| Jack Harvest looked at the setting sun. It was five years ago that he came to Mineral Town when he discovered that one of his best of friends had died, and left the farm to him. Five years, since he took over the farm and became the kind and caring soul that was more or less everybody's friend. Everything had changed slowly over that small period of time. He had faced rejection five times over. The girls of Mineral Town did love him, but only as a friend. His closest one being Mary, his distant one being Popuri. He always was just a bit too late when it came to proposing. Yet, he just gave them a grin instead of a heartbroken look and told them everything would be all right, even if tears were flowing down his eyes as he walked away. Jack knew he should be counting his blessings. He had a town who cared for him. Five girls that would do almost anything for him(when not taking care of husband and child). However, he didn't have the one thing he'd been searching for most of his time in Mineral Town. He was searching for a girl to love. He looked at Zack who had come to take his usual harvest, which had expanded from the 16 plants he started out with on his first spring in the town, to the thousand he had now on the fifth spring. He didn't do it alone. If he was to take care of all those plants, his 8 cows and sheep, 1 horse, and 8 chickens he'd be confined to his farm all day. He saw 8 little blurs walk away with Zack, each waving to Jack as they did. The harvest sprites were probably his biggest friends and helpers. Actually, now that Jack thought about it, there was ONE girl who was still with him every step of his little journey. Taking out a black stone from his pocket, he made a mental image of the Harvest Goddess's pond and the stone glowed in response, taking him there in a flash. He had his eyes closed, but the rushing sound of the waterfall connected to the pond was soothing to his senses. When Jack opened his eyes, he found himself looking at the pond of the Harvest Goddess. Fishing into his backpack, he pulls out one of the turnips he just harvested and threw it into the pond. One flash of light later, he found himself staring at the Harvest Goddess. He always thought she a beautiful woman, with her forest green hair put into the braid and buns they were usually in, and the dress that made her look befitting of her status. "Jack. Nice to see you again. Do you need something? A sunny day, maybe some financial help?" The Harvest Goddess asked. Truth be told, she was always grateful Jack would give a bit of his day to her, talking, giving offerings and prayers. So in return, she was always doing little things for him. Giving him the occasional sunny day even though the weather was calling for a hurricane, or healing one of his sick creatures. "Nah. Just wanted to talk." Jack said as he laid down on the grass and looked at the multicolored sky. "What do you want to talk about?" The Harvest Goddess asked. She hovered outside of her pond and sat next to Jack. "Have you ever loved anybody before?" Jack asked. He enjoyed the shocked reaction she gave him. "Love? Ah........to be honest, I've been proposed many times over the last few centuries by the other gods and such, but I've always turned them down." The Harvest Goddess told him. "Why'd you turn down all of them, Harvest Goddess?" Jack asked. "Please, call me Aura. I think we've known each other long enough for you to call me my real name. As for why, none of them were ever the person I was looking for." she explained. "What kind of guy are you looking for?" Jack asked, his curiosity peaked. "A caring person. One that will come talk to me everyday. Somebody who's level headed and won't get mad unless it was truly justified. Most importantly, someone who's heart is big enough that even when he's in pain, he won't bring down others with him." Aura explained, her hand finding Jacks and holding it. Jack was lost in thought. "So she's looking for the down to earth, nice guy huh? Wait a minute.....those descriptions.....she's not talking about me, is she?". He then noticed that she was holding his hand and looked at her. "Jack......." Aura began to say, but looked away, flustered. "Can a Goddess like you even love someone as unimportant as me?" Jack asked as he sat up. "It's my life, my powers, so I can only hope I can choose to do that." Aura said. ".........so why me?" Jack asked. "You're so kind Jack. You always give and give, never wanting anything in return. You gave up the city life in order to help out a town in need. You made friends even with the most stubborn of people, and created a thriving place for everyone. I love you because you're not afraid to be you." Aura explained. "Wow......" Was all Jack said. Aura got up and felt an etheral tug on her dress. "My time is up for right now Jack. So maybe......just this once.....will you grant me a wish?" She asked. "What wish could I possibly grant?" Jack asked before a pair of lips descended on his. Aura was kissing him, and he fully enjoyed every second of it. "Keep visiting, and one day......bring that blue feather with you." Aura said as she glided back into her pond and began to vanish. Jack smiled, "Yeah. That's one wish I know I can grant for you.....Aura." he told her before the night came to them both, bringing with them knowledge that they were not alone, and that they were truly in love with each other. The End |