's the smartest person I know."

"She sounds wonderful. I know some pooka too. One is a wonderful little boy named Connor. He's a squire."