I don't know what this is exactly, but I hope it brings your readers some happiness, or at least help alleviate the boredom.

"Common Robert! You can do it!"

Robert watched as his father stood on the opposing side of the two planks of wood, constituting a 'bridge', crossing the torrent of water, exiting the dark caverns, and filling up the mountain lake. This was his first time crossing it. Before he only fished on the banks with his dad.

The water looked fast and deceptively deep. Whenever his dad would be panning for ore there, he would not even roll up his pants, his worn leather boots more than enough to keep his feet dry.

Gathering up his courage, with slow careful steps, Robert made his way across, watching his dad in the eyes the whole time. In what seemed like forever, he was embraced in his arms and had his hair ruffled.

"You did great, son."

Robert hesitated, before asking. "How did Robin do when she crossed?"

"Oh, she ran right over. I had to hurry to catch up, otherwise, she'd leave me behind."

Robert looked down.

"Then I also scolded her. The water here is not that deep, if she slipped and fell, she could have hit her head. I like your approach a lot more."

He smiled at his father, before they walked the short distance that separated them from the entrance to the mines. Here, his dad lowered the large blue backpack and reached inside. A second later he pulled out two blades. One was a short dagger, with a sky blue handle and guard, and a white, crystal-like blade. While the other was… a piece of sharpened bone, with a portion of it wrapped in leather, to act as a handle, no guard in sight.

"Dad, what-"

"Just a sec, son. Still gotta find the… Aha!"

Out of the backpack, he pulled a trio of rings. Two yellow ones with a glowing rock, and one with an emerald on top. He passed his son one of the glowing rings, donning the other two himself. He also gave him the dagger.

"Alright, now we're ready."

"Dad, I don't know if I'll..."

"You'll never know until you try. I'll be with you the whole time, and we'll go no deeper than the first floor, ok?"

Seeing his dad extend his hand, Rober gripped the dagger tighter, before taking hold, and together, they entered the mine.

The inside was nothing special, just a cavern with a hole in the floor, a ladder, an elevator, and a… minecart?

"Dad, you jerk! We could have driven here!"

"We could, But then would you have found that leek to give to uncle Linus?"

"...No."

"We can ride the minecart on the way home if you want, but then Sebastian will have no one to help him look for frogs."

Robert did like helping Sebastian. They would look for frogs in the bushes next to the lake, and then see if they could be petted. He still remembered the summer when they brought a bucket of tadpoles from a slowly drying puddle, and released them in the small pond on the farm.

"Also, didn't you promise grandma you'll help her with her tea leaves?"

"I will!"

"That's why we don't ride the minecarts unless we're in a hurry. It's nice to take a walk, and you get to see or meet your friends. Now, I'll set up the ladder, and then climb down first. After I call for you, you climb down, and we'll see if there are any monsters."

Robert nodded and watched as his dad pulled a ladder from the wall, before slowly lowering it into the hole. Checking to see if it stood well, he slowly descended into darkness, illuminated by the yellow ring. Now Robert knew why they had them.

"Ok, Robert, I'm down, you can come!"

Slowly Rober descended, step by step, deeper into darkness, which is immediately banished by the presence of his own glow ring. Finally standing on solid ground he looks around. It… was smaller than he imagined. A few scattered rocks littered the floor and no monster was in sight. His dad, who in the meantime pulled a purple pickaxe out of his backpack, starts breaking them, one by one.

"Pay attention, son. There might be a rock crab hiding somewhere among them."

Lo and behold, the stone that was about to be smashed by the pickaxe grew six legs and slipped away.

"After him son! Try getting the legs!"

Robert began chasing the moving rock across the small room, cornering it, and swiping with his dagger. The crab lowered itself again, making him scratch the stony surface of its shell.

"Keep your eyes on him, if he doesn't poke out, I'll smack him with the pickaxe."

The crab did indeed poke out, and this time, Robert managed to slice two of the legs away, before flipping the thing on its back and stabbing it in its underbelly.

Pulling out the dagger, Robert turned to face his father.

"You did good, son." Robert carefully passed his weapon back to his father, before he was engulfed in a hug from the man. He squeezed back, before separating, but still getting his hair ruffled. He'll be faster next time.

Together they climbed back out of the mines, and pulled out the ladder, before leaving. Robert had no problems passing the small bridge now, and together, father and son headed out from the mines toward Pelican Town.

The bell of the General store rang and it's owner perked up from his boredom from behind the counter. A customer always deserved a smile after all! But, the ones who entered earned a smile bigger than anyone in town.

"Bart, Robert!"

"Grandpa Pierre!"

"Good to see ya, old man."

"Pff. I'm not old! I am well-aged, like a fine wine! Speaking of which…"

"Yea yea, I'll bring some bottles for you to 'sell'. The most recent batch should be about done in a week at most."

Pierre wanted to talk some more business but was distracted by his grandson jumping for a hug.

"We're here to help grandma Caroline with her tea!"

"Well then, you better run along! I think she's in her tea room as we speak!"

Watching the youngster runoff, both men had a smile on their faces, reminiscing each of their own childhoods. But before either could get completely lost in the memories, the door behind Robert slammed and snapped them out.

"He's a bright lad, isn't he?"

"So Penny tells us. Best out of her current bunch."

"Betcha he'd be great at business management."

"Pierre…"

"Look, I'm not asking for much. Just let him help out, once a week. See if he picks it up."

"He loves the farm too much. You should see him in the barns and coops. All animals love him, and he them. Once he grows up, he'll take over Little Wood, and turn it into the best ranch this side of Gem Sea."

"But if you don't let him try-"

"I'll let him. But, I know my son. Little Wood is where he belongs."

Pierre sighed, knowing his son-in-law was most likely right. Still, he felt bitter. There was just not enough young blood to keep things going. Ol' Willy already sold his shop to some chain store that dealt with fishing equipment. He also sold his beloved boat to a tourist agency. While he still earned a little something on the side, by catching fish from the shore, or consulting with the store manager, he was retired. Robin also had a similar problem. None of her kids had any interest in carpentry, Maru having already moved away to Zuzu city. At least their house was safe. Will was rooming in with Clint last he heard.

"Have you heard that Elliot is coming back?" welcoming the distraction, Pierre engaged in the gossip talk.

"Ah. Mister famous author himself, visiting his vacation home. Wanna bet if he's bringing some 'company' along?"

Both men laughed before the chime rang and another customer entered the store. Orange hair, made in a simple braid, with a wooden chip stuck here and there. Her dark eyes took in the people in the room, sparing a smile for the shopkeep, but for a farmer… to him, she sent a look of sadness and longing. Not that the farmer noticed, spinning on his heels, and heading deeper into the building.

"I'll see what Caroline and Robert are up to. See you later, gramps!"

The door to the interior closed post-haste, while Pierre smiled at his customer, hoping it would not sully her day, or her shopping experience.

"Ah, young parents, what can you do? Anyway, how can I help you, Leah?"

CLACK! CLACK!

"Keep up, Robin, you gotta keep your blade close!"

CLACK! CLACK! CLACK! THUMB!

"You telegraphed that last swing too much. But good job otherwise, you had me on the fence once or twice."

A woman and a girl stood, opposing each other in an empty but spacious shed. While the woman still held her wooden sword, the girl clearly lost hers once she was smacked on her fingers. Gingerly picking it up, she looked up to the woman to see inf the lesson would continue.

"We did enough for today. I gotta be at the Guild before 4, or Marlon will get all grumpy. Why don't you check on the farm a bit, while I see what your dad prepared us for lunch?"

"Ok, mom."

The girl placed her sword into a chest and rushed out, leaving her mother behind. Before closing the chest with practice weapons, the mother inspected the weapon her daughter used. It was chipped and some cracks were showing. This was the third sword in two seasons. It was… concerning.

Stepping outside she was greeted by the local wizard. As the Master of Adventurous Guild, Abigail had a much more thorough understanding of arcane matters. Still, till now she had no interactions with the wizard, other than Marlon introducing them, upon passing down his position to her.

"Hello, Mr. Razmodius! How can I help you?"

The wizard snapped from his thoughts and turned her way. He seemed to hesitate, as if not knowing what to say, before simply nodding at her.

"Mrs. Abigail. I was just seeking your husband. A few years back he helped me acquire a rare substance, and I was curious if he could procure it again."

"Wouldn't something like that normally be processed by the Adventurers Guild? Trying to avoid paying some fees, mayhaps?"

"I'll have you know I compensated Bartholomew fairly. Though why he stopped using the obelisks, is beyond me."

"As much as I appreciated the convenience of instantaneous travel, we have children on this farm, Mr. Razmodius. And I for one have no wish to guess where my child teleported themselves."

"Yes, I suppose you have a point… You must care for your children a lot."

"Every parent does. Or at least the ones I know of."

Her words gave the wizard another pause. He got a very complicated look in his eyes, but before she could ask about it, a ruckus from the animals on the farm made her look towards the entrance. And sure enough, there was Robert, who had already ran to greet his friends. Strolling casually behind him was the familiar face of her husband, and she sent a bright smile his way.

"I see you're all busy with the farm, I'll come at another time.'' Before she could object, the wizard teleported away to who knows where. She could not pay him any mind, since her son ran up to hug her fiercely.

"I did it, mum! I did it!" Looking up at her approaching spouse, Abigail smiled upon seeing the proud look of confirmation.

"He really did it. Slew a rock crab."

"And then I helped grandma pick her tea leaves! She gave us some!"

She listened to her son with a smile on her face, before watching him run off again, to play with the chickens and ducks, and dinosaurs. Watching him go, she was not surprised, when two hands enveloped her from behind and a pair of lips along with a luscious beard tickled her cheek with a kiss.

"Hello dear. How was your day?"

"It was good. But now, it's better." she leaned into the hug, closing her eyes and basking in the sun.

"Robin almost broke another sword." she heard her husband sigh, before hugging her tighter.

"I'll look through the storage shed. We ought to have some clubs there."

"You're not happy."

"I'll get over it. Guess it would be too much to ask for someone in this family to admire swords the same way I do."

"You go look for the clubs, I'll talk to her."

Before he went, he spun her on the spot and leaned her down, pressing a hot kiss to her mouth. Raising her leg in the air, she deepened it, unleashing some of the passion that accumulated within her since the last time they made love. But before either could get too hot and bothered they split away. She returned to the house, her thoughts on the upcoming weekend when the kids would spend the night with her parents, while they would have the house all to themselves. Who knows? Maybe there would be a third…

Entering she found her daughter staring at the fish tank, where five majestic fishes swam. They were one of her husband's proudest achievements. They were contacted more than a few times by the new fishing gear store if they could borrow them for an exhibition. But Bart rejected them every time. He mostly made his own bait and bobbers anyway, and he had all the rods he needed to teach his children how to fish. They could snub the new store without concern.

"Hey, Sparkles. Can we talk?" It was a nickname her father came up with, and it still made him chuckle, and outright laugh when others remained confused. It was a private joke only he knew of. Not that it wasn't inaccurate. Ever since Robin spilled a bottle of glitter in her hair, they remained sparkling.

"Sure mom."

"I'm sure you noticed that your practice swords keep breaking." Her daughter looked towards the floor, but she gently lifted her chin.

"None of that. We're not mad. We just think you need a different sort of weapon. You are so strong. I'm certain a club will be right up your alley."

As on cue, her husband entered the house, carrying what looked like a dark gray baseball bat. Robin looked at her, and after a nod, moved towards her new weapon. After breaking Iron Edge, her parents held out from giving her another, but as she laid her hands on the hilt of the club and felt its reassuring weight, she could not help but smile. This… This felt right.

"Can I go train in the shed?"

"Go ahead, sweetie."

The parents watched with a smile on their faces before Bart moved. He still had some errands to run after all.

"Whereof to now, dear?"

"Gotta deliver spicy peppers to George. Might also look if there are still some leeks lying around the house, for the old greybeard."

"Say hi to Alex and Haley for me."

"Will do."

"Where's the bloody farmer?" asked a grumpy old man in a wheelchair.

"Now, George, he promised he'll be here after three, and it's barely ten till."

"Bah."

"Would you like to hold Clara?"

George tried to keep his frown, But seeing his great-granddaughter give him a toothless smile, he couldn't. He took her in his still-strong arm and held her carefully.

"Who's my little baby girl?" Clara made gurgling noises and it made his smile wider. Haley, who was still watching, smiled as well, before heading back to the kitchen.

"I thought you did all the work for today?"

"I'm trying to get ahead. While I have yet to talk to the client, I got the layout of the room, so I can create the model."

"Man, technology these days. You can just design a room for someone who's half a country away."

"Mhm. Also, Alex is planning to take Thursday off, so I hope to spend a day together as a family."

George smiled at those words. Alex was a busy man, working as a gridball coach for a high school team. Same school Vincent and Jas went to. He and Sebastian managed to fix up the old truck, and now it was driving them there. Alex also thought about learning how to operate the ol bus, but the common consensus in town was to sell the bus and buy a smaller one, or maybe a large van.

It was then that they heard a knock, and Haley rushed to open the door.

"Ah, Bart! We've been expecting you! Come in, thank you for bringing those."

"It was no trouble. George, you still kicking?"

"Hah! Still as funny as ever."

"Ahh, little Clara, she's grown so much!"

"Still remember how to hold a baby?"

"Aww, I shouldn't. I've been in the mines, and I've yet to clean up."

"Nonsense. A little dirt don't hurt no one." Before Haley could say anything, George was already offering up the baby. Bart still looked to the mother, and while she did not look too happy, she also did not stop him, as he took her in his arms.

"It feels like yesterday I was able to hold Robert like that. But not Robin, that rascal was always fussy."

Haley smiled, remembering her visit to the farm where Bart got a particularly nasty kick to the nose, courtesy of his daughter. Bart held baby Clara in his arms for another minute, before passing it to her, so she may get her changed. She left the two men to conduct their business.

"I brought you the peppers you requested. And one of the last springtime leeks, as a present."

George's eyes shone brightly upon seeing the leek. He rolled himself into the living room, where he took a jar of money from its hiding place, before forking over the amount agreed upon. He would have insisted on a bonus for the leek, but he knew well the farmer wouldn't take it. They'd done this song and dance before.

"I also brought her some tulips. She'd love them, never have I seen them bloom this late."

Both men had their own flashes to the one mentioned. One remembered her fondly as a dear friend, who loved her family, flowers, and making baked treats for the people of the town. And the other remembered her as a best friend. A lifelong partner. Love of his life. And more.

"You shouldn't dwell too much on it, sonny. She got to see Alex married. And she got to meet Clara. It was more than she ever wanted. Now get outta here, and stop wasting time with us old folk."

Bartholomew smiled and went on his way. George closed behind him, before quietly cursing under his breath.

"Haley! I'm going to the bathroom!"

"Call if you need help, ok?"

"Will do!"

On his way back Bart met another old and wizened face, though this one still retained some of her original hair color.

"Marnie! How are things?"

"Heya farmer! All's good, can't complain. With Shane on the chickens and me on the cows, we got the whole ranch running smoothly."

"That's great! Want me to send Robert down in the mornings? He'd love to help."

"Oh no! I haven't given up on Jas just yet. You'll have to teach him yourself how to manage all the animals."

"I have nothing left to teach. The brat stole them all from me, even Frufru."

"No! The betrayal! Your first ostrich, favoring your son over yourself?! Oh, the shame!"

"At least Eli's still on my side."

"Eli? Oh right! That ol pouch! Still around?"

"Yep. Though her snout is pure white now, and she's lazier than normal."

"It's to be expected. That dog is probably over ten years old at this point!"

"Doesn't act like it half the time. One squeak from her toy, and it's like turning back time."

Bart wouldn't have minded chatting more, but Marnie seemed to be busy, so he went onward as well. Not once did his gaze wander towards the back window of a small cottage, where a pair of dark eyes observed him.

Sometimes words just fly from underneath my fingers. This is one such time, but longer than I expected when starting to dabble with the idea. READ. REVIEW. Let me know what YOU think, and we'll read each other next time. NPGamer out.

PEACE!