[Action] Look for the something necessities

[drinkbrewfight]

1. Welcome to the Farm

For all that I was talking about settling down and growing some crops, I am not entirely certain I meant it.

[Chen regards the quaint farm, with its open fields and run-down greenhouse, from the fence gate -- one hand on his hip, the other still supporting the long staff he has slung over one shoulder, using its length as a lever to keep his massive keg upright.]

[Honestly, at his size, girth, and species, he can't help but stand out as something out of the ordinary.]

[At last he ventures on forward, taking the first step onto his new home.]

...Li Li would laugh at me, and then be bored. [That sentiment certainly brings a smile to his face.]

2. In Starhue Valley, Bear Welcome You!

[In a situation like this, there is only one thing to do: greet the neighbors!]

[So Chen sets out on a circuit around his farm and winding his way to every point of interest around, looking for people to say hello to. Out on the road? He's pacing his way over with a friendly hello. At home? Someone's knocking on your door! Out in your field hard at work? He's cheerfully vaulting the fence to approach.]

[...honestly that last one might be a little impressive.]

Comments

[richestduck]

Aye. I suppose so.

[Did he have brewery holdings back home? Bah. Didn't matter.]

Though I doubt I'll be samplin' much of what you'll be brewing. Depending on what you plan to price it as, I'll just be taking my cut.

[drinkbrewfight]

Are you not a drinking man, then? Assuming that is the appropriate term. If there is another one, I would gladly hear it.

[Chen has met enough different creatures in his many travels that anxiety over such terms is out of the question.]

[richestduck]

I'm not opposed to it, but it's an expensive habit. I'd rather drink on someone else's dime, not mine. If I do buy anything, I only drink the cheapest available.

[drinkbrewfight]

I intend to make it affordable. I am not in this for the money, after all.

[Horrors!]

[richestduck]

Good. More customers that way.

[And that means more product that can sell, resulting in higher profits. More money for the Bin Cave. Yay.]

So is that all you wanted to talk to me about?

[drinkbrewfight]

I think that is the other way around. I am quite interested in getting to know the people here, and hearing their stories.

[Chen glances meaningfully at the signs which he had so brazenly ignored to get this far.]

But I have a funny feeling you do not much go for social calls. Call it a hunch.

[richestduck]

Now why would you possibly think that?

[All the sarcasm ever.]

As for swappin' stories, I'll pass. All you need to know is that I run a small-time dairy farm to support me and my animals, alone.

[drinkbrewfight]

That is quite all right. I have already learned much about you anyway. [Chen simply smiles. Stories do not always come from words, after all.]

[richestduck]

[Oh, yes, Scrooge knows that you can find out a lot from observing someone. Likely the panda figured out that he used to be a businessman.]

[Still...]

You can also find out a lot by reading but that didn't seem to stop you.

[drinkbrewfight]

[What the panda has figured out is that this duck-man is allowing his health to go to ruin, actually. But he elects not to strike at that point until an opportunity presents itself.]

Ho ho, but look how much more I learned and accomplished by ignoring what I read.

[richestduck]

Well, some of us don't like sharing too much. You were going?

[Being rude, but he wants to be left alone. If he loses the business deal, well, it's no big deal. He's not looking to build a financial empire here.]

[drinkbrewfight]

When I come back, I will bring beer. Good beer, that you may drink without reservation. Your life is empty without that.

[Chen rises to his feet much like a boulder starting to roll, having taken no offense at all to that brusque tone.]

[richestduck]

[It's not beer his life is empty without, but he doesn't say anything about that.]

[He should probably protest, but, hey, drinking to the point where he has a few hours at least where he doesn't remember his own name much less everything he's done sounds grand. Especially if the panda's paying for it all.]

[drinkbrewfight]

[It is also a great way to learn from the close-lipped! Or perhaps beaked in this case.]

[Chen dips a polite bow Scrooge's way, then turns to amble down the path at his slow, pleasant pace.]