#debukefarmhold

"Currently fuddled and explaining to the tree he THINKS is Herb how he and Eloise love each other. Eloise isnear him looking terrified, of course, that the real herb will show up. Thta cantrip won't last forever"

"Okay...can you tell Herb that you think you saw Eloise somewhere else? Somewhere on the far side of the farm. I'll talk to Mr. DeVere, try to talk him around."

"Good luck with that" he says with a hiss... "Never realized how damn.. bright this farm is. Your pardon" And he slips away to mislead Herb

And Sylvi heads off in search of Troll DeVere.

"And that is why, Sir.." DeVere explains to the tree "I am taking Eloise with me"

He is.. a sturdy looking graybeard

Sylvi approaches but doesn't speak immediately. She waits to see what DeVere is going to do when the tree doesn't answer.

A nod to Eloise as she approaches.

Eloise looks hapless, and oh.. oh so tempted. and so ashamed.. and so happy and.. a mess really.

"Free her from her oath . I know the Code of Dagda means I'm not supposed to fight you, but .." He puts one hand behind his back

but the tree doesn't seem to be answering

Sylvi bites her lip. This is so romantic and so...awful.

She keeps watching. She needs to see how DeVere would handle refusal.

"I... " The troll tenses "Even now you refuse to recognize her as anything but an appendege ? I... " Frustration and.. it appears TROLL DeVere can't bring himself to strike the first blow

Sylvi notes this, then approaches Eloise. "Any idea when he ate the cookie?"

...she whispers.

"About three hours ago" Eloise says

Sylvi winces. "So no luck in hoping it'll wear off soon." A sigh, then a serious look. "What do you want?"

Eloise sighs "I want to ... I want to be with the man I love, but I don't want to be shamed... and I don't want to Shame Herb..even if he can be as cold as ... " She sighs

"What you must think of me" She whispers

Sylvi shakes her head. "No, I...I get it. I'm just not sure how to...." A frown. "Wait. What kind of oath do you have with Herb?"

"Or...vow?"

"Marriage vow, love, honor, cheerish" She looks miserable

"I...please, I'm sorry, but I don't know if I understand how much that vow would bind a kinain. I mean...does it work on you like it works on a full troll?"

"no it.. it doesn't or I'd be oathbroken" She says

She nods and bites her lip again, thinking. "You know he's going to change back, right?" Nodding to Mr. DeVere who is still arguing with a tree.

"I.. didn't.. so we just delay this? We..."

And that's when DeVere the troll snaps out of the spell

"No, I....oh, uh-oh...." Sylvi notes the change. "Mr. DeVere," she nods to him. "The Mountain told me about your current condition."

"Condition? The fact I can speak of my love openly and honestly? Admit that I would die to be with her as an honest man?" He sounds almost poetic