Olivia hurriedly raced back to the farmhouse, Humphrey barking and running along with her. She has never felt so stupid before in her life! She wasted almost the whole day in the cafe trying distinguish the cakes and pastries only by taste, as she was really shy and nervous about approaching the owner himself, that she didn't realize...
She has a baking book at home.
She entered the house and put her basket of wine at the kitchen table. She ran up to her bedroom to search her mini library and sure enough, she
does have a baking book. She looked upwards, exasperated as she catch her breath. Olivia then went downstairs to the kitchen and set her book at the table, opened at the page where instructions about how to create a pie were shown. She got her ingredients and started baking.
Later at night...Olivia arrived at the Mayor's party with her newly baked grape pie and, of course, some of her finest wine. She was dressed in her semi-formal attire and brought Humphrey, Claud, and Winda along with her. She even made Humphrey and Claud wear bowties and fashioned Winda with a cute mini-hat. She smiled serenely to the other villagers while she let her companions roam around and play with the other animals.
But behind that smile lies deep, deep pain. Specifically, burning pain. She also learned this day that she really doesn't know how to bake; she only knows how to burn. She was
this close in setting the house on fire because she was drowsy due to the baking process taking too long. Another time she did pay attention, but she remembered Humphrey and the chickens haven't had their lunch yet so she made them first. When she came back, smoke came out of the oven again and the pie was charcoal black. Eventually, after many attempts, exasperated sighs, and tears of hopelessness, she managed to create the perfect grape pie that
actually looked like what a decent pie should look like. She cleaned up her wasteland of a kitchen and managed to clean herself up and her animal companions just in time for the party.
She set her grape pie and her basket of wine at the table to share with the others, and admired the party going on. The Mayor never ceases to amaze her in creating such an event and gathering the whole townsfolk for a night. She always adored how friendly and happy the people are here, unlike in the city where no one wouldn't even bat an eyelid at you unless you have lots of money. For the millionth time, she was really glad she made the decision in moving in this charming town.
While greeting and smiling at the other townsfolk, she noticed someone different among the crowds. The man seemed to be wearing very worn-out clothes, maybe a result of traveling from a faraway place? He does look a little tired, for her though. Maybe after the event, she can invite him back at the farmho-
Olivia slapped her forehead. Maybe the newcomer
did went to the farmhouse first but since she was at the cafe, no one was there to entertain him so he just wandered around until he's here at the party. Gods, she's the worst ever.
She approached the blond newcomer, taking note that his clothes are more worn-out than she thought and mentally chided herself once more.
"Hello there", she said cheerfully.
"You must be new at this town. My name's Olivia and I'm currently the owner of the farmhouse. If you did went there first, I sincerely apologize as I was away that time for some... important business." The man doesn't need to know that she was away because of pie, and she also felt that it was a dumb excuse anyway.
"Anyways, you're here now and that's what matters! So how are you liking Valbree so far?".
@Simple Unicycle