It all seems so strange being in this town. It's a lovely place though, very peaceful. The folks here seem nice as well, the local doctor, Harvey, managed to cure my tuberculosis, and words cannot describe how thankful I am. I'll find a way to pay him back one way or another.
His assistant, Maru, was also pleasant company. She's a smart kid; explained a lot of new things to me. Her mother was also nice, she invited me for dinner with her family. Might take her up on that. Also mentioned she was a carpenter so I might need her skills soon, with how run down this cabin is.
The mayor is alright, definitely better than Lemieux. Gifted me some parsnip seeds to get started. Also knows my supposed "grandpa" so I need to be careful about that.
I've tried my hand at farming, and it's not as hard as it looks: thankfully. I would've never expected myself to go from an outlaw to a farmer, but life tends to surprise you. Including the surprise that I'm a century into the future; still wrapping my head around that one, and a part of me is still in denial about it. There's also that man I met on the mountain. He looked vaguely familiar I just can't put my finger on it.
Arthur finished writing in his journal, gazing out at his farm. It was still overgrown with trees and rocks, but he managed to make a small clearing for his crops, which was just parsnips for now. The actual farming was quite easy. All he had to do was hoe some dirt, plant the seeds, and water it: simple enough. Although the tools he had were as run down as the cabin.
It was about twelve o'clock with the sun shining brightly in the clear azure sky. Arthur didn't really know what to do now. He could keep on clearing the farm, but he was already tired from clearing that patch for the parsnips. He also didn't want to strain himself too much; he was still recovering after all.
Arthur supposed he could visit the town. He thought he saw a general store when he was leaving the clinic, and he'd like to stock up on supplies and food. Plus, he could always meet some of the locals. So, he set off on the dirt road heading to Pelican town.
He still had his cattleman revolver in his holster. He had no intention of using it while in Pelican Town, but he felt exposed without a weapon.
Habit of the outlaw life I suppose Arthur thought to himself, although he was worried that some of the villagers would react negatively towards it. The weather was comfortable, so Arthur was wearing his usual attire including his satchel.
When he set foot in town, he saw the general store right next to the clinic. It was a quaint building, although it seemed bigger than most general stores, he's been in. Perhaps it was just the clinic next to it that enhanced its size. By the entrance of the store, he noticed a calendar, a bulletin board and a sign that read: "Pierre's General Store."
He took a quick glance at the calendar and noticed the mayor's birthday approaching on the seventh of March.
Might get him something. He did give me a place after all.
Arthur entered the store and was greeted by rows of produce and goods. Things like canned goods, fruits, vegetables, seeds, and other various knick-knacks that Arthur didn't recognize lined the shelves. There were no other customers in sight, and the only person there was someone behind the cash register reading a book. He had combed brown hair, and brown bespectacled eyes peering over rectangular glasses.
He looked up from his reading with eyes widening in surprise. "Ah you must be the new farmer. I'm Pierre owner of this here general store, and is there anything I can help you with?" Pierre greeted.
"Arthur Morgan," he introduced, "and I'm actually interested in some seeds and canned food you've got."
"Well, I'll pull up the catalogue and let you browse from there." He pulled out a green book from underneath the counter.
Arthur flipped through the catalogue browsing its contents. He purchased potato, cauliflower, bean, and kale seeds, which he pocketed in his satchel. He also grabbed some canned food for future meals.
"Glad to see that the Callahan farm will be getting back up on it's feet. Some agriculture could really boost the local economy." Pierre said.
Arthur raised a brow at the name of his farm, "Callahan?"
"Yup, named After Mark Callahan, the founder of this town. He was the one who originally owned that farm." Pierre stated. " You did know that right?" he asked.
Arthur shook his head and scoffed, "first time hearing about this. Didn't even know the farm had a name."
A door opened to the right of the counter with a woman stepping outside of it. She was wearing a blue dress and the most notable thing about her were her green hair and eyes. She looked at Arthur with surprise.
"Oh, I'm Caroline, Pierre's wife. Who might you be?" she asked.
Arthur didn't respond, he was too transfixed on Caroline's green hair with an odd expression. She noticed this and began to grow worried.
"Is everything alright? Is something in my hair?" She said while inspecting her hair.
Arthur was knocked out of his stupor and shook his head, "N-no ma'am, I apologize I've just never seen anyone with uh green hair before."
Caroline stopped her inspection and let out a mirthful chuckle. "It's alright my hair color is not really common in these parts, and if you're surprised by my hair, you should see my daughter."
"SON OF A BITCH!" A female voice cried out causing the three adults to jump.
"The hell was that?" Arthur said.
"ABIGAIL, WATCH YOUR LANGUAGE WE HAVE CUSTOMERS HERE!" Pierre shouted back.
The door flung open once again to reveal a young woman with deep purple hair, and a pissed off expression plastered on her face.
Must be the daughter, and Caroline was right. Arthur thought to himself staring at her hair.
"Sorry dad, but I've been stuck on this level for the past…" she trailed off when she noticed Arthur. "Who's this?"
"This is Arthur Morgan our new business partner." Pierre said.
"Business partner?" Arthur parroted.
"Of course, you'll grow the produce and I'll buy and sell it. It's a beneficial relationship Mr. Morgan." Pierre stated clasping a hand on Arthur's shoulder. Abigail just rolled her eyes at her father.
"Will this be like the time you tricked Robin into becoming a business partner?" Abigail asked.
Pierre just chuckled nervously, "We don't mention that anymore." He muttered to her.
"Whatever," she replied dismissively. She turned to face Arthur with a smile on her face. "So, you're the new farmer everyone has been talking about? I tired to get a peek at you in the clinic but, Maru wasn't having it. By the way, you kinda look like the prairie ki- IS THAT A GUN!" she exclaimed excitingly staring at Arthur's revolver.
"Yes, it is." He confirmed nervously. Fuck, I knew I shouldn't have brought any guns.
"Can I please try it out." She begged.
Just as Arthur was about to answer Pierre beat him to it. "ABSOULTELY NOT YOUNG WOMAN. You will not be handling any weapons; swords or pistols." He lectured. He then faced Arthur with a suspicious glare. "And why do you even have a gun in the first place."
"Self defense sir. Come across a lot of wild animals and unsavory folk out there." Arthur explained, which caused Pierre to soften his glare.
"Oh of course, but I don't think you'll need it here. Don't really get a lot of excitement here." Caroline said.
"What are you talking about there's the adventurer's guild up in the mountain." Abigail interrupted, causing Caroline to sigh and Arthur to look at her in interest.
"What's that?" He asked.
"It's some secret club that sells weapon's and deals with monsters." Abigail explained excitedly. That piqued Arthur's curiosity.
"Monster's you say?"
"Yeah, there's rumors' of them in the nearby caves. Good luck getting into them now though, a landslide blocked the entrance and the guild." She explained, and Arthur noticed that during her explanation her parents had a disapproving look on them. "I've always wanted to join the guild; it sounds so adventurous and fun." She said blissfully.
Sadly, her bliss was soon shattered.
"How many times do we have to go over this Abigail; you're not joining that ridiculous club." Pierre stated.
"I'm not a little kid anymore dad I can do whatever I want." Abigail argued facing her father with a look of anger.
"You still live under my house so you will abide by my rules!"
"That doesn't mean you can dictate every little detail about my life!"
Arthur just stood there awkwardly watching the argument ensue, luckily Caroline came to his rescue. "You can go now Mr. Morgan, I'll handle them. Oh, and here take these," she handed him a couple seed packets, "they're tea leaves, from my own garden. So, you don't have to worry about Pierre accusing you of stealing his products." She winked at him and beckoned him to leave.
Arthur thanked her and left the father and daughter to their bickering. He also adjusted his gun belt to be hidden by his coat; didn't need anyone else to find out. Not yet at least.
He stepped out into the town square with the sun still out. He noticed that the only person out was an elderly woman in a red dress tending to a flower garden. She looked up and saw Arthur, her face brightening as she approached him.
"You must be our new farmer. I'm Evelyn but most people call me granny." She introduced.
"Arthur and it's a pleasure to meet you ma'am." Arthur said.
"Would you like to have some of my home-made cookie? They should be done soon." She offered.
"Thank you for the offer but I should get goi-" Before he could finish, Evelyn grabbed his forearm and started dragging him away.
Now Arthur could've easily broken free from the women's grasp, however, he was caught off guard, surprised by her strength for someone her age, and he didn't want to hurt her.
She dragged him all the way to, what he believed to be her house, and let him inside. When he stepped inside, he noticed the place had a familiar scent of a bakery. He'd been to a couple of small-town bakeries when he was younger, even robbed a few of them, but this smell brought him a sense of nostalgia he never realized he had.
"Make yourself at home dearie I'll get the cookies out of the oven." She said leaving him by himself.
He decided to investigate the house a little bit. He entered the living room and saw a stern, balding, elderly man sitting in a wheelchair watching something from a black box that looked like the one at his house. The man just glanced at him for a second then returned his attention back to the box.
"Evie let you in?" The man asked.
"Uhhh yeah." Arthur confirmed. The man sighed.
"God, that woman will let anyone in this house. Name's George don't bother me, and we'll get along just fine."
"Arthur, and what exactly is that?" He said pointing to box. The man let out a frustrated grunt.
"The hell I just say about bothering me, and it's a television dumbass. You do know what a television is right?" He asked, annoyed by Arthur interrupting his daily shows.
"Can't say I ever heard of it before actually." He let out another sigh.
"Have you been living under a rock boy? How do you not know what a tv is?"
"Well, I've lived far away from 'televisions' if I'm being honest." Arthur said causing George to roll his eyes and pick up the remote. He gestured for Arthur to come closer holding up the remote for him to properly see.
"You use this button to turn it on or off, this one to flick through the channels-"
"Channels?" He interrupted.
"Yes, channels. Stuff like the weather, entertainment, and cooking if you're into that shit." George continued, "and this button controls the volume. Those are the only three buttons you need to know, the rest of them are bullshit." He explained.
"Well, uh, thank you for the colorful explanation mister." George waved his hand dismissively.
"Whatever."
Arthur felt a tap on his shoulder, he turned around to face Evelyn who had a gentle smile plastered on her face.
"Cookies are done deary, and I'm glad you're getting along well with George." Arthur scoffed. "Would you like some cookies as well George?"
"Of course, sweetie." He grumbled out in an affectionate tone.
Their kitchen was filled with an aroma of sugar and a sense of comfort. Evelyn shooed Arthur into a seat with a plate of cookies wafting steam in the air.
"Alex, cookies are ready!" Evelyn yelled down the hall. Arthur heard the opening of a door and heavy footsteps following suit. A man in is early twenties came barreling into the kitchen with a glean of sweat covering his body… he was also shirtless.
"God's sake boy, put a shirt on. We have a guest over." George yelled at him. Arthur noted that he was extremely fit and had an athletic build. It made Arthur wonder what the boy did to get a body like that. Sports maybe?
"Shit, sorry Grandpa." He said before leaving and returning with a black tank top on.
Arthur grabbed a cookie and tasted it. His eyes widening in surprise, Evelyn noticing this as well.
"I take it you like it deary?" She asked.
Arthur swallowed before he answered, "this is the best damn cookie I've ever had."
"Damn right it is, Granny makes the best cookies in the world. She's been making them since I've been born." Alex exclaimed excitedly, he then looked at Arthur confusedly. "Also, who are you again?"
Arthur just chuckled, "Name's Arthur kid, the new farmer." A look of realization came across Alex's face.
"That's right, I saw the carpenter chick dragging you to the clinic a couple of weeks ago." He said, "By the way I'm Alex. You enjoying your stay here dude?"
"I guess I am, not used to this kind of hospitality though." Arthur admitted.
"Well, you deserve it, especially with the amount of time you spent at the clinic." Evelyn chimed in. George scoffed with a scowl on his face.
"What's your problem?" Arthur asked, not in a tone of antagonization but rather confusion.
"He doesn't like Harvey." Alex answered.
"Of course, I don't like him. Bastard's always telling me how to live my life, who does he think he is." George said angrily.
Arthur frowned, "That 'bastard' saved my life, and he could save yours as well. So, I think you should treat the doc with a little respect." A tense silence fell around the table, after a moment George grumbled and wheeled himself out.
Evelyn let out a tired sigh, "I apologize for his behavior, he wasn't always like this you know, but after the accident he's never been the same."
Arthur looked down with a sense of guilt forming in him. "You don't need to apologize; it was my fault too ma'am." He decided to stay and help Evelyn clean up the kitchen, since she had to leave to tend to her chores. While he was doing so Alex approached him.
"Hey man, just to let you know, Grandpa's a hardass on everyone so don't feel too bad. And if you want to get on his good side; leeks are his favorite." Alex said to him.
Arthur smiled at the boy, "I'll keep that in mind." He looked at the clock seeing that it read 6:00, "I think I should head on out it was a pleasure to meet you kid."
"Yeah, nice to meet you too. Oh, Grandma wanted me to give this to you." He handed him a small box wrapped with a green bow.
"What is it?"
"It's some left over cookies; she called it a welcoming gift."
"Well make sure to giver her my thanks." He took the gift and placed it into his satchel.
"Will do man. I gotta go practise for gridball. See ya later." He departed back into his room, while Arthur had one thought on his mind.
The hell's a gridball?
He stepped out of the house seeing a beautiful sunset that painted the sky pink and purple. Arthur needed a drink after today, so he went over to the saloon which was fairly close by.
As he entered the building the few patrons stared at him as he walked over to the bar, the floor creaking with every step. He sat on a stool and faced the bartender a jolly, portly, man with a moustache.
Kind of looks like Pearson. Arthur thought to himself.
"Hello there, I'm Gus what can I get you?" Gus said.
"A drink, something heavy please." He placed a few coins down, but Gus slid them back.
"It's on the house Arthur, consider it a welcoming gift." Arthur looked up at Gus with suspicion.
"How do you know my name?" He asked.
"Doctor Harvey let the name slip while he was here, but don't worry that's the only thing he let slip." He said in an amused tone. "There's been a lot of gossip around you. Being a bartender tends to let you eavesdrop on the local conversation. I've heard that you're a secret prince, a soldier that went AWOL, and that you're an outlaw on the run."
Arthur stiffened at that last one, luckily Gus didn't notice. "All ridiculous theories, I'm sure. So, what's your actual story."
"Just a man trying to make a simple living is all." Arthur said letting out a nervous chuckle. Gus laughed as well.
"Aren't we all, and if you don't want to talk about your past that's fine with me. We all have our own secrets don't we." Gus said while pouring some beer in a mug and passing it to him.
"Indeed, we do." Arthur agreed with him.
"Well, I gotta tend to the kitchen for a while call me if you need me." Gus said leaving Arthur Alone.
Arthur for the most part just sat silently nursing his drink thinking of today's events. He took a swig of his beer, the drink tasting burning his throat as he swallowed. He put the mug down staring at the wooden countertop. He glanced to his left where he saw an old woman with curly blonde hair passed out on a stool. He then glanced to his right where a woman with bright vibrant red eyes and ocean blue hair was mere inches away from his face.
"Christ!" Arthur cried out surprised by how close she was to him. He clutched his chest feeling his rapidly beating heart, but the woman paid no mind to this.
"Hellooo, I'm Emily and you must be Arthur," She said chipperly, "it's so good to finally meet you."
He held a finger up to her, "Don't scare me like that again." She ignored him and instead gazed deeply into his eyes, seemingly trying to look for something. Arthur looked around to see if anyone was also noticing her weird behavior. They weren't.
"You've seen a lot haven't you," She stated, "I can see it in your eyes."
"I beg your pardon."
"You also have low self-esteem, which is a shame cause you're quite handsome." She said bluntly, which caused Arthur to go red and heat to rise to his cheeks.
"I uh thank you Miss. You look mighty pretty as well." He stammered out causing her to giggle.
"You're not used to receiving compliments, are you?" She asked.
Arthur sighed, "Is it that obvious?"
"Very much so, but there's nothing wrong with that." Emily reassured. She pointed to a seat beside him, "Mind if I sit here?"
Arthur gestured for her to sit. As she sat down Arthur noticed more of her features. She was wearing a velvet dress and had a touch of makeup that wasn't too noticeable. Arthur also took notice of her unusual hair coloring.
"What is it with the hair in this town?" He muttered to himself, although it appeared she heard him.
"Are you talking about Abigail? She's very good at dyeing hair, she did mine and the colors always pop out." She looked at Arthur for a second, "I think red would suit you well."
Arthur just laughed, "I'm quite comfortable with the hair I have right now."
"Suit yourself." She replied. Arthur took another sip of his drink.
"Enjoying your drink?"
"Mhm."
"Yeah, Gus can make a wicked brew, he's been teaching me some tricks seeing how I'm his barmaid." Arthur blinked in surprise at what she said.
"You work here?" Arthur asked.
"It's part time, my main passion is tailoring. Sadly, fabric is hard to come by here."
"Well if I come across any fabric, I'll lend you some." He offered.
Emily flashed him a smile, "Thank you Arthur."
A silence fell between them with Arthur enjoying his drink, and Emily seeming to analyze Arthur deeply. After a while she had a glimmer in her eye, and fished something out of her pocket and slid it to Arthur.
It was a smooth crystal, ovular in shape, that shone a warm orange in the saloon light. Arthur held it up, inspecting it with scrutiny.
"What is this?" He asked her.
"It's topaz, a crystal with healing properties." She explained with conviction. Arthur stared at her blankly.
"…A crystal with healing properties?" He repeated slowly.
"Yup just make sure to keep it by you to heal your spirit," She grasped Arthur's shoulder with her left hand in a gentle manner, "I think you could benefit greatly from it."
"If you say so." He said hesitantly.
"Well, I should head back to work don't want to upset Gus, have a goodnight, and if you ever need a friend my door is always open." She departed with a smile leaving him alone with his near empty drink and an orange rock. It was also after she left that he realized that she knew his name somehow.
Gus probably told her, he deduced.
He got up, pocketed the topaz, exited the saloon, and started to trek back home. The sun had set, and the stars and moon replaced it upon the clear night sky. He could spot many familiar constellations in the sky. It reminded him of Pearson telling him how he used constellations for directions during his time in the navy.
He wondered what Pearson did after he left. What did he do after he left? Did the law find him? Now he was thinking of the other's that left and what happened with them. Though he doubted it mattered; it wasn't like he could write to any of them.
Once he made it back, he lied down in bed letting out an exhausted sigh; he would plant his new seeds in the morning. He felt the orange crystal in his pocket and fished it out. He traced the crystal with his fingers, feeling the smoothness of it and it's admiring its beauty.
"Healing properties." Arthur scoffed out. It was some malarkey he was sure of it. Crystals that healed sounded like a giant scam, and he was half tempted to sell the rock for a couple bucks.
However, something inside him compelled him not to. Perhaps it was out of kindness, or maybe it was stupidity. Then a thought entered his head.
Perhaps he wasn't used to being gifted something. Most of the time when he received something it was as a form of payment. But the topaz, as well as, the tea leaves, and Evelyn's cookies were all gifts given to him to make him feel welcomed.
It was a foreign concept to him; a concept that made him softly smile.
He placed it on the nearby table, where it still shone a bright orange. He admired it one final time appreciating the sentiment of it before heading to bed.
Sorry this chapter took so long. I'm back in school so I won't have a lot of time for writing. Although I'll at least try and post a chapter once a month.