#fenixtj

"Do you think you could give me directions to the place you saw them? Or take me there?"

"Forgive me, Senorita, I would not go back there nor lead you. these men looked crazed"

She nods. "But you could give me directions?"

"It is not safe' he says "You should not go"

"Could you show me on a map?"

The two locals exhange looks, as if perhaps Jessica is having trouble understanding the term 'not safe'

Then with a sigh, he pulls out a sheet of paper, and shows a rough map of where he say them cross

Jessica looks it over, nods, asks some questions to ensure she understands the location, map, and notes any directions.

She soon gets the best intell the man can give, but he still advises she not go

Alas, the return trip was not seen

"Senior, Seniora... thank you." she says, pocketing the information "I value your information, and your advice. -If- I go there, I will have others with me. I won't go alone."

"Thank god for that" He says glad she won't be alone "I wish I could tell you more, but i saw where they went in, not where or if they went out"

"This is more than I had." she says "I thank you again." And she stands "The food and drink were delicious, thank you Seniora."

She blushes "De Nada"

the food was humble but nice

She nods and takes her leave, moving on to the next name on the list. She makes a note; each home she visits will recieve some anonymous help, depending on what she sees is needed.

The next house has an old woman Martha

Jessica greets her gently and explains who sent her.

The woman holds up a cross, then seeing Jessica does not recoil, nods and bids her enter

"You want tea, water? Coffee?"

"Water would be very welcome, thank you."

"Water then" She says and gets the guest a cup "So, the Padre sent you. A good man, that. A holy man. Very kind."

"He is." she agrees, sipping the water. "I'm grateful, blessed, to have him as a friend."

"Si. me also. Now, you came here why?"

Jess explains.

"MMm worshipers of pagan gods, death gods and the like is what i say. I have the blood of aztec too, you don't see me acting like 1400 AD was a good year"

"Of course not." she affirms with understanding "You saw them? Could you describe them?"

She describes them much as the same as the last man did, but has more details 'they spoke the old tongue... I only know a little of it but they spoke of goats, and a distraction"

Jessica nods, taking notes. "Do you think you could show me where they were?"

"Si. I am old, too old to fear God's heaven should we meet them" the old woman says with a stubborn look

"Would you draw me a map?" clearly she assumes the woman won't want to make the trip herself.

"Why draw you when I can show you?" the old woman says "Are you worried I will slow you down?"

"No, Senora." Jess stands "Do we want to take water, or anything?"

'we should, it is hot. I blame the greedy Corporate types' she scoffs "telling me the weather hasn't changed that much. I have walked this world for over 70 years... I know what summer is supposed to look like" A hurumph "greed is the doom of truth, young Jessica."

"I agree, Senora." and together, after filling water bottles, they walk.

they move on, and Martha moves slow but steady.

They come to the area described ... "Around here... " She gestures to a bridge "Some spoke under this bridge"

Jessica remembers the path, makes note of the location. She'll come back after Senora Martha is safe back home.

Probably wise, there is a glamour here that while not dark, does bespeak of danger

Jess listens to what the woman tells her, making notes and keeping watch.

"Yes, this is where they were talking of the distractions.." she gestures near the bridge "Goats and distractions. it makes no sense to me but my ears are not so gone"

"Do you keep goats, yourself?"

"No, no longer. not even chickens, but some died recently. My neighbors.. a loss. when you are poor, an animal that can feed you is worth much"

Jess makes a note of THAT, too.

"You said you understood a bit of what they were saying?"

"Yes.. the words Goat, Distraction... invaders. Somewords I did not understand. Giant Queen? Hard to know"

Jess nods, a trifle grimly. "Is there anything else you can remember?"

"Oh yes, they snuck back under the bridge ... later. I notice things"

(Perception plus Alertness roll for Jessica)

/roll 6