Hey, all! Oh my goodness, chapter two got so many reviews! I'm so happy! Thanx to Hay Lin rox, Momo-chan12, PhonixAvenger IV, and Rinikittybabe for your super fabulous reviews. I love you guys! Special thanks to Rinikittybabe for pointing out that the divider thing-ys that I put in weren't showing up (I fixed that this chappie btw). Guess what? It's disclaimer time!
Disclaimer: I do not own Harvest Moon or any of its characters, plots, scenes, and settings.
This chappie is based (loosely) on the first cutscene w/ Lumina. I worked forever to get the intro and Lumina's monologue right. Enjoy!
Spring 5, Year 1
Ryuu
I fell backwards gratefully onto the wishing well next to the Blue Bar. The first half of Spring had passed me in a blur. I was slowly beginning to realize that I was stupid for thinking life out in the country would be relaxing and easy. What with crops, animals, mining, and fishing, I was twice as busy as I had ever been in the city. Going to see Lumina up at Romana's Villa had also become part of my daily schedule. I really like going to visit her, more than I could have ever imagined I would. Yet I still didn't feel that I knew her very well. There was so much about her that I still hadn't uncovered.
I stood up and stretch, yawning. I grimaced and began to jog up Romana's hill. I always run that hill, just to get the worst over with quickly. When I finally reached the peak I slowed to a walk, breathing hard, then stopped. A smooth, elegant sound was drifting across the courtyard. People in town had told me of Lumina's talent playing piano, but I'd never actually heard her play. Was this her playing now?
I slipped in through the front doors, eyes immediately seeking out the grand piano and its player. Sure enough, there sat Lumina, looking anxious but playing wonderfully all the same. The cause of her stress was obvious. Miss Romana was standing over her granddaughter and watching her every move. I bit my lip. Though I wasn't sure why exactly, it was deeply troubling for me to see Lumina so distressed. Sebastian, Romana's butler, was standing near the stairs. Like me, he looked upset by the proceedings. Also, he was the only person who had noticed me come in. He gave me a little smile and a wave. I forced myself to smile in return. The air was stiff with tension, even with the piano music in the background, echoing slightly in the vast hall.
Finally, the piece ended. Lumina turned on the piano bench to face her grandmother, pale and shaky from nerves. Romana looked at her granddaughter levelly. I held my breath, waiting.
"Good work, Lumina," the room breathed a sigh of relief. "You can play any piece perfectly, just as it's written. Now you must learn to play more freely."
Judgment made, Romana shuffled off in the direction of her room. Sebastian straightened up and followed his mistress in silence. Romana nodded to me in acknowledgement as she passed. Their little procession turned the corner. A door opened and closed with a creak. Lumina and I were alone.
The moment her grandmother was out of sight, Lumina slumped in her seat, staring unseeingly at the spot where Romana had stood moments before. To my intense shock and horror, I saw that Lumina's eyes were slowly filling with angry tears.
"Hey, don't cry," I said, sitting down next to her on the piano bench making Lumina jump. I felt distinctly awkward about the whole situation; I'd never been great at comforting people.
Lumina sniffed and looked up at me with watery eyes. Her face, I decided, wasn't sad exactly. She looked more frustrated than anything. Slowly, she put her head in her hands and took deep breaths. "I just don't get it," she murmured. "She never explains what she says to me. What does 'playing more freely' mean anyway? Isn't it enough that I can play the music right?"
She gazed hopelessly up at me and I realized with a start that the question was aimed at me. I racked my brain for a suitable answer. "Um…" I stalled. "Well, I'm not sure but I think playing more freely means to just try to have more fun playing. You do like playing the piano, don't you?"
Lumina
Have more fun playing. My indignant frustration evaporated at his words. I hadn't enjoyed playing piano in years. I'd always seen it as a chore, something that was forced on me. I struggled with myself for a moment then stood up, not facing Ryuu. Slowly, quietly, I began to speak.
"I've been playing piano since I was really little. My Auntie Romana taught me most of what I knew when my mother and I came to visit. She used to praise me for playing the right notes. I loved piano.
"But, after my mother…" I paused and took a deep breath. "After I moved in with Auntie Romana, things were different. She gradually began to expect more of me. The more pressure she put on me to play the songs perfectly, the less I liked playing. It became something that I dreaded doing. Now, I can barely remember why I used to like it so much," I turned to face Ryuu, my eyes swimming with tears again. "It's just that hearing her telling me what I knew all along, that what she used to expect from me isn't enough anymore; it's hard."
Ryuu looked concerned. "Lumina, I-- "
"Lumina," We both whipped around to see my grandma standing with one hand on the banister. In silence, she motioned imperiously for me to come.
I looked back at Ryuu. He touched my shoulder gently and gave me a comforting smile. Then he was out the door and I stood alone in the hall with my grandmother. I walked warily over to her, expecting the worst. The expression on her face was difficult to read. It looked to be a cross between sadness and determination. Finally she sighed.
"Lumina, what you said just now, is that really how you feel?"
I squared my shoulders. "Yes."
The anguish in my Auntie Romana's face deepened. "My dear," she began. "I never wanted you to be unhappy. Whether you wish to continue playing piano or not should be your choice. I will not force you to do something you hate."
I froze, shocked. My grandma leaned in and gave me a hug before departing for her
rooms. I stood stalk-still, not sure what to think.
Spring 6, Year 1
The day after the incident with my grandmother, I walked sheepishly down the stairs. I peered over the banister at the grand piano. It looked expectant. I won't force you to play, Lumina. That's what my Auntie Romana had said yet somehow, no matter how much I had dreaded it, I was finding it difficult to break the routine. Slowly, I crept down the last couple of steps and over to the piano. I rested my fingers on the old ivory keys. I couldn't help myself. I played a short melody softly. I smiled. The tune was one that my mother used to sing to me when I was a little girl.
"That's beautiful."
I jumped badly, startled out of my preoccupations. Apparently Ryuu had let himself in. He was standing next to me, eyes full of concern.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you," he said at once. I smiled weakly. "I just thought I'd come check on you. Are… how are you?"
The shadow of a frown crossed my face. "I'm alright, I guess."
"If you say so. Well, here. I brought you this," he pulled a flower from his rucksack. Typical Ryuu, I found myself thinking, a smile quivering on my lips.
I'm not sure but I thing playing more freely means to just try to have more fun playing. You do like playing the piano, don't you? I stared at the flower for a moment. Finally my decision was made. I looked Ryuu in the eyes and gave him, for the first time today, a real smile. "I like this, Ryuu," I offered, gently pushing his gift away. "But I really shouldn't take it now. I have to practice," I gestured to the piano.
He looked taken aback then he grinned at me. I beamed back. His smiles are contagious.
"I'll leave you to that then. See you tomorrow," he said and left, putting the flower carefully back into his bag.
I sat down at the piano bench still feeling light-hearted. Thank you, Ryuu, I thought as I began to play a slow, classical piece.
Okays, that seemed a little rushed to me. Did anyone else think that? All reviews are read and appreciated. The next chapter is all in Ryuu's pov, something I haven't tried yet, so stay tuned!