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[b][u]MY PLACE s01:e36 - Better Buds[/u][/b]

It was Sunday again, which meant two things:
It was the fireworks festival, and I had been here for a week.

It’s… strange. Time just seemed to fly by once a status quo was established: wake up, see Isabelle, catch bugs, sell bugs, buy furniture and go to bed. The thought of getting home had obviously crossed my mind often, but it didn’t wrack my brain as it did during those first two or three days. Why was that? I guess, when I hopped on the train last Sunday, I was going to be away from home for a long time, but this wasn’t what I expected. The frightening part though, is that I think I’m enjoying myself. I’m lord knows how far away from “the human world” (as I’ve decided to call it) and I kinda like that. I’ve always wanted an escape from reality, and while the anthropomorphic animals took a while to get used to, I think this has done a good job.

I was perched on the town tree’s bed alone, watching the fireworks light up the sky, illuminating the ground below with brilliant colours. There was an odd serenity to it – the explosions never too loud, the lights never too bright… the stillness of most other nights in Place still remained despite the dance of gunpowder in the atmosphere. I think Isabelle noticed me sat all melancholy by myself, but never sought to approach me. Maybe she didn’t know how? Charlise and Bluebear watched the show together. Those two had formed a close bond ever since Charlise moved in a few days back, which was nice to see. Alice never showed up, nor did anyone else for that matter. I suppose if they do this stuff every August there’s no pressure to turn up every time. Makes me wonder if there’s times where nobody comes at all, and if Isabelle still bothers staying out to make sure everything’s running smoothly.

Before I could fill my head with other potentially depressing images, Simon parked himself beside me. We talked about the last seven days, him giving me compliments that I really did not deserve. He said that, despite me only being the mayor of Place for a week, he knew more about me than the last guy in charge and was confident that I’d do a good job.

“But all I do is catch dead cockroaches and get stung by bees” I said “I haven’t done anything…”

“That’s not true” Simon objected “You’ve listened. I know Gruff’s always wanted to see a bridge built, and Yuka wants more fruit trees that aren’t filled with pears. You’ve already done one of those, with those peaches you planted the other day, that’s more than I could ever say for ol’ Tortimer!”

“I guess” I sighed, physically unable to accept praise. “I dunno. I’m just lost, is all.”

“I understand. I can only imagine what its like to be made mayor the moment you step off the train. To be honest with you, I’ve only just learned that you weren’t expecting it!”

“Yeah” I muttered, glancing over at my secretary for a brief moment “That’s still something I need to look into…”

“If it means anything” Simon continued “I think the last week has been great, mostly because I got to meet you.”

“R-really?” I asked, sheepishly “how come?”

“I have to admit, as much as I’ve always liked it here, I’ve always felt a little lonely. Everyone tends to keep to themselves in Place. Even Bluebear was nervous around me for a while, and as much as I enjoy listening to Gulliver’s stories, he only washes up on the shore every now and then. It’s nice to have a friend for change. Not to sound corny, but I really like you, and I was hoping we could be better buds!”

I smiled. “Me too”
You wanna know something else that’s weird? In a world devoid of my own species, where most people don’t even wear pants, I’ve made more friends than I ever did back home.

~Author’s Notes~
Hopefully this wasn’t too sappy, but I wanted to make this episode a little more wholesome than the usual oddball comedy I write for My Place.

Also, yeah, it’s only been a week!
Time will advance a lot quicker from now on, it’s just that a lot happens in these first few days, much like in New Leaf itself. We’re also just over half way through season one of this series, so I hope that those of you who are keeping up are enjoying the ride so far.

After a lazy and ego-driven guy finds himself in a wild world populated with talking animals, he is inexplicably made the mayor of a quiet little town and given the unthinkable burden of responsibility.

Created by CookieBoy011.

[u]Later Seasons:[/u] "Season Two":https://e621.net/pools/50043 - "Season Three":https://e621.net/pools/52413