Chapter Fifteen: Awkward
Ok so let's recap on how I got into this current situation shall we? It all started out with the Harvest King and I… to put it lightly why don't we just call it disagreement alright? Ok so we had a disagreement and after a few face beatings with a very persuasive rock we more or less made up. Then after a failed attempt at a goodbye, I ended up in this situation. The super drop dead gorgeous deity known as the Harvest King, who is an asshole by the way, has his arms wrapped around me. So basically my heart is doing gymnastics, the blood is rushing to my head, my brain is fighting itself, and I'm crying.
I hate crying in front of this guy, but hey I couldn't help it this time! Oh and as for pushing him away? Especially hard to do when he says my name like that, all low and husky. So between my body, brain, and him, the situation was a smidge overwhelming. And just as I was about to pour my heart out in the heat of the moment, the words lodged in my throat. His arms tightened and pulled me closer into his embrace. I felt his rigid muscles of his powerful chest flex with the movement. "Yes?" he asked me while resting his chin on the top of my head. What am I a headrest? And why did he have to be so damn tall? I felt the fiery red tendrils of his hair tickle my cheeks. Oh boy, I have to say something. What to say? Umm…
She was an outrageous woman who dared to strike me with a rock and risk my anger. I didn't care at this point though. What had compelled me to pull her into my arms was the thought of her leaving again. To long I had gone without her company and I wouldn't part with her so soon. Her small frame fit snuggly against my own larger one. I felt her small hands clutch my robes in a desperate grip. I felt the hot tears from her eyes drip onto my chest, quickly vanishing from the heat of my aura. And just a moment ago I heard her whisper my name through her sobs. But she didn't finish. I pulled back slightly, her fingers dug sharply into my back. I lifted her chin so I could see her eyes, but they were closed and swollen from her crying. "Look at me." I ordered.
I didn't expect her to so quickly oblige for her eyes opened to reveal the brown hues I so longed to look into again. "What is it" I asked. She met my eyes and took a deep steadying breath. Through her tears I could see the clear embarrassment that stained her cheeks a light shade of red. "I have to use the bathroom." She said.
Oh crap of all things to say that had to pop into my head? "What is a bathroom?" he asked. "You're stupid." I replied. His eyebrows lowered in anger, I interrupted him before he could speak. "I uh… have feminine issues I need to see to." He raised an inquisitive red brow. "What problems? Is there anything I can do to help?" This guy really was stupid. "I really need to go Harvest King." This was only getting awkward and I'm the one who caused it. I tried to push his hand off my chin but his grip remained firm. "Hikari, please stay a moment longer." His hand drifted to cup my cheek in his large palm. If he didn't stop I was going to be putty in his hands. My excuses, which would have instantly repulsed the average male, had no affect on his ignorant brain.
"If I promise to visit tomorrow will you let me go?" I asked. He ran his fingers along my jaw and cupped my chin. "Will you stay with me all day?" He whispered. "You know I can't do that." "Then I won't let you leave now." He angled my chin toward him and leaned in close to me. "Since you have forced your way into my life, it is your responsibility to… educate me on humans. I have many questions. Such as why your emotions change so fast, why that blush creeps upon your cheeks, and why you are so desperately trying to get away from me?" Ok so maybe he isn't as stupid as I thought. "Well… humans are different you see. We respond differently to others actions and such. As for… my embarrassment it's because you're…" I rambled on, not knowing what to do now. "Because it is me?" he asked, his voice filled with every ounce of his arrogant ego he could muster. "Now you listen here pal…!"
His lips cut off my words. At first it was as gentle as a butterfly's touch, questioning and searching. I immediately responded by becoming the putty I knew would in his hands. His hands moved to hold my waist and to cup the back of my neck to allow him more control of the situation. And what frightened me most was that I let him. Just great, the one thing I hated feeling was powerless and this guy managed to break me with a mere kiss. It was a nice kiss, a very nice kiss indeed.
I couldn't help it. She was in my arms. Contact I had longed to make ever since I gave her the apple for a gift those many days ago. And then the shy way her eyes mine and her flustered face was to enticing to resist. The kiss was meant to show my affection for her, at least I hoped that's how it came across. When my lips touched hers I felt little sparks dance through my aura at the contact. Her sweet taste filled my senses and clouded my mind for a moment. I felt my aura slowly drifting into hers, melding into the fiery blue. At first she was warm and submissive in my arms, something I hadn't expected her capable of, then I felt the insistent pounding of her small fists beating against my chest. I reluctantly pulled back and I hear ad an audible gasp as she took a deep breath. I couldn't help laughing, which made her face grow stony with cool anger.
"Let go please." I did the opposite and only held her closer. "I wasn't laughing at you Hikari, only at my own lack of knowledge. I forgot you needed air." I said to sooth her anger."You don't need air?" She asked curiously. I shrugged. "I breathe, but it's not a necessity. I will be sure to remember your need for air in future circumstances." Her eyes brows raised in surprise. "You think this will happen again?" she asked incredulously. I leaned down and rested my forehead against hers. "I don't think Hikari, I know."
Oh boy. I thought as I carelessly watered my fields. Ever since yesterday morning I had been like this. Carelessly day dreaming and letting my thoughts wonder. I had even tried to put wool from my sheep in the cheese maker. It's all because of what he did two days ago. To my dismay that was my first kiss, although I didn't give him the satisfaction of knowing. And who did he think he was, saying he would be able to do that whenever he pleased? Well to be honest I probably would find a hard time stopping him. This was just great, the first guy I had ever taken a serious interest in and it had to be an arrogant ass of a deity. Oh crap, the Harvest Goddess. How was I going to explain this one? And I promised to visit her today to… great.
Well I didn't have to see her just yet now did I? With this small comfort in mind I headed down the path to Marimba farm, picking berries up as I went. I waved down at Toby as I crossed the bridge. He was in the middle of reeling in a catch, and being the kind guy he is, stopped to wave at me. The fish immediately pulled him into the river. Dang. I ran down the little path that led to the watermill and nearly tripped as my feet met the steep incline. I hulled him out of the water and he coughed water. He tried to wipe water from his always closed eyes but gave up the attempt. "Now I'm soaked." He whined. I covered my mouth to hide my smile. "Oh not that soaked your just… dripping." He bent and retrieved his pole. "More like a walking rain cloud." He said tartly.
"Sorry Toby." I said still trying not to laugh. He noticed this and a sly smile of his own crept onto his fox like face. "What's this I hear of your going to the Moon Festival with Chase?" I gave an audible gulp that only made him smile wider. "And you walked out on him and you haven't seen him since?" I glared at him while crossing my arms. "You want me to push you back in that river so you can swim with the fishes you love so much?" He turned and waved his hand in the air. "Yeah yeah, I get it. See you Hikari!" he said in farewell. That guy knows too much for his own good. With a huff I walked over to Marimba farm and opened the door. The bell wrung announcing a customer's arrival and Craig looked up from his newspaper in the kitchen. He gave me that same old sour look and went back to glaring a hole in whatever article he was reading.
Ruth looked up from her own task behind the counter and smiled in greeting. "Long time no see Hikari, how are those crops of yours?" she asked. I made my way over to the counter. "Good, just here to get some fertilizer for the pumpkins." I replied. She rang me up. "That will be twenty nine thousand, seven hundred gold." Ruth said. They both turned when they heard the spitting of liquid to see a surprised Craig. "What are you going to do with so much high quality fertilizer?" He gasped. "Why, rivaling you of course." I said with a savage grin. Ruth coughed to hide her amusement and all Craig was doing was turning red. "Why you scrawny…" he muttered while going back to his table where the paper waited.
Ruth handed me my receipt. "I'll have Taylor deliver it all by the end of the day." I thanked her and left, stashing my change in my pocket. I passed the all too familiar orange house of Chase. I wonder if he's mad. I knocked on the door. No answer. Hmm. I knocked again. Silence. Great. With a sigh I headed back home. Could things in my life get any weirder? "Hikari!" Finn chirped. "What is it Finn?" I asked while leading my animals inside for the day. "We should visit the Goddess before it gets dark!" I eyed him warily. "You know Finn you've been there too much as it is. Maybe we should go tomorrow." I said in an attempt to dissuade him. He shook his little head in protest. "You promised her!" A thought struck me. "Fine I'll go, but only if we take the long way." I said while walking into the house. "It'll be dark by then," he muttered. "Scared of the dark?" I asked in challenge while I pulled a mushroom from the fridge. He shook his head in mute denial and I shrugged. "Then let's get going." I said.
The long way was going through Harmonica town and taking the mien cart instead of the convenient path beside my house. There was something I wanted to know, well two things actually. Finn flew beside me as I passed the Town Hall and waved at Anissa who was retreating inside the clinic for the night. I opened the doors of the Brass Bar; it had been awhile since my last visit. You know the whole Calvin incident.
Hayden was at the bar washing glasses and talking to a drinking Owen and Luke. He looked up from his task and his eyebrows rose in surprise. His mustache quivered which I assumed meant he was smiling. "Hey everyone, look whose here!" he bellowed. Thanks Hayden, especially when I was trying to be discreet. Selena gave me a wave as she twirled and Cathy winked at me, again, as I passed by. What was that wink for? Luke waved me over; Chase didn't even turn his head in my direction. "Sit here Hikari and have a drink." Owen said warmly. "I can't stay long Owen." I said. "I won't have any of that! Hayden, what does she normally order?" Hayden looked my way. I gave him a pleading look, "Can't say I know." He said. Hayden you are my mustached angel.
"Ah leave her be, she's not here to see your ugly mug." Selena called from the stage. She looked slyly over her twirling arms. "She's here to see her Chase." I blushed and Chase nearly cut off his finger with the knife he was using. "Selena!" I groaned. She kept dancing as if she didn't know what she had done. "Well I'm here to see you Selena!" Luke called from the bar. "Go away; I don't want to catch your ADD." She replied haughtily. "I like mine feisty!" Luke said with a laugh. This town was crazy. "Is there anything you'll need Hikari?" Hayden asked. I might as well get a gift while I'm here. "An apple cocktail if you please." I said. "My pleasure," Hayden said as he poured a glass. "Make it to go please." He nodded and kept working. I slipped past him and snuck up beside Chase. "I need to talk to you." He chopped a little harder with his words. "Not now."
"Chase!" I whispered furtively. His angry violet eyes met mine. "Fine, meet me tomorrow at the lighthouse." I nodded and left him to slaughter his veggies with the kitchen knife. Satisfied I took the cocktail and stashed it away. I left and walked over to the Wizard's door. As I reached the door the smell of rich coffee filled my nose. I pounded on the door. When no one answered I opened it, "I'm coming in!" And what a sight I came into. Wizard was walking from his bathroom with a toothbrush in his mouth. My eyes traveled down a sculpted tan chest to see black boxers with little stars on them. The boxers, combined with the way his eyes bugged out of his skull, I couldn't help it so I laughed.
He quickly ran for his white pants and yanked them on. "Don't… you know to knock? He said with a blush coloring his tan face. "I'm sorry, but I did knock!" I said through fits of laughter. He glared at me. "Wizard!" I called as he turned away. He turned and met my eyes with his bi colored ones. "Yes…?" he asked slowly. "I need a fortune." He frowned and shook his head. "It's… late." He said. I held a Fugue Mushroom in his face. "I do like these…" he took it and motioned for me to follow him. He lowered his hands to hover above the crystal ball. He looked up momentarily to glare at me. "Stop… smiling." He said. "Sorry." I replied, not really meaning it. "Who is it you wish… to know about?" he asked. I scratched my head and pondered on just how to ask this.
I decided to go with the easier one. "Tell me if Chase will forgive me." The wizard closed his eyes. "I will now… peer into Chase's heart." After a moment he looked up. "He will as long as… you meet him… tomorrow." I let out a relieved sigh and hesitantly prepared my next question. "Are you able to look into the hearts of magical beings?" I asked. He raised an eyebrow in silent question. "Like… the Sprites and the witch or… deities." He shook his head. "The Sprites yes, but to see the heart of a deity one must know their true name." the Wizard explained. "So you mean the Harvest God… dess has another name?" he nodded. "A true name, you call her the 'Harvest Goddess' because this is what people know her as. To reveal their true name is the ultimate from of trust. Why do you ask?" he asked, breaking me from my thoughts. "Oh… no reason. I have to get running, thanks Wizard!" I turned and left the house before he could interrogate me further. But before I closed the door I couldn't help myself.
"Oh, Wizard?" He looked up. "Nice underwear." I laughed as he gave me the evil eye and closed the door. So I needed the Harvest King's true name? I wonder how I could get him to tell me. With a grunt I walked through the Church grounds and down the steps to the mine cart. "What was that all about?" Finn asked with suspicion. "It's none of you or your little orange hat's business." I replied sharply. We rode the bumpy cart up the Garmon Mines and I resisted the urge to touch the runes as I passed them. I felt my face heat up and I quickly rubbed my cheeks to rid myself of the blush. I squeezed through the thick foliage that hid the path to the Goddess Spring from view. As I made my way up the steps I found the Goddess smiling at me, her eyes warm and shining. "It's been awhile Hikari." She said while taking my hands into her own. "Sorry I haven't been to visit." I said sadly. "I've been so worried about you. How have you…?" Her words trailed off and a look of absolute horror marred her gorgeous face. Her green eyes blazed in question, fury, and fright. Her voice was as sharp as a knife. "Exactly why do I sense the sun in your aura Hikari?"
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