Cabbage season is over, just like that! Apparently Jan's arrival was at the last day of the harvest, and his short work just so happened to be the last batch as well. Which meant, Marigold has run out of cabbages for a while. Shame, the Sinese just started liking cabbages too! ...Though he also got tired of having to come up with cabbage-based dishes.

But off the impression he got from Farmer Jim, that was probably best left unsaid.

Arriving a little later than 8 AM to greet the farmer. Today was a little chillier than last time, several large clouds floating in the sky, occasionally hiding out the sun. It wasn't too cold, but just enough to justify full-clothing. "Good morning." The Sinese greeted as he met with his client, made friend. While not one to wake up too early, Jan Ren still appreciated the earlier hours of the day. Though today seemed different in more ways than one, from the mast visit he paid to the farmer; between the air and the smy, the missing corps were also worth noting; as was the dwindled number of livestock outside. But, perhaps it was in the water mage's speculation only.

Once he was given his instructions, it was clear to the young man that things were going to get awfully dirty, moreso than last time. Quickly but thoroughly taught to tilt the dirt, this was once again going to be a strainful day. Jan Ren never considered himself to be the physical type, and with Jim's tractor broken, things only got more troublesome. Yet, while he wouldn't hide his dejection, he didn't let this stop him. Even if he had to do this entirely on his own...

...There were stories, back in Sin. Folktales, if you may. One such told of an ancient time, about a man who plowed his fields day and night for a year despite being awfully poor. Seeding by the end of his workday, until.past one year, said man's hard work paid off, and the amount of crops that grew in his field alone, made him a reigning Lord. Now it was obvious that such tales were told as entertainment for little kids, but ignoring the inspiration it could bring was plain ignorant. Jan Ren did not see himself as the man in the tale, but recollecting this particular story today specifically, at least served to motivate the young man to put in a fair effort.

It wasn't easy at all. Barely one row on the fields done by hand and the Sinese could already feel his muscles ache. So much for working fully clothed; his shirt will be ruined!

There were so many rows left to tilt... How did people even do this 1,000 years ago??

Unfortunately, Jan had no magic that would suit tilting the dirt. It only made him further regret not having a handy spell of sorts... ultimately fating him to continue doing this by hand. Oh Lord...

He arrived there at early morning, and finished by late noon. An entire day's worth of work, and by the end of it he finished plowing through all fields! Jim also returned with his tractor fixed eventually! ...But at what cost? Sprawled on the ground, panting heavily as the muscles in his back and forearms practically screamed at him, Jan learned an important lesson that day.

Farm work...
Was really fucking tough.

WC: 570/500