Orange Porch Light : Part 6
Coral Island fanfiction written by a Rafael simp. I write for funzies so it's quite garbagey but I had fun writing it and I hope y'all have fun reading it.
Rafael and OC farmer Penelope. Slice of life? I guess?
The spring morning felt warmer to Penelope as she walked into her kitchen barefoot instead of wearing her cozy slippers. Winter’s lingering chill in the floorboards was finally leaving. With the nights being less cold, Penelope slept harder than she meant to and found herself preparing her coffee rather sluggishly. Thankfully, warm sunshine glinted through her kitchen window to greet her and help with the waking process.
Her coffee-making process was always meditative, and she took the opportunity to centre herself before getting on with her day. Fresh beans were kept in an airtight jar which she would grind fresh every morning as soon as she got the kettle boiling. The aroma alone helped perk her groggy mind. Penelope still used the old pour-over decanter her grandparents gave her. She’d pour the hot water over the grounds in a swirling motion. Penelope wasn’t sure if this was a fancy way to have coffee, but it certainly was her favourite way. Next time she gets to chat with Raj, she’d like to ask their opinion on her coffee-making method. If they approve, Penelope will bring them a coffee.
With fresh hot coffee brewed and poured into her favourite green mug, Penelope eyed the letter from the mayor she placed on the fridge. The Cherry Blossom Festival was today. Feeling more awake, Penelope grinned recalling yesterday and all the time she spent with Rafael decorating and then his fake emergency. She could feel her cheeks blushing but since she was alone, she didn’t feel the need to hide.
What do the people of Starlet wear to festivals? Was this going to be a fancy affair? Leah will look stunning as usual. But the more Penelope thought about it, most everyone will likely be in casual clothes. She just didn’t want to stick out more than she already felt like she did. Maybe she’ll ask Surya how he feels about being new to the town. Maybe he doesn’t struggle with feeling like an outcast because he actually has family here.
Penelope had debated not going to the festival, but a few things helped her decide to go. First and most obviously, Rafael was going to be there. She felt like such a loser having a dumb little crush but oh well. Second, she really wanted to establish herself in a community that was as kind and as accepting as this one appeared to be. Third, she wanted this life, being a faceless corporate drone in Pokyo drove her to come here and change her life, so she was going to do everything she never would have. So, on that thought, having a crush is certainly something a faceless drone wouldn’t have. That made her smile, but the time of pondering was over, and she needed to get her work done before going to the festival.
Starlet really went all out for their festivals. Penelope couldn’t recall if her grandparents ever brought her to one. But the last time she had been out to the farm before she bought it was maybe when she was 5? Possibly even younger since she doesn’t remember anyone from this town who apparently has been here their whole lives. She was in grade 1 when everything in her life went to shit so it would make sense that the last time she visited the farm under her grandparents' ownership she would’ve been younger.
Penelope could see Rafael standing outside the festival grounds looking a little distressed. Evidently, he was psyching himself up to be in a group, mumbling to himself and doing some breathing exercises. Everything about him was endearing to Penelope, and although she wasn’t nearly as anxious around people as he was, she could relate. Especially still being the new person who bought the empty lot as the farm came to be known. That never did sit well with Penelope and her goal was to make the farm known as something else, anything but the empty lot.
Hi Rafael, she said softly since he looked super on edge.
He kind of snapped back into reality and after a moment smiled at Penelope, “oh. Hi.”
“You alright?”
“Uhm. Yeah. Just getting ready to be in a crowd”, he said bashfully.
“Did you bring anything for the hot pot?”
He frowned, “No. I wanted to bring some fresh fish but didn’t have time to go fishing at all. And the fish I did have in the fridge I…… I already ate it.”
“Well, you’re in luck, I brought a fish I caught this morning”, she smiled.
He beamed, “Ah, nice!”
“Are you ready to head in now?”
“Yeah. Sure. I’ll follow you.”
Penelope led the way into the festival and Rafael followed already planning how he would spend his day.
“I’m going to go say hi to everyone”, Penelope stated.
“I’m going to do what I normally do. Grab food and sit somewhere quiet.”
Penelope sighed, “I’ll likely join you on sitting somewhere quiet.”
They parted ways and Penelope went about socializing to help herself feel like less of an outcast. As she suspected, Surya didn’t feel the same way about being an outcast. Perhaps Penelope is just experiencing imposter syndrome and she’s overthinking things. That’s what a corporate drone would do. She tried to shove her doubts out of her mind as she continued to chat with everyone.
Raj was delighted to hear how Penelope made herself coffee and would love to try it someday. They will never turn down a hot drink prepared by someone else. As expected, Leah was wearing something gorgeous. Penelope wasn’t jealous per se, but she wished she was confident enough to wear clothes so nice for anything. Thankfully, Leah seemed to be the only one who dressed fancy for this festival. Everyone else was dressed casually to enjoy the beautiful spring day in the outdoors.
Rafael had accumulated a mountain of food and found his corner quiet. Alice was already there drinking some tea. He was always glad he knew at least one other person who enjoyed partaking in festivals from a distance. As usual, Alice gave him a judging look at how much food he had but as usual he ignored her judging expression.
Penelope chatted with Frank for a minute after she added her fish to the pot. The various ingredients were questionable, but it smelled incredible. So far, she’s only tried Frank’s food at tavern, so she was interested in trying all the different foods on display. She gathered a few samples for herself on a plate and was heading towards Alice and Rafael when she overheard Mayor Connor praising Pablo on the decorations with a few of the other townies surrounding them. She decided to join the conversation.
“Thanks again for setting up all the decorations for the festival”, Connor said to Pablo.
Pablo just grinned, “You know I like to help.”
Penelope butted in, “Yeah Pablo. You did a great job. Tell me, which decoration did you hang specifically?”
Pablo was taken aback by Penelope’s boldness but ultimately, she was right; he slacked off hard yesterday. He grinned, “ah you’re right. I was distracted yesterday; you and Rafael did all the work.”
Penelope was satisfied with that answer, and she turned to the crowd, Rafael really did most of the work. I just helped.
She walked away pleased with herself and joined the quiet corner. Rafael barely acknowledged Penelope when she joined them as he was lost in the sauce, the sauce of Frank’s cooking. Alice poured Penelope a cup of tea and they chatted while Rafael was living his best life.
“Are you settling in okay Penelope? Alice asked passing her a cup of tea.
“Yeah, I think so. I hope someday I stop feeling like the new kid though.”
“Aww. Yeah, that feeling is no fun. Don’t worry, you’re fitting in well”, Alice reassured her.
“Really? I feel like I stick out like a sore thumb.”
“No. You don’t stick out like you think you do, I promise.”
Penelope smiled feeling a little relieved but not completely convinced. Rafael was in a separate plain of existence with his mountain of food.
“Having our very own farmer in town makes Starlet feel complete” Alice smiled.
That was a nice sentiment. Hopefully, her crops continue to be fruitful. She still has nightmares about her entire farm being infected with a blight or something. Alice noticed Penelope started to get lost in her own thoughts, so it was time to change the subject.
“Hey, did you know that spring festivals used to celebrate fertility?” Alice looked excited to drop some knowledge. Rafael was still not listening.
Penelope thought for a moment, “Yeah, I think I had heard of that before. Like fertility of the crops for the year, right?”
“And fertility of the womb.”
Raf made a face, “Stop saying fertility.”
Alice rolled her eyes, “Get back to eating. I’m talking to Penelope.”
He happily obliged.
“Some spring festivals encouraged young couples to sneak off into the woods to celebrate their fertility.”
Penelope gave Alice a side glance hoping she wouldn’t say that’s what this festival was about. Did she just move to a sex cult island??? Because of course, she would. Penelope was mentally preparing to move as soon as possible.
“That’s not what this festival is about right?” She asked hesitantly ready to run if she heard the wrong answer.
Alice giggled, “No. Unless there is someone you’d like to sneak off with.”
Penelope choked and started coughing. She was not ready for Alice to say something like that. And since she allowed herself to have a crush, yes there was someone she wanted to sneak off with, and he was right there!!! Rafael had no idea what was going on but Alice was giggling and Penelope was choking. He clearly missed something. He started to pat Penelope’s back still confused why Alice was laughing at Penelope coughing so much.
“Are you okay?” He managed to not have food in his mouth long enough to ask.
Penelope brushed him away her face getting pinker, “I’m fine. I’m fine.”
Alice was pleased with herself as that reaction confirmed for her that Penelope did indeed have a feeling or two for Rafael. Rafael glanced between the two ladies; Alice had that look of fake innocence when she stirs something up and Penelope looked about as flustered as she did when she fell asleep at the shop. He thought it was best not to ask and went back to eating. While he ate a few people came over to the quiet corner to compliment him on putting up the decorations. With every compliment, he became more and more flustered as this had never happened before. Penelope felt proud for directing the praise to those who actually did the work.
After a little while, when people finally stopped coming to say nice things to Rafael, he had finished everything he put on his plate and leaned back with a groan.
“Oh, I think I ate too much” he whined quietly.
Alice rolled her eyes, “you do every year.”
He laid back with another groan. Penelope was a little concerned, but Alice carried on enjoying her tea and a reasonable amount of snacks. Alice and Penelope turned their attention to Theo who was singing now. He was such a delight to have around playing music and singing adding to the magic of the pink petals falling all around the park. Penelope glanced over her shoulder to Rafael, and he had a few petals scattered over him. She decided pink looked nice on him as more petals landed on him. Suddenly, Valentina skipped over to them.
“Hey Uncle Raf, wanna get cake with me?”
He perked and sat up, “Yeah let’s go.”
Val took his hand and before they took off to get dessert Raf turned, “Penelope? Alice? Would either of you like some cake?”
Penelope was flabbergasted. He was in a food coma literally a minute ago.
“No thanks”, Alice smiled politely.
“Uh sure”, Penelope said.
Rafael and Valentina returned shortly with a reasonable amount of dessert. The sun had started to set, and Penelope found herself thinking of the empty park last night. Rafael was right. The park was prettier when there were less people. However, with all the people, Penelope felt grateful that so far, this new life of hers was working out. She didn’t want to get herself too comfortable though as she had trust issues with life itself. But so far so good.
Alice left with Suki when she collected Valentina. Most the people with children were getting ready to leave. Penelope was feeling ready to leave herself, this first festival felt like a success in her book.
“Are you staying longer?” She asked Rafael who managed to avoid another food coma.
“Yeah”, he sighed, “Pablo and I help with the tear down once the festival is over. Then we finish taking all the decorations down in the morning.”
“I could help again.”
He smiled but shook his head no, “I appreciate the offer but it’s okay. Pablo needs to do something.”
They both laughed.
“Okay well, I’ll see you later then. Sweet dreams.”
His smile got bigger, “Sweet dreams.”
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