Disclaimer: I do not own Harvest Moon.
Chapter 1
I got the call while I was still in class. The caller sure was persistent; this was the fourth call in a row. I look down at my cellphone's screen, to see a number I don't recognize. Defeated, I leave the classroom to answer the call.
To sum it up, the whole call seemed like a ridiculous scam, a way to lure me so they'd steal my vital organs and sell them in the black market or something- okay; well, maybe not that morbid. Perhaps it was actually true. Sadly, I will never really know for sure. The story goes like this: the caller claims to be the mayor of an island I've never really heard about. He said the local farmer and my apparent grandfather had died a couple of seasons ago. In his will, my late "grandfather", left the farm to his only son- my father. Problem is, no one has heard from my father in years, he could be dead for all I know, although sometimes I pretend he is one of the homeless people I pass on my way to University. That's not the point, the strange mayor continued saying that the only real link to my father they could actually find was a hospital record from the day I was born. Thus leading them to me, after a season of searching. As farfetched as this all sounds, the "mayor" wants me to visit the island and take over the farm. Yeah, easy enough for a girl that has lived in the City her whole life, right? Things is, this whole thing would be a hundred times easier, if I could simply ask my mom about this, unfortunately, my mother passed away about a year ago. So asking her is definitely out of the question and as I mentioned, my father could be dead for all I know. The call ended with the mayor of the island called Castanet, telling me he will call tomorrow, to hear what my decision is, he also let me know there was a "replace farmer" –or so he called it, at the moment, taking care of the land.
I'm stuck in a position that I really don't know what to do. For one part, it wouldn't hurt to go visit this "Castanet" and learn about my family, maybe learn some farming, or whatever my grandfather did. Yet, for another part, I just started the second semester in my second year of University, I have a miserable job and a comfortable apartment. I have worked really hard for it, for everything, I can't just give it up. I could always, take a break from University, see what this farming deal is about… why can't I seem to not let any opportunity pass… Sigh. I walk into the classroom again, grab my things and head to the library, I got to research this Castanet Island…
~ooOOoo~
About a week later, I find myself, along with a suitcase of clothes, on a boat to Castanet. What can I say? The island was quite beautiful in the pictures that were online, plus, the story the mayor said matched up with a couple articles I found. The morning after the mayor's call, I arranged to stay in Castanet for a week, I guess a week is enough time to figure out if I actually want to live there. After the week is up, I will return to the city and either pack my bags or stay.
During the boat ride, I stay in my cabin most of the time. I lay on the small bed and dozed off. Later I am woken up by a loud bell, alerted; I quickly grab my suitcase and run to deck. I look around to see the ship's captain over by the railing; I walk over to him as he turns around
"Ahoy young lass! We're almost to shore!" The captain puts the pipe back on his mouth. I smile at him.
"I'm Pascal, pleasure on meeting you lass" The old captain smiled, I run a hand through my mousey brown hair
"My name's Angela, nice to meet you too!" I say sheepishly
"I'm sure you will love this place and if you ever find yourself in trouble, don't hesitate on counting on me" Captain Pascal said
"Thank you. However, I hope I won't have many problems!" I said and the Captain laughed.
"You better gather your things; I assume it will take no longer than ten minutes to reach Castanet." With that the Captain left the deck.
I lean on the boat's railing, feeling the ocean breeze on my face. I can see land in the distance, a big smile grows on my face, and sudden excitement rushes through me. I can tell I'm going to love this place.
Once the ship stops at the pier, I grab my suitcase and carefully get out of the boat. A small plump man, wearing a blue tailored suit waved enthusiastically at my direction, I look over my shoulder just to be sure he meant me. I approach the man and he takes my suitcase eagerly, I can't help but to stare at him blankly
"Good to see you! My name is Hamilton; I'm the mayor around here. First and foremost Welcome to Castanet!" the man said happily, shaking my hand with his free one.
"Thank you! I'm Angela. Nice to meet you" I said politely, a huge smile spreads on the mayor's face
"Very well, assuming you are tired from the long trip, let's get you settled right away. You can meet all the town's folk and explore the districts tomorrow!" I chuckled nervously "Follow me" The mayor said, turning and marching away, I followed quickly behind him.
As we pass some buildings, the mayor explained what they were and talked happily about the people that lived there. Honestly, I wasn't paying much attention to what he was saying; the scenery was much more interesting. The sun was slowing setting over the ocean; streaks of orange, red, purple and blue decorated the sky. As we pass a bridge streetlamps were starting to light up.
"…and here it is, your grandfather's farmland… Lyra Farm" The mayor said with open arms. I look around to see a huge plot of land, three fields, only one of them in use, a lake near a shabby looking house, next to two even shabbier looking buildings, the whole place just seems…abandoned.
"…It really is something…" I try to hide the disappointment in my voice. I don't know, I was expecting to see fields of flowers and crops, big trees, animals running around… The only sign of life in this farm seems to be coming from inside the house
"Um, mayor…"
"Please call me Hamilton, my dear…" the mayor said looking in his pockets
"Right, I think there's someone inside" I said pointing at the window, there was light coming from inside
"Let's go greet them then!" The mayor said, a bit too happy in my opinion…
"That's not what I meant" I muttered under my breath, I followed the mayor reluctantly. I thought I was supposed to have this house all to myself… The mayor knocked three times on the door
"Coming!" a distant voice said from the inside, the mayor looked at me and smiled. The door slowly opened, revealing a boy, about my age. He was shirtless, I noticed his skin was very tanned, I assume he works under the sun a lot, I look up to his face, the boy, now frowning, runs a hand through his long spiky brown hair, his cat like, brown eyes scan from the mayor to myself
"Was that…today?" the boy said nervously, leaning on the door frame
"I left you a notice in your mailbox this morning, did you not get it?" the mayor replied, his voice as happy as ever, I stand there awkwardly, not really knowing what's going on. The boy crosses his arms and looks over his shoulder
"Crap!" he said quietly or at least I think that's what he said. The boy glances over at me and then back to the mayor "I, uh, forgot… So I haven't really cleared up… at all…" the boy said quite awkwardly not making eye contact with the mayor
"Very well! Now this is a turn of events!" the mayor said, really now Hamilton, I would have thought this was exactly what was planned… "Nonetheless, Kasey, this is Angela, old Jack's granddaughter. Angela, this is Kasey, he has been taking care of the place since your grandfather passed away…" the mayor continued, I looked at Kasey as he shifted his weight to hold out a hand, I shook it quickly
"Nice to meet you" I said courteously. The boy- Kasey, smiled showing off his brilliant pearly whites.
"Come on in, we can discuss what to do inside" Kasey opened the door widely, disappearing inside. The mayor walked in, placing my suitcase by the door, I followed behind him "Sorry, it's a bit messy…" Kasey said, closing the door. I look around the studio like house, in my standards, mess was an understatement, but then again he was a boy living by himself, what I should expect… The bed was undone, the wardrobe was open, drawers spilled their contents, and the hamper piled up dirty clothes. I look over to see the mayor siting on a table in the middle of the room, apart from a couple of beer cans and a newspaper, the table might be the cleanest surface of the whole house. I sit next to the mayor; Kasey quickly picks up the empty beer cans and throws them in the thrash. He goes over to the kitchen, were utensils and dirty plates covered nearly every surface
"Would you like something to drink" Kasey calls out, I shake my head and the mayor politely declines "Right… well, what's the plan?" Kasey takes a sit in front of the mayor
"There seems to be a slight problem, Angela, was supposed to stay here tonight" the mayor began, Kasey looks a bit discouraged
"Can't I stay in a hotel or something?" I butted in, that does seem to be the most logical choice, wouldn't it? The mayor sighed
"Ocarina Inn is booked solid, you see, the Animal Festival is later this week, and ranchers from different islands are staying to help out" the mayor said unhappily
"Hey! And were exactly was I supposed to stay for the next week?" Kasey said bitterly
"I was hoping you had that figured out by today…" The mayor said. Kasey and Hamilton continued bickering for a while. This is a weird situation to be stuck in, not exactly what I was expecting. What the heck am I to do now? I knew this was a bad idea, why do I have to be so optimistic all the time?
"I can't ask my friends, last minute, to sleep over, they all live with their guardians and those can get really fuzzy about last minute things. Besides neither Angela nor I can just stay at a stranger's house… also, it's pretty late already" Kasey pointed out
"Well, in a way you two aren't strangers…as of now..." The mayor drifted off
"What are you getting at old man?" Kasey said annoyed, I looked up confused
"If only, for the time being, Angela could stay here. At least until we figure this out" the mayor said
"What? No way!" I said, standing up, slamming my hands on the table. Kasey gave me a smug look
"Yeah, well I wouldn't want that either princess" Kasey said, crossing his arms. The mayor stood up
"You are always welcomed to have a sleepover with Gilly" the mayor suggested
"You should do that! Go have a sleepover with Gilly" I said, looking at Kasey. Kasey looked bewildered
"Oh no! I much rather share my house! I don't mind if she stays" Kasey said sarcastically
"That settles it, Angela will stay here. Now, goodnight you two" The mayor said, turning to leave, I walked over to him
"You can't do that; I can't stay here with him!" I said looking at Kasey. The mayor ignored my remark and continued down the path; Kasey followed him, clearly discussing where I should stay. I take another look around the house, the mess is so disgusting.
"Oh Goddess, what have I gotten myself into now..." I mutter under my breath
Authors Note:
Hello and welcome to my first fanfiction!
I hope you guys enjoy it! Thanks for reading~
-Fal