Chapter 3
I woke up the next day from a yellow antique alarm clock my grandpa had left for me. It rang it's annoying, vibrating ring at exactly 6 A.M but I tried to ignore it until it fell to the floor from its spot on the wooden nightstand next to my head. My eyes cracked slightly to notice the sun barely making it's way through the hole in the window.
One of the many books that I read last night after the Harvest Sprites and Harvest Goddess left did mention that the life of a farmer and rancher did start at the crack of dawn but I didn't think it was being literal. I ended up shoving my brown boots on and left towards the village anyhow. Today was the day I would need to meet everyone, introduce myself and ask if there were things I could do for them or maybe advice on how I was supposed to do anything myself.
I made it to the Food shop just in time to see the shop keeper walk out of his shop and over to his fenced in garden to tend to vegetables he was growing. He didn't notice me or he was just ignoring my childish presence or so he would say. I sighed to myself, preparing for something I had never done in my years of living. I walked over to the small brown picket fences that surrounded the shop clerk and groaned unhappily.
That got his attention, he turned his dark brown eyes at me and gave me a scolding smirk but my annoyed facial expression didn't turn. I got worse from my mother whenever I didn't do my school work in order to take care of her. "I came here to apologize," I muttered behind my clenched teeth but I soon took a deep breath and relaxed all the tensed muscles in my body before continuing, "I'm sorry big man. I didn't mean to come off rude I was just ….It was unexpected to hear that my grandpa knew I was going to come." I lied.
The store clerk halted all movement and stood up straight from his bent over position while he was tilling a part of the ground, I assume to plant some seeds in or maybe a dead body. He gave me that famous eye narrowing everyone seems to be doing to me lately. I've been doing the same back in return.
"What? I am sorry," I planted my hands firmly on my hips, "I am going to stay as well and do whatever it takes in order to save this village."
The shop clerk threw his head back in hard laughter and then pointed at me to add more humiliation. I grumbled underneath my breath. I had a growing feeling everyone else in this weird little village was going to do the very same to me. I closed my eyes in disappointment and started to walk off in a direction that the dirt road took to the right of the shop.
"Wait, wait kid." The shop clerk said, wiping away an invisible tear with a finger. He placed his hoe against the side of the shop and exitted from the fenced in area, waving his hand at me to motion me to follow him inside of the shop so I did. He turned me to when we made it inside. "I didn't mean to laugh." He admitted, "I just haven't heard anyone say that and then it came from a smart mouth kid like you. It's surprising."
He walked behind the counter where he grabbed a notepad and began to scribble onto the piece of paper. "If you're going to work at that farm and help with this village like you claim. I might as well give you the heads up on everything and everyone."
Interested, I walked over to the counter and crossed my arms with a raised brow. "Okay, give me the gossip."
He gave me a stern look before unleashing a large smile, "Alright. For one, my name is Ronald and I am the only Supermarket in this village and still I am running out of goods to sell to the fine people that live here. Tony was the only one who brought me food to sell and in return I paid him, so if you end up running the farm like your grandpa did you'll do all of us a great favor by delivering us all any of the supplies we need. Tony was a good man and did more than he should have by foraging and delivering things we all used in order to make our own living." He ripped the piece of paper he wrote on from the notepad and handed it to me which I actually gladly took. The paper had lists of items that I saw around the shop. "The items on the list is what I could use and what I am running out of on a daily basis. If you could bring me those items at least two times a week I will be able to make a good profit, keep my shop and in return pay you and help you with anything you need help in."
"Sounds like a whole bunch of fun." After rereading the list just in case I were to run into any of the plants he asked for while I was meeting everyone else, then I could bring it to him tomorrow since it was a Thursday and seemed like a good day to deliver shippings anyhow. "Anything else?" I asked without a rude tone in my voice.
Ronald itched his chin with a single finger but I think it's just a disguise for the thoughtful look he was giving. "Since you'll be running the farm by yourself you might want to meet everyone in town, get to know them. They just might give you discounts for helping them which will help you run the farm better. For example, I have these fertilized eggs in stock. You can buy one and use your incubator to help hatch it. It'll be a good start for raising chickens and selling eggs. Many of the shops and even the villa to the east would buy them from you."
I gave him a swift nod of the head before rummaging through my pockets for the little money I had. I almost ran out of money completely while trying to find my way to the village and all I had left was a meesily 100Gs. Good thing there is plenty of foraging around here to be able to stock up on grub. I picked the biggest egg out of the bunch and paid for it before questioning him on this new place he had mentioned. "…What's the villa?" I asked hesitantly. He's helped me find what I need to do with my new life and asking for more information made me feel helpless.
"The villa is this big mansion in the East near the horse ranch owned by Bob. All the dirt roads lead you to the different shops which isn't much so you won't get lost easily. When you leave the shop take a left up the hill, you'll find the Tool Shop and a Flower Shop in a small, plaza and the dirt road continues onto the Horse Ranch – which I honestly can't remember the name. I usually take the road right in front of my shop through the woods which leads towards the builders store and continues onto the bar and lake." He pointed in numerous directions but it was easily understandable, surprisingly.
Just then a young woman with long silver braids walked into the shop wearing a maids outfit and a pair of reading glasses. She looked tense when she saw me, like I was some alien from outer space but her face blushed and she turned her head towards the loaves of bread that were shelved against the back wall. Waving would have been pointless since she wasn't looking at me anymore but like it was instinctive, my hand was in the air waving away.
"Hey, how are you doing, miss?" I asked. I am trying this new thing called manners. I might as well since I will be saving this place, from what I recall, heroes aren't rude or selfish. She turned towards me, kept her eyes off me and bowed with her hands tightly folded together in front of her.
"I am quite fine, thank you. How do you do?" Her voice was very sweet but you could tell she was also very young and shy from the looks of it. She kept her eyes off of me even as she lifted from her bow.
"I am good, what's your name? I am new here and would like to get to know everyone," I asked, my hand finally dropping. "And my name is Heero." I'd already forgotten you should first introduce yourself before asking their name but she gave a quick smile so I could only presume she didn't see it as anything harmful.
"I am Gina. It's a pleasure to meet you." I noticed her light bluish eyes turned back towards the loaves of bread, very content on keeping away from eye contact with me.
"If you need any help for anything feel free to visit my farm." I muttered out but that was the end of the conversation since she bowed once again and turned back to the loaves of bread.
I left the shop and dropped off the egg back at the farm so I wouldn't crush it. I figured that it'd be smart to put it in the incubator right after I bought it, better chances of the chick actually hatching. I left to check out this small plaza Ronald mentioned where the Tool Shop and the Flower shop sat next to each other, the trees covering them with the perfect shade with an opening for the sun that directed down towards the Flower Shops garden that was nestled right next to it.
The two shops were bigger than the Food Shop since they both had house attachments from the looks of it. I didn't notice anyone inside the Tool Shop so I entered the Flower Shop first and like any other Flower Shop I'd ever seen (which was only on T.V or movies) it contained multiple flowers that I never seen or even heard of before and stacks of bags with little plant signs printed on the front of them. The shop smelled good, like it should, mixed with so many flower scents that the aroma just tickled down your spine. A woman lifted her head from behind the counter before standing up fully with the most brightest smile I had ever seen anyone give.
She had the most amazing long pink hair that waved down her back perfectly and supported her lightly pink cheeks. She had flowers in her hair, yellow ones with tiny little green leaves to add life and creativity to the already serene perfection. She fixed her summer dress which was green and yellow that normally would look unattractive on anyone but fit her just right, "Oh hello, nice to meet you. I didn't think we'd be getting any visitors due to the circumstances to come."
Her voice stunned me, warm and experienced, "Uhm…I just moved here yesterday. I will be working on the farm next to Ronald's Food Shop. My name is Heero." Her smile was infectious, a smile grew on my lips just from watching hers.
"Oh? That farm hasn't seen life in a long time. Did you come here to buy some seeds? I have a limited supply of vegetable seeds. Due to the poor conditions of the village as of late, I haven't been able to get any variety." She frowned just the slightest before that smile returned no quicker than a mil-second. You could have blinked and missed it completely.
"I might buy some but first," I stepped over to the counter and fiddled with a notepad she had next to her cash register, "Could you write down any supplies or plants or items I could possibly get for you? As a farmer I would love to help you with anything and everything I could." I winked. Yeah, yeah. I am flirting, who wouldn't? She's the most beautiful woman I've ever met and I lived in a city.
She giggled lightly, one of her fine pale hand covered her mouth elegantly. She grabbed a pen and quickly jotted down a few things, "If you could bring me any flowers or vegetables you'd be doing me a great deal of help." I took the piece of paper from her and looked it over just as I had with Ronald's list.
"Thank you," I folded the piece of paper and shoved it in the same pocket as the other. I grabbed a bag of Potato seeds and Tomato seeds and paid for them. "I have to get going but before I leave, could you please tell me your name?"
"My name is Lyla, have a good day Heero. I hope to see you around." She bowed just as Gina did and I was off to explore some more.
The Tool Shop was still closed from the looks of it, my next destination being the Farmer's shop where it smelled like horse shit. In the shop behind the counter was a muscular man with a badly cut hair do. The only help he was looking for was part time which I could gladly do on Friday, since his shop was closed tomorrow. It'd give me time to forage and fix the farm up. So I left and fast, since a male taller than me and bigger than me in size tends to freak me out.
At the Villa I was surprised to find as much berries and yellow flowers as I did. I knew that would make Lyla happy since she requested tiny yellow flowers like these. I entered the mansion curiously, have never been in such a large place such as this. I could hear movement in the room next to me and hesitantly entered to find an elder woman wearing a maids outfit stirring away at something that was boiling over the antique black oven.
I was unsure of how to answer to this since I was basically trespassing. The elder woman turned around and gave me a smile which made me feel better. "Hello there, dear. I've never seen you around before. Where are you from?" She asked.
I scratched the side of my head feeling completely embarrassed that I entered her house without even knocking. "…I am Heero, I am going to run the farm that my grandfather owned."
"Oh! Tony's grandson. My name is Martha it is very nice to meet you. Are you going to be as sweet and caring as your grandfather and deliver us food?" She asked as if she knew I was going to ask if she needed the help in the first place. She pulled out a worn piece of paper from her white aprons pocket and handed it to me, "That's our shopping list. The ingredients almost never change but if you could be a dear and deliver us animal products such as milk and eggs you'll be greatly rewarded." She spoke enthusiastically, like she's been waiting for me for weeks.
"Yes ma'am." I nodded and shuffled the paper into my pocket. She turned back towards the food she was stiring before I arrived.
"Please, just call me Martha. Also, there is a young lady living here named Dia, she's upstairs. Would you mind running up there to ask if she wants to add anything else to the list?" Demanding, I thought.
I did as I was told and ran up the stairs that were next to the entrance and immediately got lost. There were three doors in front of me so I took the first one to my left and with my unexpected new luck, there was the young lady with short black hair in a green rococo dress. She was sitting in a pile of white and green pillows reading away at her book until she noticed my intrusion. Her eyes narrowed and her lips pursed. "I have never seen you before. Are you a tourist?"
I shrugged, I wasn't really a tourist but in a way I am new and exploring. I was just about to introduce myself until her eyes narrowed even more and her snout turned up towards the ceiling. Her voice became cold and irritable, "I don't want to know your name. You won't be here for long anyway, will you? You do not need to know my name either."
My mood changed completely. What a selfish, rude son of a ….All my thoughts stopped and on que the memory of how I treated people back at the city and just as I arrived here I had been just the same. I sighed heavily, I never had anyone treat me so disrespectfully in return. It was a cold smack across the face. I shook my head, disappointed in myself but went back to watch Dia.
"I already know your name, Martha told me. I was going to ask you if you needed anything that I could get you – food wise but since you're being a selfish little brat, I'm just going to leave and get back to work." I stayed long enough to watch her mouth drop open but it was obvious I didn't want to stay around to hear the aftermath of her shock.
After realizing the Tool Shop was closed that day, since I was an idiot and didn't read the sign that posted it's openings and closings I walked home. I figured I'd check out what was left of the village tomorrow since daylight was slowly disappearing and I had much needed work to do on the farm. My eyes met a wandering golden dog licking at an empty dirty blue dish next to the well that sat in between the chicken coop and my house.
The dog looked scrawny, malnourished and when I approached him he ran off shivering and shaking in fear. He must have not eaten for weeks and never has never had any human contact. I slowly kneeled down next to the dish, my eyes on the dog who watched me from in front of the barn. I took out some of the berries that I had found earlier near the Villa and placed it into the bowl. I wouldn't clean it yet, first I wanted to make sure the dog knew I was friendly and offering food. So after showing him the little kindness I could offer at the moment I went off to get some of the tools my grandpa left for me.
I plowed enough of the field for the potato and tomato seeds I had bought and carefully placed them down into the earth and watered them. That wasn't so hard, but then I turned towards the main buildings and never a heavier sigh came rushing past my lips.