#fenixtj

"I do." she squeezes Ariel briefly "There aren't that many windows here, and we have boarded up the ones we have. We have supplies. In fact, we're so well set up I can send a small party out to help mortals in the storm."

"you can? that's nice of you" She calms a bit Snurfing

"Yeah, we can and did. We're going to be fine; we just hunker down."

"Kay..." A sniff "You know any stories?"

"I think I know a few." gently "You want to sit with me for a while? Maybe get some hot cocoa?"

"You're probably busy" Sshe wipes her nose

"I will make time." gently "Our team is working together to get through the storm, so I have lots of help."

"Like on the farm, everyone is all hands there"

"Yes. In fact, Coy was talking about bringing some DeBukes down to help but I thought they'd have more time to prepare if they were in Pacifica."

"Okay." A sigh "Maybe I'll go back to the farm for aawhile after this" Thoughtful "I'd miss Ellie and Salma but ... sometimes I miss home"

"Ariel, you're not a prisoner here.You can go back to the farm anytime you want to."

"OH, I know that.. I just...sometimes I think I'm not..well I try to be a good troubadour but sometimes I feel like Salma and Ellie are both busy studying and stuff. So even though I live with them I don't see them much." A pause "is it weird to get lonely in a crowd?"

"Not at all." she says quietly "Happens to me."

"oh. " A pause "What do you do?"

"Depends. Sometimes I reach out to a friend. Sometimes I spend some time in nature or with animals."

"Mmm I like animals"

"About that story?" She says

And soon, the Countess is relating a story..about animals preferably

(end scene)