Disclaimer: Harvest Moon does not belong to me.

Author's note: Sorry for the delay on this second chapter! I've been bogged down with exams, but the good news is that they're nearly over. I can't wait! Anyway, thank you to those who reviewed and enjoy the chapter. Things are set to get a lot darker after this one...

Chapter 2 - Moment Of Truth

"Aw c'mon, Leia," Felix pleaded. His little fingers were curled around the edge of the tank, as he danced from one foot to the other. "Tell me the story. Please!"

I simply chuckled, too amused to do much else. "I have done," I pointed out eventually. "I must have told you it hundreds of times by now, Felix. Don't you get bored?" That was a stupid question, really. I should have known he'd never get bored after only the fifth re-telling in about as many minutes.

"Oh go on, Leia," Felix begged. "Tell it, please tell it. It's such a good story and you're such a good storyteller."

"You're such a little flatterer," I retorted swiftly. But as there was nothing else to do and I did love the look of awe on Felix's face, I decided to give in. "Fine, fine," I sighed theatrically, as he gave a joyous whoop and scampered away to sit in the nearest chair.

I hauled myself from the water, swinging my tail around so I could carefully perch on the tank's edge. Droplets fell from my hair and tail and they ran down my body, causing large, round puddles on the tiled floor.

Felix was watching me eagerly, so I gave a rather imperious, joking cough to clear my throat. Then I giggled. "Come on," Felix demanded, growing more and more impatient by the second.

"Right, right, right," I said in my most commanding tone. Actually, it wasn't all that great and I ended up giggling again. But I was quick to compose myself, as Felix's young face was turning thundery. "Here we go. Once upon a time..."

Felix interrupted me with such ferocity that I very nearly tumbled backwards into the tank. "No!" he insisted, as I hastily righted myself. "No, Daddy says real stories don't start like that. That's only for fairytales and they aren't real."

Suddenly, I got what he was saying. "And my story is real," I concluded proudly. Yes, bizarre though it truly was, my twisted tale was one hundred percent fact. "Okay then..." I said preparing to start again. "It all happened about five years ago, when I was a young mermaid and you weren't even born."

"Storms weren't very common in the region where I lived. And actually, it was one of the most peaceful places around. I knew of places where storms, typhoons and that sort of thing were common, but not where I lived..."

It occured to me, as I spoke and Felix dutifully listened, that he was a rather intelligent boy for his age. At only three, he already seemed to understand words such as 'typhoon', which would leave most children confused. Severely so, even. As I said before, he definitely takes after his father. Now Daryl, as you should have already guessed, is a scientist - hence why he didn't have any problem with taking in a washed up mermaid. To him, I must have been some sort of scientific gold mine. I mean, it's not everyday you can claim to have a mythical creature living in your basement, is it?

Anyway, I have an inkling that Felix might turn to a career in science when he grows older. He's got such an inquisitive mind, always questioning each and every little thing. Of course, he may just follow in his mother's footsteps and end up as an archeologist, unearthing pieces of history for a living. Or maybe that'll be William...? My mind spun, as I imagined the boys older and more independent. Only when I realised that I wouldn't be around to see it, did my thoughts come crashing down with a bump.

"...And, er, that's how I ended up on Forget-Me-Not beach." I finished up the story of my journey here much more hastily than usual. Felix seemed to pick up on my reluctance.

He gave me a small smile. "That was nice, Leia," he said carefully, looking less than impressed.

"Well, you've heard it about five hundred times," I pointed out childishly. His purple eyes widened liked saucers, as I stuck out my pointed, cat-like tongue. If I wasn't being immature before, I certainly was now. It doesn't really matter though; it's not like I'm his mother. I'm more of a... big sister.

Yeah, I liked that idea. Not too much responsibility and you don't become the bad guy when it's their bed time or they're being forced to eat their vegetables. You're the one they come and moan to instead. You're the sympathiser. The friend, even.

Felix leapt from his chair, a playful glint in his eyes and mischevious smile tugging at his lips. I knew full well what that meant. Before I had chance to react, he jumped forward, swishing his hand through the water to splash at me. I let out a wounded yelp, without even considering how stupid that was - why on earth should water bother me? - and quickly fought back. My tail may be too weak for proper swimming, but it's still great in a simple water fight. One small flick and Felix was drenched from head to toe. His usually wild black hair was completely plastered to his face and his clothes were dripping.

It was a wonder, really, how Daryl managed to cross the basement floor without once slipping a few minutes later. Neither I nor Felix heard his approach, due to our hearty enthusiasm in the water fight. It was steadily rising in volume and, for a moment, Daryl simply stood and blinked his huge, black eyes at the pair of us. He may be a scientific genius, but socially? ...Not so much.

When at last Felix noticed his father, he looked very grateful that his wet clothes were not commented on. So was I, to be honest. "Hello, Daddy," he cried, flashing a perfectly angelical smile. "I'm going to see Mommy," he told us, adding, "Bye-bye, Leia," as he scampered up the stairs.

Daryl watched the scene in bewilderment. He turned to look at space where his son had disappeared, and I noticed a distinctly proud look flash across his face. The second he focused his attentions on me, however, it had vanished.

"Hello, Daryl," I said meekly, paddling over to the wall of the tank and looking over the top. My eyes were drawn to large silver plate he balanced on one hand - or, more importantly, what lay on it. My nostrils were assaulted by the sharp, salty tang of my ultimate favourite delicacy, fish. The one the sat before me was particularly plump. "Ooh, thank you!" I breathed, reaching eagerly forward to accept my meal. Actually, I used to cook for both myself and Daryl - though it was only ever fish on the menu - until he married Flora and the kitchen was whisked upstairs into the newly modernised house.

As I hungrily devoured the food, Daryl sat opposite me in Felix's abandoned chair. "Flora made it," he told me matter-of-factly with a curt nod, as though simply stating the weather conditions. I nodded back, while trying to hide the inevitable grin that came from hearing him say Flora's name. He had a horrible habit of blushing at the same time as pronouncing it very slowly and precariously, like it was a sacred gem.

It was that which brought me to realise his feelings for Flora when I first came here. Once I'd befriended Drayl enough to be trusted, it was Flora this and Flora that almost constantly. Of course, I'd never actually met the girl - but I felt as though I knew her intimately. Daryl certainly did, which was rather worrying at the time. I knew she was an archeologist. I knew, judging from what Daryl said, that she was pretty. She was young. Her eyes were unusually coloured. Her hair was wild and strawberry blonde. I knew all this because Daryl spoke of her each and every day. And not once did he avoid blushing.

"The solution will be ready for tomorrow morning," Daryl explained, jogging me back to the present.

I sat stunned for a moment, as excitement surged through me. That soon? I'd known it was nearly prepared, but still...

I reached up to place the empty platter on the tank's edge, catching Daryl's eye at the same. "For my tail?" I asked him softly. It was a struggle to contain my bubbling enthusiasm now. "I'll be able to swim again? Properly?"

His eyes flew away from mine, but I knew him well enough to know that that was only a social thing. It meant nothing. "You should be able to, yes," he confirmed. "I'm certain it'll work this time.

"I'll be free..." I whispered to myself, spinning gracefully in the water. When I looked around, Daryl was standing, the empty plate grasped in his hands. He was leaving. "See you tomorrow, then," I smiled, savouring the thought of my impending release from the tank. It was a dizzying, wonderful idea.

He nodded once again and turned to leave, only to falter suddenly at the foot of the stairs. "What?" I wondered aloud as he looked around at me, an odd, unreadable expression on his face.

"Leia," he began awkwardly, looking anywhere but me. "Earlier with Felix, what was that, er - ?"

"Oh, the waterfight? Yeah, that's..." I felt the same impish smile Felix had worn pulling at my own lips. "...A big sister thing."

They were all here. And by all, I literally mean all. The next morning, my normally quiet basement was looking much more cramped than usual. Flora, Felix and William had also squashed in to watch Daryl administer the injection. I honestly wasn't sure whether to feel embarrassed at the attention or grateful for their support.

Gawped at was probably the best description, I decided eventually. Felix kept staring at me with a very puzzling expression on his face, one which I just couldn't figure out. I wondered if it was anything to do with me leaving, but I couldn't be sure. And I didn't like to ask when I was feeling so queasy from nerves. Even the idea of simply opening my mouth was nauseating enough.

Daryl was taking ages in getting the solution ready. He kept measuring things and tutting and holding strange instruments up to the light. Flora and I, neither of us being scientsists of any sort, frequently exchanged confused glances. But, whenever her husband looked at her and her cheeks flooded that telling shade of pink, she only had eyes for him.

"It's done," he announced at long last and, even though no one had been speaking, the room seemed to fall into a far deeper silence. Baby William's meaningless gurgles were even cut off, as he craned his head to peer at the syringe in his father's hand.

I couldn't stop staring at it either. The liquid inside was clear and neon-bright. Suddenly, I realised what that flask of bubbling, green acid that used to sit on a desk opposite my tank really was.

"Are you ready, Leia?" Daryl questioned me, his face just as pale as mine felt.

"Yeah... I guess so." There was no point in hanging around, after all. And I'd wanted this so badly and for so long, that I couldn't really tell why I was feeling so anxious. The needle was huge, though, it was bound to hurt...

My eyes were soon squeezed tightly shut. I no longer cared that Flora and Daryl were watching. I didn't even care that little Felix could see my fear. All I wanted was for it to be over, over, over... And then it was.

Distantly, I heard Daryl say, "There!", and, after gingerly opening one eye, I noticed that he was drawing backwards. Also - to my great relief - the syringe was now empty of liquid. Hah - and I hadn't even felt it!

Felix scooted forward and hooked his chubby fingers over the tank's wall. "Did it hurt you, Leia?" he lisped sorrowfully, to which I shook my head.

"Not at all," I assured him. "Didn't even feel it..." But then I stopped. Didn't even feel it... the words echoed horribly in my mind. It was relief not to feel the needle, but not so much of one to feel the lack of sensation below my waist. Worryingly - very worryingly, seeing as it was keeping me afloat - my tail seemed to have seized up completely.

"Daryl..." I gasped, thrashing my way towards the very front of the tank. "Is this... supposed...to - to... happen."

"The sensation should last only a moment," he told me grimly. A moment? I thought wildly. Could I cope with even that? And I wasn't sure 'sensation' was the right word either. It was the total lack of it that was bothering me, to be honest.

After a few agonising minutes of clinging to the side for dear life, the 'sensation' passed. Relief washed over me, only for anxiety to replace it. There was only one question on everyone's mind now: had it actually worked?

Daryl was the first to break the silence. "I don't know how long it'll take," he said quietly, "but, hopefully, you'll feel some strength return to your tail soon. That's the plan, anyway."

"Well, no time like the present," I chuckled nervously. Perhaps it my imagination, but I was almost certain I could feel a tiny surge of power run from my waist down to the very tip of my tail. It was a very light and barely noticeable feeling... it was almost as if my tail was slowly coming back to life.

"How do you feel?" Flora asked tentatively, shifting Will a little as he tried to pull on her hair. "Is there any change at all?"

I nodded shortly, not wanting to get their hopes up too much. It would be so much easier if they all just disappeared and left me to figure this out for myself. "I - I think so," I concluded, sounding just as wary as Flora had done.

They clearly weren't leaving and I knew there was only one way to prove if the injection had worked. As another, more powerful jolt surged through me, my determination was only intensified.

Ignoring the others, I silently flicked my tail upwards and brought it crashing down against the water's surface. Usually, that results in only a minor splash, but today was different. Instead, a piercing thwack reverberated off the dingy basement walls and droplets flew high into the air. Felix's awe-filled face was fixed resolutely on the tiled ceiling. I followed his glance and felt my face cracking into an identical, wide grin. The sludge grey tiles were dripping with moisture.

I was left speechless with disbelief. It worked. It truly worked.