Chapter 11
Ivory in Autumn
Only weeks after the summer evening on the sands with Haru, the world bloomed into an explosion of golden color. The hot weather dissolved away and summer went forth into autumn. After only a few days, the trees donned their annual shades red and burnt orange which peppered the valley's view. Deep purple berries hung fat and heavy on bushes and the sky seemed to become very wide. Small blusters of wind swept by outdoors, picking up the leaves in a swirling dance of browns and yellow colored leaves. Tiny blue flowers dotted the sides of roads and adorned the front of people's houses and the cool air seemed to refresh everyone in the valley.
On Haru's farm, the corn and tomatoes were cut down to make way for eggplants, sweet potatoes and carrots. Haru could be seen working much harder and happier in the cool autumn breezes. Her cows and horses starting getting chubbier by the day as they prepared for the winter than was to come.
Muffy had been noticeably happier since the day of the fireworks. She hummed and flittered about wherever she went and was generally very chatty. For the past two Wednesdays Haru and she had gone jaunting off to Mineral Town to visit with Akira. She often sighed dreamily through the nights and broke more than one dish while she was lost in thought. Griffin didn't blame her though… love could be demanding on a person…
One evening Muffy sat with her head resting on the bar. She'd spent the day alone inside the bar. Griffin had gone out early in the morning and he hadn't told her where he was headed. The bar had been open for more than an hour, but Griffin had yet to arrive. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath… not one customer had come in.
Suddenly the door flew open and a gust
of strong wind whipped around the bar, bringing fragments of dried
leaves and a cold chill with it.
Griffin stumbled in, shivering
slightly and fought the door closed with some difficulty.
"There you are!" Muffy said with mild exasperation. "Where were you?" Griffin laughed sheepishly and joined her behind the bar.
"Sorry, I lost track of the time…" He told her shortly. Muffy stared him down.
"… doing what?" She pushed. Muffy wasn't going to let him off with only that. Griffin shrugged, trying to make her loose interest. He didn't really want to say…
"Just visiting with friends…" He hoped that simple explanation would be enough, but somehow knew it wouldn't satisfy her.
"Who?" She had a bit of a smile on her face. Griffin averted his eyes.
"Does it matter who…?" He asked slowly, busying himself with wiping down the bar with a dishrag.
"It was Haru, wasn't it?" Muffy bobbed a little on her ankles, trying to catch Griffin's gaze. He looked away from her to try and hide the spots of pink that had appeared on his cheeks.
"I might've spent a little time with her today..." He conceded.
"Ha! I knew it!" Muffy chimed victoriously, "You're always running off to go see Haru, nowadays… Is there something you're not telling me…?"
"What? What are you talking about?" Griffin was getting quite embarrassed. He's thought he'd been extremely subtle about everything… just so no one would find out.
Yes, we've been spending time together a lot… but it's just been as friends… nothing more than that! That doesn't seem suspicious at all… how could she jump to conclusions like that…
"Ooh! I think I'm onto something here…" Muffy was suddenly a glow.
"You're crazy… I don't know what you're talking about, even." Griffin couldn't think of what to say to make her stop.
"… could Griffin have a crush on Haru?" Her voice was singsong as she stepped closer and poked Griffin.
"Hey! That's ridiculous! Don't say strange things like that, people might get the wrong idea!" His face had become very red and he was chewing his fingernail.
"Ohh my gosh! I don't believe it! That's so cute!" Muffy was giggling.
"Muffy! Get it straight I do not have… a crush… on Haru!" He was starting to feel a little bit panicked. He stared down at her while she smiled skeptically, her arms crossed. Suddenly, her attention went towards the door and she waved.
"Oh, hi Haru, how long have you been here?"
Griffin froze, feeling mortified. He spun on heel, trying to think of an excuse to make up for what she could have possibly heard… and…. No one was there….
Muffy laughed uproariously.
"Hahaa.. Oh man… your face… was priceless! Haha!" She covered her mouth as she chortled uncontrollably. Griffin felt even more humiliated, but certainly relieved that Haru hadn't actually been there.
"I'm gonna kill you…" He shook Muffy by the shoulder as she gasped for air. She exhaled contentedly after a few moments and spoke up again.
"Don't worry, your secret's safe with me." She patted him on the back as he turned from her, his arms crossed.
"There's no secret to keep… You just have a severely overactive imagination…"
She smiled knowingly to herself and let the silence do its work.
"Hey…" He said softly, still facing away from her. She made a noise that told him she was paying attention. "You really will keep it a secret, right…?"
He turned back to her with a cautious,
vulnerable gaze. She looked back at him with understanding and a hint
of joy.
"Of course."
--
Several days later Griffin stood outside his bar, enjoying the cool autumn breezes. It wasn't time to open for a few more hours and he had nothing to do really. Ever since Muffy had forcefully extracted the truth from him, he was hesitant about going and visiting with Haru. He smiled as he remembered the recent day they had spent together. He really had enjoyed sitting beside her while she fished in the river, talking about this and that and things that didn't really matter. When he was with her, it was almost like all the problems that were bothering him seemed to fade into the background.
He leaned nonchalantly against the side of his bar, looking at the cobwebs that had gathered around the boxes outside the Blue Bar over the years spun and danced in the wind.
Suddenly out of the sleepy afternoon, Rock came bursting out of the inn holding a rectangular flat box with a ribbon tied around it. He marched up past the bar, not even stopping to look at Griffin or anyone else. He had a look of utmost concentration on his face as he walked down the street past the Blue Bar and the well. Ruby came out behind Rock.
"What
in the world has gotten into you!? Come back here!" Ruby ran out,
leaving the inn doors wide open. A few seconds later Nami poked her
head out after Ruby to watch what was happening. But it was too late,
Rock was already well on his way to wherever he was headed.
Ruby
stood fuming, holding a whisk that was dripping with some sort of
batter.
"Lazy, no-good, ungrateful boy." She breathed in Rock's direction. Suddenly she came out of her annoyance and spotted Griffin watching her from afar. He waved at her cordially. Ruby's expression turned to one of comic shame.
"Sorry you had to see that, Griffin. I just can't control that boy…"
"No worries, Ruby." Griffin waved it off. Nami was still watching from the doorway of the inn with mild interest.
"What are you doing out here by yourself?" She stepped closer and kindly asked. Griffin shrugged.
"Bein' bored. Wastin' time." He offered up.
"Well, if you're not busy, I'm making lunch for Nami right now. You can come and have some if you want."
"Oh, I don't know… I couldn't trouble you…"
"Nonsense, look at you!" She grabbed his arm and held it up. "Just skin and bones. You should eat more…" She advised him forcefully. He scratched his head, avoiding her stern gaze.
"I can make drinks, but I can't cook…"
"Can't cook? You beat me at the cooking festival, remember?" Ruby continued on. Nami drifted out from the Inn and went to stand by Ruby, listening to the conversation. And like a moth to the flame, Muffy sensed there was social gathering forming. She came out of the bar curiously, looking to see what was going on outdoors.
"Hey everyone, what's up?" Muffy asked under Ruby's strain of words.
"I don't really know." Nami spoke lowly, watching intently.
"Look how skinny you are…" She tutted. "You should let me cook for you more often! Or better yet, why don't you get married to a nice little wife who can cook for you everyday!" She playfully scolded him, waving around her batter covered whisk.
"Ha. Very funny… and I'm a little past my pull date for marriage, don't you think?"
"Nooo…" Ruby rejected the thought, "I'm sure there's plenty of women who's be fine with someone your age, you should let that worry you…"
"Yeah, Griffin, isn't there someone you have your eye on…?" Muffy had a bit of a smug look on her face. He gave her a venomous glare and she smiled back unblinking.
"No, there isn't, Muffy." He replied dangerously, staring daggers at her. He was afraid this would come up again.
"What's all the racket? I can hear you guys from my farm!" Called a voice from down the lane. Haru came trotting down the slope that lead up to her ranch.
"Oh, imagine seeing Haru at a moment like that." Muffy said under her breath so that only Griffin could hear.
"You are in trouble…." He returned her remark dryly. She simply giggled. Haru joined the group as Griffin prayed that this whole thing would blow over quickly. Ruby turned primly towards Haru and began to explain.
"Oh, we were just-"
"MOOOM!" Came an almighty shout from down the lane. Rock came charging down the hill, dragging a very flustered looking Lumina by the hand.
"Oh, now what…?" Ruby said with exhaustion. As Rock drew closer, they were able to see a look of pure joy on his face. He was laughing and shouting as he bounded up to them, Lumina getting shook around behind him like a doll.
"Rock, slow down!" She was out of breath, but also looked very happy.
"Rock, you moron. Poor Lumina's going to get hurt!" Ruby scolded him as he came to a screeching halt in front of them. In Lumina's other hand was something soft and radiantly blue. Griffin craned his neck a little to try and see what it is.
"Mom, you'll never guess what!" Rock was panting. Lumina dusted her dress off and regained her feminine posture. She had a proud look on her face now as if she was waiting for some great praise. Muffy studied them with an energetic stare.
"You're right, I probably won't. What is it?" Ruby pressed on, looking a little concerned. Griffin could tell that she'd probably seen many an episode similar to this one throughout Rock's life. Rock puffed up his chest and cleared his throat.
"Mom, Lumina and I… have decided to get married." He paused for the reaction, his blonde hair shading his gold flecked eyes. Everyone gasped in unison. Ruby stood dumbfounded her mouth hanging open.
"Oh my gosh!" Muffy exclaimed, launching forward and giving Lumina a hug. Haru clapped her hands and jumped up and down.
"Congratulations!" Nami looked extremely confused.
"Congrats, you two." Griffin told them as the new couple posed with pride.
"How did this happen?" Ruby was just short of gasping for air. Rock's grin faded a little.
"Mom, how can you be so mean?" He asked her. "You should be happy!" She laughed incredulously and turned towards Lumina who was chuckling softly behind her hand.
"Honey, do you know what you're getting yourself into with him?" Ruby was still in shock. Lumina nodded good naturedly.
"I fully understand…" Her eyes were shining with happiness as she spoke.
"Oh, sweetie…" Ruby pulled both Rock and Lumina into a tight hug. Tears came slowly from her eyes. "I never thought I'd ever see this day…" Rock glowered as he heard this.
"When's the wedding?" Haru asked Rock as he was being strangled by his sobbing mother.
"We thought in about three or four days would be good." Rock told Haru with some straining. At this Ruby released him suddenly and a look of heavy anxiety came over her face.
"Three days!? There's no time at all! We need to get planning right away!"
And it was in these next three days that the valley burst into a flurry of activity. The very afternoon the engagement had been announced, the village women, including Muffy, had wanted to whisk off to the small city beyond Mineral Town to look for Lumina's wedding dress.
"Oh… Griffin can I please take the day off…?" Muffy had begged Griffin. She had been away from the city for so long, it would be a bit cruel to keep her from going. He had tended that bar alone for more than twelve years anyway, it was nothing he couldn't handle.
The day after shipments of flowers and decorations arrived with several people from Mineral Town. Lumina's best friend, who's name was Mary, had come in the morning after the news had been announced. She was a shy and demure librarian in Mineral Town, but nonetheless got busy helping with plans for the wedding. Griffin could see Ruby running back and forth between the mansion and her inn several times a day. She was busy putting together a menu for the after party and had to keep checking in with Romana, Lumina's grandmother, that the dishes she planned were to the old woman's liking. Lumina and Rock had decided to get married in the Mansion's spacious and lush front garden. Lumina's butler, who went by the name of Sebastian was outdoing himself with preparing for the garden wedding. He'd already planted rows and rows of brightly colored flowers which all coincided with the wedding's color scheme. He'd trimmed and pruned the leaves of all the trees and obsessively removed all the dead leaves that fell in the garden several times a day.
"Isn't it exciting…" Muffy peered out of the window as white fabrics and tables were being carried up the hill towards the mansion. "I wish I could have a beautiful wedding like that one day…"
Griffin wasn't excited about the wedding until Sebastian and Lumina came in and ordered a large amount of spirits for the after party. He gladly handed them bottle after bottle, feeling a little of the financial worry drift away. After they'd left Griffin had been left with more than enough money to restock and have some extra left over.
"Muffy, I have good news for you…" He told her the evening before the wedding after the bar had been closed. She looked up tiredly from where she was sitting. He walked over and placed a large handful of coins in front of her. Her eyes lit up and she stared rapturously up at him.
"Your paycheck is back." He cheerfully elaborated. She let out a small squeal and pocketed the money gratefully.
"Yay! Does this mean we're gonna make it? The bar's gonna be okay?" Griffin nodded a little slowly.
"If business keeps up until next spring, we're gonna be just fine. Thanks for sticking with me, Muffy." He patted her on the back and went to sit down on his bed.
"We'd better get some sleep… The wedding starts at a little after noon and it's already well past midnight…"
"Right… Well, I'll get ready to feel depressed…" Muffy sighed audibly, "I still can't believe Lumina's getting married before me…" Griffin laughed at her jealousy.
"Don't you worry about marriage none…" He lay back, feeling extremely sleep, "My guess is Akira is getting mighty comfortable with the notion of you two being together for the long haul." He said sleepily. Muffy got up from the chair, a look of restrained happiness on her face.
"You really think so? Does it seem like it to you?" She asked, atwitter. Griffin felt too tired to answer, so he pretended to be asleep.
She scoffed at him and stood over him with her hands on hr hips.
"Jeez, for only thirty-nine you sure act like an old man…" She taunted.
"And for twenty-eight you sure sound like an old maid." Griffin retorted, smiling but still keeping his eyes closed.
--
"It's really turned out nice…." Muffy said to Griffin. It was an undeniably true statement. Griffin guessed that they must have spent over fifty thousand on the preparation alone. The trees, which were already bursting with beautiful autumn hues, were adorned with all sorts of fancy white decorations. Brilliant flower bouquets were all around the wide courtyard, while white water lilies floated in the splashing fountain. People that Griffin had never seen before in his life were all milling around, speaking with loud joyful voices. The doors to the mansion were welcomingly open and people went in and out, spending time before the ceremony was to begin. Lines of chairs were set up before a finely crafted arch that was adorned with white roses, orange and red orchids, and radiantly yellow marigolds.
Muffy was dressed in a little pink dress with a white cardigan to guard against the slight chill in the fluttering breeze. The golden sun hung in the sky, illuminating the gold and red leaves and making the trees look like huge multicolored light bulbs.
Muffy had forced Griffin into wearing something besides his usual casual attire and he felt awkward and out of place. He saw a slightly sour-faced Nami walk by in a nice pair of pants and a collared shirt and decided he wasn't the only one who felt uncomfortable.
"Heyy, Griffin." A mellow voice from behind Griffin spoke. He turned and a slight shock met his eyes.
"Oh jeez, Gustafa…" Griffin laughed, seeing his friend well groomed and out of Hippie clothes for the first time, "You are the only person I know who'd wear those ridiculous sunglasses to a wedding." Griffin said, noticing his ever present eye wear. Gustafa laughed back and they began to chat a bit to pass the time. Eventually Muffy grew bored of their clearly unfeminine talk and drifted off in search of female company.
Eventually Gustafa left Griffin standing alone in the midst of the sea of people that were crowding into the garden. Griffin watched the heads of the people moving by. He watched curiously as a woman with wide, severe eyes and a load of bushy, sandy blonde hair went into the mansion, looking on edge. She emerged several minutes later holding a lot of food, weaved her way through the crowd and crept into the garden shed. Though thoroughly confused at this, Griffin felt it better not to bring it up to anyone. Bored with waiting, Griffin wandered into the mansion to see who was around there. The wide foyer was significantly quieter and less frantic than the garden. This put Griffin to a ease as he strolled around aimlessly, meandering between groups of people and admiring the richly decorated house. In the corner of the room stood a magnificent piano that must've been Lumina's instrument.
Griffin moved towards it without much conviction and lightly pressed one of the smooth ivory keys. Light from the elaborate glass windows poured in and covered the piano in a misty sort of haze, the swirls of dust twirling like benign stars. Griffin was focused on the keyboard's white and black keys until he saw a white hand move in beside his. It gently pressed the key beside his, then laid itself on top of Griffin's own hand. A golden bracelet hung along the tiny wrist. Griffin's back grew ridged as he followed the hand up to an arm, then a shoulder… then the face.
"Griffin…" Came an eerily familiar voice. It was the same as he remembered it from all those years ago. Griffin found he couldn't breath.
Her hair was long and smooth and shone with a healthy sheen in the light from the window. Though her face was lined with more age than he remembered, she was still breathtakingly beautiful. Her lips had the same shade of deep red she had always used and ruby earrings bounced on silver chains below her ears. Her emerald eyes pierced Griffin's heart in a wave of pain. He caught his breath but when he spoke his voice was weak and pinched.
"Valentine…"
