#debukefarmhold

The two make their way towards the throne.. oh wait, this is the farmhold. Clem is spreading fertilizer.

Mara has two take two steps to every one of Bix's strides, but she keeps up!

"Short jokes.. those will be fun" Bix mutters

Clem looks up from her work on a new patch "Bix, Mara, any word on the truck?"

"Oh, working on it. I might need to go to town to get some supplies..."

"Well, I'm not srue who is heading towards Ottumwa next" she says

"I could drive. I have a license!"

"Well, depending on if someone can get you a car to use, your parents are done to one or .. mmm one of us could pick it up." an offer "But sure, if you need to drive out to Ottumwa let me know when and let me know how supplies are going."

"I could totally get whatever other dreck we needed, too."

"I'll wnat someone to go with you if we're doing a full list" Clem says "Anything else on the docket? so to speak?" She enjoys the breeze

She jabs Bix's side with a sharp elbow.

"Oof" he says then "Sis would like to talk to you about the year and a day thing"

Clem raises a brow "The year and a day 'thing'? You mean the tradition not just for ourselves, but every hold in Concordia, commonor or noble?"

"Yeah, but that's for kids."

"Some of those kids are wilders older than you" She points out

"But DeBuke kinain get educated, too. I know the kiths and history and everything..."

"Well, that is true" she says "But you've never been a kithain before. It's a whole new facet to yourself. To complicate things, we don't have many nockers nearby so some of our experience is less helpful."

"Well, if we speed up the kithain stuff, then I could go on a trod and find other nockers!"

"Or we could ask a nocker to come here." SHe says

"Maybe we should invite Colton over..." Bix says 'subtly' "She could get a look at his arm"

She nods. "See chimerical craft, right? That's what nockers do."

CLem snaps her fingers "Of course! Oh my I should have... mind you, this might be a place of sorrow for him, but if I asked. yes I think ... I'll invite Bertrand"

Bix's jaw falls "what?"

"Kelby's boyfriend."

"Right. He's the one who made the arm after all" CLem says "Yes, that would do the trick"

"Then," Clem says "He can come over, tutor you. You won't have to go on trods to see other nockers because one will be here." a nod "yes, that 6 months and a day will go faster than you think"

"Six months?" A sharp grin.

"Six months and a day" Clem says, "The 'and a day' is tradition, and I need SOMETHING to throw at the various elders when they start fussing about it. Point of fact is, you are right that you've been a DeBuke all your life so you know our ways, you've know the Escheat and other things since you were able to talk... and it should count for something, shouldn't it? Now, if you have complications or trouble, that might be extended, not out of malice, but to make sure things go well for you. you ken me? I don't want you thinking I'm out to get you when i'm trying to do what's best for you, but for now ? Yes. Six MOnths and a day. As for trods? Mmmph" She ponders "I'll see if Earl can get you to visit some nocker places now and then. He flicker flashes and all...but the man's not an uber and he has his own life."

Bix looks at his sister "I swear, things are so easy for you"

She sticks her tongue out at him.

"Thanks, Cle-... Chieftain Clem."

"You'll see, I'll lick it. Learn every furbin' thing and then some!"

"You're welcome" She says "And I know you will. You're a DeBuke, we're too stubborn to stay down when down we get. Now, why don't you invite someone to go with you but take MY car to go to Ottumwa. Avoid the baron's hold.. and stay low"

"I can go with Bix?"

"You can go with anyone you want who is at least close to your age or older" She shrugs "Gotta let wilders wild a bit. I'm not a grump yet you know?"

Bix grins

"Totally not. Do you have a list, or should I check with Agnes?"

"Matter of fact, I do have a list" she says and , it takes a moment, but she hands it over. along with money, cash on the dollar head 'Now Hearth will want recepits not because we don't trust, but because we balance books"

"Yeah yeah yeah... so if I pick up some parts for the truck, just bring those receipts back, too?"

"Yup. We'll pay for it, but we need to keep tabs on what money goes where. It's the boring side of Hearthing and Chiefing both"

"I bet I can junkyard some, save moolah."

"Well, if you're doing all that, best tell your folks for sure, you could be gone for hours" She says

Bix nods "We will"

"Damn straight."

"Ok. You two go on. I have to get back to living then.." She sniffs the air "The glamorous life" and she starts to lay down fertilizer

Mara chortles. "That the shi-"

"C'mon, Bixxie... I'm driving!" She books it!

"Oh wait... we BOTH have licences..." but somehow, despite shorter legs, she gets into the Chief's car before Bix does, and starts it up.

He slides in the other side "Just don't get us killed."

"Hell no, I have the Dust Devil to build!" The engine roars to life.