#fenixtj

Buck mmphs "I'm not a troll, I don't have a code of Dagda to keep me from kicking someone hard if they're rude the first time."

"Buck" Clem says "You let me handle things"

Buck is an honest fellow, so he doesn't lie to her face at all rather he says "I'll think it over, but I still see hoof prints in someone's future if I overhear things"

Jess just takes a sip of her drink; it's something they'll have to work out with each other.

"I can offer you guys a token; kind of a pass into other areas of the County, let folks know you're my guests. If you like."

Clem seems to think the same, "We'll talk about this later, Buck. Jessica doesn't need our want to hear about our couple stuff too much. I shouldn't have brrought it up" Then she turns back to Jessica "OH we don't need to put on airs. We just... well, this is a kind of romantic get away where I can't win every fight by being chief"

A bit of a hidden smile in that comment from her

Buck chuckles "UNless you think it would make it easier on your folks around here for us to carry it?"

"Well, it would cut down on questions and delays, let you in to any of the other Freeholds if you wanted to visit. Sunkissed Waves has all the beachfront, you see."

"Oh right, that Varich fellow" Clem ponders "Mixed bag that house. I'd like em better if they'd drop the sluagh hate"

"How tight assed is the baron there?" Buck inquires

Jess lifts a King's brow, but answers "Pretty typical, if I had to say."

"Well, if you think the token of recognition is a good idea, we won't say know then" Clem decides "We're not here to make things harder for you. That's what family is for, least in my experience" a slight smile

"I'll be fine either way, Clem, just figured if you wanted a vacation down here, you might want the easiest way around. I'll get you a token."

"Much obliged" Clem nods "Thank you, or should I say Gracias?"

"Either way." a small smile "My Spanish is pretty good."

"Knew you'd get there" Clem says 'You care about your folk, need to understand their needs. "

Buck finishes up his meal "I think I'll hunt Fawn down so you two can talk shop about me without a M-A-N around" A wink to Clem, then a nod to Jessica "Nice to meet you, Jessica"

"Talk shop.....? Um, nice to meet you too, Buck."

Buck trots off

Nonplussed, Jess turns back to Clem.

"I suppose he figures I'm supposed to titter like a school girl about how in love i am" Clem confides "Well, maybe I am, but I'm not going to titter about it." A bit of a dreamy expression "Still, ain't bad though. Keep waiting for disaster to strike" She shakes her head to clear it "He's ... done some amazing stuff for the farm. I mean, ain't why I'm with him but... my lord he got in a hassle and came through"

"Good for him. And you, and your family." Jessica agrees.

"I am ... stunned. I don't need a man to fight for me, but the fact he did fight so hard to... let's just say I'm a bit agog. " She ponders "I think I can see myself with him for the long haul. Least I hope so. "

"oh but I'll bore you with that talk. Tell me more about the Nunnehi. You must be proud as a white washed pig about finally getting the olive branch offered"

"Hey, we're friends; if you want to crow, I'll listen." Jess offers "And yes, I am. Of course, we're at war with all the -other- Nunnehi, but... I guess it's forward progress."

"What will you do when the war comes here for you and the tribe helping you?" Clem leans forward

"Fight and win."

"They say the key to diplomacy is speaking softly but keeping a big stick close. You get into the thick of it, remember, you have allies in Iowa. "

"I will, Clem, and thank you. I'm hoping we can avoid fighting, but if it comes to it...."

"If it comes to it, Da'an forbid, it's good to have the ability. Though I know you got some scrappers" A sigh "Buck wants to see the Pitt. Give it a go. I'm worried he'll get his fool neck broke, they got good healers there?"

"The best." Jess assures her "If you want, we can send more. Just in case."

"Oh, as you know I'm no slouch in healing myself" she says "I just like to have back up. Always good to have a back up"

"Well said." she offers a toast to that.

A toast back "how are your folks? Kerri I know is fine. She kept me from making a bigger fool of myself, but that's another romance story"

"Good. I mean, they'd call if it wasn't. And we talk. I visit when I can."

"Hard to finagle I know" She says "Holidays are rarely a repreieve, heck, Valentine is one i could feel safe celebrating and..." Realization "AH, Did you have plans for Valentines? If we're intruding..."

"No." her tone suggests 1) their visit is no trouble and 2) Valentine's is not a big deal.

Clem relaxes a bit "Well, all right then. If we get in the way, or you need help with something let me know. Change of scenery is vacation enough for me"

"Now, I do have to ask... " She looks at her empty plate "What did I just wolf down? It was good, don't mark me wrong, but I'm still not sure what it was."

"Um... pretty sure that was ceviche, a street corn salad, and....seasoned mango."

"Ceviche... huh, well, its pretty darn good. May see if Kourtney can come down here to learn it. She's the...new Hearth in training"

"Oh."

"Yes, of course. Anytime."

"Thank you. She's a might nervous, says she wants to try her hand at some ..Ronin style learning, whatever that means"

"Well, anyone would be nervous, succeeding Hearth Agnes."

"Poor dear, the truth is, there's no way she'll be as good as Hearth Agnes , not the Hearth Agnes she knows. Go back far enough though and our great aunt was once her age who didn't have decades to be the best cook in Iowa"

Jess nods. "Do you think you can tell her that, though?"

"Tried, but not sure it sunk in"

"Probably didn't." Jess agrees.