#fenixtj

"I know, I know, but it's not necessary" She says "As steward, that wine belongs to the hold anyway, and Diego knows it"

"Some of it is personal. And he is protective of all of it, and I respect that."

"You're a good friend" She nods

"Thank you. Um. I should go see Constance. You get cleaned up, Dame, and thank you." Jess gives a rare, relaxed, grin. "Shuri is a pooka, like her daddy, but sweet. And a maker, like her mom. That's a good Pennons; combat has its place, and its glory, but creation is important too."

"I agree" She smiles

Jess nods and, cleaned up..." Excuse me? I'll talk to Constance."

"Of course.." The grump nods and leaves her be

And she goes to see if Constance is available.

Constance is available, sorting some new children's books to surprise Salma with

"Do you have a moment?"

"Several, mind if i keep stacking while we work?" She loads up one book, apparently for troll or Aesin childlings Are you there, Odin? It's Me, Helga

"I don't."

"I visited Tidemarch....." and Jess fills her in.

"I'll make sure his librarian is greeted kindly" She assures

"Thank you, and if we can compensate Tidemarch...." Jess suggests.

"Of course. I'll find a way" she nods

"But... if possible... not to diminish Selma's, um, cache?"

"Oh gods no"

"Thank you."

"Sorry, I adore Salma, fellow book lover, but she has under our care grown to be a willful force with her books. So different from the timid servant she was before. Ellie has helped her I suspect"

"Ellie is a force for good. She will do well here."

"She is and yes, she will"

"Will you excuse me?"

"Of course"

Jess... goes for a shower.

And shower she does

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