64 Times the Harvesting: Let's Play Harvest Moon 64

[Deme]

You can buy lumber at the dog races -- we have enough medals for enough lumber for literally EVERY UPGRADE LEFT IN THE GAME. I'm not too worried... Unless we want to do it the hard way, or half-and-half.

Anyway, chapter will probably be delayed -- it's a super-messy weekend for me right now.

In the meanwhile... I have a new topic for voting!

There's a festival that involves some music! I forget if we're in a special role in it this time, or next time , but let's be on the safe side!
Do we want to buy an ocarina for it for some cash (money really no longer matters once you get the greenhouse. You can just make more.), or just use our cowbell?


<shameless plug> While I'm busy, why don't you check out this MLP-based ask tumblr thing I started, assuming you like that sort of thing? Ask Foxglove! </shameless plug>

[Trobby]

Purchase the Ocarina of Time!

[Javan]

Haha cowbell. But no, I also vote Ocarina.

[SharpWolf]

Great updates as always!

I'll throw a vote in for the ocarina too.

[Deme]

Chapter 36: Cake! Mining! Miracles!

Spoiler

Show

Winter - 10 - xxx1

Waking up today, all I hope is that I'll have more cake by the end of it.

And...I guess Clarabella will be having her baby tommorow.
...Should...Should I get hot water? Do I need towels?
Where do you even *buy* towels when you live in nowhere?

...Maybe I should ask Mr. Green.
I bet the miracle of life is going to be sticky.


Anyway, animals having been taken care of, I've got more greenhouse work to do.

I start tilling some space to the side for some more reliable crops -- just enough for one of each type, for now...
When suddenly my hoe starts shaking in my hands, burning at my fingers...
It explodes.
My hoe explodes in a shower of light.

Well. I kind of wish Grandpa's magic tools were a bit more...well-mannered, I guess.
But you can't fault it.


It lets me finish the work much faster, since I start tilling 3 squares in a swing.

I go and do a line for 3 plots of strawberries on the other side, too.


There's a letter for me, too.


Ah, a party? Well, it's been a while...
I wonder if Elli would go with me; she doesn't seem the type, but...maybe?

Well, why don't I do some shopping today?
Or so I'd think...But Popuri's standing in the doorway to the flower shop.

"And I baked. I sent the best one and the worst one <3."
She laughs. That seems a little cruel...

"I guess it was kind of a mean thing to do."
"Maybe a touch...But then, I guess he shouldn't expect cake if he won't show up."[/color]


I take a step back, glancing around nervously.
"I-I can't accept...You know that..."
The problems of real relationships.

"Oh, don't worry; Elli knows it's nothing like that...I pass off my spares to anyone I meet! Everyone should have some fun."
W-w-w-w-well....More cake is better, right?

"It's pretty tasty."

She smiles.



"Yeah." Popuri's a good friend.
Anyway, she moves out of the way so I can do my shopping.

One of these...

One of these...

And one of these.


And a whoppingly expensive three of these!

I head into the bakery, where Elli gives me a worn-out smile.

"All day for the Thanksgiving Festival."
She sighs, but tries to rally and roll up her sleeves again.

It's a common festival in this region, and Granny's recipe is always in demand...But really, I think it's better to bake your own."
I nod.

She flusters and blushes.

"This isn't Granny's recipe, though...It's mine."

It's a very light cake, with a modest flavor; the icing's got some salted caramel on it, and so there's a vivid contrast... It's a really tasty cake, of course. It's not the cake she sells to other people, or makes for them to show their feelings...
It was made distinctly, and personally, for me, even when she was tired...

What a weird thing, knowing something like that from the story of a cake.


"I'd like to buy some cakes."
"What? You want more?"
"Well, not for now...But I'd like to get some points for that raffle, since money's not so tight. And that takes more cakes!"

And that's the story of why I have 3 cakes and a rock.

Back outside I see Harris...Harris looks like he's on cloud nine.
"What's up with you?"


"Why's that?"
"W-w-well...I got a cake...F-f-f-f-f-f-rom.... Ah, I'm sorry... I can't even say it. I...Just don't believe it."
He blushes and turns his head.
"I know it's just her good manners, but...Miss Maria's so kind..."


"Your spare cake, as promised."
"Didn't think you'd actually give me a cake, though!"
And he laughs, and I feel kind of silly.

"Buy a farm."
"Depends on how well you take care of yourself."
"What?"
"Nevermind." That's way too morbid to talk with a kid about.

"Oh, come on...It probably won't take that long."
Then again, 100 years may be as little as 10 minutes in kid-time.

Next up, I hit Saibara's shop.
"Hey, old man...I was wondering if there was something you could do with this."
I hold out the blue rock I have. It's pretty enough; I thought it might make a nice piece of jewelry or mossaic or something.

"So you can use it?"
"We'll see...But I have some ideas."

He shoos me off and tells me to come back later. When I do that...

The old red pot's gone, and the pot is blue.

"Finally got it to work!"

"I'll buy it then, since I helped make it possible."
Besides... I'd like my house to be a bit more cozy. It's kind of dull, with just that strange thing in the corner, and all...

How do you use a flower pot carefully?


"And I'll take the Ocarina, too."

Duh-duh-duh-DUUUUUUHHHH

He gives me some dried flowers to put in the vase, until real flowers might be had.

I put everything in order when I go to get my seeds. I think it really adds a lot to the room.


I go and sow my seeds...
We've got a nice selection, here.

I've got a bit of day left, but not enough to mine with...

So why don't I log?

About midway through...I start feeling really dizzy. I guess I've been working too hard.

I feel like I'm about to collapse...
I need to either start carrying medicine or not rush myself so much...
I'm guessing the latter, really. I did do a lot of work with the greenhouse today.


So I decide to call it an early day...With some drinks.

...Darnit, I should have asked Mr. Green. But he wasn't at the bar, and it's too late now...
I guess I'll worry about it tommorow.

Winter - 11 - XXX1

I try and get up early -- since I don't really know what to expect, I want to be ready for anything, and as soon as possible.


Goshdarnit.


The earthquake? Oh, yeah. That shaking thing that happened the other day...I was so busy with the greenhouse I forgot it.

"I'm a little busy today. Could you hurry it along?"
"We're building a hot spring. You want to help?"


"Yeah, sure." I mean, it's not like I have better things to do in winter.


But...I'll worry about that later!

I rush into the barn. In the corner, Clara's standing up, pacing and mooing uneasily.

...
And then....
I don't even want to talk about it. I had few illusions ...
To be honest, I didn't even really need to be there. Cows have been doing this since long before I was born.
But all the same, I was there...
The barn will never be clean again.
I will never be clean again.

But let's welcome into the world Clara's little one.

I'll call her Verne.

Once her mom cleaned her off, she ends up a cute little thing. She's, like, half the size of Brown!
Look how tiny and fully-formed and precious!


And her mom's doing well, too.


...I'm going to the greenhouse to get some water and I am going to wash *everything*.
...

....
Now that that's done, time to get back to work.

My strawberries are growing, which is nice.
I take care of all the business at the farm and head out for the day. My first stop?


Buying more feed. Something's got to keep everyone going through winter. 40 will hold us for 10 days, with a little left over from my current stock.


"Yeah, yeah...I've got digging to do."



Let's hope that's a good omen.


Ooh, I guess it was! I found that one pretty quick!



Ooh! Those must be rare, since I've never seen them here before!
Also, because it's in the name. But you can't believe every name you hear.

But you know how it is...You find one rare thing, and suddenly they're everywhere.


But if I can find something like those ores up here...Who knows what will be at the bottom?

More Rare Metal, more fun.


4th floor!
Here we go!


You know...I get the feeling that this is the bottom. It has a sort of...bottom-y feeling?
I don't pretend it makes sense. It's just the bottom of the mine. There's no space beneath me, just solid ground.

But there is treasure.


Nothing better than what we have so far, though.

Except... My hoe strikes something that makes a strange sound. I'd say it's metallic-sounding, but in a way that's cleaner and more direct than the metal ores...
I reach down and brush of... A chicken?

I think it's some sort of weather vane.


It's pretty cute. I wonder how it ended up buried underground like this. Was there a landslide? Was someone mining with a weathervane?
Ancient civilization?

That mystery's going to get to me after a while. I just know it.
But in the meanwhile, let's dig.


Oooh! A power berry. I've been feeling worn out lately...
This came at just the right time, huh?


As I swallow it down, I think about thanking the Goddess...
And teeter near into a heap. I think I need to get out of here.

I feel the carpenter's apprentice's hand on my elbow, guiding me back up.


"Go home and get some rest."
"Yeah... I think I will."

I head home and ship my supplies.

Except two of the rare minerals. Because I bet Rick will like them, and he is a buddy of mine, after all.

And I get a little snack from the fridge. I'm glad I saved some stuff for me to eat.


And look at that money! It's sure something, huh?

And then I flop, gracefully and peacefully, into bed.

Winter - 12 - xxx1


Clara's milk production is back to normal; I'm relieved. Technically, she's producing more... But the amount I can take is up to normal.


I do a bit of work on filling the greenhouse, though when I have to stop and catch my breath, I take a break for the day. I've got work to do, after all.

I head up to the mountain. I might like a hot-spring...If I can't get a bathroom for myself.



"Yeah, I'll help out."
As long as they don't charge me to use it.



The area's been cleared, and we're beginning to work through it...
However...

I'd like to point out that it's even more tedius than the bridge. Just pounding wedges, all day...




Will do!
...Sort of.


What I actually do is buy cake. I want some snacks if I'm going to be doing some side-work on a few things.




"Keep working towards your ambition!"
I really envy him.


I would not have guessed...
But then, I also don't see how that's relevant. Kids.

I head to the bar and have some water, if nothing else. There's not much to talk about there tonight...
And so I decide to do a little extra work in the mountain.

Cliff's there, sighing in the moonlight. There's a little white box with the bakery's logo in his hands...


He mumbles, as if to no one in particular. The box... Now it's just got a ribbon like the one in Ann's hair in it...
But at some point, it may have held a dessert.

He doesn't notice or acknowledge my passing. Like he said; it's already decided.


The hot-spring work means there aren't any more stumps on the hill. How sad.

I do my logging elswhere quickly and return home.

[Trobby]

I just have one thing to say.

YAY BABY COW.

[Deme]

Baby Cows are the Best.

Bonus #5: I am the dumbest LPer

Spoiler

Show

"Now, Deme," I said to myself, wondering why I was bother to adress myself. "If you're going to do a bonus episode about Valentines day, you have to do so now, or you'll lose the save-state in the course of making a chapter."
And so I pondered whether or not this was something I wanted to do...Before deciding it was. There were a few things I wanted to experiment with, and I'd only shown what had occured naturally in the course of the day, and couldn't be avoided, for the purposes of the narrative.

But I could have done more, and felt like I should.
SO, BONUS CHAPTER!

There are two ways to handle the Thanksgiving Festival in this game. There are guides that explain the benefits of each, but basically, I'm playing the day twice....
Well, 3 times.

The first is we sit, and let the girls come to us. Each girl has a time-slot in which she'll appear.

The time is 8 am, and Maria's up first.



D'aww...

Maria, that is not a cake. That is a pie.
But it is delicious.


We could do that...

Or we could wait around for more girls to give me cake. You know how it is.

I ride the horse around, my favorite past-time for when I need to wait for something. It's from when I was a kid, and was told riding the horse a lot made it a better racer. This is only true for getting on the horse and off, once per day, sadly.
I worked so hard for nothing...

The time is 10 am, it's Popuri time.


Popuri sounds so excited delivering cake for us. I am glad, though, about the scene of that I got for the LP, and how it's about her family.
I really, really like Popuri's family.

Why do you think I'm hanging around here?

Ooh, this mentions her dad, too. Just less so...

ALSO NOT A CAKE.

Not in this bonus episode, you won't.



It's about noon, so it's Elli time! The question: will she give us an actual cake?
Oh, by the way, if the girls have some affection, but not enough, I think they'll give you cookies or chocolate or something. Something INFERIOR.



My writing for that is apparently supported by actual canon. Go me!
But I guess it'd be a little sad, getting the exact thing she sells to anyone else.

I think they bring this up because I don't think Kent's intro to it is mandatory, and this is an unusually-formatted semi-festival.

*sigh* Still pie.

See you, Elli. Just...In the narrative proper.


I'm guessing it's maybe 2, and therefore, Ann time!


Ah, man. I missed. In my head, I assume Ann just buys a cake... But it's cute that she's still trying to learn.

...
...Well, this isn't canon, so it's OK regardless.

I guess we could say something about the representational limits of a game this old, but...
Dubious. They have a thing for cake. Why not use that? What is the pie trying to say?


And last, at 4 in the afternoon...

It's Karen.

Yes, but the pie you give me will be fine.
...Also, wow. Why a choice there?
...What happens if I say no?



...I'm sorry, I just wanted to...Look, I'll restore my save-state right now!


There, see?
Also, maybe the cakes are meant to look a bit rough, and that's why the pie?
But the pie does not look rough, it just looks like a pie.



...So...It's sort of like a fruitcake? Anyway, I'm a little surprised with the amount of preperation that would take.



See you in the second half, Karen!


The girls bringing you cakes do not exclude you getting other cakes from other girls...
But each girl's bringing you a cake means you cannot get a cake from them by talking to them, like we did in continuity with Elli and Popuri.

So let's restore my save state and go back to the start of the day, and see some things again.

We're starting with Maria, who's in her house.

We haven't spent much time with Maria's mother in the LP. I think we should.


Seriously, what is that cake/pie thing about?
Also, it's a lot less cute than being given a cake. This seems true across the board. Darn you, past me! I think I may have chosen poorly in how I presented Elli's cake-giving, at least.



Meh.




HOLY SNAPS, THIS GUY HAS SPECIAL THANKSGIVING DIALOGUE.
I DID NOT KNOW.

...I know Popuri's mother doesn't; I think he does because I suspect this is a scene, and his attendance is mandatory here. His schedule says he should be right outside (he, in fact, was.)

You enjoy your cake and your family, Mr. Mayor. That is all kinds of cute.
Does her mom have some, does she, does she?


She does!
I am having adventures and discoveries.

Awww...

But wait, there's more!


:3



Despite being affection-based, this festival seems pretty platonic, too. It's an odd-ball thing.




It looks more like cake than the cake you gave me special.



Poor Ann, being afflicted with being a tomboy in a japanese game.
Speaking of which, I wonder if they have dialogue?


Nope on the dad-front.


YES! EXTRA DIALOGUE!
This means I correctly interpreted Harris's line as some sort of unique response to the festival, and now I am hoping the backstory behind it I invented is also true.
YOU CAN'T TAKE IT FROM ME.

Poor Grey. Nice work, writers! Good extra effort.

Speaking of which, I should see if Jeff has any unique things to say.

Eat it.
Duh.

...What, did you get an entire cake, and not just a slice like everyone else?
Or are you just not man enough for cake? I'm glad you're not marrying Elli in this LP, if this is what you think about getting cake!


Anyway, onto Karen, last but not least.

Cold. Just cold.


Yes.
We get another choice here, but I impulse-click before saving. Oops. Man, Karen sure loves giving you obvious choices.



Where did she get this? I bet she was hoping to see us, or something.


She sure likes walking away dramatically. I wanted to hear more from her.

Anyway, if we come back to the beach, we find some more dialogue...
This time, with Cliff!


This is why she buys cakes in my LP's world.
Ow. Anyway, I can see her doing that.

Well, at least he's happy to get cake. I'm assuming he was in the world of the LP, and then started over-thinking things. Seems to be a thing with him.
I AM YOUR GODDESS, AND I HAVE SPOKEN.

(I also totally should have discovered these lines before, why didn't I? Fool, fool, fool!)

Anyway, one person I can think to check for a special line: Kai.

And look how happy he is.
That's precious.


You live the dream, Kai. You live the dream.

Oh, this reminds me; did you know that if you don't restore the vineyard, and Karen leaves (which is a thing she can do; Karen, Cliff, and Kai can all leave if things don't go just so.), that that is what triggers Kai's departure? He's only staying here for her.
D'aww.

Anyway, this was a fun bit of discovery, and I am sure the things with the guys still happened in this continuity, even if Fox didn't know.
Except that Popuri also gave Grey a cake, because come on. She should have.

[fizzmaister]

I AM YOUR GODDESS, AND I HAVE SPOKEN.

Deme is the Harvest Goddess? Gasp! This should be added to the canon.

Also, good chapter and bonus chapter.

[Javan]

I enjoyed the snarky humor inherent throughout the bonus chapter.

[Deme]

I'm glad you liked it. It was a fun bonus chapter.
Now for a new chapter, on schedule and everything!

Chapter 37: WEDGES! *twitch*

Spoiler

Show

Winter - 13 - xxx1


Oh, joy. Snow.


But Brown's grown up, at least. With two adult cows, I get more milk...Maybe I'll even start giving some to people. I bet it'd be well-liked.

In the greenhouse...

I slowly expand the range of my greenhouse's sowed land, up to about 6 squares currently unused... But with work and all, I'm not sure when I'll be able to manage getting seeds.


"I showed up as quickly as I could," I grumble.

Yeah, yeah...
I would love a warm bath, I will tell you what.



Monotony time!

Second verse, same as the first. Just a little bit heavier and a little bit worse.


It passes about the same as before, of course. But since it's barely 3, I can go forth and shop for seeds and things.

ALL THE STRAWBERRIES. ALL OF THEM. Hey, don't strawberries grow from, like, runners and cuttings, not seeds?
What exactly am I spreading over my stuff?

Anyway, I figure if there's anyone who will know what to do with a broken-down weathervane...
It's Rick. That's what I think, but he looks very surprised to see it.

"keepsake weather vane."
"...Keepsake weathervane?"
"We all have our oddities."
I'd say that sounds like a dumb attempt to get this junk... But his expression has sincerity to it, and...
I'm not sure Rick has enough self-awareness to lie.

"Well, if it's your family's, you can have it."
But a weathervane on my roof would have been a nice touch...Oh, well.
"Is it OK?"
"Yeah, yeah." He's done me some favors, after all.
"Thank you! This..."
He hefts it in his hands, scraping the dirt away with his fingernails and a wistful expression.

"Back then...It was still"

"How did it end up in the mines?"
"Is that where it was? Grandma liked going down there to work, and to collect ores...
Maybe she wanted to add something to it, and left it there..."

"How odd..."
"Maybe one day, I'll figure it out."

Speaking of the mine...
"I found that thing you wanted."
I brought one today, in case he needed it.

"It's a very rare stone and hard to get your hands on."

He's practically giddy, taking it in his hands. A small laugh escapes his throat. I'm...sensing some mad-science stuff coming. I'm thinking it's time to leave, before something goes boom.

Stepping out, a good feeling warm in my heart...
I realize there's something that I've really been putting off... There's someone I need to talk to, and some things I need to say.

"...Maria."
She looks aside. It's been a while since we've talked; that one's my bad... I've been a bit of a coward.
She just seems so frail and crushable...I've never been sure...What she really thinks of me.

"I-I finished a draft! I'm going to start editing...And then...I'll let someone see it."
She looks triumphant, and I grin in spite of my nerves.
"That's wonderful!"

Maybe now, I can say it...What do I need to say? What do I feel's the right thing, so she'll know how I feel, and what I want...?

"I'm glad...I'm glad I got to help you, and watch you come this far...As..." The last phrase clicks into place as if it's always been there. "Your friend."
She looks at me, and if her face falls a bit, I try not to see it. She understands what I'm saying.
"I'm glad we're friends, too."
Is the best she can say, a brave smile on her face.

We talk about stories in the library for a while, as friends.

When I leave, I feel brighter and cleaner than before. I've laid it all to rest, as best I could.

I go to the bar to celebrate. Jeff's there...The whole bakery crew likes milk, and I was thinking of helping out with that... I'll pass some along.

"In return, I'll teach you how to make delicious milk tea."
Tea is warm. I approve of this.

He takes out a little notepad and writes some things down, to pin to my wall.


I talk to some people, nothing important, and head home.

There, I sow some seeds, chop some logs, and head off to bed.


Current lumber count.

Winter - 14 - xxx1

The morning passes without anything happening, just falling snow, sapping the heat out of my bones.

"Yeah, yeah...Let's just do it."

Maybe working will keep me warm.


WEDGES.


Actually, it does kind of make me feel warmer. The heat of my blood and the residual heat spreading from the hotspring does a lot for my mood.


And money? Money is so warm. It's like those little chemical heating pads.
Do you think I could get some of those shipped out here?

But before I head to town...There was something I wanted to do. Someone I needed to see.

In goes the egg...And up comes a goddess.


"Hiya, honey!"
...Honey?
"Good afternoon."
"I heard you've picked a girl! Not my favorite choice, but nice."
"Well, there was a reason I wasn't consulting you."
"Oh, don't be sour...Anyway, I'm happy. Life with just one person is hardly satisfying."
She settles in by the edge of the pond, breaking little bits of ice underground.
"...Do you really love her?"

That one knocks me off-guard for a second. Why is she asking this?
"Yes...I think so, anyway." I feel confident, but...How sure can you be that you really love someone? What's enough to make love sure before a goddess?
She nods.
"Then that's what's important. Of course, you have my blessing..."
She yawns.
"I'm so sleepy this time of year... Why'd you go and try and wake me, huh? No, I'm happy, I...Ugh! Don't make me balance feelings while I'm sleepy!"
She sticks her tongue out, wailing like a kid. Whenever she looks gracious...She does something strange. Gods make no sense.
"You can go to sleep. I just wanted to....I dunno. Say thanks. YOu've done a lot of looking out for me."

She opens one eye, dubious.
"OF course...You're....A precious, irreplacable worshipper. Like your grandfather before you...Because support like that...Goes both ways."

She begins to sink back to the pond, deciding not to linger around after saying something like that (that's what I'd do). "Wake me again when the end of the year's almost upon us...I'll need your help, then."
I'll be there, I suppose.

I head over to the bakery, to see Elli and her grandmother, who's rocking inside because of the snow.

She tuts over my hands and insists Jeff gets us all a cup of tea before I get frostbite (I won't.)

And Elli and I talk. About the farm, about Verne, about fishing...

I don't mind winter like this. We keep out the cold for a while.


I buy a lot, and I mean *a lot*, of cakes. I'm mostly putting them away until later... I have money for raffle tickets, and I'm going to use it. Jeff looks surprised by the sheer quantity, but Ellen laughs.
"Oh ho ho...I'm happy to see you buying more to eat... Elli's been so worried about how skinny you've gotten." She laughs a little, but then, she was worried, too, wasn't she?
I mostly haven't though about it too much; I didn't really take the time to stop to notice. I've been getting stronger, so that was enough... I probably have gotten more muscular, so my weight itself may not have changed that much... But until this recent stretch, I probably haven't been living well, either. I could believe it could be a little worrying.
...Even now, I've been working until I drop. That cannot be good... I've never really worked hard before... But there may have been a difference all along about working hard and working well I missed...

I'll try to do better, honestly. Hey, at least there's money for cake.

And booze! I head to the bar.

"You got that right."



"I am completely down with that, good sir!"

hmmm....Toasty.

I go out and, since I want to take it easy, just fish.

My results aren't bad, either. A small victory!

Winter - 15 - xxx1


Strawberries are in!
I'll keep a few for myself, and sell the rest. Let's hope for a nice profit.


I also finish tilling the greenhouse's floor. We'll buy more strawberry seeds tommorow.

Guess what I go do after that?

If you said 'do work,' well, you're right.



'Hitting lots of wedges' would have also have been correct.


I wonder how much longer this will last?
Anyway, I've got not much else to do...I'll buy some more feed, I think, and then log.


99 of these...

Another 40 of these...

I see Grey on my way out, too.
"How are you? Doing OK?"

"Well, yeah. A bit. I mean...You'd be doing not well and making as much noise about it.
Is it really so odd? I mean, we're kind of like friends... Or something.

"I could not tell."

"...Anyway...I'm fine."
"Good. I'm doing alright, too."
"...You're too stubborn to get sick or hurt."
"...You may be right."

Anyway, off to log, fueled by a supper of cake.

And when that's done, I head to bed. Lumber count: 144.

Winter-16-xxx1

There are more strawberries to bring in...I'm trying to count how many seed-bags need buying. I think....9?


And then more menial labor.
I will give you a hint: wedges.


AT LAST!
If I never see a wedge again, I will be so happy.


I am going to take you up on that. Absolutely.

That is why I need to get in it. Now.
...Except...
I need to go buy seeds, don't I?
I'll have to come back...


I run into Harris on the way into town. He looked pensive.
"Something up?"

"Into the future, even if more convenient means are developed..."
"Well, we still use them even though we've got phones."
That said...I can see how worried he looks. I guess a job hurtling towards having that which is precious about it becoming obsolete is...Really sad.
But that could be said for me, too, right? I mean, there are a lot of farms where all the work is done by machines...

"What a depressing world..."
"Don't worry. I want to have faith."
Good for him...But I know how the world works...


I will become the Strawberry king.


And some corn. Now, who would want strawberries...


Popuri likes this smell, if I recall...Anyway, pink for pink.

"Oh, yeah...I bet strawberry jam would be really nice when it's home-made."



Well, isn't that nice?


Anyway, time to enjoy the fruit of my labor...

...Or not? What?

...There are people already inside.
"Don't you..."


...There are girls already inside.



"Hmmm, let's see..."
I-I'm not eavesdropping. Or peeping (anyway, the screen's well-built. I put those wedges in myself, so no one's seeing past them!)!
I'm just waiting for my turn!


That's... Elli's voice.




Elli pauses, and her voice goes dreamy.


"With Fox, riiiiight <3"
"That's what I was thinking"


I freeze outside, the heat of the hotspring rising into me.
"I'm not sure he'd be willing to take that sort of step...I think he'd make a wonderful husband, but..."
"You don't know if he sees it that way?"

Popuri adds, a touch of knowing in her voice.

"...Or me."
"Don't go doubting that! Even if anyone else liked him...A lot...You're still the one he loves best. That will always count, more than anything else.
Anyway, I'm not worried. You'll have your hard-working man...And as soon as I know what he feels, I'll have mine <3."

I move aside as I hear them get out of the water.
Quick, how do I make it seem like I just got here? Like I totally didn't hear that?

They come out, dressed again against the cold. Their hair is wet, and I worry it might freeze on the way back...But the cold's maybe not *that* bad. Maybe.


Elli blushes when she sees me. I try to look nonchalant, maybe a little winded, like I was just climbing.
"H-have you been here long?"
"No, no...I was just coming up. We finished it today...But I had shopping to do..."[/color]
I hold up my bags of seeds.
"So I got back late..."
"I-I see..." Does she believe me? I can't tell.
"Why? You weren't talking about me, were you?"

She definitely believes. She's acting as cornered as I feel.
"N-n-no!"

As she turns to go...I feel like I need to answer that conversation. Even if only I know I'm answering.
"...Love you."
"Love you, too."

And they head home...


I soak in the water for a long time, staring up at the endless sky, the infinite play of stars...

"...Do you really love her?"
Yes! Yes!...Just thinking about her makes me happy...I could spend forever, just sitting, talking about fishing and drinking tea...
I could see her face, triumphant with a sweet-well-made...
I could taste what she's tasting...

But...I'm scared, too.
I'm not a marrying sort of guy. I've never had anything stable...Had anyone relying on me...
Can I give her what she really wants? Will I fail, and throw everything she could plan into dissaray?

...
...
I love her.
That's what's really important...
But what am I supposed to do with that?

...At least the hotsprings are warm. It's been ages since I've had a good, warm bath. I think I'll sleep well tonight.

We probably want to buy some more livestock, soon -- the money we have now will basically buy us whatever we want, and we'll have more coming along... What animal should we get next, and what will be its name?

[Trobby]

:o woah, I'm behind on chapters.

Okay, don't panic Trobby, just reply to the bonus chapter first, then read the new chapter, and edit in your reaction.

...Wait why are you typing all of this into your post you are terrible at pretending to be a good friend. D:

Er...*COUGH* Anyway, Bonus chapter reaction:

Fox got 5 Cakes. 5. That's as many as 1/2 a ten, and that's terrible.

You can clearly see that they are really pies, and that's terrible.

Someone had to say it. <.<

And I find all of this cake-giving and bonus dialogue adorable, but I feel like Poupouri may actually not fully know about how Grey feels...he's a very shut-in guy, so it's entirely possible...

Then again, she may have given him cake in private, later in the day, after the fiasco with Ann's cake, so he could enjoy it on a good stomach.

Also, all of these bachelor pairings are adorable and I love them. <3

Edit:

...

This is relevant to me. For...reasons. <.<

[androgial]

welll i say spend the money on 3 new cows marry, cheril and sharyl, or 3 new sheep larry, daryl, and daril.... a cookie to all those who get the reference before deme introduces them appropriately. then we absolutely must also have the black hole of DOOM mwahahaha...err the toilet because fox must be getting tired of holding it all in by now.

[Deme]

welll i say spend the money on 3 new cows marry, cheril and sharyl, or 3 new sheep larry, daryl, and daril.... a cookie to all those who get the reference before deme introduces them appropriately. then we absolutely must also have the black hole of DOOM mwahahaha...err the toilet because fox must be getting tired of holding it all in by now.

...I'm not sure I get the reference, actually. The names in a row like that don't ring any bells.

And I find all of this cake-giving and bonus dialogue adorable, but I feel like Poupouri may actually not fully know about how Grey feels...he's a very shut-in guy, so it's entirely possible...

I'm assuming that she kind of likes Grey on her own accord (at least, she does in my canon)...But definitely has no idea what he feels, because, as you say, he's not the sort of person who can admit that sort of thing easily.


...By the way, would anyone perchance like to see me try to play Fire Emblem: Thracia 776, for your entertainment? I've been considering it as a non-narrative project, but am scared off by my own blistering incompetance in the face of Thracia 776's difficulty level.

[Dragoon]

Well, the reason why they are pies instead of cakes are because, "the cake is a lie."

Still enjoying the scenes, and I vote for a cow, named Miltank. Lazy I am.

[Javan]

Sheep are near worthless in this game except to use their wool as gifts.
More cows, name the next, um... Mocha.

Reading this LP has shown me just how many cut scenes I missed the multiple times I have played this game, that is a lot of them.

On your side note, I like Fire Emblem, it would be fun to see you play through Thracia 776.

[ObadiahtheSlim]

How about a cow named Fat Amy?

[Deme]

Sadly, I didn't get to see the votes this chapter; we'll get our cow next time.

Chapter 38: Hot Dog!

Spoiler

Show

Winter - 17- xxx1


Snow tommorow, huh? Isn't there a festival about then?
...I wonder if the Goddess will do something about that.

No one's at the door, so I'm guessing I got it wrong, and it's the day after tommorow that's a festival. Right?
Right.

Anyway, I handle the animals...

And fill up the greenhouse with seeds.


I also harvest the first non-strawberry crop it produces: eggplants!



CAMERAMAN! Where was he even hiding?
Or did he just send a camera out to the carpenters? Because I think maybe some of them took a shot...

The Hot Springs have been completed!

That's almost, but not quite, the Toad House slogan.

Now, let's see that photo...

It was definitely taken by a third party.
CAMERAAAAAAAAMAAAAAAAN!
One day, I will have my vengence.


Anyway, I've got time before a shop opens, so I'll fish for a bit.

Results are minimal.

Anyway, first off...I'd like to buy some medicine.

"Stronger...It only helps you recover from aches and pains."
"Yeah, but I have a lot of aches and pains...So you don't have to worry about that."

"Anyway, what did you do with that root?"


"At 2000, but they work."
Eh, 2000's not a lot to me right now. I've hit financial security!



...Is Vitamin Gold even a real thing?



He's so happy to be busy...I'm automatically a little envious.


I run by Rick's store; there's nothing there, but I just want to hang out.
"By the way...Do you have any milk from your farm? I've been wanting another taste since the Cow Festival."
As it happens...
"I have some. It's not from the same cow, though."
I figure 'why not?' Again, I've hit some beautiful point of financial stability. And the number's only going to go up, basically.



"how to make Special butter."
...Special? Is that like special brownies? Because I could go for some of that.
"Once you've tasted it, you'll go nuts over it."

On the other hand, there's nothing in the world like a good butter, right? Like, seriously. Nice butter? So nice.


Another one for the binder.


And I buy some pie. Pie, cake, it's all the same on the point card...
Besides, I think people might think it was wierd if I only had cakes in my fridge. Cakes and mushrooms.


I'll stop after I get 30 points, honest. 3 tickets and a bit of luck should get me some nice prizes.

I also help with teaching the kids.


That's the spirit, little guy.

I do a little logging...

Head to the bar (bordering on empty tonight)
and head on off to bed.

Winter-18-xxx1

Well, let's see if the dog race is tommorow. It has to be one of these days.

Yup.
I wonder how you get them to run. Is there going to be a fake rabbit?



"...Sure...I guess?"
I mean, you've *seen* Link, right? He is not a dog built for speed.
Looking him over...I dunno, I guess hunting? He has those floppy ears that are good for kicking up smells or whatever...



"This isn't a serious competition, right?"
"No, not at all. Just a bunch of local dogs."

I wonder if Link's puppies will be able to compete one day...But that's probably a long way off.



I fish for a while, while the morning's early...
And come up with a big fat fish!

I also go and look at the carpenter's prices.
And make small-talk; just the usual...We mostly end up discussing the weather.

"You're telling me. I have to basically kick ahead of myself when I walk, just so I know I'm not stepping into a hole or something."
"Be careful, kid."


...The only thing in my range at the moment...
Is a little scary.

I head into town and buy...

More Cake!
With that, I've got 30 points, which should be enough for at least some good prizes, right? Maybe if I pray to the goddess, she'll help me?
It's not cheating if a goddess helps you with a game of luck, is it? I mean, what *is* luck, but ...Nah, I can't go that far. Not religious enough.

The monster-thing has been lurking by the crossroads again. I will attempt to appease it with an offering.
"...Have some pie."

Nope, still scared.

I stop by the Vineyard, just to say my hellos. Things have calmed down now -- the grapes are all pruned back, so the field looks nearly bare. Everyone's indoors in some way...Except Karen. Who knows where she is?

I'm honestly surprised, such an almost spiritual-sounding line like that...
"What's that look for?"
"Oh, nothing. Nothing at all. I think I agree."
After all, I can take it easy when it snows. Or, rather, I kind of have to.


I need to make this lady smile. That is the feeling I get, as she sighs a very lonely little sigh.

And I go see Kai inside the vineyard's main cellar-shed-thing.

"The first time I saw snow."
"...Really?"
"I come from really far South, so I'd heard of it...But I'd never really seen it before. It was something that happened in another world. I didn't know what was falling."
"Huh. I guess it's kind of crazy." I've never thought about it...But snow probably is wierd if you don't know what it is.
"Karen laughed at me a lot." He shakes his head, a little smile on his face.
"She would."

We chat a while longer, but nothing particular. I say goodbye and head on out.


To fish some more.
I come away with some nice prizes, if I do say so myself. Two little fish, a medium, and the large from the morning.

Winter - 19 - xxx1

I wake up and Link's already gone. I never realized it...But the house seems pretty lonely without him there.

Anyway, animals tended to, Lambo sheared...

Holy harvest, that's a lot of harvesting.
64 times the harvesting? No, don't be silly.

But it is enough that I feel like it took a hilariously long time...Except that it mostly didn't. It was kind of surprising.

I'm still early enough to get in before the first race at the festival.

Actually, the main square is...Really empty. Really, really empty.
This is it. Just the three of us.

I will have to place a bet.

Well, a lot of bets, really.
For some reason...Even after what happened with Maria, my usual arrangement still stands.
"I want to see if your decision to not bet on the front runner will pay off...Consider today my treat."
She whispers, a little smile.
"Besides, betting's so rare around here."
She laughs, almost loud enough to attract her husband's attention.

I wait around for a while. You know, I wonder when my race will be...



Lookit all the puppies! Hi, puppies!

You run so fast! Fast puppies!


...What just happened? Did I just black out or something?

I think exposure to too many cute dogs may have stolen enough brainpower that I didn't even bother storing memories.


Awwwww yeah. Payoff.

Anyway... I'm just going to try and shake that off.
"Place any bets, Elli?"

"Isn't it?"
"Absolutely."


I nod.

I go around making smalltalk when I can...


Getting racing tips from Ann. Well, sort of. That may just be a general life tip from Ann.


And remember never to take gambling tips from Rick.




The out-of-town girls are all talking about betting. I think the mayor's wife may have lied to me.
Anyway, they don't notice me, to my relief.
I'm just not good at rejecting girls!




I bet these guys all betted for that frontrunner. Hah!



Have I cherished Link enough? I mean, I guess I do pet him and call to him and things...Will it be enough?
If it's not, I'm going to have to take better care of him.


So cute they cause blackouts.


I want to see this. Do it, old couple. Do it!



"I'd guess it's some sort of cow-patterned watch."
"...That's boring. I hope it's a big coo-coo clock with cows instead of birds! And the cows dance."
"...You dream that dream, kid."


I wonder if any of these girls and women and sundry had the same experience I did.


"...Oh, well."
Fair enough. At least I know when my race is.


"Dog Race! Do you want to make an exchange?"
"...Materieal, 500 piece?"
"It's lumber! For building with!"
"...You don't say..."
I am so getting that lumber. I doubt the awesome house is some sort of replacement for my normal house...So let's get some supplies to make my house more awesome.


I get two sets of Materieal, for 1000 pieces.



I go get a kiss from Elli, for luck, or whatever excuse I gave her to kiss me.

Here we go!


Guess whose dog is not a winner.

It's me, by the way.




His placing isn't...So bad...
I guess...

I promise to take better care of you, Link. I really do.

I really do.
I'm sorry you don't like me enough...
3rd isn't bad, though, right?
You did good, Link. You did good. It was a close third!
A close third!

...I feel my father's shadow on me.
There's no way he'd accept a close third. His little voice in my ear, scolding me for not doing well enough, wanting me to scold Link for not doing right by me...
It feels like rocks on my shoulders.


Anyway...
I'm not going to think about it for now.
I'm gonna have a good time by myself!
I'm not going to let this get me down!
You'll see, Dad! We don't all have to be winners every stinking time!
Agh!

...It's no good. My mood's all sour and prickly.
No one said anything after the race itself. I guess no one expected much from Link and I.
That's the right thing to do. If you don't expect too much from me, you might not be let down.

Elli goes out to where I am and grabs me by the hand.
"Come on, you. Let's watch together."
"Huh?...Yeah, OK."
She walks me back to beside the stand, and we stand out there...

When the third race begins.

Puppies! Awwwwwwwwwww! Lookit da little puppies!
They are all running so hard! Puppies!



...
...
Ow...My head...
Is someone...giggling?
I turn my head and see Elli with the gentlest smile on her face.
"I'm sorry...You just had the happiest, dopiest smile I've ever seen...It was so unlike you..."
"T-they were cute, alright?"
"No, no...It was a cute face. I'm glad I got to see it."
I feel myself blushing. I'm not saying a word.

"Anyway, let's see the results..."


"Booyah!" Nice job, my instinct!

That's not enough for a good prize, though...Maybe in Spring.

Anyway, I thank Elli and head on home for the night...

After basking in my lumber count. Awww, yeah.

Which house upgrade should we get first?
Oh, and since Stu was curious...

Spoiler

Show

The clock prize looks like this. It's kind of a waste of medals, so I'm not keeping it. Not until we've got so many medals we have 3000 for something Fox cannot even see.

[Forum Explorer]

Every time Maria or Harris get a scene you make me regret losing that vote.

I don't know why, but Harris is seriously bugging me in this story. I think it's his sprite. It just looks so ridiculous.

[Feriority]

Materiel *is* an actual thing, and you could refer to lumber that way, but it's a pretty strange translation choice. I don't think I've seen the word used outside of military fiction before.

[Javan]

Fox, I imagine, would appreciate a bathroom being added onto his house.

[Deme]

The chapter's a bit delayed. I had a busy weekend, and while I wanted to finish up the chapter today, I seem to have come down with something, and am halted right now. I'll try to finish as soon as I can.

Also, Miltank does not fit. Sad news.

Edit: Chapter ETA: Tommorow.

[Deme]

Chapter 39: Winter Makes Me Gloomy, Too

Spoiler

Show

Winter - 20 - xxx1

Link's back in my room where he belongs this morning; I'm a little unnerved by the notion Mr. Green came here when I was sleeping...This is a 'don't need to lock your doors' town in theory...
But in practice, I may need to get a lock.


"Sorry, buddy."
I give him a little hug.
"We'll do better next time."

I check the weather: snow tommorow as well. Bleg.
And only eggplants to harvest...Something about today seems gloomy.



And then I get a little letter in the mail and things seem right. I walk onto my morning work with a little smile on my face.



But when I'm fishing, I don't get even a bite. Depressing.
I do, however, have business at the carpenter's. I'm a little surprised to see Cliff there, but I guess this is where he goes when it's snowy or raining or somesuch.


"Still having trouble with food?"
"A bit...It's the hardest stretch of the year."
"Well, if you need help, come see me, OK?"
"Yeah, thanks."

Anyway, time for business...

I will have INDOOR PLUMBING!

"Yes. Yes. A thousand times yes."


I am so happy. It's only a few days away.

I also go to the Vineyard, as I am resolved to make Karen's mom smile. I just...

Look at that!
I try my best smalltalk-y banter, but none of it works. *sigh*

I also check in on May


And the potion-shop dealer. Mostly just talk about the weather, that sort of thing.

And head home to see if he's done that estimate.

VICTORY!

The cold and the snow makes it hard to mine, so I go fishing instead. I have medicine, though, so maybe I'll go mining tommorow.

In the end, I don't catch anything. It seems like the only good things that happened today were things I put in motion by my own actions; there might just be a lesson in that.
But it's cold and late and I'm tired, so someone else can sure learn it.

Winter - 21 - xxx1


Sweet mercy! Sun! Sun, Sun, at last, sun!

A large blank patch greets me at the greenhouse.

...I...forgot to buy seeds yesterday, didn't I?
I could have, but completely forgot.
Dang.
I'll grab the hoe, anyway.


Well,as the carpenters are coming in, I find a letter in the mail.


"-Father at Florist"

...Man, people in this town are bad at using their names. I think there are a bunch of people who have never actually said "Oh, I'm -so-and-so."
On the other hand, I seem to get by.

Anyway, when it gets towards 9, I go off...

And buy some seeds to fill the empty patches.


I also decide to spend some of my money not being used for seeds on a new cow. Things seem steady now, so I bet I could handle the responsibility.

Why does he have to call it that?


I miss coffee.


Not as little as Verne, but still very sweet.
I feed her and mull over my options... I think I'd like to go mining...But I know working in the snow won't be good...



But, eh, I have medicine. If I don't work hard, what good will it do?


Not exactly the best sign, all of this for a 10-g coin.

I work for a while...But it's all effort, no reward.

I think it's medicine time. I had to sit down.

...It's bitter. But bitter medicine is supposed to be good, right? I feel more awake than before...
Maybe. I hope.


Thank goodness!
I finally found *something*. It's...a little dissapointing, otherwise.
Things go a little better from there...


But that medicine doesn't do enough...




I sigh, defeated and trudge home through the snow.
So much for my cunning plan, huh? Or maybe it just keeps me from getting sick? Well, we'll see.

I guess I'm still feeling gloomy from before. It's kind of childish, being so down about this...
But winter's the season for being a little gloomy.

You know what will cheer me up, and give me a little strength to finish things here?

Cake. I go into my kitchen, sit down, and have a slice of cake. And...you know, I do feel much better. For the moment, anyway.


I don't feel like getting much done, but I do get a little. I think, from here, a drink and a dip in the hot springs are what the doctor ordered.
And if it's not, then I will find a new doctor.

At the bar...


"That's a cheerful expression for saying that."
"Ha, maybe you're right...But there's no sense crying over it, either."
"What was it going to be about?"
"Oh...It was hardly anything important. If I can't fit it in a letter, I should just keep it to myself."
...K?


"I hope so as well."
I'm getting tired of snowy days.

Since money's far from tight, I have some wine.
A few glasses...

...Too many.

But I do somehow stagger to the hotspring, and enjoy the sight of the snow slowly melting away as it hits the clouds of steam that rise up...


...But, to be honest... I don't remember how I got to bed...All I remember is the warmth of the hotspring, and the warmth of the covers...

Winter - 22 - xxx1

The sun hits me, and I find myself smiling. After so many days of snow, I'm relieved just by light.

And the tomatoes are in, which is satisfying. I plant the rest of yesterday's seeds, and consider what to do with the day... I guess I'll go into town and then try mining or fishing.

I head into town. I've been kind of wondering about the church's mass...But when I get there, it's empty.
"Am I it?"
"You're early, is all. I'm still trying to think of which sermon to say..."
"What's one about?"

"Focus on their want to be loved. But to get love, you need to give love."
He gestured as he spoke, out into the open air.
"Even if someone loves you, if your heart isn't open to their love, you'll never know it. That be 'being loved,' but it's not 'recieving love.'"

When he says that...When he says that, I suddenly picture my father. That's...dumb, isn't it? I felt my heart constrict.
I loved my father as a kid...I don't know how he felt, or how he feels. I've never known.

...I don't know if I love him now, to be honest. I can't not love him, he's my dad... But at the same time, I don't have good feelings about him. As if that weren't clear.
Did I stop being able to recieve it? Did he stop being able to give it?...My family's a mess.

Speaking of which...
I stop by the Vineyard on my way towards the mountain. Since I have some fresh tomatoes, I wanted to give one to Karen's mom. She seemed to appreciate it.



Recipe!
She's pretty quiet, though. I mostly end up talking with her husband.

It has been almost a year, hasn't it?

I go down to the cellar and talk to Kai some, too. We end up talking about his hometown a bit; what sort of place it was (it sounds kind of tropical, but it may have been a better place to visit than to live.)
"...Why'd you leave?"


Ah, money.
"That's my reason...But the reasons of someone like her..." With those words, his face goes pensive.
"What would you do if she left, for her reasons?"
He smiled, but it looked sad.
"...I think I might leave, too. I've been here a while...But...It'd all end up a pile of sad memories. I couldn't take it."

I wonder if he'd end up a bit like Cliff, seeing the shadows of his memories behind every corner.
I want to calm him down, so I smile.
"...I don't think she's leaving anymore, though." I say. I believe it, but he doesn't look satisfied...But he doesn't seem to want to talk more, either.

Fox: Master conversation-killer!
Away!

I hit up the mine.






It goes poorly...I may have extended myself too far, done too much...
Maybe I shouldn't be working the entire greenhouse at once, or something.



I take a soak and think about what to do next...But I'm not sure. Alternate? Try and get stronger? I don't know. I've got enough strength for the greenhouse...But not enough for too much stuff after that...

Anyway, I return, ship my iron, and think about what to do next, as evening falls...
I decide to head to the beach.
..But I have no idea what to make of the scene that awaits me.

Why is Kai lying there? Is he passed out? Is...Is he dead?


Oh thank goodness. Paranoid, much, Fox?
No, he starts mumbling, just half-together sentences...I can't tell if he's asleep, drunk, or just totally lost inside his head.
"I'll be waiting...No, that's no good..." His breath comes out as a sigh.


...Is he...
Trying to think...Of how to say goodbye? Of what to say if Karen decided to leave after all?

Well, she's right there, so it'll go in a strange place.


His eyes snap open and he gasps suddenly.



He sounds sober; I guess he was just lost in thought.
Karen gives him a gentle smile. I've seen hints of that gentleness before...But turned on someone else, seen from a distance...
Even if she's smirking a little, her face looks serene and peaceful, like a the steps of a graceful dance.





Kai looks like he's speared through by that smile. Though, to be fair...It sounds like he's been that way all along.

You were not exactly being quiet, Kai. I could hear you up the slope.


I'm glad. I think I knew her conclusion...But at the same time, telling it to someone else makes it true.

She walks away from him, down the docks. He sits up and stares after her, watching the sand shift away from her steps, the moonlight striking her hair. He gets up and begins to approach her.
When she speaks, her voice sounds uneasy.

"You...are only here, right?"

He closes the space between them and fumbles for what to say for a second.

Excellent elloquence, don juan.
Seriously, man! Just kiss her, you fool!

She begins to laugh.


She was completely ready for it! You blew it!
I need to give him a lesson. Seriously.

...But I think I'd rather let them be.
It's an odd feeling, given how Karen felt about me...How I almost felt about Karen...

But at the same time, there's a real happiness from seeing that. She's finding her own happiness.
If only he can make it stick, anyway. You can't play too hard-to-get with him, OK, Karen? It'll go right over his head.

[Trobby]

That was a rather melonkily chapter...

That ended very sweetly. G'aww.

...So when is Fox going to show the Blue Feather to Elli?

[Seerow]

I haven't posted in a while, so I wanted to post saying I am still keeping tabs and enjoying the updates.

I also wanted to congratulate Deme on the 1 year aniversary of this thread, which somehow passed without comment despite an update yesterday. It seems we are following along with Fox in nearly real time (once this winter ends it marks 1 year for him right?)

[Deme]

Indeed! He'll probably overtake us somewhere into year 2, but in the meanwhile, we're practically level.

Also, thanks for reminding me about the anniversary! I...pretty much forgot. Occaisons of any sort just sort of sneak up on me unawares. Maybe I should draw something.

[Eldonauran]

I also wanted to congratulate Deme on the 1 year aniversary of this thread, which somehow passed without comment despite an update yesterday. It seems we are following along with Fox in nearly real time (once this winter ends it marks 1 year for him right?)

... I didn't even notice.

Congrats, Deme!

[Deme]

Chapter 40: Plumbing is Best Pony

Spoiler

Show

Winter - 23 - xxx1

An observation.

In the morning, when I'm feeding the cows after brushing and talking to them, or milking the older ones after that...
The little ones follow me around, nosing and nuzzling me in the back. They moo gently and try and force my hand onto their heads to pet them.

I feel loved.

Also:

STRAWBERRIES. SO MANY.


And corn and eggplants, too. Big day for profits.

And since my spirits are restored and I'm doing well...
Well, I think it's a good idea to share some. You've heard of "The tall poppy gets cut down," right? It's a sort of thinking I've heard to be common in a place like this. Someone like me, coming from nowhere, ending with a greenhouse full of crops... I could believe I'd get a little resentment.
So I'm thinking I should show a little gratitude, and some generosity to ease my way...
Besides, I like seeing people's reactions to things.

I'll start...Well, I haven't spoken to this person much, so...Eggplant. Just to warm things up.


"Eggplants taste so good in the fall...But I never expected a winter eggplant!"
"They seem to like the greenhouse." So far, everything I've planted does...I guess in the spring, I'll try with some other vegetables.




...I'm not sure where, since I've seen your yard and it is just cats as far as the eye can see, but OK.
"So I can't help but envy you that."
"It was a lot of work."
See what I mean?

I give some corn to Harris and the mayor. I don't have a really strong strategy here.



"I wonder how you'll be spending the time?"
"...I've not heard of this one. So how will I be spending the time?"
"Ah, well, that's a matter of...Personal arrangement, now, isn't it?"
Oblique, much?

And if I recall, Stu likes sweet things, so I'd bet he'd like one of my strawberries.




Everyone seems to have a recipe for a favorite food....But I am not sure how I feel about a strawberry hot-dog.
I may as well help them study while I'm here.

"...Something about the way the light's bouncing off the air, I think."

I try and break down some more math for Kent, but he's not having it today.
"This is dumb! I'm never gonna use this stuff!"
"Well, you want to run a farm, right? I do a lot of math. Figuring out how many bags of seeds at what margin of profit over what amount of time will get me a cow, for example."
"I need to know how to..."

"Adult life is a pain sometimes."
Everyone can agree on that.


"Wonderful!"
That is just precious.


"...Can be very important to a child. Their curiosity is a wonderful thing."


Anyway, after that, I go pick up seeds.

Except I forget how many I need. 6 will do for now at least, right?



Hmm...Mysterious.
What sort of festival is this?

I've got one last strawberry in my pack... And I think I know who'd like it. Just call it a hunch, but...

I kind of figured she would know a strawberry-based drink. That's what my hunch said.
"With strawberries. Let me teach you."


And, since I'm in this neck of the woods...



"And the smell of the soil...The sun in her hair...Great memories."
Kai is on several different kinds of cloud-9 right now.

He won't mind if I sample some of the new stuff, I'm sure.

Ah, the smell...The taste...This is *wine*.



You know, I'm pretty sure that doesn't really count in determining a person's personality. I am pretty sure she was never a quiet girl, just a quiet baby.

I head up to the river to do some fishing; Elli's already been there for a few hours, enjoying her catch.

"Mind cooking up what I manage?"
"Oh, it'll be my pleasure!"

Jeff's already down by the water.

"She's 6 years younger than me, so she feels more like a daughter than a sister."
6 years? I think she may be older than me, actually.
Also, your sense of scale is kind of off there, I think...


I cast out my line. After a while, Elli joins us, and we fish away the next few hours, just sort of relaxing. Neither of us say much, but every now and again, we catch each other's eye, and the world fills up with the warmth of a golden winter sun and the shimmering of the water reflected back at us.
It's a wonderful way to spend an afternoon. I don't think I've ever been happier.


...But I may have been less mood-swingee, given how down I've been over the past couple of days.

All-told, I bring home a good catch.
Also...WOW. Look at that money! That's about 14k in a single day!

I bid everyone goodbye and head home to plant the seeds I bought.

I come up about 3 short, so I'll have to fix that next time...


Do you think shops close on the Starry Night Festival? They don't normally, for after-dark stuff, but who knows if it's not just misnamed?
I guess I'll be surprised.

Winter-24-xxx1


...I have a bathroom?
I HAVE A BATHROOM!


You are wonderful people and I love you all!


I find the door attached to the kitchen.


It's got a little sink... And a nice-looking bath...
But that all can wait!


I. am the happiest man.
In the world!
Indoor plumbing is the THE BEST invention.

That business taken care of... I can't just hang around the bathroom all day.
...You know what's odd? No one came and said 'Hey, Fox. The festival is today/tonight. It is at LOCATION X.'
It's...a little creepy, actually. Like waiting for the other shoe to drop.

I decide to stop by the bakery first, just to see if someone, anyone, could tell me what was what.

"So I've heard...But...What sort of festival is it? No one's told me anything!"
"People get together at the church and so on."
"Oh...So it's sort of a spiritual thing."
Hmm...Knowing the goddess...I suppose I should go. I've just never been a big fan of church-y stuff.
Maybe I should talk to her about all this? Is there some big deal? Is this when she wanted me to come back and see her?

The mayor seems to be happy today.
"What's up?"
"Watching how things have changed...I feel resolved!"


...Why am I involved in this?
"I'm glad to help," even if I didn't realize it.

I also head to see the medicine man...Though, I admit, I don't have a reason. I just feel like seeing who will tell me why they're having this festival!


"Live life the right way and you won't catch cold."
"...Isn't your job selling medicine, though?"
"You're right there."

"Much business. Heh, heh, heh."
Hmmm...


I head up the mountains...

And go to summon the goddess.


"Aaaah, hello <3! You came!"
"I did."
"Well-timed...The year's beginning its death in snow's embrace...The sun's aching to return..."
Her face looks distant, a goddess for once looking, as a goddess should, like a creature otherwoldly, a creature belonging to a distant olympian peak...


The water falling off her clothes freezes once it's free of her, forming instant cascades of sugar-glass ice in the air.
"And I'll soon rise to bring back Spring."

"...You are?" Can she even do that? I thought the motion of the sun brings the seasons, not...What is a goddess, anyway? An anthropomorphic representation of the life of the land?
"Oh, ye of little faith! Am I not the goddess who governs the growth of this mountain? Its sprouting, its growth, its fruiting in the fall?" She pauses dramatically, her hand draped across her forehead. "...Not buying it? Well, it's true. Sort of.
OK, I don't make spring happen exactly...But I shape it. I shape the year, and call everything back from sleep because it's spring again. It's an important job."

...Much more believable.
"And you need me for this...?"
"Well, not exactly need... But with someone like you around, it goes much better..." She looks away nervously.
"Well, what do I need to do?"
"Kiss me."
"W-what?"
"The King was meant to be my partner and my helper, remeeeember? Don't worry. It's an innocent, holy kiss."

I try to back off -- I've got a girlfriend and all -- but her arms are around me before I can move. Her breath smells like flowers and tastes like rain. I feel something flow into me...And something else leave, like the hollowed-out sensation you get when something good happens to someone who deserved it, but you'd been hoping it would happen to you. Sort of cold and hungry, without resentment.
Something appears in my brain: the image of butterflies on a green wind, the unfolding of white lillies. The sun beating a shimmering path, sliding off the leaves. The vivid, eye-catching greenness, tinged with the yellow of the light and the faint, translucent unfolding of the world.
Also, there is her tongue in my mouth.
When she's done, she pulls away.

"...Innocent and holy kisses do not use tongue!"
"Yours don't, maybe. The city has such useless gods." She fans herself. "Yes, that will do nicely.
Now...A return of the favor..."

It's not cheating if it's a goddess, right? Anthropomorphic representations are fair game for everyone, right?
I realize I haven't been listening to her. She was talking about the festival.

"It was originally for star-telling fortunes...Prophecies for the new year...How about that?"
"...But it's day."
"Pshaw. The stars are always there. It's not my fault you think you can't use them, just for not seeing them..."

She looks intently up at the sky. After a moment, she pronounces:
"Your paths diverge greatly. It comes down to a matter of self-definition -- what kind of man you are. This is not a choice I should advise you on..."
"Will it stop you?"
"Absolutely not!...But...You'll see what I mean later."

...This can only end badly.

"Well...Is there anything else?"
"...A beautiful field, that attracts followers from far and wide...That should be a goal, too!"
I wonder if she's just saying that because she likes that sort of thing.

"And one more thing...Your father's shadow...It lingers over this year, more closely than before. That's it."
...That's a cold wind at my back.
"Like...He comes here? What?"
"That knowledge is beyond the stars."
She nods.
"Sorry <3! Have a good starry night!...I bet if you hurry home, you'll get something niiice!"
That was...Strange, really. She sinks back down and, because I have nothing better to do...
I shrug and head home. I can at least plant the rest of the strawberries, right?

But I'm not there for long before...

Elli?

"...I...I forgot to say it when you stopped by earlier."

"If you don't mind...Or have any plans, or anything..." She squirms in place and smiles faintly, blushing.
Oh...So that's what the mayor was talking about...

"Yeah. It's a date."
She beams.
"Good! I was worried you wouldn't come."
"Well, I'm glad you asked."

I nod. OK, Goddess. That actually was nice.

I go plant the strawberries and consider my options. The festival doesn't really start until evening; I've got time to kill.


I fish...But I'm unsuccessful. Bummer.


When night falls, I head into the church. Turnout is...

Kind of skimpy. I wonder where everyone else is.



"Yeah. I kind of wish someone had told me about it before noon, though..."
I can play music, actually. It was one of the lessons dad made me take.

Stu's actually asleep in his pew; I guess someone made him come, but he couldn't take it. Poor little guy.



I suppose the Goddess's original meaning got lost...Or was that the meaning she saw, and not what people saw at all...




So we're indoors. Brillaint planning, Mayor.



"Of course."



"I'm sure you'll do fine."
What does she even play?


"Please listen."
I guess Maria plays the piano...It suits her.


"The performance?"
"Go ahead, I suppose."
Were they waiting for me? That's...nice, I think. I feel better thinking maybe they just got tired of waiting for someone else to come.


Elli and Ann step forward, and take out a pair of flutes. Maria begins to play.

The three of them play a song together -- a hymn, I think, a little bit solemn and a little bit sweet. It puts me in mind of fireflies for some reason...
If any of them mess up, they hide it in the movement of the song; a wonderful performance, basically.


They finish and we all applaud. Elli curtseys, Ann bows. Maria hopes no one noticed her.


With that, the mayor leaves.


And his wife with him.



"...Probably?" The goddess seems good about that sort of thing...But at the same time, I'm not sure I'd say otherwise if she wasn't. You know, to a kid and all.

Kent leaves, leaving Stu still sleeping in the seat.
"Hey, Kent..." Too late. I shake Stu's shoulder gently.
"stu. Wake up -- it's time to be heading home."

He nods, blearily.


...I sure hope he'll be OK.




Ahh...I thought something like this might happen. Well, I make a beeline.


"Great work. It was really pretty...
Well... Want to do a little star-gazing?"
She blushes and smiles.
"Of course. I wanted to ask you, too."

We walk out together, but once we exit the church, she takes my hand and starts pulling.
"What?"
"I know where the best spot is. I don't think anyone's there right now..."
"I'll follow your lead, then."


We walk to the town square, and find a corner with a nice view. The night is clear and cloudless, and the stars shine brightly down at us, glimmering like points of silver.

"My granny used to say you could tell fortunes on the stars... I hope she's alright by herself tonight."
"I'm sure she's fine. Probably better off than we are."
It's absurdly cold; the light of the stars is so bright there's no trouble seeing...But there's no warmth anywhere but our bodies, rising out with our breath.

"Where'd you learn to play the flute?"
"My mother played the flute...So I learned from her. It was something besides cooking for us to do together...And cooler, so we mostly had lessons in the summer." She explained with a wistful smile. She must have learned...very young.
"She'd play in the church...Just like I did tonight."

She folded her hands and breathed into them, her expression hidden by her hands. But something in the graceful lines of her neck, the rounded curve of her shoulder... I feel someone else's loneliness gnawing at my heart, seeing them.
I wrap my arm around her. She pauses, as if jolted from something, and snuggles close.

We don't say anything for a minute, but look at the stars.
And then:

"You know what I should have done? I should have made us pasties."
"...What?" This cannot be what I am thinking of.
"Pasties. They're savory pastries. Like a meat pie, but smaller, wrapped all up in the pastry dough.
They're really good at warming you up, and staying warm..."

She crosses her arms, now somewhat frustrated by the oversight.

"And some cider...And we could have had a star-gazing picnic."

"Well, I guess we'll just have to think about that next year..."
Next year...
"I wonder what sort of fortune the stars have for me..."
It seems her thoughts went in that direction, too.

"I'm not worried. Now, next year, I will be analyzing the heck out of them. Just you wait and see."

She chuckles.




Winter-25-xxx1


More snow tommorow. *sigh*


Verne's gotten bigger; I guess she and Mocha are in a similar age group now.
*sniff* they grow up so fast.


Anyway, I may as well mine after doing my chores. Not much better to do, you know? I may not accomplish much...But I'll get something.


Yaaay! Iron Ore! A good omen for a first swing!



...Yeah, I know...Did you think I didn't?

I get more iron ore, filling my pack as best I can...

And then I hit the ground. I kind of wish I got better advance notice -- my body's not good at telling me when I'm at the edge...Well, I guess when I lose my balance like that, that's my 'edge,' since I can get back up...


When I head home...

The carpenter's there. Waiting for me. Talking like...I asked him to...
"What will you get started on, exactly?"
"Your order, of course. It's not what I expected of ya'...But a guy your age, with a pretty girl on his arm...Ha! That's when you think about the future, right?"
"..." What?
What.
I didn't -- I haven't -- I DIDN'T ORDER ANYTHING!

He brushes past me before I can put my confusion and outrage into words.

"At least tell me what I didn't order!"
I cry out into empty, wintery air.

To try and resolve my confusion, I go fishing.

No bites.

I head to the bar, too, since it's been a while. Zack's thinking about his daughter.

"What can be done? I'm just afraid that when she grows up, she won't care about her father..."
My father came home late from work, too. I understand what May's feelings might be, even if it's not what they will be...
"...As long as you love her when you're there."
That's the thing: even if it had been brief...If he had smiled with me, just a little. If he had played with me, just a little.
If that had happened... I'm sure this future would have turned out differently.
"You think? I try my best...Someone's got to keep us all afloat.
But when she understands that, will it be too late?"

I'm sure.


I have a drink before heading home.


And I take advantage...
Of my nice warm bath before bed.
Aaaaahh...It's so nice, to have a bathroom. You are a wonder of science.

Oh, yes. I was thinking...We should start thinking of plant lists for spring, when strawberries won't be available.
Also, our next extension goal, of the three: baby bed, staircase (goes to the roof. Don't ask me why.), and log terrace (it's a little platform thing out back for chilling out on.)
...You won't see what I've taken the liberty of ordering Fox without his consent until next time.

[MeatShield#236]

Another excellent chapter. Are we allowed to guess what that mystery order is or do you want it to be a surprise?

[Feriority]

Staircase. It's way too soon to be thinking about baby beds, Fox! You are still a free man! And as nice as a deck out back is, getting to hang out on your roof is the best.

[ObadiahtheSlim]

Every man needs a big deck to be proud of.