Note: Hey everyone! Thanks to all who are commenting on the story! Good reviews encourage me to write more, and the critical reviews make me a better writer. The best way to keep the story moving (especially now that Spring semester has started and I'm twice as busy) is to comment. I've had this chapter lying around for awhile, trying to get around to editing it, but so many comments have been coming in that I decided to put it to the top of my to-do list and post it.
This chapter is slower than the others. I can't speak for anyone else, but this truly is a day in the life for me in the game (with the exception of Robert). I have my next chapter in mind already, just not quite sure how to form it all together coherently. I promise to do so soon. Enjoy!
Chapter 9 – Typical Day
After her weird start to the morning, Chelsea began her work for the day. Her first stop was the chicken coop. She walked in and grabbed the bird feed, tossing it into each of the four feeders. Two of the chickens were content with a simple hug, but the other two wanted special petting. She thought about what Vaughn said and began to hum, softly at first. The hen in her hands clucked happily, boosting her confidence to hum louder. By the time she was in the barn with her cattle she was singing out full. They followed around the barn as she set out the fodder, happy looks on their faces when she brushed and milked them. She even got S class milk from her first cow.
Still humming the song she was singing she walked back towards the stable to tend her horse and dog. As always they were happy to see her as she fed, brushed, and pet them in turn. Finished with her animals for the day, she walked back towards the house when she heard footsteps behind her. It was Spark happily following her in the snow. Chelsea smiled to herself; ever since she had come back about a week ago, Spark had barely left her side.
Chelsea went into the house to stock up on food. Today was a mining day, and if she could get enough Adamantite she could finally get a cheese maker. She had successfully made a mayonnaise maker at the beginning of winter, and was shipping as much mayonnaise out as she could to hopefully attract another male farmer to town. She desperately wanted a sheep and hoped that if enough male farmers came to town, Mirabelle might be obliged to ask Vaughn to bring some over.
She set off for town to make her usual rounds. She went to Natalie's to chat for a bit. Taro told her the weather, Felicia said she was adorable, Elliot was sleepy, and Natalie was in her room where they spent some quality time. Next she set off for Mirabelle's place, said hello and kept Julia company for awhile. She went to the east side of town, stopping in on Sabrina and Regis, promising them both some of the rarest gems she could find on her trip.
She made sure Spark stayed outside as she visited Pierre, who gave his professional opinion on the food she was taking with her to the mine. Leaving Pierre's house she saw Lanna petting Spark, who had wandered over to the front of her house. Chelsea suppressed a laugh. Lanna was wearing one of the dresses from the cart Chelsea had wheeled over.
"Hello, Lanna, looking good."
"Do you really think so?!" Lanna asked. "I've decided that the best way to work on my image is to try a fresh new look. I'm going to wear a new dress every day!" Lanna then gave her a contemplating look. "Are you sure you're okay with this? I mean, don't want to keep at least one?"
"Oh, no, I'm fine. I don't really have a need for any of them here." Chelsea shrugged, "You'll be able to put them to better use than I can."
"Well, alright, if you're sure. Thanks again sooooo much! Hey, I think I'll go talk to some of my fans now," and with that the skipped off.
Chelsea continued down the road to the Hotel where she said hello to Popuri and Karen, the two girls on vacation from Mineral town. She also popped into Mark's room to say hello and chat for a bit. She liked talking to Mark, and he was always happy to see her. She told him the condition of her animals and how she tended them as he sat on the bed ever the eager listener.
"Do you think that maybe sometime you could show me how to do some of the chores on the farm?" he asked. "I really want to learn how to grow crops."
"Sure, I think we can work something out. I need to fill the paddies at the back of my ranch with rice seeds as soon as spring starts, so I could certainly use the help planting the potatoes and turnips. It'll be good practice for you."
"That's great!" Mark replied with a huge smile on his face.
After awhile they said goodbye and she ran over to say a quick hello to Wada and Shea. Easy enough since they weren't exactly big talkers, although she did have to keep Shea from hunting Spark who growled at him for his attempt.
Finally she retraced her steps back to the center of town, dropped Spark off at home (who curled up contentedly for a nap in the stable) and made her way to the mines. She waved hello to anyone she passed as she ran through the forest and up the mountain. This island is becoming really popular, Chelsea thought to herself. I'm seeing more and more people in the forest these days.
She entered the cave and paused to catch her breath. She greeted the two miners on the top floor, and then began making her way down. She worked her way down at a steady pace, careful not to over exert herself. When it seemed likely she would hit a pitfall, she would take a break and eat something to boost her stamina. Eventually she made it to the twenty fifth floor where she carefully tapped the rocks. Sometimes the Adamantite would come out as useless ore, but more often than not she was successful in pulling it out perfectly. She cleared the floor, finding a total of seven Adamantite. Experimentally she went down to the next floor, but it didn't take long before she exhausted the last of her supplies and she had to return to the surface.
Running back down the mountain and through the forest Chelsea made it to the center of town. She shipped all but the Adamantite and two Emeralds, which she gave to Sabrina and Regis on her way to the diner.
She entered, sat at the center table, and ordered her food. While she waited for it to be prepared, she noticed Lanna and Denny at their usual table. Lanna was still wearing the gown, and Denny was across from her with his mouth wide open. Lanna didn't seem to notice and instead continued to go on and on about her plans to get back into the public eye with her newest scheme. Chelsea burst out laughing and just waved her hands in a helpless gesture when Lanna gave her an inquiring look.
Chelsea's food arrived and she ate with an appetite only working in the mines could give a person. She quickly finished and sat back in her chair, observing her surroundings. The new guy in town was sitting at the table to the far left of the entrance. He was watching her, and she could see a pad of paper and a pen in front of him. She wondered if he was making personal comments on everyone's outfits but decided to make nothing of it. She smiled and waved at him. He gave her a look of astonishment at being addressed, but soon beamed at her and waved back. She giggled, which also seemed to surprise him.
Taking one more look around Chelsea got up and walked over to Denny and Lanna's table. She giggled and put her hand under Denny's chin to close his mouth, which had still been hanging open. This action woke him from whatever daze he had been in, and finally engaged himself in the conversation Lanna had been trying to have with him. This made Chelsea laugh more, and together the three of them talked for awhile. The three of them left together, all tired from waking early and Chelsea doubly tired from her work in the mines. Lanna said goodnight first, and Denny and Chelsea parted way at the crossroads.
Chelsea sleepily made her way back to her house, slowly changing into her night clothes and finally collapsing on her bed for the night. It had been a long but productive day, and she was happy. It was great to have things back to normal again. She made a mental note to set aside some milk for Vaughn tomorrow, and drifted off to sleep.
