#debukefarmhold

"Ya'll right?" Clem dares when Jessica has gone off and Brekke has not yet left? "I didn't eavesdrop, honest, but to say there was a tenseness in the air...putting it mild like."

Brekke blinks, seemingly slightly surprised that Clem is still close by, she was so lost in her thoughts. "I...yes. All will be well." She clears her throat. "I appreciate the Farm's help in preparing proper stable space at the Lodge."

"Of course," Clem says "Stable should be going up even now at your holding. I'm afraid most other DeBukes you meet will be consoling you left and right on your daughter's condition." She frowns at something, then "I know you're worried about Mountain Frank...how he takes this. I..." Concentration "Don't remember everything in Thyle clear, but when we feigned your death he got a little...too into character. Picked a fight and so on. You..want me to ask Uncle Emmit to talk to him? Mountain to Mountain? See if he can offer an additional ear to chew on?"

Brekke might be attempting a half-hearted grin, but it never makes it past the clenched jaw. A deep breath. "Chieftain Clem, it was different in Thyle. In Thyle, the grief was feigned and I stood beside him, though disguised. Here, the grief is still feigned...but he does not know where his daughter is. Worse: his wife has sent his daughter into the fury of the tempest." She shakes her head. "This will be difficult. But in a way...Siv was always meant for this work, I think. It...suits her. And I surrender to that." A moment, then a nod. "Speaking to Emmitt may help him. I do not think he will speak to me."

"How..." A pause "How do you make it work? Being CHief, a wife and a mother? I see it challenge you, and yet in the end you keep you always seem to juggle all of the roles, keep em in the air. How? "

A blink. "I am Chieftain. I am wife. I am mother. What choice do I have?"

Clem actually blushes "Not sure I could manage it. Not sure I'd be able to do.. it like you do. " True "Probably best I never try then. Farm needs me."

A furrowed brow. "Do you...do you measure what you do against what I do? That is a mistake. And...if I had not tried, I would not have learned how to do it."

"Well, for some of us, Jessica included I think you do set the gold standard" A tilt of her head, "You didn't know that? After all the legend dropping, and fuss folks make? You being a role model was is and will be bound to happen. Fortunately for you, you do it well. Albeit that bar is so up there it's a mite intimidating."

Brekke looks profoundly disturbed by that. Perhaps even angry as she looks down and away. "That...I did not ask for that. I did not...I do not want to make others doubt themselves because I have done well."

"Not exactly what I meant," Clem says noting the look, "Sorry. Didn't mean to pile it up on you. If anything, it's a compliment, or meant to be...and a reassurance."

An uncomfortable shifting, then a deep breath as she draws herself up again. "Chieftain, how often have our holds come to each other's aid? How often have we shared each other's celebrations? Your hold thrives, as does mine, though we both have enemies. We will continue to thrive. But...sometimes working towards thriving is...difficult. Painful." Ah, there's the hint of a grin. "The trick is this: to keep breathing."

Clem chuckles, actually chuckles, "Sometimes, truth? I think I do forget the breathing part. Thank you. I guess you're right. Hard to see you as a Peer and equal at times but to ignore it is to shirk my charge. Each of us with different styles." A touch more somber " I did mean to reassure. Your daughters, and credit to their father as well, and those of the Rivervale lodge what helped, were raised right. They're both turned into strong women, and I don't mean muscle. They're smart, persistent, and idealistic without losing all practical sense. I know praise makes you uncomfortable, so I'll stop there. I do have another question on a matter.. it's the wilder in me... tends to think of these things." A cough "What are you going to do when her boyfriend wants to see her in her coma?"

Brekke's jaw tightens again, the hint of smile vanishing. "That will be difficult. But I must tell him no...and then see what he chooses to do next. Perhaps...I will tell him that visions have revealed that she must not be disturbed while unconscious. That it would harm her if he went to her. I can only hope that would discourage him...and it is not far from the truth."

"He's a wilder.. he's gonna want to DO something. I speak as a wilder myself. If he cares for her like he claims? He's gonna get underfoot and be harder to dig out than a hangnail. "

"Perhaps you are right. I must set him a task. But I do not think he is a warrior to set on a hunt."

"Fair nuff... " Clem says "Just figured well.. you got fief and family to worry about, didn't think he'd come to mind because frankly? He's not a priority."

She nods. "You are right. I had not considered him, and I must."

"Glad to be of help... oh... nother thing..." Clem says "Saw some of the work you and Tove did on the Stable shutters and such they're putting up. The carvings? Next time we stumble onto a returned troll with wood carving skills as beautiful as that, can the DeBukes have first crack? Seems you Valers have a surplus." Brow. (But the smile is not hiding as well as it tries)

Return brow. "That is entirely up to the crafter in question -- but I will put in a good word."

"Much obliged" Clem offers a warrior's grip of farewell, "I got to get back to work. Among other things I need a new home to drop off a chicken killing fox. I don't suppose you want him?"

"A mere fox? Not pooka, not chimera?"

"A mortal blooded Fox... now he seems smarter than the average fox, but he's not a pooka. He killed two of our chickens. Jessica was kind enough to help us catch or kill him. Worked out to catch. Frankly I think after TWO chickens I was aiming towards a new fur stole, but now that he's trapped instead I will just take him some other state with woods and no farms and drop him there was the idea. You think he might like Jersey?"

"Mm. He may. Or New York. Good wildland within our reach at Rivervale, though I would not release him close to home. Yes, I will take him."

"Well that will save me a lot of trouble. Be right back." Indeed, Clem is back in two clicks, with a Fox in a humane enough carrier. The fox alternates between trying to thrash (Not enough room) to looking particularly forlorn as if awaiting adoption at a vet. Brekke can see why folks would think it's a pooka though she's 90% sure it is not. She also knows, better than most, that this is no tame creature, but a wild one a bit brighter than average and he will bolt as soon as he gets the chance. "Keep the carrier if he likes. I'm afraid he's gonna pee in it and fox piss smells like.." She makes a face.

"Yes, it does." She nods for Clem to set the carrier down, then crouches low next to it. She considers it a moment through the wire door, then sings a verse in her age-roughened voice (nice enough to hear, but she's no Tove): _The fox went out on a chilly night, prayed for the moon to give him light, for he'd many a mile to go that night before he reached the town-o."

The Fox tilts his head.

She tilts her head right back at the fox. "They meant to kill you, if they had to, for the chickens you had killed. You will come with me. I will release you in wildlands. You must promise to stay away from humans and their food-beasts. Do you understand?"

"Much to my surprise, I do understand." The fox says "It's not my fault... have you ever had chicken? They were made to be eaten"

Clem mutters "Sure hope the childlings don't see folks talking to him, they'll get soft about the little red and white poultry poachers"

"I do understand. But they are not for you. Besides...have you never eaten wild fowl? A feast...if you can catch them. You are strong, stronger than most. It is a challenge you should be able to meet. There will be other foxes there. You must find your way among them. Do you understand?"

"Other foxes? mmm there is a shortage of females here." Wistful then "Yes. I understand. Stay away from humans and their food beasts. Humans clearly are mad and not safe to be around anyway. "

"Often, yes. "

"One last thing. If you break this agreement, if you hunt humans' beasts, I will return parts of you to Chieftain Clem to wear. Do you understand?"

The Fox's expression is worthy of a meme capture, "yes... yes I do. I find myself believing you quite a great deal." tiny gulp

Clem smirks juuust a bit.

Brekke nods and stands, stretching out her back just a bit as she does so. "I will take him with me."

"Thank you, Chieftain. I've got little use for Foxes, but I know there's good reason for relocation as anoption when it can be done."

"Whenever possible. Chieftain, I will go." She hefts the carrier. "My thanks again for your help."

"Happy to be of assistance" Clem says with a nod. The two say their farewells, and Brekke walks towards the trods, Fox in a box in hand. It occurs to her that t here will be some satisfaction in relocating the animal. This is something she can improve things with, for the animal and the farm. It is a bit of life to be, hopefully, spared in the long term, and a gift back to nature. It's something she can see the results of more or less... not that she is the sort that needs control over all aspects of her life ,but right now ? Low stakes and doing things the right way is.. most appealing.

Small repairs. Small comfort...but comfort, nontheless.

(End scene)