#fenixtj

For Ellie, her mighty nerf sword has a chance to take out a knee cap of the great beast!

"He is good at his job. We're blessed to have him."

"Contraries and the like, they can teach us" Otem nods in agreement

"Contraries? Like... Tricksters?"

"Yes, those who go against the expectation" he says "It varies from tribe to tribe. Some walk backwards. Some men wear dresses. So on"

"We call our pooka 'tricksters' sometimes. It's a kind of nickname."

"I have noticed. My seat gave 'wind' sounds when I used it the other day"

"Um. Sorry about that."

"Tricksters have their place. Sometimes one wishes that place were further away" Deadpan

Only then the slightest of smiles

She nods "I have thought, occasionally, it cannot be easy to be pooka. But they are some of the best, strongest, most positive souls I have known."

"I am told they were among the kith here that embraced you first and most loyally."

"They were." softly.

They are well represented here, goofy and gallant.

And a few come up, and talk to the balefire like an old friend

Which is, of course, fine and well; it is the Balefire's night, after all.

And then folks part, the line makes way. A Boggan strides forward, proud as a prince

And Jessica notices that Maria and Rosa have come out to witness this.

Folks mutter and whisper, and the boggan looks about spreading his hands "Flamefree, may I make an announcement?"

Nonplussed, Jessica nods. "You may."

He coughs "My name is Rodrigo De Salavar, but most of you call me Sally" A few chuckles at that "I have sold fine blankets of colorful make besides my wife's side. I do not come to town council too often, but now and then. I am not here often, but I am proud to be of Renaissance! And today, I wish to tell you, that my wife has given birth to the first baby of Imbolc born of kithain this year! "

Jessica leads the applause!

And she does not have to lead far! For everyone joins in. Everyone sees this as a good omen. Sure, the child maybe kinain, or even so weak blooded as to be 'merely' mortal, but it is a miracle regardless, and through that line new fae might one day find changeling form!

"Mister De Salavar, will you come here?" Jessica invites.

He does "Si, Flamefree. But I cannot linger at the party long. My wife, you know, she will want help with the baby"

"Of course. I hope you will let me know if there's anything you, your family, need or want? Um. I can grant boons and I think this would be a good occasion for one."

"I have but one boon to ask, and my wife agreed. Under your rule we have prospered. You do not know me well, but under you, I was able to sell more blankets because we were not robbed of dross, or denied balefire when we had to work cantrips the next day for an extra quality ... it helped our skills and made OUR dreams come true. So my wife and I, we ask this boon. Let us name our new daughter Jessica. First or middle, as pleases you"

Jess flushes. "Are... um. Are you sure?"

"Of course, though we would pronounce the J right" he grins

some smiles and chuckles there

"If.... if that is what you truly wish. Not... um, funds, or access, or... um, a quest or a treasure or...??"

"We know that should we ever be at our most dire, you would lend a hand regardless" He says firmly "We ALL know that. "

"It is true." she has to agree.

"Then, permission to name her Jessica, and your blessing is all we ask. You are modest, Flamefree, but you are also part of our history now, and one worth remembering by names repeated through out generations. Folks will wnat to know where the name came from in our family, and there will be a story of a woman who wanted not to rule, but to help others prosper and in doing so, gained the throne and more importantly the trust of the people"

The flames roar as if in agreement with the boggan

Jessica sighs. "Then I am honored, and honored to grant this request to you."

"Gracious, " He smles and the crowd cheers!

Jess takes a deep breath, nods, and gestures for the party to continue.

ANd it does. The fine fellow gets a lot of pats on the back and well wishes, but must make his way back to his wife

"Excuse me." she says to Otem, and goes over to pour herself a tequilla.

She finds Nancy handing out drinks, and she says "Congrats, Jessica."

"Mmm. Thank you."

"I guess in a way you're the kid's fairy godmother"

"Let's not jump ahead of ourselves."

A grin from the satyress "Satyrs leap before we look sometime"

"Trolls, not so much. Still. I'm not the first Jessica here."

"And won't be the last, especially now. Still, if she turns out to be a troll I am going to be grinning even more"

"Mm." Jessica has a small glass of tequilla and sips it sparingly.

"You want to dance?" She offers "After that drink I mean. You can lead"

"No, thank you." She watches the crowd.