Overwhelming. That was the only word that could describe Lilli's first week in Bluebell, and after seven measly days she was contemplating defeat. She had learned the names of all the villagers and had tried (sometimes successfully, but mostly in vain) to connect these names with their faces. For a girl who forgot names the second she was introduced to someone, memorizing the townsfolk's names would have been enough of a challenge. But no; she also took a crash course in farming. Maybe I should have stayed in the city, Lilli thought as she collapsed on her creaky bed. Of course, that was wishful thinking. She had no choice—she had to remain in Bluebell, no matter what…

Lilli woke with a start the next morning at 6 AM—as a morning person, this adjustment had been the only easy one—and immediately let out a guttural screech as she rolled over. "My aaaaaarms!" she wailed pathetically. Every single morning here she had woken up miserably sore. Her back ached from pushing her stubborn cow in and out of the barn, her legs were wobbly from running through the treacherous mountain area, and this morning she felt like she had been punched repeatedly in the each bicep. Despite her pain, Lilli flopped out of bed and changed into her work clothes, including the headpiece. She had rejected the cloth square at first, failing to find the rustic appeal in it, but it held her hair back better than a ponytail ever could and she had grown to like the look. Maybe not fashion-forward, but quaint. After a quick breakfast of chamomile tea and an egg, sunny-side up, Lilli grabbed her rucksack and darted out the door.

Ruthie the cow was far more agreeable this morning than she ever had been before, and didn't even step on Lilli's toes as she milked her; Lilli took this as a good sign. Henrietta the chicken even clucked happily at Lilli as she collected her egg. "Good morning, sunshine," Lilli crooned to the chicken. These animals were growing on her… except…

"Oh, you've gotta go." Lilli held her nose as she approached the big brown horse she had been lent. "You're useful, but…" Before she could finish her statement, Lilli sneezed once, twice, three violent times and wiped her watering eyes with her sleeve. "I need to talk with Georgia," she said aloud.

Lilli jogged north towards the center of Bluebell, her breath coming out in soft wisps in the chilly morning air. It was only seven-thirty, but she knew Georgia would be awake. And it was true—immediately Lilli spotted Georgia by her gleaming auburn hair. "Hey!" she called.

Georgia looked behind her and smiled. "Why, g'mornin' Lilli!" she called back with a wave. "How're you doing this fine day?" Her soft accent had surprised Lilli at first, but she loved Georgia's unique way of talking. It reminded her of Steel Magnolias.

"Hi, Georgia. I'm glad I'm not the only one who gets up this early!"

"Oh no, I'm up at the crack of dawn every mornin'!" Georgia rested her hands on the fence and stepped up onto the bottom beam. She was very petite—no more than five foot two—but standing on the fence she was taller than Lilli. "What brings you here? We're closed this early, you know."

"Yeah, I know. I just had some time after taking care of Henrietta and Ruthie and thought I'd stop by to chat for a while. I'm not used to being alone; where I grew up I lived in an apartment complex and there were always people around, so it's crazy moving to a town of fifteen people, it's almost traumatic, really, and…" Lilli realized she was rambling and stopped mid-sentence, embarrassed. "Sorry."

"Is somethin' on your mind?" Georgia knit her eyebrows together. "Movin' is always stressful. I'm not a native to this village either. I can relate to you… how can I help?"

Lilli wanted to ask where Georgia was from, but instead she blurted out "What if someone gave me a gift that I just… can't use?"

"You mean like food? Well, I reckon you could just throw that away. Just don't say a word about it and nobody will know, or be upset—"

"No, it's a…bigger issue than that." Lilli began twisting a lock of her light brown hair around her index finger, a nervous habit that she could never seem to break. She knew she should have talked to someone earlier about this, but she was too embarrassed. "The thing is, I'm… well, I really wish I weren't because it was such a thoughtful gift and everything, and I know they're useful but Georgia, I'm allergic to horses!"

"Allergic?" Georgia echoed in bewilderment. "You're… allergic to the horse we lent you? I've never in my life heard of a horse allergy before!"

"I promise you, I'd never lie to you and I'm not making it up. He's the sweetest animal, but he makes me sneeze and itch and my eyes water… I can't do it, I'm so sorry." Lilli let go of her hair and looked at the grass, avoiding Georgia's gaze. "I've been allergic to them since I was a little girl. I found out when I went to horse camp for a week with my friends and I had to be sent home early because I broke out in hives." There, she had said it. The truth was out in the open. Hopefully Georgia wouldn't be too angry with her… she was such a nice girl and Lilli's first friend in town.

Georgia climbed up the last two beams on the fence she had been standing atop of and jumped over it. "What are you doing?" Lilli asked.

"We're going to bring your horse back here. I love the creatures, but nobody should be sufferin' if it can be avoided! Come on, I'll take him home."

"Georgia, are you sure?" Lilli followed her nervously. "I don't want to cause you any trouble."

Georgia shook her head, and Lilli saw she was smiling. "Oh, don't you worry a bit. We took care of him all his life, and we can certainly take him back! My dad and I just thought it would be a good housewarming gift for you…" Seeing the worry on Lilli's face, she added, "I'm not offended in the slightest. Truth be told, I was starting to miss him!"

Lilli and Georgia walked back to Villa Farm and within ten minutes, Georgia had the horse bridled up and ready to go. "I really can't tell you how much I appreeee—" Lilli's thanks was interrupted by a sneeze. "How much I appreciate this," she finished with a sniffle.

Patting the horse, Georgia nodded and said "It ain't a problem at all! Now, if you ever need him, just come on over to my ranch and we'll help you out. I know you need a horse to move your horse cart around, but I don't reckon you'll be doing that all too much."

"Georgia? Will you keep this between us? I don't mind if you tell your dad but… this is embarrassing for me and I don't want people to talk about it. I don't want to be known as the farmer who is allergic to her own animals!"

"Why, of course. It's our little secret," she promised.

As Georgia started leading the horse away, Lilli spoke. "Thank you. Really."

Georgia smiled and nodded before walking away, making clicking noises with her tongue as the horse followed her willingly. She turned on the outskirts of Villa farm and called over her shoulder, "Good luck with your chores today! I know it's hard work, but you'll soon be fit as a fiddle and ready to take on farm life!" With a final wave, Georgia and her horse disappeared from sight.

. . . . .

I'm finally writing again, thanks to inspiration from my newly purchase Tale of Two Towns game. Let me know what you guys think! Feedback is much appreciated. I do not own Harvest Moon, but I sure do love playing it and writing about its characters!