Harvest Moon Generations

First Generation

Chapter 7: Fall

Today was the beginning of Fall, I had just woken up and was about to change when I heard a knock at my door. Opening it up there was Zack, with a big box in his hands. He handed it to me and left with a few words. I set the box on the table and started to tear away the tape on top, opening the flaps of the box and sitting in there was the clothes I had ordered. 'Wow that got here fast,' I started to take them out and put them away, keeping the dark green long sleeve flannel shirt out with my overalls and warmer socks. I also kept the lighter of the two jackets out for later in the evening, it was light brown with darker brown cuffs and collar. I changed into my new outfit and ate some rice balls for breakfast, Max at my side it was time to get ready for the new season.

The crops from summer were already starting to wither away, so I took my scythe to them and cleared the area. I tilled the remaining plants into the ground, this was to put some nutrients back into the soil and made sure that I found Oliver and brushed him and showed my horse some love, 'You're getting so big aren't you.' I cooed at him.

Making my way to the General Store I bought new seeds for the season and was debating on buying the basket that they had, it would help when harvesting crops so I'm not running back and forth. I sat there for a bit, I also wanted to buy a chicken from Lillia. I'll go buy the chicken first and then I'll come back and buy the basket. I paid for the seeds and left Jeff looking a litter paler today.

I wanted to take the long way to the Poultry Shop today and enjoying all the fall colors. The trees were turning beautiful shades of reds and oranges with tints of yellow mixed in. The colors were so welcoming and made my heart melt, 'I'm really starting to fall in love with this Town.' I smiled brightly walking past the Church. I heard the door open and saw Cliff coming out with a beat-up jacket tightly wrapped around him. His face was sad and looked like he was thinking.

"Hi, Cliff." I said walking up to the shy man, trying not to startle him, "Beautiful day, isn't it?"

He looked up at me and to a quick glance around at his surrounding, a sad smile forming on his face, "Yeah it is."

"Is everything okay?"

He shuffled his feet in front of him, "Yes…no…well, um…" I waited patiently till he was ready, "The truth is, I'm running out of money. So I might have to leave Mineral Town soon…"

"What?!" That was quite the shock, I wasn't expecting that! "What do you mean leaving! Does Ann know? It's not soon I hope, do you some cash for anything, it might not be much but I can spare some gold!" He looked at me, eyes wide. Yes I haven't known him for long or talked to him much, but I couldn't ignore the fact that I still wanted to get the know the guy, plus I have a suspicion that a certain red-head would be very sad if he left.

I saw him smile, a genuine smile, and laughed a bit, "It's fine Claire, thank you for the offer but this is my problem. I've been meaning to talk to Ann and Doug about my stay, I have enough money to last through the Fall, and ticket back home." He sighed, "But thank you for your concern. Ann took me out the other day and introduced me to the rest of the town. Everyone here is so very kind, I would rather not leave here but it seems like I don't have a choice in the matter." This was the first real conversation we have had and it tore me up that I couldn't do anything to help.

Bidding our farewells, I continued to the Shop, I couldn't believe that he might be leaving. He hasn't even really started his life here and he was going to leave. I really wish there was a way that I could help him. As I entered the Shop I was welcomed by Lillia and asked how much a chicken cost. She gave me a big smile and told me that it would be 1500 Gold and that I would need some Chicken feed along with it. As I was paying for everything Rick walked in and greeted me.

"Rick, Claire here just bought a chicken and some feed. Go with her and show her the ropes of raising the precious bird and where the feed goes." Lillia said everything with a smile yet still very demanding. This is what I presume is the power of being a mother.

I followed Rick out of the shop and he picked up one of their many chickens and handed me her, "You need to think of a good name for her, they like it." Rick smiled as he went into the shed and grabbed the amount of feed I bought. We walked back to my farm and down to the chicken coop. I was close to the river that passed through, a mill was connected to it and Rick told me that corn can go in and I can make my own feed. Good to know. He opened the coop door and walked me in, explaining that this was a smaller coop only about four chickens could live here and be comfortable, even animals need their space. In the corner of the coop is where the feed storage was, Rick poured the feed I bought into it and showed me that I take a handful of feed each day and put it into the trough next to me, it went along the back wall.

"Thanks for the help." I smiled at him setting my new chicken down in the coop.

"No problem, Claire. I'm always happy to help you." He smiled brightly, "So what did you decide to name her?"

"Her name will be, Gizzmo!" I declared. Rick looked away and was trying not to laugh, I puffed out my cheeks and started to push him out of the coop, "No one asked for your opinion!" Rick apologised and headed home. I started to work on planting my new seeds, eggplants, yams, and green peppers. Finishing the watering up the sun was starting to set, today was a productive day. I'm starting to get the hang of this farming thing, maybe Fall would be my season.

No, I was wrong.

The next morning Carter had come to visit, "Good morning Claire," he smiled and walked over to me as I was watering my crops, "We're having the Music Festival tomorrow night at the Church. Would you like to come?"

"Yeah, I'd love too." I smiled, this would be fun. Music and hanging out with everyone-

"Great! In that case, you can play the Ocarina." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a weird instrument handing it to me.

'What.' I thought looking down at the instrument. I was a little bigger than my hand with I wanna say a narrow mouthpiece facing me, it was fatter in my palm with holes at the edges by my fingers, it looked like a croissant in shape, 'How am I supposed to play this?!'

"Also here's the music sheet," Carter handing me a few pieces of paper, "Don't be late tomorrow!" He smiled widely at me and then left. I stood there, some sheet music in one hand and an instrument that I was supposed to play, in front of the town, in the other.

Silently screaming in my head as I stare at where Carter left and then yelled, "Whhhhhhyyyyy?!" I shoved them into my rucksack and went back to watering as fast as I could, "Why would you give someone an instrument that they don't know how to play?!" I ran over to the chicken coop and fed Gizzmo and tried to pick her up, she ran. "Who's idea was this? Yes, give the new farm girl a part in the Festival, but don't give her time to learn the music! No, give her a day and a half to learn how to read notes and how to operate this-thing!" I ran into my house and looked for a book that had anything to do with this instrument, nothing. 'Craaaaap!' I thought racing out of the house and towards the library, 'Hopefully Mary has something, ANYTHING, that can help me!' my hair flying everywhere as I ran down the brick road.

I rushed into the library, trying to not slam the door open. Mary jumped at the sound and stared at me, "Claire what's the matter? Is everything okay?" I explained my situation to her, trying to keep my panic under control, I hopped she had a book somewhere. We started to search the shelves for anything, we found a book on reading sheet music and finger positions of a flute, close enough!

"Can I borrow these till the Festival tomorrow?" holding them close to my chest.

She giggled, "Of course, and good luck." I waved her goodbye and started to speed walk to Mothers Hill. If I was going to practice I wanted to practice where no one could find me, or hopefully hear me.

I sat at the edge of the Lake and started to read the books, taking out the sheet music and the Ocarina. I tried to follow where the finger positions were on the flute and try to place my fingers where I thought were the notes and blew into it. A horrible noise came out of it and I kept trying at it for what felt like hours.

I felt like crying, was this some sort of cruel joke?

A shadow loomed over me and I looked up, it was Gotz. I looked at him like a lost child, tears threating to spill from my eyes at any moment. He kneeled in front of me and repositioned my fingers, "Now try." I blew into it and a non-sour note came out of this stupid thing. I looked at him in shock and smiled, a small smile forming on his face. We sat there for the rest of the night, he gave me a crash course on how to play and what I needed to know. I still made mistakes, but he was very patient.

The next morning I finished my chores as quickly as possible and kept practising what Gotz taught me till it was time for the Festival. As I walked towards the Church each step felt heavier than the last, my stomach was in knots and I felt like running away. 'Everyone is going to laugh. I'm going to mess up and make a fool of myself.' I felt my heartbeat quicken as I saw Carter outside the Church, 'You're the pastor at this Church why couldn't you play the stupid thing!' I walked up to him and gave him the best glare I could, what with my stomach in knots.

He just smiled at me, "Claire, just in time! Everyone else is already inside waiting." I followed him inside. The town was all seated in the pews, some were standing to the sides, everyone was here. I walked to the back of the church where Elli and Ann were warming up with their flutes to my left, Mary was seated at the organ to my right, and Karen was warming up her voice in front of me. "You'll stand here, Claire." Carter motioned in between Karen and Mary. I did just so and took out the Ocarina, it felt like a rock in my hand. There was no music stands around, did he expect me to learn this over night?! Nope. I took out the papers and laid them down in front of me so if I was lost, which I would be, I could look down and find my place.

As we all settled in our places, Carter introduced us and we started to play. Ann and Elli played beautifully on the flutes, same with Mary on the Organ. Then there was me, I didn't realise how much faster I was supposed to play and was starting to mess up. Karen then started to sing, and my Goddess could she sing. I couldn't hear the words she was singing though, all I could hear was the notes I was missing.

I just felt like crawling into a hole and never coming out.

I looked out to the crowd and just saw blurry faces.

'Don't cry,' I was blinking back tears, 'It's fine. We'll just finish this an never leave my farm again.' I could feel my face heat up.

Then it was over, we finished the song, and everyone applauded. We bowed appropriately at them and I gathered the papers on the ground and rushed over to Carter handing them and the Ocarina to him. I said my thanks and made up an excuse to leave, my hair was covering my face just enough so no one could see the tears that were starting to roll down my cheek.

The night was chiller than expected but I couldn't tell, the breeze blowing my hair in my face, 'That was horrible. I'm so embarrassed.' I was speed walking back to the farm, hot tears falling down my face. As I was half way through the plaza I felt a large hand grab my smaller one. I looked up to see who it was and there was Gotz. He squeezed my hand and gave me a small smile, "You did just fine." He took his other hand and patted my head. That was the last straw, I felt my heartstrings pull and I just broke down crying loudly.

This gentle giant had taken his time to show me how to somewhat play that stupid thing and in the end, I did nothing but mess up the entire song. I had failed and he was praising me. Why? Why did this happen? He didn't have to do any of this, and yet here we were. Me, tears streaming down my red puffy face as I squeezed his hand as tight as I could, fearing if I let go I would fall further than before. My voice cracking when I try to speak and apologise for wasting his time, I could feel that the snot was starting to drip from my nose. I felt like a complete failure.

Yet he just stood there rubbing my hair, comforting me and telling me in a calm proud voice, "You did just fine. No one excepts perfection, seeing this is your first year. Yet you were still determined and brave to go up in front of everyone and played to your best ability. Carter should have given you the chose to play or watch. That is on him, not you. You should be proud that you tried, I know I am." He smiled down at me, just as a father would at his child.

I couldn't form coherent sentences anymore, wiping my nose on my sleeve and rubbing my eyes trying to make the tears stop. Gotz started to lead me home as I followed, hand in hand, the tears still falling, I was biting my lip trying to keep my voice was cracking but some sobs still broke through. I could feel a headache coming on.

We got to the front of my house and he patted my head again, I opened my mouth and tried to apologise again but he held up his hand, "No, there's nothing to apologise for. I enjoyed helping you and you didn't waste my time. I would gladly show you how to play properly, just as I did with my daughter." He smiled softly, "She would have been about the same age as you by now. Now go to bed, you have a farm to run in the morning."

He said goodbye and headed back to his house in the woods, I waved weakly and entered my house, Max, following behind me. I changed into my PJs and crawled into bed sniffling, feeling better than I did earlier. Gotz was blunt yet kind, I'm glad he was here for me. Max jumped onto my bed and snuggled into me, I hugged the small dog as I drifted off to sleep thankfully that I had the gentle giant on my side.

I didn't leave my farm for five days, I was too embarrassed to face anyone right now. I would get up and do my chores around the farm, then head to the woods and collect what I could find, then I would come straight home and just lazy around my house. I found through channel surfing that there was a shopping network, I wrote down the number and the item code that I wanted to buy and when I found the courage to enter the town again I'd order either the mirror or clock first.

When I was out foraging in the woods I would stop by Gotz place and give him an apple that fell from my tree as a way of saying thanks, even though he kept saying he didn't need it. I could see the smile he tried to hide. As I was exciting from his shop/house I saw Karen and Rick just across the way. I stopped in my tracks and hid behind the closest tree I could see.

"We used to play here all the time." That was Ricks' voice, I peered around the tree see what was going on. He was in his work clothes still but with a light jacket on.

"We played games like tag, kick the can, hide and seek…everything." Karen smiled sweetly at Rick, she was still in her shorts, even though it was getting colder and the jacket she wore during the Fireworks Festival but zipped up this time.

"We also wrestled," Rick started to laugh, "Although…I never could beat you."

Karen whipped her head around towards him, "What do you mean?! I don't remember any of that!"

"What? Don't remember how I used to cry when you threw me to the ground? You would get up behind me and start to pick me up and-"

"I told you I don't remember, so I don't remember!" Her face was going red, eyes scary, "I'm going home now!" She started to storm off towards the path.

Rick stood there dumbfounded and yelled out to her, "What are you mad for?" she didn't answer and kept walking, "Karen! Wait up!" He ran after her. I let go of the breath that I was holding and walked back home.

Since it's been a week since the Music Festival and I haven't really seen the town, Gotz had informed me of the Harvest Festival that would be going on tomorrow, well more like he told me I was going to it, "Claire, the Harvest Festival is tomorrow at 10. Bring something good from your farm. I'll see you there." I stared at him as he walked into the woods, a knot was forming in my stomach.

I stood at the entrance of the Plaza with my crop of choice in my bag, a Green Pepper. I walked in and saw that the town was there and I felt my face heating up thinking back to the music festival. 'This was a bad idea.' I started walking in, keeping to the edges of it. I felt a tap on my shoulder and as I turned there was Carter, he looked at me with worry and concern.

"Claire," he started and I wanted to book it back to the farm, "I wanted to apologise for my actions last week. You don't have to accept them but if you would listen to what my reasons were for choosing you it would set my mind at a little ease." I looked down at my feet and nodded, I didn't want to hear it per say but I wanted to see what he was up too. "Okay, well there are two reasons I had chosen you for the part. The first was a tradition, if you will, of the town. The farmer of this town for the longest time was the main source for many things in the town, including entertainment. The farmer would play for them, on their Ocarina, every month and as the years passed they would add more instruments and lyrics and soon made it into one big festival. From generation to generation the Ocarina was passed down and they would play. The last farmer who owned the farm wanted his children to continue on, but since the moved away and wanted nothing to do with the farm, we haven't had someone to play it in a few years."

He smiled slightly at me, making sure I was still listening, "And the second thing?" I said in a monotone voice.

He took a breath, "The second is that I wanted you to be involved with the town more. I was hoping that when I gave you the instrument that it would have given you a great chance to interact with everyone." He frowned slightly and picked at the cuff of his robes, "Yet what I saw was a frighten girl on stage who didn't want to be there, yet you stood there and played to the best of your abilities. I shouldn't have forced this on to you. I should have talked to you about it. I'm truly sorry." He looked at me with a straight face.

"Carter, thank you for telling me and yeah I wished you would have talked to me first." I looked at him with cold eyes, "I felt humiliated up there. I didn't know what I was doing, if it wasn't for Gotz I wouldn't have been able to play at all. If you would like for me to participate next year I want time. Time to learn how to play and not make a fool out of myself in front of the whole town." I was trying to keep my anger down, I wasn't happy with what happened but I'll be damned if I'm not stubborn. I would learn the damn thing but at my own pace.

Carter let out a sigh, "Right, I understand. If you would like the Ocarina at any time to practice, just come to the Church and it's yours." I nodded and was about to walk away when he called out, "No one here was making fun of you that day, we were all happy you played."

It would have been hard to believe him if it wasn't for everyone coming up and checking on me, asking how I was and if there was anything I needed. Then following that with how amazing I was for my first try was at that instrument then Mary, Elli, Ann and Karen telling me all their horror stories of the Music Festival. Mary at one point played the song backwards and still doesn't know how that happened. Ann had once blown so hard that her flute went flying and almost hit Mary. Karen once forgot the lyrics and just stopped singing in general and moved her lips like a fish. Elli had done the same thing I did and missed every note with also playing too high. We all had a good laugh and I gave Mayor Thomas the crop I brought. We all ate the Stew we made together, it was warm and delicious. I had found Gotz by the end of the night and gave him the biggest smile I could and all he said was, "See, you did just fine." and rubbed my head messing up my hair.

On my walk back home all I could think was, 'I really do like this town. I'm glad I can call this place home.'

It was half way through the Fall season when I was harvesting my crops, I had gone and bought a basket finally, I needed it. My rucksack was too small for all the crops that kept popping up, the basket helped so much with carrying them to the shipping bin.

"Hey, Claire," I turned around and saw Duke waving at me from the edge of the field. I walked over to him wiping my hands on my overalls.

"Hey Duke, how can I help you?"

He smiled, "Tomorrow we're harvesting wine grapes at my place. Do you want to help out?"

"Yeah sure, I've never done that before."

"Great! In that case, come by at around 10 am. We'll pay you, of course." He turned and started to walk off and then turned yelling back, "Oh yeah! We need one more person, so invite someone if you think of it." Waving he left the farm.

I went back to harvesting and thinking of who could I invite?

"Cliff!" I yelled out, I dumped my basket into my shipping bin and headed towards the church. 'If he helps out they'll pay him and he might be able to stay a little longer!'

I ran into the church, slightly slamming the doors open and yelled, "Cliff!" I saw the two men jump at the sound of my voice. I rushed over to him. He was fidgeting under my gaze.

"Uh..what's up?" He smiled slightly.

"There's a job at the winery tomorrow, at 10 am!" I was huffing slightly.

"Oh! Well, I am running low on money," he thought for a second, "Okay, I'll be there tomorrow." He smiled up at me.

"Great! I'll see you there tomorrow!" I rushed out of there to inform Duke I found someone to help.

The next morning Cliff and I showed you at the specified time and we meet Duke out front of his house, "Okay you two, we'll be working till 5 pm today, we'll break for lunch at noon but there are a lot of grapes this year. So, let's get started!" We followed Duke around for the day, he showed us where to cut on the vines, and where we need to transport our buckets of grapes so they could later turn into wine.

At 5 pm we heard Manna shout out, "Good work today!" That was our cue that the day was done. She handed Cliff and me our pay and they both walked us to the front of the vineyards.

"Thanks for helping out today, it was a big help." Duke smiled.

Manna handed us some bottles, "Thanks for all your help. Here Is some fresh grape juice." Cliff and I clinked our glasses and chugged them back, they tasted amazing!

"Look forward to tasting the Wine made of the grapes you picked!" Duke wrapped his arm around his wife's shoulder and she whispered something in his ear. He glanced over at the two of us and Cliff looked over at me. I looked at him and shrugged my shoulders. "Cliff," Duke's voice made him jump, "what do you think about working here at Aja Winery full time? The harvest is over, but wine making is a year-round job!"

Cliffs eyes went wide and his mouth fell open, "Really?!...You're serious?!"

Manna laughed, "With Aja gone off to the city, it's awful hard for just Duke and me."

It looked like Cliff was about to cry, a huge smile was spreading across his face, "Thank you! You won't regret it!" He turned towards me and engulfed me in a hug, "This is all thanks to you, Claire." I laughed and hugged him back when we parted his face was red and I heard a faint, "Sorry." We all had a good laugh and I said my goodbyes to them. I felt good on the way home, Cliff now can stay in the town and has a job, I'd say that's a good day!

We had a second Horse Racing festival this Season as well, Oliver Twix has gotten older but not enough to where I can ride on him and enter the race. So, after finishing my chores for the day I went over to the Plaza and wasted my money on gambling. I won 115 medals.

The next festival was a few days after, and it was a Sheep festival. When I walked into the plaza I saw clouds with legs. They were so cute! I went around and patted every sheep could find. They were so calming and soft.

Barely had found me and asked if I would watch May for him since he's the head judge again. I agreed and we found a good spot to watch the sheep compete. May was sitting in my lap and was telling me what her grandpa has made for her with the wool they have gotten with the sheep. Today was a relaxing day, I helped Barley at the end with the cleanup and walked them both home. Maybe I'll get a sheep later.

Nothing much happened after the Sheep Festival, I got busy with my crops, it feels like every other day I have more to harvest than before. It was the second to last day of the Season and I was headed to the general store to buy seeds for next year. As I was walking past the Poultry Farm I head Popuri yell out to me.

"Claire!" She was wearing a long white trench coat and her red skirt peeked out from the bottom. She grabbed my arm and looked me in the eyes with determination, "Do you know what tomorrow is?"

I looked at her confused, "Um, the last day of Fall?"

"No! Well yes, but no! Tomorrow is the Pumpkin Festival!"

"Oooookay? I didn't grow any pumpkins, so I don't think I'll be participating in that event then." I smiled at her.

"What? No, it's a day that the adults give candy or sweets to all the kids in the town!" She was giving me a wide smile.

"Ooooh, okay. Well, thank you for telling me Popuri." I moved my arm out of her grip, "I'll keep that in mind then when I go to the store."

"Of course! Make sure to get extra!" she looked at me expectantly. We said our goodbyes and she ran back to the shop.

I made it to the General Store and bought seeds for next year, and saw that they had chocolate bars for sale, I bought four of them and with that, I headed home for the rest of the day.

The next morning, after finishing breakfast and grabbing my jacket, it's been getting colder now that Winter was the next day, I heard a small knock at my door. Opening it I didn't see anyone at first but looking down I saw May in a big jacket her cheeks a little red from the cold, "Good morning!" She smiled up at me, "Today is the Pumpkin Festival, may I have a treat please!" She held out her small hands and waited.

I went back inside and grabbed one of the bars and handed it to her she was so happy, said her thanks and left. I started on my chores after watching her leave the Farm.

I was finishing up harvesting the last crop of the season when I heard a yell, "Hey Farmer!"

I turned around and saw Stu waving at me. I walked over to him and he started to say quickly, "Today we get treats! So, give me some!" I looked at him sternly and crossed my arms. He looked down and said in a smaller voice, "May I have a treat…. please." I rubbed his head and grabbed a chocolate bar from my house and handed it to him. He smiled and said his thanks running off to the next house.

It was getting closer to the end of the day and I was settling down at home watching TV and eating one of the chocolate bars when I heard a knock at my door. Opening it there stood Popuri, "Hi!" I smiled at her.

"Hi, Claire! Don't you think that it's so unfair that only kids get candy today?" She gave me a smug look, "If you have any extra I wouldn't mind taking it off your hands."

'Ah,' I thought looking at her, 'That's why she was like that yesterday.'

I grabbed a chocolate off my table and looked at her, "Well would you look at that, I do have extra. Would you like it Popuri?"

"Oh, yes please, but only if you insist." She took it out of my hand and looked so happy about it, "Thank you, Claire!" She said by and skipped out of the farm. I shook my head and laughed at her.

As I changed into my PJs and crawled into my bed with Max at my feet I thought that this has been a very interesting season and as my eyes were getting heavy and the first snow had started outside.