Gamer To Farmer
Chapter 6: The Trial
A/N: Thanks to everyone who gave me input when I asked for it. It goes to show you how friendly Harvest Moon fans actually are. I hope that if any of you have read my Zelda fic you don't hate me too much.
As I last left off, Tint and Elli had their first date. They were about to have their first kiss when the Dr. Tim interrupts them. After an argument with Tim, Tint heads off to apologize to Elli. Tint was in the right place at the right time and saved Stu's life, but broke something in his arm during the process. Elli and Tint broke into the Clinic to operate on Tint. Elli kissed Tint and that's where I left off.
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The date was Monday, the sixteenth of Spring. It was six days after the incident passed. I found out that not only had I dislocated my shoulder, I had broken part of the shoulder blade. That explains the huge cast that surrounded my upper arm and shoulder area. I hadn't been able to do many of the chores around the farm so I asked Chef if he could get some of the other Harvest Sprites to come help me until my arm healed.
The Harvest Sprites were a great help. Over the last five days I had tripled the amount of crops that I was growing. The field was nearly entirely cleared out, save for the giant boulders and tree stumps. I made enough money to purchase my first chicken, which I named Mini Me. I also bought a brush for Epona.
Elli made sure to stop by every day to make me lunch. She had ordered me not to do any stressful activities until my arm healed. That would be in about two more weeks. Today was her birthday and I had planned something special for tonight.
Rumors had been flying around the town about what really happened six days ago. Apparently, Tim had charged me with breaking and entering. He had convinced Mayor Thomas to hold a town meeting to decide if I was too dangerous to stay in Mineral Town. Sixteen days in, and I already was teetering on the edge of being banished. I really needed to work on my people skills.
The town was clearly torn over who to support. On one hand was the Doctor. He had seniority in this town over me. People trusted him. Then there was me. The new person, who nobody knew much about. But, the fate of the town rested on my broken shoulders.
The trial had been set for today in the Town Square at noon. I got dressed in my best clothes. Well, maybe best clothes means the one outfit that I was wearing when I showed up here. "The next thing I need to buy is a couple of new outfits. And maybe a clothes washer. These things are starting to stink." It's weird how I hadn't been bothered by this before. Maybe I wanted to look presentable on what could be my last day here.
I left instructions with Chef about what needed to be done. I had a couple of hours before I was escorted to the trial by Officer Harris. I made my way up to the Hot Springs. A bath would calm my nerves. Inside the changing room I stripped and headed into the Springs. I needed to be quick. Popuri and Ann usually spent a few hours here every morning.
I submerged myself in the water, ensuring that I didn't get the cast wet. The warm water relaxed my body. It was so peaceful in here. I must have dozed off because before I knew it my watch read ten. I carefully looked around to make sure nobody was near. The girls must have come and gone while I was sleeping.
I got out of the Springs and quickly wrapped a towel around my waist. I didn't want a count of public indecency to be added to the charges against me. I ducked into the changing room. I looked over to the bench where I had left my clothes, but they weren't there.
This was a real dilemma. I didn't have any other clothes and I was scheduled for trial in just under two hours. Everyone else in town would probably already be there so I didn't have anyone to ask if they had any spare clothes for me to wear. Plus, I didn't want to go door to door wearing only a towel.
I decided to make a mad dash towards my farm. Silently, I counted to ten before darting out of the changing room. A gust of wind struck me as soon as I stepped out of the shack. The next thing I knew, my towel went flying through the air. I loudly cursed before continuing my sprint home.
I was relieved when I discovered that the Harvest Sprites had left early. That practically made it a clear path to my front door. The only thing remaining was if somebody showed up at my farm. I wasn't expecting anybody until Harris showed up to take me to the trial.
My heart pounded as I snuck behind my buildings. I had made it to the house without incident. I took a look towards town. I could see an empty path all the way down to the Library. I let out a relieved sigh as I headed around front and dashed inside. I slammed the door behind me and locked it. I realized my mistake when I saw Elli staring silently at me, her mouth open in amazement. "I can explain..." I began to explain as I covered myself up with anything in reach.
Elli's face turned a bright red as she tried to hide her face. She quickly undid her apron and tossed it to me. "Thanks." I said sheepishly as I tied up the strings.
"I was just stopping by to wish you good luck today." Elli admitted. Her face was still red as she pushed past me and out the door.
"I am so going home." I thought. Today couldn't get much worse. The only thing remaining was for the verdict to be passed and I would be on my way home tomorrow morning. To top it off, Elli probably hated me after that little stint. Then there was a knock on the door.
I opened the door only a bit and peered outside. It was Harris. In his hands was a stack of clothes. "I found these earlier this morning down on the beach and I thought they may be yours." He explained as he passed the clothes to me.
"Thanks. I'll be out shortly. Just give me some time to get changed." I shut the door and quickly got changed. I folded up the apron and placed it in my rucksack. Then I joined Officer Harris outside. He pulled my arms behind me back and handcuffed me. "Standard procedure." He explained. I understood only too well. I was considered a criminal.
Officer Harris led me along the back path towards the Square. My heart practically stopped as I was pushed into the Town Square. There was a row of benches where most of the citizens in town were seated. There was a long bench where the jury of nine was seated. Mayor Thomas was seated at the front of the setup. Before him were Dr. Tim and my spot.
I looked over the crowd. I spotted Elli, who was surrounded by the other girls. Elli appeared to be telling them a joke because they were all laughing. She held her hands up in the air and spread them apart. This caused the other girls to burst out laughing. I knew what they were talking about.
I stopped and whispered to Harris. "Can you get the apron out of my rucksack and give it to Elli?"
Harris complied. When he handed the apron over to Elli, she was surprised. She looked over at me and beckoned me to head over. I asked Harris if it was ok, but he shook his head no. By now, everybody had realized that I was present and every pair of eyes was set on me. I could feel an assortment of hatred and understanding coming from the crowd.
"Happy birthday, Elli!" I called out as I was pushed to my spot. I could hear the girls murmur excitedly to each other. Apparently they had thought I had forgotten her birthday.
"Quiet down everybody! We should get started." Mayor Thomas announced. "I should make things clear to everybody. We are gathered here to decide if Tint here should be banned from Mineral Town because of his actions on the tenth of this month. But first we need to clarify the events of that day. After hearing the evidence the jury will vote on if Tint stays or goes. Majority will win. Is this understood?"
Mayor Thomas looked around the gathered people. Everyone nodded as he looked at them. I looked over at the jury and my hopes dropped a bit more. The jury consisted of Siabara, Pastor Carter, Sasha, Zach, Won, Manna, and Louis. I had only met three of the seven jury members and of the three I could count on two to vote for me to stay.
"First, I'd like to call Doctor Tim to the witness stand." Thomas announced.
Tim stood up and walked over to the chair beside Mayor Thomas. I could hear the girls boo him. I smiled. At least the girls wanted me to stay. Tim sat down and glared at me. He obviously didn't want me to stay.
"Can you give us your account as to the activities of that day?" Thomas asked.
Tim cleared his throat. "Of course I can. I slept in that day until about ten, since the Clinic was closed. I went over to the Poultry Farm to check up on Lillia. I stayed there until about two. Then, I headed over to the Library to study up on a few things. I finished up there around five and went to the Clinic to get some pills for a headache that had developed over the day. I found the place a mess. The door had been broken down, the operating room was a mess, and all my files tossed around the place like a tornado had torn through the place. I immediately suspected that it was Tint who had done this. Ever since the day we met, he's been threatening to do something like this to me."
I couldn't believe it. He was flat out lying and it appeared that people believed it. Mayor Thomas proceeded to call up Lillia and Mary to confirm Tim's story. The two witnesses confirmed what the Doctor had indeed been at those locations during the times that he said.
"We have heard the Doctor's side of the story. Now, can Tint please approach the stand and relate his half of the story." Thomas kept the trial going.
I stood up and waited for Harris to take off the handcuffs. Instead, Harris led me to the stand and sat me down. Having my hands bound behind my back was tugging on my shoulder and was causing me a lot of pain. Thomas saw me in pain and ordered Harris to take off the cuffs. I stood back up and smiled as Harris took off the handcuffs. I sat down, rubbing the cast.
"Tint, give us your side of the story." Thomas ordered.
"Gladly." I said with a smile. "First, I'll like to set the record straight. Tim is a lying jerk that is obsessed with Elli. He is not a safe person to trust with your personal health. I don't think that he is qualified to be a doctor."
Tim jumped up out of his chair and charged me. I could see a twisted look of hatred in his eyes as he pointed a finger at me. "You have no right smearing my good reputation with your lies!" He yelled in my face.
"Enough! Go back to your seat, Doctor!" Thomas ordered.
"And you can do it to me? You are nothing more than a sick twisted psychopath who gets upset when someone tries to take away whatever they are obsessed with." I let every word sink in. I saw Harris and Doug carefully approaching us, ready to split up a fight if one erupted.
I must have pushed the right button because Tim wound up and released a punch at me. I stood still as Tim's fist struck my face. I had won the mental battle against him.
Harris quickly approached the Doctor and placed a pair of handcuffs on him. "I want to charge him with assault." I stated as Harris led Tim back to his seat.
"Enough! If you would please just state your story so that we can reach a decision." Thomas was growing tired of these events. The crowd was starting to realize that it could be possible that Tim was the dangerous one out of the two of us.
This time I was going to tell the people exactly what happened. "That morning, Elli had stopped by around half past six. The two of us did some chores before heading down to the pier to watch the sunrise. We were about to kiss when Tim interrupted us. Elli left, leaving Tim and me to discuss things. He threatened to do exactly this. The first time he could, he would try to get me kicked out of town. After that I went to the Inn and talked with Doug. He convinced me to go find Elli and apologize for the Doctor's interruption. I found Elli with May and Stu. Stu fell off the cliff and I dived to save him. That's how I wrecked my shoulder. Elli sent Stu to find Tim and open up the Clinic. By the time we got to the Clinic, Stu had reported that Tim wouldn't open the Clinic. That's why I broke into the Clinic, but I did not cause the mess. We got out of there around seven that night. Tim never did show up at the Clinic."
The crowd erupts in a series of whispered conversations. Mayor Thomas proceeds to call Elli and Doug to the stand. They both confirmed my story. This seemed to make Thomas' decision all that much tougher. He thought over all the information that had been given so far over the two hour period that this trial had taken. "I think that it is clear. There is no way to prove which story is correct, since it is a case of he says versus he says. Tim and Tint cannot get along and have no hopes of reconciliation. They are both violent individuals that could pose as trouble for this community. I think that we are going to have to ask one of these two to leave. Do either of you volunteer?"
"Nope." "No way." We both responded.
"Then we are going to have to vote on it. Jury, it's time to vote. Each of you will write either Tint or Tim on a slip of paper. Whoever has more votes will be leaving tomorrow."
I watched as the jury members went over to a table with pen, paper, and a box. Each one silently wrote a name on the paper and placed the paper into the box. After voting, each one went back to their seat. Once the final member voted Mayor Thomas went over and brought the box in front of us. "Remember that once the vote has been tallied, the person who receives the most votes will be asked to leave Mineral Town. The vote will be final and cannot be reversed."
I silently prayed as Thomas opened up the box and pulled out the first sheet. "Tint." Thomas announced as he showed us the paper.
My heart sunk even more. Obviously, someone still trusted the Doctor more than me. I was a threat. "Tint." Thomas read from the second piece of paper.
I looked back at the crowd. I could see tears forming in Elli's eyes. The girls were trying to console her. They all held each others hands in support. I caught hold of Elli's glance and mouthed "I love you" to her.
"Tint." Thomas stated once again. One more of those and I'll be headed back to my real home. I didn't want to go back. I liked it here too much. I smiled hopefully as Elli whispered back "I love you." I looked over at Tim, who was sitting calmly as I neared banishment.
"Tim." The Doctor angered slightly as his name was called out. I felt slightly better. At least one person was on my side.
"Tim." I silently celebrated. Maybe I had a chance of staying after all. Once again I looked back at Elli, who had wiped away the tears and had a look of hope across her face.
"Tim." Now it was his turn to worry. The name that appeared on the next sheet would be boarding the first ship to stop by Mineral Town tomorrow morning. They would have to go home and pack their bags.
Everyone held their breath as Thomas pulled out the final sheet of paper. He slowly turned the paper around to show the crowd. At first he only showed us the 'Ti' on the sheet. I lowered my head as Thomas turned the paper fully around. A mix of gasps and cheers sounded as they read the name.
"Tim." He finally announced. I breathed a sigh of relief and pumped my fist in celebration. Elli quickly jumped out of chair and ran up to me. She wrapped her arms around me in a giant hug.
Doctor Tim was standing in silent dismay. It must have hurt to be banished from your home, but I thought that he deserved to go. He could find somewhere else to live and work. While me, on the other hand, had nothing else.
Quite a few people had gathered around to congratulate me. I was receiving pats on the back and praise for standing up to Tim. Apparently he had caused trouble with some of the other people before. The only difference was that I had the guts to confront him.
"Excuse me, Elli. Since we no longer have a doctor are you willing to take Tim's spot?" Thomas asked from his podium.
Elli looked surprised. "I don't know..."
"Go ahead. You can do it. You did a good job on my shoulder. I think that you'd make a great doctor." I whispered into her ear.
Elli smiled at my advice. "Sure, I'll do it." She announced.
Everyone began heading their separate ways. Soon it was just myself, Elli, Thomas, and Tim. I made my way over to Tim and extended my hand. "I'm sorry that it came to this." I admitted.
"Get away from me. I will never forgive this town for doing this to me." Tim pushed away my hand as he headed towards his home.
Thomas approached me. "We have never had to kick anybody out of town. I just apologize for having to put you through this. I believe your story over his. We all know that when you broke your arm, you were in an emergency. Tim had no right refusing you treatment."
"Thank you, Mayor Thomas." I shook his hand before he left the square. The time was already three. It seemed like it had all been a waste of time. But I was thankful that I was still a member of this community.
Only me and Elli remained in the town square. We embraced again. "Did you mean it?" She asked.
"Mean what?" I asked back.
"When you said I love you."
"Of course I meant it." I replied as I held onto her.
"I meant it also." She whispered back. She looked up at me, her face red from blushing. "About earlier..."
"Someone stole my clothes." I stated causing her to laugh.
"At least now I don't need to go to a strip club for my eighteenth birthday." She joked causing us both to laugh. "I wonder if the same thing would happen on my birthday." I thought with an evil smirk.
Elli noticed the smirk on my face. "What is it?" She asked.
"Oh, nothing." I lied.
"Come on, tell me." Elli said sweetly.
"Fine, I'll tell you. I was just wondering if I get to see you naked on my birthday." I replied.
Elli seemed caught off guard. "You'll just have to wait and see." She said seductively before planting a kiss on my lips. She broke the kiss after a few seconds and waved goodbye. I stood by myself for a couple of minutes. I was thankful that I was staying here, where I belonged.
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A/N: I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I am required at this point to state that I do not own the voting process on 'Survivor'. I hope that I didn't push the rating with this chapter, but I think I'm within bounds. Once again, thanks for reading, thanks for input, and keep those reviews coming! Thanks, Tint out.