#debukefarmhold

"Thank you." She says "Most gracious. And, my condolences about Mr. Poe not being a sluagh.. I was surprised when told he was not"

"He should have been, but that's no matter..."

A nod "I heard rumors that Anne Sullivan might have been sluagh or sluagh kin... blind herself, but who else knew better how to give a voice to a girl who could not communicate with the world?"

"Truth? I rather like that notion..."

"It was Mr. DeVere who told me about it... now rumors is the word he used... you know better than I how sluagh are always cautious not to confuse rumors with secrets.. but he seemed to like the notion as well. Apparently Miss Sullivan went into the school for the blind and was considered crude, beneath her peers...and yet she caught up and eventually would outshine most save perhaps for the girl she brought into the world by giving her a way to interact with it"

"Aye. I quite like that. Mr. DeVere is a most well-informed individual, I would trust his judegement."

"I like him too. He's been keeping busy with various things but among them is smuggling objects from areas that are going under control of Varich nobles. 'Pearls need not go before swine' was his way of saying it."

Nose-wrinkle. "Aye."

A wince "Earl is going to murder me for bringing this up, but Mr. Devere said.. that should you ever wish to aid him in smuggling russian antiquities... he would be 'most welcoming'"

"Indeed?"

"That sounds a pleasant diversion..."

"Yeah, Well, Earl will fuss...but you can win him over by reminding him some of those antqiuities might be old paintings" Clem says "Then I'll be the one worrying for all three of you. Gonna turn into a mother hen grump I just know it"

"Instead of a mother hen wilder?"

Blue face, dark pink tongue as Clem goes 😛

A black-gummed grin!

And a chuckle the Troll Chief can't surpress "I think you're good at keeping my ego in check, Zara. Thank you. Truth, I may go adventuring myself now and then. MInd you, for the good of the farm. Can't do it just for myself"

"Oh, I shall think on it. If I hear a whispered fable that applies..."

"Appreciated."

'In exchange, I might wish to go with..."

"Well, one needs an expert on certain matters and you are well versed " She agrees after mulling it over "Course, you don't change shape so I worry you might give away my location on a stealth operation"

A soft snicker.

"I shall try to be mindful."

"Too kind" A smile and she looks over the list, not the one for her, but for the farm "Oh, we might want to add the Percy Jackson books. Are they better than the movies?"

"much."

"Good. I got a request and I wasn't sold on the movies.. I mean, they were okay but felt ...is choppy the right word? "

Hisss. "That s being generous."

"Okay I get the feeling you liked them even less than I did." Clem raises a brow. Zara, she knows , can be a puriist, and that turn not meant in a derogatory way

"Aye. Quite a bit."

"Well, then definitely I'll put that on the list. Kids need to know the good stuff." Clem decides firmly .

"Perhaps we could organize a small library here?"

"A library, a workshop, and lord knows what else. Folks might remind we need this land to farm anything" Clem reminds but then "how small?"

"Hm. A room? Or... mayhaps... one of those little ones, where folks can leave and take?"

"We already do something like that already, but I suppose." SHe ponders

"A dedicated room would be ideal... you teach outside, mostly, yes?"

"Perhaps the Book Club could help manage it..."

"Mostly but we do have classes in the dining area when meals aren't being served. Mmm the book club is meant to be a hobby, don't want to make it work for them, they work enough. Still, I might get a volunteer or so."

"Well, I can manage it to an extent.. but between Earth Runes and school in the fall..."

"No no.. you're stretched too thin. Best for me to nose about and see if family or neighbors can step up. I might ask you to give him or her some pro-tips though?"

"Gladly!"

"Much obliged. I have a few ideas actually Mmm" Thoughtful

"Hm. Thinking and airing out over tea?"

"Sure, why not? " She rises

"Tea facilitates all good things."

Clem smiles "You might be biased, but I'll not naysay you" The two head for a good helping of tea. WHile Clem normally prefers Iced this time of year, instead two fine cups are made, and yes they have some of that less than 'new' cream for Zara

(End Scene)