Chapter 1- The Funeral.
Everything started with a death. An accidental death to be precise. It was a very hot Spring day in Forget-Me-Not Valley when Takakura was on his farm, fixing up his house. He was on a high ladder, sweating and panting like an old dog, when the ladder tipped and he fell right on his back… dead. Takakura had always been a good man. Never littering, raising crops and animals, being nice to everybody and he even went to pray at the Goddess Spring every Sunday. So why would it be his time to go? Was it the fault of the Witch Princess? Many believed so. But what was really important, and what was written in his will, was who would take over his farm? That was the main question. That person would be at his funeral, not expecting to be chosen.
It rained hard. Very hard. Like the heavens were mourning over the death of beloved Takakura. This was only a week later after his death, the date of the funeral. Valley and Town folk gathered near the circus grounds where a small cemetery was. Zack and Gotz lowered the coffin down into the cold earth where Takakura would rest forever. The rain camouflaged the tears on people's faces. But one face wasn't crying. It was Garry. He had known Takakura for a long time and Takakura visited him in Mineral Town. Garry was wearing a long black rain jacket with black pants and boots. His brown hair hung down his face soaked. The only thing he thought about was Takakura. All the memories of them when Garry was little and when his father was around. After his father died, Garry looked at Takakura as a father and respected him that way like he always had. Garry looked down at the ground and then looked up at the sky; wondering If Takakura was watching him. Beside Garry was Ann, his good friend. She was wearing a similar black rain jacket as Garry and underneath that was a long black robe. She looked at Garry, who quickly looked at her. Their eyes met like the sky and the earth meet at the horizon. Father Carter finished reading from the bible and shortly later the funeral ended. What were a few hours seemed too short for Garry. He knew that sooner or later people would forget about Takakura and move on. That was not necessary a bad thing though. Everybody couldn't waste their lives crying and sulking like injured children right? All he could do was hope that people would always find a place in their hearts to remember a great man named Takakura.
A few days later, back at Mineral Town, Garry was preparing to go out to the supermarket. He lived in the Tavern's second floor, which was an inn. Garry wasn't very happy with his life. He didn't want to grow old cleaning glasses and mugs at the Tavern. He wanted a new life. A fresh start. He was about to get all of that pretty soon. He ran into Doug down in the Tavern. "Going out are we?" He asked.
"Yes actually I am," Garry replied, "I have to go to the supermarket to get some packages of curry powder. I'm having easy-to-make curry."
"What's that?" Doug asked curiously.
"You just get the simple curry ingredients," Garry explained, "Then you cook them all in a pot. After a few minutes you have instant curry!"
"Sounds easy to me!" Dough said laughing.
Garry laughed too. He headed for the door and left. Garry walked down the street passing the winery and Manna. He waved to Manna. "Nice weather isn't it?" He asked.
"It is Garry. Have a good day now!" She smiled and waved back. Manna collected some empty bottles that happened to be outside and scurried back into her house.
Garry turned on the corner and continued to go up. He passed other houses and finally he arrived at the supermarket. He couldn't help noticing that Karen and Rick weren't on the bench. They were always on the bench. Oh well he thought and he went in the doors.
Only Sasha was inside the well-stocked store. Jeff and Karen weren't around. "Where are Jeff and Karen?" Garry asked politely.
"Jeff is at the clinic for a check-up and Karen is out for a walk with Popuri." Sasha told Garry.
"That's why Karen and Rick weren't on the bench." Garry thought.
"Are you looking for anything particular?" Sasha asked helpful.
"Uhhh- Curry Powder." Garry said.
"Okay!" Sasha smiled, "I'll get that for-"
"It's okay Sasha," Garry insisted, "I can manage."
Sasha gently smiled and went behind the register. Garry looked around for the curry powder and found it. He brought it up to Sasha. "100G." Sasha said.
Garry handed her the gold.
"Here you go and have a nice day Garry." Sasha said.
"Bye Sasha." Garry left the supermarket but before he left he ran right into Karen and they both fell over. The box of curry powder spilt.
"Oh no!" Karen screamed, "I'm sooooooo sorry!" She got up and helped Garry up too. "I'm going to get you a new one and I'll clean this up right away. Are you okay?"
"Yea I'm fine. Thanks." Garry wiped away some curry powder that was on his skinny jeans. Karen quickly ran over with a new box of curry powder and a broom.
"Again, I'm sorry." Karen apologized.
Garry nodded and this time he left the store without any accidents.
When he returned to the Tavern, people were already there for lunch. Doug was behind the counter and Ann was taking orders. "Garry!" Ann called, "I need you to help me!"
"Yep!" Garry called back. He placed his food on the counter and took his notepad and pen. He went over to Gray and Mary. "This is a surprise!" Garry laughed, "You two together? Never thought-"
"Just take our order." Gray demanded half jokingly.
"Don't be so mean Gray!" Mary said quietly.
Gray looked at Mary. "Kay."
Mary smiled. "We'll have a Box Lunch please."
"And to drink?" Garry asked writing sown the order.
"Water for me." Gray said.
"I'll have water too I guess." Mary said.
Garry scribbled down two waters. "Gotcha." He walked over to the counter.
"Different sight eh?" Ann asked.
"Who? Gray and Mary?" Garry asked, "For sure. I didn't actually think Mary was into him that much."
"Same here." Ann said taking Gray and Mary's order. She then gave it to her father, Doug, who started to prepare everything.
After Gray and Mary finished eating, Gray paid the 1000G bill and gave a 200G tip to Garry. They left holding hands and Garry claimed his tip. "Well they tip good." Garry said.
"Anna and Basil tip better though." Ann added.
"You're right," Garry laughed, "Anna always craves attention, that's why."
Ann laughed too.
The afternoon passed and the evening arrived, Garry made the easy-to-make curry and ate it with delight. "Ahhhh that hit the spot just right," Garry burped, "Oops! Excuse me Mister Curry!" He started undressing for bed. He put on a shirt and plaid pajama pants. "This how I wish I could dress all the time!" Garry smiled. It was early, but he was tired. He got into his bed and soon after, Ann came in already dressed.
"Tired?" Ann asked.
"Yes." Garry replied sleepily.
"Okay then good-night." Ann said as she slipped into her bed and dozed off.
Garry too was sleeping. He didn't look like it but he was actually exhausted. The past few days he hadn't been able to sleep because of the stress of Takakura's death. But tonight he was able to get some sleep… for once.
