Chapter Twenty Seven: Everyday Miracles
It is difficult being a deity. Sure the status comes with a few perks like power, prestige, and immortality. But if you stop and think for just one moment, how do you think a deity would feel? There are times when we doubt, when we wish to cast off such "gifts" as you mortals might call them. You see, deities will occasionally envy humans and their mortality. I am getting ahead of myself, please allow me to explain.
Immortality is the very thing which others envy us for and this creates a rift between immortals and the other inhabitants of the world. And being a God is not just your average cup of tea, we are not as free as some might think. There are lines which we cannot cross, boundaries we must not breach. There is one boundary that only a foolish deity would break. It was the rule that Immortals be separate from humans.
Well… we are not forbidden from it, but it's more like an act of self-preservation. Anyway, you humans are… complicated creatures. You possess the ability to feel at will. Your hearts are wild and unpredictable, never remaining balanced for long. Immortals possess emotions as well but we barely use them. We do not have the luxury to be whimsical, for if we did who knows what disasters our powers would create. So as a result we usually bury our emotions, letting only a little rise to the surface at a time.
The strongest emotion within us is anger. I warn you now, dear mortal, to never push a deity past their breaking point. For if you do the consequences could be deadly. I know of only one immortal in all my long years to both lose control and master his emotions with deadly precision. My brother, The Harvest King. Many times he has been pained and angered, however I have yet to see him harm the world. No matter how powerful his hate and anger, he has never harmed or done wrong in response. He went as far as to lock himself away to escape his emotions and protect nature.
But I fear greatly that his luck will soon run out. You see, my brother has crossed the boundary. Well, it's more of a leap than anything, but I never expected him to go so far. Every day I can sense his emotions, they are more human, more unpredictable. I fear the day when the mortal's involvement will push him past his limit, and perhaps doom us all. And as it has been said many times dear mortals, so much so that your poor ears probably ring from hearing it, I must say it.
The world could burn before I would wish any suffering on my brother. You see my dear, naïve mortals, he has gone too far now, and soon he will pay the ultimate price. What will be demanded I know not and all I desire is to shield him from the harm I know is coming? But begrudge him of his joy I will not, how could I tear his heart from him? No matter how fleeting it may be, I will shelter his happiness.
Ahem. Hello there! Guess what dearies? It's Hikari and boy do I have a lot to tell you! Let's step back a bit. May I please direct your thoughts to the most recent dramatic episode of my complicated life, and sure to not be the last? After the whole soul shattering, mind blowing, and suicidal thoughts thing, I recovered fairly well. Now and again I still get a chill for no reason, but I can't say the same for my dear hubby.
As cynical as I am, I am seriously worried about the lug. He is pretty much the same, arrogant and easily angered. Our minds are still linked, so closely sometimes I lose myself. But I can sense a bit of sadness in him, a grief. And even though he hides it very well, it slips through sometimes, in thoughts and actions. There is a hesitance when he reaches for me now, an overwhelming amount of patience in his demeanor.
Well… if your idea of him being patient is waiting ten seconds to yell at me after I call him an asshole, then yes he has definitely changed. For an entire season I've been trying to shake him of this funk he's gotten in.
I understand, believe me I do. He's hurt, terribly, and I am frustrated that I don't know what to do! I mean, how do you fix an immortal of psychological problems? And I bet I know what you're thinking, just poke around in his brain till you find the magical switch of wonder Hikari! No sirs thank you very much! I have already tried this, many times in fact, and keep doing so when I have the energy. But perusing his mind is no walk through Marimba farm strawberry fields. I'd rather run through a briar patch bare foot, but naked, and freer than the wind than hurt him again.
He doesn't want me to fret over the problem, insisting he is fine. He doesn't dare cut off my access from his thoughts again, but he is reluctant to allow me to discover the root of his problem. It's not just the incident that is bothering him, he is unsure of himself. This is something I've never know him to be, and we both want to know what made him so cold on that day.
"Oh come on Lemon! Get your rump in gear and outside!" I groaned as I glared down at the cow. Lemon glanced up from her fodder, eyeing me for a moment and then continued the all-important task of chewing. I squared my shoulders and gave my best warning voice. "Lemon you have till the count of three." I warned calmly. The cow continued to ignore me. "One." I said while taking a tentative step behind her. The cow flicked her tail but took no other notice of me. "Two." I counted. The beast showed not the slightest inclination of moving.
"Two and a half…" I said while getting behind her, watching her flanks with caution. "Lemon last chance, get out there now." I said while raising a finger and pointing toward the open barn door. Distant moos from the rest of my cows sounded from the fields where they grazed. Squaring my jaw, I bent on my legs slightly. "THREE!" I yelled while leaping onto her back. Lemon gave an outraged moo and bucked until I fell flat on my butt beside her. Lemon glared down at me with her mud brown eyes, she then turned her shoulder to me and continued eating.
I stood and threw my hands in the air. "I give up!" I snapped. I walked out of the barn, leaving Lemon to her stubborn solitude. I had no idea what had gotten into that cows brain. Normally she leaped to attentions and did what I asked of her, loyal to the end. But now she was a like a teenage diva! Throwing temper tantrums, refusing to come out of her stall, and not producing any milk when I attempted to procure her.
I stomped out of the barn, frustrated with my cow's antics. You could do something you know! I thought loudly in my head. Ignis was slow to respond, but his thoughts were laced with amusement when he answered. I see nothing unnatural with her behavior. I grumbled to myself, wishing he were in front of me so I could punch him in the arm. Yeah well she's never acted like this before, I wonder if she's sick? I could feel Ignis's amusement only grow. I'll leave this one to you, you'll find out eventually.
With that his attention left me and he resumed the very interesting task of staring at the "world below" as he liked to epically refer to it. I gave the mountain the finger and trudged down the path towards Flute Fields. I waved to Toby as I passed, careful to not distract him and cause him to take a nose dive into the river. I shuffled quickly past Julius's house, it was his day off today and frankly I was not in the mood for the gushing groom to be. I cleared his yard without raising the alarm and quickly ran up to the porch of Marimba farm and stepped inside. The fresh smell of fine soil reached my nostrils as gleaming vegetables tantalized me from their bins.
I headed up to the counter, Ruth looked up expectantly. "Here for more?" she asked with amusement in her eyes. I slammed my money down on the counter, gold coins clinking. "You bet!" I exclaimed eagerly in answer to her challenge. She bent down behind the counter and pulled out the latest issue of "Farmin' Lovin' Monthly". She leafed through the pages until she reached the page that showed the top farmers for this month's leading sales in produce. "Let's see… Marimba Farm…" she mumbled while skimming.
"Aha! Read it and weep!" she exclaimed while shoving the magazine toward me, her finger pointing to the farms name under the fifth rank. "Looks like you lose this round Hikari." She said in triumph. I snatched up the magazine and searched frantically for my ranch's name. Then I calmly placed the magazine back on the counter and pushed it toward her, a small smile gracing my lips.
Ruth glanced from me to the magazine, doubt entering her gaze as she looked more closely at the page. I placed one slim finger above my ranches name. Ruth leaned in closer. "Shire Farm… third place?" she yelled, her smug smile vanishing as quickly as it had come. Craig walked in from the living room, a steaming coffee in one hand and a piece of half eaten toast in his mouth. "Thwad place?" he yelled through the toast.
"I believe I have won the bet. So are you going to give me that all season fifteen percent discount?" I asked slyly. Craig threw his hands up in the air. "Not again! How can a scrawny little thing like you beat my farming prowess?" he asked. I smiled, shrugging nonchalantly as Ruth rung up my "on sale" fertilizer. "I'll have them sent to your ranch by tomorrow." She grumbled. "Better luck next time?" I suggested. "Never again!" Craig responded. I turned to look at him and cocked my head to the side. "I can understand if you're intimidated." I taunted.
Craig puffed his cheeks out in anger, his sour face turning red. "Next month, a bushel of wheat if you win, a load of yams If I win!" he yelled. "Bring it old man!" I challenged. "We'll see whose old when you're carting me your weeks produce scrawny!" he answered. "And when I win you'll have another wrinkle to put in your butt!" I yelled back. Ruth rubbed her forehead in annoyance. "Here we go again." She sighed. I couldn't help the fit of laughter that escaped my lips. Even hotheaded Craig smiled in amusement, struggling between a grin and a sour frown.
All three of us turned when we heard someone clapping from behind us. Sloan was leaning against the doorway, a condescending grin on his face as his hands created a dull echo within the room. "Congratulations Hikari on your win. It seems you've ranked third place!" he said while raising his own copy of the magazine. "What can I help you with?" Ruth said with practiced pleasantry from behind the counter. Sloan didn't look away from me, his clear blue eyes piercing in their cold scrutiny.
I tensed up, readying for a fight my mind thought was coming. Ignis came to the alert suddenly, focusing on my thoughts with an almost painful intensity. "I'm still looking, but I will let you know if I wish to… acquire something." He lied. I knew he wasn't talking about anything in the shop, but I couldn't tell what he was really hinting at. "I have to go, bye Ruth!" I said through clenched teeth. I forced my fists to unclench as I walked past him, breathing through my nose and refusing to meet his eyes. The soil under my boots crunched as I stepped outside and headed back up to the bridge.
Ignis eased the tense feeling in my mind. Ignore him Hikari, he is of little importance. I worked my jaw until the muscles relaxed, my mood now soured. Yes but he just rubs me the wrong way. He's the second person I've met that was hate at first sight! Confused, Ignis quickly searched my memories with practiced ease before discovering the other person. I could feel out mutual contempt grow. I can see why you disliked her. He said. And that guy to. I added.
I turned at the sound of approaching footsteps and saw Sloan headed casually my way. He walked with his hands in his bright blue shorts, walking with a smug ease that made me want to trip him and watch his blue eyes bug out as his nose met the earth. I turned, increasing my pace and leaving the farm, eat my dust! As I rounded the corner Sloan trotted up to me, resuming his lazy walk and easily keeping pace with me. One other thing to dislike about tall guys, long strides. Wait just a minute Hikari…
I ignored Ignis's protest and kept my eyes in the space in front of me. "It's hard to believe that your ranch ranked third in highest quality produce." He commented. "What of it?" I snarled. He shrugged, another smooth and smug move made on his part. "Nothing really, I just find it hard to believe." He replied. "Is that so?" I mumbled. Apparently he didn't hear my sarcasm, and continued speaking. "It's amazing really, that this insignificant island far out in the middle of nowhere could produce such high quality crops. And the diverse landscapes here! Just imagine…" he rambled on. I glanced up at Mount Garmon, then back down to the ground.
"Not as insignificant as you might think." I replied. He stopped talking, surprised that I dared to interrupt his incoherent babble. "So just what do you do to make your crops so valuable?" he asked suddenly. I glared at him. "The answer is obvious isn't it? It's called hard work. Are you always this inquisitive or just a dumbass?" I asked sharply. "Are you always this hostile or just a bitter shrew?" he retorted. "Do you find it amusing to argue with people you barely know, or are you completely lacking in common sense?" I snapped. "It seems to me that you're the fool here, such great profits before you if you could only see it!" his voice raised to match the volume of mine.
"Profits? I make a more than tidy living already! I have no idea what you're doing on my island but listen here pal." I stepped forward, sticking my nose up into his face. "You better watch your step and stay off my land." I hissed. "I thought you might be different even if ill tempered. But now I see this pathetic little island seems to have dumbed you down a bit." He said with a sneer contorting his face. Ignis watched with cold calculation from his mountain and through my thoughts, ready at a moment's notice should I need help. "What's all this negative energy causing me to frown?" I heard a voice yelled from behind.
"Shame on you two, I could get premature wrinkles!" Julius reprimanded us as he walked from his porch and up to my side. He laid a hand on my shoulder and pushed me back gently, creating space between Sloan and I. "I have no idea what this is about but don't you think it's a gorgeous day?" Julius asked pleasantly. "This is hardly the time to comment on the weather." I replied. Julius ignored me and turned to Sloan. His pink lips narrowed into a small O of surprise, as if he just noticed Sloan for the first time. Sloan looked at him warily, obviously perplexed by my fashionista of a friend.
I felt Ignis distance himself from my thoughts a bit; he was equally as disturbed by the strange man. "Why hello there! Are you a tourist? Why do you skulk around the island so much? You know I think lighter colors would look better on you. Not that particular shade of blue. Perhaps a shade like lavender or a pale yellow… Yes now that I see you more closely I'm just itching to dress you up!" Julius leaned in close, Sloan leaned away. "What are your measurements?" he asked pleasantly. "I uh…" Sloan stuttered. Julius only continued to invade Sloan's bubble, smiling all the more. His lashes lowered flirtatiously over his eyes and he rubbed his lips. "And I mean every measurement." He whispered.
I put both hands over my mouth, fighting the laughter bubbling in my throat. I… have something to do in a place somewhere… bye!" Sloan said, all but running down the road, the bright blue of his silly shorts disappearing across the bridge.
"Thanks for the save." I grumbled. Julius turned on me, his violet eyes blazing. "I am very cross with you, causing trouble the day of my engagement party!" "Oh how wrong of me, please forgive me all mighty pink Lord." I pleaded. He gave me a flat look, which quickly warmed into an amused smile. He waved at me as he headed back toward his house. "I'll see you later tonight, try not to get in any more arguments will you?" he asked.
"Not even a tiddly bit?" I teased. "Not even a teensy tiny bit." He replied before closing his door. I continued down the road out of Flute Fields, my mood lightened a little thanks to Julius's good humor. I made a quick inspection of my crops and ranch for any funny business. When I was satisfied that there was nothing wrong I headed back inside to find relief from the hot summer sun.
I walked into my kitchen and opened the fridge, perusing until I found the milk. I yanked the jug out and filled a glass up with the pristine liquid. I walked over to my couch and sat down with a relieved sigh, contently sipping the cold relief of my drink. I felt a flash of heat from behind, and I wiped sweat from the back of my neck as Ignis moved to stand behind me. "If you're going to be here you could at least crank up the AC." I said. He leaned over the back of the couch and placed his hands on my tense shoulders. "What is an AC?" he asked.
I leaned my head back and peered into his red eyes. They twinkled in amusement and I discovered the reason in his thoughts. "Whatever." I grumbled. "You are easily angered." He said with humor. I cocked one disbelieving eyebrow. "This is coming from the literal hothead husband of mine?" I asked. I saw his smile falter under his irritation, but he cast it aside and leaned farther over the couch. The red locks of his hair swung forward and blocked the view of my surroundings.
All I could see was fiery red to my sides and the sparking gold reflecting with the copper in his eyes. I felt his potent emotions within my mind. An odd thing that I must add, I didn't know emotions could feel… old. I don't know how to describe it, there was an aged feeling to his mind as well as his heart. It was weird how it worked, slow to react except for anger, but I could tell he was unaccustomed to relinquishing control. The sensations I felt from him trickled in slowly, as if loosening a rusted tap and allowing the water to flow.
I felt uneasiness seep into my thoughts through our connection. A constant hesitancy that now ruled his every action toward me. The strongest feeling was doubt, not in me but in him. He lifted a hand to caress my cheek, but paused in his action for a moment before running two fingers across my skin. "Stop it." I hissed. He misinterpreted my meaning and dropped his hand, moving to step away from the couch. I reached a hand up and grabbed a generously thick lock of hair in my hand. I yanked slightly, and he stopped pulling away.
There was no hesitancy when he grabbed my wrist, gently but forcefully, and freed my hold on his hair. "I can't believe I am saying this, but I'm starting to miss that annoying confidence in you." I said. He frowned, his eyebrows lowering over his eyes. "I have and always am confident in myself." He replied. "Oh really?" I challenged. He nodded and I could sense his growing irritation. "Yes." He replied flatly. "Then how about a little favor then?" I asked while jumping up. He snapped his head back, my forehead missing his face by a hair. "What?" he grumbled. I placed both of my knees on the couch cushion and propped my elbows up in the back.
I rested my head in my hand, watching him through lowered lashes. "Go ahead and touch me." I said. His face turned a light shade of pink, and I felt my own cheeks burn in realization. "Not like that pervert, I mean my cheek, or my hand." I hissed. Confused he stepped forward and looked me up and down. His eyes met mine and he stiffened at the challenging look I gave him. "Don't tell me the big bad Harvest God is scared of little old me?" I taunted. "You may be small, my dear Hikari, but you are in no way helpless." He said and then smiled. "By human standards that is."
I stuck my tongue out at him as he stepped forward once again, bringing my head level with his chest. I could see the gold of his belt below my nose; I kept my gaze level with his. As we stared back at each other I felt sweat forming at the base of my neck again. It was getting hotter, and I had a hunch that it was neither the weather nor Ignis's doing. His eyes narrowed slightly as he felt my feelings through our link and the gold in his eyes melted into a rich sunset yellow. He reached a hand out to me. His movements were precise and controlled with no hesitancy this time in his touch. I smiled in relief, perhaps it really wasn't true.
His fingers slid across my cheek in a tender caress. I leaned my head into his hand as his warm palm slid to grasp the back of my neck. He leaned in and our lips met. I sighed into his mouth as his other hand cupped the small of my back, pushing me backward slightly as he leaned over the couch. I groaned as my lower back started to ache and bit his lip when he didn't move. He pulled away for a second to give me a stern look, then our lips met again as he yanked me off the couch.
I curled my fingers into his hair, pulling his head down and deepening the kiss. I kicked my boots off as I tugged him by his robes toward the bed. When the back of my legs hit the bed I bent my knees and sat down. Then I felt heat flush my body in waves as he joined our auras. My shock resonated within our joined minds and he kissed me all the more. I grabbed his robes and pulled him down toward the bed. He braced his hands on either side of me for balance and leaned against me. My back slowly descended toward the mattress and I clung to him fervently. Ignis. I said dreamily into his thoughts.
Suddenly I felt his thoughts, heavy with passion, halt in their downward spiral. He slowly pulled away, a wary look in his sparkling eyes. I clawed at his back as I stood to follow his retreating figure. He returned my attentions slowly, holding me now with less certainty than before, each action hesitant. I pushed him away from me and sat back on the bed. "What am I going to do with you? Come on Ignis be a man!" I yelled.
I stared at her in confusion. "I am certain of my gender Hikari." I replied angrily. Her head snapped up, her brown hues blazing. "Yeah and your treating me like I'm a precious piece of porcelain! I am not a fragile little doll Ignis. I won't shatter if you yell at me and I won't break if you touch me." she said. "We can't be like this Ignis. I have no desire to be pampered like some women. I am not a doll." Although her words were sharp and almost hostile, I could feel her real emotions. Behind the swirling anger I sensed a sadness and worry for my wellbeing inside her.
Another part of me scoffed at the notion that a human would worry about me. I shoved it aside without a second thought; if Hikari was aware of it she made no inclination. Hikari stood up and met my eyes once more. "Aren't you the Giver of life, power of the sun and yada yada? So regrow a pair and get back to normal!" she said while poking my chest with one small finger. I pulled her into my mind for a moment, leaving her body an empty shell. She struggled at first, but quickly stopped and adjusted to my mind once more. Just for a moment I allowed her to feel the anger that resulted from my wounded pride. She did not cringe in fright or flee from my thoughts, rather than that I felt a new found respect for me from in her mind.
As was right, for I am a deity after all. When her thoughts returned to her she placed a hand on her head, dizzy. "I will cast off my hesitancy as you wish Hikari, but you must know one thing. I love you and with always handle you with care. Just as you will desire to hit me when I do." I said with a wry smile. Hikari exhaled loudly and threw herself back on the bed. "Because?" I asked. She lifted her head to glare at me, and then flopped her head back down. "Cus I love you." She grumbled. I laughed and moved toward her once more. I placed my hands on the bed and moved them to grab her hips. She stared at me skeptically for a moment.
"You can't possibly be thinking…" I took in her still disheveled hair and flushed face. My eyes dropped to her swollen lips which she bit under my scrutiny. "Oh but I am. I am a man Hikari. And it was a grave mistake to demasculate me so. And because I am a male deity, I am all the more determined to prove to my wife how confident I am. As you said, I am the Giver of Life and 'yada yada'." Her eyes bugged out of her skull and her lips quivered as she tried to form words. I silenced her by taking her mouth roughly within my own.
Sometime later, much later, I groaned into my pillow. I was thoroughly and completely exhausted now, Ignis was draped on my bed beside me, He was thoroughly and completely satisfied that he had made his point and I made a mental note to never challenge his man hood again. He grunted in amusement when he read my thoughts, and I stuck my tongue out at him. "Come now Hikari that is not very fitting of a grown woman." He teased.
"Thanks to you I feel like an old woman." I growled from my pillow. "You may feel that way, but I assure you that your body is that of a young woman in her prime." He replied. I blushed furiously. "Have some shame would you?" I yelled. He chuckled and reached a hand out to stroke my spine. I felt gooseflesh pop up along my skin from head to toe. "Not where you are concerned." He replied. I slowly raised my body up and crawled over him. My feet landed on the floor with a huff, my back to him.
"Don't just lounge about, we have to get ready." I said while searching for my robe. Ignis sat up slowly, the comforter falling away to pool at his hips. I quickly looked away, all sorts of thoughts running rampant through my head. "I have no desire to go to a human celebration." He protested. I found my robe and quickly slipped it on. I tied the drawstring into a knot and turned to him, hand on my hips. "To bad mister, you're going." I said. I gave his shoulder a shove and turned back toward my bathroom. His arms encircled my waist as he pulled me back onto the bed.
I struggled and tried to pull his arms off of me... "What are you doing? We're going to be late!" I hissed. He kissed the back of my neck while one of his hands fumbled with the tight knot of my robe. "I can teleport us there in a matter of seconds." He said roughly. His heated words grated over my ears, while my body melted and my mind rebelled. "Oh no you don't! I have an obligation to my friends to…" He yanked me back onto the bed and my hands reached for the nightstand. "Ah someone help me!" I screamed before all reason fled my brain under his gaze.
"I extremely dislike you sometimes." I said later to him. We were outside the Brass Bar door, Ignis in human form and his fingers curled into my loose ones. "Only sometimes." He said with a bright smile. I wrinkled my nose in disgust at his optimism and pushed the Bar doors open. He happily walked in with me, taking no notice of the other people that gaped at him as we walked past. I saw Selena stop in her dancing, her eyes crawling over Ignis. I glared at the woman till she peeled her eyes off my husband and looked at me. "Don't even think about him." I mouthed. She stuck her nose in the air and gyrated her hips around the stage.
I felt Ignis's satisfaction through our link. "Your quite adorable when jealous." He observed. Yeah, well I worked too hard to earn your smartass to have some floozy eyeing you. I thought. "I'm flattered." He said. I ignored his jest and called Cathy over to the table. "Can we have two apple cocktails please?" I asked her. Cathy nodded and twirled on her heel back toward the bar. Owen winked at her and a blush lit her cheeks. She glared at him and turned her back to him. Luke and Owen only laughed low to themselves in response.
"She's going to rip your sweets off one of these days Owen." I said. He wiped his eyes and only smiled at me. "If she coughs up the courage to ask me out then I'll be more than happy to let her." He responded. I shrugged and sipped at the cocktails Cathy brought us a moment later. She completely ignored Owen's meaningful stare as she walked away. "When are your friends to arrive?" Ignis asked me. I glanced up at the clock by the bar. "In about an hour, once Luna finishes decorating." I said while gesturing the pink pigtails bouncing as she struggled to hand a light on a hook in the wall.
Gill came up behind her and placed the light on the hook, looking coldly down at her. A blush colored her cheeks as she looked at him angrily and continued to decorate. After much fussing and the silent discomfort of Ignis, an hour passed by and Julius came skipping into the bar with Candace in tow. "Hello there everyone!" He called. Candace came out from behind her flamboyant fiancé and stuttered a shy. "Hello." Everyone erupted into cheers and ran toward them, patting them on the back and yelling out jokes. Ignis and I hanged at the edge of the crowd, not partial to inflict the same embarrassment on someone else that we once endured.
When everyone cleared away, passing put food and dancing around like idiots, Candace and Julius walked up to us. "Will you two sit with us at our table?" Candace asked. I nodded and stood, Ignis remained stubbornly in place. Julius placed a hand on his shoulder, my husband stiffened under his touch. "My my, I'm afraid that if you don't come, I just may whisk both Candace and Hikari away." He said.
Ignis reached across the table and grabbed my hand, shoving off Julius and heading toward the large table set up in the center of the room. Julius and Candace sat at the head while we sat to the left of them, Candace's grandmother and sister Luna on their right. Everyone else brought their food and drinks to the table and took their seats. After a while Julius coughed loudly and the room quieted, save for Owens laughter. "I'd like it if my best man would give a toast." He said, gesturing to Gill at the opposite end of the table.
Gill scowled from over his spaghetti and stood. He hoisted his tomato juice into the air. "To Julius and Candace." He said and moved to sit back down. Julius glared at him from across the table and Gill huffed, standing back up. "Julius has been my friend since I was little. He has always been very strange, girly, once thought to be gender confused…" I hid my laughter behind me hand, Candace suppressed a smile. "Anyway, I never expected any person to actually understand his strangeness. It takes an equally unique girl to understand a thoroughly strange man such as our Julius. So Candace, I wish you luck, and as a couple I wish you both happiness till the end of your days." Gill finished while hoisting his glass high into the air.
"To Candace and Julius!" I exclaimed, everyone cheered while raising their glasses; Ignis downed his cocktail in one gulp. I felt his rising irritation that stemmed from his discomfort around humans. Don't make such a fuss. I thought to him. He glared at me as he took another cocktail offered by Cathy. Do not lecture me; I haven't set anyone of fire have I? He replied. I shrugged and sipped at my cocktail. After a few more drinks Candace and Julius moved to the dance floor and did a slow, junior high version of a slow dance. Everyone cooed and awed them but the couple ignored them, oblivious to everyone but each other.
I grabbed Ignis's hand and pulled him out of his chair. He read the intent in my thoughts and pulled his hand away. No way. He said. "Oh come on King and dance with your wife." I laughed. He remained stubbornly in his chair. I shrugged and let his hand drop to his side. "Hey Luke! Want to dance?" I called from over the table. "Sure thing Hikari!" he answered. Ignis stood up, his chair sliding over the wooden floor. He took my hand and hulled me toward the dance floor, each step pounding into the wood.
When his hand encircled my hips and mine around his neck, he leaned in. "That was a low tactic." He whispered angrily in my ear. "But an effective one nonetheless." I answered. He scowled as we moved around in a square. When he moved his arm to press into my lower back, I gave out a sharp hiss of pain. Ignis searched my thoughts with worry, trying to pinpoint the source of my pain. I bent forward like the old woman I felt, and everyone turned to look at me in worry. "Are you alright?" Candace asked worriedly. "Yeah." I huffed. "Probably just pulled a muscle or something."
"More like too much romping through the woods with your husband!" Owen called over the table. Ignis walked across the room to where Owen sat. I grabbed his arm in an attempt to stop him but he kept walking. When he reached Own he grabbed the beef head by his shirt collar and lifted him out of his chair. "I am sick and tired of hearing your rude disrespectful banter directed toward my wife." He said calmly into Owens face, his eyes betraying his voice. "King calm down it was just a joke." I laughed nervously. Ignis didn't look at me when he spoke, continuing to glare at Owen.
"This is no laughing matter Hikari; I will no longer tolerate his indecent humor toward you." "It was just a joke! Jeez where is your sense of humor?" Owen gasped when Ignis tightened his grip on his shirt, cutting off his air a bit. "Right here." Ignis growled. I felt the heat rising in the room and I desperately clutched at Ignis's thoughts, hoping to redirect his anger. Ignis calm down! I yelled in his mind. His anger was like a wall that deflected any control I attempted to take over his thoughts.
Kathy was the one who got between them. "Enough of this! I'll have no fighting in my father's bar!" I reached a hand up and placed it on Ignis's arm. His eyes met mine and slowly the fury within him receded. After a moment he slowly loosed his grip on Owen and allowed him to drop, literally. Owen fell back into his chair; I now realized Ignis must have been holding him a few inches in the air. "Owen." Kathy said, turning on him in a whirl of blond hair. "Apologize to King." She ordered. "But I…" he protested. Kathy clenched her teeth. "Now." She said with steely calm. Owen slumped back into his chair. "Sorry." He mumbled. Cathy nodded then turned to us. "Now that that is settled, on with the party!" she said while walking past Ignis, patting him on his shoulder.
The silence slowly crept out of the room, and the chatter quickly reawakened. "Humans are strange." Ignis said, flabbergasted. I yanked him back to our seats and pushed him in his chair. "That was quite a scene." I observed. "I apologize Hikari, I was… not myself." Ignis said. "That much I could tell." I replied. I leaned over the table and placed my hand on his. "Thanks though." I said. He smiled and curled his fingers in mine. "Oh and one other thing." I said. "Yes?" he asked. "Thanks to you my back hurts." I said. A blush colored his cheeks slightly. "So I am going to get completely drunk tonight to forget about my aches." I said evilly.
Ignis's eyes widened. "Anything but that." He pleaded. "Oh ho you're in for it now!" I laughed with evil glee. And just as I promised, I became so hammered that I could barely form a coherent sentence. Ignis watched over me fretfully and I just ran around like a madwoman. When it was time to leave, Ignis heaved me out the door, calling goodbye to everyone for me. As we walked through the town I pointed at the sea. "Look it moves!" I giggled. "Yes yes." Ignis said in irritation. I grabbed Ignis by his hair and pulled him back toward me. "Give me a smooch handsome!" I babbled while laughing.
"You are a terrible drunk." He groaned. "I want a kiss." I whined. He ignored me and grabbed my hand and continued walking. I dug my heels into the ground. "I want it now!" I said while stomping my foot. He calmly pulled me up and tossed me over his shoulder. "Wee!" I called as we made our way down the path and my ranch appeared. "Woooow is this your house?" I asked. "It's yours." He replied. "No, no, no." I hiccupped. "That can't be right, because I live in a great pumpkin down on the beach. That has to be your house." I said, sure that he was lying.
Ignis put me down on the steps and turned to open my door. I took off down the stairs and into my fields. "Can't catch me!" I called. "Hikari!" he yelled. I saw a flash of light as he appeared in front of me. I didn't slow down, rather I sped up and his eyes widened in surprise as I slid on my legs like a baseball player heading for the last base. I slid under him, about halfway, till he went down with me and hit his head on the ground. "You insufferable woman!" he growled as he sat up and took my arms into his hands.
I merely laughed when he picked me up again and carried me to the door. When he placed me on the steps again he kept one hand latched to mine. He opened the door and tugged on my arm to tell me to go inside. "I can't go in there! What is there is a bear in there?" I shrieked. "It's a house not a cave, and you do have a pet bear named Raem upstairs. Now get inside." He ordered. "Waa you go in first I'm too scared!" I said while hiding behind me. He rolled his eyes and stepped in front of me and into the door. As his front half went through the entrance, I raised my booted foot and kicked him in his robed butt. He flew forward, my hand slipping from his. I closed the door behind him and ran into the barn, laughing all the way.
"That's it!" Ignis yelled while appearing before me and pinning me between his arms. "You are to never drink again." He said while shaking me. "Excuse me stranger, but I am not drunk, why I've never had a drop of alcohol in my whole life!" I yelled with a hiccup escaping my lips. An agonized moo came from the back of the barn. Ignis and I looked over at Lemons stall where the sounds were coming from. We ran, Ignis half dragging me because when drunk I developed a talent for tripping over flat surfaces, to her stall.
Lemon was on her sides, her great black flanks heaving up in down under her labored breathing. "LEMON?" I screeched while landing on my knees beside her. I held her massive head in my hands as Ignis bent down beside her. "What's wrong with her?" I asked, a moment of clarity through my drunken stupor. "She is suffering from contractions." He replied. He moved to the other end of her. "Contractions? What are you talking about?" I asked worriedly. "Keep holding her head and keep her calm." Ignis ordered. I obeyed and spoke soothing words to Lemon, all the while stroking the sweaty hide of her back and head.
For a moment she opened her eyes to meet mine. Her big brown eyes were dilated and full of pain. "Can't you do something?" I asked. "Keep talking to her!" he yelled. I shifted my attention back to her and babbled on about Goddess knows what. Hours passed as Ignis and I stayed with Lemon. His hands hovered over her body, through our connection I could feel him pumping energy into her, shaping and moving and controlling something within her body. "It's going to be ok Lemon, I'm right here." I said, tears running down my cheeks. Suddenly Lemon raised her head out of my lap, bellowing so loudly my brain pounded within the confines of my skull. Then her head dropped into my lap again and she went limp, her breathing ragged.
"Lemon? LEMON?" I screamed in agony. "Calm down Hikari, she is merely asleep, come see." I raised my tear stricken face and forced myself away from Lemon, setting her head gently on the ground. As I crawled around her two small hooves came into view. "Oh my Goddess. Is that..?" Ignis held the small brown calf in his arms, blood smeared across his skin. "A job well did Lemon." Ignis said, using his robes to wipe blood from the calf's eyes. Lemon slowly raised her head and laid down on all fours. Ignis moved and placed the calf beside her. "What will you call her?" he asked me. Fresh tears of relief and wonder filled my eyes. "This is… she was… Lemon you had a baby!" I cried.
Lemon rolled her brown eyes. Duh, she seemed to say. I wiped my nose. The small brown calf slowly opened its brown eyes and looked around in confusion. Lemon stood on shaky legs and nudged the calf with her nose. Slowly the animal stood, dropped, and tried again. She took one step toward her mother and began to suckle. "I think I'll call her Peach. What do you think Lemon?" The beast blinked at me, and continued to nuzzle her newborn. "She likes it." Ignis said. When I looked back at him I noticed that he was all cleaned up, all traces of blood and pregnant cow removed from the stall and his body.
"I thought she didn't like Roger enough… guess I was wrong." I said as I slumped forward, exhausted. Ignis caught me and pulled me to him. My back pressed against his chest as he wrapped his arms around me. We both watched the little family scene before us. "A miracle on my own ranch, can you believe it?" I asked with a shaky laugh. I reached a hand up and grasped one of his arms that held me. "Yes, a miracle." He replied. I felt awe and joy rise within me as I saw the gentle way Lemon nursed her young charge. My heart tightened at the tender look she bestowed on the little calf. A little pang of envy and curiosity rose in me. What would it be like to be pregnant? To have a life grow inside me? I wanted to know these things; I wanted to know the joy of having a child of my own within my arms.
Ignis's arms tightened around me, I felt his astonishment through our link. Oh no… he had seen my selfish desires. Way to ruin a moment! I screamed at myself. Now was no time to be petty, it was too early for such things, besides a child was out of the question. I wasn't even sure Ignis even wanted one; he was a God after all, what Immortal would want to be saddled with children anyway? He has already far too busy, held to many responsibilities to even think about…
"Hikari, stop it." He growled. I blinked. A felt a clenching in my heart as I felt the tender and nervous feelings well from within him. He held me gently, his hand drifting toward my waist and stopping to rest above my navel. "Do you truly think you are the only one who wishes for a life to be nurtured here," he said while spreading his fingers across my stomach, "within you?"
I know what you must be thinking, "WTH is Farmin Lovin Monthly?"
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