#fenixtj

"How long should a woman wait until she ... decides ..." She blushes ligghtly "Coy and I have been..together a long time. We've yet to cement by oath or ceremony, but .. I'm wondering, how long should I be patient?"

Jess blinks.

"As long as you wish."

"If you're not happy with the situation, talk to him about it."

"I.. should I just.. "A blush "I enjoy my position here, my calling. I don't think he'd ask me to give that up, but there might be pressurre. I believe he one day hopes to ..return to the farm"

"You should ask him."

"I should" She admts "I suppose I was hoping for some... well, yes. "

"Constance, yes I want you to continue here. I don't want to lose you. But you'll have to decide for yourself, and I think the first step is to get the information you need to make an informed choice. It sounds like Coy has some of that information."

"I jus worry we won't agree or want the same thing. It's wonderful, and mortifying. I've always prided myself in being rather self contained"

The other troll nods. "I think you still are. If it turns out you don't want the same things, or don't agree, there's no rule I'm aware of that says you have to part company immediately on finding that out."

"Plenty of people stay in relationships they know won't be 'forever' because they enjoy the relationship, until they don't."

"I suppose. Maybe I'm merely old fashioned"

"Does he know that?"

"I had thought I had made it clear enough" She says soundinng not too sure

"Did you -tell- him?"

It's interesting when a giantess of myth squirms "Not.. in.. so.. many words. no"

"You might consider it."

"Yes. I suppose I best do that. AFTER the letters, of course. Thannk you, Jessica"

"Welcome."

And she moves on.

Tonto, the jester, shows up "Freefree the flame flame... I have been inspired by BUENO idea... your sister has a squire, so I am thinnking..."

He holds up a poster he'd made, mostly in rough marker Attention: Do you want to be a Squire to Countess Flamefree? Then join the WHO WANTS TO BE JESSICA'S SQUIRE? Contest this pennons! This is your chance for Nobility, glory, a job fetching coffee and polishing mauls! Just pass the three tests of Military Zeal, Gofer Response Time, and how to read a room! One of the lucky contestants will be picked by the Countess herself! Ages 6-16. Sign up below

"Oh, uh, Tonto that's.... an idea. But maybe one of the knights would be better? I was never a knight, so a squire....."

"It is no problemo, I am sure they will still want the job."

"No, let's find good matches for anyone that wants to be a squire. That's actually a good idea for Pennons; maybe there are those who are looking for that opportunity, we should see if we can match them up with knights who want the same."

He ponders "Dame Bevera, Dame Ash, dame we're low on knights"

"Oh, Dame Phobos" He remembers

"Let's see who's interested. I'll take it from here, though, thank you! Great idea, Tonto."

"Jesters are very brainy, that is why we make such ggood fools"

"That must be it." Jessica nods.

"Senorita de fuego, be on the look out for the sneaks," he makes a childling sized gesture "They come through the walls to intrude on Salma's reading"

"Are the other childlings bothering her?"

He makes a wavy hand gesture.. as if o say 'meh' then smiles "Readers are funny people"

Jessica takes a breath. "Ok. I'll check on her."

He nods and tries a back flip, landing innstead on his back "Lovely ceiling. I will meditate now"

He seems all right

"I'll, um, leave you to it."

And she does.

Well, you can't say her staff isn't colorul

colorful*

Nor would she ever think to do so.