#fenixtj

The crowd that gathers proves to be ELEVEN Nunehi locals, if you count Otem as well. Snake faces, Flayskins, other obsidians, and some with jaguar patterns on their flesh. Jonny Twofeathers is also there, he has made inroads, as has Fawn, the Centaur, who speaks their languages pretty darn well

Jessica can see that yes, almost all of them are wilders.. ages 16 to 25. They look relieved to have gotten the invitation, as if it has helped with a lot of frustration

Jessica is there, as social as she can be (and she's learned to step out of her comfort zone for her duty). She smiles, welcomes each as they arrive, makes sure they have fruit juices or water, and that they know where the food is.

Mead, wine, and beer are there, but off to the side; that's not the focus.

Most seem to appreciate offerings. One snake faced woman shakes her hand, something she's surely not have done before

She uses her name, not her title, as usual. She -listens-.

It is Johnny and Fawn who break the ice a bit further. Johnny says "It is my understanding that some of your tribes, yourselves ,are here because you think things move too slow. We are in a safe circle. Words should be spoken openly, honestly, betraying none, but neither hiding." A look to Jessica to make sure she agrees

Jess seems to consider herself not an authority, but part of the circle; she nods, agreeing but not taking active leadership.

"So say you all?" Otem says "We gather in a circle, then we must stand as one too. If none are before in this circle of the now, then none should flinch behind either"

That seems to rile a few but they nod, and speak more assertively. One flayed man says "all things require sacrifice, but our elders do not understand all things require risk as well. We must sacrifice our sketpisism and trust, or it is all for naught. "

"I agree" Says the snake faced woman "Now is not the time to break apart again. Attacks are down, the mainlanders are afraid to face our ffull might"

"My mother taught me that sometimes our will must be used, not to resist something, but to steel ourselves and move ahead, out of our comfort zones."

"I wish my elders would say that, see that" Says a woman with jaquar marks on her body . She is no pooka but something else "Always the warnings that Kithain are different as if I did not know that"

"Many of my people believe that we can find strength in our diversity. That by knowing each other's strengths and weaknesses we can be stronger together."

"We have united our tribes " Otem nods "SOmewhat, and we are strong, but if we work with the kithain ,so much the stronger"

Some nods. One admits, "I am scared your people may yet betray us, or ask us to become like them. But I am wililng to try"

"That is brave of you.

A nod "it is necessary"

"We are told mutual patrols are no longer required" A serpent faced fellow says "But not that they are forbidden"

"I say to you now, I believe they -are- still required for our mutual protection. If I am wrong, I cannot see a down side to continuing them anyway, but of course I respect each person's right to choose what they will do."

"For my part, I welcome patrolling with any of you."

They talk among themselves , some in their native tongues.. not out of rudeness but ease

Fawn leans over and translates "They seem to be worrying they'll get you in trouble as a 'bad influence' with their elders even if they're doing this of their own free will"

"I don't know enough about their cultures to suggest a way through that." Jess says.

"Neither do I, but I thought you might want to know their concerns for you"

"I do, thank you."

"Please let me know if anything else comes up."

Fawn nods and listens carefully, but it turns out the others turn to Jessica and speak first

"If we do this, we risk alienating the elders with you. Otem has agreed to propose this was HIS idea chiefly and the rest of us agreed.. Can you go along with this?" One inquires

"Otem, what do you think the impact on you will be?"

"Little" He says "nothing I cannot endure"

"I would not lose you as an advisor if it can be helped."

"I am touched by your sense of my worth. But I am hardly the wisest of options to advise anyone"

"You've been doing just fine." Jess says firmly.

"mmm" he does not look convinced of this "If I had been more than fine, I might have swayed the elders more"

"Well, join the club." she reminds him "I got a whole embaressing outfit from the Dreaming and it didn't help." reminding him.

"It helped more than you know" he says though he looks at his feet "They were impressed, and it opened paths."

"She brings up a point though" A snake faced woman speaks aloud "There are traditions our elders seem to ignore, others they favor. We should make note of this should they try to punish you, Otem."

Otem gives the snake faced woman a LOOK that borders on troll brow

"She is not wrong, Otem" Johnny nods "Forgive, but the elders are not the only ones who can use the old ways, who should use them"

"I know I've asked before, but is there anything -I- can do to help ease your elder's minds?"

"You have done all that was expected and far more, Jessica. They are scared. Scared that your offer of peace is an illusion, not because you lie, but because too many forces will rise against it and rob it from them"

Otem shakes his head "We cannot let their fear control us"

"Kind of my point. It -is- possible too many forces will rise up and rob us of this promise. But I believe the only way to fight that is to band together and not let that fear of what has not happened yet defeat us without a fight."

"And you can tell them that from me. I'd tell them myself if they would see me."

One jaguar marked woman grins "I would like to see their faces when you did"

"Enough" Otem says "I will take the risk. That is settled. We will point out our customs Jessica has followed if the elders fuss. That is settled too"

Jessica does not argue.

The others mutter but most agree "Then we should start patroling as before" The jaguar woman nods "Regularly"

"Otem and Jessica take the risks, they should be allowed to set the patrols" A flayed man nods