#fenixtj

"I know it is wrong to hate, that is what drove Summerstrike , Mad, but it is.. hard to trust some people" He syas a bit ashamed

"Such as?"

"Balor, and the other dark houses, but Onyx, he is an Ailil, and he is not so bad"

"When I had my Dream Dance, some Unseelie influence came into my life. I value those people, even if we don't share a Court. Unseelie doesn't mean evil."

"Si, I am learning. Ahpuch, he is not so bad" A nod

"And Tex is ..trouble but he also tries"

"Look at the individuals. That's my advice, for what it's worth."

"Is good advice" A nod , "You do it well, Countess. "

"Thank you, Holger. Things are going well at Rivervale for you?"

"Si. I have learned many things. The new Mountain is different, but he helps. I like Sir Franklyn more, and he still talks to me and teaches some. But Mountain Vali has told me some basics of Winter magic"

"I have found it best to learn all you can, -from- all you can."

"Si, Fenix needs access to many arts. It is importante"

"Our strength is in our diversity."

"Yes, The baron summerstrike was wrong about many things.. one court, Gwydion above all, and sidhe bove everyone... the lodge is not so diverse at first look, troll and all, but it has centaurs, like Senora Fawn, and satyrs and pooka too... and they listen. Like you do"

"Listening is perhaps the most important skill for a leader."

"But, wouldn't the sluagh rule then?" The troll asks

A small smile. "Some sluagh would say they do."

Troll brow, grunt ("They're a funny kind of people, si")

A brow and nod. Don't tell them that."

A smile. Perhaps when he grows up and gets a proper beard, he will hide it better

Then he says "Oh, your sister, she has a new Squire"

"She... a squire?" not sure she heard correctly. "Siv?"

"Si" he says

"Her squire is named Kassedy, she is a Liam, like your papa"

"Huh." Jess looks puzzled "I'll have to call or something."

"Oh, she owuld like that" he nods

"Mm. Ok. Thank you. Anything else, Holger?"

"Senora tiffany is VERY Big now"

"I should send them something."

"Do you wish me to deliver a message? Or invite your sister?" Holger volunteers

"No, let me call her and figure something out. Thank you."

Holger gives a troll salute, and nods 'Forgive me. I must go to Salma to give her a new book so she will not be so angry with me for being gone"

"She makes the face" He adds and scrunches his nose while narrowing his eyes

Jessica nods soberly. "Best to take care of that, then."

And off he goes

Leaving Jessica to note that Holger works hard at guarding not just his friend's bodies, but their feelings

And she goes to make a phone call.

Siv picks up fast "Sis? What's wrong?"

"Nothing. Why??" getting alarmed herself.

"Well, you called me, you almost never do that. I thought there might be an emergency" Siv answers

"Not here. There?"

"Oh" A pause then "How'd you find out?"

"Find out what?"

"The problems I'm having with Piper of course, what else would be wrong?"

A sigh. "Did you take a squire?"

"Well yes, of course, that's how .." A breath "Yes, lovely liam squire named Kassedy. She's VERY bright for her age. She needed a knight, about time I took on some jobs with the title... and there you have it."

"Oh. Ok."

"Yeah, you want to meet her some time? She'd had a rough patch, places that treat liams nice are good for her"

"Sure, you're both welcome anytime."

"Great. Be there in a half hour or less" She hangs up