#fenixtj

And the troll might with magic maul is enough to obliterate the buzzard bat

She nods to Apolonio "Good work. You're skilled with that thing."

"Feels like an extension of my arm" He admits "But really, how strong are you? You broke that thing with one blow"

"I'm very strong." she says without false modesty as she leads him on to the Freehold "We all have different gifts. We can teach you more, and how to use yours."

"Delighted" He looks about "Never seen so many colors"

She chuckles. "There are more to come." she promises.

As he enters the hold he gapes "It's like a dream"

She closes the door behind him and smiles "It is. Exactly that. A Dream. Come in, I'll introduce you around... there's someone... something... you should see."

Crowds gather as new glamour comes in

Jessica leads the new Eshu towards the Balefire to introduce them.

"New blood" Nancy says

"He'll be hungry" Rosa notes

Music plays from the troubadours

"Apolonio, welcome to Fenix Freehold, in the County of Renaissance. This is... everyone. Mostly everyone. There are others but... and this.... is our Balefire. The heart of the Freehold."

He looks at it, and says "And the fires of creation shone before my eyes, and I knew all my past roads were littered wrong with lies." A snatch of a poem? Or just a statement "It's... it feels like peace"

"She's a gentle, healing soul." Jessica murmurs, and smiles at the 'Fire.

The fire wreathes around Jessica like a laurel, or like a kiss on the forehead

"Thank you." she murmurs softly.

"There are other Balefires in the County, each is different but... Oh... This is Rosa; she'll set you up to stay a few nights, at least." Jess nods to the boggan, then turns "Nancy can show you around, introduce you if you like. These are our troubadours..." she continues to make introductions.

And introductions are made. Turns out Apolonio was on vacation, filled with disquiet, a feeling his life had no true challenges. He wasn't sure why he came here, now, he finds out one possible reason. His true self awaited

"You will have challenges now." Jessica says wryly "We're here to help you learn our Society, and more about your Kith, and who you are."

"I see... well, " he admits with a grin, "I'm begining to"

Jessica thinks, asks Nancy "Do we have another Eshu in the county?"

"They tend to move in, visit and go" she says with a worried look

Jessica nods. "Then for now we'll just trust that one will turn up."

"I can make some calls to some who have visited before"

"Please do, good idea. If you can get a hold of them, maybe let them know they have a brother here."

Nancy nods, then kisses the new Eshu on the cheek "Welcome to the Dream, Apolonio."

Jessica nods as other might move in to welcome him as well.

He's startled as he's sat down in front of a huge meal "Ah, there is only ONE of me"

"Fha" Maria scoffs "Already telling us how to cook"

"Think of it as... a birthday celebration. This -is- a birthday, Apolonio. Yours." Jess points out.

"Well, only if I get some help with the 'cake'" He jokes

"I'm sure everyone would be happy to celebrate with you."

"Um, not to distract but... is there anyone out there expecting you? Are you traveling with anyone, or is there anyone back home you would usually check in with?"

"Oh, well, in a day or two I should call my sister" he nods

"A sister, good. Where is she?"

"Barcelona, Spain" he says

"That's a bit far off" Maria declares

"But all to the good, for now." Jess points out "No one local who will go looking for you?" she checks again.

"No no" he assures

"For us, for now, that's good." she assures him "You will have time to learn."

And a festival of sorts, at least a minor celebration, begins

FIESTA!!

(End Scene)