#fenixtj

There is a knock on her door

She must have been really over-done. It takes her a second to wake, and there's a moment of resentment she can't wallow under the covers for a bit. Oh well. She pushes them off and sits up to blink for standing and, decent, calling "Come in?"

Mitra enters in, "No emergency , I just thought I'd tell you we've got scouts and drones in place searching for everything and Baron Tidemarch has eyes out as well"

"Right... rights, good, thanks."

"I want some coffee."

Even a tame one that surprises you is unwelcome.

"I'll get you some" She observes "The usual?"

"No, thanks, I want to get it myself. I mean, I need to visit the kitchen. Be seen."

"And here I worried I woke you too soon and you might want to stay under the covers" She nods "Okay. "

"Mmphm." and off she (they?) go to the ktichens.

They do. As if by magic, the coffee is fresh and waiting, along with her favorite mug nearby.

A smaller mug is left for the sidhe

Jess murmurs her thanks to the kitchen Ladies and pours a cup, passing the carafe to Mitra.

Mitra mixes a bit of cream in hers, a sprinkle of sugar, and that's it. She nods to the ladies out of respect and thanks and savors "mmm. Not bad"

Jess nods; a King when it comes to coffee. Drink first. Talk after.

She finishes half the mug before she speaks. "Better."

"Good" Maria chimes, "Excusaa, but...we've heard gossip about the swarm situation whlie you've been sleeping."

Mitra blinks at the boggan, "She's not been asleep THAT long"

Maria sniffs "Boggans are quick"

"Yes?" Jessica invites.

Maria says "Folks are staying in their homes, but word still gets out. My cousin? his friend works in regular pest control, now his friend has a co worker, and that coworker says they had a client who called up in a panic about bugs in his car, but the man who took the report showed up and didn't see anything, but then, my cousin's friend's coworker's peer isn't enchanted or kithain so it could maybe be the Swarm thing. Also, rumor has it, an old sluagh was seen with a wheeel barrow and a huge chimerical jar but that was on a completely different street"

Jess considers this a moment. "Mitra, the slaugh.... not that one particularly but as a Kith... do you think they could be helpful with this Swarm? I mean, against them?"

"They do know bugs" Mitra says "Now, some might be sympathetic to this swarm but oddly? I doubt it. This swarm is attacking insect pooka that don't bow. Insect and arachnid pooka are about the only sorts sluagh tolerate"

"We still don't have many sluagh in Renaissance......" she muses.

"Pitts not a draw for them and the Varich baron is discouraging" Mitra admits "But we have the two childlings here. Maybe they can pass on a word to a few elders?"

"It's worth trying."

Adler and Ahpuch are summoned and come in. Adler is the better behaved and promptly whispers "Whatever it is someone did, please blame Ahpuch"

Ahpuch looks offended

"No one's in trouble, boys." she assures them "I was hoping -you- could help -me-. Well, us. Renaissance."

Adler bobs his head "Of course, Miss Jessica"

"There might be a price, only fair" Ahpuch reminds

"I'm willing to be reasonable. You have heard the news about this Swarm that has invaded?"

They exhange looks, then Adler says "Yes, Miss Jessica. We might have overheard in the halls. Some folks are very loud"

She nods. "I have word that an elder of your Kith might have some knowledge or understanding of the situation. Do you think you could invite him to join me and talk? A Tea?"

Ahpuch says "Our elders are VERY stubborn. "

"Very" Adler agrees with that

"But..maybe" Ahpuch says "We know of one or two. How soon?"

"As soon as possible. We're taking steps against the Swarm, and if they can help I'd be happy to compensate them. If we are able to put down the Swarm -before- they can help...." she shrugs.

Ahpuch smirks toothlessly at that "Then they get nothing. You are very clever, Miss Jessica"

Adler is not so sure it will work "They don't like being rushed, but we will try. " He ponders "I think we might need a secret to pay them up front? To pass on?"

Mitra looks offended "I know you're not asking an EILUNED to give up a secret?"

They sigh and then look hopefuly at Jessica

"I might have a secret but if I tell you first then it won't be a secret."

'You could put it in a letter and seal the letter" Adler says after thinking it over

Ahpuch considers "Or give half a secret. If he wants both parts, he has to come to you"

"Um." Jess thinks, frowning. "Ok..... " slowly "But.... I'll have to think of a secret. I mean.... I don't think I have many. And you need time to talk to your Elders, right?"

"Si, but the half secret would be how we lure one out" Adler says

Ahpuch waves Adler off "it's okay. I know one of her secrets. I'll give half of that. She can give the other half. THAT will lure them out faster, and she won't have to think of it"

Adler ponders this then nods "Very good. We'll head out now"

"Thank you." she says, although troubled by Ahpuch's comment.