"If I don't see signs of life in the next 30 steps I will turn around", she told herself. She had been walking for what seemed like forever and she was about ready to give up. She should have agreed to ride with the kind lady that offered her a lift, but her ingrained habit of never trusting anyone prevented her from accepting, that was how she had survived so long in the city.
She was about to turn around and give up the idea of starting a new life, when she saw huge gates in the distance. Her exhaustion melted away as she ran the rest of the way. She imagined fields brimming with ripe crops, barns and coops filled with all types of animals, a house full of a loving family, a square replete of pleasant people who were actually happy to see her and...and...and?
"What's this?" She whispered. Her feet had taken her to a spacious area of...nothing? Wasn't this a merchant town? Perhaps today was a holiday? Or maybe, juuuuust maybe she had taken a wrong turn and ended up in another town. She panicked. No, that couldn't be, just as her hand reached for her map, a voice spoke.
"You must be Haruka, yes?" it asked. Haruka turned to look at the owner of the voice, a strict looking woman.
"Uh...yes. Yes, that's me." she said. The woman smiled and Haruka was suddenly reminded of her mother.
"Great, we've been expecting you. I'm Veronica, the Guild Master." Veronica gave Haruka a warm smile, which she returned. She had never heard of a Guild before, there weren't any in the town she grew up with, and the city, as large as it was, didn't really have Guilds, more like cults, clubs and unions, but mostly cults. She remembered the time a crazy cult tried to get her to join them and she had to-"Welcome to our town." Veronica's voice effectively pulled Haruka out of her thoughts. Oh yeah, the town.
"It's..." Haruka hesitated, she needed the right words, "a nice town." she finished lamely. Haruka wasn't trying to be rude, nor was she trying to give undeserved praise, but that's how she felt about the town. It was nice, not great, not awful, but simply nice.
"Well thank you, we try our best." Veronica replied with a smile. Haruka was relieved to see that her words were not taken as an insult, but as a simple observation, she was going to like Veronica. "Unfortunately, due to slight complications your farmland is not yet ready for your arrival."
Oh, Haruka thought, that was going to cost, she started wondering how it would affect her finances when Veronica pulled her from her thoughts once again.
"However we have arranged for you to stay with one of our senior farmers, will that be okay?"
"Oh, yeah, no problem." Haruka replied. She was relieved, she didn't even know if the town had an Inn. And did Veronica just say there were more farmers around? Back in her hometown her mother and father were the only farmers, unless you counted Mark, which most people in the island didn't.
"Here, let me take you to her place." They started walking around town, and Haruka's initial thoughts were reinforced. It was a beautiful town, but the deserted streets made it feel lonely, especially for Haruka, who lived in a bustling city not too long ago. They passed the edge of the town and into what looked like a forest. Where did this senior farmer live? The mountains? Another town? She was overthinking it, a bad habit of hers. However, it had been useful in the city where so many unpredictable things could happen. They walked in silence, giving Haruka the perfect opportunity to overthink some more. "This will be your farmland." Veronica announced, Haruka had been so absorbed in her thoughts she didn't notice her surroundings. Her farmland was big, sure, not as big as her mother's fields, but her mother was an insane workaholic. This, she could manage.
"It's great" she whispered, so absorbed in her farming fantasies that she forgot to keep the awe out of her voice.
Veronica gave a slight chuckle, "Come on, Miss Eda is this way." They made their way to the neighboring farm, it looked slightly like hers, but this one had a river. A house was surrounded with tilled plots of land, all bearing newly planted crops. Standing just in front of the house was a tiny woman old enough to be her grandmother. "Good evening, Miss Eda. This is Haruka, our new farmer."
The old woman smiled warmly at Haruka, "Hello dear, it is a pleasure to meet you."
Haruka felt herself return the smile without hesitation. "The pleasure is all mine, Miss Eda." They talked about Haruka's farmland arrangement and they bid their goodbyes. Eda prepared dinner and guided Haruka to what would be her room until her house was completed. "Here, dear. It was my son's old room. I hope you find it to your liking."
"Thank you so much, Miss Eda. Goodnight." Haruka said. Once she was alone she looked at her suitcase. She didn't feel like unpacking, so she took her pajamas from her suitcase and changed into them. She laid on her bed, waiting to fall asleep. Haruka felt her muscles relax, she had met exactly two people in this town, and she already felt welcomed. She had made the right choice, she knew it. Her new life started now.
Nose block, he thought. He needed fresh air. He got up from his chair and stretched his stiff limbs. He would walk around the town, maybe go to the Trade Depot, and maybe even go listen to the river and soothe his soul. He walked around the town, occasionally stopping to chat with the residents, not because he wanted, but because it was the polite thing to do. He didn't crave human interaction, he just liked to walk, admire the scenery and occasionally search for inspiration in nature's scents.
He was about to enter the Restaurant when he saw Veronica escorting a young woman. The young woman stood out like a sore thumb. Not because she was short, nor because she was hauling a huge suitcase behind her, but because of her hair. Her strikingly blue hair was tied in a ponytail. Was that natural? It was true that he had heard of unusual hair colors before, but he had never seen one in this town besides Marian, and even then he knew the doctor dyed it every month or so. He continued watching the young girl until he realized he was staring. His cheeks flushed, how rude of him. He pulled himself together and entered the Restaurant, greeting Raeger and pondering about the possibilities of blue hair.