#debukefarmhold

It's not that Kelby is treated badly as she enters the farm. It's that she's not treated at all. Kinnian and kithain alike, they act like they don't SEE her. They do, of course, how else would conversations die like grapes in a hard frost when she walks close eough to over hear.

Sylvi is attuned socially, she doesn't need to be the target of it to notice

She murmurs quietly, "You don't have to stay if you don't want to...but it's not going to get better if they can just try to forget about you."

"It's okay, City girl, takes more than a shunning to..." And her face falls, and she swallows nervously as she sees her little sister Kourtney

Kourtney, no lonnger a childing either sees her

Sylvi follows her gaze, and doesn't give Kourtney a chance to look away before she says, "Hey, Kourtney!" and waves brightly. She grabs Kelby's hand and tugs her along towards her younger sister.

Kourtney ignores .. Sylvi.. and charges her sister, almost tackinng her in a hug

Kelby is nenarly bowled over "Kourney? What are you doing??"

Sylvi blinks as Kelby's hand gets yanked out of hers, and just watches with a grin.

"Hugging you, stupid" Kourtney huffs "Why have you been away?"

"You know why" Kelby whsipers "And you need to stop, what if they shunn you too?"

"Then I'll show them which finger I count assholes with one at a time. You're my SISTER. Stupid"

"Oh, Kourtney, you grew up right," Sylvi says.

"She's still a brat" Kelby mutters but is truly touched

"Thank you, Bridge" A smile from Kourtney "How's Gerd?"

"I think she's been good," Sylvi says, though she realizes that she hasn't really spent much time with Gerd. "Y'know...Gerd-good." And you don't have to call me Bridge here, honorary cousin."

"Oh, no, see, as BRIDGE you can bring any guest you want, and a reminder to others that person is worthy of TALKING too" Clearly hearth trained "Less it shame us" A GLARE at those who are snnubbing her sister

"Let it go, Kourtney, jeeez"

Kelby smiles though

"Hey, she's in your corner in a big way, don't tell her to stop." A hug for Kourtney, "Keep doing like you're doing."

"Listen, I've got to talk to the Chieftain. You want me to let you know when I'm heading back, Kelby?"

"You sure you don' wannt me there?" Kelby says

"Well NEED me there?" She corrects as the question was unnfair

Sylvi shakes her head. "There's some stuff I can't share with anybody but her. But if you want to come say Hi first...?" An invitation.

"No it's good. Kourtney annd I can catch up" Smile "Evenn if she is a brat"

" 😛 " goes Kourtney to her sis

And in the distance but closing, there's Chief Clem

Sylvi laughs. "Okay. Take care, and don't let anybody get you down."

She sees Clem and gives her a wave as she moves to meet her.

When she and Clem close enough to alk they have space for themselves "Hey Cousinn" Clem smies

"Chieftain," Sylvi salutes her, but she's grinning while doing it. "You're doing okay?"

"I'm all right.. few bumps onn the road but that's life. Your momma sent a text that things are well?"

"Better than they were, that's for sure. Did she tell you that Leech has been defeated?"

"She did.. lots of details she couldnn't go into. that why you'e here , to fill me in befoe Sally Mae does?"

"Wellllll...yes, but then I also have a favor I need to ask. A big one, and a private one."

She starts, though, by detailing the strategy for undermining Leech's power, and all the various players -- although she tries to keep Symon's contributions as anonymous as possible.

the Chief listens, guiding her to a private area , and nods, impressed

"I'm impressed" she flat out states it "you not only defanged him, you turned those vipers on themselves and dragged them into the light"

Sylvi nods. "And then...well...one of the centaurs had to confront him. That's why Leech wanted them all killed...seems like just being touched by a centaur was enough to take away his ability to live so long. From what I hear, he just crumpled up and turned to dust." She leaves out the bit about the centaur gaining Leech's fae eternity...and which centaur it was."

"Okay, I need to tell Zara about this. It might be sharkeprean enough for her to appreciate. So all is good now?"

"Well...with Leech and the centaurs? Yeah, all is good. And from what I hear, the centaurs are settling in pretty well in the spots they went to. Buck's doing okay here?"

"Oh yes.. Buck Is fine..doing fine. Hard worker. Gentle but fun loving fellow. "

"Yeah?" A searching look for a second. "I'm glad. I didn't really get to know him."

Clem is fighting a blush. Her cadence of speaking doth protest too much. Darned with faint praise, or praised with faint darns. She cleary finds Buck attractive at the least

"Well you'e free to visit him, of course"

Sylvi grins. "I might just do that." I've got a boyfriend, but if Clem needs a nudge, maybe a little hint of jealousy might do it.

"But first...I've got to talk to you about some stuff that's related to Connor. But...this stays between us, okay?"

Clem gestures, and a ring of plant life arounnd them begins to churnn and slap creatinng some white noise "Go ahead"

Sylvi looks around, wide-eyed. "Wow...you're gooood."

"I have my moments" A smile though at the flattery