#debukefarmhold

"Well, " One man says "I feel like an ass. I'm sorry, Miss Mrytle Anne"

"me too" Mutters another

"Looks to me" One woman says "Like we owe Sally Mae the apology"

Sylvi knows she's got the audience, and she nods as the apologies start coming in.

"I..." The woman who tried to whisper the comment to stir up trouble says "Just an idle thought. .. is all"

"I'm sure an apology would mean a lot to her. She loves all of you, even if she sometimes feels she doesn't fit in here."

Myrtle Anne accepts the apologies gracefully, but to her accuser says "I'd say thought wasn't much involved. I don't have a postition in court. I'm a herbalist, as much tied to the land as anyone here." Proud "I kneel for the soil and nothing and no one else"

A whispery murmur of approval. "A farmer, like us..."

Clem says "Well said. Now , folks,, why don't some of you go talk to Sally Mae, apologize for thinking hte worst, and maybe, just maybe, we let HER tell HER story before we try to write a fiction staring her mmm?"

"Aye, Chief's got the right of it. As does Sylvi"

"Kourtney," Sylvi says quietly to her, "you probably want to get to her first, let her know they're all coming."

Kourtney nods and books lifting her skirt

And the crowds slowly breaks apart... as Clem says "And those of you not making amends, I needy ou back to work"

"Myrttle Anne," Sylvi says, "you did just fine with the speaking." A smile.

Zara works her way closer to Clem.

"Chieftain, is Hearth Agnes doing better?"

"She's talking now, still needs rest. Mostly she just seems.. despondent" Clem says with a sigh, then looks and notices Zara and nearly jumps out of her skin "Zara? you startled me"

A little shrug.

"I would speak with you."

Sylvi blinks. "Miss Zara? I didn't see you standing there."

Another shrug. "In this crowd, I am easy to overlook."

CLem motions others away, but motions sylvi to stay "if you don't mind, Zara. I'd like to keep Sylvi here. Maybe we DeBukes need the legendary Davidson ability to see through the BS"

Myrtle Anne says "I ned to go apologize to Agnes too. I DID startle her" She nods

A bit of a blush at the compliment.

"I mind it not. I suspect Sylvi has seen aught of what I speak."

"Seen what?"

ANd Myrtle Anne moves on

A brow "Pardon?" Clem asks

"Fear, aye. But more than fear, nu?"

"Well...yeah. People are saying things that I don't usually hear here. Paranoid, more than usual. There were a whole bunch of guards at the footbridge, saying how 'ugly' the world out there is." She frowns as if that's a personal insult.

Zara checks, making sure there aren't any lollygaggers or eavesdroppers.

One childling is hoping to blend in by holding perfectly still. The poor blue skinned girl is clearly the wrong kith.

Zara makes a GHASTLY face at the poor thing.

"EEP" and she's gone into the corn

Clem snickers

NOW it's clear

"Aye, so - in those whispers, there is fear. Prejudice. But at the center, there is discontent which would stir fear into insurrection."

Sylvi nods. "Yeah...that too. Some are saying that maybe...I'm sorry, Chief Clem, but they're saying that maybe this is your fault. Because you've been more open about the Farm."

"They whisper and nudge and foster - there are four who plan."

Clem stiffens, then takes a breath "I didn't think this is what would set it off,.. go on"

"They contemplate more extreme measures to restore their vision of a Farm in the past. I have no documents, only mine own witness."

"But Clementine - what cause have I to lie?"

"Zara, have I ever accused you of.. no I don't for one moment of lying. You take great pride when you share a secret, that is the real deal." A nod "Your word is stronger to me than some others' oaths"

An uncomfortable expression. "I haven't exactly heard that...but I've heard stuff that people might use to work against you. Like, folks are upset and already anti-sidhe, and there's room for them to be amped up to something more drastic."

"I dislike being so direct, with so little - but aye. There are four. The 'loudmouth' is one - they would feed this to undermine you."

"Sounds like a mix ready for trouble" She says to both "Okay. Zara, you whisper in my ear who they are and I'll get on it" she leans down "And Sylvi, any opinions on how best to turn it around? Seems like you and Kourtney did some of that with Myrttle Anne"

Zara whispers the names, cupping her hand around Clem's ear.

Clem frowns, and then, at least once, looks hurt.

Sylvi thinks about this while Zara is whispering.

"I think...maybe...well, don't do the bit about reminding them that Beaumayn helped, because I think they're kind of suspicious about that at the moment. Maybe...maybe emphasize that, even if Sally Mae is dating a sidhe, look what she did when there was trouble at home? She came right back to help when needed, even when others refused to work with her. That shows her loyalty."