Hello! I hope you enjoy this one. It's a little narrative on a situation I reckon almost every Animal Crossing fan has been through.
P.S. - Animal Crossing belongs to Nintendo.
I always presumed my relationship with the villagers was good. I did what any person would - talk every day, follow their requests, and celebrate with them. There are memories of me, roaming free on wild summer days, trying to catch bugs for the museum. They would be there, always. I could stop and chat, and forget about life's worries. The villagers I would begin to see as my friends. The sun high in the sky would never set on the friendships formed in my quaint little town.
Until one day it did.
I woke one morning, feeling a slight chill in the air. The night had been unkind; the branches of the trees outside my window were relentless in their movements. A howling wind continued to sweep through every crack and doorway it could, leaving me with no sleep. Groggily, I rose from my bed and tugged on a sweater and skirt. Glancing out the window and seeing nothing but dismal grey skies, I decided that perhaps I should put something on under the skirt.
I followed my usual daily routine before leaving the house - eat breakfast, check the calendar for important dates, and pack a bag for whatever today's chores would require from me. Usually a watering can, a shovel, and some Bells to spare. I'd also need to let Isabelle know I'm up, so I'd have to stop by Town Hall. The tiredness admittedly made it hard to follow such a routine, and some mornings I had wished to sleep in. But, I had to take advantage of any sunlight we had in these colder months.
Pity about today - there was hardly any.
As I opened the front door, the first thing I noticed was the mailbox. Pete had obviously paid a visit, poor guy. He must be working at some ungodly hour if he was awake earlier than me. Rubbing at my eyes, I headed down the path and opened the box, to find a solitary letter waiting inside. It felt bulky in my hands, like there was something in the envelope. Raising an eyebrow - and highly suspecting it was another letter from my mother - I retreated into the house to read my mail.
I peeled the envelope open, feeling more awake. The handwriting on the envelope wasn't my mother's, I noted. Opening the folded up piece of paper, I began to read.
And how I wish I didn't.
Time stopped momentarily, as my eyes trailed across each written word, watering the further down the letter they got. Dumbstruck, I let the paper sit on my lap as I tried to digest the information given to me.
It was Mac. He left yesterday.
When I stepped off the train that June, suitcase in hand, and a pocket full of dreams, Mac was amongst the small group of animals to approach me. He was amongst the villagers to name me their mayor, and although I questioned the sheer randomness of the moment, their faith in me encouraged me to do it.
Almost two years on, and I grew in many ways since that first encounter. I wasn't the shy, timid kid they claimed me to be, a little unsure of my new surroundings - I was stronger. Unafraid to take risks with the town, and develop it into a place people could feel proud to live. I assumed duties that are like second nature to me now. And Mac saw that development, from start to finish.
By this point, I should be able to face any challenge thrown at me, but nothing could have stopped me from breaking down into tears on my sofa. Isabelle and the town would have to wait. I lost a friend.
What perplexed me more than anything, was why he left. For as long as I could remember, he was my closest friend. I made the effort to talk and send him letters. It was never a case of me neglecting him, and him having enough. It was never like that. So why did he just up and leave? Do these things just happen?
I could feel the frustration boiling up inside - my indicator that I needed to walk this one off. It was no use sitting here, letting my heart sink further and further.
Brisk winds coursed through the trees, and whipped at my cheeks as I headed north. I would sometimes stop, and half-heartedly sprinkle water over the flowers. It was all I could really do on a day like this. I saw the occasional villager stroll past, but I paid no heed. I didn't want sympathy. Not if they were going to trample over my feelings too by packing their suitcases and hopping on the next train out of here. I didn't know who to trust anymore; if someone I considered my best friend could simply go like that, anybody could.
I stopped short at the bulletin board. Weathered pieces of paper were fluttering in the wind, pinned to the wood. It was open for anybody. Anybody in town could stick a notice up there. It was tempting to grab a pen and have at it. Tell the entire town what I felt, vent my frustrations and feel a bitter sense of relief afterwards. But it wouldn't be right. I wouldn't feel right. I'd only lose more friends.
It wasn't their fault, after all.
Gathering all the courage I could, I carried on with my duties, fixing a weary smile onto my face should anybody encounter me.
When I got home, the sky was still the same bleak grey it was when I woke up, with the exception of darker clouds. Sighing, I tossed my belongings onto the floor and flopped into the sofa, feet aching after a day of wandering aimlessly around town. Despite my best efforts, the flowers were wilting slightly. Perhaps it was the lack of sunshine. They were only receiving water as of late, after all. How I longed for summer to arrive.
I shifted in my seat, only to feel something by my side. The envelope. Hesitantly, I picked it up, unsure if I wanted to read Mac's heart-wrenching letter again. However, my attention was grabbed by what else was in the envelope. Of course - he sent something with the letter. Curiosity piqued, I reached for the item, feeling a wooden surface under my fingertips. With the letter, Mac had sent a picture of himself. Just by looking at his face, all the memories of our time spent together resurfaced. How at first I thought he was going to be a little rough around the edges, but actually turned out to be outgoing, and very sporty. How his house had a calm aura about it, and how his favourite song was 'My Place'. According to him, I was 'Ladybro', and I didn't seem to mind. I wanted to weep right there and then, but I felt something at the back of the frame. It was a message.
Sometimes life is rough - Mac
A couple of days had passed since I received the news of Mac's move. Since his house had been demolished, it felt like the town had taken on a new form. Part of its history was gone, but at the same time, I felt better knowing I didn't have to pass his empty house. The villagers carried on as normal, and if it weren't for the patch of ground where his house once stood, you'd have never thought it happened.
Walking through the town, I observed a peculiar sight. Ropes had been set up into a square, reserving a space for something. A familiar sign indicated that Nook was building something. Intrigued, I stepped closer to read what it said.
This spot is reserved for Avery's new home - Nook Homes
My stomach twisted slightly. I felt uneasy. So quickly, he was replaced...
Making my way back home, I wondered what this 'Avery' would be like.
Weeks passed since Avery moved in. A little cranky at times, but a nice enough eagle. I made sure to welcome him, and see that he settled in. I would do that for any new villager.
One afternoon, after I had watered the flowers, I decided to head up to Main Street. I needed to buy paper from the T&T Emporium for writing letters. I never really know what to say in my letters to the villagers; all I know is that they like receiving them. Still waiting for a reply though. I made my way up the steps, beyond the railway tracks, and was greeted with blazing sunshine. I was thankful for the warmer weather coming in - the flowers weren't going to survive much longer. I was just about to enter the store when something suddenly caught my eye. That was when I stopped, then momentarily smiled.
There he was, hanging around near Digby. My friend, looking the same as ever. Like he was never gone.
Yeah, this happened to me recently. Mac was a villager in my town since I started playing New Leaf, and recently he moved with no reason and Avery not long after moved in. But I realised that when a villager moves out, it's not forever. You can sometimes see them on Main Street. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this :)
Peace, love, and COOKIES! ~ MissSteph22 x :)