Author's Note: Don't mind me just poking up an update while I can't sleep due to reasons. Don't own anything except the storyline. And even then, I share that ownership with my friend.
Yes, Molly has an accent. It's for effect. And really sorry for leaving this story for so long. I was really uninspired. oTL Also, this isn't the last we're seeing of the Tree of Tranquility/Animal Parade characters. I also reread the story and wow I was all over the place. No longer shall I be all over the place! We are set and going!
Disclaimer: I DON'T OWN HARVEST MOON. If I did, it'd be rated M because my friend and I are sadistic.
"Shining.. Mayonnaise? Our farmers might know something about that." The woman said, obviously trying to think on who would know about such a thing. Chase came out of the kitchen as the woman continued to think, looking from her to Angelo and back again. It seemed the woman had realized Chase was back, and seemed a bit nervous after trying to figure out exactly where she could direct Angelo to get some Shining Mayonnaise.
"What did you ask Colleen, Angelo?" Chase asked, frowning and folding his arms. Colleen gave a small laugh and shook her head before waving at the boys and leaving.
"About Shining Mayonnaise." Angelo replied, giving a shrug. Chase smacked his palm to his forehead and groaned. Right, the stupid mayonnaise that Angelo had to give to the Harvest Goddess and make sure that she kept her promise. Instead of saying anything, Chase instead let his hand drop to his side and walked out, giving Angelo a gesture to follow after him.
Harmonica Town was bigger than Angelo had expected, even bigger than Zephyr Town. Receiving a punch in the arm from Chase after jokingly calling it 'Harmonica City' due to its size, the two headed down a pathway unfamiliar to him. Chase seemed to know where he was going, and ended up at a house that looked well-built and taken care of. It was Chase who knocked on the door, and the door opened after a few antagonizing minutes of waiting for Chase and a few minutes of sketching the scenery for Angelo.
"Oh! Chase! Angela, Chase is here!" A female voice said. Angelo turned around, confused and put away his sketchbook. The door remained open and a girl with short, layered brown hair in a casual t-shirt and a pair of shorts appeared at the doorway, yawning a bit.
"..Chase..? Wha-what brought you here?" She asked, in a sleepy tone.
"Because I need... well, no, he needs a favour." Chase got right to the point, pointing at Angelo. It got the sleepy girl to wake up a bit and step aside for the two of them to come inside. Chase went inside first, followed cautiously by Angelo, who had to take a step back. There was another girl there that had more fluffy brown hair and was wearing a skirt and a sweater.
"You came at a good time, Chase! Angela learned how t' bake a better cake!" The fluffy-haired girl said with a smile, pulling out a cake from the fridge. "..Well, she said there was somethin' Yolanda taught her tha' were called 'Cake Pops'.."
"And I wanted to surprise Chase on his birthday..." Angela gave another yawn before going to get herself some coffee. "Molly, you suck."
"I know I do~" Molly playfully stuck her tongue out at her twin sister before putting the cake on the counter. "Oh, an' here's someone else! What's your name?"
Angelo looked up from his sketchbook, having made himself at home. "Angelo."
Molly cracked up. "Oh, we've got a pair! Angela an' Angelo! Friend o' Chase's?"
"Something like that, I guess. We've known each other since we were kids, before we lost contact. It's a.. reunion." Going back to his sketchbook, Angelo heard a crash and set the sketckbook down, the pencil rolling along the paper. Angela was holding her hand, Chase had his arms around her waist and looked like he'd just pulled her out of the line of fire and Molly looked undoubtedly concerned.
"Didn't Wizzy say tha' was gonna happen?" Molly asked, getting the broom and dustpan. Her tone was light and cheerful, as if she was trying to play it off as some big joke. Angela was pale-faced and tight-lipped, but she was shaking and tears were running down her cheeks. Upon closer inspection, her hand was bleeding. Molly tutted and handed off the broom and dustpan to Angelo before going to fix her sister's hand up.
"Y-yeah.." Angela's voice was shaky, as if she was trying her hardest not to cry. "H-he's always.. saying I'm gonna.. be in trouble.."
Molly shook her head, bandaging Angela's hand. "Y'know what? Go see ol' Wizzy and have a nice chat over some coffee. I'm bettin' he's wantin' t' see you, alright? Now get goin' an' don't have any more accidents!" With a smile, she pushed Angela out the front door and shut it behind her.
Her face suddenly became serious as she looked at the two men in her kitchen. Walking over, she put her hands on her hips.
"Alright.. Chihaya, I know you're here for a reason. Why else would your old friend from th' street days be runnin' around Castanet?" She asked, frowning. Angelo cleaned up the broken glass and the destroyed food, dumping it in the trash nearby. Putting the broom and dustpan near the trash, he looked to Chase, who shrugged.
"Don't know what you're talking about, Kari," Chase said, a deadpan tone to his voice. "All I did was guide him here. He's looking for something, and it lead him here. That's the story."
"An' so you won't mind me askin' him directly?" There was a quiver in her tone, like she was getting mad. Chase shook his head, and so she turned her attention to Angelo, who was..
"OI! AGI, QUIT YER SPACIN'!" She gave him a hard smack on the arm, jolting him from his daydream. "Wake up an' smell the apples, Agi. Yer ass is in a load of trouble if y'don't start answerin' questions."
Angelo shook his head. "I'm just here to get some Shining Mayonnaise. It's important. The Harvest Goddess said I was supposed to steal it, but I've sworn up and down that I'll never do it again. If I don't get it, Aria's gonna.."
He choked a little, rubbing his eyes. Molly snapped her fingers.
"Well, yer in luck, Angelo! The animals here produce the best quality ingredients, so Chase an' I can make it without a worry! Just go out there an' collect th' eggs in th' coop, an' we'll do th' rest!" She said, punching her fist into her open palm with a smile on her face. "Now out ya go!"
It took Angelo at least a half an hour to collect the eggs, and return them to Molly and Chase, who set to work making the mayonnaise. Another half an hour, and the mayonnaise was complete. Handing it over to Angelo, Molly smiled widely.
"Now yer set! Chase, see him out, would ya? I need to talk to ya about Angela's surprise afterwards."
"Right, right." Chase waved a hand, leading Angelo out of the house. Molly waved from where she stood, and the brunet mumbled something that sounded vaguely like "Dammit, Kari.." as he left the house itself. Standing outside, with Chase beside him, Angelo shook his head.
"Thanks, Chase. I'll be going now. Thank Molly for me, would you?"
"Sure, whatever. Get going, knight in shining armour."
With a final goodbye, Angelo headed out, back to Bluebell.
Obligatory Timeskip 'cause that's cool
If anyone had asked Angelo weeks ago if he thought the Harvest Goddess was a cynical being, he would've said no and told them to go get their eyes checked while probably referring them to the Bluebell church. Now, however, as he climbed the mountain separating Bluebell from Konohana, he would probably believe them and not recommend them to her. He'd liked her before, but this was ridiculous.
Taking the Shining Mayonnaise out of his satchel, Angelo let it fall into the pond after he arrived. A bright light blinded him for a few moments, and then he felt a pair of arms slip around his neck, lips pressing against his cheek. He made no movements, and there was a humourous giggle before his sight returned, and the Harvest Goddess straightened up.
"You brought it, just like I knew you would," She said with a smile on her face. Angelo stared, deadpan, at her. Laughing and waving her hand at the look on his face, the Harvest Goddess snapped her fingers, and a bottle, filled with crystal-clear water, appeared out of nowhere in her free hand.
"Here you go. I knew you wouldn't resort to stealing. I just wanted to get you all riled up~"
Angelo grunted, taking the water bottle and putting it in his satchel. "Thanks. So I make her drink it?"
"Yes, yes. Now hurry up! You've been gone a bit too long. Make sure she drinks every last drop!" With that, the Harvest Goddess vanished. Rolling his eyes, Angelo made his way back to Zephyr Town, hoping that he could think of a good excuse as to why he was gone for so long. Despite Antoinette having told the mayor he was out on business, it wasn't really good for him to lie. Felix had been nothing but good to him, and he didn't deserve to be lied to.
So, he made his way to the mayor's house, the water bottle in hand. It was Antoinette who stopped him as he went to cross the bridge into the main town area. She was shaking, and it wasn't a good sign. Her eyes went from the bottle to his face, and she gave a nod, taking his wrist and pulling him along. It barely took them any time at all to get to the house, and Sherry greeted them almost immediately. She didn't look too happy at all.
"It's.. Aria, she's.." Sherry wiped her eyes. "Lloyd's with her right now but.. I'm afraid she.."
"Don't worry, Sherry. I.. I can help her," Angelo said, "May I?"
She nodded, and stepped aside. Angelo was quick to move up the stairs, nearly forcing himself into the bedroom where Aria was. He acted without thinking, running to her side and uncapping the bottle, forcing her head up and making her drink the water. Once the bottle was empty, he carelessly tossed it aside while keeping Aria's head elevated so she wouldn't choke on the water.
Lloyd looked at him, and then at Aria.. and let out a surprised gasp.
"..Mm.. I-Is everything.. okay? I-I didn't.. lose the Bazaar, did I..?" Aria asked, sleepily. Angelo let out a sob and hugged her tight.
"Aria!"
