You know what's crazy?! Me.

First day in Sugar Village

Toy, Do you remember your Grandfather’s farm?  Since he’s passed away now, I’m thinking of giving it away. I heard that they’re going to start building a theme park next year.  There’s not much of his belongings left, but I want you to take care of the things that are still there. Also,  go around and talk to the townspeople for me.       Take Care,       Dad

Toy folds the letter and tucks it into the pocket of his messenger bag.  He had arrived in Sugar Village in the heart of Leaf Valley on the bus from Flowerbed City at his father’s request, with only vague memories of visiting his grandfather as a child and no real idea what to expect at the property.

After getting directions from the grocery store owner, he had finally arrived at Grandpa’s farm.  He looks around the dilapidated farm with a sigh.  The largest building is the barn.  ‘I wonder if there used to be lots of horses and cows here,’ Toy thinks sadly.  In his limited visits to the farm, the barn had been empty, as Grandpa couldn’t reliably care for animals as he got older.  Connected to the barn is a large stone tower.  ‘… This must be the silo, where you keep the fodder.’  Next to the barn is a smaller building.  ‘Is this the chicken coop?  It’s all dusty and worn down…’  He chuckles to himself, imagining a handful of chickens grazing in the sun.

Finally Toy enters the farmhouse, which has clearly seen use more recently than the animal buildings.  The dining table brings back soft memories of playing card games after a day of helping Grandpa with gardening.  There’s a chest that smells old and musty… where he finds something that looks like a map of the town.  ‘I think I’ll take it with me,’ he decides, and folds the map to fit next to Dad’s letter in his bag.

Across the room there’s a dusty bookshelf.  There are lots of books about farming.  There’s also what appears to be Grandpa’s notes.  Next to the bookcase is a really old TV set and it looks like there’s still electricity…  Toy turns a dial on the TV and finds that it still works, even if there are only 3 channels coming in.  There’s a journal on the nightstand next to the large bed, and the quilt looks homemade.  Toy shakes his head softly.  ‘Not a whole lot of belongings to pack up, besides the furniture.  I guess I’ll talk to the townsfolk before I box up the books.  Dad can include the furniture with the house, I suppose.’  He heads outside, planning to visit town and head home.

“There must be a good way…” “No, no, that won’t work…” “But you said…” “Isn’t there a better idea?”

Toy looks around for the voices, but doesn’t see anyone else on the farm.  Then he spots 3 small… people?  Tiny men with green hair standing in a circle in front of the house.  He approaches slowly.

“Unless we find a way, we’ll have to move away from here…”

Toy kneels to reach out to tap the shoulder of the closest one, but his hand covers their entire head.  He freezes in confusion as the little boy starts flailing under his hand and the other two dash away.

“Aaaaaaah!! Let me go!!”

Toy lifts his hand and the small man rushes to meet the other two.

“H-how can you can see us?!” “W-Who are you?!”

They discuss something quietly for a moment before approaching Toy again.

“We’re the Harvest Sprites who live here.  We’re in real trouble if the forest and the lake disappear.” “We beg you!  Stop them from building the theme park here!” “We need your help to protect this place.” “Will you hear us out?” they ask in tandem.

Toy nods, confused but intrigued by the sprites.

“Impressive!  I’m so impressed!  What an admirable young man!”

The sprites turn around and Toy follows their gaze.

“Oh!  It’s the Goddess!” “Goddess!”

A glittering woman floats down in front of the sprites.  Toy blinks in surprise.  He takes in her appearance slowly; long violet hair and matching purple eyes, butterfly-like wings fluttering behind her, and sparkles coming off her flowing pastel rainbow dress.

“Nice to meet you♡ I am the Harvest Goddess.  I live at the Harvest Goddess Lake. What is your name?”

“I’m… Toy,” he responds quietly, still in shock at the idea that this is THE Harvest Goddess appearing in front of him.

“So, Toy.  I have a few questions for you. A puppy has been abandoned in the rain.  What would you do?”

“Take him home,” he replies without hesitation.

“Someone has thrown trash on the ground.  What would you do?”

‘Get mad at the person who left it there,’ he thinks to himself before answering, “Pick it up?”

“You’ve found someone else’s money on the ground.  What would you do?”

He pauses for a moment, considering the vague situation.  ‘If it’s just loose cash, there’s no way to identify who it belongs to or where it came from.  A whole wallet, or a credit card with a name and number, that could be returned to the rightful owner, but if I take a pile of cash to the police, they can’t really do anything with it.’  With a soft shrug, Toy tells the Harvest Goddess, “Take it home.”

The sprites turn to the Goddess at this response. “Hmmm… this is tough.” “Is he good?  Is he bad?” “Let’s see… in a sense, you could say that he’s the most human.” “I’m a little worried, but we have no other choice.” “Yeah, let’s just ask him.”

The Harvest Goddess turns her attention back to Toy.  “So, please do us this favor.  You have been brought to this land as the savior of this town.  Yes, it is Fate that brought you here.”

“The Goddess is making it all up.” “She’s trying to put him under a spell.” “There’s nothing we can do but watch.”

“Toy, could you give this farm a name?”

“Grandfather called it the Green Star, so I think I’ll keep that name.”

“I see, so you wish to call it the Green☆ Farm.  That’s a lovely name.  Whatever your Grandfather left should be enough to get you started here. If there’s anything you’d like to discuss with me, please visit me at the Harvest Goddess Lake in the forest. I feel that it’s important to get along with the people first in order to save this village.  Just talk to everyone.  I’m sure a path will open for you if you do that.”  With a nod, the Harvest Goddess floats away into a flash of light, leaving Toy with new responsibility. The Harvest Sprites bounce happily as she leaves, and wave to Toy. “You can find us at the cave beyond here.  We’ll talk to you later!” “Thanks!” “We’ll come again.”

Toy glances at his watch as he watches them flit away.  ‘It’s already 7pm?!  How did that conversation take the whole day?!’  He stretches and yawns, in spite of the daylight still blanketing the farm.  ‘I guess it’s too late to talk to all the townspeople today.  But how am I supposed to prevent someone from destroying the village to build a theme park?  I hope someone in town has an idea.’  He goes inside and tears a piece of paper out of the back of Grandpa’s journal to write a letter.

Dad, There’s not a lot of belongings to deal with.  Some old clothes, farming books, and the furniture.  But it seems sad that the area will be demolished and replaced with a theme park. I’m going to stay here for a bit and see if there’s anything I can do to help the town protect the area.  I’ll let you know if I need anything while I’m here.    _ Toy

The next morning, Toy finds some of Grandpa’s clean clothes in the chest and eats a leftover travel snack for breakfast.  He checks the map and plans out his day.  ‘Let’s see… grocery store, that’s a good first stop.  I’ll need food for a few days, until I can get an idea of how long I have to stay here.  And then I guess I just talk to everyone.  That can’t take too much time, right?  It’s a small town.  There’s like, 7 buildings?  So like, 14 people?  It’ll be quick… probably.  Nothing left but to start!’

As soon as he steps out of the house, Toy hears little voices. “Good morning, Toy!” “Good morning ♪” “You’re new here, so you have a lot to learn, Toy.” “We’ve watched your Grandpa, so we know a lot.” “We’re going to teach you.”

Toy follows the sprites as they lead him around the property, telling him about the animal buildings, the pasture and crop fields, and how to do farm work.  He listens without interrupting, even as they explain complicated tasks like raising a cow from a calf.  ‘I don’t think I’ll be here long enough for all that,’ he thinks, ‘but they’re so enthusiastic that I would feel bad telling them to stop.’