#debukefarmhold

"Hmph." Vashti says..at almost exactly the same time.

Then Vashti looks to Agnes ..cautiously? "Alas my words are not as likely straight as effusive praise must always be"

Agnes however actually smiles "That is the closest game I've had in years...my word, forgot how much I miss having a challenge. Vashti, you may have a pooka tongue, but if you had gotten that queen one move sooner... whole different story"

Vashti looks relieved then smiles "well"

"But... say - despite adversary, a pawn to a queen? And the white king fallen... why, were I a soothsayer..."

"Ah," Vashti says "So you are saying it is a dark poretent of my escape attempt ultimately failing?" A look to her sister

"Nay. The Queen stands."

"I.." Vashti looks surprised. She had not thought of it that way

"The king is dead," Earl nods to the check mated king, "Long live the queen."

Vashti blushes "I think i long for no kingdom beyond kind hearts and I am quite the guest in that now." A look to Agnes, "One learns much by failure, but I hope to not learn in our next game"

"What greater kingdom than one of such hearts?"

Agnes actually smiles at that "I'd be quite sad if you didnn't want a rematch actually. LIke I said, hard to find a good game here. Now, your sister can be a challenge" she gestures to Zara

"She also plays Chess" Clem gives a slight tease

She lobs a skein of floss at Clem. "Bah."

Clem chuckles. She has enjoyed Zara's visits

Vashti observes confused. Friendship is...Zara realizes, strange to her. Family. A Matron who does not gloat and make her feel small? Alien!

A gentle pat on the arm from Zara - Vashti is also in the fold, welcomed

Vashti smiles

And Agnes rises, "Now you young folks are going to want to have your own wilder times without me hovering, sides thee's work for me. I'll come right out with some proper tea for all"

"Ohhhh... Hearth, you are a delight and a wonder."

"Oh it's just experience talking. First time Mr. DeVere came here , I made the mistake of getting him Sweet tea. I've since learned that's not what sluagh think of when they think of tea" Agnes says

"Oh I would have liked to see the look on his face" Clem chuckles

She purses her lips. "Oh my..."

Vasthi tries not to giggle

"You made a mistake?" Earl says surprised

"Of course Idid, Earl," Agnes Pshaws, "Make plenty of them, some are minor and easily fixed like tea. Others..." A sad look to him, "Well, others I regret a lot more, like not seeing somethings in a loved one's needs and gifts that I should have noticed. But one nice thing about being this many years, I got a lot of mistakes to learn from. Now, you all sit down, I'll be back soon enough"

"Thank you, Hearth Agnes"

the woman mmms and is gone.

"Well!"

Vashti watches her go, then looks at Zara, "She is powerful, and yet nothing like .. him?"

"I think she hummed a you're welcome.." Clem says

"Oh... Earl, 20 bucks." Clem adds

"Aye. True power needn't lord it over others."

earl sighs and hands over the money. He had bet on Vashti

"It is a small soul that needs to cut down their surroundings to feel tall."

"I... had always thought twas the tall nail that got the wrench hardest" Vashti says still staring

"This place has its problems" Earl says "But... that's not one of them"

"Aye. How small, how weak, to fear that others may fly?"

Vashti's wings flutter then "She is very much a grand crone in her way, my sister knowst of what I sing."

Clem winces "I ah.. crone is not the best way to ah..."

"Crone is an honor."

'it is, Clem" Earl says

Clem sighs "yes, by sluagh standards, but let's not expect Aunt Agnes to know that much mmm?"

"Aye, aye..."

Vashti smiles. "Is it worth twenty dollars to you, Chieftain?"

Earl snorts

"Still. I respect Agnes."

"Then I would not insult her delierately for a dozen jacksons" Vashti says

"The Farm has been kind to me. Even if I did drive half their wilders unseelie on Samhain..."

And out comes tea and tray which is set before the wilders "Herre we go. I have some lemon slices on the side but you'll decide for yoursef if you want thatp ut in"