#debukefarmhold

A gasp "I never.." And footsteps

"*&%%^(!!" A light overhead pops and sparks.

"Wow.." Bix looks at the light then at his sister then "You told me Pearletta was riding you. I didn't realize how much. Sorry. And.. where did you learn that one? I don't think I know that one"

"I dunno. Felt right."

"It's like, everything builds up and then I gotta let go."

"You know..." Bix says eying the truck "They said you could fix this to make it work right? Didn't say what it had to look like?"

"No, they didn't... just, y'know, it ain't been working this past year."

"longer htan that, this thing makes nutty, the OLD nutty, look like reliable. Anyway, it ain't the mechanics part, but it occurs to me that ..well, tween some of the can paint we use for barns, and the extra stuff Earl left behind... if you wanted to change the colors ... some design on it... you could" A smile "Maybe even make them realize you're going to do things, sure, but they best get used to you doing them your way? Not that Nutty shouldn't already. Thing looks like it's farting a pipe organ."

"An awesome pipe organ."

"Though, I mean, there's no reason this gotta stay that old-ass 70s green..."

"Right... " Bix nods "Looks like dried puke" A nose wrinkle at it "So... what do you think?"

"They didn't tell me not to... "

"No they did not" He agrees slyly

"We could give it lightning bolts... maybe a twister?"

"Heck yeah... or bolts coming out of the twister?"

"Oh, I wonder if I could torque the exhaust so it spit out in a funnel?"

Bix scratches his chin. He keeps insisting facial hair will sprout any day now. "What about overheating risks?"

"Hm. Might need a good cooling system... extra tubes down either side of the engine, but I think... oh! Two exhaust pipes, each angled, so it ain't one source, but two, and that'll spin the funnel in a helix!"

"I think I understood about two thirds of that... " Bix then chuckles "Gonna be funny when mom and dad hear you can't seem to lay off the pipe."

The tips of her ears go.. well, redder.

"The only thing I've worked on so far are, you know, combustion engines."

"look.. uhm.. this is going to sound nuts but..." A deep breath "In Rivervale, you know it's not all BIG city like we joke? But there is a town and book stores and the like. You want me to get you any books, technical manuals or the like? You're free to use the few I got. But I can go shopping. Siv would give me a lift. She's nice... a bit yak yak but nice " Unimpressed beyond that it seems "or I could take the bus. Either way, no skin off my nose "

"Yes!"

"I mean, yeah, that'd be okay."

"Great, know that 20 bucks you've got in your sock saved up? Now's the time" he holds out his hand "Because I'm not using MY allowance for it all"

Scowl. "Can't even scrum up ONE book as a chrysalis gift, hunh? Alright alright..."

"FIne, ONE book, and I'll bring you the change. Geez"

She digs the folded up money from her ankle. "Maybe something with electrics?"

"Sure" He says then "Yeah, I think I saw an electronics store when I was there with some how to books"

"maybe Colton will be around." thoughtful, "he's cool" His eyes get a happy glaze to them.

"Colton? He's the squire with the arm, right?"

"And Siv's the pirate? I saw all those fancy types when they came out. Not that they noticed us kinain much."

"I know he's a squire but he's okay for that... and yeah ,she's the sailor" A shrug then "Colton has this glass arm, totally cool right? Looks just like his regular arm otherwise, you know, the muscle swell and all? "

"Oh, man... I wanna see it up close... I only saw the prosthetic, not the chimerical one.."

"Oh yeah, well, if he can visit..." Then "Oh, that's right. You're off trods for a year" A smile

"What? C'mon! I could go before if someone took me!"

'Yeah, but rules is rules.." He says

"Oh, that blows goats."

"And I'm supposed to start lessons with the Mountain, like I don't already know what all the kiths are..."

"And suddenly I'm feeling great" He claps his hands

Brothers are such jerks

She beans him with a rag. "Bix!"

Bix laughs but take the hit with enough reaction meant to appease "Okay okay. Don't get all riled. It's just how it is. I don't make the rules."

But the Chief does. Not alone, but maybe Clem will see reason?

"Well, Clem's changing things... maybe.. I mean, I'm not a childling, or a mudblood - right?"

"Maybe we could speed it up?"

"We could ask her, but if she says yes, my petty joy will be gone" He says at least self aware "Come on, let's go see her."

"You'll find some other reason. Hey, hey, you could totally use me as an excuse to get Colton over here..."

"Because of his arm? Mmm maybe" Hopeful

"Exactly! And since I can't use the &^#ing-furbin' trods..."