Settlement - Ch. 7
Title: Settlement
Chapter: 7; "Strength"
Fandom: Harvest Moon
Character(s): Vaughn, Chelsea
Genre: Romance, drama,
Rating: K+/PG
Disclaimers: Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness © Marvelous Interactive
Notes: I got the idea for this one after once again losing an animal festival, this one being the Chicken Festival. Man, Taro can be pretty brutal sometimes when you lose...If someone had actually said that to me, I'd be pretty hurt too. But it made for a good scene, especially since Vaughn seems to be one of those people who doesn't care what anyone else thinks. It was pretty fitting, and provided some needed fluff. Enjoy.
Summary: It's a fresh start and a brand new life for the inhabitants of Sunny Island...even for those who aren't looking for it.
[Chapter 6]
~*~*~*~
"You got cocky!" he heard old man Taro yell. "If you don't try harder, you'll never win anything!"
As Chelsea gave her soft reply, Vaughn frowned and shook his head. He knew that everyone on the island had high expectations for Chelsea, but they really shouldn't put so much pressure on her. She shouldn't be the only one representing the island and helping it grow. Even with all the work the others did, they all seemed to rely on the farmer for everything.
When the old man was finally finished and headed away, he approached the brunette and stood beside her. She glanced at him, sighing heavily as her shoulders drooped. "I don't think I'm any good at these animal festivals," she murmured.
He shrugged, glancing towards the crowd congratulating the winner and his chicken. "Forget about it," he replied. "Take good care of your animals. Win next year."
"I guess." The girl rubbed her arm as she looked around the meadow. Something that caught her eye brought a small smile to her face. Curious, he glanced in the direction she was facing to see a young tan boy dressed in a long, striped loincloth and face paint.
Vaughn had only heard about the jungle boy from a few rumors floating around island, but this was the first time he'd ever seen him with his own eyes. The boy and the other man from the jungle supposedly belonged to a native tribe that has lived on the island for generations. From what he heard, though, they never left the jungle and didn't cause any problems. So what were they doing here now?
"Hey, Shea," Vaughn heard Chelsea greet the jungle boy, and he looked at her in surprise. "What's wrong?"
Glancing back at the jungle boy, the cowboy noticed that he actually did seem upset about something.
The boy, Shea, kicked a pebble in the grass as he looked at Chelsea. "I thought for sure Chelsea chicken would win," he replied softly. "But you lost." He sighed. "So sad…"
The girl laughed, patting the jungle boy on the shoulder. "It's okay, Shea. Maybe things will be better next year."
Shea stared at her for a moment, the confused expression on his face leading Vaughn to believe that he didn't really understand what the farmer said. Then the boy suddenly pulled Chelsea into his arms and embraced her tightly, and his muscles urged him to pry the boy off in case he might hurt her. He stopped himself, though, when the girl gently returned the embrace. But that didn't stop the swell of anger in his body as he watched them together.
After what felt like too long, the boy pulled away and smiled. "Chelsea will do better next year!" he said happily. "Chelsea chicken will win!"
Chelsea giggled softly. "I hope so," she replied.
Suddenly the sound of screaming and frantic clucking echoed throughout the meadow, followed by a loud whooping, and the three turned to see the other three participants and their chickens running as the larger jungle man chased them with his spear.
"Uh…Shea…" Chelsea murmured.
"Uh oh…" the jungle boy said. Hurrying to catch the man, he called in a rush, "Bye, Chelsea, see you tomorrow!"
Vaughn watched with a raised brow as the jungle boy left, then turned to Chelsea.
The girl laughed softly. "Wada wanted some…um…chicken…" she replied, somewhat nervously.
"Huh…" Vaughn said. It was an interesting sight to see, actually. And, considering the results of the Chicken Festival anyway, it was rather funny.
At that moment, Mirabelle came over carrying Chelsea's chicken, Peep, in her arms. "Chelsea," she said calmly, despite the situation going on around them. "Here's your chicken."
Glancing at the jungle man and boy, Chelsea hesitantly accepted her bird. "Thanks," she replied.
"I'm sorry you didn't win this time," the older woman said, stroking Peep's feathers. "But there's always next year."
"I know," the farmer replied with a small smile. "Thank you."
With a nod, Mirabelle turned and headed off, still seemingly unconcerned about the natives chasing the chickens.
When she was gone, the two watched the jungle inhabitants for a little while longer before Vaughn turned to her. "Want me to walk you home?"
"Shouldn't we stop Wada from catching those chickens?" she wondered.
He shrugged. "I'm sure the little jungle boy can take care of it." Gently patting her shoulder, he urged her towards the bridge. "Let's go."
It wasn't until they were back in West Town that Vaughn finally noticed just how reversed their roles were; on the entire walk home, he was the one talking - giving her tips about animal care that could help with future animal festivals - while she was the one who listened, oddly silent as she held her chicken. There was a far-off look in her eyes, and he could see something was wrong, but he didn't ask about it. It wasn't his business anyway.
Except it bothered him seeing her like this…
When they were finally back on the ranch, Chelsea finally looked up at him. "Are you leaving tonight?" she asked softly.
He thought for a moment, then shook his head. "I have to be here tomorrow anyway," he replied, "so I might as well stay the night."
"Are you staying at the inn?"
"I guess so."
She nodded, glancing at the chicken in her arms. Looking back up at him, she granted him a little smile. "Well, thanks for walking me home, Vaughn." With that, she turned and headed further onto her land.
He watched as she headed for one of the buildings that surrounded the crop field, and he figured it was the chicken coop. Normally this would be the moment when he would leave and go wherever he needed to be, yet he still found himself rooted to that one spot. Her behavior still bothered him, and he knew something wasn't right. And he wouldn't leave without knowing what that was.
When she came out of the coop again, she froze. "You're still here?" she called across the field.
"Is that a problem?" he called back, stepping further onto the land.
He could see her hesitate slightly, avoiding his gaze as she rubbed her arm. "Well…no," she replied. "I mean, you're welcome to stay if you'd like…but I don't think I'll be very good company right now."
"Why not?" he asked, slowly closing the distance between them.
"Well…um…" Instinctively she took a step back as he came closer. "I've got a lot of work to do right now."
Vaughn continued forward, his height giving him the advantage as he covered more ground than she did. "Don't you finish all your farm work in the morning?"
She laughed softly, shaking her head. "I'm never really done. There's always work to do."
"You can leave it for tonight," he said. "It's been a long day. Let's take a walk somewhere."
She looked up at him, a faint blush on her cheeks. She opened her mouth to speak, but caught herself and shook her head. "N-no, I-I can't," she stammered. "I have so much to do."
"You don't have to do it right now," he insisted.
Her eyes narrowed slightly as her brow furrowed in an angered expression. Inhaling deeply, she said, "Vaughn, I really have to finish all this work! There's so much I need to do on the ranch, so many ways I can make it better! I need to keep working, so I can improve -!"
"Why?" Vaughn demanded. "Why do you want to improve? Why do you need to get better?"
Her fists clenched at her sides, and she yelled, "Because I'm tired of letting everyone down!"
As soon as the words left her lips, the fury in her face melted as tears filled her eyes. She turned away from him, and she continued softly, "Everyone's…counting on me. They all think that if I do well, then people will flock to the island and settle down, and everything will be great. But if I keep losing…then why should they bother?" She paused, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. "Everyone is always so sure that I'm going to win the festival, no matter what it is. And when I lose, they just…" She shook her head, shuddering a little. "That's why I have to get better. I can't keep disappointing everyone…" She fell silent, turning away from him completely.
Vaughn sighed. He was afraid of something like this happening. By placing all their aspirations on the girl and her work on the ranch, they left the future of the island in her hands. That was a lot of burden for anyone, let alone a young girl who wanted so much to help those around her. They probably didn't mean to do it, but that didn't stop it from happening anyway.
Suddenly the girl turned again, heading for her house without looking at him. "Anyway," she murmured, "I gotta get back to work…"
He grabbed her arm before she could get too far. "Hold it," he said, pulling her back.
"Vaughn, please…"
Turning her so she would face him, he placed his hands on her shoulders to keep her still. "Listen," he said, a little more exasperated than he intended to be, "you need to stop caring about what other people think."
She looked at him uncertainly. "But…"
"Look, I get it, okay? I know you like helping people, and you don't want to let them down. Fine." He looked into her eyes, holding her gaze so she would hear him. "But if you don't take care of yourself, then you can't be expected to take care of anyone else."
She stared at him silently, unsure of what to say. So, taking a breath to calm himself, Vaughn continued. "Now, forget about everyone else. Forget about what they tell you, about what they think…forget about what they want. What do you want?"
Chelsea blinked, opening her mouth to speak. At first no words would come out, and she seemed unsure. Then, pursing her lips together, she looked at her feet and seemed to reflect. Looking up at him again, she said firmly, "I just…I just want to do the best I can."
Seeing the resolution in her eyes, he nodded. "Then do that," he said, "and you'll be fine."
He was unprepared as she sprang forward, wrapping her arms around his waist and burying her face in his chest. Eyes grew wide, and his heart pounded rapidly and sent heat coursing through his stiff body.
"Thank you," he heard her whisper, breaking him from his daze.
Somehow, he found his arms slowly wrapping around her shoulders, awkwardly returning the embrace. Then he gently pushed her away, clearing his throat loudly as he pulled his hat further down on his head.
"Come on," he grunted, "let's go for a walk."
Watching him for a puzzled moment, Chelsea then giggled softly. "Sure."
Vaughn slid his hands into his pockets as they once again left the ranch, falling into a comfortable silence. But, taking a quick glance at her and noting her brighter smile, he smiled a little as well.
TBC
[Chapter 8]
Chapter: 7; "Strength"
Fandom: Harvest Moon
Character(s): Vaughn, Chelsea
Genre: Romance, drama,
Rating: K+/PG
Disclaimers: Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness © Marvelous Interactive
Notes: I got the idea for this one after once again losing an animal festival, this one being the Chicken Festival. Man, Taro can be pretty brutal sometimes when you lose...If someone had actually said that to me, I'd be pretty hurt too. But it made for a good scene, especially since Vaughn seems to be one of those people who doesn't care what anyone else thinks. It was pretty fitting, and provided some needed fluff. Enjoy.
Summary: It's a fresh start and a brand new life for the inhabitants of Sunny Island...even for those who aren't looking for it.
[Chapter 6]
~*~*~*~
"You got cocky!" he heard old man Taro yell. "If you don't try harder, you'll never win anything!"
As Chelsea gave her soft reply, Vaughn frowned and shook his head. He knew that everyone on the island had high expectations for Chelsea, but they really shouldn't put so much pressure on her. She shouldn't be the only one representing the island and helping it grow. Even with all the work the others did, they all seemed to rely on the farmer for everything.
When the old man was finally finished and headed away, he approached the brunette and stood beside her. She glanced at him, sighing heavily as her shoulders drooped. "I don't think I'm any good at these animal festivals," she murmured.
He shrugged, glancing towards the crowd congratulating the winner and his chicken. "Forget about it," he replied. "Take good care of your animals. Win next year."
"I guess." The girl rubbed her arm as she looked around the meadow. Something that caught her eye brought a small smile to her face. Curious, he glanced in the direction she was facing to see a young tan boy dressed in a long, striped loincloth and face paint.
Vaughn had only heard about the jungle boy from a few rumors floating around island, but this was the first time he'd ever seen him with his own eyes. The boy and the other man from the jungle supposedly belonged to a native tribe that has lived on the island for generations. From what he heard, though, they never left the jungle and didn't cause any problems. So what were they doing here now?
"Hey, Shea," Vaughn heard Chelsea greet the jungle boy, and he looked at her in surprise. "What's wrong?"
Glancing back at the jungle boy, the cowboy noticed that he actually did seem upset about something.
The boy, Shea, kicked a pebble in the grass as he looked at Chelsea. "I thought for sure Chelsea chicken would win," he replied softly. "But you lost." He sighed. "So sad…"
The girl laughed, patting the jungle boy on the shoulder. "It's okay, Shea. Maybe things will be better next year."
Shea stared at her for a moment, the confused expression on his face leading Vaughn to believe that he didn't really understand what the farmer said. Then the boy suddenly pulled Chelsea into his arms and embraced her tightly, and his muscles urged him to pry the boy off in case he might hurt her. He stopped himself, though, when the girl gently returned the embrace. But that didn't stop the swell of anger in his body as he watched them together.
After what felt like too long, the boy pulled away and smiled. "Chelsea will do better next year!" he said happily. "Chelsea chicken will win!"
Chelsea giggled softly. "I hope so," she replied.
Suddenly the sound of screaming and frantic clucking echoed throughout the meadow, followed by a loud whooping, and the three turned to see the other three participants and their chickens running as the larger jungle man chased them with his spear.
"Uh…Shea…" Chelsea murmured.
"Uh oh…" the jungle boy said. Hurrying to catch the man, he called in a rush, "Bye, Chelsea, see you tomorrow!"
Vaughn watched with a raised brow as the jungle boy left, then turned to Chelsea.
The girl laughed softly. "Wada wanted some…um…chicken…" she replied, somewhat nervously.
"Huh…" Vaughn said. It was an interesting sight to see, actually. And, considering the results of the Chicken Festival anyway, it was rather funny.
At that moment, Mirabelle came over carrying Chelsea's chicken, Peep, in her arms. "Chelsea," she said calmly, despite the situation going on around them. "Here's your chicken."
Glancing at the jungle man and boy, Chelsea hesitantly accepted her bird. "Thanks," she replied.
"I'm sorry you didn't win this time," the older woman said, stroking Peep's feathers. "But there's always next year."
"I know," the farmer replied with a small smile. "Thank you."
With a nod, Mirabelle turned and headed off, still seemingly unconcerned about the natives chasing the chickens.
When she was gone, the two watched the jungle inhabitants for a little while longer before Vaughn turned to her. "Want me to walk you home?"
"Shouldn't we stop Wada from catching those chickens?" she wondered.
He shrugged. "I'm sure the little jungle boy can take care of it." Gently patting her shoulder, he urged her towards the bridge. "Let's go."
It wasn't until they were back in West Town that Vaughn finally noticed just how reversed their roles were; on the entire walk home, he was the one talking - giving her tips about animal care that could help with future animal festivals - while she was the one who listened, oddly silent as she held her chicken. There was a far-off look in her eyes, and he could see something was wrong, but he didn't ask about it. It wasn't his business anyway.
Except it bothered him seeing her like this…
When they were finally back on the ranch, Chelsea finally looked up at him. "Are you leaving tonight?" she asked softly.
He thought for a moment, then shook his head. "I have to be here tomorrow anyway," he replied, "so I might as well stay the night."
"Are you staying at the inn?"
"I guess so."
She nodded, glancing at the chicken in her arms. Looking back up at him, she granted him a little smile. "Well, thanks for walking me home, Vaughn." With that, she turned and headed further onto her land.
He watched as she headed for one of the buildings that surrounded the crop field, and he figured it was the chicken coop. Normally this would be the moment when he would leave and go wherever he needed to be, yet he still found himself rooted to that one spot. Her behavior still bothered him, and he knew something wasn't right. And he wouldn't leave without knowing what that was.
When she came out of the coop again, she froze. "You're still here?" she called across the field.
"Is that a problem?" he called back, stepping further onto the land.
He could see her hesitate slightly, avoiding his gaze as she rubbed her arm. "Well…no," she replied. "I mean, you're welcome to stay if you'd like…but I don't think I'll be very good company right now."
"Why not?" he asked, slowly closing the distance between them.
"Well…um…" Instinctively she took a step back as he came closer. "I've got a lot of work to do right now."
Vaughn continued forward, his height giving him the advantage as he covered more ground than she did. "Don't you finish all your farm work in the morning?"
She laughed softly, shaking her head. "I'm never really done. There's always work to do."
"You can leave it for tonight," he said. "It's been a long day. Let's take a walk somewhere."
She looked up at him, a faint blush on her cheeks. She opened her mouth to speak, but caught herself and shook her head. "N-no, I-I can't," she stammered. "I have so much to do."
"You don't have to do it right now," he insisted.
Her eyes narrowed slightly as her brow furrowed in an angered expression. Inhaling deeply, she said, "Vaughn, I really have to finish all this work! There's so much I need to do on the ranch, so many ways I can make it better! I need to keep working, so I can improve -!"
"Why?" Vaughn demanded. "Why do you want to improve? Why do you need to get better?"
Her fists clenched at her sides, and she yelled, "Because I'm tired of letting everyone down!"
As soon as the words left her lips, the fury in her face melted as tears filled her eyes. She turned away from him, and she continued softly, "Everyone's…counting on me. They all think that if I do well, then people will flock to the island and settle down, and everything will be great. But if I keep losing…then why should they bother?" She paused, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. "Everyone is always so sure that I'm going to win the festival, no matter what it is. And when I lose, they just…" She shook her head, shuddering a little. "That's why I have to get better. I can't keep disappointing everyone…" She fell silent, turning away from him completely.
Vaughn sighed. He was afraid of something like this happening. By placing all their aspirations on the girl and her work on the ranch, they left the future of the island in her hands. That was a lot of burden for anyone, let alone a young girl who wanted so much to help those around her. They probably didn't mean to do it, but that didn't stop it from happening anyway.
Suddenly the girl turned again, heading for her house without looking at him. "Anyway," she murmured, "I gotta get back to work…"
He grabbed her arm before she could get too far. "Hold it," he said, pulling her back.
"Vaughn, please…"
Turning her so she would face him, he placed his hands on her shoulders to keep her still. "Listen," he said, a little more exasperated than he intended to be, "you need to stop caring about what other people think."
She looked at him uncertainly. "But…"
"Look, I get it, okay? I know you like helping people, and you don't want to let them down. Fine." He looked into her eyes, holding her gaze so she would hear him. "But if you don't take care of yourself, then you can't be expected to take care of anyone else."
She stared at him silently, unsure of what to say. So, taking a breath to calm himself, Vaughn continued. "Now, forget about everyone else. Forget about what they tell you, about what they think…forget about what they want. What do you want?"
Chelsea blinked, opening her mouth to speak. At first no words would come out, and she seemed unsure. Then, pursing her lips together, she looked at her feet and seemed to reflect. Looking up at him again, she said firmly, "I just…I just want to do the best I can."
Seeing the resolution in her eyes, he nodded. "Then do that," he said, "and you'll be fine."
He was unprepared as she sprang forward, wrapping her arms around his waist and burying her face in his chest. Eyes grew wide, and his heart pounded rapidly and sent heat coursing through his stiff body.
"Thank you," he heard her whisper, breaking him from his daze.
Somehow, he found his arms slowly wrapping around her shoulders, awkwardly returning the embrace. Then he gently pushed her away, clearing his throat loudly as he pulled his hat further down on his head.
"Come on," he grunted, "let's go for a walk."
Watching him for a puzzled moment, Chelsea then giggled softly. "Sure."
Vaughn slid his hands into his pockets as they once again left the ranch, falling into a comfortable silence. But, taking a quick glance at her and noting her brighter smile, he smiled a little as well.
TBC
[Chapter 8]