A very talented writer who enjoys Rune Factory has emailed me some excerpts from his game journals. He gave me permission to post some of the excerpts on this site. Here then is his 'Fishing Day' experience:
Despite it being Raguna's first chance to celebrate 'Fishing Day' he
nevertheless dutifully set about completing his farm chores first. Heading into
'Monster Shed II' he was greeted by his flock of four Woollys who, on seeing him
come in, all formed an orderly, if incredibly fuzzy, row four abreast like a
line of toy soldiers. One animal though was facing in the opposite direction to
the other three (obviously he's the rebellious one to keep an eye on). With a
gentleness that a US Marine Drill Sergeant simply wouldn't comprehend Raguna
went along the neatly assembled row of 'troops' brushing each animal in turn,
each Woolly then gambolling away happily after being brushed. Getting out his
wool clippers he then began to shear each in turn. With three shorn and only
one to go...the last Woolly decided he was Steve McQueen in the movie 'The Great
Escape'...(I'm sure the final animal was that 'rebellious' woolly I mentioned a
moment ago) and decided he
didn't want to be sheared that day and promptly led Raguna on a merry dance
around the monster shed for half an hour (Raguna time) before Raguna finally
manged to corner it near the fodder trough and clip it's fur! Feeling hassled,
Raguna then headed off to the beach and jetty/quayside for a spot of tranquil
and peaceful fishing, no doubt with Dr Edwards' words from the Wool Show
Festival ringing in his ears; "Some people think Woollys are cute, I'm not one
of them."
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Friday, September 11, 2009
A Player's version of the Introduction to Iris
A player wrote this version of the 1st meeting with Iris in Rune Factory Frontier. The actual transcript of the Event from my own game journal follows:
One night, when those Moondrop Flowers that had spontaneously appeared were in full bloom, I was watering the wildflowers that grew by the little pond next to my Tower of Rest. I was humming to myself. I thought I heard footsteps and didn’t think anything of it, as the only person who visits is Gelwein and he knows to wait and shut up while I’m watering my flowers. I stopped watering them for a moment and looked out at the town below the Island. “Um,” said the person behind me, who wasn’t Gelwein. I turned around to see whoever was kind enough to visit me. The person behind me couldn’t look any different than Gelwein! He was a kind-looking young man with shaggy brown hair and big blue eyes. I felt him looking me over, too. I could tell he lingered on my eyes, which are pretty strange, as one is red and one is green.
“Good evening!” I greeted him. I probably looked stunning, with the moonlight shining through my white clothes, and my short cape billowing around me.
“Uh, hi, I’m Raguna. I live below the Island,” he said.
“I’m Iris. I live right there,” I chirped., pointing at the Tower.
“Yeah, I’ve seen you out here before, but I couldn’t catch you.” He seemed slightly embarrassed at that.
“Did you plant those flowers?” I asked, pointing to the Moondrops.
“Yeah, how did you know?” Raguna replied.
“Who else would’ve? You’re one of the only people who come up here.”
He wasn’t paying attention enough to wonder about the other people who come up. I walked back into my Tower.
A few minutes later Raguna came up, too. “By the way, Iris, do you know how to open that gate farther in?” he asked, looking very puzzled.
“No, but I think it’ll open up eventually!” I said cheerily.
“OK, I’ll check it every time I come up to visit you,” he said absently. I could tell he was thinking about how to open the gate.
“You mean I’m the main reason for you’re visits?!” I almost shouted happily. A friend!
Raguna smiled, then left.
Submitted by 'Iris', Harvest Moon player
The actual text of this Event (from my own Game Journal) is as follows:
Freyr left the screen of the Whale Island Fin and returned immediately. It was 7.50 p.m.
When he reached the Tower, he experienced an Event. The moon was full, rising behind the tower and he saw a lovely but fey girl gazing at it. White moondrops everywhere, absolutely breathtaking.
‘Good evening’, the girl said.
Then: I didn’t expect a guest today. I’m sure today will be good then. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Iris.
Freyr: My name is Freyr and I came from Trampoli Village, below the island.
Iris: Freyr, is it? Nice to meet you. Please come visit me whenever you want.
Afterwards:
Iris: Good evening, Freyr. It’s very warm today. How is your walk out at night? Are you enjoying it?
Freyr then spoke to her again.
Freyr: Speaking of which, what’s behind that locked gate, Iris? How do I open it?
Iris: I don’t know. I haven’t gone very far so I’m not sure.
Freyr: I thought so…
Iris; Oh, but there could be a chance that it could just open. That’s why you should just check up on it from time to time.
Freyr: I guess. I’ll go check it out whenever I come to visit you.
Iris: Oh, you. So you’re saying that I’m the main purpose of your visit?
When he continued to speak to her:
Iris: Thank you for coming. There’s nothing here, but please make yourself at home.
Freyr, are you still exploring the ruins? Pardon me for saying so, but you just don’t look very strong. Please be careful.
Iris lives in the Whale Island Tower of Rest. When Freyr explored the Tower later that evening, he found Iris upstairs painting.
(From Freyashawk's Game Journal, 1st Year in Rune Factory Frontier)
One night, when those Moondrop Flowers that had spontaneously appeared were in full bloom, I was watering the wildflowers that grew by the little pond next to my Tower of Rest. I was humming to myself. I thought I heard footsteps and didn’t think anything of it, as the only person who visits is Gelwein and he knows to wait and shut up while I’m watering my flowers. I stopped watering them for a moment and looked out at the town below the Island. “Um,” said the person behind me, who wasn’t Gelwein. I turned around to see whoever was kind enough to visit me. The person behind me couldn’t look any different than Gelwein! He was a kind-looking young man with shaggy brown hair and big blue eyes. I felt him looking me over, too. I could tell he lingered on my eyes, which are pretty strange, as one is red and one is green.
“Good evening!” I greeted him. I probably looked stunning, with the moonlight shining through my white clothes, and my short cape billowing around me.
“Uh, hi, I’m Raguna. I live below the Island,” he said.
“I’m Iris. I live right there,” I chirped., pointing at the Tower.
“Yeah, I’ve seen you out here before, but I couldn’t catch you.” He seemed slightly embarrassed at that.
“Did you plant those flowers?” I asked, pointing to the Moondrops.
“Yeah, how did you know?” Raguna replied.
“Who else would’ve? You’re one of the only people who come up here.”
He wasn’t paying attention enough to wonder about the other people who come up. I walked back into my Tower.
A few minutes later Raguna came up, too. “By the way, Iris, do you know how to open that gate farther in?” he asked, looking very puzzled.
“No, but I think it’ll open up eventually!” I said cheerily.
“OK, I’ll check it every time I come up to visit you,” he said absently. I could tell he was thinking about how to open the gate.
“You mean I’m the main reason for you’re visits?!” I almost shouted happily. A friend!
Raguna smiled, then left.
Submitted by 'Iris', Harvest Moon player
The actual text of this Event (from my own Game Journal) is as follows:
Freyr left the screen of the Whale Island Fin and returned immediately. It was 7.50 p.m.
When he reached the Tower, he experienced an Event. The moon was full, rising behind the tower and he saw a lovely but fey girl gazing at it. White moondrops everywhere, absolutely breathtaking.
‘Good evening’, the girl said.
Then: I didn’t expect a guest today. I’m sure today will be good then. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Iris.
Freyr: My name is Freyr and I came from Trampoli Village, below the island.
Iris: Freyr, is it? Nice to meet you. Please come visit me whenever you want.
Afterwards:
Iris: Good evening, Freyr. It’s very warm today. How is your walk out at night? Are you enjoying it?
Freyr then spoke to her again.
Freyr: Speaking of which, what’s behind that locked gate, Iris? How do I open it?
Iris: I don’t know. I haven’t gone very far so I’m not sure.
Freyr: I thought so…
Iris; Oh, but there could be a chance that it could just open. That’s why you should just check up on it from time to time.
Freyr: I guess. I’ll go check it out whenever I come to visit you.
Iris: Oh, you. So you’re saying that I’m the main purpose of your visit?
When he continued to speak to her:
Iris: Thank you for coming. There’s nothing here, but please make yourself at home.
Freyr, are you still exploring the ruins? Pardon me for saying so, but you just don’t look very strong. Please be careful.
Iris lives in the Whale Island Tower of Rest. When Freyr explored the Tower later that evening, he found Iris upstairs painting.
(From Freyashawk's Game Journal, 1st Year in Rune Factory Frontier)
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Monster Pairings from Mars
Mars-Frog made a very amusing list of Monsters paired with Rune Factory characters. Here it is:
Monster Pairings:
Mist / Duck
Mist has two ducks in the game swimming in her pond all the time. What might seem a random choice at first is really one that makes sense. Ducks are silly creatures that enjoy talking a lot, singing funky songs while disco dancing, and make themselves at home wherever they want... very much like Mist herself (save the disco dancing). On a few occasions, Mist has managed to get them inside her house in order to play games, which worked out fine. However, when she tried taking them to the bathhouse, they caused quite a ruckus with the other ladies and Melody soon discovered her baths filled with dozens upon dozens of Ducks that came to join the party. This later resulted with Melody banning all monsters from entering the baths, but on the bright side Mist gained a whole flock of Ducks.
Stella / Ghost
There's been some strange happenings around town... like ghost sightings. So who ya gonna call? Stella! Why? Cuz it's her Ghost... that likes pulling pranks. Ghosts are timid by nature and can change their form at will to mimic everyday people, in this case a younger version of Stella. So the next time you see any strange little girls in town, you may in fact be subject to another prank by Stella’s Ghost. On another note, the long scythe the Ghost carries is helping for trimming the grass and trees around the graveyard.
Lara / Furpy
Lara loves her medicines... so what better companion than the Furpy? Though a bit vain in nature, the Furpy is a reliable partner that can hunt down herbs and grasses that are useful for making medicines. Its fur is a beautiful lavender that matches Lara’s dress, showing a strong bond in fashion.
Kanno / Tortas
Sometimes the old cane just doesn't do it and Kanno's back is ready to just cave in after a long walk on those mountain roads - enter the Tortas! A trusty, old companion that's been around since the age of the dinosaurs... when Kanno was born...
Candy / Fairy
After learning a devastating truth from her careless sister concerning the validity of the tooth fairy, Candy felt betrayed by the lies and gave up believing in all myths and legends. Kanno quickly set to fix this by getting a fairy (and by that I mean having ME get a fairy) to restore the little girl’s faith. After an awkward attempt at re-enacting the Tooth Fairy by trying to pull out a tooth and nearly getting swallowed, Candy’s faith was renewed (even though she knew it wasn’t the Tooth Fairy) and two bonded like Peanut Butter and Jelly. They now make an obnoxiously cute duo, which can make any dream come true with their talents in spirits and magic.
Cinnamon / Sealy
Cinnamon likes fish... nuff said (cuz talking’s “a pain”).
Note from Freyashawk here: You are close, Mars, but you should have chosen the 'Sky Fish'. In Cin's own words: That monster called the Sky Fish… I want to catch it someday. That’s my greatest goal.
Selphy / Gobble Box
A nice, charming, but incredibly lazy librarian that doesn't even bother with eating for days and lives in what can only be described as a “disaster zone”... Her issue? Books... which she's addicted to like drugs and almost never stops reading, no matter what... So what’s the solution? The Gobble Box! A handy, living box, which can magically store all kinds of things... like food... or books... All Selphy must do is throw in some money and it hops away over to Materia and returns within an hour with delicious sandwiches and rice balls. It's also handy for storing favorite books in and keeping them safe.
Turner / Tricky Muck
Two big, goofy, happy beings that can roll around on the ground (one literally does). Turner enjoys his food, and with the Tricky Muck on his side, he can easily obtain the rarest food ingredients to make his Inn a culinary success! The Tricky Muck also expresses a constant smile of goofy joy, helping to further lighten up the mood of the Sunshine Inn. It can also provide juices from its body, which make for an "interesting" drink... something Turner never passes on... Never mess with the Tricky Muck; however, as one cook who did disappeared...
Rita / Ignis & Glace
A proud cook in her own right, Rita has the professional help of an Ignis - the ultimate cooking machine. This little fiery beasty can provide heat that'll scramble eggs in seconds, turn corn into popcorn, and warm up an oven to any temperature one could need. An Ignis' place is in the kitchen. Its cousin, Glace, simply resides in large boxes where it refrigerates perishables with its freezing body temperature – a good way of avoiding a large electric bill with standard refrigerators.
Eunice / Wooly
Eunice appreciates the simple things in life - like flowers and knitting. She makes everyone swimsuits for the summer (even for dear old dad, who has some kind of swimsuit fetish) and sweaters for the winter. She can also repair clothing in a matter of seconds, thanks to her partner: the Wooly. There’s no finer or stronger material than the wool of Woolies. They’re docile monsters and very tolerant to humans, Eunice even uses her Wooly as a handy duster. It’s also handy for drying dishes and helping people get to sleep, and can even do math.
Note from Freyashawk: In Eunice's own words: You know about the monster ‘Wooly’? Their fur is like cotton candy and so fluffy. Oh! I don’t mean I want to eat the fur or anything!
Uzuki / Samurai
Uzuki, a kind shrine maiden that talks softly but carries a big stick, along with a loudmouth cricket. Her ideal partner is a rather obvious one - the Samurai, a monster that is likely native to her home country. Samurais can make for great sparring partners and can be a strong asset to one's training. They’re also good for chopping up wood, sushi, and cabbages. Of course Tsubute offers his own kind of training with Uzuki - the strict old school rules of the ancient diehards... which may be more challenging than defeating the Samurai...
Note from Freyashawk: There is only one problem with this, although the Samurai does resemble Tsubute. Uzuki does not like Monsters, curiously enough.
An Event with Uzuki:
Uzuki: Ah-ahhhhhh!!
Freyr: W-what happened?!
Uzuki: Something black and quick scuffled by my feet… Ahhhhh!
Tsubute: Milday! Please get a hold of yourself!
Uzuki: I-I hate black things that are quick and small!
In another dialogue:
Uzuki: I just do not like monsters…
Freyr: Then what about Tsubute?
Uzuki: Tsubute is… different. I’m not afraid of him..
Tsubute: What was that?!
Rosetta / Spring, Summer, & Autumn
Some girls love plants... Rosetta likes money... the Spring, Summer, and Autumn can provide both. With their cute, flower-like appearance, these three serve as Materia's mascots, drawing crowds with their lovely aroma while also providing Rosetta a steady supply of seeds for many different flowers and crops, as well as some lovely perfumes. They’re a must-have for any proud business owner in this field, unless the owner has allergies…
Danny / Slime
Danny is Selphy's rival for laziest person in Trampoli. In fact, Danny's house and "store" became so dirty from neglect that it attracted a Slime... which literally ate him out of business (though there wasn’t much to eat to begin with). However, instead of having it sent to the 1st Forest, Danny trained it to break rocks and bring him gold and silver to help with his financial crisis while he worked for Rosetta for minimum wages. The Slime is usually dependable when it comes to breaking down stone, but will also digest the ores within it from time to time unless it's very well trained... which isn't really the case here, as this Slime is as lazy as its owner and usually brings back scrap…
Ganesha / Hammer Troll
Ganesha is a hard worker as the town’s smith, constantly taking important orders from kingdoms all around for her fine weapons and more importantly – fixing Turner’s kitchen knife (a man’s gotta work, ya know). Her ally, the Hammer Troll, has become a vital asset to her business and life. With its super muscular arms, it can destroy rocks for ores, help forge heavy weapons, and stop Marco from running off into dungeons…
Marco / Micro Dragon
Every young boy who aspires to be a brave warrior needs a pet dragon! As long as he's responsible enough and able to keep it from burning down the house... The Micro Dragon, while seemingly more harmless than it's much larger cousin, the Mini Dragon, actually boasts more power - making it more difficult to tame despite its size... Of course, what mom doesn't know won’t hurt her, right? As long as he looks cute and small... where's the harm?
Lute / Chitter
Among the cutest creatures on earth, the Chitter looks good in ANY painting – making it the perfect model for artists like Lute. With famous pieces such as: The Mona Chitter, Starry Chitter, Chitter by the Lake, and perhaps the most famous: The Chitter, Lute and his squirrely companion became two of the biggest hits in the art community.
Melody / Little Wizard
Melody dreams of becoming an all-powerful wizard with the most unique bathhouse the world has ever seen. There can only be one monster for this quirky wizard-in-training: the masterful Little Wizard. Powerful in the ways of magic, it has own its dream – to simply grow taller so people will stop calling it “Little.” Together they train in the arts of magic, making progress and accidents – like turning the bath water into cement (was stuck in there awhile), or making the building itself invisible (much was seen on that day…).
Nolan / Minotaur King
With its royal blue fur, fierce axe, and loyalty to its owner, there is no better bodyguard and companion for a king than the mighty Minotaur King. It served Nolan quite well back in his small kingdom, but nowadays he simply has it cut wood for hot baths. There’s not much action for this beast anymore, but it remains as loyal and diligent as ever. It also enjoys having a drink or two, which gives it a very friendly appearance.
Bianca / Mammoo
Possibly the pickiest person in existence, Bianca would have only one monster, a Mammoo dubbed “Francoise”. Unfortunately, the two had to part ways after an incident (Francoise doesn’t know its own strength). There’s an old myth though, that “A Mammoo never forgets,” and a few years later that myth would gain some credibility when Francoise returned to Trampoli all grown up and seeking its owner.
Tabatha / Any Monster...
One of the biggest monster lovers in all the lands, Tabatha hopes to one day have monsters more accepted by all people in the world. She’d take any under her care…
Minerva / Hunter Wolf
On a mission to locate her sister, Minerva selected the best partner for the job - the Hunter Wolf. Acting as both a mount and guide, it didn't take very long for Minerva to find her sister, as the Hunter is second to none in finding its targets. A keen nose, above average intelligence, and great speed make it the top choice for hunting down anything or anyone.
Kross / Heracles
Kross the mysterious carpenter... His partner, the first one in many years, is able to match his strength with its proud horn and muscles. While Kross gathers lumber, this giant beetle smashes and moves giant boulders (which seem to show up every now and then somehow). Together, they can build extensions in the blink of an eye… Nobody really notices either...
Brodik / Mini Golem
A proud subscriber to "Golem Assembler Weekly", Brodik's partner of choice is none other than the great Mini Golem. He wanted a Mega Golem but the kits were sold out…
Anette / Blackbird
Anette races around like there's no tomorrow, but there are some places that can't be reached on foot. So what is a mail person to do? Use airmail of course! The Blackbird can fly around at great speeds, delivering mail and packages through the skies, and the best part is it works for crackers. The blackbird can also be taught words, although this trait has been very annoying for Anette, especially after Danny taught it the word “Midget”.
Erik / Ant
What's a monster every farmer should have? That's right - the Ant! Because there's no harder worker than the ant... whether its gathering crops, weeding, mowing, fertilizing... there's a reason they made ant farms ya know. While Erik may be a bit on the skittish side with monsters, he can appreciate one that eats turnips (among other crops…).
Iris Blanche & Iris Noire / Unico & Cone
Two mythical horses of legend – the Unico that’s as pale as the moon, and the Cone that’s as dark as night – there are no monsters more fitting for the mysterious ladies of an ancient tribe.
Monster Pairings:
Mist / Duck
Mist has two ducks in the game swimming in her pond all the time. What might seem a random choice at first is really one that makes sense. Ducks are silly creatures that enjoy talking a lot, singing funky songs while disco dancing, and make themselves at home wherever they want... very much like Mist herself (save the disco dancing). On a few occasions, Mist has managed to get them inside her house in order to play games, which worked out fine. However, when she tried taking them to the bathhouse, they caused quite a ruckus with the other ladies and Melody soon discovered her baths filled with dozens upon dozens of Ducks that came to join the party. This later resulted with Melody banning all monsters from entering the baths, but on the bright side Mist gained a whole flock of Ducks.
Stella / Ghost
There's been some strange happenings around town... like ghost sightings. So who ya gonna call? Stella! Why? Cuz it's her Ghost... that likes pulling pranks. Ghosts are timid by nature and can change their form at will to mimic everyday people, in this case a younger version of Stella. So the next time you see any strange little girls in town, you may in fact be subject to another prank by Stella’s Ghost. On another note, the long scythe the Ghost carries is helping for trimming the grass and trees around the graveyard.
Lara / Furpy
Lara loves her medicines... so what better companion than the Furpy? Though a bit vain in nature, the Furpy is a reliable partner that can hunt down herbs and grasses that are useful for making medicines. Its fur is a beautiful lavender that matches Lara’s dress, showing a strong bond in fashion.
Kanno / Tortas
Sometimes the old cane just doesn't do it and Kanno's back is ready to just cave in after a long walk on those mountain roads - enter the Tortas! A trusty, old companion that's been around since the age of the dinosaurs... when Kanno was born...
Candy / Fairy
After learning a devastating truth from her careless sister concerning the validity of the tooth fairy, Candy felt betrayed by the lies and gave up believing in all myths and legends. Kanno quickly set to fix this by getting a fairy (and by that I mean having ME get a fairy) to restore the little girl’s faith. After an awkward attempt at re-enacting the Tooth Fairy by trying to pull out a tooth and nearly getting swallowed, Candy’s faith was renewed (even though she knew it wasn’t the Tooth Fairy) and two bonded like Peanut Butter and Jelly. They now make an obnoxiously cute duo, which can make any dream come true with their talents in spirits and magic.
Cinnamon / Sealy
Cinnamon likes fish... nuff said (cuz talking’s “a pain”).
Note from Freyashawk here: You are close, Mars, but you should have chosen the 'Sky Fish'. In Cin's own words: That monster called the Sky Fish… I want to catch it someday. That’s my greatest goal.
Selphy / Gobble Box
A nice, charming, but incredibly lazy librarian that doesn't even bother with eating for days and lives in what can only be described as a “disaster zone”... Her issue? Books... which she's addicted to like drugs and almost never stops reading, no matter what... So what’s the solution? The Gobble Box! A handy, living box, which can magically store all kinds of things... like food... or books... All Selphy must do is throw in some money and it hops away over to Materia and returns within an hour with delicious sandwiches and rice balls. It's also handy for storing favorite books in and keeping them safe.
Turner / Tricky Muck
Two big, goofy, happy beings that can roll around on the ground (one literally does). Turner enjoys his food, and with the Tricky Muck on his side, he can easily obtain the rarest food ingredients to make his Inn a culinary success! The Tricky Muck also expresses a constant smile of goofy joy, helping to further lighten up the mood of the Sunshine Inn. It can also provide juices from its body, which make for an "interesting" drink... something Turner never passes on... Never mess with the Tricky Muck; however, as one cook who did disappeared...
Rita / Ignis & Glace
A proud cook in her own right, Rita has the professional help of an Ignis - the ultimate cooking machine. This little fiery beasty can provide heat that'll scramble eggs in seconds, turn corn into popcorn, and warm up an oven to any temperature one could need. An Ignis' place is in the kitchen. Its cousin, Glace, simply resides in large boxes where it refrigerates perishables with its freezing body temperature – a good way of avoiding a large electric bill with standard refrigerators.
Eunice / Wooly
Eunice appreciates the simple things in life - like flowers and knitting. She makes everyone swimsuits for the summer (even for dear old dad, who has some kind of swimsuit fetish) and sweaters for the winter. She can also repair clothing in a matter of seconds, thanks to her partner: the Wooly. There’s no finer or stronger material than the wool of Woolies. They’re docile monsters and very tolerant to humans, Eunice even uses her Wooly as a handy duster. It’s also handy for drying dishes and helping people get to sleep, and can even do math.
Note from Freyashawk: In Eunice's own words: You know about the monster ‘Wooly’? Their fur is like cotton candy and so fluffy. Oh! I don’t mean I want to eat the fur or anything!
Uzuki / Samurai
Uzuki, a kind shrine maiden that talks softly but carries a big stick, along with a loudmouth cricket. Her ideal partner is a rather obvious one - the Samurai, a monster that is likely native to her home country. Samurais can make for great sparring partners and can be a strong asset to one's training. They’re also good for chopping up wood, sushi, and cabbages. Of course Tsubute offers his own kind of training with Uzuki - the strict old school rules of the ancient diehards... which may be more challenging than defeating the Samurai...
Note from Freyashawk: There is only one problem with this, although the Samurai does resemble Tsubute. Uzuki does not like Monsters, curiously enough.
An Event with Uzuki:
Uzuki: Ah-ahhhhhh!!
Freyr: W-what happened?!
Uzuki: Something black and quick scuffled by my feet… Ahhhhh!
Tsubute: Milday! Please get a hold of yourself!
Uzuki: I-I hate black things that are quick and small!
In another dialogue:
Uzuki: I just do not like monsters…
Freyr: Then what about Tsubute?
Uzuki: Tsubute is… different. I’m not afraid of him..
Tsubute: What was that?!
Rosetta / Spring, Summer, & Autumn
Some girls love plants... Rosetta likes money... the Spring, Summer, and Autumn can provide both. With their cute, flower-like appearance, these three serve as Materia's mascots, drawing crowds with their lovely aroma while also providing Rosetta a steady supply of seeds for many different flowers and crops, as well as some lovely perfumes. They’re a must-have for any proud business owner in this field, unless the owner has allergies…
Danny / Slime
Danny is Selphy's rival for laziest person in Trampoli. In fact, Danny's house and "store" became so dirty from neglect that it attracted a Slime... which literally ate him out of business (though there wasn’t much to eat to begin with). However, instead of having it sent to the 1st Forest, Danny trained it to break rocks and bring him gold and silver to help with his financial crisis while he worked for Rosetta for minimum wages. The Slime is usually dependable when it comes to breaking down stone, but will also digest the ores within it from time to time unless it's very well trained... which isn't really the case here, as this Slime is as lazy as its owner and usually brings back scrap…
Ganesha / Hammer Troll
Ganesha is a hard worker as the town’s smith, constantly taking important orders from kingdoms all around for her fine weapons and more importantly – fixing Turner’s kitchen knife (a man’s gotta work, ya know). Her ally, the Hammer Troll, has become a vital asset to her business and life. With its super muscular arms, it can destroy rocks for ores, help forge heavy weapons, and stop Marco from running off into dungeons…
Marco / Micro Dragon
Every young boy who aspires to be a brave warrior needs a pet dragon! As long as he's responsible enough and able to keep it from burning down the house... The Micro Dragon, while seemingly more harmless than it's much larger cousin, the Mini Dragon, actually boasts more power - making it more difficult to tame despite its size... Of course, what mom doesn't know won’t hurt her, right? As long as he looks cute and small... where's the harm?
Lute / Chitter
Among the cutest creatures on earth, the Chitter looks good in ANY painting – making it the perfect model for artists like Lute. With famous pieces such as: The Mona Chitter, Starry Chitter, Chitter by the Lake, and perhaps the most famous: The Chitter, Lute and his squirrely companion became two of the biggest hits in the art community.
Melody / Little Wizard
Melody dreams of becoming an all-powerful wizard with the most unique bathhouse the world has ever seen. There can only be one monster for this quirky wizard-in-training: the masterful Little Wizard. Powerful in the ways of magic, it has own its dream – to simply grow taller so people will stop calling it “Little.” Together they train in the arts of magic, making progress and accidents – like turning the bath water into cement (was stuck in there awhile), or making the building itself invisible (much was seen on that day…).
Nolan / Minotaur King
With its royal blue fur, fierce axe, and loyalty to its owner, there is no better bodyguard and companion for a king than the mighty Minotaur King. It served Nolan quite well back in his small kingdom, but nowadays he simply has it cut wood for hot baths. There’s not much action for this beast anymore, but it remains as loyal and diligent as ever. It also enjoys having a drink or two, which gives it a very friendly appearance.
Bianca / Mammoo
Possibly the pickiest person in existence, Bianca would have only one monster, a Mammoo dubbed “Francoise”. Unfortunately, the two had to part ways after an incident (Francoise doesn’t know its own strength). There’s an old myth though, that “A Mammoo never forgets,” and a few years later that myth would gain some credibility when Francoise returned to Trampoli all grown up and seeking its owner.
Tabatha / Any Monster...
One of the biggest monster lovers in all the lands, Tabatha hopes to one day have monsters more accepted by all people in the world. She’d take any under her care…
Minerva / Hunter Wolf
On a mission to locate her sister, Minerva selected the best partner for the job - the Hunter Wolf. Acting as both a mount and guide, it didn't take very long for Minerva to find her sister, as the Hunter is second to none in finding its targets. A keen nose, above average intelligence, and great speed make it the top choice for hunting down anything or anyone.
Kross / Heracles
Kross the mysterious carpenter... His partner, the first one in many years, is able to match his strength with its proud horn and muscles. While Kross gathers lumber, this giant beetle smashes and moves giant boulders (which seem to show up every now and then somehow). Together, they can build extensions in the blink of an eye… Nobody really notices either...
Brodik / Mini Golem
A proud subscriber to "Golem Assembler Weekly", Brodik's partner of choice is none other than the great Mini Golem. He wanted a Mega Golem but the kits were sold out…
Anette / Blackbird
Anette races around like there's no tomorrow, but there are some places that can't be reached on foot. So what is a mail person to do? Use airmail of course! The Blackbird can fly around at great speeds, delivering mail and packages through the skies, and the best part is it works for crackers. The blackbird can also be taught words, although this trait has been very annoying for Anette, especially after Danny taught it the word “Midget”.
Erik / Ant
What's a monster every farmer should have? That's right - the Ant! Because there's no harder worker than the ant... whether its gathering crops, weeding, mowing, fertilizing... there's a reason they made ant farms ya know. While Erik may be a bit on the skittish side with monsters, he can appreciate one that eats turnips (among other crops…).
Iris Blanche & Iris Noire / Unico & Cone
Two mythical horses of legend – the Unico that’s as pale as the moon, and the Cone that’s as dark as night – there are no monsters more fitting for the mysterious ladies of an ancient tribe.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Hearts and Flowers from Rune Factory Frontier
'Hearts and Flowers'
by ILuvHM
Dear Diary,
I feel I am bursting with excitement today. I cannot bear to keep this news to myself. It could be the beginning of the greatest adventure of my life.
Tonight, I won Iris' heart completely. She cannot resist my Tomato Juice, made from a special type of Tomato grown deep in the dungeons.
I prepare the Tomato Juice carefully in my blender and each time I make it, I can hear the cheering of a great crowd... so it has to be good! Iris drank 12 glasses of it in one sitting last night and now her Heart is filled with Love and Friendship for me. Yippee!
I don't think I ever ran down the steps from the Tower of Rest as quickly as I ran last night. I practically flew down the Beanstalk and ran home.
Tomorrow I am going to enter the Snow Ruins for the first time. I feel like a hero now. I am almost too excited to be afraid.
And now to bed...
Dear Diary,
I slid out of bed this morning and immediately ran to the Snow Ruins. Totally lost, I somehow stumbled upon the door that led to the Boss Chamber without passing out...
only to discover that the door would not open! I thought to myself: I have to find another way! Suddenly I realised: Oops! I forgot that I still need to speak to
Kanno!
I fought my way slowly back towards the entrance, only to pass out with Glaces all around me.
I awoke in the Clinic to the sound of Festival music. I ran outside and in my haste, bumped into Lute. I apologised and gave him chocolate in restitution.
Seeing Lara and Melody, I ran to them to ask about today's Festival. They were giddy with excitement and both acted a bit strangely. Could it be that they
actually were blushing?
They each gave me flowers. In fact, all the girls gave me flowers today. How nice! In the spirit of the Festival, I went over to Erik to say 'hi' instead of
avoiding him. I should have known though. All he did was brag about all the girls who gave HIM flowers today. (If he has so many girlfriends, why doesn't he have a
wife by now?)
I've looked through Erik's meagre book collection, hoping to steal one or two good recipes, but he doesn't even have 'Happiness 101' so there is no way that he won any girl's heart, let alone ALL of them as he would have every one believe. He was lying as usual, but why?
Erik still was talking about his imaginary girlfriends when I left him to speak to Kanno. The old man and I discussed places where Runes might gather. Kanno,
ordinarily a patient man, appears to have a sense of urgency about him now. I didn't want to upset the old man because of his 'chronic illness' so I told him not to worry, that I would take care of everything.
The day was drawing to a close, but I knew I had to speak to Stella before going to bed. Having spoken to Kanno, I was very excited by the thought of exploring the Snow Ruins again. Would the door open for me now?I finally found Stella with Kross. Those two have a weird relationship. Kross certainly lives in the past
most of the time and I sometimes have a feeling that Stella may do the same.
Stella began to counsel me about marriage. What?! Just because Iris loves me does not mean that I'm in love with her or even if I am, it doesn't mean that I'm ready to settle down now. (How did Stella know about Iris anyway?)
Then there is Euni. I have such strong feelings for her. I don't think I could be happy if I didn't see where THAT might lead. Truth is, I haven't ever gone on one date yet. I really wanted to get my house and farm in order first. I don't even have a proper bedroom yet, let alone a double bed. What was Stella thinking?
Well, you know how Stella is. In the end, she had her way and I left with the 'Happiness 101' Recipe Book tucked under my arm and my head stuffed with advice about all the girls of Trampoli.
Good night, dear diary... until tomorrow.
Note from Freyashawk: This is a nice piece of fan fiction by ILuvHM that gives information about a number of aspects of Courtship in Rune Factory Frontier, including the Recipe Book for the 'Wedding Bouquet' and its heart level requirement. It is written in the form of a 'diary' for Spring of the 2nd Year and introduces the Foliage Festival. Incidentally, you will look for Erik's Book Collection in vain!
He has as many books as girlfriends, sad to say.
by ILuvHM
Dear Diary,
I feel I am bursting with excitement today. I cannot bear to keep this news to myself. It could be the beginning of the greatest adventure of my life.
Tonight, I won Iris' heart completely. She cannot resist my Tomato Juice, made from a special type of Tomato grown deep in the dungeons.
I prepare the Tomato Juice carefully in my blender and each time I make it, I can hear the cheering of a great crowd... so it has to be good! Iris drank 12 glasses of it in one sitting last night and now her Heart is filled with Love and Friendship for me. Yippee!
I don't think I ever ran down the steps from the Tower of Rest as quickly as I ran last night. I practically flew down the Beanstalk and ran home.
Tomorrow I am going to enter the Snow Ruins for the first time. I feel like a hero now. I am almost too excited to be afraid.
And now to bed...
Dear Diary,
I slid out of bed this morning and immediately ran to the Snow Ruins. Totally lost, I somehow stumbled upon the door that led to the Boss Chamber without passing out...
only to discover that the door would not open! I thought to myself: I have to find another way! Suddenly I realised: Oops! I forgot that I still need to speak to
Kanno!
I fought my way slowly back towards the entrance, only to pass out with Glaces all around me.
I awoke in the Clinic to the sound of Festival music. I ran outside and in my haste, bumped into Lute. I apologised and gave him chocolate in restitution.
Seeing Lara and Melody, I ran to them to ask about today's Festival. They were giddy with excitement and both acted a bit strangely. Could it be that they
actually were blushing?
They each gave me flowers. In fact, all the girls gave me flowers today. How nice! In the spirit of the Festival, I went over to Erik to say 'hi' instead of
avoiding him. I should have known though. All he did was brag about all the girls who gave HIM flowers today. (If he has so many girlfriends, why doesn't he have a
wife by now?)
I've looked through Erik's meagre book collection, hoping to steal one or two good recipes, but he doesn't even have 'Happiness 101' so there is no way that he won any girl's heart, let alone ALL of them as he would have every one believe. He was lying as usual, but why?
Erik still was talking about his imaginary girlfriends when I left him to speak to Kanno. The old man and I discussed places where Runes might gather. Kanno,
ordinarily a patient man, appears to have a sense of urgency about him now. I didn't want to upset the old man because of his 'chronic illness' so I told him not to worry, that I would take care of everything.
The day was drawing to a close, but I knew I had to speak to Stella before going to bed. Having spoken to Kanno, I was very excited by the thought of exploring the Snow Ruins again. Would the door open for me now?I finally found Stella with Kross. Those two have a weird relationship. Kross certainly lives in the past
most of the time and I sometimes have a feeling that Stella may do the same.
Stella began to counsel me about marriage. What?! Just because Iris loves me does not mean that I'm in love with her or even if I am, it doesn't mean that I'm ready to settle down now. (How did Stella know about Iris anyway?)
Then there is Euni. I have such strong feelings for her. I don't think I could be happy if I didn't see where THAT might lead. Truth is, I haven't ever gone on one date yet. I really wanted to get my house and farm in order first. I don't even have a proper bedroom yet, let alone a double bed. What was Stella thinking?
Well, you know how Stella is. In the end, she had her way and I left with the 'Happiness 101' Recipe Book tucked under my arm and my head stuffed with advice about all the girls of Trampoli.
Good night, dear diary... until tomorrow.
Note from Freyashawk: This is a nice piece of fan fiction by ILuvHM that gives information about a number of aspects of Courtship in Rune Factory Frontier, including the Recipe Book for the 'Wedding Bouquet' and its heart level requirement. It is written in the form of a 'diary' for Spring of the 2nd Year and introduces the Foliage Festival. Incidentally, you will look for Erik's Book Collection in vain!
He has as many books as girlfriends, sad to say.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Enjoying the Dog Days of Summer in Rune Factory Frontier
Here's a wonderful game journal about Summer in the first year of Rune Factory Frontier by Mars the Frog:
I told myself that I'd spend the last five days of summer in RFF trying to clear my field, after suffering two hurricanes, severe crop loss, and having 60% of my field covered in stumps and rocks... This was the plan that would prepare me for Fall! ... And I totally blew it.
The boat race came up and I decided to have a little fun. I talked with peeps and had one of my monsters follow me around. When I got to the lake, Erik said he spent a day training for this event. I immediately marked him as my primary rival. Anette was there too, acting cute and innocent. When I went to get on the boat, Turner suddenly showed up (drunk as usual), offering to go with me so I wouldn't be alone (but I'm not alone... I've got a giant mushroom with me!). His wife dragged his drunken butt away and I set out to get all the balloons. 235 points! Oh yeah, I was feeling good about that. Come the announcements, Erik scored a laughable (and I really did laugh) 61 points. But lo and behold... Anette got... 326!? ...... Almost 100 more than me... and I hardly missed any... using the boost almost constantly... Seriously, what does she eat that makes her go 300 mph every day? She's like a roadrunner... on steroids... which can paddle boats... Anyway, for my troubles I got a mask, which is better than any other gear I had... so, eh... not a TOTAL loss...
Moving along, after talking with people again and having my defeat rubbed in my face by ALL of them... I decided to go to Whale Island (where no one can see me sulk!) As I went towards Iris' pad some guy showed up. I think he's deaf, because he completely ignored me... either that or he's just a jerk. Anyway, he did a terrible thing - he unlocked the gate... which means a new area... which means... EXPLORING! So indeed I went exploring... and I made a new short cut... crossed some pools of poison, and then got my butt kicked by this awesome golem thing... I really need to get me one of those...
The next day I started working, then checked on the runeys... and they were a mess as usual. So I spent all day keeping them from utterly destroying each other... and then I went back to new area in Whale Island... and got killed again. Whoo-hoo!
On the day of the Pumpkin Festival, I ran around talking with everyone. Kross was totally embarrassed, Mist was wearing a turnip (nothing unusual there...), and Stella was dying from heat exhaustion but kept a good attitude. Then it hit me... MY FIELD IS STILL A MESS! (insert swearing). And tomorrow is the first day of fall! CRAP! There was only one thing to do now... go back to Whale Island and get my butt kicked again! Though, honestly I thought there was something I was forgetting... oh, wait...
And behold! The first day of Fall! With me at 50% of my strength after another not-so refreshing night at the clinic. And it's raining! Gee, this would be the perfect day to plant seeds... except I don't have any! And it's a holiday... and oh, my field... gee it sure looks messy...
I think it's going to be a long Fall...
N.B. From Freyashawk: You can prevent severe storms if you ask for a Sunny Week Rune Wonder from Anette. You can buy seeds for EVERY season from Erik and Rosetta AND you can plant seeds for the NEXT season on the last day of the season... so he could have purchased and planted his Autumn Seeds on 30 Summer... but that wouldn't have made a good story, would it? Knowing Mars, I bet this is nothing more than FICTION. His field probably is 100% tilled and planted for the season...
I told myself that I'd spend the last five days of summer in RFF trying to clear my field, after suffering two hurricanes, severe crop loss, and having 60% of my field covered in stumps and rocks... This was the plan that would prepare me for Fall! ... And I totally blew it.
The boat race came up and I decided to have a little fun. I talked with peeps and had one of my monsters follow me around. When I got to the lake, Erik said he spent a day training for this event. I immediately marked him as my primary rival. Anette was there too, acting cute and innocent. When I went to get on the boat, Turner suddenly showed up (drunk as usual), offering to go with me so I wouldn't be alone (but I'm not alone... I've got a giant mushroom with me!). His wife dragged his drunken butt away and I set out to get all the balloons. 235 points! Oh yeah, I was feeling good about that. Come the announcements, Erik scored a laughable (and I really did laugh) 61 points. But lo and behold... Anette got... 326!? ...... Almost 100 more than me... and I hardly missed any... using the boost almost constantly... Seriously, what does she eat that makes her go 300 mph every day? She's like a roadrunner... on steroids... which can paddle boats... Anyway, for my troubles I got a mask, which is better than any other gear I had... so, eh... not a TOTAL loss...
Moving along, after talking with people again and having my defeat rubbed in my face by ALL of them... I decided to go to Whale Island (where no one can see me sulk!) As I went towards Iris' pad some guy showed up. I think he's deaf, because he completely ignored me... either that or he's just a jerk. Anyway, he did a terrible thing - he unlocked the gate... which means a new area... which means... EXPLORING! So indeed I went exploring... and I made a new short cut... crossed some pools of poison, and then got my butt kicked by this awesome golem thing... I really need to get me one of those...
The next day I started working, then checked on the runeys... and they were a mess as usual. So I spent all day keeping them from utterly destroying each other... and then I went back to new area in Whale Island... and got killed again. Whoo-hoo!
On the day of the Pumpkin Festival, I ran around talking with everyone. Kross was totally embarrassed, Mist was wearing a turnip (nothing unusual there...), and Stella was dying from heat exhaustion but kept a good attitude. Then it hit me... MY FIELD IS STILL A MESS! (insert swearing). And tomorrow is the first day of fall! CRAP! There was only one thing to do now... go back to Whale Island and get my butt kicked again! Though, honestly I thought there was something I was forgetting... oh, wait...
And behold! The first day of Fall! With me at 50% of my strength after another not-so refreshing night at the clinic. And it's raining! Gee, this would be the perfect day to plant seeds... except I don't have any! And it's a holiday... and oh, my field... gee it sure looks messy...
I think it's going to be a long Fall...
N.B. From Freyashawk: You can prevent severe storms if you ask for a Sunny Week Rune Wonder from Anette. You can buy seeds for EVERY season from Erik and Rosetta AND you can plant seeds for the NEXT season on the last day of the season... so he could have purchased and planted his Autumn Seeds on 30 Summer... but that wouldn't have made a good story, would it? Knowing Mars, I bet this is nothing more than FICTION. His field probably is 100% tilled and planted for the season...
Thursday, December 25, 2008
'Kiss and Tell' by Alyssa (a tale from ToT)
'Kiss and Tell'
By Alyssa
I definitely didn’t feel quite like myself that night, that’s the one thing of which I was certain. Annissa had guaranteed that I would be out of my comfort zone with the complete package of makeup, hairspray, and the works. 'I feel… stupid. Painted on,' I complained, looking at myself in the mirror. Annissa smiled, and continued her reign of terror on my barely feminine features.
When she was finished, she stepped back to admire her masterpiece, and grinned, her smile lighting up her soft face. 'Voila,' she stated, and then motioned to the mirror. I gaped at the reflection, not sure at what point I had disappeared and this girl had infiltrated my body. What had happened to my choppy, boyish brunette hair that hung in loose layers by my ears? I was not used to pastel barrettes and hair gel. My comfortable farming clothes, required for climbing up those pesky rainbows and removing the crusty mud that comes about with the mid-spring’s rain from my millk cow Cerylia's foot, had been replaced with a glamorous dress, the color matching the crimson tint of my lips. Even my comfy sneakers had been swapped for a pair of elegant pumps. I calculated my appearance for about three seconds, and then whirled around in a panic to face my good friend. 'I can’t do this. I look ridiculous! Chase will see right through me.'
'Relax, Angela. You look gorgeous, thanks to me, and Chase will love it. Remember, confidence is the biggest aphrodisiac.'
Annissa always seemed so poised and composed. She should be the one going on this stupid date, laughing and making small talk with Chase, the culinary protégée. I needed to stay home with my livestock and crops, where I belonged.
'Relax,' Annissa continued, repeating herself. 'You’ ll be fine. He liked you well enough when he asked you to lunch, and then he asked you out again? That’s not pity, hon, that’s affection. Now, go knock ‘im dead.'
On my way to the Brownie Ranch, I had to lock my hands in front of me to prevent myself from scrubbing the makeup off of my face, because after that, I would probably take off running in the other direction. I didn’t know why I was so nervous. I really liked Chase, and he seemed to be interested in any exchange we ever held. (Not that those conversations contained much substance: I was more concerned with forming words than what I was actually saying). I bit back my fear and just kept putting one foot in front of the other until my feet grazed the lush grass of the ranch. I hurried along to Alan’s Tree, hoping desperately that the family who lived in the house nearby wasn’t glancing out of their window by chance.
As I walked up to the tree, I spotted a dark silhouette, sticking out sharply in the fading sunlight. Shyly, I hesitated, but only for a moment. Chase turned around, and spotting me, waved boyishly, which made me smile. He met me about five feet away from the tree.
'Hey,' he said, grinning at me. I smiled weakly back at him, mentally cursing myself. Why, why, why can’t I form words??? In the vanishing sunlight, I could see him frown, and my heart skipped a beat. He leaned over, and then gently rubbed the color off of my cheeks and lips.
'Ah, there’s my Angela,' he said softly.
I groaned. 'Sorry. I made the mistake of telling Annissa about our little convene.'
He laughed, then, to my surprise, he grasped my hand, and led me up to the tree.
'Please, please, please, Harvest Goddess, do not let my hands be sweaty!' I prayed silently. As we reached the tree, Chase did not release my hand as I expected (actually, I expected him to grimace at me, shake off my grime, and then bolt). Instead, he reached for my hand and smiled at me, this time his expression mirroring how I felt- bashful and awkward.
'Goddess, you’re beautif-,' he interrupted himself and ducked his head.
I cocked my head. 'Wha-?'
'Just… never mind.' He blushed, and I could feel myself smiling at his sweet uncertainty.
'Listen, Angela… I can’t think of any way to tell you this, so I’m just going to say it, okay?' I nodded, my brow creasing, but motioned for him to continue.
'Um. I’ve never done this before, so bear with me, all right? OK, so, I’ve been back at this town for…what, a year? All the time that I spent away, the only thing I ever fell in love with was food. I thought that nothing else in the world could be so intricately complex, and as…perfect as a recipe. And then I met you, and all that changed.' He sighed, and then started again. 'Angela, what I’m trying to say- very poorly, but trying all the same- is that—I think I’m in love with you.'
My breath caught in my throat. I fumbled urgently for words, horrified to be rendered completely speechless. He cleared his throat, obviously crushed by my lack of reciprocation.
'I- I mean, that’s just me, so… I totally understand if…you know, you don’t feel the same…' he muttered, looking at his feet.
'No!' My voice was back! Now, to patch this situation up… 'Chase, I- I love you, too.'
My face heated up, and he grinned ear to ear. 'I- that’s great! We love each other!'
I laughed, and he pulled me into a tight hug that lasted much longer than a normal one. Then, he brought his perfectly featured face to mine, and kissed me, a sweet and lingering kiss that would have brought me to my knees had he not been holding me still.
To this day, with my two children and wonderful husband (you can probably guess the lucky guy, ha ha), I still smile at the memory of innocent love, and the incredible, flourishing relationship that blossomed out of our encounter at Alan’s Tree that Summer night.
Based on the event:
Chase’s Confession
Tree of Tranquility
Note from Freyashawk: This charming tale was sent to me by Alyssa for publication on my fan fiction page on Christmas Day, 25 December 2008
By Alyssa
I definitely didn’t feel quite like myself that night, that’s the one thing of which I was certain. Annissa had guaranteed that I would be out of my comfort zone with the complete package of makeup, hairspray, and the works. 'I feel… stupid. Painted on,' I complained, looking at myself in the mirror. Annissa smiled, and continued her reign of terror on my barely feminine features.
When she was finished, she stepped back to admire her masterpiece, and grinned, her smile lighting up her soft face. 'Voila,' she stated, and then motioned to the mirror. I gaped at the reflection, not sure at what point I had disappeared and this girl had infiltrated my body. What had happened to my choppy, boyish brunette hair that hung in loose layers by my ears? I was not used to pastel barrettes and hair gel. My comfortable farming clothes, required for climbing up those pesky rainbows and removing the crusty mud that comes about with the mid-spring’s rain from my millk cow Cerylia's foot, had been replaced with a glamorous dress, the color matching the crimson tint of my lips. Even my comfy sneakers had been swapped for a pair of elegant pumps. I calculated my appearance for about three seconds, and then whirled around in a panic to face my good friend. 'I can’t do this. I look ridiculous! Chase will see right through me.'
'Relax, Angela. You look gorgeous, thanks to me, and Chase will love it. Remember, confidence is the biggest aphrodisiac.'
Annissa always seemed so poised and composed. She should be the one going on this stupid date, laughing and making small talk with Chase, the culinary protégée. I needed to stay home with my livestock and crops, where I belonged.
'Relax,' Annissa continued, repeating herself. 'You’ ll be fine. He liked you well enough when he asked you to lunch, and then he asked you out again? That’s not pity, hon, that’s affection. Now, go knock ‘im dead.'
On my way to the Brownie Ranch, I had to lock my hands in front of me to prevent myself from scrubbing the makeup off of my face, because after that, I would probably take off running in the other direction. I didn’t know why I was so nervous. I really liked Chase, and he seemed to be interested in any exchange we ever held. (Not that those conversations contained much substance: I was more concerned with forming words than what I was actually saying). I bit back my fear and just kept putting one foot in front of the other until my feet grazed the lush grass of the ranch. I hurried along to Alan’s Tree, hoping desperately that the family who lived in the house nearby wasn’t glancing out of their window by chance.
As I walked up to the tree, I spotted a dark silhouette, sticking out sharply in the fading sunlight. Shyly, I hesitated, but only for a moment. Chase turned around, and spotting me, waved boyishly, which made me smile. He met me about five feet away from the tree.
'Hey,' he said, grinning at me. I smiled weakly back at him, mentally cursing myself. Why, why, why can’t I form words??? In the vanishing sunlight, I could see him frown, and my heart skipped a beat. He leaned over, and then gently rubbed the color off of my cheeks and lips.
'Ah, there’s my Angela,' he said softly.
I groaned. 'Sorry. I made the mistake of telling Annissa about our little convene.'
He laughed, then, to my surprise, he grasped my hand, and led me up to the tree.
'Please, please, please, Harvest Goddess, do not let my hands be sweaty!' I prayed silently. As we reached the tree, Chase did not release my hand as I expected (actually, I expected him to grimace at me, shake off my grime, and then bolt). Instead, he reached for my hand and smiled at me, this time his expression mirroring how I felt- bashful and awkward.
'Goddess, you’re beautif-,' he interrupted himself and ducked his head.
I cocked my head. 'Wha-?'
'Just… never mind.' He blushed, and I could feel myself smiling at his sweet uncertainty.
'Listen, Angela… I can’t think of any way to tell you this, so I’m just going to say it, okay?' I nodded, my brow creasing, but motioned for him to continue.
'Um. I’ve never done this before, so bear with me, all right? OK, so, I’ve been back at this town for…what, a year? All the time that I spent away, the only thing I ever fell in love with was food. I thought that nothing else in the world could be so intricately complex, and as…perfect as a recipe. And then I met you, and all that changed.' He sighed, and then started again. 'Angela, what I’m trying to say- very poorly, but trying all the same- is that—I think I’m in love with you.'
My breath caught in my throat. I fumbled urgently for words, horrified to be rendered completely speechless. He cleared his throat, obviously crushed by my lack of reciprocation.
'I- I mean, that’s just me, so… I totally understand if…you know, you don’t feel the same…' he muttered, looking at his feet.
'No!' My voice was back! Now, to patch this situation up… 'Chase, I- I love you, too.'
My face heated up, and he grinned ear to ear. 'I- that’s great! We love each other!'
I laughed, and he pulled me into a tight hug that lasted much longer than a normal one. Then, he brought his perfectly featured face to mine, and kissed me, a sweet and lingering kiss that would have brought me to my knees had he not been holding me still.
To this day, with my two children and wonderful husband (you can probably guess the lucky guy, ha ha), I still smile at the memory of innocent love, and the incredible, flourishing relationship that blossomed out of our encounter at Alan’s Tree that Summer night.
Based on the event:
Chase’s Confession
Tree of Tranquility
Note from Freyashawk: This charming tale was sent to me by Alyssa for publication on my fan fiction page on Christmas Day, 25 December 2008
Friday, October 24, 2008
Harvest Moon Prank Calls' by Mars Frog
The following piece was written by Mars Frog, a veteran Harvest Moon player and fan:
Harvest Moon Prank Calls
Today several random locations received a call from an anonymous caller who seemed to be confused with the number he was using... The following conversations were recorded:
***RING!***
"Hello, this is Sunny Island Animal Store."
"... What?"
"Hello?"
"Is Taylor there?"
"I'm sorry who?"
"Taylor! He sells seeds!"
"... We don't sell seeds here, sir."
"... But this is his number ..."
"Um, no sir ... you must've dialed wrong."
"No ... this is his number! Where is he!?"
"There's no one by the name of Taylor here sir."
"LIAR! That little brat owes me fifty-five bags of cabbage seeds!"
"..."
"... and an eggplant."
"Sir, where are you?"
"Waffle Island."
"...Well, that's halfway across the globe..."
"... What's your point?"
***Line gets cut***
***Re-dials***
"G'day! This is the Perch Inn! How can we help ya today?"
"... What happened to the lady?"
"Lady?"
"The lady of the animal store?"
"Um... I think you have a wrong number."
"This is the same number!"
"... Well son, this is the number for the Perch Inn ... so, not sure what to tell ya there."
"Nevermind, just give me Taylor."
"I'm sorry, who?"
"TAYLOR!"
"Taylor? ... I don't have any employees named Taylor here."
***background voice*** "You don't have any employees uncle..."
"Who was that?"
"Ah, that was just my niece being a smartpants."
"Look, I don't care what he's told you - just put him on!"
"Who?"
"TAYLOR!!!"
"There's no Taylor here!"
"LIAR! I HAVE HIS NUMBER RIGHT HERE!"
"Ok, I'm sorry sir ... but I don't think I can help you - have a good day."
"You son of a -"
***Line cuts out***
***re-dials***
"He -"
"#@$%^"
"Excuse me!?"
"..."
"Hello? Who is this!?"
"... Is Taylor there?"
"Taylor? This is Mayor Thomas of Flower Bud. Who are you?"
"..."
"Hello?"
"What's he paying you people..."
"Paying?"
"CUZ I'M REALLY GETTING TIRED OF THIS CRAP!"
"What?"
"YOU TELL THAT PUNK @$$ THAT HE'S DEAD WHEN I FIND HIM! DEAD!"
"I think you really need to calm down..."
***hangs up***
Further investigation into this incident revealed a young child by the name of Taylor redirecting phone calls to his shop to random individuals as a funny prank. Police discovered this after the boy called for 911 and was found being strangled by a young farmer. The attack lasted nearly half an hour until the farmer finally fell unconscious after 70 tranquilizers. No one was too seriously injured.
***This incident brought to you by the screwy phone system in ToT***
Harvest Moon Prank Calls
Today several random locations received a call from an anonymous caller who seemed to be confused with the number he was using... The following conversations were recorded:
***RING!***
"Hello, this is Sunny Island Animal Store."
"... What?"
"Hello?"
"Is Taylor there?"
"I'm sorry who?"
"Taylor! He sells seeds!"
"... We don't sell seeds here, sir."
"... But this is his number ..."
"Um, no sir ... you must've dialed wrong."
"No ... this is his number! Where is he!?"
"There's no one by the name of Taylor here sir."
"LIAR! That little brat owes me fifty-five bags of cabbage seeds!"
"..."
"... and an eggplant."
"Sir, where are you?"
"Waffle Island."
"...Well, that's halfway across the globe..."
"... What's your point?"
***Line gets cut***
***Re-dials***
"G'day! This is the Perch Inn! How can we help ya today?"
"... What happened to the lady?"
"Lady?"
"The lady of the animal store?"
"Um... I think you have a wrong number."
"This is the same number!"
"... Well son, this is the number for the Perch Inn ... so, not sure what to tell ya there."
"Nevermind, just give me Taylor."
"I'm sorry, who?"
"TAYLOR!"
"Taylor? ... I don't have any employees named Taylor here."
***background voice*** "You don't have any employees uncle..."
"Who was that?"
"Ah, that was just my niece being a smartpants."
"Look, I don't care what he's told you - just put him on!"
"Who?"
"TAYLOR!!!"
"There's no Taylor here!"
"LIAR! I HAVE HIS NUMBER RIGHT HERE!"
"Ok, I'm sorry sir ... but I don't think I can help you - have a good day."
"You son of a -"
***Line cuts out***
***re-dials***
"He -"
"#@$%^"
"Excuse me!?"
"..."
"Hello? Who is this!?"
"... Is Taylor there?"
"Taylor? This is Mayor Thomas of Flower Bud. Who are you?"
"..."
"Hello?"
"What's he paying you people..."
"Paying?"
"CUZ I'M REALLY GETTING TIRED OF THIS CRAP!"
"What?"
"YOU TELL THAT PUNK @$$ THAT HE'S DEAD WHEN I FIND HIM! DEAD!"
"I think you really need to calm down..."
***hangs up***
Further investigation into this incident revealed a young child by the name of Taylor redirecting phone calls to his shop to random individuals as a funny prank. Police discovered this after the boy called for 911 and was found being strangled by a young farmer. The attack lasted nearly half an hour until the farmer finally fell unconscious after 70 tranquilizers. No one was too seriously injured.
***This incident brought to you by the screwy phone system in ToT***
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