#debukefarmhold

Summer is here, hot and heavy, bright and lush. A breeze blows over the cornfield, causing movement in the tall green growth that wavers like ripples on a pond. Within the rows, she waits, on the lookout for a certain kind of friend. Male, virile, in their young and lusty years, and with that look, the look of idle boredom, perhaps, seeking a distraction from long hours of farming and toil.

So many trolls here, but also troll kinain. Carson Q. Debuke is one of the latter. Fully enchanted, not much is lost on him. But he is frustrated. the true trolls seem to get to have adventures. he can go out to Ottumwa, of course, but there's work to be done

A rustling sound - something has got into the corn? Is it one of those raccoons again, or a fallow deer? Dang it, even one can nibble dozens of stalks, and ruin an entire harvest if ignored.

Carson Q sighs and goes into the Corn. Could be the scarecrow wandering, or something off the trod

The scarecrow is not around, it seems... perhaps patrolling the summer wheat, the blackbirds are getting awfully cheeky with the Calicrows to back them up.

He hears giggling, feminine, and glancing over, sees a glimpse of a well-turned ankle, and the attached calf as well, disappearing between the stalks. Wait, was her skin... green?

"Miss Evergreen?" He wonders if it's their Kubera, and he hopes so.

She leans out, and no, it is not Miss Evergreen. It's a lithe and lovely lady, glowing of glamour... her skin is the same bright and fresh green of the corn stalks, and her hair is golden corn silk. Her eyes are as cool and lovely as droplets of morning dew. She sees him looking, and smiles, coquettishly.

"I am no Evergreen, alas. I am of the summer corn, the fresh growth, the swell of the ear, and now is my time. Soon, the harvest will come, and I'll return to the earth." She says, but seems cheerful, not at all sad.

"Oh ah.." He really should tell someone about this, a stranger on the farm. "You're a chimera?" he tries to ken but his is kind of weak.

"I am a spirit of the field and the stalk, the husk and the silk. I don't know what you may call me... but... would you keep me company? You are a brave and handsome lad, to protect the fields from those who would trample and bite, and ruin the harvest."

"Well," He says feeling his cheeks burn a bit "Without the Harvest we'd be mighty hungry. so it's not entirely unselfish, but we try to honor the land"

"Then please, come, and tarry but a moment with me. I am lonesome, and wouldst honor the land with you." Her voice, growing softer and husky, as she moves out from between the stalks that had covered her form - she is not a wee maiden after all - not tall and large by Troll standards, but richly plump with lovely curves, like a pinup girl, celebrating the abundance of the harvest in gently rounded curves of green skin. Her ears are slightly pointed, in an elfin manner, though not like a sidhe - more like a fresh leaf. It turns out... the green leaves were her only clothing, and they are still affixed to the stalks.

"Well, wouldn't want to be uneighborly" he swallows

She laughs, and welcomes him to tarry. And tarry they shall, showing the lad all sorts of the delights that a nymphly dream of summer and growth, of rich earth and fresh leaves, of sun-kissed skin and fertile lands.

They bless the harvest, then bless it again, and again - for as long as the good lad's strength of will holds out. Then, with a kiss upon his brow as soft as dew, she disappears, leaving him in a happy daze... most of the day has gone by, and the sun is setting.

He lays there, delerious... oh, the renewal of a young man kept him going so he did the DeBuke name proud.

It seems dark... he realizes that the corn is taller than it was earlier, by a good foot!

Now he lays there, exhausted and happy . the nymph gone

He rises out of it, staring 'how did?"

And something else... the shape of one of the ears is... odd.

It is quite late in the day now... should anyone have come looking for him.

He looks at the shape of that ear

Greyish, dark and lumpy... is this some sort of blight?

"Oh shit, Oh shit... what did I do?"

He knows blight... he does. He thinks he does.

Agriculural science starts early round here

This isn't gray leaf spot, southern rust, or stalk rot... it also isn't creeping fungus or black eye rot... he hasn't seem something like this!

The growths are plump and firm, and have a rich, almost mushroomy scent to them. Though at first glance all he can see is that the corn looks ruined... what is this?

"I screwed up" He says. He's got to alert the Mountain.

Oh dear indeed. At least, it seems to have been contained to just that one field...

He races to the Mountain's cabin, beats on his door "Mountain, something mystical and strange has happened..."

the Mountain opens the door, then blinks "No son, I believe that's just called losing your virginity. But you really should put pants on after"

A young DeBuke cousin hurrying past giggles! and continues on her way.

It would seem even when enchanted, dying of embarrassment is a mercy few are granted

Soon, with Carson Q properly wearing pants, the Mountain is looking it over, and grinning, "well, it maybe born of Smut but it will be helpful"

"Sir?" the boy says

"What you got here is Corn Smut, sure looks like blight, but it sells precious, some call it the truffle of Corn or the like. Can't make it grow normally, it just happens. What we got here is a pretty good 'crop' of the stuff. Son, there's a bout a thousand legends of Corn maidens or corn wives or the like.. in some she's a goddess who sacficies herself for the people, in others more a hand maiden... but DO be careful next tim of 'seeding' too freely"

A BLUSH "yes, Mountain. But i didn't hurt the farm?"

"No, no, seems you didn't"

There is a touch of cornsilk-gold in his hair, a golden smattering not unlike pollen dusting. Visible to fae sight, it's not unattractive, and may fade in time. It's kinda fetching, in fact.

THe Mountain smiles at that. Carson's going to have an easier time with mortal ladies for a bit he suspects.