---

The gentle rays of sunlight slipped through her window as the birds twittered outside, gently waking the sleeping occupant in her bed. For a moment, she just let herself luxuriate in the feeling. It was her first morning in her new home. She could allow herself a few moments. But not forever. There was still much to do today. So she got up, stretched, then made back up her bed and walked down to the kitchen. She didn't have much currently, but it would be enough for breakfast. Definitely would need to buy groceries today. She got bread into the toaster, turned up the stove, filled up the kettle with water, then got out a pan and eggs and set to work.

There was a nearby supermarket she recognized, but she could swear that she saw a smaller, local general store while she was moving in. She'd have to try it out, see what it had in stock. It'd probably be pricier, but it would also be better quality. Besides, the glimpse of it she'd seen, it had looked so quaint and cozy. A picturesque small town general store. She couldn't wait to go in. Then while she was there...Hmm...She could use more eggs, also milk, cream, and butter. Those would be guaranteed to be there. Likely also bacon, she'd have to see what they offered there. She'd also need to see what fresh produce they had. Also see if they had any seeds. It was the first day of spring after all. She'd need to get started on her kitchen garden. And prepare the space near the front door for the rose bushes. She hadn't gotten them yet, but she would before too long. Just had to figure out where to source them from. But that would be for another day. Today was to focused on grocery shopping and getting to know the town. Best to know her way around her new home after all.

With that, everything was ready. She buttered her toast, laid her over-easy eggs on top, prepared her tea with the last of her milk and some sugar, then sat down at her kitchen island to eat while her laptop booted up. There shouldn't be anything that would need to be done before this evening, but better safe than sorry. A quick scroll through her emails showed nothing dire though, so she was set. She then turned it off, put it away, then finished the rest of her breakfast in peace, relishing in the quiet of distant lapping waves and birdsong. She didn't care about anyone that had seen her as crazy for the move. She'd never trade this for even the most luxurious penthouse on the mainland.

After she was done, she cleaned up, got fully dressed in cozy yet neat country attire, then headed out. The air was slightly nipping, but in a pleasent way. A perfect day for a walk to town. So she set out the half-mile, enjoying the views as she went. It wasn't too long till she'd made her way into the town proper, taking in the shops and houses as she passed. Now, where was that general store...?

---

Another late night at the observatory, as usual, as Callum slowly awoke to the sound of his alarm clock and the warm feeling of the sun on his face. Still feeling tired, but he still got out of bed and turned the alarm clock off. The price he has to pay to keep himself and the observatory afloat. Spending a night looking at the night sky for new finds. At least he enjoys using the observatory but would also like to use it more for personal reasons and not purely financial reasons.

Either way, Callum did his normal routine, getting his glasses, make his bed, take a shower, get dressed and make some breakfast. He lazily did this and briefly showered in cold water to help wake him up. Then, putting on his usual attire, a white hoodie, black shirt, and black jeans.

After that, he headed to the kitchen, and the first thing he did was get some coffee. Pouring himself a full cup's worth and taking a long sip. Callum sighed, he wished he could have a more normal sleep schedule and not be tired most of the time but for now. This is his life, and there is not much he can do to change it. He walked over to the fridge, slowly opening it, and today, he figured he could treat himself to his favorite breakfast food, waffles, and some toast.

So he put the toast in the toaster and went about making waffles after putting his coffee down on the kitchen table. It did not take long and with some butter and marble syrup. Callum was ready to eat, and it was good.

As he finished his meal, he took another long sip of coffee. Callum looked at his watch, and it around the time he goes to town for errands. The fridge did look kinda bare, and it had been some time since he had gone shopping. So Callum, after finishing his coffee and cleaning up. He left his cottage on the hill and headed to the town market. He has the time to do so, and maybe he will find something there he needs. Time to see the town, he thought, and went on his way.

---

---

Many people in Starlight Cove tended to be early risers. Maybe it was the country living combined with the sense of responsibility the townsfolk felt, or maybe it was something else entirely, but either way mornings usually started with the sunrise. Of course the same was true for the occupants of Starlight Mill, a farmland not too far from the island's single village.

Every day on the farm was a little different from the last. That morning one of the two Miller siblings woke before even their rooster and, unable to fall back asleep, had slipped out of the house and out into the field. And with nothing else to do this early, he got a head start on work.

Wheat was hardy and voracious; it usually could out compete any weeds that tried growing, but there were always troublesome plants that managed to sprout even months after planting. Wild seeds spread by birds, Aaron figured. They had to go, pulled from the ground by their roots. The wheat would also sometimes choke out its fellow grain, and so the dying stalks would have to go too. He stuffed the plant matter into a sack he carried with him, occasionally popping his head up over the stalks and then bending down once more to keep working.

Bugs were a problem too, one that had only seemed to get worse over the years. Of course when the rest of the life on the island was struggling, the bugs were doing better than ever. Such was the way of things, the farmer guessed. Extermination and removal of any badly infected crop protected the rest of the wheat. These golden grains were the family's lifeline, and the proof that something could still grow here. They had to be looked after with the utmost care.

By the time he heard the screen door on the porch slam open, Aaron was already more than halfway through the fields. He didn't look up until he heard the sound of shuffling approaching him a little while later, finding his sister's face peering down at him. She blinked her big yellow eyes.

"You started on my half! How long have you been out here?"

Aaron stood up then, squinting into the sky to see where the sun had got to. "A while."

Erin didn't look impressed. "Well swap with me. Bess and the chickies are all set, even got eggs early today. By the way..."

She moved to kneel and take over tending the wheat while chatting, but her brother stopped her with a hand on her shoulder.

"It's fine, E. I can finish up. Shouldn't be too long before the harvest is ready, and one of us has to swing by Mr. Alderdice's and see if he'll still buy bulk when it is," Aaron offered. He glanced away from Erin, but the young woman could instantly read his intention.

"And that has to be me? You cheater," she hissed, though there was no real animosity in her voice. Aaron just shrugged. Well, if he didn't feel like making the walk into town that was fine - she didn't mind doing it. "We do have a phone you know, we could just call and... wait, you've been out here this whole time? You didn't bring the bread into town?"

Aaron opened his mouth only to close it again a moment after, unable to come up with an excuse. He'd honestly just forgotten, his head so in the cloud early that morning that he'd just went straight to the fields and hadn't thought about anything else. He gave Erin a sheepish look. "It slipped my mind."

His sister flicked the brim of his hat so that it tumbled off of his head.

---

If there was one boon to only being able to grow wheat at the moment, it was that there were plenty of things that could be made from it. Well, mostly flour, but other things too. Dried grains on their own could be thrown into granola and cereal, and beer could even be brewed from it. It also happened to make great food for livestock. It was thanks to the combination of uses that Starlight Mill managed to keep itself a float. Their cost of doing business was low, and they had a reliable buyer in town.

Hopefully it would stay that way for a while. Everyone seemed to feel that the town's days were numbered, and once the local market went so too would many other places. And people, as they'd be sure to leave for greener pastures. It was pure stubbornness that Erin and her brother chose to stay in their brown one. Still, as long as they could make ends meet until they ultimately got things back on track...

Erin sighed. She'd brushed the dust off of her clothes and tied her hair into pigtails before gathering a knapsack of baked bread that had been resting since late the night before. She was only going to be a little late, so hopefully she wouldn't get an earful from the market's proprietress. For what it was worth she'd taken along the fresh eggs too.

With spring budding there was going to be a lot of work for her and her brother once the winter wheat was ready, but she didn't mind. She was almost looking forward to it, really. Somehow this year felt like it was going to be a good one. She passed over the farm's property line and stepped onto the cobblestone street that would take her to Starlight Cove's main road. She'd lived her all her life - more than two decades now. The path was familiar, the sights were familiar, even the sounds and smells. It was comfortable.

As she strode into town proper, an unfamiliar person caught her eye. She was fairly sure that she knew everyone that lived here, at least in passing acquaintance. At one time Starlight Cove drew all kinds of tourists. They had an awesome aquarium, museum, and lighthouse after all. Even adventurers crossed the water to check the island out. Nowadays there were less and less people coming out to town, and this woman didn't look much like a tourist anyway... if she was some kind of "investor" Erin would have to chase her out! Of course the first step would be finding out what the deal was.

"Hey!" Erin called out to the blonde haired woman. She shifted the bundle in her hands so that it was more secure as she jogged to catch up tot he stranger. "Hey! Hello! Hope I didn't spook you, calling you out of the blue like that."

There was no doubt that Erin was a local, from the homely work clothes she wore to the faint smell of grass that clung to her. She gave the stranger a somewhat guarded smile.

"I just noticed you looked out of place... I mean lost! What are you looking for?"

---

Jane turned around, finally registering that she'd been asked a question. "Oh! Hello...Yes, it does seem like I've ended up lost." She looked back up and down the street. "I thought for sure I saw the general store down this way..." Then she turned back to Erin, noting that she did indeed seem to be a country woman and had some sort of package under her arm. Must be on some sort of errand. Truly was considerate of her to stop to find out the plight of some lone stranger. She must be hoping to be get going. "Could you point out which way to go? I've only just moved here and am still getting my bearings."

---

---

When the stranger mentioned the general store, Erin's heart nearly leapt into her throat. If someone bigger and badder bought out the Alderdice's shop, the rest of the town would probably be next. And where else could she and her brother reliably sell their crop? Thankfully before any misunderstandings could develop, the woman went on to state a key piece of information.

I've only just moved here.

Erin stared at her for a few more moments, eyes wide, before her brain actually digested the information and kicked her body into gear. Then her expression almost completely changed, from surprised and guarded to curious and more friendly.

"You moved here?" She asked, incredulous. Then once more just to be sure. "Here, to Starlight Cove?"

That meant this person was a new neighbor! Wow, how long has it been since we got one of those? Erin smiled, skipping slightly ahead of the blonde in order to lead the way. "I'm actually heading to the market right now, I can take you there! What's your name, neighbor?"

---

"Really?! That would be appreciated. Thank you." Having a guide around would be far better than being lost. So she started after her. The first neighbor she's actually met! "My name is Jane Fairton. I just moved into Brierton Cottage, about half a mile off main street? Do you know the place? What's your name?"

Come on, Jane, come on. Don't be too much. You need to make a good impression on your neighbors. Not come across as some cold-hearted lunatic. Be more neighborly...How do I do that? "...Your package looks heavy. Would you like help carrying it?"

---

Ring, Ring, Ring. Ring, Ring, Ring.

That darn, blasted alarm! George slammed his hand down on the old clock then groaned. Why did mornings always come so early? He'd been up all night trying to balance the schedules. This next year was going to be tough. Finally, he forced himself to set up and reached blearily for his glasses and put them on. It'd all be worth it though...All be...What, how the heck was it already 8 am?! He was late!

He scrambled out of bed, then scrambled in his drawers for clothes. They've gotta be...Alright, good enough pants and good enough shirt. And that blue tie still looked good. Quickly, he slipped them on them as he ran down the stairs, Straightening things as he went. Then he raced to the kitchen, grabbed some slices of bread, then shoved them into his mouth while he got the coffee maker going and checked his schedule.

Yep, he had house calls today. Several house calls...He should be able to get to the clinic by noon at least...Maybe sooner if he timed the shortcuts right. He'd already taken the trouble of arranging his route to be as time efficient as possible, but he could always look into ways to improve that. Should hit the general store to check on Davis around 10...He could then also talk with him and Luna about how the pharmaceutical supplies were holding up and what they'd need to order more of soon. The less they ever had to rely on that obnoxious new supermarket, the better it'd be for everyone.

There. Coffee! He guzzled it down straight from the pot, then made sure his appearance looked more put together than he felt before running for the door and then out into the early morning streets, forgetting to grab a coat for the still slightly wintery weather.

---

---

While the two women walked, Erin considered if she actually did know where Jane was living. Brierton Cottage...

"Hmm, I think so. The old place that's been up for sale forever..." She mused. She didn't stop to think that her words might make it seem that something was wrong with the cottage. There wasn't really, it was just that there was something wrong with the whole island. It was their sad reality, but things would change. They were already changing, if Jane's moving there was any indication!

"Oh, right! Eheh, forgot to introduce myself. My name's Erin. I live with my brother at the Starlight Mill at the edge of town. You should come by some time!" Maybe they should try to get the actual mill fixed before inviting new people over, but... well, she'd already said it. When Jane offered to take some of the food off of her hands, Erin grinned at her.

"Aw, it's not that heavy. But here," she jostled her package and stuck a hand into it, withdrawing a loaf of bread. "You can have this. I've got some eggs too, if you want."

She probably shouldn't give a lot of it away for free, but a new neighbor was just so rare. Erin wanted to make a good impression so that she'd stick around. Not long after that a much more familiar voice called out to Erin, and she turned to see Miriam approaching. Erin's smile got even wider.

"Mimi! She's not just a new friend, she's a new neighbor!" she told Mimi, setting Jane up for yet another introduction with a glance.

---

Jane just stared in astonishment, then tried to recover. "Really? I was needing bread and eggs, but I can pay-"

"Morning, Erin!" A new person joined into their walk, a dark haired girl about her with a checkered scarf and glasses who was clearly eyeing her like a curiosity."Who's your new friend? Love the coat, it looks wonderful on you! So what are you in our sleepy little town for?"

Jane grabbed her coat sleeve. "Thank you?" That question had been at her, right?

Then Erin said. "Mimi! She's not just a new friend, she's a new neighbor!" And she had to fight the urge to blush. She knew that country communities were supposed to be welcoming to strangers, but this welcoming? She'd just moved in!

"Yes..." She then cleared her throat. "I just finished moving in yesterday. Erin was showing me where the general store is." She then raised a hand to shake Mimi's hand with. "I am Jane Brierton, Miss...?"

---

"Of, course. It'd be a honor to have more company." And a good chance for meeting another neighbor as they walked along. "So, the hill outside of town? That must have a good view. I moved into Brierton Cottage, short walk outside of town. But really, all the town is so beautiful and picturesque. I hope I can get to know it as much as you do."

Her sight was completely on her companions and not where she was going, even as they got closer to the general store.

---

---

Erin giggled at Mimi's wink. She was glad the other woman was as excited about the new neighbor as she was. Jane probably didn't know about the island's supposed curse (and if it was up to Erin it would stay that way), because if she was she probably never would have chosen to live here. The fact that she did move here meant that something had changed though. After years of people moving away, someone finally moving in was definitely a new turn of events. A good one.

After practically forcing the loaf of bread on Jane and purposefully avoiding her offer of payment, Erin kept up with her and Mimi as they continued down the cobbled road.

"Heh, I dunno about that. Mimi and I've lived here our whole lives. But I'm sure you'll get to know it well enough. And like it too! It's not that big of an island, but we had... uh, we have, a lot of stuff on it."

Before she could elaborate -if she even intended to, as it seemed she was about to change topic- there was a zombie-like groan from ahead of them. This was a familiar zombie though, one with bright red hair and the messy clothes of her own particular brand of artist.

"Ooh watch out!" Erin said, skipping ahead of the other two women with her to head Fia off by sticking a fluffy bread bun into her mouth.