#Elliot boy mode commence!!!

[grex-statera]

Chapter 3: Which is Which? - Spring, Year 1

Elliot woke up a bit earlier than usual. Without an alarm, he usually wakes up at around 9:30 to 10 am. But since the sun touches everything in the countryside mornings, he had sunbeams in his face at 7:30 am.

Elliot: Oh, man.

Elliot reached for his phone.

Elliot: Hmm. 7:30 Ellie. Nice.

Elliot stared at the ceiling for a few minutes, thinking about what he would do today.

Elliot: Alright. Spend the morning at Robin's, buy crop seeds at Pierre's then maybe hang out at the beach?

He got up and prepared for the day ahead.

He took the backwoods route to Robin's house, as per the map Lewis left in his house. It was just around a 10 minute walk.

When he got there, he saw quite an impressive house. It was simple, yes, but there was something so unique about it. It had a certain character to it - definitely not your average country house. Elliot was in no way, shape or form an architect, but he does have an eye for beautiful things. He looked closely at the plaque at the door: 24 Mountain Road.

Elliot: Alright. This is the place.

He softly knocked at the door, then opened it. Immediately, he was greeted by Robin, standing behind the counter.

Robin: Oh!!! Look who's here!

She was beaming.

Robin: Come in, come in! Welcome to my shop. Er, my house, also.

The inside was cozy and Robin had a few displayed products up for grabs.

Elliot: Good morning! Wow, these look very well-made. You really know your stuff.

Elliot examined each piece carefully: A sturdy-looking chair with intricate carvings on the backrest. A mahogany table with a glass top. A desk with two drawers with a glossy finish.

Elliot: They look more like art rather than things you would normally see in a house.

Robin, a bit flustered: Oh, you flatter me. I put my all from designing a piece to making it. Carpentry's my passion.

Elliot: Oh?? You even design then yourself? That's impressive!

Robin, laughing heartily: Hahaha, alright. That's quite enough about me. Why don't we say hi to my husband and daughter? They're at the lab. Here, I'll show you.

They made their way across the room into the laboratory. It looked out of place with its tiled floor and all-white walls.

Robin: Hey, guys. I'd like you to meet our new local farmer, Elliot.

Elliot: Hello, good morning! It's nice to meet you.

Demetrius: Hello there, Elliot. I'm Demetrius. I'm a scientist studying the local ecology. And this is Maru, my daughter.

Maru gave a shy smile and waved at him.

Maru: Hi, it's nice to meet you too.

Demetrius: So you're the new farmer, huh? I'm assuming you have a background when it comes to the trade?

Oh, boy.

Elliot: Actually, not really. I do have a degree in Biology but I worked in a corporate setting so I only had my father teach me the basics before I moved here.

Demetrius' and Maru's interests were piqued.

Demetrius: Biology, you say? That's very interesting. If you'd like, you can help us out with some of the research data I'm trying to gather for my study.

Elliot: Sure, sounds good. Please feel free to contact me whenever. Never too late to brush up on my scientific roots.

This earned a light chuckle from the two scientists.

Demetrius: Right, then. We'll see you around, Elliot.

Robin and Elliot made their way out of the lab and into the basement.

Robin: Alright, uh, down at the basement is my son, Sebastian's room. He's very shy but I'm sure he'll warm up to you.

Robin led Elliot down a few flights of stairs which ended in a huge door with a 'Keep Out' sign. Robin knocked.

Robin: Sebby, are you awake?

There was a muffled sound of rock music coming from the door, but Sebastian wasn't answering. Robin pushed the door open anyway.

Sebastian was sitting in front of his computer, blaring bad rock music. Elliot didn't mind since he sometimes listened to this band, but the smell made him feel a bit nauseous. The room wasn't well-ventilated and there was a hint of cigarette smoke in the air. It felt quite uncomfortable.

Sebastian: Mom, didn't I tell you to knock first?

Robin: I did knock, Seb. You didn't answer. (Sigh) Anyway, I just wanted you to meet the new farmer over at Kipling.

Sebastian paused his music. He eyes the small figure beside his mom. He had a stern and stoic look on his face.

Sebastian: Out of all the places you could live, you chose Pelican Town?

What a bitch, was Elliot's first impression. As if it was his choice to move here.

Robin: Sebastian!

Sebastian: What?

Elliot: Haha, it's alright, Robin. Well, anyway, my name's Elliot. Nice to meet you. I think I'll get going now.

Elliot gave them a wave and started to come back upstairs. Robin followed behind.

Robin: I'm really sorry for my son's attitude back there. He's quite moody.

Elliot: Nah, it's okay, Robin. Thanks for showing me around your house and introducing me to your family.

Robin: Sure thing, Elliot. Do come by again if you need anything, alright?

Elliot: Absolutely!

Elliot started walking toward Pierre's general store. On the way, he saw Mayor Lewis staring forlornly at a dilapitated building.

Elliot: Good morning, Mayor Lewis.

Lewis: Oh, hello there, dear. Didn't notice you there.

Elliot: Uh, what's this building?

Lewis: Oh, it's the old community center. It used to be a thriving place. Come inside.

Lewis unlocked the door. It was just as worse inside as it were outside. The ceiling was starting to cave in and there was a nest of some sort in one corner.

Lewis: I had to lock the door to keep the villagers out. It's not exactly safe in here. Jas and Vincent used to play here a lot.

Elliot: Whoa, what hap-

Elliot saw movement at the corner of his eye. Probably a rat. But he felt like it was something else. He walked towards the nest-looking thing. It looked like a very small hut but nothing's inside. Elliot turned and saw a jellybean-looking thing. Is that even the right description? He wasn't too sure what he's seeing but it sure was intriguing. When it started to walk toward him, he couldn't help but yelp.

Lewis: Whoa, hey! What is it?

Elliot: Lewis, there's something in here!

Lewis: What? What is it?

Elliot pointed at where he saw the entity but it was no longer there.

Lewis: Hmm. Alright, it's probably just a rat. I'll leave the door unlocked, in case you could help us with this problem. I'll talk to the other men in town as well.

They went out of the building and Lewis bid Elliot farewell. What even was that?, Elliot tried to think. It's only almost noon and he's already had quite a rollercoaster of a day. He definitely needed to unwind at the beach after that.

And so he made his way into Pierre's. And then started towards the beach.

Robin: South of town, past the bridge. You can't miss it.

Elliot tried to remember what Robin said yesterday.

Sebastian: Out of all the places you could live, you chose Pelican Town?

Elliot couldn't help but laugh. What's so bad about this town? Guess Sebastian just never had a life as eventful as Ellie's.

As he was approaching the south bridge, Elliot saw a handsome man standing on it. He was wearing a nice, casual suit. His long, orange hair was waving in the slight breeze. Elliot was smitten. What the hell, love at first sight?

The man on the bridge noticed Elliot staring. He gave him a warm smile.

Elliott: Can I help you?

Ellie: OH! I'm sorry, please excuse me for staring, I didn't mean to be rude.

Elliott: Hah, it's alright. I haven't seen you before? Are you, perhaps, a visitor from another town?

Ellie: Oh, no. I'm the new farmer over at Kipling.

Elliott looked entertained and intrigued.

Elliott: A new farmer! And a new addition to the Pelican Town family. I'm Elliott. I'm a writer looking for inspiration in this lush valley. It's my pleasure to meet you.

A writer! Ellie tried and failed countless times, trying to come up with stories he actually liked to tell and read. Unfortunately, writing just wasn't his strong suit.

Ellie let out a slight laugh.

Ellie: Oh, what are the odds? My name's Elliot too!

The two of them laughed about this coincidence.

Elliott: Oh, my. It would be quite troublesome for everyone to refer to either of us then.

Ellie: Nah, it's alright. I'll just tell everyone to call me Ellie. You can be the Elliott.

Elliott: Alright. Ellie it is for you, then. I wonder, do you have plans tonight? I'd like to give you a proper welcome at the saloon, if you don't mind.

Ellie: Oh, sure. I'd love to go. Um, I don't drink, though. Maybe we could just have dinner?

Elliot: Ah, I see. Dinner sounds good as well. I'll invite my friend, Leah. Have you met her?

Ellie: Leah? Let me think. Not yet, maybe?

Elliot: Splendid! I believe you two would get along swimmingly, just as we did.

With that, Ellie waved goodbye to Elliott and proceeded to the beach.

The breeze welcomed him when he emerged from the brushery. It felt so good on his skin. Leaving the city behind wasn't a bad idea after all. He could get used to this.

He noticed a shack and a small port and tried to check it out. The boards creaked as he walked on them but they looked quite sturdy, still. The shack was apparently a fishing supplies shop. He knocked and opened the door.

Ellie: Good afternoon!

Willy: Hello there, lassy. How can I help ya?

The old man behind the counter looked so kind, he reminded Ellie of his father. The ache started to creep up on her again, but he brushed it off.

Ellie: Hello, Sir. I'm the new farmer over at Kipling. My name's Elliot. It's nice to meet you.

Willy gave him a warm smile.

Willy: A new farmer, eh? That's great news! She'd been neglected for quite some time now that yer grandpappy's gone, may Yoba bless 'im. Say, you got any knack for fishin'?

Got any knack for fishing? Fishing is one of Ellie's most favorite pastimes. Albeit virtually, of course.

Ellie, bashfully: Um, this is quite embarassing but I only ever "fished" in video games. There's not a lot of fishing places in the city...

Willy: Ah, lassy, yer in luck then! Here in them countryside, there's always a place to fish. If yer not sure how to handle a pole, I could very well teach ya. Here, lemme lend ya one.

Willy fishes out a sturdy fishing pole from behind the counter. Sure, it wasn't the best but it did the job.

Ellie: Oh, thank you, Sir. I will return it in tip-top shape.

Willy: Nah, lass. That's yers now. And you best be callin' me Willy instead of that Sir ya got goin' on.

How kind...

Ellie: Yeah, haha. Sorry about that, Willy.

Willy: It's no trouble. Alright, how 'bout we get yer sea legs on?

Ellie and Willy spent a few hours in the afternoon fishing. Ellie got the ropes in no time. Apparently, the virtual fishing hobby proved to be useful even quite a bit. At around 2 pm, they had caught a bunch.

Willy cooked some of the fish and he and Ellie had lunch together by the sea.

Willy: Well I haven't had fun like this in quite a while. Thank you.

Ellie: Thank you, as well, Willy. I promise I'll keep on practicing.

Willy: Aye, that's the spirit, alright.

At around 5 pm, Ellie said goodbye to Willy and went home.

He cleaned the farm a bit and planted the parsnip seeds he bought from Pierre and prepared to settle in for the night.

Just as Ellie's eyes were closing, he remembered his dinner with Elliott and Leah.

Elliot: OHHHHH SHOOT.

He checked the time: 8:15 pm. He put on a nice outfit then ran toward the saloon, hoping he wasn't too late for dinner.

--------------------

Author's note:

Sebastian was listening to Shut Me Up by Mindless Self Indulgence