#debukefarmhold

"Enjoy your book, nu? Zachariah also plays a mean game of chess, if you want..."

"Oh?" Yes, he's interested.

"Zachariah..." She whispers to the balding troll. "You should meet my father, Aaron..."

"Be my pleasure" Zachariah says putting his newspaper down and walking over to offer his hand to Aaron

Aaron stands and shakes; if Zachariah is a troll the nocker-blooded mortal looks a little overwhelmed.

He is, but he seems shorter than some of the giants. He also admits "Bit of a lot all this isn't it? I Just try to stay out of the wife's way when this sort of thing happens."

"Oh, Hannah's in the kitchen." as if this explains everything.

It seems to, a nod from Zachariah, "Mm you like Chess?" Clearly chess is a safe haven

"I've been known to play."

"Well, it would be a pleasant way to pass the time. Black or white?"

Meanwhile, the Local Smith here talks shop with Ratchet on the quality of ores, and some of the outraggeous prices folks try to charge for materials so a working man can hardly get things done

Aaron picks up two pieces from the nearby board, moves them behind his back, and then holds out closed fists to Zachariah to pick one from; that's the color the troll will play.

RATCHET HAS THINGS TO SAY ABOUT ORE SUPPLY!

Zacheriah nods and touches a hand, taking what he gets without complaint

The grunts and nods the Smith give shows that he has his own opinions, mostly in troll talk but there might be a few Amens

And so the bride's family visits.

The food is fantastic , a victory on all sides. And Kugel, in some many varieties

Did you know there was corn bread Kugel? Now you know

Who knew? The Uncles view it with suspicion.

More traditional kugels are also available

And THIS is where it gets interesting. Earl (among the DeBukes, at least) and Zara (painfully) come to suspect there's some kind of competition (a wager? Or wagers?) between the visiting family members. Even Hannah, although more quietly; perhaps she's used to not competing directly with her Fae relations but she damn sure knows she can make a kugel!

Zara and Earl are watched closely as they eat kugel; the other DeBukes as well, but with slightly less interest.

"It's all so good" Earl says, careful to try a slice of this and that in small doses (For a troll) so he can neglect no one's offerings

"Really delicious, Hannnah" "Wow, this is great, Aunt Agnes" Balance, praise all around equal proportions.

Hawk-keen eyes track every mouthful.

Of course, others have to eat too during his.. second helpings

Hannah, at least, compliments the DeBuke cooking.

And Agnes nods "Thank you mostt kindly, I have to say this lamb dish is wonderful"

"Glad you like it, you made such an effort for us.... it's really very sweet and touching to go to all this bother."

"Oh, well, not like our families are strangers, not after this" HEarth Agnes says

"There's a Truth" Clem says "A union has been performed and two families can't be strangers after that"

"FEH!" Hirim snorts.

"Don't worry, hirim, it's a relatively painless situation"

((says?))

Says Mounain Emmit

Zara has taken meticulously exact portions of each "seasoned" kugel.

THERE ARE SO MANY KUGEL.....

Jacob is not so careful - the childling might, indeed, be partisan!

Not Hannah's. Nor Miriam's. Nor Agnes'. No - it is Ratchet's which has been heaped high on the boy's plate, which he enjoys with slurping sounds.

Munch

well, slurp

Earl is glad Zara is balancing things too

Miriam looks increasingly sour while Ratchet looks more and more smug, but overall the kugel makers double down on their observation of who eats what and how much.

"So," Earl's mother asks "Where will you two be living? Still at Earth Runes?"

"Well, between there and home..."

Some looks at the mention of home amongg the trolls

but Earl says "Of course we'll still visit the farm"

Mollified looks

"I have not yet completed college..."

"Oh how is that going for you, Zara?" Clem asks "Got any favorite classes?"