Chapter Text
After a productive morning consisting of clearing away some rocks and sticks, Farmer decides to walk out onto the dirt road and heads to town merrily. He needed to buy seeds, and this ‘Willy’ guy wanted to give him something, at least that’s what the letter said. “Finally. I’ve been itching to get into town since at the crack of dawn.” He murmurs to himself. It’s too quiet on the farm. It’s something he never thought he would have to get used to. Farmer never really spent that much time alone by himself, especially with nature right by his doorstep now.
“Yoba, I can’t wait to have actual human interaction today.”
With his timberland farm boots, Farmer steps onto the cobble pathway of the small quaint town. Pelican Town is bright and sunny today. “Huh, guess that weather report is more accurate than I thought.” Farmer hums, pleased with the warmth that hits his face. Walking further in, He notices the first few buildings in town. To the left is the local hospital. It’s reasonably sized with a bright blue coloured sign of a green cross on the building. Beside it is a larger structure with a sign that says ‘Pierre’s.’ Up ahead are just houses.
“Ah, perfect.” Farmer smiles to himself, feeling happy that he didn’t have to go on a scavenger hunt to find seeds. Not that it would be the worst thing in the world. Farmer liked being lost sometimes, but being lost in a new town he’s not accustomed to yet is probably not a good idea.
Farmer steps inside and a jingling bell noise follows after. Inside is a modest little general store. Wooden floor boards and shelves make up most of the space. He looks around and spots many seed types sitting prettily in packets. There are some other supplies around the store like wallpaper and little nick nacks.
“Welcome to Pierre’s!”
A cheerful middle aged man waves from the back. Farmer nods and waves back awkwardly. “Hi there.” He walks over to the little counter that seems to be like the cash register of the store. The man on closer inspection, wore glasses paired with a blue shirt and brown jacket. Chestnut hair sits on top of his head.
“You’re the new farmer, aren’t you?” The man smiles, adjusting his glasses. He then lends a hand out. “I’m Pierre, if you didn’t make that connection already.”
“Nice to meet you, Pierre. I’m Farmer.” Farmer shakes Pierre’s hand. “I thought Mayor Lewis was just kidding when he said everyone’s been waiting to meet me.” He laughs, rubbing the back of his neck. Pierre lets out a hearty chuckle in response.
“We’re all excited to have a new neighbour in town, that’s all. We’re a pretty small community. So if someone ever moves in town like you did, we would all know about it.”
“Ah I see, that makes much more sense.”
Pierre then closes his hands together and leans on the counter, closer to Farmer. “So I’m guessing you’re here to buy some seeds, farmer?”
“Mhm! It’s time to get the farm started up and growing. Mayor Lewis recommended I go here to buy some.” Farmer replies. “And you do have a huge selection, from what I’ve seen so far.” Pierre nods happily, and already leads Farmer to a few seeds on the shelves. He talks about each seed. The price, and how long it takes to grow. It takes only 30 minutes for Farmer to choose as he wanted to get the seeds in the soil already.
“Thanks Pierre! I’ll see you around.” Farmer comes out of the store feeling accomplished. Humming as he checks one last time in the bag that carries the abundance of seeds he bought with almost all of his money. Well, he’s kind of broke now but he’ll get started on the farm at least.
Farmer looks up and notices seagulls flying above, just south of where he stands. “Hmm.. Pierre did mention a beach. Maybe I’ll go take a look before I go home?” With that said, Farmer doesn’t really know how to go there but he doesn’t mind searching by himself. Before he could walk any further, a stray gridball rolls over from his left. It wobbles unsteadily before hitting his work boots. Confused, Farmer looks around his surroundings seeing if anyone lost their gridball.
“Hey!”
Farmer turns to the sound of the voice and sees a tall brown haired man running towards him. He wears an emerald green jacket with few yellow stripes and bright gold star on it. The guy looks like every other jock Farmer's ever met and had his heart broken by. Yet, Farmer couldn’t help notice the way the guy’s hair flows in the wind or how he can look so pretty while running. He finally reaches Farmer and stops to catch his breath but that didn’t take too long.
“Sorry about that… I didn’t realize I would throw the gridball so far.” The tall guy towers over Farmer. He rubs the back of his neck cheekily. The scent of sun and citrus shampoo with a mix of fresh cologne hits his nose. Upon a closer look, the towering guy is clearly fit. His black shirt under the Leatherman jacket hugs his pecs.
“Fuck! He smells good too.” Farmer curses inside his head.
The guy picks up the gridball beside Farmer, and lets out an awkward chuckle. “So you’re probably that new farmer that moved here yesterday, huh?” Farmer nods awkwardly, staring dumbfoundedly at this guy’s smile. Perfect set of white teeth, and a cute dimple too. “Cool. I’m Alex, I’ll see you around ‘kay?” Alex waves and turns to walk off. He happily tosses the gridball in the air as he walks back to where he came from. Probably his house, Farmer guesses.
“I didn’t even get to tell him my name…” Farmer murmurs, eyes still glued to Alex’s figure. “Damn it. Whatever. I’ll go find him later.” He sighs, trying to remain unaffected by the little encounter he had just now. “Time to find that beach!” Farmer goes back on track and finally starts to move his feet but a minute later, he groans realizing he could’ve asked Alex where the beach was.
Oh well.
Farmer didn’t end up finding the beach that morning so he decided to head back home to plant the seeds so he didn’t forget. But he didn’t want to sleep that night without finding it, so he went back out into town. Willy’s probably still waiting for him too.
“Hmm, pretty sure at least one person would know at the saloon.” Farmer says out loud, standing in front of the doors of the establishment. A large sign hangs on a cylinder log that says ‘The Stardrop Saloon’. The saloon is made out of sandy coloured bricks, with bright green vines growing on the side of the building.
Farmer heads inside and instantly gets hit with the smell of food and alcohol. Charming country sounding music plays from the jukebox that sits to the left. Warm lighting is situated around the place. Wooden tables and chairs are placed around for customers. A giant open bar is the main centrepiece of the saloon. Townsfolk Farmer hasn’t met yet gather around their own tables, drinking and talking amongst themselves. The only familiar face he can make out is Mayor Lewis, who seems to be drinking with a woman. Not wanting to bother him, Farmer just goes straight to the open bar, and sees a man with a fine moustache making a concoction in front of him.
“Hey there. Do you know the way to the beach?” Farmer asks straightforwardly, watching the man’s hands move. It looks like he’s making a cocktail.
“Oh for sure. Just go straight, and through the bridge.” The man explains while shaking something in a metal can. It sounds like there’s ice rattling inside. He looks like he’s been doing this for a while now.
“Thanks. I’m Farmer, the one that just moved in.”
“Nice to meet ya. I’m Gus, the owner and chef of this place. Stop by anytime if you need a cold drink!”
Farmer nods and waves goodbye. Heading out with a skip in his step, he makes his way down the paths. He passes various houses he doesn’t really know much about yet. But the good thing is that the bridge was easy to find. From there, Farmer has a clear view of the shore. The distant waves hitting the sand, and the sound of birds flocking. After a peaceful walk, Farmer reaches the soft sand. The beach is empty when Farmer arrives, only a house on the left and a dock with a little hut goes into view. He moves forward anyway and steps onto the docks. His footsteps echo heavily. The little hut has a sign that says ‘Fish’. This is probably where Willy is. Farmer goes inside and sees many displays of equipment, fish, bait, and even seafood dishes. A gruff voice almost makes Farmer jump.
“Ahoy there! Who might you be, young lad?” A man comes out from the back of the counter, wearing an old almost close to falling apart hat. His full beard covers most of the lower half of his face.
“U-uhm I’m Farmer... I got your letter.” Farmer manages to say, feeling a tad embarrassed. He’s late after all. Willy just stares at the younger boy and shakes his head, laughing.
“You got lost, eh boy? It’s alright, everyone always does it the first time!” Willy’s warm thundering laugh fills the awkward void. He helps out Farmer and gives him the Bamboo Rod, to start catching his own fish. Showing him the ropes on how to actually use the fishing rod, and giving little hints and help.
“Sorry about being late again.” Farmer sighs, “I promise to do something in return for you.” Willy just smiles and nods. Farmer's standing outside of the shop, saying thank you before heading home. He holds the new fishing rod with his right hand and it rests on his shoulder comfortably. Farmer's shadow is casting onto Willy's face. The bright orange rays of the sun are going down now.
“Alright lad. Whenever I post for help, you better respond!” Willy teases, his eyebrows goes up, showing wrinkles.
With that, Farmer nods happily and waves goodbye.
A weight lifts off his shoulders now. The last thing he wants is to piss off his new neighbours by not showing up after they offered their resources. Farmer trudges through the sand and goes through the bridge.
In the distance, he can make out the familiar vibrant green of Alex’s jacket. He looks like he’s watching the supposed dog in that fenced area. The closer Farmer gets to where Alex is, the more of the interaction they had replays inside his head.
“Better if I don’t talk to him again today…” Farmer thinks, before turning left to the saloon but not before sneaking a glance at him. He’s still as rugged and pretty as Farmer saw this morning. The same fluffy brunette hair and tall guy. He's even more attractive in the soft pink orange sunset, as he leans onto that old fence. Farmer hates that a lot. Alex probably never even saw him pass by just now. Farmer groans quietly to himself and stomps all the way back to the farm, tightly grasping the handle of the fishing rod. He hates how a stupid little smile from this jock has him thinking about him now.
He doesn’t even know Farmer's name.