Chapter 9
Warning: Most of the bizzare humor from earlier is going away for the moment, I think. If you hate seemingly pointless character development, skip this Chapter and wait for the next update. Oh yeah, beware of early psychobable, too.
The atmosphere was peaceful as usual at Flower Bud Library. For the moment, there aren't any patrons searching through the numerous archives availible within its shelves. It was just Maria, the calm, mild-manered Librarian, who sat patiently sat at her station, reading one her many beloved books to let time pass by on a typically slow day.
"Mmhm... it's certainly another great day in Flower Bud Library!" Maria said to herself in content.
And for the most part, it truly was yet another great day for Maria.
--
For as long as she could remember, the prim and propper young lady spent most of her quiet days either with her Father, or just by herself. In time, she had become accustomed to the peace of sollitude. This developed sense of calm made her a suitable Librarian, even if her noble upbringing and her preaching ways suggested that she could aspire to a higher calling.
Despite her nature, the innate human need of socializing catches up to every person to some extent, and lonliness occcasionally aflicted the prodigal maiden. Eventually, she grew attached to the solemn, yet dedicated Doctor Alex as he made the occasional visit to research medical knowledge and discuss a few issues with Maria as like-minded intellectuals. Unfortunatley, this lead to heartbreak for Maria when Alex's affections became split between his faithful nurse, Gina, and his precious patient, Dia. However, the very same incident of heartbreak also became a fortidious event, as she discovered a valued friendship in Doctor Alex, as well as a pleasant revalation thanks to Jack.
Since then, Maria's sense of hope raised. She started to initiate conversations with more Library patrons, and even found unexpected friendships with regulars Louis and Basil.
Still, there was one visitor that always vexed and perplexed her to a great extent. That one particular patron happened to be the wandering Fisherman, Ray.
In the beginning, the humble fisherman always made an effort to avoid the ever curious Maria. This mysterious barrier between her and Ray really frustrated the Librarian, and further increased her curiosity. Their unnerving issolation lasted for seasons since their first encounter, and for a time, it began taking its toll on Maria. It seemed fated that this silence between them would laster forever, until a special discovery finally shattered the walls that kept them apart.
Recently, Ray found his calling in painting, thus, bringing the worldly pair together and forging a bond of friendship under the blessing of the arts. It was a significant step towards hapiness for the both of them, yet one vital component still eluded them.
It was a great chasm that yearned to be filled.
But will this chasm be filled with the bridge meant to bring these solitary souls together? Or will destiny intervene to sever the fragile ties to free them from an unseen despair?
It was an answer only Ray and Maria could find out.
---
On this particular day, the Library had been devoid of patrons since its opening. Doctor Alex had a few things to take care of back at the clinic, Louis was sharing another mining day with Ann, and Basil was off escorting an old friend to the Godess Spring. That only lef the absence of Ray, which Maria assumed he was off enjoying another peaceful day fishing by himself, or with a few of his friends.
Thanks days like this, Maria occasionally thought, "If only I wasn't charged with watching over the Library, I could go outside and enjoy nature on a daily basis. I might even be able to talk to more people."
Then of course, she realized this responsibility was a duty she took on by her own free will. This regular reminder always managed to shock her back into content.
"At the very least, there's a good chance I can go on reading these wonderfully written books without interuption!" she cheered to herself.
And so, her day of sollitude moved on in appreciated silence until the door swung open, revealing an out of breath fisherman.
"Good Morning, Ray, and Welcome to Flower Bud Library." Maria greeted softly as she gave a polite curtsy.
"Good Morning Maria. And Thank you." Ray said as he took care to avert his eyes from the Librarian. He then scanned the Library for a specific section.
"Uh, Ray? Is something wrong?" Maria asked with great concern.
"N-no. I'm sorry. But can you please show me where you can find some books on human biology or plants? They would be of great help to me." Ray coolly requested.
Maria nodded in confirmation while subtley trying to make eye contact with her patron. "I sure can. You've certainly made an interesting choice of books. That kind of selection is something I would expect from Doctor Alex." she answered.
"Uh, I suppose that would make sense. The kind of knowledge I'm seeking does seem to work into his field." Ray confessed while making a few side glances at Maria.
"Well, as I said to Doctor Alex the first time he entered here, we unfortunatley have a limited suply of books on human biology and anatomy, but we have a fine selection on plants and their medicinal problems, and we even have a few quality books on psychology. Would you be interested on those as well?" Maria asked.
Ray nodded. "Yes. That would be very much appreciated." he answered politely while focusing his gaze on the bookshelves before him.
Maria watched on with inner concern. "This is strange. Before, Ray was usually anxious whenever he was around me. I was glad when we finally started talking with eachother, but now he seems so determined not to make eye contact with me. For what reason would he try to keep me distant while doing personal research?" she thought to herself.
At this time, Ray grit his teeth. "I CAN'T make eye contact with Maria... I just can't afford to turn her into a victim like the rest of the women I came across. Besides, it would be especially wrong to have her heart manipulated..."
"The plant section consists of a few shelves from this row here, next to my desk." Maria said as she pointed out the the section. "And the human studies section is right here." she instructed as she pointed out a shelf that could still be viewed by the desk.
Ray gulped. "This isn't good. I have to work fast before Maria checks up on me." he thought o himself. "I don't want to force a direct confrontation if I can avoid it."
Meanwhile, at Flower Bud Point, Rothe was prepared to go into hiding with her rucksack when a concerned young girl caught up to her. This guest had brown hair in pigtails and big chocolate brown eyes. She wore a casual pink vest over a white t-shirt and with a red bandana around her neck, and light blue jean shorts.
"Rothe! Rothe! You gotta help me!" the little lady cried.
"J-Jill?" Rothe exclaimed as she leapt back. "I barely see your peppy self around here! What have you been up to around the village, anyway?"
Jill stared blankly at her fellow farmer. "Huh? I've just been a little more preoccupied with my farming work latley..." she then shook her head vigorously as she recalled her sitaution. But seriously! There's something I need to know!"
Rothe tried to hold Jill in place as she started hopping up in down energetically. "Whoah! Calm down there! Help won't be able to come your way if you overdo your enthusiasm! Now, what is it?"
"All these ladies have gone stark raving mad over Mr. Ray! They're not acting normal at all!" she yelled. "Even my best friend Nina stared acting crazy, and she never had that sort of interest in him before! I think something bad happened!" she yelled.
Rothe laughed nervously. "There's slight hypocrisy in what you've just said, but Ray and I are just glad you've grown more tame over time..." she thought to herself.
"I suppose that is news for concern..." Rothe agreed.
"I know!" Jill shouted seriously. "So I figure he'd come to you with this kind of madness going on! Have you seen him latley? Do you know where he went?" she asked like a concerned mother.
"Aha... you know what? I was just about to say that he came by earlier with the same complaint!" Rothe admitted.
"Oh, really? Then can you please tell me?" Jill asked.
Rothe shook her head. "I'm sory, it's just... we all know how you get when you're around Ray, and I think you just might make his fears worse." she stated.
"I understand that." she said in a calmer voice. "That's why I've been doing a little more thinking lately. I've always felt really happy whenever I'm around him, but I'm starting to think I should take my feelings more seriously if I want to--"
She immediatley cut herself off with heavy blushing.
"Anyway, what I'm trying to do is protect him until things die down! Please! I'm not kidding!" Jill cried.
Rothe stared deeply in Jill's eyes and saw a serious presence in them. "This is just like the Jill I saw in mine! I actually thought I was imagining things earlier, but I really think this is the introspective side Jamie told me about! Yeah... I'm really impressed by this girl..." she thought to herself. "... Man! She's the shorter one, but I'm starting to feel like a child next to her!"
The green-wearing wisecracker groaned. "Okay... just listen carefully. Ray head to the library to try and learn about what happened to him. I'm sure he's still there, so there's little chance you'll miss him." she informed.
Jill nodded. "Thank you." She then averted her eyes in embarassment. "Y'know... I actually started to worry that my engaing approach was scaring him away, but then he started being nice to me in return and... and then we started fishing and hanging out together... and then I actually saw him paint... it all made me think more..."
Rothe chuckled. "And you told me you spent all that time doing more farm work! I guess all that preocupied time was really "thinking", huh?" she teased.
Jill's face then changed to the collor of a ripe red strawbery. "Uh, well... I..."
"He really means a lot to you, doesnt he?" Rothe said sympathatically.
Jill noded silently.
"Ah, that was a silly question. Your face has Ray written all over it! I'm just surprised after all the glomping sessions you had with him that you're actually shying away from this" Rothe remarked.
"I guess... things started changing when I finally got to know him..." Jill thought to herself.
"Well, I gotta go now. I can't just leave him out in the open any longer!" Jill cried out with a portion of her pep back.
"Yeah... just don't cause a comotion and startle everyone at the Library. Maria's always then when it's open and ... er... you might create a misunderstanding and scare him off." Rothe answered.
Jill gave Rothe a funny look. "Rothe? Is there something you're not telling me?"
Again, the unnerved city girl laughed nervously. "Oh! Oh no. It's nothing. Don't concern yourself with it!" she insisted.
"Man. Jill's still such a sweet and caring kid. I'm not sure how she'd react to me badmouthing our visitor and making claims about bizarre love potions. She might think I'm being rude and delusional, and send me off to bed or something." she thought.
"Just watch out take care of yourself, Jill. You got it?" Rothe said.
"Yeah, I got it!" Jill answered with a smile. She then ran off with youthful determination.
Rothe slapped her forehead. "I think I just set up a really big mess, didn't I? But I really couldn't turn her down like that, and there is a chance that Ray might make it out beforehand! ... yeah right..."
She then started clutching her forehead anxiously. "If that girl knew how strong Ray's feelings for the Librarian are, I don't know if she'd be able to handle it... still, she just might be the one that can protect poor Ray from influencing Maria's emotions. After all, Jill's naturally in love with my fishy friend, already. What further damage could Cierra's potion possibly do to her?"
Although she still felt ill at ease with what she had set in motion, the desperate Rothe hurried to Moonlight Cave in order to escape the light of day, and Cierra.
---
For a moment, there was a deep chasm between two solitary souls that began widening due to dissaster. At the same time, a young girl climbed up a steep cliff with little hope left to hold onto. If that chasm became filled, the young girl will end up burried along with her remaining hope.
---
Back at the Library, Ray still skimmed through a bunch of books while Maria watched by with anxiety and curiousity.
"Have I done something to offend Ray? It's like he wants nothing to do with me." the Librarian worried.
Ray continued to flip through a bunch of books with little luck. "Ah... there's nothing here that I need here, too! I have a feeling that Blue Mist Flower I picked with Cierra yesterday could be part of that Ruby Tea potion, but none of these records mention any medicinal or other properties it carries! Gah... it also doesn't help that I don't know what else could be in it! All I know that it tastes a little bit like egg nog, but I can't be sure she put an egg in it!"
The frustraed Fisherman was about to chuck the useless book, until he caught Maria at a side glance, and gently set it aside.
"... Maria always works so hard around here. It shouldn't cause her any more trouble..." he rationalized to himself.
At the counter, Maria notced this near outburst of anger.
"Well, there is definatley something wrong. Ray seems so uptight now, and I've never seen him act out like that before. This looks serious." Maria thought to herself. She then turned to the book she was trying to read. "I'm sory, but I just can't bring myself to read you right now..."
A few more books later, Ray started showing sides of fatigue. His body hunched slightly, and he started breathing hard. "N-no... not now. I must've wasted so much energy trying to get away from the ladies back then. And even right now, I'm wasting so much trying to get through these books in a hurry. I have to find breakthrough quickly, before my body starts to collapse, and Maria will have to rush over and check me."
He glanced over to see Maria watching over him attentively, but he shot her an offended glare and went right back to work.
"No matter what, I can't let that happen until I can get this fixed..." Ray swore to himself.
Upon receiving his glare, Maria felt a shock run through her body. "Why is he doing this? Does he hate me?" she thought to herself.
She then thought back to a few moments where she caught him painting in nature. She remembered him working on a few paintings with Henry's help before he started his own work. From afar, she was able to admire his uncanny talent, but when she tried to inquire about his work, he acted desperatley to keep her from seeing it.
"He's done such beautiful work latley, yet he clearly doesn't want me to see it. I've seen him allow Jill to take a look, and she always looked so happy. Is it she who inspires him all this time? Am I just an interloper? Have I been getting in his way, lately?" she thought in fear.
She then caught a glimpse of his tiring body.
"Whatever's going on, he doesn't look too good now. And he's taken a curious interest in medical texts."
A sudden terror struck her.
"Is he sick?"
At the shelves, Ray's heavy eyes rested on the psychologoy book he picked out. "I initially thought this would not be so helpful at first, but Maria did make a strong recomendation on this. My condition is having some sort of mental effect on the women too, so this could be of great use to me." he thought.
He was just about to reach for the book when he hunched even further, and started coughing wildly. His body started feeling so heavy, he couldn't bring himself up properly.
"Ray!" Maria cried in a panic as she rushed over to his side. "Are you alright?"
"Oh no..." Ray thought. In desperation, he gathered his remaining strength to pick himself up and get away, but he was unable to sustain himself for long, so he ended up slipping and crashed knee first into the floor.
"Please stop this! You're being reckless!" Maria begged.
"Maria! Stay away!" Ray shouted.
"No! You need help! Let me take you to Doctor Alex!" the Librarian argued.
Ray felt his chest pound. "I... overexherted myself this time, didn't I?" he thought. "I suppose I should get some rest after I take care of my current problem, but THAT isn't something he can fix. If I told Doctor Alex about my situation, he would've just had the ladies contained and quaranteened so he could study their change of behavior. Of course, that wouldn't really help thins in the end, and it wouldn't be fair to the ladies. Besides, I might end up affecting Gina, too." he thought.
A single tear ran down his cheek before he turned completly away from Maria.
"I'm sorry, Maria..." he thought himself. He then slowly opened his mouth.
"I TOLD YOU! GET AWAY FROM ME!" he shouted.
"Ray--"
"LEAVE ME ALONE!"
The regretful fisherman tried to bring himself up once more, but he ended up fumbling and nearly slamming his head onto the floor, but Maria reacted quick enough to catch him.
"...Do you hate me?" Maria asked in a soft voice. "Have you just been tolerating me all this time? Were you just forcing yourself to get along with me out of pitty?"
Ray felt warm droplets of water falling on his back.
"No... that's not it at all. I..." Ray started thinking to himself.
"Maria, just keep away from me. I don't want to be bothered..." he stated.
"YOU'VE GOT TO ME KIDDING ME!" Maria cried as she forced the fisherman to look straight at her.
Poor Ray freaked out as soon as their eyes met.
Maria's heart pounded wildly. A strange feeling started to overwhelm her, and she clutched her heart.
Ray nearly felt faint, anticipating what was to come, but something did not feel right about this instance.
"Ray! I don't know what in the world is wrong with you, but you must let me help you! It's clear to me that you're not well!" Maria continued shouting.
The young fisherman was perplexed. "W-why isn't she being affected like everyone else? I doubt she was constantly exposed to strange potions like Rothe was, so she shouldn't be--" he then saw how hard Maria held on to her chest. "Don't tell me..." he thought.
"I want an explanation... for everything." Maria demanded. Her voice was harsh, yet soft and sweet.
A shiver ran down Ray's spine from what he witnessed before him. Maria was breathing heavily, and sweat starting dripping from her forehead. But what caught his attention the most was the look of fortitude in her eyes.
"I can't allow myself to be distracted," Maria thought to herself. "Ray's health is more urgent."
"She's fighting the effects of the potion?" Ray thought in astonishment.
"Please... let me... help you..." Maria begged.
"Maria! Please just relax! You don't have to kill yourself over this!" Ray pleaded. But the Librarian was far too concerned for Ray to let her current condition bother her.
"No. You're... more... important..." Maria said weakly. Her heart rate soon reached unbearable heights.
"Maria!"
Ironically, it was the Librarian who first succumbed to her weakness. Her poor body couldn't handle the pressure she put it through, so it collapsed right on top of Ray.
"Maria! Hold on!" Ray cried.
In her barely concious state, the dedicated Librarian realized that the sensation trying to overcome her brought the promise of hapiness. But it was an offer she could not accept.
"It's a false hapiness," Maria thought to herself. "I want my hapiness to be my own."
"Maria!" Ray cried again.
Maria's eyes barely managed to open up.
"Maria!" Ray cried once more, this time in relief. "Are you alright?"
Maria smiled. A silly thought passed in her mind, but she felt she might as well voice it out.
"...Ray...?" Maria called out weakly.
"Yes?"
"Do you... hate... me?" she asked again.
"No.. of course not..." Ray answered gently.
Both Ray and Maria looked at eachother meaningfully. The sudden feeling felt between them was unclear, but they both knew it meant something signifcant.
It was then that the door swung open.
"Ray! I've come to help! I saw how the ladies have suddenly gone crazy and--"
The little girl's eyes dialated upon witnessing this scene.
At this time, the nervous pair turned to see a farmer girl in shock.
"Jill!" Ray exclaimed. "I-it's not what it looks like!"
But the poor farmer girl's heart was fraught with muddled emotions.
What first surfaced was jealousy and frustration, but those easily dissipated just as soon as they came up.
Jill kindly heart had a knack for emphathy, which proved to be both a blessing and curse for her. It allowed her to understand the feelings of those around her. It allowed her to see the truth.
And the truth that she saw before her wasn't another young woman who fell victim to an influential potion.
It was the exchange of looks between two people who cared deeply for eachother. It was the kind of compassion that held the potentiel of destined love. But worst of all, it was something that Ray was part of, but at the same time, something she herself was not.
She could've moped openly, but she did not.
She could've hurt Ray then and there, and deny her feelings at that moment, but she did not.
She could've even blame all her pain on Maria for stealing Ray away, but she could not.
For a few long and bitter minutes, Jill merely stood there, crying silent tears of sorrow.
At the same, the weary Maria took a good look at Jill's weapy eyes, and felt a kindred spirit within.
"This feeling... it's... exactly how I felt when I realized Doctor Alex was a lost cause for me! B-but... it was as if my life suddenly lost it's meaning, and... no!" her heart cried.
Maria slowly raised her arm and tried to reach out to the hurting farm girl, but Jill had already fled.
"She's still so young, and her life's to precious to so many people. I can't... let her..."
With the shock of fear overcoming her, the Librarian fainted in Ray's arms as she cried her saddest tears.
Ray gently laid his fallen friend's head upon the floor before he stood himself up completly.
The look in Jill's face proved to be a bitter sting for him as well.
"Jill wanted me to look after her since she moved into the village, and now this happens. She admired me all this time, and I couldn't even give her a decent answer. I can't just leave her like that." he thought to himself.
He then ran after the heartbroken farmer girl with the last of his strength.
"Jill! Wait!" he shouted, but it was no use, for he too fell from his own exauhstion.
--
A moment of fate passed. The chasm between two solitary souls had still not been filled, but the young girl who had scaled its heights to reach her beloved felt a sudden tug at her last hope. The gravity of despair proved too great. and so the young girl began her descent towards a watery grave...
Author's Note: BUM BUM BUM! EGADS! MARIA IS A DOLPHIN IN DISGUISE! GWAH! Oh, right. You'd have to have read the "Love Advice" reviews to understand this obscure reference.
...As I said, this was by far the most serious Chapter in my story. It was fun. It was meaningful. And I feared that Writer's Block would've reared its ugly head like it did with "Love Advice", but it didn't. Yay for me!
But now, with 9 Chapters under my belt (My longest record in Harvest Moon Fic History!) I think I'm going to chill for a bit and get started on "Katie Defense Force." Although, there's a good chance that by the time I update this, it'll probably be up already. You see, I'm only able to update on nearly a weekly basis for some reason, but I've still been writing Chapters on almost daily basis, so I think I actually covered 5-7 Chapters in a week! Of course, I did also get started on a Riviera fic in a meantime, but I'm not required, or paid to do this, so I make all the shots.
Finally, thank you ManaMage for giving me a hobby all summer long. I doubt you've signed on to this particular fic, but I appreciated what you've done.
Alright! "Katie Defense Force" Should be heading your way soon! And if you have the time, PLEASE read "Guns and Dolls"! A Mafia Farmer is cool! Don't leave poor Nack in obscurity!