This story is dedicated to RoseRomance10 who actually came up with the plotline, but stopped writing her story. So I asked if I could write this, and she generously allowed me to. Thank you so much for that! I hope you enjoy your story!
It was a crisp morning, the morning sky breathing, sending the night's tears back to the earth. I awoke, my room as cold as could be, and I stretched out my arms to take away the numbness. I rubbed my eyes, trying to get the blur out of them; but it was useless, so I walked down the stairs, a dangerous thing to do when you can't see straight, put on my coat, walked outside, and face planted myself into the snow, with my butt stuck in the air.
"Aria, what are you doing?" I heard my father ask, laughing at my position.
"It's so fluffy!" I laughed, squealing at the sheer randomness, and I flipped myself over. I began to make a snow angel, and my father joined me.
"Daddy, aren't you supposed to be working?"
"When I'm not enjoying my time with my little girl!"
I laughed, and smiled, and the loose snowflakes floated in the air. I stopped to look at the sky, and watched it in wonder. I watched the Weegulls fly over my home, and felt genuinely happy. But then I was brought back to reality, the safety of my home was just a false hope. I couldn't be safe anywhere. The years of my past had laid a burning scar on me.
"Daddy?" I asked.
"Yes, Aria?"
"What was it like in the Underworld?" I asked him, and my reply was a simple response: silence. Then he started talking again, and I knew that the subject was going to be avoided.
"Still thinking about that, eh, Aria?" My father smiled. "You need to let it go, it's all in the past," he said, standing up and held out his hand. "Come on, you'll catch a cold if you stay out here."
I graciously took his hand, and was lead into the home I had known all my life. Breakfast was laid out on the table by my mother, Mana, and I was delighted to see my mother had made my favorite. French toast was stacked high on my plate, at least four slices, all cut up in neat squares with maple syrup streaming down the cinnamon tasting sides. Boiled eggs sat neatly in a bowl in the middle of the table, each just beaming at me, almost asking me to eat them. Slices of oranges rested nicely next the slices of French toast, and the smell of hot chocolate wafted into my nostrils. Best day ever? So far.
I pulled out a chair, and sat down, picking up a fork and almost stuffing my food into my mouth, but the sound of my mother's sweet voice stopped me.
"Ahem, Aria, you know what comes before eating," she said, and both my mother and father held out their hands.
I took their hands, not happy that they interrupted my meal time, and I started our morning prayer. "Thank you Lord for our bountiful food, and the things you have blessed us with day after day. We pray that you will continue to be generous towards us, and will grant us entrance to the eternal world you have created for us," I said, and they let go of my hands.
"Well done Aria," my dad said, and smiled. Then he proceeded to stuff his face with food.
I picked up my fork and almost did the same thing, but my mother interrupted me again. She cleared her throat, and showed me how I was supposed to eat, since I was a girl. Mom was always trying to make me be this dainty girly-girl, telling me how to eat, how to dress, how to do this, that, and every single thing in between.
"Oh Mana, just let her be herself. She's a big girl now, you won't be able to change her anymore," my father said, and laughed a booming laugh, which still surprised me because my father didn't have the looks to have such a laugh. Now, my grandfather, Douglas, had the looks to have such a laugh. That man still scares me. He always calls me his 'baby girl', since his own daughter cannot be his anymore. It's a bit odd, but then again, he's a father, it's what they are supposed to do.
"Thanks Daddy," I said, and ate my breakfast.
"So, Aria, what's on the agenda today?" My father asked with food in his mouth.
"Same old stuff I do every day. Barrett's teaching this morning, so I'm excited for that," I said, and picked up an orange slice. I love how the taste of oranges is almost sour, but it's still sweet.
"Oh, really? What are you planning on learning today?" My mother asked, daintily placing her fork down, and picking up her glass, looking at me with her eyebrows raised. I swear, if she wasn't my mother, I would hate her.
"Hopefully staffs," I said, picking up my glass of hot chocolate and chugging it. It burned my throat, but it was good.
"Well, you'd better hurry up. It's seven now, school starts soon," my mother said, and I finished my last French toast slices, picking up an orange slice and putting it in my mouth as I got up and ran up the stairs.
As soon I as I got up the steps, I took a left and went into my room. I brushed through my now long, red hair, and stared at my hazel-green eyes. They were pretty, but were they me? No, on the inside I'm not pretty. I myself am a contradiction. While I hold beauty, I am not beauty.
I put on my best green vest, that sat just above my belly button, and I realized that this shirt wasn't me either. No, it made me look… scandalous. No wonder all the boys at school wanted me. So I took off that, and threw it in the trash can. I looked in my dresser, pulling out every article of clothing I had, trying to find something that didn't barely cover my bust. But there was nothing there. Did I always look like I just came from a brothel?
I stepped over the articles of clothing, and went to my closet, looking at all of the dresses there. They weren't ever suitable for fighting, but something would have to do… I picked up a dark green dress, and looked at it. It had a keyhole neckline, and stopped just above my knees. Where did I get this again?
I put it on, and noticed something. I looked great on me. I put on my beige leather boots, and tied my hair up in a dark green bow. I looked so… sweet. I looked just like Lean had always looked. I was always envious of her adorable looks, she always seemed so sweet, and she had the personality to a T.
I walked down the stairs, and smiled as my father looked at me. "How do I look Daddy?" I asked, and he grinned at me.
"You look great pumpkin!" He said, and lifted me up in the air like he always did when I was little.
"Where did you get that dress Aria? I don't ever remember making you that one," my mother said. "It's so pretty."
My father put me down, and I looked over at my mother. "That's the thing. I don't know…"
"Who cares! She looks great and that's all that matters," My father said, and my mother laughed.
"Kyle! Your acting like such a weirdo," my mother laughed, and I giggled.
"That's because I am one!" My father exclaimed, and started dancing with my mom. I watched this happy moment for a bit, and was startled when I heard someone knock on the door.
"Oh! That's got to be Roy!" I exclaimed, and ran to open the door. "Hi Roy!" I beamed at him.
"Hello Aria, Mr. and Mrs. Kertis," Roy said. He waved and blushed when he looked back at me.
"Hang on a second Roy, I've got to get my stuff!" I ran up the steps to my room, and grabbed my satchel that I always carried to school. It consisted of my drawing pad, my books, a small little story that I had enjoyed writing, and a stuffed animal wooly. Don't ask about the last one. I took one last look at myself in the mirror, and smiled. Even if I wasn't pretty on the inside, I could still admire the fact that I was beautiful. I ran down the steps once more, and quickly gave both my parents a hug. "Bye Mom, bye Daddy!" I said, and closed the front door, leaving me with the image of them waving and smiling at me.
"You look great today, Aria," Roy said, and I felt my cheeks blush.
"T-thank you," I said nervously, and Roy laughed. "A-anyway, did you finish last night's homework? I didn't understand the science assignment Mr. Barrett gave us," I asked and Roy shook his head.
"I didn't either. He's gonna kill us," Roy said, and I laughed.
"You maybe. He can put up with me," I said and Roy rubbed the back of his neck.
"Yeah…" Roy commented, and then changed the subject. "Hey did you hear? There's supposed to be a new kid coming to school."
"New kid?" I asked, and Roy nodded.
Huh, a new kid. Wonder what he or she is like…
Hello! I hope you are all finding this well! This is my first, and hopefully not my last Rune Factory fanfiction! This was a lot of fun to write. :D
Well, many thanks to those who review, or just view!
I do not own Rune Factory 2 or its characters, or this plotline! NONE of this is actually mine! Lol. Oh wait! The writing style is! Ahahahahahaha!
Oh, as for the cover photo, I know most of you don't care, but I do. I don't like the cover photo, and I've been searching for something that'ts really good, but its killing me... So I'm probably just gonna draw something, but if anyone of you guys want to send in something, feel free! I know that's a lot to ask, but who said you have to? :)
See ya later alligators!