A Chaotic Experience

Chapter 52: Your Love Is Black

(A/N: The lyrics used in the chapter are from the song Your Love Is Black by Kaskade.)

The 17th was a strange day because it was foggy out, which didn't usually happen in the village. The fog was making Popuri feel very sentimental and nostalgic, so she decided to leave her house early in the morning and walk towards the forestry.

"This fog is weirdly calming," Popuri said with a small sigh. She passed the clinic and the carpentry until she made her way to the Goddess Pond. Turning to a stump that always seemed to be there, Popuri had a huge flash of memory of something that happened in the Summer.

Look out to the calm sea

It was nighttime in the Summer and it was fairly chilly. Popuri had been with Gray earlier in the day and found herself at the beach, looking out to the ocean. She let out a long sigh.

I don't know why

That I

Want to cry

When I feel

This high

Popuri felt herself fighting back tears and being unable to explain why. She felt like she was in some deluded state of happiness, even though she hadn't known happiness since before the beginning of Summer. Popuri turned away from the ocean and walked away. She started walking towards the forest when it started to rain.

Nature seems to know me

So many times

She's been below me

Eventually, Popuri wound up at the Goddess Pond. The trees were blocking the wind that made it cold, which was good for Popuri. The rain was being somewhat blocked by the leaves on the trees. She felt strange and not bound down by her relationship with Gray. Popuri felt free and started to sing.

And so I sit

And we dream

As my soul

She tries to live

It had been a long time, but she finally cracked a smile. The rain stopped, and she sat down on the large stump. On the stump, Popuri fell asleep.

Seems I lost my way last night

But I was reborn by daylight

Seems I get another chance

Another chance to dance away

Early the next morning, Popuri got up from sleeping on the stump and laughed a little at what had happened. When she stood up, she started dancing around. However, Popuri heard someone coming and immediately reverted back to her previous mood.

Now you bring your loving back

But don't you know your love is black

And now you're here pouring in the dark

Cause you can't see inside my heart

Gray walked up and saw Popuri, saying that a few people were worried about where she was. Popuri replied that she was fine. Gray kissed her on the cheek and took her hand. Popuri frowned and closed her eyes.

My heart…

My heart…

The two left the Goddess Pond area and Popuri went back to her sad state. She knew that she would return here alone in the nights to return to her hidden state of bliss.

Look out

Your love is black

Look out

Your love is black

Look out

Your love

Is black

Popuri didn't realize that she went back to this memory through a dream and woke up from her short nap. It was still foggy, but not as foggy as it was. If anything it looked a little more eerie in the area.

Close my eyes

And I can breathe

I can feel

What is right

What is true

What is real

Popuri solidified her leaving Gray and took a deep breath in the nature of the Goddess Pond. She felt very happy and felt secure with everything. However, she heard the footsteps of someone entering the Goddess Pond, which startled Popuri. It was Gray and he didn't look in the best of shape. He was either drunk or quite hung over.

Seems you lost your way last night

And you were back here by daylight

"Gray?" Popuri wondered quietly. She seemed a bit meek and taken aback by his presence. His face seemed unshaven and his clothing seemed to be the same thing that he had on the day before, although it was hard to tell if this was the case with anyone in town.

Now your words are black and cold

And your lines are tired and old

"Shut up," he replied quite gruffly, which made Popuri jump a little.

"Still got your rude disposition, I see," murmured Popuri, narrowing her eyes at Gray. He seemed to notice this and failed at being a bit brighter.

"You know…" Gray mumbled, "I still want you… you know." Popuri scowled and shook her head, disapprovingly. "Why are… you here anyway?"

"Nature is calming me, cause your love was harming me," she explained. Popuri smiled and closed her eyes, taking a deep breath of the calming atmosphere. Gray stumbled a little and got closer to her. He wrapped his arms around her in a startling hug, which stunned Popuri.

And now I shed that coat of harm

I wasn't safe there in your arms

After a small pause, Popuri scowled and pulled away from Gray.

"Stop!" the florist kept walking and didn't turn to look at Gray until she went across the small bridge. Gray closed his eyes and lowered his head, saying nothing. Popuri clenched her fists. "It's over." she said, forcefully.

Look out

Your love is black

Look out

Your love is black

Look out

Your love

Is black

Popuri turned around again and started walking away from the rancher. He looked back up at her and started walking towards her, but at a much slower pace than she was going. Once Popuri noticed that Gray was walking, she stopped. Her stopping in walking made Gray stop, too.

"It's true I loved you once…" whispered Popuri. "It's true you were once mine." she kept saying in her head "lost my way" as she started walking once more. This time, Gray was not following her.

She slowly made her way home. Her parents weren't even awake yet, so Popuri made her way into her room. "I lost… my way…" she got into bed and fell asleep, already needing a nap after being up for less than an hour.


The 17th was just a regular day and there wasn't a lot that happened. On the 18th, Thomas was going around telling people of the Pet Festival on the 19th. However, something intrigued the mayor when he wound up at Raffi's house.

"You know…" the brunette began, "as much as I love my Oreo and competing with the other pets… isn't the Pet Festival a little… done with?" Thomas's eyebrows rose curiously.

"Well, what would you suggest we do instead?" he asked. Raffi put her hand on her chin and made a pensive sound. If the "idea light bulb over a person's head" existed, the top of Raffi's head would be brighter than the Fireworks Festival.

"Let's have a fair!" Raffi said, in a jubilant tone. "Or you could call it a carnival; people might understand what that is more than just a fair."

"You know… that is a fantastic idea!" Thomas responded with a smile. "This is a great festival for the kids, even though they usually enjoy all the festivals."

"And it also gives the adults a chance to be like children again," Raffi extended her index finger to add on to a reason why having a carnival would be a good idea. "Let me help you spread the word on that being what we're doing."

"Okay, thank you!" Thomas thanked her. Most of the adults took the job of getting the carnival all set under their wings, namely Zack. They decided that they wanted it to be a surprise from the kids, so May was going to have a sleepover with Stu and Kent at the Potion Shop Master's house.

"A carnival!" Popuri said with a smile as she and Ewan were together at Rancho Farm.

"I know," Ewan replied in a similar tone of happiness. "We had a fair back home when I was younger… it was so fun!"

"I'm sure that this carnival will be… pretty much similar," said Popuri with a small nod. "Although, they probably won't really have many rides."

"Maybe just a roundabout…" Ewan said with an insightful nod. "Err… merry-go-round that is." Popuri chuckled as Ewan's Scottish vocabulary.

"I think Raffi said that they were gonna have carnival games, but also stuff like card games?" the florist explained. "Either way, it'll be a great time."

"Hey," realized Ewan, leaning up from the roof, "I can teach you some card games that I learned when I was younger. I don't think anyone else here knows them… but they're really fun!"

"Alright, you'd better keep your deal on that," Popuri pointed at him with a smile. Ewan chuckled a little and then let out a small sigh.

"I hope you don't mind me asking this so… randomly," started Ewan after a lack of conversation, "but I was wondering if you wanted to go to the fair with me as my date?" he asked, raising his eyebrows in hopes that she would say yes. Popuri leaned up and paused before answering.

"Look, Ewan, you're a great guy," upon Popuri saying this, Ewan already knew what the response would be, "but… I just can't date now. I just wanna be free. I mean, we can go as friends, and I assume that's what we're gonna do."

"Okay, yeah!" Ewan said with a half-smile. "That's completely fine." Popuri chuckled, nervously.

"Hey, I should probably get home and help my mom out with the store for a bit," the pink-haired girl told Ewan.

"Oh, I'll walk you home, then," he decided. "I still have chores to get done anyway." Popuri smiled and nodded. Once at the flower shop, the two embraced and Ewan left.

"Hi, Popuri," Lilia greeted her daughter as she came in.

"Hi," Popuri waved to her mother and went into her room. She sat down on the bed and let out a sigh, closing her eyes. A few seconds later, Popuri bit her lip and started to open her eyes. They were welling up with tears and after a few blinks, teardrops were rolling down her cheeks.


It was now the day of the carnival. Everyone else in town got to the Village Square before the kids and the Potion Shop Master did. The Potion Shop Master had to lie that their dog was "too old" to compete in the Pet Festival to get out of bringing him along.

"Wow!" Stu said excitedly the second they got to the square and knew that the Pet Festival was being replaced. He, Kent, and May immediately got excited for the small, rented merry-go-round and went on that first.

"So, you two have been to a carnival type thing before," Kai started conversation to Ewan and Raffi. They were also with Karen, Elli, and Rick. "What do you think of them? Cause I don't like all that… clown stuff and whatever."

"Well, it's like, it's fun," Ewan began, lifting one hand before starting to lift the other, "but nothing is what it seems. And I bought a ticket and I wanna get the hell out of here, but I'll probably come back. I want more cotton candy." he gave a small shrug.

"That, basically," Raffi said though laughter, pointing at Ewan. "You know what's fun to do, though? You go on a roller coaster with a nut and bolt in your hand, and as the car goes up, you pick them up and say 'Where did this come from!'"

"That's awful!" Rick said with a few chuckles. "That's just horrible." Raffi just grinned and laughed, loudly.

"Yeah, but I only really do it once… and with my friends," the brunette explained. "And I only usually do it when said friend has bothered me recently. It's just a little payback."

"I'm just here for the sweets," Elli said, innocently lifting her hands up. Karen looked around, scratching her head.

"They usually have a lot of alcohol at these things, right?" asked Karen, with an innocent smile.

"I think so, yeah…" Kai said, looking around a little with his wife. "Well, ours does… and that's all that matters!" he chuckled. Karen gave a small shrug and agreed. Stu, May, and Kent were still on the merry-go-round.

"I'm not sure why they gave us this," Kent said with a frown. "We're too old for this!"

"Oh, come on, Kent," May insisted with a smile. "You know you love it!" Kent kept frowning and let out a groan. Stu was also having a good time, but Kent wouldn't admit that he was enjoying the merry-go-round as well.

"We should probably check out some other things, though," suggested Stu. "It's probably our tenth time going around!" he let out a little chuckle. May and Kent agreed and they walked over to a food stall. A flock of adults ran over to the merry-go-round after the three kids left.

"That's odd," mumbled Kent, putting his hand on his chin and watching the adults run over to the ride. "Oh well."

"What would you like?" Zack asked the children, being the one running the stall.

"Hi, Daddy!" May greeted her dad, who flashed a silly grin and chuckled. "Can we get three cotton candies and three iced teas?"

"Of course!" he replied. The kids all reached in their pockets for some money, but Zack insisted that he would buy this first round of snacks. "You're on your own after this, though."

"Thanks!" Stu thanked Zack and took his snacks. Kent and May also thanked him and the trio went off to sit down at a nearby bench.

"This looks like Popuri and Lilia's hair…" noted Kent with a small laugh as he pulled off some cotton candy from the string. Stu and May agreed and chuckled, enjoying some of their own food. They all then took a sip of their lemon-flavored iced tea.

"On the subject of Popuri…" May said, quietly. Stu and Kent turned to her curiously, either in mid-eating or mid-drinking. "How do you guys feel about her and Ewan?" Stu finished his sip and answered first.

"I thought that they were gonna be together forever!" the black-haired boy said, quite dramatically. "I don't think he vandalized the village or whatever he was blamed for."

"I don't think so either," Kent agreed with Stu. "Brother wouldn't do that." May nodded and had another nibble off of her cotton candy.

"Why do you guys call him 'Brother' anyway?" she asked.

"Cause he's like an older brother!" Stu explained, quickly. "His farm is just fun to go to."

"I think it's kinda funny that we see him as an older brother, but he's the young one in his family…" noted Kent, cocking his head. Stu and May agreed with a small laugh. They finished their snacks and went back to the carnival festivities.

Eventually, Ewan got the whole village around to get them to play a card game. First, he had to teach them how to play the game. Holding the deck, Ewan explained that the game was called 'Chase the Ace.'

"So that means that aces are low," he started, as if it wasn't self-explanatory. "Just follow the way that I deal the deck. You choose to stick with the card you have or swap with the person ahead of you. You can only do this once, so you better evaluate whether you really want your card or not." it took a while for the cards to be dealt since there were so many people.

"So I'm first?" Karen made sure. She hadn't gotten too drunk yet, so that she wouldn't ruin the game. She decided to stick. Next was Anna, who decided to swap her card with Kent's.

"Darn it!" she scowled, under her breath. Anna chuckled and shook her head in a disproving manner. Kent chuckled, evilly, and said that he would keep his card. This continued until it went down to Ewan. He decided to swap his card from the deck and pick up a new one.

"Okay, everyone show your cards!" Ewan hadn't anticipated how much time it would take to see who won, because no one had any kings. Eventually, it was a tie between Raffi and Maria with a jack.

"Now deal us cards to see who gets a higher number, right?" Maria wanted to make sure that this was right. Ewan nodded and turned a card over for each of them. Maria got a 10 and Raffi got a 2.

"Of course…" groaned Raffi, slapping her forehead. Ewan chuckled and put all the cards away and shuffled them.

"Again?" he asked the villagers. Unanimously, they all wanted to play again. Ewan smiled. "I'm glad that you guys like the game! I have others, but they'd be hard to teach, or even do, with this many people." they all started playing again. After a few rounds, most of the villagers went off to do other things.

"Let's give thanks to Raffi, for coming up with his alternative festival for the Pet Festival!" at the end of the carnival, Thomas wanted to give Raffi credit for how well the carnival did.

"I'm just glad that everyone had a good time!" the doctor admitted, scratching her neck nervously. "Maybe we could have this again next year! And the year after… and the year after…" everyone laughed at Raffi's joke, even though she was being serious and the other villagers wouldn't mind having a carnival again.

"The next festival is the Starry Night Festival, so make sure that you have your dates for the 24th!" the mayor reminded the villagers. Everyone was obviously getting quite excited for this, but Ewan looked around a little nervously.

"Hey there," Popuri walked over to Ewan and grinned at him, crossing her arms. Ewan chuckled sheepishly and greeted the florist back.

"Shall I walk you home?" he offered.

"Please do," Popuri nodded and had him lead the way, even though the two walked at the same pace. They walked slowly until Ewan gave Popuri a hug in front of the flower shop and she went inside.

"Gahhh…" groaned Ewan after she went inside. He wanted to ask Popuri to the Starry Night Festival, but he bluffed. "At least I still have 4 more days to ask her…" he mumbled under his breath as he walked back to the farm.