Forget It

Chapter 7: Oops… Time Flies When You're Having Fun

Jill worked on clearing her farmland while chatting with her growing puppy. "Muffin, what do you think happened to me? I still don't remember anything about my life before I came here."

Muffin woofed at her and pawed at one of the weeds still rooted.

Jill laughed and pulled the weed. "I guess I shouldn't worry about that. I've got lots of new memories to make."

The puppy looked at the teen with wide eyes and tilted his head just so.

The brunette smacked her forehead. "That's right! There's the Chicken Sumo contest in Mineral Town today! I gotta go. See ya, Muffin!" Jill pet the pup and ran off towards Vesta's farm and the path to Mineral Town.

The teen stopped in her tracks when a small sprite stood in her way. "Do you have all your farm work done?" he demanded in a squeaky voice.

Jill knelt, her purple eyes wide with wonder. "Who are you?"

The sprite pouted. "Jackie. Now what do you think you're doing?"

"I was hoping to go to the festival in Mineral Town. It's Chicken Sumo wrestling and it sounds much more fun than Forget-Me-Not Valley's festival."

"Well, I say you can't leave." Jackie stomped his foot down in anger.

Jill shrugged and plopped her rear on the ground. "I don't have anything better to do. All my farm chores are done, I swear."

"I would let you go, but my boss doesn't want you to."

"Who is your boss?"

"She's the Harvest Goddess, the deity of Forget-Me-Not Valley and Mineral Town. She was sent away awhile ago for being a slacker, but some guy worked hard and brought her back."

"But if your boss is a deity, how can you be sure she's real?"

"She lives in the pond right across from the Sprite Tree. And she said we ought to start a casino, but that hasn't done well so far. Nobody remembers that sprites exist." Jackie seemed to wipe a tear away at this last statement.

"Oh, I'll come!" Jill told the sprite excitedly. Then her face fell. "What's a casino?"

Jackie's pale face lit up. "You buy medals, then you play games to try and win more. Win enough and you can buy prizes!"

"Awesome! I can't wait. I'll come tomorrow to play." Jill grinned.

The pair continued chattering for hours, paying no heed to the time. Presently, Muffy walked up.

"Hey, Jill. You forget about the festival or something?" The blond asked.

"Oh, my gosh!" The teen slapped her forehead. "I completely forgot! It's over now, isn't it?"

"Yeah, kiddo. The sun's setting. The festival ended a few hours ago."

"Well, that's a bummer. I was looking forward to it. I guess I'll have to wait 'til next year."

Muffy smiled wryly. "Hope you have a chicken to enter, too."

Jill looked at the older woman and nodded her head. She picked up her rucksack and headed home.