A/N: ok, first chapter. Of course it's not going to be that exciting yet, but I still hope you enjoy! Your flames are encouraged, so please review.
NO, I do not own harvest moon or anything to do with it.
It had to be the hottest day of the entire year. Not just a normal hot, no, that kind of hot Popuri could handle. It was this certain type of hot, the type were the thick damp summer air mixes with the staggering smell of cows and hay and, just hangs there lifelessly.
Popuri shifted uncomfortably in her favorite seat by the fire. It was to hot to actually light the logs, but it made her feel better to stare into the dark charcoal pit.
Of course our farm had to be the one with no air conditioning. She thought, as she lightly fanned herself with a napkin.
It was unnatural for mineral town to get this hot. Being so close to the ocean, the weather was usually quite pleasant. On days like this, it made it difficult to do anything other then sit in the house and wait for a breeze. Which was a great disadvantage in Popuri's case, considering there was always a lot of work for her to do to keep the chickens healthy, and the farm in order.
I don't want to get up. I just want to sit here, and continue fanning myself with a pathetic napkin fan.
The farm door opened with a click, letting in a burst of summer sun.
"Popuri…honey are you awake" Liz's small voice barely carried over to her daughter. "Sweetie, you can't just sit there all day. Go and help your brother, he's working himself to death trying to make a canopy to keep those chickens out of the sun. The things that boy will try…"
"Mom…it's to hot to move." Popuri moaned quietly, "I think I'm stuck in this chair." She lifted on leg. It ached angrily from the hours of not moving.
"I won't let you sit around this house all day. Take a walk, go swimming." Liz suggested. "Do something that involves actual movement."
Popuri flushed angrily. She flattened out her skirt, and lifted herself out of the chair. Her legs almost toppling over from the unexpected movement. "Fine", she ran her fingers through her billowing pink hair, and marched out of the house in a huff.
"Oh finally", Rick was bright red, and covered head to toe in sweat. "We thought you were going to sit there all day." He wiped his lip and turned to gaze at his sister.
"Well, mom said I had to get out of the house, so I'm going for a walk, do you want to come?" He nodded, and pulled off his leather work gloves.
They walked quietly down the cobblestone path, in no specific direction. It was to hot to talk, and the silence seemed peaceful. Popuri gazed happily at the tiny houses that dotted the streets. She felt a little bit better now that she was moving.
"Do you hear it?" Rick stopped walking.
"Hear what?"
"I…I think it's the mayor." They both stood silent for another few minutes, until a load screech filled the air.
"Oh my god." Popuri glanced at Rick, who was already running towards the source of the noise.
They stopped, out of breath, at the abandoned farm on the corner of the road.
"HOW can you say it was a MISTAKE!" a blonde girl in overalls bellowed to the mayor at the top of her lungs. "This farm is an absolute MESS!!!" she stopped for air before continuing into another shouting fit. "Look, the article says: a beautiful farm, located in quant mineral town. The perfect life for those looking to relax.
Thomas looked like a scared mouse compared to the furious blonde. His pudgy face was white and terrified.
"Miss Claire…please." His voice was shaking terribly. "MT real-estate did exaggerate the property… quite a bit. But, you can still leave."
The blonde looked about ready to burst into tears. "I CANT. I quit my job, I even sold my apartment. I don't have anywhere else TO go."
"Then….I doesn't have any other suggestions for you. Claire, I'm sure if you give it a chance you'll love it here. Please just calm down." He took a deep breath and waited for the screaming to resume.
"I…I could try." The blonde girl took a long deep sigh. "As long as you provide me with the things I need. I haven't got any tools, and I'm absolutely broke." She bit her lip.
The mayor seemed overjoyed that she hadn't continued screaming. He nodded his heard furiously, almost knocking off his large red top hat. "Absolutely, anything you need. You just call me and I'll be here to help." He stuck out his hand, she shook it awkwardly. "It's a deal then. I do have to leave you now though, as inconvenient as it is. A mayor's work is never done. You do have to unpack I guess." He smiled, and gave her a warm hug. "Just, don't worry. If you have any problem, anything at all just ask any townsperson. They'll give you directions to my house." He waved, and waddled towards the gate.
The mayor didn't notice Rick and Popuri standing near the door, until he was only a few feet away.
"Mayor Thomas!" Popuri questioned loudly. "What was that all about??"
The mayor shook his head, his face downcast. "Poor girl. She came here to live on the farm, but… she wasn't exactly informed on its current condition." He gestured back into the wide open pasture. It was filled with large green weeds, old logs, and hundreds of tiny rocks.
"Is she ok?" Rick asked.
The mayor shrugged. "I hope so, I hate to see anyone that upset." he let out a sigh. "She could probably use some company though. She hasn't met anyone yet, so it might be nice if you went and said hello."
Popuri glanced back over her shoulder at the blonde girl. She was still standing in the middle of the yard, starring down at her brown hush puppies.
"Of course we'll go say hello." Popuri smiled brightly. "She looks pretty shook up, I'm sure she just needs a friend."
The mayor nodded, and without warning walked away.
The door to the gate was still open. Popuri and Rick treaded quietly over to where the girl was standing.
"ummm…hello." Rick said softly. The girl flinched and turned around wide eyed.
"I'm sorry, we probably scared you." Popuri smiled as friendly as she could. "Hi! I'm Popuri, this is my brother Rick."
"I…uhh...I'm Claire…" the girl tried to force a smile, even if it looked extremely fake.
"Listen…" Popuri reached out and put a hand on her shoulder. "You're probably really scared. But don't worry. Everything will be fine! Mineral town is a great place; there are so many awesome people here." Popuri grinned broader then ever, making her cheeks feel like they were going to explode. "It's going to be great."
"thanks…I really hope your right. I'm sorry if it seems rude, but I really think I should be getting inside." She glanced sadly at the grubby log cabin "I have a lot of work to do." They both nodded, and watched as Claire walked slowly over to the door of the cabin, and disappeared inside.
"She seems nice." Popuri commented, turning to smile at her brother.
"yah, she really does."
A/N: WOOT WOOT. I finished the first chapter happy dance please review, even if you hated it. Tell me what you think so I can improve it for future chapters.