#fenixtj

She takes the rare opportunity to doze, roll over, drift.... and eventually she stirs and sits up, pushes her hair back, and slides out of bed. Another shower later, and she dresses.

No doubt, a brunch awaits her. All that scampering and dancing last night built up an appetite and she didn't eat as much as many

True; she loses her appitite in those situations. And now, she can make up for it.

It smells heavenly as she finds her favorite spot to eat, the kitchen itself, that corner table

"Ah, we hoped you'd get some extra sleep, Flamefree" Maria smiles at her favorite countess and puts the Brunch before her

"It was wonderful, last night" roseta says "you gave your all"

"Thank you." Jess is always quieter, 'powered down' following these sort of celebrations. Restoring herself. "The food is delicious." she eats with appitite "I guess I was hungrier than I thought."

"De Nada, I wish I were young and had your energy. Such a show" Maria says and piles a bit more on the plate, not a lot, but enough so Jessica won't feel she has to ask for seconds

She colors a little. "Thank you."

"You're embarrassing the Countess, Maria," Roseta fusses, then turns to Jessica "Clean up is done. You have no official business today... and patrols have started. So you may continue to relax if you like. We know it's not your favorite holiday"

"Maybe not, but it's my duty to play the part." she says stoically. "I'll take the day, though."

"Good" Maria nods "You deserve a day off. And you never neglect your duties. If anyone has said so, it is THEY who are the fool"

Jessica takes a deep breath. "We all make mistakes. Fortunately we are all a team, and catch each other that way."

A knock on the kitchen door

Jess glances over (chewing) but lets Maria and Rosa manage thier kitchen.

Maria gets the door, and says "no work today for the countess, she is recovering" No nonsense

a voice , Nancy's, "It's not work, it's an apology. I.. wanted to talk to her"

Jessica swallows. "It's ok, Maria."

"mmmph" Maria says, then nods "As you say, Jessica. We'll let you two have time alone " but they make a plate for Nancy too

And there is room at the table for her.

And the boggans, withdraw. Nancy sits down at the table, but before taking a bit "I gather from what you said last night, you know about what I've been up to. I also take it, It wasn't appreciated?"

"It was not." calmly.

"It's caused a lot of extra work. And it hurts to be decieved and distrusted."

A shrug. "I'm a big girl. I can take it. But it hurts."

"Then I'm sorry." She says looking contrite "I know it doesn't help to hear, but I thought we were doing you and the people some good. It was a grand adventure. I felt rather... useless here, for a time. A party girl with money, with Diego talking 'power to the people' in one ear, and others saying 'Dreaming Save the Countess' in the other, it seemed like I was mostly just the pep squad. I don't DO much. I've been taking up fencing, hoping to be more useful, gotten good I thought. But then I saw how hard you were pressed by all this politics, how often it tied your hands. I wanted to help, to actually DO stuff that you couldn't be blamed for , La Cernicala seemed a great way to do it" She admits "The first time I saved a life wearing that mask, it was a kick. I felt like a superheroine. "

"At first I thought maybe you approved? Even the 'arrest her but don't hurt her' sounded like you might have approved but wanted to shut Tidemarch's bitching up by taking SOME action. But as it finally became clear to me, I started pushing the others to tone it down a bit."

"I haven't heard much about life-saving." she admits "Been kind of bus dealing with the fall-out of the other stuff. And -that- had ripple effects. Put me in between a rock and a hard place politically, which is a challenge to me in the first place." another shrug "It is what it is."

"Oh yes, mostly mortals where the Wyrd was evoked or dolroius strokes to temporarily enchant. No fair play there, when a guy has a gun and you have a rapier, you don't announce yourself until after you ambush the mugger or rapist. But we also fought Chimera that was a threat to all... and, well you know about the Robin HOod stuff" Nancy says "We thought you were already in a political bind, we didn't think it would make it worse, but rather hoped it would pull them away. And... some folks just don't want to talk to anyone about their troubles, so good nobles like you don't hear about it; sometimes no one hears of it"

"I'm sorry if we made it worse," She frowns "I'd love to say it was entirely unselfish of us, but like I said, I felt ...useless so there was some selfish reason for me to get to be a part of it. You'd have plausible deniablity, or that was the plan. If I knew then what i know now about your trouble I would have discouraged it"

A pause "Well, I still would have stabbed the rapist wanna be"

"And I would understand that. The rest of it? You could have told me. That people don't want to talk to me about challenges they have. That they need help. You could have told me and I would have figured something out. That's my -job- here."

Another shrug.

"Jessica, some believe problems should be solved by those who see them. That doesn't mean you failed anyone just because those problems were hidden from you by the folks who had them. You do your job well, DAMNED well. Probably you work too hard, but the fact you want to help and so often do doesn't stop others from needing, wanting a purpose or having their own agency to help others. Doing what you feel is right isn't just for trolls, nor is looking out for others. I understand we complicated things instead of streamlining it, and I think the town council ideas are wonderful. Diego's on cloud 9 about them, and even some other nobles seem to find it a good idea, and when Diego AND nobles agree, you've really hit on something. But the fact I took action, that We took action, please don't mistake that for a belief that we didn't think you cared, or couldn't have helped. It's just... We saw the problem, we followed our hearts, and fixed it. You are needed, badly, but not for every thing at all times."

"If we made you feel like a failure, for even a moment, I really feel bad and I.. well, I apologize for that too. You're not. You're amazing."

She pulls at her fingers , clearly angry at herself for hurting a friend.

Jess has finished her meal; she sips her juice. "I'm sure there are those that would disagree, but thank you for the compliment and apology, Nancy. I appreciate the feedback. I don't agree with you 100% on what you've said, but I can accept it's your point of view. "

"And I may think you take too much on just your shoulders, but that doesn't change the fact we hurt you. Your ffeelings are real, and I hurt them. I.. I'll try to be a better friend"

"Nancy, I want to be honest with you; might take some time. I accept your apology but it's going to be a while before I stop wondering if some of my friends are going behind my back."

"Ouch" She winces at the sting of that, "Well, that's not what I hoped to hear, but I appreciate the honesty. Look, I can't name the other two, but I can ttell you if you see La Cernicala around, whoever is using the name, she won't be me"

Jessica nods. "Thank you."

Nancy rises , having mostly just picked at her own meal "If.. if there's anything besides thatt I ca do to earn your trust back, let me know"

"Ok."

A nod, and the satyrress departs

She takes a deep breath, and cleans her place up.

the boggans return, "Is.. all well?" Rosita asks

"Rositta, she's not going to talk about it. She's a privatee woman" Maria says

"Well, I HAVE to at least ask" Rosita huffs

"Thank you both, ladies. The meal was delicious. All is well." gently.

"De Nada" they say at the thanks

"Enjoy your day of rest" Maria says "Don't let anyone bully you into work"