#fenixtj

"I appreciate the offer, though."

"She's her own person, but she's been ill and I want to help her till she can take care of herself. If she wants to move to Iowa after, that's her choice."

"If she does go that far, we'll help. If she stays here, we'll try to help too" A nod

"Thank you."

"Mm." she makes a note on the list Phobos delivered "Need to call Earl."

"You tell my cousin when you call him I want him to visit more often"

A chuckle. "I will."

"thank you. "

"De nada." she repeats "Too easy."

"You say so, but sometimes family members seem hard of hearing"

"True."

She pets Azul "I should probably stop taking up your time"

"Clem, it's so good to see you; can you stay? You're not taking up my time, it's nice to have a break."

A tilt of her head "Let let me call tte farm, let them and Buck know. Uncle Emmit can handle things for a day or so"

"Great! Of course."

"Be right back" She gets her cell phone and heads off

And she returns "Buck says he hopes we enjoy our girls night out. I think he's imaging something more than I am" A chuckle

Jess chuffs "Probably. Um. Since you are staying, what -would- you like to do?"

"I thought you had ideas." She ponders "mm well, hiking..or..."

a knock on the door

"Sorry. Come in?"

Tito- Woden comes in, looking dazed

"Tito Woden..." Jess rises, pauses "Are you ok?"

"I know who she is" he mutters "at least, one of her. she took the hat. Peted my head"

"Who is he talking about?" Clem asks

"Clem, would you excuse us a moment please? Tito, have a seat...."

"La Cernicala" tito woden takes that seat

"La Cernicala?" Clem inquires

But she remembers "Oh, excuse... did you want me to leave?"

"Yes, Clem, sorry. Maybe check in with the ladies and Diego with the food?"

"Will do" She says "Let me know if I can help" And she steps out

Jess nods to Clem and gets Tito Woden a drink. "Can you tell me what happened?"

"I was in cat form.. she came in, then...she found the hat.. and put on. Her face changed... she saw me, went 'aww, ad I purred like I belongged there. "

"She pet me. But.. she's La Cernicala."

"So... the -hat- effects the spell that changes people to appear to be La Cernicala?"

"I don't think so.. Nancy had a wristband on..."

Jess is quiet for a moment. "The person who put the hat on, the person you think is Cernicala.... is Nancy?"

"Did I not say? I guess I didn't. yes. It's Nancy I mean, one of them is"

Jess takes a deep breath, and closes her eyes a moment.

"Ok. What happened next?"

"She left.."

"I mean, I could have confronted her in my true form but I didn't thikn you wanted that"

"She left as La Cernicala? You're right, I don't want any confrontation. I don't even want La Cernicala, whomever they are, to know we know. Thank you."

"I.. you're welcome" He sighs "Comtessa? I LIKE Nancy. She's oe o Symond's friends"

"Yeah." she responds quietly "I considered her a friend."

"Please keep this to yourself, Tito Woden, and don't let anyone know you know. When you can, patrol the area and and see if you can learn more, please."

"Considered?" he notes the past tense

"I don't know, Tito Woden. Okay? I have to rethink things."

"Okay. I'll try to find her. I may need help but I'm not sure who to trust"

"Just patrol the area, keep an eye on who goes in or out of there. You can trust -me.-"