(Author's Note) This is my first fan-fic - I'm so excited! I'm hoping I can successfully transition myself into this. I've been searching around for do's and don't's and then the tabs for the author and such. I have to say I don't like the feeling of being lost. But, hey, everyone must go through it right?

I want to take this chance to explain my reasoning from renaming Chelsea to Emma. Well you know how you can name your character in the game? I named her Emma. It might be confusing but when I was writing the chapter (I originally had it in second person before trying something new and putting it in first), I kept misspelling Chelsea and sometimes even writing Emma in it's place. I apologize. Just think Chelsea's appearance when reading this. I even debated putting Claire in the story and watching the people say, "she's not in Island of Happiness!" Hehehe, I'm so mean. ;] Well I hope my first chapter pleases you and makes you want to cheer me on. Read and review and even message me with ideas and suggestions. Always loved!

Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to Harvest Moon. I am merely making my own story from a game I love.

o1) Chance Encounter

The air was so salty. I could almost have gone into a coughing fit if I had breathed in too much; I could feel the scratching in the back of my throat. It might not have sounded to pleasant to some, but I was enjoying this. It was a fifty-thousand-gold cruise; it better have been worth it. But was it! So far, a week into my journey, there wasn't much I could complain about. Unless you pointed out how if I left my drink on the table, one tilt knocked it down. But, I couldn't be too picky. It was a boat. I knew boats rocked.

My name is Emma. After high school was over, I took a job at my grandfather's insurance company. I grew up learning the ways of this job. I took a few classes for college and soon worked my way into a stable position. It brought in a lot of money, but it was because work had been my life. I wasn't able to go out as much. Home was something I only saw fleetingly heading to the bathroom and bed on the week days after a long week of staring at a computer screen and the weekends were my only lounging days. It was no wonder that soon I grew to despise the crowded streets and the loud noise. All of it gave me a growing headache and it had now burst.

I never had been one for spontaneity which is why even I was shocked when I came up with the idea of this trip. But I was glad I did. Even now, sipping my bubbly strawberry soda and looking over the clear aqua of the ocean waters. Yes, I was so happy. I could already feel the pain in my hands ease with the escape of having to enter all those e-mails and type all that time and my head itself was clearer. How could it be that I have been "alive" the four year and still feel like you did nothing? It all felt a blur.

This, now this was more like it. A sighed out contently, closing my eyes - chin upwards - basking in the sun's rays and the spays of water that tickled my face as the ship sailed on. As one such spray hit my face, I even giggled joyously, moving the back of my left hand to wipe my cheek. I can't help it, all I could think about was how much more peaceful this was. I loved it. It was just me on this ship with all the people enjoying the quiet I was worshipping. The smells of the sea and chlorine for the pool of deck, the sights of the ocean with the dolphins flying about, and the faint sound of someone barfing…wait, what?

"My god, Elliot, what is wrong with you? It's just a little rock - like a crib," a woman's voice chastised someone names Elliot and the sound floated into my right ear.

I look over to spy a pinkish haired man clenching the railings so much his knuckles were white. His head hung down over the side. "I c-an't he-lp it," he said between breaths that cut off a few of his words, "it just-" This time another hurl cut off his words. I flinched away from the sight. I felt bad, I really did. It must have been horrible being on a trip and finding out you were seasick.

The girl, I found while studying the poor scene, had pink hair just like the boy named Elliot who had been near the girl who was badgering him. Her hands were on her hips, looking annoyed - as if she were some babysitter with an annoyed child. This sight of a intimidating figure hovering over a person who was obviously suffering put a damper on even my mood. I opened my mouth but what was I going to do? I wasn't one to just put in on something I obviously had no part in.

There was a tapping of feet behind me and a young looking woman maybe in her late forties or early forties rushed to the two; she had pink hair, just like the others. "Here, here's some cucumber juice and crackers. Elliot, here. This will settle your stomach," the woman fretted.

I guessed she was there mother, it seemed like an easy guess. Then the one making him feel bad would have been his sister. Behind me, a man moved to the group as well. The man was old with a balding head. "Don't baby 'im! He has to shape up and be a man!" He exclaimed in a voice of self importance and authority. What a family, eh? I continued to watch as there was bickering and laughs but the more I watched, the less I took in.

The boy named Elliot did take the food and drink. He seemed to feel a little better after the hurl of whatever contents was in his stomach earlier but he was still considerably pale. Soon, my interest in other people waned and I turned my eyes to view the peace of the nature. This time I was shocked to see the horizon. In said horizon, I saw a build-up of dark clouds.

"Hmm," I mumbled to myself, tilting my head. "Those are some dark clouds. Guess there will be some rain tonight…" With that, I took my drink and went up the top deck to lounge on the chairs. Later I would excuse myself from a few people to my room all the while not knowing my fate was to be compromised.

(Another Author's Note) I was considering adding more, but I'll put it into the next one. Which I will start after I finish a paper…or even while. I think I need to catch up on the recipes. I think cucumber juice was one? I don't know. I thought, however, it would be better than saying Sprite. And, you have to admit, it's much more amusing. Well, until next time! Toodles~