Chapter 22: The Forge!

After finishing up their field activities, Pete and Clare left the farm to explore Mineral Town. As it's only been a few days, they haven't had the chance to fully see everything that the town had to offer. They spent the first two days adjusting to their living conditions, after all.

"So!" Leaning forward, Claire drew her hands into a cozy ball behind her back. "What are we going to check out today, Pete? I'm eager to get started!"

"Hmmm." Pete stroked his chin, appearing in deep thought. Just outside the farm entrance, the two farmers stood in a path where it split into two directions. "I think we've gotten a good idea of this path." He motioned to the north road which they'd use to get to the inn.

"I see!" Claire placed a fist on her palm. "Do you want to take this path instead?" She pointed at the east side, where both farmers had taken to find the farm when they arrived at the town.

"Sure." He nodded. I remember seeing farm animals along the way. That's bound to be interesting. "Let's see what this direction is all about."

The duo began walking and not a moment later, a relatively small building caught their attention. It was located at the path split for anyone that turned to the right. Pretty hard to miss, with the amount of smoke flowing out of the chimney on its roof.

"Well, here's our first stop." Pete stood in front of the sign, which took the form of a black hammer stuck to the ground like a statue. What an interesting sign. "The Forge…"

"Ooooh!" Claire's eyes scanned the red exterior and golden roof of the building. This place must have something to do with tools! "Let's go in!"

"Aren't you eager?" Pete raised a brow. "After you, then."

…

..

.

Claire entered the building, followed by Pete. The moment they stepped in, the temperature rose around their skin. Their eyes adjust to the warm glow of the furnace. The sound of hammering echoed through the air as they made their way toward the counter of the shop. The heat was intense, and they could feel it radiating off of the glowing coals in the furnace. The air was thick with ash and smoke, and the thick scents of hot metal and burnt wood tingled their noses.

"W-Woah…" Pete loosened his red collar. "It just got hotter here…"

"No kidding!" Claire fanned her face. "It's as if I just stepped into—…"

"Why?! Tell me what's wrong with it!"

"TELL you? Fool! Look within. You already have the answer. If you can't even understand that…"

Two loud voices drew the two farmer's attention to the forge fire beside the counter. Sounds of frustrated hammering echoed through their ears. An elderly man and a young boy could be seen arguing with one another.

"Someone's getting scolded… did we come at a wrong time?" Pete whispered. "They haven't noticed us."

"… Maybe we should say hi?" Claire decided, walking to the two people. "Hello—…"

"What?" The blonde-haired boy snapped his eyes to Claire, furious. "What're you looking at?"

"A-Ah?!" Claire nearly flinched backward. Pete instinctively stood in front of her, shielding her, his crimson eyes meeting the boy's blue eyes.

The boy's gaze enraged further. "If you don't have any business here, then…"

"Gray!" The elder man cut in, a disappointed frown appearing on his face. "How dare you address a customer in such an impertinent manner!"

"O-Oh…!" The boy, whose name is Gray, backed away. His head bowed down as his lips curved downwards. "… Sorry."

"I apologize for his lackluster behavior." The elder man let out a low sigh and shook his head. He wore a green cap and a short-sleeved green robe, tied with yellow ties around his waist. Brown cloths wrapped around his forearms. A white moustache and full white beard adorned his face, also matching the color of his eyebrows. His experienced eyes fixated on the two newcomers. "Ah… you both are unfamiliar faces around these parts. So you're Pete and Claire. You're the two who recently took over the farm."

Pete stepped to Claire's side. "… Y-Yes, that would be us."

"I see." He smiled. "It must be difficult to manage a farm with only two sets of hands, but do your best out there."

"We will!" Claire nodded.

"The name's Saibara. Nice to meet you." He patted the boy's shoulder. "This boy here's my grandson, Gray."

"… Yup." Gray waved, doing so with great timidness. He had blonde hair and blue eyes, similar to that of Claire's. A blue jacket fitted over his white shirt, with red pants stretching to his brown shoes. He had brown gloves on, which resembled his Grandpa's brown wrist-wraps. "Nice to meetcha."

"I'm going to take a break." Saibara walked past Gray and the two customers towards the door. "You deal with our customers."

With that parting remark, the door opened and closed audibly, leaving the trio to their own company.

"… Sorry 'bout earlier." Gray scratched the back of his head and sighed. "You shouldn't have had to walk into that. As you no doubt heard, he was telling me to redo my work."

"Oh, it's cool." Pete waved his hand. "It happens…"

Gray clenched his fists, visibly frustrated. "I hafta fight for so much as a scrap of encouragement or praise from Grandpa."

Pete fiddled with his red collar, unsure. I imagine saying 'then just quit, dude' is the last thing he needs to hear.

"Hey, steel your resolve." Claire gently pushed Pete aside; she fist-bumped Gray's chest. "Chin up."

Claire…? Pete's eyes widened at her sudden words of encouragement.

"Nothing's good going to come from you moping around all the time." Claire patted his shoulder, reassuring him. "So keep your head high and try as many times as you need to, okay?"

Gray returned a blank stare at the new girl in front of him, her determined blue eyes meeting his depressed blue ones. Was this newcomer… showing him support? Somehow, his chest felt a little lighter, the down feelings lifted by her mere words.

"Y'know… you're right." Gray drew a fist close to his chest. "I'm just acting spoiled."

"That's the spirit!" She grinned.

Well, that was easier than I thought it'd be. Pete thought. Claire managed to lift his mood rather easily.

"Um, sorry." He cast his gaze to the side. "I don't know where I get off complainin' to you about all this."

"Hey, that's okay!" Claire folded her arms. "I have been through similar experiences like this, too. It's not a bother at all. Right, Pete?" She nudged his elbow.

"Ah, right." Pete smiled, nodding in agreement. "… It happens."

"… I appreciate the boost." His lips formed into a lowly smile. "Even if I still don't really understand what Grandpa's trying to teach me… but I'll keep working at it. I hafta trust that I'll get it someday."

Claire gave a thumbs up. "I'm sure you'll do!"

"It's a bit late for proper introductions but…" He drew his hand to his chest. "I don't think I've seen you two around before. My name's Gray."

"My name is Claire!" She beamed.

"And I'm Pete." He continued. "We recently moved into the farm here, but I suppose you already knew that."

"I see… so you're the new owners of the farm." Gray extended his hand to them. "Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too!"

"You might have already guessed it, but this is the Forge." He motioned around the room, bringing attention to the various tools, the forge fire next to them, and the furnace. "If you need help with tools for your farm work, this is the right place. Grandpa can improve your tools and make machines for your farm, given you bring the required ores to make them."

"Interesting," Pete stroked his chin. Tools, ores, and machines? We'll need to keep this place in mind. And I already know where a mine is located…

"Sounds like we'll be coming here often!" Claire clapped her hands, admittedly not understanding the value of the Forge as much. It sounds useful, though!

Gray smiled weakly, then picked up back the tool he was working on. "Well then… I oughta get back to work now."

"Oh, of course." Claire nodded. Seems like he'll be busy for a while. "We'll leave you to whatever you were doing."

"Mhmm…" Gray smiled and turned around. "Catch ya later."

…

..

.

Pete and Claire left the forge shortly after, then turned to each other.

"That was… quite the scene we just witnessed." Pete crossed his arms. "Wouldn't you say?"

"Yep!" Claire agreed. "But I'm glad he seems to be doing okay now."

"I'd say you handled that pretty well."

"Really?" She tilted her head.

"Yeah… I don't know what I would have said." He chuckled. "You hit it off pretty well with him."

"I just don't think it was nice seeing him being all down, you know?" She drew a hand to her chin. "I just had to say something to cheer him up."

"I see… " Pete hummed. Perhaps that is due to her vast experience in her part-time jobs. Maybe she's handled something like this in the past. In any case, it was nice seeing her kindness…

"Well, we can now cross this place off our adventure through Mineral Town!" Claire pumped her fists up excitedly. Can't say I understand the Forge much yet, but I'm sure I'll get it in due time!

"Our adventure through Mineral Town, huh…?" He cracked a smile, finding her description rather endearing.

"So!" She twirled to Pete, drawing her hands behind her back. "What are we going to check out next, Pete?"

"Hmmm…" Pete raised his head and thought deeply for a moment. His eyes shifted to what looked like an animal farm on the opposite side of the path. "How about— …"

"Buk, buk, buk, ba-gawk!"