((Corresponding to date February 22. Many, many thanks to Jewell!))

Ms Jewell had Lirssa worried. It was not a worried that could manifest itself in more than a tumble of thoughts repeating over and over: imaginings what could be the problem, how Lirssa could fix it, and trusting that Ms Jewell had everything in hand. Afterall, the Empress had many powerful friends. Surely she would call on them if she needed to.

But what if she couldn't'

And so the thoughts would start tumbling again. Arrival at the quaint cafe only shoved those concerns to the back of her mind, whirring like a cotton candy machine, constantly going though nothing good is plucked from it. A plucky waitress with her black hair done in the Marcelling style immediately directed Lirssa to a corner table. Those types of tables that afforded one member of the party coverage. No one was going to be sneaking up on Ms Jewell.

"Afternoon, Ms Jewell," Lirssa gave her brightest smile as if that alone might fix what troubles the Empress. "I've never been to this cafe. What do you like here?" Chit-chat. Well, Lirssa could chit-chat for hours on end, but even she knew this was more than a social call. Ms Jewell had something to discuss. Lirssa would let her bring it up in her own time. For the moment, Lirssa was actually hungry. With the purchase of the house out of the picture, and a little bit of sense cracked into her, she had started eating again.

There was a Fae knight in RhyDin who would, with a weary sigh, tell Lirssa that "worry' and one "Jewell Ravenlock" went hand-in-hand. What he would admit more reluctantly was why he continued at her side so willingly despite the sleepless nights and anxious days. The woman had the uncanny ability to make up for all the trouble she put him through with a simple, endearing smile; a burst of joyous laughter; a loving touch to his arm; or a thoughtful present gifted at the right time.

They were tried and true techniques, and she used them shamelessly on Lirssa today. She knew that she had worried the younger woman. Rightfully so. There were bruises and burns on her skin that were hard to ignore and an uneasiness to her disposition that didn't seem to fit. And there was no explanation forthcoming to ease the concern. Not yet at least. Instead, The Empress matched that bright smile when she eagerly got up to embrace Lirssa and pressed kisses to her cheek.

"I think you're going to love their sandwiches! They name them after current dueling stars." Jewell practically gushed out, business gladly put on hold for the moment as she returned to her seat, back to the wall, and passed the day's specials across to Lir. She really couldn't contain her grin as she waited for her friend to notice the one listed at the very top, a special named in honor of the newest Baron of Old Market: Lirssandwhich.

Cheek kiss exchanged, the survey of Ms Jewell only amplified the whir of worry in Lirssa's brain. Still, it was best to follow Ms Jewell's lead. She did not want to upset the Faerie more by drawing note of it. The near tears of the night before were warning enough. So, Lirssa settled down with the menu, nodding to Ms Jewell's words and anticipating recognizing names from her years of cheering the duelists. What she did not expect, however, was her name there. "Omigosh! I'm a sandwich!"

She blinked wide eyed up at Ms Jewell, then laughed. It broke out of her like a flock of butterflies, light and colorful. "I should order a few to go, so I can shove it at someone and say "bite me" and mean it!" That was a particularly tempting idea, but she'd never be able to say it with a straight face or without a blush. At least the Lirssandwich looked like it had some good stuff on it. She was oddly flattered by that. The days just getting curiouser and curiouser. The idea of eating a Mattultimate burger or Empressaletta also struck odd chords, so she decided on the Gren Fiesta sub. Yes, that would be good.

"Who — what will you be eating?? Or battling. Lirssa sipped at the newly arrived lemonade she had ordered. It set her stomach to grumbling smartly, twisting into eager pain to be filled.

"Oh you would still need to work, I imagine." Jewell waved a piece of spinach speared on the end of her fork. "Like you said...idle hands and all that. Being idle is not good for anyone. It's why I'm always looking for new business ventures, honestly. Have to keep myself busy." It was a divergence from the topic in a way, and Jewell was quick to get back on track rather than speak about all the reasons why she absolutely needed to stay busy or go insane. "I imagine it'd be nice if you didn't have to work quite as hard" Or maybe a better way to think about it is your hard work would reap a greater yield" You could direct it where you really wanted to rather than working hard for the bare minimum."

Despite how many might view Jewell—a view which she at times encouraged—she was not exactly the shallow, selfish socialite. Not always. She could be fiercely loyal and protective of the few people she truly cared about. When Lirssa spoke about not needing to worry so much, she unknowingly firmed up Jewell's decision. This wasn't about helping poor children in need. The Faerie couldn't even think about that aspect of it. She got a queasy feeling in her stomach that made her want to vomit all over her salad. No, this was about helping Lirssa. She thought it was a good idea to cut to the point and express that: "Look Lir, what I'm basically trying to say is that I'm offering you money. However much you need and want, within reason, to stabilize your projects. All of them." She'd like to see Alain beat that!

Gobsmacked. Lirssa's brain screeched to a halt, threw into reverse, repeated the words and then smashed forward. "All...of...them?" There was a delay in thought to speech happening. She sat back in her chair, exhausted with the very concept of ...the house. Maybe she could get the house afterall" The hope of that had her leapfrogging over other concerns.

Still, she had to be certain. "Ms Jewell, are you sure" I mean, that's five houses — or, well, I'm trying to get a sixth house — oh Ms Jewell it's perfect —, but I couldn't get enough cash, you see, and I don't want to take a loan because my income isn't steady. Oh wait, I can't take a loan from you either. That just wouldn't be right." Evidently the delay from thought to speech had been fixed, and every thought was tumbling out of her mouth as it came. "If you're bein" serious, and you're gonna take this on, then best you get somethin" for it. We gotta set proper terms and such. And you best know what goes on. The foster parents, I still gotta find two pairs, too, they have jobs and such, so their income pays for most things — just like a family. But I give extra help and make sure the children have their needs. So, yeah, holiday times sorta gets really expensive, and there's always clothes because of growing." She paused and looked at Ms Jewell.

There was something that was telling her Ms Jewell was determined, but details of the running of the foster homes was not something she was concerned about. There was a trust there. Lirssa could see it. Ms Jewell trusted that Lirssa would do right. Few people had looked at her that way. Mr Alain and Mr Lucky had been two of them. It was heartening and made Lirssa's chest ache with the joy of that privilege. "Right. So, what?s the deal then" What do you get in exchange?"

She sat back and let Lirssa kind of gush through her initial excitement and thoughts, idly stirring the ice in her water glass with her straw. Jewell only spoke up when that initial burst was over. "What do I get' Well, you'd know I was lying if I said I was doing this purely out of the goodness of my heart." She grinned. She couldn't have people think she would do such a thing as that! Oh no. "So what do I get out of the exchange.." she repeated almost as if she were pondering out loud and had not given this a lot of thought.

"I get you." She held up her hand, "I don't mean for that to sound as awful as it does. It's just, I could always use people I can trust, Lirssa, and they really aren't so easy to find. You wouldn't have to do much more than run the houses. I don't really want anything to do with that, honestly. I just—" she paused and took a deep breath. "I just can't handle that right now. Maybe ever. But you can. And you're good at it right?" She didn't really need confirmation. She knew she was. "We could bring the foster houses under my corporation, House of Summer, with its own name. You know, a separate business. Whatever you like. Then you get to run them and I fund them. We can do some press, some fundraising, stuff to bring additional money in," Jewell waved her hand. "That can all come later though too."

"In the end, you get what you need and if I find I need your assistance in other business matters, we can always discuss that if and when they come up." She took a sip of water before feeling the need to add on for the sake of honesty and because she was required to say something partially awful: "Also, this just makes me look good, don't you think" Very warm-hearted and charitable?"

It was just before lunch. The offices were mostly empty. Lirssa was packing up files on her way to have lunch at Summerlane. Only one more day of transition. She smiled.

But she was more stacking than packing since she had left her messenger bag at the inn. She'd have to remember to get that. It was quickly jotted down on her Daily Diary. She was dressed in one of the very nice, professional dresses the Empress had bought her. A grey thing with ruffled collar and front with buttons and a ribboned sash. Her hair was braided over her shoulder.

Her approaching visitor was dressed in such a way to create a funny contrast. The Empress dropped by her office in gym shorts, a tank top, and sneakers. Her blonde hair was pulled back, and her face was a bit flushed. Between Jewell's own training with Kal and training Ammy, her mornings were pretty busy. She was going upstairs to shower and dress for the afternoon, but she had wanted to catch Lir before lunch. "Hey Lir, do you have a sec or were you just running out?"

Lirssa had heard someone coming down the hallway, but didn't consider looking up until she heard Jewell's voice. She gave a smile and shook her head. "Not yet, come on in. Have a seat." Brows up as she looked over Jewell's state. "You look like you've had a morning." The smile was lopsided but honest.

Jewell laughed, not quite breathless but she clearly had been in the last several minutes, and came inside to collapse elegantly on one of the chairs at Lir's desk. "These people are trying to kill me, I swear. Up at dawn to run. Practice fighting with Kal, who does not hit me too hard at least. Then fighting with Ammy, who does hit hard." The grin said she loved every second of it. "That dress looks great on you. Glad you kept it."

Kept it. Yes, that probably was something of a surprise considering the state of things between them. Lirssa looked down at her dress and then smiled up at Jewell. "Thank you for getting it for me."

Lirssa sat back in her chair, ankles crossed neatly, and fingers folded across her middle. "I'm glad you found a good mentee. As to the mentor..." she did not say anything. Mainly because leaving things unsaid was teasing Jewell in itself, which was the entire purpose.

The fae's smile widened, and it had power even without glamour, "You're at a loss for words too' That always happens to me when I'm around him." The faerie laughed at herself on that one. It was clearly meant as a jest, but there was more truth to it than she would care to admit. "How's your mentee been?"

"Doing well. I don't even have to train him. Hope takes care of that, but he keeps doing well at both sports." She shrugged. "I do think he is concerned about the grant." It took a moment when she finally put together Jewell's state of being and that she asked if she had a second. It probably wasn't to discuss this. Still, to be sure, she asked, "Was Aric who you wanted to talk about?"

She shrugged, crossing one leg over the other as she relaxed back in her seat. "Wasn't quite what I had in mind, but if you wanted we could." Jewell tugged at a loose string on her shorts. "I've actually been thinking about something you mentioned a few weeks ago, honestly."

"Oh?" It had been weeks. A lot had happened. Lirssa needed more guidance on what that could be. One foot wiggled. A nervous tick.

The Empress wisely left off the part of the conversation that was never going to happen because it started with the F word (Faerie), skipping to the part that she thought was viable. "You seemed interested in helping the Veil business branch out. Luxury space cruisers?"

"Oh!" Brain clicks, gears start turning. "Oh, yeah. There's about three or four that make runs through this sector pretty frequently. I know they'd be up for lots of the...uh...product you have."

Jewell sat up straighter then. Even in gym clothes, she could switch on business mode in a snap. "The great thing is, we can pretty much get any product they want within reason. If spirits aren't their thing" There are other products from over the border that people enjoy. Glassware, clothing, wood for paneling. These places can say it's from beyond the veil and their customers will go nuts for it because it's something they can't normally have, but they can get a little taste at least."

"You dabble in herbs?" The way Lirssa said herbs it was obvious she was not talking about paprika, but mind altering substances. "I know a few places that would love to get their hands on some true stuff. And the rest' Yeah, call it Faerie crafted, and it'll go. Will need to make some contacts, though. Get through to the people in charge."

"Anything they want, I can get." She asserted confidently. "Within reason," she felt the need to tack on. "There was a guy who wanted live fae and that.." Jewell wrinkled her nose and then shook her head. "Herbs though, yeah sure. Absolutely. And as for contacts, I kind of figured that's where you would come in. If you're up for it."

A slow nod, Lir's smile sly. "Yeah, I can do that. You bought me for a reason, I gather." Bought after a manner. A manner not going to change as long as money went to children. "I've no problem making the contacts, getting you the deals. I won't ship some of that stuff." She made that very clear.

Jewell sat back again. This was better than she had even thought. "No problem about the shipping. Plenty of others willing to do it, yeah' But too scared to cross me too."

A dark thought zipped through Lirssa's head whispering that she didn't doubt there were several who feared Jewell. She was not one of them. "What you want to start with' Dionysus doesn't come through for a bit. High class there. Lots of frippery and fancy stuff. The Galinia works a bit different, but that's where some of your more dangerous products with a higher price value would go."

"I'd like to get at least one place like Dionysus because they'll pay more to be the only ones carrying our stuff, you know?" She worked on the inside of her cheek with her teeth. It wasn't a nervous gesture so much as a thoughtful one. "Let's start with Galinia. Work our way through those. If we get our stuff in there, then others will start sniffing around, I'm sure."

"No doubt. Sniffing will be putting it...very accurately. I've got a contact with one of the smoke dens there. He owes me. He'll lead me to some others. I'll also need to dress," Lirssa looked down at her prim and proper clothing, "appropriately. Care if I raid your closet?"

The Empress blinked, that request unexpected. Her eyes narrowed playfully, "Hey, what do you mean by appropriately' Just what are you implying about my style of dress?"

Not batting a lash or hesitating a moment, Lirssa said, "That you are confident in your sexuality." When on stage, when performing, Lirssa could use her own sexuality to sell an idea, a concept, but in her own skin, she preferred to be covered. Her wardrobe was limited.

Jewell laughed, loud and clear. "It's a shame not to be. Mother Nature gave me so few talents, I must embrace the ones I have." Modesty wasn't one of those talents, clearly. "So yeah, we can raid my closet. Maybe find something for your next date with Aric too."

Maybe it was the laughter, or that for one moment Lirssa let down her wall against Jewell's past inactions, but with a little shift in the chair at the mention of dates with Aric. "I...do...would like...was thinking maybe..." she had suddenly lost every ounce of confidence. Realizing it, she straightened her back, got her wits together, and cleared her throat. "I was thinking of doing a little shopping for more...appealing garments. I've never needed to before."

Jewell's smile softened. "You look great as you are. He's crazy about you just the way you are. So don't buy them for him. Buy them for you." Sage advice from the faerie. "The great Lesser Goddess Koy taught me that. She said I didn't have to feel good to look good, but looking good? It helped make me feel good."

The crack in the wall was brief, rebuilt even as she nodded to Jewell's advice. It was sound, it was reasonable, and it was not what the Empress came to talk with Lirssa about. "We should stick to business." She took a deep breath, got a well crafted smile going, and nodded. "Great. With your wardrobe help, I'll fit the scene. That helps the contacts feel more at ease — and like I know the kind of product they are interested in. Which, I do, even if I don't use it myself. Facilitator." She should have cards printed with that on it.

Jewell kept her smile sweet and understanding all while she mentally plotted how to get Lir to the Dame Shop down in New Haven where they just had the BEST matching sets.

Right. Lir was talking. Jewell replied, "Of course, business. You're going to be a great facilitator." She may not have heard half of what Lir just said, but acted like she had as she stood. "We'll work out the fine details by the end of the week and we should be good to start."