A/N: Hi! uhm, I'm not new here, I've been here for over a year actually. This isn't my first time posting here either, so I know how things work. But this is my first time posting in the Harvest Moon Archive, so that's one thing that's new I guess. I edited this chapter a bit, but the events that transpired have NOT changed so there's nothing to worry about.
I don't want to make such a long AN, but these are some things to know...
Rated T is mostly for Vaughn's language- I just imagine that's how he thinks, since he has this natural scowl on his face xD. The World is- Island of happiness. I have yet to try Sunshine Islands.
I don't own Harvest moon.
Chapter 1
What I See
Chelsea
The sun's rays beamed down on me, my body getting used to the awkward, slanted plain it rest on. A shiver ran up my spine as a cool breeze passed by, making the perfect weather. I inhaled deeply and let my head rest back on my arms, closing my eyes to surrender to the makings of a perfect nap.
If I knew that the roof was this comfortable, I would have come up here a long time ago.
Gannon just upgraded my house, weird enough over night while I was sleeping. It was a mystery how Gannon does that without waking me up, but then again I was a sort of deep sleeper- but not deep enough not to hear the loud boom of a hammer, especially with his force. I was really happy to see I finally got it upgraded, so I decided to test it out somehow, if that made any sense. The inside was pretty good, so what better way to test out the roof than getting up here myself?
"What the-? Chelsea? What the hell are you doing up there? You could die!" I opened one eye to look down at the Denny, who looked small enough to fit in my pocket from this height. My body willed to prop itself up and carefully slide down to where the roof went flat, crawling to the edge and grabbing hold of the edge to let my legs dangle until I faced Denny, who was feet away from the front of my house.
"Do you have no imagination, Denny?"
Denny smirked, looking up at me. "Who do you think you're talking to?"
I smiled back at the way he had to practically yell at me since his normal voice would probably sound like mumbling from up here. "Then join me,"
He frowned with worry, casually folding his hands behind his head. "No thanks, I don't wanna die just yet. Lots of fish in the sea to catch if you know what I mean"
Denny thought I was crazy, insane, a gambler in the game of life. But If wasn't, then how would life be fun? It's the sole reason I decided to take up this once tattered farm and used it to build up the rest of the island. There were a lot of things out here you could experience, and If I walked this Earth knowing I could spend my life in a way I could look back at every memory and never regret a second of it, then I'd die happy.
So when Denny saw me on a roof, I saw it as a place above the Earth, where everybody else walked. There was nothing else special about that. Where, when you're on a roof, only few people on this world are also above ground; window washers on the side of a hotel, people putting up a billboard- it didn't matter.
But then again, I wouldn't deny that I did some things just for fun…
I was about to answer back when a certain blonde headed, former popstar caught my eye, walking down the road to my farm. I chuckled and raised my eyebrows jokingly, my arms stiffening as I leaned back a little. "Looks like your biggest catch is heading your way. Cast your nets and go for it Mr. 'lots of fish in the sea'"
He turned back to see who I was hinting at, quickly giving me a glare before waving back to talk to the former pop star. I smiled at how comfortable the two looked with each other as they went into a deep conversation. I didn't hear what Denny had said, but since Lanna had broken out laughing and slapped his arm playfully, I'd guess he was being pretty funny.
I made a fist in excitement, smirking as details and scenarios began to form in my head. Now if he got the guts to go ahead and ask her out, we can make a nice memory out of that…
"Chelsea?"
My eyes widened, hoping she hadn't seen the smirk that occasionally turned evil looking. I laughed a nervous laugh and started to kick my feet. "Hey Lanna!"
She giggled. "How's the weather up there?"
I smiled. I knew I liked this girl for a reason. "Great! Wanna join me?"
"Sorry, I can't. Denny and I have to pick up our new fishing rods. Don't die on me, Chels!" Her arm wrapped around Denny's, his cheeks dusting with pink. I waved them a good-bye, watching as they strode back down the road like a nervous couple going out for a date.
'Mooooooooooooooooo'
I looked down at Macy, my cow, who was looking up at me with a blunt expression. It was weird, but sometimes I felt like this cow could actually show emotion. This cow seemed to have a personality, too. It sounds weird since she was, well, a cow. But I shook the thought off and figured it was probably what happened when you become a farmer.
I patted the spot next to me. "Macy! Wanna join me so I don't feel like such a reject today?" I joked.
She stomped her hoof and gave me another long, agitated 'moo'. I jumped a little, feeling a little bit of the force in her 'moo'. I walked to the back of my house and climbed down the ladder I used to get up here. When my feet hit the floor, I broke out into a paced jog to go and meet my impatient cow. She eyed me carefully as I went to pet her head, hugging her chunky neck. "What's the problem, girl?"
'Moooooooo!' Without warning, Macy began to walk with a fast pace, my arms still around her neck. I tried to keep my grip, but my hands felt as if they were slipping and I had to climb on her back. With that final assurance, as if she knew, she broke out into a fast jog.
"Macy, what are you doing?" I gained a few odd looks as Macy trudged down the road, which was incidentally not the first time she's made an appearance to the islanders.
She took a sharp turn, making me squeal. But somewhere between getting dust in my eye and catching a glimpse of the new inn right by my house, I started to laugh with eyes closed tight. It was actually pretty fun. Even though I didn't know you could actually ride a cow.
Sadly, I felt the cow slow to a stop and I slowly opened my eyes. We were right in front of Julia's shop, Macy picking at the knob of the wooden door.
I slowly let myself fall onto my knees and jumped up, straightening my back.
Might as well see how Julia's doing…
I turned the knob and waved Macy to sit down. She obediently settled in front of the shop, just a bit off to the right so she wouldn't block the door.
Macy was an adventurous cow, so I guess she just wanted to go somewhere beyond the field. It was kind of understandable. I had to plant more grass seeds because of a recent storm, so she couldn't graze much in a field full of just rocks and weeds. My tree got knocked down, too, so there went her shade.
I knocked on the door before opening it and walking in.
"Jules? You here?" I called.
I could hear a pair of footsteps coming from the small hallway where Julia's room would be. As the footsteps grew louder, Natalie's figure stepped out from Julia's room, wide eyes shaking her head violently and pointing vigorously at the door, mouthing one word over and over again.
'Run.'
I raised an eyebrow. "Nat?"
Within seconds, Julia ran out, making Natalie face palm.
"Chels!" Julia called with her usual cheery voice.
I put my hands in my pockets and went towards the two girls. "What's up?"
Natalie, looking a little pissed, slowly walked to me and flicked my forehead. I was going to be honest; when I cringed it actually did hurt. "When I tell you to run, trust me next time"
I felt the spot on my forehead, getting a little numb. "Oww! Why?"
Julia rolled her eyes and held onto my hands, looking up at me with a hopeful face. "Oh, don't listen to her! Anyways, I need your help."
Crap. That was the very moment I realized that I should really listen to Natalie more.
"W-With what?"
She let go of my hand and headed for the kitchen. She reached into one of the drawers, clawing and plowing through random cook books and stray papers of recipes. Her face lit up when she came to a particular, thick blue book titled 'Gourmet's Delights'. Natalie and I followed, looking over her on each shoulder. Her eyes skimmed the pages as she ran her finger down the recipes, violently flipping them until she reached a stop at a particular one. One of the hardest recipes there are on this island, the all alternated stew recipe.
Julia began tapping on the picture of the steamy stew. "This. This is what I'm making."
Natalie groaned. "Goddess save us, were about to die"
Julia hugged the book to her chest and bumped the drawer close with her hip, laying it out on the table so it's easier to see. She went back to the kitchen, opening all of the cupboards, pantries, and the refrigerator.
"Ok, well you guys remember when I said that as soon as Chelsea's farm took off and she would do well with Macy and Blaze that we would be approved to get an animal transporter? To you know, get more animals?"
I leaned on the edge of the table, hands still in my pocket. Blaze was my chicken. When I got her, she was just a chick and she was my first animal on my farm. Gannon had just finished building the coop and Old man Taro gave him to me as a gift. Afterwards, I had a barn built and Taro gave me Macy as a calf. When I wanted more animals, he told me that the island would have to get accepted by an animal transporting company so I could get more than one animal. I assumed that if I did well with the animals I had, we'd definitely get accepted to buy more animals. "Yeah, Macy's getting really lonely these days. I had to go camp out with her and Blaze a couple days back"
Natalie snickered, crossing her arms over her chest with an eyebrow raised teasingly. "You mean you fell asleep and when you woke up it was morning"
I bit my lip. "The hay stack looked comfortable…"
That was a complete lie. The hay stack was the worst place to sleep on, considering scratches on my legs and the ones on back of my neck to match. I think there were still a couple straws in my hair from when Macy tried to chomp it off of my bandanna.
A pan was barely hanging on the hook above Julia, beginning to swing and swing until it was about to fall onto the blonde's head. I ignored it, I noticed it dangerously close to falling and I ran to catch it before it could hit her head. Julia looked up from the cabinet underneath the sink as I put it on the counter.
"Wow, thanks. Well, anyways, congrats, Chels! This company was impressed with the milk you shipped in and they wanted to do business with us! So 'course we said yes and now we're going to get an animal transporter here twice a week."
Julia frowned and started to climb into the cabinet, making what she said next echo a little. "Plus, the animal transporter happens to be an old high school friend of mine! Well, actually, we've been friends through high school and college, and he's lived with us in that time, so we're practically cousins!"
Natalie raised an eyebrow, and I knew what she was thinking. Another Jules?
I shook my head. Goddess forbids anyone mean enough to give us another Jules.
We joked like this all the time. Julia was a definite, one of a kind girl.
Nat shrugged and pat me on the back. "Good job, Chels."
I switched the weight from one leg to the other. "Thanks, I try."
"So, were throwing a combination party! For Chelsea, who managed to get our shop a business partner and a welcome party for- well, I'll leave the name a surprise too!"
I chuckled at Julia's echoing voice and Natalie sighed. "So when is he or she coming?"
Julia finally took her head out of the cabinet and pouted, guessing she didn't find what she was looking for. She still didn't look at us, darting her gaze from place to place. She looked like a humming birds wings- couldn't stay still.
"He or she is coming tonight. But mom is busy preparing the guest room, so I have to make the big dinner for everyone, and you two are going to help me"
I smirked, because I knew Natalie was paling right about now. Everyone on this island knew one thing, and that was that Julia couldn't cook. Even Pierre, the stubborn one gave up teaching Julia because, I quote, 'She is the only failing student I have ever had'.
Natalie gave me a side glare, murmuring something under her breath. "I told you to run. Now we both have to suffer"
I shrugged. "Nothing we can do now"
Julia turned to us, somehow getting a bright blue apron on her without us noticing. A ladle in Julia's hand could whip up an oil oozing monster. She pointed at Natalie, Natalie taking a cautious step back.
"So, Nat, you're gonna get Pierre here for me and on the way, you're going to tell the islanders about the party tonight. Got all that?"
"Tch, as long as I don't have to stay here"
I stood from the table and started to head for the door. "I'll help out, I know where Denny and Lanna are so I'll go get them" I smirked when I got an idea. "We can take my cow"
Julia waved the ladle in the air. "Uh-uh, Chels, I need you for something else"
I nodded. "Fine, but I gotta take care of something first"
Natalie and I walked out of the shop and I could see Macy taking a nap and nuzzling near the wall of the shop. Natalie kneeled down to get a closer look at Macy. "Why's your cow here?"
I walked to Macy and kneeled down myself, petting behind her ears. Her eyes started to open and she leaned into my hand with a sleepy look.
"She just likes to go out of the fields sometimes to roam around. I can't blame her, the storm messed up my grass field pretty badly. I'm still working on fixing it up. Wanna take her for a ride?"
Natalie stood up, dusting off her apron. "A ride? What are you insane? Oh wait, you are"
I stood up and mirrored Natalie's movements, my jeans were still a little dusty from when she took me around for a ride. Macy followed and stood on her hind legs, her head up as if waiting for orders. "Just because I like to have fun doesn't mean I'm insane. Now come on" I patted Macy's back with a confident smile. "She looks real slow, but looks can be deceiving."
Natalie looked at me like I was deranged. "Horses are made for riding. Not cows."
'mooooooo'
I saw the glint in her eye, and I knew she wanted to run more than anything. But for a cow, it really was more like trotting or fast walking. I nodded in encouragement and pointed in the direction of Pierre's house. She dragged her hoof in the dirt, like a bull getting ready to charge.
"To Pierre's first, my spotted stallion!" With a final 'moo' she ran into Natalie, causing Natalie to roll over her back. Natalie held on to the side for dear life and started to scream, Macy yelling out a 'moo' as she trotted down the road.
I chuckled and pretended not see anything, walking back into the shop.
Vaughn
I ran a hand through my hair and put my hat back on. The ship was about to leave for Shitty island. It was really called Sunny Island, but it might as well be called that. Last time I was there, it was nothing but rock and broken houses, hell I couldn't even read the signs. But just because there was some newbie on the island everyone was acting like this was Goddess making miracles. I'll admit, I've seen the turnips they'd turned in a couple seasons ago, but even that annoying Jill from Forget-me-not could do that.
"All passengers, please go back to your rooms, we are now leaving for Sunny Island. We shall confirm when it is safe to roam the boat" The voice rang through the speakers.
"For Goddess's sake, finally…" I murmured tilting my hat to cover my eyes and leaning my head back on my folded hands. I let my body get comfortable on the bed when I felt the ship start to move.
The worst of it all was Julia. I knew her since high school, and we were pretty close friends ever since. When I ran away from my parents, she took me in along will Mirabelle and she made me feel like family. So she was practically my whole family. When we went to college together, we had actually decided on pretty similar things on what to do with our life. She was like that light at the end of the cold tunnel.
But there was one thing that remained- she was too damn preppy. I wasn't surprised when she was on Sunny Island. Even the name fits her right. She was the absolute worse in high school, but it was a little hard to hate on her. I remembered in college when she was dating my roommate, she decorated our dorm with some pink frilly crap because, and I quote, 'pink will always be in'. It just made me appreciate the way I dress even more. She had good intentions, I knew that. But it just annoyed me in every single way.
The hell I had to wait for on that island. Two days a week reserved for working on a huge hunk of rock in the middle of the ocean.
There's absolutely nothing or no one interesting over at Sunny Island.
