Summary: They say 'love don't come easy', and boy were they right. Apparently, not all the bachelorettes in Mineral Town are under Claire's spell; that sweet Librarian Mary has her eyes set on someone else, and it looks like Claire's little insinuations are falling on deaf ears.
Warnings: Femslash/shojo-ai, horrible Claire nicknames. Someone being lame.
A/N: Thank ya much for the reviews, they were greatly appreciated. Hope you enjoy the second chapter.
Love Don't Come Easy
It was no secret around town that Claire was a big 'flirt'. It wasn't as if the woman had even tried to be discreet, though it didn't become apparent 'til the second year after she'd arrived. Before then, the farmer had mostly kept to herself. It also seemed as if Cliff had the hots for her. Or so the Mineral Town gossipers had concluded during one of their enlightening 'Blah Blah' sessions.
Unbeknownst to them–ALL of them–Claire kept (like any good player) a little 'Black' book (it was actually blue, since that was her favorite color). Scrawled inside with one of the messiest script slash print penmanship one might've ever seen, Claire had a list of all the Mineral Bachelorettes and all the information she'd gathered so far. From their favorite gift, to the 'supposed' heart level. Claire was a pretty thorough and concrete lady.
On the second page, in big green letters, was the name Karen and a decent scribble of what the potential girlfriend looked like. And from then, for two pages, was all the information one could ever want.
Karen: My Goddess likes a lot of things, but there's one that can get her just like that. A glass of wine...she really likes it. It's a damn good thing I can buy them for cheap from Manna and Duke. Her birthday's real close to mine too: the 15th of Fall! Only seven days before mine–only a week. And seven's supposedly a lucky number too.
Sigh...I remember the first time I laid eyes on her. She's so beautiful, even the Harvest Goddess (who, from what I know, is pretty gorgeous) got nothing on her. Heh, those gleaming green eyes, that lustrous brown hair, her voice...the way she dances. Surely, no one could ever match her.
It's a damn shame I'm such a wuss that I can't even talk to her. I even go out of my way to only arrive at the supermarket when I know she won't be in the main room. I stalked the little Goddess (hm, I should think of a better name. It can't match the Harvest Goddess) for a whole week to find out her whereabouts. Oh right, I guess I should stop rambling, time for the facts:
Hits: Wine, just wine. She loves so much, but wine is what she loves most...
Miss: I dare not make her angry, I wouldn't be able to stand her being furious with me.
Hotspots: Inside the supermarket, at the Beach, sometimes at Doug's Inn for a drink, she roams around.
Etc: Her heart level, if she were ever to have a beating heart next to her chest, would probably be a black or a low blue for me. She feels nothing; no doubt she likes Rick-my boy. By the looks of it, her cup size is probably in the B range. 36...38...I'll find out soon enough. And a new nickname...hm, got it: Empress. She's too good to be a Princess, and Queen sounds too old...
Okay, enough poetics. Now, time for Elli...
ཅྭཅ
Fall 10, 7:20pm
Doug's Inn
"...Jack."
"Bingo!"
I was kind of filled with both desperation and elation. Jack, Jacky, Jacky-boy. We'd been friends since middle school. Pretty close friends at that; I even went so far to call him my 'brother from another mother'.
Pretty close we are...I wonder why I'm feeling like this.
"Sis," He started, using his own sorta nickname for me. "You there? What's wrong? You busy or something?"
I shook my head, even though he couldn't see it. Waving Ann away from me, I turned to face the table, "Bro, long time! What's it been, like two years?"
He giggled that cute little giggle of his. "Way too long, Claire. Ever since you went to university, we lost contact. Especially when I had to change my cell and moved out of state..." He trailed off and sighed, "Yeah, sorry about that. Parents decided before I could even tell you."
"No problem, I know your parents." I rolled my eyes; his mom was a handful, and his father...not much to say about him. "What's up? I know you didn't call because you wanted catch-up. Or maybe you did...how did you even know where to call?"
All I got from that was a mischievous little laugh. Why did I even bother asking him. He had his ways.
"I have my ways," He had always been so predictable, "Maybe I'll disclose the information when I see you. Hehe, dis-close, that word always made me laugh."
I snickered, yeah it always did make him crack up for no–wait, "'When you see me'? What's that supposed to mean?" I couldn't help but to raise my voice, "You're coming here? To...to Mineral Town?"
"I'm running out of credit, Sis..." He started to whine, "I have the 'Pay as you go' plan–that lame ass plan my mom put me on. God, I need to change it. But yeah, I'm coming to Mineral Town. I'm thinking of living there."
"Why...how? You..."
"...I have one minute remaining. God damn it, I hate that voice." That's another thing me and Jack had in common: we cursed a lot and said 'God' way too much. "I'll give you a hint before I get cut off. Remember what I went to school for, Claire?"
What he went to school for? "When are you coming?"
He sighed, "End of the year, I think. Well, I have to go now. See you soon, Claire. Love y-"
And before he could finish his signature 'Love ya!', the phone cut. I could hear him now, screaming at his cell for daring to turn off on him. The dial tone rang loudly in my ear...
So Jack was coming to Mineral Town?
My best friend–practically my brother–was coming here. I should be happy, but...
I only groaned; this wouldn't be good, no...no.
And someone delivered a big smack to my back. I didn't have to even turn to know who it was. "Hey Claire!"
One day, I'm going to kill Zack for breaking my spine...
ཅྭཅ
Fall 12, 11:45am
Kimlasca Farm
With a satisfied grunt, I tossed the sweet potatoes, milk, wool and eggs in my basket into the shipping bin. I let out a loud sigh and wiped away the beads of sweat that had formed on my forehead. Next time...when I had this much of a haul, I'll get a few Harvest Sprites to help me out. This was too much work for one girl.
Placing the basket next to the bin, I whistled for Hineas and started my way out of my farm. I'd been pretty busy, so I hadn't had much time to wonder about the newest predicament to arise. I had until the end of the year, right? So...I had plenty of time to mull over it all.
I wish I could ask him more, though. But chances are he won't be able to pay for a new card...or whatever the hell he was using for his cell, so we won't be able to speak again for a while.
Hineas trotted behind me, minding his own business. I simply groaned in frustration; Jack had gone in for medicine, right? Med school...and just how the hell did that help me with anything? There was no reason for him, if he wanted to become a doctor (or surgeon, or pediatrician, or whatever), to come here. Mineral Town, of all places.
Just why the hell am I complaining anyway? I shouted in my mind, Jack coming here isn't bad. 'Fact, I should be freakin' happy that I'm going to be with my best friend forever-forever again.
Oh, that didn't help in the least bit. Well, I should be thinking about tomorrow. It's either Popuri or her. My lil' Empress...
It was becoming increasingly obvious that, even though many were eligible, there was one perfect girl for me. My clouded thoughts soon disappeared when I envisioned her laughing face in my mind.
Hah...Karen. If only I could hold her, if only she were mine. I brought up a fist and struck a pose, a serious look plastered over my face. "I'll have you! You will be mine, my Empress. Or I'll be yours...yeah, that'd be hot too." I nodded to myself, never would I mind being dominated by her.
...Oh my God. I could see it clearly in my mind. NC-17 rated, no doubt.
Dominatrix! I stomped my foot down.
"Yipe!"
"Oh God, sorry Hineas!" I screeched, bending down and putting my hands above him. He just gazed at me, obviously pissed that I'd just stepped on his tail.
"Um...uh...Claire?" Came a timid voice from behind me, "Are...is everything all right?"
My breath quickened; holy shit. That voice. Get a hold on yourself, girl. I scolded myself before I started to repeat that sacred mantra in my mind. Picking up Hineas (despite him starting to bitch), I turned around and flashed my signature playgirl grin.
"It's all good. I was just thinking and stomped on his tail..."
"Yes...I saw you strike that ridiculous pose just now." 'Forbidden Fruit' Mary answered, in that somewhat snide yet shy way of her's. "I hope that he's alright? Hineas is still whimpering..."
Out of everyone in town, Mary and two others were probably the only ones who knew Hineas' name. Probably because I shoved him in her face on a weekly basis.
A sheepish smile was what I sent her. "I...I should think so," I answered innocently; Oh no, Claire. Don't do it, don't go where you want to go. You can't. Oh STFU. I know what I'm doing. But...think of Popuri! ...Yeah? What of her? "Maybe I should show him to Dr. Trent..."
Mary furrowed her eyebrows and looked over at the building we were standing next to, "We're right next to my library. I have some things in there that'll help. Besides...I was just about to open anyway..." Her voice became smaller and a small flush appeared on her face, "But, if you want to go see Trent..."
Hineas slowly looked up at him, his eyes filled with faux agony. Stop tempting me! I hissed in my mind, I shouldn't go. I was just about to ask Popuri to go out for the M- "Oh, I wouldn't want to pay anyway. Thanks Mary."
The librarian smiled happily before adjusting her glasses and walking past me. Jingling the doorknob once, she pulled out the key from her dress pocket and walked inside, with me on her heels.
Once she flicked on the lights, Mary went straight behind the main desk and rummaged through her drawer. "Bring him here." She commanded.
I grinned, "Yes ma'am!" Placing Hineas on the desk, I watched her work her 'magic' on him. By magic, I meant she wrapped a medical bandage around his tail and planted a kiss on it. My dog, at one point, threw me a glance that (if he'd been human) clearly read, 'What the hell is she doing?'.
"There!" Mary smiled, closing her eyes, "All done. He should feel better. You see, I read about this in one of my novels." She went on, without my prompting an explanation.
I leaned forward, placed my hand on the desk and put my face right in front of hers. "Thank you, Mary," I whispered, lowering my eyelids. "I'm sure Hineas would want to say the exact same thing..."
Like he knew what I was saying, he barked in agreement.
Mary quickly looked away, her eyes heading straight for her desk drawer. "Um...uh, no problem. The novel I was reading, it was..."
I simply smiled sweetly at her, but it soon dissolved when a book in her desk caught my eyes. A let out a sharp laugh that managed to scare the living hell out of her. Without saying anything, I reached across the desk and pulled out the novel from her drawer, ignoring her cries of protest.
"'Sugar and Spice' by Leda Swan?" I asked slyly, inspecting the cover. It was a faint shade of red, with a picture showing the back of a woman with an unlaced bodice, "Oh, naughty, naughty."
Mary began to stammer, "No, no no Claire. It's not that, the book...it's not what you think it's about. It's about a woman who wanted to be a master cook in Victorian England..."
Oh, pure and utter bullshit. Back in high school, Jack and I had gone to Boarders, and I had dragged him straight to the Romance section. And what did we find? A book that was under Romance 'Fiction', but should have been placed in Erotica. And that book...was Sugar and Spice.
Jack had stolen it, however, and never gave it back. Supposedly, on the day of our graduation, he'd 'lost it'. That was bullshit too.
I leaned forward again, causing Hineas to jump off the desk, "What're you, ashamed? I've read books like this before," I said, raising an eyebrow. "Just never thought that a girl like you..."
Mary, who'd been blushing uncontrollably just seconds before, narrowed her eyes and gave me a questioning glare. "A girl like me what, Claire?"
I wanted to rejoice–openly. This girl had taken the bait; damn, I'm a master angler. I stared back into her deep ebony eyes and sneered. "Prude." I answered simply, but I let that word linger on my lips and extended the syllables way beyond what was needed: puhh-rruu-dde.
She seemed genuinely shocked, "You...you think I'm a prude, Claire?" And now she looked sullen, "I guess I can't blame you. I read books like that in secret too. If mother ever knew..."
Anna...I don't think that lady cared for me very much. I stared back at the librarian and let out a little sigh, handing the book back to her. "If you think I'm going to tell anyone, you can stop fretting. I'm not that type of person..."
What's wrong with me? I could have just baited her more, and then she would have fallen easily into my hands.
"Claire." A look of relief washed over her face. "Thanks!"
"'Least I could do, since you did help out Hin-"
But she cut me off, "I wonder if it's really as amazing as it is in books." She wondered absentmindedly, her eyes drifting elsewhere.
My heart almost blew up. Did...was Mary...oh my God. "Sex?" I asked, a little too impassioned.
Her eyes fixed back on mine and she nodded. "They make it sound so awesome, but then I read the technical books, and..." She shrugged, "I dunno..."
Right now, at this very moment, I felt like a horny little schoolboy. "You could always find out." I suggested, trying to be casual.
"Oh, I know." Mary smiled again, nodding her head fervently. "I plan to." And she just stared at me, that deep flush appearing on her face again.
Did...did I just score the jackpot?
But then I realized something: she wasn't looking at me. Fact, she was looking past me. And...I felt a sudden draft. Hineas was also wagging his tail happily.
"Hey Claire. Hello Mary."
"H-h-hey Gray."
Right then, right there, right now, part of my pride just detached itself from my body, fell straight to the ground and exploded. Hesitating, I turned slowly and threw a grin at him. "Gray..." I sang out, narrowing my eyes.
He blinked a couple of times before turning his attention to Hineas, patting him on his head. Then he just ignored both of us and sat in the corner of the room.
I liked Gray, really I did. In fact, if I wasn't attracted to girls, I probably would have considered him to be one of my potential boyfriends. But this was reality and right now, I really hated him.
It was like an extreme, unadulterated, unnecessary, burning hatred for him. And right now, I was undergoing some intensified mood swings.
Gray's innocent and tired face (probably had another fight with his grandpa) managed to piss me off, Mary's labored breathing and her blushing was starting to turn me on (damn shame it was because of Gray) and Hineas sitting near the apprentice made me confused.
"Mary..." I murmured sweetly, reaching my hand out to her. "I need to talk to you in private, follow me upstairs?" Before she could answer, I took hold of her quavering hand, pulled her near me and rushed up to the second floor.
When we reached the top step, I whisked her in front of me and managed to keep on a totally straight, serene face. "Mary, Mary, Mary...my dear forbidden fruit Mary..."
"Eh, whut?"
"..." I would have thrown myself down the stairs, but I kept my composure. "I'm sure you can recall all those high-pressure, sexy situations in those novels you read, right? When the heroine is whirled away into a secluded area where her potential love interest plans to have his way with her?"
I think she was started to get it. Her face was soon flooded with color. "Oh...really Claire?" She asked breathlessly, bringing one of her small hands to her mouth. "Do you...is it...will it happen?"
I simply nodded and put on one of my most sexiest looks ever. "Why do you think I brought you upstairs?"
With a loud yelp, Mary lunged at me, wrapping her arms around my waist. Confused, I stared down at her, "Claire! Thank you, I...I've had my eyes on him forever. Do you really think he's..."
I stopped listening after her third sentence; he? HE?! What the hell? Does she think I'm talking about Gray?
'Too shy, hard to woo, not my type of girl.'
With narrowed eyes, I gently peeled the librarian off me. "Right." I whispered, "Well, he may not do it now, but maybe soon. If you really want him, you should stop acting so timid. That might draw him in."
She smiled at me and nodded, looking pretty damn happy. I let out a groan, barely audible, took her hand and started to descend the stairs. When we reached the bottom step, Gray shot me a stare that obviously said 'You didn't...did you?'.
What, with Mary's blushing face, her giddiness and my triumphant look, who would have thought otherwise? How I wish that was the truth...
I simply gave him an arrogant sneer, whistled for Hineas and made my way out of the library, leaving the two potential 'love birds' to themselves.
