Even as he stood in the fields, Lucas was still mulling over his exchange with the system.
He'd handled the egg correctly—either by hatching nutrients or by finding a strong Pokémon with Flame Body.
But what stuck with him was the distant past. Did the system mean the egg was from long ago, maybe ancient times? If so, this egg might be something special...
He had some guesses but wouldn't know for sure until it hatched.
Lucas put the thought aside and smiled at Eldegoss, who was waiting nearby, eager to start the day. "Did you sleep well last night?"
Compared to yesterday, Eldegoss was much livelier—hopping around happily, clearly liking the farm. It answered Lucas' question with its actions.
The two Gossifleur, however, were still shy, hiding behind Eldegoss and watching Lucas, Serperior, and Swampert cautiously.
Lucas smiled, not rushing to bond with the Gossifleur. He told Eldegoss, "This morning I'll be planting seeds. You and the Gossifleur can explore within the fenced area and get used to the place. When I'm done, I'll build you a little wooden house for sleeping."
Eldegoss nodded, knowing it couldn't help with farming, and led the Gossifleur off to play and explore.
Watching the three bouncing away, Lucas looked up at the cloudless sky and said to himself, "Looks like a clear day—perfect for work."
He put on his straw hat, grabbed an iron hoe, and called Swampert and Serperior to work.
Today's goal: plant all the seeds!
Under the clear blue sky, Lucas dug small holes and planted the last of the strawberry seeds—or rather, the strawberry skins—into the soil.
Serperior used its vines to cover the seeds with dirt, and Swampert brought a bucket of plain water (without Water-type energy) for Lucas to water the soil.
With that, the planting was done. Now he just needed Eldegoss and the others to come back and enrich the soil.
Relieved, Lucas washed his hands at Swampert's place and looked at the five small fields, feeling a strong sense of accomplishment.
This was his first step towards a pastoral life and a small step for the farm's development.
It was a day worth commemorating. Lucas wanted to name the farm, but since Dragonite was out collecting wood and Luxray was off searching for a Flame Body Pokémon, he decided to wait until everyone was back.
Such an important moment deserves everyone to be present.
When Eldegoss and the others didn't return, Lucas—sure they wouldn't get lost on the not-so-big farm—sent Serperior and Swampert to bring them back, then went to see why Arven was still sleeping at noon.
The distance from the farm to the house was shortest, then the yet-to-be-built ranch area, and finally the farthest, the lake.
Lucas hummed as he walked home. Looking up at the third floor, he saw Arven lying on the window sill, gazing blankly into the distance, looking oddly melancholy.
Good grief, ten years old and already acting like a world-weary middle-aged man. Lucas leaned his hoe against the wall, went straight to the third floor, and dragged the dark-eyed, moody Arven up by the collar. "So all those things I said yesterday went in one ear and out the other?"
"What time did you go to bed last night with those dark circles?"
Arven yawned weakly, "Four o'clock…"
Lucas: "..."
Staring at this sulking ten-year-old, Lucas doubted if Arven could go on a journey like other super ten-year-olds.
He wasn't planning on fixing Arven's attitude today, so he let go of his collar and said, "Forget it, go wash up. I have to make lunch."
Arven, though rebellious about his parents, still listened to Lucas in all other matters.
He put on his slippers and pattered to the bathroom.
Lucas went to the kitchen, checked the remaining ingredients, and muttered, "If only I had a fridge—I could freeze some meat. But funds are tight, so we'll have to eat vegetarian and wild food for a while. Today, it's vegetable berry curry rice!"
He took out carrots, onions, and other curry ingredients, plus half a bag of curry powder.
As for meat, since they were out and Eldegoss and the others probably wouldn't eat meat, Lucas took out a few large, plump Pecha berries—samples given by Peter from the Jones Farm.
Now was the perfect time to use them.
Pecha berries tasted more like a bland, low-juice fruit than a peach, but as a curry ingredient, it wasn't a weird combo. Lucas had tried it before and found it pretty good.
Curry is simple to make: sauté vegetables in some hot oil, but Pecha berries get gross in oil, so add warm water to cover the food first. When it boils, add the chopped berries, then simmer until thick.
Lucas tasted a spoonful. The sweet curry was light and flavorful thanks to the Pecha berries.
He figured Eldegoss and the others would like it as their first meal as new members.
He reduced the firewood under the stove and covered the pot for a slow simmer, missing the days when Ceruledge was around—its flames were always perfectly controlled, unlike the mess he made with firewood.
Out here in the suburbs, there was no gas. Having electricity and water was already pretty good for Los Platos.