#fenixtj

"I might" A note of amusement in his voice

"Ok."

The food is good, of course. Delicious. And Olgar says "Hey, how's the heir?"

"She's great." fondly "She's got her own little court and everything. Visits the other freeholds. She's made some friends among the Nunnehi childlings too, and I think that's where the payoff will be. Not now, but in the future."

A nod "Smart kid. "

"She is. And kind. And smart, too; she had some challenges but she faced 'em and found a way through."

"You sound proud if you don't mind me saying"

"I am, but by association, not by work; She's done most of it on her own."

"Ahuhmmm" ("You still provided the soil for that little seed to bloom")

She shrugs.

" I don't know if you ever plan to have kids, and in a way I guess you already do, but you'll be a great mom if you choose to"

She looks at him oddly, as if she's been hit over the head. "Kids? Me?"

"Jessica, you essentially have foster kids now" A brow "Do they bring you things they make? Do they talk excitedly how this or that was neat today? So on?"

"Sure, but... I'm not looking to have kids, Uncle Olgar. Not any time soon, not, um, not my own. I have a whole County to watch out for."

"Your life, your choices, but I would not dismiss that wonderful part of living too causually"

She shakes her head with a small laugh. "I'm -so- not in that space right now, Uncle Olgar, and I don't see how I'd get there. Never say never but... definitely not now."

"Heh... you're never really ready for it, even when you think you are, but 'not now' noted and respected" He says "Now, the town hall meetings are going well, the peace attempts good for the local nunehi. How about your Carnivale plans?"

"Oh." he sees Brekke's stoic lack of enthusiasm mixed with duty "I usually let the staff figure that out. I just show up in the right outfit."

"Vali is trying to horn in your mom's role as jester this year... pretty sure it's not gonna work"

Jessica snerts "Vali's got a hell of a death wish."

"Someday I wonder about that very thing" A fangy grin "He says as an elder of the lodge, he fits the qualifications. He's trying to do your mom a favor I think but lord ... talk about the wrong tact"

"Well. He'll figure it out."

"Oh he'll have it explained"

"His heart is in the right place, but...."

"But his head needs an oil change" A chuckle "Our New Mountain is a good man, but sometimes he tries to guide folks down roads they don't have to take even if he thinks they'd have a nicer vacation"

"Like you said; he'll get it explained to him."

Diego comes in "Sorry to intrude..."

"What is it, Diego?"

"Oh, not much. Your uncle owes me money" A smile

Olgar groans "You're kidding me... really, you're breaking in to collect a bet?"

"I'll leave you two alone with this, then. Uncle Olgar, good to see you.... I'm going to check on Nancy."

"See you kid...I should never have bet against the Chiefs. I mean, I work with one" He sighs

And Jess goes to check on Nancy.

Nancy seems healed but she's shaken by her events. She's sipping some hot coco and in a comfy robe

She looks up to see Jessica, "Checking on me?"

"Hi. Yes. Just wanted to be sure you were ok."

"I'm... getting better"

"Good. I'm glad to hear that. Is there anything you need?"

A smile at that "Tell me I'm not an idiot for being fooled by fake silver?"

"Well, maybe a little bit of a fool." she says, but not with malice or heat; rather, with concern.

A chuckle, weak, with a blush "Yeah, a little bit"

"So don't do it again."

"Won't" She mimes a crossing of her heart

"Thanks. Ok. I'll let you rest."

"Okay. And, please, feel free to visit me? It's nice to be fussed over"

"I'll make sure the kitchen ladies know that." Jess says, and slips out.

She finds Olgar in the hallway talking to Holger, "Oh sure, Rovering IS an honorable profession... but you're too young and there's the other reason"

Holger sets his jaw "I am not too young to do the right thing, senior." A beat "What's the other thing?"

"I don't want to tick of Salma ,Ellie and Ariel," Olgar answers "They'll get mean about it."

The boy sighs, THAT he understands