The group introduced themselves to each other more thoroughly as they ate, and Ansel took note of their words seriously.
After all, he would be part of their team as well.
Harold, the old man, was the chef. Cute little Maya was his daughter, who he had late in life. He was also in charge of the overall operations of their restaurant and grocery store.
Gaea grocery store, Gaea supermarket.
Ansea sounded much better, he thought.
Anyway, back to the rest of the team, he looked at the other girl, who blushed a bit under his stare.
The other girl, Sheila, was a nurse and watched over the pharmacy and the production of medicine according to Althea's formulas.
Only now had he realized that the miracle medicines they gave before were her own creation!
Because they were so magical, he always thought they were system products.
After all, in Terran, no matter how high the efficacy of a medicine was, there was no truly 'instant' effectivity.
However, he was quick to regain his calm. This was Althea they were talking about after all. Even if it was at the unfortunate cost of poisoning herself, she always managed to discover something amazing and beyond her time.
He whipped his head to Althea, looking at her worriedly, "You didn't poison yourself when you arrived here, did you?"
Althea looked at the ceiling while the others cackled. Ansel's eyes twitched in response.
"So? I'm fine." She said, "I have a bit of immunity because of my… experience."
"That's not something to be proud of!"
Anyway, moving on, Sheila was also apparently helping around the clinic as well. Althea mentioned that she was attempting to learn from the Healer NPC as well, in hopes of triggering the profession, ideally, as soon as she reached level 10.
He had a lot to ask about those professions. It was the first time he heard of it. However, he stopped himself so he could learn more about the others first.
Especially that Eugene, the guy without a leg. He was apparently in charge of technological innovations.
The dark-skinned man worked with a lot of people including a few NPCs and engineers, especially an industrial engineer, to bring a lot of 'modernity' to life in just a few days.
Next to Althea, this guy also had the bulkiest pockets in the team, because he owned the largest shares for his inventions.
Amongst the new teammates, Ansel liked this guy the most. He heard he was currently researching bikes and cotton-weaving machines with the help of Althea's database.
Most importantly, a few days ago, Eugene had triggered the life occupation of Creator, assisting him in the swift understanding of the machines. This meant that he would only create more in the future.
As such, there were already prototypes of bikes and Ansel was planning on coaxing this guy to let him try.
The cotton gin and weaving machine, with the help of Brenda, the weapons maker NPC, was already done as well.
This knowledge made him breathe fresh air. There should be some bolts of cotton cloth available for mass selling soon.
The fact that he didn't have to worry about his change of clothes made him want to cry.
Internally, of course.
And finally, the children and Fufi were in charge of being cute. And they were truly bundles of joy. They brought smiles wherever they went, and people forgot all the sufferings they had been going through, even if it was only for a moment.
Of course, little Maya and Horus contributed with resources they picked up themselves (as they reminded the adults constantly), and Fufi was technically a member of the guard team.
They chatted for a while, eventually leading to the topic of accommodation.
"He will stay with us in our room, then," Eugene said and Ansel nodded.
Althea, however, was the type to spoil her brother and she thought he should really have his own room.
She also knew his history, how could he take girls home without his own room?
"I'm building another set of farmvillas." She said, "I'll take the one right behind us and expand the whole lot.
"Will that be okay?" Sheila asked. She knew Althea was not short of money even after all the construction going on, but they set a purchase limit in the name of the territory before…
"Publicly, I only 'own' this one farm villa and the commercial space at the intersection." She said with a shrug, "I know for sure Baron, on paper, owned more properties than I do."
"Ohhhh. Now that you mention it…" Sheila said, nodding, and then they proceeded to plan on the new distribution of rooms.
In the end, only Althea, Ansel, and the children would remain in the original house.
The rest would transfer to the other house. There would still be dormitories for future core members of their 'Althean team', but at least the 'originals' (them) would now get their own rooms.
Eugene was particularly happy with the future bigger laboratory that could rival Althea's in size.
"How nice…" The handsome Ansel told them, very sincerely. "You guys are amazing."
They all blushed and said nononono it is your sister that is amazing.
"How did you two find each other?" Harold asked, finding out that hadn't asked this yet.
"An unexpected rescue. We literally just chanced upon them." Althea said with a smile, and Sheila clapped her hands.
"Well, rest assured your life will only get better from here!"
Ansel smiled. "Yes, I agree."
Speaking of life improvement, Althea remembered something."Is the Opening on track?" She asked, and Sheila flinched, brightening at the recollection.
"Oh right! I'm glad you came back on time. You can see the supermarket opening yourself!"
Althea agreed. She had given the instructions before leaving for the date of opening, regardless of her presence. But now that she was here, of course, she'd watch it.
After breakfast and cleaning up the dishes, Sheila and Harold excused themselves.
The opening of the Supermarket was today, so the adults were definitely going to get very busy with the preparations. The very responsible little Maya was in charge of watching the children so that everyone could do what they had to do on this momentous day.
On the other hand, Althea and Ansel set out to clean themselves so they could finally hug the children.
They were too cute! How could they not see them extending their little arms for hugs?!
"Mangmmama…" Little Pepper mumbled seeing that their mother's attention was finally back on them.
"Googwoomngmama…" Little Meatballs was not to lose, and some saliva popped as he called on to her.
Ansel chuckled, "They even have different calls…"
Althea smiled and fondly watched the uncle-nephew-niece together in one frame. She sighed. It would be perfect if her husband was here as well, then their family would be complete.
Anyway… at least there was improvement, she thought optimistically.
One down, one more to go.