#debukefarmhold

Footsteps

"I am useless in a fight, knowest thou this..." A pause, head tilted... listening.

"Zara, Earl? You two about? " Clem's voice

She flits to the door and opens it. "Aye?"

"Hey you two, was getting worried. " Clem says as she becomes visible with the door opened, "I know you're introverts and all... but with Paler after you I thought I'd check in on you now and then. See what your plans were and so on?"

Zara sighs.

"Ah, Clem.." earl makes a shake of his head

"What? Zara you're still one of my best friends, of course I'm..." Her jaw falls open "Are you two leaving me out of whatever your plans are?"

"We don't have plans, Clementine."

"I don't know what to do, alright?" Testily.

"For someone with no teeth, you're nipping a bit, Zara" Clem says, not angrily, just noting it. "Did I do something to ire you in particular, or this a general frustration thing?"

She rakes back her pale bangs, closes her eyes and shakes her head. "You didn't.. no, pardon, that was rude.."

"No I get , least I think I do. You've been cooped up, you've got drama with new family and old alike... I forget the word, but you feel like you're in between sha..sha..shot, means a lot of drama fuss and mess?"

"Shanda, I think," Earl says looking to his beloved

"Something like that. More... worse.."

"Well, I suppose so," Clem says "I can't pretend to know what your'e going through, Zara. But I wanted to offer help on behalf of our hold here, beyond shelter. We've got resources. Or maybe you just want a snack?"

"I'm not hungry."

"I don't know what to do with him, aye? Or rather, I do, but I... cannot stomach it, and cannot ask it.."

"It is a crime. An abomination. A sin."

Clem nods "You mean putting a rabid dog down the old way" The Troll chief frowns "Yes. You value life..o ne of the things I can respect about you. Zara, maybe there are other punishments. "

"What? See if Emmit may reweave him? Cast him in a sidhe prison?"

"Or I could find a better place to hide his tree than we did Golnaz'"

She rubs her face and shrugs. "I know not."

"Well, I know one thing, you two are getting yourselves wound up. Zara, when is the last time you read a book just to read one? Earl, you haven't painted in days"

"Well, I cannot now. I should face that sidhe..."

"you have time to think things over. You've been thinking them over, clearly. Earl, whisk her away to some place fancy like Paris... tour things, or just find a nook to read and paint in."

"Oh, Paris..." Distraught.

Earl puts a hand on Zara's shoulder gently.

"Yeah," Clem says "But I could use your help there anyway."

"Help with what. pardon?"

"Caspian was in Paris when... Notre dame got burned. Apparently the fool is trapped in Paris with some relic he rescued... risking his life for a thing. Well, Eshu ended up where they 'need' to be... and reckless and that combo means he's a bit hurt- and has some relic that's got glamour on top of it.. and he's texted me about some folks after him."

"...Oh... oh, of course he is..."

"Firnost has a Paris trod. Marguerite spoke of it often enough..."

"We can't steal from Paris, particularly not from Notre Dame" Earl says appalled

"No - rescued. From fire and loss."

"Exactly, " Clem says "Sides, I couldn't give a hang about whatever relic it is. He's a DeBuke in trouble. Earl, you can flicker flash. "

"It takes little more time to use the trods, and we may wish to preserve the resources..."

"Fine.. take the trods, but for goodness sake, Earl, get him back here" Then Clem looks at Zara, "You want to help us out, Zara?"

"Well, of course. I thought that was evident."

"How silly of me" Clem says eyes dance just a bit then grow serious again "Now, remember, that part of... France, Neustria I think? Is SUPER Traditionalist sidhe in charge ... It's dangerous. "

"So much for the French Revolution" Earl mutters

"Mayhaps. So we get the Eshu and go."

"Frankly, if you think it's safe to enjoy touring for a bit that's fine too but be on your guard and make sure Caspian is okay"