#fenixtj

"Well, okay, but as a rule, Nocker weapons make me nervous"

"Me too. But, they're here and so far, I've had pretty good luck focusing them on non-leathal devices."

"Impressive. If only I could get Margilita to stop with the booms" She says "Wudlig works mostly in concealment tech"

"He's your beau, right?"

"Yeah," Blush nervous

"And Margilita.... she lives with you. Kind of... adopted?"

"Kind of, pretty much Tiffany's adopted ward. Oh she was annoying. Less so now"

"How's Theon doing?"

"Pretty good. He can be a handful, trust you me, and sometimes gets moody."

"Moody? A baby?"

A chuff "Well, yes, no surprise. Tiffany's great with him by the way. She was so worried she'd be a bad mom. But she makes him laugh and so on"

"I don't know... I think a lot of moms, maybe most, are worried they won't be good parents. Dads too. But... I think there's a moment or maybe more than one where.... you know that.... well, maybe you're not a perfect parent but the kid's alive at the end of the day so you at least did your job."

"My mom and dad, well, you know they were taken from me at a young age. I always thought they were the best. I mean, mom sure SEEMED confident and attentive, but maybe she put on a bit of a mask to keep me from being scared. I've learned our caretakers do that sometime. Uncle Vali hides a lot of his fears and concerns under his jokes"

Jess nods. "Yes."

"Anyway, Vali and Tiffany are doing well. Though he does worry. Oh did you know she's a firefighter now? "

"Well. I guess, with her background, firefighting's close."

"Yeah, she does more than they know. She also changes into a dog to sniff about for signs of arson. As for Vali, he was spread pretty thin but he's got the help he needs. Frankly I sometimes wonder if I should move out, give them some space, but then I remember I'm free babysitting"

"No reason you couldn't do both, is there? I mean... are you old enough to move out?"

"Well, by fae standards... yes. Mortal side? I'd have to be an emancipated minor"

"Which could lead to a whole other set of issues but nothing that hasn't been managed before."

"It could. " She ponders "I suppose , I don't want them thinking I'm desseerting them, and I'd still be a rivervaler, obvs."

As they talk, they keep hiking, and Gerd does admire the beauty of the terrain

JEss nods and seems content to hike in silence.

Jessica gets to show off some of her favorite spots on the trail. Though they're not at the top yet

The extinct volcano has a path that leads up to the top and down the other side; no trail around the caldera, though. The rocks and dirt must have a heavy concentration of iron in them; the mountain itself is all red(ish) colored.

"Huh" Gerd says

"What?"

"Sorry , Vali ruined me. This is an extinct volcano, has iron elements in it... so the joke that came to mind was 'must have been a source of HOT iron at one time... will that make us less banal?'"

A blush

"Hm." Jess thinks about it "You know, I never thought of that. I haven't noticed any issue with the iron present here... I wonder if the Nunnehi have."

"Something to ask about" SHe ponders

"They draw thier Glamour from natural sources; they can't use a Balefire like we can. I wonder if this is one of those places, or ... maybe this is nearby one of those places."

"If this is one of the gladestone areas, they maybe masking it, or it's very weak, otherwise we could probably ken it"

"Or maybe the iron is enough to mask it a little from us? But not them?"

"Hhmm now THAT is fascinating" She ponders "Maybe just that. Maybe the Nuennhi know how to use it regularly?"

"I'll see what Otem thinks."

"Otem seems a decent fellow" She observes "I like him"

"He's been a solid anchor."

"He kind of seems like... well, your nunehi counter part? Trying to find peace , ease ancient tensions, yet still kicking ass. He struggles with finding balance and catches a bit of crap from all sides"

A chuff. "I suppose so."

"No wonder you two get along."

Then they come up to the top, and there's the view of the city

Jess smiles at the sight. "There it is."

"It's beautiful. " She gazes "You can see the light over it like a halo"

"Yeah." softly "There are some spots on the beach cliffs that are just.... breathtaking. From here, though, you have a bird's eye view of the land."

"Lucky birds" A smile "You've been blessed with a messy but wonderful charge, Jessica"

"I have." she agrees with satisfaction.

They both enjoy the view

(End Scene)