Ring, ring, ring, ring!

It's the eighth hour.

It's the eighth hour.

Work time, work time! All morning LopVampas, report to your stations immediately.

Clouds racing in one after another, the young adult let out a sigh. Looks like a storm was coming any minute now. He bets the godbuns sent it here to give him a little beating! No, no, happy thoughts, Siorc, happy thoughts. Nature was just working on schedule as usual. Strix pointing at the sky, a groan soon added itself to the mix.

"Look like it's 'bout to pour," Strix said, sighing. "We'd better hurry. Why don't you plant the new trees fer now? I'll focus on vegetable garden."

[Where are we keeping them?] A crackling voice asked through the Talkmaster B's speakers.

"I'm pretty sure Zhulong and Niquel left them on the picnic table," Strix said, trailing off. "Dunno where else they'd put 'em if they did."

Heading off towards the picnic table, a small box soon awaited him. Container of baby trees looking about ready to tip over, the bun rose a fist towards the air. Don't take these new plant children from him, godbuns above, or else he'll give them a nice big punch in the ears! Yeah, right, as if he would be able to do that. He's a mere mortal with nothing but a shield to keep him grounded.

Reaching for the container, the young adult flapped upward. Dark clouds coming one after another, the bun raced off. Any second now, and thunder would come crashing down! Flamecrows, if they'd please do a little magic before it's too late! Don't let the flames come back for another round! Taking a landing, the young adult prepared himself.

Boom, boom, crackle, crackle.

Thunder giving him a little reminder, the vampa let out a growl. Oh, great, any second now, and the rain would come crashing down! No, no, Siorc, happy thoughts. Maybe vermin just got blown up somewhere far way. Right, of course, that's all it was. He can't let these distraction eat away at him. It's planting time!

Drip, drip, drip, drip.

Droplets raining down from up above, the bun kept his head held high. Did the godbuns think a little bit of rain was going to stop him? Think again! He'll plant in thirty inches of snow if he has to! Placing his hands on the ground, the farmer took a deep breath. It's time to make some brand new holes here! Trees, guess what? They're about to get some brand new brothers and sisters!

Hole burrowed and ready to go, the young adult gazed at the label. An apple tree? Wouldn't those take years to grow big and strong? Maybe he should have told Zhulong and Niquel to drop tomato plants instead. Ah, well, best to make do with what he had. Why ask questions about it? Tiny creature dropped into the ground, he clapped his hands together. Please, one day, bear some nice juicy apples to feed an entire village!

Studying the ground around him, the vampa wondered. How many trees could fit in here anyway? Maybe fifty or so would do. When was the last time mama expanded the farm again? Oh, right, a few years ago. Maybe it was about time to expand a little further. But, would they have the chips for that? Maybe. But, who knows when mama will return from the capitol.

Second hole added to the mix, the bun studied the next tree. An orange blossom? Maybe he should plant this one closer up. Shaking his head, he dropped the creature down. Let these fruits grow in nicely this incoming summer season. Multiple placed in a row, he swore he could hear someone laughing off in the distance.

Drip, drip, drippity, drip, drop, droop.

Downpour ready to take him away, the vampa stood his ground. Nice try, divine above, he's not moving from this spot! Bring it on, Seasobu! They'd better be watching this, because he's not going anywhere! Reaching for the next set of plants, the bun let out a sigh. Another apricot, tree, sigh. Rest in peace this year's batch, he's sorry for not picking them in time.

New row of tiny growths planted, the bun cracked his knuckles. Half the box down, half to go! Thunder looking ready to give him one last reminder, the young adult placed his shield out in front of him. Not this time, lightning, he's got just thing to deal with this fiend! Reaching for the next bunch of plants, he read the tag for a moment.

Citrus plants glaring daggers at him, the bun groaned. Lemon trees? Agh, maybe he should give these ones back. No, no, these would make nice housewarming gifts for someone. Why reject these gifts left for him? Plopping them down into the holes, the bun crossed his fingers. Storm, storm, go away, come again some other day. Or, never, that would be nice right about now.

Only a few plants remaining, the bun gazed at the barn off in the distance. Was it just him, or did he see something fly in there just now? Great, more vermin to deal with! He needed to buy some sort of pest control the next time he got a chance. But, would that even work at this point? Probably not.

Final creature planted, the bun wiped the sweat off his brow. Little trees looking ready to flop over, the young adult reached for the watering can. He'd better hurry before the worst can come to pass! Soil given some nice little moisture, the bun hopped off towards the barn. It's time to chase out these pests once and for all.

Chocobats making their presence known to him, the bun reached for the trusty vermin zapper. These fiends think they can waltz in here and do as they please? Think again, here comes their worst enemy, preparation! Bolt of who knows what charging towards them, a pained scream released itself out into the open. So long, pesky obstacle, never return here in a billion years.

Racing off towards the vegetable fields, the bun turned towards the flamecrows. Would these things really be able to protect this place from future fires? Maybe he was getting ahead of himself if he thought that would be the case. No, no, come on now, Siorc, be positive here! They were farmer approved, of course they'll do their duty, why wouldn't they? But, as he thought such, a voice called out to him.

"Did ya finish plantin' the trees in th' orchard?" Strix asked.

[I did, though, I don't know if we'll get any fruits in time for summer this time around. Have you finished planting the vegetable seeds?] A crackling voice asked through the Talkmaster B's speakers.

"Almost done fer now," Strix said. "But, I gotta go soon. Want me t' check on the chickens fer today?"

[That's fine, I'm going to clean out the barn. When will you be back?] A crackling voice asked through the Talkmaster B's speakers.

"Knowin' my boss, he'll be keepin' me under his thumb until late tomorrow mornin'," Strix responded, sighing. He then placed his hands on the side of his head. "I swear, no one at that site ever shows up when they're supposed to! And, then, boss gonna say, 'Well, Stresha, looks like you're going to have to do it all. But, you can handle it, right?' I swear, everyone runs away at last second! It makes me want to pull my hair out!" As he said such, strands dropped down on the wind. "I'll try to come home early today, but I ain't gonna promise somethin' I can't keep." He then sighed. "What do ya plan on doin' today? I doubt th' gods gonna come and bother ya, an' all that."

Gods mentioned once again, the bun turned his head off towards the darkening sky. Should he take up Susu's offer to dig into the godbun's history after all? Maybe now is the perfect opportunity to do so. Right, maybe he should go about doing that. But, where in the world should he start with such a task? It's not like the modern history books would have any of their secrets.

[I don't know, maybe I'll go for a hop at the park.] A crackling voice said through the Talkmaster B's speakers.

"The park, are ya sure 'bout that? It's probably gonna be stormin' nonstop by the afternoon," Strix said, arms crossed. "I wouldn't risk it if I were you."

[Then, I might go meet up with Susu. She said she'd be staying in town until the beginning of the eighth month.] A crackling voice said through the Talkmaster B's speakers.

"Yer talkin' 'bout Adventure Bunny, right?" Strix asked. "If ya are, no need t' leave me a note or anythtin'." He then groaned. "Boss is callin' me, one sec." Click. "Yes, boss, what d'ya want from me?" Blah, blah, blah, blah. "What do ya mean ya need me 'till tomorrow afternoon?! I gotta lot on my plate here back at home, ya know!" Blah, blah, blah, blah. "Fine! But, I ain't comin' by 'till my shift starts, got it?" Click. "Sorry about that. Looks like I ain't gonna be back 'till sometime tomorrow. Knowin' boss, he's gonna extend my shift until the day after tomorrow!" He then sighed. "I'mma go feed the chickens now, see ya later."

Brother hopping away, the bun sighed. Strix's boss sure dumped a lot on him, no wonder his divine name is Stressed Hare. Maybe he could a redo on his divine naming ceremony as well. Haha, not like he'd ever fight for that, though, he supposed. Grabbing the wheat, the vampa raced off towards the duck pond. Beaks ready to peck him into next week, he flapped upward. Alright, alright, geez, he'll give them quadruple today!

Everything done and dusted, the farmer let out a yawn. He sure had his work cut out for him today. He could use a quick moment to rest his eyes. Dropping by his bedroom, the vampa curled up into a ball. Give him just fifteen minutes. Eyes shut tight, the dream world was ready to come for him at any given moment.

Ring, ring, ring, ring, ring.

It's the fifteenth hour.

It's the fifteenth hour.

Work time, work time! All afternoon shift LopVampas, report to your stations immediately!

Jolting awake, the bun flinched. Wait, what time did that say just now? How long was he asleep for? How could he let himself doze off for four hours like this?! Hearing a knock off in the distance, the bun leaped off the bed. Great, now someone's here. He shouldn't have let himself drift off into dreamland!

Knock, knock, knock.

Pounds continuing, the vampa's ears twitched. Who was waiting for him on the other side of the door, was it the Missing Persons reporters out there? No, could something have happened to Deigr out in the Sumazo Forest? No, no, come on, what is he even thinking? It's fine, she'll be back sooner rather than later. Pulling the entrance back, an expected face soon waited for him.

"Good afternoon, Siorc, hope it's cool if I stopped by again," Susu greeted. "Your friends asked me to come by since they're wrapped up in work. There's something they think might be useful on your journey to get that redo of yours."

Looking Susu in the eyes, the bun placed his finger on his chin. What could possibly help him at this point? There's no way he's going to get a redo without fighting the gods or digging out their secrets, is there? Probably not. Reaching for the Talkmaster B, the bun placed his hands on the knobs.

Titled head face scribbled in, the bun squinted. Maybe he should add a little question mark up there. Adding such, he kept going. Rabbit with a halo drawn, he almost wanted to shake the device. Isn't he being a little too vague here? Probably. Tome drawn as well, the robotic voice dragged itself out.

[That depends. What is it exactly? I'm still not sure if I want to into the history of the godbuns just yet, sorry.] A crackling voice said through the Talkmaster B's speakers.

"That's fine, there's no rush. Whenever you're ready, is fine with me," Susu responded. She then closed her eyes. "Zhulong reminded me that there's some elderly village southwest of here that has some buns who might have had their divine names changed. Maybe they might know a thing or two about how you can get a new divine name that better suits you. At least, that's what he thinks. What do you say?"

Village in the southwest brought to his attention, the bun tried to recall. Which one was that again? He needed to try and remember. Combing through his memory for a brief moment, the bun's heart leaped for a brief moment. Quarlencia? Wasn't that the infamous village where the Sapphire Wars took place? There's no way the folks there would want him to drop on by on the holy sacred grounds of yesterday.

[Are you sure it's safe to go there? I don't think the buns there would appreciate me stepping into their territory!] A crackling voice cried through the Talkmaster B's speakers. But, a laugh had come his way.

"You thinking the old folks over there going to snap you in two or something?" Susu cried, giggling. "Don't be silly, they may be war vets, but they wouldn't hurt a fly!" She then let out a fake cough. "Sorry, I shouldn't have laughed like that." She then got herself back on track. "But, seriously, you'll be okay. They're not going to hurt you. Besides, maybe you can learn some history about the godbuns if you ask them about their divine names. So, what do you say?"

Information dropping down sugar into the salt, the bun placed his finger on his chin. Maybe he should go there after all. But, is it really safe to go there? What if some of the war veterans try to rip his head off for asking about their names? No, no, come on now, it'll be fine! Where are all these dooming thoughts coming from? Come on, Siorc, get it together!

[I guess I'll go, but you're sure it's safe?] A crackling voice said through the Talkmaster B's speakers.

"Yup, I go there all the time for an adventure or two, it's pretty relaxed there, I promise," Susu responded, nodding. "They don't bite. They'll probably give you so much tea, you'll never want to leave, in fact." She then reached for his hand. "I'll lead you to the buggy. But, hang tight, I might have made some, windy modifications."

Led to the buggy, the bun's eyes wandered. Wait, what did she say just now? Wings popping out as he put on his seat beat, the vampa's eyes were jelly. Creature speeding off towards the air in the blink of an eye, everything wobbled. Holding on for dear life, one last thought placed itself down into the soil below him.

Please let Susu be right about Quarlencia!