#earthrunes

"It won't last, the farm will have it's panic... seize the kids... but, some of the childlings will be allowed to visit, or maybe evne stay... and they'll spread stories of how well they were treated. I hope it is well. I tried to guide them to .. kinder options. Clem will take some grief as chief, but she'll also get to point to the childlings as proving a point"

"The outside world is not such a scary place."

"Loath as I may be to concede - some fear is not beneficial."

"What was it Mark Twain said? We must be careful not to be like the cat who sits on a hot stove? For the cat not only never sits on a hot stove again, he sits on NO stove ever again, a lesson taken wrong" A nod

"I like that. Yes."

"Eventually, much to their sorrow I'm sure, the farm will end... or arather, begin again. Centaurs , Satyrs, Eshu, Nockers... it's eventually going to have a large minority of non trolls or troll kinain, large enough that it'll have to adapt"

"Agreed."

"Why there might even be sluagh childlings in the future, or so say some of the troll busybodies"

a smile at her

PINK.

"I only just turned twenty, Caspian."

Besides, there would be much competition for any spawn, methinks. So very many aunties and uncles and grandparents..."

"True, I understand the Schwartz Cohens and whatever else I'm missing would not give up front of the Aunt Uncle or grandparents line without a fight" A grin "Why CC's about ready to abduct all seven grand kids if she can get away with it"

Earl 's footsteps

"Oh, those children have interesting paths..."

"I am not surprised' the Eshuy turns "Hey, Earl come herre, Zara was just protesting she was only twenty and that we Debukes are too baby crazy"

"Feh!"

Earl shakes his head 'She is twenty, and yeah the family may need therapy, and also... my lady may not be comfortable with dicussing her and my future children which is a long way off yet"

"Your'e breaking the hearts of a lot of middle aged and older DeBuke relations, Earl" Caspian says "I'm still a DeBuke"

"You are, and just as pushy as the rest of us" Earl says "If they sent you for that, tell them that Zara is being VERY Nice not to wait until she's quite late in life and then, in the last 'few good years she has' finally has one, so that she will honor the anctent cronish customs of her kith"

"Oy. All of you!"

Capsian grins openly, "How does she whisper so loud? You.. wouldn't really do that thoguh? Wait till your like late 30s or even early forities and THEN have...oh wow, the blue ladies would go into a tizzy at the notion"

"AHEM.. she said Oy, that means we stop" earl fusses at him, then adds "And she might if we keep pestering so please? geez"

Caspain coughs into his hand "I apologize. I was just having a little fun, and at the same time teasing the biddies in blue that i call my aunts. Please, Miss Zara, forgive my unintentioned rudeness"

"Forgiven. But for the nonce, I have acquired a younger sister to whom I msut tend."

Earl looks relieved, then.. surprised "You've granted sisterhood status ?"

Caspian mutters "Maybe she figures if she holds up the new sister, it gets people out of talk of her future motherhood?"

"I need not cast omen. I know my mother."

"Tis best I start accepting her now, nu?"

"Hannah's got a heart as big as Nebraska" Earl nods and smiles

"Aye. And see - she and Fahdalie took Mama to the zoo." She holds out the phone to show the pictures.

BOth men look and grin

"They actually got Hannah out and about a bit? This.. could be good for your mom" Earl observes "In moderation"

"Eshu were not meant to stay in doors and we tend to drag friends along" Caspian smiles

"Capsian, if you could help.. .well , I guess you've already heard" He nods

"I swear, I do recall being an only child."

Caspian laughs. Earl smiles

Earl says "Love, you spent much of your life missing elements of your family, you spent years as a wilder on quests related to family for good or ill, or for those who should have been family. And repeatedly, you sought to save family you loved or grew to love and bring them back. I don't have to be a soothsayer to suggest you may have brought this on yourself, happy tease from mother fate"

She blinks, looking nonplussed.

"Am I wrong?" Her knight asks

"Ah..." she sips her tea rather than affirm, which might be as good as admitting it outright.

Caspian looks at Earl, "Does she do that often?" Possibly meaning the non concession concession

"What, sip tea and look beautiful? yes, quite often " Earl says deliberate clueless look at his cousin

She gently reaches out a foot to touch Earl's leg with her toe. Good boyfriend.

His eyes sparkle

Caspian throws his hands up and grins "Oh very well. I am happy for you both of course, and i'll be happy to wind my way up to apples until I feel the need to make haste. Anything else you want me to do up there?"

"Oh, cause some trouble. Have fun."

"a plan I can follow" A grin and he finishes his tea "Now, if you two will forgive me, I think I'll spend the night here. There's a lady I would very much like to see again"

"Good rest to you, cousin."

"Not if I'm fortunate" The eshu observes and puts his hand over his heart and withdraws