Okay, new story time. So this is going to be Cliff/Claire (idk it's adorable asdfghjkl ;-;) wit a few hints of Claire/Bachelors here and there. These first few chapters will just be her meeting people because y'know, story's gotta start somewhere, amirite? Okay I'm going to shut up now.
"This… is the farm?"
Claire stared at the weeds, the debris enveloping the 'refreshing' farm. It was nothing compared to the luxurious life she was promised in the advertisement. She'd quit her job for this for this farm, not to mention she'd left her apartment and the few friends she'd made.
'This is a joke, right?' She thought, trying not to look too disappointed.
Thomas, the mayor, nodded. His bright smile was enough to make Claire feel bad.
"Yes, I admit this isn't the best condition it could be in, but the owner passed away a few years ago." He looked down to the floor, shuffling his feet. "People usually come and see the farm, notice it's poor state and leave."
Claire felt guilty. She took another look at the farm, putting on her best smile.
"I-I think it's lovely. I'll turn it around, don't you worry."
He looked up in shock, a wide grin splattered across his face. Claire couldn't help but laugh at the man, who was now giggling like a schoolgirl.
"Oh, thank you! You won't regret it!" He beamed, grabbing her hand. "You know, we haven't had a new resident since Cliff, and not to be rude, but he hasn't really contributed to the liveliness of our town. A new farmer is so exciting! The whole village is ecstatic to meet you, and hopefully you'll enjoy it here. I best be off now for my son must be wondering where I've got to. Come see the villagers later, considering you need to buy some seeds and such. Goodbye!" He smiled. He wandered back to the town, happily bobbing from side to side.
Claire sighed. She didn't know how Thomas could talk that much. She was never a social person, often preferring to stay inside with a book or her laptop. Talking to people was a challenge to her, mainly because she got nervous and felt she was boring whoever she was speaking to. She was fine speaking to people she was comfortable with, but strangers? No way.
"Well," She began, rolling her sleeves up. "I better meet these guys. I'm sure they're lovely, just hope they don't think I'm weird…"
Claire walked down the faded pathway, reaching an old building. She looked up at it, opening the door.
"What's wrong with it?!" A young man yelled at an elder. Neither of the men noticed Claire's presence, so she decided to stay quiet.
"The answer is inside of you." The older man said, calmly. This only seemed to anger the other even more.
"Um, hello?" Claire said, trying her hardest to be noticed. The younger man turned around, his face scrunched up in anger.
"What are you looking at?! If you have nothing-"
"Gray! How dare you speak to a customer like that!" The old man yelled. Claire winced, not used to the harsh tones in their voices. "My apologies, my grandson can be rather rude. You should know better, Gray, especially since this seems to be a newcomer. I expected more from you."
Gray pulled his hat over his eyes.
"So… Sorry."
"I-It's fine. Don't worry about it." She smiled, shyly. "My name's Claire, I'm, um, the new rancher. Nice to, uh, meet you."
"The name's Saibara, and this here is my grandson, Gray. We own the Blacksmith, so I assume you'll be stopping by often. We'll upgrade your tools for you, so feel free to come by." Saibara smirked. Claire nodded.
As she turned to leave, she felt a tap on her shoulder.
"Hey, sorry for earlier. My grandpa was just giving me a hard time. I never seem to be good enough for him, y'know? I'm ready to quit. I don't see the point in working if I'm just gonna get put down." Gray explained. Claire didn't know what to do, as she was never good at giving advice.
"It's called training."
Gray stayed silent, glancing at the girl under his cap.
'Crap.' She thought. 'That sounded so bad. He's probably going to think I'm horrible. I've only been here a day and I've managed to-'
"You're right. I'm such a wimp."
Claire snapped out of her daydream. Did she… actually give someone good advice?!
"Sorry for complaining so much…" He murmured, his eyes locked on the floor below. He suddenly looked up, a small smile plastered onto his face. "I don't really get what my grandfather's saying now, but I think the time has come. I'd better keep trying. Thanks again."
Claire nodded again, awkwardly walking out of the store. As she left, she heard a high pitched squeal come from around the corner.
"Just wait a second!"
Claire stepped towards the noise and many chickens placed behind a little fence, and the voice was frantically shouting from the bottom of the place. While Claire stood there, she noticed a chicken running towards her.
"H-Hey!" Claire shouted, picking the small animal up.
"Wait, I said!"
She ran to Claire, puffing.
"I was told not to take my eyes off the chickens, yet I lost one. Good job, Popuri…" She mumbled to herself. She beamed at Claire, taking the animal off her hands. "Thanks. Chickens are so hard to catch. I've never seen you before though. What's your name?"
"Claire, I'm running the old farm. Um, what about you?"
"Popuri! Do you like chickens, Claire?" She asked, clutching the chicken tighter.
"Huh? Oh, sure…" She lied. Claire couldn't stand chickens. The way they clucked annoyed her, and she was always worried that one would bite her with their sharp beaks.
"I thought so; you look like a chicken girl! I love chickens too! I think people who like chickens are such lovely people, so that must be why I got a good feeling when I saw you."
She twisted her pink hair, before plopping the bird on the ground.
"I've got to bring her back to the house now. Would you care to come in? I don't think you've met my brother or my mother."
Claire couldn't refuse, so she followed the girl into her home.
"They laid lots of eggs today." A boy noted. "They must be healthy. I made some spa-boiled eggs, so eat up, mom."
The woman, who looked scarily similar to Popuri, picked up one of the eggs and began eating.
"Ooh! Spa-boiled eggs, yum!" Popuri exclaimed. She didn't bother to introduce Claire, so she was left standing in the doorway, unsure of what to do.
"Uh, Popuri? Who's this?" The boy asked, observing the girl.
"Oh, her? That's Claire. She's running the farm! Neat, huh?"
"Nice to meet you Claire. I'm Rick, Popuri's brother. That's our mom, Lillia. We run this store and sell chickens, so if you ever need anything, I'm your chicken man!" He responded. Claire tried her hardest not to laugh.
'Oh my Goddess, cringe.'
"Oh yeah, here." He handed her a spa-boiled egg, happily. "Feel free to eat this. I have tons of eggs so I can just make more."
She popped the egg into her rucksack.
"I'll… go now." She waved, shyly. "Bye, see you all later."
"See you another time, dear. Come by anytime you like. I'm sure Popuri would appreciate a new friend." Lillia smiled. Claire smiled back, leaving the home.
'Some people are so nice, how do they do it?'
DID YOU LOVE IT?!
/no
Leave a review, I'd love to hear your feedback.
(btw I'm going to be including all black heart events, just like the game. Idk, it's fun yano?)
-Cherry xx