Chapter Text
Lila: the Capital Adventurer’s Guild’s newest member has volunteered to take on a request from one Adeline of Mistria to maintain a farm and help with the earthquake relief efforts in the town of Mistria, leaving her former life behind to start fresh, with nothing but her most comfortable dress (a pink overall dress and white blouse she was quite fond of), a bag of whatever other necessities she could fit, her sturdiest lace-up boots, and her sword (an old thing that was passed on to her from another member of the Guild).
Lila nervously picked at her nails; she was told there would be someone to meet her by the (very worn) bridge, and her stomach was churning in anticipation. Truthfully, she took on this request as a means to escape her old life in the Capital and start anew. She knew nothing of farming outside books she had read, her only experiences in the wilderness were from camping trips she went on when she was younger. Thanks to the Guild’s rigorous self-defense training she could hold her own in combat, though she never had any real-life experience even when it came to that. In spite of her seemingly selfish reasons for taking this job, all Lila really wanted was to feel useful , like her life actually mattered. She could have continued her life in the Capital and live a cushy, boring life as a nobody, or she could actually make a difference and feel like she belonged somewhere.
Lila was brought back to Earth when she heard footsteps rustling the grass. Startled, she quickly looked up and was met by a handsome, well-dressed young man with shoulder-length dark hair and a mischievous look on his face. The man gestured for her to cross the run-down bridge so Lila carefully hopped her way across. The moment felt surreal. She could hear the man talk but his words were lost to her as her mind drowned in… doubt? Panic? Every time the man paused, Lila smiled and nodded. Eventually, Lila was brought back to reality when the man gently grabbed her wrist and began walking. All she managed to register was his name Balor and that he was a traveling merchant currently residing in Mistria. Eventually they met another handsome man with tanned skin and rosy pink hair. Balor bid the two farewell.
“So what do you think? Nice isn’t it? You’re right outside town, great soil for farming…”
Lila looked around. The area was huge , this Adeline was just going to let her take on this much land? For free? Granted, the plot was riddled with overgrown shrubs, rocks, trees… it was not exactly in farming condition but it certainly had potential! Next to them was a modest, cozy-looking cottage.
Is that whole place for me ?
“Ah Eiland you’re here with our new farmer,” emerged a sweet voice from the open door, “I’m Adeline, I guess you could call me the acting leader of Mistria. This is my younger brother Eiland. I want to thank you again for coming all this way to help out our town,”.
Adeline looked a lot like her brother, except her hair was a darker shade of pink. She was very well-dressed but she also looked like she hadn’t slept in a while, starkly contrasting her chipper voice. Yeah, Lila did not envy her one bit; her job was probably more demanding than she could ever imagine.
“With all due respect Adeline, I’m truly grateful for all of this but are you sure I can have this entire place to myself? It’s far too generous of you,”
“Oh nonsense! This area hasn’t been occupied in ages, it’s really the least I could do. If you feel that compelled to repay me just do your best to make this farm nice and productive ,” winked Adeline with her charming smile as she bid Lila farewell and departed with her brother.
Lila woke up the next day feeling disoriented as she couldn't even remember falling asleep in the first place. She had a strange dream of a… talking dragon? Lila shook the dream away. She had a day full of first impressions to make; she could not afford to look like a lunatic. She remembered Adeline saying something about a request board, perhaps knocking out a few of those tasks would get her into the swing of things. Lila brushed her wavy chocolate brown hair and tied it with a pink gingham bandana that matched her dress (really, it was a handkerchief but it did pull the outfit together quite nicely). By nature, Lila was super shy, but she was determined to leave her old self in the past and start anew, so that meant pushing herself out of her comfort zone! Looking her best gave her the confidence boost she needed to take on the day.
The first request on the board had Adeline written all over it, and it appeared to be tailored to Lila.
I'm sure you've met some of your neighbors already, but wouldn't it be nice to say hello to everyone? Don't be shy, introduce yourself!
Lila began making her rounds in the town, popping into every shop. Looks like she chose a great time because in the general store alone she met the family running the store, the town doctor Valen, another farmer Hayden, and one of the cooks at the neighboring inn Reina. Slowly but surely Lila introduced herself to everyone, relieved that they were all a welcoming bunch.
The next building Lila approached was the Blacksmith’s building. Outside, there was an impressive smithy that was meticulously organized. Outside, Lila met the gaze of a tall, buff brunette man with an exceedingly friendly face.
“Woah! Are you the new farmer everyone's been talking about? The one who's come to help out the town?"
His enthusiasm was overwhelming, like her brain was being tackled by a happy big dog. Lila smiled and introduced herself, attempting to mirror his enthusiasm.
"That's super cool. Nice to meet you, Lila! The name's Olric. My brother and I live at the Blacksmith's. Here, let me introduce you to my brother!”
Olric opened the door and gestured to Lila to come inside. The shop was immaculate, with tables displaying various tools and other metal goods. At the far end of the room sat a young man with brilliant scarlet hair, seemingly unaware of Lila’s presence.
“Hey bro! The new farmer popped by to say hello!”
The red-haired brother sighed in annoyance before slowly getting up and sauntered towards them. He wasn’t quite as tall as his brother, or as muscular for that matter; he had a strong aura about him and Lila could feel her heartbeat rise and her face warming. His cold, obsidian eyes stared daggers into hers.
"... The name's March... What do you want?," he said in an exasperated tone
His voice is deep and rugged. Even scowling, he had a pretty face, and his arms are easily twice the size of mine…
Lila could feel her face flushing even more, but she mustered all the energy in her to maintain a smile as she sweetly introduced herself (with a slight stutter). His eyes narrowed as he stepped closer to her and looked her up and down as he fumed with disdain,
"You must be this 'farmer' folks are talking about. Regardless of what Adeline says, we really don't need an outsider to come in and solve our problems for us,".
His scathing tone, his dismissive demeanor, it stung . Lila stood there stupefied as March scoffed at her and turned. She felt like a microscopic invertebrate under his gaze. She tried to say something, a quick retort, but her words failed her.
"I- We have everything under control. Just don't get in the way," spat the redhead.
“Okay! I think that’s enough. Thanks for taking a break bro, we’ll be on our way out,” Olric (still smiling) stated awkwardly as he escorted Lila to the door.
Lila was still a little dumbfounded by her interaction with the fiery younger brother and felt pathetic as she couldn’t even stand her ground. How on EARTH were these two related?
“Don’t judge him too harshly… he’s kinda like a...geode, Lila! He’s all rough and jagged on the outside but on the inside... I swear he truly does mean well and he has a good heart!!!”
Who are you trying to convince, me or you?
“He’s just… shy around new people”
Lila tried not to let her interaction with March mar her day; everyone else in the village was exceptionally kind to her, even the shady witch lady with the cute golden retriever. Some of the villagers even provided her with spare tools, like Celine. Or offered her space to work like the carpenter Ryis. Even the children and older townsfolk were warm and welcoming-- the owners of the inn even made a point to invite her to the Friday night town gathering at their place! One of the few people Lila had not seen yet was that handsome man she first met… Balor? Not to mention, Eiland and Adeline.
Lila’s thoughts were interrupted by her stomach growling. Perhaps it was time to grab a bite at the inn. To her delight she saw Balor, Adeline, and Eiland sitting together at one of the tables.
“Lila! Come join us over here,” exclaimed Adeline with her bright voice
Out of the corner of her eye she could see bright red hair near the bar; she positioned herself facing away from him, avoiding his gaze like the plague.
If he can’t see that I actually want to be a part of this community that’s not my problem. Besides… Everyone else in this town is kind to me, that’s more than I could ask for. I should be grateful these people are being so welcoming. So why did it sting so much when he looked at me with such fiery contempt? Why do I care what he thinks?
Lila made an oath to herself that she would win the grumpy blacksmith over, or at least enough for him to apologize for being rude. Even if it meant working herself sick, Lila was on a mission to prove just how valuable to the town she could be.
“ By the way Lila,” Balor chimed in, “that bin I left outside your farm is for items you want to sell. Trust me, I’ll give a fair price,” he winked.
“Oh I meant to ask you Lila, would it be okay if I came over to your farm tomorrow morning? I believe there’s an important artifact hidden there somewhere. I won’t get in the way of your farming or anything,” piped Eiland, with some berries and cream dotting the sides of his mouth.
“Of course! I could help if you needed,” answered Lila, turning to see Eiland beaming with joy.
Lila ended up having a great time at the inn, enjoying a meal and drinks with Adeline, Eiland, and Balor. She went out of her way to compliment Reina on today’s special. After bidding the townsfolk (with the exception of March) at the inn farewell, Lila made her way back to her farm and took out her frustration on the farm by tilling a patch of soil and planting the seeds she acquired that day. She left various plants she foraged in the bin Balor told her about, made her way back inside, and crashed, too tired to think about what all had happened that day.