The barn settles into a softer hush. Joy trails a toy across the floor in looping circles while the last of the afternoon light slants through the boards.
Mrs. Gable
I should have said more sooner. The Organizer had me trying to keep everyone calm, but that is not the same as being honest.
Elias
She looks tired, not rehearsed.
Mrs. Gable
I do want the vendors to keep their independence. I am not proud of how all of this started, but I mean that.
She folds her hands in her lap, waiting instead of pushing. The apology sits in the barn air beside the hay dust and the apples on the floor.
Hunter McCready
Her hands are shaking a little.
Elias
Then say it plain when it matters. The rest of us are done guessing.
Joy laughs at her own toy, unaware of the weight in the adults' voices. Mrs. Gable lets out a small breath, half relief and half embarrassment.
Mrs. Gable
Fair enough. If I am leaving with anything useful, it is this, I can still help copy the plan before I go.
✓ Quest Accepted
Copy the vendor communication plan
“Gather the remaining papers and pens for Elias to take.”
SUCCESS (Good Handyman, rolled -1)
Hunter gathers the loose pages from the crate and the edge of the stool in one practiced sweep. A pen skitters into his palm, and he catches the second before it slips into the hay.
He sets the stack square beside Elias, then nudges the pens on top like he is lining up tools for a job.
Elias
That is enough to make clean copies with.
Mrs. Gable watches the papers settle, her shoulders easing as the apology gives way to something steadier.
Mrs. Gable
Thank you. I can stay long enough to help, and I will not pretend otherwise now.
Joy
Can I hold the extra paper?
Joy reaches toward the stack, and the barn goes quiet around the simple little task waiting between them.
“I help Elias make clean copies”
SUCCESS (Good Handyman, rolled -1)
Hunter takes the stack from Elias and squares the top page against the barn board, making the corners line up with a careful tap.
He leans in beside the clipboard, presses the paper flat, and guides Elias’s pen to the first clean line.
Elias
There. That line sits true now.
Mrs. Gable shifts closer with the spare sheets, her hands steady as she feeds the next page into place.
Mrs. Gable
I can do the copying. Just show me the spacing you want.
Hunter McCready
The margin is straighter than the last one.
Joy carefully lifts the extra paper with both hands, then pauses, waiting for a nod before she moves it anywhere else.
Elias
That is a clean copy. Keep going, and we will have the set finished.
“I ask Mrs. Gable to copy the next page”
SUCCESS (Great Socially Awkward, rolled -1)
Hunter McCready
Mrs. Gable, could you copy the next page?
Mrs. Gable
Yes. Hand it over, and I will keep the spacing steady.
Hunter slides the page across, and Mrs. Gable takes it with a careful nod, settling it beside the fresh stack.
Elias
Good. We keep the rhythm like this, and the whole packet stays readable.
Joy straightens up with the spare sheets, proud to be useful, while the barn stays quiet except for paper shifting between hands.
Mrs. Gable
Thank you for letting me help, Hunter. I mean that plainly.
The next copy lands cleanly on top of the stack, and the apology in her voice sits there with the papers, waiting for Hunter’s answer.
“I keep copying the next page”
SUCCESS (Good Handyman, rolled +2)
Hunter sets the brush back into the ink with a steady hand and draws the next line across the page. The copied sheet settles clean and even under his palm, then he slides it toward Elias without breaking the rhythm.
Elias
There. That spacing holds. Send the next one over.
Mrs. Gable takes the finished copy and squares it against the stack, her fingers careful where they touch the paper. Joy lifts the spare sheets higher, watching for the next handoff like it matters a great deal.
Mrs. Gable
I can keep the pace. Thank you, Hunter.
Hunter McCready
The page copies cleanly.
Hunter reaches for the original, and the table falls into an easy rhythm, page to ink to stack. The broken crate still leans in the corner, but nobody looks at it now.
By the time Hunter finishes the line, the fresh copy is aligned on top of the pile. The stack is taller, the wording stays legible, and Mrs. Gable keeps her place beside the work instead of at its edge.
Mrs. Gable
If you’ll keep letting me help, I would like to keep doing it right.
Quest Complete
Copy the vendor communication plan
Skill Upgrade: Handyman Good→Great