Chapter 3: Fresh Faces, Fresh Food

"I'm sorry!" Asher cried out, somehow in unison with the woman before him. They hit the ground in tandem, Asher falling flat on his back while the woman landing hard on her bottom. The farmboy groaned, bitter about this newest distraction; maybe he should have just gone home after all! His vision swam with a momentary dizzy spell; everything looked blurry.

"Oh my goodness!" The woman cried, clearly aghast at playing her part in the mishap. Her was faster to her feet, and already standing over him by the time his vision returned in full. Her bright green eyes were wide with concern, with lips pursed with worry to match. She held out a hand, offering to help him rise – It was a gesture he took before he knew any better. "I'm so sorry!" She said again, stopping only long enough to retrieve an item from the ground. Asher looked; it was a book. A big one.

The farmer offered only a simple shrug, "My fault, I'm sure. I wasn't watching." He took a moment to look her over; she had a quiet elegance about her – A look he found almost immediately endearing. Her hair, a light reddish hue, gently settled just above her shoulders, ending in a slight curl. She was dressed plainly; a simple sunflower yellow blouse with a burgundy skirt to match – Clearly she was dressed for the season. At once he realized he was staring and quickly turned to look away, "I hate it when people don't watch where they're going, so naturally I'd be the worst about it..." He tugged at his neck, suddenly put off.

She was quick to disagree, however, as she shook her head. "No, no, it was all me; I was so wrapped up in my reading that I wasn't... You're not hurt, are you?" She looked him up and down and sighed, "I'm really sorry."

"It's fine." He meant it; a small bump was nothing to get angry over, and he certainly didn't feel any worse for wear. Instead, he gazed down at the book clutched in her arms. "Good book, I guess? What is it?"

The question took her by surprise. "Oh!" The frown gave way to a bright smile as she held her prize almost triumphantly before her; Asher looked curiously at the cover, which showcased a woman standing almost longingly before a train, with a determined look upon her face. "It's called "One Last Chance". It's about a woman on the run from her past so she flees to a new place in hopes of starting over." The farmboy blinked once, twice, and looked from the book to her. The woman's smile brightened all the more; it was enough to get him to smile back. "It's really interesting, especially when the twists and turns start happening."

"It's not easy to make a new start, I guess?" He kicked himself mentally; why did he ask that?

But the woman nodded eagerly, excited to tell all the more. "Oh definitely! See, all the bad stuff she was running from starts to catch up to her, only you're not sure if it's really happening, or if she's just losing her grip on reality and – Hey." She stopped short. "You're that new farmer, aren't you?"

A small chuckle escaped him; it felt so strange that she had only thought to ask now. "That's right. I just arrived." He offered a hand before realizing that, during the fall, he'd scuffed up his hands. Asher looked down at himself; though his clothes had been clean and pressed only hours before, the work since had wrecked havoc upon them – He wasn't used to this. Not at all. He wiped his hand on his side before trying again. "Asher."

"Penny." She returned, accepting the gesture and offering him a smile. "Lewis said there'd be someone new around here soon – I'm glad you're not some..." She bit her lip, suddenly embarrassed; a creeping blush enveloped her face.

"Some weirdo?" He offered. She nodded, quite ashamed of herself. He opened his mouth to speak further, when a low, almost guttural sound escaped his stomach, catching them both unaware. Asher all but jumped in surprise, causing the girl to hide a laugh behind her hand.

"Sounds like I'm keeping you from lunch. I guess you were headed to the saloon?"

Embarrassed for himself now, Asher only nodded sheepishly. Penny indicated the door, just a few steps away, "Don't let me keep you; it's not good to skip meals." She glanced down at the watch upon her wrist; it was a simple piece, but made the farmer realize that he lacked even such a simple tool to help him track the day anymore. His phone had always served for such a purpose before – Now that was gone. "I'm running late anyway. Maybe I'll see you around town sometime?"

Asher stopped himself, pondering his words carefully before blurting out the wrong thing. Penny seemed nice, and she was definitely easy on the eyes – But he wasn't here for any of that. It was in his best interest to avoid these people as much as possible; he was already taking too many risks. Had he had more time to plan he'd have made some manner of alias before moving here, but time – And more importantly the deed to the farm – Had demanded otherwise. He couldn't claim Vernan's land with a fake name, but likewise it made him easier to track. "Maybe. The farm is... Kind of a mess." He thought quickly, "It'll take a lot of work."

Penny nodded in understanding. "I can't even imagine, but at least you'll feel accomplished when it's all said and done, right?" He hadn't considered that – But it made some sense. "Anyway, I hope you have a good lunch." She turned, and started off down the street. Asher moved to continue when he heard her speak anew. "Oh, do you know what you're having?"

Confused, the farmer only turned. "What?"

"For lunch." Penny indicated the saloon, "You're new here so... Any thoughts?"

In truth, he hadn't the foggiest; it was a good question. He was somewhat picky, and set in his ways; what if this Gus couldn't accommodate? As hungry as he was, he wasn't sure he was too ready for a change in diet just yet. "Try the fish tacos." Penny offered with a bright, innocent smile. "They're Gus' specialty."

"Fish... In a taco?" That was a thing? Was that common?

With a nod, Penny offered him one final wave before taking her leave. Asher stood watching for only a moment longer and, now certain she wouldn't have anything else for him, finally turned and approached the door.

He stood staring, unsure of what to do. Back in the city, he had never been one for bars, or clubs – Or really anything that could be described as nightlife – And gone out of his way to avoid it all. Waste of money; waste of time. Was he supposed to knock, or just go in? What was considered the norm here in Pelican Town anyway? 'Damn Lewis...' He thought bitterly, 'This was his idea in the first place!' Fighting with uncertainty, Asher quickly realized how foolish he surely looked standing outside the door – And knocked hard upon the wooden surface before him.

There was a long pause, before a voice from within called out. "Was that knock? Doors open!" The question pained him; he'd chosen poorly. Asher grimaced and took a breath, before pushing his way inside. The saloon was a quaint sort of thing; like he had seen a dozen times in older movies, right down to the jukebox in the corner. A long counter stretched from one end of the room to the others, with stools to match and smaller tables for those not eager for the company of the lone barkeep. A larger man stood behind it, wiping a glass as he watched the newcomer approached. He was a large man, a little rounded, and definitely his senior – But with a wide, innocent smile that made him feel welcome even despite his mounting concerns. "So you're the new boy!"

"Asher." This routine was already wearing on him, and it was only day two. "I guess you're Gus? Lewis mentioned you." The man nodded happily and gestured to the scenery around them. From the jukebox Asher noticed an almost quiet, happy tune playing steadily in the background – The volume was low enough to make in nonabrasive, and he found himself appreciating it all the more, if only for that.

"That I am; welcome to the Saloon. This here is my place, so as long as you're within these walls, you're in my care." He spied the glass in his hands and, after nodding his silent approval, gently placed it behind the counter, slapping the towel over his shoulder. Somehow, it still looked clean; Gus kept a tight ship. "So what can I get for you? Food, drink, or both?"

Asher guessed that he meant alcohol – Which was anything but his taste – And cast about for a menu of sorts. When he didn't see one, and Gus only repeated the question, he thought back to Penny's earlier suggestion. "I hear you make tacos." He tried, still befuddled by it all, "Out of fish?"

All but beaming, Gus wiggled his fingers in excitement, "You have heard right! Why, they're my specialty!" With renewed vigor, he hurriedly began to run about the counter space, collecting a few odds and ends, before making for the door behind him – Surely a kitchen. He stopped just shy of going inside, "You got a preference?"

Preference? Asher tilted his head before he caught the meaning – Gus meant simply; what fish? "I kind of thought they were a beef only thing so..." He didn't know anything about fish! What was he supposed to say?! "Surprise me." Mentally, he kicked himself anew; he was going to starve for sure! Gus, however, seemed only to grow more excited; clearly this was among his favorite dishes to cook – It was little mystery why he'd deemed it such a specialty.

Still, he was alone now, at least for the moment. Asher thought of the farm – Of the work he was already neglecting – And of the bigger picture behind it all. This would be his new life, and he had to try his damnedest to make it worthwhile. There was still so much of him back in the city, and though deep down he still longed for it, it was better off staying there – Far away from him. He quivered in his stool; a ping of fear overcame him, threatening to spiral him into a panic.

'Stop it!' His mind rallied against the sensation, 'Nobody knows! Not one damn person here knows – So stop thinking about it!' If they were going to come after him they'd have already done it – He was safe here. Forgotten.

He hoped.

The door to the kitchen opened from beyond and Gus returned with a plate brimming with delicious smells. Asher all but watered at the mouth, finally able to grasp the depths of his own hunger as the dish was placed before him. Gus took his wide-eyed silence as praise and nodded his approval; though they looked much like kinds the farmboy had eaten in the city, he could tell the shells before him had been perfectly seasoned, for they oozed with aromas enticing even to his choosy senses. "Enjoy."

He dug in without delay; the first bite failing even to satisfy – And it wasn't until he was through the first and hungrily eyeing the second did all the tastes fall into place. "How is it?" The man asked, eagerly awaiting what could only be praise.

"Mmmph goonf!"

A small laugh, and Gus handed him a napkin from behind the bar, which the farmer awkwardly used upon his messy face – Somehow he'd never quite grasped how to eat without making a mess, no matter the dish. "It's really good!" He tried again, before taking another bite and nearly tearing through the last half of his meal. The barkeep nodded approvingly and returned to the kitchen as a grim realization set in; how much was this going to cost him?

He had money, but not much – And quite a bit had been spent on the last second bus trip. Only weeks ago he had more then he knew what to do with, but much of it had been sucked away by lawyers... And her.

The thought soured him on the food, and it wasn't until Gus returned with a tall glass of water that he snapped from his stupor. He took a drink and indicated the plate, "How... How much is this, anyway? I forgot to ask."

With a wary eye, Gus leaned on the counter, drawing creepily close to his face. "Lemme ask you somethin'."

Asher wanted to draw away, but any movement towards the door might cause the man to grab for him – And the farmer didn't want to get within range of those burly arms. "Yeah..?"

Nodding towards the door – No, back in the direction of his farm, rather. "You're stickin' around here, yeah? Planning to fix up that farm your ol' granddad had before?" Asher nodded nervously, and Gus followed suit. "Think you've got it in you?"

"I'm going to try."

Gus stared him down a moment longer, before the dark countenance all but vanished from his face – Just as quickly replaced by the bright, beaming smile that had lain there just moments ago. "Then it's on the house, as my welcome to yah." Asher wanted to faint – Gus was just toying with him?! "Now, if'n you skip town without tryin' to at least make a go of that land... You'n me will have a problem – But you seem like a good kid, and Vernan was a great man. I'll put some faith in you." He gave a mighty wink and laughed into the empty saloon, "'Sides; I'd love to see what kinda produce you come up with; lord knows this town could use the boost!"

'So, that's the way of it... They need me.' Lewis had all but said something similar, but still left the farmer with guesses and suspicions. Pelican Town was suffering – Why else sell land to Joja, who was clearly booming in the first place? Asher hadn't been entirely lying when he'd claimed to have worked for them – He had some knowledge of their conglomerate, as well as how they operated in the rural areas like this, though through no fault of his own.

She had worked for them, and naturally couples talked about everything.

It was enough to keep him away from the store; Asher would have to keep his business confined to the locals – He should have asked Lewis about that, but the store was nearby, and he had two good legs to carry him.

Gus looked at the plate, and the half eaten food atop it, before giving Asher an equally curious stare. With a gulp of shame, the farmer greedily snacked it down before finishing the water alongside it. Penny had indeed had the right of it with her suggestion, but somehow his meal still felt spoiled by his own insecurities. Gus smiled and took the dishes away, and Asher spun about in his seat, leaning back against the bar and sighing deeply. 'They don't exactly teach classes on how to blend in but MAN am I ever blowing it...'

Author's Note: Woo more characters! I'm trying really hard to try and bring the small aspects of the characters in the game to life, and shine more light on people as they're introduced; hopefully I can get everyone covered in such a way, but I'll apologize in advance if I just can't squeeze all 30ish characters properly into this story .o Likewise, if someone feels off to you, I'd love to know; after all one of the toughest things about fanfiction in general is getting someone else's creative work right in the eyes of the general populace.