Too Sweet. | Haley x F. Farmer

iv. scaly, slimy, fishy

Athena's POV

The sea at the beach in the early morning is a sight to behold. As I stand on the shore, the cool breeze gently tousles my hair, and the sound of waves crashing against the sand fills the air with a soothing rhythm. The water stretches out endlessly, a vast expanse of deep blue merging seamlessly with the sky on the horizon.

The sun, just beginning to rise, paints the sky in hues of orange and pink, casting a warm glow over everything it touches. Seagulls glide gracefully overhead, their calls blending harmoniously with the ocean's melody. The sand beneath my farmer shoes is seemingly cool and damp- well, by the looks of it, a contrast to the warmth of the sun's rays.

I take a deep breath, inhaling the salty tang of the sea mixed with the fresh scent of morning dew. It's a moment of serenity and connection with nature, reminding me of the beauty and power of the ocean in the quiet moments before the world awakens.

"Enjoying the view, I see," said a raspy voice-Willy, the fisherman of the town. My gaze fell on him as he adjusted the positions of the fish barrels, which were nearly empty but still held some fish.

"Hey, Willy," I greeted him. "Need a hand?" I offered, walking up to him. He waved his hand, indicating that he didn't need help.

"I'm fine, kid. Come here, I'll give you something," he said, gesturing for me to approach. I did, and he showed me a bamboo-textured fishing rod.

"Take it and use it for your needs," he added, a smile forming on his face.

I examined the fishing rod in both of my hands. It looked used, but it could be useful if I decided to have some scaly friends for dinner later. My eyes averted towards the vast ocean. Maybe I should try it now? Maybe I have the skill for it.

"You wanna give it a shot?" Willy asked, his hands now in his pockets. I nodded in response. "You want me to teach you how to use that?" he added, to which I shook my head.

"I have experience," I chuckled. "It wasn't great though, but I'll manage," I added. I then positioned myself and cast the line, which gently hit the salty water, resulting in slight splashes. Now the waiting game begins.

"Good luck with that, kid," Willy chuckled, giving my shoulder a friendly pat. "The fish in spring are a good catch, valuable enough to sell. It's much more marketable if the quality is top-notch and if it's smoked," he added, words I mentally noted.

After his advice, a bite came. The line tugged, prompting me to reel in the fish. The rod bent under the weight of my catch, but after a successful struggle, I held a herring in my hand. Of course, I recognized it; my father was fond of them.

"Wow, that's a great catch, Athena!" Willy's voice was filled with excitement. "Let me take a look at that beauty; the quality seems excellent!" He laughed as he examined the herring.

I smiled, proud of my successful catch. It had been a bit of a challenge, but it was satisfying. The thrill of the catch was worth the waiting game.

"Do you have any recipes for cooking this beauty?" I joked, though I really did need new recipes for my cooking adventures. Willy chuckled and handed the herring back to me, albeit a bit slimy.

"I have some notes here. You could try making sashimi; I know a few people who like it. You could use them as gifts," he suggested, handing me a plastic bag to store the herring.

"Here, use these when fishing; baits are very helpful," he added, handing me a small sack of bait. It felt damp but promising.

time skip.

"Is this a treat for me? Much obliged, Athena," Robin exclaimed as she savored the sashimi, clearly enjoying it. "My son adores sashimi, just so you know," she added with a hearty laugh.

I chuckled, surprised to learn about her son. I had only known about Maru; I'd met her and her father, Demetrius. They had helped me set up a fruit bat cave, a mysterious place where fruits appeared magically every time I visited. I suspected the bats were responsible for stocking the cave.

"It's nothing, Robin. I truly appreciate your help. The farm is thriving thanks to your carpentry skills," I expressed gratefully, earning a soft slap on my arm from Robin, who blushed at the compliment.

"Oh, stop it," she said, flustered. "It was my pleasure to assist you. Don't hesitate to ask for help whenever you need it, okay?" Her voice took on a motherly tone.

"Of course, Robin," I replied with a polite nod before standing up. "I'll take my leave now. Have a lovely evening," I bid her farewell.

Outside her shop, the evening welcomed me with a gentle breeze that caressed my skin. The trees whispered softly, their leaves sharing secrets with the wind. Above, the sky transformed into a canvas of soft pastels-pinks, oranges, and purples merging in a mesmerizing display. Birds sang their final melodies of the day, bidding goodbye to the fading light.

As I breathed in deeply, a sense of calm enveloped me. The day's chaos melted away, replaced by serene stillness. The evening teemed with the sounds of nature-crickets chirping, frogs croaking in the distance, and small creatures rustling in the underbrush.

"What surprises await me tomorrow?"