DISCLAIMER
The following is a fan-based
FICTION
Las Lindas and other products set in the same universe are all owned by Chalo/Chalosan and SoulKat.
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Chapter 1: It all starts in a Bar
Beta-Reader: Ant0nius
It was a jolly normal morning in the region of Cipiros. Or it would've been one if I hadn't taken so long to arrive, now staring at the darkened sky as the sun slowly gave way to the moon.
One of the most fertile section of the Newer Continent, the place was mostly populated by Primes, intelligent beings that had fur and animal features but still stood with two feet, and humans that sought to work the land into producing grain and other products that comes from earth.
It was the best destination for anyone trying to start working to a farm, mostly because of how many were spread all over the continent and how many available positions there were for individuals to flock to be hired.
Many aspired to eventually have their own activity and become rich with it, while others just did it for the sake of escaping the urban life they were born into.
My case? It was… different. I was a complicated person to begin with, and I certainly wasn't aiming for riches or to filter out the city's landscape.
No, I was searching for a distant place where to start making experience and enjoy life without being hunted down from some unpleasant choices I had to make in the last few years.
…
Oh? Did I forget to introduce myself? Hundreds of apologies!
Monologuing was a thing that just recently became part of my character. Mostly because loneliness drove me to think more instead of chatting with people.
Still, an introduction is needed to establish a starting point to spark this tale.
My name is Declan Stone, 24, and I was a… wanderer. I couldn't exactly define myself as someone that liked this position, but I didn't have much of a say to the matter considering how the world tried to squish me at some point.
One would simply ask why someone like me, a mere human with not much money in his pocket, would want to gamble my survival in Cipiros and… the explanation was really easy. Differently from many, I was blessed with a childhood within a farm. My grandparents' farm to be more specific.
The kind old couple were the ones that took care of me while my parents were gone for oversea business, leaving me to enjoy the simplicity and the humbleness of that lifestyle. Even after several years had gone by ever since those days, I still knew how to handle tools and animals- I knew how to be a proper farmhand. With that in mind, my destination was one of the few places that had plenty of farms that were hiring without any major requirements.
The little town I had picked was one of the deepest in the region, well away from major urban centers and thus the ideal location where to live the rest of my life in peace and away from my own mistakes.
Now, while I was so confident of the general elements of my plans about the area, I slowly learned that I wasn't as well-versed when it came to logistics.
Losing a bus was a silly issue that didn't impact me much. I didn't have trouble with money just yet, so I was a little lenient about the matter. But if the bus itself was actually reaching a little away from my destination, and making no closer stops to it… then things take a surprisingly unpleasant turn for me to handle.
While I would go for long runs in the morning whenever I could, I really wasn't someone that loved to rush through the countryside for several miles… all for the sake of arriving in town just in time to not lose the chances of getting a room by the local inn.
The City Port of Gossamer was a mix of modern and traditional… with a touch more rural than else. I was expecting this, but I didn't want to be screwed by the system. At least, not this early on. I could feel my heart in my throat as I arrived at the closest entrance to the settlement, taking a moment to catch some breaths as I knew that I couldn't appear like a close-to-die person trying to get a room.
I needed to instill trust and get a chance in return. Confidence was key… and I needed to appear presentable at future job interviews. So after taking as much time to get my thoughts straight and my solid smile out, I ventured through the bustling streets of this new place.
My possible new home if things went well for my plans. And with my determination running high, I proceeded to make my way towards the local bar/saloon to ask for some information. I was tired, but I knew how to pull myself up from falling into a sleepy state.
I needed to be strong… just enough for me to find a bed and crash onto it.
The place was packed with Primes of various kind. There were just a handful of humans, but those were lost in the furred creatures drinking and chatting animatedly within the place.
I stared just a little bit around, amazed by how friendly the entire situation looked to be despite how many drunk people were in there. But my objective still lingered strongly in my mind as I calmly made my way towards the counter.
The owner of the place, a short and old gray-furred Dog Prime with thick eyebrow and mustache, was busy cleaning some of the used glasses, merely nodded at me as I took a seat by one of the available stools.
"Do you wish some drink, stranger?"
I smiled, but shook my head in a polite manner. "Right now I was trying to find directions to reach the local Inn. I've tried to find the proper address elsewhere but I was rather unlucky."
He snorted, looking amused by my question, but keeping himself from going far with it.
"The Inn has closed down decades ago, kid. I think you might be mistaken."
The news struck me surprised, and I was quiet for a few seconds.
"I… there was no indication of this being the case when I checked the online service from the Town Hall."
"Well, it's been a while since those were updated," The elder pointed out. "You know, the Mayor is more attentive of what is happening in town rather what others 'think' of it. Still, it does shed some light over why so many outsiders would ask about it."
I felt deflating at the news but… surely there had to be another way for me to rest the night.
"A-Aren't there places that could be rented? Flats or house-blocks?"
"There are a few available, but not during this time of the year."
Gah, what is this? Why am I getting this many obstacles at once?
The old Prime sighed, looking genuinely friendly about my plight. "As far as I see it, your only chance is to get a place at one of the farms but… it's late."
Which meant no owner would be offering a place at this hour. I still blamed the bus for this… but then again, I guess it's all retribution about… that.
Huffing, I turned around and… decided to go for my 'usual routine'.
Get a soft drink, find an empty bench where to lie on, and wait for the next day.
It was unpleasant, and my back would be hurting for a couple of hours after waking up, but it was either that or keep awake for the remainder of the night.
And that very option would screw my chances of landing a job since I would turn in a pseudo-zombie craving for naps.
"Can I have a glass of cherry cola?"
The old man shrugged, preparing a cold glass of the dark beverage. After leaving the coins needed to pay the drink, I quickly gave it a sip and… I allowed the taste to distract me.
I felt the chilling beginning, then the moderate kick to keep me awake, and finally the bubbly rush of energy as I looked around for anything interesting.
The place was packed with people, but none looked much interesting to stare at. Eventually I found my gaze locked onto a piece of newspaper that was being read nearby, and I was distracted well enough that I ended up failing to look away when the owner of said paper folded it and… noticed my glance.
I blinked, the Cat Prime blinked back. He had short white-hair, a pair of yellow-golden eyes and a confused look on his face as he tried to discern why was I looking at him like that. Eventually the staring continued and… he huffed, gesturing me to take a seat by his table.
I did so, but reluctantly. While I might have been glancing at him without a genuine reason, I wasn't sure what the guy wanted from me. Taking the glass with cola with me, I sat down on the chair in front of him, and he gave me a serious look.
"So… what was that?"
I frowned. "I was just looking around."
He snorted in return. "Yeah sure-"
"I mean it. I was just reading the paper-"
"And then? Why did you stare at me like that?"
"Kind of difficult to look away without making it awkward when we exchanged glances-"
"Oh please, it's even more strange when you keep on staring-"
"But less creepy-"
"Like more creepy."
…
…
"Hehehe."
"Ahahaha."
We both shared a brief chuckle.
"I guess that was kind of mean from my part, but it was still weird," The Cat Prime admitted.
"I mean, I can see that… but it's really late and my mind doesn't work well during these hours."
"I understand. In fact, I had ordered some coffee that is… here~."
One of the waitresses passed by, the girl being a gray-furred Bunny Prime with pink hair and vibrant green eyes. "Here is your order, sir," She muttered kindly, getting my heart to pause a moment at how beautiful she looked.
The Cat Prime nodded in silent agreement to my inner assessment. "I can see that, but I feel blessed that a lovely lady got my order."
She giggled, appreciating the compliment before turning around and resuming with her work.
"She looks… interesting," The guy commented, distractedly lifting off the warm glass of coffee to try and drink from it… only to tilt it quite far from his lips as he was mesmerized by the waitress' behind.
I mean, that tail looked so fluffy and-
"Yeow!" The loud yelp got a jump out of me, and I saw the Cat Prime scrambling to clean his pants as the coffee had dripped onto him.
I waited quietly for him to be done and… snorted. "That was a strange retribution from your luck."
"Bah, believing in luck is… stupid. Maybe I did that because it was cool."
…
"How was that cool?"
"It could-"
"Yet it was pretty burning."
"Oh no, you- you prick," The man rebuked annoyingly. "Why the puns? Don't you see how much in pain I am?"
"I thought you were just feeling cool."
He growled, but before he had the chance of rebuking, he seemed to stare over my head as something soft crashed and squished onto the back of my head.
"May I take a seat here?"
It didn't take me long to realize from the feminine voice that the sudden pressure exerted by the pillow-like objects was none other than the duress created by a bountiful bosom.
The Cat Prime looked completely lost in staring at the intruder, his jaws dropping low before he granted me a desperate look.
She has to look absolutely gorgeous to get him gawk like that.
"I suppose I could offer," I finally replied with a nod. "But could you back away for a moment? I don't want to hurt you while I move the chair back."
There was a brief pause, but then the woman spoke up again.
"S-Sure."
A little stutter. I blinked in surprise at that… but I kept quiet after replying.
As the presence of the 'pillows' disappeared shortly after, I carefully moved out of the way to allow the new individual to take my seat. And boy did I feel my face burn a little as I got a glimpse at her.
The young woman was slightly taller than me. A cow prime with a light-brown fur, long brown hair, a pair of interested green eyes and a pair of short horns. I was partially surprised when I noticed that her ears were long, reaching a little bit behind her neck.
She was wearing just a pair of micro-jeans and some red cloth that was tied right by her chest. There was so much visible from that little clothing, but I could tell that something was… off about it.
But I didn't say anything about it just yes, preferring to wait for her to speak some more and give me some hints that could either prove or disprove my doubts.
Sitting down, the Cow Prime addressed Miles with a sultry look. I could tell it was all act as her posture was too stiff… as if she had planned for it to trick the Cat.
"Uh, Yeah… so, looking for work?"
"Miles is my name, and I'm actually looking for money," The guy replied smoothly "Work is just an unwanted side-effect."
"Declan," I replied curtly. "And I wouldn't mind the work if I get a place where to stay and a decent pay."
The Cow Prime nodded, a mysterious smile replacing her previously uncertain one.
"Well, I may have something young, strong, capable men like yourselves are able to do."
I blinked in confusion at the offer.
"Huh, and what do you pay?" Miles legitimately asked, only for the woman to ignore the query.
"Oh there will be some hard work involved..." The lady answered. "Some pushing and lifting, plowing and seeding, taking care of the cows… and I assure you that it will be worth the time together."
And of course the description unbalanced the Cat Prime's standing, Miles blushing at the innuendo… while I frowned as I took a sip from my cola.
"But what about the pay?"
The woman stare moved up to address me and she frowned.
"Didn't you mention that you needed a place where to stay?"
"And a decent pay," I added flatly, her eyes slowly narrowing at me as I looked hardly fazed by her looks.
Drop-dead gorgeous she might be, I wasn't going to get screwed by fate just because I allowed my guts to take over in this important decision.
"And what if I can just offer you a place?"
I wonder if… maybe...
"Would you be able to offer me a decent pay… in a couple of years?"
The Cow Prime tensed up at the rebuttal, realizing that I got an assumption of what she was actually trying to do here. Then she offered a sigh and… a slow nod.
"If the activity succeed, then yes."
Oh, so she owns a farm and- I guess that makes a lot of sense…
I gave her a tiny smile. "Then I guess we can make a deal about it, Miss-"
She blinked at my hand as I stretched it towards her. Her right palm lifted off from her lap grasping mightily at mine as we shared a hand-shake.
"Mora. Mora Linda."
"Nice to meet you… boss."
For some reason, she smiled at that formal title, and her attention returned back to Miles as the Cat Prime had just now started to recover from the intense innuendo.
"So, what do you think?"
His eyes widened. "U… Um… B-Buh?"
I cracked a smile at the fact Miles didn't seem prepared to this kind of attack.
Mora leaned forward, her smirk returning victorious at the reaction.
"I will take that as a yes."
She would then lead us back to her home and… we were given a first glimpse of the future.
And with that twist in fate, the next phase of my life would soon begin. One of self-growth, of friendship and family, of love and understanding… and about a lovely farm that was going to be the setting of it all.
AN
Blep.
EDIT 11/01/2020: Chapter 2 is up, but the website bugged and limited the means to visualize it.