Every Heart

Blanket disclaimer:  All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.  I do not claim any rights to Harvest Moon Animal Parade or any characters associated with the game.  No money was made from this fan fiction. 

Author note:  My thanks to Andi for taking the time to beta.  I appreciate your help.  

 

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It had become a daily occurrence for Hikari to pop into his house and give him a cup of coffee.  She'd sit on his bed, being he only had the one chair, and tell him all the things that were going on around town. 

He didn't have the heart to tell her that he wasn't terribly interested in the daily happens around town, or if he really wanted to know, he could just look in his crystal ball.  Besides, he liked to hear her voice and she didn't make him talk anymore than he wanted.  

“Have you checked your mail yet?  Kathy and Owen sent out their wedding invitations today.” 

He ran his finger along the spine of one of his books; its title had long since faded.  Pulling it out, he placed it to the side.  He'd have to reapply its title.  Luckily he'd always followed his Master's teachings and engraved the titles into the spines.  When they wore off it made it easier to reapply them.  He'd gather some things to make the dye later today. 

Finn landed on the book he'd just placed.  Looking at the sprite, Wizard noticed him making a motion towards Hikari.  Glancing at the young woman sitting on his bed, he noticed her eager smile.  Oh right, she asked him a question.  “I did not receive an invitation to the wedding.”

“Oh, well I'm sure it's just an oversight.  Would you like me to stop by and we could walk to the church together?”

Sighing, Wizard rubbed the back of his head.  Why was she always trying to get him to go to things?  “I will . . . .”  Gulping, he really felt like he was kicking a puppy when he turned her down.  She looked so hopeful.  “Pass.” 

“Oh . . . .” 

He hated that look she gave him after he turned down going to the festivals and such.  “I don't have many friends.  I'm not good with people.” 

“Wizard.”  Well at least she wasn't giving him the let down look anymore.  “Making friends is easy.  Why don't we go to the wedding together, and I'll introduce you to everyone?” 

Biting his lip, Wizard shook his head.  “I would not want to offend the couple by showing up uninvited.  A wedding is a ceremony of importance to villagers.  It would be wrong to just show up.” 

Nodding Hikari got off his bed.  “I suppose you're right.  Well, sorry to leave so early today, I got to finish my errands.  I need to be at Brass Bar at sixteen hundred hours.” 

Searching his mind for any festivals, Wizard wondered if any happened at the bar.  Maybe it was something to do with the wedding?

Finn buzzed around his head for a second before spilling the real reason.  “Yeah, Hikari has a hot date with Jin tonight.” 

Glancing between Finn and Hikari, Wizard asked.  “Hot date?” 

“Finn, we are just having dinner.  It's not a date.”  Hikari argued, puffing out her checks. 

Wizard felt Finn land on top his head.  “Sure it's not.  Just keep telling yourself that, Hikari.” 

“What is . . . a date?” 

Finn peered down from the top of his head to face him.  “Boy, you really don't get out much, do you?  A date is when two people meet and do something together.  It's what people who are in love do.”

“I do not love Jin.”

Blinking, Wizard faced Hikari.  “Why do you go on this date with him then?  Finn says dates are for people in love.  Are you in love with Jin?”  Why did he feel so strange? 

Covering her face with her hands, Hikari moaned.  “No.”  Sighing, she shook her head.  “Friends can go out together and do things too.  Yes, some dates are when people really like each other, or are trying to see if they are compatible for there to be more between them.  Jin and I meeting at the bar is nothing more than two friends having dinner and some conversation.  That is all, you two.”  She was tapping her foot now he noticed; she did that when she was getting annoyed.  

“Will it lead to more between you and Jin?”  What was wrong with him?  Where were these questions coming from?  He really needed to shut up.   

“Wizard.”  She hadn't ever given him that look before.  “I don't know.  Right now it's just two friends eating together.” 

Tilting his head up to look at Finn, Wizard asked.  “Do you know if it will lead to more?”  Why couldn't he shut up?   

That smile Finn gave him was rather creepy.  “Well, Jin did blush when he asked her.” 

Hikari was at the door now.  “That is enough, you two.  I'll see you after the wedding, Wizard.  Have a good day.” 

Finn fluttered off his head, moving to follow Hikari out the door.  Before the sprite made it, Wizard's hand shot out and pulled him back to him.  “What time was that date again?”  He whispered. 

Blinking for a moment, Finn smiled at him.  “Just why are you so interested?” 

Finn's smile reminded him of Witch's smile just before she tried to pull something on him.  If it wasn't for the fact this was information he wanted, he would have given the little guy a toss.  He could feel his cheeks burning.  Why was he blushing?  “Someone needs to watch out for Hikari.”  That was right, she was important to the Harvest Goddess. 

Finn looked rather mad.  “That's my job.  Goddess put me in charge of looking after Hikari.” 

“And what will you do if things don't go well on this date?  Can the doctor hear you?  Can he see you?”  Alright, he admitted, it was a low blow.  “What would you do . . . if Hikari was hurt . . . because of your limited abilities?”   

“Fine . . . . It was sixteen hundred at Brass Bar.” 

Releasing him, Wizard watched him head for the open door.  Right before he left, Finn turned back.  “I won't forget this.”  Pointing at his eye, Finn gestured with his finger between them.  “I got my eye on you.” 

Smirking, Wizard shifted his weight and put his fist on his hip.  “Why?  Am I naked again?”  Finn was out of his home so fast the door shut on its own. 

Shaking his head, Wizard grabbed a bag to store the items he was going to forge for to make his dye. 

One thing was for sure, it was a good that Finn was a sprite, because that color he'd turned before he flew out the door couldn't have been healthy.