#debukefarmhold

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Jessica is a nervous wreck. She's only been at the farm for 10 minutes and already she's imagining the County having a crisis with her gone.

Yet Clem insisted she come over.

if they were going to talk that is.

Jessica takes a deep breath to quell the impulse. Trolls are not impulsive. She .... enjoys, not suffers, the Farmhold's hospitality while waiting. Endlessly Waiting.

Well, hospitality might not be the right term.

"Calf is coming out... here we go..." Clem says proudly

"Sorry, Jessica, but I couldn't go to your hold, too big a chance of complications with the calving.." As she tends to the cow depositing precious and... slimy cargo

"Um. It's ok, Clem. I can wait elsewhere if you want?"

"No interest in the miracle of birth?" Clem chuckles "I figured you can talk why I work. What's this about represenatives and stuff? "

"I can wait."

"Okay. Wait in the main farmhouse if you want, or here if you like..."

Oh geeze that ... that does not look healthy oh gross I.. oh wait, it's cleaning up nice

A deep breath (that she might regret) but she stays.

And soon, an adorable baby calf is sucking furiously at mom

Clem beams happily "They're gonna be just fine. Congrats, Bess, you did great. She's beautiful"

"I suppose you want me to wash my hands before Slap you on the back and ask you how you're doing?"

"Yes, please." Firmly.

"COme on, let's get near the bale and get you some coffee and food"

Jessica goes with her.

They go into the area, and coffee ready as are some other options. Clem washed her hands, and there's a plate full of food for Jessica, very Midwest

Jess washes too, and has something to eat and drink.

"Hope you haven't lost your taste for el norte cuisine" she smiles

Jess manages a chuckle. "No. I go back to Rivervale for Fourth of July and Thanksgiving."

"It's delicious."

"I'll pass your praise on, now what's this about you needing people for liasions and the like?" She says

"Not need, really. So much. Just. If you have someone that might fit..... doesn't have to be troll."

"I might know a non DeBuke that might serve your needs," Clem says

Jessica eats, drinks, nods. "Yes?"

"And... one DeBuke who... oh I don't know if she'd want to or not. She's sained now"

"Well....I'm willing to talk to everyone."

In the distance, a muted BOOM.

"Yeah..well, let's go meet not everyone, but someone. I made a promise to her.. and I would rather her work with the Co op than sniffing around House Dougal."

And she gets up, and heads towards the boom "God I hope she hasn't killed anyone. She does put up signs"

"Um, Clem......"

"Come on" She leads her to a garage barn workshop thing "Let's see of Mara is in. Could be she left something on a timer..." A relieved look "Not on fire this time. Good."

Well... it certain smells SMOKY...

but no, no active fire.

She opens the door "Mara? You okay in there?" Then to Jessica "To her credit, she's really improved a lot of things. Our microwave now picks up radio stations while it heats food"

"I'M GOOD!" Where... oh, there are boots sticking out from underneath a (still smoking) jacked up John Deere.

Jessica follows....

"Not that the Hearth uses a microwave unless it's an emergency I..." A nod "Mara, know how you feel cooped up here sometime, and if you hear 'if it aint' broke don't fix it ' 'one more time'" Clem gestures in a threatening way, not to make a threat, but to echo one

She rolls out - she's laying flat on a mechanic's scooter. "What th'furk did they 'not break' this time and think just needs duct tape and wire?"

Mara is a teenager - average leaning wiry, though tiny by DeBuke standards. Her white hair explodes like a dandelion around her ruddy face of splotches and spirals, and she wears a pair of coveralls decorated with colorful embroidered patches.

"Mara, this is Jessica, Westward? That King girl I told you about who fell into noblity but I Like her anyway?"

"Yeah? Hi."

"Wait... Mexico with the cars, right?"

"And space program stuff"

"...Space?"

"You're (*&^%(ing me."