House Of the Godmother
As the day wore on, a stressed young lady sat impatiently on a sofa situated neatly by a coffee table.
This girl had short brown hair topped with a yellow hair band. She also had somber, chocolate brown eyes. She wore a white turtleneck shirt underneath a neat green dress and an orange cloth tied around her neck.
"Link…" uttered with a distraught sigh. "You said you'd come back today. Where are you?"
Standing close by her was an old woman with big white hair. She also had small, beady black eyes covered by a pair of golden glasses, a long pointed noise, and an crescent shaped face. She wore a white, long-sleeved shirt with a loon blue dress and a blue cloth adorned with a green leaf pattern around her neck.
"Lumina dear, how long are you going to stay about on that couch? Do you really expect that boy to come by today?" The lady asked.
"Ugh... Grandma! Could you please give it a rest? You never seem to complain whenever I'm at the piano all day, but then you have to make it one big fuss once it's about a boy?" Lumina griped. "I happen to recall that he was an honest person from the last time he came over to the valley, so I'm certain he'll keep his word!"
"...Lumina, it's been a very long time since before. I also remember how kind he was to people, and how much fun the two of you used to have together, but he's been far away and out on his own for a while. He had plenty of time to change, with hormones and everything. There's always a chance that he's just trying to romance you from afar just to brag to his "guys". You can never really tell..." Lumina's Grandma warned.
"Grandma! You're always so cynical about this! Can't you at least trust my judgment this once?" Lumina cried.
Her Grandmother sighed. "...You've already been hurt by a cruel fate from before. I... just don't want to see you hurt again, Lumina dear."
Lumina narrowed her eyes and lowered her head to avert a piercing gaze. "...Then why are you so strict on me? That isn't really helping out my mood in any way..."
Suddenly, an erect elderly butler entered the reception room. He had on a colonial-era style white wig, and had very squinty eyes. He wore a buttoned white dress shirt underneath a well-knit green sweater vest and bowtie, along with black dress pants and polished brown shoes.
"Pardon my sudden interruptions, Madame Romana and Miss Lumina, but a guest has just arrived." the butler announced.
Lumina looked up with great hope, while her Grandmother Romana had a skeptical look.
"You know, there's a good chance it could be the new farmer also. I heard for cetain that he would be arriving around this time." Romana mentioned. "Go ahead and let him in, Sebastian."
"Very well then, Madame Romana..." the butler replied.
He then opened the door behind him, allowing their visitor to come through.
The young man walked in slowly while curiously looking around the room with a solemn glance, until he spotted Madame Romana and her precious granddaughter.
"...Lumina?" he uttered in an uncertain tone.
"Link?" the young lady cried in a more emotional tone.
The young man blinked his grey eyes in disbelief. Standing right before him was a grown lady that was only vaguely familiar in appearance compared to the spirited little girl he remembered from the past. Gone were her usual long hair and tomboyish clothes, for she had become a woman who possessed uncanny grace and patience. Still, there was a recognizable twinkle in her eyes that kept him from any further doubt.
To Lumina, the young man was simply a grown up version of the boy she once had fun with. His style of hair and choice of clothes remained largely unchanged; however, there was an aura about him that suggested an inner chance about him. She wasn't sure if this was a sign of maturity, or a drastically different outlook for him but she strongly felt that his kind quality never left him.
Happy beyond belief, Lumina rushed towards Link and wrapped her arms around him, feeling as she did so long ago.
"Link! You're actually back!" Lumina cried with joy. "Even with all those letters you've sent me, I couldn't help but miss seeing you..."
Link's face reddened slightly. "...Lumina... you've definitely grown." he said with a soft chuckle.
He used his right arm to maneuver it behind Lumina's back and bring their embrace closer.
"Minerva wasn't kidding. She has changed quite a bit since I last saw her. She was always cute before, but now she's... beautiful..." he thought to himself.
While looking fondly into her old friend's eyes, Lumina still could not get rid of the distant feeling he seemed to possessed.
"Link, did something happen while you were away?" Lumina asked with concern. "I don't why, but there just seems something... off with you right now."
Link looked back at her with widened eyes for a brief moment, but he regained his composure quickly.
"Really? I wasn't aware of that. I'm sorry if I'm making you feel uncomfortable." he replied with a friendly smile.
"...I see she's grown perceptive, too." he thought to himself.
Lumina then held Link even closer, making him blush even more.
"Well then, whatever it may be, I hope I can help you out, somehow..." she said with a bright smile.
Both Link and Romana glared at this affectionate act, while Sebastian retained
"...Wait. Does she actually feel that way about me?" Link thought in a curious panic.
"What's she doing?" Romana thought with mixed emotions.
"...Eh... I guess you can start off by playing a song for me on that piano." he suggested with a hint of nervousness.
"A song on the piano?" Lumina repeated curiously.
Link nodded. "Don't you remember? I always used to come over here whenever you were in the middle of playing. Even if you were just practicing scales and all, it was always relaxing just to here you play."
"Oh." Lumina said simply.
She remembered all those times she dreaded having to practice that accursed instrument under her Grandmother's watchful eyes; however, it was always different whenever she found herself alone with boy Link, being able to play whatever her heart desired. Things got especially interesting once Link took interest in the guitar, and they had plenty of playful duets together.
"Alright then, I guess I can do that for you." Lumina said with her smile intact as she let go of Link.
"That's a fine decision." Romana said with strong approval. "This should give me another opportunity to evaluate your performance and---"
"I'm sorry if I sand harsh for asking this, Grandma, but do you mind if this session was just between the two of us? I... don't want my concentration to be affected by too much of an audience." Lumina asked hopefully.
"What? Are you serious? Do you really expect me to be able to leave you alone like that? Sure, it was fine when Mary comes along to be with you, but... it just isn't okay we haven't known for so long!" Romana complained.
"Uh... that's okay. Sebastian can stay behind. I'm sure he's reliable." Link casually suggested.
"Oh, no. That's quite alright. I'm sure a simple moment between the two of them will be just fine!" Sebastian said with the utmost confidence.
The other three stared at Sebastian with disbelief, making him feel a bit shaky about his proposition.
"Sebastian! I can't believe what you're saying!" Romana cried.
Link and Lumina simply continued to glare at Sebastian like he lost his mind.
"Madame Romana. They're just childhood friends who want to catch up with lost time. Would it really be taboo to allow a simple relationship such as theirs to continue? Besides, I highly doubt something of "explicit" concern will likely occur with a song or two. You're well aware of Lumina's playing practices." Sebastian stated, trying not to sound too frank in the process.
Romana groaned. "Fine, very well then. But I really don't want to see or hear any "hanky panky" between you, understand?" she warned.
Both Lumina and Link responded with a simple nod in nervous unison.
The lady of the manor then made her way towards the center room.
"I'll go ahead and prepare some food for the afternoon, then." Sebastian said with a grin.
Afterwards, the affable butler head straight to a door on the far left corner in a hurried fashion, while Romana witnessed the entire scene with this belief.
"Well then, have fun you two." Romana said in irritation before finally entering her bedroom at the center, and closing the door in a near slam.
"...I'd probably die of embarrassment before trying anything like that..." Link and Lumina thought in unison.
With the tension in the room finally released, Lumina walked straight towards the piano until she finally sat down upon its accompanying rest.
"So then, what request do you have for me?" Lumina asked with an encouraging smile.
Link thought for a bit. "...Being on the road for awhile, I've actually started taking a keen interest on a later genre. How about something along the lines of Soft Jazz?" he asked.
Lumina nodded. "Oh, good. I know the perfect song, then!"
She then curled up her fingers in preparation for her playing. "I used to hear this song often on an old record player. It's called "Marine Jazz". I don't have a musical sheet for it, but I can try to do it by ear.."
Link grinned and nodded. "Go on..."
Lumina nodded back, and then faced her piano with closed eyes. After a few moments of concentration, she began pushing down on the keys.
Each note seemed to come out in a seemingly broken rhythm at first, but as the flow of music started coming together, a beautiful, relaxing melody was produced. Its appeal was unique and distinct, but that same appeal was undeniable.
Link's smile widened as he let accepted the free-flowing melody and saw how happy Lumina was with her work. He then felt his heart skip a beat right before nodding to himself.
"Lumina... are you still curious about what the world has to offer?"
Author's Notes: Yes, "Marine Jazz" is my favorite record song. I guess I'm trying to make it up to Lumina here with this alternate existence and giving her a love interest… who was originally inspired by my AWL son, Link.
I actually had a previous love complication story called "My Lady Lumina", which a first person tale of the Farmer's Son contemplating over asking her to join him on a journey to leave Forget-Me-Not Valley, and maybe even confess his love, despite a reasonably impossible relationship. It's almost like the tables have turned… except it skipped a generation in this case. Consider it an event that occurred after "Between Maidens", because it involves most of the same characters. I apologize of it's "creepy romance", but you know, it happens… no, not an older woman and younger man thing necessarily. I mean having feelings for an older person… and I'm not implying they WILL get together in that way…
That aside, Nack and Whatsisname are coming up next!! CAN YOU FEEL THE EXCITEMENT?!?!?!
… Seriously. Female Harvest-Holics. This is the part you should be squealing with delight if you figure it out. Reviewers are welcome to guess..
Random Fact: For some reason, I imagine Japanese Seiyuu Hikaru Midorikawa doing the voice of the upcoming character…