The sun slowly began to rise, creating that familiar morning blue sky. Dawn of the third day of Annie's new life in Oak Tree Town. Eda had shown her quite a bit the day prior, and Annie actually did learn things from her about Oak Tree Town's soil and how to deal with its' weather patterns.
Annie woke to hear an unfamiliar male voice speaking to Eda in the other room. Apparently someone named Giorgio had come to visit Eda, but also to meet the new farmer in town. Upon hearing this, the young girl jumped out of bed to make sure she wasn't unkempt before Eda inevitably called for her to introduce herself.
Sure enough, Annie soon heard Eda's aged feminine voice, "Annie, there's someone who'd like to meet you!"
Annie gave herself a last look over in the mirror before walking out. She wanted to make a good first impression on everyone she could. Not getting along with people, or feeling like they disliked her, frustrated Annie to no end. She exited her room and gazed upon the man she was to be introduced to. He seemed to be more interested in fashion than she expected anyone in this town to be. Handsome, but not Annie's type.
"My name is Giorgio, I run a farm in this town," the man greeted Annie, "I imagine you have heard of me. I am rather well known in the glamorous world of farming."
Annie looked at him quizzically, unsure if that was a joke or not. "I suppose my fame has yet to meet its full potential," Giorgio stated with a small shrug when Annie didn't respond. He seemed a bit dramatic, but not really in a bad way. Annie liked him so far.
"I'm Annie, I'll be running my own farm soon, after Eda shows me the ropes for a bit."
After a bit more small talk, Giorgio left Annie and Eda to start their day.
"Now, there isn't much I can show you today that I didn't yesterday-"
"Heya Granny! I'm here to help ya this mornin'!" Eda was interrupted by a young male approaching her farm, "Who's this?" He asked when he got closer.
"Fritz, hello! This is Annie, she's going to be a farmer here! I'm teaching her how to farm in Oak Tree Town for the next few days."
Fritz shook Annie's hand vigorously, "Well good to meet ya! I'm a farmer too! Anyway, I'll let you get to trainin' Annie here. See ya later Granny!"
Eda waved goodbye with a bright, wide grin on her face as Fritz left.
"I thought your grandson moved to the city," Annie inquired of Eda after Fritz was out of earshot.
"Oh, yes, he did. Fritz isn't truly my grandson, but he's become like one to me," Eda was happy to speak about the young boy who she was clearly close to, "He's always been one to help me out when I couldn't handle all of my farm work myself."
Eda's comments on Fritz made Annie have a good opinion of the young man. From Annie's observations, it seemed Eda was treated with the utmost respect in Oak Tree Town, as she no doubt deserved having worked hard for decades.
"Now then, where were we... Oh, yes, there's someone I'd like you to meet!" Eda began to walk toward the barn, but Annie was hesitant to follow.
"Uh, there's someone... in the barn..?" She was a bit worried. Was Eda alright?
The elderly woman chuckled, "Yes dear. Follow me, you'll see!" the young girl listened to Eda and walked to the barn, still concerned.
"This is Hanako, my prized cow!" Eda beamed at the animal, "Go on, pet her! She's a friendly girl."
Annie was, of course, used to cows. She grew fond for them as a child on the family farm, and often felt there weren't enough people out there who loved cows as much as they did dogs or cats. Or even pigs, for that matter. Why did so many people like pigs?
"Oho ho, she likes you! I'll bet you know the importance of showing cows, and all of your animals, love and care every day. I've only had Hanako for a few years, but she and I have been through a lot together. Every time I've had a health problem, she's been there to comfort me."
Annie smiled, "That's because she knows how much you love her, and she wants to give it back." The brunette could understand why Hanako would grow attached to Eda. Who wouldn't? Eda was one of the sweetest people Annie had met. She already felt like she had a growing bond with the elderly woman. If everyone in town was anything like her Annie would have an incredibly peaceful time living here.
"So I suppose that'll be all I can show you about my farm. Why don't you take care of those turnips we planted yesterday, and go have a look around town? I don't think you've even left my farm yet, have you? Go introduce yourself to some of the townsfolk, I'm sure you'll like them all!"
That was true, Annie hadn't yet left Eda's farm. It was because she was nervous. Meeting the people she'd be seeing all the time from now on was a bit scary. She hoped everyone would be like Eda, but how likely is that?
"Yes, I guess you're right. I do have to see what the town is like. I didn't see much of it on the way here," Annie's reluctance to go was clearer than planned.
"Oh, you'll be alright! You're a sweet girl, everyone will see that! Now you'd best get on your way before it starts to get dark out," Eda reassured her 'trainee'.
Once in town, Annie finally got a chance to stop and have a good look around. The town was prettier than she thought it would be, even in her daydreams. As she was backing up to get a better view of one of structures, she bumped into a tall man.
"Ah, pardon me, miss," the man apologized, then studied Annie's face, "I've never met you before, I don't think. Are you the new farmer those in town have been talking about?"
"Ah, oh, uh, yes! Yes. That's me," Annie stumbled over her words. Wow. He was handsome. And definitely Annie's type, although he appeared to be about ten years her senior. He was very tall with dark hair and an attractive face. Dressed to the nines, too. This man was the very definition of 'debonair'.
"I am very pleased to meet you madam. My name is Klaus. And yours?"
She almost wondered if she should introduce herself as Anastasia to such an elegant looking person. "It's Annie. Nice to meet you too!"
"Annie. A lovely name. Well, I must be going. Business to attend to, and all that. I hope I will see you again soon, Annie."
Annie sighed as she watched him walk away. Was she blushing? She was probably blushing. First day meeting her neighbors and she already has a crush on one of them. "What can I say, I'm a hopeless romantic," she muttered quietly to herself. Or so she thought.
"Is that so?" Annie heard an amused voice from behind her, making her jolt to look at who it was. She saw a beautiful blonde woman who looked to be about Klaus' age. "Klaus has caught your eye, has he?"
Annie laughed awkwardly, "Yeah, uh, I guess he is kind of handsome.." So much for making good first impressions.
"No need to be embarrassed, we're both ladies. He is quite handsome. Besides, I write love stories. Hopeless romantics are my forte."
"Really? You're an author?"
"Indeed, I am. My name is Iris. And from what I'm told, you are Annie?"
News travels quick in this town. A new farmer must be a big deal, Annie had learned. "Yep, that's me!"
"Glad to meet you!" Iris glanced at the sky, "It's getting dark, we should both get home. Especially yourself. The mountain trail can get hard to see at night. I will see you later, Annie. Don't let thoughts of Klaus keep you up all night. Farmers need their rest!"
Annie let out an embarrassed chuckle and waved goodbye to Iris. So far so good, she thought as she walked to Eda's home. The townspeople were nice, and the town itself was lovely. Her confidence that she made the right choice in starting a life here grew more today than ever before.