#debukefarmhold

Agnes returns to the farmhold with a proud stride. Old, Worn, but unbent, the Hearth looks about

Zara and Earl are behind her, with Bronte returned to her usual scale.

1122, has positioned himself in Zara's hair where he gleams like a bit of fancy jewelry

"Lord love a duck..." Agnes says and looks about "What happened here?"

The Tesla coils on some of the buildings exchange energy with musical notes... and the tractor seems to be working without anyone on it

"...Cookies?"

"Cookies" Earl says but he does stare at the tesla coils.

"Aunt Agnes, you're back" Clem comes up with a rush

"Must've been nockers."

"Mara found out she wasn't alone and went on a tear. She got might pouty when Bix and Daisy snapped back"

"Nockers? " Agnes rubs her forehead "And ..gods help us, the satyrs?"

"No laws broken there" Clem says "But we had a musical jam session that really was pretty good"

"It can be tough being the only one of a kith..." Gently defending Mara.

Clem nods "That's flat truth, I'm trying to make sure she feels she has options. Earl, there's something you need to know, Hearth? I need you to take over if you're strong enough , Sally Mae is going on low sleep to..."

"Sally Mae hasn't slept?" Agnes fusses "That fool girl. She's proven herself already, she doesn't need to kill herself." She looks at Zara and Earl, "You two come in for food when you're ready. I want to thank you both for looking after me given my... troubles"

"I believe we just had lunch, for as much as time makes any sense..."

"mm skinny as you both are I do worry , but as you like " Agnes nods, then says "Well, I'm off to the kitchen"

And off she goes. Leaving Clem with Earl and Zara

"Everyone made it through the cookies alright?"

Clem says "Well, Murray became an Eshu and ran off on an adventure.. he's back now. We were really worrried about the Hearth but i see you two had her back. Oh, Zara, afraid you missed the Mountain as a sluagh..." SHe fills them in "And a lot of props to Sally Mae for using a loophole to get Sylvi as Chief Pro Tem while it seemed the leadership was missing."

"Oh! What a pity. I would have liked very much to have shared tea with him, thus."

"Well, he got into somethings so I think you'd be proud." A pause "he tried the tea but decided he liked it better with just a touch of whiskey. " Clem says "I'm sorry"

A sigh.

"Can take the troll out of the DeBuke, it seems..."

"Or the DeBuke out of the sluagh" Earl jokes then says "Wait, what is it you wanted to tell me?"

"It's about your mom and... well," She lowers her voice "DeVere and Herb. "

A quiet eyebrow.

And softly, Clem explains about how it came out... how Herb has left, but the secret of Earl's true heritage is up to him to reveal.

"Divorce?" Earl says stunned "They're getting..."

Sniff. Zara is being SO GOOD.

"I know it's a shock, Earl, but... you know Eloise and DeVere have loved each other for.. well, Herb is doing what he sees as the best thing for all. And, of course, he gets to live his own dreams"

"But ..the scandal" Earl says "it's.. a shanda on top of a shanda.. "

"Feh. So - he is leaving the farm, and taking his baggage with him?"

"Zara, he.. he was my father for a time" Earl says "Not.. great at it but.."

Clem says "not how I'd word it, but yes, papers were signed fast and without fuss"

"No. Not great at it."

Clem gives ZAra a sympathetic nod. It's clear between friends that Clem is tempted to make a few comments too.

"I could poison the tea of any tongue-wagging gossips who would make hay of this."

"Oh ZAra that's sweet of you but you know as Chief I can't approve of that" A pause "Though then again, I did ..well, nevermind. Let's just say not sure that's doable"

"If mom and DeVere start holding hands too soon after the divorce, folks will get suspicious" Earl says

The word shanda almost on his lips again. Where did he get this fear of social scandals?

"There is no shame in love." Stubbornly.

"Well no," Earl agrees "But If someone were to give mother a hard time..."

Clem says "Earl, most folks are going to remember only that this was a time when every troll became another kith, and had to spend severa hours in someone's shoes... or hooves. Some are going to try to forget, but quite a few will learn from this. " A bit of a pleased look at something, "The other stuff will likely just not be thought of as easily. Relax."

Earl looks at Zara to see if she agrees with Clem.

A nod.

"As timing goes, aye."

"Wait, how did everyone get changed in the first place?" Earl says "I mean, cookies, yes, but. a large batch just happened to end up on this farm, and every troll happened to get one instead of the kinian eating them harmlessly?"

"it's a mystery, Earl," Clem says "it's a mystery. The world may never know" Solemn.

Eyebrow.