#debukefarmhold

And Buck rises to go up, racing forward

And Clem takes a breath, and races towards the trod to find Buck

And they shoot right by each other, or start to...

CC says "I don't believe it"

"Can this get anymore operettic?" CC seems riveted

"Oh, for the love of...ARE YOU TWO SERIOUS?" Kerri calls out from the end of the trod bridge. She has a fine view of all the running about in progress.

"What?" Clem turns "I.. I was going after him, Kerri, this is my fault. I want to blame Zara but I did this. the deceptionn, firstt to him, then myself, and he doesn't know.. wait... two?"

Buck has whirled about, and a goofy grin fills his face

Kerri puts one hand on her hip, and with the other points directly at Buck, giving Clem a wry eyebrow.

"He's here!" her eyes light up, then she gulps "oh god. I just made a fool of myself" And.. she tries to hide behind Kerri

Buck's grin stops rreplaced by confusion "i'm.. I'm getting mixed signals"

"Get over here..." She turns and puts an arm around Clem to bring her forward, marching her slowly towards Buck.

"I..." Clem is marched forward

"You, my dear, have been making things much harder on yourself and others than necessary."

Buck moves over "Clem..." he moves forward and takes her free hand "I finished the quest, Clem. Donkey Corn and a bit of possible help in further recognition and support. And.. well, the Winterr Witch was going to strike her.. and... I think I found my true heart"

"Hearth I have to think of the Farm first before myself and... " Clem's face falls "Oh.. you.. you did? I'm.. sure she's nice"

Kerri stops. "Buck, just a moment...."

"Okay Hearth" he backs up confused but sayingg "Course she's nice. She's great"

She takes Clem by the shoulders and faces her. "If you for one moment want to suggest that having a trueheart undermines ones ability to be a Chieftain, you're going to have to take that up with Brekke herself...and you don't want to insult a Gwydion's judgment like that. You have been blocking and finding excuses long enough. Time to face the situation head on and make the decision you want to make."

With that, she turns Clem and gives her a firm (but not too forceful) shove towards Buck. "I'm done," she nods to Buck. "Carry on."

"But he just said he FOUND her..." Clem mumbles

looking miserable

Oh good lord. Wilders

Behind Clem's back, Kerri rolls her eyes.

Buck, big burly mountain of a centaur says "Well, yes, that... oh! Did I forget to menttion I think the girl for me is YOU?" He laughs "Oh wow, this almost got mixed up"

"ALMOST???!" Clem hollers, "You four hoofed shovel brained ass, I thoughtt you'd been riding some New York Troll-op , happy ever aftter!"

Kerri folds her arms and takes a step back, but not too far back. I feel like I'm spotting an elementary gymnastics class.

"What? NO..." He says "Mind you, the Silverwolf folks were quite nice but... " He tilts his head "Nope, We're not doing this. You are not side tracking me again, woman. I love you. Knew it before. Know it now. I'm not asking for an Oath. I'm not asking for a ring. I am however saying I ... no, WE deserve a chance. So slap me or let me kiss you" And he moves forward... 90%

And Clem puts her hands against chest, finds something insnide herselff, and goes that last ten!

As they kiss! Centaur and Troll

And a silent chorus of FINALLY

...goes up from hill and dale.

Not so quiet

"About TIME!" Agnes says "Hearth, you want to come in for some biscuits and gravy to take to your folk? I got extra and these two need need to talk"

"Don't mind if I do!" she calls back to Agnes. Then she says to the two lovebirds as she passes, "Nice job. Don't sprain anything with the celebrations." And off she goes to see Hearth Agnes.

Clem is so caught up in the kiss, she forgets to blush

And Buck is in no mood to break her attention from them

As for Agnes, she closes the door behind her peer as Kerri joins her

Kerri shakes her head. "Those two are adorable knuckleheads."

"I swear... my time is coming on... I thought I'd have to HAUNT Clem to see her to see sense. I told her, TOLD her, that Chief Brekke, who she sees as a rolemodel, has a fine husband and this disproves her worries, but nnooo... don't count If I say it. Glad you did. Minnd you, I would have preferrred a trroll fellow, but you know what? Cadman keptt her on hold ttoo long and that's on him. And Buck's a hard working good natured man"

Kerri grins. "That's very open-minded of you, Hearth."

More gently, "How are you feeling, Agnes?"

"Most harm I've ever done to my family is because it was darn near rustted shut. Old ways are fine to be honored, but when they start hurting, time to move on. " A shrug "Been betterr, will get worse. getting so soon as I leave the farm I forget my fae nature. It happenns to us all in time"

"I suppose. If...if you don't mind me asking...what do you do when you forget? I mean...is somebody with you to make sure you get back to the farm?"

"Oh, its a farm full of family, kiniann annd kith. they come after me if I get lost. Emmit could scry me from a thousand miles in his sleep." the old woman makes some servings for the younger hearth to take, and breaks out some glasses tto drink from "now that you mention it, Buck helped walk me home once before the quest despite me not sure who he was while I was winked out. "

"Now, Bourbon, or wine? We are going to toast the Dreaming for having Clem and Buck finally move forward"

"Bourbon. Situation calls for it. And sorry I didn't bring a basket of offerings, but I've got you for next time." She accept the drink after Agnes pours. "I've always liked Buck, but I hadn't heard the bit about walking you home. I'm not surprised, mind you, but it speaks well of him."

She pours the bourbon "You helped avert a comic tragedy, you done plenty." As the glass is taken "It's things like that that probably won Clem over. She likes strong hands, and an easy smile, but that's just bait to her. It's a big heart that gets her hooked strong." She raises her own glass "Da'an willing, may they find strength in a long and healthy love"

"Hear hear." She raises her glass and clinks before taking a healthy sip. "Ooooh. Nice."

"Mind you...she's not wrong. There will be snide comments. It happens."