#debukefarmhold

"I hate this" Clem grouses

"You set the policy" Buck reminds

"Well, I still don't have to like it," Clem grumbles, "Farmhold needs me."

"It does" The centaur wisely agrees

"And I won't be here" She hmmphs, and pets Butternut for reassurance

"You won't" Buck nods again amiably

Even as Butternut wags her tail cautiously picking up on the tension

"I'm gonna miss you," She sighs feeling petulant

"I could go with you," He offers

"No, I need you here," She says, "Helping the others" She wants him to come with her so badly it hurts a bit, but she's Chief and has to think beyond herself

"Then I'll stay," Buck says

"Stop being so agreeable," Clem grumbles.

Buck looks at her, crosses his arms, and smiles wide 'No."

"What do you mean... Oh" Clem blushes "Okay I asked for that one, didn't I? "

"Little bit," he says "Clem, it's your policy. To prevent Bedlam, every member of the circle needs a week away from the farm, not just in the mundane areas, but away from it, once every four months. It's your turn. It's a smart policy. You'll be fine."

"I can't even visit my friends" She sighs

"You can, just not at a hold. It IS better to hit mortal areas though" He states the obvious.

"I'll be driving," she assures, "Enough stops at gas stations and stay overs at franchise motels will do it. I'll text every day. You'll answer?"

"I will" He assures her

She keeps packing, more reassured, "I must seem very unreasonable to you."

"You're a troll," He says simply.

She arches a brow at that. He best EEEElaborate, and carefully

"I mean, you take your duties seriously, but in this case, to do your duty you need to give it a rest for a bit. That's no shame. but it is of course frustrating for you. It would be like if a centaur was asked to take a crowded manhatten subway. Against your nature"

Mollified, she nods "I suppose that's comparable. " A beat "Walk me to the car?"

"Of course" He says helping her with things

Soon her large car is loaded up. "Can't even take the pick up" She grumbles

"We need that for carrying stuff" Buck reminds

"I know." Clem says. Butternut hops into the car. "Butternut, what are you doing?"

She fills the passenger seat, for she is a BIG dog

Clem's heart softens, "I could take her with me, couldn't I?"

"I'll get some canine supplies. You'll need to find motels that take dogs, a bit costly but we can swing it." He says

Butternut wags. Problem solved.

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