And finally, the awaited character arrives! Another lengthy chapter. You can do it!
-Vaughn-
"Vaughn, we're going to live in this island!" Julia woke me up, handing me a piece of paper with an annoying cheerful smile.
"What's this all about?" I stood up from my more comfortable bed as I stared blankly at the note, trying to focus my eyes. Losing interest, I gave back the piece of paper and I started to do some morning-stretching exercise.
"Vaughn?... Did you just ignore me?" She pulled my arm, stopping my routine exercises.
"What? I heard ya, saw the piece of paper, so what?"
"What do you mean, what?" She said with a lonely tone to it before she started to toy with her long and wavy blonde hair, feeling anxious. "Vaughn, we're not going to stay in Traders Dock Island anymore that's why mom is asking you to arrange with the boss your promotion to become animal transport. Don't worry, mom had already recommended you!"
"You're outta your mind! It ain't that easy to simply ask that! Anyway, where is this…? Sunny Island… never heard of it." I asked as I looked at the note once more.
"Well, mom has connections with this store person named Chen." She explained as she rummaged through my hats on the hangers. "He moved out and found this deserted, well, almost deserted island that everyone keeps talking about, you know? From that cruise accident... Anyway, they asked around who would be willing to go there, he says there's a rancher there so, he's looking for willing animal traders to go there."
"Geez..."
"Yeah, exactly. You know mom. She's so willing to help in those kind of requests since no one volunteered. Another thing was, mom and Chen knew each other for a long time now and would never say no to the request." Julia picked up my favorite black cowboy hat and placed it on my messy hair. "And there's where you will come in, cowboy."
I looked at Julia as she quickly turned and continued "busying" herself with the other hats I have. I smirked at the sight as she pretends to do so. I guess she still remembers the rule I gave her to never wear or play with my favorite hat. I folded the piece of paper and placed it in my vest's inner pocket as I brought out the rest of my clothes out of the cabinet and started pushing Julia out of my dorm room, which without a doubt does not allow girls to be in. "Okay, got it. Now leave. I'll change and try to arrange this with the chief."
She smiled and quickly lifted my hat to ruffle my already messy hair before I closed the door on her. "That's a promise, okay!" she turned around and ran out of my room while waving at some of my surprised dorm-mates upon seeing her.
I sighed hoping that Julia won't get me into real trouble knowing that everyone in the guy's dorm knows our relationship. Although, it is annoying in some way that no one ever bothered to stop her from coming in to my room.
.
Although all odds shouldn't have gone the way it should have been, the chief surprisingly accepted the arrangement and quickly left the headquarters to see Mirabelle off. Of course, I was there behind the chief seeing them off but…
'Who would have guessed that the chief had a thing for Mirabelle? Although it's not that hard to imagine, now that she's leaving and chief is acting like that at the port... in front of everyone.'
Several days has passed since they moved to this unknown island. While they maybe having the vacation of their life, I was stuck in HQ, listening to all the arrangements and the new schedules for our route.
Though it was not as surprising anymore, the chief promoted me in front of my fellow co-workers. It was quite unexpected that some of them were cheering me on, then again, I guess it was somehow expected since being animal transport was the dream job I had always ever wanted since I started working here at the age of twelve. Everyone knew that the moment they first met me because of Mirabelle's husband, Jonathan, who was without a doubt an animal transport too. I guess I owe Mirabelle big time, again, for my job now.
After we were dismissed, the chief went up to me, wanting to explain about my arrangement schedule.
"Well, Vaughn," he started, "I'm assigning you to the new island where the well respected and beloved Mirabelle will be living from now until who knows when, and as her son…"
'Son?' I thought, surprised to how Mirabelle has addressed me to the chief. Nevertheless, I can't say I wasn't happy in hearing it. I'm really happy that she really is considering me as a part of her family.
"… I guess she personally wanted you to spend your day off there with them. So, be responsible for the animals and take good care of your health."
I can't help but feel embarrassed about all this. With that, I held my favorite hat as I naturally express my gratitude by a little bow after raising my hat. "I will chief."
.
Spring 15. 'Today's the day where I leave and venture out to the ocean with the adorable animals… I mean, with the plain… round and soft, fluffy animals… Seriously! This is a dream come true!' I can't help but get flustered at the fact that I'm finally animal transport. I'm finally leaving Traders Dock Island.
I rode the ship to Harbor 15 of the city port. This ship is specially assigned to transport animals to different minor islands, even if it was recently populated. This means that Sunny Island was already a personal destination. No other animal transport can come to that island except me. It's like having a territory of my own! Luckily, I'm also assigned to one of the major islands that two or three animal transports are assigned to.
A sailor approached me and led me to my cabin, and just as I had imagined it, it was also personalized, with my name on the door, tons of hat hangers inside which was modeled just like my room and a key with the Trader's Official Logo and a letter V for my name. However, I felt uneasy. I didn't imagine that life would be like this as an animal transport… the stories I heard being an animal transport was more... I don't know. But this? Truthfully, I was quite disappointed.
I decided to look around and try to arrange a different cabin for me, although I'm not quite sure what kind of cabin I truly wanted. However, I regret going around the ship since I found out that every animal transport riding this ship was practically lounging in their cabins or talking with fellow animal transports until their stops came… Normally, I would have told them off but I recognized most of the animal transport here and they're the old timers... it really annoyed me.
After walking around, I heard the sound of a troubled sheep's cry and gradually some other noises. I asked the sailor that passed by me and quickly inquired where the animals were held within the ship. The sailor gladly brought me there.
Upon my arrival, I was sure that my jaw fell to the ground. There was chaos everywhere! Even the chickens had somehow learned how to fly! I looked around and noticed that all of the people who were trying to calm the animals down were the sailors, not the animal transports.
With my feelings so stirred up, so agitated at the scene that is right before my eyes, I did a sharp whistle. Both the sailors and animals stopped moving and looked at my direction, only the sound of the engine rang through the silence. The chickens quietly and nervously pecked at the floor, the cows seemed to have woken up from my whistle, the sheep have slowed their pace of running around and the sailors didn't move an inch.
I tried to let out my frustration through a sigh, just so I can get over with it. I looked around and was somehow sure that the cause of this chaos was due to one stressed animal, if I find that animal and calm it down, it will just become a chain reaction making all the animals to be calm as well. They're just not used to the sea.
I started walking around. The sailors gave way and continued examining me, the newbie. I could hear whispers of questions about me. 'I guess the sailors here are familiar with all the animal transport assigned to this ship.' I ignored them and went nearer to the group of animals that started to get all jumpy again. I patted each animal in that group until I found one sheep that was tied to the post. I went nearer to untie it.
"Um, excuse me, sir," a sailor approached me as I continued untying it. "That sheep had been causing trouble since it was boarded so I have to ask you to refrain from untying it. It was really hard getting it to stay put…" he trailed away as I intentionally ignored what he had to say.
I somehow felt that the moment I untie the last part of the knot, the sheep's already planning to jump on me. I quickly put out a knife that will make the sheep to think twice about jumping. That, apparently, made the sailors panic, thinking that I might have not been an animal transport. So before further misunderstanding, I quickly cut the rope tied to the post and pocketed the knife while quickly carrying the sheep with my other arm, rendering it unmovable. When I turned around, I was facing a group of bewildered yet motionless people on my path as I find a good place to calm the sheep down, even when it's already calm at my cradle.
I saw a bundle of hay stacked-up neatly and kicked it, scattering it all over the floor. One of the sailors, who seemed to have just fixed that, got angry and started scolding me with infuriating words. However, the level of ignorance that I had developed was far greater, so I simply carried out my business.
'See nothing else when confronting an animal. Animals want our undivided attention. Those are the golden rules.'
I sat down in the middle of the scattered hay and placed the sheep down, still calming it down by stroking its head. Seconds later, the troublemaker sheep had totally calmed down and some of the restless chicken started to gather around me, looking for a place to nestle. I patted some of the chickens to give it more assurance of their safety.
When I realized that I was losing my composure by getting engrossed with my job and surroundings, I slowly tried to get out of the flock of cute… animals nestling all around me. Just like how any man should do things, I faced the supposed impending doom I clearly deserved. But when I closely looked at the sailors with me, they were simply in awe that the troublemaker sheep can be so quiet. I thought this could be an opportunity for a request to stay here.
"Um, if it's alright, I... actually wanted to discuss with the arrangement of my room, and I would like to ask if it is possible that I could be stationed near here or "inhabit" here…" I trailed off. I knew that I'm getting embarrassed by all this and quickly got hold of my hat, allowing myself to bow in the aspect of asking such a selfish request. When I looked up, most of the people near me had charged out of the room, looking for someone.
I didn't understand what had happened and thought that maybe they really were angry. The remaining sailors started to sort the chickens back to their orders. Just after letting out a sigh, the door quickly swung open. I held my breath when the captain of the boat went in, followed by the men who seemed to have left earlier.
"Why, isn't it the newbie animal transport," the captain mused, "you'll be the first to actually want to stay at a cabin near the cargo or at the cargo itself!" the captain started laughing.
I politely stood still and tried not to react too quickly.
"Well, I'll be…" the captain removed his cap as he saw the peace and order in the cargo. He laughed again and showed me a thumbs-up. I think it is his way of approval. "As long as you take charge of keeping these creatures calm during the trips then why not? I need my sailors more on navigating and maintaining this ship, not taking care of these irrational livestock! Welcome to animal transport, newbie. I've managed to hear great things about you from the chief." He held out his hands to shake mine.
"The chief?!" I coughed at the fact, surprised that the chief even talks about his employees… "Ugh… I am honored, I guess."
"Haha! You should be! It was a right decision that he promoted you here! Good thing you're not like those ignorant lot that just try to go by their job without even caring to check up the animals that they're supposed to transport! Men, move this lad's things here at the cargo," he made a quick glance at me and said, "I bet he'll be here more often than staying at one of those cabins! Just like a certain someone I know." he chuckled as he went his way out of the cargo and went back to navigating the ship to the next destination.
I am really sure that he was talking about Jonathan and that made me really happy today. Some of the sailors apologized for their rude meddling a while back and I tried telling them it was nothing, since it was my fault to barge in like that, and thanks to Julia, I know by heart that ignoring people was a very rude thing to do. I apologized as well.
Then, without further ado, they went on to move my stuff to the cargo. Now, I feel truly at home, even if it moves along the waves of the vast ocean. I have to admit, I guess I the reason that my dorm mates tend to be surprised seeing Julia come out of my room is because I rarely stay there. I sleep in the barn most of the time. It was no shock for others to see Julia come out of the barn with me sleepily following her behind. All in all, I'm grateful for the captain's permission to stay here at the cargo, unlike the chief. The chief would never permit me to bring my room in the barn.
.
After some time sailing, we arrived at the city and got to meet some of the big time animal traders there. The next destination was Mineral Town. Upon arrival, an enthusiastic guy named Rick came with the chickens for transport. I made my introductions there and met a lot of kind people. One person there caught my attention. He was clearly wearing some kind of lab coat... He came up to me and suddenly gave me a jar of medicine.
"I guess you're new here, so I just wanted to give you a welcoming gift. Being in animal transport is hard, right?" he started conversing with me.
"..."
"?"
"Urgh... well, not really. Once ya know the animals, they're already predictable…" I said, trying to get him off my back.
"Really? Haha, it's good to know that you know the animals really well. Rick may still be a little too innocent on trusting his beloved chickens to you animal transports. I asked one of the sailors before and they told me that none of the animal transport actually checks their animals on the way," he crossed his arms angrily by the thought of it. "That's why you'll be seeing me more often when the ship pass by , since it is common that the animals are already not feeling well before arriving. I'm no vet but I at least know how to treat animals." He said with a smile.
"Um, doc, is something wrong?" I asked frankly.
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"By the way you talk, I can tell that you respect the trade, despite the fact that not all of them are that truly qualified to take on the job but your sincerity and enthusiasm seemed to be absent. I don't know."
The doctor was certainly shocked to hear those words. He looked at me and asked, "What's your name?"
Without any hesitation, I answered back, trusting this person, "The name's Vaughn. You?"
The doctor closed his eyes for a while and it looked like he was concentrating on something. Before I could utter a word, he looked straight at me and smiled. I noticed now that his eyes and gesture was genuine. He was sincerely smiling at me.
"I'm Dr. Trent. I'm sorry for the way I acted. I assure you, I'm sincere with what I said! I'm just troubled by something recently. Actually, I'm already married."
For some reasons, my head went blank. 'I hope this ain't going to conclude to some weird development. I hate dealing with love affairs. But I am not rude enough to ignore a troubled guy, so I will listen to what he has to say.' When I did try to listen, I noticed that he was looking down at his nervous hands. 'Seriously, this is giving me the creeps. But what gives... I wouldn't know what one should feel when they're troubled with love.'
Dr. Trent scanned the surroundings making sure that no one was around to hear our conversation. "ah, please try not to misunderstand my gestures… it's just because… I'm in love with someone else as well… that's why I haven't been as enthusiastic about my job."
"Um, so why'd ya get involved with another?" I asked, trying to not let his spirits down if I wasn't talking.
"Well, it's quite complicated. It's because the girl that I'm in love with is the person that I thought hated me and gave me lots of trouble, you see. Moreover, I only got to see her during my day off, once a week, and every time we meet, I'm somehow clouded with the thoughts of seeing her as a younger sister than a potential lover. The story of my wife was… well you see, she's my assistant in the clinic, I guess things happen more when you are with that person most of the time so I developed feelings for my wife, and when I felt that the time was right, I married her. However, when I faced that girl once more, it crushed me to see her sincere smile fade. I knew deep inside that she wasn't happy that I married someone else, and during her birthday, I tried to let her meet my wife thinking that she'd somehow understand that my wife was a very nice person but… BUT!"
I sighed thinking how annoying it is to fall in love with a person. If only that every girl I meet would be like Julia, although annoying and demanding, she knows her priorities, composed when doing business and always thinks about the betterment of the animals. "So what happened to the girl?"
The doctor sighed and looked at me and sighed once more. "She confessed her true feelings to me… and disappeared. Not even her parents know where she went or what made her run away from home like that, but I'm sure that I was the reason."
"Hm… So I guess you're what they called... dense, right?"
I think I hit a bullseye and stabbed him by saying it out loud. He was getting more depressed.
"Yeah, you are right, I mean, she even called me dense. And now I'm being stupid. I'm sorry for taking your time like that. You must be tired from your trip…"
"Oh, I guess I am, my cabin's the cargo after all," I managed to joke about the fact but I guess the joke was totally out of place.
"Really?! Then I'm now at ease, with someone as kind hearted as you to be by the side of the animals that the ranchers and animal farms lovingly cared for, then I have no more worries..."
'Kind hearted? Me?'
"... But please do be careful not to get some disease from the animals, they are still animals after all." He handed me a different medicine jar.
"Thanks, for the medicine. Though truthfully, I would've rejected these but I guess my… my mom would get angry if I didn't accept what was being offered to me since…"
"It's rude, right?" he finished my sentence with a smile. "I'm seriously glad I met you. So, be careful in your job! Thanks for hearing me out. But I just want you to know, I still love my wife. I guess, my love for that girl was developed at the spur of the moment… but then again… argh!" Dr. Trent bent down in frustration. "I guess she really has talent to capture my heart completely. It's my fault for being dense about it and allowed myself to fall in love with another woman, really." He then looked at me, straight in the eyes, with an uncomfortable distance and spoke with all seriousness. "Vaughn, you may not realize it but please don't be dense. It will possibly be your downfall too."
"I'm grateful for your concern, but I'm seriously guessing that I'll be single for quite a long time. I'm not that appealing and honest. I'm also a very serious person." I confessed. It's not that I don't want a person to love me but, I'm just thinking it's still not the right time for it.
"Okay, if that's how you think will happen, but just so you know, I was also like that. I'm serious to the point that nobody really talks to me. It was just one day I found this troubled girl and made the decision to talk to her, who knew she changed me totally. You know, I bet I would have never considered marrying anyone, even my wife, if I was still that same person as I was before meeting her." He smiled again a very sincere smile, just by the thought of his special someone.
'Wow, I think this is the first time I talked so much with someone unrelated to work… other than Julia, that is. She just has a lot to say.' "Thanks again for the concern. I'll try to be careful then."
"Oh yeah, take care of your health! And if you have some problems and you'll be staying here at Mineral Town, don't be shy to drop by my clinic!" he waved at me as I raised my hat at him with a bow. Now heading back to the ship, a sailor called me as they finally finished loading some of the necessary transport and supplies for the trip.
Green Valley was my next destination. Unlike Mineral Town, it wasn't as friendly. I guess my affair here is set for a business like relationship, not that I mind. It's more comfortable this way. I get to lounge at the inn for the rest of the day after my introduction with every citizen.
'I guess tomorrow is the day where I finally meet Mirabelle and Julia again. Since it's a new island, I will only have enough time to take note of the animal food supplies needed and greeting all the citizens there before I have to go to Hill Valley for the same stuff, then back to the Traders Dock Island for other paper works I need for my new position. I'm finally here, father.'
.
The night flew by fast and we were finally headed to Sunny Island. The stars were playfully twinkling at the dark sky, the sun was yet to rise when we arrived at the beach. Surely, I was happy to see Mirabelle and Julia actually waiting for my arrival there. Julia seemed fine and was more jumpy than the usual. I'm practically guessing either she missed me or she found a good friend to finally hang out with in this island. Mirabelle also seemed to be doing just fine, with her smile still shining brightly at any occasion that she welcomes me.
"Hey, I'm finally here." I said without enthusiasm, teasing Julia as she pouts and smiles it off somehow.
"Meanie! Don't be like that. I didn't miss you, you know!" She said as she grabbed my luggage, almost laughing.
"Come now, you two. It's still three in the morning. Don't make too much noises." Mirabelle warned us.
"Okay..." Julia whispered and excitedly ran off towards the town.
I took my time strolling through the sandy coastline towards the town, examining the clear reflection of the moon from the sea. I took a deep breath and faced the island.
'It seems nice here. Since it's a deserted island, there must be a lot of wild critters here and there.' Just as I thought of that, the bushes near the beach entrance started rustling about. 'Oh, there must be one critter right now!"
Feeling quite excited at the thought of wild animals, dangerous or not, I quietly approached the bushes. I lowered myself into a crawl and crept ever steadily towards the vegetation. I stopped right in front of it and knelt more comfortably. I extended my hands towards the bushes but froze when the rustling suddenly stopped.
"Waaaah-!" Thud! Shwwushh~ sha sha sha...
.
After taking down the list of things that I needed to transport for Sunny Island, I had some extra time and decided to head inside the room Mirabelle and Julia prepared for me to stay in.
My room was still a bit empty. Only a bed, a side-table with a lamp, some kind of rectangular chest box to keep my stuff, a set of hat hangers that they installed on the wall, a chair and a table beside the window. It didn't feel right having that kind of arrangement so I moved things around just like my dorm room, only that it's mirrored. Now my bed's at the corner of the room, just below the hat hangers and beside it is the chest, which now situate beside the window. Sitting on the chest box, I could see everything that goes on the road adjacent to the shop. I then replaced where the bed was with the table, giving it enough space for the cabinet doors to fully swing open.
'That feels better, just my personal stuff left...'
A knock came. "It's Julia." She announced before opening the door. "Whatcha been doing up here making lots of dragging noises?"
I sat on the chest and lightly threw my favorite Stetson towards the hanger, which hanged on, "How's it now?"
Julia's eyes wandered around the room with much amazement. "That's so cool! Who knew you could more or less arrange it like this!" She then went straight to my bed, lying down like she owns it.
Normally, I would have complained and told her to get off but what happened earlier on the beach was distracting me.
Julia quickly noticed that I didn't complain. She sat up and asked. "Hey, Vaughn? Something wrong?"
"Nah, it must be my imagination..."
"Hey, don't make jokes like that!" Julia hopped off the bed like an obedient child and crossed her arms. "Unlike you, we are going to live here and I don't want you to make me think impossible things... Even if this was deserted before..."
"What? No. I'm not scaring you. I'm just... I don't know."
"..."
"W-what?" 'A silent Julia is a scary Julia.'
She continued to look at me and concluded that I was really not tricking her or anything. She then walked closer and hugged me.
"Hey, whatcha up to...?" I asked, looking away.
"Nothing. Can't a sister hug you like this?" She hugged me more tightly.
'This feels awkward, just like a while ago but in a way, different...' I can't help but think back at what had happened a while ago.
.
Truthfully, everything went so fast at that moment but at the same time, I can't help feel that everything went so slow as well. After some kind of sound, a shadowed figure came out above the bushes. At first, I thought that it was some kind of animal that jumped over but the figure became bigger and bigger from what I was expecting. At a split second, I thought it was a person. Out of complete instinct, I believe my body moved and caught someone.
I landed quite loudly on the sand. My body refused to move at that moment, feeling disoriented by the impact. My senses, however, were working like crazy, trying to evaluate my surroundings through sounds and feelings.
The first thing that processed in my mind was the ocean breeze. It was rummaging through the leaves, making a symphony of rustling sounds. Then the next one is my heart, beating loudly due to shock. But it donned to me that I felt another beating heart that surely did not come from me, along with "some things" pressing on my chest. A shivering pair of hands behind me were clutching ever tightly to my vest. Clearly I was hugged by some mysterious woman that came out of the bushes!
Before I get to move, that girl suddenly jolted. She quickly tried to get off of me, apologizing. I didn't really hear her voice but her apology was clear. I wasn't able to see her features until she was on her way to the town and lost track of her in the darkness. All I can remember of this mystery woman was her hair, flowing beautifully behind her.
.
I stood up and took my hat from the hanger. Julia was already gone right after she gave me a "bear hug" or whatever she calls it. I went down and saw three bowls on top of the table.
"Time to eat Vaughn." Mirabelle called as she placed the contents of the pot into the bowls.
"You eat ahead," Julia said, handing me a spoon. "The boat will leave after you greet everyone."
I looked at my breakfast. Porridge.
"Heh, I quite miss this since you both left." I took my hat off and said a short prayer before eating.
"Hey Vaughn," Julia placed a glass of milk in front of me and sat down, "you know, the rancher here is really nice. You might get along really well."
I felt suspicious. Giving me milk then talking about the rancher... It's just like that time when she asked if I'll approve of her going out with that boy before. The milk was clearly to warm me up for the atmosphere. "Hey, 'm telling you this right now. Being animal transport, I'll be traveling around. No more time for me to hangout with yer friends and "get along" well. So, if I don't like the rancher, I'll never approve of it!"
With that said, I quickly swallowed the milk down and stormed off to get things over with. I walked towards Taro's house and saw the entrance to the ranch. 'I'll visit that last in case I need some time to evaluate this rancher. No wonder she was jumpy awhile ago, must be a crush. That has to be it!'
I knocked at Taro's door. After a few seconds, a girl with pink hair opened the door. "Who's here so early in the morning?"
"Sorry to disturb your morning, I'm Vaughn, the new animal transport for this island. I'll be handling any animal trade or transportation from any town or city to this island. I'm only here a few days a week."
"Yeah... Nice to meet you then I'm-"
"Natalie! Whatcha doin' early in the morning, opening doors like that?!" Taro waved his stick around behind her.
"Oh, zip it gramps. People are still sleeping! It's just the new animal transport that Mirabelle and Julia said who was coming." Natalie said, trying to resist a yawn.
"My, my... I want to see the stunning young man she's been proudly talking about!" An older woman with pink braided hair, who seemed to be Natalie's mom, peeped behind Natalie's shoulder.
I raised my hat and slightly bowed. "Morning, mam."
"Morning, ugh..." The woman said as she trailed off.
"Vaughn." Natalie informed her, crossing her arms together.
"Ah, okay, thank you dear! Morning, Vaughn. I'm Felicia." She said, pulling Natalie back into the house, showing herself. "That was my father a while ago, Taro. My son's still asleep, his name's Elliot. Maybe you'll meet him some other time when you're here longer."
"Alright then. I just came to say hi. See you all around then." I raised my hand as a form of waving goodbye then went to the building adjacent to it.
So far, this building looks bigger than the rest. There's just so much lumber and stone piled up behind his house when I looked out of my window a while ago. 'Guess this is the carpenter's house.'
I knocked. Moments later, a big muscled man opened the door.
"Morning, sorry if I bothered you in any way. I'm Vaughn, the new animal transport of the island." I raised my hat and slightly bowed in courtesy.
The man smiled. "Heard you're Mirabelle's. Welcome! Gannon's the name."
"Well, I just came to say hi. I'll be here on Wednesday and Thursdays. See ya around!"
"See ya!" He waved goodbye, still smiling.
'That's why, never judge a book by its cover. He was seriously nice for a man with his looks and build.' I looked at the next house and assumed that this Chen person, who made the whole request for an animal dealer, lives there.
I knocked and almost immediately, the door opened. "Ah, hello...?"
For a second, I thought that no one was there until a kid spoke up. "Cool! You're like a cowboy with all the belt, hat and get-up!"
I feel awkward seeing that kid. "H-hello... Ugh... I'm Vaughn."
"And I'm Charlie! You are so cool! And tall! Bet your taller than my old man here."
"Charlie, that's not really a good way to call your master OR father."
A man stepped out of the room behind the counter, he looked really familiar.
"Well, now. Hello there Vaughn! You've grown up quite fast through the years."
"Oh, I'm sorry," I took my Stetson off. "I didn't know that your name was Chen."
Chen smiled. "No worries, you were still so small. You probably didn't remember me any more. I see that you've kept your promise on being animal transport. Even if Mirabelle had to pull a few strings." He laughed.
Charlie looks confused. "How'd ya meet each other?"
"Ah, you see son, for a couple of times, I took care of Vaughn when Mirabelle was busy with their work. Just a babysitter."
"By the way, what made you move here?" I asked curiously.
"Well, I didn't really chose here because of the news. You know me, I just really saw the potential here."
I nodded, trusting his words. "Well, I better be going. Only the rancher left to greet then I have to go to the next island."
"I see. Take care then!"
"Well, come by if ya need anything!" Charlie waved.
I waved for the sake of the kid. Last destination...
.
I entered the ranch, following a foot path that led to the fields. I scanned around, curious to see what was there. As expected, there were crops all around. There seems to be an empty space across the field big enough to build a barn and a chicken coop.
I headed for the building on the right and knocked at the door. A few rustling noises can be heard from behind but no one had opened the door yet. "May I come in?" I turned the knob and went in.
"I'm sorry, I was about to get the door for you!" A brunette girl with a red bandanna on her head turned around as she seemed to have finished tying the bandanna on.
"Ah... You're the rancher?" I asked, bewildered to see a girl, who seems to be younger than Julia, is staying in this house rather than a guy.
She smiled. "Yes! I'm Karin, and you are?"
"Ugh... The name's Vaughn. I bring the animals from town to the island." I slightly tipped my hat.
Karin kept looking at my clothes with much interest. "Oh, I see. You are the new animal transport! I heard that it was a dream come true for you! Congratulations!"
I can feel myself blushing. I quickly looked away and lowered my hat. "Thanks, I guess."
She blushed slightly as she giggled. "Anyway, I guess I'll be seeing you later then!"
'Sheesh, she's just a kid,' I thought and decided to give her more info. "Uh, no... I have to leave right after this and I'm here a few days a week. Every Wednesday and Thursday to be exact."
"What?! How come its only a few days?" She then walked up to me. "Wouldn't that be hard for us to be friends?!"
'Friends?' I lowered my hat further, feeling embarrassed at the thought. "You want to be friends with me...?"
"Sure, why not?" She took a few more steps closer and held my hand with both of hers, shaking them happily. "Hope also that we can help each other making this island a wonderful home!"
"Wait..." my heart started to race seeing those honest and happy pair of amethyst eyes look right into mine. 'She's too near!' "Y-you don't even know me, so don't casually assume that we'll be friends." I stepped back, freeing my hand from hers and pointed at her. "I'm... a very busy man AND! And... Uh..." 'What the heck am I doing?! Getting worked up over this...' "Anyhow, I just came to say hello. See you around..."
.
I immediately left the house and the ranch without waiting to hear anything else she had wanted to say and went back to the shop. By the time I entered the house, Julia was there sitting near the counters, waiting for me.
"I don't understand why you'd immediately say things like "never approving of it."" she started. "Is there something you misunderstood, Vaughn? You shouldn't say that if you have never met the person, you know."
I glared at her. "Why didn't ya tell me that the rancher was a girl? And a kid, at that!"
"Huh? What does that got to do with anything?"
'What do you mean that's got nothing to do with anything?! I thought we were talking about you finding another boyfriend!' I feel so angry but I don't want to admit that I misunderstood her point so I went for a safer question. "Well, you said that we might get along..."
"Yeah, so what's wrong with that?" Julia crossed her arms and sighed," I told you that since I know you have a hard time dealing with girls. I'm pretty sure the girls in Traders Dock Island is enough to leave you traumatized to work with a girl for a life time. That's why I already told you that you might get along really well this time!"
"What?! W-where's your basis that she's any different from 'em?" I demanded, remembering that I also had an issue about working with girls other than Julia.
"Well, you can be sure that she won't fall in love with you..." Julia pointed. "And, she's quite hard working! You've gone to the ranch, right? Tell me, if you were the one farming all those crops there, you think that it's easy? No. Plus, she's determined to make this deserted island into a lively community!"
I'm speechless. Five days here and Julia's so friendly with her already.
"Come on. Give her a chance. I promise that there's no ill motive behind her. So promise me YOU will try to get along with her!" Julia grabbed my arm, pleading.
"This is so annoying." 'No ill motive? She's clearly advancing on me, I think. Holding my hands like that, staring straight into my eyes...'
"..."
"Ugh... Whatever. I'll be the one deciding if she's okay or not."
"Yes!" Julia jumped happily like she won at the argument.
"Hey! What's with that suspicious answer of yours?!" I asked, feeling very regretful.
"Well, actually... knowing you, you would have immediately avoided Karin without giving her a chance to know you at all. So in the end, I just really want her to fall in love with you!" Julia squealed.
"Hey! I thought you're in my side. Plus, you said that I can be sure that she won't fall in love with me! Anyway, she's still a kid!" I said, trying not to be outsmarted by her.
"Yeah, I am and I did say that. But it's totally different if YOU fell in love with her! And don't worrying about age. If its love, then it's love!"
"Why are ya even pairing me with her?" I asked in full surrender of her crazy ideas.
"Do you want Natalie, then?"
"I don't want any part of it."
"But, you will try to befriend Karin, okay?" Julia sounded serious. "She also have problems and, like what you kind of guessed, Karin's younger than me but she's living alone in that farm and is doing things by herself... So you can act as her knight in shining armor!"
"As if that's happening. Sheesh. You've wasted my time on useless stuff like this. I gotta go. Where's Mirabelle?"
"She's waiting for you at the beach."
"What?! You should've told me that sooner!"
"Mom said not to worry and chat first. They're not waiting for you anyway, feeler!" Julia stood up and went for the stairs.
"... Thanks!" I said loud enough for her to hear before leaving the shop.
.
"Vaughn, you're here quite early!" Mirabelle checked another item in the list before facing me. "So, how's the island and the rancher?"
"Why'd ya ask?" I raised a brow. 'Everyone seems to be asking my opinion about that girl...'
"It's because the place is nice and Karin works very hard."
"She seems to be too young to be living alone and handling a ranch." I crossed my arms.
"Aw, Vaughn, are you concerned about her?" Mirabelle was smiling.
"What? No." I said as plain as possible. "I'm just saying that she might take the job lightly. I mean, look at Julia. She works hard but she's so playful at times."
"Well, that's how teens are. But, I really feel that Karin is very different from Julia. In my point of view, she's having a hard time making friends. Julia did all the talking." Mirabelle laughed, "as usual."
I laughed. "Typical of Julia. Anyway," I took my hat off to hand-comb my hair a bit. "I guess I'll be leaving then. Be back the day after tomorrow with all the orders."
Mirabelle took the hat from me and gazed at it for a while. "You take good care of yourself out there. I'm not there anymore to watch over you nor Julia to defend you and keep you company." She placed the hat back on my head. "Make some friends, at least."
"I know and..." I was thinking twice before saying, "... don't worry, I think I made one in Mineral Town and there are many good sailors in the boat."
"That's good to hear, then. But don't be shy! Karin's really friendly even if she's a try-hard. I know that you don't like girls but you might like her, for a change."
"Geez... What's with you and Julia? Fine. I will TRY." I gave Mirabelle a pat on the shoulder. "See ya soon."
.
The rest of the day flew by quickly. Hill Valley wasn't much of a town to visit since they focused more on farming. After doing the introduction, I head back to the shop there and got their list.
"Hi there, partner." A girl around my age, wearing a lot of jewelry and make up grabbed my wrist as I walked by the counter. Immediately, I shook it off and continued walking. "Oh, come on handsome. Don't be like that."
"Don't bother. I'm busy." I walked faster and went straight for the ship. I greeted any sailor that passed me until I reached the cargo.
'Dang. I don't like it here in this island.' I lounged at the mattress that the captain happily provided for me and used my Stetson to cover my face. 'Many weird female species.'
I dozed off an hour or two until I heard the sound of chickens. I raised my Stetson and saw one on top of my stomach, cuddling with my black polo and scarf like it was some nest. It was chirping happily. I gently picked it up before sitting up right.
"Oh, I'm so sorry. I didn't notice one of them went in here." A young lad wearing the sailor's uniform went nearer and took the chicken from me. "You're Sir Vaughn, right? I'm Allan. I'm kinda new here."
"Just... call me Vaughn." I corrected him, it feels so weird to be called like that anyway. "Nice meetin' ya, I guess. And, I don't mind the animals. No need to apologize." He then took a moment to look at the chicken before I decided to ask it back.
"I heard that you can calm them down... Do you think it's possible to be taught that?" He asked, as he squatted to my level.
"Sit, if you want." I offered kindly. 'Yes, I know I'm a sucker to kids who are interested in learning how to care for animals.' "The trick there is patience and attention. Though, not sure if I can teach ya anything since you just need to know the animal and its behavior."
He nodded, "I did notice that chickens are more sensitive with sounds."
"Yeah. They're the first thing you'll probably see walking around. The ship is too noisy."
He lightly tapped the chicken's head with his finger. "So, um, Vaughn. Why are you here in the ship already? Wouldn't you have wanted to hang out at the shop or the bar near by?"
"Nope. I became animal transport for a reason." I wore my hat back to cover my face from him. "I'm... not that interested with socializing."
He laughed. "Is it that scary? Dad wouldn't let me stay out of the ship and some of the other animal transport says it is no place for a kid."
"Dad?" I raised a brow.
"He's the captain. He's the one who told me to call you with a sir so that I won't disrespect you or anything." He started to blush and poked with his fingers against each other nervously.
"I see. How old are you now? Twelve?"
"Yup!"
"I see, guess that's the usual age we start workin'." I mumbled to myself. "Come on." I stood up from the mattress while balancing the chicken with one hand.
"Wh-where are we going?" He quickly tried to stand up after I did.
"I'll teach ya. Got the time, anyway." I winked at him as I saw him slowly smiled excitedly at my offer.
.
I spent the rest of the time with Allan until we reached Traders Dock Island. I'm glad that the captain didn't mind if Allan wanted to be an animal trader, however, he wanted both jobs. He was very ambitious for a kid.
Now, for my job. I've seen Jonathan do this every time he came back from his trips so I'm hoping that I can do it as we'll as he does.
"Vaughn! You're back! Where were you?!" A very high-pitch squeal rang out as I came in the headquarters' lobby.
'Oh no... Not her... Not now... Please...' I begged in high heaven as I accelerated my walking speed into a run.
"Vaughn! Where are you going? We miss you so much!" She squealed louder and was now tailing me.
"I'm busy!" I shouted towards the chief's daughter, Margaret. 'Darn it. Why can't Julia be an animal transport with me...'
"Come on, Vaughn. It's useless to resist our love!"
"Hah, are you even trying?" I quickly made a turn and went inside the office where they keep the papers we need to take note of what we bring in or out of every island. After gathering a bundle, I set my route towards the boy's dormitory, straight for my room.
On the way there, some of Margaret's evil army showed up. They seriously show no mercy. Five of her friends were holding a lasso each, three of them have some kind of handcuffs hanging on her side belt, then a few others were fully packed with make-up bags and wielded some kind of hair curling iron.
'Geez, why are they even carrying that?! Their weapons seem to upgrade in some certain manner! I need to do these paperworks before tomorrow, my things can wait when I come back.' After deciding that, I backed away and ran towards the old barn with a different route. I hid under the haystacks. For a while, no one came by. Only two horses, five cows, one goat, three sheep, two chicks and four hens were accompanying me as I did my work there.
It took me three hours to finish the whole thing. I admit that choosing the old barn was a bad idea to hide from them and do my work. For an hour, I spent it by filling all the forms, data and logs. The rest of the time was spent by giving my full attention to my company. Oh the bliss!
It was getting really dark and cloudy. I have to think of a good way to reach the boat and my room. I would like to at least change my clothes and bring the rest of my Stetson with me to Sunny Island. I looked through one of the cracks from the barn and saw two girls who were still searching for me. Once they pass by, I have to make my move and go for my room.
.
"Vaughn, where's Julia?" Trisha tapped her foot impatiently for my answer.
"You know, the lasso was not supposed to be used on humans." I told her as I tried to free my hands from such bondage. "You all have the talent for animal trading but why use it on me?"
"Stop pouting, Vaughn," she and two of her allies started to blush and fidget around. "That's not going to work! We still have business with Julia. She'll see that messing with our love for you is going to be her down fall."
'Their love for me? This?' "Um... Oh! Is that why she's been sneaking in my room..." I lied and heard gasps. 'I assume that they didn't know that Julia had already left. Maybe I can use this for my escape.' "To think that she also dragged me into the barn..."
"She was there with you?!" She demanded.
"W-wait. I didn't say that, did I? You heard me wrong."
"That's it, she can still be near by setting another set of her traps. Lets go!"
With that, I was left alone. I stood up and cut the ropes with my pocket knife. I quickly got my things and placed them in a rucksack. Luckily, Allan saw me from the window and I called him up for help.
"Wow, Vaughn, those ladies were looking for you everywhere!"
"Yeah. I'm not sure but they have a twisted opinion on "love." Oh, wait, hold this too."
"It seems like you're taking everything already."
"Yeah. I think I should. Wouldn't know when the last time I'll be coming here peacefully again. I might be staying at the boat more often than I thought..." I grabbed most of my things and placed five of my Stetson on top of each other and placed it on Allan's head.
We were both laughing when we went out looking like thieves holding a lot of loot from my room. I met some of my close colleagues, Basil, Ralph, Garlon and Kroff, on the dorm hall and introduced Allan to them. Most of them were willing to help us go back to the ship. They even helped carry some of the stuff I have.
We enjoyed "playing" hide-and-seek from the girls and safely arrived at the ship. There's a few more hours left before the ship will leave so we all went in the cargo to put my things down.
"Whoa, amazing, Vaughn! You have the biggest room!" Ralph joked and started brushing a sheep that wandered near by.
"I think you've officially become the babysitter of the ship, though." Basil started hanging my Stetson on the hangers. "Hey, there's not enough hangers here."
"Don't worry, I'm bringing most to Sunny Island."
"Hm... 'kay."
"So Vaughn, found any chicks? And I mean girls, okay?" Kroff lightly punched my shoulders as the others laughed.
"I don't know. The girls here are bad enough."
"Oh, come on. Don't compare the girls here with those from the outside." Garlon spoke up. "They practically grew up with you and your talented with handling the animals... I mean, even animals like you!"
"Yeah." Ralph raised his brush in agreement and then went back to the sheep.
"Come on, Vaughn," Garlon placed his arm around my neck in a headlock. "'fess up. There must have been a girl you've liked."
"How would I know if I like that girl? Like what I said, seeing girls and being touched by them, other than Julia, gives me the creeps."
"What about Julia then?"
"No," I glared at Kroff's suggestion. "Julia's like a sister to me..."
"Fine, then, any girl that made your heart race?"
"No, I don't think so...?"
Everyone present seemed to have perked at the slight change of my tone.
"Ah... No. I mean, I think there was one but she's a brat. Too full of herself... What?!" My colleagues were all eyeing me. I rummaged my hair in irritation. "Geez..."
"Aw, don't be like that. It's rare for you to be irritated on a girl for a different reason." Kroff said.
"Very rare." Ralph said dreamily.
"Whatever. I'm telling you that she just made my heart race. It was practically from something that happened that time."
"Okay, okay. We get it. But, we're just happy that you've finally become more talkative." Basil sat beside me and placed his arm behind my neck. "You know, we're just worried about you. You're like a younger brother to us. If you need us, just ask."
"And if you have a girlfriend," Kroff pointed. "You need to introduce her to us, got it?"
"Yeah," Garlon crossed his arms, nodding his head in agreement. "I would be curious to see who can finally capture this workaholic's attention."
I smiled. I never thought that there were many people who cared for me. "Um, I just want to clarify things, are we all supposed to be... like, considered as a group of friends?"
"Of course!" They all answered immediately.
"I'm also your new friend, Vaughn!" Allan smiled with all his teeth showing.
.
Spring 18, Wednesday early morning. I've come back to Sunny Island. Julia and Mirabelle was there, as usual, waiting for me to arrive but now Karin, Natalie and Chen was there to welcome me back as well.
"Here." I handed Julia all my hats. "You know where they will go."
"Okay, come on, Karin, Natalie. You guys can carry these." Julia pointed at the luggages.
"Got it." Natalie carried my bag of clothes while Karin carried the box filled with all the papers.
"Hey, don't bother. I'll carry them myself."
"It's okay." Natalie said, "we're Julia's friends."
"A-and we were the ones who asked if there was anything else we could help you with..." Karin nervously said.
"Relax, Karin. I'm telling ya, Vaughn wasn't angry at you." Julia looked at me as if she was asking if I was really not angry at Karin.
I pulled my hat down and slightly bowed my head. "Sorry."
"See!" Julia said feeling relief, then she turned around and started to walk back to the shop. "I did warn you that you might easily misunderstand Vaughn."
"I'm sorry as well." Karin then raised the box of papers at hand. "Where do you want this?"
"Ugh, just put it in my room, I guess." I turned around to get the other things. As I did, I stole a quick glance at the three girls walking back towards the town. They were all trying to cheer Karin up. "Did I really look angry?" I mumbled to myself.
.
In the house, I got to finally relax. Since it's new and all, there's really nothing much to do. I managed to fix my room and help do a little inventory to the stocks available. The rest is for Julia to do so I'll let her be. It's not yet lunch time but I'm already feeling hungry.
"Julia? Is there anything to eat in here?" I went out of my room asking but Julia wasn't in her room. I then heard people talking down stairs. I took a few steps down and listened.
"Do you need a hand, Julia?" A guy asked.
I went a few more steps down until I saw everyone in the shop area. Mirabelle was at the counter, Julia was near the crates with a guy with pink hair.
"No, I can't ask for help. It's my fault that I got so far behind on my work." Julia waved her hand in refusal.
"Oh, come on, now. What kind of attitude is that? We're all on this island together, so we need to help each other whenever we can!" He took a step forward, I took another step down.
"He has a point, Julia." Mirabelle pointed." Sto-"
"Psst!" I turned and saw the rancher, sneaking her way up the stairs beside me.
I quickly looked back at the scene and decided to fall back. Mirabelle's there anyway. So I pulled her up with me to the second floor. "Whatcha doing here?!" I whispered, not realizing how surprised I sounded.
"Sorry, I came by to help Julia but Elliot was already here and the atmosphere seems different so I kinda felt awkward interrupting..."
"Sheesh. Never mind." 'Though you should have interrupted them and saved me the trouble with that... Elliot guy.' I sighed, thinking about Julia and guys that I don't know is a pain.
"Um... Vaughn?" Karin poked my shoulders annoyingly.
"What now?!" I asked, trying to keep my voice down.
"..." She looked at me then she looked down. She was fidgeting about something. I tried to look for her source of unease and realized that I was still holding her wrist with much force. I awkwardly let go and walked towards my room.
"Ah, wait, Vaughn. Are you alright?" She grabbed my left arm. "What happened to your wrists?"
'Hmm? My wrists?' I looked at them and noticed that there were still marks from what Trisha did to me. "This is... nothing. Someone was just practicing some ropes with me..."
"Oh, I see..." Karin's expression clearly didn't accept that explanation somehow. "Oh, wait. Here, look at this!" She quickly got her rucksack and brought out a bar of chocolate, handing it to me.
I quickly examined it. It was just a bar of chocolate. "So? What's wrong with this?"
"Nothing, really. But now that you're holding it, it will be rude to give it back to me if I gave that to you so, it's yours." She smiled and it was so clear in that smug look of hers that she had planned on giving me the chocolate from the beginning.
I felt my jaw drop. 'Regardless of what kind of reason, I am not rude enough to not accept anything that anyone gives me, I think.'
"Cheer up." She suddenly said before turning back towards the stairwell, "I don't bite unless you did something bad to me on purpose." She giggled as she quietly went down the stairs.
.
The next day, after some breakfast, I went out to see what's available in the island. Today is my first day off as an animal transport. Practically, there's nothing to do today like yesterday. I walked around behind our house and decided to do some morning exercises.
'One, two three, four...'
"Morning, Vaughn!" Karin greeted, smiling so happily early in the morning.
"Don't bother me." I closed my eyes and continued exercising.
"..."
"Oh, morning Vaughn!" I opened my eyes and saw it was Felicia and Natalie walking around, greeting me.
"Morning." I closed my eyes and continued.
I heard someone approaching me and stood right in front of me. I opened my eyes again.
"What do you want?"
Natalie crossed her arms. "If Karin saw that, she surely would feel hurt. It's not that hard to say morning back rather than saying "Don't bother me."" She said, trying to imitate how I said it.
"Don't care."
"Don't care? Will you really say that if you saw Karin after you visited her the other day?"
"What?" I raised my brow in disbelief.
"Humph! Be thankful that Julia doesn't know anything about it since Karin's a coward. If you're going to be mean, do it with someone who can take your rudeness. Or maybe Julia is more convincing for you?" Natalie then storms off.
'Dang. Natalie's like Julia in many ways... maybe even better. And what's with this Karin? Don't tell me she cried after I talked to her... She's just a kid after all.'
I went to the east side of town and looked around. I barely noticed Karin, who was squatting at the other side doing something. 'She seems to be talking with someone but she's the only one there. Maybe she's crying... No. I-it's not my fault... Natalie's lying, I think. Ugh... I'll go elsewhere then.'
Apparently, there's not much "anywhere" else to go to, so, I went back to my room. I slept until it was starting to become dark outside. I then sat up and chose a hat that I'll bring with me until the next week.
"Vaughn? It's Mirabelle."
"Yeah, come in. Something up?"
Mirabelle went in and handed me something. "Don't leave your things anywhere. That's not going to taste nice if you accidentally left it here for next week." With that, she left.
I looked at what she gave me and immediately recognized that it was a bar of chocolate with my name and an exclamation point written on the back. I rummaged through my small bag and got the one Karin gave me yesterday. There was something written at the back as well.
-Cheer up,-
I felt happy for a while. Putting these two together forms:
-Cheer up, Vaughn!-
When I took a closer look at the first chocolate bar, there were very fine and small words written below those encouraging words:
-you're always welcome to Sunny Island, an island of happiness!-
I checked the other bar again and found the same fine, small words written above and below my name:
-Sorry for bothering you- -Hope you like the chocolates!-
So, I think I'll end here. How is it so far? It's filled with so much clues of Vaughn's past, in my set up! I tried to make him have a very different history from the usual.
By the way, I need some opinions. Should I write up and elaborate the next series of events that happens after the first week Vaughn's in the island or I'll make a time skip and go straight to Denny's perspective which will start on Summer 5 on the island... for the next chapter? There will be two weeks worth of events that will be missed if I go with my original plan on using Denny's perspective for the next chapter.
So, until then, the next will be Denny's view unless there's a demand for the other!^^