Llama: So I got a positive review pretty fast, much sooner than I anticipated. Well.. I suppose I could continue this complex story xD can I get another review? :DD and tell me your favorite bachelor!


Previously...

If I was to spend all my money on seeds, how would I eat?! I groaned, flopping onto my bed and soon falling asleep.


I stood, dumbfounded. How could I forget food?! I needed to figure out a way to balance food and seeds... And where do I go buy food anyway? I remembered looking around, seeing two roads, one was going back up to the south side of my farm, while the other led around to the carpenter's house and disappeared behind the house. I bet that led to town.

I made a plan to explore town before the week was over. I had enough bread and rice to last me three days, so I knew I could spend two days cleaning out the fields. I had a lot of work ahead of me.


The next two days were difficult. The branches and rocks had to be disposed of, but I discovered that I could use the branches as lumbar and fence posts. I also found that there was even a place for lumbar on the very east side of my farm. I hadn't even heard Thomas talk about it. I felt pleased that I figured all this out on my own.

Tossing the last of the branches into the storage area, I sighed. I was already exhausted and it was only noon. I still had a little more work before I could call it a day. I glanced up at the sun, wondering why it was so hot in Spring. I pulled my gloves on tighter and set back out to work. I finally had a spot for my crops, I only expected three plots of turnips for my beginning level. Finally finished with my work, I shipped my daily honey and put all my tools back in my bag and decided to call it a day.

My house was quiet, nothing creaking as I stepped around and started to undress. I was happy that the house wasn't old. I assumed that Thomas might have remodeled it, but then decided that the previous farmer might have. Knowing that crooked little man, he wouldn't waste a dime on this place, and it was obvious by the free ad in the newspaper. It was still a wonder how I noticed the tiny ad.

I grabbed one of the three books I owned on my shelf, wondering what it was about as I laid in my bed. I didn't think it was a fiction book, judging by it's cover, but I still wanted reading material tonight before I slept.

Surprisingly, the book contained a brief history on Mineral Town, and a small layout of the town. There were three streets, the beach being at the east of the town and the central of the town was next to it. I assumed that's where the festivals were held. I remembered there being a new calendar on my wall. Leaping from the bed, I flipped through it and noted some of the festivals. I could remember a few from my hometown, but the few in winter and spring we didn't celebrate. I was already excited! I was still excited for the upcoming festivals when I fell asleep.


I woke up when a knock at my door started. I jumped, blinking sleep out of my eyes. I tried to comb down the wild mess of blonde hair atop my head as I quickly shoved my arms into a light blue blouse that hung on the end of my bed. Pulling it closed, I opened the door hesitantly, peeking out with one eye.

It was a strange girl with red hair tied back in a braid. I hadn't seen her here before, so she was probably a local come to introduce herself. How strange to be here at, I glanced at my clock that hung by the calendar, six in the morning. Either way, I had to get up and work at this time. I opened the door, the sunlight burning my eyes and forcing me to raise my hand and block it out to see the girl's face.

"Oh! Good morning, ma'am! I hope I didn't wake you," her cheery voice announced as she shook my hand. I yawned, shaking my head as she gave me a doubtful look. Nonetheless, she went on in her introduction. "My name is Ann, my father and I run the Inn in town. We actually have a favor to ask you."

I frowned a bit, wondering what her request was. "And that would be..?"

She glanced down at her feet. I followed her gaze to a small creature sitting behind her left leg. She coaxed it it out of hiding and held it so I could see. It was a small beige puppy, his ears floppy and tail wagging. "This puppy was abandoned around here and we can't take care of it because of our cat..." She trailed off, looking down as the wriggling bundle of fur in her arms. I also looked down at the puppy. She wants me to take care of it? But I could barely take care of myself...

"I would love t-" I started to state that I couldn't when her face lit up and she dumped the puppy into my hands. I stopped mid-sentence, startled at her suddenness.

"Thanks so much! Er..." She paused, not knowing my name as I hadn't mentioned it.

I held the puppy still, "Claire, it's Claire, but hey, Ann, listen I-" I started again as the puppy decided my face need to be cleaned.

Ann giggled happily, hands on her hips as she said, "Look, Claire! He likes you! Well, thanks again! Come visit us sometime in town when you're not busy!" And with that, she was gone, practically skipping back to town.

I looked down at the puppy. Sighing, I sat him down next to me and watched him frolic about in the front yard. He sure was full of energy. So now there were two mouths to feed with no real income yet... How could I feed him?

I almost pulled at my hair, frustrated that I was someone's scapegoat when I already had my own issues. A bark had me looking back over to the small dog. I frowned, wondering what in the world he could be barking at when I realized he was just trying to spook me. I grumbled, slipping back into my house to get fully dressed and make a trip to town.

I buttoned my blouse completely, slipping on a grey hoodie and grabbing what little money I had. I needed food and seeds. And if the little map of town was correct, the shopping center would be on the northern side of town next to the library. I grabbed my house key, slipped my boots on, and slipped out of the door. Puppy was lounging under the tree, chewing on a stick. He looked pleased, making me smile softly.

I exited my farm soon, after assuring the puppy that I would return soon, and made my way up the brick road that led to town. All of the roads went west, and if I remembered, the first would hold the two places to buy livestock and chickens. I didn't need to stop there so I walked on up to the next street. That street was where the Inn was at and I decided to avoid that for now. The strange part was that I hadn't seen one villager yet whilst walking up around to the local supermarket. The glass doors were open so I assumed the business was open as well.

I walked in curiously, surprised to see that it was just as big as one I would see in the city. The shelves stocked with seeds and food and other items I would need later. I made my way to the seeds section. The seeds were packed full of spring crops, thankfully. I was worried I would plant the seeds in the wrong season and waste my money.

While looking through the tags on them and trying to find turnips, a girl my age had appeared to my right. Out of my peripheral vision I could see her debating on getting my attention. She finally tapped my shoulder and I looked up at her. She looked nice in a pair of cutoff jeans and fitted tee with obviously styled blonde hair. I already felt underdressed.

"Hey, are you the new farmer?" she asked curiously, her bluntness making me remember Ann's attitude today. I was still slightly intimidated, in the city, these were the girls you avoided due to their rudeness and loud voices. But so far this girl didn't seem to look like a threat.

I nodded, smiling softly as I gestured to the seeds, "yes, I was buying seeds to start out. Could you show me wh-" I started to ask where the turnip seeds were when she suddenly turned around and yelled out a name.

I reeled back, the suddenness scaring me. I didn't particularly like loud noises. A little balding man came running around the corner just as she yelled, he looked just as frightened as me at this yelling girl. But looking at her face, you wouldn't assume she was mad or upset.

"Daddy, this is the new farmer," the girl introduced me. I gave him a curt nod and a quick 'how do you do'.

The he man nodded slowly, obviously looking lost. "Yes, I've heard of Claire from Thomas, but what did you yell for, sweetie?" he asked tentatively, looking back at me nervously. This angered the girl.

"How could you be so rude?! Let her keep two bags of turnip seeds free of charge for her first time! Show some charity, dad!"

"Karen, honey, we can't just-"

"Yes you can, you're just being rude! She just moved here, let her have these two for free." Karen continued to fight, leaving me standing there awkwardly. I tried to get a word in to protest that I wasn't broke, but they both kept going.

The man finally sighed and said, "fine, give her the two bags, Karen, but the next time she has to pay."

Karen squealed, leaping forward to hug her father and grab two white bags from the top shelf. No wonder I couldn't find them, they were up above me. Karen told me that the instructions were on the bag for planting and watering as I was thanking her and leaving.

I sighed, that was stressful, and now I owed the man 200g... I made a mental note to repay the shop owner one day. I also made a note to come back later on in the day to get some food. Standing outside the supermarket doors, I debated on where I should go for now. "Hmmmm..." I pondered aloud. Deciding to turn left, I wound my way past the doctor's office to stop at the church.

I wasn't very religious but I found comfort in churches. I would sit in the church and contemplate my budget, then stop at the supermarket on my way home and plant my seeds when I get home.