As I woke up beady eyed, after a good week of my usual routine, it was time it was time for my harvest. I waited for a long time for this and now, when I opened the door, I was in for a shock.
While all of my parsnips, green beans and potatoes were ready for harvest, I saw strange goings on in my Cauliflower field. I went up to it to see a sea of green and white but, that wasn't the issue, the real issue was that some of them had grown big… and I mean big. A couple of the cauliflowers may have merged together to form one monstrous super crop.
I scratched my head in disbelief… what on earth is going on in this darn Valley. First there were monsters in the mines, sentient forest apples who want to restore the community center, a wizard who lives in a tower and now some of my crops can mutate? This magic is certainly confounding. While many of the smaller vegetables can be uprooted by hand… it'd take an excavator to scoop the mega plants from earth. Or that fact that I can just use my axe to make the giant explode into a confetto of its smaller brethren. With all of my produce piled into my barrow, a few examples set aside in the chest for the community center, I carted over to Pierre's where the man stood in awe.
"Great Yoba! That's a massive amount of food… what's in here: Potatoes, Parsnips, Green Beans, and Cauliflower! You've been super busy today, my friend, haha! Here's your payment." He cackled as I helped him unload my produce into his chest in the shop.
"I dunno if I would sell it all in one day… jeez… I wonder what Caroline would think when she hears about you Robbie." He sighed as I smiled gleefully and got the same number of seeds to replant and grow. My strawberries though were still growing and weren't ripe in time for the harvest but in the meantime, I got more vegetables to grow.
Once my fields have been planted, I still had the first bundle to get. I thus ventured out with my donations and went inside the cold, dark interior of the abandoned Community Center, and approached the Tablet once again. I went to one of the Bundles and it said that it needed 'Spring Forage', not crops. I guess I'll go find some.
I went outside to venture for a bit and found a bit of everything I need: A Dandelion, Daffodil, Leek and a Wild Horseradish, and headed back inside. Looking at the sockets, I popped each one of them and, as if by magic, the bundle closed up into a neat package and a Jumino popped out of the shadows to take it into their little hut by the fire. I followed as it took it inside and emerged with something else. A packet of seeds and handed them to me.
With my potion-infused mind, I was able to understand their language.
"Bundle make Jumino happy, Gift make farmer happy." It chirped and then there was another flicker of light in another room. I went over to see that another tablet has just materialised. Looking into it closely now shows that it asks for different crops in their respective seasons, much like the other one. Each one has a Spring, Summer and Fall but only the Forgeable Bundle had a page for Winter ones. The Crops version instead had one it only accepted five examples of 'Gold' Produce from each season: Parsnips, Melons and either Corn or Pumpkins. It's starting to get a bit difficult to get round one's noggin but I guess I'll have to go with it. I checked out the Spring Bundle and noticed it only asked one of each of the following: Parsnip, Cauliflower, Green Bean and Potatoes. I grabbed one of each and set them inside their respective sockets and once again, the same process repeated as another Jumino took it inside their Hut and gifted me with a different item. Speed-Gro.
"Sprinkle on Seeds, Seeds grow quick." It chirped out an explanation. Hmmm, so they reward me with donations. A 'I'll scratch your back if you scratch mine.' System. Something which I might benefit on my farm down the road.
There was only one thing left to do. Since I have kept five excellent Parsnips from my yield, I donated them to the 'Quality Crops' bundle and this time, nothing happened as there were still spaces for 2 more types.
Content with the work so far, I got up and was about to leave when, poof, two MORE tablets. Ugh… they're just pushing their luck with my kindness. I guess, I'll check them out later. I got other things to do. So, I left them be and headed inside the Saloon where everyone was hanging out. I decided to sit by Abigail where she was reading a magazine; However she didn't hide it when she saw me.
"Still reeling from your defeat yesterday?" I asked her.
"Nope… I got too competitive over a silly kid's game. Besides, it was just us and Vincent and Jas. No need to grow grudges." She answered as she sets the magazine down.
"Is that the magazine, you were hiding from me?" I quizzed, having noticed that it was something about planes.
"Uhhh… I guess so… everything about them looks so fascinating and they constantly remind me of you, Robbie. You went up to me and shared my passion in music so I'm doing the opposite." She hummed as she read a bit before looking at me.
"The days we had together were quite special though. How you stayed with me during that lonely night, it really moved me. Initially, I wanted to pick up a sword and fight monsters, since Marlon said that he had to fight them to protect the valley.
Then, you came along and said that flying was a great experience. Even if your dad died, you still have to hold onto that tradition. Make him proud and continue doing what you love. So, I decided that when you do get your plane here, then I wanna come up with you.
I just look at the birds and get jealous that they get to explore the valley so freely. Now that you are here, I might have a chance to see my home from above and see what I wouldn't have seen on the ground." She said and held my hands firmly.
"Let's go flying together, I wanna see what I couldn't see on the ground. My dad doesn't have to know. Just think of it as our date." She asked me.
I guess she's right and honestly, it's a great idea. I'll speak to Lewis and see if I can get around to getting my new farm. I know I've been on my grandad's farm for two weeks now but Joja apparently has not been taking Lewis' offer.
I got up and went over to Lewis, who was having a bit of a friendly chat with Marnie, the ranch owner. He looks over to see me and greets with a warming smile.
"Good Evenin' Robbie. I take it you've spent some time off work to join us for a drink. How's your two weeks been?" He asked. "Been great but… honestly, I've been thinking…" I answered. "Oh? What is that?" The mayor quizzed. "Y'know that Land Deed, that Joja had asked you? Well, if they're not going to take it… I might as well have it. I wanna move to a new farm and be able to Cropdust. With tools, it's really hard and I wasn't really built for that kind of farming. If I can move Blue Betty here to the new land, then I can look after the crops much quicker and easier." I explained.
"So, you want to move? Hmm, it's a bit early to be asking but… I'll run it with the government and see if they'll accept your offer. Might even give you it for free but it's a gamble. I'll ask them tomorrow morning and let you know when they get back in touch.
For now, better make use of the old land and sell off all your crops before the end of the Season so they don't go to waste. That way, you'll be able to start on the new farm in Summer and have the cash to get started." He explained, which made me smile.
"Thanks, Lewis. I hope it works out." I went.
"Great, now we'd be heading back to bed now. So, I'd get a good night's sleep and plan what you're going to do with the new farm's layout once you get the go ahead but don't expect it go smoothly. The Government and Joja have been closely linked for some time and they might revitalise their offer when they discover that someone else is out to get it." He further explained.
"Well, let's hope that doesn't turn out to be true. Good night Lewis." I said and headed back to the farmhouse and fell asleep. Hoping that the next few days turn out to be positive.