The first day of work
After a good nights sleep Sam was ready for her first day of work. She had been exhausted, so she had decided against visiting the saloon, the day prior. Today she'd meet Prof. Thomas and she'd get her work schedule. The position was part time for 20 hours, so she'd work four times a week for five hours. Gunther and the Professor would split that time according to their needs. For now Gunther had planned for her to sort through the archive and made a list of all the books missing.
As she bustled around the archive and the main room of the museum she saw the reason for the small tables and cushions on the floor. A lot of children entered the library section of the museum and took seat there. Two young women, one with orange-red hair, rolled up in a bun and a warm yellow shirt and one with long, open-cherry red hair followed and started some sort of class for the youngsters. Some of the children were curious about the new face and asked inquisitive questions before the women could stop them.
Sam drew back to the backroom the archive was located in to not disturb the class any further. The children seem to disappointed as she excused herself. They probably rather kept asking questions than start studying.
Some of the books in the archive were quite old and rare. She definitely could use some of them for her thesis. Gunther had already agreed to let her read through the old volumes, as long as she didn't use her work hours for that.
Sam compared the written inventory to the books actually standing in front of her. It was tedious work that swallowed a lot of her work hours, but it was easy enough to give her some time to think. On her next free day she wanted to visit the abandoned mines. The mayor was reluctant to tell her about them at all, so she was quite curious. She had read about some mining accident and was aware one of its survivors was still living in town. Maybe he'd talk about it and all its consequences if she asked nicely. The towns people she had met so far had been nothing but friendly to her, even when it was on expense of other residents. She wasn't sure what to make of it, but she wouldn't judge until knowing the whole story.
While searching through her list another book caught her eye. "The effects of the ongoing war to our economy." the title was long out of print and not available in the library of the university. Sam had made good progress with her work so far, so she decided to look through the book. There was a chapter about the rural communities of Ferngill. Stardew Valley was mentioned a few times. "Aurora Vineyard... Interesting...", she muttered to herself. The author even interviewed the owners and used this inside for his work. She put the book down on her stash for research and got back to work.
After approximately two hours Gunther checked on her and informed her, that Prof. Thomas was now available and eager to get to know her. He wasn't quite what she expected. He looked young for a esteemed professor and researcher. His curly brown hair fell just beneath his shoulder blades and with the round rimmed glasses and his 5 o'clock shadow he looked quite unruly. Sam introduced herself to him.
"Well, hello. I'm Prof. Thomas, but you may call me Jasper as I'm not in a teaching position right now and I like it better to talk less formal." he answered and continued directly with:
"Let us begin with a small interview. Would you answer me some questions?"
Sam nodded. They walked over to a free table and sat down. He made sure to be out of earshot from the children and their teachers, before he began to talk again, but quieter now:
"Are you familiar with my body of work?"
"Yes, although I have to admit, that my expertise in geology is none."
"Ah, a shame, but we will work on this. Today I want to know a few other things, though. What's your opinion on the arcane in general and especially on magical creatures?"
Here we go, Sam thought. She had heard about the reason Prof. Thomas wasn't teaching anymore, and it seemed, he straight got to the point. She didn't want to jeopardize her job, though, so she decided to go with his shenanigans. As for the questions, she state her truth:
"There are things we can't explain with science and things that seem truly magical to me. So I don't know. Maybe...
When it comes to magical creatures, I haven't seen any so far. At least I know I ain't one. And if magic exists I surely am as magical as a loaf of white bread." she grinned a little bit when saying the last words.
"Oh, one never knows until one tries", was Jasper's reply. "Many people possess hidden talents. Some never to be found. To help me with my research, you don't need to be magical adapted. I think curiosity and a fair bit of critical thinking will do. Gunther informed me, you're writing an essay about Stardew Valley and that's the main reason you are here. What's the topic of your work?"
"I'll write about the impact the dwindling economy had on the valley in recent history. There are a lot of things here.
I like to investigate. Talk to people, visit sites."
"So, you're of the inquisitive type. That's good. The valley definitely has a lot to offer to curious people and I think we will get along fine. I let you finish your work for today then. Please be there on Thursday 8 o'clock sharp. We'll start with some basic training. I'm looking forward to work with you and do me one favor. Keep asking questions. Most adults stop doing that eventually while growing older." He dismissed Sam, who worked through the rest of her shift before sitting down and looking through her research pile.
She had plans for the next days. Tomorrow it would rain the whole day so she would stay at the museum as long as possible. On Wednesday the mines, the day after, Cindersap...
***
Elliott was distraught. Why Haley again? The blonde was taking photos in one of his favorite spots and since he had to pass there, she clearly would see him. He couldn't take the risk to be in one of her pictures. He was lucky as it was, that he'd taken the southern route near Fairhaven Farm, so he had noticed her before she'd seen him. What a great start to the day. For a moment he just thought about turning back and going home, but he wanted to bring his new felt determination to fruition, so he considered his options. The library was always worth a try and he hadn't been there for while now.
North to East Scarp was a nice patch of greenery, but the strange goats with their black fur and the red eyes there set him off everytime he saw them. Alternatively there was a nice secluded patch by the lakeside in the mountains with trees and shrubs surrounding it. Today he wasn't in the mood to walk all that far anymore and for tomorrow the weather forecast said it would rain all day. “Well, Wednesday, then... And today? I will just stay at the beach.”
