Episode 21: Pete's Achievements
Wednesday, 8th Of Summer, 2001
"Good morning, Honey. " Popuri gave me a kiss before we climbed out of our bed. "Morning, sweetie. How is the baby?" I replied. Popuri lifted up her shirt and checked her belly, which is still a bit flat for the time being. "... Okay, I guess. Let's eat, I'm hungry." Minutes later, Popuri got dressed into her everyday dress, and me in my overalls and cap, and we were eating scrambled eggs and biscuits with strawberry jam. We're almost out of jam, so I better buy more from the Supermarket today, including some more bread and rice balls for rice omelette. "So, Honey, what do you plan on doing today?" Popuri asked me after swallowing a piece of a biscuit she bit off.
"Well, I'm going to check on the harvest sprites, see if they need anything, then you and I will go for a walk with King, and in the afternoon, I'll go to Saibara's place and check on that Mayonnaise machine." I replied. "Okay, Honey... I'll stay here and wash the dishes and clean the rooms. You go ahead outside. I'll catch up." Popuri said after we cleaned out our plates. "Okay, sweetie." We kissed each other, then I stepped outside after watching the weather channel briefly. Another sunny day tomorrow! Man, I feel glad that we haven't got a hurricane yet!
As soon as I came outside, I saw something that I have never, ever seen before in my farm. Bees! "Whoa!" I said in awe. As I was watching the bees fly around, Chef, Staid, Hoggy, Nappy, Bold, Timid and Aqua entered my farm for another day of work. "Morning, Pete." Hoggy called to me. "Hey, guys. See those bees? That's a rare sight in my farm." I replied. "Really? Then that means your Pink Cat flowers in the garden have sprouted, budum." Staid said. "What? What does that have to do with bees?" I felt confused. "Let me explain, budum." Bold said to Staid. "Okay. You know that bees always look for nectar in flowers, right?" Bold asked me. I flinched. "That's right. I forgot about that."
"Well, budum, where do bees go with the nectar?" He asked me. I watched the bees, waiting for an answer. As I watched the bees, they flew by us, and flew to my apple tree next to my house. "! No way... They got a beehive in my tree!" I exclaimed. "And where there are beehives, that means there is..." Nappy said. "Honey!" Nappy and I said at the same time. "Cool! I can harvest honey now!" I rubbed my gloves together in excitement and started heading for the tree. "Wait, budum! Don't go yet!" Chef warned me. Too late. I literally stirred up the hornet's nest, and now they are coming to sting me up for it. "Ahhhhhh!" I ran like crazy, the bees chasing after me in droves I ran towards my lake near the hen house and jumped in the water, holding my breath and staying underwater, causing the bees to immediately give up chasing me and return to the beehive. When they flew away, I popped back up to the surface and inhaled air. I may be wet, but I didn't get stung, at least. Lucky me.
Minutes later, I made another attempt to get some honey from the beehive. This time, Popuri is watching me from a safe distance. The harvest sprites were busy working in the crop field, watering the crops. I had a long, thin stick in my hand, 8 feet in length, 2 inches in width. The beehive seemed empty, but I need to be sure. I edged close to the beehive, trying to poke it with my stick. "Be careful, Honey." Popuri warned me, her hands resting on her bosom in a nervous way. "Don't worry, Honey. This will be a piece of cake." I said as I prodded the beehive with my stick once more. No bees came out. Perfect. "Okay. Seems all the bees are gone. Now, Honey, give me that jar." I said.
Popuri had a empty jar sitting on top of the shipping box, but she walked up to it, grabbed it, cautiously walked over to me and handed it to me. "All right..." I began twisting the lid open, then holding it under the beehive, I tried poking the inside of the beehive again, hoping I would be able to damage the honeycombs inside, allowing the honey to ooze out of the beehive. It worked! About 6 feet of honey was emptied into the jar! "Yes! I did it!" I cheered. "Great job, Honey!" Popuri clapped her hands. At that moment, Aqua, who was busy watering my sprouting pineapples noticed that the bees were returning from my newly grown Pink Cat Flower patch. "Ah, Pete, here they come, budum!" Aqua yelled. "Agh! Run!" I yelled. Popuri and I ran into the house just in time because the bees were coming at us but gave up chasing us and went back to their beehive to produce and store up more honey.
After we were sure the coast is clear, I decided to go to Gotz's house at 11:53 a.m. to tell Harris, Gotz and Louis about my latest achievement. Louis seemed the most impressed about it, so I let him have the jar of honey instead of putting it in the shipping box. I also went around town, telling everyone that I extracted honey from a beehive without getting stung. Kai wasn't around for today because he pays visits to Forget-Me-Not Valley randomly because he has a food shack set up at the beach there as well. I couldn't check on Saibara today because his shop is closed today. I guess today is not the day for me to get the Mayonnaise Maker. So before heading back home, I stayed at Doug's Inn, talking to Doug and buying two bags of Orangecup seeds, and three bags of Pink Cat flower seeds and planting them as soon as I got back home. Won told me that when the Orangecup seeds sprout, I can pick some fruit off of them. Sweet!
Thursday, 9th Of Summer, 2001
Popuri and I were eating breakfast and watching the Star One Sports channel. Rugby players were competing against soccer players in a ball game. The rugby team won simply because in rugby, there can be 15 players in a rugby team while there can only be 11 in soccer, and rugby players can run with a ball in their hands while soccer teams can only score one point at a time. No such thing as two or three points in soccer. Seems like soccer players has plenty of disadvantages against rugby players. "Have you ever played soccer before, Honey?" Popuri asked me before eating a rice ball. I frowned, searching through my memories of Jr. High School. "... Once." I replied. Popuri seemed intrigued.
"You have? Were you the best player on the team?" Popuri asked me. "No, I was average, but the coach said I have potential, even if I don't know it. Ahh yes... I miss playing for the Mahogany Bay Penguins..." I sighed dreamily. "Mahogany Bay?" Popuri asked me. "That's the name of the city where I come from. And the Penguins is my old Jr. High school mascot for the basketball, football and baseball team." I explained to Popuri. "I see. Did Jack play?" Popuri asked me. I swallowed a rice ball. "Nah, he played for the basketball team." I shook my head. After we were done eating, I prepared to go outside while Popuri took our empty plates and headed over to the kitchen sink to wash dishes.
As soon as I came outside, I surveyed the area, turning my head left and right, examining my beautiful farm until... When I turned my head further to the right, I saw Louis near my apple tree, inspecting the beehive! I frowned in confusion. "Hmm... What is Louis doing here...?" I wondered to myself. As I approached him, I heard him exclaim: "I was right! The bees around here are a rare species!" I came up to him, eager to find out what he's up to. "Hello, Louis." I greeted him. He turned around. "Hi, Pete. Thanks for that delicious honey the other day." Louis shook my hand. "Oh... You're welcome." I said, smiling, happy I satisfied an acquaintance. "The minute I tasted it I realized that these might be the bees I've been looking for. That's why I came here. These are them!" He said, pointing up at the beehive. "Seriously? What a coincidence..." My head felt like it was spinning. I can't believe I helped Louis find what he's looking for.
A few bees started buzzing around the beehive, but they didn't bother us. "Because these bees are so rare, I think you can get a higher price for the honey." Louis said. My eyes lit up. Higher price? "How much are we talkin'?" I asked, my interest highly piqued. "Generally selling one jar of honey is $50, but with this kind of honey from rare bees, I'd say the price will go up $10. So that would be $60." Louis explained. ... I expected the price to be a bit higher than that, but oh well. "That's fine." I agreed. "I'll tell the buyer about it. See you... oh, I'll take one of these bees, thank you." Louis, using his bug catching net swiftly caught a bee with it and walked away. After he left, I extracted honey from the beehive after the bees left searching for nectar the same way I did yesterday, filling an empty jar full of honey and when it got full, I put it in the shipping box.
Then I started to leave the farm. "Pete! Where are you going, budum?" Aqua asked me, looking a little sad about his cyan colored clothing is getting a bit dirty. "To town. I need to check something." I replied. Just after I passed the front door of my house, Popuri came out! "Honey! Want to go to the Orchard?" She asked me. "Sure. Why?" I asked. "While you were talking to Louis, I came out here to check the mail, and guess what? Karen and Sasha sent us postcards wishing for us to have a cute, healthy baby!" Popuri smiled gleefully. "Oh that's nice!" I smiled. "As thanks, I want to go to the orchard and buy Karen some wine. Will you help me buy them, Honey?" Popuri asked me. "Sure." I nodded.
We waited until 9:44 a.m., then paid a visit to the Orchard. Manna gave us 4 bottles of wine for $20, and then we headed on over to the Supermarket. The customer bell above the door rang as we entered. Jeff looked up at us, with a cheerful smile. "Pete! Popuri! Welcome!" He smiled. "Hey, Jeff. Did you do something to your mustache?" I asked him as Popuri and I approached the counter. Jeff gasped in shock. "How did you know I trimmed it?!" He exclaimed. "Actually I didn't know. Thanks for telling me." I grinned. Jeff slapped his left hand to his face, embarrassed that I fooled him. "Jeff, where's Karen and Sasha? We have a gift for them." Popuri said.
"Oh, they're in the next room over there." Jeff pointed to his right to a door. "Thank you." Popuri nodded then I followed her into the room. We then found ourselves in the room where Jeff's family stays in, which is off limits to most customers except friends of the family. That's us! "Pete! Popuri!" Karen was looking through the fridge until she spotted us. Sasha was flattening dough on the counter with a rolling pin. "Hello, Pete and Popuri!" Sasha smiled warmly. "Hey, Karen, Sasha. Popuri told me about the postcards you both sent us. We really appreciate it." I said with heartfelt gratitude. "No prob, Pete. You be good to Popuri, okay?" Karen smiled. "I will. oh, Popuri and I got something for both of you." I pulled the bottles of wine out my rucksack and put them on the dinner table. "These are for you, Karen." "Wow! Thanks!" Karen smiled, her face a little red. "And I got a box of flour for you, Sasha." I gave Sasha a box of flour.
"Thank you, Pete. Oh, let me teach you how to make chocolate cookies. Jeff likes these." Sasha siad. I pulled out my small notebook and a pen form my pocket, ready to take notes. "I'm all ears." I said. "All right. You can add chocolate flavoring, and sugar to flour, butter and eggs. You'll need a rolling pin and an oven. You can also add honey." Sasha said. "Sweet!" I smiled. That will definitely taste great. "Mmm... Honey flavored cookies. Sounds great!" Popuri said, licking her lips. "Of course, the easy way is to just use chocolate and cookies." Sasha added. A thought came to my mind. "You said Jeff likes them. What about Karen?" I asked. "Oh, Karen likes to drink. She doesn't eat sweets." Sasha replied, looking over at Karen.
When I looked at Karen, I saw her sitting at the dinner table drinking one of the bottles of wine I gave to her. 5 seconds later Karen stopped drinking and noticed us looking at her with blank expressions. She gave us the confused look. "... How do you stay sober?" I broke the awkward silence. Then I heard a meow. From under the dinner table a cat that looks just like Nora appeared. "Oh! You never told us you had a cat!" Popuri squealed. "Sorry. The cat's name is Gauguin. Jeff gave it that name, even though it's a girl." Sasha said. I glanced over at Popuri and gave her a disturbed frown. "Can anybody say "awkward"?" I whispered to her, finding it strange a female cat is given a male name. Popuri didn't reply to me, all she did was smile. Later, we returned home and relaxed there for the rest of the day, watching some cartoon shows. We didn't stay in the house all day, don't get me wrong! I tried to teach Popuri how to ride Dash, but she was too nervous to do it, so I gave up.
Friday, 10th Of Summer, 2001
Popuri cooked breakfast while I watched Mechabot Ultror on Summer Vacation. They are still having a hard time battling the mist monster, but towards the end of the episode, Blue has an idea of how to beat it. He tells his team that maybe they should attack it from inside it, recalling the fact that Yellow's legs were unharmed inside the mist, but there's a problem with his plan. Before he could tell his team the problem. the episode ended. I love and hate cliffhangers. After eating breakfast, Popuri and I came outside to do our farm work alone. Chef, Hoggy, Nappy, Bold, Staid, Timid and Aqua have finished their 1 week of work, and now, Popuri and I have to work by ourselves again.
While helping Popuri pick the ripe onions, I considered hiring them again, only for 5 days, but I decided not to do that right now. They need a break, especially Aqua, since he doesn't like getting his clothes dirty. It felt challenging working by ourselves. It felt real convenient having the Harvest Sprites helping us, but I don't want to tire them out; they're my friends, and friends don't use each other as tools. After picking the onions, Popuri went in the barn to milk Mai, Dairee, Moona and brush them and the sheep while I went in the hen house to feed my hens.
Now that my hen, Popuri is the champion of the chicken festival like Kali, Kali isn't the only hen who lays gold eggs anymore! I didn't bother shipping the eggs, I left them alone for... something else. After feeding my hens, I came back outside to water my crops. When I went to the other side of my garden to water my Orangecup seeds and Pink Cat seeds, I noticed that the Orangecup seeds have died! "Wha...?! Ugggh!" I growled, baring my teeth. Won didn't say that Orangecup seeds can't be planted in summer! I'll straighten him out later. He obviously has a few leftover habits he needs to get rid of.
Work today was crazy and tiring, especially under the summer sun. Popuri couldn't take it, so she went back in the house. I also collected more honey and put the jar of honey in the shipping box, and I went in the house with Popuri to rest for a few hours. I also invited King in, and put Dash back in his stable. At 12:10, I went to Saibara's place to check on the mayonnaise machine. "Ah, Pete! Perfect timing! The Mayonnaise machine is done! Gray will send it to your farm." Saibara told me. "That's great! Gray, can you handle it?" I asked him. Gray looked at me like I'm crazy. "Don't be sarcastic, Pete. Just wait near the hen house, alright?" "Sure." I turned around and left, heading back to my farm, waiting for Gray to arrive with the mayo machine. 5 minutes later, Gray arrived, pulling the heavy machine.
"Ugggh... Uggh...!" He strained, pulling it along. "Hey. Need help?" I asked. "Yeah. Get the door." Gray said through his teeth. "Oh." I immediately opened the door, allowing Gray to pull the machine in the hen house. I followed. The mayo machine looked different than I expected Not very complex. Its bigger than me and Gray, about 1 foot bigger, and it is yellow colored, with no knobs and dials on it. On top of the machine is a funnel shaped opening, possibly where you're supposed to put eggs in, and in front of the machine is a big slot opening were maybe jars of mayo are supposed to come out. Gray continued pulling the machine as I watched. He set the machine in the far right corner of the room. "Whew!" He slapped the dust off his hands. "Thanks, Gray. How does it work?" I asked. "See that funnel shaped thing on top?" Gray pointed out. "Yeah." I nodded.
"You put eggs in there, and the machine converts the eggs into mayo juice and puts the juce into empty jars, and the mayo jars are deposited out of that slot right there. Take an egg and give it a try." Gray instructed me. I took Raawk's egg, walked up to the machine, put the egg in the funnel hole on top, and seconds later, the machine started making humming and whirring noises. I backed away a few steps. "Hey. What's going on?" I asked Gray, worried that I broke something. "Watch." Was Gray's reply. 4 seconds after the humming and whirring, a full glass jar of mayo popped out of the hole, resting on the steel flap.
I took the jar into my hands and inspected it. There is mayo inside... "Wow... It works... It actually works! Thanks!" "No need to thank me, Pete. Well, I better get going. Grandpa never cuts me slack. See ya." Gray left. After he left, I made more jars of mayo out of all the eggs except Kali and Popuri's egg because they are golden. I don't know how valuable mayo made from gold eggs are worth. I bet no better than ordinary eggs. After that, I returned back home and celebrated with Popuri about the mayo machine- one of my greatest achievements as a farmer.
Saturday, 11th Of Summer, 2001
Today, when I tried making mayonnaise out of Kali and Popuri's gold eggs, I made gold mayo, much to my surprise! After all that, nothing really interesting happened. Just work, work, work. Karen and Kai did come by to visit us at 2:00, though. I also considered buying a mixer from TV Shopping, but due to my farm work, I got so sidetracked, I forgot all about it.
Sunday, 12th Of Summer, 2001
"Honey, today is the Tomato Festival." Popuri said, making rice omelette for breakfast. I was in a trance watching television, but Popuri mentioning the festival snapped me out of it. "What? Really?" "Yes, Honey. I know you'll be on my team, right? After all, you are my husband. " Popuri blushed. "Now, Honey, why would I team up with anybody else? I don't like the idea of myself plastering a tomato on your pretty face. " I replied.
Popuri came over to me with our plates of rice omelettes. "Thank you, Honey. Oh, and happy birthday!" She gave me a smooch. I grinned. "I caught up with ya! Now I'm 18 as well!" After eating breakfast, feeding my hens, converting the eggs to mayo and shipping them, shipping a jar of honey, watering the pineapples, corn, tomatoes and onions, and milking my cows and feeding them and the sheep, Popuri and I waited until 10:00 to head on over to Rose Square.
When we got there, everyone had already decided on whose team they want to be on. To my surprise, Stu approached me with a sharp scowl. "I'm not gonna lose this time, Pete. I've improved." He said. "Whoa, little spark, save it for the festival." I replied playfully, rubbing his smooth black hair. "Hey, Rick!" Popuri called. Rick was over by Kai, getting teased by him. "Wow, Ricky-boy, why are you so angry all the time? What have I ever done to you?" Kai asked innocently. "It's not what you've done to me- it's what you've done to this town! I can't stand your attitude, flirting with women randomly, and-"
"Rick!" Popuri called. "Oh, Popuri. Hey." Rick's expression changed as soon as he heard Popuri. "And Pete. Happy birthday." Rick added. "Hey, Rick. Kai." I replied. "What's going on?" Kai greeted me. "Hey, Pete, tell Kai that just about every guy in this town finds him annoying. Can you tell him that, please?" Rick urged me. I looked at Popuri, then Rick and Kai. This is their conflict, not mine. "You know what? I'm not gonna get involved in this. You guy are like boys with toys." I said in annoyance. "So, Rick, would you like to have Pete on your team again?" Popuri asked. Rick shrugged. "Sure, why not? After all, he is my brother by marriage."
Several minutes later, Mayor Thomas called us up to line up behind the barrels full of tomatoes. Like last year, Rick, being the leader is positioned in the center behind me and Popuri, I am to the left, and Popuri is to my right. Our opponents is Elli, Stu and May once again. When I looked over at Stu, he had his scowling eyes fixed on me. He pointed at me and gave me a thumbs down, which meant he is telling me that he is going to personally take me down. I can't help but wonder why Stu is so bent on revenge on me. Matter of fact, I don't think I was the one who hit him with a tomato.
"Alright, the Tomato Festival is about to get underway. Here, we have the Chicken team, led by Rick!" Everyone watching us cheered as Rick, Popuri and I raised our hands, waving at everybody while jumping. "The Sheep team, led by Stu!" Thomas announced. Elli, Stu and May jumped and waved at the cheering audience. "Now, without further ado, the tomato festival will start in 3... 2... 1... Begin!" Thomas declared and blew the whistle.
Almost like lightning, Stu, May and Elli were throwing tomatoes at us before we could react! "Duck!" Rick shouted. We ducked behind our barrels as tomatoes soared over us. Some hit our barrels. Stu's tomatoes were directed at me. When I was sure that Stu and his team were done with their barrage, I popped out and threw some tomatoes at Stu while Popuri threw some at Elli. "Whoa!" Stu ducked down, narrowly avoiding my barrage. Rick popped up and threw tomatoes at Elli. Elli managed to dodge Popuri's tomato but stood up too early and got hit by Rick's tomato. "Guhagh!" Elli gagged, tomato juice all over her face. "Oh no! They got Elli!" May cried. "We'll get 'em! Stay tough, May!" Stu shouted back.
He threw two tomatoes at me. "Whoo!" I yelled in fright as I ducked back down behind my barrels. May threw a tomato at Rick! Bam! "Doh!" Rick got hit so hard, his glasses flew off his face! "Rick! Gah!" Popuri got hit too by May, but she threw a tomato before she got hit and managed to hit Stu when he was so focused on plastering me. Now it just me and May. I stood up and threw a tomato after a barrage of 2 tomatoes flew over me when I was under cover. I only managed to hit May's barrel. "Come on, Pete!" May taunted then threw another tomato at me. I ducked back down, swiftly dodging it, and threw a tomato at May. She had no chance of dodging it, I threw it at a quick speed. "That's it! And the winner is the Chicken team!" Thomas declared. "Whooo!" The audience cheered. Popuri and Rick wiped the tomato juice off their faces and smiled happily. They won because of me.
Our next opponents is Doug, Ann and Gray. Doug and Gray seemed raring to go. "The chicken team, led by Rick!" Thomas announced. Everyone cheered. "The Star team, led by Doug!" "Yaaaaay!" "Ready... Set... Begin!" Thomas then blew the whistle! This match did not go out well for us. Gray and Doug were a powerhouse duo. Rick and Popuri got plastered 5 seconds after the match started. "Oh no...!" I whimpered. I have to take on Ann, Doug and Gray alone...! Well, if I'm going down, I'm going down with a fight! I popped up from my hiding spot and began throwing tomatoes wildly! Taking the opportunity, Ann, Gray and Doug threw their tomatoes at me. I didn't even bother dodging. We already lost anyway.
*Splat! Splat! Splat! Splat!* The sound of tomatoes hitting my chest and face filled my ears. "Aaaarrrggh!" I yelled in defeat like a fallen warrior as I collapsed down, my face and overalls covered in tomato juice. "That's it! And the winner is... The Star team!" Thomas declared. To make things worse, the Star team won again in their next mach, which means they are the champions of this year's tomato festival this time. Popuri and Rick looked very upset about their loss. "Oh pooh, we lost." Popuri groaned. "How did we lose? Did you try seriously, Pete?" Rick glared at me.
"Hey, I did my best! Don't look at me! Gray and Doug caught me off guard!" Honestly, I really let myself get hit, but I didn't want to tell Rick, or even Popuri that. It's pointless for me to take on 3 opponents on my own. Not only Popuri and Rick were depressed, but also Duke, but Manna scolded him about being depressed and Cliff was freaking out about Duke being sad. Oh well. Popuri and I headed home to wash off our tomato juice stained clothes, take a bath and relaxed. at 5:00, almost everyone from Mineral Town came by to celebrate my birthday. That sure lifted the sad mood from losing.
Monday, 13th Of Summer, 2001
In the morning, when I was waiting for Popuri to get finished cooking our rice omelette breakfast, I couldn't shake this feeling that Popuri is still upset at me for letting down the team yesterday. I was afraid to ask Popuri this, but I convinced myself to swallow my fears and ask the question. It felt like there's a roadblock on my vocal cords or something. But it took me a while to remove it. "Hey, Honey..." I called. "What is it, Honey buns?" Popuri replied. "Are you... um... upset at me for letting down the team?" I asked. Popuri didn't reply until she brought her plate and mine to the dinner table and we sat down to eat. "Well, it felt painful to lose, mostly because you helped us win last year, but I convinced myself that you'll do better next year, so I'm not sad or mad. Besides, why would I be mad at a cutie like you? " She leaned towards me and kissed me.
That made me feel a lot better. I feel so happy to have married Popuri. She's a good wife- no, a great wife. "So, how's the baby doing?" I decided to change the subject. Popuri looked down at her belly. With her corset on, it's not easy to tell if her belly is still flat or barely flat. "I don't know." Popuri replied. "I really don't know. all I do know that it is growing up to be a cute, healthy baby." Popuri said, blushing at me and smiling. I nodded, smiling. Then, I got this idea to get Popuri a special gift. Not a Pink Cat flower, nothing like that. Something different. I looked back at my cabinet. Maybe one of those minerals I got can be used for something...
After working on my farm for 4 1/2 hours, I decided to go out walking through town while Popuri visits her brother and mother. I decided to visit Duke and Manna at the winery. I walked up to the house and knocked on the door. Manna is the one who opened the door. "Oh, Pete! Come on in." Without hesitation, I came in. As soon as Mana shut the door, I heard some instrumental music playing somewhere in the house. The music sounded like it originated in the 1920's or 1930's. I looked around, trying to figure out where the music is coming from. "Where is that music coming from?" I asked. "From Duke's room upstairs. He loves listening to classical music. By the way, do you want some grape juice?" Manna offered.
"Yes, ma'am." I nodded. Manna led me into the kitchen. I sat down in one of the chairs. Manna opened the icebox door and pulled out a bottle of cool grape juice and handed it to me. "Thanks." I said. I twisted the top open and drunk the juice. It felt good to drink cool juice while listening to 1930 relaxing instrumental music play upstairs. Manna sat next to me. I had a feeling that she is about to start a conversation. "So how's Popuri doing? And the baby?" She asked. "Fine." I nodded before taking another sip. "She's really excited about it." I said. "Well, I'm glad to hear that. And you two are 18 years old now?" "Yep." "I bet you're feeling happy about having your own child, don't you? I remember when Duke and I had Aja, we were so happy..." Manna stared off into space.
"Babies can be little bundles of joy, huh?" I said, trying to lighten the mood a bit. "True..." Something is wrong. Manna is usually very talkative. Then Duke came in the kitchen. "Manna, I... Oh, Pete!" "Duke. How are ya?" "Fine. Sorry I couldn't make it to your birthday party last night. How are you and Popuri are doing?" "Great. We are getting along great like a husband and wife should." I smiled then drunk more of my grape juice. "That's good. Saibara can make special gifts for girls out of a mineral called... What's it called, Manna? Orachum? Oracham? Orichialcum?" Duke looked puzzled. "Orichalcum, Duke. Orichalcum. *Sigh*... You're hopeless..." Manna looked annoyed, shaking her head in disappointment at Duke's dull witted mind. "Really? Saibara can do that?" I asked. "Yep. If you don't believe me, go and ask him." Duke replied. I got up out of my chair, finishing my bottle of grape juice and setting it on the table. "Well, I'm leaving. Thank you for the drink, Manna. Gotta go. Bye." I left. "Bye, Pete." Manna said. "Later, Pete." Duke replied.
I paid a visit to Saibara and asked him if he really can make special gifts for girls using the orichalcum mineral. "Yes, Pete, I can do it. And unlike improving tools and making machines, it is very cheap- $1000." Saibara replied. "Great! Hold on a sec, I'll bring an orichalcum back from my house, okay?" I left the shop and 30 seconds later came back, gave Saibara the mineral and $1000. He said it will take 3 days for him to finish... as usual. Popuri and I rejoined when I passed by Poultry Farm and then we went to the church to visit Pastor Carter and Cliff, who is also visiting. In the evening, we came back home to watch a few action movies. We never watched any horror movies, Popuri hates horror movies for obvious reasons.