author's note: here is the latest chapter of jet pack blues!
i hope you guys enjoy it!
disclaimer: i don't own harvest moon or its characters.
It would've been a lie if she said she enjoyed the voyage over to Castanet. A two week long journey from the city with an old sea captain that talked like a pirate wasn't exactly her ideal arrangement, and not to mention that the ocean was an incredibly temperamental thing. The tossing and turning of the waves had kept her stuck in her cabin, leaned over the toilet, vomiting up the little content that her stomach had.
Today was different though, the waves were oddly peaceful as if she had earned her right to walk around without the overwhelming urge to hurl. It was nice to finally feel the autumn sunshine on her skin again, the wind whipping through her hair as she leaned on the railing of the ship, and fixing her gaze on the looming shape up ahead that could only be Castanet.
"Oi! Ms. Papen, good to see you about!" his voice was oddly chirpy and kind for his gruff, weather beaten appearance.
She had been startled, jumping slightly at the sudden intrusion of her privacy despite being out in the open. He had laughed and soon she was laughing too, waving a hand that seemed to say, "all is well, I know I just nearly threw myself off the ship, but we're good."
"It's good to be out," she began, her voice hoarse from the weeks spent in the lavatory, but a smile lit up her face like a firework and it almost made the sickly pallor disappear. "It seems the ocean finally decided to give me a break."
Pascal was accustomed to the ocean, he had gotten over his seasickness long ago when he was still a young child. He had inherited the ship after his father passed, they were a family of sailors as he had told her, smoking his pipe and blowing the smoke in her face. There wasn't anywhere else to imagine him being, the sea was his home, and he would always belong there.
"I'm glad to hear that, Ms. Papen," he told her, patting the lopsided hat on his head fondly, and smiled. "We'll be docking in about an hour, so I'd begin to gather your things."
There was no need to say thank you, it was written on her face as she darted past him, turning around for a split second to plant a kiss on his cheek before heading off to her cabin once more.
It was the longest hour of her life, Molly hadn't imagined herself getting everything in order by the half hour mark, but she had and she stayed in her cabin to sulk until Pascal made the call that they were here. Docked and ready to unboard. Joy filled her heart as she dragged everything behind her, she had forgotten how heavy her luggage was, and she cursed the gods for it.
Only a few people were lined up outside, it seemed to have gotten around that if anyone crowded the dock, Gill would come and breathe fire down upon them. The people that were there were watching the ship with curious gazes, waiting for her to appear before them so they could make a quick assessment of her character. Hamilton was among them, looking at his watch every five minutes because his son was supposed to be here, but he was nowhere to be seen.
It didn't take long for her to come into view, the burden of her luggage had been lifted once Pascal offered to help her carry it down, and she couldn't have thanked him enough. He didn't even leave her side when they appeared before Hamilton, smiles plastered onto their face as they exchanged pleasantries.
"Mayor Hamilton! Hello, it's so nice to finally meet you," she began, extending her hand out for him to shake. "I'm Molly Papen."
Mayor Hamilton was taken aback by the petite girl, she hardly looked like someone who could handle running a farm, and he felt that he had made a grave mistake in allowing her to purchase the property. He was quiet for a while, his smile faltering as he took her hand in his own and shook, nodding his head since she clearly already knew who he was.
They couldn't stay quiet forever, he realized. "Welcome to Castanet, Ms. Papen! We're glad to have you here," he was trying his best to sound optimistic, and he suspected that she knew that he was regretting this.
"Thank you, I'm glad to be here. So, how do I get to the farm?" Molly was cutting to the chase, the bright chirper mayor had changed his groove entirely when he had taken in her appearance. She was petite, delicate looking, and she figured that he thought that she wouldn't be able to handle it. It would be his mistake, but she wouldn't call him out on it now.
"Oh! The farm! Yes, Cain will be taking you," Hamilton told her, gesturing to the man behind him.
Cain, Renee's father, if she remembered correctly. He was older, strands of grey had made their way through his light brown hair, but he still looked kindly and had kept himself in good shape over the years.
"It's nice to meet you, Cain. I'll be putting my life in your hands to get me to my home safely," she said with a slight laugh, offering her hand once more for him to shake. It was customary so that you wouldn't seem like a rude, mannerless heathen.
"The pleasure is all mine, Ms. Papen," Cain had a slight drawl, and he took her hand with a surprising gentleness that she hadn't expected of him. "Let's get you loaded up," he added, gesturing to Pascal to give up the luggage that he was still gripping.
Molly said her goodbyes, making promises to the old sea captain that she would come and visit him at the docks every day once she got settled, and told Hamilton that she'd be visiting Town Hall soon. He had paled at this but put on an friendly face, and she told herself that she would personally shove it in his face that she could do this. The farm would be a success, she'd make sure of it, and then he would finally wipe that stupid look off his face.
The ride over to the farm was short and sweet, Cain and Molly had made simple conversation, and he helped her up to her porch of her home because he felt it was ungentlemanly to let a lady struggle with her luggage. She already had a soft spot for him, deciding that so far, he was her favorite resident until she was able to meet the others properly.
"Thank you, Cain. I'll be seeing you!"
She had waved him off before turning to her door, unlocking it with ease, and stepping inside with her things. She'd get the rest once she had a look around, her furniture from the city was here, and she would be the one to unpack them and place them around in a manner that she found suitable. Nothing had truly changed about this place except for the fact that it was in shambles, the renovations hadn't quite been made, and she figured that the payment for that would be coming out of her pocket.
Molly had looked around the main room long enough, figuring that it would be safest to sleep in here until the renovations were done, but she did want to check on the child's bedroom for nostalgic reasons and to see the damage that needed to be fixed in there too. She hadn't expected to find what she did there, her mouth gaping open as a hand flew up to cover it. Two boys that were so recognizable she almost cried.
"Excuse me, what are you doing in my house?
the next chapter will take off where this one left off!
i didn't want to make it too long, so i hope you guys will be eagerly awaiting the next chapter ~