DISCLAIMER: I DO NOOOOOOOOOT OWN HARVEST MOON.

This story is pure fiction and has no reference to anyone, thing or place. Unless you count the game cart.

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"Did you hear? A new farmer's gonna take over the old farm,"

"Oh really? Have you heard who he is?"

"Mayor Thomas mentioned that he was a 'she',"

"Oh my. A girl? On a farm? Is she up to it?"

"She's a city girl, she shouldn't be,"

"Some city people are good at other things too,"

"Well, she's coming today, that's for sure,"

Anna, Manna and Sasha, the town gossips, were standing in the middle of Rose Square, in which they gathered in every afternoon. Many a time they would talk about Duke's new tooth filling, but this was a different story. The girl would be arriving in an hour, or so they heard from Thomas, the town's mayor.

"Thomas says he's going to meet her, think we should just hang around outside?" asked Sasha, straightening her blue dress.

"I'd rather go in and welcome her," Manna disagreed, taking the more straight forward approach. The rest sighed but shook their heads all the same.

"Do you WANT to be caught by Thomas, Manna? I mean, he didn't really say it to me, I was more like..." sniffed Anna.

"EAVESDROPPING," interrupted Manna.

"Anyway, he said he wanted it to-"

"BE A SURPRISE," Manna interrupted again (she had a knack for annoying people).

"How did you know?" asked Anna.

"Remember? He told us he had a big surprise for us on the 31st of Winter," Sasha sighed. "Short-term memory much?"

"Never mind," Anna brushed off the remark as the three dispersed.

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Erica looked around at the desolate landscape she was supposed to own. Stones and branches littered the field with weeds springing up from any possible space. Was this really the farm that MT Realtor had sold to her? She looked at the newspaper cutting that she had brought along with her.

HATE THE CITY? WANT A QUIET LIFE?

MT Realtor has the perfect place for you to go! Set in a small secluded town out in the country, this farm is perfect for anyone who loves working with animals, hates the polluted city air and just wants some rest and relaxation. Fully equipped with a farmhouse and a barn and chicken coop, large field area, river and pond! So give us a call at:

FARM-MT-REALTOR

P.S: Free dog included in the package.

Why did she ever believe that cheesy ad. There wasn't even a picture to prove! Erica turned her head and saw a tiny man in a red suit huffing up to her.

"Are... you... t-the new... FARMEEEEEERRRRRRR?' wheezed the middle-aged man, gasping for air.

"Um... Yes?" answered Erica uncertainly, taken aback at the sight of the man.

"Ah... much better, now. Er... I am Thomas, the mayor of Mineral Town," He held out his hand to shake.

"Yes, I was just wondering... HOW COULD YOU SELL ME SUCH A LOUSY FARM? Look at the state of it!" She pointed at the muddy grass (which had ruined Erica's new boots), the snarling puppy hiding in its doghouse (after biting Erica three times; twice on the ankle and once on the knee) and the branches and stones on the field (which had tripped her up countless times).

"S-so you d-did believe that cheesy advertisement that Harris made me put u-up! Ehehehe!" guffawed Thomas, laughing uncontrollably. His squeaky titters made Erica fume. She picked up a nearby rock and aimed it at Thomas's head. Thomas stopped laughing and he looked up. He shrieked and ran out of the way.

"Forgive MEEEEEE! I couldn't help MYSEEEEEEEEEEEELF!" screeched Thomas, his mustache flying as he ran around the farm, Erica still pelting him with stones and maybe even a branch or two. Erica sighed and stopped throwing, which wasn't easy (she was christened 'Machine-gun Arm' during snowball fights).

"Can't I just get a refund? I mean, I sold my apartment and quit my job! I can't go back now!"

"But we've... uh..."

"You've what...?"

"Spent the money on that new television..."

"Now what am I gonna do? Now I'll have to stay on this farm and eat the weeds!"

"Yes! I've got it!" Thomas jumped up, fist flying into the air.

"Got what?" asked Erica disinterestedly.

"You can live on the farm! We'll give you lots of help, all the townspeople will. The inhabitants of this town are really friendly!"

"Oh all right..." answered Erica, but this time with a hint of enthusiasm in her voice.

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