Author's Note: Hi! This is my first fan fiction based on Harvest Moon: Animal Parade, so reviews and constructive criticism are welcome. If there are enough favorable reviews, I'll make sure to continue the story. I decided to go on a whole new different direction from other Harvest Moon based fan fictions, so I hope you all enjoy!

Harvest Moon does not belong to me, only the made up characters.

I didn't understand why everyone was so happy. I glanced at the tiny speck in the distance that was gradually growing in size as we approached. That tiny speck is our next destination, an island known as Castanet. I found myself placing my hands on the rails of the small ship that was taking us there and leaning in a little bit. Being born and raised in the city has given me a greater appreciation towards nature, particularly. I inhaled the salty sea breeze, hoping it would calm my nerves. I allowed myself to indulge in my thoughts:

I hope we don't mess this up; we need this gig to finally afford an actual place to live. And once we get the money where will we go, where will we live? Are we meant to be nomads for the rest of our lives?

My thoughts were soon interrupted by a sudden smack on my backside and a twinkling laugh. I gasped in surprise and whirled around to see Marina bent over in laughter.

"Relax! You look so serious all the time, loosen up girl! We've never had to perform in such a small town before, what's there to stress about?" Marina placed her hands on her hips and gave me a triumphant grin. "Do you honestly think they've seen dancers like us before?"

I frowned. "Are you sure we should be wearing our costumes right now?" I glanced up and down at her, closely scrutinizing her outfit: a traditional belly dancing outfit bedazzled from top to bottom, with glittery (and outlandish) jewelry to match. I reached out to adjust her top, "This thing makes you look a little…top heavy."

Marina gasped and smacked my hands away from her bosom, "That's the whole idea! Sex sells baby! Who knows? I might get the attention of a few country boys, know what I mean?" She winked and walked towards the rest of our company, dressed almost as outlandish if not worse.

I leaned against the rails and looked at the wooden floors. Why did Mama insist on us wearing these clothes? Shouldn't we wait until we actually perform?

I thought about what Mama said the night before we departed to Castanet, "Listen everybody! Dress to impress these people, first impressions are the lasting impressions! Let us show them what we are about by wearing the one outfit that best suits our special talent!"

Talent as in what dance we specialize in.

Our group consisted of twelve trained dancers, and some of us were classically trained singers. Marco was best at hip hop so he was wearing his Vans, Chachimommas, and a snapback. Adilene was known for her love of boy bands and pop music, so she wore a cutesy babydoll dress. Joyce was best at ballet, so she had tights and leotards with flats on. And Marina, was obviously the best belly dancer.

Mama was always the best dancer, particularly in Latin dancing. And I was her young protégé. Thinking about this made me realize what I was wearing: a red asymmetrical salsa dress which, unfortunately, showed quite a bit of my right leg with each step I took. I quickly took a hold of the slit on that side of my dress and grabbed it almost for dear life. I couldn't bear the thought of innocent country folk thinking of me as a raunchy dancer or anything. Another light breeze reminded me that I had my back exposed as well and I jumped at the sudden cool breeze. I shivered, wishing I had a shoulder shrug or something to cover up.

Before I knew it, that tiny speck came into full view and I finally saw this obscure island no one has heard about. It was breathtaking. Green, lush trees grew everywhere. Fields of flowers. Soothing breeze. Crisp, blue water. I didn't realize that I was soon joined by the rest of my family, all staring in awe as well.

"Welcome to Castanet, folks!"

We turned around to see the ship's captain, Pascal, coming out his cabin and walking towards us with a wide smile on his face. Some of us said our thanks while the rest still stared in awe of the island. We didn't even notice the matriarch of the family walk out of the ship's cabin until she started laughing at our expression and excitement. I know that laugh anywhere. It was Mama.

"Alright babies! Grab your bags, don't leave anything on the ship, we are about to reach land!" she boomed in that loud, assertive voice of hers. Everyone scrambled to get their belongings from the back of the ship, except myself. Mama took notice of this and walked towards me with sternness in her voice but a smile in her face, "Look, I understand that you are quite the serious performer but would you mind softening your face? You need to help represent this company, my company, in the best light possible. We are here to show these people our culture, a good time, and hopefully in return we can finally garner the funds to have a place of our own. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Mama. I do, but honestly I don't mean to be so serious or intimidate people. I just feel wary all the time or am deep in thought. One thing I can promise," I said as I took a step towards Mama, "is that I will dance my heart out. People don't even notice my face much when I dance, I promise that much."

Mama placed a hand on my face, "Alright, mija. I know despite your hardass-ness you have quite a talent. Sing a little too, maybe that will easen up patrons." I turned my face away in embarrassment at the mention of 'hardass'. I'm notorious for being that person in the family.

"You go first!"

"No you get off!"

"Send Adilene first, she's the attention whore!"

"MAMA DID YOU HEAR THAT?!"

"But is she lying though…"

The rest of our crew were bickering about who should get off the boat first. I smirked, I knew they were all nervous after all. However, me being the peacemaker (hopefully not by intimidation) thought of a solution. Although to me the solution was a bit too obvious.

"Send Mama first, she's the head of the company. She should introduce us."

Everyone stopped arguing almost instantly and looked at me, who was casually leaning against the wall of the ship cabin messing with my lighter. I am no smoker, but for some reason flickering my lighter on and off is almost therapeutic to me.

Rosalinda spoke first," I guess that makes sense. Let's just do that."

I walked over to Rosalinda and plucked a feather that was sticking out of her costume, a Brazilian samba dress with a 1- foot tall head piece. "There, all better. Let me get Mama."

"No need, I'm here."

Mama stood behind us with her own attire, a simple pantsuit. I rolled my eyes. I wish we could have all dressed comfortably as well but Mama being the owner of our company had to be in business attire. Mama placed her hands on her hips and said, "Okay roll call now. Marina, Marco, Rosalinda, Adilene, Adam, Bryce, Ray, Joyce, Alma, Diego?" She looked around. "Excellent."

She turned towards me and smiled, "You're always here, I never have the need to call you up." I gave her a half smile and went back to my lighter.

She faced the crew and continued, "This is the schedule for the week at Castanet. Today we will start off with our meet-and-greet as well as a display of all our talents. The next few days will be a bit tuned down and will take place at a little bar called the Brass Bar. We will have a Girls' Night, followed by Gents' Night the next day, and finish the following day with Medley Night, where we will give customers the chance to dance with us. Understood?"

Everyone said yes in unison. Marina elbowed my side a bit and winked at me, "Hopefully if we do Gents' Night well, we will have quite a lot of men willing to dance with us the next night." I turned slightly red and turned my face away, "I'm okay with not doing that, besides they'll dance with you mostly since you're the most oldest and beautiful." I quietly muttered under my breath, "…and most endowed…" Marina chuckled and placed an arm around my shoulder, "Ay hermanita, you are quite a flower. You can make men fall on their knees with a glance from you." She put a finger on her chin and looked up, seemingly deep in thought. "Especially when you dance…"

We felt the ship come to a slow stop. I have been too busy talking to Marina to notice that we have already made it to the port of the island. I raised my eyebrows, noticing a tall lighthouse. I let my eyes wander all over the island, taking every detail in. I saw what seemed to be shops, colorful homes that looked so welcoming, and…stairs? Lots of them. I even saw a few animals roaming around.

I smiled, it was quite a lovely sight.

We all walked out of the ship and after giving our thanks to Pascal, we were greeted by a rather stout and short man with graying hair. His blue suit gave him away as a man of importance. Mama walked towards him with a smile on her face and extended an olive toned hand towards him, "Hamilton! What a beautiful town you have here, I am quite pleased! Thank you for inviting us out here, you are such a lovely man." That was Mama, known for having a way to talk to people.

The mayor looked quite exuberated with joy, "Victoria! How lovely to see you again, welcome to Castanet! This area right here is called Harmonica Town." He leaned to the side to see a full view of us all. His smile grew even bigger, "AMAZING! You all look dressed to a T! This is exactly what this town needs, a fresh new perspective to what the outside world is made of."

Marco piped up, "Oh not everyone does this kinda thing uh Mr. Mayor, dude. In fact we take pride in being one of the few in the world to be this versatile in nearly every style of dance!" He almost puffed out his chest in pride. Mama shot him a stern look, "What he is TRYING to say, Hamilton, is that we are of an esteemed company most honored to be sharing our talents with your kind town." Marco rubbed his neck in embarrassment, "Yeah, what she said…"

Mayor Hamilton put his hands on his belly and gave quite a hearty laugh, "No no no, we are quite honored. Please, let me show you to your rooms at the Ocarina Inn. After you get settled, please head to the Church Grounds located to the west of Harmonica Town to begin your performance. But before I go, which one of you is the protégé of my lovely friend here?" He motioned towards my mother, who gave him a playful smile.

I stepped forward, "That would be me, sir." I mentally gave myself a side note to not appear too serious and soften my face. I gave him a small smile.

I walked towards him and extended my hand to him, which he shook vigorously. "Oh my," he said rather dramatically, "you are truly as beautiful as your mother! Your mother was quite a legend back in the day, weren't you Victoria?" Both he and my mother laughed, while I smiled at him. Genuinely this time.

He regained his composure and grabbed my hand with both of his wrinkly ones. I noticed how light they felt, almost like paper. "I am pleased to meet you, young one. Now if I may ask, what is your name?"

I cleared my throat, "My name? Uh, my name is Rose."