Hello. Beisbeis here.
This story is the first one I have worked for quite a while; as such, I am a bit out of practice. I only have a vague idea where this story is going to go - all we all know, the best part of the journey is getting there.
As I mentioned in the summary, I welcome serious reviews that offer advice on what I could do better. I am always looking for ways to improve on my writing. Right now I am avoiding any specific pairings; Jack might end up with someone in the end, and yet he might not. I don't know at this point. Anyways, I do ask that all comments related to preference (i.e. pairings, etc.) be kept out of reviews. This is my story; I know what I want to do with my characters.
I have made a few changes from the game to fit the context of my story a little better. Mostly these are just a few things that range from the simple (Jack finally has a bathroom and shower! Finally!) to the slight more complex, like the scale of the valley (to put it briefly, it's much larger here than it seems in the game). Another simple but profound change is the addition of festivals (which is something I seriously missed in A Wonderful Life). Point is, there are some changes to fit my story better. Hope that doesn't bother anyone; and if it does, too bad.
One of the previous lessons I started to learn with my previous story is to not delay and procrastinate writing or horrific things will happen. Unfortunately, that lesson has not come into effect just yet - I am going to be in my first year in college for the next year, and as such I am going to need some time to acclimate and get used to college life. Hopefully my story will not suffer as a result.
As always, I don't Harvest Moon. I do own these versions of the characters, though; please respect that.
And now onto the story!
Prologue
Reunion
He wasn't unhappy. But he didn't seem to have a direction in life.
One day, I got a message from him. He was coming to meet me and take over the farm after you left. Your son didn't seem to know much about farming, but he was willing to give it a try.
So he came to Forget-Me-Not Valley.
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The light spread onto the damp, dewy grass. Birds were heard chirping a melodious euphony of noise. A light spring breeze rushed over the hills of the valley. A youth stood along the worn, dusty path. His dark eyes followed the way down to the bottom of the valley until he focused on an older gentleman. Smiling slightly, he began his descent and watched the man closely.
He was very much the same as the day he had last seen him. His clothes were a little bit more worn, perhaps, and his shoulders were not as high, either. There was no mistaking him, however, as he came to a stop in front of the man. It was his friend.
"Hello, Takakura," the young man whispered.
Takakura's small eyes opened a little wider as he smiled quietly.
"It's been a while, hasn't it, Jack?" he said quietly, almost to himself. All that could be heard was the peaceful sounds of the valley. Then, very suddenly, both embraced each other warmly. The older man blinked back tears in his eyes as he pulled away and surveyed the person in front of him. His clothes were adequate for the job ahead: a new, spotless white shirt, with a bright red bandana covering the neck. Suspenders held his pants together, although they were going to fall off very soon, judging by the sloppy job done connecting the two together. His boots were a bright brown, and the clean gloves on his hands suggested they had not been owned for very long. The pack was the only thing he could recall from the past.
"Are you ready to begin?" Takakura asked. Jack nodded firmly. "All right then – Let's get going."
Jack took a few steps before he stopped again. He turned his head to stare at the high walls of the passage. They seemed to loom overhead, their stony silence a display of determination to keep everything inside.
"Are you comin'?"
His concentration shaken, Jack turned away his head once more and followed his leader.
"So where have you been?" Takakura asked as they quietly passed another farm, still absent of activity. Jack shrugged his shoulders as he looked at the ground.
"Oh, y'know… Here and there, mostly…"
The older man smiled vibrantly. "I've never been to There… Was the weather nice?"
He chuckled; Jack smiled quietly, and then all that could be heard was the clunk clunk clunk of their feet over the large wooden bridge. The water rushed below as Takakura placed his hands in his pockets.
"So what made you decide to come back?" Jack blinked in surprise and turned to face Takakura, though his eyes were elsewhere.
"… After he died, my mom called me. She… asked me to do it, for her at least. I told her I'd do it for a year. I'm keeping that promise."
Takakura furrowed his bushy eyebrows concernedly. "Just for a year?'
His companion nodded. "That's it."
Takakura opened his mouth quickly, then thought better and closed it before he opened it again.
"Well – I'm glad you're sticking to it, then. I'll keep you busy enough to maybe change your mind."
A grin spread onto Jack's face. "We'll see."
Birds could be heard once again as they left the bridge behind and traveled the dusty road that led into the center of the town. Soft footsteps fell on the compacted dark brown soil as they turned and climbed the small path. Grassy knolls stood as sentinels. Flashes of light moved everywhere as the wispy young trees bent in the wind. Takakura heaved a cheerful sigh.
"Well, here we are."
A pasture of growing grassland stood in the middle. Red paint was peeling off the large but decrepit barn. Slates had fallen onto the ground of another. Weeds were everywhere. Takakura gripped Jack's shoulder tightly.
"So – whaddya think?" He asked eagerly. Jack's mouth hung wide open, searching for something to say.
"It's – it's a great starting point."
The older gentleman nodded sympathetically. "Yeah, you're right, it still needs a lot more work – but that will come. Right now, I'll show you around, and then we'll get ready for dinner."
Jack nodded agreeably. "Fair enough." The two began their walk around the edge of the farm. Takakura pointed to the large field that Jack had noticed before.
"This is where the animals will be kept during the day. We'll have to start clearing it out pretty soon…"
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"Sorry I didn't have time to cook anything," Takakura apologized as he opened the refrigerator door and pulled out food and condiments. "I figured finishing up fixing your house was more important than getting a great meal ready."
"Thanks for that, Takakura," Jack responded. He grabbed four slices of bread and placed them on the table. Takakura placed the supplies next to the bread. He turned to return to the drawers.
"Did you ever end up liking mayonnaise?" he asked subtly while he grabbed the clinking knives. Jack gave an enormous grin.
"Sorry, Takakura. Never got into it." The man chuckled as he pulled off the jar top.
"Still a weirdo. You'll never know what you're missing until you try it, y'know." He handed a sandwich to Jack.
"Ah, thanks," the young man breathed as he sank his teeth into the food. He chewed for a few seconds, a smile on his face. Suddenly, his chewing halted, and his opened eyes narrowed. He pulled apart the slices to find a creamy white substance on his lettuce and turkey. Takakura chortled as he wiped the knife clean on his sandwich. Jack pointed his own at the older man. "You just wait and – "
A loud bark startled the two men from their seats.
"Now what could that be now?" Takakura pondered as he lumbered to the door. Jack rose from his seat and came behind the man. Something was scratching at the wood. When the breezy chill escaped into the house, that something collided into his legs and forced him to the ground.
"Ah, it looks like you've made a friend," Takakura laughed as the dog landed on Jack's stomach. Its short fur matched its upright ears and stance.
"Have I?" Jack asked confusingly as he pushed the slobbery creature off his stomach. The older man motioned to the dog.
"Must be a stray… Do you want to keep it?"
Jack's eyes widened as he tried to say something.
"Well – I don't know – "
"Aw, come on!" Takakura asserted, "You could always use another friend!"
Jack sighed to himself. There was no point in arguing anymore. "All right," he sighed quietly.
"Tell you what, I'll make a doghouse for him later. We'll get have to get him a name, too – "
" – I'll think about it," he mumbled as he gripped Takakura's hand and rose from the floor. "Thanks for dinner."
"Oh, no problem," his friend replied as he grabbed dishes and placed them in the sink. "Did you want me to wake you up tomorrow?"
"That's probably best," Jack nodded as he grabbed his jacket. "See you then."
"Remember to get a good night's sleep! We're starting early tomorrow!" Takakura shouted as the young man shut the door to his cabin. Jack sighed as the walked past the various buildings along the way to his own house. The sun's remains could be seen in the various purples and reds in the horizon. Crickets were heard beginning to call out their own tunes.
The noises grew fainter as the door snapped shut. Jack dropped his pack onto the table and glanced around the room while the puppy bounded around. It was extremely simple living space; a dresser, counter and sink, table and bed were the only furniture. At least there was a television and phonograph for entertainment.
Jacks shook his head absentmindedly. If this was going to be his house for the next year, he was going to have to learn to live with what was there. Other things could come later.
"Come on, pup," he called as he undressed. "Time for sleep." His new pet leapt onto the bed and jumped a few times on the spring mattress before facing his owner with a bark.
"Just a second, buddy," Jack whispered as he turned to open his pack. The energetic puppy barked even louder. The young man quietly ignored the noise and the scooted a chair underneath him after searching through his pack. In his hands he held a small leather-bound notebook. He opened his pack flap again for a few seconds before grabbing a well-worn pen.
"Well, here we go," he whispered. Gently he opened the journal and wrote 'The Beginning' on the first page.