#debukefarmhold

The Scarecrow awaits in the shadowy patch of the farm, where the sun seems to have a harder time reaching no matter the season

Earl walks up "Mr. Scarecrow, sir? How are you?"

Underneath a thin veil of ice and snow, the scarecrow moves "spooky and distrusted? Yourself?"

"Odd but loved" earl admits

"Ah well, it's WINTER , young Earl, not my strongest season. THe crops aren't as plentiful so my victims don't draw near" bemusement in the dry tone "You are loved, oddly. Yes. But you haven't sought me out in awhile"

Earl frowns and considers "I haven't? That... that was rude of me. You were always..."

"Don't say kind" The Scarecrow tuts "I am never really kind to anyone."

"Fair," Earl says "You were always fair. You treated folks how you treated them. To me, that was pretty close to kindness. And I'm sorry if I haven't paid my respects more often. "

"Bah, you've been busy, and you still visit willing more than most," The Scarecrow says "But you want something. Everyone does. A favor, a haven, knowledge..."

"A bit of your straw, if it please you," Earl answers

"A bit of.. a bit of..." The Scarecrow says "Merciful death that comes during slumber, why would you ask for so much?"

"So much?" earl blinks

"You captured the heart of a Witch, boy" the Scarecrow tuts, "She is of many names, and some not her own... and you would take a part of me? "

"I thought you LIKED Zara," earl says though he sees the point the Scarecrow makes

"Of course, it was nice to have someone who understands the glories of autumn and fear nearly as much as I, but a part of me ? Tut tut, my boy. Your lady is as curious as five black cats in an attic filled with boxes open just a crack. Who knows what she might use that straw for?"

The troll smiles "A house"

"AH HA, I knew it I.." A beat "A house?"

"Magic key" Earl says "I don't know if you..."

"So it's time to use THAT is it? Hehehh" The scarecrow looks less alarmed and more amused again "Well, you caught yourself a witch, now you can't escape her."

"I don't WANT to escape her," Earl points out

"That's the best way to keep you from doing it, isn't it?" The Scarecrow says "You may not have a straw, but if you like, you may have my hat. I'm due for a new one now and then anyway"

Earl is about to point out that the scarecrow's hat is MADE of straw, possibly the same straw he is, but then clamps down. Maybe this is one of those moments it's just best not to say too much "Thank you very much. How may I repay you?" he takes the hat gently

"Your first born..."

Earl blinks, then frowns, his eyes threatening to darken

"... will introduce him or herself to me one day" The Scarecrow finishes with a wry tilt of its head

"Oh, that's... sure, that was going to happen anyway," Earl says

"Yes, Earl, but now it's not a courtesy, it's a pact. Ask your trueheart what the difference is if you wish" The Scarecrow chuckles "There's power in both, but it's not the same sort of power, oh no."

Earl looks at the hat in his hands thoughtfully, "I probably should. I'm not sure where she's gotten to, could be watching me, could be talking to Uncle"

"Namers are drawn together by their terrible burden," The Scarecrow says "And the world grows nervous when too many of them meet at once."

"I guess it's good that doesn't happen too often," Earl observes "Thank you for the hat."

"You're welcome, Earl," the Scarecrow says "Tell Zara that crystal calls late, but watches soon"

"I... " he wonders who crystal is, none of his cousins currently bear that name "I will." A duck of his head ,and prize in his hand, he goes to look for her

Only two Namers isn't too many at once, is it?

It shouldn't be, no.

Not when there are sketches and photos of paintings to go over...

And so there are so many to choose from. It turns out that while Earl was the painter, black and white photography was not unknown to the DeBuke clan

She's seen many of these before, but now it is Earl's mother who is happy to share, and even offer one up "This Earl at a football event... he was under the bleachers so you probably don't see him" This photo has color, and a young boy peeks out from the bleachers underside hoping to avoid the crowds. He's dressed in a ill fitting shirt that was meant for a more strapping troll lad. His eyes peek out like a caged animal "his father.. my ex husband, made him get out after that"

"And here is one of him doodling by the stream" She shows it. He seems much happier in that one

Her pale fingertips trail delicately over the image, fond.

"Would you like that one?" She offers and not because it means nothing to her. Quite the opposite. She's a timid woman, Earl's mom for all her troll blood.

But she has gained confidence since her divorce, and always been supportive of Zara and Earl

"I could, mayhaps, borrow it to print a copy?"

"I would not abscond with the original unnecessarily."

"I doubt you'd abscond, Zara" A gentle light in her eyes "For one thing, it's not a pen. I would be happy to see it in the hands of someone else who loves him, the right hands. I think yours are right, but if you want to make copies, well, if that's all, borrow as many as you like. But that one? If you want, I'll leave it in my will to you. I don't plan to go anywhere soon mind you but... " She says "never hurts to plan ahead"

"Plan for the worst, hope for the best."

"Just so, " She nods and offers up more photos for copying as she likes "Poor Earl had a difficult childling hood. I should have looked out for him more than I did" Then confidentally "it was DeVere, of course, that helped him, covertly" A fond sigh, a bit of wistful regret.

"You looked out as best you could. And last I checked, you are his mother yet."

"I certainly still need Mama. And I am grateful for Miriam, and you, for there is great value in those relationships. It seems I now have a collection of mothers."

Eloise smiles at that, "Thank you. And I'm honored to be in the company of such fine women. My goodness but they are forces to be reckoned with. I know you're already welcome at the farmhold, but if you or earl need me, call. I'll be there." She smiles "Goes without saying I'd love to see your house when you've settled in proper and are ready for guests. My beau wants to show me parts of Jefferson City anyway"

"Oh, we are planning on a guest suite!"