#fenixtj

"Gerd... I'm confused. You just... decided to mop up? The floor was dirty? We have people around who take care of the Freehold like that. Are you saying they aren't doing their job?"

"mmm I didn't mean to offend them or you. I just noticed it was dirty and thought it would save someone some work. This isn't a typical time after all. There were other priorities recently and rightly so"

"Maybe." Jess allows "And maybe we need to reassess where we're putting people; our priorities."

"Oh now, Duff's life was at stack. I'd say the hallway could wait"

"Lives come first, yes."

"But I feel now I've possibly given insult and I'm sorry, that's not cool of me ..."

A nocker with a steam punk mop comes into view to clean the floor, then sees... it's already done

The nocker looks at the Countess "Am I fired?"

"Not at all." She assures both of them. "Really."

The nocker nods "Bueno. I need this furking job. Brats get hungry"

"sorry" Gerd says wincing

The nocker mmphs, and goes to clean another hall

Jess sighs. "Ok. Need to find out who that is and make sure they are getting what they need."

"Yep. I stepped on some toes there" Gerd admits "Maybe I'll bake him a pie"

"I'm sure it's fine, Gerd."

"Well, uhm so, what do you do when it's not crazy here?"

She blinks. "Um."

"Read. Recharge. I still like going on a long run."

A nod "Lovely. I rather like reading myself. Actually, what's your favorite genre to read? It might help me shop for gifts come Yule"

"Last couple of years I've been reading histories of the area. Biographies. Things like that."

"No fiction?"

"Mmm... no, not really."

"Huh" she says thoughtful "Why not?"

"Well.... Fiction's fine, after all. Important, event. But I can -use- history and biographies."

"Don't you ever do something for just the joy of it?"

"I like running."

"mmm " An idea "Thanks. I think I know what to get you next Yule. No rush mind you"

"What?" a little wary.

"That would spoil it" She says then blinks "oh wow. You think I'm going to pull a Siv, all clever like and it makes you cringe and her smile? Nah. I.. well, I'll tell you . I figured a set of audiobooks and a head set to listen in when you're hiking"

A blink. "Oh. Hey, yeah, that would... that would be really cool. Thanks. In advance."

"Heck, you should be able to listen to music too. You know, I'm not sure what your favorite genres are in music. And don't say nonfiction music because that's just TOO dedicated to your job for any troll to be sane"

A gentle smile at that

"Um... I've been listening to Baja folk music for a year or so. Trying to study it but Dad's music-gene skipped me."

"Oh" Gerd ponders , then says "I guess nature lover is your ownly 'vice' as it were huh?"

"Vice?"

"Well, not a vice, but the only thing you do for personal enjoyment?"

"Oh." a shrug "I guess." it doesn't seem to matter significantly to her.

"Sorry, didn't mean to give you the third degree. Just, if I shop now, I can avoid seasonal panic"

A chuckle. "I can understand that."

"Mind if I wander about the hold and look around? "

"Mi casa es su casa."

"Thanks . This place is so much bigger than Rivervale"

"You know how Freeholds are."

"Like Onions"

"Yes."

"Still, I see a lot of you in it now. " She gestures as they walk "A lot of green slipped in to join the healing. There's work to be done, always, but also small pockets for private rest and solitude. Oh sure there's a big old dining hall you probably rarely use, but ther are niches I bet weren't here before where you can eat alone."

Jess looks around with new eyes. "Yeah.... yeah, I guess so."

Jessica realize that, compared to when she first conquered (Liberated might be a better word) the place from that Balor, it has indeed changed, very slowly, gradually. In ways that reflect her nature, and perhaps meant to please her.

Indeed, the balefire , as they walk by, is almost blushing as Gerd tattles on it

That gets a fond smile, and a trailing hand.