Confused Doesn't Even Begin To Describe It

By: Musical Enigma

Disclaimer: I don't own Harvest Moon or any of its creators

Chapter Three: Taquitos

Note: Sorry for the long wait (again). I tried to post this one sooner, but it just ended up the same time and a slight bit shorter. I promise the next one will be out sooner! (and have more context!)

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The silence that followed my literal downfall was stunning. I mean, usually, someone will laugh, or some intoxicated people from the Blue Bar will come out walking like drunken fools, drawing away the attention, or some other conversation will automatically strike up out of nowhere. Ruby finally attempted to strike up that 'random conversation from nowhere' with Tarin.

"So Tarin, do you enjoy eating food?"

Oh so typical of my mother. Food food food. I mean, yeah, I love the stuff, but seriously- who goes up to someone and asks them if they like food? It's a given! I mean, what should someone say? 'No it's disgusting'? Or how about 'I tried it once and hated the stuff!' Yeah, my mom can be brilliant.

"Ma'am, sorry to ignore you're question about food, but your son's in the road."

At this, Tarin grabbed me by the wrists and helped me off the ground. I instantly brushed the dirt off my clothes and admired Tarin's evasive action from my mother in the most unique fashion.

"Back to that food question- I do have a bit of an addiction to taquitos."

I nearly jumped for joy. Not just because some person liked food too, because that'd just be silly. I, on the other hand, was amazed at the fact we both like taquitos! I mean, a person can live off those things! I smiled inwardly. We could have a relationship based off the best stuff on earth. We could have lunch AND dinner together, since taquitos are very versatile. Not to mention, long talks about them as we strolled down the road late nights, discussing taquito related things. What a wonderful life…

"Wonderful! Why don't you join us for dinner later tonight! You must be exhausted from the trip down here."

"Actually, it wasn't that bad and---"

"Great! We'll see you around six? Fantastic, we'll see you later! Good-bye!"

Then Ruby hurried Takura and Tarin off as the rest of us made for the inside of the hotel. I was the last to enter, trying to catch a last ray of hope to possibly get Tarin's attention. It worked…sort of. Ruby kept pushing the two down the road towards the Blue Bar so they could continue their tour.

"Moooommm…" I moaned, "I'm sure they can walk down the street just fine!"

"Yeah, we'll be just fine, I promise!" Takura said hastily

"Err, thanks! See you later I guess. Good-bye Rock!"

Tarin waved good-bye over to me, and I barely got enough sense into me to wave back while flushing like mad. She remembered my name AND she likes taquitos. I was beginning to believe that this day, though it began at 6 a.m., was about the best day ever. Then Ruby practically tackled me in through the doors of the inn.

"My goodness Rock where were your manners? Do you really think that she is datable material? My son, with that! I think not! ..."

My mom continued to blab on and on about her apparel and how she had a slight city accent and all that stuff while I stared at her, not really paying attention. As I tuned things out, I glanced, using preferable vision, at the plant behind Ruby. It was slightly taller than her, but not by much. I began, once more, to question my height. Was there a possibility that I might just, maybe, grow a few more inches? Then, maybe one day…I could reach the top of that plant and go 'Ha! I have succeeded!' I wonder when that plant was last watered…

"Ruby, do you regularly water that plant?"

By totally interrupting my mom's complaints and moans about Tarin, she glared at me. Angrily, she turned to take a look at the potted plant behind her, and then turned back with a look of agony.

"That's a plastic plant, dear. I don't water the plastic. Sometimes, I wonder if you're even listening to me."

With that said, Ruby walked out of the lobby into the kitchen to go prepare the feast of taquitos. Man, I sure love taquitos. Checking side to side before I would make my discovery, the halls were empty. I slowly walked over to the plant and poked the stem of the thing. It was plastic alright.

"What the hell are you doing?"

I spun around quickly to see Nami in the stairway, looking, as usual, depressed and moody. I made a suave, evasive face to elude her from the idea that, the plant I had known for half my life, was plastic.

"Never mind, I don't want to know"

With that, Nami walked outside to continue in her 'daily activities'. I sighed as I traveled on up to my room, taking care to do anything stupid that might lead to the fourth bath of the day. I guessed I'd just have to lay-low until six. Reaching my room, I found it messy as I had left it. Comforted by the fact no one had come into my room to clean yet, I flung myself into the familiar bed and shut my eyes, ready to regain the lost hours of morning sleep.