#fenixtj

Jess texts back "That's awesome. Thanks for the photo!"

A txt back : You're welcome. HOpe you're loving your pennons

And indeed, Jessica might say that she is. For at her pennons time, she has the Duke visiting again, but this time? This time Nunnehi are showing up to partake. And they've included Ullamaliztli. A ball game played between teams using rubber balls, in court shaped like a capital I. The court itself is known as Tlachtli, and is 60 metres long and 10 metres wide. One person on each team has to shoot the ball into a vertical hoop that is placed high above the court on opposite walls at the court midpoints, using only their knees. In this way, it's a combination of the modern games soccer and basketball. Whichever team scored the first basket wins the game. It can take a long while, hours for mortals, but changelings and Nunnehi are talented in many ways so as she watches the event, she suspects someone will gimmix it soon

And, granted, originally it was probably not a rubber -ball- that was used.... but it is today, and she'll go with that.

Indeed, the Nunnehi have mentioned that while Aztecs get most of the attention, the peoples of THEIR dreams were of areas that empire had not conquered, or at least that fought against the Aztecs. They are not one culture's dream alone, but the dreams of many tribes of old

But yes, even the non aztec tribes of old might have used human heads, but eh

Jess finds most of her time taken by being at the Duke's side as his hostess, but that's no burden.

Indeed, his Grace is rather low maintaince, though still dignified "Countess, please don't let me hold you back from your own enjoyment or participation"

"Thank you, Your Grace. I'm not planning on participating this year, though."

"Oh? Your choice, but any particular reason?"

"As you know, there's a lot going on. I don't want to be distracted if something happens."

"Yes, in case of emergency" He observes. Below, Otem himself hip checks an opposing player, and gets a chance at the ball

Jessica applauds the plays as they happen, but remains alert; her attention is not -entirely- on the game.

"Good move" Tierone notes, the young Duke says "He's good at this"

"He is."

"I really wish they'd talk more about their various tribes to non nunehi, proper names and all. I maybe Ailil trained, but the Liam in me wants to expand our knowledge for the ages"

"They are cautious about revealing too much. Understandably. It takes time to earn their trust, and it has to be done on an individual level, I have found."

"In this, I envy trollish patience" The Duke concedes.

"Mm. I'm actually pretty IMpatient about it." she says honestly "I just have to hide it well."

"Well, you do" Tierone nods "Hide it well that is" His atention turns back to the game again, as Otem passes with a knee pop on the ball to a team mate who manages to get it into the hoop !Folks cheer

Jess applauds.

The two nunnehi teams congratulate each other, some jokes in their native tongues... a bit of darker humor, in past times, sometimes the losers were sacrificed after all. But they're in a great mood

Jess glances over at the tents that are staging hospitality; food and drink. The local Nunnehi were invited to bring their own dishes to share; all looks good?

Indeed, it looks to be excellent, Maria and Rosa keep things warm or even piping hot as required, moving from tent to tent to help. Nunehi elders talk to them exchanging notes

Jess takes a deep breath, and even smiles a little.

"Shall I present the winning team with the ceremonial flowers of victory or would you like to hand them out, Countess?" The Duke asks

"I would like you to, Your Grace. I want the Nunnehi to ... well, to know you in a favorable light."

He nods, and takes the bouquet of flowers, and approaches the winners "Under Sun and Sky, you have battled" He says, using the words bot hhe and Jessica memorized for this "And played the great game! The ancestors have seen your triumph, and they smile. Partake of beauty born of life and death and life again"

It may seem silly for a young duke to be handing out flowers to a sports team, one by one, but being a sidhe, the Duke makes it look truly dignified and ceremonial. The token of respect surprises the Nunehi. They hadn't expected this.

SO it is... Mitra joins her "Your excellency"

Jess smiles again; a record? "Regent, welcome."

"Thank you, your excellency" A smile of her own, friendship under the public formality

Jess offers her hand, and they exchange a friendly grip. "How are things going?" as Regent of the Pitt, Mitra had County-control for the combat portion of Pennons.

"Oh the Pitt is doing a great showing" A smile "Sayda is delighted. And so far all folk are playing nice"

She nods. "This has really been a good event."

"So far."

"Well yes, does seem whenever we get too relaxed someone decides to rain on our parade" A sympathetic look but then "Still, not bad"

She nods. "I'd be ok, if I had to, with the day ending here. Still, I hope it won't; eating together can be a powerful message and symbol."

"Oh, I think we'll eat together" A pleased look "Rosa and Maria have apparently explained that just like the flower giving is important to them, the sharing of food after is part of OUR Honored traditions. " A chuckle at something "They also said you would eat even more than usual to celebrate the sacredness"

Jess sighs.

"Relax. Just point out you don't eat that much normally and that whatever you eat is more than ordinary" A wink "You can out trick a boggan"

"They worry." she excuses them.

"They do, they also pester" She says "But it's good you have them." her eyes turn at the sound of a horn, looks like a melee event

"And, I envy their turn of speed." Jessica looks also.

Sir Jack is fighting on a narrow bridge against a rival, staves clashing.

"He's been invaluable." she murmurs.

"Yes yes" A troubled look at the Liam street knight who still looks like a cross between Han Solo and an anime character

"What?" long and close association allows her to be blunt without offence.

"Sentimental nonsense" A shake of her head "He's doing well. I have my duties. All is fine" Flatly