#Jokes on the “Smelly Old Man” voters

[wardenswateringhole]

Ingo's face brightens considerably.

“Really!?” He catches himself and tries to shake off the sudden surge of excitement. He's trying very hard to not sound like his heart almost jumped out of his chest in joy.

“I-I mean. I look forward to it! I will bring everything we need so do not worry about anything! May I schedule a stop here in Jubilife Village tomorrow morning? I would be honored to escort you to our destination.”

You both set a time to meet and he walks away with a pep in his step. You could swear he was almost glowing.

--

The next day

You rise and perform your morning routine. You ditch your survey uniform for something much more comfortable and nice. Ingo is already entering the village just as you step outside your cabin. He's carrying a basket with a handle and a blanket fastened to the side of it in one hand. He seems lost in thought before he catches sight of you. His dour face shifts to a soft smile.

“Good morning! Are you ready for our trip?”

He approaches you and sets the basket down by his feet. You smell warm food wafting from it. It mixes nicely with his own scent of pine and crisp mountain air.

He reaches into his coat and rummages for a moment. He then produces a necklace. It's made of sturdy string and wooden beads framing three dazzling pearls, two black and one white. It's simple. The beads are a bit roughly carved but the pearls catch the light perfectly.

“I had made this a bit ago...” Ingo began. “I had managed to gather some pearls from fishing. I do not remember why I had decided to make this. I suppose I had thought it a waste to not make use of such a pretty treasure.”

His face grows pink. “I found it and it made me think of you. I think it would look wonderful on you.” He extends his hands and holds the necklace out to you gently. “Would you accept this as a gift?”