#debukefarmhold

It was meant to be a simple investigation on a matter of great import. Learn about Chasye's family, see if they were still the best fit for the 4 year old. Clem wanted very badly to be at the head of the investigation, and that's where it hit the first snag.

"You're too biased to lead it yourself, Chieftain" Kourtney looked at her MUCH taller older cousin. She was Hearth, and that meant despite her age, she had to look out for ALL the lodge.

"I can elder form, makes me a better snoop than most of you..." Clem pointed out, "I admit, I have hopes..."

"STRONG hopes" Murray the Storm growls, Her older brother. If he was ever afraid of any member of his family he got over it decades ago.

Clem stiffens. Storm and Hearth are united in this? That.. that could be a problem "I've done this before, and what I REALLY want is Chase to live her best life." And.. that's partly true... it's also not the half of it.

She looked to the Mountain, "Uncle Emmit, you KNOW me. I put the lodge first, always."

"You do, Clem but..." The Mountain sighs, "Chief, let me call Mr. DeVere."

Clem's jaw sets, but she answers "This Chieftain is not above the law of the elders. So be it. The three of you pick at least two of our best scouts to take lead from Mr. DeVere, IF he'll help us in this. If he won't, we droop back and punt."

The Mountain looks proud. The Hearth? Relieved. And Murray.. looks ready to get to work.

Clem looks at them all "Thank you kindnly for your honest opinion. Guess it's back to work for all of us."

And just like that, the meeting is over. Clem is cool, calm, and collected.... at least in sight of everyone. No one is surprised when they later find a banged up wheelbarrow has been yeeted a good quarter acre with great violence.

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Clem had, in her heart of hearts, hoped something would be wrong with the family, something bad enough that she would HAVE to keep Chase.

There are lessons older than Uncle Emmit, such as the one that goes 'Be Careful What you Wish For'

It was the kinain who made it back first, dragging her faded troll cousin along. She made it back by hoboing them both on a train ride.

Minus one Mr. DeVere.

The troll feels better once on the farm, but is still shakey as they give him seettle by the fire. And, ashamed. Mr. DeVere was his charge, and he's taking this as hard as you expect any troll might.

So it is the kinain, who handled banality better who does the talking, "The mother's banal, we thought it might be just grief of her lost girl... that would make anyone a bit gray but..." A sip

Then she goes on, "But the family talked of how unhealthy it was she got in dirt all the time. And more. We figured that might be enough but there was a snafu..."

"Mr. DeVere wouldn't let me protect him" The troll fellow mutters.

His cousin glares at him, "Wouldn't let US, and he was in charge so we listened. He's stolen balefire, of course we thought he could handle this better." Then she turns, and looks at the elders, "Cold Wrought Iron sculpture, can you believe it? Mr. DeVere was no dummy, tried to back up when their family caught him, started calling him thief, pressed him against the sculpture."

"Oh sweet Freya," Clem says "He faded right then and there?"

"Out like a light. Cousin tried to hop scotch him towards us , trusting in the mists... but the bunk failed and .... it drained him. We were already wobbly. He used a different cantrip to get us out of there, but we couldn't save Mr. DeVere."

The troll looks miserable, "She got me back at all. Got on a train, barely knew who I was, and ... we jumped off several miles later. I'm sorry Chief."

"So am I," The Kinain admits "I know right of rescue, I should have found a way as I was the only one remembering who I was really..."

"You did the right thing," Clem says. No, she can't find joy in herself, not now, that her 'prayers' have been answered. An ally of the lodge maybe lost.

"But we ... we can't leave him there" The Kinain says "We have to save them."

"And we will," Clem nods, "You know we..." She catches the word used, "Wait, them?"

"Chase isn't the only member of the family who is of the blood. One of them is a kinain of strong blood, at least Mr. DeVere thought so. MIGHT be an actual fae soul in there."

"But which ever, it's got to be misery. I think.. I think that was a family like us that ended up marrying into more banal relations until the latter buried the fae side. Chase just got.. .lucky."

Clem listens to this, thinking A family like us. Lost to banality until it almost stopped being changeling at all. It's like what happened to the Pussets she almost shudders at the tale of what happened to that fine celtic line of fae.

She needs someone who can get in, get out, snatch and grab.

Zara's gonna be furious, but time for me to send in the knight of the Corn stalks and paint Brushes Clem says "You two did all you could and no shame. We'll rescue both of them. " Even if liberating and enchanting a kinain kin folk of Chase's means I may not be the one to raise her after all. No time to be angry about that. Anger is a luxury she can't afford. She has to call her favorite cousin and ask his aid.

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