Author's Note: MD7
Hi all! Wow. So, it's been a long time since I've written anything. Like, a looooonnnggg time. However, I recently started playing my old Harvest Moon: Animal Parade game and all these Wizard/Hikari plot bunnies would just not leave me alone. Hence, we have this story.
Basically, it's a bunch of loosely connected one-shots centered around the Wizard and Hikari's relationship and how it grows due to coffee. Let me know what you think, and I hope you enjoy! :)
It first happened about a week after the Green Bell had been rung. The Wizard sat at his desk, looking over his star charts. There was a light knock at the door and he inwardly groaned. "Come in…" he murmured, loud enough to be heard.
The door opened and he glanced up, expecting one of the usual villagers who had come to get their fortune read. Instead, his eyes met the brown orbs and kind face of Hikari, the newcomer to the island. She also happened to be the chosen 'hero' of the island, as she was the one tasked by the Harvest Goddess with ringing the bells.
Raising an eyebrow in slight surprise, he stared at her standing awkwardly in the doorway. "Yes…?"
She hesitated, before walking fully inside and crossing over to him. He didn't stand up when she reached him, simply continued staring.
"Hey! Um, I just wanted to bring you this, as a sort of thank you for helping me ring the bell." She pulled a cup of hot coffee from her bag, setting it down in front of him. "I would have been completely lost if you hadn't agreed to make the potion and whatnot." she grinned and chuckled sheepishly, rubbing the back of her head.
The Wizard looked at the coffee sitting before him, and then back up to the girl. Why was she doing this? She had already thanked him after the Witch had been restored. He wasn't used to people visiting him for anything other than his services, and he certainly wasn't used to presents.
"Thank you…how did you…know that I…liked coffee?" he asked slowly.
"Oh, I just figured since you were up all the time…and I might have asked around." she flashed him a cheeky grin as she spoke and he looked back at the coffee.
"Oh…well…thanks. Again. It's…nice." he murmured, very much wishing she would leave and he could get back to his text.
Hikari fidgeted awkwardly for a few moments before saying, "Right, well, again, thanks. I guess I'll see you around!" and headed for the door.
The Wizard followed her with his eyes, saying nothing, and watched as she disappeared. He sighed again and turned back to his book. He picked up the cup and took a sip, letting the warmth spread through his body. What a strange girl… he thought, sipping idly at the coffee.
Most of the villagers kept their distance from him, only going to him when they needed something. He was basically the island recluse, apart from the Witch, but he liked it that way. No annoying humans to bother him. But her…she was different. Ever since they had started working together on the potion, he'd noticed that she didn't seem afraid of him. Put off a little at first, definitely, but after a few meetings and exchanges, he had noticed that she didn't seem bothered by his presence.
Strange indeed… he mused as he turned his attention back to the stars.
So yeah, that's the first chapter! It's pretty short, but it's mostly just to set up the rest of the story. Also, some people might think that the characters are OOC, but keep in mind that these are my interpretations of the characters. I tried to stay as true to the Wizard's nature and characteristics as I could, but yeah, Hikari is my own interpretation, seeing as how she is my character. ;P