"Mornin', Nami. Don't we look all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed today? Guess that's no surprise. We're off to see your new farm after all. Anybody would be excited 'bout that!" Frank chuckled as he dusted the hay off of his trousers.

Today's the day! I'm so excited. I could hardly sleep last night. Whilst I had intended to sleep as early as possible last night so this morning would come quicker, that didn't work out. All I could think about was what today would bring and what my farm would be like.

"I'm so excited!" I grinned. I was much more comfortable in Frank's presence, he had been so welcoming and kind to me during the past few days I have stayed with him even if I had been shy and not the most talkative guest.

"Alrighty. I won't keep ya waiting any longer, then. Let's go." He took his straw hat off of its hook beside the front door and placed it upon his orange mane. "I hope you don't mind, but it'll take a bit of a walk to get there. It's not as close as Megan's farm is to me. It's just outside the gates to Westown."

I was surprised because since I had originally been sent to Westown I assumed that my farm would be located here. "It's okay, I'm sure the walk here every morning will be me nothing but good."

"That's the spirit!" he chuckled and held the door open for me, I had to muster all the self-control in me not to start skipping beside him. What? I was excited, I felt like a kid at Christmas.

The further we walked, the more the fiery orange of the Westown landscape was replaced by lush and wild green fields. After several minutes we arrived at a large vacant field adorned by mint leaves and a few cute critters. Aside from the pathway to Westown, there were three others leading out of the field. The one opposite the gate to Westown had a wooden sign labeled 'farm' beside it. I could feel my heart beat faster, that must be my new home. The other two pathways were blocked by rubble and what must have been parts of old gates. It looked inaccessible.

"Why are those gate broken? Do the pathways lead somewhere?" I asked curiously.

Frank wiped his brow and glanced at their direction. "Ah, the gates? Those gates lead the way to the other towns in the area. They're both under construction. They needed some touch-ups. Once they're done, you'll be able to get to the other towns."

I was curious what sort of towns laid beyond the gates. Would they be just like Westown in appearance? Maybe I'd be able to eventually befriend the residents there too. At least it'd give me an opportunity to visit more places when the construction would finally be finished.

When we made it to the farm, I began to feel slightly overwhelmed. I had daydreamed of this moment since I was a child but because I spent my life in different cities I never imagined I'd get the opportunity to experience this moment in reality. I looked around the farm carefully, savouring this moment and taking my surroundings in. The field was enormous, there was even a small coop and a barn. I couldn't wait to get some livestock of my own to fill them with. I glanced around the land, on a small hill was my hous-

My shed? I glanced around to see if I'd missed the house, the building that was in front of me must have been a tool shed. I couldn't see anywhere else that I was meant to live in...

"Well, here we are. This is your farm. Nice and big, ain't it? This place has always been a farm, but there wasn't anybody to take care of it for the last couple decades. I fixed it up enough to make it livable, but that's about it. Sorry I couldn't put together a nice house for you than this. Farms ain't exactly cheap to clean up, though, y'know? Didn't have that much left to spend on the house itself. But, hey, if ya work hard and save up a little money, you'll be able to renovate it to your heart's content." Frank smiled apologetically.

"Thank you for everything you've done, Frank. There's so much room to do stuff here!" I stood on my tiptoes and hugged him.

Whilst the house was small, I knew I could turn it into a home. The farmhouse wore the colour of unfinished wood, weathered for years by harsh elements and baked by the hot summer sun a deep, rich copper. The wood cracked, warped and twisted by a shrinking grain here and there and wore the stains, at predictable intervals, of rusty nails that held it fast. The old farmhouse spoke volumes about hardship and hope, strength and vulnerability – a rich history, determined present, and a hopeful future. It faced the world proudly with a rusted tin roof. Although the house couldn't be described as magnificent, its rugged, frontier charm somehow harmonised with the breathtaking scenery surrounding it. I knew I'd be able to make the most of it. I could see why it took a while for the farm to be ready. I was grateful for all the work Frank had done on it.

The rest of the day was spent being shown the ropes, he showed me how to prep the soil to plant some crops, how to plant seeds and how to water and fertilise them. With his guidance I planted a pouch of potato seeds Frank had gifted me to get me started. It wasnt much, but I intended to head into town the next day to get the supplies I needed. Frank had put so much effort into me that I was truly grateful. He gifted me some old tools and 2000 units of gold. I hoped I'd be able to pay him back one day. Perhaps once my potatoes had grown I could make him dinner to repay him for his help and hospitality the past week.

~~~

I bring my hand down in a semi-drunken stupor onto my alarm clock. At this time of day my neurones don't fire too well. I grab the gear next to my bed and dress into a red plaid dress and a straw hat with a blue ribbon around the rim. I feel like I look more like Frank's relative now. The other me, the one that exists after 9am thought to put it all right here on my chair so that crack-of-dawn me can cope. Before the day has started for the masses I am already in my kitchen, fully dressed and ready to go. Outside it is as black as night, only by the clock can I tell the difference between the time to sleep and the time to rise.

I refilled the old water can Uncle Frank had gifted me and carried to over to the section of soil I had prepped and planted a few potato seeds in. After multiple trips running inside to refill the watering can, I finished watering the crops and crouched down to fertilise them carefully. Trying to remember exactly how I observed uncle Frank doing it. I reached the last seed when the fertiliser had run out. I cursed under my breath and made a mental note to purchase some more fertiliser along with more seeds today in town.

When I had completed my morning chores the sun had filtered through the clouds and dominated the sky. My fanned myself with one hand and carried my watering can back inside with the other. I glanced at the mirror, my hair was lying like a second skin over my cheeks and I looked as if I was caught in a sudden storm. I sat on the edge of my edge quietly and took my hat off, hoping that it would provide me with more cold air if I fanned it. My legs feel empty and there is a rising feeling of nausea from my stomach. I should have eaten breakfast but that's an inconvenience WHEN YOUR HOUSE DOESN'T COME WITH A KITCHEN OR ANYTHING TO MAKE FOOD WITH.

... It was a touchy subject.

I knew that I'd have to go to the restaurant in Westown to eat until I was able to upgrade my house and it's facilities but I could feel myself turning shy at the thought at it. Whilst I wouldn't deprive myself of a meal, the idea of eating there made me feel uncomfortable. Although Megan has introduced me to a lot of the residents of Westown during my tour, I was the newbie. I felt like an intruder, like the new kid at school during lunch time. It was silly. If my dad knew about this he'd probably lecture me. You're feeling shy because you're in a town with a bunch of strangers? Farmers have to have good relationships with others in order to sell their projects. Fail. I sighed and stretched my legs out. I wasn't used to this type of work and so I was a giant ball of sweat, I could feel my clothes cling to my skin. I probably stunk.

I rested for a few more moments then pulled my damp, sweaty clothes off and washed. Afterward, I got dressed into some blue shorts I had packed in my luggage and a yellow top my mother had sewn me. My mother had taken up sewing when Lynn and I were both in school to pass the time. All she would dress us in were her creations. Looking back at the photos, at first, they were ghastly and poorly made but now with love and (lots and lots and lots) practice her clothing was actually really pretty and well made. The wagon I had come to Westown on was only small so I could not bring lots of possessions. If how sweaty my clothes on the first day were anything to go by I'd definitely need a lot more clothes.

~~~

Westown was bustling with life when I arrived there a little afternoon. I had spent the past several minutes examining the livestock stall, coming close to buying an animal, retreating then coming back again to look some more. I wanted to buy a cow but I know it wouldn't be the most sensible purchase right now. I had just started my farming journey and getting an animal as big as a cow might be too much to handle right now, it was also very expensive and out of my current price range. I walked back over to the chickens. Perhaps this would be a more suitable animal to start out with, I could grow accustomed to being responsible for livestock and make a profit from it, without being bankrupt. I'd come back to purchase one when I had made some money from shipping the seeds I had planted with Frank and the items I had foraged around my farm. As I finally walked around from the stall I felt a smile form on my face as I started thinking of names for my new potential chicken. Polly? Pearl? Birdie?

Next, I walked into the General store to look at the selection of seeds that were sold there. The lady that worked at the general store, from my first impression of her during my tour, seemed friendly. She often stopped by Frank's farm in the morning to say hello. I didn't know if I was reading too much into their interactions but they both had a cute relationship and I thought they'd make a good couple. Perhaps something will happen between them one day.

"Well if it isn't Nanami!" she exclaimed and smiled warmly. "Welcome to the Straw Market, I'm glad yer could pop by! We have just about everything you need when it comes to farming. Anything I can do for you today?"

"Good afternoon, Miranda. I was wondering what seeds you had available at the moment." I approached the counter shyly and tried to smile politely.

Miranda places a selection of different pouches onto the counter, each had a cartoon patch handsewn on them that resembled the plant it corresponded to. "Well let's see here, at the moment we have some potato, raddish and strawberry seeds that can be planted this season. Is there anything that takes your fancy?"

I could feel my mouth watering at the thought of fresh strawberries, they would be so easy to snack upon back at the farm whilst I didn't have a kitchen. Of course I wasn't completely thinking with my stomach and intended to sell some of them too but at the same time I was allowed to appreciate my work, right? "I'd like two pouches of strawberry seeds, please." I handed over 1300 units of gold.

"How has your first day of proper farming been?" Miranda took the gold and placed two pouches of strawberry seeds on the counter for me to take.

"It's been going well, it's just trying to build up my stamina. I'm enjoying it already though." I smiled and waved, "Have a nice day!" I picked up the seeds and walked out of the store. I had just barely made it out of the door when I heard the sound of a woman screeching.

"WAAAAAYNEEEEE!" at the top of her lungs. I barely got to look at who the voice belonged to before she sprinted past me and towards the post office where Wayne just walked out of. I'd never seen someone run as fast and desperately as she did. She was like a cheetah hunting its pray.
... Perhaps she was his girlfriend? Granted she seemed a little on the over-excited side but... Good for him.

I walked forward to try and see what she looked like more clearly when suddenly- CRASH. A group of women raced past me, crashing into me and knocking me to the floor. "Hey..." I groaned as I tried to lift myself up. I pulled myself into a sitting position slowly, my left leg was throbbing where I had fallen onto it of the women had stopped to help me up or even apologise. I could hear them whining in the distance.

"Wayne, over here! Wayne~"

"No Wayne, look at ME!"

"Wayne! Wayne!"

I guess that first woman wasn't his girlfriend, he just had fanclub filled with obsessive and rude individuals.

Suddenly,I remembered that I had been carrying the two pouches of strawberry seeds before I was knocked over.I scanned around frantically for them, I don't recall them being in my hands when I hit the ground. And then I spotted them. I groaned loudly. The pouches of seeds had been trampled on, most of the seeds were scattered around the ground and were squashed from the hoard of women running over them. My seeds! There's no way they would be suitable to plant.

"Howdy there Nanami. I'm awfully sorry about that." said a voice gently. I glanced up to see Wayne standing over me, he had a frown on his face. He extended his hands out to me. "Are ya hurt?"

I took his hands quietly and let him pull me to my feet. I was still distracted and annoyed by the wasted seeds, but I tried my best to hide my annoyance. I smiled slightly and shook my head. "Oh it's okay, I'm sure it was just an accident. Thank you for helping me out." I brushed off my clothes quietly, they were covered in dirt. I glanced towards the post office to see if the women were still there. They stood glaring towards my direction, folding their arms and tapping their feet in sync impatiently.

I crouched down slowly and picked the pouches up hesitantly. I knew there probably wouldn't be any surviving seeds left in there but I had to make sure, just in case. After all, I had already spent most of the 2000 gold I had brought with me that Frank had gifted me I'd only just have enough to buy one pouch instead of the two I had originally brought, and then my money would be gone.

Wayne followed my gaze and looked down at the seeds scattered around our feet. He lowered his voice, "I'm sorry about ya seeds there. Did you manage to salvage any?"

I shook my head slightly, "No, they all felt out of the pouch and got trampled on. I'll have to buy some more. Thank you for checking up on me. I had you have a nice afternoon." I gave a small smile and started to walk away.

"Wait." He called out, catching up with me and wrapping his hand around my arm lightly. "Stay here a moment, I'll sort something out." I watched him turn and walked into Miranda's shop. I waited awkwardly, trying to ignore the penetrating glares from the group of women. I could heard them muttering amoungst themselves from where I stood.

"Who is she?" I could hear them hiss. I had only had a conversation with Wayne, we were practically strangers yet they were acting like I had committed the worst crime imaginable. A few moment later Wayne came out of Miranda's store carrying three pouches of strawberry seeds, he walked over to me and grinned. "Told ya I'd sort something out. I'm sorry about your other seeds, hopefully these will grow nice and tasty."

I don't know what I was expecting when Wayne turned and entered Miranda's, but I wasn't expecting this gesture. I was touched, he didn't need to replace my seeds and he definitely didn't need to buy more than I had originally brought. "Wayne... You really shouldn't have spent your money on these..." I protested.

Wayne waved his hand and smiled, "Ah don't yer' worry about that. I'm more than willing to help out a lady. I need to deliver these parcels now, let me know how your strawberries turn out when they've grown." He squeezed my shoulder gently and went on his way, walking past the hoard of women who diverted their attention again to get Wayne to notice and talk to them.

All but one member of the group followed Wayne like a group of ducklings. She still kept her arms crossed like she was earlier and stared at me. As our eyes made contact she shook her head angrily. She mouthed something that I couldn't make out then turned to follow the rest of the group.

I didn't know why this had angered her but something about her made me uncomfortable...