Gamer To Farmer

Chapter 22: Oddballs

A/N: I have so lost track of the days. That is what happens when you are on semester break and your friends decide to hold a wake-a-thon. We had the liberal cause of donating every cent that we made to the fight against cancer. In total we raised almost 7000. We only ran the event for 48 hours but we all decided to see who could set the record. Plus, it was our friends' way of showing their support. Thanks to everyone for all the info about the new games. I don't have any computer classes this semester, so I don't have any good internet access. I'm stuck with country dial-up.

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The Spring of my second year in Mineral Town was drawing to a close. Ever since that eventful day at the horse races, things around town had become rather boring. Neither the Witch or the Harvest Goddess had been seen since their public appearance. Today was day number fifteen since their fight had ended in a victory for the Harvest Goddess.

There had been two significant events that had occurred since that day. The first had to deal with Epona. Ever since the Harvest Goddess had healed her leg, Epona has been afraid to take a single step outside her stable. The outside world had proven to be a cruel place and she didn't want to be part of it.

Barley had given me some advice after returning the horse to me. He told me to never take her outside on a rainy day again. The emotional trauma on her would be too much to bear. The rancher also told me to take gradual steps in returning her to racing form. I was sure that Epona couldn't wait for next year's races so she could claim a title for herself. She had the same fighting spirit that I had developed in these recent seasons.

The second major change wasn't as important. In fact, it is practically not even worth telling except for the humor behind it. The four guys who had helped the Harvest Goddess defeat her sister all remembered the little tidbit of information that we had learned about her. It had turned into a private joke between us. But, Neil had taken it too far one day.

Stu had come running up to our house in a panic. It was really early in the morning and he seemed to be in a panic. "A demon got Neil!" He exclaimed. I had laughed at his suggestion, telling him that it was only a bad dream, but the youngster persisted. It was my duty to at least check on what had Stu so upset. I ended up bursting out in a fit of laughter when I saw what had scared my brother-in-law.

"The demon didn't get Neil. Neil just turned into an idiotic demon." I explained to Stu as I overlooked my brother. He had died his hair to a jet black that matched the lipstick, nail polish, shirt, pants, boots, and fresh tattoos that looked like they were personal works of art. I had never before seen a man, or woman for that matter, with so much jewelry. "What is wrong with you?" I asked, shaking my head in disbelief. Stu clung to my leg, hiding out of the reach of the scary person.

"I turned Goth." Neil stated in a carefree manner.

"Thanks for stating the obvious. But why?" My sarcastic comment seemed to have no effect on the darkened football player. Why did I have the feeling that I was going to have nightmares about this when I got back to sleep?

Neil's face was colored slightly with a brief blush, lasting only momentarily. "The Harvest Goddess implied that she liked Goth guys, so…"

Needless to say, both Lumina and Jessica dumped Neil that very same day, after the sun came out and showed how hideous he looked in good light. He had tried to make the "I'm melting" joke when he walked out into the light, but nobody laughed. At least, not at his joke. Elli burst out into an uncontrollable fit of giggles that lasted for a good twenty minutes.

During the following week, Neil spent every waking hour, day and dusk, sitting at the pond side, waiting for the Harvest Goddess. My crazed brother never ran into the Goddess, but did get to meet her new boyfriend. He turned out to be a very angry and possessive person who took offence to Neil's blatant stupidity. Neil's boxing record increased the loss tally by one that day.

The current day was sure to bring back some of the entertainment that had become lost. Kai was scheduled to return from his return home. I hope he brings some more of that Canadian beer.

Popuri was still in her non-characteristic depression. She had turned to her best friend, Elli, for help. That meant that every day I had to deal with overhearing part of her sobbing story about how Kai did this and Kai did that. Personally, I couldn't really care about it any more. I had felt attraction for Popuri in the early part of my stay, but lately she had revealed how childish she could be. I was glad that I had found Elli and hadn't gotten stuck with the pink haired fountain.

Unfortunately, and quite conveniently I might add, Elli was unavailable to be with Popuri when Kai arrived at the dock. She had to take Mage and Jack to get some booster shots. That left me with the ever so important job of being referee on the sandy beaches.

"I wish Neil hadn't injured himself again." I grumbled as the large cruise ship came pulling into the docks. The night before, Neil had attempted to tattoo a scar along his right arm. Since he was right handed, the task proved difficult, but in the end he was rewarded with his original goal. The only problem was that he had given himself a real scar instead of a tattoo. Now I remembered why he was in the "special" classes.

"What was that?" Popuri asked innocently.

"Nothing." I was quick to reply. I don't know why, but I was turning into a real jerk lately. Probably because, everyone was trying to mess with my life. If only I could settle down and live out the remainder of my life in peace. But, peace was a very rare thing to catch a glimpse of in Mineral Town.

Just as that thought had gone running through my head, a ramp descended from over the railing of the boat. At the top of the ramp appeared Kai. He had obviously changed since his last visit. Kai now sported a goatee and appeared to be quite a bit stronger. Popuri was about to bolt up the ramp to embrace Kai when a woman appeared at his side.

Popuri stopped dead in her tracks as Kai took hold of the woman's hand and the two embraced. The woman appeared to be at least a couple of years younger then her counterpart. I was just as stunned as Popuri, but not at the fact that Kai had found another woman. It was the fact that this woman looked like she was wearing a vampire costume. Why was this town becoming Goth central?

Kai finally took notice of the shocked Popuri as he led his lady down to the dock. "Hello Popuri." Kai turned to his new acquaintance and whispered "She's the one I told you about." In response, the black lipped woman snarled, showing off all twenty-seven lip piercings and the two in her tongue.

I was silently taking a few steps back and away from the gathering. I had done my job and now I could leave. At least, that was my goal before Kai spotted me. "Hey Tint, wassup eh? I took your advice, eh, and went over to Canada. Man, it's cold over there, eh?" At least he had gotten the accent correct.

Luckily, I didn't have to answer Kai. Popuri had stepped in front of Kai and appeared to be demanding an explanation. "What did you tell her about me?"

The woman pulled Popuri away from Kai, making her explanation. "Kai told me all about you. You're just that dirty little whore who broke his heart. Good thing that you did or we never would have met. Kai and I are bonded for life in the pain that we share."

I was still trying to make my escape. This was turning out into a live episode of Jerry Springer. Popuri had grown up momentarily, feeling free to express her opinions in a truly acceptable manner. "What do you know about pain? Kai broke my heart when he tore me between him and my family and friends. He wanted to get married, but I wasn't ready. All you know is how to drill holes in your own face, adding to the ugliness that already existed."

My opinion was about to break through, but I decided to let it sit idle. Kai's new girlfriend wasn't the greatest looker, but she might have been before the modifications. But, there was something extremely familiar about her, like I had seen her somewhere before. "What part of Canada did you go to?" I asked Kai.

Kai broke his gaze away from the escalating fight. "I went to your hometown. That's where I met Raven."

The arguing suddenly stopped. Raven turned to me and asked, "You're from Wetaskiwin?" I merely nodded my head, afraid that my guess was correct. If she was the person I was thinking about somebody was going to have a really bad day. "My old boyfriend used to live there before he left me. That's why I turned Goth. He told me that he was going on a family vacation, but he never came back even though his mother did." Raven explained.

Kai and Popuri looked at the two of us as we somehow had found a connection between each other. Inwardly, I was becoming extremely worried. This could cause some real problems in Mineral Town. "What was your boyfriend's name?" I asked, somewhat meekly.

"He was the son of that rich business mogul. His name was Neil." Raven calmly expressed, but a hint of violence filled her voice when she said my brother's name. I had thought correctly. This was indeed my brother's old girlfriend. Little did she know, but Neil was in this very town.

Popuri suddenly brightened at a thought of her own. "Tint, isn't your brother named Neil?"

Raven glared at Popuri for speaking, but quickly returned her gaze to me. So much for keeping Neil safe. "Neil's here. Do you want to meet him, Valerie?" I asked Raven, using her real name.

The use of that name caused Raven to drop her jaw in amazement. It took her a few seconds to regain her composure before she turned to Kai. "We're through, Kai. Neil's the only one I ever cared for." Raven looked back at me and smiled, "Take me to the jerk."

Kai was dumbstruck. His plan to make Popuri jealous had resulted in a horrible end. To my surprise, Kai turned to Popuri, went down on one knee, and presented a blue feather to her. Popuri immediately accepted the feather and leapt into Kai's arms. Now that is one messed up relationship. Raven was shaking her head in disgust, causing a jingling sound as her jewelry clinked together.

Raven and I left the joyful couple on the dock as we headed into town. "Whatever happened to you Tint? The guys lost contact with you during that summer two years ago." So she did remember me.

I winced slightly as I thought back to that life changing summer. I seemed like it had been ages ago, yet in reality, it was only two years ago. Valerie, or Raven, was the younger sister of one of my best friends. When she had gotten to high school, my group of friends had accepted her as one of the group. Secretly, she had been number two on my list, second only to Mage.

"I don't really want to talk about it." I stated calmly, shoving my hands into my pockets. The two of us were now crossing the square, heading to the path that ran towards Mage's farm.

Raven nodded her head in understanding. "Look, we all miss Mage, but that's no reason to run away. We really could have used your support at the funeral."

"Mage could have used your support at the hospital!" I shouted at Raven, surprising her. I immediately felt bad for Raven, seeing her tremble with tears beginning to form in her eyes. She had been one of Mage's best friends. I placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have yelled at you."

Raven shook her head. "No, I deserved it. All of us wanted to go visit Mage, but you were the only one with the strength to go. Then she was gone, and we knew that we had made a mistake. Then you vanished and your mother told us that you had died. It was a very hard summer on all of us. I'm just so glad to see you." Suddenly, I felt Raven wrap her arms around me in a warm embrace. Her makeup was becoming smeared from the tears in her eyes.

The two of us were now standing in front of my farm. Raven looked up at the large sign over the entrance and smiled. "Good boy." She chuckled slightly as she patted my head. That was her old term of affection for me. This day was really causing me to reminisce.

I pointed out across the field to where Neil was working. "That's Neil." My identification of my brother caused Raven to burst out into a fit of laughter. The laughing attracted my brother's attention. Just one look and he knew who it was. In a flash he was running towards his house, hoping to escape. Unfortunately, he tripped over one of his chains and fell in a heap.

Raven was quick to give chase after Neil. The two of them had a very interesting past and I was sure that they were going to have some very interesting conversations. "Two oddballs are out in our field. You have something to do with this, right?" Elli asked as she emerged from the house beside me.

I nodded my head as I placed an arm around Elli's waist. "Elli, I think it's time for a family vacation. I want to go home."

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A/N: I do not mean to offend anyone with my portrayal of Goths. I just figured that it would be an interesting to the story. The next chapter or two after this are going to have very little to do with HM, but I hope you guys can deal with it. It's time for the reckoning. Happy announcement to close out this chapter. Mage and I set a date for the wedding. We are going to be married the weekend after I turn eighteen, at the end of April.