#debukefarmhold

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The Farmhold seems mournful, and that is normal, for their hearth is gone, a new one taking her place. It's shifting the nature of the place, not that Kourtney is a bad influence.

Still, it is a thriving powerful hold, and this maybe Julius first step iinto it proper

"The Balefire here is immense" GLadiola tells him as they enter with the dog

Hyarmentir aka Butternut, has grown during trainer and is a real beauty of a dog, but her keen intellect has if anything grown

Julius shoulders his satchel of paperwork... well, paperwork, and something that clinks and sloshes. "I can feel it." Impressed. "That is, it's a bit over the top, isn't it? Showing off. I prefer the sedate and elegant burn of Silverwolf, of course." Julius says to Gladiola, though quietly.

"I think they'd be amused to hear someone call them over the top. They really play up the humble farmers of the land bit" Gwen says "Which I guess is just showing off in another way but again, best to not say that. And yes, a bit too rural grandeur for me too" She whispers back.

Yet there is life pouring up from the soil, a kind of rustic energy that touches his hooves

He pauses alongside a patch of garden, kneeling without regard for the dirt to take up a handful of soil. He runs it through his fingers, and even smells it. "Rich in nitrogen... a hint of peat.." He mutters such unintelligible things to himself as he lets the grains trickle back to the earth and stands ui.

"Julius!" A familiar voice booms. But it is no troll, Buck the Centaur trots up to them, "I knew the Dog was coming today, I didn't know you'd be one of her escorts. How are you? How's Bluebell?"

Butternut immediately grows cautious appraising. Is Julius or Gwen threatened? She waits to see but takes a ready to defend stance

Julius beams and offers Buck a handshake. "Pleasure to see you again, Buck. Work things out with your missus?"

"Bluebell... oh, she's fine. Being right catty today. A friend of the lord's is visiting, and she's all a-flirt around the new elf. See if I bring her a gift home from my trip, just you watch." He says with a half-hearted grumble. "She loves to see me jealous, she does."

Buck grins "Everything's working fine , mind you, I'm the Chief's boyfriend more than she's my girlfriend around here, but the ego can take it" he assures as they shake "Oh dear. You just know you're likely to get that gift anyway don't you?"

Then he adds "Dame Gladiola! Good to see you"

Julius scowls - but it's a farce, and soon he's smiling again. "Why, do you know something that might catch her fancy?"

"Thank you, Buck," SHe says noticing that one of the DeBuike dogs is nearby, the older dog is on watch too, unlike the younger Butternut, Aspen gives a lazy sort of 'wait and see' not even up on her feet.. yet. But it's just an old pro move

Buck grins "Sure do. And if you like, you can mention you got it from the prettiest Iowa girl"

"Oh, not a chance. I don't dare even mention I spoke to a pretty girl around my honey-bunny." He says with a grin. "See, she's not at all fair, and while she can make me jealous, I don't dare play the other way." He laughs.

"HA" Buck grins "Well , Clem doesn't flirt wit hothers, but boy howdy I don't think I'd risk my neck peeking at..."

Clem strides up, then tilts her head and listens a bit. Buck hasn't caught on she's behind him

"Hmm? Is there someone here worth an extra peep?" Julius asks, innocent faced.

"...some pretty thing.." Buck is smiling "I mean a man can't help but notice. Oh sure. A whole gaggle of Tall and blondes mostly. Between hard work and good food they're healthy AND fit around here.. I feel a bit like I'm in Valkerye land, in fact, a man could get harem fantasies around here if he weren't careful"

Clem puts a hand on her hip at this and looks over at Gwen.

Gwen rolls her eyes as if to say 'men'. SOmething that's less trollspeak and more universally women thinking about men.

"But of course, you are careful. " Julius relents with a grin. "Because once you've know a woman who fills your heart, there's no room for anyone else, even if they are easy on the eyes. I know it well myself. Afternoon, Chieftain!"

"Well, Sure, Clem's got them all... " He turns and sees the woman of his life, who gives him a calculated flinty look "beat?"

"You might want to use another word after telling the world about your harem fantasies" Clem suggests a bit cooly to Buck, "See, this is why I don't ever check out your browser history. Better I don't know." She swats at his flank lightly, then turns to Their guests "Gwen, and.. Julius right?"

Buck winces, then looks at Julius "Yes, this is Julius. The guy who got me into trouble. "

"Julius, yes ma'am. I apologize, I've spent too much time in my Lady Pooka's company, and it rubs off on me a little, you see."

"Julius is also invaluble help to our Steward, taking on many important duties. ANd.. .while I'm not a judge, Dee tells me he makes some fine wines." Gwen states. Ignoring that her title is being unused

"Fine wines, oh, you're the fellow that made that fruity red I enjoyed so much" Clem realizes then her eyes fall on the Dog "Butternut!"

He pats the satchel on his back. "Today I brought a few new bottles I was hoping to speak to you of. A mulberry mead, another of that fruity Zinfandel, and a rather crisp pinot I think you might enjoy."

Gwen bends down and whispers "Butternut, this is YOUR Person. This is Clem. You remember her?"

And Butternut's eyes light up and her tail begins to wag as she gazes at Clem I do remember you! You picked me! This iss the farm. It's real! And not bad at all!

"Oh, she remembers you all right!" Julius smiles, seeing the tail go.

Clem bends down and offers her hand to sniff even as she sdays to Julius "Well, you're welcome, Julius. We wouldn't say no. Oh, you're one of the one's interested in Spring magics Gwen told about? Did I get that right?"

And yes, as the dog wags, Clem caN't help it, she starts to pet her dog all over "She's beautiful. You're beautiful, Butternut."

"Well, I don't rightly know if I've got the knack for it, but I'm willing to roll up my sleeves and give it a go, after all."

Buck grins "I'm going to get something, be right back"

Clem says "Oh my... and she's loyal to me? Despite the training? " She seems so enamoured she barely notices the man she loves scooting out

"SHe's been trained by scent and more to know you are her person. We have to do that" Gwen says "No one woudl trust us if we sent in Manchurian Shepherd agents"

Clem looks up from kneeling next to the dog and now rubbing her belly "Julius, I'll teach you. It's always good for folks to know about more ways to heal. And Spring is a speciality. Maybe you'll pass on a few tid bits about fine wines and the like back at us?"

Gwen keeps her smile restrained. Nothing like getting a dog to put someone in a good mood so they offer to give you magic lessons on the spot. She's seen the Chief haggle harder. This is not one of those times, and Gwen is sure it's Butternut that's softened her up

He BLINKS. "You're the Spring teacher? But... but you're the Chief! Surely there's someone less important to delegate to teaching a scruffy old wilder like me."

"Oh I won't be the only instructor" Clem says "We got a few. And you'll lilkely have fellow students. We teach the childlings" SHe explains

Gwen can't help it, under her breath near Julius she says "Don't worry, I'm sure you'll make plenty of friends at school . Mom will pack you a paper bag lunch."

He SNORTS and rolls his eyes. "I bet you think you're clever, missy." He grins though. "I'll be sure to bring an apple for the teacher, as long as they won't think it comes poisoned.

"That's Autumn Magic" Clem says deadpan. She rises "Butternut, Heel. Sit"

And Butternut moves to her person's side, and does just that.