Harvesting Love
Summary: Ed, Jane and Emma, three siblings left to take care of the late dad's farm while their mother went back to mineral town. So far none has fallen in love (or seriously in love according to Jane) but that's going to change...
Hey. Those of you who have read my profile might have come across the bit about my Harvest Moon OC and probably wondering about them as I haven't written a story with those characters (through I've used the name Emma a lot) Well Tada! I written about half of this ages ago but couldn't be bothered to type it up, so now enjoy.
Just so you all know:
Ed is Jack. He is the oldest of the siblings and tends to take charge through struggles to keep Jane on a leash. Love Match: Celia
Jane is Jill. She's a flirt and a mischief maker but a fun happy girl. Love match: Kai.
Emma is Claire. She's rarely talks and so everyone thinks she timid and shy. However sometimes they spot her rolling her eyes and hear her muttering something but assume it was the trick of the light or they were hearing wrong. (She's my fave and why I call myself HMemma546 :D) Love Match Skye. (That's also why I like her XD)
Chapter 1.
A bright sunny morning shone upon Forget-Me-Not-Valley. The dawning sun casted it rays on the late spring trees, causing the greening leaves and the fading blossom to equally glow amber. A peaceful beautiful day...until a shout echo over from a farm, north of the valley.
"Jane! You let the chickens, again?"
In the north middle farm according to the Valley's map, a young brunet man, wearing a blue jump suit, red scarf and a back to front cap charged over to his younger brunette sister, cheeks flushed from anger.
The cheeks flushed on the sister too as she glared back, pointing her watering can at him with one hand and placing her other on her hip.
"Hey, this time it's your fault!" She bellowed back, "You left the door open! I can't water these and shut the gate at the same time, you know?"
Ed growled at Jane, grinding his teeth as his face became even more flushed with anger. Jane snarled also, her purple eyes burning into his, daring him to out stare her. He tried but his hazel ones weren't a match on an onyx's fury.
"I thought girls can multitask!" He shouted, stereotyping before thinking. The purple onyxes harden.
Who does Ed think he is; the owner of the farm? Jane thought, casting her eyes down so she could build more anger into them. She paused as she thought that thought, wishing she hadn't.
Ed stared at his sister, letting his fury simmer for a moment as he stared past the pretty face, made up with lip gloss, eye liner and foundation along with her cute heart top and too short skirt and leggings, and into her thoughts. He paused too, wishing he couldn't read her like an open book and he didn't shout at her in the first place.
But frustration was never a thing to back down without a fight.
"Stop acting like a stroppy two year old and help me find them!"
Just as things look worse for Ed as Jane's onyxes bellowed with rage, a small timid voice interrupted them.
"It's alright, I've got them."
They both turned to see a long blond haired girl clutching two of the chickens while another two walked faithfully besides her. Her hair was what could be seen of her really – apart from her blue overalls and red check shirt – for it hid her face from view, only showing a quarter of both cobalt eyes which avoided their glazes, looking down at the two untrustworthy chickens that were still trying to escape her clutches and make trouble. Her hair hid the small fond smile that formed at them for a moment before turning back to her older siblings. You may be surprise at that as she didn't resemble much of them but she inherited the blond hair and blue eyes from their mother.
"I thought you were out buying seeds, Emma." Jane said, in a much softer tone. That caused Emma's eyes to roll but she flicked her hair into her eyes more first.
"Wasn't it my turn?" Ed slapped his cheek, groaning at himself. Keeping to a schedule was hard with four chickens, three sheep, two cows and Jane – who the two troublemaking chickens got their attitude from, probably.
"Why do you care? Fancy Vesta?" Jane teased. Vesta was the owner of the only other farm in the valley and the shop to buy crops other than the phone. She was a plum old lady, hair still sandy brown but wrinkles clearly starting to show she was coming on in age. She lived next door to the shop with her younger half-brother, the ivory haired, indifference Martin.
Ed moaned, moving his hand to slap his forehead at his sister remark. That made Jane smirk more.
"Well, I'm glad you don't, you should look for someone your age, below seventy at least."
"She's not that old!"
"Oh, so you do fancy Vesta then?"
Emma sighed. This was her older brother and sister. They argue and then forget the argument and tease each other until they argue again. Maybe they should just leave out the arguing.
Hearing her sigh, Ed broke of completing against Jane to look at her. He couldn't help but find his voice softening as if speaking to a frightened child, "Did you buy the seeds, Em?"
Silently she shook her head, gesturing to the chickens. When she had stepped off the farm path and onto the stones of the main plaza, the chickens came after her, the troublemakers ready to do mischief and the loyal ones tagging after her, only having followed the other two so they weren't left alone in the coop. She had only just brought them back after scampering after the troublesome chickens while the other two waited until she had managed to grab both of them and keep hold of them despite their struggling.
"We'll all go then."
"What? But I-" Jane caught the glare and the threatening hand of a Chinese burn coming from Ed, "Alright, alright, I needed to go to Mineral Town anyway."
Jane cursed herself for letting that part out when she saw Ed folding his arms, telling her he would not back out of what he would say next, "You are not going shopping this week at all, Jane. We need the money for upgrades on our tools, not makeup and sweets."
"Hey, hey, you're the ones that buy the sweets, I'm dieting remember?" That only made Ed raised his eyebrows in a yeah right sort of way. "I was going to see Mum actually."
She wasn't really, but their mum did live in Mineral Town farm, so what she said could be true. However, maybe she should like her mother's company before using that excuse. Ed didn't believe her for one second.
"We are just going to Vesta's shop and that's all." He said sternly.
"Uggh, alright, alright, no Mineral Town shopping," Jane groaned. Then she lowered her voice so Ed wouldn't hear her, "I'll just go phone shopping this week then."
They helped Emma get the chickens back into the coop and then headed to Vesta's farm.
Jane groaned as she glanced up at the plaza, hating it. There was nothing there! Just an inn, a clinic, a bar and some houses. Where were the clothes shops? Where were Boots? Where were the snazzy restaurants for dates? Oh, that's right, in the city. Mineral Town only did a little better than the valley. There was an inn and bar, winery, clinic, church, beach restaurant (which, when she lived in Mineral Town, was shut) and a supermarket. That only sold makeup from the fact that she begged Karen, the shopkeeper's daughter, to stock it.
Sighing, Jane perked up as she saw a few people hanging around. She searched the faces, looking past the locals, looking for him. But no, fate had yet again deceived her; he hadn't come for her yet.
They knocked on Vesta's shops door to find it shut. Neither Vesta nor Martin was in the fields so they went next door instead. This time they found the old lady.
"Morning," Vesta grinned a sharp toothy grin, normal for her. Jane smiled back, forgetting the downside of the valley and focusing on the present, "I've shut the shop today, hope you guys don't mind."
"So, giving us a chance to beat your farm, competitor? Not that we aren't beating it already, eh?" Jane winked, ignoring the fact that Ed would be on the phone to buy seeds, taking her opportunity of shopping.
Vesta roared with laughter, patting Jane's arm (and probably leaving a bruise), "Your father use to say that to me when he started."
An uncomfortable silence fell, sadness appearing on the siblings faces. Jane bit her lip, Emma ducked her head and let her hair completely cover her face and Ed looked away from Vesta. When he was eleven, Jane ten and Emma nine, their father, Jack, died. Through they were now late teens, they still missed him. Ed and Jane took after their father, Ed the blue cap, brown hair and eyes and Jane just the brown hair (her eyes were from her grandmother). When they heard the news that Jack had died in a typhoon, nothing was the same for the siblings. They moved to Mineral Town's farm, their mother's farm before she married Jack, and let the locals take care of the farm in the valley. Only the beginning of spring that year did they ever step back into Jade Fox Farm.
Ed tried to find a way to change the subject before any sorrys or pities were said. That was when he saw the other person in the house.
A brunette girl stared at them from the side of the table, her chocolate brown glazing into his when he noticed her. Her hair swept around her, a scarf on top of her head like a tiara and she wore a deep green dress and a checked apron through, in Ed's opinion, she would look as beautiful if she were wearing rags. Wait...beautiful?
"Who's she?" He whispered, unable to take his eyes from hers. He didn't even acknowledge that he had done his job of changing the subject.
"She's why the shop's close," Vesta lightly jibed, "This is my niece, Celia, she's come to live and work here."
"Hi," Celia murmured, smiling politely. Ed smiled too.
"Nice to meet you, I'm Ed-"
"And I'm Jane!"
Ed nearly jumped out of his skin as he finally lowered his eyes and glanced at his peppy sister who had bounced over to Celia and took her hand to shake. Emma stayed were she was, through her hair uncovered her face a little.
"That's Emma. She's shy." Ed thought that he saw Emma glare at him but when he checked, she was simply looking at Celia.
"That what makes her the best sister in the world! Unlike my brother here..."
"Just because Emma doesn't argue back!"
Emma let her hand rise and her fingers waggle, forming a meek wave at Celia. Celia smiled back before turning to all the siblings.
"So are you the three farmers from Jade Fox farm? Vesta told me a lot about you."
They launched into a topic about farms when a small click of a mail box interrupted. Vesta grinned again and left the four, fetching the post.
How to start a conversation...Ed bit his lip as he stared at Celia. He wasn't much of a make friend guy; usually his friends were just people who he talked to during work and helped over the fact that Jane dumped them. And for some reason, he really wanted to be friends with Celia.
"So...how come you've move here?" Ed asked, deciding that was the best way to start. Get to know her.
"I needed a job, but with my illness I couldn't..."
"Illness?"
"I'm very weak, I used to struggle walking." The sadness on her face made him want to comfort her, "Karen couldn't offer me a job so I ask Aunt Vesta if she could let me help here."
"Karen?" Ed jumped again as Jane interrupted, "The Karen from Mineral Town supermarket?"
Jane had seated herself at the table, swinging on the chair as she listened. Emma had backed herself against the wall, merging with the shadows.
"Yeah, she's my cousin,"
"Hope you, er, like it here," Ed shut his eyes as he prayed that didn't sound stupid. When he opened them, luckily, Celia was shooting him a smile.
"What the hell!"
All four jumped, Jane crashing to the floor. She got up just as Martin hurried down the stairs and Vesta stormed in. In her fist was an opened letter.
"What's wrong?" Martin asked, barely flinching at Vesta red face and menacing eyes.
"Look at this!" Vesta growled, whacking the letter into Ed's hands. Everyone gathered around as Ed shook of the pain and started reading.
You have some very fine crops, Vesta.
It's an honour, that tonight; I will claim them as my own.
Do not worry; a sight of me will pay all the costs.
Phantom Skye.
"Who?"
"The Phantom Thief, you know, the one who warns the victims of his burglary beforehand."
"He was on the news, wasn't he?"
"How does he get away with it, I don't know."
Those were the words said among them as they work out what the letter was about. Emma's eyes flashed with worry and Celia nibbled at her hand.
"Don't worry, Celia, it'll be alright." Ed and Martin said at the same time, causing both to jump and glare at each other. Why does he care, Ed thought, He's just Celia's sort of uncle. Which made perfect sense but Ed would not let that on, even in his thoughts.
"B-But what if he hurts one of you!" Celia murmured her hand moving away for a moment.
"Don't worry about that. It's the thief that should be worrying once I've got my hands on him!" Vesta snarled.
Martin sighed as everyone realised what Vesta was planning. Knowing Vesta well, he nodded anyway. Celia glared at him before turning it to Vesta, "Aunt!"
"We have to catch that thief once and for all, Celia. You three are with me?" Vesta turned to the siblings.
Jane jumped up and high fived Vesta, thankful that it wasn't the other way round. Ed bit his lip, glancing at Celia but nodded as well, "Emma's in too."
Now he certainly did not miss Emma's glare. She was just as worried as Celia. This Phantom Thief could hurt any one of them.
Jane marched along with Vesta, not caring when the cold spring night wind bit her cheeks. This is it, she thought, my chance for fame and freedom. She knew what catching the thief would bring her and she wasn't going to waste that chance.
The six stopped on the road, Vesta turning to them. Her mouth was sealed into a grim line, only a little opened as she muttered about thieves.
"Right, the boys and I will search the fields behind the shop. You girls check the front fields. If you see him, ambush him!"
They nodded, only Jane happily accepting it. Ed and Martin were angry about the arrangements, Celia was glancing at her aunt nervously and Emma was, well, Jane couldn't see her expression. She should really get a hair band.
"Maybe he's not coming?"
The girls had hidden in the bushes, waiting. It must be midnight by now, for it had been ages. Jane was the only one ready to pounce, Emma and Celia comfortably sitting down.
Hello, fame could be just coming around the corner, Jane thought sending them a scowl before turning her waiting glaze to the just then a silver haired man, crept into the fields.
"Guys, look!" Jane hissed, thanking fate. The girls quietly jumped up and watched. The young man smirked at the vegetables before opening a sack and throwing them in.
"Charge!"
Bursting out of the bushes, Jane charged at the thief, hands tight in a fist. Celia hurried close after her and Emma just jogged behind, more concern about what the thief would do then catching him.
The thief smirked, showing no concern. Just as Jane was just about to pounce, he opened his mouth, "What are three beautiful young women doing out at this time of night?"
Emma watched silently as Jane's feet screeched to a stop and Celia started gabbling, dumb struck. At least he wasn't holding a gun to their faces that was what Emma was worried about. Instead of violence, he relied on smooth talk. And it work, Jane was blushing and smiling at him and Celia was staring. Emma was however reading his expression rather than his words. His eyes were laughing at them. His lips were sealed into a smug grin. His fingers were clicked into a confidently snap. He could talk well, but his acting would need to improve.
Just as he scanned the girls to see if his flirting worked, the breeze picked up, sweeping the hair out of her face and floating behind her. That was when the Phantom Thief's eyes met hers.
His were a deep emerald, ones that before were filled with mirth, now shock and aware. The wind blew his hair too, catching it even more in the moonlight. She now found herself trapped into his glaze. Little did she know, she was trapping him too.
Her blond hair shone in the moonlight, golden despite its rays desperately trying to get it to obey the dark night. Her face was a beautiful smooth pale, a faint pink colouring her cheeks. And her eyes...they were deep sapphire, much deeper than Phantom Skye ever saw. They were dancing with secrets, tales of a silent observer, bluer than the secret filled sea and sky.
"In all my life, I've never seen a more beautiful girl then you."
Emma's cheeks lit more, telling her to look away. Seeing that she couldn't, she tried to see that he was lying, flirting. Yet his eyes were filled with truth.
"What's your name?" He asked, stepping nearer.
"Emma," A small voice whispered. Emma was shocked to find it was her own; her heart was accelerating too fast for her to normally speak.
"Emma," He smiled, liking the name, "Are you sure your full name is not Emerald?"
Expecting now that she wouldn't be able to speak, she was surprise when she did, "Its j-just Emma."
"Hey, back off pretty boy!"
The two jumped. Jane was now glaring at Skye, stepping in front of her sister.
"You will not lay a single finger on her!" Jane snarled, "You're going to jail, Mr!"
"Y-Yeah!" Celia spluttered but nevertheless went into a ready to pounce position.
The thief sighed and then his face went back to a smirk.
"Sorry but could you three ladies hold still for a minute, please?"
Then holding out his hand, he clenched his fist and his green eyes sparkled like emerald stars.
"Chick beam...FIRE!"
Suddenly Emma felt a jolt go through her and her body suddenly seemed to turn solid. She couldn't move it was if she was frozen in place. Her eyes darted frantically over to Jane and Celia and she saw the two of them couldn't move either.
"What have you done to us?" Jane shrieked. It seemed their mouths could still move.
"That was my maiden chick beam. They don't call me a Phantom Thief for nothing, you know." The thief said coolly, "Don't worry, it will wear off.
He looked over to Emma and his eyes became apologetic. Through she couldn't move, Emma gave him a small smile to show she understood why he had frozen them.
"The name's Skye." He said, winking at her. And with that he ran off into the night.
So how was it? I wrote this ages ago just so you know so it might not be that good. Please Review!