[Good Morning: Today’s Date is 1st Autumn 20, The Time is now 0600. More rain in the forecast today. ]
[Field Report: Dragon Bell Peppers -Status: Watered (Est. 4 days remaining)]
[Field Report: Fielders Corn - Status: Watered (Est. 4 days remaining)]
It was another rainy day in Flintwood Village, as were the last two. On one hand that meant Alex wouldn’t need to worry about watering his crops, saving him at least half his actions. Plus the Dragon Bells were developing and Ned was right. Each one of those peppers growing outside looked like little serpents, each one biting down on their respective plant. Every time Alex walked by to water them, if they were side eyeing the poor farmer, they were tail whipping him with their ever growing coils. The Fielding corn on the other hand were quite fascinating too watch. Since they were at the stage of developing their individual ears, Each little bundle radiated a small burst of color as the raindrops landed on them. The effect was quite mesmerizing, and was a great deal more enjoyable to the ornery peppers.
What Ned saw in those evil little capsicums was beyond Him.
Pulling himself out bed, Alex walked through the quiet room towards the rain soaked view of the Field. The last few weeks having a slower effect on clearing the field, considering how many actions it took to water his field. Thankfully he managed to gain another two levels, but he would need to find a more efficient way to maintain his field. While Alex was lost in his normal routine of looking out the window, a new sound pierced the dull sound of rain.
Thunk, Thunk, Thunk
What was that? Looking around the sound persisted. He found it to be coming from the opposite side of the room.
Thunk, thunk, thunk
Was it coming from his desk? He moved closer, finding one of the drawers shifting with the sound.
Thunk thunk thunk
opening the drawer, he watched as a small familiar notebook jumped out onto the floor. Flopping around like a small fish out of water, the notebook lunged towards alex, making contact with his unprotected shins.
“OUCH!, ok, OK, I get it. Stop Libra!” Alex retorted, picking up the small book. He took a seat at the desk and opened it to its usually blank page. Not wasting any time at Libra started messaging the reluctant farmer.
* It’s about time!!! Why do you never check on any updates. I’ve been waiting for you to check FOR WEEKS.
* WEEKS ALEX, But NO… Mr. Farmer has to be all responsible and only talks to the system. The System!
* Its not like I have any important information that I could share with you, or any import updates that I had for you or anything. Or you ignoring me hurt my feelings…
Was the book… sulking? It was, it totally was. He was being lectured by a book, for being ignored. Confused by the new experience of being yelled at by a book now. Alex couldn't help but wonder if something else was going on.
“You’re more than just a book aren’t you?” Alex asked, cringing as he realized he said the wrong part first. “Right, Sorry. I meant to apologize first, but… No, first things first. Libra I would like to formally apologize for ignoring you for so long. I was a jerk for doing so” Alex was now standing by the desk and giving the book a deep bow, thinking that kowtowing may be lost on this world, (much to his enjoyment).
The Book remained blank for a few moments, before finally resuming its course. Letting alex know he could sit down first.
* Thank you for your apology. I would like to apologize as well. Its just been… tough the last few weeks.
* Ever since THAT light goddess found out it about me communicating with you its been. “Libra is he ok this,” or “Have you talked to Alex that?” or “Libra its been a few weeks… whats happening, what's wrong?”
* HONESTLY what gives with this Goddess she then goes and disappears a few days after… Sorry I'm rambling again.. Let me start over.
* I've only been half honest about my name since normally this book is given to a Hero as a brief Tutorial before being passed on. I dont usually have to announce myself.
* My name is Libra Goddess of Arcane Knowledge and History
That was definitely not on Alex’s bingo card. Another goddess, and one with some responsibility at that. At least that he could guess with a title like that. It did explain a few details about a talking book, but he only pegged the thought to, “Meh Magic World, at first. It wasn't until when he was woke up at Nedry’s home and Libra was talking about Lauranna that he started getting that itch in the back of his mind.
“So you're a goddess?” Alex blurted out without really thinking of anything better to ask.
* …
* …
* …
Alex sat in silence staring at the page for what seemed like five minutes. Was she mad? Did he offend her… unsure of what was happening, he started rubbing the back of his neck in uncomfortable embarrassment.
“Um, Libra is everything alright?” Alex asked in the deafening silence.
* Sorry… Yes everything is fine. I was… laughing.
* It’s just been a difficult couple of weeks, and I fully planned on Lecturing you about all this, and then you go and just.
* So you're a goddess? No tact, no thoughts just boom…
* Sorry, it was just refreshing to be asked something so simple.
* Normally people either yell at me for lying about the situation claiming there is only one true god, or they are asking me about things I really wish they wouldn't
* Oh, that was a good laugh, but I'm losing myself again.
* I found some information about the System
That last message caught Alex’s attention. Sure he was laughing as Libra explained everything about her silence, and he was happy that Lauranna was ok but he wasn't able to learn much about the system except for the few things the mayor mentioned on their first night living in the Village.
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* So apparently the system we know and the one you have grown used to are based on the same program.
* Albeit the difference is similar to someone only having access to one programs subroutine, and someone able to freely enjoy the full networks system.
* Someone really wanted to control the information and abilities available in that world as well as a few others.
* It looks like the system is trying to establish itself using that village as a starting point to reconnect naturally.
* So just keep up what your doing, but just be careful, you never know how some people may react to change.
She wasn’t lying, Alex could remember how people not only in his old world handled anything different from them, but how people like Rodrick inhabited the world. Although he never would have met his friend Eve, or Ned if he wasn't in this world either. So there was always a chance for good things to happen.
“Thanks Libra," Alex said, smiling at the small book. “Is there anything else I need to worry about right now?”
* Just keep up the good work Alex… and maybe carry me around more often.
* I can help you identify various things in the Village for you just as well as any system can…
Alex felt a sharp thrumming as the system tried getting his attention.
[system message: Unlike some goddess, I can do more than ID any simple explanation of what she can determine]
* Ooo… In any case please keep me around.
* I’ll contact you again soon, but please feel free to ask me about any facts whenever you need.
* ~Ciao~
That was new, I guess she dropped the whole adventurer bit, that was nice. The shear sass that this system has though. Apparently it didn’t care too much for the goddess. Alex wondered what happened that caused the world to only use a smaller subroutine of the full system, but that would have to be a thought for another time.
The smell of coffee permeated the house from the Kitchen. So after getting dressed in his standard outfit, Alex found himself walking in on Evelyn working on breakfast as she stood on a Makeshift platform the two of them made together. Her three foot frame made life complicated for her, she was growing used to it as the weeks rolled by, but a hundred plus years of living as a near six foot Wood Elf had made the change bothersome at best sometimes.
“Morning, Eve!” Alex said brightly to his friend, giving her a large grin, “What's the plan for breakfast today?”
Eve smiled back at him. “Probably nothing our little house chef would be impressed by. Just some smoked venison on toast.”
Well this was a decent bit of news to Alex. Heading towards the Kitchen table Alex continued. “You were able to finally get the smokehouse up and working. Nice!!!” About a week ago, after a small discussion about what they would do with all the Sawbuck meat that Evelyn was able to bring in. Apparently these were deer the size of an SUV, with sharp saw toothed antlers that were used to cut down tree limbs in order to mark their territory. These guys were aggressive, not to mention a hassle. They would come out onto the field and try to knock down his Crops from time to time.
After Evelyn dispatched a few of these angry bundles of gruff. They found that they had a small surplus of meat that could go bad even with the system's slow aging effects in their inventory. Alex suggested that they could build a small smokehouse outside the house, and after explaining how the worked and how one was made, Eve took it upon herself to expedite this process. This process taking the better part of three days. Thankfully they had plenty of extra wood from Alex working on clearing the fields, because every time she would fail build the small shack, the system would reclaim some of the wood as it collapsed. Knowing better than to try and get in the way, He watched as she continued her personal crusade in building the smokehouse.
Now Evelyn stood there with pride as she brought over the Sliced smoked venison and slabs of toasted bread that Alex baked the day prior on a tray with a bowl of a soft yellow cream.
Smiling as she sat down, she noticed Alex stare at the bowl. “Oh, as a way of Apology for the whole pepper situation I had that absent minded mayor go and find some fresh milk from the neighboring village.” a sly smile spread on her face at the thought. “I know you’ve been wanting to have butter for various items on hand.”
Remembering the time he was on the receiving end of Evelyn's rage, he shuddered at what thoughts were plaguing his friend's mind to keep from that happening again, as he was handed a small cup of Coffee from the tray.
The smell of the brew was inviting, the subtle aroma filling his senses as he took that first sip, the normally bitter mixture already adorned with sugar, cream, and chocolate . Now this was new. Eve must have had Ned bring some of the sweet confection as well. He found that he quite enjoyed the beverage. Placing it down he reached for the plate of toast and smoked meat.
Expectations growing high, he added a small spread of butter to the toast and with a few thin pieces of the venison, took a bite. It was Wonderful, the meat was perfectly smoked though, yet not too potent and the lingering flavors of chocolate helped elevate the more subtle complexities of the meat. He was in his own world of flavor, and he loved it. Looking over at Eve, he found her enjoying the meal as well. At least if the small dance she performed in her chair indicated anything.
As the rain continued outside on the farmstead, Alex figured today would be best spent finally exploring his home. After nearly a month living in his new home, he found that most of his time has been delegated between his field and the kitchen. With Eve having a similar habit of going out in the wilderness and spending time with him at night while preparing for dinner. While enjoyable they both had a large home to explore.
“Hey Eve, have you had any opportunity to look around the house at all?” Alex asked as they worked on the dishes from breakfast.
“Aside from a few rooms downstairs, I’ve only been in the kitchen, my room and the shower really. Just, there are a lot of things to do.” She answered back.
“OK, so how about We take today to really look around. I'll check upstairs, and you can look down here?” Alex suggested.
Evelyn thought about it for a moment. “Just promise not to go in my room and I won't have any issues about this.” Agreeing to the condition he made his way back up the stairs.
To his knowledge immediately to his right once getting up the stairwell was the door to her room ignoring that he reached to the door to its left and immediately in front of him. finding the door unlocked he took a look inside to discover another bedroom similar to his own, save for the color of all the linens to be in a light green color compared to his blue room.
Moving on down the hall he checked another door to his right revealing a third similar room across the hall from the shower. This time in a soft lavender color and with a full armoire set as well, Alex closed the door and moved on, a little disappointed.
Turning the corner he walked past the windows on the right revealing the rain soaked farmstead outside, the door to the house's linen closet near the end on the left before turning left once more.
With three doors remaining, he only needed to check two. Walking past the door to his left leading to his room, he reached for the one in front of him expecting to see another bedroom and to his surprise he found… nothing. The room was completely empty. Save for a light fixture, a bucket and chair.
“How about we ignore the creepy, murder room for now” Alex breathed to himself, slowly closing the door and turning to the final room. Surely this one would be able to bring some excitement to his mini adventure.
Full of confidence that this door would not lead to another creepy room, Alex reached out, grabbed the knob and… locked. Seems like his adventure will have to wait until he found a way to unlock the door. Turning in self-defeat Alex started down the hallway towards the stairs once more.
Making his way down the stairs he heard Eve running down the hallway towards him. A large grin on her face, she grabbed Alex's wrist nearly knocking him over. Excitement clearly overtaking her.
“Alex you have to see this, It’s amazing!”