#fenixtj

"Si." he nods

"Thank you." a deep breath "Ok. Are you alright? You seem... off balance."

"I am off balance" He admits "I mean La Cernicala is a hero, but also an outlaw. I never saw Nancy as either"

"She has had her moment of heroism. And for the record, La Cernicala may -fancy- herself an outlaw, but I have not, in fact, outlawed her."

"Oh " He says , surprised "I guess you haven't"

Jess nods heavily.

"Why.. haven't you?"

"I have my reasons, Tito Woden."

"Sory, Comtesa, I know you'e a privae woman I just... well, I wouldn't study what I study iff I didn't have some curiosity" A brreah "I'm better now. I'll try to find her"

"Expect the unexpected in this situation, Tito Woden. It may help."

A thin smile "Si, mi comttessa"

She nods and stands. "Rest here if you like; I need to get this list to Diego and then find Clem."

"Okay I'll get some ffood and thenn go"

Jessica nods, takes the list, and seeks Diego.

Diego finds her "Jessica... am I allowed to work with Duff tto smuggle weapons to the Ukraine? " Wryly "Asking for a friend"

Jess just stares at him for a moment.

"Nevermind" he sighs

"Keep the County out of it, and it's your business Diego. Take a seat, and a breath. I need to talk to you and I'd prefer it if you didn't lose your temper."

"Since when have I ever lost my temper?"

"There's always a first time. Ok...." she explains the conversation with Tidemarch and that she is inviting a Sidhe to Fenix to advise her. "Political advice, mostly, but also general advice."

"MORE influence for the nobles? What of the Commoner Kith, Jessica, why must we remain in the back rows of influence , trapped in a system seemingly rigged to muffle our voices, and you give another noble a bull horn?"

He paces dramaically with his passion

"Diego, out of four freeholds, only -one- is noble-held. In -this- freehold, we have Ellie and she is surrounded by common kith friends. The rest of the population is strongly common-kith and hold positions of influence." she points out patiently.

"Mitra is regent, she rules, annd is a baroness now. " But he mmmphs

"Mitra is our -friend.-" Jess emphisizes. "And Sayda is the freeholder."

"Fine... but thsi whole feudal set up ... you're a countess, Sayda is a barones in title... oh fine. I suppose if the new perrson is an ass you can dispose them"

"I'm a Countess because I didn't have a choice, Diego. Not and stay here; the Duke would have to have installed someone else and you know as well as I do it probably would have been a Sidhe."

"-ANYWAY-...."

"I have a list here of the three suggestions Baron Tidemarch made and I'd like you to research them, to help me make a choice." she offers the list.

He look it over "Oh forr the love of zeus"

Jess waits.

"Okayk, I can't tell you how scared some are going to be at a balor's return, that doesn't rule him out, but see if he's willing to dim down the heraldry. The LEanahuian? I think your left eye would twitch... as for the Ailil, her best trait is DEVIOUS? Lovely,. Devious for whom?"

"Right."

He looks over "Wait, that Balor name looks familar"

"I know this man, or know of him.. he was banished by Rathbone for saying her policies would lead to rebellion"

"Which they did."

"I know, I was glad they got rid of him... he was... well , like the list says, insightful. That made him dangerous at the time"

"What do you think about now?"

"I don't know he'll probably promote Tidemarch's venue, might spy for him, but ..he knows his shit"

"I think the Leanhaun is right out. Too much tension over dreamers as it is, and while they are said to be able to find them, you know the other rumors "

Jess nods, and does not disagree. "And the Ailil?"

"Devious... ? " He shrugs "Not sure .. we have an Ailil, a childling. Frankly the LEanhaun is the only one I nix"

(Sorry, update did not show till now)

Jessica nods. "I'm going to ask all of them to interview."

"This should be interesting" Amused "You...mean like they weren't entitled? I think I love this"

"I'll meet with all of them, look over your research on them, speak with anyone else I feel necessary and then one of them will become my advisor."

"Jessica, I told you there was no point in getting upset. Really, your temper" he says

An eyebrow. "I'm not upset."

"I know, I'm joking and trying to act like I never was"

"How can I help then?"