#debukefarmhold

"I have been so respectful, too."

"I have not snooped."

"Oh.. oh.. I didn't mean MY three.. I meant the three who.. oh oh" He puts his drink down " I see the confusion"

"Had I not shown you Zane, I'm sure you would be hush about him, too.. but..." Huff.

"Now, Zara, have I really hurt your feelings that much?" he asks

"No. Just.. I want to know. I would like to meet them. Perhaps we could study together? Reweaving is so complex..."

"I'll have to ask my other student if they'd like to meet their secret Counter part" He says then says "Zara, the fact that you haven't learned Reweaving before you are twenty is not a defect. You know that right? "

"It... well..."

Rising brow

"In truth, it feels like my failing that I have not yet solved that chain... I.. I know, I could bring it here, that you could do it... I am not humble, Emmitt. My pride may not be so loud as a Fiona's, but...."

"Self awareness is a powerful thing, but remember what was said about circles." he says "Zara, I think we know well enough for me to say you've got a touch of elitism in you. Remember your college selection panic? Anytime someone mentioned community colleges or even non Ivy league you tended to make this face. But now your classes are long distance and you're happier for it. High standards are good, but sometimes they turn into snobbery and that can actually be it's own obstacle. That chain was forged by a maser during times when magic was rich and the rules were different. It's not a failing to be challenged , even if it takes years. "

"Aye..." A sigh. "I was not happy at Vassar."

"In this, the plague has been a blessing."

"Sometimes a volcano can lead to new growth" He nods "But one feels bad cheering such things on even if it helps their crop. "

She closes her eyes. "Fall shall be challenging."

"Quite a while before that" he says "Now, you nearly died. Anyone else I'd pet your hand, tell you you're safe and such. Instead. I'm going to ask something odd. What was it like? I don't know how well you're versed in shamans of other culture, medicine men, but I'm willing you have heard of how near death experiences are often used as insight, vision quests, and more?"

"I dreamed - I had dreamed before, in the trap... but this, nay, I hung in the liminal space twixt death and sleep..."

"I imagine a sluagh outlook would help you with that where others might be more..well panicked"

She shrugs. "Death shall come. It is not an enemy - nor an end."

"Easy to know, hard for some to believe" A smile "Others would not be able to master both"

A gentle shrug. "Sluagh."

"What you learned by such means is a treasure hard won" A nod "Make a note of the memory, not just the secret revealed but what in that time carried you to that secret. It often is a symbol for your strengths "

"It was my Love." With surety.

A smile "Ah, yes. Your love." then a brow "You realize by the way, you owe two cows and three chickens"

"Pardon?"

"For Earl, you did snitch him via Oath. You eloped? What are you trying to cheat us?" The man asks tilting his head curiously

"Mmm, seems a steep price... " She taps her chin.

"Mmm that's what Agnes said you'd say"

"How about a kugel?"

"Now that's insulting to us AND Earl. Tell you what, how about 1 Cow , two goats, and a turkey?"

"How about I steal him? You must needs steal him back."

"No good, we both know he won't go"

"Not back I mean"

"now I don't think One Cow, two goats and a turkey is an unfair price. Why his value has gone up through the years"

"Aye, so I have stolen him away. Paying after the fact seems like admitting it was a crime. Nay, I shall simply keep him. I do have lovely plans for locking him in a garrett..."

"Well this is just highly frustrating for us. What are we to do short changed a cow, two goats, and a turkey? Won't look good on the Hearth's books. And think of poor Clem. Why as Chief this lack of goats reflects on her you know? And you call yourself a friend" Mock fuss

Zara gets to toy with the old grump. If he thinks she's going to be even jokingly guilt tripped into buying live stock, he's had too much hooch in his coffee. But it's fun, and a reminder she saw Earl's worth before most did. SHE found the diamond in the rough. She'll buy Clem a burger as a courtesy perhaps.

(End scene)