#debukefarmhold

------------------

"Absolutely not, Mara" Clem says "I'm sorry, I know you have ideas, and I know drones are fun, but too much can go wrong carrying the livestock by air."

"Oh, with four drones we have redundancies!"

"I don't care if's down right repetitive, the animals will freak out. Did you know most animals ended up STERILE for a full year after being transported by shipping from England? I'm not taking chances"

"And yes, I know that was months long travel"

"What about our tree friend?"

"Miss Evergreen's powers have had consquences when we've taken them for granted. I know you've heard about April Maude, May Maude and June Maude" Clem sighs "Looks like only June Maude is staying."

Indeed, everyone has heard of that with a lot of confusion that the first two aren't going to live at the farm. A few, however, are realizing what it can really mean- living space just opened.

"Ohhh..."

"Yeah, a lot of the grumps are worrying about this or that... but the idea that only June's kid, or kids, will be here regular is upsetting more than a few. And it all came about because of Caesar's visit and Miss Evergreen and that darn knack of hers."

Nope. Clem either isn't thinking about, or hasn't thought about the free space this opens up. April has a small but lovely litlte cottage set up. Maude? Maude had the stilt house! Originally used for fishing, it over hangs the creek (Not near the footbridge) . It's rather small, more like a tiny home on poles by troll standards, but for a nocker either space is plenty big.

"Say... you know, I could get out of the barn..."

"Set up a wheel on the creek, power some things..."

"Won't your folks be upset if you try to move out of their house at your young age?" Clem says "And shouldn't your brother have first pick?" Nope, she's not surprised as much as it might have seemed. Clem just hasn't been mentioning it.

"As for a wheel I.. mm it won't pollute the creek or discourage the fish too much?"

"No! Water wheels are very friendly! I could put in a fish baffle..."

"Well, I did just nix your drone idea" She ponders "But your'e wanting to move your bed and things there? We go back to what will your parents say?"

"I'm sixteen!"

"Right. Talk to your parents and see if it's okay with them" Clem says

In a 'I am not over riding your folks in this' tone.

SIGH

"Suck it up, buttercup," Clem says "Faint heart never won new bed room"

"True!"

Things have been interesting with her mom and dad anyway. Particularly mom, who being a full blooded troll probably has a hard time relating to her daughter on the best of days. Lately she's been 'trying' hard.

"Trying" indeed.

Getting back to her folks place, she notices Bix is out. Probably studying more magic.

But her dad is there, working on some bills. As the kinian, he often handles more 'banal' tasks

"Hi, Sweetie" he says