I was growing quite tired of staying in the same small cabin as of late. Even when I moved to the new land, I still had the same old shack as last time. So, I went to Robin to ask about my farmhouse.
"So, yer wanting to upgrade your farmhouse? I knew at some point you'd be wanting more room; Tell you what, if you bring me enough wood, stones and some Gold, I'll upgrade it for ya. I honestly would've went out myself to fetch the materials myself but half of the battle is actually building the darn thing… if you fetch me them instead, it'd cut out half of the leg work.
Soon, you'll have your new farmhouse built within a couple days, sound good?" She asked.
"450 Wood and 10,000 Gold?!" Jeez, that's quite a tall order but it's true as they say… nothing in life is this easy.
The wood was easily sourced, by heading to the old plot of my farm, I helped clear out much of the wild woodland, that covered much of it. Then some of the trees in Cindersap would be the icing on the cake. Then the commission was fulfilled through the sales of my crops and any other trinkets and odd items I found laying around the Valley.
With a fistful of wood and a good hulking amount of gold, I present my fundings towards Robin.
"Wow, you managed to get all that? Alright, I'll get started on it right away." She smiled.
"Woah… like now? Won't I have to sleep somewhere else, when you're working?" I asked.
"Nah, it's fine, just you go through your day to day life. You'll never notice I'm there haha!" She chuckled and left the carpenters to get started, leaving me to get on with the rest of my day.
Though there was something up with the doctor, he was looking a little timid this morning, so I sat by him on one of the benches.
"What's up Harvey?" I asked. "Oh! Hey Robbie… been a while since we met again… eheh… oh… it's nothin'."
Concerned, a raised an eyebrow as the doctor's skin pales and cold sweat creeps down his skin.
"I-It's because I got a date with someone…" He spoke in a stammer, it was a real struggle when he admitted it but boy did it make me smile. "Ohhhh, who's the lucky gal?" I butted in further. "I…It's none of your concern." He protested. "Th-though, I b-booked a balloon flight for our date but I didn't realise that I'm scared of heights… she's going to see me utterly terrified… then it's going to ruin the date an."
With a groan and a sigh, I gave him a firm pat on the back. "Look… come with me then…" I asked.
Slowly, but shakily, the doctor prised himself from the bench and I walked him to my farm to where Betty sat. It sure took him a whole second to realise what's happening.
"Y-You're serious?! Yo-you'd expect me to go in that?!" He spoke boldly, to which I gave him a nod. "If you're going to weaken yourself from your fears, you're going to have to tackle it head on. Trust me, I was taught to put in a lot of faith in what I know and I am certain that there's nothing to fear from flying if you experience it head on.
No amount of therapy is going to work without tackling the problem head on." I explained. "You'll be in safe hands when you're with me… besides, I wouldn't have the certificate then wouldn't I?" I asked him further and threw my spare helmet into his hands.
"I-I guess your right… I… umm… here goes." He gulped as he tugged on his helmet, fixing his glasses as he did before clambering aboard. "W-Wow… to actually be sitting in the cockpit of a plane for once… I've always been on the ground talking to them but to be in one for real…" He commented as I joined in from behind. "I know you never got to become a pilot but this is as close as the experience, yer childhood wanted it to be." I went as the engine spluttered to life. "W-Wait, we need parachutes do weeeeee-?!" The man spoke, his words quickly transitioned into a cry as we ripped into the sky. "Ok! Ok! Have it your way!" He gasped as he quickly buckled himself in.
Not going to lie, I would've wanted to take it easy on the doctor but truth to be told, this was how I tackled my fears. Rushing in head-first without a second thought, to give my mind little chance to react.
Then, I began to settle her down and we cruised for a while. Something that slowly seeped through the fearful exterior being exhibited by my passenger. "H-Hey! We're not crashing! A-Are we?" He gasped, adjusting his goggles as he looked to the side. "H-Ha! For once, I was going to die but… I've never felt so stupid now.
But to see everything from below… this is what it feels huh? This what you're met with up here?" He asked.
"Every day, I come up here after my runs over the fields. It's a part of my job." I answered.
"It must have been a lot to take in… to be the next generation of pilots. Do you guys ever had one who was even afraid of flying?" He quizzed further. "I don't think so… even then, we train them to overcome it. It's something that keeps them from experience something so distinct and unique, compared to what else they'd be doin' throughout their lives.
Though I was never even afraid of this… I loved it… it's been a dream of mine since I was lil." I answered.
"…You're so brave… so brave to still fly even after the loss of your dad… he should be proud of you.
Not like mine… heh, I dunno what's he doin… probably berating me for being a coward and not fessing up to my fears… but this'll show him for sure." The man huffed as we came back down to land, kicking up the summer dust as we came to a halt.
Once we were disembarked, we took off our hats. "Well, thanks for teaching me how to overcome this stupid fear… I think I can feel a bit more confident with this balloon tour now but all there is to do now is to meet my date, ha. Say, do you wanna meet her? She'd be grateful to see that you're the one who helped me as much as you did with mostly everyone else." He asked.
Since, I had nothing else to do, I nodded and walked him to the back of the mountains. I've never been up here, despite having felt the ground shake a few weeks ago. Up here, there was a dusty old train station and a large building adorned with a sign saying 'Spa'. Might be worth checking out later.
Sure enough, there was a huge hot air balloon waiting by the station and the owner was waiting for his client beside it.
"Ah, good afternoon sir. Here is the balloon you hired for the day. I guess this fine gentleman will be accompanying you, yes?" He asked the doctor.
"Oh, nono, I'm meeting someone else. He is here just to see me go." He corrected.
"Oh! By jove… you must be a McSopwith… I have heard of your legacy for generations. My father was a good friend with yours. A shame he perished in that horrible crash but… he gave us a fine, handsome young man to take up the reins. Be a proud one at that too." The man chortled.
"I sure am… he's smiling down at me from Yoba's place for sure." I cackled nervously.
Then a voice spoke from behind. I gasped as we turned to see a female approach; A blonde one with striking brown eyes, a blue blouse and large curly hair.
"Oh! You're here at last, Aha…!" Harvey chuckled as he introduced me to her. "This is Clarice, she's staying at the local hotel in the town next door and came to visit Pelican Town for the date. Oh, and this is Robbie. He helped me overcome my biggest fear today."
I smiled as we shook hands. "Wow, I heard a lot about you. You've been helping folk… must take a lot of responsibility to be chasing after other people's problems but, thanks for helping Harvey with his flying… he did admit that it was what almost costed us this date but you came to the rescue. I'd appreciate it." She hummed.
"R-Right… uhh, shall we get going? Robbie and the owner can stay and watch as we go on a leisurely ride in the clouds." The practitioner spoke as he allowed the woman aboard first before joining.
"Have fun you two" I beckoned as the burner made a loud bellow, almost making Harvey jump out of his skin. "Is it going to do that every time…? but uhhh… thanks Robbie!" He spoke out as they ascended into the clouds.
"Well, I suppose we should leave them be." The owner spoke. "Yup, I better get back to work." I said. "Alright, you take care of yourself Mr McSopwith; It's been an honour meeting you."
Leaving the man behind, I headed back into town where I stumbled across Abigail. "Oh hey Robbie… I got something important to say." She asked as I nervously shuffled a boot. "W-What is it?" I asked. "Next week is gonna be the last of summer and Fall is next month. Y'know what that means?" She quizzed with a smile. "Pumpkins! I want you to make sure to get me one of your freshest pumpkins because Mom makes the best pumpkin pies on this side of the valley." She demanded quite firmly.
I guess this is where we'll bid adieu to the hot weather and welcome the windy chilling soul that was Fall. Though, I'd get to wear my farmer duds again.
"W-We'll see dear." I answered with a stammer. Still a bit anxious seeing her this close. "I hope you do, honey. I always look forward to one." She smiled as we began to walk into town… then, I felt her slinking her arms around one of mine, burying the side of her face against it as we walked.
"Now, this is romantic, don't you think?" She asked me as we strolled along the trail. "U-Uh yeah… I guess." I answered like the bag of nerves I am. "I know what you're thinking, you're being anxious because you think you're not boyfriend material and you're not used to being in love.
Don't make a fuss out of it. We've only started yesterday, you'll get used to it. Oh and hey, since fall is on the way, I had Emily made me a new jacket. Something you should also consider when Winter comes. Honestly, even your farmer duds won't last you out when that comes. Let's go into the shop, I'll show you." She hummed as we wandered into town and into Pierre's before being led into Abigail's room behind the shop floor; I sat down on her messy bed as the lass looked inside her closest.
"I'm sure it's here somewhere… ah!"
As the doors swung close, I gazed in awe. It was a fluffy purple bomber jacket with a white fluffy neck. She did a twirl in front of her mirror. "Well, what do you think?" She asked.
She really is taking in this aviation quite seriously. I always thought she'd be into caves and such but this had completely taken her on a different path. "Well, it looks great on ya… honestly." I commented when she made a smile in response. "Oh, you're such a gulliable idiot. Mind, I'd get Emily to make one for you too for the winter." She spoke while she slipped back on the hangar. Then she walked over to pull me off the bed so she could get her arms around me.
"I love you, Mr Flyboy."
"I…I love you too Abigail."
It was quite a lengthy smooch… what happened later was… well… quite the experience. I think this romance is nothing written in book, it feels so real and authentic as if it was written by ourselves.
As I lurched over on the floor, in my soon-to-be-upgraded house, it'd only be a matter of time until I might have little McSopwiths! Haha… only time will tell. For now, I am still settling into my new home, here in the Valley.