The adrenaline rush was intense as Lillian bounded over the mountain with zeal. Her horse, Starla, was just as enthusiastic as her rider, not even minding the heavy cart she pulled behind her. The open yet mountainous land was something so foreign to the two of them, who had come from a small town. Lillian had been quite enamored with the mountain landscape flashing by, so much so that she didn't see the poor fox up ahead.
With a startled neigh, Starla leapt over a small ridge to avoid the fox in the path, which quickly ran off. The cart busted its wheel and detached from the horse while Lillian was tossed off. Starla kept running while Lillian lay out on the ground, seeing stars as the breath was knocked out of her. Her head ached from the collision. Goodness, everything ached. As she tried to get her senses, two figures blocked out the sun. A serious looking woman in odd formal wear looked down on her with a frown and her hands on her hips, while a kindly looking old man in a top hat stood to the side.
"Are you alright dear?" The old man asked, and the stern woman helped Lillian up. She brushed herself off and smiled politely.
"Oh, yes, just a little dazed. Thank you," she said, feeling sheepish and cursing her horse in the back of her mind. What a first impression! The stern woman straightened her headdress, similar to a nun's habit, and returned her hands to her hips.
"I'm Ina," she started, and the old man interrupted with "I'm Rutger!" Ina scowled at him and continued. "We're mayors of the two towns on either side of this mountain. You're going to need somewhere to live, aren't you? There aren't any towns for many miles. You should live in Konohana! The freshest crops around grow there!" Ina smiled and laughed, obviously proud. Lillian wondered how she knew that she was moving, but figured her boxes gave it away.
"Bluebell's crops are just as fresh, but it's our animals that are truly amazing. You can raise anything, besides, it's so quaint!" Rutger said joyfully, and Ina glared at him before turning back to Lillian.
"What's your name, by the way? Can't live anywhere without a name!" She laughed, and Lillian looked down at her feet. Names just messed things up in her opinion, but Ina had a point. "I'm Lillian," she said with a polite smile. "And you're both right, I do need somewhere to live. I've always wanted to have a farm with a bunch of animals, so I guess Bluebell it is!" she said, and Ina turned her glare on her.
"Well, I guess things can't be helped… but you'll change your mind!" she promised before stalking off down to, presumably, Konohana. Rutger shook his head at his rival mayor and signaled for Lillian to follow him. When she looked at her stuff, Rutger told her not to worry about the boxes as he'd get villagers to help her later.
The walk to Bluebell was pleasant as Rutget prattled on about his village and the villagers. Lillian was growing excited to meet new people and get off to a fresh start, and hardly noticed when they arrived at a worn out but cozy looking house. Lillian gazed around as Rutger introduced her to her new home. There was a barn and small pen to her left, and a chicken coop to her right. It was beautiful.
"I'm sure you've had a long day. The house should be live in ready, so go make yourself at home. Tomorrow you can go to town and meet everyone. Welcome to Bluebell!" Rutger cheerfully said before taking off. It was true that Lillian did have a long day, but she wasn't quite ready for bed yet. So, instead, she wandered off back towards the mountain. She explored the edge of the mountain and found the path split. She could see part of the path veered up the mountain, but the other led to somewhere she didn't know. She followed it down to the entrance of a tunnel, and almost ventured in before someone yelled at her.
"Hey! Don't go in there!" Lillian turned to see who yelled, and saw a man around her age looking grumpily at her. He wore a lot of purple, and his hat hid a lot of his face. He approached her quickly, as if afraid she wouldn't listen.
"That tunnel collapsed a long time ago, but rocks still fall so it's dangerous. Don't go in there!" He scolded, and Lillian shrank at his harsh tone.
"Sorry," she apologized. "I just moved here today. I was going to try and get my boxes and noticed this tunnel. I promise not to go in." She said. Lillian was trying to be polite, but the young man still looked wary of her. He nodded, and turned to leave quietly. Not wanting to be left alone since it had gotten so dark, Lillian walked behind him.
"Um, my name is Lillian," she started, trying to keep up a conversation. If she was going to live in Bluebell, she wanted to at least try to make friends. The young man eyed her, as if trying to discern what she was up to. Lillian couldn't help but notice that they were a wonderful sage green, even in the dark.
"…I'm Cam," he said, and resumed being quiet as they reached the fork that would lead back to her farm. He stopped walking and nodded at her, tipping his hat. "Welcome to Bluebell, Lillian," he said, and offered a small smile before continuing towards what she could only assume was town. Lillian watched him walking away, wondering why he was even near the tunnel. At least he seemed nice. She yawned and walked back home.
Her bed was incredibly comfortable as she crawled in with a sigh of contentment. She was glad to be in a new home, a new town to leave her old self behind. Lillian hoped it wouldn't rain in the night, and that animals would leave her stuff alone. She half wanted to go out again, but her body refused to move, and she didn't want to run into another person to berate her… even if he was cute. She shook the thought away. She didn't need to think about romance now. With a sigh, she closed her eyes and went to sleep, dreaming of a successful farm and lots of sage.