Sunlight serenely filtered through the blinds of the windows, painting the inside of the wooden farmhouse with a striped golden glow. Dust danced silently amongst the furniture to the occasional rhythm of a cheerful blue jay's chatter. It was disrupted now and then by the persistent snoring from a certain male farmer. With his tousled hair, Eli grunted for a second before burying himself ever so deeper underneath the cotton blanket within the lull of sleep. He and Aly had stayed up late last night trying in vain to comfort the two grown chickens freaking out from the sudden thunderstorm. The two farmers escaped largely unscathed from the old chicken coop in the end, but not without making a mental note of precaution for handling future poultry.

Speaking of the other farmer, there Aly was, gradually tiptoeing closer and closer to her older twin brother from her room. The blonde stopped for a moment and readjusted her pale blue pajama collar that was tickling the edge of her neck before continuing on. A mischievous smirk plastered her enthusiastic demeanor, but it was important she stay as quite as a cat on the evening prowl, her brother the unsuspecting prey. She wasn't very far off now to activating her mission objective.

A loud groan from an old floorboard halted the girl in her tracks. Her wide brown eyes locked onto Eli's sleeping form for any sort of undesirable reaction, but there were none. Slightly relaxing herself, Aly hastened before anything else could deter her.

"ELI!"

With a flying leap, Aly bounded towards her brother and landed right on top of him with a hard bounce, hair flying and name screaming included. This initiated a surprised grunt, and the young man snapped his blues wide as he was rudely awakened from his slumber. He quickly gave out a drawn out sigh at the sight of his sister and rubbed his eyes with a lazy hand. Aly merely laughed joyfully and kicked her legs in the air without a care in the world.

"Happy Spring Thanksgiving! Gimme chocolate!"

Eli delayed answering the combination of declaration and demand. He slowly pushed the girl off of him, enough so that he could sit up in bed and attempt to rub the sleep out of his eyes one more time. After stretching out his arms and his lower back some, he chuckled in good nature.

"If we finish early today with our chores, I'll probably have plenty of time to make cookies and hand them out," he finally answered, starting to become more and more awake as the minutes passed.

Aly messily ran a hand through her own blonde bed head hair. "We're all supposed to meet up at the inn at noon, right?" She rolled off of the young man and leapt to her feet. "Then let's hurry up and get to work then!" The girl flew off in the direction of her room before Eli could make a joke about Aly's so-called work ethic. The blonde had a point, though. The two would have to hurry if they wanted to enjoy the festivities.

In approximately half an hour, Aly was unarmed and expected mayhem at the chicken coop. The tiny building was barely large enough to hold two poultry comfortably, but for two chickens, it did its job well enough. Sifting through sticks of hay along the floor and wrinkling her nose at the scent of bird poop and feathers, Aly carefully approached the two reluctant hens squatting in their nests at the opposite wall.

"Here, chickie, chickie… Good chickies, nice chickies," the blonde quietly cooed, creeping towards the birds with an air of utmost caution. If they attacked with her beak and talon, she possessed no weapon to fight them off and no shield to defend herself with. Pitiful. She forcefully pushed the thought of showing up at the inn with scratches and a black eye out of her imagination.

Omelet and Scrambled Eggs clucked quietly at one of the new owners. Their arrival at their new home had been eventful, with a frightening thunderstorm to end the first hectic day. Ruffling their feathers, they hopped to their feet and approached, cocking their feathery heads at the human girl. She slowly bent down and petted them quickly on their heads with two fingers, her eyes scanning their empty nests.

No eggs to be gathered. Perhaps tomorrow. And with the thought of holding a freshly laid egg proven to be an impossible reality for today, the blonde stood upright again and began to take carefully measured steps out the door. The feathered creatures grew curious and followed her out to fresh dewed grass, warm sunlight, and an all-you-can-eat buffet of worms.

Now that the two were starting to get a hang for farming, Eli found that even though the twins had a lot to do in terms of farm chores, it was not actually stressful for the time being. It was probably because none of their spring crops were ready to be harvested as of yet. The man watered down the next tiny sprout with the dented watering can. With each step he took, the water inside sloshed around and echoed inside the metal tin. The rows of little frail islands of green were not neat by any means, but at least the sea of dirt was weed-free for the day. He scrunched up his nose at the smell of fresh fertilized soil and then glanced upwards to see his sister leading the chickens to the designated gated area where the twins had agreed would be a good spot. He watched her securely tie the gate so the chickens would not roam free.

Little by little… Were they growing up? Eli looked down at himself, garbed in old overalls smeared here and there with dirt and grass stains. Two seasons ago, he would never have thought himself out in the country, watering crops, owning farmland… For many around his age, it was a vision to be laughed at simply because it veered so much off the path Eli had intended for himself. Going to college, graduating, starting a career… Farmers only existed in children's story books or "out there" where children made elementary school field trips to marvel at barnyard animals. Yet here Eli was. Occupation: farmer. Were he and Aly wrong to make that whimsical decision to call?

Eli couldn't see the road he was walking on.

Lately at night, if sleep didn't claim him right away, he laid awake in the darkness with the crickets chirping out their repetitive melodies, mulling over such questions. The young man didn't think Aly was the kind of person to do the same thing, so he didn't think Aly would ever truly understand should he try and discuss matters with her. Besides, Aly was the one who had practically embraced the idea of living on a farm. She was a romantic. She didn't care what road she was walking on. That was the difference between them that set them apart like two sheer cliffs facing each other, towering over the vast ocean.

He shook himself out of these thoughts once Aly ventured near.

Eli passed the watering can over to his fellow farmer. "I'll go ahead and get myself washed up, then get started on the cookies. If I don't start on them soon, we might be late. I don't think Ben would like that."

Aly giggled nervously at the thought of their first day here. "Don't remind me. But okay, I'll finish up. You better make them just as tasty as last year."

Eli made a face at her as he began to head back to the house. "Don't I always?"

A quick shower and a fresh change of clothes later, the brown-haired man was ready to bake. He carefully preheated the oven and then gathered the necessary ingredients. Eli had always made chocolate cookies on Spring Thanksgiving to give out to his sister, female relatives, female friends, and a girlfriend if he had one at the time. His hands did everything for him. Mix the butter and sugar in a mixing bowl. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Carefully pour in the vanilla extract with a tablespoon. As Eli mechanically went through the process, he wondered what Spring Thanksgiving would be like here. He and Aly had missed celebrating New Year's Day with the village folk, what with being too busy moving in and getting themselves acquainted with their new home. Maybe that was a good thing though, as Eli couldn't imagine pounding rice with wooden hammers as a jovial celebration. It sounded physically taxing to him.

He inserted the pans into the oven and set the right temperature. As Eli waited and Aly began to freshen up, the strong sweet smell of chocolate wafted throughout the little house. He had to admit, if cooking was as good in the country as he had always thought, it was going to be difficult to keep from salivating all throughout lunch. Aly eyed the pan when he brought out the pans to cool on the wire rack. She hovered over the chocolate cookies like a butterfly over a flower in the summer.

"Okay, okay! Aly, go on, shoo!" Eli waved her away with a hand and protected his cookies from an early death. Dejected, the girl sulked away for the moment. One by one, he lifted each cookie off the pan with a spatula and carefully laid it in a glass plate until there were just a few left.

Seeing her pout made Eli roll his eyes. It was now or never. "Alright, alright, here. Happy Spring Thanksgiving." He presented her with the remaining cookies.

Aly wrapped her arms tightly around him and instantly changed her demeanor. "Ooh, big brother! I love you!" She planted a wet kiss smack on his cheek. Eli twisted himself out of her hold in repulsion and recoiled away.

"Oh god, EW!"

Nick pranced along the various oak tables decorated with red, white, and pink and piled high with that afternoon's lunch courses. In his hands he clasped his precious 3ES and felt quite intent on showing its contents to a certain red-haired girl.

"Roxy, Roxy, look!" It was rare to see Roxy not dressed in her chef uniform. Dressed in a white blouse and a dark red knee-length skirt, the fiery girl turned away from her task of setting the table at the sound of Nick calling her name.

"I made you chocolates," the gamer declared cheerfully. He presented the screen of the gaming device proudly to her and beamed.

"… You made chocolates in a game," she pointed out slowly.

"3D is way better than real life," Nick retorted stubbornly. "Aren't they beautiful?"

"No."

Heart shattered by her blunt response, Nick muttered darkly in a corner, "Girls never understand." Roxy ignored him as she always did. It was an everyday ritual that was now implemented into her life, sadly.

Ed called out from the other side of the room while sprinkling confectioner's sugar on his soft chocolates, bearing a ridiculously corny white tie with red hearts dotted all over it. "Give the guy a chance, will ya?"

"Ew."

"Ooh, dissed!" The black-haired man roared with laughter as Nick sunk further and further past the point of no return in his corner.

"Now, now, that's enough teasin', all of ya," Mitch stated. The large man sported a ruby red moustache and beard today, braided professionally into the shape of a heart. "That all I can get ya, Ben? Strawberry Milk?"

The young mayor sat perfectly on the bar stool with his elbows upon the bar, circling his drink of choice. "Yes, that will be all. Thank you, Mitch," Ben replied softly. He looked slightly uncomfortable in a light pink dress shirt and crimson tie. He tugged on his collar nervously. "I just don't think I should get today off… There is a lot of paperwork that needs to be done before the end of the season, and…"

The bearded man clapped a hairy hand onto Ben's shoulder firmly. "That's enough out of ya. Workin' yourself ta death ain't healthy. Ya need a day off! 'Sides, you're already here and everythin', might as well enjoy yourself." Ben nodded and quickly surrendered, not wanting to offend his old friend. When Nick and Ed were out of earshot, Mitch leaned in slightly and said quietly, "Miz Sophie said she might drop by later."

Ben coughed quietly and straightened himself, taking a deep drink to cover up the ever so slight red in his cheeks. Roxy had already finished setting up the tables at this point and nodded in their direction, also in on the little secret. Adjusting the frames of her glasses, she inquired quietly, "You did bring it, right?" She kept an eye out.

"Of course."

Their little discussion was cut short by the farmers' arrival. "Well, well, you're here a bit early," Ed grinned, shaking hands with Eli and giving a small bow to Aly, which made her chuckle. "What? I'm just trying to be a gentleman." The leathery man put a hand over his heart. "Now, if you'll just take a seat. Everybody should be here any minute now." He rubbed his hands together gleefully. "Oh, you brought cookies? Great, great! I'll go put them on the dessert table for you."

"Heh, I guess we are a little early," Eli sheepishly stated. Aly nudged him in the ribs and whispered loudly, "I told you!" Handing off the glass plate chock full of Eli's cookies, the two went to go grab seats.

Harriet and Matilda were next to arrive (with Travis invisibly in tow after he insisted on coming along), with the little girl wearing a dainty red bow in her hair. Harriet chose not to wear anything of the color red and clutched her purse tightly at the sight of Ed. The two females sat at a table furthest away from him as possible. The man sighed and nudged Eli in the rib, "I don't look dangerous or something, do I? I don't get why Matilda's mama always avoids me."

Nick shrugged nonchalantly. "Women sure are mysterious creatures."

When the clock struck twelve, Ben stood from his seat and raised his glass of strawberry cordial. He looked around the three tables and silently counted to himself. Eight people… Sophie wasn't here yet. Clearing his throat, he calmly called out, "Happy Spring Thanksgiving, everyone."

"Happy Spring Thanksgiving!" Every villager raised their glasses and wished each other happiness on this Spring day of love.

The mayor sat back down and took a sip of the fizzy fruit concocted drink. There was still plenty of time, he assured himself. And with that, he set the thought aside and started on the salad course along with Mitch and Roxy.

Lunch was a huge success. Crisp mimosa salad with cucumbers, cabbage, asparagus, and boiled eggs. A light stew with potatoes and that season's vegetables boiled in a hearty broth. Fizzy iced strawberry cordial! Surely, Mitch and Roxy's cooking skills were the pride of Kestrel.

Yet dessert was the main attraction. A chocolate party cake large enough for everyone to have second helpings, topped with whole strawberries and fresh white cream, captured the middle of the dessert table. Around it lined other delectable chocolate desserts: glistening chocolate bananas, a plate piled high with chocolate donuts, Eli's home baked chocolate cookies, a giant bowl of chocolate pudding, chocolate ice cream… A chocolate lover's heaven.

Travis invisibly floated nearby the desserts. He knew there was no need for him to eat. He couldn't even touch the food without going through it, whether he liked it or not. Yet, there was a longing deep inside him to be able to interact with the environment, with the villagers, and most of all, to show himself. It would be a foolish decision, however. He had already learned that years before he accidentally met Matilda. So he quietly observed how Matilda glared at her plate, wishing to avoid eating asparagus at all costs. She played with the skinny snake-like vegetables with the edge of her fork as Harriet disapprovingly stared. No matter that Matilda had a "high IQ", whatever that was. She was a smart girl, but she was still a kid.

"What? Y-You made all of this?" The twins gaped, gesturing towards the chocolate delights lining the table.

Ed popped his collar and thrust out his chest in pride. "Yup, all me!" Eli gave out a low whistle of admiration. "Mitch let me borrow part of his kitchen the other day so I could make it all. 'Twas long and hard, but hey, it's worth every minute if I can make people happy with my desserts."

"He's really good for a druggie," Nick commented. Ed twisted his head at the young man and flushed. "I am not a druggie," he hissed angrily, much to the farmers' laughter.

"U-Um… Sorry I'm late, everyone." A bark followed immediately after.

"Oh, Miz Sophie! You made it," Mitch cried. He lumbered over to give the dark-haired woman a big gentle hug. They were good friends, after all.

Sophie wore a creamy, snow-white blouse that accented her short, dark brown hair. Her modest pink skirt contrasted from her dark brown boots. Roxy inwardly groaned at the sight of the dog. "Damn, she brought Sandy along," the redhead grumbled, just loud enough for Ben to hear.

The large bearded man brought Sophie over to the table. "You're a bit late, Miz Sophie, but that's all fine. Let's get you fed. And Sandy too." The man quickly went into the kitchen to search for a beef bone for Sophie's companion. This left Sophie to sit to Ben's left, with Roxy at Ben's right.

"So, you brought Sandy too," the assistant chef smiled, initiating conversation straight away.

"Ah, yes… I th-thought Sandy might be lonely, so I decided to bring him with me. Uh, it is alright, isn't it?" Sophie inquired worriedly for a moment.

"Yeah, yeah, it's fine, it's fine. Don't worry about it. You know pets are allowed here."

"There's a good fella. Good boy." Mitch ruffled the dog's fur as the pet happily chewed on a large bone accompanied by a dish of water.

Ben watched in amusement as Ed brought out the radio. "Let's dance!" He turned up the volume loud to a jazz station.

Taking the opportunity to escape asparagus hell, Matilda bolted from her table. "Dance with me," she muttered so only Travis could hear amidst her mother's protests to finish her vegetables.

"Wh-What? … Well, if you insist, missie," Travis grinned, surprised by the girl's dance invitation. "You sure are one crazy Mollie."

"Be quiet, you."

His presence unknown to everyone except Matilda, the two children danced to the music, with only Sandy seemingly aware of the ghost's whereabouts. The adults cheered the little girl on playfully before Eli and Aly stumbled in, Aly leading. Despite that, Eli was already used to Aly's enthusiasm to jump into anything head on, and so the two danced, hands in the air, heads bobbing to the saxophone and the trumpet while the drums on the radio beat out a faster and faster rhythm. And soon Mitch and Roxy joined in, with the strangely bearded man moving his body in a simple pattern of bending his knees and swinging his arms while Roxy laughed in uproar in trying to keep up, her glasses askew on her face. Ed thrusted his pelvis in gusto while performing the sprinkler, while Nick simply danced however hard-core gamers danced. He was so off-rhythm that it was hard to tell if he was listening to the music at all, but he certainly received an "A" in effort.

Ben, Sophie, and Harriet ended up being the only two villagers not dancing. Harriet disapproved of such lively music, but out of politeness, she stayed where she was, watching Matilda like a hawk as an overprotective mother would. Harriet loved the village, yet she didn't quite understand the villagers' quirky behaviors at times. She sighed inwardly and wished for the peace and quiet of her home.

On the other hand, Sophie clapped her hands softly to the music and tapped her boot to the rhythm, but did not get up from her seat. With just about everyone engrossed in the dancing, Ben discreetly took his chance.

"Sophie? Do you have a moment?"

The dark-haired woman blinked and looked up to see the young mayor sitting beside her, a hand behind his back. It was a little hard to shake herself out of watching everyone dance, but she succeeded.

"Oh… Yes. W-What is it, Mayor Ben?" Sophie carefully pronounced.

"I… I wanted to give you this."Cursing himself for sounding so nervous in his head, the orange-haired man nonetheless brought out the present behind his back.

A small velvet bag tied with dainty white ribbon. The artist accepted Ben's offering and carefully untied it so that the contents of the present spilled out onto her hand.

The silver brooch brilliantly shone as if sparked by starlight. Obviously handcrafted, each rose petal was meticulously detailed. Sophie turned it over in her hands, marveling at the simple beauty.

"Oh! It's… so beautiful! Is this really for me?" The woman looked to Ben, immensely pleased. "Thank you so much, Mayor Ben." The mayor shifted a little in his seat as he watched Sophie pin the brooch to her blouse. "How does it look on me?"

"It looks r-really… nice," Ben answered softly, not daring to say anything more to ruin the moment.

Sophie smiled graciously. "I'll work even harder on my pieces to meet this year's tourism quota, like you said at the last town meeting, and help out the other farming villages too. Thank you for the reward."

A boulder plunged deep in his stomach. Ben flinched at the grave feeling of disappointment in his gut, although Sophie didn't see it.

"Oh." The silence that was supposed to settle in between them was overcome by a saxophone solo. "You're very welcome," Ben stated simply. Sophie did not reply, already engrossed once again in the villagers' enthusiastic dancing. And with that, the young man got to his feet and walked casually back to his table as if nothing special had just happened.

Taking a well-deserved break from rhythmically exerting himself, Mitch cast a sideways glance at the young man, but Ben said nothing. He straightened his tie and took a long drink of his strawberry cordial. Mitch laid a hand on Ben's shoulder sympathetically.

"At least Miz Sophie accepted it. She's wearin' it now, ya know."

"Yeah," Ben curtly uttered in quiet frustration, mentally kicking himself.

((A/N: I went for the French spelling of 'chocolate', which means there is supposed to be a missing letter 'e'. Say it with me now. Sho-co-la!))