Well, this certainly was an interesting one, as I got up to get my upgraded axe, Robin had lost hers. I went to my mailbox to find the letter from my 'Second Ma'.
"MISSING:
I lost my favourite Axe! If you find it, please return ASAP. I'm having a tough time without it. There's 250g in it for whoever finds the thing.
-Robin"
Robin did have a fondness of this old Axe and had it for years but, since I had no better things to do, I went up to ask her as she looked around in her office.
"Hey Robbie…? Oh, my Axe? Yeah, I must've misplaced it somewhere but since I got a spare, it's not doing me any favours." She answered.
"Well, do you remember where you last put it?" I quizzed further.
"Oh… uhhh, now that you mentioned it... I was in Cindersap Forest… cos there was a lot of trees from what I recalled. Let's go down there then." Robin said with a smile and we began trekking down to the woods.
"How is the farm going? Did you make a good profit?" She asked.
"Yup, earned myself a new upgrade to my own Axe." I responded with a cheeky smile.
"Oh, your old man will be so proud to see it coming along so well. Let's go in and… 'Axe' Clint about your upgrade." She laughed, making another of her puns and I elbowed her.
"H-hey, it was a joke." The woman huffed as went inside. Clint, having expected my arrival, laid the results on the Counter.
"Mornin' Robin, Robbie. Here's the new Axe; Hope you have fun with it.
It felt sturdier and more robust this time, as I held it in my hands. The blade looked more refined than the older, worn out one before it.
"That's impressive Clint, isn't it important to have your tools kept in tip-top shape?" She asked.
"Yup and Robbie is free to come back to upgrade any more as long as he has the money and the materials." The blacksmith chuckled.
"C'mon, let's go find my own." She instructed me and we left the Blacksmiths to head into the forests. She drew in the pine-infused air as we stepped into the woods.
"Man, all this freshly grown pine, such a heavenly scent as you slice and cut down the wood for your projects. So, it should be around here somewhere. Come find me, when you do get it, alright?" Robin asked.
We parted ways and ventured amongst the trees and, as Robin searched around the lake, I delved a little deeper and headed south, noticing that some of the bridges lead over the river. In the ground however were some green sprouts. As I grabbed the leaves, I pulled them out and they happened to be Spring Onions. I've never seen nor grown these things before but they must be worth some easy Gold, if I sold them to Pierre.
I continued searching and, when I went around a berry bush, there it was! Laid against a tree stump, was an old hearty Axe but different to the one on my person. I grabbed the tool and made my way back to Robin, who was looking elsewhere and, when I presented it to her, she gasped in amazement.
"You found it! Ugh, you're such a good lad! I knew you could help me." She spoke and hugged me again as I gave her it.
"There is something I just can't get with the other one but this one was something I grew up with. Now, I think we should practice with that new Axe of yours, given that we're in the woods together." Robin spoke as we picked a tree.
"There is a technique to cutting down a tree, you gotta get your legs straight, first." She instructed as I made sure my legs were aligned perfectly. "Now, bring the Axe behind your head and then follow your waist with your arms as you swing, whilst keeping them feet straight." She informed further and I took one great firm strike on the trunk. "Tile your axe too, you'd want to make the cut slant upwards so when the tree finally starts to come down, it will in the direction you want… which is obviously away from you." She explained further. By following Robin's moves, I felt a little worn out as the Axe made sharp incisions within the trunk. Finally, after a good few more swings, both of our trees crackled and buckled over, sliding down the cut before crashing onto Earth, exploding into rather convenient bundles of wood. I went over to gather them as did Robin.
"You are definitely one gifted Woodcutter. Wood is important if you wanna build stuff to help you in the farm or to have me construct or upgrade your farmhouse. Just don't go too wild with it… this forest does need time to regenerate and I'd hate to see a field of mere tree—stumps. Though, it's not much of an issue when you're cutting down the trees in the farm, giving you'd need space for crops, haha.
Though, I am glad that we got to spend some time together for a change… I wish the same for Sebby…" She sighed.
"I guess you're right… and what about him?" I asked.
"He's just a social shut-in. When I married Demetrius and had Maru, he just became more and more inclusive; Hiding in his room more and more until we hardly saw him. I wish he could hang out with his family more… but he claims that Maru has been a bit of a 'Daddy's lil girl' with Demetrius.
I don't know how he functions but if you can talk to Sebastian on one of his so-called "breaks" you could get to him and find out why. Yoba knows what's going on in that brain of his.
Well, since you seem to have no other things to do. You wanna come up for dinner at mine. I got a roast chicken dinner planned." She said with a smile.
"I'll be willing." I smiled as we returned to her house.
"Dinner will be ready in an hour or two. Lemme know if you need anything ok?" She went.
I nodded as the woman went into the kitchen and I curiously walked down the steps into the basement, where Seb had his bedroom. As I neared the door, I heard him speak.
"Go away…"
Knocking was my first point of call but since the shut-in was aware of my presence, I decided to speak.
"It's Robbie… uhhh, Robin's making roast dinner, just so y'know." I informed and headed back upstairs.
"…kay." He spoke in a lowly tone as I returned to the office and sat on some piles of logs and elected on getting out my Banjo, that I had on myself ever since I played with Abigail, and began to strum out some music. It definitely grabbed the attention of Robin as she heard the music from the kitchen.
"Was that a banjo, you're playing? I never knew you brought that ol thing with you." She asked.
"Yeah, I wanted to make Gran papa happy that it's in good hands." I explained as I played more.
"Good, best keep it to make him happy. Now, dinner's almost done so why not come sit by the table."
I got up and went up to sit, being joined by Robin and Demetrius, then Maru later and we got stuck in.
"This a great meal, Robin. Did you have fun with our 'adopted son' today?" Demetrius laughed, earning a stern stare from the other. "Yes, yes I did." She spoke and ate. "MM… maybe one day, Robbie can cook some food, like his Mum used to. I'd strongly recommend getting that farmhouse improved so I can fit a kitchen in. She actually gave me this as she couldn't find a place to put it." Robin spoke between mouthfuls and slides a green book across the table. I pushed my dish aside and held it in my hands.
It was my ol Gran-ma's old cookbook. It's been passed down for generations and now 40 years of McSopwith's finest recipes were within my grasp.
"This was my ol Gran-mama's old cookbook. I had no idea my Ma had it." I gasped in awe.
"Ya better get me to fix up your old Farmhouse then, Robbie. I can't wait to see what you'll do with the recipes. Man, I'd love to sample a piece of your family's apple pie." She hummed.
"I should. Tomorrow, I'll get started on gathering wood and stone." I smiled with eagerness. Perhaps, I could learn on how to cook like Ma used to.
"Once that's done, you should get started on a Coop as well. Locally sourced eggs are what this town wants, instead of getting them from that JojaMart. They'll benefit a lot." She went on as I put the book away and continued eating.
"I was going to say, how is the farm going? The soil must be in great condition now that you've been growing crops." Demetrius asked.
"It's going well, I did a dab hand at making fertiliser to sow into the seeds. As a result, I had better tubers from the yield." I answered, which thoroughly impressed the scientist.
"That's great, fertiliser really helps with improving soil quality. You'll be growing new produce if you keep it up."
After our dinner, we pushed our plates away as Robin started cleaning up.
"Dad, do you really think Sebastian will ever come join us for dinner?" She asked, having been reminded of our talk, a couple days ago.
"Him? I dunno… but what's he's doing got nothing to do with us. Best leave him be." His answered. I grew rather concerningly for Sebastian when Demetrius was acting this way.
"Well, it's getting late for me… I better head back to the farm now." I said as I got up.
"It's been great having you around again, Robbie. Thanks for helping Robin with her misplaced Axe. Hopefully she won't go crying the next time." Demetrius laughed.
"Yeah, it's been fun with her. I'll see you again."
The sun had began fading as I stretched my arms and started making my way back home, bumping into Abigail along the way. Once again, we were alone at night as we stood by a tree.
"You've become a big part of our community, Robbie. Something which we have been starved off for months. But as for me… I'm starting to feel a little closer after our little get-together, a couple days ago.
Do you feel it too?" She asked.
I nervously scratched the back of my head.
"I wonder what hair colour you have under that helmet of yours. Mine used to be dark brown until I decided to change it. It annoyed my mum though but she can't tell me what I can or can't do.
…You like my hair colour, do you?"
I chuckled a bit further as I gave my answer. "… Yes. Yes, I do. I think it's beautiful." It definitely made her blush as she sheepishly rubbed the back of her neck.
"Th-thanks… you are the first to notice it. But, I better not keep you from doing your work. It's been nice meeting you today. I'd love to see you when you finally get your new farm up and running.
…I wonder how it feels to fly…"
Sighing, we parted ways and I headed back to bed, resting my head for the next few days… where I'd encounter something unique to Pelican Town.