A long time ago, we both gave up.
But, now, even though he’s lived here alone for a decade… Now, even though he has completely given up on people…he came tome. It leaves me wondering if he can feel our sameness, too.
“You okay, Lemonade?” he murmurs.
I swallow, hard, and hate the way my voice sounds when I say, “Yeah. Why?”
His eyes burn a hole into the side of my body for a long moment, but he doesn’t press. He just says, “No reason,” and pulls the large syrup pot off the stove to cool, while a quiet tear makes its way down my cheek.
Chapter 12
♥♥
So much for secrets.
I am going to cut him. I am going to break out my training sword and keep bopping him—three HP at a time—until he explodes into loot.
I woke up early forthiscutscene?
I dragged myself out of thetrenchesof my depression, apologized to a brick of processed trees for breaking my promise about working on my questsdaysago, and got back on task forthis?
You are kidding me.
“What do you think?” Lazul glows, presenting the newly-erected side quest board in town. He’s just gone on for half a decade about how, since I’m already foraging for things, having a place where the town can make specific requests will help with supply and demand interests.
When this happens in game, I say, “Yay! An opportunity to gain moneyandrelationship points!”
Right now, I am staring at my own personal gopher list.
I have been placed in the position of intern, doomed to fall beneath an expectation of fetching coffee. I am DoorDash.
Because, truly, if I don’t complete these requests, who will?
All farming sims pretty well establish that everyone except the player is useless. If the player doesn’t step up and do things, no one does. Even though it’s clear thateveryonehas working legs.
Do I appreciate the commitment to routine?
Sure.
But the helplessness…that’s annoying.
Right as I’m thinking as much, a burly tree trunk arm darts over my head and plucks a request for eggs off the board.
Samson’s caramel-peanut voice murmurs, “What is this? Peri doesn’t need to pay extra for delivery. She sewed me up well enough once upon a time to waive that fee forever.”
Lazul flinches when Samson’s attention stabs his way. “Where is everyone else, Laz? This seems like acommunityproject.”
Lazul’s smile twists until his brow is twitching above the plastic thing. “Sammy. So rare to see you in town.”
“Had a feeling you were being stupid.” Samson lowers his attention to me, and I swear the corner of his mouth softens. “Morning, Lemonade.”
My heart skips a beat.
Oh. Okay. The nicknaming me thing is sticking around. Got it, got it. I’m totally okay with that. Obviously. “M-morning. Were you able to sleep better last night?”
His gaze drifts off me. “No. But I’m done being a wimp about it.” His heavy brow arches in Lazul’s direction. “Well? Are you going to explain yourself, or am I going to assume you were trying to take advantage of my new neighbor?”
Hisnew neighbor.
