STORY OF A GIRL
Nayru: Guess who's back, back again, I am back, tell your friends...
Xiao: She's gone off uber, but she's as fast as ever.
Nayru: Today, we've got the wedding, I can't come up with any pre-chapter blathering, so on
with the show!
Disclaimer: We're still poor, and still don't own Harvest Moon. We do own Rae and Silas. They
are my creations, so ask if you want to use them, not that we've had any plagiarisms yet...
Warning: This chapter will include excessive scene changes and time skips. I don't want any
whining about it, please. Also, this is technically a double chapter, so take this time now to
get yourself a soda.
Ready? Good, cause here comes...
Wedding Bells Ringing! No Need For Hatred!
AND
The Six Tasks! No Need For Alcohol!
Day: The Wedding Day, 4th Fall.
Time: 5 in the Morning.
Place: The Farm.
"Rae, Rae..." Cliff gently shook his bride to be. She slept on. "I'll just leave a note,
then." He grabbed a piece of paper and scrawled a note. "Just do the chores, meet her at the
church, no problem in this plan..." Cliff muttered to himself as he threw his jacket on. "Can't
take too long." He stepped outside, and noticed Karen weeding one side of the field. "Karen,
shouldn't you be asleep?"
"No, I can't sleep. I decided to do some chores and take a short walk before the wedding
to clear my mind. I mean, today is the last day my name is Karen Evange. Tomorrow, Karen Sernet.
It's scary! I'm scared!"
"I understand, I'm a bit nervous too." Cliff knelt to help her weed. "I mean, what if
something happens to me, you, Kai, or Rae? I mean, if two of us disappear, if Rae and Kai
vanish, we'd have to marry one another. That was the deal you and Rae made... I don't want to
carry it out. I have to marry Rae." Cliff and Karen opened the barn door together, letting
Cliffy and Koibito out. "I love her, and I've already claimed her... well, her virginity."
"Just can't keep it in your pants." Karen laughed. "But that's okay, you're just, well,
marking your territory, you know?" The duo walked out of the farm. "She's yours. I won't come
in between." Karen paused, near the entrance to town. "I wouldn't lose Kai for the world."
"Ah, but you will.", came a hate filled voice from behind them. Silas smirked down at
them, large lead pipe in hand. "Neither of you are making it to the wedding." He cracked them
both upside the head, and dragged their unconcious bodies off- as Ann watched.
7:30 am, same place
Rae and Kai were eating breakfast. Everything needed for the wedding was ready by the
door. "So, Karen and Cliff are gonna meet us at the wedding?" Kai asked.
"Yeah, or I hope so." Rae nudged her eggs around. "I can't help but feel something bad's
about to happen. Wedding starts at nine, correct?" Rae took out the schedule and began to look
it over one last time.
"Yup, and four of us at the altar by nine-fifteen. The ceremony's gonna last kinda long,
as it's double, and the party's in the square at one. All we have to do is hope those two make
the wedding." Kai sighed nervously. "Just hope."
Elsewhere, 8:00
"Uhn...?" Cliff mumbled, as he looked up slowly. He was tied back to back with Karen, in
a barn, in a place they didn't know. Silas glowered down at him.
"Oh look, an hour until your wedding, and you're not even at the church." Cliff tried to
lunge at Silas, but failed miserably. He did succeed at shaking Karen awake. "No use. Go on,
try and escape. I'd like to see you try." He turned to Ann. "Of course, we have to attend Rae
and Kai's wedding. Thank you for stealing my Rae, Cliff. And I'm so sorry you had to get mixed
up in this, Karen. Ta ta!" And Silas dragged Ann out.
Ann turned back quickly. "I'm so sorry..." She got dragged off before she could say
another word.
"Well, Karen, this is the end of me." Cliff sighed, holding back tears. "My Rae, given
off to Kai. And nothing I can do to stop it. It's hopeless..." Karen frowned, and elbowed him
in the gut. "HEY! What the hell?"
"Are you giving up that easily?" Karen growled. "I read this in some book, Houdini or
something like that. With luck, we'll be able to be there at 9:30, and pray they wait for us."
In The Church, 8:30
Kai was talking to Gray, who was seated in the second row. "I'm seriously worried, she's
not here yet. I mean, it's our wedding! How can she be late?"
Gray frowned. "Well, it's always possible she decided at the last minute that she didn't
want to marry you. Maybe she just got held up.
Rae was in a room near the chapel, sneaking her bandanna back on. Her white dress
glittered in the fresh fall sun, and her straight but ridiculously long hair tied up in a bun,
but the bride insisted she wasn't herself without the red with a black and white design square
of fabric. Elli snatched it and set it on a side table. "Please stop, you look fine without
it!" Elli quickly changed the subject off the bandanna. "Shouldn't you be worried about
Cliff?"
"I am worried about Cliff. Can I please go look for him?" Rae pleaded.
"No! You can't leave now." Elli rubbed Rae's shoulders. "He'll come. If something's
happened, we'll find him, or wait. I'll go get Harris to search for him, if it makes you feel
better." Elli left the room, taking Rae's bandanna with her. Rae simply sighed.
"Cliff, where are you?"
Back in the Shed, 8:45
"Cliff, try to pull your hand back farther!" Karen urged.
"I am, let me get this glove off." Cliff managed to bend his head near his hand, and
used his teeth to yank one of his work gloves off. He managed to force his hand back more than
it had been forced already. Karen yanked a hand free, and untied the ropes on the other hand.
"I can't reach my leg knots!" Cliff protested. "I can't stand either!"
"Nor can I. Okay, take my hands, we'll try to stand up and get to the knife on the work
bench. Nodding, Cliff grabbed Karen's hands, and began to force themselves into a stand. Five
steps in, they fell over. "Okay... this could take a while."
The Church, 9:00
Harris entered the church, slightly worried. "There's no sign of Karen or Cliff in town
in any unlocked building. There's no warrant, so I can't go in any locked buildings." Kai and
Rae looked at Priest Maxwell.
"... Alright, we'll wait until 9:30. If they're not here then, I'll marry you two, by
the precedent of double weddings." Duo sighed. "Just hope they get here."
Kai looked back, where Rae was waiting for the procession to start. "Cliff, you better
get here." Kai whispered.
The Shed, 9:20
Karen released Cliff's hands. He hopped to the table, grabbed the knife, and cut the
ropes on his legs. Karen grabbed the knife after him and slit her ropes. "We've got no time to
run." She sighed, knowing they failed.
"I'm going to try." Cliff braced himself, and dashed through the locked door. He ran like
he never had run before.
The Church, 9:29
"It's almost 9:30, Rae." Kai patted the now crying bride on the shoulder. "He's probably
wimped out, and run off with Karen. I guess it won't be so bad, being my wife?" In the back
row, Silas smirked, knowing he had won.
"Kai, I don't love you, I love Cliff!" She looked through her veil at Kai, tears
shimmering on the rims of her large eyes. "I'd give anything for him to be here..."
"Please, it's 9:30 now. Stand up... he's had his time. There's no way he's coming." Kai
pulled Rae to a stand. "I'm very sorry... I just wish Karen had cared enough about me to come."
"We're coming, we're coming!" yelled a voice at the door. Just then, Cliff burst through
the door. Karen ran in behind him.
"Cliff!" Rae dashed into his arms. "I thought you wouldn't make it!"
"Darling, I'd never let you go. No offense, Kai, but you don't deserve her. In fact, I
don't think anybody can measure up to her standards. But I know two things for a fact... One, I
would do anything, run to the ends of the earth and back, for her. Two, Silas is in the back
row, Harris, so I suggest you rearrest him for kidnap and escaping jail." Harris blinked, and
looked directly at Silas.
"... He's right." Harris grabbed Silas before he could run, and handcuffed him. "You're
going back to jail. After the wedding, of course." He sat next to Silas, as Rae and Cliff
embraced. Kai and Karen seemed to be having a prewedding cuddle session as well.
Duo cleared his throat loudly. "If Karen and Cliff would kindly change into their attire
so we can get on with this, I think our audience would be most obliged." Sheepishly, Cliff and
Karen went into the back room to dress.
A few minutes later...
Karen and Rae were in pure white dresses, standing side by side at the center of the
altar. Karen had chosen a more traditional gown, with a wide skirt, a lot of lace, and a large
bow at the back. Rae preferred a more modern dress, slightly slimmer, with a chain of pearls
running around the waist and hem. Both girls wore a veil rimmed with roses. Cliff and Kai had
tried to choose proper suits for themselves without any feminine help. Kai had ended up in a
grey suit, with a red tie. Cliff chose a black tuxedo, red bowtie, and a rose in his lapel.
Each girl carried a bouquet, with a few white roses and several nicely arranged pink cat mint
flowers.
The overall mood was estatic. Rae was hugging onto Cliff's arm, shivering eagerly. Karen was
smiling widely, holding Kai's hand. Popuri, Elli, and Maria were giggling excitedly. Harris,
the Mayor, the Doctor, the Midwife, and all the family members present were smiling on happily.
Gray seemed indifferent, but was smiling inside. Silas was, of course, still fuming. Kane was
perched on a rafter, watching in disgust as his master married a woman. Dix was being held in
Cliff's grandfather's lap, but watching excitedly. Ann was smiling pleasantly as well, on the
opposite side of the church from Silas, and holding Rick's hand. Rick gently kissed her cheek.
He knew Ann was still in pain from her relationship with Silas, no matter how short or long it
was. Duo looked around the room. "I think we can begin the ceremony now." He smiled as he took
out a book.
Over the next two hours, the following things occured: (aka I'm lazy, so condensed mode.)
Cliff and Kai both took communion. Rae and Karen drank a cup of holy water.
All four recieved blessings for purity, love, fruitfulness, and faith.
Duo read something from the Bible. (AN: I ain't Christian, or Catholic, or anything
related to it. Forgive me because I can't name what it is.)
The service was stopped for 15 minutes when Silas made a run for it.
Back to descriptive mode, 12:45.
"Well, we've come past the prayers, blessings, and idiotic jailbreak attempts. You four
have come so far since that lovely Spring day Rae and Cliff met, and that day when Karen and
Kai became friends. I commend Rae especially on this day, for her fantastic efforts at pulling
our little town from poverty. I'd like to take this time to announce that Rose Village has
risen to the fourth richest town in this state, thanks to the triple in agriculture!" Rae
grinned, hugging Cliff tighter. Duo continued to smile at the couples. "I understand that you
four have written your own vows. Gentlemen first." Cliff and Kai both turned to their bride,
taking their hands.
Together they began. "I do, for as long as I do live-"
Kai spoke alone, "Take you Karen-"
Cliff spoke, "As I take Rae-"
"Take you to be my wife, honor and keep you, love you and cherish you, be everything you
ask for in me within my own power, uphold each promise I make to you, and remain by your side
til the day I die. I take you in love." Both men intoned, Kai half shouting, Cliff barely
mumbling.
The girls both began to gasp their own vows nervously. "I do, for as long as I do live-"
Karen smiled nervously as she whispered, "Take you Kai-"
Rae continued, "As I take Cliff-"
"I take you to be my husband, my one and only, love and honor you, continue your
namesake in giving you heirs, do what you ask of me, and remain by your side til the day I die.
I take you in love." The girls looked up. "Do you swear your promises?"
Both men nodded. "I do. Do you swear your promises?"
"I do." Rae and Karen neared their husbands-to-be.
"You swear?"
"We do. You swear?"
"When I can get away with it!" Karen shouted, breaking the tension, as the crowd
laughed.
"We do." The girls finished.
Duo placed his hand over their heads. "I proudly pronounce you two, Kai and Karen, and
you two, Cliff and Rae, husband and wife, you may kiss the bride."
Cliff lifted Rae's veil. He saw there were still tear streaks across her face, but her
eyes shone out only love. He neared her, knelt down the five inches height between them, and
kissed her profoundly and truely. As they pulled apart, Rae whispered, "I love you, Cliff."
"Ladies and gentlemen, gathered family and friends, as well as a convicted criminal and
two pets, I present Kai and Karen Sernet, and Cliff and Rae Hawk!" Duo closed the book, as the
words echoed in everyone's ears. Everyone applauded like mad. "Party in the square for everyone
but Harris and Silas! So, who can take me down in a drinking contest?" People began to file
out. Cliff's grandfather approached Cliff and Rae.
"So, this is the famous Rae Ginram. Of course, it is Rae Hawk now." He shook her hand.
"This is such an honor. I never thought I'd live to see young Cliff marry such a fine young
lady like you. You're successful and wealthy, but that isn't why he's married you, is it? He
loves you because you're a wonderful person." Cliff nodded. Rae giggled and hugged
Cliff tighter.
"No, never!" Cliff cried.
His grandfather chortled. "He loves you because you're a wonderful person." Cliff nodded.
Rae giggled and hugged Cliff tighter.
"Just like I love him for him! And I always will love him for him. I'd do anything to be
sure I keep him forever." Cliff blushed, and patted Rae's head.
"Well, I'm going for that punch now. See you all at dinner."
PARTY TIME! 1:00 in the square
No matter whether they recieved an invitation or not, every person, of all ages, genders,
and races, were at the square helping to set up the party. Ann's father, Duke, Manna, Lilia,
and Saibara were preparing food. Karen's mother and father were setting up a wine rack. Duo was
testing the wines, until Hilde dragged him off ranting about him being pure. Ann, Popuri,
Maria, and Elli were putting out flower arrangements. Rick, the Doctor, and Gray were finishing
setting up torches, since the party was going to last until midnight. Basil was signing the
guestbook he had brought. Everyone looked up as Rae and Cliff entered. Karen, Rae's
grandmother, instantly approached them, and hugged Cliff around the waist.
"What a good catch, girl, this is a fine example of a man!" She shook Cliff, who was
silently panicking. "He looks as good as your grandfather did when I married him, even a little
better. You are going to give me many grandchildren, right?" She narrowed her still leaf-green
eyes at Cliff, who swiftly nodded. "What a good boy. I've decided to move here, so I could be
with you. I am getting a bit old, and need some family."
"What a wise decision, grandmother." Rae smiled. "I know you'll love it here. After all,
you've lived here before. I'm sure it's only gotten better."
"I know, dearie. Ah, I'd best go speak to old Clifford. I haven't seen him since I left
your grandfather 21 years ago." She went up to Cliff's grandfather and began to banter with him
cheerfully. Rae hugged Cliff happily again.
"Everything is so wonderful!" She squealed.
"And it can only get better, dear." Cliff kissed her cheek. "Just think about our lil
honeymoon." He smirked, and ruffled her hair. Rae tucked a flower from her bouquet behind her
ear.
"And just imagine, all the wonderful festivities. There's a lot of traditions to be
followed, you know. The midwife insists that we do each one." Cliff gulped nervously.
2:00
"Attention everyone, the first of six traditions will occur now!" The Midwife called.
In the center of the square, she set up two chairs and lay a broom across them. "Each couple is
to jump over this broom. If one of a pair cannot jump it, the wedding is null!" A few older men
and women nodded, as the younger people in the village blinked. Cliff and Rae took hands, and
jumped the broom with ease. Kai and Karen did the same. The Midwife grinned. "A foolish
tradition. T'was merely used in the old days to rule out cripples."
Collectively, the younger generation sighed.
"The next task will occur at 3:00. It will not be publicly seen, and I ask the young
ladies to meet me outside of the square." The party continued, but it left Rae wondering what
this second task would be.
"Rae, Rae, check this out!" Popuri called. "They just finished the cake!" Rae and Karen
both looked up. Indeed, a five tiered, white with chocolate designed, perfect cake had been
unveiled for the public to see. The top tier had small wooden dolls of each bride and groom.
"It's absolutely perfect!" Karen squealed.
"It's beautiful!" Rae sighed longingly.
"Cut the cake, cut the cake!" Elli chanted.
The Midwife approached them. "No cake until after the second task!" All six girls groaned
in cake-loving misery.
3:00
"Kai, can we dance?" Karen chirped, bouncing up and down. "Wanna dance, wanna dance?"
"Of course we can dance, Karen! When the music starts!" Kai laughed.
"Rae, Karen, please come outside the square!" Sighing, both girls traipsed outside.
"Yes ma'am?" Rae sighed, wondering what tedious task they were assigned.
"I simply need you to lift your skirts to the knees." The Midwife took out a tape
measure. Both girls puzzedly obliged. She slammed the tape around Karen's leg. "I see that you
are indeed wonderfully healthy. You're in for a wonderful marriage. Karen, you pass." Rae
blinked. The Midwife did the same to Rae. "Slightly thick for a female leg. A bit tighter than
Karen's. You may face a bit of clashing on some things, but otherwise your married life will
be very healthy. You pass." The girls sighed in relief. "Send your males out in an hour. My
favorite task is coming up."
4:00
Cliff was looking for a dinner knife to bring with him. "Cliff, don't kill the Midwife."
"Why not? God knows what she'll do to us!"
Kai folded his arms. "Entertain yourself by prying your wife off the presents."
Rae squealed, "Ooh, a teapot! And cute lil rabbits are on them, eeee!" Cliff moved to
get Rae off the stack of gifts, but was stopped.
"Boys!" The Midwife grabbed both of their shoulders. "Time for the third task." They were
wheeled outside.
"What do we have to do?"
"Boys, drop your trousers. We're going to do a little measuring." Both men screamed.
4:10
Kai and Cliff stormed back in tomato red. "I have never been that embarrased in my LIFE!"
"Kai, what did she do to you?!" Karen cried.
"She made us drop our pants and measured our... our... "
Rae shrieked. "You mean she measured your...?!"
"OUR HIPS!" Both boys wailed.
"Both of your husbands are certified perverts." Rae and Karen laughed at Kai and Cliff's
humiliated misery. The Midwife grinned happily. "Next task is at 5! A slightly more enjoyable
one, for the boys." The boys smirked indignantly, while the girls thought about what this
could mean.
5:00
"Everyone gather round! It's time for the garter toss!" Most guys cheered.
"WHAT?!" Rae squealed. Karen's jaw dropped and stayed there. Rae folded her arms
stubbornly. "I absolutely refuse to participate in such a... such an undignified event!"
"Rae, it's not like I haven't already seen your thighs." Cliff snorted. A particularly
drunken Duke hooted for Cliff, who went beet red as to what he just confessed.
"Geez, Cliff..." Gray muttered, stroking Mary's hand.
Kai led a dumbfounded Karen to one of the two stools set up, as Cliff forced Rae into a
seat. "Ladies, extend your legs." Nervously, both girls held out one leg. Karen whimpered
squeamishly as Kai reached partway up her skirt and removed the band. Cliff did the same, but
Rae was more angry than nervous. Both boys tossed the garters over their heads into the crowd,
flying freely. Harris and Gray caught them. Seeming to be reminded of something, Harris lead
Popuri off. Gray simply smiled at Maria.
"Excellently done! Next task is after dinner at 7:00! Start the dancing music!" Joyful,
the girls ran to their husbands, and began to dance to the music. Rae and Cliff attempted an
awkward waltz, with the power going back and forth between them.
"Cliff, let me lead!" Rae tried to lead the steps.
"Nuh-uh, I'm leading!" Cliff pulled her a different way. Kai and Karen were trying a slow
tango. They weren't very successful, despite Karen's dancing talent. Apparently, Kai was the
worst dancer in existance, with two left feet. Karen grinned patiently, and showed him how to
twirl in and out.
"I hate dancing..." Kai sighed.
6:00
"Oi, oi, who's hungry!" A partially drunk Hilde cried. Lillia, Ann's father, Manna, and
Elli carried out food to the table. Kai was dancing like a madman with his bad self, Rae had
started dancing with Clifford, and Cliff was dancing with Rae's grandmother. Hilde dragged
them all off the square space. Gray, Maria, Ann, Popuri, and Rick joined the table. Harris was
somewhat drunk, but he managed his way over. The other adults joined the other tables. Every
one knelt their heads and murmured a brief prayer.
"Dear Lord, bless the marriages which have occured today and the newlyweds. May their
marriages be long and successful. Bless the food upon this table that we may continue to eat in
times of joy." Duo grinned, and started eating. The older people were at different tables,
and most of the young people, as well as Duke, Duo, and Hilde sat at the head table.
Rae grinned, noticing that the selection of vegetables was similar to the selection she
had grown on her farm over the past two seasons. Cliff patted her hand, as the group ate.
"So, Rae, how are you enjoying tonight?" Karen asked between bites.
"It's fun, doncha think? I'm glad we've gotten this far in so short of a time." Rae
replied, picking up a piece of corn. "It seems too good to be true."
"Maybe it is." Popuri shrugged. "If it's all a dream, we'll wake up happy!"
"I'll wake up happy." Karen winked at Kai, who blushed furiously. "Think you will too?"
She turned to Cliff.
"I dunno!" He squealed.
"He already has!" Duke laughed. Cliff went bright red.
"Cliff, you're a slut." Ann giggled.
"Oh, shush." Maria flushed furiously, shooting looks at Gray, causing everyone else to
burst out laughing.
When the laughter subsided, Kai stood up. "Ladies and Gentlemen, I'd like to raise a
toast!" Cliff leapt up, remembering what he was supposed to do.
"I'd like to thank my best man, Kai." He put his arm around Kai's shoulder.
"And I'd like to thank my best man Cliff. I'd also like to thank him for getting Karen to
the church this morning." Kai smirked.
"And I need to thank Karen for getting my ass to church." Cliff laughed. "I thank Duo and
Hilde for organizing all this on such short notice."
"And I thank everyone here for this wonderful party!" Kai added. "And I thank Harris for
getting rid of an uninvited guest." Harris grinned.
"A toast to the occasion if you're not too drunk to do it!" Almost everyone raised their
glass, and touched them with everyone else's at their tables. Rae, Karen, Popuri, Elli, Maria,
and Ann all smashed their glasses against each other's, and burst out laughing as champange
splashed onto the tablecloth. Resignedly but not sadly, the six girls passed around the bottle,
drinking from it. Kai and Cliff silently palmed their faces, and the six gentlemen poured
their drinks into each other's mouth, missing their own.
7:30
The Midwife was watching the utter chaos of the after-dinner dance exasperated. "MAY I
HAVE THE ATTENTION OF THE NEWLYWEDS!" Rae and Kai still had half their sobriety left to realize
they were being called.
"The task is to sing a song. A pretty one." Rae went shiny eyed. "I'll try and retrieve
the lushes over there."
"ME FIRST!" Kai yelled before Rae could. Rae pouted, as Kai took the microphone.
As Kai got onto a podium that had been set up where everyone could hear him, the Midwife
tried to get Karen and Cliff off torturing Gray.
"Didja screw Mary?" Cliff chirped.
"No." Gray growled.
"Didja screw Mary?" Karen giggled.
"NO." Gray clenched his fists. The midwife managed to drag Cliff and Karen away.
Kai was singing "Piano Man". Unfortunately, he sung as well as he danced. About 30
seconds into the song, Duke threw a bottle at him. Not being stupid and in sound mind, Kai ran.
Rae took the microphone eagerly. She then did the one thing nobody expected of a drunk girl:
she sang in french.
"What the world is she singing?" Mary asked Ann.
"Don't ask me. PLEASE, don't ask me." Ann was rubbing her forehead, trying not to laugh
at how terrible Rae's french accent was.
"Ce matin un lapin a tue un chasseur! Ce'tait un lapin qui... cetait un lapin qui!" Rae
was singing.
"I know a little french. I think she just said 'a rabbit killed a hunter...'" Popuri
giggled.
"We heard that on the radio last week. It got stuck in her head." Cliff smirked.
"Ce'tait un lapin qui avait un fusil!" Rae bowed, seeming proud of herself, and walked
off the podium. If this scene were in an anime, every single person in the crowd would
sweatdrop.
"Let's just discontinue this task... one hour, try to sober up a bit." The midwife walked
off, distinctly humming "Ce'tait un lapin qui avait un fusil...".
8:30
The crowd was slowly winding down. Stu and May had gone home, to get away from the
drunken adults. Elli was stretched out on a bench asleep. Duke's drunken ramblings had ended
when Manna took away his alcohol. Cliff, Kai, Rick, Harris, and Rae were arm-in-arm, singing a
slightly drunken version of "Drinking Song".
"And the baaaaaaand plaaaaaaaayed oooooon-" The group took a swig of gin all at once-
"and the heeeeeeeeeeelicoooooopters whirred... drunk on the laaaaawn in a nuclear dawn, my
seeeeeeeeenses fiiiiiinally blurrred..." Karen, Popuri, and Ann were all watched them sway side
to side drunkenly, though the singers had sobered up, laughing loudly. The Midwife reentered.
"Good lord, can none of you sing?" She gasped, horrified at the sound of their voices.
"We're not trying, ma'am." Rick snickered. "I think Rae and Cliff are okay, if they just
try to keep in tune."
"That was the point of the last contest: to see if they can keep in tune. Unfortunately,
Kai's voice gave me a monstrous headache. The final task is a simple fortune telling ritual.
After this, you four may return to your farms and consummate your marriages."
"Can I consummate my future marriage?" Harris chuckled. The Midwife growled.
"No. Cliff and Rae, please come here." Nervous, Cliff and Rae held hands and stepped
forward. Cliff turned around, wearing a goofy grin.
"Famous last words: If the crackers are Jesus' body, our savior tastes like old paper."
Rae and the Midwife both whapped their own faces, as most of everyone else snickered. "Sorry,
couldn't resist."
The Midwife patiently took out a basket of threads. "Pull one thread from the basket
together, holding hands or such. I will tell you about your future marriage." Silently, Cliff
cupped Rae's hand, and together they put their hands into the basket. They pulled out a vivid
red string of silk thread. "This string, red, shows that you will have a passionate marriage,
filled with emotions. You two may meet struggles, but you will always overcome. The silk of the
thread shows that you will not reach a breaking point within your marriage, despite everyone's
doubts. Silk looks weak, but is so hard to rip. It must be deliberately cut, and if it is cut,
it frays and cannot recover. Be wary. The silk also shows offspring within a year and a half."
Cliff's eyes widened. "That's all, goodnight." Rae and Cliff stepped back.
"Hey, would you two wait for us, please?" Kai asked politely.
"Sure, no prob." Cliff and Rae stood back as Kai and Karen pulled a string.
"Peach yarn? Ah, lovely. A romantic life lies ahead of you, but be sure neither of you
simply submits to the other. You both are submissive, but don't weaken. The yarn shows that
though you may fight a lot, you easily forgive one another. The yarn also tells me that you
may need to wait for children, seek medical assistance, or never have them." Karen clenched
Kai's hand. "It seems parenthood never crossed any of your minds. Ah well, you're young. Let me
know when you all need help. Goodnight." The old woman left, weary of her jaunt. Cliff took
Rae's hand.
"What about children now?" Was all Cliff could say.
"Hee, don't worry, Cliffy." Rae teased.
"I don't like the sound of that." Cliff took Rae's hand.
"Let's go home... we've all had a huge day." Kai suggested. Kai took Karen's hand as
well, and the four walked out of the square back to Rae's farm.
TO BE CONTINUED
Nayru: Well, that was a blast.
Xiao: A blast that took you three months to write.
Nayru: Feh... Ran-ran, let's give the readers a treat. Bring on the newlyweds!
Ran-Ran: But what if they're-
Nayru: Don't care.
Cliff and Rae appear. Cliff is shirtless and has his toothbrush in his mouth. Rae is already in
pajamas. Neither look very pleased.
Cliff: Rae, where are we?
Rae: The crosspoint of our authoress' inspiration. Hello, Nayru.
Nayru: ^_^ Ladies and Gentlemen, our hero and heroine, Cliff and Rae!
Both choose to take a bow.
Nayru: Cliff, what was with your Jesus remark?
Cliff: I find that when I've had too much alcohol, very random thoughts run through my head. I
just happened to catch that thought, and when I pondered on it, it did make sense. The
communion really does taste like old paper, you know.
Nayru: -__-' So random..... Rae, are you an alcoholic? We caught you getting sloppy on your
birthday, too.
Rae: Alcoholism does run a little bit in my family, but I don't drink often. Unfortunately,
when I do drink, I end up going overboard.
Nayru: Any idea why you chose to sing in French?
Rae: I dunno, actually! I had that silly song stuck in my head, and I figured it'd be quality
entertainment for anyone who knew a scrap of French. I mean, if you think of Cliff as "un lapin"
and think of Silas as "un chasseur", rabbit and hunter... the whole song is about a rabbit
who killed a hunter with a rifle it couldn't use, so due to the events early on in the chapter,
it really fits. (Chantal Goya, "Un Lapin".)
Nayru: I see. Cliff, why do you wear those stupid gloves?
Cliff: Because they're good for working in. They protect the hands. Is that all? Do your cat
things have any questions?
Xiao: We need to ask you what the next reader vote should be about.
Ran-Ran: ... because we love input from our viewers about things to happen next. It
personalizes the story to everyone, and that's part of what Harvest Moon is all about.
Cliff: Well... here's an idea. You could just come up with some situations we could end up in,
and get the crowd to vote on which one you write about.
Rae: You're a genius, Cliffy! (huggles him)
Cliff: (goes bright red)
Nayru: That's a good idea... Here's are your choices for the next chapter!
1) The Cow Breeding Fiasco!
2) Puppies?
3) The "Whipped" competition!
Xiao: So, put in a vote for one of these subjects, and we'll write about it!
Ran-Ran: Peaceout with the catlike, everyone!
Nayru: Guess who's back, back again, I am back, tell your friends...
Xiao: She's gone off uber, but she's as fast as ever.
Nayru: Today, we've got the wedding, I can't come up with any pre-chapter blathering, so on
with the show!
Disclaimer: We're still poor, and still don't own Harvest Moon. We do own Rae and Silas. They
are my creations, so ask if you want to use them, not that we've had any plagiarisms yet...
Warning: This chapter will include excessive scene changes and time skips. I don't want any
whining about it, please. Also, this is technically a double chapter, so take this time now to
get yourself a soda.
Ready? Good, cause here comes...
Wedding Bells Ringing! No Need For Hatred!
AND
The Six Tasks! No Need For Alcohol!
Day: The Wedding Day, 4th Fall.
Time: 5 in the Morning.
Place: The Farm.
"Rae, Rae..." Cliff gently shook his bride to be. She slept on. "I'll just leave a note,
then." He grabbed a piece of paper and scrawled a note. "Just do the chores, meet her at the
church, no problem in this plan..." Cliff muttered to himself as he threw his jacket on. "Can't
take too long." He stepped outside, and noticed Karen weeding one side of the field. "Karen,
shouldn't you be asleep?"
"No, I can't sleep. I decided to do some chores and take a short walk before the wedding
to clear my mind. I mean, today is the last day my name is Karen Evange. Tomorrow, Karen Sernet.
It's scary! I'm scared!"
"I understand, I'm a bit nervous too." Cliff knelt to help her weed. "I mean, what if
something happens to me, you, Kai, or Rae? I mean, if two of us disappear, if Rae and Kai
vanish, we'd have to marry one another. That was the deal you and Rae made... I don't want to
carry it out. I have to marry Rae." Cliff and Karen opened the barn door together, letting
Cliffy and Koibito out. "I love her, and I've already claimed her... well, her virginity."
"Just can't keep it in your pants." Karen laughed. "But that's okay, you're just, well,
marking your territory, you know?" The duo walked out of the farm. "She's yours. I won't come
in between." Karen paused, near the entrance to town. "I wouldn't lose Kai for the world."
"Ah, but you will.", came a hate filled voice from behind them. Silas smirked down at
them, large lead pipe in hand. "Neither of you are making it to the wedding." He cracked them
both upside the head, and dragged their unconcious bodies off- as Ann watched.
7:30 am, same place
Rae and Kai were eating breakfast. Everything needed for the wedding was ready by the
door. "So, Karen and Cliff are gonna meet us at the wedding?" Kai asked.
"Yeah, or I hope so." Rae nudged her eggs around. "I can't help but feel something bad's
about to happen. Wedding starts at nine, correct?" Rae took out the schedule and began to look
it over one last time.
"Yup, and four of us at the altar by nine-fifteen. The ceremony's gonna last kinda long,
as it's double, and the party's in the square at one. All we have to do is hope those two make
the wedding." Kai sighed nervously. "Just hope."
Elsewhere, 8:00
"Uhn...?" Cliff mumbled, as he looked up slowly. He was tied back to back with Karen, in
a barn, in a place they didn't know. Silas glowered down at him.
"Oh look, an hour until your wedding, and you're not even at the church." Cliff tried to
lunge at Silas, but failed miserably. He did succeed at shaking Karen awake. "No use. Go on,
try and escape. I'd like to see you try." He turned to Ann. "Of course, we have to attend Rae
and Kai's wedding. Thank you for stealing my Rae, Cliff. And I'm so sorry you had to get mixed
up in this, Karen. Ta ta!" And Silas dragged Ann out.
Ann turned back quickly. "I'm so sorry..." She got dragged off before she could say
another word.
"Well, Karen, this is the end of me." Cliff sighed, holding back tears. "My Rae, given
off to Kai. And nothing I can do to stop it. It's hopeless..." Karen frowned, and elbowed him
in the gut. "HEY! What the hell?"
"Are you giving up that easily?" Karen growled. "I read this in some book, Houdini or
something like that. With luck, we'll be able to be there at 9:30, and pray they wait for us."
In The Church, 8:30
Kai was talking to Gray, who was seated in the second row. "I'm seriously worried, she's
not here yet. I mean, it's our wedding! How can she be late?"
Gray frowned. "Well, it's always possible she decided at the last minute that she didn't
want to marry you. Maybe she just got held up.
Rae was in a room near the chapel, sneaking her bandanna back on. Her white dress
glittered in the fresh fall sun, and her straight but ridiculously long hair tied up in a bun,
but the bride insisted she wasn't herself without the red with a black and white design square
of fabric. Elli snatched it and set it on a side table. "Please stop, you look fine without
it!" Elli quickly changed the subject off the bandanna. "Shouldn't you be worried about
Cliff?"
"I am worried about Cliff. Can I please go look for him?" Rae pleaded.
"No! You can't leave now." Elli rubbed Rae's shoulders. "He'll come. If something's
happened, we'll find him, or wait. I'll go get Harris to search for him, if it makes you feel
better." Elli left the room, taking Rae's bandanna with her. Rae simply sighed.
"Cliff, where are you?"
Back in the Shed, 8:45
"Cliff, try to pull your hand back farther!" Karen urged.
"I am, let me get this glove off." Cliff managed to bend his head near his hand, and
used his teeth to yank one of his work gloves off. He managed to force his hand back more than
it had been forced already. Karen yanked a hand free, and untied the ropes on the other hand.
"I can't reach my leg knots!" Cliff protested. "I can't stand either!"
"Nor can I. Okay, take my hands, we'll try to stand up and get to the knife on the work
bench. Nodding, Cliff grabbed Karen's hands, and began to force themselves into a stand. Five
steps in, they fell over. "Okay... this could take a while."
The Church, 9:00
Harris entered the church, slightly worried. "There's no sign of Karen or Cliff in town
in any unlocked building. There's no warrant, so I can't go in any locked buildings." Kai and
Rae looked at Priest Maxwell.
"... Alright, we'll wait until 9:30. If they're not here then, I'll marry you two, by
the precedent of double weddings." Duo sighed. "Just hope they get here."
Kai looked back, where Rae was waiting for the procession to start. "Cliff, you better
get here." Kai whispered.
The Shed, 9:20
Karen released Cliff's hands. He hopped to the table, grabbed the knife, and cut the
ropes on his legs. Karen grabbed the knife after him and slit her ropes. "We've got no time to
run." She sighed, knowing they failed.
"I'm going to try." Cliff braced himself, and dashed through the locked door. He ran like
he never had run before.
The Church, 9:29
"It's almost 9:30, Rae." Kai patted the now crying bride on the shoulder. "He's probably
wimped out, and run off with Karen. I guess it won't be so bad, being my wife?" In the back
row, Silas smirked, knowing he had won.
"Kai, I don't love you, I love Cliff!" She looked through her veil at Kai, tears
shimmering on the rims of her large eyes. "I'd give anything for him to be here..."
"Please, it's 9:30 now. Stand up... he's had his time. There's no way he's coming." Kai
pulled Rae to a stand. "I'm very sorry... I just wish Karen had cared enough about me to come."
"We're coming, we're coming!" yelled a voice at the door. Just then, Cliff burst through
the door. Karen ran in behind him.
"Cliff!" Rae dashed into his arms. "I thought you wouldn't make it!"
"Darling, I'd never let you go. No offense, Kai, but you don't deserve her. In fact, I
don't think anybody can measure up to her standards. But I know two things for a fact... One, I
would do anything, run to the ends of the earth and back, for her. Two, Silas is in the back
row, Harris, so I suggest you rearrest him for kidnap and escaping jail." Harris blinked, and
looked directly at Silas.
"... He's right." Harris grabbed Silas before he could run, and handcuffed him. "You're
going back to jail. After the wedding, of course." He sat next to Silas, as Rae and Cliff
embraced. Kai and Karen seemed to be having a prewedding cuddle session as well.
Duo cleared his throat loudly. "If Karen and Cliff would kindly change into their attire
so we can get on with this, I think our audience would be most obliged." Sheepishly, Cliff and
Karen went into the back room to dress.
A few minutes later...
Karen and Rae were in pure white dresses, standing side by side at the center of the
altar. Karen had chosen a more traditional gown, with a wide skirt, a lot of lace, and a large
bow at the back. Rae preferred a more modern dress, slightly slimmer, with a chain of pearls
running around the waist and hem. Both girls wore a veil rimmed with roses. Cliff and Kai had
tried to choose proper suits for themselves without any feminine help. Kai had ended up in a
grey suit, with a red tie. Cliff chose a black tuxedo, red bowtie, and a rose in his lapel.
Each girl carried a bouquet, with a few white roses and several nicely arranged pink cat mint
flowers.
The overall mood was estatic. Rae was hugging onto Cliff's arm, shivering eagerly. Karen was
smiling widely, holding Kai's hand. Popuri, Elli, and Maria were giggling excitedly. Harris,
the Mayor, the Doctor, the Midwife, and all the family members present were smiling on happily.
Gray seemed indifferent, but was smiling inside. Silas was, of course, still fuming. Kane was
perched on a rafter, watching in disgust as his master married a woman. Dix was being held in
Cliff's grandfather's lap, but watching excitedly. Ann was smiling pleasantly as well, on the
opposite side of the church from Silas, and holding Rick's hand. Rick gently kissed her cheek.
He knew Ann was still in pain from her relationship with Silas, no matter how short or long it
was. Duo looked around the room. "I think we can begin the ceremony now." He smiled as he took
out a book.
Over the next two hours, the following things occured: (aka I'm lazy, so condensed mode.)
Cliff and Kai both took communion. Rae and Karen drank a cup of holy water.
All four recieved blessings for purity, love, fruitfulness, and faith.
Duo read something from the Bible. (AN: I ain't Christian, or Catholic, or anything
related to it. Forgive me because I can't name what it is.)
The service was stopped for 15 minutes when Silas made a run for it.
Back to descriptive mode, 12:45.
"Well, we've come past the prayers, blessings, and idiotic jailbreak attempts. You four
have come so far since that lovely Spring day Rae and Cliff met, and that day when Karen and
Kai became friends. I commend Rae especially on this day, for her fantastic efforts at pulling
our little town from poverty. I'd like to take this time to announce that Rose Village has
risen to the fourth richest town in this state, thanks to the triple in agriculture!" Rae
grinned, hugging Cliff tighter. Duo continued to smile at the couples. "I understand that you
four have written your own vows. Gentlemen first." Cliff and Kai both turned to their bride,
taking their hands.
Together they began. "I do, for as long as I do live-"
Kai spoke alone, "Take you Karen-"
Cliff spoke, "As I take Rae-"
"Take you to be my wife, honor and keep you, love you and cherish you, be everything you
ask for in me within my own power, uphold each promise I make to you, and remain by your side
til the day I die. I take you in love." Both men intoned, Kai half shouting, Cliff barely
mumbling.
The girls both began to gasp their own vows nervously. "I do, for as long as I do live-"
Karen smiled nervously as she whispered, "Take you Kai-"
Rae continued, "As I take Cliff-"
"I take you to be my husband, my one and only, love and honor you, continue your
namesake in giving you heirs, do what you ask of me, and remain by your side til the day I die.
I take you in love." The girls looked up. "Do you swear your promises?"
Both men nodded. "I do. Do you swear your promises?"
"I do." Rae and Karen neared their husbands-to-be.
"You swear?"
"We do. You swear?"
"When I can get away with it!" Karen shouted, breaking the tension, as the crowd
laughed.
"We do." The girls finished.
Duo placed his hand over their heads. "I proudly pronounce you two, Kai and Karen, and
you two, Cliff and Rae, husband and wife, you may kiss the bride."
Cliff lifted Rae's veil. He saw there were still tear streaks across her face, but her
eyes shone out only love. He neared her, knelt down the five inches height between them, and
kissed her profoundly and truely. As they pulled apart, Rae whispered, "I love you, Cliff."
"Ladies and gentlemen, gathered family and friends, as well as a convicted criminal and
two pets, I present Kai and Karen Sernet, and Cliff and Rae Hawk!" Duo closed the book, as the
words echoed in everyone's ears. Everyone applauded like mad. "Party in the square for everyone
but Harris and Silas! So, who can take me down in a drinking contest?" People began to file
out. Cliff's grandfather approached Cliff and Rae.
"So, this is the famous Rae Ginram. Of course, it is Rae Hawk now." He shook her hand.
"This is such an honor. I never thought I'd live to see young Cliff marry such a fine young
lady like you. You're successful and wealthy, but that isn't why he's married you, is it? He
loves you because you're a wonderful person." Cliff nodded. Rae giggled and hugged
Cliff tighter.
"No, never!" Cliff cried.
His grandfather chortled. "He loves you because you're a wonderful person." Cliff nodded.
Rae giggled and hugged Cliff tighter.
"Just like I love him for him! And I always will love him for him. I'd do anything to be
sure I keep him forever." Cliff blushed, and patted Rae's head.
"Well, I'm going for that punch now. See you all at dinner."
PARTY TIME! 1:00 in the square
No matter whether they recieved an invitation or not, every person, of all ages, genders,
and races, were at the square helping to set up the party. Ann's father, Duke, Manna, Lilia,
and Saibara were preparing food. Karen's mother and father were setting up a wine rack. Duo was
testing the wines, until Hilde dragged him off ranting about him being pure. Ann, Popuri,
Maria, and Elli were putting out flower arrangements. Rick, the Doctor, and Gray were finishing
setting up torches, since the party was going to last until midnight. Basil was signing the
guestbook he had brought. Everyone looked up as Rae and Cliff entered. Karen, Rae's
grandmother, instantly approached them, and hugged Cliff around the waist.
"What a good catch, girl, this is a fine example of a man!" She shook Cliff, who was
silently panicking. "He looks as good as your grandfather did when I married him, even a little
better. You are going to give me many grandchildren, right?" She narrowed her still leaf-green
eyes at Cliff, who swiftly nodded. "What a good boy. I've decided to move here, so I could be
with you. I am getting a bit old, and need some family."
"What a wise decision, grandmother." Rae smiled. "I know you'll love it here. After all,
you've lived here before. I'm sure it's only gotten better."
"I know, dearie. Ah, I'd best go speak to old Clifford. I haven't seen him since I left
your grandfather 21 years ago." She went up to Cliff's grandfather and began to banter with him
cheerfully. Rae hugged Cliff happily again.
"Everything is so wonderful!" She squealed.
"And it can only get better, dear." Cliff kissed her cheek. "Just think about our lil
honeymoon." He smirked, and ruffled her hair. Rae tucked a flower from her bouquet behind her
ear.
"And just imagine, all the wonderful festivities. There's a lot of traditions to be
followed, you know. The midwife insists that we do each one." Cliff gulped nervously.
2:00
"Attention everyone, the first of six traditions will occur now!" The Midwife called.
In the center of the square, she set up two chairs and lay a broom across them. "Each couple is
to jump over this broom. If one of a pair cannot jump it, the wedding is null!" A few older men
and women nodded, as the younger people in the village blinked. Cliff and Rae took hands, and
jumped the broom with ease. Kai and Karen did the same. The Midwife grinned. "A foolish
tradition. T'was merely used in the old days to rule out cripples."
Collectively, the younger generation sighed.
"The next task will occur at 3:00. It will not be publicly seen, and I ask the young
ladies to meet me outside of the square." The party continued, but it left Rae wondering what
this second task would be.
"Rae, Rae, check this out!" Popuri called. "They just finished the cake!" Rae and Karen
both looked up. Indeed, a five tiered, white with chocolate designed, perfect cake had been
unveiled for the public to see. The top tier had small wooden dolls of each bride and groom.
"It's absolutely perfect!" Karen squealed.
"It's beautiful!" Rae sighed longingly.
"Cut the cake, cut the cake!" Elli chanted.
The Midwife approached them. "No cake until after the second task!" All six girls groaned
in cake-loving misery.
3:00
"Kai, can we dance?" Karen chirped, bouncing up and down. "Wanna dance, wanna dance?"
"Of course we can dance, Karen! When the music starts!" Kai laughed.
"Rae, Karen, please come outside the square!" Sighing, both girls traipsed outside.
"Yes ma'am?" Rae sighed, wondering what tedious task they were assigned.
"I simply need you to lift your skirts to the knees." The Midwife took out a tape
measure. Both girls puzzedly obliged. She slammed the tape around Karen's leg. "I see that you
are indeed wonderfully healthy. You're in for a wonderful marriage. Karen, you pass." Rae
blinked. The Midwife did the same to Rae. "Slightly thick for a female leg. A bit tighter than
Karen's. You may face a bit of clashing on some things, but otherwise your married life will
be very healthy. You pass." The girls sighed in relief. "Send your males out in an hour. My
favorite task is coming up."
4:00
Cliff was looking for a dinner knife to bring with him. "Cliff, don't kill the Midwife."
"Why not? God knows what she'll do to us!"
Kai folded his arms. "Entertain yourself by prying your wife off the presents."
Rae squealed, "Ooh, a teapot! And cute lil rabbits are on them, eeee!" Cliff moved to
get Rae off the stack of gifts, but was stopped.
"Boys!" The Midwife grabbed both of their shoulders. "Time for the third task." They were
wheeled outside.
"What do we have to do?"
"Boys, drop your trousers. We're going to do a little measuring." Both men screamed.
4:10
Kai and Cliff stormed back in tomato red. "I have never been that embarrased in my LIFE!"
"Kai, what did she do to you?!" Karen cried.
"She made us drop our pants and measured our... our... "
Rae shrieked. "You mean she measured your...?!"
"OUR HIPS!" Both boys wailed.
"Both of your husbands are certified perverts." Rae and Karen laughed at Kai and Cliff's
humiliated misery. The Midwife grinned happily. "Next task is at 5! A slightly more enjoyable
one, for the boys." The boys smirked indignantly, while the girls thought about what this
could mean.
5:00
"Everyone gather round! It's time for the garter toss!" Most guys cheered.
"WHAT?!" Rae squealed. Karen's jaw dropped and stayed there. Rae folded her arms
stubbornly. "I absolutely refuse to participate in such a... such an undignified event!"
"Rae, it's not like I haven't already seen your thighs." Cliff snorted. A particularly
drunken Duke hooted for Cliff, who went beet red as to what he just confessed.
"Geez, Cliff..." Gray muttered, stroking Mary's hand.
Kai led a dumbfounded Karen to one of the two stools set up, as Cliff forced Rae into a
seat. "Ladies, extend your legs." Nervously, both girls held out one leg. Karen whimpered
squeamishly as Kai reached partway up her skirt and removed the band. Cliff did the same, but
Rae was more angry than nervous. Both boys tossed the garters over their heads into the crowd,
flying freely. Harris and Gray caught them. Seeming to be reminded of something, Harris lead
Popuri off. Gray simply smiled at Maria.
"Excellently done! Next task is after dinner at 7:00! Start the dancing music!" Joyful,
the girls ran to their husbands, and began to dance to the music. Rae and Cliff attempted an
awkward waltz, with the power going back and forth between them.
"Cliff, let me lead!" Rae tried to lead the steps.
"Nuh-uh, I'm leading!" Cliff pulled her a different way. Kai and Karen were trying a slow
tango. They weren't very successful, despite Karen's dancing talent. Apparently, Kai was the
worst dancer in existance, with two left feet. Karen grinned patiently, and showed him how to
twirl in and out.
"I hate dancing..." Kai sighed.
6:00
"Oi, oi, who's hungry!" A partially drunk Hilde cried. Lillia, Ann's father, Manna, and
Elli carried out food to the table. Kai was dancing like a madman with his bad self, Rae had
started dancing with Clifford, and Cliff was dancing with Rae's grandmother. Hilde dragged
them all off the square space. Gray, Maria, Ann, Popuri, and Rick joined the table. Harris was
somewhat drunk, but he managed his way over. The other adults joined the other tables. Every
one knelt their heads and murmured a brief prayer.
"Dear Lord, bless the marriages which have occured today and the newlyweds. May their
marriages be long and successful. Bless the food upon this table that we may continue to eat in
times of joy." Duo grinned, and started eating. The older people were at different tables,
and most of the young people, as well as Duke, Duo, and Hilde sat at the head table.
Rae grinned, noticing that the selection of vegetables was similar to the selection she
had grown on her farm over the past two seasons. Cliff patted her hand, as the group ate.
"So, Rae, how are you enjoying tonight?" Karen asked between bites.
"It's fun, doncha think? I'm glad we've gotten this far in so short of a time." Rae
replied, picking up a piece of corn. "It seems too good to be true."
"Maybe it is." Popuri shrugged. "If it's all a dream, we'll wake up happy!"
"I'll wake up happy." Karen winked at Kai, who blushed furiously. "Think you will too?"
She turned to Cliff.
"I dunno!" He squealed.
"He already has!" Duke laughed. Cliff went bright red.
"Cliff, you're a slut." Ann giggled.
"Oh, shush." Maria flushed furiously, shooting looks at Gray, causing everyone else to
burst out laughing.
When the laughter subsided, Kai stood up. "Ladies and Gentlemen, I'd like to raise a
toast!" Cliff leapt up, remembering what he was supposed to do.
"I'd like to thank my best man, Kai." He put his arm around Kai's shoulder.
"And I'd like to thank my best man Cliff. I'd also like to thank him for getting Karen to
the church this morning." Kai smirked.
"And I need to thank Karen for getting my ass to church." Cliff laughed. "I thank Duo and
Hilde for organizing all this on such short notice."
"And I thank everyone here for this wonderful party!" Kai added. "And I thank Harris for
getting rid of an uninvited guest." Harris grinned.
"A toast to the occasion if you're not too drunk to do it!" Almost everyone raised their
glass, and touched them with everyone else's at their tables. Rae, Karen, Popuri, Elli, Maria,
and Ann all smashed their glasses against each other's, and burst out laughing as champange
splashed onto the tablecloth. Resignedly but not sadly, the six girls passed around the bottle,
drinking from it. Kai and Cliff silently palmed their faces, and the six gentlemen poured
their drinks into each other's mouth, missing their own.
7:30
The Midwife was watching the utter chaos of the after-dinner dance exasperated. "MAY I
HAVE THE ATTENTION OF THE NEWLYWEDS!" Rae and Kai still had half their sobriety left to realize
they were being called.
"The task is to sing a song. A pretty one." Rae went shiny eyed. "I'll try and retrieve
the lushes over there."
"ME FIRST!" Kai yelled before Rae could. Rae pouted, as Kai took the microphone.
As Kai got onto a podium that had been set up where everyone could hear him, the Midwife
tried to get Karen and Cliff off torturing Gray.
"Didja screw Mary?" Cliff chirped.
"No." Gray growled.
"Didja screw Mary?" Karen giggled.
"NO." Gray clenched his fists. The midwife managed to drag Cliff and Karen away.
Kai was singing "Piano Man". Unfortunately, he sung as well as he danced. About 30
seconds into the song, Duke threw a bottle at him. Not being stupid and in sound mind, Kai ran.
Rae took the microphone eagerly. She then did the one thing nobody expected of a drunk girl:
she sang in french.
"What the world is she singing?" Mary asked Ann.
"Don't ask me. PLEASE, don't ask me." Ann was rubbing her forehead, trying not to laugh
at how terrible Rae's french accent was.
"Ce matin un lapin a tue un chasseur! Ce'tait un lapin qui... cetait un lapin qui!" Rae
was singing.
"I know a little french. I think she just said 'a rabbit killed a hunter...'" Popuri
giggled.
"We heard that on the radio last week. It got stuck in her head." Cliff smirked.
"Ce'tait un lapin qui avait un fusil!" Rae bowed, seeming proud of herself, and walked
off the podium. If this scene were in an anime, every single person in the crowd would
sweatdrop.
"Let's just discontinue this task... one hour, try to sober up a bit." The midwife walked
off, distinctly humming "Ce'tait un lapin qui avait un fusil...".
8:30
The crowd was slowly winding down. Stu and May had gone home, to get away from the
drunken adults. Elli was stretched out on a bench asleep. Duke's drunken ramblings had ended
when Manna took away his alcohol. Cliff, Kai, Rick, Harris, and Rae were arm-in-arm, singing a
slightly drunken version of "Drinking Song".
"And the baaaaaaand plaaaaaaaayed oooooon-" The group took a swig of gin all at once-
"and the heeeeeeeeeeelicoooooopters whirred... drunk on the laaaaawn in a nuclear dawn, my
seeeeeeeeenses fiiiiiinally blurrred..." Karen, Popuri, and Ann were all watched them sway side
to side drunkenly, though the singers had sobered up, laughing loudly. The Midwife reentered.
"Good lord, can none of you sing?" She gasped, horrified at the sound of their voices.
"We're not trying, ma'am." Rick snickered. "I think Rae and Cliff are okay, if they just
try to keep in tune."
"That was the point of the last contest: to see if they can keep in tune. Unfortunately,
Kai's voice gave me a monstrous headache. The final task is a simple fortune telling ritual.
After this, you four may return to your farms and consummate your marriages."
"Can I consummate my future marriage?" Harris chuckled. The Midwife growled.
"No. Cliff and Rae, please come here." Nervous, Cliff and Rae held hands and stepped
forward. Cliff turned around, wearing a goofy grin.
"Famous last words: If the crackers are Jesus' body, our savior tastes like old paper."
Rae and the Midwife both whapped their own faces, as most of everyone else snickered. "Sorry,
couldn't resist."
The Midwife patiently took out a basket of threads. "Pull one thread from the basket
together, holding hands or such. I will tell you about your future marriage." Silently, Cliff
cupped Rae's hand, and together they put their hands into the basket. They pulled out a vivid
red string of silk thread. "This string, red, shows that you will have a passionate marriage,
filled with emotions. You two may meet struggles, but you will always overcome. The silk of the
thread shows that you will not reach a breaking point within your marriage, despite everyone's
doubts. Silk looks weak, but is so hard to rip. It must be deliberately cut, and if it is cut,
it frays and cannot recover. Be wary. The silk also shows offspring within a year and a half."
Cliff's eyes widened. "That's all, goodnight." Rae and Cliff stepped back.
"Hey, would you two wait for us, please?" Kai asked politely.
"Sure, no prob." Cliff and Rae stood back as Kai and Karen pulled a string.
"Peach yarn? Ah, lovely. A romantic life lies ahead of you, but be sure neither of you
simply submits to the other. You both are submissive, but don't weaken. The yarn shows that
though you may fight a lot, you easily forgive one another. The yarn also tells me that you
may need to wait for children, seek medical assistance, or never have them." Karen clenched
Kai's hand. "It seems parenthood never crossed any of your minds. Ah well, you're young. Let me
know when you all need help. Goodnight." The old woman left, weary of her jaunt. Cliff took
Rae's hand.
"What about children now?" Was all Cliff could say.
"Hee, don't worry, Cliffy." Rae teased.
"I don't like the sound of that." Cliff took Rae's hand.
"Let's go home... we've all had a huge day." Kai suggested. Kai took Karen's hand as
well, and the four walked out of the square back to Rae's farm.
TO BE CONTINUED
Nayru: Well, that was a blast.
Xiao: A blast that took you three months to write.
Nayru: Feh... Ran-ran, let's give the readers a treat. Bring on the newlyweds!
Ran-Ran: But what if they're-
Nayru: Don't care.
Cliff and Rae appear. Cliff is shirtless and has his toothbrush in his mouth. Rae is already in
pajamas. Neither look very pleased.
Cliff: Rae, where are we?
Rae: The crosspoint of our authoress' inspiration. Hello, Nayru.
Nayru: ^_^ Ladies and Gentlemen, our hero and heroine, Cliff and Rae!
Both choose to take a bow.
Nayru: Cliff, what was with your Jesus remark?
Cliff: I find that when I've had too much alcohol, very random thoughts run through my head. I
just happened to catch that thought, and when I pondered on it, it did make sense. The
communion really does taste like old paper, you know.
Nayru: -__-' So random..... Rae, are you an alcoholic? We caught you getting sloppy on your
birthday, too.
Rae: Alcoholism does run a little bit in my family, but I don't drink often. Unfortunately,
when I do drink, I end up going overboard.
Nayru: Any idea why you chose to sing in French?
Rae: I dunno, actually! I had that silly song stuck in my head, and I figured it'd be quality
entertainment for anyone who knew a scrap of French. I mean, if you think of Cliff as "un lapin"
and think of Silas as "un chasseur", rabbit and hunter... the whole song is about a rabbit
who killed a hunter with a rifle it couldn't use, so due to the events early on in the chapter,
it really fits. (Chantal Goya, "Un Lapin".)
Nayru: I see. Cliff, why do you wear those stupid gloves?
Cliff: Because they're good for working in. They protect the hands. Is that all? Do your cat
things have any questions?
Xiao: We need to ask you what the next reader vote should be about.
Ran-Ran: ... because we love input from our viewers about things to happen next. It
personalizes the story to everyone, and that's part of what Harvest Moon is all about.
Cliff: Well... here's an idea. You could just come up with some situations we could end up in,
and get the crowd to vote on which one you write about.
Rae: You're a genius, Cliffy! (huggles him)
Cliff: (goes bright red)
Nayru: That's a good idea... Here's are your choices for the next chapter!
1) The Cow Breeding Fiasco!
2) Puppies?
3) The "Whipped" competition!
Xiao: So, put in a vote for one of these subjects, and we'll write about it!
Ran-Ran: Peaceout with the catlike, everyone!