[Good Morning: Todays date is 1st Autumn 12 the Time is now 0600. Weather forecast for today Mostly Cloudy chance of rain tomorrow]
Alex, after a week or so of getting settled in, found that he was getting used to having the system wake him up. Soon enough he found himself out of bed and once again putting on his standard farming attire. The interesting part he found was not only did he not need to launder any of his outfits, he found that the system itself takes care of it by simply returning the clothes to his dresser. It also provides sleepwear for him as well. It was something that took him a few days to get used to. A very strange notion, but very convenient.
Finally making his way to the window, Alex couldn't help but admire the slow, but steady progress he had been making. After the events of his first day on the field, Alex has taken great strides in making sure he monitors his actions and takes care of himself. Where he found food and his shower do restore his actions and could allow him to work more. Eve made sure that he made time to relax and enjoy the world around, even if she had to knock him down to her level to do it. wanting to avoid that fate again, he felt it easier just avoiding any issues all together Speaking of, he found the young woman already walking towards the wood line.
Alex wondered where Eve wandered off to each day, but considering the amount of Items she brought back he never worried too much. Between some of the Mushrooms, Berries and edible herbs she brought, Evelyn had also delivered some game and wildlife that she caught. He could only smile at the treasure trove Eve brought in for one simple reason. Out of all the things he used to have to do in his past life, butchering and processing was his absolute least favorite thing to do. To which he received many criticisms for, he loved cooking, but could never… It was a mental separation that he wanted to maintain.
Downstairs on the Kitchen table Alex found a plate of pancakes, with a note, simply stating. “Good Morning! Hope you have a great day!” It was a small gesture, but one that he could only smile at. He loved having a roommate, and found the company very fulfilling. It was like having a little sister, or a best friend to have your back. Something that while new to Alex, he never wanted to be without ever again.
As Alex enjoyed the sweet taste of the fresh cakes, he wished that they had butter or syrup in their home to complement that delicate flavor. Unfortunately it would be some time till they had milk for butter, the syrup dilemma he could solve later after working the field that day. On that thought he will open the system menu to check his Stats for the day. Admiring that he finally upgraded his Farmer class by a level adding five more actions to his roster. Indeed today would be another great day.
[New notifications]
[Produce Inventory Collected: 800 credits deposited]
“Well, that's new. Wonder if that means Ned is back in town?” He asked himself, but that would have to wait. He had work to accomplish, and that field isn't going to clear itself.
It was the sweet taste of the morning air, its crisp cold feeling in the fall that Alex was really starting to love. Taking a deep breath, and stretching as high as he could he noticed a familiar green and blue shape walking towards the house down the road. Smiling, the young farmer ran to meet his friend at the property's edge. The old turtle, seeming none the worse to wear after the long journey, returned the smile in kind.
“Looks like you’ve been enjoyin’ yourself out here my boy!” Ned stated softly. “Hope ya’ll haven't been havin’ too hard a time adjustin’ out here?”
A little embarrassed at the question, Alex gave a slight chuckle, while rubbing the back of his neck, “maybe a few, but I’ve had some help keeping me in check.” At this the Mayor let out a good hearty laugh.
“Aye, my boy. I bet she did at that.” Ned returned, wiping a tear from his smiling face. “Now, lets see how the field is looking. I've got a few seed packs for you.” placing a hand on his shoulder walking past, towards the fields.
“Aw, Well look at that. You’ve done a good job so far, Lad.” Ned remarked letting out a long whistle in turn. "Plenty of room to get plant a few bumper sets.”
Turning back to Alex beside him, he gave a curious look.”Haven’t used any of your actions yet today, have you?” Alex answered, shaking his head. Nedry Ridgeback soon sported a big smile back to his friend.”Good, good, because you're gonna need them today.”
Alex found that Ned really wasn't joking. First thing Ned instructed Alex to do was plow three rows of six plots, followed by two three by three plot sets. He then explained that each of the Seed packs required different methods for the system to plant. When Alex asked why it needed to be so different, Ned simply mentioned that He had no idea, and that it might just be the system doing what it wants. Knowing the system to have a bit of sass with several of its “system messages,” Alex fully believed this to be the case.
It took him about an hour to get everything tilled and planted, Leaving him twenty-four actions remaining. He did find planting to be a lot of fun. After Ned transferred the packs to his inventory, all Alex needed to do was simply aim towards the center of each set and toss, each bundle letting out a loud “POP” and glittering into place. All the while Ned seemed astonished as Alex used Gaia’s Will to change into various tools.
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“That's some impressive equipment, too bad it can only handle one action at a time” Ned remarked, pulling out his own watering can from his inventory. "Here, I’ll give you a hand watering so you don’t run out of actions, I get a few extra bein’ mayor and all.” by the time they were all done. Alex had about eight actions available, and he could feel the exhaustion settle.
“Thanks Ned. Now what did I just plant?” Alex asked his friend as they walked towards the farmhouse.
“Oh, Nothin’ much just some ‘Fielding Corn’ and ‘Dragon Bell Peppers’. Wonderful crops, the corn grows into a beautiful array of blues, reds, greens and yellows, while the peppers curl up like little dragons. Spicy as can be too.” Ned rambled on, gesturing with his hands now. “ I remember growing my first batch of ‘em. Kept trying to nip me they did, but that’s ‘for I learned the trick of gettin’ em. Ya gotta wait till 2nd autumn when its nice and cool, and spray them with a little water. Now that's when they start dancin and just POP right off.”
“Wait… THEY WHAT NOW???” Unable to believe what his friend was going on about Alex paused at the doorway, turning towards his friend, who now sported a large toothless grin back. “You’re pulling my leg aren't you?” Alex laughed, continuing inside.
“Nope, they're a lively bunch, but they are worth quite a bit for how spicy they are. Oh and if you plant them in summer, you might get a few Ruby Dragons. Now those little devils, they really bring in the big ones… but, Woo are they mean!!!”
Alex couldn't believe it. The idea of tiny little peppers that acted like dragons. One on one hand, magic was very much real… All things considered. Magic was real, but growing little peppers that moved around. That was something that would take some time to get used to.
“Ok , let’s table that thought for now.” he muttered to himself as the pair continued into the living room, “would you like to stay for Dinner? Eve has been bringing in some good food, and should be back soon.”
“I noticed.” He responded back, taking a seat on one of the old couches. “The young elf had that crate filled up when I finally got back into town, and I would love to stay for dinner. Any Ideas?”
He had a few Ideas, continuing past the hallways into the Kitchen he called back, “Any Preferences Ned?” Opening the fridge he found some leftover tenderloin, from what Eve referred to as a Sawbuck, A few Large Trout from yesterday, and a couple other things.
“No red meat please, hard to digest in my old age.” Ned called back to him, “Aside from that, I'm open to anything.” Fish it was then. Now to figure out how to prepare the dish.
Pulling out the trout, he was happy that Eve already handled the hard part. Now how would he serve this beautiful sample? He didn't have lemon, or any citrus for that matter. Another problem for later. He did have Garlic, oil, a few Duck eggs, courtesy of Evelyn, some flour, and a small assortment of mushrooms and Herbs, including… He knew what to prepare.
Starting with the fish and after removing the filets, Alex placed the heads and bones of the trout in a pot with water and salt. He would add the Mushrooms, Garlic and parsley later after the Stock has been given plenty of time to develop, and the bones can be fished out.
Leaving the pot alone to work its magic he turned to the Filets, using one of the eggs, water and a little salt in a bowl he gently submerged the tender pieces before taking them to be dredged and covered in flour and placed on a separate pan. The Fish would need a chance to get to know its new coating so when he introduces them to the hot oil eating, there wouldn't be any issue of falling apart or losing its crust.
While his next pot heated some of the oil for the star to take its next adventure, Alex removed the bones from the first pot, adding salt, garlic, and a few of the mushrooms he recognized having sliced them nice and thin. Finding the oil to be at the proper temperature, he then gently laid the fish into the pot, taking care to not let them touch at first, thus causing them to lose the coating he worked hard to keep together. Having a few minutes to spare before needing to retrieve the soon to be golden beauties, he turned towards the final piece of the puzzle.
Thinly chopping chopping some of the dill Eve found, he added it to a bowl with a little, salt, garlic, Dijon mustard (courtesy of Ned's donation), and one of the eggs, whisking vigorously while slowly adding in some of the leftover oil, making a lovely dipping dipping sauce for the Trout.
Removing the now golden filets from the oil, Alex placed them on a wire rack pan to cool, adding a little salt, and making sure to let any excess oil fall off. After pouring some of the soup into a few bowls, He plated each of the fish filets on a of greens for the three of them. Knowing Eve would be arriving soon, he brought everything out to the dining room table, along with a small bowl of the Aioli to be served separately.
After setting the table, Alex could hear a small whistle from behind him, he turned to find Evelyn walking in from the Kitchen door. “Look at you ‘Mister Chef, 'any special occasion for the distinguished meal?” Eve joked, elbowing him softly in the ribs.
“Yeah, Ned’s back in town, and we are celebrating after planting our first crops.” Alex announced, soon spotting The mentioned guest walking in from the living room rubbing his claws together.
“Aww, Yay! What did you too end up planting? She asked, finding a place at the table. Pulling up a chair himself, Alex sat down next to her.
“Oh, some Fielding Corn and a few sets of Dragon Bells” Alex responded, before seeing a blur of Bronze and Green as he was sure no matter how he would tell this story. No one would believe how a three foot elven sprite managed to throw a 6 foot Tortlekin flat on his back as quickly as he witnessed Evelyn do at that moment. Before she started lecturing the poor mayor…
“ARE YOU INSANE?!?”
Alex ignored as Ned was scolded about the danger of growing of Dragon Bells, now being forced to sit on his knees for the lecture. As this was his new life in Flintwood Village, He couldn't help but laugh, and helped himself to his long awaited dinner.
The soft and crispy Trout was delightful...