Finding himself in his bed who knows when later, the bun let out groan. What happened? Oh, that's right, the godbuns set the farm ablaze. Closing his eyes once more, a sea of questions came rushing in. Did he manage to put the fire out? Turning towards the window, fatigue was ready to stab him from behind.

Farm decorated with ashes aplenty, the young adult folded his arm into a fist. The godbuns, they'll pay for this! How dare they drag his livelihood into this! They deserve a good long punch for that! Turning off towards his side, he let out a little laugh. Yeah, right, as if he would even be able to so much as lay a hand on them. He'd be pummeled to oblivion immediately, no questions asked. Drifting back into sleep, the dream world was ready to take him away at any given moment.

Ring, ring, ring.

It's the eighth hour.

It's the eighth hour!

Work time, work time! All morning shift LopVampas, head to your stations immediately!

Jolting back awake, the young adult rubbed his eyes. Wait a second, what time was said just now? Oh, no, it's the eighth hour already? He needs to hurry up and clean up the farm right away! Lifting himself up from the covers, the bun's head spun once more. Slapping his cheeks, he raced out towards the kitchen. There's no time to waste, he has chickens to check up on!

"Mornin' Siorc, honestly, I thought ya'd sleep the day away," Strix said, yawning. "No need t' force yerself to get up."

Ashes dancing towards the window, the bun sighed. Was the fire still burning somewhere? There's no way he can sit around while the world is burning! What if all of Seeboro is about to go down in flames? There's absolutely no way he can let that happen, not a chance! Reaching for the Talkmaster B, the young adult turned the knobs with a fury.

Flames scribbled onto the screen, the vampa paused for a moment. Would this even get his point across? No, probably not. Maybe he should try a little harder. Hands shaking as he continued, the lines twitched. Gah, come on, Siorc, steady now! Now's hardly the time to be messy. Taking a deep breath, he tried again. Voice crackling, he swore he could hear something sizzle off in the distance again.

[But, shouldn't I clean up from the fire yesterday?] A crackling voice asked through the Talkmaster B's speakers.

"Nah, don't worry about that, Zhulong and Niquel got that covered," Strix responded, yawning.

[But, what about the chickens?! Who's going to check on them?! I'm sure they're still terrified after what happened!] A crackling voice shouted through the Talkmaster B's speakers.

"You ain't gotta worry 'bout that, either, I took care of the chickens," Strix said arms crossed. "You need to relax, ya were in the center of those flames fer quite awhile. Ya don't gotta do anythin' fer now." He then pivoted. "The godbuns ain't comin' neither. So, take today off. I'll send 'em packin' if they come near ya."

Strix cracking his knuckles, the bun dragged himself back to his room. Was everything really taken care of? Maybe he should head for the vegetable fields just in case. Head spinning for what felt like the millionth time, the young adult fell face first onto his bed. Forget this, his strength was dead.

 Ring, ring, ring.

It's the sixth hour.

It's the sixth hour!

Work time, work time! All early morning shift LopVampas, head to your stations immediately!

Rubbing his eyes, the vampa let out a groan. Hold on, what time did the bells say just now? Oh, no, it's the sixth hour?! How long was he asleep for?! The farm, what if it was set ablaze again while he was in the dream world? No, no, Siorc, happy thoughts, happy thoughts. That was taken care of already!

Knock, knock, knock.

Pounds on the other side of the door, the bun lifted himself up from the covers. Who could that be at this hour? Swinging the entrance back, the vampa prepared himself for action. If there's another vermin mess to clean up, count him in! But, what waited for him had been a creeping obstacle that came out of nowhere.

"Mornin' Siorc, sorry t' ask but could ya do me a favor fer today?" Strix asked.

Favor tossed his way, the farmer placed finger on his chin. What kind of favor did Strix need for him? Did he need something from the store? Whatever it was, he needed to get to it right away. Talkmaster B out in front of him, the vampa turned the knobs rapid fury. It's time to get going, get moving.

[Yes, of course. What do you need me to do today?] A crackling voice asked through the Talkmaster B's speakers.

"The farmer forum is meetin' today, but Deigr hasn't come back yet," Strix said, sighing. "I gotta go t' work soon, too, so I ain't got the time to go. Could ya go for me?" He then placed his hands on the side of his head. "Boss expects me to clean out all the ditches again. Why can't he hire some other workers for a change?! But, no he thinks I got all the stamina in the world to work forty eight hours straight! This makes me wanna pull my hair out!" Strands of hair dropping onto the rug, he then took a deep breath. "Sorry 'bout that. I gotta be outta here in an hour. Could ya please take on the farm forum fer me this time? I know it's a little short notice, and all that!"

Deigr brought to his attention, the farmer shivered. She still hasn't returned from the Sumazo Forest? This isn't good. Had the poison done her in? No, no, of course not! She said she didn't know when she would return. Maybe it's just a harder job than she bargained for, that's all! He guessed now would be a good time to head for the farmer forum. Maybe he could discuss ways to protecting their crops from fire.

[I guess I'll go. What time does it start?] A crackling voice asked through the Talkmaster B's speakers.

"If I recall correctly, it starts at around the thirteenth hour," Strix responded. "It's takin' place at the community center. Do ya know how to get there?"

[Yeah, I know where it is, don't worry.] A crackling voice said through the Talkmaster B's speakers.

"Alright, in that case, I'll leave ya to it. Be careful out there." He hopped away.

Staring out the window, the bun cracked his knuckles. Hear that, godbuns, he's occupied today! Whatever job they might have had for him, they can stick it up their ears and can it! They can come back for their little plaything another time! Or, never, that would be nice! Please, fire him the next time they see him, thanks. Flopping back into bed, the bun yawned. He could use five more minutes to catch some zzzes.

Ring, ring, ring.

It's the tenth hour.

It's the tenth hour!

All late morning shift LopVampas, report to your stations immediately!

Yawning once more, the bun hopped out of bed. How many hours until the farmer forum? Ah, right, three hours left. He'd better get ready before it's too late. How long did it take to get to the community center on foot? Ah, right, one hour, ugh. Stretching, the vampa cracked his knuckles. No more lazing around, it's time get ready for action.

Hopping towards the private restroom, the bun did a quick spritzing. Something whistling on the wind, the young adult sighed. Maybe he should bring up problems about vermin first and foremost while at the farmer forum today. How many other buns were dealing with critter problems right now? He didn't know. But, he supposed he would soon find out.

Reaching for a hairbrush, the bun kept his hair down. Would this look make him look like a professional? Maybe it would. Bright red cross shaped hairpins and earrings clicked into place, the vampa dragged his hands across the mirror. Please, let today's farmer forum go well. When was the last time one of these was held? Ah, right, six months ago. Maybe it's about time he takes over going to all of them now that he's an adultbun.

Unhappy Bunny shirt laughing at him, the farmer let out a scream. He'll show the godbuns, he'll get that redo! When this farmer forum is all over, he'll find a different way to get one! He'll even fight the gods if there's no other option! No, no, there had to be many other ways to go about this. Violence is not the answer here!

Hopping back towards his room, the bun reached for a red marker. This shirt could use a little makeover right about now! Unhappy Bunny awarded with a large x, the bun let out a scream. Godbuns, they'd better be listening! He's Farmer Bunny, Farmer Bunny! Coloring tool snapped in half, he raced towards the kitchen.

Meaty cabbage stew wolfed down in a matter of moments, the bun clapped his hands together. Please, let Deigr return safely from the Sumazo Forest. Should he head back there and help her out after the forum comes to a close? No, there's no way he'd make it there in time. Heading out to the chicken hut, a chill filled the air.

Not a single egg waiting for him, the farmer let out a sigh. Ah, great, Seeboro is definitely in trouble now. What if no one else was able to get their hands on eggs either? A food shortage would present itself any day now! Reaching for a notepad, the bun had begun to scribble away. Low egg output scribbled into the top slot, the vampa flew towards the barn.

Vermin outbreak scribbled into the second slot, the young adult tapped the pen underneath his chin. How should he go about mentioning this at the forum? He doesn't know. Maybe it's best to just think about that later. Dragging himself out to the vegetable fields, an ashy reminder gave him a little glare.

Sheet of paper full, the bun pocketed the creature into his back skirt pocket. He wrote down enough, right? Maybe it wasn't enough. Twelfth hour bell soon chiming, the vampa raced onto the road. No more time to think about these sorts of things. It's time to head for the community center. Taking a deep breath, he slapped his cheeks. He's got this, Siorc. Today is his day to shine!

Ring, ring, ring.

It's the thirteenth hour.

It's the thirteenth hour.

All afternoon shift LopVampas, hurry up and get to your stations!

Seeboro community center out in front of him, the vampa huffed a breath. Is it just him, or did he smell smoke off in the distance? No, no, Siorc, happy thoughts. Maybe some childbuns are smoking marshmallows right now! Nothing to see here! Hopping towards the entrance, a black haired LopVampa soon greeted him.

"Hello there, how can I help you today?" the employee bun asked.

[I'm here for the farmer forum. Where do I go for that?] A crackling voice asked through the Talkmaster B's speakers.

"Ah, that's in room seven!" She pointed.

Racing off towards the seventh room, the bun prepared himself. He looks presentable, right? He sure hoped so. Large, empty room with wooden stump seats everywhere, a bunch of older buns seated themselves in an orderly fashion. Studying them for a moment, something of particular note caught his attention.

Heavy bags underneath everyone's eyes, a chill dropped down the vampa's spine. Oh, no, did their farms suffer from fires, too? This is not good, Seeboro is going to become nothing but a pile of ashes any day now! No, no, maybe it was just a silly vermin problem or two, he shouldn't jump to conclusions!

"Suppose that's everyone," an older bun said. "Looks like we've got some new faces with us today, so why don't we all go ahead and introduce ourselves to one another, fellow farmers? I'll start. Howdy, I'm Cultivator Pika. You folks can call me Culika if that's easier on ya'll."

"Salutations, Culika," another older bun said, bowing their head. "I'm Field Tiller Hare. But, you may call me Fieltiha."

"Nice to meet you, new faces," a younger bun said. "My name is Violinist Bunny. I may not look like much, but my family farm means the world to me! Call me Linbu if that's easier on you guys."

"And I'm Grapher Lemming," a younger bun greeted, bowing. "I moved back here recently from Fieldokyo, I hope you don't mind my presence here!"

"As for me, I'm Cutter Lop, it's been quite awhile, hasn't it?" a slightly older bun greeted.

[I'm Siorc. Please, don't call me Unhappy Bunny, thank you!] A crackling voice shouted through the Talkmaster B's speakers.

"Alrighty, since ya'll introduced yourselves quite nicely, let's get this discussion started, shall we?" Cultivator Pika said, clapping their hands together. "I suppose we should get the ugly stuff out of the way first. It has come to my attention farms all across Seeboro have had a big pest problem. Please, if you would all be so kind as to tell me the conditions of your farms."

"Ah, yes, that has been quite a stinker for us lately, I must say," Field Tiller Hare said, finger on their chin. "My wife and I have tried everything to ward off those nasty little Sapphifoxes, but they just keep coming! Why, our vegetables haven't grown at all this year in fact! And, we fear as we reach the seventh month, we can kiss this year's harvest season goodbye!"

"That's very concerning," Violinist Bunny said, finger on their chin. "To be honest, we haven't had a big vermin problem unless I'm on the fields."

"Tell us, sonny, what vermin have you gotten on your farm?" Culika asked.

"Vanilingos." A sigh. The room then grew quiet.

"Oh, my!" Grapher Lemming cried.

"Vanilingos? I'm sorry to hear that," Cutter Lop said, ears dropping. "Those did my farm in, too. I don't know why, but, I feel like we've been having a terrible vermin outbreak all across Seeboro! One like we've never seen before!"

Vermin problem brought to the table, the bun gazed at Violist Bunny for a moment. The pests, were they more of a problem now that he had gotten his divine name? Maybe he should bring that up real quick. Taking a deep breath, the vampa turned the knobs on the Talkmaster B. Here goes nothing. Please, don't let this come out the wrong way.

[My farm has also been dealing with quite a horrible vermin outbreak. I don't know why, but ever since my divine naming ceremony, I feel like it's gotten even worse! I don't know what to do about it! Does anyone have any ideas?] A crackling voice asked through the Talkmaster B's speakers.

Room growing silent, the farmer closed his eyes. Oh, no, did he ask the wrong question? Perhaps he had. What should he do now? He doesn't know. Gah, should he excuse himself? No, it's fine, maybe they're all just thinking about what to say to that, of course, right, that's all! Older bun clearing their throat, he turned towards them.

"I do suppose that is possible," Culika said. "I reckon we ought to take a moment to dig deeper into this subject. Does anyone else have anything to say?"

Vermin discussion lasting a few hours, the vampa wondered. Cutter Lop, Grapher Lemming, Violinist Bunny, had their farms been ravaged by vermin because of their divine names? What should he do going forward? He needs to find a way to get rid of those pests for good. Break time kicking in, the bun slapped his cheeks.

He needs to bring up the fire incident next no matter what.