#debukefarmhold

"oh darling" Eloise says "You musn't"

Sylvi looks torn. "Mr. DeVere...before you do anything, I need you to understand...this is not permanent. Within a day, you will be a sluagh again. Knowing that, what would you do?"

"Is it any less right?" he says "In fact, it.. won't violate that code of Dagda. I can ..."

"I'm not saying you can't. I just need you to know the reality of the situation." A sigh as she looks at the two of them. "You and Herb need to talk this out."

"Oh Sylvi, they'll cast me out of the farm" Eloise says "And poor Earl will be treated as if he's not a DeBuke"

"Will they? 'They' who? How do you know? Look, Eloise, is it fair to say that both you and Herb might be unhappy? I don't know you well enough, but is that likely?"

"We have customs here, traditions stronger than law" Eloise says "I married into the DeBukes. I love it here, I knew Herb and I would grow to love each other even more... but if I cheated on our vow, and I did, they'll cast me out, Sylvi. I'm not a DeBuke if I divorce. And as Kinian I have no right to haven" She explains

DeVere says "He violated the vow, not you, he did not love you ... and certainly has not cheerished. he married you because it was expected"

"Eloise...you have given the Farm a son, and you have worked the land alongside the other DeBukes for decades. I don't think anybody can say you have no right here...but even if that happens, then maybe it's time to start over somewhere new? It wouldn't be easy, and it would be different, but...if you're both unhappy, then how are you doing the right thing in staying?"

"Farming is what I know" She says "And I like it."

"Fine. Then...okay, you know you want to keep doing that. You'd like to keep doing it here. And it would be better if you could do it and be happy at the same time. Eloise...what if it were an amicable divorce? If you and Herb both agreed to it?"

"Herb might never agree to it. He's... he'd lose too much honor"

"What of your honor, my honor?" DeVere says

"He would lose honor if he abandoned his vow. But...would he lose honor if he released you from it?"

"I don't know.. there's little precedent" SHe says "That i know of"

A deep breath. "Then it's either time to find out, or to establish precedent. But either way...." she gestures to troll DeVere "...now that you know his feelings, what he wants to do when he has the voice to do it...can you go back to living the way you were without telling Herb the truth?"

She lowers her head "I hope.. I hope everyone understands but no.. I can't do that to him anymore"

Sylvi looks down, bites her lip, and pauses a moment. Then a deep breath. "I really hope I'm giving you the right advice. I don't know. But I think you're doing the brave thing. I'm going to find Herb and bring him here. Don't leave, please." An encouraging look, and then she heads off in search of a man who is about to get some bad news.

And she finds Herb "have you found my wife?"

Sylvi nods. "I have. She's safe. I can take you to her," she offers, but doesn't rush on the way. She might even take a slight detour to return. "You were really worried for her, huh?"

An innocent-sounding question.

"We have redcaps around" He says "And sidhe I hear" He scowls "Eloise should know better than to be out and about at a time like this"

"You know those redcaps and sidhe, they're other DeBukes. They wouldn't hurt her."

"Might be out of their mind" He says

"I mean, they're thinking differently...." She trails off, then sighs. "You don't think she'd know how to be sensible?"

"Eloise may seem a fine solid woman, but sometimes she gets her head all misty and pinining when the're work to be done." He shakes his head

"I guess that's...frustrating?" Sylvi asks hesitantly.

"Mmmph. "

"Have you ever asked her what she's thinking about?"

"Yeah, but it's always nonsense" He says "Look, I don't want to air my family laundry to you. But if you ever get married, don't go expecting long walks in the fog together where you can get your fool neck broken if you slip, or poetry by the fire when there's living to be lived. Life is hard and one has to be hard to face it"

"Oh. Well...maybe some people are better with that kind of life. But it sounds like...like maybe you two aren't the perfect match...?"

"What's not to match? I needed a troll blooded wife to up the chances of a troll being born so the farmhold could continue. It was my duty as a DeBuke. I stumble onto Eloise... shes' a kininan, barely gets enchantment. .. she knows what a chance this is. You may think from seeing this place or your own home that fae blooded types are a dime or dozen but i assure you, we're as rare as hen's teeth."

Sylvi can sense a pressure on the man when he mentioned "needing" a troll blooded wife. he means it that way

There's something chilling to her about the way he talks, about reproduction being a duty, not an outcome of love. "Well...you did your duty. You had a troll child. And...I mean, I don't think you're planning on having any more...right?"

"Had a son I barely understand" A sigh "I tried to get an omen one day done on him. Omen was a bust though. Turned out nothing like I expected. Never understood Earl. Eloise ruined him I think. Made him too soft. "

"What was confusing about the omen?"

"Omen said he'd take after his father. That boy may take after his mother, but he's not a bit like me" A shake of his head "Yes he's a success at painting. I'll congratulate him for that, but for the longest time he was just bumbling around acting like the whole world was against him . I told him what he needed to do, buck up, man up, and straighten up. But he never heeded" Frustrated

Sylvi hesitates. Oh, I think this is going to go badly. She's never really spoken to Herb before, and she's definitely getting the impression that he is Not A Nice Man. "Well...maybe things will make more sense, soon." There's no use in prolonging it

"Eloise is over here...." She leads him to her and Mr. DeVere. They can probably tell from her expression that she's not optimistic.

"DeVere, you're a troll now?" He says

Sylvi steps back a bit, but she stays close as witness and support...and to keep them from being interrupted.

"It would appear" he says "I hope it looks good on me"

"mmph." Herb says "You're still scrawny" Then a frown at something.

"Herb, we should.. talk" Eloise says screwing up her courage

"Not now, Eloise. Farm's in chaos. there's work to be done. THIS one is our acting Chief" He says wtih a thumb to Sylvi

"Herb...as Chief, I need you to listen to Eloise." Sylvi says it slowly and seriously.

Herb frowns, but quiets "Fine. Let's hear it"

Sylvi looks to Eloise and nods.

Eloise says "Herb. I'm so sorry, but I just can't pretend to be in love with you any more. I haven't been, for a long time, and you .. I don't think you've loved me. We're living a lie, Herb, and it's lead to .. you deserve a better wife"

"What's this about?" he scowls