Gamer To Farmer
Chapter 4: Visit to the Clinic
A/N: Welcome to the fourth episode of what has been declared an amazing success, so far. Once again, thanks. As we last left off, Tint had trouble finding a date for the Goddess Festival, being rejected by every girl in town, save one. That girl is Elli, who very closely resembles Tint's only love in life, Mage, who passed away before he came to Mineral Town. Sounds like the plot of a soap opera.
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Fire burned everything around me. At my side is a small harp. Behind me is a staircase leading out of this hell-hole and into the world above. I picked up the harp and plucked the strings. A harmony that belonged to the gods echoed throughout the fire corridors. A shadow floated through the flames and headed towards me. The shadow was Mage.
"Whatever you do, don't look back! If you do, you will lose her forever!" A voice called to me as I began climbing the stairs. No matter how stealthily I walked, there was no sound of steps following me. The burning light of the sun blazed ahead of me. I was nearly at the top.
I was at the final step. Curiosity was tearing at my heart, telling me to look behind me. I couldn't take it any longer. It was only a quick glance over my shoulder, but it was enough. The ground gave way beneath the shadow of Mage, sending her plummeting back into the fires. I watched in horror as the shadow vanished into the flames.
My tears would not extinguish the flames as they scorched their way towards me. I had one last chance to escape, unless I wanted the fire to consume me as well. I took the final step out of the cave and onto the grass. Then I turned around, coming face to face with Mage. She was wearing a pink Goddess dress.
Sweatdripped from my forehead as I bolted awake. My heart was beating ferociously inside of my chest as I looked around the room. "It was only a dream." I convinced himself before going back to sleep.
Before I knew it the alarm was telling me to wake up. It was lucky that I did not keep my hammer next to the bed. But, the alarm soon joined the hammer in the opposing corner. I stretched a bit before getting out of bed and dressing.
It was going to be a long day, but hopefully it would end well. I had promised myself yesterday, after the festival, that I would go to the Clinic and talk to Elli. There was no way that she looked so similar to Mage, without it being a sign from the Harvest Goddess. Plus, I was going to get the profits from my turnips. "Money!" I thought with an evil smirk as dollar signs rolled into my eyes.
After giving Homer his breakfast, I headed up Mother's Hill. I made sure to keep a wide berth of the demon tree as I collected a bundle of flowers. As I went through the field I made sure to water the plots. I planned on getting a new batch of turnip seeds at the store before dropping by the clinic to meet Elli. It would save time later.
I stood at the entrance to my farm. I looked up at the large sign that I had erected above the entrance. I took one look at the name Mage, gave a salute and prayer, and turned towards town.
There I was, standing before the Clinic. My mind screamed at me, telling me to turn back. Memories flashed before me as I reached for the doorknob. I was re-living my life after Mage passed away.
"Tint, you have to get over her." A friendly voice re-awakened me from my daydream. I looked up into the eyes of my friends. They had come to visit me during my depression period after Mage's death.
I wiped a few tears from my eyes before replying. "You get over your best friend dying on you. You lose the only person you care for. Then, tell me to get over it."
"Ouch..." Is the only response that they utter. They should know that I am not one who takes life kindly. They take one look at each other before taking their leave. There I was, alone once again, the way I liked it. At least the way I liked it when I wasn't with Mage.
Those couple of days before going to Mineral Town was full of visits from people that I couldn't care less about. Fate had a cruel way of treating those who had everything to live for. I didn't have a hope of finding happiness again. Then I came to Mineral Town with a new hope of love and life.
I shook my head, bringing me back to the real world. Before I could reach for the door, someone opened it from the other side, giving me a nice bump in the head. The world around me became clouded and I passed out.
I slowly opened up my eyes. I found myself lying on my back, with a couple of people surrounding me. There was a dark headed guy, in doctor's garb, shining a bright light in my eyes. Black flashes flickered across my vision as I flinched from the light. "I see your awake." The man says.
"Of course I'm damn well awake. Now quit shining that bloody light in my eye, it hurts." I could hear a chuckle from outside the curtains as the doctor clicked off the flashlight.
"Get back to work, Elli." The doctor called to the reception area. "Yes sir." Elli replied after another chuckle.
"What happened?" I asked as I clutched my forehead. A large padded bandage was across my forehead. I could feel a light trickle of blood drip along my forehead.
"I was headed on my lunch break when I must've opened the door. You got hit pretty hard and passed out." The doctor was washing off his hands as he called back to me.
"Well go ahead and take your lunch. I'll be fine." I ushered the man out the door. He seemed somewhat angry at me as he picked up his cloak and headed out the door.
"You're not like everyone else in this town." Elli stated as she stood at the entrance to the recovery room.
"You say that like it's a bad thing." I said with a smile as I pulled myself into a sitting position.
Another chuckle from her as she approached the bed. "I saw you watching me yesterday at the festival."
I nodded my head as she sat down. "I was just mesmerized by your beauty and grace." I said truthfully.
A bright red color filled her cheeks as she turned her head in embarrassment. "I'm serious. I didn't know that it was humanly possible to do what you did." I figured it would be best if I didn't tell her that she looked like my dead ex-girlfriend. That has a good chance of scaring people away.
"Thanks. I had been practicing every day for a week, trying to perfect the moves." She was still hiding her face from me. She wasn't used to someone telling her that she was amazing.
I pointed over to my rucksack in the corner. "Can you get that for me? I have a few gifts for you in there."
Elli got up and headed over to the bag with interest. She carefully lifted the sack off the ground and handed it to me. I emptied out the contents of the bag before her. Her eyes locked onto the flowers. She gingerly reached out and collected the colorful bundle of flowers. "Are these for me?" She asked as the blushing began to return to her face.
"Only if you want them." I said as casually as I could. Inside, I was jumping for joy at how well this seemed to be going. My pulse quickened even more as she puckered her lips and leaned over me. I closed my eyes as I awaited the tender touch of her lips.
A door slammed open and Elli rushed back towards her desk. I opened my eyes and looked to see who it was. It was the Doctor, back early from his break. I saw him take one look at the flowers in Elli's arms and glare over at me.
"You're fine to go." The Doctor said as he entered my room. I jumped to my feet and tried to push my way passed the man, but he wouldn't let me pass. His voice was low and menacing as he whispered, "You aren't the only man around these parts who is interested in Elli. I offer you fair warning. If you hurt her, I'll be the first to hurt you back."
I pushed the Doctor aside and headed towards the reception desk. Elli smiled sweetly at me as I kneed beside her. I took hold of her right hand and planted a quick kiss on it. "Till we meet again, fair lady." I turned and headed for the door, taking one last look at Elli and the Doctor, who was steaming.
Back at the farm I made sure to plant the new seeds I had purchased after my visit to the Clinic. It wasn't as bad as I had feared it to be. It was sort of like Mage had directed me in the right course for my future. She always had the ability to do that.
I was in somewhat of a daydream, once again, when the sound of footsteps approached me. I turned around and saw Barley and his granddaughter May lead a small pony into my farm.
"I hear you don't have a horse yet." Barley called out.
"Didn't think I needed one." I called back.
Barley chuckled. "Every farmer needs a horse. Even though this one is lonely, she is sure full of energy and rebelliousness. I thought that she suited you perfectly."
With that the horse reared up and bolted. Barley managed to let go of the reins but the same couldn't be said for May. The pony dragged the poor girl through the dirt of the field. I chased after the renegade horse, hoping to stop her before May got hurt.
Barley and I managed to corner off the frightened horse and girl against the fence. I gently reached forward, making sure not to startle the beast. The horse just stared silently at me, not sure what to do. I placed my hand softly along the head of the horse and brushed lightly, reassuring it that she was safe. Barley quickly collected May and pulled her to safety. "Can I do that again?" She asked as she looked into her grandfather's eyes. The old man shook his head, causing May to pout.
"Whatcha gonna call her?" May asked as if the entire episode hadn't taken place. She couldn't have been hurt or else she would have let us know.
"You mean, that I can have her?" I asked in disbelief.
Barley nodded. "After seeing the way you tamed that wild creature, I knew for sure that you would be the one for her. Call it a late 'Welcoming' gift."
This was unbelievable. In one day I met the girl of my past and got a new member of the farm family. "I think I'll call her Epona." Another of Mage's favorites.
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A/N: I am sorry about the wait for this chapter. I had fallen really sick last week and couldn't go to school, so I couldn't update. I know it's a little short compared to last chapter, but that one got out of hand. I hope you like the chapter and the name Epona. I figured since Mage loved video games, she might as well have loved Epona form Zelda. Thanks for reading and please review.