Chapter Text
This was not what she had in mind. Why did nobody warn her how much harder this would be than she had thought. The hoe was brought down with a sigh to till the land…again. How was it only a day after harvesting her first turnips that the dirt needed to be re-cultivated in areas. And why do weeds grow back so fast!
Throwing the hefty hoe back into the tool box, Claire wiped her hands onto the overalls, smearing the dirt onto her thighs before grabbing the watering can. One by one the newly planted seeds and slow growing leaves were doused. The potatoes should only be a few more days until they are ready for picking.
‘At least it will make my dinner selection a little more interesting,’ she thought. Her attention turned towards the cucumber vines that were starting to spread out. ‘I should probably go gather some lumber and build a trellis for those.’
She placed some of the coloured grass that was found while cutting down the weeds into the shipping bin. Deciding that the distance was too far to walk and threw the water can into the tool bin from where she was, wincing when it hit the side before falling in. Hopefully it didn’t leave a dent. She then gazed upon the expanse of farmland. It looked both exactly and also nothing like what the memory of Grandpa’s farm did. How the Goddess he was able to pull it off was a mystery, especially as he aged. But she could now appreciate the effort he had put into everything. Unfortunately, it was also dawning why it was so desolate by the time she had decided to claim the inheritance.
After all the chores were done, and a little longer of a cuddle than usual with all the animals, she wondered what to do with the rest of the day. Oh, there’s the horse. Finally catching sight of the energetic pony, Clair lured it over to give it a quick brush and some kind words before it galloped off for more laps. Now there’s a horse made for racing if she’s ever seen one. It would be nice though if it stayed still for more than five seconds without chewing on her long blond hair. Well, probably not as long in some places after all the munching from him and the cows. Was it that dry that looked like straw?
She pinched some strands between her fingers and studied it as she walked across the bridge and headed towards the mountains. The town’s people were all very friendly, and some incredibly cute also, but it was hard to gather the energy to socialize much after work. Plus there was the fact that apparently rural towns close down extremely early and people were eating dinner and starting bedtime rituals by the time her chores were done.
After a quick dip in the hot springs to shake off some of the fatigue, Claire decided to head up the slope. Pulling out the cheap fishing rod, it was time to see if luck would be better at the lake at Mother’s Hill. The Harvest Goddess didn’t necessarily say anything against fishing at the pond, but the look that was given wasn’t exactly approving either. While the stream seemed like endless bones of the fish apocalypse; which was caused by sticks apparently. With hopeful anger, the line was cast and the waiting began.
Today was actually bringing up a decent haul. Sure, they were all small with only one or two medium sized ones, but the point was that it was fish instead of trash. She could probably save a few in the watering hole for cooking before selling the rest. Should be a decent enough profit. Maybe she’ll buy some more turnip seeds with the money. But she did need to upgrade some tools also. A lot of financial decisions that she was not informed of before deciding to be a full time farmer.
Wandering a few paces once more, Claire decided right in front of the cave would be the last few attempts before heading back. An orange glow settled across the lake as the sun set. A perfect serene setting while she waited for the tug.
Wow! A much harder line twitch than she was expecting! Startled out of the tranquility, Claire reeled, pulled, and prayed that her pole wouldn’t break. But how could she let this one go? It must be huge and, more importantly, worth a lot; at least more than the small bottles of milk she was shipping out at the moment while her cows grew strong and healthy with her love.
With a final pull, she was able to fight the fish to the surface. The sudden lack of resistance sent her staggering backwards before falling onto her already abused back. Swiftly sitting up, she glanced around hoping that the fish was not lost during her tumble. A figure caught her peripheral vision and she flushed at the thought of a neighbor catching that graceful moment. The most logical person to be around at this time would be Jennifer. At least she wouldn't make fun of her, even inadvertently. The bigger problem was that if it is the weird hippie woman, then Claire might be lectured about harming nature’s essence and spirit. Time for a deep breath in preparation in case that is the case. Then she brought her gaze to the silhouette in front of the lake caused by the setting sun behind them. Or… standing on top of the lake?
The blood that was reddening her cheeks drained away to pale her complexion. That… was not Jennifer. The person(?) had dark green hair gently blowing in the wind framing their green complexion and a yellow beak. For some strange reason, the thing that threw Clair off more was the traditional looking east Asian clothing and flat cap. Round blue eyes met slitted eyes. Was it glaring at her? The beak opened like the creature was about to speak before vanishing in a flash of bling white light without a sound,
Claire’s first reaction was to shake off the encounter as some kind of weird day dream. What stopped her from assuming it was some kind of hallucination was the fact that she throws miscellaneous plants into a pond to have a brief chat with a goddess and had a tea party with a bunch of sprites behind the church. Maybe Jennifer was right about a divine being living at the lake! If that’s the case, it must be what Jennifer named Isabella. Not exactly a fitting name for that creature from what Claire could tell from the brief meeting, if she could call it that.
The next day she decided to bring a spring egg for both the Harvest Goddess and the mysterious being as offerings. The Goddess didn’t necessarily treasure the gift, but Claire had only so much to give at the moment and didn’t find any flowers on her way there. Maybe Greenie will value the contribution more than her.
Apparently not. She was not able to even catch a glimpse of them. Nor did any grass, flower, or gem work. Well, Claire thinks she could make out a scowl beneath the waves with that last one.
She would ask the Harvest Goddess about Isabella (she needed to call him something and couldn’t be wasting future chicken names on the possible deity while waiting for a possible meeting) but she would always disappear beneath the surface before anything could be uttered. Maybe they will hang around a little longer now that her cucumbers were ready for an offering?
“Oh! Well, if it isn’t Claire. How lovely of you to come see me again. I always appreciate an offering.” They glowed with happiness and sent a radiant smile to the farmer. “Oooh, what a gift! I love it! Thank you so much. Buh-bye!”
“Wait! Do you know anything about who lives a-” Before Claire could finish there was the usual flash of light to signify the majestic departure. “At the lake…” She was pretty sure the goddess was smirking as the mysterious music that accompanied them seemed more chipper than usual as if to mock her.
Too bad she couldn’t ask any of the villagers. None of them, with the exception of Carter, seemed to really believe in any type of divinities existing, or at least with a physical form. Well, she didn’t need any help. There was no reason that she wouldn’t be able to figure out this mystery. A few more tries on being nice and then the fishing rod will come out again. It may not have worked the last few times, but she was able to catch them once so no reason that she wouldn’t be able to reel in Isabella again.
Since the Goddess loves crops maybe they will too? Doesn’t hurt to try, maybe her pride and wallet since she could be selling these things rather than watching the items sink to the bottom of their watery grave. That was hard and embarrassing to explain to Harris when he caught her, in his perspective, littering. Luckily, Jennifer had overheard and decided to back her up rather than lecturing about how it was such a bad idea to throw random items and mess up nature’s harmony. It still hurt that Harris suggested that maybe she was overworking and should check in with the doctor. But whatever! None of that matters, it was time for positivity and charging forward. She wouldn’t be in Mineral Town right now if it wasn’t for her stubborn personality.
Plop. Maybe crops weren't the way to go either. Watching the ripples from the cucumber, Claire turned away with a sigh. Before she could, there they were. The same strangely dignified sight greeted her. Silently, they observed each other. Then, without any words spoken, they started their retreat.
“Hey! Who ar-” Welp, that was anticlimactic. But, at least she was getting somewhere.
The next few days she tried using an apple, a turnip, and a potato. Zilch for all of them. Testing her new theory, she threw in another cucumber once she had a replenishment since the last batch besides those two went to the shipping bin. The same expression greeted her once more before wordlessly withdrawing after a few seconds.
So that was the trick! They only like cucumbers! Well, from the little data she has collected at least. She also didn’t know Isabella’s real name. ‘I’m determined to find out the name next time they’re summoned!’ Was what she thought. Then the next three visits went the same. The next time, for sure, answers will be given.
Then it rained for the next two days and taking care of the animals took longer and was more exhausting than it had any right to be. There was also the festival after that. Being in the city she was never a fan of gambling but the horse races seemed to be a good way to chat with everyone in one space instead of hunting them down around town. The winnings made might’ve changed her mind also, even with how quickly it was depleted through upgrades.
Another day, another cucumber. And the same old, same old. “Oh, come on!” Claire kneeled on the bank and pouted. Only her reflection stared back at her. Throwing a tuft of grass from where her hands were fisted, she watched the image shatter. She snapped while throwing her hands into the air, “why won’t you talk to me! At least hear me out, Isabella!”
A flare of light, “Kappa.” She blinked and they disappeared once more.
“What” Stunned, she sat there wondering what that was about. Excitedly, she jumped to her feet and passionately shouted, “that’s their name! They’re Kappa!”
Without restraint she pranced around giddily. Before her foot slipped in the mud. Almost falling in the water, she righted herself. To her beaming reflection she said, “I’ll be back with the best cucumbers anyone has ever seen in the world!” Then sprinted down the path towards town hoping the shop was still open. Some fertilizer should help encourage a few more harvests before the changing seasons withers the vines. Giggles could be heard echoing off the mountain. Chickadee ranch will surely be starting a new chapter with this new burst of enthusiasm.