As Plain as Brown

Disclaimer – Natsume owns the idea of Harvest Moon and the characters mentioned in this story. I just own a copy of Harvest Moon DS and the story's plot. As Plain as BrownChapter 2

Sometimes. Sometimes life throws things at you. Some you may like. Some you won't like. You can throw the stuff you don't like away. Most of them. Because there are some things you just can't throw away. No matter how hard you try to resist and reject it, you can't get rid of it. So what do you do? You keep it. Just keep it. In time, you'll gradually be ok with it. Maybe even love it.

The bright rays of the morning sun hit Jack's face. He winced and groggily sat up on the bed. He rubbed the sleep off his eyes and sat there. Staring at the ground. He always did that. Out of habit. It was nice though. Thinking about nothing. Finally getting up, he undressed and got in the shower. As the warm water hit his body, his thoughts wondered about his progress. Two days. It's been two days since he started. He was happy though. He got the field cleaned off. But, he needed money. What could he do here for money? He did over hear someone say something about finding some very valuable ores in the mine when he arrived. After he finished his shower, he got dressed in a worn out pair of blue jeans and a faded maroon shirt. Ok then. To the mine it is. Quickly putting on socks and the old running shoes he wore when he arrived, he grabbed his old black jansport backpack and headed outside to grab a hammer.

When he arrived at the mine, he noticed it was—huge. How was he supposed to find his way through? Cautiously entering, he felt a little crept out from how ancient it looked. Slowly making his way through, he prayed that the place wouldn't cave in on him. He stopped and made sure he could make out the light from outside. Looking back at the ground, he inspected the rocks before him. He noticed a rock the size of a backpack. What set it off from the other was that it had mold on it. He grasped his hammer, brought it back above his head and struck it. He managed to break off a little chunk of it. He swung again. A bigger chunk fell. Again—another small chunk. More chunks broke off each time he took a swing. Once the rock was reduced to rubble, he was disappointed to find nothing. He was even more disappointed of how tired he was from one rock. Deciding he'd give it one more try before he'd give up, he swung at the rock left of the rubble. This time he got the feeling he'd find something. And he did. It was some kind of greenish-blue looking ore the size of an infant's fist. He thought it was some emerald. Unsatisfied, he moved on to other rocks.

When he left the cave, he was sweating and panting for air. He looked at the darkening purple and orange hues of the sky. He stayed in the mine longer than he planned. It was ok though. He found lots of different ores. But, he was in dire need of water. His throat was dry from all the panting. He slowly caught his breath as he walked tiredly towards town. Arriving at the bar, he made out a group of people sitting at a round table through the dirtying window. They seem to be challenging each other in drinking contest. Entering, he sat on a stool and waited for the bartender to come. It wasn't the bartender that came up to him though. It was the waitress.

"Well you're a new face I haven't seen before. So what can I get for you handsome?" He didn't know what to respond. But he did feel his face heat up a little from that comment. Hoarsely, he let out his order.

"Water. Please."

"Coming right up. Don't worry about the cost. Water is free here." She said.

"Oh." It was all he could say.

"So, what kind of women are you into?" She handed him a glass of water. He gulped it down gladly.

"Uhhh…." Was his smart reply. He never thought about that.

"I don't know. "

"C'mon now. Tell me. Unless you're…you know…. attracted to guys…"

"No." He quickly responded

"Then tell me."

"I…maybe…a mysterious woman—someone unpredictable—someone who can make me smile without me even knowing it."

"Oh? You sure it's not pretty blonde women with green eyes?" She suggested

"Heh…doesn't matter." He retorted.

"Hmm…a mysterious woman…someone who can make you smile…that sure doesn't sound like me. I can make you smile if I tried, but I'm not mysterious." She said disappointedly more to herself.

He didn't know what to say. Surely he wasn't that great of a guy. Looking back at her, she seemed to be staring at something in deep thought. She was pretty. She had wavy blonde hair that went a little below her shoulders and sparkling emerald eyes. But somehow he didn't think it'd work. He didn't feel anything.

"You know, we haven't even introduced ourselves yet." Trying to change the subject.

"Oh that's right! My name's Muffy Iris."

"Jack Harvest." He said as they shook hands.

"Well Jack, I have a feeling we're going to be good friends."

He had this happy feeling after he heard "good friends". For once, he was actually happy.

"And—" She continued. He listened.

"I think I found a woman that fits your description." She finished.

"Hmm?.." His interest piqued with one eyebrow raised.

"That woman right there—the one with red hair. Well, I shouldn't say red. Her hair is as red as a rose. I don't know if she can make you smile, but she's definitely giving off that mysterious vibe and she's very pretty." She said as she pointed behind him.

Huh? Rose-colored hair? Was she talking about that rude woman that was at the front of his farm? However, his thoughts were interrupted as he had heard a vicious spray from someone and choking as if were something vile. Quickly turning around to see if the person needed help, he spotted the said rose head sitting alone two small tables behind him. She was the one choking. Without a second thought, he made his way over to her to help. When he got to her, he found he didn't know what to do. Awkwardly, he patted her back gently. He was relieved when she stopped coughing.

"Thank you…" She managed, her face red from all the coughing.

"No problem. You alright now?" He asked worriedly.

"Yea…I'm fine now." She said now that she was back to normal.

"Were…were you listening to our conversation?" He asked shyly.

"…" She turned away making him unable to see her face.

Taking the silence as a definite yes, he stopped to think of what to say. Nothing came to mind. Not wanting to add to the already uncomfortable tension in the air, he said something.

"…My name is Jack Harvest." Well. He felt really dumb right there. She had already heard his name. Taking a seat in the chair across from her, he clasped his hands together and stared at the table.

"What's your name?" He finally said, looking at her, finally able to see part of her face as she was still avoiding his gaze. He wasn't sure, but maybe he could see a small pink tinge on her cheek. Maybe she still trying to get herself together from that coughing fit.

"Nami." She said nonchalantly.

"Last name?" Wow. He sounded like some guy signing up names for some contest or whatnot.

"…" No response.

"Nami is a pretty name." He felt like he was talking to himself. Unable to bear the tension, he tried to think of anything to get her to talk. Remembering the lumpy ore inside his pocket, an idea popped into his head.

"Can I give you something?" She turned her head and looked him questioningly. He took out the reddish-purple looking ore in his pocket and neared it towards her on top of the table. Wait. Wasn't it green blue before? He must've imagined it blue green.

"I didn't want this so I want you to have it." He said.

"Why didn't you just throw it away?" She questioned.

"I…I don't know actually. I thought it was boring, but something was nagging me on the inside about the ore. I don't know what I should do with it so I figured I'd just give it to you. You can sell it if you want. Find out what it's worth." With that, he got up and left, but not before saying goodbye to his new friend Muffy who, had a look on her face clearly saying she was dying to know what happened. When he stepped outside the exit, he released a huge breath of hair he didn't know he was holding. What happened back there was perhaps the most incredibly awkward moment in his life. He felt extremely weird around her. Feeling drowsy, he made his way home back to his farm. He'd have a quick dinner and go to sleep.

"That's a very nice gemstone you have there."

Nami looked around and noticed a rather portly man with long black hair that was braided looking at her.

"Beautiful isn't it." She nodded slowly.

"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Van. I collect, sell, and buy, rare items. That gemstone you have in your hand is an Alexandrite—an extremely rare stone. Well not in its normal form, but it is extremely rare to find one in such high quality such as the one in your hand."

"Someone gave it to me." She said.

"Well. Whoever gave it to you must've not known much about it. As you can see, it looks purple with a little red in it right?" She nodded.

"What makes Alexandrite so unique is its ability to change color under light. During daytime in the sun, the gem will appear as blue green. However, under incandescent light, it'll appear in some form of red or purple or reddish brown." He informed.

"If you want to sell it, I'm prepared to give you four-hundred fifty thousand dollars for it." He said.

"What?!" She exclaimed. "I'm sorry. I have to give this back to him." She said shocked as she stood up.

"If you change your mind. I'll be at the Inn." He said as she left.

When she stepped out of the bar, she realized it was too late in the night to go knocking on his door. He was probably asleep. She decided she'd return it to him in the morning.

Alexandrite :OOO RawrEroarrVerrIarrEurkW.