A/N: This story is based off of events that have happened on tumblr's Harvest Moon RP, inspired by the constant bickering between Molly and the Witch of Animal Parade. It is quite a fun experience, as well as brings inspiration to the players and life to the characters. I suggest checking it out, and maybe even take up a character. (I play Molly and Will.)
As a side note, this story only includes characters from Animal Parade, therefore is not entirely based off of the rp. (I figured the story would get a little complicated if I had ALL the characters.)
I will be portraying these characters how their rpers portray them, because to be honest, I think the rpers play these characters to the T.
Sorry for such an eyesore of an authors note, but I felt it was necessary and obligated to let all readers know that the RP plays a big part in the creation of this fic.
I do not own anything mention in this story.
Chapter 1
The sound of crying echoed through a small farm house, as a young woman with auburn hair sat on her bed.
"What am I going to do?" She whispered, burying her tear stained face into her white pillow. As the girl lay on her bed crying, a sparkling light came through a window left ajar for some fresh air. The light hovered next to her, speaking softly in her ear.
"Dream, Molly, and you'll find your answer there."
Instantly, she felt the heaviness of sleep on her lids, quickly drifting out of consciousness.
Her dream was realistic, yet magical at the same time as she walked through an endless tunnel, the events of her life playing on each side of her. As she came closer to her most recent memory, a blurred figure appeared before her and spoke.
"My dear Molly, I know life has been quite troublesome for you, but I am here to assure that things will get better."
Molly stared at the figure, eyes squinting as they tried and failed to make out a clear image. She hesitated a moment before speaking, gathering up enough courage.
"But…what should I do? Tomorrow I…I." She swallowed, holding back a rush of tears wanting to break free.
"I have to find somewhere else to stay and I don't know where to go."
Suddenly, a blinding light came down on the figure, causing it to dissolve. Shielding her eyes, Molly tried to call out to the figure, only to find that her voice was muffled.
"Go to Castanet." The voice echoed through Molly's head, the last thing she heard before the light enveloped her.
Molly woke up gasping, eyes wincing from the strong rays of sunlight illuminating her bed.
'A dream…' she thought to herself, he light brown eyes shifting over to the grandfather clock in the corner.
6 am…
She had an hour to pack her things.
Rolling out of bed, she didn't bother to change her clothes from the night before, as she grabbed her rucksack and a suitcase and began to pack her clothes.
She walked over to the small dining table in the middle of the house, where a picture, a rolled up parchment, and a sack of gold sat. She took one final moment to look around the house before grabbing the three items and placing them in her bag and quickly heading out the door.
Molly took in a breath of fresh autumn air as she closed the door to her house, wind knocking a loose shutter against the window. It had been two seasons since she moved to Castanet, having bought one of the four farms in the Clarinet District. It didn't take her long to become friends with her neighbors, as well as the other inhabitants of the close knit community.
Standing in her field, she watched as the other three farmers began their daily chores. Angela, closest to the pathway to town, made her living by turning her farm land into an orchard, with trees planted all over her field. Kevin, whose farm was closer to the pathway to Flute Fields, maintained a large field of many different crops. Kasey, right across from Molly's farm, worked hard by raising livestock as well as many different types of farm animals, ranging from cows to horses to tiny silk worms.
Returning a small wave to Kasey, Molly smiled, recalling how the other three asked her what she specialized in.
'I do a bit of everything.' She had said to them, taking the three by surprise.
By comparison, Molly's farm did not reap as much income as the others, however she knew it was only because she was just getting started. She only had a few Cherry trees, one of each animal, and only cared for a few crops due to the poor quality of the soil. It was small, but enough to keep her going, as well as help her save up to renovate everything.
"Hey Mols." Molly looked up from tending to her field to see the person who owned the voice she had just heard.
"Hey Kasey, what's up?" She asked the brunette standing before her, leaning against the hoe in her hands.
The young farmer smiled as he scratched the back of his head.
"I was down by the waterwheel today, figured I let ya know it's producing high quality items, seeing as how you need good cornmeal for the Wiz and all."
Molly nodded, her face lighting up when she heard about the waterwheel. At the end of the spring season, she had come across a house in the swamp; however the only thing that inhabited it was a pink frog. Unsure of what to do, Molly had heard rumors of a fortune teller living in town, and turned to him for advice.
She recalled meeting the fortune teller that day, expecting to come across an elder man. However, when she entered his house, the man gazing into a telescope was far from it…appearance wise, at least. He was a tall, tanned man, who looked no more than a few years older than Molly herself, with the most beautiful eyes she had ever seen.
Their encounter was brief, as he had preferred to not have been bothered, yet took pity on the girl for having come for a simple question. He explained to her that the frog was actually a witch, who had gone against his advice and used a powerful spell, resulting in her current form. (Whether or not Wizard had turned her into the frog was unclear to Molly; however she brushed it aside as it was not important.)
He told her to bring him three items: hibiscus, perfect butter, and good cornmeal, so that he could create a potion to turn the witch back to normal.
"Thanks a lot for telling me. It only took me a whole season to get 3 silly things." Molly giggled, a bit of excitement sparking inside of her in anticipation of turning the witch back to normal.
Figuring she could finish her field later, she ran into her house to grab the corn, as well as the two other ingredients, and quickly made her way towards the waterwheel.
It had taken an hour, but Molly's corn had been crushed, creating good quality cornmeal for the potion. She made her way to town, where she quickly found herself in front of the Wizards door, knocking a few times to get his attention. Molly stood there, a few moments passing, sending a few doubts in her mind as to whether he was home or not. However, the sound of a lock turning diminished her suspicions, proving to her that there was at least someone there.
"Oh…hello there." He stood before her, a bit surprised to see her there.
"Hi. I have all the ingredients for the potion." She said to him, offering a small smile. She noticed that he looked extremely tired, the bags under his eyes more apparent than normal.
Wizard hesitated, as if he were confused by what she was saying, but then nodded his head, moving aside to allow the girl in.
"Please…excuse me if I seem…a bit lost. I was up all night…stargazing." He spoke to her in a soft voice, causing Molly to gasp.
"Oh no, I didn't wake you did I?" She began to feel bad, mentally kicking herself for having known that he normally slept at times during the day.
"Don't worry…I wasn't asleep, just reading…" He offered her a small smile as he took a large beaker from his closet, setting it down on a counter top littered with other types of liquids and such.
Molly took the items out of her bag, bringing them over to the man so that he could begin concocting the potion.
After a few moments, he appeared before her, potion finished and bottled.
"Let's go."
She complied, walking out the door.
The walk to the witch's house was mostly spent in silence. Molly had only talked with the Wizard a few times before, making her unsure of what kind of conversations he was interested in having, not to mention the fact that he was also a quiet person.
As they approached the forest, Molly spoke.
"How come everyone in town calls you a fortune teller?" She asked. Only the other three farmers ever referred to him as Wizard, everyone else simply calling him the 'old fortune teller by Choral Clinic.'
"Not many mortals want to believe in magic…in fact, some are scared to come across anything involving it…when I first came to this town…the villagers kept their distance. It wasn't until a heartbroken woman came to me…asking me if she would ever find love…I took pity and gazed into my crystal ball…giving her a hint as to what her future held…after, the townsfolk came to me for their fortunes, assuming I was a mere fortune teller."
That had been the most she had ever heard the man talk, taking her by surprise. Before she could speak, the two had arrived at the swamp, the animals scavenging for food quickly scattering when aware of their presence. Wizard pushed open the door, eyes scanning the house.
Molly gasped at the sound of a pot clanging to the floor, as the pink frog jumped to the table. Molly stood back and watched as Wizard took hold of the frog, forcing it to ingest the potion. When finished, he set the frog in the middle of the table, taking a few steps back. He muttered a spell in some foreign language, colored lights surrounding him and the frog. In the blink of an eye, the frog transformed into a young woman, with long silver hair and eyes the color of honey.
"WHAT TOOK YOU SO DAMN LONG?" Molly cringed at the loud shriek the woman gave as she yelled at the Wizard, unfazed by the woman's shouting.
"I DIDN'T THINK I WOULD EVER BE TURNED BACK TO NORMAL! DO YOU KNOW HOW TORTUROUS THAT CURSE WAS? I HAD TO EAT FLIES! FLIES!" She continued to put the man on full blast, as she stomped her feet to truly express how angry she was.
"I told you not to cast that spell." Wizard kept calm, folding his arms as he spoke in a soft tone.
"SO YOU LEFT ME TO LIVE AS A DAMN FROG TO TEACH ME A STUPID LESSON?" She began to yell again, her rage increasing.
"Did it work?" Wizard quirked an eyebrow at the woman, however this only proved to make her even angrier.
She let out an aggravated yell before screaming in his face.
"I HATE YOU, SO MUCH! GET OUT!"
Without a hesitation, Wizard turned on his heel, heading for the door. Before he walked out, he stopped and spoke.
"I suggest you leave as well, Molly…It may not be safe for you."
The witch turned and faced Molly, causing her to widen her eyes a bit in horror.
"You brought a mortal into my house? You're unbelievable. Mortals are the foulest creatures that walk this earth." She folded her arms and stuck her nose in the air, whipping her head away.
At a loss for words, Molly walked towards the door where the Wizard stood, walking out without taking a second glance.
Hearing the door close, Molly looked next to her, the Wizard appearing by her side.
"I would avoid her…if I were you. She doesn't take kind to mortals." His soft voice had a serious edge to it, warning her of the Witch's potential danger.
Nodding her head, she thanked him for his help before the two began trekking back to their homes.