#debukefarmhold

"Well," Chief Clementine DeBuke says "A bargain is a bargain" The goat remains are...well, beautiful, the meat mostly removed as agreed upon. Along with it, for specimens, are two voles, a coyote, and a crow that was scared to death by their scarecrow and all are handed over to Symon

The land was sold for a song, and the DeBukes were quick to pick it up.

"So what are you going to do with that much land?" He is especially enthralled by the crow, latching onto that specimen immediately and examining with clear delight the clouded eyes and beak stuck in rigid open position. "You can't need ALL of it for classrooms, unless you intend to school half of Concordia." He's still a bit sulky about the in-person schooling returning, but his reward haul is much sweetening his disposition for the moment.

"It may come to our school being larger than we ever intended," Clem says, "Mostly we'll use it for farm land, we grow things after all, but new housing for those in need, things that are less troll sized so they can be comfortable but still only a short walk to the bale. " A sigh "I could tell the nockers to have at building a workshop I suppose. Far end. Less likely to set fire to us. I am open to suggestions at this stage."

"You could charge for private schooling. Say it's a sliding scale, but some of those places make bank." He points our shrewdly.

"And you think there are enough kithain and kinian of affluence for us to make a go at that? Wouldn't be worth the damage to our reputation and some folks assume if they're paying, they're the boss. I know it's a stereotype, but I'd rather have two deal with some mouthy street kid who at least knew they weren't likely to get better than some uppercrust who felt entitled teens.. no offense to you mind.. your father worked his way through medschool with hard work and all"

"Then again, if you're giving it away for free, some folk may question the value at all." And he frowns a bit. "I didn't think you knew Dad."

"Your mom brags about her husband something fierce, also, well, while I may not have an MD... I am a healer. I respect men like your father a great deal," Clem answers honest "Good point about giving it for free not being appreciated."

"Do you think science class will involve more animals?" Carefully stroking the vole as though it was a kitten, then packing it away. "That might be cool. Like, anatomy and stuff. Or if you had a bit of land to spare, forensics are cool, like, checking back to see how something is decaying, so you know how to determine if a body was found in the woods, how long it'd been there..."

"Well actually, I'd be teaching some of that ... but we're going to have options, some young folk are just too tender hearted to cut creatures open," She shakes her head "They don't understand life feeds on death, not just vice versa. I don't know how to tell some die hard vegetarians who never want an animal hurt the number of creatures that get caught in combines and other farming gear. Even the plants grow roots on the corpses of those that lived before.. it's just a matter of how broke down said corpses are. " She nods "But yes, forensics would count towards science credits"

He is eyeing the Chieftain with an appraising look. Clearly she is more interesting than he'd supposed. "That's cool."

"It's knowledge," Clem says "And 'things have to die if you wanna eat' be it plant or animal is one of the first things you learn growing up on a farm. Some folks don't know where food comes from. I mean litterally, they don't know cheese comes from milk, and think sphagehtti grows on trees. M ind you, there ARE pasta trees in the dreaming but dang that's ignorant of them to assume that's the regular"

"Makes me sad" Clem shrugs "Anyway, it IS cool yes. And if you have an interest in forensics I'll certainly try to help you"

He hesitates, before admitting, "My dad wants me to be a doctor. I thought maybe... forensics is important, but I don't have to worry about keeping the stiffs alive. Maybe... there's something in that area for me."

"Could be. And sure a hell a lot better going into something that you like and are interested in than going through the motions of something you don't. " A pause "Shoot. I almost forgot. Sluagh can talk to ghosts can't they?"

"We can," He admits, "When they're willing to talk. I'm sure it's already been made into some CBS teen supernatural drama where a plucky young detective can solve crimes by talking to the ghosts?" He snickers. "But that doesn't mean it might not work."

"Given how many changelings have mortal loved ones or family , it might be quite the combination of services actually," Clem nods "Risky I hear, but some folks would give a lot to be sure their loved ones moved onto a better place and weren't trapped. And, yeah, you could be quite the crime solver as well as someone who studies death's fighting style so other doctors know what kind of weapon to use to save the living."

"Then again, I liked Quincy reruns"

"Quincy?" A blank look. "Is that like, some ancient radio drama from the days of yore? Or was it one of those newer 'Talkies' on the big screen?"

"Are a times I think folks take advantage of my sweet disposition," Then a sigh "Old TV show from the 70s I think.. reruns come on a channel we get here... do yourself a favor and pirate a few eepisodes see if you like em"

He considers this, and notes. "Will it count for History class credit?" A hint of a toothless grin.

"No, but if you read up on Song Ci, and Paolo Zacchia and do a report on them, that's extra credit"

He siiiighs, and shrugs, though there is a hint of hidden curiousity. "Maybe I will. Right now I have to get this stuff home while it's still ripe. And decide where is the best place to mount a goat skull at the lodge, if Ann Marie nixes my first idea."

"Oh dear... well, hopefully the folks at the lodge there won't blame me for that" Wry "Enjoy."

"Oh, I WILL." He grins now and gathers up the precious road kill ...er... prizes, and heads off!

Clem watches the boy go, and only once she's sure he's gone and THEN some, does she allow a shudder. She wasn't lying to the boy about death being fed on by life... and she accepts it. She too finds some forensics interesting. But that kid takes it to a pretty icky level Good boy, but a bit too twisted for Color TV

(End Scene)