Lilly’s rooster crowed its greetings to the day, while farm animals busied themselves with their breakfasts. In her worn-out denim overalls, Lilly moved about with practiced ease, her hands expertly shuffling between feeding, watering, and cleaning tasks. The new magical watering can made the process so much easier and faster.
Her usual morning routine was usually full of hard work; yet today, she had an extra spring in her step. The incident with the watering can had set off a lightbulb in her mind: why not let her magical companions contribute more significantly to the daily workings of the farm?
Yorik used his pigs to dig out his garden in the spring, and he used to ride on them when he was a kid. He also seemed to make a decent wage selling the hair on their tails for brushes that the dwarves apparently went to great lengths to obtain for painting glow-in-the-dark murals in their underground passageways. He also collected their blood with a syringe that was used in keeping leather soft longer than any other method.
He did sell off the flying pigs that didn’t meet his standards for gourmet meals; but apparently, the piglets made great pets as well. She just needed to think outside the box to figure out how to make her farm work for her instead of being a slave to the constant labor it was demanding.
She watched as Feather darted around the farm, his wings carrying him over the vegetable patch with playful ease. Her small companion seemed to enjoy following her about the farm as she completed all of her tasks. Feather still had a lot to learn before she could truly fly, much less guard livestock. But what better day to start that training than today?
The first thing Lilly tackled was leading Astra and her kid, Nova, away from her vegetable patch and to a tangled knot of nature on the far side of her farm. Overgrown apple and pear trees towered above them, their branches heavy with ripe, sweet-smelling fruit. This corner of the farm was a testament to unchecked growth, a section Lilly hadn't had the opportunity to tend to. With Astra's unique levitating ability, however, it was about to receive a much-needed trimming.
Astra's leaps were powerful, her body effortlessly defying gravity as she reached the higher branches of the fruit trees. Lilly watched with satisfaction as the goat began nibbling the greenery, effectively pruning the trees in the process. Nova, meanwhile, bounded around on the ground, exploring and occasionally nibbling at the lower branches. The scene filled Lilly's heart with warmth. With Astra's milk production started, she would soon be able to start milking her for her own needs. She could imagine the thriving enterprise she could create of products to sell at the market. She could sell milk, cheese, and soap from her magical goat; and she was sure she would think of more things with time.
She turned her attention back to Feather. Lilly tossed a stick into the air repeatedly, encouraging the creature to fly higher and higher. Feather's initial attempts were clumsy; but as she practiced, her movements became more coordinated and graceful. Lilly set up a stack of crates, where Feather perched excitedly, surveying the pastures with keen eyes. She would eventually make something more permanent, but this was a good start for the griffy.
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A few of the griffy’s feathers dislodged in her attempts to fly. Lilly picked them up and studied them in the sunlight. Each one was a work of art, a mixture of bold and subtle colors interwoven into repeated patterns. They were more than just pretty—they could become a viable product for the local market. Decorations, fishing lures, quills—the possibilities were endless. The magical farm was not just a sanctuary for these extraordinary creatures but also a bountiful source of opportunities for Lilly, and she couldn't wait to explore them all.
Lilly approached Snow, who was an ethereal vision of purity, her alabaster coat gleaming in the morning sun. The unicorn nuzzled Lilly with an eager familiarity, her soft muzzle probing the farmer's pockets for a treat. Lilly's laughter echoed through the quiet air as she presented a handful of sweet grass, Snow's favorite.
As Snow munched contentedly, Lilly turned her attention to the unicorn's leg. It was healing well, the skin smooth and devoid of any painful signs. Snow was moving without a hint of a limp, but Lilly knew better than to put undue weight on the recovering limb. Instead, she settled for securing a blanket on the unicorn, getting her accustomed to the feel of it in preparation for a saddle.
As Lilly collected the blanket, she began to approach Snow gently, her voice adopting a soothing lilt. "All right, Snow," she said, caressing the unicorn's shimmering mane. "We've got something new to try today."
Moving slowly, Lilly began to slide the blanket onto Snow, maintaining a stream of soft words and praises. "Good girl, Snow. You're doing wonderfully. This might feel a bit different, but it's nothing to be worried about."
The blanket rested against Snow's gleaming hide, and Lilly lightly secured a buckle around it to keep it from falling off. Lilly began to adjust it, ensuring it was snug but comfortable.
"See, it's not too bad, is it?" she reassured the unicorn, a tender smile gracing her lips.
Throughout the process, Lilly never ceased her calming chatter. Whether she was praising Snow for her patience or reassuring her with promises of a treat afterward, she kept her voice steady, imbuing each word with warmth and reassurance. "There we go, all done. You were so brave, Snow. I knew you could do it."
As Lilly stepped back to admire her work, she couldn't help the swell of pride she felt. The blanket sat comfortably on Snow, who seemed at ease with the new addition. As a reward, Lilly presented Snow with a handful of sweet grass, smiling as the unicorn munched contentedly. All the while, she continued her comforting chatter, reinforcing the positive experience. Snow's trust in her deepened; and while not finished with training, Lilly knew that they were moving in the right direction.
She took off the blanket and began to brush the unicorn. Like always, loose strands began to collect in her brush. Lilly reflected on her last visit to the Thornwood Farmers Market. Unicorn hair was known for its magical properties, and Lilly had been able to make a decent amount selling braided castoffs. Her fingers danced over the soft, glossy strands, considering the possibility of transforming them into brushes and ropes for sale.
Selling excess hair from Snow was only the beginning. She imagined herself atop Snow's back, surveying her farm during her rounds. The unicorn, with her strength and grace, could also help plow the vegetable fields and pull a cart in due time.
There was one more interesting detail Lilly remembered from her magical farming guide—unicorn manure was a natural pest repellent and nutrient-rich plant fertilizer. A subtle grin played on Lilly's lips as she thought about the potential benefits for her farm. However, a sudden memory of Tom made her pause. Caution would be paramount—the last thing she wanted was to inadvertently create more sentient plants.