Chapter 9 is here! It's incredibly exciting to think that I've almost reached 10 chapters! I would briefly like to thank Accidentally The Whole Fanfic for the good writing advice.

Sorry this chapter is short; I actually tried writing this chapter earlier, except that I'm now going to save it for a future chapter. Some good stuff happens in it, so I hope to share it soon!

Anyway, let's get on with the chapter!

!

"Gustafa, who inspires the songs that you write?" Rick asked as the old hippy strummed his guitar. Claire and Rick had been taking one of their leisurely walks as usual when they saw Gustafa outside playing his guitar in his usual spot, leaning against the tree. The two of them decided to listen to him play.

"Ahh, now that my friend, is a long story," he remarked. Putting his guitar down in the emerald grass. It swayed gently in the breeze. "Back when Pony had first moved here to Forget-Me-Not Valley, another girl had moved in a couple months before her. To most men, she was just a snobbish girl, but to me, she was the sun. When other men saw a hideous pixy cut, I saw a ravishing style for her red hair. When other men saw a person with no fashion, I saw a girl with a unique, but breathtaking style." Gustafa continued the speak, no longer aware of Rick and Claire' presence.

"Don't worry, Rick, he isn't going mental," Claire said when Rick expressed concern. He nodded slowly. "If you haven't figured it out already, he's talking about Nami."

"Oh," Rick blushed, "that makes sense."

Claire grinned. "Yeah, I should've warned you about asking that question; he often gets like this when he talks about his wife." Rick chuckled.

"Yeah, I'll be sure to keep that in mind." The two then stared at Gustafa, who at this point was rambling on about nonsense, still unaware of their presence. They silently agreed to give him some space, and continued on their way to the mansion in town. "I'm still surprised that there's a mansion in this small of a town. I mean, our town is bigger and there isn't a mansion anywhere in it."

Claire shrugged, "I have no answer to that. You could probably ask Ms. Romana about that. Despite her old age, her memory is sharp as an elephant's."

The two began the ascent up the steps, neither one speaking as they approached the fenced garden. "Woah. This is incredible!" Rick exclaimed.

Claire smiled crookedly at his reaction. "Yep, I thought so."

"Claire! It's so nice to see you!" Lumina yelled. Claire turned to see the pretty brown-haired girl run up to the two of them in greeting. "And you must be Rick, correct?" Rick confirmed her with a nod. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you." She focused her attention back on Claire. "Oh, my goodness I haven't seen you in a long time!"

"I know! How long will you be home from your tour?" Claire asked. Lumina grinned from ear to ear.

"I'm staying here for the rest of the year. I've decided I'm taking a break from touring for the piano. Everyone needs a break once in a while." Claire agreed with her.

"Anyway, I'll leave the two of you alone. I need to go inside to speak with Auntie Romana." At that, Lumina entered the large house.

"Claire?" Mark yelled. Claire spun around to see her brother sprinting up the steps. When he caught up to her and Rick, he bent over, panting. "Have you—huff—seen—huff—Lumina anywhere?" Claire noticed the small bouquet of flowers in his hands. She smirked at him.

"Well, lover boy, she's inside talking to her aunt." Mark's face fell slightly at the mention of Lumina's Auntie Romana. He knew how protective she was of Lumina, so he was always intimidated by her.

"I guess I'll wait out here then." Mark stated. Claire smirked again. There were only two people in the world that made Mark act in a serious manner: Lumina and Ms. Romana.

"Alright then. I'm sure she won't bite though," Claire said to her brother, leading Rick inside. When the two entered, and Rick had taken a moment to become awestruck by the interior of the place, he asked Claire about what had happened.

"Oh, my brother kind of has a crush on Lumina, the girl we met earlier. He always has. Anyway, she's often gone on these tours to showcase her piano playing skills, so she isn't home too often. Mark is always giving her gifts. Even if it's storming out he finds a way to find a pretty flower to give to her," Claire explained. Rick smiled at her explanation.

"That's one way to woo a lady," he replied approvingly. "Though I'm sure by now she must have an entire garden in her room." Claire laughed.

"You have no idea."