#fenixtj

"I meant, would it be... culturally insulting? Or... viewed as an insult? I need a guide here, Otem."

"He is an enemy to you" otem says "He would see you and everyone like you , your childling even, bleeding out. Do not abuse him, but coddling him will get you few points with him and I do not think your attempt to sway im will work. This is only my opinion. He is liable to think you are weak if you treat an enemy too kindly, as if his attempt to kill you scared you."

She sighs, and nods. "Ok. Let's get him locked up." she pauses, thinking. "The ritual room, maybe?" with reluctant practicality.

A nod "Probably best" otem looks at her "I am sorry. I feel as if I discourage you. I do not like doing that. Your dreams are inspiring to me"

"It's important to be practical about these things, Otem, and I don't know the culture which is a serious disability. You're keeping me honest, and all this will fail without that. I would suggest you be proud of this."

"I am ...content." Almost trollish reluctantance to put on airs

She nods; that's acceptable. And she sees the prisoner to the containment in the ritual room.

"Can we get him healed, at least? Food, water, a blanket?"

"He is your prisoner. Besides, he might feign pain as an excuse to avoid questions. " A nod "one does not starve a prisoner regardless. That's barbaric"

And soon the guy is heather balmed and contained

"Let's get a guard rotation on him. Let me know when he wakes up, please."

And it is done.

Jess goes to see if Symond has any further information on the listening device.

Symond does and actually invites Jessica into her work shop "Boss. I got some intell"

"Yes?" she is very careful not to touch anything.

The underwater stream cools the forge here and such

Symond says "Like I tole ya, this is CHEAP crap. We're talking mortal made. "

"BUT... while I may have fried the system that was being used, I found out who in town sells these things. "

"So maybe they could give us information about who bought it?"

"Do you think it's a sign that they're using such devices? That they don't have access to Fae equipment?"

"I think it shows they're still WAY behind in the tek curve but not denouncing it. And yeah, I figure if we go to the sellers we can llearn more. Not like a lot of Natives often walk into a store. I'm a Mexican, they are indigienous, and maybe to some gringos we all look alilke, but I can tell you folks notice"

She nods. "Send whoever you think best."

"Well, I should go" She says "But I need someone social and furkin suave... and a clue miester..."

"Um." she thinks hard "Maybe.... Regent Mitra? Or someone she recommends?"

"I'll go bust Mooney's chops and see if she'll get off her ass"

A nod

"Um. Maybe just ask if she has an interest or a suggestion?"

"That's what I said" Confused nocker blink

Sometimes they don't understand ettiquette

"Ok. When you see her, will you tell her I look forward to settling up with her? I owe her." Jess explains.

"Oh sure" A shrug "What, she pull a thorn out of your paw?"

"Something like that, yes. Thanks." Jess leaves so Symond can get on with it, and pauses at the Balefire.

The balefire greets her, it seems focused, new guest, cell has to be powered. No trouble, just a bit more focus

"Hey." softly, and she takes a seat on the stones. Her fingers trail into the flames.

The flames seem to lean on Jessica, taking a bit of support gratefully

Sometimes, it's hard being the heart of healing and wonder for a county

not that the fire would change it for the world

"Yeah. I know." gently. Same.

Indeed, the fire curls light around Jessica, glad for the understanding. Jessica gets flashes of other holds in the county as this happens. She can ignore the images or focus on them as pleases her

Well, it's not really -spying-.... they're connected, after all, and she's responsible for them.... so she lingers a bit on each.

No insight with the Nunnehi, I suppose? she thinks; it's unlikely but she asks just in case. No judgement.

And then to her surprise...

she gets it