Two chappies in one day! I'm on a roll, whatever that means!

HOLY OBAMA IT'S SWELTERING OUTSIDE!!! …Just saying…


"…Really…shouldn't…have…done…that…"

Slowly, as if something were bogging him down, Wizard pulled Owen out by his balled fist until he had him out in the wide open. I stayed perfectly still, too afraid, unsure, hurt, and confused to get up. I watched from the ground, twigs and rough pebbles digging into my stomach, my twisted ankle shooting little white-hot darts of pain up my leg.

However, I suddenly found the bushes to be a much safer place when Wizard suddenly let him go. But when I was halfway to them, I heard him say in my mind, "Do not worry…Look." I chanced a glance back…

Owen was five feet above the ground, boots kicking uselessly at thin air.

My eyes slid to Wizard. He was still wearing that huge black shroud that covered everything from his head to his toes, except the hand that was extending up at Owen. It was this hand that scared both me and my almost-rapist. It wasn't just glowing…No, it looked like it was on fire. Smoky white flames licked at his tan fingers, illuminating everything close to him except his face. "You have…attacked Miss Molly with certain…intentions." he murmured in a deep, ethereal voice that echoed in both our ears and minds.

Owen waved his arms, still trying to get his feet on solid earth, like any sensible earth-bound creature would. "Hey man, w-we're c-cool, we're cool! Can you just let me down, nice and slowl-"

"You…" he interrupted, "You will never…touch her…again. Do you hear me?"

"Hey m-man, m'sorr-"

"Do you hear me?"

Owen gasped in wondering fear when Wizard conveyed that to his very mind. "Yesyes! Y-yes. Sir, yes, I d-do!"

I tensed. He had just reduced the island's most egotistical, macho he-man to a shivering puppy. The slightest sliver of doubt that had embedded itself into my mind so long ago suddenly grew bigger, stabbing into me. What if the rumors were true? What had happened, years ago?

Was Wizard not all that he had showed to me?

He looked over at me, and I flinched.

"There's so much…" he whispered sadly, softly within me, "That you do not know…" He lowered his head for a moment, then threw his arm to the side forcefully, magically throwing Owen back into the forest. There was a loud thud, then thick silence – He had probably hit a tree, knocking himself out cold.

I stayed frozen, still on my hands and knees, not even daring to look back. Then I remembered something. "Finn!" I staggered up, only to fall again. My legs just weren't with me yet, and I was almost certain that I had sprained my ankle anyway. I grumbled as I crawled around on all-fours, hurriedly combing the area.

Wizard came over and knelt before me. "Hey…" He said, "I have…him…"

I gasped when he held out his cupped hands. Inside, quiet, sleeping, snoring, but very much alive, was my Finn.

I cradled him close to me like a mother would her child, feeling his tiny hummingbird heartbeat close to my own. "…Th-thank you. Oh Goddess…" A couple of tears rolled down my cheeks. "I was s-s-so w-worried! I th-thought for sure that he would n-need medical attention."

"He…did." He reached out and placed one finger lightly on the sprite's forehead, as if checking his temperature, "I had to heal him. He was…nearly…dead."

I stared down at him, too cowardly to look up at the other presence here. "I'm s-so s-sorry, Finn. I sh-should've listened to you. I should've-"

I felt something exceedingly hot touch my right leg. I jerked it back when I realized that it was Wizard's hand, even though it hurt like hell set to 'Extra Crispy.' "H-hey, watch it! I've had enough ind-decent exposure for one n-night, awright??" I gasped hotly, cheeks burning as badly as my twisted ankle. Then I understood. "Oh…sorry. I guess that I j-just couldn't he-elp assuming after…after just a while ago."

He nodded without a word and reached out once again, placing his warm hands on my twisted/sprained/strained (does it really matter? Let's put it this way: I can't walk!) ankle. His hands flashed green once, twice, three times, four. My entire body became frigid, as if I had swallowed half a vat of liquid nitrogen and then bathed in the rest. I scrunched my eyes instinctually, intense cold coursing through my veins. It was the kind of cold that burned like its complete opposite – Fire.

Thankfully, the unwelcome sensation only lasted a few seconds. I rolled my ankle experimentally – It was fine. But I was still shivering. Small price to pay, but an annoying side effect nonetheless.

Without speaking, he draped his huge black cloak over me. I wanted it too badly to protest, so I simply hugged it around myself and compared it to my soft blanket back home. The green one with sock monkeys playing and having tea-parties on it. The one that I had just been in this morning, playing hide-and-please-don't-seek. All because he had broken my heart, this man sitting in front of me now.

Could he even see my discomfort? Goddess, I hope not. I didn't want that at all…I think… I looked over at him to see if I could glean anything off him to help my confusing, conflicting emotions.

I would've expected his face to be closed off, the door to his heart shut right in my face, under lock and key. Instead, it was quite expressional – already narrow eyes halfway open, jaw relaxed, eyebrows slightly knit. The thing was, what kind of expression was that? As if to answer, he listed a bit to the right, but quickly corrected himself with a shake of his head and straightened up. But just as soon as he had, he started leaning to the left. I couldn't help but ask. "A-are you okay, Mr. Wiz-?" My throat closed on that last word.

He blinked sleepily. "…Too…much…"

He collapsed into a comatose heap.

I rushed over to him, mouth slightly agape with worry and confusion and…more worry. "W-Wiza- Wizar-!" Gah! Say the name! How's that so hard?? I turned him over to see his face, try to see what was wrong. He looked up at me with one eye – The stunning green one. His gold eye was shut closed. His breathing was slow and deep.

He stared at me. "…magic…"

"Huh?" Magic? Too much…magic?

His eye closed slowly, exhaustion forcing its lid down. Then he sighed…already asleep!

I was still freaking out. "Finn! Is he okay? Oh no. Fi-…!" Oh. Yeah. Finn was half dead, snoozing on my head, blanketed and secured by the big bouncy waves that Luna had made in my hair in what felt like ages ago.

I felt something move, and looked down to see Wizard settle his head on my outstretched thighs, his face peaceful. I gazed down at him, amazed. Was this really the same man that had been so scary and threatening not half an hour ago? I simply couldn't connect that dark aura of before with this serene face, as innocent and clear as a brand new day's morning.

I shook my head slowly, trying to not disturb Finn or Wizard. What nonsense words. What in the world were they doing, fluttering in my thoughts, being used to describe him? Had I already forgotten the state I was in for the past week? …Or two. Or three…….I really gotta check a calendar.

I jumped when I heard a noise. Straining my ears, my heart plummeted when I distinguished voices and footsteps. No! What about Wizard?? Who knows what will happen if…No. They can't see him!

I clenched my fists. No. They won't see him.

- - -

"I'm sure he's somewhere around here." Selena said certainly, looking around regally. "Now, where could he have gone?"

"Ah don' know!" Kathy gasped, close to hysterics. "All Ah know's I turn mah back for a moment, an' suddenly, he's disappeared. And so did tha' Molly slut!" I winced and bit my lip. Hard. How could she call me that? I looked up to her, I thought we were friends!

Maya didn't say anything discernable – Her mouth was full of sugar cookie, the crumbs littering her pink lips. It's hard to see, crouched in the dark, but I had seen her doing a chipmunk impression before with Chase's birthday cake for Yolanda, so it wasn't hard to imagine. She did, however, mumble out some garbled protest. To put it in words: "W'ack oo oo'meng shesh gisk!" She swallowed several times, nodding her head while she gulped. Finally, she said in English, "What do ya mean (?) she's nice I like her!"

"Shore she's nahce. For ah sneaky, lying, bahckstabbin' boy'frend stealah!"

With each accusation, I sank a little lower into my depressing pool of depression.

"But. But. But. But…" Maya droned like a broken toddler's toy, "How can you be so sure I mean really she doesn't seem like that kind of person she seems really sweet and quiet and what's-the-word loyal not a backstabber plus she likes you a lot she told me so!"

Selena grumbled something to herself, then to the others. "Tell me, why did we take her along? She is quite obviously under Molly's spell. Maybe the new girl knows voodoo?"

Kathy's head snapped to her. Maya gasped, accidently inhaling some stray cookie crumbs. "Cough cough-don't say-cough-that it's very bad-cough-luck!"

"Pfft. I've never believed your stupid stories anyway. Ancient, ridiculous jargon for banana brains with coconut milk for blood."

"It's not jargon it's very true it only happened about twelve or thirteen years ago I know 'cuz I was about seven then and why did you have to mention bananas and coconuts now I'm hungry!"

"Gah, shaddap, both o' yah!" Kathy whapped at them with her white shawl-wrap. "There's more important thin's thahn dat!" She made sure that they were both searching with her before she said more. "And to ansa'r yer question, Owen's been a-talkin' to me. Says dat she's been puttin' de moves on 'im. He's 'ad ta deal with her almost ev'ry day, jumpin' at 'im, huggin' 'im, stalkin' 'im." She shook her head angrily. "She's gone done ev'rythang in 'er power to steal mah boy away. Wull, she's gotta'nother thang comin'!"

Selena nodded, standing just feet from where Wizard was sleeping right next to me, both of us hidden under that super useful cloak. I sucked in my breath, staying completely still …but she just walked on by. Phew… "Yeah, he's been telling me too. He warned that I should lock away Luke, that she's set her sights on him too."

"Imagine! Can't 'ave jist one off-limits guy, she's gotta have two!"

Selena cleared her throat. "Actually, I'm not too worried. Lukie's too much of an idiot to fall for her. He's already fallen for me, and that's taken up enough of his brain power as is. Another girl would only make it short-circuit…Plus…he knows that I'd be a force to reckon with if he fooled around." She giggled, lightening up the dark words that she had just uttered. "Ahaha, but that all's just why I love him so much!"

Kathy ignored this. "And who knows? She might even set her hungry gaze on others. Maybe even…Chase?"

Maya froze. "…Huh?..."

Kathy nodded, glad to finally gain Maya's full attention. "Yep. They've been dukin' it out lately publically, but I've seen dem when they thought no one wuz watchin'. And by the way? He always helps 'er when she barfs up the snacks ya give 'er." Ah! No! Sure, she was finally saying something that was partially true, but of all the truthful things, why that? Maya's so sweet, she was twisting her, beating her down! How could Kathy be so cruel?

That's it. I'm not listening to anything else. But I'm also not telling them off, and I'm certainly not going to let them know that I was here. Thankfully, they soon walked off, still searching for Owen. I guess they really sucked at observation skills if they couldn't even see us. Maybe that jerk will forever be lost in Fugue Forest's entrance?

Ah, wishful thinking…

I sighed and sat up, pulling the cloak back to reveal Wizard. I jumped when I realized that he was awake. He blinked up sleepily. "They...didn't see us…because of a charm I placed on this cloak…a long time ago…It activates when you wish to not be seen…"

"Qu-quit reading my mind." I snapped, trying to forget how much I thought of him when I looked at his sleeping face. "Let's just get you away from any danger of being seen, then I can go back to the Festival and pretend that this never happened." Except, you know, the whole being almost raped and possibly murdered. I'm gonna press charges. I'm gonna sue the living daylights out of him. The consequences? Life in jail, reimbursement for pain-and-suffering, possibly castration. We'll see.

"…And your attacker will…wake up with…with absolutely no recollection of what just transpired…So they won't catch him, since he doesn't even know it happened. The lie-detector test would be obsolete…And…I don't think that one last consequence is legally allowed…"

"I s-said to quit reading my m-mind! You lost that right a lo-…No, you never had the right." I frowned, a horrible taste entering my mouth when I saw his blank stare. He wasn't hurt at all? Was that how little I meant to him?

Wizard stood up with me and tossed the magical cloak around both of us as we walked down the hill to the bridge. I steely looked ahead, doing my best to not smell anything but the warm, slightly muggy summer air. The last thing I needed was to get a whiff of him, I was having a hard enough time as it was. I looked over at the townsfolk, just lighting their lanterns, slowly and reverently passing a lit candle around. I should be there, honoring my ancestors like a good person…

I wonder what had happened to my lantern…?

Wizard slowed, then stopped. "Do…you want to go…?" I hesitated, but nodded mutely. I was just so confused, I had to get away for a bit and clear my head. Think everything through and process every bit of it. He sighed and took a small step away from me. "…Go ahead…"

"…Thank…you…" I mumbled to my tightly wringing hands. "For everything." I stepped away, looked back at him. He lowered his head and disappeared, cloak and all.

Heart well on its way to the soles of my feet, I sprinted down to the festival.

* * *

Luna and Julius had given me hell for my messed-up hair that they had worked oh-so-Goddess-darn-hard-and-long on.

Gill was apparently worried sick when I disappeared. Thank Goddess that I was fine, because he was planning on a search party as soon as he escaped his father's smotheringly-happy clutches.

As soon as Chase's lantern was lit, he left to float it down elsewhere, hunching his shoulders as he walked away.

My lantern accidently tipped and sank into the ocean water. I was told that that's a sign that I wasn't focusing enough on my ancestors and the deceased. Which is accurate, but could you blame me if I was a little distracted?

Kathy, Selena, and Maya didn't come back while I was at the festival, but I did see the trio walking over as I was just starting on my way home. Sadly, they had found Owen – He was stumbling alongside them. But I overheard them saying that he had just ran into a tree by accident, that he couldn't remember much. Really, how stupid could you get?

That's all that I have to say on the Firefly Festival. It wasn't very important. Not at all.

Now, when I was walking home…That's a different story entirely.

- - -

I walked slowly up the dirt road next to the coastline. Since I was in the mood, I sang bits and pieces of songs, mumbling and humming whenever I forgot the words…which was a lot…

"Breath, and I'll carry you awa~~y into the velvet sky. And we'll stir the stars around, and watch them fall awa~y into the Hudson Ba~y and plummet out of sight and sound…Below the Northern Lights, I spend my closest nights alone awake and thin-king of the weekend we were in lo-" Eh, hum a bit, don't want to hear that word. "We're both on the wing, look down and keep on singing, and we can go an-y-where…Are you there? Are you there? Are you there? Are you there? Or are you just a decoy dre~~eam in my head? Am I home, or am I sim-pl-y tum-bel-ing all alone…?" Seems like I am. Which makes me think off another song…

"I walk a lonely road, the only one that I have ever known. Don't know where it goes, but it's only me, and I walk alone. Hmmm…I walk this emp-ty street, on the Boulevard of Broken Dreams. Where the city sleeps, and I'm the only one and I walk alone. M~mmm~mmm…My shadow's the only one that walks besides me. My shadow's heart's the only thing that's beating. Sometimes I wish someone out there will find me. 'Til then, I wa~alk alo~~~ne…" Please find me…I don't like walking alone.

Then my mind switched to a new song. I've gotta stop with the sad and pitiful messages and lyrics. Maybe this one will help?"Forget-about-it…I'll-split and-I'll be-go~one and you'll have memories you'll find hard to ignore…'Cuz after a~~ll, see-ya-sometime maybe when I, will reca~~all how ya drove me crazier! Forget about tho~ose scarlet ni~~ights…layin' by the fireside, holdin' me ti-i-i-ight…Can't remember whe~~en it felt so right, so just…" I stopped a moment, looked up at the sky and whispered not-so convincingly, "Forget about it…"

Okay, I obviously am not choosing the best songs to sing and think about at the moment, so I think I'll shut up. Quit mewling like a forlorn cat, get moving.

I gave a small yawn as I walked up the path to my farm, one of those tiny ones that you have when you're not tired, but know that you should be in bed making big Z's. But as I was about to turn to go up, I noticed a single orange light flickering down at the ocean. As I stared, I also made out two dark figures standing next to the shoreline.

…Well, it's only about one o'clock. Might as well get in a little more trouble, round off the day. Where's the harm in that? I tucked Finn into the black ribbon tied around my waist and started down.

As I padded closer, I started to recognize the two, unhappily. The tall one who was all hunched and tense was definitely our very own mysterious and jerk-faced cook, Chase. And the other one…

Wizard spoke in a quiet but slightly-urgent voice. "…Have you found any other ingredients…?"

Chase shook his head angrily. "No, I told you already, all I could make was that chocolate truffle cheesecake."

"Expertly made…but for this potion and our circumstances…quantity is better than quality…"

"Hey! I worked long and hard on that to make it perfect!"

He smiled faintly. "You…were always a perfectionist when it came to food…I remember that she and I would have to wait for forever while you made those sand-items for the picnics…"

"You mean 'sandwiches'?" Chase said flippantly. "And it just felt like forever because they smelled so good. And please…don't mention her." I could hear him grinding his teeth from here, fists tense.

Wizard nodded slowly, his eyes watching Chase's face knowingly. "Don't worry. We'll get her back…I swear."

Chase turned his face away and stared out at what I'll assume is his lantern floating and sashaying on the calm waves. For a second, I thought he'd say something sappy or sad or anything else un-Chase-like. Then he made a derisive noise in the back of his throat, a grunt/snort/meh sound that he'd obviously practiced and used to perfection. "You've been saying that for…What, twelve years? And I'm most certainly not worried!" Wizard pointedly looked out at the orange lantern as the cook continued on, sounding progressively more indignant as he talked. "And can we get real here? We'll never get her back!"

Wizard simply shook his head.

I took another step forward to hear better, but accidently stepped on a piece of dried-up kelp. I froze, muscles taut as I tried to blend in with the shadows. Both their heads swiveled to me, destroying all the hope I had that they hadn't heard the deafening crackle. "Who's that??" one hissed under his breath, glancing around. His companion stared straight at me, his eyes cutting through the dark.

I turned tail and ran, heart trying to jackhammer itself out of my chest. But before I could get far (darn my short legs!), someone tackled me, throwing us both to the sand. "Gotcha!" Chase panted, arms locked around my knees. "Who the hell do you think you are, eavesdropping on private conversations?? I don't know who you are yet, but you tell no one of what you heard, got that?"

"Let her up, Chase…It's Miss Molly."

He stared up at him urgently. "Dude, hide!" he hissed. "What if she blab-"

"Miss Molly knows…me...already."

Chase frowned at me, but let go. I got up as dignified as someone who just face-planted on the beach could, spitting out grainy sand gobs. And how is it that sand always finds a way to get in your clothes, no matter how little time you spend in it? It felt like the inside of my outfit was layered was sandpaper.

Chase crossed his arms. "She knows you already?"

Wizard hesitated. "…Yes…"

His narrowed eyes slid between me and the white-haired man. "Do you know G-Man, Farm-Girl?"

Wha-? "H-huh? 'G-Man?'"

A self-satisfied smirk sprawled across his lips. "O-ho, so he didn't tell you his real name? Well, that certainly says a lot. Mostly, that I'm more important to him than you." After dropping that atom-bomb, he shoved past me. "Later. And I'll work on the other potion ingredients too, so see ya, G-Man."

I remained silent even after Chase's retreating back disappeared into the night, staring in his general direction with my face passively blank. I didn't even look over when Wizard cleared his throat. "…Miss Molly…" Didn't look over. "…Molly…" Still didn't answer. "…Listen…I need to talk to you." He started walking up the path to town. "Could you please…come with me?"

My eyes narrowed. I should say no. I should cross my arms and refuse to budge. Hot anger bubbled up inside of me, all the torture and pain that I had endured fueling it like emotional-gasoline. No, I should do more that just that. Much more than a pitiful 'no'. My body trembled, unable to contain the fire – fists and teeth clenched, I was ready to pitch it all at him, 'cuz it was quite obviously all his fault! Someway, somehow, it was. It had to be! I notched the first mental arrow and glared up to zero-in on my target…

And then my gaze connected with his.

...

…I…I'm being so…What was I…?

I staggered a bit, ashamed and confused. I had just experienced the emotional equivalent of being covered with fire, which was then dowsed with an ocean of water. I had never felt like that before. I struggled to think as my head spun. What was happening to me? I doubled over in an attempt of…I don't really know, but it helped, strangely enough.

I looked up to see his outstretched hand. "Are…Are you okay…?" I shrugged and went back to being bent over. "…I can sense your emotions. They're very…ah, unsettling…at the moment…"

I winced and bit down hard on the words bubbling inside of me, roiling and boiling excuses and meaningless jabber. I'm sorry-It's been a long night-You broke my heart-I'm sorry-Why is life so unfair?-I'm sorry-How can I trust you?-I'm so confused-I'm sorry!

Wizard knelt down wordlessly and wiped away the tears that had escaped and crept down my cheeks. I tensed a bit when he wrapped his arms around me, holding me close to him, but I easily fought the weak urge to run. But however warm and comfortable I felt, I was too afraid to open up, too afraid to lift my arms and return the favor, too afraid that he'd rip himself from me if I did.

As I mulled over my possibly well-founded fears, some words took the chance to open the doors and escape. "Why…?" Okay, one word, but there were so many endings that I could tack onto it that it did its job. He gently pulled away to look at me. Strangely, I didn't instantly let go of his black turtleneck. I quickly unlatched my white-knuckled grip and pressed my hands to my stomach, hoping that he didn't notice. Foolish, really – How could anything escape his attention?

He cleared his throat and lowered his head slightly. "…It's not safe for you to even know me…I shouldn't expose you to anymore danger than I already have." He suddenly looked up and around. "But I simply can't-…Let's discuss this elsewhere."

Was he trying to drive me insane? "No." I straightened. "I'm sick of waiting. All I ever do is wait. Everyone has their own limits, and I'm getting closer to it every day." That's about where my decisiveness and strength ended. I slumped in embarrassment at my whining. "Please. Everyone else is home, almost if not completely asleep. You're safe."

"If only I was…" he sighed deeply. "But I'll respect your…request. I've had enough of saying no to you anyway."

"You seemed perfectly fine with it a few weeks ago." I replied, unable to keep a little bit of hurt from leaking into my voice.

"It was for your own good!"

Wow. That was the first time I'd ever heard him raise his voice. I was starting to wonder if he'd suffered some minor disease that took away his breath or whatever. But his voice-box seemed pretty fine. I gave him a look that said 'I'm waiting.'

He hunched his shoulders and messed with the back of his hair, running lean, tan fingers through silky ivory. "Every moment that you spend with me is…dangerous. Not just for me, but for you too." He looked up at the bright night sky. "I can see stars…millions of miles away…but I don't see what the people would do if they realized that I was still…alive, and even worse, that I…I…"

"Just start from the beginning," I said when he trailed off, feeling very much like a psychiatrist. Lean back on the ottoman. What do you see in these inkblots? I see. And how does that make you feel? I see. *scribble scribble*

He nodded once. "I…I've been around for a long time…"

"May I ask how long?" I noted his conflicted stance and expression. "Come on. I said to tell me everything. You can trust me."

"…For as long as the Harvest deities. And I'd always gotten along with the people who'd settled on the island and their children" He plowed on, obviously not noticing that my eyes were as wide as Maya's dress. "…grandchildren…great-grandchildren…great-great grandchildren…and so on. I left them alone, they left me alone. And while I was able to accomplish much in my…field of work…Well, it can become increasingly lonely, being utterly without any real contact for…a long time." He smiled out at Chase's lantern, which was still lit and bobbing. "About fourteen years ago, I met them."

"Th-them who?" I asked, still considerably shaken over his age. I guess this whole magic thing was a lot more potent than I thought.

He smiled off into space, giving me a million more questions to stew over with his mysteriously pleasant aura.


I'm so unfaithful! I just realized it!

Loony: Sigh…Okay, I'll bite. How are you unfaithful?

Me: I'm writing a Wizard fanfic. I've got another in the works that I might publish that's a Jin/Akari poem-ish thingy! Why aren't I doing anything about my favorite-est character ever??

Loony: Well, you did give him a good part in this story…He's a jerk, but it's a biggish part, nonetheless.

Me: Watch it, Chasie's not a jerk! He's like an ogre or a parfait or an onion: Many layers! (if you've never seen Shrek, disregard that comment)

Reviews! I luvs dem! Questions, suggestions, comments, speculations, (constructive) criticism, random stuff that has nothing to do with anything at all! I take it all, 'cuz I love input and the reviews make my day all sunshine-y and happy-full.

Looney: Nice vocabulary. *snaps fingers. I stick a lightbulb over her head* Oh! We don't own Harvest Moon, Owl City's "On The Wing", Green Day's "Boulevard of Broken Dreams", or Alison Krauss's "Forget About It"! ... You know, Candy, you're just asking for legal trouble, using all these...

Me: I was in the musical mode! Sue me! *realizes what I just said* ...Actually, please don't...