Harvest Moon: A Glance into the Past

[Pickle]

And it's only been a season! There are two more left!

[stitch]

Chapter 9 The Firefly Festival

Summer 15 Year 1

It was already dark outside by the time I’d left the Inn for the Firefly Festival. I was still afraid. I couldn’t help it. I’ve only been at the festival once long ago with my parents when I wasn’t as afraid of the beach at night. I continued walking forward. It was still fairly warm out but that didn’t keep me from feeling numb. I shivered, getting closer to the beach, but I was relieved when I saw other people there. I felt a smile cross my face seeing Lyla. She had come to visit the Inn off and on all week. We were becoming good friends. I felt my breath get caught in my throat upon seeing Levi. He had come to the Inn everyday and everyday he came he had brought me a gift. I had to admit that I was really starting to like him. One morning not too long ago I had stopped by his farm in the morning and gave him an omelet that I had made that morning.

The sound of the waves crashing against the shore brought me back to the present when I felt the sand underneath my boots. I walked over to Lyla and stood beside her. “Are you alright Gwen?” Lyla asked. “You look a little pale,” she stated.

“Oh it’s nothing really. I just don’t like the beach at night that’s all,” I stated.

Lyla nodded. “I don’t blame you. My Grandpa used to tell me stories about beaches at night. He often told me that the ones with ships usually had a maiden haunting the shores at night, while she looked for her loved one that had been lost at sea. It’s quite sad really,” Lyla stated.

I nodded. “That would be sad.”

“It would, but I couldn’t imagine that happening. I know ships do get lost at sea. But I don’t know about the haunted shores,” she smiled. “I think this festival is quite sad. It often reminds of the stories I’ve been told,” she stated quietly.

I nodded my head quietly in agreement. There was nothing cheerful about this festival. Yet my head perked up when I heard someone coming towards me.

“Hi, Gwen, I’m glad that you showed up,” Levi stated softly coming up beside me.

I managed a smiled. “I nearly didn’t come. I don’t like the beach at night,” I admitted.

Levi frowned a little. “You’ll still come to the Fireworks though won’t you?” he asked.

I nodded. “I like the fireworks. It’s just really dark out for this festival and sad,” I answered.

“Don’t worry it won’t last too much longer…but you will stay to watch the Firefly Flowers drift out to sea won’t you?”

My eyes drifted back out to the water. Was that pleading I heard in his voice? “I suppose I could,” I replied, and when Levi left I sat down on the sand. I knew I was going to be there awhile. But at least I wasn’t very close to the water. One day I’ll get over my fear, I hoped. It would be nice to stroll down the beach at night without being afraid.

I watched as the Firefly Flowers were put into the sea. The pinkish purple glow seemed to relax me as I watched. I knew there was really nothing to be afraid of and I continued to think that even when Lyla left shortly after. Yet even though I felt I should go right then I still stayed. The flowers were still in sight and people were still there. I did notice that it was starting to get colder. It was only then that I realized that Dia was there as well. She was standing beside Levi and it drained any happiness I had. “Eyeing up your competition, are we?” Joe asked quietly sitting down beside me. “I’m actually surprised that you came. But I suppose you came for him more then for yourself, did you not?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I replied forcing myself to look anywhere but at Levi and Dia…or even Joe.

“Oh, of course you don’t,” Joe replied. “It’s not hard to tell you know.”

“Not hard to tell what?” I asked focusing with all my will on the fading flowers.

“That you’re falling in love with him,” Joe stated and before I could say a word on the matter he stood up and left. I only blinked, watching him go. That was nonsense. Joe didn’t know what he was talking about I decided. Standing up, I got ready to leave.

“Gwen wait!” Levi called and I turned to face him. My head whirled in sudden confusion.

“What?” I asked.

“Here I’ll walk you to the Inn,” he offered. I only nodded. Dia I found out had already left with her nurse while I was talking to Joe. It wasn’t a long walk to the Inn from the beach. But it was a very silent walk. I couldn’t seem to start a conversation. I just didn’t feel like it. My mind was still on what Joe had said. But Joe was wrong. He had to be. Levi and I were just friends. But as I watched Levi walk back to his farm and I entered the Inn something entered my mind. If I was just his friend, then why did Dia make me feel so jealous? Surely a friend wouldn’t be jealous. They’d be happy for them. Was I even jealous? Maybe Joe was just putting thoughts into my head. The idea of me falling in love with Levi was ridiculous…or was it?

*To be Continued*

Wow, I'm sorry, I got so busy that I forgot about this. It just so happened to cross my mind today. Well at least now it's getting interesting.

[Pickle]

That's okay. It's what I'm here for. I send a shock to your muse to get off it's lazy butt.

[stitch]

Chapter 10 Race Track

Summer 18 Year 1

The days went by somewhat fast. Levi came over everyday with a gift as usual and I had been able to ignore my thoughts about him and what Joe had said for some time. But as the Inn opened and Levi walked in I noticed that something was a bit different today. Levi walked a little more confidently then he usually did and his smile widened as he saw me. I suddenly wondered if his sudden happiness had something to do with Dia. “Hello Levi, you seem extra happy today,” I stated not sure whether I should be smiling as well.

“I do?” he asked. Then he looked away from me for a minute. “Do you remember that day you came to my farm to take a look around?” he asked.

I nodded. Of course I remembered I’d only thought about it enough. “Yes what about it?” I asked.

“Remember how you said we could go riding down at the track when my horse was bigger?” he questioned.

I nodded once more.

“Well Flash has been quite big for awhile now. I’ve taken him riding around town a few times… Are you busy today?” he asked.

I was startled for a moment by the question. I hadn’t even gotten to ride Spirit very much since she was brought up here. I turned to look at my Uncle Doug. I knew he wasn’t going to like hearing that I was going to be taking the day off very much. But it was a Friday and business was usually slow anyway. “Can I have the day off Uncle Doug? I’d like to ride my horse today,” I explained.

“Alright Gwen, go ahead. You’ve been working hard enough to deserve a day off anyway,” my Uncle stated eyeing Levi.

I was surprised that it had been that easy as I turned to face Levi. “No, I’m not busy today,” I smiled.

“Good, oh here I brought you a flower,” he smiled handing me a Pinkcat Flower.

“Oh thank-you,” I smiled. “Why don’t I meet you at the Town Square in a few minutes? I have to get my horse then we can go down to the race track,” I suggested.

“Okay I’ll see you there,” Levi smiled and left.

I sighed happily after he left and went back to my room where my vase still sat on my dresser. It was nearly over flowing with Pinkcat flowers that Levi had given me. I had to admit that I was quite happy as I set my newest flower in my vase. Levi came over everyday rain or shine and just to see me. I sighed once more before I went to catch my horse and not long after I was riding Spirit into the Town Square. Levi was already there and mounted on his horse. “You haven’t been here long have you?” I asked.

Levi shook his head. “No I haven’t, just got here really,” he admitted. “You’re going to teach me how to race though aren’t you?” he asked.

“Sure, of course I will.” I smiled leading the way down to the race track. The race track was like it always was. But this time there was only me and Levi for people. The gates were all ready and the finish line marked. The track was also in good condition. Everything looked ready to be used which pleased me.

“Are you going to be entering the Fall Horse Races?” Levi asked as we rode down onto the track.

“I don’t usually enter them,” I admitted. “But I might enter this year. Are you going to enter your horse?” I asked.

“I think I might. We get along pretty well don’t we Flash?” Levi asked his horse and his horse made a soft sound.

I smiled. “Well whenever you’re ready. I’ll warn you now. A horse needs a lot of practice in running before it can win. Being good friends with your horse is an excellent start. But you do have to practice at it,” I explained.

Levi nodded. “If it took anything less then hard work I’d find no pride in doing it.”

Hearing that made my eyes sparkle somewhat. I always admired someone who worked hard. I pulled my attention away from my thoughts and put them on Spirit as she walked into the gate quietly like she always did. Levi had a little trouble getting Flash into the gate, but Flash did very well for a first timer. Usually a horse put up more of a fight then just simply backing out of the gate a few times. “Are you ready?” I asked.

“Yes I think so,” Levi replied.

I nodded. The gates were already open. We could start at anytime. “Start whenever you’re ready,” I told him and a few seconds later Levi and Flash took off down the race track. I tapped Spirit and we were off as well. It didn’t take long to catch Levi and Flash but I had to admit that Flash could run. Spirit and I crossed the finish line and we noticed that Levi and Flash were right behind us. I smiled. They were going to be the kind of competition I wanted. I’d have to be at my best now for any of the races. “That was a fabulous first race. I can’t believe how good you two are.” I smiled.

Levi smiled back at me. “That’s good to hear. That wasn’t too hard, but you still make it look easier then it is.”

“If you keep practicing I can see you placing either first or second in the races this Fall,” I admitted.

Levi grinned. “Could we try that a few more times? If you have time I mean.”

I nodded. “I have time. You have everything done for the day?” I asked.

“Sure do,” Levi replied and so we raced two more times. It got closer and closer each time. Flash seemed determined to win at some point. But after awhile Levi decided that he’d had enough and so had I. A person could only ride for so long after all. But I had to admit that Levi was getting quite good at reining Flash and making him go. It wouldn’t be long now and I might get dealt a second place.

It was late afternoon by the time we made it back to the Town Square. We had spent a great deal of the day riding and racing. I knew my horse was happy. She loved to run and she’d gotten to do quite a bit of that today. “Well it was a good day,” I stated as I pulled my horse to a stop.

Levi nodded. “It was. Well I’ll see you tomorrow Gwen,” Levi replied as he left.

I only smiled watching him leave before I patted my horse on the neck and took her back to her pen. Maybe I would enter the Fall races. I knew that I had a long time to think about it, but it was well worth considering at the moment. But as I walked back to the Inn I couldn’t take my mind off of how much I suddenly wanted to go to the Firework Festival. I loved fireworks. But I couldn’t help wondering if there was another reason why I wanted to go so badly. Was it because Levi was going to be there? And if he was would I watch the fireworks with him? I didn’t ponder it for too long as I was about to turn the corner to cross the bridge that was right beside the Inn when I saw Dia there.

I stood and watched her for a minute. I knew that Levi still went to see her every day. Would he take her as his wife? I wondered to myself. She didn’t seem like she’d be the kind of person that would lift a finger to really help someone. I couldn’t even imagine her doing a tiny bit of cleaning. What would she even do if she married Levi? Sit around the house all day doing nothing? I finally found myself wondering what she did at the Sanatorium where she was living. I had heard Uncle Doug say that her parents were fairly rich and that she was fairly spoiled. But he had also said that she came here to recover from a surgery of some kind.

I was about to walk towards her and say hi when her nurse Gina came up to her and I sadly heard what she said. “Please Miss Dia; come back to the Sanatorium now,” Gina pleaded.

Dia turned to face her hesitantly. “He, he said he likes me…” Dia stated.

“Who Levi?” Gina asked.

Dia nodded. “I-I don’t know what to think…” Dia trailed off as I walked towards them. I had heard every word but I pretended as if I’d heard nothing.

“Hello, Dia, Gina, it’s a nice evening isn’t it?” I asked.

Gina smiled at me and Dia only partly hid behind the nurse. “It is indeed. You’ve been out for the day?” Gina asked.

“I have. I was just on my way back to the Inn,” I stated.

Gina nodded. “We should be going. It was nice seeing you again,” Gina said quietly, walking away with Dia and I walked into the Inn.

I didn’t say a word as I entered the Inn. I was hurt. I entered my room without my Uncle noticing but I felt disgusted as I saw the vase of flowers on my dresser. I was confused and getting quite frustrated. I really wanted to know who Levi liked more but I didn’t dare ask him. But was that because I feared the answer or because it was just really nothing I should concern myself with? I didn’t know nor did I care at the moment. Flopping down on my bed, I stared at the roof unwilling to think.

“Gwen is that you?” my Uncle asked.

“Yes Uncle, it’s me,” I answered sitting up on my bed and watched him enter.

“How was your ride?” he asked.

“Fine as usual, Levi is going to be quite the competition soon,” I admitted.

My Uncle smiled. “That’s good. You need some tough competition.”

“I know,” I replied. “And I think I’m going to get it too.”

Uncle Doug nodded. “Well I think I’m going close the Inn up early so you can go to bed if you’d like now Gwen,” he replied.

“Oh, are you sure Uncle? I can stay up and work if you want me to,” I answered.

But my Uncle shook his head. “No don’t worry about it Gwen. Staying up until midnight every night is a little tiring. Get some sleep,” he suggested as he left my room.

I had a puzzled look but said nothing and got ready for bed. But as I lay back down on my bed trying to go to sleep the conversation I had overheard played through my mind again and troubled me. As a matter of fact it haunted me all night and into the early rays of the morning sun.

*To be Continued*

[Pickle]

A slight discord, I see.