#debukefarmhold

"Yeah, yer a mensch. Thanks or whatever."

"I am a mensch actually, but in this case... making you happy makes her happy, and I owe you anyway for trying so hard. And you are trying. I'm not blind and deaf. I see you working to make it. "

A discouraged grunt.

"Okay, where are worthy textile cities in this country? Baltimore... Pittsburgh? What else? "

"Ass-end of the JFK runway, and some place in the middle of the woods in Pee-Aye. That's in Apples. Ok, B-more is in Willows but only just."

"After that...." She shrugs. "Further away. Didn't want to -be- all that further away but...."

"I understand that.. which is why I wondered about trods. " he ponders "You prefer City, town, or country as far as living goes?"

"Somethin' in between, I guess." She shuffles anxiously. "Haven't... ya know, dealt with it all that much."

"Yeah... " He looks around "Honestly, if you asked to stay on the farm they'd let you and put you to work regular, but I'm thinking you'd get sick of wheat and corn fast"

"You can do some interesting things with straw an' corn silk but it's not real permanent."

"mmm " A thought "How are you at..teaching?"

She just gives him a look.

"Right, social interaction not proven to be your strong point so far. Nvermind. I thought maybe a tradeschool would be happy to have you.."

"Feh." She snorts.

After a moment's reflection. "Now, hemp and flax... those are pretty good."

"Yeah?" He says coaxing

"Yeah, in terms of fibers. You can make some drek with it. An' if you include infusing it... pretty much tough as steel, an' renewable."

A rough chuckle. "Light, too. Prolly make a full suit of armor that -Zara- could wear." Another snort.

"Maybe the farm could use you in some other ways" He ponders "and vice versa... if they were to grow flax and hemp... you pay them in a share of profits ..." His brow knits

The nocker seems to think about it. "-Here-??"

"Smells like cowshit."

"We only have a few cows..." He ponders "Though Uncle Ebert's Cologne is strong"

"I don't mean necessarily do the making here, just the growing"

She gives him a shrewd look. "Other places grow that stuff too. Maybe cheaper."

"Well Yeah I... wait, oh hold on if you want to haggle or something you need to talk to Clem, she's the chief"

(Pause)

"Hmph. Yeah, ok. " Thoughtfulness. "Huh."

"And don't take advantage of my folk, please"

"Nah, not that....." She squints at him. "Armor for Zara."

Then, finally, she shrugs. "Mebee. Anyway. Don't fix the problem -now.- She dunno what she wants, or can't say it, or just don't wanna tell me about it." She scuffs a few steps away.

"Armor for zara? I Like that.. I.. yeah, we'd help with that."

"Umph."

"As for Zara..." He sighs "I don't know. I ... can't say I am as frustrated as you, but I am frustrated. Look, I'll talk to her, but ...Is there something you want me to say to her? something you can't seem to get her to listen to when you say it?"

"Fuckin' fish or cut bait?" Growled.

"Nah, I mean.... ok, assume we both wanna make the other happy. I'mma stay, and I'm stuck with the kid so we gotta deal with that. Now, what does -she- want?"

"Ya know, like... a pattern, or steps, or.... -how- does she want it?"

"I'm trying to figure out some of that myself" he admits "I know some of the basics but .."

"I think she wants you in scarsdale or Poughkeepsie, but obviously if there are no oppurtunities for your craft at each that won't work.. that's why I Pushed for the trods"

"Nah. Gotta be freakin' Apples, then... Apples. I'll find work; done lots of stuff, before. Next."

"What's cheap in Apples?" he wonders aloud "we can't hide you in Niagra falls"

" 'S too far north." She dismisses the Falls. "Don't wanna go back to Scarsdale, if I get a choice. So I guess we're movin' in with you. Sorry 'bout that."

"Well, I..." he seems stunned

A toothy smile; not entirely friendly.

"Okay... you realize there are going to have to be a few boundaries all around, for my sanity ok? For one thing... your daughter and I.. we have... " he blushes "She and I will be sharing a room "

"Duh."

"right, what i'm saying is... is that.. you know, as long as you respedct we're a young couple and will sometimes want some privacy even if it's only in one room." Purple "And stuff"

Oh dear. That's an evil grin she has.

"Gonna be fun, livin' with yer girlfriend's mom.......and baby brother."

"You know what?" he says crossing his arms "if it makes her happy, and makes you happy too... then so be it. If that's the weirdest thing that happens out of this, I'm gonna call it a win. "

"Oh, it ain't gonna be the weirdest thing, not by a long shot." She says with confidence.