#fenixtj

"Busy" He admits "Not having as much fun with it as I thought," A shrug "But.." he looks over her, "I think i'm doing some good. How are you?"

"And, would you like a drink?"

"No, thank you, I'm fine. I've been fine." she adds "Good progress with the Nunnehi. On the whole."

"I hear, even see. Met a few, they're not monsters... but they can be odd"

She nods. "Well, we have redcaps and sluagh."

"And, for that matters, others."

"Well, I have no room to complain about that side of things, no. I'm glad it's coming together for you"

His eyes look her over, searching, trying to read her mood

She lets him, and meets his eyes.

"How are you feeling about... us?" she wets her lips and he knows she's nervous.

"I miss you," He says "You are never far from my thoughts" He walks over to her closer "I miss your smile, the way your eyes light up. The set of your chin when you are resolved . I miss your hand in mine when no words are needed"

Her chin adopts a certain set, and her eyes are sad. "I'm sorry."

"What of you? Have you..." He notices the jaw set "made up your mind?"

She nods.

"You?"

"I would like for us to be together again. You?"

She shakes her head in the negative.

And takes a breath.

"I'm ready to part." softly and sadly.

For a moment, pain clouds his gaze but he blinks and it is hidden anew

"Well, that's that then. I'm too proud to beg you to change your mind. I think it is a mistake, for both of us, but if it is, it is, if not? the better for you. Please don't expect me to be happy about it. We each have our own calling in life."

"Thank you" He adds, "For telling me straight though. I do hope you continue to get the peace that you crave iwth the Nunehi"

She nods. "I'm sorry." she repeats.

"So am I," he sighs and walks past her, and flips the sign so it reads to 'Open' "I best be ready for any walk ins"

She gets the hint and anything left unsaid is.... unsaid. "Take care of yourself, Duff." And she leaves.

"You as well, Jessica; I'll miss us," And he starts to close the door

When the door shuts she says "I will too."

Jess moves on with her patrol.

And she moves on, her feelings her own. Siv does not mysteriously appear and pester. No boggans spasm at whatever they sense in relationships... she's just patroling

but then she realizes she's coming very close to the Pitt.

It is... bliss. Comparatively; it hurts but there is relief in her restorative solitude.

And then there's the Pitt.

It's past time for a visit. She goes in.

The pitt is wild, raucous, and eager for a fight! The vibrations it gives off heat the blood, stir the sinew, and one wants to lend the eye a terrible aspect. And yet, this angry sister to Fenix's gentle sibling is not unwelcoming. The crowds here used to be mostly mortals enjoying something primal, but now the demographics have evened more than a little. There are more changelings...and yes, Nunehi

Sayda moves through the crowd besides Mitra, the Regent instructing her quietly on matters of their barony

Jess hangs back, watching.

They appear to be veiled, but only from mortals... the better to maintain the right of ignorance

Mitra is saying "Now the Nunnehi want to fight in the Pitt against some of ours. This is good, but remember what I said about the dangers"

Sayda nods "It's a holy thing to them so we treat it seriously. And we make sure no one sees this as war, but rather a way to help build the peace because that's what the countess wants most"

"And other reasons but yes. We need to keep the match controlled, and ceremonial. "

Jess might not have seen too much of this, and she's interested.

"Not everyone likes their way" Sayda says "It's like 10 minutes of build up just to start punching or wresstling .. what do we do if folks complain?"

"You're going to be a freeholder, Sayda. You can't let the fact you might not please everyone keep you from doing your duty to the hold, the land, your people and your lord. Listen to advice" Mitra says "But in the end, resolve is required. If we have to, we tell people there are sever other holds they're free to visit, or other fighting areas if that's what they want. " The Eiluned shrugs "I Know your Abuela might disagree, but you can't let yourself care too much"

Sayda frowns at that "Well, I like to be liked, Like Ellie"

Jess finds someone who might let the others know she's here?

"I won't say it's better to be feared than loved, but I will say you can't just trust people who claim to like you or everyone willl fake that to get something.. I know it's hard but- " Mitra actually notices Jessica, and a flicker of a smile crosses her features and she leads Sayda to her

"Countess" Sayda bows, veiled to mortals she can do that, then more smoothly "Welcome to the Pitt"

"Well said," And Mitra bows, then offers a hand to Jessica "What brings you?"

Jess takes the hand offered. "I was on patrol, and it's been a while. Looks good here."

Sayda looks proud of that "THANK you, I told Baroness Mitra that the big ribbons and tassles were not a waste of time"