#elsewhere

Earl nearly chokes on his tea at that.

A cough "Pardon?"

"Oh, I am an old Oathed lady. Surely, how could I ever have experienced anything interesting in my love life?"

"I'm both insulted on your behalf AND mine now. I like to think I do my part to keep our love life interesting, and I certainly can't fault your imagination in that department," A bit of a blush "As for your earlier days, does your sister not know you held court of your own in a fahsion some Fiona sidhe would envy?"

"She does not."

"I suspect she thinks we met at some... what? Corn festival?"

"I should see if I can get her to tell..."

"Ugh... a corn maze maybe, that least can be fun and creepy"

"But still, surely we do naught that is scandalous." Her eyes sparkle.

"Oh no, not us, couple of home bodies. No wild quests in Parisisan tunnels, or in the shadows of Prague... no grand thefts to foil even nobles, and heavens sake, no trips to the Dreaming where the wrong answer to a riddle could have gotten us killed. I clutch at my pearls to consider" Amused

A rattle of amused laughter.

A chuff in return "Well, at least your sister has entertained even as she's exasperated. I confess I like both your sisters. Did Vashti's gift come of use?"

"Oh, it may well have prevented the shanda... but, well, it made me uncomfortable, I had removed it."

"Tziporah made use of it, however. Hence her difficulties."

"Okay, this is actually getting to be juicy. And I don't say that often. "

"As the floozie, she seduced said Scathach."

"To aid me and August, of course - not simply on a whim."

"Ye gads" A sip "So she played the good hearted temptress... and got her foot caught in the door. I wonder if Da'an is laughing at her?"

"Well, the attraction seems genuine on her end."

"Good. This Thane, he seems a decent man? I'd not have my sister in law mistreated"

"He does."

"Okay, then she needs to get to work and make a move on the guy. Autumn Sidhe are like Candy to commoner girls... it's like all the good looks, and half the oppressor vibe"

"She's going to have competition" He says "And before you ask, Kourtney is alarmingly open about romantic strategy for someone so young. She complimented me on an excellent find."

Clearly Earl isn't sure what ot make a younger Hearth giving him post oath appoval

Brow?

"Still. The Pooka might come home with us - he is unlikely to get a fair shot here. And the troll thane who greeted us might also be on the outs after all is said and done."

"You're the find" he adds "Sorry, I ramble. " He ponders "So, you're stealing staff?"

He smiles at the 'stealing' comment

"Me? No. But if they are cast adrift, they can certainly find somewhere better."

"I had hoped Anthony, in particular, would be able to stay here as the childlings seem kind and organized... but it seems he will not be granted much grace."

A pondering "If he is treated poorly we'll find a place for him. Heck, if he wants a real change I'll get him at the farm. Ants are hard workers and if he has that trait he'd be welcome"

"He might like the farm, but I also think he could do well between Poppy and Vashti and Emma."

"Your Poppy can be a bad influence" A grin though "Yeah, that might work . We'll see how it goes"

"There are some pooka at the farm, too, but it's still very troll."

"Tell the older generation that.. they're now worried about a Witchtel daughter being adopted. That we have a centaur who is Clem's choice rather than a troll fellow. Of course, a nocker is one of us and has been. I swear, they're talking how the Farmhold might not be a lodge in a generation or three but 'merely' a mews"

He snorts at that

She rolls her eyes.

"Mara is as much a DeBuke as any of you. Did she inflict her corn-shucker theories on you yet? I got my ears filled for a good half hour on the fourth..."

THAT Makes him grin "Actually, I listened and liked it. It speeds up the process, or should if she's right... she had me look over her design , I'm not a mechnical sort but I understand structure. I told her it would be hilarious if the machine made it sound like the corn 'screamed' as it was shucked. She gave me a look, then said it was nice that she wasn't the weirdo of the family as long as I was around, then went right back to design spec ideas"

"Still five times faster .." Impressed by the notion

"See? DeBuke, all the way."

"I agree, and honestly, her trips to various areas , dougal holds and nocker workshops just have her come back with new ideas. City Nockers don't think about Agro machines, meaning the if she wants it, Mara has an edge over her peers at an early age"

"She has a good niche."

"You know what her brother's gotten her into?"

He takes a sip looking tickled "Monster Trucks. "

"Oh no. Is she building one? She is, isn't she?"

"Her brother said he understood if she waasn't 'up to it'.. now He's a good mechanic himself, but he knew what he was doing"

"Oh, what an instigator. I respect that."

"He's also found a boyfriend, to which I say about time" Anod "But you've distracted me from my grumble about the Farmhold older generation. I think they're scared that Emmit is now their only 'voice' on.... and he's raather young at heart"

"Emmitt is totally a rambunctious brat."