It was day two of DragonFest and the Square was bustling. Alex's Mom wanted to head into the Square early in the morning to buy more flower seeds and Podzol. And just because Alex didn't have the option of going to the training grounds outside of Cobrose, she went along with Mom.
"Leah! How's the week been treatin' ya, huh?" asked Ake, the Dirt Farmer. He was the only person in Cobrose that sold the odds and ends of dirt, any block, any kind, any amount. He had Podzol, Mycelium, even Sand and Coarse Dirt. He travelled a lot also, so whenever Mom bought Podzol, she got it in large amounts.
"DragonFest's been busy as ever!" Leah said as she started counting Emeralds to pay Ake with. "I got an order yesterday and they want one of each flower in a bouquet before the end of this week--twenty blocks of Podzol, please."
"Coming up," Ake said as he turned and started grabbing the blocks of Podzol from out of the barrels he stored the dirt in, then set them on the counter. "Five Emeralds, total."
Leah handed him the five Emeralds in her hand and she picked up the Podzol.
"Sounds like you've got quite the week ahead of you then," said Ake. "Better make sure you have everything you need, I'm going to be out of town tomorrow and I won't be back until after DragonFest has ended."
"Again? Ake--didn't you just have a run a few weeks ago?" Alex's Mom asked.
Ake had a disappointed frown on his face at the question.
"Well, Leah, things just haven't been doing well lately in business," Ake explained. "Over the past few months, I haven't had as many customers. I've heard a lot of them were moving out of Cobrose because they're getting older, and they don't want to be here when it comes to deciding who's gonna meet the Dragon next."
Alex's head perked up at the conversation now. If the Dragon wasn't a problem, then why were people leaving as they got older?
"Moving? Really?" Mom asked. "Have you been alright?"
"I've been keeping my head above water but, honestly Leah," stated Ake. "If things don't turn around soon, I'm going to see myself start to sink."
Alex's Mom looked at Ake with sympathy. "I'm so sorry, Ake..."
"Ah, don't be," Ake gestured. "It happens, not much can be done about it."
Alex wanted to jump in, but her Mom started speaking before she could.
"It's terrible though, Ake," she said. "This is what you do for a living, what are you going to do without it?"
Ake simply shrugged. "Nadda clue, I'm not there yet."
Alex receded behind her mother again and pursed her lips.
"Well, I don't have much but..." Alex's Mom reached into her purse again and gathered up some more Emeralds, then set them on the counter.
"Leah, don't lose an eye trying to save someone else's," Ake said, pushing the Emeralds back toward her. "Keep them, you'll need them for Alex's college savings."
Alex's Mom hesitantly took the Emeralds in her hand again and looked at Ake.
"I'll be alright, Miss, I'm not gonna leave that easy," Ake promised her.
Mom nodded and set the Emeralds back into her purse. She was about to walk away when she suddenly stopped in her tracks and turned back around.
"Maybe we could offer you dinner tonight?" she said.
Ake did seem to brighten up at the idea.
"That would be nice, actually," Ake said. "You wouldn't mind me there?"
YOU ARE READING
MINECRAFT: Enders
FanfictionDestiny always had a funny way of towing Alex around. Training her whole life for the day she'd become the Hero Of The World, and to her hometown of Cobrose, only to have the chance taken from her. But bright-eyed and determined, join Alex as she ge...
