#debukefarmhold

For Arty, the farmhold is a place of power, and a rural mystery full of giant blue and grey people, and their tall mortal cousins. Some of them give him cautious looks, some nod welcome, and most just keep working

But he can feel wards wrap about this place like a gentle but supremely strong hand. That hand could close any moment with the power of a titan, or shield kindly. Right now, thankfully, it leans towards the latter.

He looks around with intent interest. "Hey, Thistle..." He asks, only to see that she's disappeared for the moment. Bathroom break? Chasing after an errant Never? Pulled aside by an enterprising DeBuke with a broken combine and an eye for one who can surely fix it with a bit of spit, duct tape, and elbow grease?

Art shrugs, knowing she'll catch up. He pauses with interest to watch a DeBuke who is feeding poultry with scattered grain. "Are these mortal chickens? Or fae? Do you have geese that lay golden eggs? Are golden eggs actually made of gold, or gold plated? Or called that because of the flavor or nutrition quality?"

The Debuke, who appears to be a kinian, a tall blonde farmgirl (As if anyone was into that type) of a wilder looks at him, seeming torn between insult and amusement, and settles on the latter "Well, if you're a sidhe spy you're the direct type. Mortal chickens. You can still enchant them if you want, but that'd be a waste of glamour most times. We do have fae hounds, some fae horses, and even a few raptors. Oh and chimerical animals aplenty. Still maybe some magic in our rooster. He acts like an alarm clock if you stay in bed too long."

Then she holds out a hand "I'm Mini, Minette, technically"

"We don't have any chickens. I wonder if Miss Marigold would want some? She complains that the eggs we get aren't the best." He shakes with a grin. "Arty, or Art - short for Arthur."

"Oh shoot, if you're wanting in on some eggs we might set you up. Crops are more in abundance, but we sometimes have left over eggs. Lots of city folks seem surprised eggs can come in brown shells" Her grip is firm, but not as large or strong as a troll would be of course, "You're one of those Silver wolf fledges were were told would be coming right?"

"I am - I have a badge somewhere..." He digs into pockets, patting around until he finds it and shows it off - a blazon of silver wolf rampant with Ailil stars across from a golden sun of Varich. "I wasn't hiding it, just forgot to put it back on. A bird went for Thistle's - that's my friend, she's a nocker around here somewhere - some chimerical bird dove at her on the Trod and tried to grab it. I think because of the silver and gold foil inlay being shiny."

"Oh! Darn it. We should get a hawk on that old crow. They avoid the scare crow's area..." A nervous look "Course, most of us do. He's a spooky un. We don't many unseelie sidhe here or their folk cuase they often get ...well, ambitions. But we hear Silverwolf is different. Going to get some new dogs from there i hear." a smile

He beams. "Our kennel mistress is the one who'll be able to go on and on about that - that is, don't ask her about the dogs unless you have an afternoon to spare listening. They - we, that is, have a right proper litter of these giant puppies right now. The goldeny-yellow one is the one that your chief went for, I think." He nods. "It's a real treat to watch Lord Aiden training them - even without sovereign, they buck right up and really want to do what he and Gladiola say."

"Well, anyone who likes dogs can't be all bad" Mini says, though whether she means Gladiola or the Baron or both is hard to say at first, "So, what are your interests? I'm done with the chickens and we were told to show folks around...within reason"

"Do you have a library?" His eyes gleam!

"Actually we do" She says "Thanks to Miss Zara? She's a friend of the farmhold. Sluagh lady, the great corruptor... brought in all sorts of ideas. Come on I'll show you" And assuming he follows her, Mini leads him to what seems to be a picturesque little farm house, but when she opens the door, he can see it has clearly been repurposed. The parlor opened up for a book club, and so many book shelves , exquisitely hand carved , "Book Club's not meeting today. Course, Mountain Emmit has his own study in his own place"

"The great corrupter??" He looks uncertain, but intrigued, and follows along.

"Oh she had notions and opinions, She's married to Earl, and he was always an odd one hisself so my parents tell me, but I like him. His art IS creepy though. Miss Zara was just aghast we didn't have a library beyond the stuff for the schooling of childlings and talked Chief Clem, she weren't chief then though, to making it happen." Conspirtorially "Some say Miss Zara is the one that used magic to drive some wilders to the unseelie tests, and even crazier notions...but, she also has helped the farmhold so much folks are willing to forgive. You mind your manners if you meet her. She's a witch, good or bad, ain't no nevermind. One does not tangle with witches lightly. "

The book selection here is really quite good. And his eyes might fall on a book that says Orry's Road: How Vikings Charted the Stars

"Lady Nadeen tells us to always be on our guard." He nods, but any thoughts of sluagh flee as his eyes brighten. "Ooooooo." Arty breathes as he reaches for it.

"Feel free... " She says "Course you can't take it out of here, I'm afraid. I read that one. Actually has old viking star charts recreated in it. Trolls were sailing right along side some vikings back in the day. Only the polynesians were better and we'd still debate that. You want some tea or something else to drink while you read? " She looks at a table "Miss Zara seems to think tea is best for reading. Me ? I prefer Mountain Dew"

"I can't?" Disappointed, though he's already sunk to the ground cross-legged and has a pad and pencil ready for notes.

"We have chairs..." SHe says amused as he hits the floor "Want me to get you some trace paper?"

Cursing drifts on the wind, though it sounds in a fair mood.

The source of the cursing might see through a window a tall blonde girl bending town, talking to sidhe ear tips

"Oh! That's my Trina. I mean my friend. I mean, that's Thistle." He pops back up and cranes to look out the window, then starts for the door - forgetting he still has the book in hand.

Speaking OF chimera... Thistle seems to have gotten a flock.

And Thistle-Nevers are circling and chiming, which has the attention of the calico birds...

And it seems a chorus of chimerical crickets, each with violins and other string bow instruments! In short, she has dancing nevers, spiraling calico birds, and an string orchestra

"WHOOPS theree" Mini races and grabs the book from Art's hand "Sorry, not supposed to take books out"

"Sorry!" He lets her take it, and then dives in, waving his hands at the birds. "Shoo!"

"Never seen the chimera gather around one person like that" The kinain says now holding the book

"Oh, Art! Uh... one sec..."

"SHOO, y'*&^$$%&^ varmints. Varmints is rural, right?"

"The Nevers are NOT FOOD."

Thistle looks rather unfortunately like a very odd Christmas tree, thanks to the dozen shining Nevers clinging to her voile.

"She okay?" Mini asks

"Ack! No! Hey - STOP THAT." Art puts his foot down with a stomp on the packed earth of the walkway. Glamour snaps around him as he orders the birds to lay off!

Mini's eyes widen and she swallows. "I'll just put this book back. Scuse me" And she darts back in the library

And the 'varmints' have all stopped.. even the musical crickets stop playing

"That's a relief. Sorry about the book, Mini...." He turns in a circle. "Mini?"

"Oh, zounds. I've put my foot in it, haven't I?" His expression falls. "But at least those old crows aren't bothering your nevers now?"

He looks closer at the chimera who had gathered, and bows to the cricket orchestra. "I'm sorry, musicians and maestro. I didn't mean for you to interrupt your concerto." Art blows a few notes in a somewhat off-key whistle. "I'm in awe of your skill, as one who doesn't have any musical talent to speak of."

As if freed from the power, they resume. Now playing God Save the Queen

An exhale.

"Thanks Art."

Azure and Celadine flit over to land on the sidhe.

He digs into a pocket and offers them each a tic-tac.

"But Mountain, it couldn't be Art. He's still a fledge." A voice, one Gladiola, says

"My wards don't lie, young lady" A deeper older voice says "I'm afraid if he zapped one of ours, we're going to have to explain matters"

"The music is pretty not bad at least..."

"Geez, I guess we should give Blossom more credit for keeping her birds off the Nevers. I never thought of it before, but I bet they're not very high up on the chimera food chain..."

And that's when an elderly man in a straw hat and overalls, straight backed despite his age, comes into view. He looks somber despite the laugh lines about his face. Dame Gladiola is with him looking stoicly worried