#debukefarmhold

*****

For the rest of the week Adam behaves.... well. He's polite, keeps his face in check, responds when called on and even will volunteer (raising hand, so on) if he has an answer he thinks is right.

It does seem to have an effect. Folks stop circling avoiding him as if he were a plague victim. Zane does hang around Laniel AnD him and invites them to hang together. Laniel seems to be an easy going guy, but he totally admits (When Nab isnt' around) that she's sexy as hell and he wishes he were so lucky "I got a chimerical cow that fits in the palm of my hand. NOT as cool."

"Nab's her own. We're not exclusive."

"Truly? I mean, if I talked to her you'd be okay with it?" Laniel says "I mean I know we don't OWN Girls but still bro code"

"Yeah." shrug. "I'd be ok with it if you did it with her, as long as SHE was ok with it."

"Well, of course" Laniel says

Zane says "Nab's changed though. I mean, mostly for the better, but she's definitely more advanced than she was"

"Yeah." with a smile.

"Yeah?" Laniel says "Maybe you should show her to the mountain? He's supersmart and..."

Zane says "I'm one of his students. I know"

"Oh yeah" Laniel blushes

Zane looks at Adam "Their mountain , that guys is a REAL wizard. Makes what i do look sad. "

"Hey, you do ok Zane." Adam bolsters.

"I mean... yeah, sure, you don't want to take lessons from someone who's not as good as you are. That's bass ackwards."

"Thanks, but I mean if you have qeustions about magic, you could talk to him" Zane says

"I don't have any questions about magic." Simply.

"That's a shame. I like hearing myself talk" A deep voice booms behind them

Adam glances, then stands.

Mountain Emmit is an old troll with one bad eye and an easy nature. He looks more like a farmer than a wizard but his reputation precedes him

Zane stands "hello, Mountain. This is my friend, Adam. I don't know if yo've met?"

"Adam, I've been wanting to meet you officially" The Mountain says

"Mountain." He bows.

The mountain offers his hand "I've been told to get to meet all the sidhe, but out of all of them, well, you're probably tired of being poked and prodded, but of all of them you're the most interesting"

"Thank you." he shakes politely.

"Must be frustrating as hell being stuck betwixt and between"

"Yes, sir."

"Still haven't found the right triggers?"

"No, sir, I haven't."

"Mmm wish I were allowed to Sain you" He admits "Get a feel for your true name, but that's not some for me to do. Still it owuld answer a lot of questions."

"Yes, sir."

"Mind if I cast a working on you? Not naming mind"

"No, sir."

"That is, I don't mind." He stands, waiting.

"Mmm a moment.." He puts a thumb against Adam's brow, above the between of his eyes "Seven Kas there are, or so the pharoahs say, a soul within a soul, a life within a life. The eyes are pools. Pools are the gates between worlds, so the Celts say. Let us enter the pool. Let me count the Kas."

And he blinks "Oh my.." A surprised look "I see how it works now. Oh my goodness. Of course. how else could it be permitted but that?"

Adam waits.

"What?" Zane blurts "What how else could it be?"

"mmmph" A brow "Really Zane. Do you think any of my OTHER Apprentices insist on knowing?"

Not even the subject of the casting insists, so.......

"I will say that Adam, you are in no danger of being possessed by any single sidhe. And that perhaps it is a good thing a house was chosen for you"

"Yes, sir."

"And I never thought I'd say that" Emmit reaches into a pouch "I've got something I think will help your condition. Put it in your bedroom while you dream" A dream catcher is offered, not a large one

After a beat, Adam takes it. "Thank you, sir."

"You're welcome, young man." he nods

Adam holds it for a moment, then pockets the dreamcatcher.

"If any of you boys need some magical help, you know where to find me" And he walks off

Zane watches him go and sighs "Someday, I am going to get to that level of understanding"

"You are." Adam affirms, and puts the dreamcatcher from his pocket into his school bag.