Chapter Text
For the longest time the winding roads were considered Cliff’s home. Each one was never the same, some were paved without any imperfection, others full of cracks and holes, or trails to forests untouched by man. He’s been accustomed to the nomadic way of life for awhile now. Occasionally visiting random towns, sleeping at Inns whenever he had cash to spare, camping out in the woods during the days he didn’t have a dime to his name. This was his way of life, how he was used to getting by. It didn’t occur to him that it would suddenly change otherwise.
Then one day, be it fate or a whim, he stumbles upon a small town buried cozily in the woods. Really nothing to write home about er — well, if he had one. Still, as soon as he laid his eyes on it something just … clicked. From way up on that lush green hillside, Cliff feels the spring breeze hit the back of his head. The wind flows through his brown locks, chilling him to the bone. It gives him an indescribable rush, one that calls him, beckons the vagabond to go and check it out for himself.
He didn’t think this small town would begin to change him, little by little.
And then it happened.
Spring comes in the blink of an eye. The sharp crunch of leaves underneath his boot echoes as he walks to the church early that morning from the Inn. They were nice over there. Ann always gave him his meals with a kind smile and wished him well daily, despite barely knowing him at all. Carter was also a kind and humble man, one of the first to accept him into the mysterious Mineral town. Not that anyone wasn’t accepting (even the housewives who gossiped in town square meant no harm) but he didn’t feel pressured to talk around the pastor inside this quaint little church.
Some days he’ll open up little by little, others he lets the sound of morning mass and organ pipes soothe his tense nerves, ease his anxieties, his guilt.
Though, it’s never that simple.
He’s been sitting alone in the front pew for some time now. Morning mass has ended, making him stick out like a sore thumb. Carter lets him stay as long as he wishes. It doesn't take long before he's lost in thought, completely out of touch with the world around him. He barely hears the murmuring voices in the background, one he thought to be the pastor speaking, another he’s not too sure of. Cliff rubs at the back of his neck, staring at the rays of sun leaking through the colorful stained glass.
“Excuse me..?”
Cliff freezes. He hasn’t heard that voice before.
“Huh?”
“You’re Cliff, right?”
His throat goes bone-dry, like he hasn’t drank anything in ages.
“U-Um, yeah. That’s me.”
“I’m Claire! It’s nice to meet you.”
Albeit faint, the forced southern drawl prompts him to look up at who he was talking to. Low and behold he was right, he’s never met this person in his life or seen walking them around town before.
It was a young woman. A bit on the short side, couldn't be no older than he was, bearing long, voluptuous blonde hair — gold like a field of sunflowers. She wore a red and white patterned flannel underneath a pair of standard denim overalls, typical attire of that of a —
Wait.
“H-Hold on. Are you that new farmer, who just came to town?”
“Yeah, that’s me! I’m already famous, huh?”
The girl giggles and briefly joins her hands together, as if he’d just won a prize or something. One might say she even has a playful glint in her eyes, though Cliff doesn’t maintain eye contact long enough to confirm.
“Erm, yeah… You’re pretty much the talk of the town right now. “ That’s right, he did recall the new arrival of someone coming to Mineral town. Was that today, though? Or had a few days already passed?
It is a small town, so that’s no surprise to her. She laughs, feeling silly for suggesting such a thing.
“W-well I haven’t done anything yet… just inherited some ol', rundown farm land.”
“Yeah?”
Claire nods and beams, miraculously keeping the conversation going. “Actually, it was my grandfather’s! I loved it so much as a kid that I’m determined to rebuild it back to its former glory!”
“I see.”
So much enthusiasm. It’s not bad, though.
It’s not long before the dreaded silence draws near. Now, she stares at him for a bit, appearing puzzled. Naturally, Cliff is the first to break.
“W-What is it? Is t-there something on my face?”
She shakes her head.
“Oh, okay.” He pauses, then lets out a long sigh. “Sorry… I-I’m not very good at talking to people. I get so nervous, especially when i-i’m alone with someone. ”
Usually people leave him alone at this point and end the conversation. He’s not exactly an “entertaining” fellow.
Claire shakes her head once more. “No worries, just take your time.”
He blinks, taken back.
“So… you w-want to talk to me?”
She nods, hands nonchalantly behind her back as she smiles.
For some reason, Cliff blushes, surprised that she doesn’t mind how antisocial he appears. Was she that lonely in this town? No — it’s rude to assume.
“Oh. W-Well thanks, Claire.” He mumbles her name, wearing a shy smile. He feels much more composed. Now it’s his turn to talk. A topic’s easy enough, yeah.
“So you’re going to run the farm all by yourself? That’s a lot of hard work. Good luck.”
“Thank you!” Claire smiles.
She sits down next to him, a few inches away on the pew, being courteous of his space. The two talk some more, little chit-chat here and there, about her circumstances and how she came to Mineral town all alone, not a cent to her name. Just like him, huh? Turns out there was once a prosperous crop farm here, with countless chickens and cows roaming the fields. A true paradise. Now, it’s mostly Rick’s family who handles all poultry affairs at PoPoultry, working alongside the people of Yodel ranch.
“I-Incredible, I can’t imagine myself raising crops or animals.”
“I took care of a few animals when my grandfather was still alive. But other than that, I'm not v-very experienced.” She bashfully admits, twirling a lock of gold hair between her fingers. A complete one-eighty from the strong confidence she exhibited mere moments ago. “But i’m sure it’ll turn out alright!”
Cliff stays silent for a minute, carefully finding his next words. “It uh, might be weird for me to say. But uh, i’m sure it’s really hard.” Bitter truths, no one likes to hear them — but they had to. He wished someone told him. “So hang in there, okay?”
It doesn’t seem to kick her down, though. Claire perks up quickly and flashes him another white smile. “I will, thank you.” Claire stands, dusting off her overalls. “Right, I should be getting back to my farm.”
“Uh,” Before it even registers Cliff stands, prompting a confused, but otherwise friendly glance from the girl in front of him. He scratches behind his neck. “Not to be a bother, but would you mind talking with me again sometime? O-Only if you get the chance, that is.”
Cliff gulps, suddenly feeling the need to explain himself.
“I’m bad at talking with others, but … if it’s you, Claire —”
“I’d love to! I’ll see you around, kay?”
There’s that smile again, worry-free, bright as day. He stares at it, before he feels his face fall naturally into a happy expression of his own.
“A-Ahem.” Cliff clears his throat. “Well, be careful on your way home.”
Claire waves back to him as she departs, gently closing the giant church doors behind her. They creak nonetheless, same as they always so.
But today was different. And that was … nice.
“Ah, She’s sweet, isn’t she?”
Carter’s voice startles him for a moment, but he quickly settles down, feeling sheepish again. “Um, y-yeah.” He had a watchful eye for everyone in town, for better or worse. Cliff’s just relieved he uses that divine power for good.
“She said she’ll be attending morning mass whenever her farm work permits her. It’s nice having a new face in the church.”
Yeah, it is.
“I ...think I’m gonna go out for a walk. Thanks again, Carter.”
“Of course, come by anytime, Cliff. You’re always welcome here. Blessed day.”
Cliff smiles, before throwing his rucksack over his shoulder and heading out.
The wind has scattered most of the fallen leaves off the roads, still he hears the familiar crunch of a few underneath his shoes. Music to his ears. His walk wasn't eventful, but peaceful nonetheless. Evening has already set in, meaning it’s time for him to grab a bite to eat from the Inn and retire for the rest of the night.
He doesn’t expect to see Claire seated at a table when he enters.
“This tastes soooo amazing, Ann!”
“If you’re going to be a farmer, Claire. You’re gonna need to eat better! Build some muscle, leave that to us.”
“Oh no I couldn’t possibly come here a-all the time. I have money to save up and —”
Cliff stands awkwardly at the doorway, not meaning to eavesdrop, but it happens. He stops once Ann recognizes him.
“There you are, Cliff!” She smiles, strolling on over towards him. “ What are you having tonight?”
“U-Um,”
“Silly question. You know our menu by now, but you should eat a good meal since you’re always out and about walking, also —”
“I’ll p-pick something! J-Just ... give me a minute.” He talks back, a bit more panicked than he would’ve liked. Ann catches onto him, turning the chatterbox down several notches. He hates just how fragile he is.
“Right, I'll be in the back. Holler once you pick, okay?” That was so rude of him, yet she doesn’t seem phased at all.
What is with this town?
He’s getting too comfortable here, that has to be it. No, he doesn’t want to think about that right now.
Shrugging, Cliff grabs the nearest chair he can find and sits down, dropping his rucksack alongside him. He’s bad with people, this is why he actively tries to stay away from them. Saves them both the trouble. Ignoring the increasing groans of his stomach (and they are loud) Cliff buries his head against the table and sighs.
“Um,”
Cliff doesn’t respond. Well, not until something pokes him against his temple. It had prongs. Hold on, was that a fork?
“Maybe some vegetables will perk you up?”
Finally, Cliff gives in and looks up, swatting away whatever's poking him.
It was Claire, kindly holding out her plate of vegetable stir fry to him.
“Cl-Claire?!”
He straightens up immediately, frozen stiff in his seat, but displaying adequate table manners this time.
“Oh, I’m sorry! You probably don’t want to eat off my plate. That’s gross, huh?”
“No, I mean Yeah — Uh,”
Claire shakes her head and takes her plate back. “Still, eat something, okay? It’s not healthy to skip meals.”
“You’re one to talk.” Ann appears out of no where, loudly thumping a menu atop Claire’s head, eliciting a childish whine from the back of her throat. The two girls banter, while Cliff merely watches the back and forth exchange.
“And that’s like, what, your third helping? You came in here starving cause you got so absorbed in your farm work!” Ann scolds.
“And I-It won’t happen again, I promise!” Claire bows her head in shame. Cliff can’t help but let out what seems like a dry laugh. It’s not subtle enough, cause it catches her attention.
“Hey! What’s so funny?!” Claire pouts, her cheeks puffed out like a threatened puffer-fish. Is she … angry at him?
“Wha — N-Nothing!” Cliff sputters, throwing his hands up. Suddenly, he wishes he paid better attention to the table he picked.
Thankfully, she seems to catch and correct herself. “Ah, no. I-I’m sorry. That wasn’t nice.” Claire frowns further, fidgeting with her hands underneath the table. Was she shy too?
“Oh, stop it. He’s not fragile, just shy.” Ann hums, smiling as she sets down a menu for Cliff to look over. “Take your time, kay?”
“R..Right.”
Once again, the silence settles in.
Well, save for Claire quietly eating what's left of her stir fry. Cliff brings the menu up to his face, lowering it slightly to curiously peek here and there at her happily eating away. He didn’t doubt that she was hardworking, although she seemed to have a clumsy, less responsible side of her own.
Not everyone has it together.
He can respect that.
“I think… I’ll have the vegetable stir fry.” He mumbles, peering down at the letters scattered across the Inn’s menu.
Claire blinks, quickly swallowing the food that’s in her food before beaming, lunging at the chance to ask: “Is that your favorite?”
“Um, o-one of them.” Cliff speaks, lowering his menu to look at her. “ Is … is that yours?”
“Mhm! It’s the best!” She grins without a second thought. Her white smile filled with many … tiny specks of broccoli and other remnants of food. Cliff doesn’t mean to stare, honest! But, he does.
“You’ve, um. G-Got a little, a l-lot actually, in your —”
“Huh?”
She can’t fathom the odd look he’s giving her, until he gestures towards his on teeth, then she realizes far too late. “AH!” Horrified, she quickly brings a napkin to her mouth. “Sorry!”
He cracks a genuine smile, the second time today and — hold on, was that a chuckle?
“It’s alright. I’m a pretty messy eater myself.”
After placing his order the time flies by as the two chit-chat some more. Nothing important either, just completely mundane topics. This has to be the most he’s spoken to anyone besides Carter in awhile. Sure, it had a rocky start, but eventually the conversation became something enjoyable.
Somewhere along the line the sunset fades, the moon hanging high in the sky alongside the stars. The restaurant portion of the inn was beginning to close, and for some odd reason, that saddens Cliff. It means they have to stop talking.
“Um, b-be safe heading home Claire.”
“Mhm! See ya around, Cliff!”
“B-Bye.”
He watches as Claire exits the restaurant and onto the main road, holding a to-go container of her favorite veggie stir-fry. He even gave her some of his that he couldn’t finish.
Turning his head, he notices Ann cleaning the last of the tables with a rag.
“Um, I’m heading to bed.”
“Okay! Night, Cliff.” Ann looks up momentarily and flashes a smile at him, before returning to her work. Cliff leaves her to it.
Cliff quietly makes his way up the creaky stairs, unlocks the door to his room, and plops down on the bed with a heavy sigh.
What an eventful day.
Cliff breathes in and shuts his eyes, letting the sounds of the outdoors lull him to sleep, just as they always had.
He wonders, will tomorrow be eventful too? Only one way to find out.
And that's to face it, head on.