Because Sailor's daily routine shuttled between the farm and beach, it had passed Alex's ice cream stand countless times—and craved those cones for ages.
"Ratta~!"
Hearing Alex agree, Sailor cheered and threw itself into farm work with renewed vigor.
Fueled by ice cream dreams, the next day arrived.
Alex had hauled a huge milk pail home yesterday and churned ice cream all night. Ron's donation yielded two massive batches: one for the farm, one for Alex's stand.
Though more labor-intensive, Alex didn't mind—he had strength to spare, and the free milk slashed costs. Plus, Moomoo Milk made richer, creamier ice cream than Marnie's.
Evelyn opened her door to find George wheeling himself to the TV. She glanced at Alex lugging two ice cream tubs.
"Business booming?" she asked. "Why so much?"
Pelican Town's summer heat made ice cream sales predictable.
"No—this is for the farm," Alex said, hefting a tub. "Ron gave me milk; I'll deliver his share."
"Ron…" Evelyn smiled fondly. "Such a good kid."
She handed him cookies. "Since you're going to the farm, take these to Ron for me."
Evelyn had bought Moomoo Milk after Joy mentioned its benefits for patients like George. Expecting high prices, she was stunned to find it cheaper than Marnie's milk.
After adding it to George's meals, his pain eased overnight—whether from the milk or placebo, she didn't know. Grateful for Ron's generosity (and knowing livestock struggles firsthand), she baked extra cookies.
Alex took them and headed out.
---
Meanwhile, at the farm…
Sailor rose before dawn to ensure it wouldn't miss ice cream duty. It rushed to the beach, harvested crab pots, and even raided trash bins—then waited eagerly at the farm gate.
Other Rattata, unaware of ice cream's glory, ate breakfast indoors, puzzled by Sailor's frantic pacing.
"Ratta?"
"Ratta—"
Indeedee eavesdropped, then explained.
Suddenly, the dining mood shifted. Rattata, Indeedee, even Froakie bolted to the door, meals abandoned.
Ron blinked, finished washing dishes, and turned just as Alex arrived with ice cream.
Pokémon swarmed him instantly.
"You were waiting for ice cream?" Ron chuckled, taking the tub.
Alex handed over Evelyn's cookies. "Grandma's baking. And thanks—I'll pick up more milk tonight!" He dashed off to his stand.
Ron opened the tub—no cones meant they needed vessels.
He broke cookies, dolloped ice cream on each, and distributed them.
Sailor, first in line, clutched its treat and scampered under a tree. It sat against the trunk, nibbling carefully to avoid drips.
The Moomoo Milk made it taste even better than distant whiffs suggested.
Morning sun warmed the farm. Pale Ale's yeasty scent mingled with grass and crops, making Sailor sigh blissfully.
Pam arrived for work to find Ron squatting by the ice cream tub like a kindergarten teacher, serving Pokémon.
"I thought I was seeing things!" she laughed. "For a second, I thought that was Penny!"
She often spotted Penny with kids—at the creek, library, or playground—always crouching to chat just like Ron.
"How do you two have so much patience?" Pam mused. "You'd get along great."
Ron offered her ice cream. Pam accepted a cookie-cone.
The summer treat energized everyone. Hops harvesting and brewing sped up.
With yesterday's profits matching projections, Ron left after a short harvest shift and headed to the carpenter's.
As planned, he'd build a barn—for livestock and to house the Miltank (the Nursery was overcrowded).
Farm space once seemed endless, but development had claimed most land. Little remained for pasture.
Ron also intended to ask about expanding the farm itself.
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