I love the Oracle. She's one of my favorite characters. That being said there is not going to be a romance between her and Phillip. Thanks for reading! I love the reading your reviews!
"I can't believe you left me to dance with Kana," Laney groaned. They had just left earshot of anyone at the festival.
"I assumed after last week's conversation it would be best not to ask you to dance," Cam replied.
"Cameron Blake! I told you I still want to be friends! And of all people you choose to dance with HIS sister?" Laney asked.
"She's very nice," Cam insisted. Cam was not sure why Laney was so upset.
"I thought you were on my side!" Laney pouted.
"There isn't really sides here is there?" Cam asked. Laney glared at him. Then she sighed. She realized that she was overreacting just a bit, but she was so heartbroken she didn't care. She still loved Phillip dearly. She was grateful to be able to get out of town during the week. At least in Harmonica town she wasn't haunted by memories everywhere she went.
"We're friends, right Cam?" Laney asked.
"Of course," Cam answered. "Why would you ever ask that?"
"I was just asking, because of your association with Lillian," Laney sighed.
Cam wasn't sure what Laney wanted from him. She was being cryptic and confusing. This was one thing about girls that he found the most frustrating, they would rarely just say what they wanted.
"What do you mean?" Cam asked.
"Never mind," Laney replied aggravated. The rest of their walk home was in silence. With Cam wondering what he did to make Laney so mad him, and Laney angry at Cam for not taking her side.
Lillian stood with Georgia listening to the moonlight prayer. It was beautiful. She had never taken time to participate in anything spiritual in the city. This felt strangely comforting. Nathan the priest had a soft melodic sounding voice that reverberated through the air. Lillian rather enjoyed the small ceremony.
After the prayer, everyone was sitting around eating dessert, when Lillian saw Phillip walking past the mid mountain area. She excused herself to go talk to him.
"Where have you been?" Lillian asked. "I haven't seen you around."
"I've been busy," Phillip snapped. Lillian was taken aback. Phillip rarely used that tone of voice with her.
"What's your deal Phillip? I know you're upset, but I didn't do this to you," Lillian answered. Phillip mumbled something unintelligible. Lillian put her hands on her hips. She wasn't going to sit and take this abuse from him.
"Sorry," Phillip mumbled.
"Would you be okay with me raising some chickens?" Lillian asked Phillip trying to lighten the mood.
"You want to actually do farm work?" Phillip asked.
"Yeah, why not?" Lillian asked.
"Sure whatever you want," Phillip mumbled. "I gotta go." He turned around and walked away. Lillian's eyes narrowed. Phillip was acting very suspicious. She shook her head and returned to join her friend.
"I had so much fun at the moonlight festival!" Georgia gushed. "That Mikhail is so sophisticated. He asked me on a date! Can you believe it?"
"That is great!" Lillian replied. She and Georgia had decided to leave the festival a few minutes before it ended, and were now walking the mountain path together.
"I'm sorry about Laney, she's normally so sweet. I think she's a little heartbroken over Phillip still. Not that I'm saying anything bad about your brother." Georgia rambled.
"Don't worry," Lillian chuckled. "I had a great time." Lillian tried not to think about her dance with Cam, but the thought still returned. It was obvious, however, where Cam's feeling still were. Lillian sighed, she probably didn't need the complications that a relationship would cause anyway.
"You're 'sposta dance with me!" The little girl shouted adamantly. Lillian had walked into the Animal shop the next day, looking to buy her first two chickens and walked into this scene. A small girl was having a meltdown. The boy who'd been introduced to her as Ash stood looking a bit lost.
"Cheryl honey," the older woman soothed. "Ash is a grown up, he likes to be around other people his own age." Lillian assumed that was the mother.
"He's my brother!" Cheryl pouted. "He should love me most!"
At that moment Ash noticed Lillian.
"Good morning," he greeted. The older woman looked up at Lillian. She looked ashamed.
"Ash will you take Cheryl outside please?" She asked. Ash picked up the kicking and screaming girl and took her out the back door. "Sorry you had to witness that. My name's Jessica. What can I do for you?"
"I'd like to buy some chickens," Lillian stated.
"Well please come in," Jessica replied. "We have plenty of those." She smiled brightly.
Lillian left with five chickens. It was more than she as anticipated at first, but Jessica had been such a good saleswoman, and the chickens had been so adorable. Jessica had been so kind in teaching her the ins and outs of raising chickens. She also advised that she would send Ash over later with some feed. She smiled happily. She had never imagined that this kind of life could make her feel so content, but strangely it did.
Later that afternoon Lillian was foraging for more herbs for Grady, when she saw Phillip walking back into some trees in the mountain area. She couldn't help but feel curious. Phillip had been acting so suspicious the previous night. She silently followed him.
Phillip walked his way to a strange looking building. It looked like an ancient temple. Lillian hid herself behind a ticket of bushes. A strange woman came to the door. She looked young.
"You're a persistent human aren't you?" the woman asked.
"I told you I was serious about this," Phillip stated.
"Be cautious young human, this potion needs to set in a cold place for at least one season. If you use it before then there will be dire consequences. Even so follow those instructions exactly," the woman warned. Phillip nodded and took a small vial from the mysterious woman. Lillian watched as Phillip handed her some money and left. Lillian was not sure what it was that the strange lady had handed Phillip but she was certain whatever it was, it wasn't something good.
Phillip settled the potion the Oracle had given him in his fridge. He was bubbling with excitement. He'd only have to wait one more month for Laney to be his again. A loud knock on his door almost made him drop the vial. When he answered the door, a very angry looking Lillian was standing there.
"What are you doing?" Lillian demanded.
"What do you mean?" He asked.
"Don't play dumb Phillip! I saw you with that strange woman! What did she give you?"
"What are you doing spying on me?" Phillip shouted.
"Phillip, stop! Tell me what you've gotten yourself into?" Lillian stated.
Phillip sighed. He knew it was pointless to try and lie to his sister. Lillian could always see through him.
"Come in, I'll tell you everything," he conceded.
"So what is it?" Lillian asked after the door was closed.
"It's a potion to make Laney fall back in love with me!" Phillip stated.
"What?" Lillian asked. "You can't be serious?"
"Lillian you have to understand..."
"I do understand. Why are you trying to use manipulation? You're turning into our mother. Please stop this nonsense," Lillian implored.
"I am nothing like mother!" Phillip shouted. He grabbed Lillian's arms.
"Ouch! Phillip that hurts!" Phillip relented.
"I'm sorry Lilbud, I just... I have to get her back."
"Why don't you try using normal methods?" Lillian asked.
"Because I don't have that much time!" Phillip exploded.
"I don't understand," Lillian said.
"No you're right you don't. Dad didn't screw you over with his will like he did me," Phillip sneered.
"What are you talking about?" Lillian asked.
"Dad decided to add a clause to his will. I have to be married by the end of next year otherwise I lose everything!" Phillip shouted. Lillian stared at her brother. That sounded more like something her mother would do instead of her father.
"I have an idea," Lillian stated. "That doesn't include you using that stupid potion."
Phillip sat in his living room holding the cold vial of potion Lillian had made him promise to throw away. He loved his sister dearly, but she had no idea. Lillian was an idealist at heart, even living in the city with the rich bourgeoisie crowd couldn't fully penetrate that. It was one of the things that he loved about his sister.
Instead of destroying the potion, Phillip hid it in butter container in the refrigerator. He needed a contingency plan. Lillian would never need to know.