Day two started off at least a little better than my first day on the farm. My body was sore and stiff, but at least I was up closer to sunrise. Scoria didn't give me much time to bemoan the condition of my body before she started to make her needs known. Barely awake, I shambled across the tiny cabin to let her out so she could attend to her basic needs.
"No outside food or drink allowed. Understand?" She just looked over her ruffed shoulder before replying with a slow wag of her tail. Certain my hair was standing up in a wild mop I closed behind her and turned towards dressing for the day. Each movement sent twinges of pain through my body. Somehow I managed to get into my overalls and work boots; even braid my hair despite the tight pull of my shoulder muscles.
The bright sun outside prompted me to tie a handkerchief around my brow to mop up any sweat and protect my hair from the glaring sun. Misplaced vanity, but I was going to try and preserve at least some of my physical appearance. Dressed and prepared it was time to start planting my first crop. Yesterday we had cleared just enough ground for the two packages of turnip seeds. The bare ground taunted me as my hoe lay before the area I had earmarked for planting.
The first strike down of the hoe was utter misery. My back, biceps, and shoulder muscles all screamed in raging protest. A soft curse escaped my parted lips as I panted. Now I understood why so many farmers had Mr. Mimes; not for the company or entertainment but because of the extra hands for work. It furthered my resolution to find a good Mudsdale or Mudbray within the week. Anything to help lighten the physical labor. By the time I had tilled the earth soft enough and raked the shallow furrows into the ground, I could feel the sweat pooled beneath my arms, breasts, and thighs.
A wry glance towards the sky taunted me with the sun having barely climbed towards midmorning. Only a few hours in and I was already exhausted. I questioned my decision to take on Grandpa's farm for more than the seventeenth time that day; the first sixteen over blisters forming, the ungodly amount of rocks, and stubbornness of old roots being pulled up. Defeat warred with weary stubbornness as I picked up the sack of turnip seeds from the porch and started to trudge back to the partially cleared field.
The soft panting noise of Scoria's breathing gave away her hiding spot in the high grass that boarded the cleared section of earth. The flick of her tail was her only response to the glare I sent her way. "Freeloader." I huffed before I started the tedious task of planting each seed in carefully spaced rows. By the time the sun had moved into the mid-afternoon hours I was sweaty, cranky, and felt little accomplishment at the small plot I had cleared and sown with the turnip seeds.
"Alright, step one done. Now off to see what we can find growing wild to bring to market and our table." Later I would worry about rebuilding the poultry barn and dairy barns. Right now, foraging should help supplement income and help keep food on the table. Thankfully I vaguely remembered some of the local edible fauna around.
"Come on pup." Our next destination was a woodland area not too far from the farm with a healthy pond for both fishing and foraging. I grabbed my rucksack and started the hike with an excited Scoria at my side. On occasion, she would dart into the brush before returning, mouth ajar and tongue lolling out to one side in a doggy grin. The path to the lake was partially overgrown and the gravel washed away in spots leaving weed-studded dirt tracts.
In a few of the open spots I dug up wild horseradish roots; easily identified by their distinctive tops of bright clustered white flowers. Bright yellow daffodils joined them, carefully bundled into my ruck along with spring onions and fresh tender dandelion greens and flowers. I deliberately left the roots as the dandelions would continue to grow and remain edible through the spring month until summer when they turned too bitter to bother with.
By the time we reached the scraggly wood surrounding the lake, I was already feeling better, and cooler, for the walk. The fresh air shaded by the broad branches of leafy trees, and perpetually green conifers helped ease away the worst of the midday heat. I paused at the lake edge long enough to dampen my handkerchief in the cold water before draping it around my neck; letting the cool sink into my flesh as I surveyed the area.
I had hoped to see signs of a thriving ducklet nesting site; instead of the empty expanse only made to further taunt me by the lazy roll of feeding fish that I had no way to catch. All of Grandpa's fishing rods had rotted away due to neglect. I would have been content with what I had foraged up to that moment until I stumbled across a small cluster of wild leeks, and another cluster of wild mushrooms. The delicate fungi were carefully packed with the broad leaves of water plants; cool from the water they had rested upon.
Our only company was a few quick appearances of pichus scurrying around in the leaf litter, a duo of softly chirping azurill's playing in the shallows of the lake, and the soft buzzing of a lone cutiefly that drunkenly dipped and rose along the drafts of warm and cold air that fluctuated over the lakeside. My pack partially full I followed the path around the lake and back down towards Pelican Town. The further hike yielded a couple more foraged produce as if the land was apologizing for her dashed hopes of rich ducklett eggs.
Rustling in the brush pulled my attention from my inner thoughts as a wild ungroomed man seemed to explode from within. Dressed in ragged bits of woven strips of cloth, leaves, and grasses with hair that lay in clumped mats on either side of his head and a thick gray beard. His expression reminded her of a startled deerling; wide-eyed and searching for an escape from her view.
"Hi there " I tried to keep my tone pitched to a calm and soothing cadence, the same tone I would have used on a scared child or pet. My half smile kept my expression non-threatening and friendly as I waited for the wild man to decide if he was going to flee back into the underbrush or talk with me. Something about my appearance must have reassured him that I wasn't going to harm or mock him. Perhaps it was the sweat and dirt-stained condition of my clothing, or perhaps it was Scoria and her silly lolling tongue and lazily waving tail.
"Hi" He shifted nervously; as if unaccustomed to speaking to other humans. No pokeballs hung from the crude rope that served as a belt that held his rough clothing against his body. Completely alone then; without even a companion to keep him company.
"I'm Cara. I just moved here; and took over Oleander Farm. My Grandpa's farm." She amended at the end as she tried to ignore the pang of grief that came with just mentioning her grandfather. The wild man's deep brown eyes were filled with a sort of understanding that few seemed to offer.
"Linus. I live out here. Away from the village; they don't care for me." He admitted in a shame-filled voice and Cara could understand his awkwardness. Being other in a small village was hard. Small towns, small populations; they tended to shun those they didn't know and the crueler element tended to rear its head without greater numbers to keep it in check.
"Their loss. I need to finish heading into town but here." Impulsively I fished a leek out of my pack and offered it over to the wild man. He took the offered vegetable with a half smile.
"That's a good find! I'm always happy when eating wild food. Thank you" He held the leak close to his chest as if expecting her to change her mind about the gift. Casually she just waived off the thanks.
"Well, I will see you later I guess." I gave a half wave and continued down the path until the curve brought me in front of a cozy-looking cabin. The yard was nothing but beaten earth, strewn pine needles, and a few scraggly bushes.
Outside a dark-skinned man dressed neatly in a blue button-up shirt and jeans. His dense hair was in a tight crop near his scalp; just long enough that it kept the sun from beating down directly onto the thin skin of his scalp. The smile of greeting he offered helped put me at ease.
"Greetings, I was wondering when we would see you around these parts." His voice was deep and rich, something about it made him feel trustworthy. " My wife, Robin is out and about. She is the best builder in these parts. You might see my daughter Maru out and about; though my step-son." The man paused as he rubbed the back of his neck in chagrin. "Well, he is a bit more recluse. Oh, I'm Darius by the way."
"Nice to meet you Darius. I'm Cara." We kept our polite distance. His attention focused on some delicate instrumentation he was working with. It appeared he was measuring the pH levels of the soil, or some other reading within. His attention turned away from me as he went back to whatever task he was working on. "Anyways. See you later." I gave a half-hearted wave as Scoria and I continued the route into town.
I couldn't help but look mournfully at the dilapidated community center. Vines grew through boarded-up windows, the roof sagged, the siding peeling, and even the porch held a look of neglected woe; like a once proud lady now destitute in her elder years. I had my own issues to deal with; a farm that was also dying and would take the bulk of my energy and funds.
A few more dandelions grew within the neglected garden and I added them to my gathered prizes. My pace took me further into town and around the town proper where the few residents mingled and went about their tasks between the small general store, tavern, and Jojo mart.
I knew there was a path that would lead me down to the beach but a further path took me into a secondary wood. This one was more grassland than highland as the other path. A few more horseradish roots were dug up along the way as I tromped through the overgrown weeds. I noted for later in the season the randomly scattered salmonberry and blackberry bushes. Another bunch of daffodils was added to my rucksack before I finished the loop home. I sorted out my forage in the small kitchen of the cabin; half the dandelion greens would stay with me, along with a handful of the mushrooms, and the rest went into the shipping bin.
Tomorrow would be a quick watering of the plants and then I could range further afield for other forage and hopefully find the pokemon needed to start the restoration of the farm. Scoria was a great companion but she was a lousy farm hand. Exhausted, I cooked up some of the staple rice and made a rough stir fry of the dandelion leaves and sliced mushrooms. Canned meat cut into thin slivers and seared finished the meal as I topped it all with a ginger vinaigrette dressing.
The bulk of the potted meat and a large scoop of the rice went to Scoria's bowl. Her dinner was presented and mine in hand I sat down on the edge of the bed as I numbly ate my meal. The fresher foods and bright ginger dressing saved it from tasting too much like desperation. I managed to get my dish into the sink and everything washed before I stripped out of my filthy clothing and crawled into my bed.
So exhausted I only vaguely registered the soft thump and scrape of something moving outside along the porch. Then sleep drug me further into oblivion. Sleep I desperately needed as the morning would come all too soon.