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tamingthemuseTitle: Buried Cosmos
Fandom: Harvest Moon: Another Wonderful Life
Disclaimer: Ha ha ha! No.
Prompt: #112-Eidetic.
Warnings: Not too bad, but some heavy romance/ mild sexual themes.
Rating: Eventual T, for sexual themes.
Word Count: 1,700...or so...
Summary: In the blinding bliss of a fresh marriage, the responsibility and weight of life ahead seems far removed from the love of a soulmate, a new spouse, and a new beginning. Even Jill is devoid of the vision of her future as Marlin becomes the completion of her full circle, even though she's sure the first years of marriage are the most delicate. This is the missing story of those three years skipped, the truth behind the facade of two newlyweds.
The bouquet in my hands is a bundle of cosmos, a delicate flower to represent the embodiment of a young girl.
It hadbeen Marlin’s idea…he had said that in that walk down the aisle, I would be a young girl for the last time. He told me that I should always embrace my youth. The red flowers are dainty, delicate, yet have an unleashed beauty to the thin petals, the luscious scarlet. I study them, and study the pearl-colored silk dress, feeling the beading along the neck, the sash on the waist, the lace on the sleeves and skirt.
The thin veil, comb held in place by copious amounts of hairspray to tame my wild brown locks, disorients me, makes the serene ivory all a dream. Just for me, the whole square of Forget-Me-Not Valley is draped in a white aisle, a small altar, sprinkled with white lilies. This has to be a dream…and yet…it isn’t.
It’s all happening in front of me, and my heart beats with a fluttering euphoria that triggers a great wish of running down the aisle, declaring him mine, and jumping in his arms. Yet as the piano music swirls delectably around my ears, I take baby steps to my new life, my nerves riding me through an arbitrary whirlwind of emotions. The crowd sitting in the seats murmurs to one another as the bride marches down a walk to change her life. I squeeze the bouquet with all my strength, desperately attempting to mask the trembling of my hands.
My veins flood with immense relief over the fact that my ear-splitting smile can’t be seen to the people, as well as my deluging eyes. I know for a fact that the blonde bartender would be disappointed if my tears would run their course. After all, she had worked tirelessly on my mascara and eyeliner, perfecting all her errors, until my eyes sparkled and my hair bounced with loose waves.
“When I’m done with you, you’ll be the most beautiful woman in Forget-Me-Not Valley!”
I had snorted at that. Not a chance.
I snap out of my thoughts when I notice the rapidly dwindling distance of the altar...and I see Marlin on it, smiling with a little red shaded on the apples of his cheeks.
When you love someone-really, really love them with all of your heart-everything else in your life fades into a multicolored mosaic in the background of that person. Even when I had been apart from Marlin, his face still lingers in my mind, and every detail upon it is traceable. I can see the way his icy eyes melt with a smile, the crow’s feet that begin to take their place at the outer corners of his eyes, the single, stubborn curl that he could never manage to comb back. I see him, eidetic.
And suddenly, the other details fade away as his smile melts itself to an eidetic memory in my mind.
Before long, I am in front of him. His eyes lighten to a truly unexplainable kindness as his gruff hands encase mine.
The bouquet of cosmos, of my own youth, falls innocently to the ground. And I don’t bother to stop it, because I cannot thrive on these photographic memories of Marlin. I need him, in the flesh, at my side. I need him.
And no eidetic memory can ever quench that thirst.
The pastor smiles kindly at the two of us as my eyes overflow, on the verge of spilling over, sending me over the edge. But I don’t. I do not intend to spend my wedding day with black trails running down my cheeks.
“Are you two ready?” the pastor asks us. My heart lights up as I nod furiously, the words slamming into my memory.”
He nods wisely. “Well then, let’s begin.” Marlin uses his rough thumb to caress my wrist. “Marlin…do you promise to love Jill unconditionally for a long as you live?”
The world seems to stop as Marlin squeezes warmth into my quaking hands, his eyes narrowed and intent. And yet, I know that he doesn’t truly hesitate. “I do!” he announces, the two words swirling around my head. At the beautiful, poetic sound of them, the tears are finally released, running down my cheeks in
tiny rivulets.
The pastor is absolutely beaming as he turns to me. “Jill…do you promise to love Marlin with all your heart, for a lifetime and beyond?”
My throat is groggy, and yet, it works furiously to pronounce the time-honored words with dignity. “I do!”
The pastor shuts his aged volume with a small thump. “I now pronounce you man and wife…” And I practically enter a beautiful time warp as my tears pour out in happiness, and Marlin reaches out to finally pull the veil over my head, rendering the dream as reality.
“…you may now kiss the bride.” And once again, he kisses me and I kiss him, reaching out to touch his chest as our voracious hunger combines to form one monstrous beast. But he pulls away quickly and I hesitantly withdraw, choosing to hold his hand and scan through the observers.
There is Muffy, the beautiful bar tender who had generously prepared me for the wedding. I give her an awkward smile and shrug, but she shoots me a thumbs up and mouths “waterproof” over the clapping and cheers. I sigh in relief. Muffy really is a lifesaver. She smiles back at Griffin, the barkeep, who is offering his polite applause.
The innkeepers are cheering. Ruby is clapping her plump hands and laughing, and her husband laughs with her. Their son is looking away from them pointedly, but still smiling and Marlin and I.
Nami is sullen as ever, but the red-headed traveler can’t suppress the tiniest smile that swallows her usual distant frown. Gustafa is at her side, his hat lowered for once, showing his small ponytail, his guitar taking its proper place next to him.
I spot Lumina at the piano, beaming a slightly watery smile, her grandmother giggling a delighted little laugh.
Marlin’s sister, Vesta, substitutes tears for a hearty laugh, her red hair neatly combed for once, and her dress clinging to her bulky figure.
And then I see her.
I see Celia.
A hollow, bitter smile is plastered on her dainty face, and yet, deep into her gentle chocolate eyes is pain, unrequited pain, unmatchable. And suddenly I understand…it is all clear by the jealousy present on her
features. Celia loves Marlin. Marlin loves me.
It is strange, how memories can be eidetic, even if they aren’t shrouded in love. A look of utmost jealous can also do the trick as well.
I swallow and force myself to turn away, but the haunted gaze in her eyes is still burned painfully into my mind. And no matter what I do, nothing can ease the image from its position at my shoulders.
---
The usual mellow, laid back field of my ranch is now ablaze with dancing, music, and drinks.
Marlin kisses my cheek passionately as the two of us sit down at the edge of the long table, him sipping his Stone Oil and I sipping my Cherry Pink in turn. “You look beautiful,” he tells me, locking his eyes into my own.
“You’re lying,” I answer, even though my cheeks heat with pleasure. “But you look very handsome.”
He laughs, a warm sound that makes my heart melt. “It was a fine-looking wedding. I think everyone was happy for us.”
I feel a stab in my chest as I remember Celia’s doe eyes, wide and hurt. “Yeah.”
He gives me a long, hard stare, reading me like a book. “What is it?”
Normally I would have shrugged it off, let it escape my grasp. But then I realize that Marlin is now my husband.
“Celia,” I murmur, butting my nose against his jaw and smelling the tangy fragrance of cologne and earth.
He shakes his head. “She’s just having a hard time.” His eyes travel back to me. “She’s jealous of you. Easy to understand.” He smirks.
I roll my eyes and shift, allowing Ruby to dole several dollops of food on my plate. “Eat up, bride!” she exclaims cheerfully, ladling a lake of gravy on top of the seasoned mashed potatoes.
I thank her, offering a genuinely happy smile. That’s when I hear the clink.
I glance upward to see Rock, raising his wine glass, his spoon close by it. I sigh. How did I know?
Marlin and I lock lips for a brief second, and then hesitantly pull away, and the crowd laughs merrily. Marlin pretends to be indifferent, but the smug little smile shines through his uncaring mask as he slices his steak into small pieces.
I eat thoughtfully, chew slowly, not in the mood to consume a buffet when my stomach is active with a million tumbles of joy. The rich flavor of meat and potatoes barely melts into my tongue as I swallow them mechanically, performing the tired ritual with disinterest.
Not a few minutes later do I hear the warm strumming of a guitar and look up from my half-finished meal. In the front of the large paddock is Griffin, striking a wistful sound on his guitar, giving a meaningful look to bride and groom.
“Do you want to?” Marlin asks quietly, catching my hand in his. I nod once, and the two of us run toward the center of the ranch, him pulling me by the hand, both of us breathless with laugher.
He suddenly becomes solemn as he places his hands upon my waist, his touch light and gentle. I lean into his broad, well-muscled chest, feeling the same giddiness as the two of us sway to the timeless music.
Our audience claps softly, murmuring fondly, and for the time being, I forget Celia and stress and the rest of the world and wish that this moment can last forever, stretch to eternity.
“Tomorrow begins our new life together,” he breathes seductively down my neck, sending shivers up my spine.
“Mmm.” My nails dig slightly into his shoulder blades. At last, Marlin and I can finally be together forever.
It hadbeen Marlin’s idea…he had said that in that walk down the aisle, I would be a young girl for the last time. He told me that I should always embrace my youth. The red flowers are dainty, delicate, yet have an unleashed beauty to the thin petals, the luscious scarlet. I study them, and study the pearl-colored silk dress, feeling the beading along the neck, the sash on the waist, the lace on the sleeves and skirt.
I want this memory to be forever eidetic, an imprint on my mind that I can cherish for all time.
The thin veil, comb held in place by copious amounts of hairspray to tame my wild brown locks, disorients me, makes the serene ivory all a dream. Just for me, the whole square of Forget-Me-Not Valley is draped in a white aisle, a small altar, sprinkled with white lilies. This has to be a dream…and yet…it isn’t.
It’s all happening in front of me, and my heart beats with a fluttering euphoria that triggers a great wish of running down the aisle, declaring him mine, and jumping in his arms. Yet as the piano music swirls delectably around my ears, I take baby steps to my new life, my nerves riding me through an arbitrary whirlwind of emotions. The crowd sitting in the seats murmurs to one another as the bride marches down a walk to change her life. I squeeze the bouquet with all my strength, desperately attempting to mask the trembling of my hands.
My veins flood with immense relief over the fact that my ear-splitting smile can’t be seen to the people, as well as my deluging eyes. I know for a fact that the blonde bartender would be disappointed if my tears would run their course. After all, she had worked tirelessly on my mascara and eyeliner, perfecting all her errors, until my eyes sparkled and my hair bounced with loose waves.
“When I’m done with you, you’ll be the most beautiful woman in Forget-Me-Not Valley!”
I had snorted at that. Not a chance.
I snap out of my thoughts when I notice the rapidly dwindling distance of the altar...and I see Marlin on it, smiling with a little red shaded on the apples of his cheeks.
When you love someone-really, really love them with all of your heart-everything else in your life fades into a multicolored mosaic in the background of that person. Even when I had been apart from Marlin, his face still lingers in my mind, and every detail upon it is traceable. I can see the way his icy eyes melt with a smile, the crow’s feet that begin to take their place at the outer corners of his eyes, the single, stubborn curl that he could never manage to comb back. I see him, eidetic.
And suddenly, the other details fade away as his smile melts itself to an eidetic memory in my mind.
Before long, I am in front of him. His eyes lighten to a truly unexplainable kindness as his gruff hands encase mine.
The bouquet of cosmos, of my own youth, falls innocently to the ground. And I don’t bother to stop it, because I cannot thrive on these photographic memories of Marlin. I need him, in the flesh, at my side. I need him.
And no eidetic memory can ever quench that thirst.
The pastor smiles kindly at the two of us as my eyes overflow, on the verge of spilling over, sending me over the edge. But I don’t. I do not intend to spend my wedding day with black trails running down my cheeks.
“Are you two ready?” the pastor asks us. My heart lights up as I nod furiously, the words slamming into my memory.”
He nods wisely. “Well then, let’s begin.” Marlin uses his rough thumb to caress my wrist. “Marlin…do you promise to love Jill unconditionally for a long as you live?”
The world seems to stop as Marlin squeezes warmth into my quaking hands, his eyes narrowed and intent. And yet, I know that he doesn’t truly hesitate. “I do!” he announces, the two words swirling around my head. At the beautiful, poetic sound of them, the tears are finally released, running down my cheeks in
tiny rivulets.
The pastor is absolutely beaming as he turns to me. “Jill…do you promise to love Marlin with all your heart, for a lifetime and beyond?”
My throat is groggy, and yet, it works furiously to pronounce the time-honored words with dignity. “I do!”
The pastor shuts his aged volume with a small thump. “I now pronounce you man and wife…” And I practically enter a beautiful time warp as my tears pour out in happiness, and Marlin reaches out to finally pull the veil over my head, rendering the dream as reality.
“…you may now kiss the bride.” And once again, he kisses me and I kiss him, reaching out to touch his chest as our voracious hunger combines to form one monstrous beast. But he pulls away quickly and I hesitantly withdraw, choosing to hold his hand and scan through the observers.
There is Muffy, the beautiful bar tender who had generously prepared me for the wedding. I give her an awkward smile and shrug, but she shoots me a thumbs up and mouths “waterproof” over the clapping and cheers. I sigh in relief. Muffy really is a lifesaver. She smiles back at Griffin, the barkeep, who is offering his polite applause.
The innkeepers are cheering. Ruby is clapping her plump hands and laughing, and her husband laughs with her. Their son is looking away from them pointedly, but still smiling and Marlin and I.
Nami is sullen as ever, but the red-headed traveler can’t suppress the tiniest smile that swallows her usual distant frown. Gustafa is at her side, his hat lowered for once, showing his small ponytail, his guitar taking its proper place next to him.
I spot Lumina at the piano, beaming a slightly watery smile, her grandmother giggling a delighted little laugh.
Marlin’s sister, Vesta, substitutes tears for a hearty laugh, her red hair neatly combed for once, and her dress clinging to her bulky figure.
And then I see her.
I see Celia.
A hollow, bitter smile is plastered on her dainty face, and yet, deep into her gentle chocolate eyes is pain, unrequited pain, unmatchable. And suddenly I understand…it is all clear by the jealousy present on her
features. Celia loves Marlin. Marlin loves me.
It is strange, how memories can be eidetic, even if they aren’t shrouded in love. A look of utmost jealous can also do the trick as well.
I swallow and force myself to turn away, but the haunted gaze in her eyes is still burned painfully into my mind. And no matter what I do, nothing can ease the image from its position at my shoulders.
---
The usual mellow, laid back field of my ranch is now ablaze with dancing, music, and drinks.
Marlin kisses my cheek passionately as the two of us sit down at the edge of the long table, him sipping his Stone Oil and I sipping my Cherry Pink in turn. “You look beautiful,” he tells me, locking his eyes into my own.
“You’re lying,” I answer, even though my cheeks heat with pleasure. “But you look very handsome.”
He laughs, a warm sound that makes my heart melt. “It was a fine-looking wedding. I think everyone was happy for us.”
I feel a stab in my chest as I remember Celia’s doe eyes, wide and hurt. “Yeah.”
He gives me a long, hard stare, reading me like a book. “What is it?”
Normally I would have shrugged it off, let it escape my grasp. But then I realize that Marlin is now my husband.
“Celia,” I murmur, butting my nose against his jaw and smelling the tangy fragrance of cologne and earth.
His eyes avert to the small, sulking brunette, riveting to her face. Celia is pretty…she has wide, expressive eyes and long, russet, tresses with a copper glow. I think Marlin once had a crush on her, but he deemed it long gone. And I believe him.
He shakes his head. “She’s just having a hard time.” His eyes travel back to me. “She’s jealous of you. Easy to understand.” He smirks.
I roll my eyes and shift, allowing Ruby to dole several dollops of food on my plate. “Eat up, bride!” she exclaims cheerfully, ladling a lake of gravy on top of the seasoned mashed potatoes.
I thank her, offering a genuinely happy smile. That’s when I hear the clink.
I glance upward to see Rock, raising his wine glass, his spoon close by it. I sigh. How did I know?
Marlin and I lock lips for a brief second, and then hesitantly pull away, and the crowd laughs merrily. Marlin pretends to be indifferent, but the smug little smile shines through his uncaring mask as he slices his steak into small pieces.
I eat thoughtfully, chew slowly, not in the mood to consume a buffet when my stomach is active with a million tumbles of joy. The rich flavor of meat and potatoes barely melts into my tongue as I swallow them mechanically, performing the tired ritual with disinterest.
Not a few minutes later do I hear the warm strumming of a guitar and look up from my half-finished meal. In the front of the large paddock is Griffin, striking a wistful sound on his guitar, giving a meaningful look to bride and groom.
“Do you want to?” Marlin asks quietly, catching my hand in his. I nod once, and the two of us run toward the center of the ranch, him pulling me by the hand, both of us breathless with laugher.
He suddenly becomes solemn as he places his hands upon my waist, his touch light and gentle. I lean into his broad, well-muscled chest, feeling the same giddiness as the two of us sway to the timeless music.
Our audience claps softly, murmuring fondly, and for the time being, I forget Celia and stress and the rest of the world and wish that this moment can last forever, stretch to eternity.
“Tomorrow begins our new life together,” he breathes seductively down my neck, sending shivers up my spine.
“Mmm.” My nails dig slightly into his shoulder blades. At last, Marlin and I can finally be together forever.
After all, eidetic memories can never withhold me for long.
