Spring 1

The hoe slams into the soft dirt as Kyron continues tilling the field. The first day of every month is always the longest and most difficult for Kyron. He has to till the field to his liking, though this task was made easier this time round by he and Abigail planning the plots out in advance. He also has to hit Pierre's store the second it opens at 9am to stock buy most of the seeds he'll be using in whatever Season it is.

He finally has to plant and water all of these seeds before it gets too late. He also takes into account scarecrow placement. He knows they can protect a surprisingly large area, but he places more than necessary in any case just to be careful.

Luckily, Kyron has enough money leftover even after replacing the Barn to secure at least the first half of Spring, and he is confident the second half will be funded by whatever the first half produces. The second half of Spring then starts the fund for Summer and it continues in a cycle.

It always astonishes Kyron how the blankets of snow that cover the town on the night of the 28th of Winter just all magically disappears for the morning of the 1st of Spring. He is curious about it; there should at least still be patches of snow everywhere, but it is totally gone. He shakes his head, returning to reality and continues his work.

To top things off, today, on the very first day of the new year, it decides it's going to tip down with rain. The day when Kyron has the most work to do, he's going to get soaked through. He doesn't overly mind, but is it generally a grim way to start the year and season when he has so much work to do.

Again, Abigail living with him has made things easier; she has already gone ahead to Pierre's shop. She still has her house keys, so can let herself into the shop even when it would be closed to Kyron and the rest of the residents of Pelican Town. Kyron had given her a list of seeds he wants to start Spring and how many of each seed he wants. She said she would arrange and organise all the seeds on the list into a basket or cart ready for when Pierre officially opens, and buy them on the spot and be marching home with the bulk produce before anyone else would have even reached the shop.

"I swear, she is a life-saver." Kyron mutters to himself, a light smile upon his expression.

He supposes it is fortunate it is raining today, for he would not have to worry about watering all the seeds; the soil will be more than damp enough to hydrate any seeds planted by the time he gets around to planting them all.

He completes tilling one section and stretches. He hears his spine lightly click a few times, as he has been hunched over tilling the soil for half an hour now without stopping. His brow furrows as his back clicks back, and he stretches his arms.

He then sighs and begins plowing his next plot.

Kyron hears Abigail calling his name a while later, just as he is finishing the field. With a happy chuckle, he straightens up again and turns around to see her carrying a laden basket. Kyron is surprised to see Leah with her, also carrying a basket.

"I'd have gone with you if I'd known you were bringing it all back at once." Kyron chuckles, "I figured you'd see sense and either find a cart or something somewhere or make two trips. Thank you, Leah." he smiles at the artist as the girls set the baskets down. Leah looks over the tilled, prepared farm.

"You look all set." Leah giggles, "I was wondering if you and Abigail would like a hand planting everything? I presume you know what is going where?"

"Of course, and that'd be great." Kyron smiles, "I am always happy for extra help."

"Speaking of, aren't Alex and Haley meant to be here?" Leah asks. Kyron shakes his head.

"I sent them both a letter a few days ago." Kyron says, "They're coming in next week. I want the farm set up and at least half started before they get to work. Now let's get these planted!"

With Abigail and Leah following Kyron's instructions and directions, the farm is planted as Kyron wants, with the seeds being in the right place according to Kyron's plans. He is extremely pleased that all the planting is done by mid-afternoon, and hands Leah a small pouch of coins in thanks.

"Labourer's fee." he jokes as he gives the pouch to her. She stammers her thanks and the three enjoy a relaxing lunch inside the house.

"Pity it's so horrible today, we could have done something now we have some unexpected down time." Abigail says, eyes gazing out of the window at the downpour.

"It's cool, it'll clear up in a day or two." Kyron says, "We have all the time in the world."

Leah nibbles on the salad Kyron has prepared for her. She isn't saying much.

"Everything alright, Leah?" Kyron asks comfortably. The red-haired artist stirs, as if waking from a trance and smiles at the couple.

"Just have my thoughts wandering. I'm okay." she says.

"Something bothering you?" the farmer wonders. Leah shakes her head.

"No, I'm okay. Do you have anything planned today?" she asks.

"No, why?"

"I was wanting to talk to Abi and hang out with her. Have a little girl time." she smiles.

Kyron chuckles and jokes, "Oh I see how it is, you just want to get rid of me." he pokes his tongue out and winks at the girls who laugh in return.

"Nothing of the sort!" Leah giggles, "Just thought we haven't had any time together since Summer last year, so thought it would be cool. Is it okay with you?" she asks Kyron.

The farmer nods.

"Of course. Try and plan it in advance so I know next time though. I'll be back in the evening." he smiles and turns, waving to the girls. Abigail runs up to him and kisses him goodbye.

"Have a good day." she says, "I'm sorry this has come up out of the blue."

"It's alright." he smiles and leaves the house.

He frowns momentarily at the torrential downfall, but shrugs and sets a swift stride across the farm. He heads south, towards the lake outside Marnie and Leah's homes. Navigating through the carefully planned fields is easy, since Kyron had had the sense to include paths in his plans for easy journeying through the farm. He hasn't placed any pathing just yet so it is little more than a dirt track, but it allows Kyron to not tread on his new crops, so it suits him just fine.

He reaches the southern forest-like area. To his immediate left is Marie's ranch and slightly in front of that is a cosy little cottage that Leah calls home. To his right, a small forest, leading to the secret Woods where Sebastian had warned Abigail and himself of Alex and Haley's intentions. The Wizard's tower lies to Kyron's front right, further along the lake than the Secret Woods.

Kyron walks forward and turns left, walking along the small cobblestone path between the ranch and Leah's cottage, heading into town. No-one is out during this downfall, so he encounters no-one.

In town he passes the Sewer and turns right, following the river to the bridge leading to the beach and ocean.

He stops on the beach, letting the cold wind bite him and the rain soak him. His hair, usually springy and spiky, now falls like short sharp curtains down his face, partially obscuring his vision. His jeans are several shades darker, being heavy with water and Kyron frowns as he feels his socks getting soaked from rain seeping in through holes in his trainers he didn't know existed.

He turns right, his thoughts drifting. He feels his feet squelch uncomfortably from the water, and frowns again in discomfort. He'd sort them when he is home.

The wooden bridge is repaired. He'd fixed that in his first year, unsure of what the second half of the beach would hold for him. Occasionally he'd managed to gather the occasional stray coral or oyster but that besides it was just more fishing room.

He crosses the bridge and stops.

There in the shadows of the trees along the back edge of the beach, stands a man. He is dressed in blue, with an old brown hat atop his head. Kyron has never seen him before, and something tells him the man isn't entirely human. He doesn't...belong to this world.

Kyron sees it in the man's hand. A sparkle of blue. The Pendant. And as he approaches the Old Mariner, a smile lightens his face, and he knows everything will be okay from now on.