#debukefarmhold

"Thank you" he says simply

"I didn't know Kelby that well."

"She was a good kid, tomboy" Earl says and hands Miriam the coffee "Any sugar or cream you want in that?"

Zara plunks down to sit on the bed, cradling her tea with both hands.

"Nah. Some of what you can get in the Dreaming as coffee.... yeah, you don't want to do anything but choke it down."

She takes the coffee and slurps. "Mud."

"She wants sugar. Just a little."

Earl nods, and unless she doesn't allow it, puts a bit of sugar in

"Just like Hirim. Neither one of them admits it."

A smirk at that from Earl

"Who's Hirim?" The boy says

"A schmuck in a schmatta."

Miriam rolls her eyes. "Lipstick on a pig." but she takes the doctored coffee and drinks it.

"What's a schmatta?" Jaccob says

"A rag."

"Nothing, honey, whatsasschmatta wit you?" Earl mutters low. Probably not low enough

Siiiigh.

Jacob rolls his eyes, even as a kid he knows that's lame.

"Trolls are enamoured of puns."

Miriam bites back a comment.

"So, like.... Zara. You ok to talk, or you need more time?" Shuffle.

"It's the curse of our kith" He admits