A Day on the Farm

It was a sunny afternoon- well.. a bit later than that. The sun was getting softer, hiding behind trees and dyeing the sky a nice, pretty color. Bapple loved the sky, seeing it change colors everyday before bedtime, and all the pretty cloud friends it gave them! It was so nice spending the day in a field nearby their home sometimes. The sky’s clouds were perfectly viewable, and so calming to lay out and watch roll by.

It just so happened that Bapple had spent today just like that, cloud gazing, and daisy picking. Though right about now, they noticed an interesting looking structure in the distance, and are making a swift shuffle to see what the big deal is. But the more they waddled closer, the louder some odd shrieking became. It was a shrill noise, not something they were used to at all. Small little figures shift in the distance, almost fluttering about. Teeny tiny houses slowly became visible, too small for even this little Bapple. And these small creatures were shuffling inside, maybe to rest for the night?

There wasn’t wonder for long though, as another waddling individual caught their eye. It almost looked like another paca! Perhaps it was a fellow squishy friend? Bapple has rarely heard of, or even seen, other pacapillars. It was almost always rumors circulating, and even then, not very believable ones. For example, there was a rumor that a big, furry werepaca would come around for the blue moon that happened to be on halloween recently. But nothing of the sort even happened! Bapple will admit they were a bit frightened by that prospect, though it would have been nice to make a new friend regardless.

Suddenly, the rounded creature turned it’s head up, and noticed Bapple approaching. Maybe it was their shadow, or just chance, that made them lock eyesight. But in that moment, the other paca seemed genuinely both surprised and overjoyed. With a tired look, it rushed over to the little apple tree paca, and welcomed them with a thick accent.

“How ya doin’ there? Nice ta meetcha, ma’ name’s Darling!” With a heavy paw shake, the slightly sweat covered paca beamed with a warm smile. It seemed they were a farmer of sorts maybe? With overalls on, and dirt loosely turned over on their clothes, it was clear now, that the shuffling in dirt was probably just planting some crops.

“H-hello! I’m doing quite fine, though i’ve never seen this part of my woods. I suppose I traveled a bit too far today..” Bapple seems to realize the flaw in following the clouds earlier that day, probably walking farther than their little legs can carry them back. Maybe this new friend is kind enough to let them stay the night..?

“Oh dearie me, I ain’t seen any woods near my land, you probably did travel a lil’ too far!” The smile faded, and Darling scratches her feelers for a bit. “Oh I know! How ‘bout you stay here for a lil’ while? I can drive ya back to where you’re livin’ once I boot up my tractor again. The darned thing had some issues today, so i’ve had to paw-plant all ma’ crops. Gotta get em’ in the ground before it’s too late ya know!” This paca friend seemed to be pretty settled down here on their farm, the more Bapple looked around, the more they realized all the care that went into it. Including big machines like the tractor she mentioned, and farming tools dirtied with use. It’s quite a surprise to even take in that this neat place was only a day away from where the apple loving paca lived, let alone been here for quite some time most likely.

“That sounds perfect..! If you don’t mind me staying over that is..” A shy little creature, Bapple’s anxious nerves start to speak for them. Though Darling quickly grabs them with a side hug of reassurance!

“What are ya talkin’ ‘bout! I’m the one who offered ya silly!” Darling laughs and goes back over to the spot she was at before, motioning for Bapple to follow them. “Only thing I needs for you, is mayb’ a lil’ help on this here land. Since my machinery got rusted up an’ stuffs, I need more paws to help! I’ll show ya everythin’ tomorrow mornin’ though, don’t worry!” A gentle paw lands on Bap’s head for some reassurance pats. “Tonight’s gonna be a lil’ get together after i’m done here myself. That sound good er, uh.. I never got yer name, buddy. What is it?”

A small blush covers Bapple’s face, with the attention being put on them again, “Oh, uh, Bapple..!” They wiggle their back feelers, signaling that their name comes from the ripe apples growing on their little bushes.

“‘Dorable! I love it haha!” And with that, Darling formalling welcomed them into her home, and showed a pre-loved couch and some hand knitted blankets they’d be using for now. One had a giant, smiling Kip! She explained what this strange companion was, and how that was what the loud shrieks were from. Thank goodness too, as Bap was growing increasingly worried, not knowing it was a normal noise to make for these little things.

She also mentioned dinner would come soon, after a few more seeds planted, but Bap was free to grab some produce from the kitchen. She seemed to grow all kinds of things! A little bowl of fruit was set on the table, including some shiny red tomatoes. Though Bap knew from experience, they didn’t have the same sweet taste as pears or even apples had. Eventually, they choose to try a carrot for the first time, not quite enjoying it too much. The texture was a bit too tough, but Darling said she can just feed it to some other companion creatures later.

After a bit though, the shyer paca joined Darling outside, to watch how she planted the seeds. “First dig a hole,” The again sweat covered pal demonstrated as she detailed the process, “then ya drop the lil’ seed in.. cover it back up nice and soft here, gentle pats! An’ then ya reach for ya trusty watering can, an’ give it some to slurp up down there.” She said it’ll soon grow into a ‘sprout’, then a small plant, then begin sprouting flowers, that then turn into her pretty and delicious produce.

Though a few minutes later, starting on another row, she told Bapple that sometimes things like potatoes and carrots, only grow as a root, in the ground. And you had to know what the top of the plant looked like when it was ‘done cookin’’, that way you don’t pull it up too early.

It all seemed a little confusing to the poor paca, but Darling quickly explained that she’d take care of the growth part, as long as they did the planting. Which seemed just alright with them! Overall though, Bapple learned a skill they didn’t even intend to discover today! Which made them fairly happy. Maybe Darling has some other things she can show Bapple how to do later on...