Claire's POV

"What the hell?" I murmured to myself staring blankly at the field. I had never before seen such a wretched sight in my life before. The field was in shambles, overrun with weeds, old stumps and large boulders. "Well Claire you wanted something different. This is certainly different."

I let my eyes wander once again over my property. MY property; it was the first time I had ever been able to say that. This place was nothing like the city. It was picturesque town just like the painting my father had painted that I had cherished for so long. I stopped that line of thought, no use in thinking about the past, I needed to focus on my future. This place had potential, maybe. "Who are you trying to fool Claire, this place is an absolute dump."

"What are you doing here?" A voice asked behind me. I nearly jumped out of my skin, I had not heard anyone approaching me. I turned to see a short round man standing behind me. I backed away from him.

"I... I am the new owner," I explained the the man. I watched as his face relaxed some. I felt dejected. This place had been nothing like the ad had described. Luxurious and beautiful farmlands, ha! Yeah right!

"Ah, you're the new owner! !ell I am Mayor Thomas." I stared at the man keeping my face emotionless. I was so completely weary from traveling so far, and to be greeted by the sight of the shambles I was going to now be calling home, well was even more exhausting. "Why would a young girl like yourself want to run a farm anyway?"

"Well I saw the advertisement and..." I trailed off, realizing how stupid I must have sounded at the moment.

"Ha ha ha, you fell for that old thing. I never thought that anyone would actually fall for it. The property's been on the market for a while, ever since the last owners died." His booming laughter rattled my last thin grip on any hope for optimism. My expression turned to stone. This stranger was mocking me. The man backed away from me now. "Look why don't you try it out, this place has a lot of potential. The inside of the house is still pretty nice, albeit the decorations are outdated. When we found out a new farmer was coming, the supermarket graciously decided to give you a few starter seeds. You should find some tools in the toolbox in the house. I've arranged for Zack to come and pick up any deliveries you have every day except Sundays and Holidays. Really I think you could be successful here."

I continued to stare at the man. Even I could hear the doubt in his voice. The man who called himself Mayor Thomas quickly left. I turned back to the wreck of the farm. Was this really mine? After purchasing this hunk of land I had only 10g left to my name, so I might as well make the best of it. I knew there was no way I was going to be able to resell it, at least not in the state it was in. I walked over to the small farmhouse. It was not looking as promising as Mayor Thomas had said, there was siding that was starting to come off, and the roof looked like it was in need of repairs. Well I could work on that later, tonight I was exhausted, and all I wanted to do was go to bed. I opened the door afraid of what might be inside, however I was pleasantly surprised for the first time since I had walked onto the property. I felt myself relaxing. It was a nice and cozy little farmhouse. In the middle of the room was a small couch a TV and a coffee table, the the left a small kitchen, and to the right I saw a door that must lead to the bedroom, praying that there were sheets on the bed, I moved to the bedroom, and promptly fell asleep.

I woke up to a knock on the door. I opened my eyes momentarily disoriented, I was not in my apartment. It was then that I remembered, I had bought a farm. What had I been thinking? Luckily I had was still wearing my clothes from the night before. I trudged my way to the door.

"Good morning," Mayor Thomas greeted me cheerfully. I rubbed my left eye with the palm of my hand. "I'm sorry did I wake you?"

"What can I help you with?" I asked choosing not to respond to his question.

"Well I wanted to introduce you to your shipper Zack," I looked past the Mayor to see a large hulking man standing there. I had never seen anyone with muscles that large before, he had wicked long sideburns, and short spiky hair. I stifled a chuckle.

"Pleasure to meet you Miss," Zack greeted. "I look forward to working with you."

"Thanks," I answered back, taking his extended hand.

"Well we'll leave you to your work," Mayor Thomas stated, "There's a lot to do." Yeah understatement of the century. "Well I'll be around, please don't hesitate to ask anyone if you have questions." I remained silent, so he continued. "Well I am glad you decided to stay?" It sounded more like a question than a statement.

"Yeah," I replied still half asleep.

"Mineral Town is quite small, but I do hope that you enjoy it here." He finally left after saying that. I needed to get something to eat, and needed to at least brush my teeth. This was going to be a long day

Gray's POV
A few days later

I pulled the hat on my head over my face even farther, when my grandfather was yelling at me like this it was better for the old man to not see my expression of anger.

"Look at this! I cannot sell this!"

"What's wrong with it?" I snarled back.

"What's wrong with it? Really you don't understand do you? You have to see for yourself before I can answer that!"

I glared at him. See for myself? How in Goddess' name was I supposed to see for myself? I wished he would just tell me.

"You need to apply yourself more, Gray. Stop accepting mediocrity!"

I turned away from him grateful that my shift was finally over, a pair of pale blue eyes were staring up at me. I looked at the girl standing in front of me, she was quite shorter than I was. Was this the new farmer everyone in town was buzzing about?

"What are you doing here?" I asked angrily. The girl continued to look at me wide-eyed. "If you have nothing..."

"Gray! How dare you speak to a customer like that!" Gramps yelled. He turned to the small blonde. "I'm sorry for the rudeness of my grandson, what can I help you with today?"

"W- Well, I'm the new farmer, Claire Dalton. Thomas told me that you are the one to come to with issues with my tools, as it is my hoe is broken, and I was just wondering what I needed to do to fix it."

"Well it will cost you about 1000g." I watched as the girl paled.

"I-I don't have that," She sighed dejectedly. "Well thanks anyway." She turned around to walk out.

"I think we could work something out, I am always in need of extra ore, how about you find some for me for the next few weeks, and we'll see what I can do to that hoe of yours. My grandson here could sure use the help," Gramps said gruffly. I turned to glare at him.

"What? Why are you always criticizing me?" I shoved past the small blonde girl to leave. I was starting to miss the city if that was even possible. It had been two years since I had moved here to Mineral town. It was hard being a blacksmith, but I truly loved the work. If it wasn't for my grandfather, I might have enjoyed it even more.

"Oh," I heard the girl exclaim behind me, as she exited the shop. I had been so lost in thought I hadn't realized that I had not taken a step away from the door. "Sorry." She mumbled quickly, and moved past me. I watched her leave, wondering briefly what she had brought her in Mineral town, then wondering why I cared. I turned north and she turned south presumably to go to her farm. I was headed for the one place that I knew I would hear kind and encouraging words, to the library where Mary my friend would be waiting.