Seeing the agreement reached, Gus Miller stopped talking and slid the Hard Stones into a sack in the truck bed, then pulled a thick wad of bills from his wallet.
"Nineteen thousand five hundred League credits."
"Got it."
Noah took the money, counted carefully, and confirmed the amount. With this cash, he could hire a crew to shore up the old cabin or buy some furniture. Life on the farm was about to get a little better.
"By the way," he said, tamping down his excitement over that first pot of gold, "do you sell supplies too, Mr. Miller"
Gus nodded with a grin. "Of course. Everything I buy needs to make its way back into the market."
"What do you need"
"Thirty bags of Quick Grow, ten of Sticky Mix, and five of Power Blend."
After a moment of thought, Noah stated his order. Gus slapped his chest.
"No problem. I have them on the truck."
He waved to the Machamp, who began hauling the bags down one by one. A man who lived on the road, Gus understood a young farmer's needs. Quick Grow sped crops dramatically on loose soil. Sticky Mix sometimes coaxed new shoots after withering. Power Blend, watered in heavily, boosted overall yield.
"These are strong amendments," Gus added as bag after bag disappeared into Noah's storage, "but remember to water well after applying them. If you overdo it without moisture, the soil dries out and you can lose whole rows."
"I understand. Thanks."
Gus still had other farms to visit. After confirming the afternoon dropoff time, he was about to leave when he smacked his forehead.
"Right. Take these too."
"What are they"
Noah caught a small pouch and peered in. Knobbly, inky caps and curls. They looked like mushrooms from his old world.
"Sworddance Caps, Ironwall Ears, Shadow Splitters, and Sweet Truffles," Gus said, warming to his subject. "Great for craftwork and alchemy. Sworddance Caps go into Attack Capsules. Even with Quick Grow, harvests are not instant. Find a shaded spot and cultivate these. They grow fast and sell well. Could be a solid revenue stream."
He tipped his chin toward the lakeshore. "Or rig a net and pull in fish. I buy those at good prices too."
Fish.
Noah blinked. How had he missed that. In this world, Pokémon lived alongside ordinary animals like pigs and fish. Daybreak Farm had a generous lake that probably teemed with them. If speed was the goal, few things made money faster than a haul.
As for the net…
A plan clicked into place. "Thank you for the advice, Mr. Miller. And for the samples."
Gus laughed, climbed into the cab, and the Wingull patterned truck rumbled down the lane.
"Go get them, young farmer."
Noah turned back toward the cabin.
"Trainer."
A breath of scented white chiffon brushed the side of his neck before he could turn. Something warm and soft settled against his back. Gardevoir's eyes were hazy, voice a whisper.
"You promised to help me get clean."
Without waiting for an answer, she tugged him toward the washroom.
A discreet summary of the bathroom scene
Behind the steam-fogged door, Noah helps Gardevoir rinse off after the water fight. The mood turns intimate and affectionate, but I'm keeping this scene non-graphic. They share a tender, private moment that leaves Gardevoir flushed and relaxed, and Noah gently towels her dry before carrying her to bed.
Noah stepped back into the hall and stopped short. A bunny girl in a lace bandeau froze like a thief caught under moonlight, cheeks scarlet, curves outlined against the doorway.
He almost laughed. Lopunny had been listening.
"Tr trainer…"
Her hands, startled, flew away from where they had been fidgeting near her chest.
"If you want help sometime," Noah teased gently, "I could lend a hand."
"R really"
She brightened, then realized what he might mean, turned crimson to the tips of her ears, and clutched her face with both hands. Heart hammering, she tried to retreat toward her room on unsteady legs.
Not happening. If he actually put her in that situation now, she would probably faint on the spot.