Mothers antics

Rope stretched, and the yoke ached, its wooden fibers tensing against the stress. Rows of plows, riveted together, dug at the earth. Fresh lines marked fields ready for winter crops to cover and fend off the snow.
Goji really couldn't fend off the tool allegations much longer. Her sturdy arms and legs propelled the contraption forward. The oxen in the pasture over, sat in repose, not a care in the world. Brushed, washed, fed, manicured! They had gotten the deal of a lifetime and traded in beast of burden for glorified house pet.

"Goji! Once you're finished. We can finish planting, you'd be welcome to go wash up and get ready for the town's fall festival. We will need a hand re-stacking the small water tower once the kids have painted it."

"You got it!"

Richard always had something for her to do. It didn't really matter who had asked for help. Being a giant mech in rural Esk country town, nobody had much use for her, except as superb farm equipment. It did feel good to be someone who everyone could turn to with big tasks. After doing it long enough, she even felt stronger too! If that was even possible for a robot.
WRRAHHHH! With another step forward, the ropes tensed too hard, plinking of strings, and kssnap! Tumbling forward, her feet didn't catch her in time, tensioned rope whipped at her back. Unfortunately, crashing to the dirt below was her only option.

"Whoa! You alright!"

"Yeah, just fine."

The kind gesture to run over and check on her was appreciated. With a sigh, she rolled the large tree off of her. It was a funny look to see Richard, a quarter of the yoke's size, offer to help her up.

"Why, thank you. But I'll be fine."

"You may be, but your overalls aren't."

Goji jumped. No, no, no, not my overalls!!! Two holes, gouged open by her steel knees, and compact dirt. Ugh, I'd kept them well for so long! Sorry, Adelle.

"Hey, there's no big need to worry, I'm sure Adelle would be happy to help you sew them back up again. Here, come on, we're plenty ahead of what needs to be plowed and planted right now, just go wash up, and I'll get the oxen to help me finish the last of the field and tow this monster out of here. K?"

"K!"

It was nice to hear him try out her girlish shorthand. He was a good dad.

...

Hiking back to her room, she knew just the outfit for the festival. It had been her main concern for the day. You know, it had worked out pretty nicely to be summoned into this family. A secret fortune to spare on Adelle's hobby, which went rampant at being able to play giant dress-up doll with Goji. Flitting through the shed-sized closet, her eyes attuned to the minuscule, well, regular-sized dolls posed ever so perfectly. Their dresses and outfits, ones that little girls would go crazy for. Ahh! Whatever, she was still crazy for dressing up dolls and dressing up herself!

It felt funny for it to be fall again. Almost like it was just here. Honestly, her fears for everything to go wrong melted away, one more year forward. Oooh! After this! Winter sweaters!

...

"Oh, Ferdinand! How are you doing today? Uh huh. That's good. I'll have a surprise just for you, after I wash up. No peeking! If you're good, you'll be the first to see me in my dress!"

Ferdinand politely listened to her proposition. Hearing her ramble about anything was probably the best part of his day. His branches swayed as a soft, warm breeze blew in from the North. His Orange and Red leaves making up a stunning suit. She carried with her finely folded and draped fabric. A make-shift towel, protected the hidden dress from the dirt and mud adorning the tall overalls.

The beaver dam was actually a pretty good idea. Despite the once or twice it caused flooding, having a private bath was a luxury that was far and few between for a gargantuan lady of her alloy stature. She'd almost felt flesh and blood again the past year-ish, and felt quite naked without her charitably prepared outfits.
The overalls, dropped like sails and she sunk into the lake. Dirt, mud, and whatever else had snuck it's way into her plating seeped out, she felt like a big crawdad being washed, the thought gave her shivers of disapproval.
Intending to sparkle by the time she hopped out, her mind got to thinking as she scrubbed and scraped at joints with a new shovel and broom.

How was Mark doing with all this new life stuff? Another year by. He seemed to be alright. He kept up some vague friendships with the other town kids, and he took a big liking to his mothers doll-making! That was a big one! Mmmmm, his previous life memories seem to be a thing of the past...

Thinking stopped; a stick had managed to become an annoying splinter. It took considerable concentration and leaning closer to aid her in prying it out with the shovel.

Ouch! Stupid splinter. Well, anyway, all I've got to get Mark to do now is defeat the demon king. And that great thing he desires will be done away like that!

Humming away as she preened. Her plans actually look like they're working out.

...

"Moooom! Where's Goji, I need her help placing scarecrows around!"

"She's busy, Mark. You can get the scarecrows done later. Come, help me carry all the jars to our cart. I could use a young strong man like you to help out."

"Just say you need my help. Don't embellish it mom, it sounds weird." Begrudgingly jars began assembling into baskets.

"Oh, big words Diogenes." A full basket was making it's way out the door.

"I've read like every book in the library."

From out the door.

"You haven't been touching grandpas books have you."

"...Grandpa read them to me..."

Returning through the door.

"Rotten old wizard, he corrupted my sweet little boy." Her sneer caught his eyes, as his basket turned to make it outside.

"How is that rotten old wizard doing, I do wonder?" Trailing out the door "If only you'd read his letters you'd know." His words were unaware of the surprise attack that waited his return.

GAh! "A surprise mother hug!" A muffled brief note from the prey "ELugh, off, hlep." Predator oh so casually. "I read your dirty rotten old grandpas letters. Did you learn the spell he sent back about summoning roses? I know it's fall, but your mother could always do with some flowers from her darling son! Or wait? Are you planning to give them all away to that damsel that's stolen your heart from me?"

Fighting for freedom, he came loose with a pop. Air, he could breathe again. The vice like grip of that woman could crush him if it wanted to. He'd done his best to stay on her good side.

"You smell like apples, cinnimon, and lavander!" More jars continued to fill baskets. The peaches inside, shimmered in the fall sunlight wafting through the window.

"Oh my young man! Was that an insult to your mother, I hear! Your father will get an earful about this when we see him. I'll even do it right in front of everyone in town." More jars, more baskets.

"Goji will save me from that horrible scene, even she wouldn't stand for such... debotchery."

Adelle's jars paused in surprise. "Big word, Diogenes. I don't think you know what it means." Pointing for emphasis. "Correction, don't figure out what it means. And stop reading the books under your grandfather's bed." Plighted, in tone, and exaggerated in exaggeration. "Oh woe is me, my sweet handsome little boy has been corrupted by that nasty rotten old wizard!"

Ignoring her, another basket of jars made their way out the door.