Week 14 Day 1: New beginnings

So this is where their past will be continued as their future. A new story with brand new possibilities for everyone involved? Well, not quite. This little community just made contact with the world for the very first time, it's all very fragile and nobody really knows what directions to expect. (for more about the new contact with town of Galucca, please check Week 13 Day 7 at SimBasic).

But let's start presenting the soon-to-be Greench Farm owner, Godrian Greench:

Godrian will be 3rd generation farmer. His grandparents Greta and Gabriel Greench founded this farm, and Godrian was about 20 years old when they died. Now he is a fresh young adult, and his traits are Artistic, Absent-minded, Neurotic, Hydrophobic, Hot-headed. Not a typical farmer subject, you might think, but when his older siblings, Graica and Bertil, both turned down the offer to take over the farm, Godrian wanted to give it a go.

Godrian is interested in their history, and tending these old plants makes sense. Now, if he didn't need to water them...

At Greench Farm they had mixed feelings about the upcoming changes. None of them had ever been away from Maccaroni Island, and there were so many things in the other world that they simply couldn't understand at this stage. A different system, a lot more people than 48, and they were told that their money won't be valid. The future reminded them a bit of a scarecrow; they knew the changes would be there for a good purpose, but at the same time it all looked pretty unpredictable and a bit creepy.

Nevertheless, while Archie (dad), Bridgette (mom), Godrian (son) and Boletta (daughter) thought staying at Greench Farm would be fine, both Bertil (oldest son) and Eileen (youngest daughter) were a bit disappointed that the travel to town of Galucca was delayed.

When it turned out that Randal Redward, self-appointed head of the Village Council, had canceled the travel the night before, there was first chaos, then confusion, but after a while most islanders admitted that having a few simdays more before going, would actually be good. The men from town of Galucca had warned them about the volcano, but the locals already knew that the island is volcanic. Even if there were some earthquakes in the past, there was no obvious reason to escape in a hurry. They trusted the volcano will at least give them a short week to pack their stuff.

This morning, the entire Greench Farm household was gathered for breakfast. Archie had told them all he knew about the situation, unfortunately that was exactly the same facts he told them last night.

Captain Turmington and his 3 men had made it clear that another ship would arrive Maccaroni Island shortly, but not given the exact date.

It was said that not only Maccaroni Island, but the entire area, is volcanic. Town of Galucca had no idea of anyone living here at Maccaroni Island (or Magna, that seems to be the civil name). When some fireworks was observed, a ship had been redirected to check things out.

Archie Greench has been a member of the Village Council for a generation, representing the southern region.

Traditionally the island was split in 4 residential regions, and today all households include descendants of the settler couple originally residing their region. In the western region live the Redward descendants - let's just say they are some greedy snobs. In the eastern region live the Yea-Low descendants, they are basically intellectual inventors plus a crazy woman. Up north reside the Blumington descendants - their characteristics could be poor and naive. And finally, here in the southern region live the Greench descendants - mostly realistic farmers with a strong tie to nature.

There is a community school where teens and kids will go to read and play, each 2 days of the week. Mrs Corinne Redward is paid to attend a few hours every day to inspire and assist the pupils - more or less like a teacher.

The Greench Market is much older than the school. It was always served by the farmers who sell their crops there, and Archie Greench owns a part in it. Bridgette just retired from serving the Market, and Boletta took over. But now it all seems unsure; even if the farmers choose to stay on Maccaroni Island, if everyone else move to Galucca there won't be enough customers to keep a market going...

Godrian was already a registered farmer, and every delivery will count for his work experience.

Boletta is a dreamer, she hopes for a huge family and wouldn't mind living on a farm either. But she is also pretty reserved concerning men, as they never noticed her much when she was a teenager.

After breakfast they all helped with the harvest. It's a good thing this household is big, because there's lots of plants to tend.

Yes, granny Greta planted those grapes very long ago, she dreamt of producing nectar but never got that far. Old Pepper is their horse, originally befriended by late granddad Gabriel Greench, and currently Bertil is the only one caring much for the big animal.

There never was much rivalry between the twins, Godrian and Boletta. When Godrian was offered Greench Farm, it was because he was more skilled than Boletta, but fact is that Boletta is more experienced with gardening from helping out a lot more than Godrian. He hardly knows how to weed a plant, and has a long way to go before he can run the farm with ease.

Couple hours later, Archie walked over to the Village Hall, and on his way he couldn't help thinking about good memories from all the locations he passed. The green house across the road where his older brother LaShawn Gladiston resides, Archie grew up in that house. The big field just behind the Market, that's where he proposed to Bridgette when they were still young. The bookstore where old Mrs Yea-Low used to sort old, secondhand books that they had found in crates on the beach. The little pond where Archie and his brothers used to hunt lizards.

All memories were good, but he realized they had been living in a bubble - a protected garden, surrounded by endless water in all directions. Of course it could not last forever...

When he arrived the Village Hall,  where the Village Council held their weekly meetings, many of the locals had gathered. They seemed upset, but for various reasons.

A few minutes later the meeting was on. The attendees were (from left) Yoseph Y. Hedgewood (representing the Maccaroni Bank owners), Alex Yea-Low (eastern region), Randal Redward (western region), Archie Greench (southern region) and Bella B. Black (northern region). There are so many relations both through blood and marriages, but in a little community there has to be some connections. Yoseph and Alex are brothers, and their sister Corinne is married to Randal. Bella is sister of Archie's wife, Bridgette, and married to Randal's cut-off brother, Christopher. Just to mention a few. Each councillor was elected within and by the region he or she was representing.

And Randal Redward was their self-appointed leader.

Randal and his son Yamir were the last persons to see the saviors who had left them all the night before.

Anyone who read the SimBasic story will know that Randal had adjusted the truth to his advantage...

The council debated the alternatives, and finally they concluded that anyone who wanted to stay on Maccaroni Island would help upgrading the community, especially in order to import new stuff. Each household will decide for themselves whether they leave Maccaroni or not..

Archie convinced everyone that Greench Market should get priority, because they would need to secure a storage of imported groceries.

Alex Yea-Low had just one claim, that they will organize a routine for quick evacuation in case of increased volcanic activity in the future. And they all agreed.

The bank was established shortly after the settlers stranded. It's simply a big book where transfers are noted. It's a simple way to exchange values between households, when there's no cash available. A household is allowed to have a negative balance, but can't owe more than §10.000. Interest is paid or charged on the first day of a new week. Today 4 households owe money, while 7 have deposits to earn them interest.

Randal told them that the easiest way was that Maccaroni Bank borrows money from Bank of Galucca, then equaling the Galucca values with the Maccaroni values over time. If all is kept with Maccaroni Bank, the islanders won't need to care. This way everyone will get some legal money for a start.

Next Randal suggested that the oldest members of  the Village Council must be replaced. An elderly councillor can represent at two meetings, only.

Further on, Randal suggested that both Bella and Archie will need replacement before next meeting. He also stated that eastern region judge, Agnes Y. J. Hawk, is mentally ill, and should be replaced. The eastern region must choose a new judge within 1 simweek.

The western region had only 3 households, and with Randal and Yamir being 2 of those households, a formal election wasn't really needed. Archie didn't like that Randal's son should become head of the council, only from replacing Randal. But the council had worked pretty well in the past, and it was not wasted that one member kept an eye on the agenda. The others could easily bring up anything they wanted...

Yoseph pointed at Bella, but from the look in his eyes Yoseph obviously knew he was stirring up the old conflickt between Randal and his brother Christopher. Bella and Christopher were poor, and could certainly need some benefits.

Archie said nothing, although he knew he ought to. He got a feeling that Randal just had grabbed the advantage that Yoseph wanted Bella to have. Well, the harbor project was still only a fresh thought, maybe the Black and Blumington households could have a role in it, eventually.

Randal had access to the bank's book, and it was pretty easy just to charge everyone in the book. Based om a council vote, it wouldn't be needed to have everyone signing their transfer. But first they all had to sum up their values. Archie thought the timing couldn't have been better, because tomorrow they would need to calculate the Greench Farm heritage anyway.

While the meeting was still ongoing, Boletta was on her way to the Market. She had no idea of the market's future, but working just one day at the time would be fine. Everyone needed groceries, and the market was also one of their social spots.

Over there Boletta saw a man she liked quite a lot, Yesador Yea-Low from Sunrise Valley in the eastern region. She had a crush on Yesador as a teenager, but then her cousin, Blanka Peel, had started something with him. But, now he was an adult! And Blanka was still just a teenager! They couldn't be dating after all, could they?

Also Boletta's sister, Graica G. Yea-Low, was over there. She is married to Yesador's brother, Reynar, and they had their first kid already

So many locals everywhere! They all seemed to be discussing the rescue. But Boletta was cold, she hurried over to the shop.

Boletta enjoyed talking with others, but as soon as she started wondering if a man noticed her as a woman, not just as a someone, she became shy and could hardly say a word.

Rosanne was married to Boletta's uncle, Cody G. Major. They grow flowers for sale, and reside not far from Greench Farm.

Oh, he was in the shop, and he was looking at her!

Back at the farm, Bridgette had been washing clothes and Eileen had been watering the fruit tree garden.

Suddenly elderly Bridgette was taken back to her own teenager years. She had been very upset with their blue'ish skin colour, too, and when she learned that they descend from blue aliens, she had been breaking up with poor Archie and decided never to have kids, ever! Look at them now, five healthy kids, and none of them turned out to be aliens!

Bridgette intended to tell Eileen about it earlier, but days had been too busy. Now, how will Eileen react to the facts about the CA66 DNA, and the story about her great-great-granny Eileen?

This first day was nearing an end, and like most nights Bertil and old Pepper went for a ride. Bertil had a great interest in horses, and he had some riding experience, but he still looks like being in pain up there. The old horse is sloppy and lazy, and with no skills whatsoever, maybe that makes a difference. If Bertil will leave the island he would need to leave Pepper behind, and that's not really an option.

The reason why they go on these late night rides, is that Bertil had observed a special, glowing wild horse, and he wanted to befriend it. It's easier to spot it after dark, but the island is too big when you are riding a lazy old horse like Pepper...

At the farm Archie and Godrian just stepped outside. The news about the market upgrade had been enthusiastically debated at dinner. Now it was time for the heir to inspect the farm.

Graica pulled up a dark green - thing.

Archie got the spotted fruit, put it in his pocket for later, and Graica left. Dad and son could continue their inspection.

Miley and Mushi are the cats. Miley descends from the wild Mine cats, found in Maccaroni Mine long ago, and Mushi is her son.

This long and chilly day had ended. They felt a little better concerning their future. Even if the Galucca men protested due to the volcano, at least they would not give up Greench Farm without a debate.

I hope you managed to get through such a long chapter! To get the story started both for new readers and anyone who followed the SimBasic story, it felt right to include this much. I promise that the coming chapters will contain less text :-)

More in a week!