#debukefarmhold

And he waits for Zara as he was told to. He was allowed to get new clothes, or more accurately, old clothes. But they're all oversized

"Hm. Thou lookest positively Dickensian."

"my dignity maybe somewhat diminshed where my clothes are oversized, but kind of y ou to say, Miss"

"Nay, the bagginess adds to the air of urchinhood."

he reappraises, "mmm," And perks up a bit "Mayhaps I'm to be faganed into poor company and a life of crime. It certainly beats a workshop... or a Gwydion rehabilitation center. My thanks for your rescue of us"

She shrugs. "I would not see commoners, least of all childlings, treated so for practicing an art."

"Do you have a place to return to? Pray, forgive, for their protection you may need to wait some time ere you can go back."

"In truth, I am long thought dead by most mortals," He says "My funeral was brief. I watched it" he says with satisfaction "I didn't like my Aunt anyway. Borderline Autumn person. you see? She had to take me in when my parents died" A sad look "I do miss mother and father. They didn't understand me, but they did care. Father would tell ghost stories. Now I wonder if he IS a ghost story?"

"He may well be. But, that does simplify things."

"It does? I ... the farm has good lessons, and I rather like Mr. Scarecrow, but they are terribly lumbering and large... the trolls, I mean."

"Ah. Well, yes, certainly, if you wish I am certain you could stay here..."

He frowns, and says "I think I would prefer an area less open? Out here, the fields are..expansive. How is one to hide?"

Then he realizes which word she stressed, "you know of a place more sluagh focused?"

His eyes look hopeful

"Well, I have travelled a bit in my time."

He slouches a bit less, "Miss, if you would share a few choice locations, one would be quite grateful"

"Some places might do better with a proper introduction. Etiquette has its demands."

"Ah," the boy says, then sighs my name is Silas Shiver. It is not my mortal name, of course, but it is my fae name. " A bit of a toothless smile "I think it sounds vaguely sinister, at least, I hope it does."

"Oh, aye, tis slithery and suspect." A nod of approval.

"I, myself, have Many Names. You may call me Zara."

He is pleased she likes his name, then says "Thank you for the use of your name, Miss Zara" Then confidentally "The Hearth used your name in earshot earlier, but I didn't think it my place to use the knowledge I had collected without your forbearance. Besides, the Hearth is kind enough to keep some foods in a proper state of deterioration. The apple and corn mush combo was quite ready to mold"

"She is most considerate, aye. So... you wish a place more kindly inclined to sluagh proclivities. Tell me, have you ever been to a sluagh-run freehold?"

His eyes widen, "We have one?" Clearly he has not been to such

"All kiths have at least a few." A small smile.

"A sluagh run hold" The boy says, then realizes something, "Is this a sluagh noble... or commoner run?"

"Common. There are titled sluagh, of course. We are everywhere."

"They do underestimate us at times, which is best," Shiver nods beyond his years "Of course, some malign us... they don't understand" he sighs "Even my friends do not always grasp why I am as I am. They don't understand ... that fear is not evil, ignorance is, and fear as a teacher can help us defeat ignorance. They don't understand the pleasure of tight dark spaces, and old things about you." A huff, that touch of loneliness sluagh childlings feel in a world that seems more suited to other kithain

"Their loss, nu?"

A nod "yes. I suppose I feel a bit sorry for them" He draws on that , turning his solitude to pride. It's how sluagh endure so well. And it IS nice to have privacy now and then. Then he perks "When you called me inconsequetional, what.. what art was that, Miss Zara?"

She touches her finger to her lips. "Not one that baroness would approve of, I dare say."

He grins with black gums at that, then mimes the motion, "All the better then. I have felt something like that ... once. " he speaks of the saining, of course "But, of course" A bit slyly, as boys try to be, "it's all so fuzzy now. A blur."

Her secret, nay, his suspicions of what secrets she MIGHT Have, is safe with him

"Aye, tis so. Yes, I think Madame Demona and Mister Godfrey shall find you agreeable."

"Cool names" He blurts "I would very much like to meet them in turn. As convenient for you and they, of course"

"But of course."

"I do hope the others prosper. One Mister Caspian has already taken the twins under a tour"

"Aye. And Tzipporah hast already texted me..." A long-suffering but affectionate sigh. "For of course, they have teamed up."

"Miss Tzipporah is also an Eshu I presume?"

"Aye."

"Excellent. I Hope Gadgette gets in contact with more nockers while they travel" The boy says then confides "Directing other kithain behind the scenes to their betterment can be very trying. Best they don't know we sluagh do it or else they'd be offended, or worse, come to rely on us"

"Aye. Tis a burden, but one we bear nobly."

Once more Shiver lifts his chin, clearly he is a precocious lad who takes his kith's proud heritage seriously "Just so, Miss Zara." Then curious again "When will we visit Mister Godrey and Miss Demona?"

"Would you wish to travel tomorrow? There is no direct trod, so it will take some journeying."

"I would be honored," he puts his splayed hand over his heart.

Despite his maturity for his age, he is bouncing lightly on his heels

"Alright. Then we shall depart after breakfast."

"Thank you again, Miss Zara. Pardon, I should play with..err check on Flurry."

And the boy slips away to join the pooka who is bounding in the snow... not that he cares or anything. That would be embarrassing.

And Zara returns to Earl who has tea waiting

(End Scene)