It had been nearly a week since Vaughn had taken up a job at the Royal Paws Pet Palace, and it was.. well.. not going as smoothly as he expected (read: a mess). The first few days were filled with families coming in, with their rowdy children touching everything and trying to manhandle (animalhandle?) the animals. He had nearly lost his temper more times than he’d care to admit, but he somehow managed.
What he wasn’t able to manage, however, was forging a good relationship with the customers. He had sent the families home one after the other with no animals and a relationship with him that barely hung on a thread. He had answered all their questions, of course. That was what he was paid to do, after all.
But he answered them as curtly as possible, some of what he said was almost unhelpful when advised to newbies. Now, considering how most of the people who came in had little to no knowledge of animal care.....
Most people would probably blame it on the nerves, as all new jobs tend to bring forth. But with Vaughn, he wasn’t just unused to dealing with people, but he also had been actively avoiding it. He took this job because it dealt with animals and it paid the bills. Not to mention he was saving up for his own ranch, and bumming in his apartment wouldn’t do anything to achieve that...
I thought I should write again, now that Harmony Day is coming to a close. I actually really enjoyed myself this year, running around and bringing and sending flowers out to people.
I actually received a lot more than I expected, which is always a nice surprise. It makes me feel hopeful for the future, and even more grateful that I still have so many amazing friends. I only wish I had the time to go visiting people every day.
Then again, I may see some of them at the masquerade... If I can figure out who any of them are. Rachel’s already helped me with my outfit again, and I admit, I think it looks pretty good on me. I’m still debating on whether I should do the blind date thing or not... It isn’t like anyone is going to ask me, I couldn’t even get anyone to go out with me when I offered up a free meal.
Sigh...
Before this gets sad again, I should add that I ran into my old friend Cliff again recently and he’s going to be coming to work part-time for Rachel and I. I’m actually really happy to see he’s doing better, he barely spoke to me in high school because he was so shy.
And of course, Angelo’s been by to visit recently, too. I hope we can get together more often from now on. I didn’t realize just how much I’d cut myself off from everyone after the house was destroyed until just recently.
I really do have a problem letting people know when things are wrong or I need help... I’m too proud and stubborn.... I should probably try and work on that, but it’s just how I was raised... I guess I spent too much time with grandpa...
Anyway, work to be done, as always. Write more soon.
P.S: I noticed that there was a single pink flower in the bouquet that Cliff gave me.... I wonder if that was an accident, or....? Nah, it had to be an accident, right?
Your character came across a magazine that didn’t leave much space to write things down, so your character decided to write their answers within their diary instead…
Do you have a favorite number? Any particular reason why you like that number? Two, I guess. Because as long as the two of us are together, I’ll be okay (me and Rachel, I mean).
If you were a type of animal, what would you be and why? Apparently a golden retriever.
What’s one of the strangest things you’ve ever done? I do a lot of strange things, hahaha.
What kind of vacations do you like? I can’t say I’ve ever been on one. It isn’t like I can just leave the farm unattended.
What are some of your major goals in life? Right now? I just wanna keep adding on to the farm house and fixing it up, getting the farm better known... And of course, I’d like to settle down with someone, but I don’t think that’s in the cards for me.
What are some of your smaller goals in life? To make sure Holly’s foal is born without any complications.
What do you like least about yourself? Apparently I’m dumb and pathetic, so...
What embarrasses you? Most of what Neil says.
If you could try out any job for a day, what would you like to try? Something with animals, I guess?
What’s your earliest memory? Rachel and I playing at the park with our parents when we were little, before they passed away....
What’s the best decision you ever made? I’m not so sure anymore.
Who’s your best / closest friend? I’m going to put my sister here because I’d be lost without her.
What do you think people think of you? That I’m a dumb hick. They aren’t too far off, really, haha.
What were your grades like in school? Depends on the subject. Mostly not great, but only because I lacked interest. I did well in everything I actually tried.
If you could learn one random skill, what would you learn? Being able to understand men. :|
Are you an introvert or an extrovert? Depends on my mood, but I’m definitely more on the outgoing side.
Have you ever taken a personality test? (How did the results turn out?) Uhh.. I don’t think so? I don’t goof around on the computer too much.
What’s the first thing you notice about people? How they treat animals. If there are no animals, then their smile.
Do you think people can control their own destiny? .... I’d like to, but... No. I really don’t.
Do you think people are basically bad or basically good? Good.
Do you think morals are universal or relative to the beliefs, traditions, and practices of individuals or groups? Definitely relative. Not everyone’s idea of good and evil is the same, or there wouldn’t be awful people and awful crimes committed.
Would you kill an innocent person if you thought it might mean saving a dozen other people? .... I don’t know.... I don’t want to think about it, really...
What’s the most money you’ve ever given away? Does the money I spent fixing the house count?
What’s the biggest personal change you’ve ever made? Getting this house rebuilt.
What’s the stupidest thing you’ve ever done? Apparently telling Neil I loved him... Although I don’t regret it...
What do you think would be one of the best steps we could take toward ending poverty around the world? If people could be kinder and share more. Also, bartering more and using money less. It’s old fashioned, but I like trading, it’s more personal.
In general, what do you think about art? I love it. I love to draw, and I love to look at other things from other people. I definitely appreciate art a lot.
What’s the biggest turnoff in a man/woman? Anyone who doesn’t like animals. If you hate animals, stay away from me.
What’s the biggest lie you’ve ever told? Usually I lie about my feelings, if anything, because I don’t want people to know I’m hurting or feeling weak...
What’s something most people don’t know about you? I have a collection of wooden carvings - some I made, some my grandpa made for me. It’s something he taught me, so it’s special to me. I think Nami is the only one whose seen it...
What’s something you wish everyone knew about you? That I’m not just the dumb blonde farmer girl who has a crush on Neil. There’s a lot more to me than that.
What are some of the first things you do in the morning? Brush my hair and teeth, drink a cup of coffee, get my butt out there to feed my animals.
What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you? I can’t even pick.. All deaths are bad deaths...
Do you cry easily? I used to think I didn’t, but lately I seem to be crying more... Or maybe I’m just worse at hiding it now...
How do you feel about public speaking? It makes me nervous, haha.
Do you like to talk on the phone? I don’t mind it, but I prefer to see people in person.
What’s one of your favorite questions to ask new friends or to get a conversation going? What do you do for a living and what’s your favorite animal.
Would you ever sky dive or bungee jump? Maybe?
Have you ever been in a fist fight? Yes.
What’s the best prank you’ve ever pulled? I’ll get back to you on that one.
What did you do on your 16th birthday? Spent it with some of my close friends. Nothing too exciting, I’m not a flashy kind of girl.
What do you think is one of the most undervalued professions right now? Janitors. Nobody wants that job, it’s a hard job, and people take them for granted. Hats off to them, because I wouldn’t want that job.
How would you explain your basic life philosophy? When you fall down, you gotta laugh it off and get back up again. It’s all you can do. Sitting around being depressed won’t change anything.
I guess quite a bit has changed in the last while. Rachel came home, which is definitely the best part of the news. She’s home and staying, back in her room, back with me. I feel so relieved to have her here again, it’s pretty crazy!
She and I went to this crazy party Neil asked me to go to at his family’s manor. It was definitely interesting. It did make me realize just how different we are in terms of social classes, though. I’d forgotten just how rich he and Elise are... And how popular he is. It’s not wonder he could never love a girl like me. I mean, I’m poor and not at all popular, definitely not fashionable...
I did get to kiss him again, but since it was for a dare, I guess that doesn’t really count...
Rachel has been urging me to stop pining for him, as has Trent, but it’s just.. Hard to stop. He makes it hard, even if he isn’t doing it intentionally.
Reminds me, I finally met his roommate, who, judging by what I saw at the party, has a crush on Popuri. I’ll have to ask her about him later. He’s a sweet guy, so if they are together, I definitely approve of the match.
I’m not really sure where I’m going from here, to be honest, my mind just keeps getting more confused... But I’ll keep this thing updated, I guess. That’s all for now, gotta get to work.
