#fenixtj

Diego takes the glare "I thought you might enjoy this chance to visit family."

"No!" to Brekke, "No, don't!" she seems alarmed.

"Up to you, Countess. I can work on fixing this on my own" Mitra says then blinks a the outburst. Which to be fair, is hhardly an outburst by childling standards

A blink. "Jessica...perhaps we could speak together in private."

Holger points to a different door "There is a small parlor over there. Should I bring you drinks?"

"non alcholaic, of course" Diego adds "Given new age limits"

"Diego, help Mitra figure out what that symbol is! Two -weeks-??" she checks with Mitra in disbelief.

"Unless you know a master of Chronos" Mitra nods

"Stop pushing it, Diego!" she warns.

"Jessica." A firm hint to her tone. "Let us speak privately." An after-you gesture towards the parlor.

"Disculpe, Jessica" Diego says

She gathers her dignity and leads the way to the parlor.

And into the cozy parlor room tthey go

Brekke nods thanks to Holger and agrees to his offer of drink. "Something cold. Iced tea, perhaps."

"Pronto" he says and rushes off

A nod, and she closes the door. "Jessica...do you might if I sit?"

Fortunately, therre is a CHILDLING sized chair in here as well as two for full sized folks (One troll big)

While Jessica does outrank her, she takes parental privilege and assumes the answer is no, claiming one of the large chairs.

And iced tea is brought to them both, with a candy for Jessica, and Holger saluttes "Anythig else?"

She also takes a seat and declines the candy. "No, thank you, Holger. Please go report to Ellie."

He salutes and goes. Leaving Jessica and Brekke to talk

"I didn't know he called you; I wish he hadn't. I'm sorry you came all this way for nothing."

"But of course, I -am- always glad to see you." she adds sincerely.

A slight frown. "I do not mind coming. And...this is a serious matter. I believe you are able to manage, and you have good people to help you, but..." A pause. "How long ago did this happen?"

"Today. A few hours ago."

"Ah." She nods. "It is not something you have been hiding. Good."

there maybe a slight urge for a hug building in Jessica, good thing she's a troll and not some needy pooka

A put-upon sigh "No, I'm not -hiding- it."

"But...you do not wish me to tell your father?"

Of course, the Boon is in play

She just looks at Brekke a moment "How do you think he'd feel seeing me now? Like this?"

A slight brow. "I think...in some ways it would upset him. He would be concerned, yes. But as you say, it is temporary."

"Right. It can be a funny story for Thanksgiving or something."

"...BUT..." she adds, "I also think he might have some joy in being able to spend some time with you at this age. An age he did not get to see you live through the first time. That is...if you could also act as the child you were. "

"I was -never- this child."

"True. Again...an age he missed. An age I missed. Because you chrysalized a wilder."

"I was there." she crosses her arms.

She quietly notes the crossed arms.

After a moment, she says, "As was I. And I am here now. But...I think you wish I were not."

Jessie uncrosses her arms and sighs, deflating slightly and rubbing her head-nubs. "I said it was a counter-cantrip trap that did this. We ran into it because we were looking for someone. Someone who tried to bomb my first town hall. Which I set up to try and defuse a political situation I -really- could have lived without. Mitra saw a symbol before we hit the trap; maybe if we can figure out what it is we can figure out who did it. I don't care about the age-thing; I want to protect my people when I gather them together to hear what's wrong in the County and try to fix it without anyone getting hurt or killed."

"And I have to draw a picture before this wears off."

"Mom, you're welcome any time and I'm really glad to see you 'cause I'd really like a hug and maybe a nap but I can't......."

A blink. Then she looks about the parlor for any writing materials, and brings them to Jessica.

She wipes her face. It's Frank's gesture.

turns out, there are some

A pause at the gesture. Then she rests a large hand on Jessica's small shoulder. "I am here. Let me help."

Little fingers clench her larger ones.

She goes down on a knee to be on the same level. "I am here," she repeats.

Jessie nods and takes a deep breath, pausing before she looks up.

She gives her a serious look back. "You are being very strong. Now...draw what you need to draw." She urges her towards a table where the paper and pencil are. "I will stay close."