-Long Time No See-
Poke. "Akari?" Poke. "Akariiiiiii?"
Akari rolled over in her bed and opened her sleepy eyes. "mmmwha?" she blinked. Once her eyes focused she saw 5 little sprites standing on top of her, smiling. She stared at them in confusion. "Hey what are you guys doing here?" she sat up.
"We came to see you!" Alan yelled.
"Where have you been?!" Ben flailed his arms.
"You don't come and visit us anymore!" Edge cried.
"We've missed you!" Daren bounced up and down.
"Akari…you haven't forgotten about us have you?" Collin looked at her with sad eyes.
"No of course not! It's just-"
"Huah!" Akari stopped when Luke, who was sleeping next to her, suddenly sat up. His eyes were half open and his head turned to face Akari. The sprites stood where they were, motionless. Akari's eyes bulged out of her head. No one could see the sprites but Akari, and if Luke caught her talking to herself, he'd think she's crazy. She grinned at him, hoping he didn't notice. Luke sleepily smiled back and plopped back down on the bed. He softly snored.
Akari exhaled. "Okay I don't think he really woke up."
"He's a real keeper Akari…" Ben crossed his arms.
"Why don't we talk outside so he doesn't wake up for real this time?" Akari gestured towards the door.
"Alright!" the sprites said in unison. They hopped from the bed and scurried out door with Akari following behind.
She shut the door quietly behind her and kneeled down. "Listen, its not that I forgot, I've just been really busy with all the wedding plans and stuff."
"WHAT?" the sprites jumped backwards
"You guys didn't know?" Akari's eyebrows knitted together.
"You're getting married to Luke?" Alan tilted his head. Akari nodded.
"When?!" Collin spread his arms out.
"The day after tomorrow."
"So soon!" Edge gasped. "We have to tell the Harvest Goddess! She'll be so surprised!"
Akari smiled, "Oh she's returned? She'll probably rip my head off for not telling her earlier." The last time she's seen the Harvest Goddess was when she saved her and planted a new mother tree about a year ago. The Goddess only visits Waffle Island every once in a while.
"Yeah she's back!" Daren cheered. "Let's go tell her right now!" The sprites got behind her and pushed her legs.
"Err guys? I'm kinda in my pajamas…" Akari dug her heels in the dirt as they pushed her along. The sprites were stronger than they looked.
"Oh don't worry about it! It's just the Goddess!" said Ben
"Pff, yeah it's not like she's important or anything." Akari said sarcastically. She eventually gave up and started walking with them.
They reached the other side of the Carmel River District to where they stood in front of an opening between large boulders. The path led to Mt. Gelato. Akari ducked her head under the rocks as the sprites skipped ahead. She completely forgot about this place. This part of the island was so much different from the rest. It seemed like something out of a story book with all the animals, the bright sun, the ocean view, the rainbow and the trail winding up the mountain.
Akari shielded her eyes from the sun as she looked towards the top of the mountain. "It's bigger than I remembered."
"Aww is Akari getting too old to climb the wee mountain?" Alan mocked. They were already strolling up path.
"Hah! Yeah right!" Akari laughed. "Race you to the top!" She darted forward and passed them.
"Hey no fair you have longer legs than us!" Collin cried. They all ran after her. Akari was halfway there but came to a sudden stop. The path ended when she reached a cliff and she had to use a narrow log as a bridge to the other side. She remembered all the times she's fallen of this log, and all the wounds she had to put up with because if it.
The sprites stopped behind her. "Well go on!" Ben urged.
Akari spread out her arms and balanced herself as she stepped on the log. She put one foot in front of the other. Each step made Collin flinch and cover his eyes. Akari smiled "This isn't so bad!" She relaxed a little, lowering her arms and picking up her pace. When she reached the end she hopped off and cheered "Come on guys now you have to cross!" She looked behind her and saw that no one was there. "Hey where did you go?" She turned back around to find the sprites in front of her, smirking. "How did you-"
"Oh just admit it, we're just faster than you!" Daren raised a fist in the air.
"Mhm." Akari crossed her arms, "Whatever you say." She shook her head and smiled. "Little cheaters."
"Alright come on! Let's see the Harvest Goddess!" Edge insisted. The continued onward until they arrived at the Goddess spring. Akari peered in. The new mother tree she planted has gotten so much bigger than the last time she saw it. The tree and the grass had a bright green glow and the water sparkled like diamonds.
"Goddess, Goddess!" The sprites called. "Akari's here!"
There was a soft giggle that echoed throughout the spring. The Goddess slowly appeared into view. She grinned and spun around, "Akari dear!" she sang in her soprano voice. She clamped her hands together and glided closer to Akari. "Oh you look so…so…" She scrutinized Akari from head to toe. "Comfy."
"Heh, well the sprites didn't really give me much time to get ready." Akari scratched her head.
"Yes I can see that." She puckered her lips and then smiled. "Well anyway! My dearest friend I believe we have a wedding to celebrate very soon!"
"You knew?"
"Well of course! I wouldn't miss it!" She twirled. "I just love weddings!" She stopped and lifted a stand of Akari's hair, "Oh tsk, tsk. We MUST do something with you hair. And your face could use a few more touch ups! A little magic can do the trick-"
"No, no it's fine really!" Akari raised her hands in front of her, "My wedding is not until two days from now. Maybe you should wait until then…"
The Goddess glared at her and folded her arms, "Hmph! Fine…Oh you must tell me what your dress looks like!"
Akari's mouth dropped and smacked her forehead, "Ugh! I completely forgot about the dress part…"
"GOOD! That just means I can create one for you!"
"You really don't have to! It's okay-"
"I INSIST!" The goddess blew Akari backwards. "I will not take no for an answer! Now let's see..." She orbited around her. "Hmm…ok wait right there!" she sang. "SPRITES!"
The sprites ran over and huddled around her. "Now what do you think about…" Her voice was so low that Akari could not hear what she was saying. She was slightly afraid. The sprites were clapping in excitement. "Ok it's settled then!" They all straightened and grinned at Akari.
The Goddess floated over to her, "Stay still," she whispered and then softly giggled. She lifted her hands in the air as if she were about to conduct and orchestra. As her hands swayed in the air, leaves detached from the new mother tree and were being carried by golden dust. The leaves twirled over towards Akari and circled around her. Akari's breath was caught as they started to block her view. The last thing she saw was the Goddess dancing and waving her hands around. She closed her eyes and tried staying perfectly still as the leaves whipped in circles.
The sound of the rustling leaves faded. Akari slowly opened her eyes. The Goddess was smiling proudly at her. "Tadaaaa!" The sprites jumped up and down, clapping their hands. "Oh Akari you look so beautiful!" they all applauded.
Akari gazed down at the beautiful white dress that somehow got on her. The strapless dress was sleek and form-fitting. The fabric sparkled in the sun from top to bottom and surprisingly, the sparkles had a hint of blue in them, her favorite color. A row of tiny blue daisies lined up around her waist line. The dress was laced up tightly in the back and a long train was trailing behind her. A veil, which was just as sparkling as the dress, was flipped behind her head and went all the way down to the ground. She lifted up her dress to find dazzling blue diamond shoes that had almost a five-inch tall heel. She just had the biggest Cinderella moment.
No words could escape Akari's lips. This dress was more than she'd ever dreamed of. She put her hands up to her face, feeling so lucky. "Goddess…you really shouldn't have…" she spit out.
The Goddess seemed smug, "I knew you'd like it! You look gorgeous!"
Akari smiled. "You're like my fairy godmother!"
"Hmph, except my dress completely tramples Cinderella's." she smirked. "I'll have to save your hair and makeup for the day of the wedding I suppose."
"Yes please! This is overwhelming enough. You'll have to surprise me."
"Wonderful! You'll be even more beautiful with the finishing touches!" The Goddess whirled around. "Alright then this dress must be in perfect condition, so I will have to hold onto it until the morning of your wedding day."
"Okay. Just make sure that when you take it off I'll have other clothes on..." Akari said nervously.
"Pff who do you think I am? Of course I'll dress you in something! Now what should I give for you to wear…" The Goddess pondered.
"Oh no you don't! Just give me my regular clothes…please." Akari begged.
"Ugh you're no fun. Fine." The Goddess snapped once and the dress was replaced with Akari's usual clothes. "Happy now?"
"Delighted." Akari smiled. "I should be heading back now though. But thank you for everything! This is more than I would ever ask for."
"It's my pleasure!" the Goddess sang. "You are my only friend after all! It's the least I could do!" Akari ran up to her and gave her a hug. She hugged her back, but then stopped, "Dirt! Dirt! You're getting your dirty farm clothes on me!"
Akari pulled back and shook her head. "You're ridiculous." She smiled and waved as she headed out of the spring.