Disclaimer – I hold no rights to Harvest Moon.

As Plain as Brown

Accident: Any event that happens unexpectedly, without a deliberate plan or cause. Is that what it was—an accident? I think not. I wasn't expecting it at all. But, someone did plan it. Pushing someone while trying to walk through an extremely crowded hallway is an accident. Pushing someone with your own two hands on purpose is not. And I had definitely felt a pair of hands forcefully push on my back. Therefore, it was no accident. But, I don't know what I'm exactly feeling at the moment. My mind isn't too clear right now.

"You saw who pushed me?" Nami asked Ruby as she picked up a stray paper plate on the chair and threw it in the trash. Ruby shook her head and busied herself with whipping the table.

"I saw everything. Mom was the one who pushed you." Rock grinned. Ruby looked at Rock. To anyone, it would appear to be just any old plain look. To Rock, it was something totally different—a bad different.

"Rock honey, could you please wash the dishes?" Ruby requested. Rock released a breath of relief. He was sure he was going to get it—whatever it was.

"Sure thing mumzy." Rock said gladly and hopped off the couch. Ruby smiled. Rock opened the door to the kitchen and was greeted by a large stack of dishes and kitchenware in the sink waiting to be washed. He frowned. He'd forgotten that there were many food dishes served. He should've known.

"Why did you push me?" Nami glared at Ruby.

"You deserved it."

"What do you mean I deserved it?" Nami barked. Ruby shrugged.

"I just felt like giving you a head start is all. Besides. You looked like you enjoyed it well enough." Ruby remarked smugly. Nami leered at her for a moment before looking away.

"Ah, see? You're blushing." Observed teasingly. Nami took a seat on the nearby couch, elbows on her knees, and hid her face in her hands.

"That was so embarrassing." Nami whined, her voice muffled by her hands.

"I don't think everyone saw it…I think." Ruby said unsure.

"You think?" Nami laid herself on the couch in fetal position. She looked back at the kiss and remembered the look on his face after she pulled away. He stared at her with an expression she couldn't place. It looked almost blank. But there was evidence of blushing—probably from embarrassment. Whatever was fixed between them was now ruined.

"Ugh. How can I face him now?" Nami asked aloud.

"Well, here is your excuse." Nami felt something land her belly. Her hands broke away from her face and she saw a hat—Jack's hat.

"He left it." Ruby told her. Nami raised an eyebrow at her.

"Just talk to him. I'm sure everything will be fine." Ruby reassured her.

"You sure? You better be right." Nami said to her.

"You want me to come with you for moral support?" Ruby asked.

"No. You'll just push me again." Nami said flatly. Ruby laughed.

"I probably would." Ruby agreed.

"You know, it's still only six. Why don't you go over to him now?" Ruby suggested.

"Nah." Nami replied.

"Come on. You like him. Go and get to know him."

"No."

"Go."

"N-O. No!" Nami spelled it out for her. Ruby crossed her arms and stared deeply at her.

Nami knocked three times on Jack's door. She thought, why not? It couldn't hurt right? After all, it's better to go and have a harmless little talk with Jack and return his hat to him than to be kicked out of the inn. The door opened and Jack's head poked out. Immediately, an air of awkwardness loomed in between them.

"I came to give you your hat back. You left it at the inn." She watched his eyes widen in realization as he patted and rubbed his hatless head. He quickly grabbed the cap from her hands and put it on. She felt just a tad bit of disappointment to see him put it on—just a tiny bit. But, she was even more disappointed in herself for being disappointed in the first place. Is this what she should be doing—harboring feelings of attraction for a man she did not know too much about like a giddy schoolgirl? She couldn't even remember most of what he said the other day other than he loathed the color brown and he wanted to get married someday—and that embarrassed face he made…god. Why couldn't the ferry driver just let her on?

"Thanks." He said sheepishly. He looked down as Mage came trotting over to Nami and sniffed her leg. He then lied down belly up, looking at her expectantly. She smiled and took his invitation to rub his belly.

"It's like he already knows you." Jack noted.

"Uh yea…or he's just really friendly." Nami shrugged, afraid he knew. Maybe he did catch her in the market but just didn't say anything. Despite wanting to know if he did see her, she did not want to find at the same time.

"You're probably right." It was quiet as she knelt and rubbed Mage's belly. The silence became rather uncomfortable and she decided to speak out what was on her mind—and probably his.

"Umm…about that kiss." She stood up. She could feel tension beginning inside of her.

"It was an accident." It wasn't really an accident. Ruby planned it. But he didn't need to know that.

"It's ok. I knew it was. People don't usually fall onto a person on a couch like that." Jack rubbed his neck and weakly laughed. Nami gazed at him in appreciation. She felt relief flow through every vein and artery in her body. In fact, she was so relieved that she let slip the next thing that came out of her mouth like a knife slicing through room temperature butter.

"Well, the next time we kiss, I'm sure it'll be better." Jack looked at her in alarm. The shade of pink reappeared on his cheeks and he looked down in embarrassment.

"Oh…um…I mean…you know, when we kiss someone else." She could not believe those words came out of her mouth. She felt like killing herself right now.

"I…I know what you mean." He said still keeping his gaze down.

"Yea…well, I got to go. I'll see you tomorrow." Nami waved a goodbye and quickly left. On her journey back to the inn, she literally pinched herself so much until she couldn't take it anymore. She still could not believe she said that. It was even more embarrassing than the kiss!

"How'd it go?" Ruby asked when she entered through the door. Nami shook her head telling her she didn't want to talk and went upstairs to her room. She collapsed on the bed face first onto the pillow and screamed into it.

Dear Journal/The current holder of some of my life's recordings composition book thing I found in the basement some time ago,

I was really worried for Nami. It seemed that she was always bothered by a lot of things. I can guess it was all coming from one person—to put it more specifically, a guy. And, if we zoomed in more closely with a microscope, it'd be Jack. Though, I can understand why she's troubled. She has this big dream of seeing all the wonders of the world. A man could only get in the way in such a big dream like that. Oh I wish she would be able to fulfill it. However, I must admit that I'm very selfish when I say this. I don't want her to go. I really don't. She isn't of my blood, but she might as well have been. A cliché it may be, but she really is a daughter I never had, though only about a month have passed. Call me, "the mother who wouldn't let go" if you will. I don't mind. I really don't—because I don't want to let go. I've already lost my dear husband whom I miss terribly. And, I'm not at all willing to lose anyone else. Anyway, things are just fine. Jack and Nami seem to actually be getting along with each other. Jack reminds me in many ways of Jas. Their names are kind of similar even. Why'd you have to get those flowers Jas? No. I shouldn't be asking that. It's just that I miss you so much. If only you could be here right now to see how wonderful a son we have.

-Ruby

Jack woke up feeling content. It was unusual since he usually woke up feeling a bit forlorn. But, for once he was actually feeling good. He got dressed and after fixing breakfast for Mage and himself, he headed outside and began watering the turnips he planted—though the area it covered was rather undersized—no bigger than a home garden. He was a beginner and he thought it was a good idea to start small and see if he can actually grow something first. So far, it looks like he'd do fine. After he'd harvest the turnips, he'd plant seeds on a larger area of dirt. It was after he finished that he looked up and spotted Celia leaning on the fence silently watching him. Had she been watching him the whole time? Nevertheless, he felt like hiding. Shoving the need for cover aside, he gathered enough courage to try a wave. But, quicker than he could raise a hand, she went off running. It didn't make him feel any better—it only made him feel worse. Watching her run away before he could even wave was rather disheartening.

Now that he had nothing to do, he decided to play around with the old rusting watering can he had on hand. Filling it up with water using the faucet on the side of the house, he then realized that he was in dire need of a hose. A watering can was fine for now considering he had only started on a small area, but he wasn't going to use a watering can to water the whole farm forever. It just wouldn't work. The farm was huge and the watering can wasn't. Maybe after he got a hose—and with enough money, he would install farming sprinklers.

He brought his gaze to the old rusted can gripped firmly in his hand. What if it was magical? He could water the whole field with one swing. He chuckled. With his imagination switched on, he swung the watering can firmly gripped in his two hands like a baseball bat. Nothing happened. Then he thought of something. With the watering can almost empty from having poured over imaginary greenery, he went and got it refilled. Placing himself in the middle of the dirt field, he grasped the can with his two hands again and pulled back into position as if charging up his aura (some influence from action and fighting cartoons had landed on him). Having gathered enough power, he released his energy in a wild whirl. Unsurprisingly, the watering can didn't have a very large watering radius—even when spinning.

"What are you doing?" Nami spoke up. It was as if Jack had been struck by lightning, but it wasn't as bad as the embarrassment he felt right then. He released his hold on the watering can, which went flying off across the barren field of dirt and landed with a loud thud. But, he was relieved it hadn't headed towards her.

"Umm…nothing…just bored." Jack replied gripping his head, eyes shut tightly, waiting for the dizziness to pass.

"Well, you certainly are unique." If Jack weren't still dizzy, he'd raise an eyebrow at her.

"Huh?"

"Hehehehe." Her laugh must have healing properties or something. Despite his head still spinning, he felt a bit better. He groaned.

"I have a headache."

"Isn't that what you usually get when you spin around so much? Anyway, you know what just about every guy does when he's bored don't you?" Jack blushed. Yes, he did know. He'd done it only almost everyday before he got here.

"Heh. It looks like even you do it."

"And you know this how?" He inquired.

"Women are no exception. So, the same thing can be said for us." Jack exhaled a breath of relief, glad that the dizziness was subsiding.

"What'd you come for?" He asked.

"I found an old ball I thought Mage would like. Where is he anyway?"

"He's…right behind you." He pointed out. Just as he said, Mage was sitting patiently behind staring expectantly up at her. His tail started wagging once his eyes made contact with the ball. Nami gave him a few pats on the head and then tossed the ball a ways behind him. Jack watched Mage pick the ball up.

"Mage! Over here boy!" Mage stared at him for a moment before backing up and dashing out of the property.

"Don't be stingy now…" Jack muttered.

"Come on lets get him. I'm pretty sure he just wants to play." Nami motioned for him to follow. Jack did as he was told and tried to catch up to her speed.

"Uh oh…he's running towards the mansion." Jack mentioned worriedly.

"Why are you so worried? Besides, once he gets in there, he has nowhere else to run. Come on. Let's hurry." Nami panted.

"Well, there is also her." Jack corrected once they arrived at the mansion. A woman was holding Mage. He'd seen her face before—at the party—the one who was staring at him.

"Excuse me, ma'am. Umm…" He approached the light brown haired woman.

"Oh, is he yours?" The woman asked him. Jack nodded. She released him and he trotted over to Jack, ball still gripped tightly in his mouth.

"He's a sweetie. Oh, forgive me for my bad manners; I'm Lumina Tristesse." She shook his hand.

"I'm—"

"Jack Harvest correct?" She interrupted. He nodded dumbly, surprised and somewhat freaked out she knew his name without ever confronting him.

"My grandmother told me about you." She told him. Though it did little to relieve him. Then how'd her grandmother know about him?

"And your name is?" She looked over to Nami.

"Nami McKay." Lumina just smiled.

"Nice to meet you. Would you guys like to come in?" Nami looked at Jack. The look on his face told her he didn't really want to. And frankly, she didn't want to either.

"Sure." This surprised Nami. She was so sure he'd refuse. Lumina's home was far from humble as would anyone would've guessed looking from the outside. Red carpet aligned every hallway they walked on, paintings by famous artists had a space on every wall, a different statue or valuable vase occupied every corner, and not a window in the whole mansion lacked gold embroidered drapery. Nami felt really outclassed. She snuck a glance over at Jack and wondered why he was unfazed by it all.

"You're not amazed by all this?" She whispered to him as they lagged behind Lumina, who was giving them a tour.

"What? Oh. Yea…I'm amazed." He whispered back in reply shifting Mage in arms to get a more comfortable hold. Nami examined him with a pointed look. He was lying. And right then, she grew suspicious.

"And this is the dining room." Lumina showed them. Nami gazed with wide eyes around the large and spacious room.

"How many people live here?" Nami asked her.

"Three."

"Why in the world do you need a table that seats fifty people?"

"Oh, you're just exaggerating things. It only seats twenty people. My parents used to have a lot of visitors around for dinner."

"Oh." Nami managed to nod.

"I don't want to remove it. I do imagine at times that'd I'd have a big family that would fill those seats up one day." Lumina stared at Jack as she said this. He felt himself shrink.

"Do you really plan on having fifteen children?" Lumina nodded.

"Why not? I have money. I could even go for more than fifteen." She replied still keeping her eyes on Jack. He found her gaze and quickly looked away wondering how a woman could stare so shamelessly.

"Ok well, this is where I live." Lumina said as they stood at the exit.

"Thank you for giving us a tour of your mansion." Jack said. This seemed to make Lumina happy.

"Glad you like it." Limina chimed.

"You're rich aren't you?" Nami accused him. Jack shook his head.

"What makes you think that?"

"Well, for one thing. You weren't at all amazed. So, I can't help but think you must have some fortune hidden somewhere." Nami said. Jack stayed silent. Nami thought she hit the spot until he spoke.

"Did you ever stop to think that maybe I just don't like huge houses? They're such a waste of space." Jack replied.

"She did say she wanted a big family. And, she was so looking at you while she said it too. She wants you Jack. She wants to propagate with you." She teased.

"Shut up. No she doesn't." He muttered. Nami snickered. Though it wasn't obvious to him, it was to her. Lumina was interested in him. And Lumina wanted more than fifteen children from him. She was hit by a stroke of sadness. Accompanied along with it, was irritation. She's criticized herself. She should be happy. He could go be with Lumina and she wouldn't have to think about him anymore. But imagining Jack with Lumina—with a mansion full of kids didn't help at all. It only further increased her sadness.

"What's the matter? You seem sad all of the sudden.

"Just wondering when I'd leave this place."

"You wanted to see the world right?" Nami nodded.

"Why wouldn't the ferry captain let you on again?" He asked.

"He said I was uncertain about leaving."

"Uncertain? So you really you really didn't want to leave then?"

"I guess I kind of didn't. Ruby kind of made it difficult to." She laughed.

"So, when do you think you want to leave?" Nami shrugged.

"Maybe at the end of December."

"Then I should get you something really nice before you leave."

"Say…" Nami looked at him.

"I want to go do some mining. Want to join me? I think I have another hammer and pick axe hiding somewhere." Nami nodded.

"Sure. Why not?" Jack smiled. Nami hated that she felt a little flutter in her heart. Jack set Mage down on the ground. Mage kept shuffling around in his arms and Jack though he probably wanted to walk.

"I'll race you back to the farm." Jack suggested coyly.

"You know you already loss."

"You sure about that Ms. McKay?"

"Yep."

"Ok then. Go." She ran a step and noticed something.

"Wait. We're already here." Jack nodded and gave a small smirk. Again, she felt the flutter in her heart.

"Yea. And I stepped onto my property before you did."

"You cheater…"

When it comes down to attracting someone, there two kinds of seduction. First, there is the more open kind of seduction. This is the kind of seduction where flirting, wearing lingerie and perfume or cologne fit in—basically any kind of enticement that would or could excite a person into sexual arousal. However, the chances of seeing a Virgo man flirt are slim to none—they aren't very romantic in that area. But, then there is the more subtle seduction. This is the kind of seduction where people do nice things to make their significant other happy. This is the kind where only a simple and innocent smile would make you feel weak in the knees. This is the kind of seduction that Virgo men will use—and they don't even know it. This is the kind of seduction that makes people fall in love.

Nami shook her head clear. She should really stop reading those stupid astrology magazines with Karen. Other signs sound just as good as good or even better than Virgos. But, being around Jack made every word about Virgo—even their flaws, much more appealing. She felt a strong mix of irritation, sadness, and loss. She didn't think she'd be able to leave by the time December ended. In fact, she didn't think she'd be able to leave at all if she kept this up. Maybe she should keep her distance from him. Maybe then her feelings would diminish. Whatever it was she needed to do to erase these feelings she had for him, she'd do it. She was getting desperate.

Shippostail: I finally finished. After three weeks. Man. School sucks right now.