Fields of Mistria Hayden

HaydenAri, you came!

ValenGlad to have you join us, Ari.

ValenI've brought along a veggie plate with homemade dip, I think you'll quite like it.

RyisAnd I brought my favorite board game, Well-Constructed Slides and Structurally-Sound Ladders.

RyisIt's more fun than it sounds, I swear.

What's more fun than good construction?

I'll take your word on it...

RyisOoh, you get it!

HaydenI was just about to pop some corn, and then we can dive in!

MarchHey everyone, sorry I'm late. Got held up on an order.

HaydenNo worries, just glad you could make it!

MarchMove it, chicken.

HaydenWhoa there, Henrietta! Save the pecking for the popcorn!

MarchHayden, you really need to get that fowl of yours under control. She can't just go snapping at people.

HaydenHenrietta's got nearly as many blue ribbons as you do March! She's a splendid chicken.

Plenty of other places to sit, March.

March has a point.

MarchThat's not the- fine.

ValenOh dear... she's stormed off.

RyisMaybe she's just used to having you to herself? Birds can be territorial sometimes.

HaydenY-you might be right.

HaydenWell, let's give her some time to cool down and get this party started. I'll bring her out a bowl of popcorn when it's ready.

Afterwards

MarchIf you want to talk about Hayden and his chicken, tough. I'm no gossip.

ValenDon't mind Henrietta too much. She's quite attached to Hayden.

RyisHenrietta isn't a bad bird, she's just territorial.

HaydenAri! This about my letter?

HaydenThought so! I've got the extra feed stacked by the chicken coop.

HaydenWell hey there, Henrietta! Having a good day?

Hi, Henrietta!

Oh, it's your chicken.

Henrietta(Henrietta seems like she's saying hello back)

HaydenYou know Ari, farmer to farmer, I'm getting a mite worried about Henrietta.

HaydenThat bad behavior with March the last time... he's not the first person she's acted up with.

HaydenIf I don't nip it in the bud, I'm afraid it's going to get her in real trouble one of these days at a judging.

HaydenShe could get her blue ribbons taken away!

HaydenBut it's hard to discipline her. I raised her from an egg, you know?

HaydenSmartest chicken I've ever had. Heck, smartest animal!

HaydenI just wish I could show her that the folks around here would like her, given half a chance.

Maybe we need to start socializing her?

What if we took her on a big day out?

HaydenNow there's an idea!

HaydenHow do you like the sound of that, Henrietta?

HaydenI'd say she's on board!

HaydenI should send away for some books on the subject. I want to do this right.

HaydenHenrietta is too good a bird to do things slapdash!

HaydenI'll let you know when I've got the perfect outing planned for her, alright?

Afterwards

BalorHayden added a half dozen books about chickens to his latest supply order.

ErrolHayden asked what the best book on chicken psychology was. I had to confess that I had no idea.

HaydenAri!

HaydenI've already picked up a picnic basket from the Inn for us, but I thought Henrietta should choose her own treat.

HoltNow Nora normally doesn't let animals in here...

HoltBut I'm sure she couldn't have meant Henrietta!

HaydenGo on, Henrietta! Pick out whatever you like!

I can personally recommend the produce here!

Treat yourself! You deserve it.

HoltI'm sure you can, Ari. After all, you grew a lot of it yourself!

HoltOoooh, that's the good stuff. Best ears of corn we've had in a while.

HoltHayden, your chicken has a good eye for quality!

Henrietta(Henrietta seems to have made her selection, and is looking at you.)

HaydenPut it on my tab, Holt!

HoltYou got it!

HoltOh and...

HoltHere you go, Henrietta.

HoltIt's been a real pleasure to have you at our humble store.

HaydenLooks like you've made a new friend, Henrietta!

HaydenWell isn't this nice!

LucHey Ari!

MapleHey Hayden!

DellHey chicken!

HaydenHey y'all! This here's Henrietta.

DellIs she the prize-winning chicken you're always talking about?

HaydenThat's her!

LucCool!

DellWanna come play in the mud with us, Henrietta?

Go on, Henrietta!

Show these kids how to really play in the mud!

Henrietta(Henrietta seems encouraged.)

MapleYaaaay! Chicken friend, chicken friend!

LucLet's go!

HaydenGya ha ha!

Hayden...

HaydenThink she'll be okay? Maybe I should tag along.

Relax, Hayden.

Isn't this what you wanted for her?

HaydenYou're right, you're right.

HaydenIt's been tough, taking care of the farm and worrying about Henrietta.

HaydenIt means a lot to me, that you'd take the time to help Henrietta come out of her shell like this.

HaydenThanks, Ari.

HaydenThis has turned into a real fine day, hasn't it?

Afterwards

DellHenrietta is really cool, huh? I wonder if mom would let me get a chicken too...

HoltDell's been after Nora to let her get a chicken after playing with Henrietta.

LucHenrietta is really good at finding bugs!

MapleIt was fun playing with Henrietta!

NoraYou wouldn't be interested in taking on an apprentice, would you Ari?

HaydenAri! Pull up a chair, I just finished cooking.

HaydenCareful, the Vegetable Quiche is still piping hot!

HaydenNothing quite like a meal made farm-to-table.

HaydenEggs from my hens, vegetables from my fields, and wheat ground at the town mill...

It's delicious, Hayden!

You can taste the difference!

HaydenWell now, I'm glad to hear it! Dig in, Ari!

HaydenThanks for making the time to come over. I know it can be hard to get away when you're running a farm.

HaydenWatering crops, feeding animals... There's always something that needs doing.

Speaking of which, where's Henrietta?

Is Henrietta going to be joining us?

HaydenOh! I nearly forgot to mention...

HaydenToday is just for the two of us. Henrietta is out with her friends.

HaydenThey want to induct her into the Dragonguard. Said she'd make a good watchbird.

HaydenI don't know about all that, but I can tell that Henrietta is having fun.

Wow, she's come such a long way!

How are you handling it?

HaydenShe sure has! You should see how gentle and patient she is with those kids.

HaydenShe couldn't have done it without your help, Ari.

HaydenWhew, am I full!

HaydenWhat do you say we take a little walk? Down to the Beach maybe?

HaydenNothing more refreshing than some sea air after a big meal.

HaydenAhh...

HaydenI like to come down here when I need a break.

HaydenHelps me unwind and clear my head.

Hayden...

What's on your mind?

Whatcha thinking about?

HaydenOh it's just...

HaydenIt's nice to be able to share this with someone. With you.

HaydenIt's been a long time.

HaydenGrandma used to take me out here. Said it was a good place to be alone with your thoughts.

HaydenBut you know, I think I've spent enough time alone since she passed.

HaydenI prefer having someone to share my thoughts with.

HaydenSomeone to share a meal with. And a nice walk after.

Hayden...

HaydenHow about you, Ari? You look mighty thoughtful. Something on your mind?

I'm glad to have a best friend like you, Hayden.

I wish you'd just kiss me already, Hayden.

HaydenAri...

HaydenT-thank you.

HaydenI'm glad to call you my best friend, too.

HaydenThis is nice... I could watch the waves forever like this...

Do you need to get back for Henrietta?

You're not in a rush to get back?

HaydenShe'll be just fine. I want to be here with you.

HaydenLet's enjoy ourselves a little while longer.

Afterwards

HaydenI had a great time with you, Ari. Let's do it again sometime soon!

HaydenI had a great time with you, Ari. Let's do it again sometime soon.

HemlockI've known Hayden for a long time, but I've never seen him quite this cheerful.

Henrietta(Henrietta gives a gentle coo as you draw near. She looks pleased.)

LucI can't believe it took us so long to get Henrietta into the Dragonguard.

HaydenAhhh... It's beautiful up here, ain't it?

HaydenJust look at that view!

HaydenThere's no one else I'd rather share this with.

HaydenActually, you know Ari...

HaydenPretty much anything worth doing is better when I get to do it with you.

HaydenEnjoying a meal, a trip to the Beach, a walk in the woods-

HaydenOr even trying something new entirely...

HaydenI never feel alone when I'm with you.

How could you feel alone if I'm with you, silly?

You're not alone, Hayden. I'm always here for you.

HaydenI guess it sounds kind of funny, don't it? Maybe I'm not explaining it well...

HaydenDo you ever get a bit sad in the middle of a dinner with friends? Or maybe right afterwards?

HaydenA lonely little ache... that somehow gets louder when you're with other people?

HaydenIt's not all the time, mind you!

HaydenBut there was less of it back when Gran was around...

HaydenAnd there's been less of it since you became part of my life.

HaydenMaybe it's a desire for a deeper connection. To really know someone, and to be known in return.

HaydenEven when we were just friends, Ari... you managed to bridge the distance in a way no one else could.

HaydenPeople talk about the idea of "found family".

HaydenI'm not sure I understood what they meant, until-

HaydenWell, until you became part of mine.

I know what you mean, Hayden. I feel the same way.

No one knows me the way you do, Hayden...

HaydenAri...

HaydenI think the best part is that... I'll never have to stop getting to know you.

HaydenI want to hear every funny story from when you were growing up...

HaydenI want to know what flavor tea I should make for you, if you ever catch a cold.

HaydenI want to find out what kind of things will make you laugh three years from now, ten years from now...

HaydenWho will that version of Ari be? And what will I like best about <he>him</he><she>her</she><they>them</they><it>it</it><none>Ari</none>?

HaydenI...

HaydenSorry, I'm getting a little ahead of myself.

HaydenI just want you to understand how much you mean to me.

HaydenThat's why I made that Carved Nest for you.

HaydenI wanted you to have it, so you'll never forget...

HaydenNo matter what the future holds...

HaydenYou're family to me, Ari.

HaydenYou always will be.

HaydenAnd ah... there's something I want to ask you, Ari. Something important. But-

HaydenBut that's not why we came here today, is it.

HaydenThere was something else you wanted to talk about, right? Lay it on me!

I wanted to talk to you about our future together...

Let's talk about it another time...

HaydenOur-

HaydenWait, you don't mean...?

I love you, Hayden. Are you going to ask me to marry you, or what?

Actually, let's talk about it more another day.

HaydenGYA HA HA HA!

HaydenYou already knew... Of course you did!

HaydenThere's nothing I want more in this world, Ari.

HaydenYou will marry me, won't you?

HaydenYes? Oh Ari...

HaydenYou've made me the happiest man in all of Aldaria.

HaydenI love you so much...

HaydenNow c'mere and let me hold you... my fiancé!

HaydenGYA HA HA HA!

Afterwards

HaydenHey, Ari! What's on your mind?