Evie double-checked the stacks of coins on her table. Then, as Candace set breakfast on the table, triple-checked. She leaned back in her chair, face blank and eyes a little too wide as they cast over the stacks in front of her. She didn't even notice the plate Candace set at her elbow or Candace sitting down to start eating. Her friend looked from the auree to Evie's slumped shoulders and freakishly still… everything (freakish in that Evie was almost constantly in some sort of motion) and reached over to touch Evie's hand lying slack on the table. The rancher jumped, startled, and stared numbly over at her.
"What's wrong?" Candace asked worriedly.
"It's… I finally did it," Evie mumbled vaguely.
"Did what?"
"I have 5000 auree," Evie said, looking up to meet Candace's eyes. Her big blue eyes widened and then dropped to the stacks again.
"Oh… oh! Your home!" she exclaimed with hands flying up to her mouth.
"Yeah, my home. I… I have to take this to Hamilton first, but this is my home," Evie breathed out.
This was it. This meant something huge, in a way Ringing the Bells didn't. Ringing the Bells was magical, secret, personal, and something she, ultimately, could walk away from in the end. But paying off this house, sinking more money and time into improving it, adding more animals and crops, personalizing the interior into something that reflected her tastes… it wouldn't be a shack. It wouldn't be a cover, or a transient circumstance to endure until she returned to "real life" in the city. Officially buying this place made it hers.
And what followed would turn it into a home.
In the distance, watery and echoing, Evie could barely make out Candace's voice. It didn't seem to penetrate the veil surrounding her. Perhaps her heartbeat was too loud in her ears, or that strange roaring noise that seemed to be drowning her. Her chest was too tight, her throat too full with nothing to swallow or inhale, and her hands couldn't lay flat on the table top.
"I'm sh-shaking," Evie gasped out. She laughed raggedly, gulping at breath she'd forgotten to take.
"Are you having a panic attack?" Candace asked tremulously. She was closer to Evie than she'd had done willingly in the past, with her equally trembling hands gripping Evie's sleeve.
"Y-Yeah, m-maybe? Just a little. N-No, don't look like that, Candy. I'm fine. It's fine," Evie pleaded. She half-turned in her seat and snatched up both of her friend's hands in hers. "I'm so sorry I scared you. It was just overwhelming for a minute. I'm totally fine, see? I'm breathing just fine and I'm barely even shaking."
"Are y-you sure?" Candace's eyes danced over Evie's face and down to her hands. Evie wondered if she'd been as pale as Candace was right now, because it was mildly horrifying to see her friend like that—even worse knowing it was her own fault.
"Yeah, I'm sure," Evie assured her with a smile.
Candace closed her eyes to breathe slow and deep. "I shouldn't h-have d-done that. I only m-made it worse for you," Candace whispered shamefully, her eyes still closed.
"Actually, I think seeing you like that knocked me out of my own head faster. I've got this hero complex going on," Evie laughed, a little too wildly- she knew exactly just how deep that hero complex comment struck.
"W-Would you… like t-to t-talk about it?" Candace stammered tentatively.
Evie couldn't exactly explain all of it, but… "It's just... this makes it so much more permanent. When I came here, I kinda figured I would stay a while, you know? But a part of me still thought it wouldn't be for long. That I'd be back by fall semester, finish up a little late, and that'd be that. But now I'm here and… I'm about to own property. I'm not even twenty-two and I'm going to own my own home and land," Evie explained with a self-deprecating smirk and shrug. "I can't even picture leaving at this point. It's… scary."
"Because you came expecting nothing and got… a lot more," Candace inferred questioningly.
"Yeah. I got you guys," Evie said with a lopsided grin. "I know. That was cheesy-oof!"
Candace threw herself on Evie, hugging her tightly and pressing her face to Evie's shoulder. "You did get us, Evie. You're… you're the bravest person I know," Candace whispered hoarsely. Evie's eyes widened, shiny and damp, before she smiled and returned the embrace just as tightly.
"Thank you, Candy."
A long moment passed before either of them could bear to pull away. When they did, they were flushed and trying to discreetly wipe at their faces without the other seeing. Which ended in them giggling thickly. Breakfast carried on at last with conversation muted and sparse, but shared smiles throughout. Making it outside to start on the ranch chores managed to change up the atmosphere, the arrival of Renee and Luke a while later helping even more so. Renee noticed the strange mood between them, but with a gesture from Evie, let it slide. The last of the crops were harvested and watered, and Evie sat on the lip of the well, sweating slightly and feeling like she'd gotten an honest morning's work done for the first time in a while.
"Well, that's the last of the lettuces I need for Ruth, and more than. I'll have enough money to buy a fridge that isn't a piece of rusty go se," Evie sighed happily.
"What's go suh mean?" Candace asked innocently. Evie grinned.
"A very bad synonym for fertilizer," Evie teased with a wink. Candace frowned as Renee burst into scandalized giggles, then her blueberry-blue eyes widened and her face flushed bright red.
"So, why you gonna give all those lettuces to Mrs. Marimba? You could keep 'im and save up a bit more for your house, can't ya?" Luke asked as he flopped onto the grass next to her feet. Candace and Evie glanced over at each with secret smiles.
"Actually, I have an announcement, but I was hoping Toby'd be here, too."
"Should we go into Harmonica Town and corner him?" Renee offered cheerfully.
"Nah, I gotta go to Marimba and plant a new crop, I don't wanna walk all the way to Harmonica before then."
"Maybe you should buy a phone next," Luke pointed out.
Evie rolled her eyes. "Fridge is definitely more important right now."
"I think I see someone coming. Maybe it's Toby?" Candace said, shading her eyes to look down the road. Evie ducked her head and rubbed the back of her neck to hide the sudden onset of a blush on her face.
"Yup, that's him all right," Luke agreed. He cupped his hands around his mouth and hollered, "YO, BRO! HURRY UP!"
Renee and Candace both hushed him as Evie tossed her head back to laugh. Trust Luke to bulldoze his way through her weird reaction. Toby walked up soon after, one eyebrow lifted sardonically as he gazed down at Luke.
"Was that necessary?"
"Yes, we had to wait for you for Evie's news! I hate waiting!" Luke groaned shamelessly.
"News?" Toby inquired, turning towards her. She nodded and glanced towards Candace. Her friend easily picked up on her hesitance and smiled encouragingly.
"I… I have 5000 auree. I'm going to Town Hall today, after lunch."
"Oh my!" Renee gasped, hands covering her mouth in shock.
"Whoa! Wait, does that mean-?" Luke sat up straight, gold eyes boring into hers as his grin grew incredulously.
"It's going to be official," Toby breathed, a smaller but no less pleased smile on his lips.
"It's going to be official," Evie concurred, feeling ridiculously shy and proud at once. "I'll own Serenity."
"WHOOHOO! YOU'RE STAYING!" Luke cried. He jumped up and swept her right off her butt, crutch falling with a clatter. Evie laughed and wrapped her arms around Luke's shoulders with her feet dangling around his shins.
"Oh, you're staying! This is so great, Evie!" Renee enthused, tears springing to her eyes.
"She's staying," Candace repeated quietly and joyfully.
"C'mon, group hug! Group hug!" Luke demanded, still spinning her around her crop field.
"You have to stop running away with her first, Luke!" Renee pointed out, giggling.
"Oh yeah!" Luke rushed towards the group.
"Don't I get a say? I'm not your toy to share, Lu!" Evie protested weakly.
"Ha, you love it, Princess," Luke grinned.
"Yeah, I do. C'mon in, dudes. Hug ball," Evie sighed waving her arms.
"Hug ball?" Candace murmured to Toby. He shrugged in reply.
They gathered in close, arms tangling and faces pressed uncomfortably close, all smiling and some a little tearful. When they pulled away, they were all pink-faced and giddy with embarrassed, infectious chuckles. Evie wobbled on her feet when Luke set her down, but Toby's hand was already holding her arm. As Luke grabbed the crutch and Renee and Candace began listing housewarming gift ideas, Toby leaned in close. Evie blinked in surprise.
"I'm really happy for you, Evvy," he murmured. She shyly ducked her head.
"Thanks. I am, too," she joked feebly.
It took some time for everyone to calm down, and for Evie to stall any housewarming party plans, but they did eventually. Candace headed back to Harmonica Town, telling them all to meet her after lunch for a smaller party, with cake, at Sonata. Renee, Toby, and Luke all planned to go to Flute Fields. Though, Toby would spend the day fishing by the Waterwheel and Luke would go up to the Forest for a morning of wood-chopping. They waved Candace away, then took off.
"You know… I've noticed something," Renee brought up some ways down the road.
"There are a lot of things to notice," Evie quipped.
"Very funny," Renee replied, jabbing a finger into Evie's ribs. "I was talking about you."
"What about me?"
"Your leg. It's… a lot better. You haven't laid up nearly as much as you should've, but you're not even limping sometimes. Especially first thing in the morning," Renee verbalized, a little perplexed. Evie stumbled.
"Yeah, I broke my arm when I was a kid and it took forever for me to do anything with it at all," Luke remembered with surprise coloring his voice.
"I just heal fast. And, ya'know, high pain tolerance," Evie hedged with a slight wince.
"That's not exactly reassuring," Toby scoffed.
"Are you sure you aren't pushing yourself?" Renee asked worriedly. "It doesn't seem like it, it really does seem like you're doing fine, but it's only been a week…"
"Really, I'm all good," Evie promised with a thumbs-up.
"Maybe you're secretly Wolverine's daughter, eh? Got secret metal claws somewhere, Evie?" Luke teased, jabbing at her sides. Evie burst into laughter.
"That's right. I'm a carrier of the X-Gene. You haven't even seen all my superpowers, yet," Evie played along, with none too little relief.
"As long as it has nothing to do with explosions," Toby snorted.
"Oh no, I definitely would be worried about secret mind-reading," Renee exclaimed, laughing. "I'd just die if you could read my mind any time you wanted."
"I think someone else has a secret," Evie taunted, waggling her eyebrows very badly in Renee's direction. Renee blushed beet-red, stuttering over protests, as Luke turned his gleefully mischievous eyes on her.
"Oh really? Whatcha hidin' there, Rey-Rey?" Luke wheedled, hands raised and fingers wiggling threateningly. Renee took off shrieking and laughing as Luke chased after her cackling maniacally.
Evie giggled under her breath, Toby chuckling next to her. The dirt road became the dusty stone bridge, and Toby's hand came up under her elbow to help steady her on the uneven cobbles. "That was very clever," he murmured quietly, so quietly she almost missed it. She glanced up at him, confused and head-tilted in question. He smirked lightly. "The distraction."
Evie's eyes widened in shock, anxiety ratcheting skyward. "Wh-wha…"
Toby just shook his head. "You can have secrets, Evvy. Just know… if you ever want to share, I'll be here. But you don't have to if you don't want to."
"Thank you," Evie whispered.
Luckily, for the sake of her much too rapidly beating heart and rising blood pressure, Luke and Renee were already returning. They were red-faced and laughing, the original line of questioning long forgotten… by them, at least. Luke took off, with one more quick tickle to Renee's ribs as he ran by, and jogged up towards Fugue Forest. Toby followed along the path a while more, but kept going forward when the women turned left unto Marimba property. The conversation had turned to Marvel and DC, comics and TV shows and movies, thanks to the teasing of before, and Renee and Evie continued with the same topic.
"I'm just sayin', Jessica Jones was probably the best of all of 'em. I'm not sure I'd like Supergirl. Too goodie-goodie for me," Evie was saying as Renee opened the door for her into Marimba's main area.
"You should give it a try. It got much better as it went and it's doing a lot of crossovers with Flash and Arrow, and they're both good shows," Renee pleaded persuasively.
"Ugh, you're one of those who likes Superman more than Batman, aren't you? DC isn't half as good Marvel, either," Evie groaned.
"Shame, shame," Renee gasped with over-dramatic offense. Evie chortled.
"Good morning, Renee, Evelyn. You're up and about a bit too energetically for someone with a broken leg," Ruth observed dryly. Evie shrugged.
"It's a good cast and a good crutch. Besides, I wanted to give you these lettuces as fast as possible," Evie replied as she swung her pack over her shoulder and set it gently on the counter.
Ruth's thin brows arched high, but she opened the rucksack to find the remaining half a bushel spilling out the top. Her weary eyes widened in shock. "These… these are very good quality. We should turn a good profit for once," the older woman conceded, the slight shake to her voice belying the even tone and bland words.
"Very good? They're perfect. I wish I could eat 'em myself, and I don't even like lettuce," Renee rallied to Evie's defense stoutly.
"Yes, you're right. Thank you, Evelyn," Ruth said more firmly.
Evie shook her head. "I wanted to help. It was nothing, really. Plus, I did have something I wanted out of it."
"Ah, yes. The old Bell frame," Ruth realized. She shrugged lightly. "If you go now, I think Craig just went to check on the few crops he got growin'. The gate'll be open."
"Oh, thanks, that's great! Uh, Renee? Do you think you could get me those seeds I needed while I go check it out?" Evie asked, crossing her fingers behind her back and hoping hard. Renee sighed fondly.
"I get it. You want a bit of your independence again, don't you?" Renee joshed, but with understanding clear on her features. Evie grinned weakly.
"Something like that."
"All right, all right. I gave you a hard enough time last night. I'll back off, but only because I'll be sitting on the porch waiting so I'll be able to hear if you call out, or, more likely, cause some kind of impossible explosion," Renee acquiesced with teasing smile.
"Thanks, Rey," Evie exhaled roughly, clapping her shoulder companionably with a small laugh.
Renee turned back to the disinterested and impatient-looking Ruth, and Evie started on her way towards the door to head back outside. It was a short walk to the gate, and, sure enough, it was ajar and unlatched. Surprisingly, it swung open on nearly silent hinges, well-oiled and well-taken care of. Despite Craig and Ruth's apparent apathy, they still kept their home in good condition. Evie smiled a little at the thought, her low esteem of them rising. Her esteem leapt up with a vengeance when she came around the slight curve of the path to see there was an empty bell arch… frame?... and also Craig.
Craig, kneeling, hands holding his hat and clasped in front of his chest, head bowed, entreating desperately and faithfully to the Goddess. Her heart swelled for the man who seemed to have given up hope, yet still, at his heart, believed in the Goddess and, maybe, in just a little bit of magic. His sincere prayer broke off and he looked over at her, startled and blushing faintly.
"I… got work t'do… weedin' t'do," Craig mumbled, rubbing the back of his neck. He slapped his hat back on his head and hurriedly shuffled past her.
"Evie!" cried out a teary, joyous, squeaking little voice. The light ball of light she'd missed in the bright spring sunlight burst and shattered like a dandelion weed to show Finn in his more corporeal-like form. He zoomed towards her with outstretched arms.
"Finn!" Evie gasped in equal happiness, her hands automatically coming up to cup his little body as he nuzzled against her chest like an adorable little puppy. "Wow, I have missed you."
"You sound surprised," Finn pouted.
"I'm not used to a flying Jiminy Cricket at my shoulder- well, at least, I wasn't. You really grew on me, Tinkers," Evie admitted with a chuckle.
"I wish I knew what that meant," Finn grumbled, pouting even harder.
"It means I love you, little guy. Now how about we do what you've been waiting on me for?" Evie suggested. Finn shouted enthusiastically in agreement.
The moment Evie got her bag open, it began to shine. The brighter it glowed, the more it began to shake and shine. With a soft exclamation, Evie dropped the rucksack and the Bell flung itself into the air. It soared through the short distance of space to latch into place in its Frame. Evie and Finn quickly covered their eyes as it flashed brilliantly.
"Ah, that's more like it!" groaned a surprisingly loud voice with great satisfaction. "I feel much better. Hiya! I'm Collin, the Harvest Sprite of Earth!"
Evie and Finn blinked spots from their eyes. "Hello, Collin, I'm Evelyn. Do you remember us?"
"Of course I do!" the yellow-clad and grinning sprite declared.
"Collin! You're really all better?" Finn asked eagerly. Collin bobbed his large, round head fervently.
"Yup, yup! Now that I feel more like my old self, I have a few more jokes up my sleeve!" Collin announced proudly. Evie and Finn gaped in confusion as Collin cleared his throat. "But I should probably fulfill my mission first! That's why you're here, right?"
Evie huffed while Finn fell onto her shoulder with a quiet groan. "Right, the mission. World domination can't be done without you," she couldn't help but reply with a sly, teasing smirk. Collin narrowed his eyes in confusion, then burst into pleased giggles.
"Oh! I see, you're pretty funny! Wanna join me on a comedy tour?"
"That's not really my thing. We should probably just Ring the Bell," Evie chuckled.
"I guess you're right. Leave it to me! I've been really worried about Mother, too… So let's Ring the Yellow Bell, right now!"
Evie fistpumped with a cheer. Finn sprang up to buzz around her shoulders, too excited to contain himself. Collin spun around on his tiny foot and gazed up, up, to the Bell.
"Bell of Earth! May your rich melody echo throughout the land!" he rang, off-key and pitchy, quite unlike Alana's sweeter tones.
But just like the Red Bell, the Yellow Bell Rang and the melody that sounded was beautiful. Richer and deeper in tone, it buzzed from the soles of her feet, slowly up to the top of her skull. Goosebumps shivered over her skin, but she felt warm- as if made of sunlight. Her limbs were heavy with sound, her feet anchored to the ground as though she'd grown roots that had sunk deep and old into the soil beneath her feet. When her eyes slipped closed, she could feel that power branching out into Flute Fields. It surged upwards through trees and the crops in Craig's fields, in the grass growing along the road, the flowers that swayed along fence posts and doorways. Ruth and Craig were standing on their porch, hand in hand, amazement on their open expressions and tears in their eyes. Renee stood up from the porch swing, hands clasped over her heart as her eyes shuttered closed, and an incredulous smile spread over her face. Chase stepped out a minute later, then further away Julius, both gaping and looking upwards, as if trying to search out the music in the air. Toby was standing at the shore, fishing rod drooping over the water, forgotten, as his face tilted up.
Her vision went further, until she saw Cain and Hanna rushing out into their yard. Fluttering and scattering around them were their chickens and goats and other livestock, but they didn't go far. Instead, they all looked up together. In the Forest, the animals ran and pranced in an exhilarated frenzy, even the trees swaying and dancing as the Melody flowed upwards. In the trembling shade, Luke gawped upwards, axe hanging from his hand.
Gradually, Evie poured herself back into her own body and her eyes sluggishly blinked open. Collin was hovering a few inches in front of her, grinning happily, with Finn whizzing in circles around him.
"Thank you, Evelyn! Now the land will be healthy again. I can go back to the Harvest Goddess now, too!" Collin told her. He bowed cutely, just like Alana.
"I'm going to go with him. Come tonight to the Spring! Get all better so I can finally come back home with you!" Finn demanded.
"You betcha, Finn. I'll see you tonight," she agreed with a nod. They both disappeared in a quick flash of yellow light.
…
The task of freshly planting her field with new crops behind her, Evie and Renee began the slow, but thankfully short, trek to Harmonica Town. The wallet full of auree jangled and clanked between crutch and hip cheerfully as she limped down the road. Though the topic had dropped while they'd planted seeds, Renee was back to discussing the Bell, and the melody, of that morning. Evie hummed and nodded in all the right places, but she was busy trying not to blush too obviously. It felt weird to discuss it, too much like bragging even though Renee wouldn't actually know it. Which also made it weirder.
Abruptly, Evie looked up and they were standing in front of Town Hall. Evie stumbled to a halt, eyes wide and mouth agape. She honestly hadn't even noticed the shift from dirt road to stone cobbles. Renee reached over to clasp her hand and pull her attention away from that innocuously silent door. Evie swallowed hard and looked over to her friend to see a wide, encouraging smile on her sweet, round face.
"You ready?" Renee asked gently.
Evie's mouth twisted up again, nose scrunching, but she slowly nodded. "Yeah… you know… I think I am," the rancher replied hesitantly. The pounding of her heart… it didn't feel like the verge of a panic attack, or even like worry. It was anxiety, in a way, but more like the anxiety of walking into a haunted house, that terrifying moment a person steps off the platform and the anticipation of the plummet before the catch of the bungee cord, the surge of adrenaline as the roller coaster crests its first peak and begins to nose over the other side towards the drop.
She closed her eyes and the melodies of the Red and Yellow Bell Rang in her ears, faint but clear. The warmth of embers and the steadiness of earth. She belonged here. All she had to do was sign some silly piece of paper to prove it.
"I'll meet you at Ocarina Inn?" Renee suggested, breaking through Evie's reflection.
"Yeah, that's great. Be there in a jiffy," Evie saluted with a lopsided smile.
She watched the sunflower-hued dress of her friend retreating, before she finally screwed up her nerve and headed into the Hall. Hamilton was sitting on his tall stool, humming and looking over a few papers. When the door swung shut behind her, the Mayor glanced up. His welcoming smile brightened his entire face as he hopped off his seat.
"Why, hello there, Miss Evelyn! What can I do for you?" he queried.
"I… I finally made enough. … To pay for Sere- for the farm in Clarinet," Evie stammered while pawing at her wallet awkwardly.
"Oh my! Is that a fact? That's wonderful!" Hamilton exclaimed, both arms thrown up before he began to clap fervently. "You've done such a good job and have become a great asset to our town. It feels as though good fortune has followed you here."
"Surprisingly, I've heard something like that before," Evie huffed in amusement.
"Well, come on up, dear. Let's get this signed, shall we?"
Evie stepped up to the counter as Hamilton climbed back onto his stool. He shuffled a few papers, opened another drawer, and, with a soft 'aha', laid out a very official-looking document. The small man drew a couple 'x's, then set out a small coin-counting machine.
"Let's see your payment," Hamilton prompted with pudgy fingers gesturing. Short stack by stack, the coins were fed into the machine, until the number 5000 flashed across the narrow screen. "Exactly right. Oho, isn't this exciting?"
"It… it is," Evie breathed out, half-laughing, and took the pen he offered.
"You sign in those areas, yes there, and then here, you must write the name of your farm. You did name it, didn't you?"
"Yeah, kinda. I mean, I thought about giving it a musical-ish name, like Concerto. But… I made a kinda joke when I first got here, and I really can't help but feel it's the only name for my… my home." Evie grinned. She bent over the counter again, and slowly, neatly, wrote Serenity.
"Concerto would have been a good name, but… Serenity is a lovely name, too. Besides, a unique name for our very unique new citizen suits the occasion," Hamilton assured her with a friendly little chortle. "Congratulations, Miss Evelyn Tallesin, you are a true home owner now. Serenity is all yours."
The exit of the haunted house was gained, the bungee cord caught, and the roller coaster dropped; and Evie felt that surge of exhilaration swoop in her stomach down to her toes and up to her throat.
Hamilton took one of the contracts she'd just signed and slid it into a folder. He wrote her name on the tab with a satisfied flourish. The other contract, he pushed gently over the counter, as well as the small almost translucent receipt of the purchase. Evie took them carefully, muscles tense to keep from shaking as she saw her name, in her own hand, in her grip.
"That one's for you. Take care of it, now," Hamilton advised with a goofy little chuckle. "The other copy will be kept safe and sound here in Town Hall. You have a good day, Miss Tallesin."
"I- uh. I will, thanks," Evie breathed, her mouth screwing up too tight to be a real smile, even though happiness shined in her auburn eyes and wetness filmed her lashes. She scoffed lightly and shook her head, curls slapping her cheeks. "Really, Mr. Mayor. Thanks."
Hamilton covered his mouth with his sleeve and chuckled a bit more. She bowed, then jumped up with a flaming-red face- apparently Collin and Alana had impressed themselves on her too much. Her crutch clattered and her cast thudded as she hobbled her way to the door as quickly as possible.
She stepped outside and leaned against the door at her back. Sunlight streamed over her warm cheeks, and deep in her chest, the vibrating hum of the Melodies played once more. It was as if the more she believed, the more she sunk her roots into this tiny little town, the stronger the Melodies had become. Perhaps, one day, she'd always hear them, always have them hovering at the edges of her consciousness, ready to hold her up and lend her some desperately needed strength. Her eyes slipped closed and she breathed through her nose lowly.
She knew Renee and Candy, and probably Kathy and Maya, too, were waiting for her. But the idea of walking into a room of people right now, expecting to see her smile and cheer and laugh… just expecting at all, seemed overwhelming. In a bad way. She needed space to process, to feel all the emotions running through her, without feeling guilty or caged by well-meaning, caring friends. She couldn't remember the last time she had a moment to herself, really. She was always in someone's company, especially since Finn flitted into her life. She opened her eyes and peered around the Town Hall. Ocarina squatted in its place, but over it all the white walls of the Church shone amongst the clouds of pink cherry blossoms. Toby had finally taken her and Candy fishing the night before, though only at the pond by her house rather than the beach. She did pack some catfish with the vague, hopeful plans of heading up to the Church to see the cat she'd taken a shine to. It would be quiet, if not deserted up on the Grounds today, and it wouldn't be too far. She could spend a few minutes alone with a sweet cat (and most likely that mammoth of puppy-dog) and pull herself together. With a tightening of her lips, Evie staggered her way up the hill.
The Church Grounds were brilliant with sunlight and tranquility. Everything soothing and silent. Even the branches of the trees were still and breeze-less. The shade beneath was heavy and humid, but still a relief from the direct sun. In a bright patch of sunlight, a missing bit of color spread out over the cobbles, as if the light had been swallowed in the tiny bit of space. The absence of color shifted and stretched, a tail uncurling and lashing through the air, to form into the sweet little black cat she'd come to see. Evie grinned and carefully limped over. It was awkward getting down low enough, but Evie managed it, so she could unwrap the little bit of fish and wave it enticingly towards the cat. Its cute pink nose and long black whiskers twitched, leading the way as it came towards the offering. It purred loudly and licked her fingers clean of any and all traces of fish, causing Evie to giggle.
"One day you'll come home with me, Hecate," Evie promised. When every bit of fish was gone, the cat rubbed against her hand and bound away. She groaned as she got to her feet, smiling wistfully.
She could turn back into Town… but…the door of the Church stood open and there was a… pull in her bones… and she was walking up the few steps into the building without actually thinking through it. She stumbled down the aisle between the pews, heart thumping loudly and the Melodies thrumming in her head. Why… what was… She gazed around the room, eyes glancing over stained windows and dark wood benches and the single occupant without seeing.
"Oh my, good afternoon," whispered a surprised, sweet voice.
Evie startled and looked over to see a beautiful woman with a tragically melancholy face- the occupant she realized she'd just seen but didn't notice. The woman's wavy purple hair fell to her shoulders with a glossy sheen, and though her clothes were clean and pretty, they were simple. Her drooping blue eyes were as kind as they were sorrowful. Whatever tug had brought Evie in here- the spell was broken; the Melodies all but silent in her head now. She stepped closer to the woman when she stood.
"You must be Ms. Mira," Evie blurted. Those despondent eyes widened just before her lips curved into a gentle smile.
"Why yes, I am. And you must be Evelyn Tallesin," Mira replied. "My nephew mentioned you at dinner the other night. You're every bit as cute as he said you were."
Evie blushed. "That's- uh- thank you. You're both so much more elegant and beautiful than me, though," she stammered.
"It's all a matter of perspective, as my late husband used to say," Mira murmured as she glanced down at her hands. Evie lapsed into tongue-tied silence and had a glaring moment of affinity with Julius. Just what do you say to someone with so much heartbreak on their face?
"I heard… about your loss… I'm so sorry. I couldn't possible imagine or understand…" Evie trailed off lamely.
"I hope you never have to," Mira said kindly. Sadly. "Julius returning has been such a blessing. I don't know what I would have done if he hadn't. He gave up so much for me."
"He did?" Evie questioned, unable to help herself. He hadn't exactly seemed the sacrificing type.
Mira nodded with a melancholy smile, her eyes shifting up to gaze at the stained glass windows over the dias. "He did. He was a very sought-after jeweler in the city. He'd grown up here, like I did, and we were near enough in age to be quite close. His dreams had always been to leave, to be famous and see models wear his creations on runaways. He wanted masses to adore his art." A fleeting, affectionately amused smile crossed her lips. "He left for university years ago and never came back. Not until he heard about my husband…" Mira broke off with a sigh. "It's good he has the shop to keep him occupied. I'd be worried he'd want to leave again and I don't know what I would do if he did."
"It… it doesn't really…" Evie hesitantly demurred. Mira blinked at her.
"What do you mean?"
"It doesn't really… keep him occupied," Evie began with a little grimace. Mira turned to totally face her, eyes widening in shock. The rancher rubbed at the back of her head, but remembering Julius asking her to say something like this egged her on. "He doesn't really know how to run the shop. He was thinking… maybe you'd be happier to leave with him to the city. He's afraid that he's not doing enough for you here," Evie tried to explain without hurting this tragic woman's feelings. She never was one much for diplomacy, but Mira didn't seem mad, nor did she burst into tears, so all good signs, thankfully.
Mira covered her mouth with both hands to stifle her gasp. "Oh, my poor Juli. He said that?" Evie nodded silently. Mira touched a quivering hand to her forehead and closed her eyes briefly, looking pained. "I just threw him in the deep end and didn't even notice how he's been struggling. Grief can make us so blind. I must go apologize right away. I can't let him feel like his sacrifice for me was in vain. Thank you so much for telling me!" She looked up then, the despondency gone, replaced with an almost fiery determination.
"I- uh, I didn't... overstep?" Evie queried, awkwardly shuffling on her uneven footing.
"Oh, no, you were very conscientious. I doubt Julius ever would have told me himself. Sometimes a kind stranger is what one needs to see with eyes unclouded. I truly thank you," Mira reiterated firmly. "You come by for pie and coffee one day soon. You'll always be welcome. See you soon, Ms. Tallesin." Mira hurried out of the Church, her steps already brisk and more energetic.
"That was a good thing you did there," said Perry as he walked up. Evie jumped almost a foot off the bench and twisted around to gape at him.
"What is with this town and people sneaking up on me?" Evie exclaimed, flinching and blushing when her too loud voice echoed throughout the pews. Perry merely chortled.
"Is there something that brought you here, Ms. Tallesin?"
"Please, Pastor Park, I think we're almost the same age. Just call me Evelyn, or Evie like everyone else," Evie offered with a grin. Perry blushed slightly, but nodded.
"I can do that, Evelyn. Thank you. You can call me Perry, if you'd like," he returned politely. When he stood, smiling and waiting patiently, Evie remembered the question and started guiltily.
"Uh, right, um. I dunno… I just… I just signed for Serenity- oh, that's my farm… ranch, whatever. That's the name for my farm. And I just… I just wanted a few moments to myself and snuck up here," Evie hedged with most of the truth. Coming up to the Grounds had been for that reason, sure, but that weird tugging from inside her had been the reason she'd come in. She glanced around, reminded of the feeling and absently rubbing at her breastbone where the tugging had been strongest.
Perry's head tilted a little to the side as he watched her gaze grow distant and pensive, but decided not to press. Pastors always were better at discretion than any overly kind friend.
"You're welcome to sit as long as you'd like. Other than Ms. Mira, many have stopped coming inside the church for days at a time. It'll be nice for the church to hear the words and wishes of a young, happy heart for a little while," Perry said softly, his eyes looking towards the largest stained glass window directly behind the pulpit. Melancholy too similar to Mira's clouded his bright, brown eyes.
"Thanks, but I think it's time I go face the people waiting for me," Evie decided with a short laugh. "I feel… better somehow. Thanks, Pastor Perry. I'll try to come by more often with some happier wishes. I'd hate for you to be up here sad all the time!" she added, holding out her hand. He shook her proffered hand with a smile breaking through the sad, like the sun breaking through the dim morning.
"I'm sure we'll be here to listen," he told her. It sounded a little weird, but her eyes flickered to the Goddess image in glass and knew just who the 'we' were.
Yeah, I guess she would like to hear as many happy things as I could tell her… Evie thought ruefully. She lumbered away, ready to actually have some fun at last. The picture of all her friends in her head, and the new memories they were about to and would make, had her excited. Perhaps the sorrow she'd seen on Mira's (and Perry's) face had put it all in better perspective. She wasn't just losing anything, after all. She was gaining so much. Maybe she'd burned some bridges that led to the life she had before, but this life, and these people, this mission, was so much more amazing than she could have dreamed of just months ago. The walk to Ocarina Inn was a blur. She was grinning so wide her cheeks hurt and her hands were shaking. Her gait was unsteady thanks to the trembling of the crutch under her arm, but she made it to the door of the Inn and shoved it open.
"Congratulations! Welcome to Castanet! Well done!" Shouts and whoops and hollers from every direction assaulted her the moment she walked in. Every single one of her friends, and a few extra, were all crowded around a table covered in food and a giant strawberry shortcake. Like huge strawberry shortcake, really- mountains of whipped cream on a pillow of pound cake, so many strawberries they spilled out the sides and off the top, and copious drizzles of chocolate and strawberry sauce. Evie met Candace's gaze, the only one who'd seen her morning reaction, and a hopeful smile under worried eyes greeted her.
"I hope none of you were planning on eating that cake, 'cause I'm taking it all home with me," Evie joked past the grin that she hadn't dropped. There was a bout of laughter, but Evie was too busy laughing herself as Candace and Renee rushed forward to envelope her in a too-tight embrace.
"Welcome home," Candace whispered in her ear.
"Thanks, Candy."
A/N: hey, it's the 8th for me! (for a whole nineteen minutes!) This was one of my fave chapters, so I hope y'all liked it! And chapter 24 is just pages away from being finished. Whoohoo!
Next update is: March 22~
