Thanks for all the hits guys! I'm glad you like it! Third chapter is here, so please R&R!

I DO NOT OWN HARVEST MOON NOR ITS CHARACTERS. Beth is my OC.


Chapter 3: The Sheep Festival

The open green surrounded us. Numerous couples began to show up with...sheep! All kinds of sheep. Brown, black, white, even...was that a pink sheep? As we lingered smoothly into the area, I squinted my eyes to see a man in a red suit and top hat. He was having a conversation with a man suited up in a similar style, only in purple. He seemed much younger than the other, with blonde hair and a perky attitude. To his right was a man whose hair was bleach white and cut to his shoulders. He glanced at me confusedly and whispered to a woman in overalls standing next to him, her long tan braid brushing against his arm.

A small bleat came from behind me. I turned sharply to find a man suited in a black cowboy suit was petting one of the lambs and talking to it softly. Suddenly, he stood himself up and walked towards me.

The man tipped his hat. "Hello there, fine looking sheep you got here. Which one is this?" he pointed towards the lamb he was previously stroking.

"Oh, that's Jay. He's really friendly."

An awkward silence passed between us.

"Well, you've got some herd." mid-sentence he paused and laid his chin on his hand. "You know, I don't think I've seen you around here before. Are you new in town?"

Finally, someone who understands!

"Yeah, we just got here. We've been trying to find a house to settle in, but we haven't been able to meet with the mayor. Have you seen him around, by any chance?"

The young man nodded "Yeah, he's actually here now. Turn around, he's the big guy in red."

As I followed his instructions, I scanned the meadow to where I had previously found the man. So he was the mayor.

"That's him?"

"Yep, been mayor since this town first started out. You might want to catch him before the festival starts."

I briefly realized the reason I had come here in the first place. "Oh, right! Thanks for the help mister."

He smiled "Vaughn, ma'am. And no problem."

Quickly scooting my herd along, I heard Vaughn mutter one last thing.

"By the way, you might want to enter a sheep. Couldn't hurt to try. That's probably the best way to get the mayor's attention."

"Good idea! Oh, could you watch my horse while I'm gone?" Without waiting for an answer, I steadily approached the mayor. His suit was smooth and silky, almost brand new, and reflected the light in the lantern hanging over the check-in booth. He watched with extreme curiosity as I approached and pushed his previous conversation aside.
Regardless to my sudden appearance, he offered a smile and his hand.

"My name is Thomas, mayor of Harvest Central. Would you like to enter a sheep for the competition?"

I shrugged "Sure, why not."

"And which one will you enter?"

I scanned my flock, searching for my wooliest sheep, Emmaline. She was taking up the rear, her wool almost camouflaging against the others. Making my way through the group, I pulled Emmaline gently on her tan wool and displayed her in front of Thomas.

"This one, please."

Thomas's eyes fell on the ewe as he briefly checked its condition. Handing me a clipboard, he asked me to write her name as well as mine. When I had finished, the church bell began to ring again, but six times in a row. Thomas gazed at his pocket watch and grabbed the clipboard from my hands.

"Very good. Go line your sheep over there, we're ready to begin."

With that, four sheep were formed into a line by their owners. Taking my place, Thomas called out for a man named Rick. A short blond-haired tomboy headed in our direction, carefully looking over each sheep as he went. Finally, he reached me and ran his fingers through Emmaline's wool.

"A very unusual color of wool. Where did you buy this sheep from?"

"Um, she was the offspring of my previous neighbor's ewe."

Rick nodded silently and scribbled something down on his clipboard. A few minutes passed until he walked to the center of the ring.

"And now, the moment you've been waiting for...fourth place prize goes to...Gunther, the black ram!"

The young blonde owner bowed politely and exited with his sheep, accepting his white ribbon.

"Third place...Hazel, the pink ewe!"

Disappointed, the elder sighed and nearly snatched the yellow ribbon. Rick sniffed and adjusted his glasses. I stiffened, realizing that they had not called Emmaline yet.

"Now, for second place...Emmaline, the tan ewe!"

I breathed a sigh of relief. Second. Not bad, considering I hadn't even planning on entering in the first place. As I led Emmaline back into the crowd, I gladly accepted my ribbon and listened for the first place winner.

Suddenly, Rick began to spin around, clearly excited about the final announcement.

"Can I get a drumroll?" the crowd eagerly patted on their legs as a mock drumroll.

"In first place, the blue ribbon goes to...Cassie, the white lamb!"

Behind him, the owner, a brunette with yellow highlights squealed with delight as she was showered with flowers and handed the blue ribbon. Right behind her, a young man with dark skin and a purple kerchief tied around his head kneeled down next to his white ram. I wonder why his sheep wasn't announced. Oh, he must have come in fifth place. They probably don't give out prizes for last.

As he stood up ready to leave, I guided Emmaline over to him and sincerely patted his shoulder.

"Hey, good job. Your ram's coat is beautiful!"

The boy turned towards me and smiled at my attempt to sympathize. As he shook my hand, he brought his ram around from behind him.

"Thanks, his name is Rocco. You did an impressive job yourself. Second place is really good considering that you're a newcomer." I suddenly found myself staring straight at him, recognizing something familiar in his voice. "By the way, the name's Kai. I run a summer food shack down in Mineral Town."

No way! Kai! Before I could control what I was doing, I dove towards him, embracing him tightly against me. He stumbled backwards, shocked by my sudden movement.

"Woah, what it something I said?"

Small tears began to fill my eyes as I fumbled for words. It was really Kai. It felt like so long since we had seen each other.

"Kai, it's me, Beth. Remember me? Beth Holland?"

Kai froze as his eyes locked onto mine. Slowly, a huge grin began to spread across his face, his eyes flooding as he hugged me tighter. He hasn't forgotten me! I thought as I closed my eyes.

"Oh my gosh, Beth. I didn't recognize you! It's been, what, 7 years? You look so much older!"

I pouted "Am I supposed to take that as a compliment?"

Kai laughed slightly "Oh come on, you know what I mean, Bethy"

"Hey! How many times do I have to tell you not to call me that!"

Releasing me, he gently nudged my shoulder with his "Anyways, it's good to see you. How have ya been?"

"Perfect!" I lied "We're planning on settling here soon."

"Wait, you don't have a house yet? Didn't you talk to the mayor?"

Shoot! I had completely lost track of my errand again. The mayor must have gone home by now, because I looked up from Kai to see that all the lanterns were blown out. Apparently he wasn't the only one who'd left, literally everyone was gone, except for Vaughn who approached me, holding Carmen's reigns in his gloved hands.

"Hello, Kai." he said casually and slipped the reigns into my palm "You were really lucky. I told you it wouldn't hurt to try."

I opened my mouth and yawned loudly, exhausted from such a long day it had been. "Yeah, unfortunately, I didn't have the chance to speak to the mayor."

Vaughn tilted his head, the moonlight catching his white hair. He kicked at the dirt with his boots, obviously pondering something.

"Well, if you need a place to stay for the night, I'd be happy to oblige. I have an old barn behind my house for your critters, and an extra guest bedroom."

Wow, I definitely wasn't expecting anyone to offer. And yet, here was an almost complete stranger giving me a place to sleep for the night. Hm, let's see. I could sleep in the open, at night, by myself. Or, I could take this opportunity to be able to sleep in a nice, comfy bed. Way to be one-sided. I nodded to myself, looking back at Vaughn to see that he was raising an eyebrow politely at me.

"I'm not that much of a stranger, am I?"

"Oops" I blushed at my stupidity "Sorry, just thinking, I guess. That'd be great if you're willing."

Kai huffed, obviously skeptical about my easy acceptance. Trying not to be awkward, he cleared his throat in a blunt attempt to get my attention. As I flung around to face him, he scratched the back of his neck and gave an over exaggerated yawn.

"Sounds good. Guess I'll see ya around, Bethy." he stuffed his hands in his pockets, nodding briefly "Vaughn". With that, he waved goodbye, petting Nolan as he disappeared under the thick shadows under the trees.

Vaughn waved back, even when Kai was long out of sight and slipped his hand into mine. His leather gloves were cool under my sweaty palms. With my free hand, I adjusted my shawl against the sudden breeze.

"I'll see if I can make us something to eat when we get to my house." He laughed suddenly as he looked behind me "I guess we must have been talking too long."
Turning to look behind, I found my pathetic looking sheep and cows, tucked in snuggly together to keep warm. I smiled as Vaughn helped me mount Carmen, then placing Nolan in the saddle pouch just as I had done before. He called something out, loud yet soothing, towards the huddle. Jay perked right up and shook his wooly coat, bumping into the others surrounding him. Before I knew it, every sheep and cow were on their feet, ready to go.

"What are you?" I questioned amusedly "'The Sheep Whisperer'?"

He smirked, grabbing hold of the reigns. As he pulled Carmen along, the herd followed groggily behind. It was almost nine o'clock by now, and the sun had long since vanished behind the horizon, promising not to return until morning came.


Whew! Done! Hope you liked this chapter. It may be a little while until my next upload because I'm still working on it, but I'll finish it as fast as I can. Please Review!