#debukefarmhold

Zara is a shadow of shadows, a ghost who can slip almost anywhere. She is not easily seen, let alone captured, and yet? Here she is. Held prisoner by Hearth Agnes' table, for the woman noticed her and insisted she have a proper breakfast. It is kosher, and properly aged

"Truly, Hearth, this was not necessary..."

"Mmmph, I'll be deciding what's needful in my kitchen and table, young lady. You are no trouble, and practically family."

"Ah. That is a kind sentiment..." The food is disappearing - usually when Agnes is not looking, but still.

Agnes often works with focus elsewhere and yet, well, hearth's like certain teachers and many maternal figures seems to know what's going on behind her. And she does chat "You're looking for Emmit, Aye?"

"Well, we had lessons planned."

"He'll be in shortly," SHe says "I know his habits. He'll show up a bit early ."

She nods.

"Smelling of his pipe."

"Oh yes. Can't mention how many times I've asked him to quit that habit, but nope. Fraid it's a part of him"

"I like the smell. Tis him."

"Mm well, it's certainly better tahn the time he tried cigars," A snort "Silly pretense like some city big wig. Stink lingered"

The door opens, speaking of sniffing, "Is that eggs out the kitchen?" Emmit comes in

"Oh, no. No, no...cigars are entirely wrong..."

"Teacher." She rises, placing a hand to her chest.

"What's this about cigars?" Emmit blinks, then sees Zara and smiles, "My pupil. How are you?"

"I am well, thank you."

"I told her about that silly year where you and Mr. DeVere were on that silly cigar kick." Agnes admits.

Emmit groans, "Agnes, it was a phase."

" A smelly faze," Agnes sniffs and lays down the Mountain's omelet.

"The pipe smells of vanilla and clove and Carolina."

Emmit sits down and closes his eyes over the food a moment. Many DeBukes have a prayer or something before meals, but it's often to the land, and the Dreaming for providing. And it's often silent. And, usually it is brief. This is no exception, and Emmit opens his eyes "You've got a good nose on you, Zara. Your eyes and ears I remember, but I do forget about how aware you are in some of the other senses. Before we start lessons, any questions for me while I eat?"

"You have visited Rivervale, aye?"

"Not since last year" He nods "But aye. They're well?"

Zara nods. "What think you of it? After all, their chieftain's brow is bedecked by pearls."

"I consider Mountain Frank a peer and a good friend, and the Chieftain is a fine woman as good a troll as ever walked Concordia," he answers honestly, "Rivervale has come to our aid time and time again, and I hope we have done likewise, for they're good folk ...shame they have to yield to the system, of course, but well, they're in a pretty populated Duchy surrounded."

"Aye. Apples is thus." She picks up her tea. "Noticed you aught of the wilders?"

"Surely have, Sylvi is an honorary DeBuke, of course, and has a Clan Claim" Point of fact, "Young Gerd spent a summer here and welcome. Clem is practically a God Aunt to Siv, and while young Dagmar has only been here a few times, she's always welcome. She's got a gentle touch with our animals, though truth I think she's more here for them than us when she does visit."

"Ah, Siv the Lionhearted... that is it's own mishegoss. But they are not the only wilders - merely the tallest."

"Oh, you mean non trolls? Don't get many of them. Now the boy, Connor, he comes her for lessons and schooling, but he's not a wilder yet" The omelette is vanishing.

"Nor shall he be, mayhaps not in either of our lifetimes..."

"I see, that is interesting indeed " A nod

"Of course, the Chieftain is much aggrieved by being the subject of academic study... the Ur-Commoner Noble."

"Perhaps you have read them? A whole series of dissertations."

A chuckle "Yes, yes I have, and while I'd not bring it up to her , I thought it was well written and spot on in a few points if still far too forgiving of the whole feudal codswallop. "

"Aye, aye."

"I am reading his treatise on the sluagh, at the moment." Amused.

"Now that one I didn't know about... same author then? Bold man that professor what's his name"

"Wayburton. A satyr."

"I know the Wayburtons," Agnes joins in, "Hearth Kerri mentioned them as decent enough folks."

"She would know," A nod not about to tangle with hearths when it came to knowing their communities.

She nods. "Easy to be forgiving of nobility, methinks, under the Shacklebreaker."

"Aye, I suppose there's that," He says "But I'll call her Chieftain, not baroness," Firm nod

"Aye, indeed."

"Twas his niece that brought the chicanery bomb here."

"Now that I learned," Emmit says, "Set the wards to a patching that did, and the infusion of that darn fruit, " Despite his words, the old man seems amused.

Zara, oh, she blushes.

"Ah, yes. The tree. I had forgotten."

Agnes is not, "Mmmph, Pomegranates that rob people of all shame and sense...don't care for it"

"Tis a powerful bit of glamour, yet."