Chapter 10: Hopes of a Brighter Day

A new day started at Las Lindas and it was sure going to be a unique one to spend.

That was something that Diana was as sure of as amused to say to herself because something fairly interesting and endearing was just happening a few hours after breakfast.

Two hours had passed by since Matt had gone to town either to set up the market to sell the products of the farm or to enjoy some time with the few friends he had gotten in town.

It was good to know that the young man was having good moments with others rather than staying shut in her house, to be broadening his new social life without too many issues along the road for happiness.

Yet, differently from the usual days, instead of the young man making his way back to the farm to make a full-day of work, she was bestowed with the sight of the lone Prime that the human had gotten to befriend first.

He sounded polite, his genuine expressions telling as much as his words were as he explained the reason behind his presence here today and why Matt wasn't going to return until later.

A plan created mostly by the young woman that she had just heard about, a fine lady if the older woman had to credit as the idea was as interesting as amusing to listen to.

While the young human had been mindful to not over-exert himself in the single shifts, it was also true from a fair perspective that the hard-worker had been careless in balancing his sleep hours.

While Randal could afford to sleep until early in the morning because his work-load was easy to manage and mostly lessened by his mother's attempts to make some things on her own.

Many of the attempts failed to even begin much to her chagrin, but she could at least get her son to not exaggerate with his cares, to get some rest once or twice in a while.

But Matt's job was a little more complicated and draining, especially since he lacked the stamina to commit to such a difficult lifestyle because he was a human.

Still, the plan sounded truly intriguing to listen because of the simplicity but also ingenuity applied to it, giving it a grand chance of success considering the elements presented by the Bunny Prime.

With Taffy inviting Matt to stay by her apartment just for some hours just for the sake of some friendly bantering and plays, Minos managed to quickly 'promise' out an offer to replace the young man for the time the human planned to spend with the girl, the Bull's efforts increased by the pressure exerted by Taffy herself on their mutual friend.

Matt was offered little opportunity to protest the dual front and, in mere moments spent discussing this new development, he was forced to capitulate to the two Primes.

Yet, despite managing to get him to surrender to their plans, the human pointed out something that was agreed by the two friends. Something that was subsequently asked by Minos when he reached out for the family's home.

While Matt didn't exactly have any issue with that, the problem was about the fact it was 'his job' that was supposed to be halted for the sake of the visit and, given the fact that there was an actual contract behind the activity, he would have to wait for Diana's approval before making the call.

Something that was as surprising but also a little irking, mostly because the woman herself was aware that the contract wasn't a legitimate one since it lacked many of the usual conditions applied to a standard work contract.

It had been something she had scribbled down with the help of her son, something that contained as much rights and duties as she remembered in that exact moment and…

She decided to 'accept' the situation and waited for Minos to call back to house where Matt was currently staying by.

Even though the sound was mostly muffled and reduced while the bulky man spoke at the other side of the call, the owner of the farm was mostly sure that she had heard some giggles and chuckles on from the receiving side.

Chuckles from the human, she connected quickly, he was really having fun away from the harsh work.

Her heart lightened at the image of the young man getting some time to relax instead of fully drowning himself within the work and…

She sure was going to enjoy the current opportunity bestowed by her by the power of 'friendship'.

Sitting by the porch on her wood chair that Randy had placed for her, Diana Linda was smiling eye-to-eye as she continued to watch silently the hard-working Bull substituting the human for the shift of today.

Minos, the strong-looking Prime that was now investing his time to follow the instructions advanced by her son, had decided to ditch his simple half-sleeved shirt the moment it had started to get sweaty, three hours in the job.

A giggle had left her lips as a blush had appeared on her face at the unexpected but most lovely development in that new situation and she was certainly having some 'fun' in watching the good-looking fellow working at the farm.

Relaxing on her little chair, the pillow and the sheets given to her by her son providing further comfort as she truly enjoyed the delightful spectacle before her green eyes.

Yes, that was truly going to be a good day, she thought with a twitchy smile.

With sweat glistening his muscles and his lovely abs, Minos just looked like a treat and she couldn't help but giggle again as he would nod silently at Randal's precise instructions for the job while the Collie offered him some water and a towel.

It was similar to how Matt had began, minus the 'no shirt' predicament that is, but she could easily remember the struggling the young man had to go through with the first day, how he ended up making some mistakes along the way, little ones that were fixed in the matter of a few minutes.

Diana sighed and hummed as she glanced at the slightly cloudy sky and started to remember when both Randal and Mora decided to try and do the farm-job together.

It had been a week-long experience that had started out as a challenge between Diana and her daughter and she had expected major issues at first but.

While there were some some bickering between the two over whom was 'leading' the other, that there were some amusing scenes between the two siblings about mishaps happen on the first few days… but the woman could also commend that there was also some growing unfolding with their decisions.

Mora was surely the one gaining most of the experience, Randy having previously helped the other men and women that worked at Las Lindas at the time.

But her Morita seemed to develop not only an interest but also a prodigious and natural capacity in administering their 'budget' without wasting the money allowed for anything superfluous or dangerous for their endeavor.

It was that very experiment that proved once and for all how Mora would have been more than a perfect choice to take over the farms when… she would be gone.

Another sigh, the humming had ceased abruptly and her lips were sporting a minor grimace at the thought of her deteriorating conditions, the final plight of her life.

She had been given the best estimations possible for her predicament and those had been incredibly disheartening to listen to when the doctor came and revealed those to her and only her how things were truly bleak for her.

Randal was only aware that the condition was weakening her and putting her to the frailest state possible rather than seeing her die.

But Diana was not showing any recovering from her illness, nor there were medicines strong enough to even stabilize her situation anymore.

Her eyes closed just for a moment and… in that brief instance of silence, she started to feel the weight of her whole predicament fall onto her back with the suddenness of an explosion, the burden almost too painful to bare once again and she couldn't help but shudder at the trying times that were waiting for her and her broken family.

Randy was doing well with his life, the only one sticking around because of the circumstances allowed his presence here. She knew that some job offer had been given, that he had some contacts with people trying to hire him in some important task. Her baby boy was incredibly bright and well-prepared to have a proper job once his duties here were concluded.

Mora was still out in the world to try and find more about her father, unwilling to even consider a reconciliation from her or Randal's part. Her Morita was strong but also as stubborn, if not more than, her mother and that was what truly messed any attempts to bring peace to this divided house.

Alejandra was just making tentative steps back to her former self. Little Alej was still there and waiting for some advice, something that the older woman was more than happy to provide because she was aware of the difficult and complex situation the girl was facing on her own. Diana was also aware that giving her the final lessons of a well-lived life were going to be difficult to provide without rushing things up and ruin everything once again.

But she didn't want to mess up again, not with how little had been left of her golden age.

She couldn't just allow herself to… fall apart once more before the uncertainty and to face again the fallout's ugly face.

She just couldn't afford it, she didn't have anything left to fight with an eventual fall.

Diana felt tears forming, her eyes watering up and ready to unleash her sadness out for the world to see and witness.

Yet before she could break up in a sob, the woman felt something strange and odd caressed her skin, a soft and warm hand was now sitting on her shoulder and shaking her out of that horrible thinking that her feverish mind had subjected her too.

Moments passed and soon she was awake once again, this time her mind alarmed at the tension her body was facing in that exact moment.

Green eyes opening once more at the world and her attention once again shifting back to reality, the woman was quick to realize that she was now shaking a little after what she just experienced and that she had gone through a silent session of pain without catching anyone's attention.

Minos and Randy were too far from the porch to notice, too distracted to see that Diana was now sweating and breathing heavily at the terrible development but… she was alright.

She gulped tiredly, her heartbeat stabilizing moments later as she used the sheets to remove the tears and the sweat on her face, unwilling to create any scene by displaying herself in such manner.

Then the woman remembered the strange sensation by her shoulder and glanced to the side… only to find nothing nearby.

The Prime was alone in that precise moment and yet she was sure that a hand had truly grasped at her, bringing her out from that seizure caused by her marks, the signs of a botched attempt to create a bright future for her family.

At least Mora was born sane and without any problem related to… that, Diana thought once more. That little luck being more than a good reminder of the happiness about her daughter's birth.

With a bright memory washing over her brain, the woman felt finally freed from her little tiredness and she focused back on the curious phenomenon that had gotten her out from that pain-induced nightmare.

The hold hadn't been painful, quite the contrary if she had to be honest, but it had been so sudden and so comforting that her awakening had been immediate.

It had surprised her with the warmth and care, so much similar to someone she knew about and-

Diana smiled as she decided to resume the ogling of the shirtless Bull that was currently sharing some bantering with her son, her giggles resuming short after as her mind gave just some weight over the matter.

Things were going to be quite grim, weren't they? But at least she wasn't leaving this place without someone to make sure that things were going to be fixed or mended.

Matt wasn't truly aware of the full extent of things, but if he kept around Randal and helped her lovely son through the obstacles of reuniting their family, then the hope wouldn't be lost even when she was gone.

The woman wouldn't see the reunion personally, she wouldn't see… her Morita once again before passing away, but she was more than certain that the two will end up restoring what was lost because of bad choices and the cruel fate.

But one thing still kept pestering her after some time and… it was about Matt.

She wondered how someone like him would behave around someone as strong and fiery as her daughter. Maybe they would bicker, maybe they would ignore each other or…

She giggled, imagining the two sharing some comic moments by sparing each other their experiences, giving the sense of familiarity and kinship to each other.

Diana smiled and nodded to herself, now sure that her mind was really in need of some resting now.

So, despite the sadness coming from the fact she was going to let to waste the delicious sight presented by the human's replacement, the woman decided to fall asleep, to rest and try to find the best dream that best summarized the little amusing idea of hers.

It was a nice day after all and she shouldn't let it go to waste in mere ogling.

Her smile twitched mirthfully one last time as she conceded to her need to recover from the seizure and prepare herself with how things were going to turn out for later that day, when Matt would be back and telling how he had spent his time with this interesting young lady.

Maybe there would be some teasing material, maybe she will poke where possible for the sake of gaining a little huff or two from the young man working at her farm.

Yes, today was truly an interesting day.

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When Minos and Taffy came with the unexpected proposition of having me enjoy some time with the Bunny while the other Prime went and replaced me at work for the sake of giving me some time to relax, I had been skeptical over how things were going to develop from there.

Taffy had never mentioned much of her current living situation and I was completely uncertain of how her house would be presented, only that it was someplace where she was happy to be living in.

Part of me expected a simple flat with just enough services to allow her to have a modest and decent way to live and… I was mostly correct as we finally arrived at the medium-sized building that was the young woman's home.

It was just a little smaller than Minos' but… still much more than I had thought it to be.

The house was much bigger than expected even by the inside, the living room being the largest place in the building, followed by the kitchen, and I was impressed by the non-negligible amount of devices attached to the decent-sized TV in front of the large blue couch.

I could see DVD players, I could see consoles and… some other stuff I wasn't sure of because of the relative 'futuristic' design that eluded my capacity to properly understand which purpose they served.

Seriously, what else could people have created to further add to entertainment?!

The visit started quite formal just as I had expected, with Taffy deciding to prepare some tea and starting the little time spent there by asking a little more about the farm and about my situation, her inquiry keeping a little stiff at first as she was trying to not press me into telling anything personal or that could see me even remotely angry or sad.

Her tone and manners reminded me about the little promise we had and so I decided to appreciate rather than point out the overly-helpful attempt.

It was something that warmed my heart and pushed me to genuinely answer at her through the little inquiry that ensued.

I was more than happy to give out some more information as I knew that I hadn't said much about the overall life at the farm, in return I would then ask about her life with her grandfather, knowing from the Bunny herself that the man had been a lovely one that had helped her much after whatever had happened with the rest of the family.

The Prime was giddy in revealing some of the funnier events spent with her grandpa, all her memories of the now-gone old man being incredibly sweet and painting him in a good light to my eyes.

Things were proceeding smoothly with the two of us relaxing in each other company and soon the formality was dropped for the sake of bringing more topics and ways to spend the time together without having the situation turn stale or boring.

Soon it was general topics and then some tentative subjects over personal life which I answered very carefully, just like she was when I returned the favor back to her.

It was kind of adorable when the girl tried to ask if I would have liked to play together with her at some sport games and… I replied to her with a delighted 'yes' when she presented some Wii-like games.

Sure, the device in question wasn't anything like the thick white console, nor did it have the clunky controls the Nintendo-made device was infamous for and the smoothly-receptive sensor of movement was definitively better than the Kinect's known one.

Competitiveness ensued when we started to win over each other, the escalation further increased when we decided to make some challenges after some matches by giving ourselves handicaps to make things difficult to complete with high scores.

While Taffy proved the best in the type of games that required high-reactivity as her mind was adept in quick-thinking, I was better prepared to beat her in those few sports that actually required some steady and precise aiming, like Archery and Skeet Shooting rendering things evenly-matched by the end of our first session of gaming.

After three sets of lists that saw two victories for the Prime and only one for me, we decided to step up the pace and pick up something that offered a little less competitive but also improved the amusing element about our dual presence here.

Just Dance existed much to my silent shock, the dancing game had somehow endured through 200 years of life and now the last version was here for the two of us to use to make some mirthful actions out of it.

Before we could begin, the young woman went back to her bedroom while the disc started to load in the device, my eyes alternating between staring at the screen of the TV and the little hallway where the Bunny had gone.

Moments passed and then Taffy was back in the living room with a bright and dazzling smile but, instead of her previous dress, she was wearing some gym-wear that consisted of a pair of knee-long pants black and sleeveless light-blue tank top.

At the end of my brief staring, I finally noticed that my face was burning red as the clothes were hugging her figure just… so well.

The Prime was smiling as her face was sporting a blush too at the fact that I had spent a notable amount of time to check her out.

This little awkward moment was interrupted as game finished to initialized and we were offered the opportunity to pick the song we wanted to dance at.

By the menu selection I could see that some of the songs had some high scores already set and I couldn't help but imagine the girl having gone through some of those alone or with other friends… and scoring so high even though some of the titles were inherently difficult from my knowledge.

Some of the songs were 'classics' that I knew about because those were actually 'modern' ones from 'when' I came from, but others were new stuff that sounded fairly okay to listen to much to my quiet realization.

We distanced each other as to not cause any problems with our movements and to give ourselves enough space to accomplish our own parts without obstructing the other.

Soon the show began when the first song was selected and the entertainment resumed to a higher degree, much to my glee and surprise.

Gone was the little streak of challenges that we had back with the sport games, mostly because we were put to some straining effort with the quick-paced tunes and the various actions to remember in the long-run.

It was a long session of dancing around and laughing at each other as we tried to nail the various actions required by the songs and a fair amount of times ended up failing and making some silly poses.

Not even JoJo would appreciate some of those.

This long-lasting session also left us both sweating but happily so because of the progress accomplished with this activity of ours as we ended up completing more than half of the untouched or low-ranked songs Taffy had available in her profile.

We went for three hours of intense dancing, going through multiple songs and doing our best to keep up with each other as our scores were close to be the same most of the time with some minor clashes here and there.

There were also a few instances where Taffy would just easily beat me by a major percentage and it was terribly amusing to see the Bunny to be this happy at the minor victories, just enough to erase the little foul taste of defeat.

The fun we were experiencing made time fly quickly and soon it was time to eat something as our stomachs started to grumble much to our partial embarrassment.

Lunch came by and the girl was more than happy to allow me to help her in preparing the final tasks by the table and by the kitchen, albeit showing some paranoia as I handled the various objects here for the sake of supporting her around.

It was just a guess, but maybe the Prime was very attached to the kitchen and didn't want to see me causing any problem within her little kingdom.

She had said in one of the last few times spent together that she was rather possessive of her utensils and 'reign' over the kitchen so that theory wasn't as far-fetched as it might sound like at first sight.

Soon we had our plates, glasses, cutlery and beverages prepared at the table and… I couldn't help but frown at the decision of the young woman to employ a bottle of wine for the occasion.

It wasn't that early to call it an unhealthy move but I was also considering the fact that I didn't work well with red wine in general as it would get me drunk very quickly.

Taffy looked fine with her own decision and I quickly assumed that she would have been able to keep up with the a glass or two but, as lunch concluded half an hour later, I ended up discovering that it wasn't just the case.

Looking a little giddy and quite unfocused, I stared at Taffy with my own minor blush caused by the alcohol, my face heated up by the beverage as I felt my entire body warming up in response to the beverage.

A giggle left her lips. “Y-You look quite silly from there," She pointed out with a dummy smile, my frown deepening as I was now sure of it.

Taffy was a light-weight and this situation wasn't just alright. Or at least, not good because she hardly looked alright because of the wine.

But before I could have the chance to point out the fact that maybe it was time for me to leave and that the girl should have gotten some sleep, the Bunny stood up from her chair and slowly made her way towards me.

She looked like she was interested in something about me, yet her overall expression gave little of what were her current plans.

The Prime was quiet in her pace, her legs wobbling just barely as a smug smirk was perfectly visible from my still position.

Her green eyes were poised over my face and then her hand moved onto my cheek, her thumb giving it a single swipe before retreating back to her face as she licked the little stain of sauce she had caught.

Her smile turned in a grin. “Yummy~." She let out happily before leaned towards my face, just enough to have her lips close to my cheek and… she giggled once again as her face now showed some…

Playfulness and desire

She was rather close to my face and I was aware that things weren't certainly going to end up in a mere tease, nor she looked to be leaning away anytime soon at the current conditions of things.

It was something I could discern from her curious glance, for her interested glance.

W-What is going on? A-And why is she-

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AN

Funny Cliffhanger~

Meh, Could have been worse.

Still, that is 3k of words.

Don't remind me.