Other [Fanfic] Stardust (Finished!)

Hello all! Welcome to the first chapter of my Stardew Valley fanfic. My goal with this story is to try and flesh out the characters in a semi-realistic way while keeping true to what they were meant to be. I chose a first-person standpoint for this because I feel that Concerned Ape wanted us to enjoy his game by projecting ourselves onto our farmer. I didn't want to ruin that by constantly having my character's name dictate the actions, so I'm attempting to avoid using her name as much as possible. This first chapter is the standard introduction/set up, so please forgive the necessary getting off the bus intro. I do believe that if you stick with it, you'll find yourself enjoying the story along with me. If not, please let me know why so I can consider it in future writing. Also, sorry for how short this chapter is. I'm coming back from a long hiatus on writing so I don't have the speed I used to. I'll be sure to make the chapters longer next time. Now, on with Chapter one!

~**~

Some things never change. I remember thinking this every year when I visited my grandfather on his farm. The smell of the valley in spring, the brightness of the sun, the way the breeze was warm but still had a wisp of cool air mixed into it as well. All of these things came back to me as I stepped off the dank bus and onto the grass. It had been years since I had last been here, but the emotions and memories long forgotten still managed to tug at my heart strings. I suddenly missed my grandfather again, but the feeling soon turned to pride as I retrieved my huge bag from the side compartment of the bus. The weight of it reminded me why I had come here. I was going to change myself for the better, and my late grandfather was the one who had given me this chance.


Stardust

By:

Satashi


"Hello there!" The voice came from an older gentleman with a gray moustache. He was walking over to me with a smile plastered on his face. "You must be Kim, I've been waiting for you."


"Mayor Lewis," I realized. I had spoken with him on the phone when finalizing the legal work needed to accept the property given to me. "Yes, hello," I stumbled a bit and my bag slipped from my shoulder and crashed to the ground next to me. I extended my hand to him to make it look like it was on purpose, but I could tell from the chuckle he gave that my plan had failed. "Nice to meet you," I finished lamely. I had always been just a little clumsy, just enough for people to point it out, but not get used to it.


"Welcome to Pelican Town." His voice was sincere and honest, and his smile stayed as he shook my outstretched hand. "I was good friends with your grandfather. I recall him having his granddaughter over in the summers. I do believe we've met, but you're hardly a tiny little thing anymore… Ah, there I go again. Come, come, let me show you the way."


Holstering my bag once again, I started to walk with him. I heard a small rustling next to my feet and looked down, seeing something scuttle into the bushes. "I think I startled a squirrel."


"Oh you will find plenty of them here." Lewis continued on. "The old farm is a bit away, I hope you have the energy to carry that large bag of yours."


"I'm fine." I was by no means weak or dainty, but my bag did contain everything I had decided to take with me, minus a few larger things that would come by mail later. This, however, didn't help the fact that we had been chatting while walking for what seemed like a full hour. I was about to ask how much farther we had to go when we reached the top of a hill. A semi-flat are took up most of the real estate, save for a small house next to the drive way. "There it is…" I spoke aloud, my throat going somewhat dry at the sight.


"There it is," Lewis confirmed. The weeds were almost as tall as I was in some spots. The fields of crops that I recalled from my youth were all gone, transformed into wild trees, plants, and massive patches of grass. "I'll leave you here." The mayor nodded at me. "You should come to town soon, it's not every day we get a new resident."


"I'll do that." I still couldn't get over the dramatic change before me, and my voice reflected that. "I'll need a bit to settle in."


"You have power and running water, I made sure of that." The words made me feel a lot better. "Well now, you get settled."


"Thank you." I shook his hand one more time and then turned back to the farm, to my new home.


The walk to the front door gave me time to take in the house. I remember it from my youth, although faintly. A small two bedroom house with a shed nearby, made from logs instead of brick. The scent of the lumber used to make it was still there, although worn and coated with pollen and dust. The last time I had reached for this door, my arm was reaching upwards. Now, years later, I was putting a key into the slot. I heard a soft click and I pushed the door inwards.


There was a fireplace in the living room with a large mirror over it. Although dust stained, I could still make out my appearance in it. Long brown hair, held into a high ponytail by a scrunchie. My shirt was casual, chosen for comfort to combat the long bus ride I had to endure. Paired with a pair of skinny jeans and sneakers, I looked positively average. I tore my brown eyes away from the reflection and took in the rest of my new home.


The cabin was almost empty, save for a dining room table that separated the kitchen from the living room, as well as a huge tube style television sitting on a stand that didn't look like it would hold the massive weight anymore. A tiny couch was in front of it, and a door lead to a bedroom nearby. Across the hallway there was another door to a guest bedroom and a bathroom for the house to share. "Home sweet home."


~**~


It was in the afternoon before I allowed myself to take a break from cleaning. I was sweating, despite having the old air conditioner running full blast. The poor thing was trying it's hardest, but it just wasn't enough for me. One thing the city life had ingrained in my head was a cool temperature at home.

~**~

The inside of the house was looking a lot better. I had decided on starting with the main entrance and living room, cleaning it to the point where it was passable, or at least livable. I needed a break from this, though, and went outside to look around at the farm. The area was just as bad as I first though, being completely over ridden by weeds and vegetation. "What am I going to do with this?" I asked myself out loud.


Walking through the field, I tried to recall the huge stalks of corn placed in neat rows, the strawberries cluttering the ground with just enough room to walk between and pick them. I remembered parsnips, turnips, leeks, potatoes. I also remembered the grass. Huge blades of grass that were several feet tall, thick and perfect for cutting. This grass was beyond that, though, and I didn't feel the need to run through it like I had used to when younger.


Upon closer inspection, I noticed some of the grass was shaking. Stopping, I tilted my head to the side a bit, watching closer. Just as I had thought, the grass swayed violently to one side. A light glimpse of purple appeared near the top of the grass, swishing through the gaps. Curious, I walked closer. Listening to the sounds, I heard heavy breathing and slashing sounds, almost like grass was being cut.


As I got closer, I realized the purple I had seen earlier was actually hair. It belonged to a girl, and went just past her shoulders. She had on a black tank top with a light blue sleeveless jacket. A matching pair of dark jeans covered her legs, finally ending with what looked like boots on her feet. What got my attention the most, however, was the blade she was wielding. The girl had a double edged standard style one handed sword. She was focused on an imaginary enemy in front of her and she swung again and again, battling her unseen foe.


I was debating if I should try to sneak away before she saw me, not knowing if she was crazy or not, but the fact she was on my farm made me want to confront her, at least find out what the deal was. I had just opened my mouth to speak when she let out a battle cry and spun around, her sword heading straight for me. Instinctively I moved back, quickly avoiding the wild lash. My shocked yell made the girl stop dead in her tracks and look at me in fear. "Oh crap!" She exclaimed, almost dropping her sword. "A-are you okay!?"


"I'm fine." I managed out, looking at her with wide eyes. I felt a little tingling on my nose and touched it, feeling something sticky on my fingers. My eyes went down and I saw a tiny smear of blood on them. She had just managed to nick the tip of my nose.


"I'm so sorry!" I could tell from her voice that she honestly meant it. "I-I was just… oh you're bleeding! Stupid, stupid, stupid! I should have paid attention, I-"


"I'm fine," I said again. I luckily had my cleaning rag still stuffed in my back pocket so I took it out and touched it to my nose to help stop the bleeding. The cleaning chemicals on the rag instantly burnt the cut and I winced.


"What are you doing out here?" She asked me, sheathing her sword in the holder on her back.


"I live here," I responded, looking at the rag to see it was getting rather covered in my blood.


"You live…oh!" She looked flustered. "That's today! The new farmer!"


"Nice to meet you too." I moved the rag to a dry spot and winced again as I touched my cut. The girl moved closer, but hesitated before reaching out to look at my nose. "Really, it's just a nick. Face cuts bleed like crazy from the smallest things."


"…True…" She didn't look convinced so I moved the rag to show her. "Oh… good, I can't even see it… Uhm… I'm Abigail?"


"Hi Abigail, I'm Kim." I offered my hand, which she shook carefully. "Mind if I ask why you're swinging a sword around on my farm?"


"…Practicing," Abigail told me hesitantly. "I'm sorry, this was the best place to go to be alone. I've always come out here to explore the fields and get away from my family when they get annoying."


"I see." I could accept that. I had just arrived that day after all. "Well I don't mind. I haven't really started anything yet." Looking over my shoulder, I felt my heart sink a little at the state of things. "I have a lot to do before I can use this whole field…"


Abigail stayed quiet for a moment before answering me. "Thanks, but this is yours now, I shouldn't trespass." She was clearly still shaken at having almost decapitated me, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't.


"Don't worry about it, I have quick reflexes." I smiled at her and could tell she eased up a bit.


"Hey, tell you what." She put her hands on her hips. "As an apology for trying to kill you, how about you stop by my place sometime and I can give you something to help you out on your farm?" When I looked at her doubtingly, she elaborated. "My dad owns the local general store. We have all kinds of seeds, materials, tools, and lots of other things. Come on by and I'll make sure you get something to help you get going!"


I couldn't turn down a deal like that. "Thank you, I definitely will. Where at in town are you?"


The purple haired laughed. "You can't miss us, I promise." Looking satisfied with herself now, she smiled at me. "I should get back before I cause any more damage here. Sorry again."


"Forgiven." I meant it and she seemed to catch that. "Nice meeting you, Abigail. Maybe we'll look back at this moment in the future and laugh it up."


"That'd be fun." She walked past me and hesitated, looking over her shoulder. "Hey, Kim?"


"Yes?"


"Could you keep this between us? The sword I mean?"


I blinked. I knew monsters and spirits were more active out in the rural areas and lesser developed towns, but had always heard great stories of Adventurer Guilds and their proud members who hunted them. "Okay?"


"Thanks." With no other explanation, she waved again at me and headed off.


'Weird,' I thought to myself as I watched her go. It had been an interesting day so far for sure. Checking my nose again, I found it still trying to bleed through the cut that I probably wouldn't even be able to feel if not for the wood cleaner and polish I kept dabbing on it like an idiot.


Upon entering my house again, I heard what sounded like a few small animals scatter from the living room. 'Great,' I sighed out. 'Looks like I have rats too…'

 

Waking up was never really an issue for me. When my alarm went off, I generally reached to cut it off and sat up. A few moments later and I was already heading for the bathroom to get ready for the day, taking it all in stride without much dallying around. Today, however, I woke up a little groggy and a lot sore. My whole body ached from the hours spent cleaning yesterday, and something else that hit me as soon as I tried to get out of bed: hunger. I had gone most of the day on nothing but some snacks I had brought for the bus ride, and my stomach was protesting violently for it.


Stardust II

By: Satashi


I didn't expect there to be literally no place to eat nearby. There were no truck stops, gas stations, or little stands anywhere near my farm. Town was, form my knowledge, at least two miles from the bus stop. This left me a little over five miles from the closest place to get something to eat, and I had no transportation other than my bike, which wouldn't be delivered until a few days from now when the rest of my belongings were scheduled to arrive.


Walking to my bathroom, I quickly tried to make my hair look presentable with one hand while unsuccessfully trying to brush my teeth at the same time. A healthy dose of deodorant followed before grabbing my bra off the floor and putting it on. My clothing choice was dreadfully small, and I chose a simple white shirt with a large smiley face on it. The jeans I wore yesterday were pretty dirty from all the cleaning the day before, but smelt lemony fresh thanks to the wood cleaner. Shrugging, I did the jean hop to get them on all the way up.


I used to be forced to wear makeup every day for my work place, despite not having to interact with any customers. Now that I was free from that, I gave myself a look over in the mirror. I was plain, pretty simple, and average looking. No dress shirt, no skirt, no heels, no earrings or necklaces. Just me. I gave my reflection a smile and my heart filled with the promise of a new life. Today I would head into town, get some food, and see if I could find Abigail's store.


My walking seemed to make whatever animals sharing the house with me run and hide as I went into the living room. I briefly debated leaving the door open in hopes of them running out, but quickly dismissed it. Abigail has already been using my farm as her personal sword training ground, so I wasn't sure if anyone else came around or not. I didn't really mind, at least I got to meet someone my age out of it. The though made me touch my nose, feeling a little scab there. Resisting the urge to pick at it, I locked the door behind myself and trotted out into the early morning sun.


The air was crisp still, filling my lungs with a long deserved burst of clean. The scent of grass made me feel a little better and I found the energy to go into a small sprint. Looking around, I searched my memory for places where I would used to forage as a kid. I knew there were wild berries and things growing around here, but that was years ago. My memories were foggy at best, but I still felt myself being drawn south, going on the edge of my farm and across a stream.


To my surprise, I came across a rather large farm, complete with an amazing barn and chicken coops lining the area near a house. 'I didn't know I had a neighbor,' I mused. I wasn't sure if they were awake yet, and I didn't want to impose on them at such an early hour, so I moved to the side a little, heading more toward a road.


"Good morning," a voice called over to me. Turning, I looked over my shoulder and saw a pretty girl holding a basket with both her hands. She wore a light green fitted short sleeve shirt with what seemed to be a blue tank top under it. She had on baggy blue jeans that didn't even seem to want to stay on her, despite a belt. Suspenders clipped onto the fashion accessory, keeping them up at a decent level. She had wonderfully blue eyes and very light brownish orange hair that went into a long braid. She was also very petite, and seemed full of positive energy "I take it you're the new farmer that was moving in?"


"Word travels fast, huh?" I smiled and nodded. "I'm Kim!"


"Nice to meet you!" She greeted, trotting over to me. "I'm Leah."


"Leah, nice name." I tried to repeat it in my head, not confusing her with the other name I just learned. "What brings you out so early? Working the farm?"


"Oh no, That's Marnie's. I'm just out getting breakfast." She motioned with her basket, which I now noticed was full of strawberries, blueberries, and several oranges. "Marnie and I try to take care of the wild plants out here, so we share them when they bloom."


"I see." My stomach chose that moment to cramp, making me wince slightly and put a palm over it when a long gurgling sound came. The noise made my new friend laugh. "Sorry," I managed out. "I was so busy moving in yesterday that I forgot to eat."


"That's not good, you need to eat to keep your energy up!" Leah looked a little concerned, even though we just met. "Here, as a welcome to the valley." She held out the basket.


"I couldn't-" I held up a hand, but she put the basket handle in it and let go, forcing me to grab it before it fell.


"It's okay, really. I'll just grab some more for myself, I know right where they are!" She held up a hand to her head in a playful wave. "I'll let you get going, it looks like you were going into town?"


"Yeah, I need to shop some."


"Okay, stay on the road and you'll get right to it!" She pointed behind me and I turned to look. "That's my little cottage over there. Stop by and say hi anytime! We're neighbors now."


"I will, thank you. You too, even though I don't have much yet."


"Thanks!" Leah hopped a few steps back. "I'll see you around then!


"Yeah, see you! Thanks gain, really." I help up the basket. "I'll bring it back later."


"If my lights are on, I'm up." With that, she turned and went back where she had come from.


I couldn't help but start eating right away. I first attacked the strawberries, trying to enjoy the rich flavor but ending up stuffing them in my mouth one after another. I waited until I was a little farther away to drop the remains for the birds to enjoy and then finished up everything else before making it to the village.


I knew it was a small place, but I wasn't really expecting it to be this small. It was a more of a collection of houses rather than a full blown town. I somehow remembered in the back of my mind that this was a small branch off of a larger town a few miles down the road and was more of a hub for farmers and fishers to gather and sale their wares. Despite the small nature of the town, it was up kept pretty well. The roads were generally trash free, and there was enough nature around to really make me feel at ease.


Finding the store was as simple as it could be, as it was large enough to be the courthouse. The doors made a chime sound when I walked in, and I was greeted merrily from someone behind a single cash register. "Hello there!" He bellowed out. "Oh, a new face. Are you the new famer?"


That phrase was going to become a trend, I could already tell. "That's me." I smiled at him. "Kim."


"Welcome to the store, Kim. I'm Pierre." He motioned to himself. "We have everything you could need for your farm."


"Awesome!" His happiness was contagious. "I need a lot, but I'm a little broke from moving so I'll have to be a little careful."


"What would you like?" He came out from behind the counter to assist me.


"I'm not entirely sure. I need some seeds for sure… some fertilizer…. uhm…" Even though I have been reading farming magazines for weeks now, I still didn't know a whole lot. "A watering can… some food for sure…"


At that moment, I heard a door open and Abigail peeked around a shelf. "Hey Kim, you came!"


"I did," I confirmed with a small wave. Abigail's hair was damp and her clothes were sticking to her a little, probably fresh out of the shower. "Thanks for the invite."


"Oh, friends already?" Pierre nodded to himself. "Good, good, Abby needs some good influences.


"Not funny, Dad." Abigail instantly looked annoyed. "I'm sure Kim is fine with me just the way I am."


Before anything else could be said, the chime rang again and two new people came into the store. The first was a tall man with chestnut brown hair and glasses. A professional looking green business suit was very classily worn, complete with a tie. "Oh, hello there," He greeted me and I could already see the words forming.


"I'm the new farmer in town," I used my thumb to point to myself with a smile. "Take the words right out of your mouth?"


"You did!" He laughed. "I'm Harvey, and this here is Maru." He patted the girl next to him on the back. She was a little shorter than me with a nurse outfit on. Her hair was a nice brown with matching eyes behind red rimmed glasses. Her skin was a lovely dark tan and she really had an air of intelligence about her.


"Hi!" Maru greeted me cheerfully. "Welcome to Stardew Valley."


"Thank you, everyone is so nice!" I was really starting to like it here. I was about to say more but Harvey was suddenly looking at me very closely. "Wha…What is it?"


Leaning forward, he seemed to be looking at my nose. "You have a cut on your nose."


"Y-yeah…" My eyes darted over to Abigail, who suddenly went stiff. "I, uh, leaned forward too quick and nicked it on a tool in the shed…" Good job lying to someone you just met.


"I bet they were rusty tools, staying in that shed all these years?" He continued on.


"Yeah… they're dull and rusty, I was thinking of buying new ones."


Maru tilted her head. "When was the last time you had a tetanus shot?"


I blinked. "What's that?"


Pierre put his hand on Harvey's shoulder. "Come on now, let the little thing get her shopping done."


"She can shop after she gets a shot," Harvey denied him. "Tetanus is nothing to joke about." He turned to me and gave me a look like a mother would give a child who fell and skinned their knee. "Kim, Tetanus is something you can get from rusty metal, and can make you extremely ill. Your nose is already inflamed and looks infected."


"That's… because I put wood cleaner on it…"


Abigail gave a small chuckle. "Why did you do that, silly?"


I felt my cheeks warming. "I was… uhm…" I could almost feel the repressed laughter around me. "I don't really like shots, so…"


"It won't hurt, and you don't need to get sick."


"I don't have the money.."


"It will be a personal gift with a full check up on the house."


I tried to think of something to say. "I really need to shop, and Pierre was showing me some seeds…"


Harvey closed his eyes. "I insist. I'll even drive you home in my truck to make up for lost time."


Maru put her hands on her hips and was smiling ear to ear. "Just give up, you're not getting out of this one."


"… Thank you for your kind offer…" I couldn't help my shoulders sagging forward as I was ushered out of the store. "I'll come back Pierre, I promise." Harvey lead me outside and surprisingly to a little clinic right next door to the store. The inside was cold and smelt sterile, but not bad.


"Fill this out, I'll just get ready." Harvey gave me a form on a clipboard and Maru saw me over to a comfortable chair to sit in.


"Don't worry," she tried to console me. "Doesn't hurt at all. Just a little prick and a little sting. But for future reference… wood cleaner doesn't help on cuts."


I couldn't help but laugh a little. "I was cleaning the house and had the rag in my back pocket when she nicked me. I instinctively dabbed it when it bled and instantly regretted it."


"She?"


I hesitated. "Oops… I mean…yeah, busted. It was an accident, promised not to tell anyone. "


Maru didn't press it."Luckily for you, you need this shot anyway."


"I really don't like-" My words were cut off when Harvey came back out into the waiting room.


"Miss Kim, I'll see you now." He thumped a syringe with a needle at least three inches long. A clear liquid squirted out the tip and almost touched the ceiling before it fell back down. I could vaguely hear Maru laugh beside me, but the room was already getting a bit dark. I took in a small breath of air and felt as if sand was pouring over my body from my head down. A hand touched my shoulder and then I fell forward.


When I came to, I found myself laying on a hospital bed, slightly inclined. I felt groggy and confused, my mind not wanting to cooperate with my thoughts of moving. "Hey, take it easy," A voice soothed me. A wet washcloth was dabbed on my forehead and I could make out the face of Harvey close to mine. "You fainted. Can't say I've ever had that happen before, but I apologize for scaring you."


"Scaring…?" I managed to speak, trying to sit up but was gently pushed back down. "I.. the needle…"


"Was fake," Harvey assured me. "Maru gave it to me as a gift a little after she started working here."


"I see…" I closed my eyes. "The real one?"


"I need your permission."


"…Yeah, before I really wake up."


Harvey got up and I heard him talk to Maru for a moment before she came over to me. "On the hip, pull your jeans down?" I undid the three buttons on my pants and scooted them down a bit. "Whoa, easy there girl." She laughed and I realized I was still mostly out of it from fainting. "Though I do fully approve of cherry prints." The joke made me chuckle and after a moment Harvey was back.


"Here goes…" I winced slightly and held my breath. "And done! That wasn't bad was it?"


"Horrible," I wheezed out.


Maru laughed. "Don't be a baby." She put a Hello Kitty bandage on the tiny pin prick on my side and then reached over to get a lollipop for me. "Does Kimmy want a sucker?"


"Only if it's cherry," I sat up and smiled woozily.


~**~


The sun was just starting to set when my shopping was done for the day. I had several bags full of food to stock my kitchen, multiple kinds of seeds to plant, fertilizer to help them grow, and a watering can to help me get started. My Springtime crops were going to be small, but it was a start. I knew it'd probably be a year or two before I could work the full farm, and even that seemed to be an impossible task. There just simply weren't enough hours in the day to do it all… How my grandpa managed it was beyond my comprehension.


I made my way to the saloon near the middle of the small village and somehow managed to open the door with my hands completely full of plastic bags. The inside was well lit for a bar and several people were talking merrily to each other. I placed Abigail on an arcade game, staring furiously at the screen as her hands did the gaming dance of elegance on the controls. I was about to admire her skills as a gamer when her character died and she howled in frustration.


Besides her, I saw Harvey at a table talking to someone I didn't know. As I approached him, I was met with a genuine smile and a big welcome. "Kim, the new kid in town!" He bellowed out, making almost everyone look over at me. Thankfully they didn't all come over like I thought they would. Instead, he reached into his pocket and pulled out what seemed to be coupons. "Here kiddo, five coupons good for free meals. Anything you want."


"W-Wow!" I took the after setting my groceries down. "Thank you!" I looked at him. "What was your name, sir?"


"Sir!" The man laughed. "Call me Gus! I own this little saloon. Whatever you need, you just let me know and once you get that little farm of yours going, let me know and I'll buy your produce at a high price. We have to keep our money in our little village you know. Good economy for everyone!"


"Now, now," Harvey smiled and put a hand on Gus's shoulder. "Don't overwhelm her with our town's money problems." He picked up his cup and downed the remainder of his coffee in two large gulps. "I promised this pretty lady a ride home, and I need to make due on that."


"You do that," Gus agreed before turning to me. "And you, 'pretty lady', come back any time!"


"I'll get the truck," Harvey told me. "Come on out in like five minutes."


"Sure." I watched him leave and Gus go to tend to other tables. Someone new came in the door and I glanced over at him. He had on shorts and a polo , covered with a battered JoJa corporation jacket. His hair was unkept and he had a five o'clock shadow on his face. his eyes looked over at me as he got close so I smiled at him. "Hi, I'm new in town. My name-"


"Do I know you?" He asked, not breaking his stride.


"N-no…"


"Then don't talk to me." He passed by without even looking back while speaking. "Gimme a beer, Emily."


I took in a breath "Okaaaay." Picking up my things, I headed out the door.

 

I knew I had to start planting as soon as I could. I was desperately trying to get the first seeds in the ground, but luck wasn't on my side today. I was barely able to till enough soil to get my first bed of vegetables going before I was almost too tired to even stand. My tools were old, the handles rough and breaking. The head of my hoe was so bad it was already getting chips in it from tiny rocks. I knew I had to fix them before I could continue, but my money was already tight. I needed weeks to harvest anything, and my survivability was looking to be something I had to focus on until that point came. Leah was incredibly petite and if she foraged for her meals like I needed to, I could tell I was going to shed a few pounds until the harvest season.


Stardust III

By: Satashi


My hoe snapped in half when I tried to remove a larger chunk of stone from my planting area. I let out a small curse and tossed it to the side in annoyance. My hands were blistered and sore, despite having brand new gloves on them. Sweat dripped down my face and I wiped it with the back of my arm, smearing dirt over my forehead.


"Wood troubles?" The voice made me look over at a smiling woman who had her arms crossed. "I can help you there. I'm Robin." She held out her hand, which I shook after taking off my gloves. "I'm the local carpenter."


"Oh thank goodness," I sighed out in appreciation. "We're going to be great friends." This made the woman laugh. She had amazing red hair, up in a short but high ponytail. Cheerful green eyes shone in the sun, contrasting against her work clothes.


Robin picked up my broken tool and inspected it. "This was very high grade hickory, not easy to come across . Good grain structure…or at least was…"


"Shed didn't hold up very well," I told her, nodding over at it. "There are some leaks, and they went right onto the tool area. That and general neglect seemed to have done them in."


The woman nodded. I can make you some nice tools out of cherry. They are really durable but still have a good flex in them."


"Wouldn't a harder wood be better? One without flex?"


Robin laughed. It wasn't a mean laugh, but rather a kind of laugh that made me more curious than upset. "No, no, you want one that will absorb the shock of the hits. Otherwise you'll vibrate your fingers off and hurt your hands. Would you like to come to my shop and look?"


"I'd love to." I followed her to the truck parked near the entrance to my farm. "How far are you? I don't have any transportation yet."


"Just up the mountain a bit. I can take you home after, don't worry." The offer made me agree and I got in the passenger side. "My daughter Maru told me you had arrived so I thought I'd stop by. Seems like a good choice." The ride to her house was filled with questions about different types of wood and why they were or weren't good for specific jobs. The conversation continued into the house and through meeting Robin's husband Demetrius. Finally, I found myself in a lumber mill, looking at planks of wood and other cuts that I wasn't quite sure of.


"So, have you made up your mind?" My new friend put a hand on her hip and beamed at me.


"Uh, I think so… I'd like cherry."


"Good choice! I have some lumber I can use in stock out back. How many rods do you need?"


"Let's see… Hoe, scythe, shovel, an axe, maybe a pick axe for breaking down larger rocks…"


Robin nodded. "So five full sized ones and maybe some smaller ones for more precise work?"


"That sounds good. How much will it be?"


"For cherry?" Robin placed a hand on her chin and looked up while humming. "Taking into consideration the styles of the handles, and the wood… I'd say roughly a hundred each."


I felt my mouth dry up, and not just from the sawdust floating around in the mill. "I can't afford that at all…"


This made Robin hum again. "Yeah, you're really new in town and I know all about the pains of moving… And you won't have any income until you start selling… but you can't sell without tools…" Her face lit up as if an idea just occurred. "Tell you what, I have a customer who needs some things that will give me enough spare wood to make you some starting tools. They'll be made of Pine, which isn't the best for what you need, but I can spare it if you help me cut down a tree and get it into my mill.


The offer was too good to be true. "Sure!" I shook her hand again. "Thank you! This will help me out so much!"


Robin grinned. "Then let's get chopping, shall we?"


~**~


I had been tired before, but this literally made me redefine the word. My muscles ached and my back was screaming at me for what I put it through. Robin and I had not only chopped down three trees with nothing but hatchets, but also measured and sawed them into lengths of logs to have drug back to the mill by a few horses. We then debarked them, and I assisted Robin in turning them into planks. My wood was cut from the scrap and out of the three trees, Robin barely was able to get what she needed without sacrificing a whole section to them.


Needless to say, even though I worked out regularly back in the city, my body wasn't built to be a lumberjack. I was barely able to walk through town after asking Robin to drop me off at the end of the day. I knew it wasn't a smart idea, but I had to work fast, and each day counted. To my surprise there was a blacksmith here in town and I really needed one right now.


The door opened, hitting a small bell above it to signal that I had arrived. "One moment," a voice called to me. My eyes looked over at a man next to a huge press. He had a long glowing piece of metal in it and was slamming the top down onto the working material. I watched in amazement as the large man shifted the metal around, hit it more, and finally took it to what seemed to be a dunking vat filled with a liquid that caught fire when he submerged it. "There. What can I do for you?" He most certainly had the look of a blacksmith about him. Short brown hair, a thick beard, and a body that looked a little heavyset but also incredibly muscular. "Ah, let me guess. Farming tools?"


"Nailed it," I confirmed. "I don't have much money right now, so I just need my hoe blade fixed." I took the broken hoe tip from my backpack and handed it to him.


"Sorry missy, this one's too far gone. I wouldn't even melt it down to re-pour it. You'll need to start from scratch."


"I was afraid you would say that…" I sighed and my shoulders sank. "What's the damage?"


"You'd want iridium ideally, but that stuff is so rare I don't even have any to offer. Until then, probably iron would be your best bet."


"Iron is good."


"For this thing, I'll need about a day and around eighty dollars to form it around your handle. That will cover the basic shape and sharpening. If you want more elaborate detailing, it'll be extra." I really needed that money just to survive for the time being, so I was about to try and strike a deal with him when the door opened again. "Welco-" The man's voice cut off when he saw who was in the doorway."Hello Morris. I'm really busy right now, so if you're not buying, you're leaving."


I could feel the hostility in the Blacksmith's voice, and it didn't suit him at all. Despite being strong, he had a kind look about him. The person named Morris came in anyway and spoke to me instead. "Hello there, you're the new farmer, correct?"


"That's me."


"Good, good, I was hoping to get you before you purchased some outdated tools."


The blacksmith groaned and went back to check on the metal he had just quenched. "I needed a blade for my hoe so I can till my soil."


Morris was a large man, and waddled up to me with a smile that I knew all too well from my days at Joja. It was a fake smile that lured so many people into thinking they were in the wrong despite having a problem. "You, my dear, need a tractor. One that can till, mix fertilizer in with the ground, and place seeds the correct distance apart! We are branching out into different markets and you have been selected to get the first model around here."


Who was this guy to walk into another store and sell them something? "I don't have the money for that."


"Who needs money?" Morris held out his hands. "It's free of course." I heard a loud clang of mallet on metal behind me as the smith went back to work. I could feel that he wanted to say something, but wasn't for some reason. He seemed too kind for his own good.


"There's always a catch to these things," I replied instead. It wasn't what he was expecting to hear, and his face faltered for just a moment before the facade came back up.


"All we ask is your loyalty. Word of mouth between farmers is more effective than any advertisement we could dream of. If you, the new person in town suddenly produces more with that dusty old piece of land than others who have been trying for years, our sales will more than cover this gift! What do you say?"


I wanted it. I really did. Every fiber in my being was screaming to take the deal, as it would secure my success and make sure my days weren't spent feeling like I do now. I was weak, tired, and hungry. My back was stabbing pain into my hip, my feet were sore and my hands were sensitive where my blisters have burst open and probably became infected. Despite this, I knew that smile. I knew those words. I have heard people talk over coffee. What he said was true, but I was hesitating.


My grandfather's voice came back to me, speaking words that I had long forgotten but somehow still held within. Nature didn't like machinery that damaged it. A Joja tractor more than likely falsified their emissions report, probably burned more gas than the maximal requirement. Grandpa told me taking care of nature was what allowed him to work his farm until he was too old to continue. I knew this wasn't the best choice to make, but my Grandfather's memory and confidence in me was more important to me. He entrusted this land to me, and I would respect that. "I'm sorry," I finally spoke. "I have already signed an exclusivity contract here. "


Morris dropped his smile and I could tell he was biting back words. Finally he smiled again and nodded at me. "Very well, we have to respect contracts, do we not? In that case, I bid you farewell." He turned on me and waddled out the door, closing it a little harder than was needed.


"That was a silly choice, farmer." He turned and looked at me. His face was all smiles and his eyes shone with confidence. "But anyone who turns down equipment for forged tools is a silly person I would like to call my friend." Standing, he took off his thick heat insulating gloves. "My name is Clint."


"Kim," I shook his hand and had to fight not to stagger when he gripped it firmly.


"A hoe blade, eh?"


"Yes, but I am really hard up for cash right now… What can we work with that will be good for now? I can pay more when my first crops come in."


"Your first crops will pay for more than this. You'll be lucky if you have anything left after you pay back your debts." Clint looked over at his large cabinet. "I have old moulds from the farmer before you, a friend of my dad's before he left for a bigger town. I assume it was your father or grandfather who ran that farm before you?"


"Grandfather."


"I've heard stories." Clint rooted around in the cabinet for a while before pulling out what seemed to be a slightly deformed hoe head. "He wanted to bring us metal himself, taken from the land by his own hands. Didn't like industrial machines. Instead he had a pickaxe and hired adventurers from the guild to protect him as he went into the mines… Tell you what, Kim." He stood to his full height and placed a work hardened hand on my shoulder. "I'm certain I have some left over bronze from those days. I'll tell you how to smelt it and pour it into a mold you create yourself with some of my sand here. We'll call it even for the metal I used of his after he passed and left it to our shop in his will."


I nodded at that. Although I didn't feel quite like working on something like that, I had already chosen my path. I was going to see it through, just as my grandpa had. "Sounds like a deal, Clint. Thank you."


"Don't thank me yet, lass!" He called out cheerfully as he went over to get some metal. "You have a long night ahead of you!"


~**~


I felt more dead than alive when I made it back to my farm. I thought I would have fainted along the way, but luckily I had powered on. I had gone from struggling on a farm this morning to working a lumber mill, to smelting a hoe head at a forgery. Adding in the few mile walk illuminated only by moonlight, and I was certain I'd be in bed most of tomorrow.


I stopped after just entering my farm and walked over to the side where I had originally planned to set up a small stand to sell my produce to random people who came by. Kneeling, I took out three pinecones and broke them apart to expose the seeds. "Three trees taken, three trees given." I said the words my grandpa used to tell me when I was younger. I buried them as best I knew how and then continued to my house.


The rats made their standard scurrying sound as I drew near. I dropped my backpack right at the entrance to the door and took out the hoe head I had made earlier so I could look at it more. It was badly forged, bent incorrectly and the blade wasn't even. I had sharpened it as best I could, but it was still chipped in some places. Although I was guaranteed it would hold up, as Clint himself made sure I did it right, it looked horrible. The cast was rough and the area that would attach to the handle was most certainly not straight. However, I was proud of it. I had made it, and it would help me produce plant life that would sustain myself here, just as my late Grandpa wanted me to. For the first time in as long as I can remember, I was proud of what I had done today. This thought carried with me to my bed, and I climbed into it after taking off my clothes. I didn't even have it in me to take a shower tonight…


When I awoke, I heard the sounds of rain bashing against my house. Thunder roared overhead and I groaned painfully when my muscles moved. It took two attempts to sit up, and my head protested harshly. The cold hardwood floor greeted my feet and I half walked, half limped, over to my bathroom. I turned on the hot water and looked down at the dirty brown liquid dripping from me. I cleaned myself twice, and washed my hair three times before I was certain I was ready to get out.


I wrapped a towel around myself when I got out and used a second to do my hair. As I went across the house, I couldn't help but stop when I saw something reflecting the light on the floor. Kneeling down, I picked it up and turned it over in my hands. The hoe head that I had crafted yesterday was… perfect. The blade was in line and almost cut my finger when I touched it. The metal was as smooth as glass, and almost reflected my image like a polished mirror. The area that came up to connect to the rod it would attach to was reinforced and, from what I could tell, would hold securely in place with no vibration.


I was beyond confused. I knew this was what I had crafted, as it still held my initials on the flat side. Clint had helped me make them, and it was most certainly what I had done.


I heard sounds near the floorboards and saw what looked like colorful creatures hiding behind things, watching me. When they came into focus, though, they seemed to fade away from my sight. I wasn't sure what was going on, but I didn't feel anything evil from them. Instead, I could almost sense a welcoming feeling… a happy feeling.


The lightning flashed again and thunder rocked my headache hard enough for me to close my eyes. When I opened them again, the little creatures were all gone. I stood up slowly, wincing at my sore body, and continued on my way, stopping only to pick up a letter that was laying in front of my door. There was no address on it, and the message inside was blissfully simple:


I can help you with your little 'rat problem'. Come visit me by the lake.


Closing the letter, I looked down at the hoe head in my hands for a few moments before going to get dressed.

 

Oh, nice fiction. I love this!
I will wait for your next chapter.

 

@tammarine Thank you! I hope you enjoy this one!

I felt thoroughly drenched to the bone. I had chosen to dress for the storm as best I could, but an umbrella wasn't on my top choices to bring with me on the bus ride over here. My jacket was doing its best to keep me dry, but the wind pushed the rain through and I could feel it dripping down my stomach. Adjusting my top with a groan, I looked into the distance and saw a tower by the lake. As far as I could tell, this was the only place it could be. Leah's cottage was by the river and Marnie's was a little closer to my farm. As I reached the door, I held up my hand to knock, but a voice bid me enter before I had the chance to do so.


Stardust IV

By: Satashi


The tower was thankfully warm, fueled by a fire in the room. A bubbling cauldron was on it and an oddly dressed man was behind it. He had dark purple hair, a moustache and beard. He wore a black cloak around himself, making it hard to tell his appearance beyond that. "Welcome, Kim. The rain is indeed harsh today." I opened my mouth to ask how he knew me, but he kept on. "Yes, I know you. I've seen your coming before you opened that letter."


"How do you know that?"


"I know many things. I see many, many things. One of these is something you see as well, or at least you would see if you weren't so blind."


"I can see just fine!"


"Can you, girl?" He asked me, peering over the cauldron. "Tell me, what color are they?"


"They-?"


"You know them, the Junimo!" He waved his hands as if he were upset that I wasn't following him. "Ah, you common folk are all the same. Tell me, Kim, why did they chose to aid you? Why do they dance in your house? What do you have to nature that they see in you?"


"You're kind of freaking me out," I told him honestly, taking a step back.


The man held up his hands. "Wait, wait, I do come off as aggressive. That is not my intentions." He moved to a pentagram drawn on the floor and threw some type of powder on it. A hazy image came up from nowhere and I saw a tiny green…thing… walking around in my house. It was the size of a kitten and looked as if it's body and head were uniform, with tiny arms and legs jutting out from it. It was actually kind of adorable. "Junimo," The man spoke again, motioning to it. "They swarm your house and farm as well as the community center in town. They only show themselves to those in tune with nature, which," he pointed at me. "You are."


"I am?" I blinked and leaned closer to look at it. "Wait.. how are you looking into my house!?" I suddenly blushed and held a hand over my chest. "Have you been spying on me!?"


"Relax, your feminine body has no interest to me, lass. I have more important things to do than peep at a flat chested-"


"Exscuse me!?"


The man held up a hand. "I just want to know why they chose you."


"I don't know," I told him. "I'm only doing what my grandpa taught me." With that, I moved toward the door again and left. Jogging down the path leading up to the tower, I made my way back home. The wind whipped around me and the rain picked up to the point where I really couldn't see well anymore. I leaned my head down and kept moving, ignoring the roaring thunder that seemed to rattle straight through me.


After what seemed like way too long to be walking, I tried to get my bearings. My body was still tired from the day before and I found it a little hard to think. I was starting to feel a little funny as well, my vision becoming a little harder to focus. "There you are," a voice came to me. I turned and saw the purple haired man walking towards me, the rain bouncing off an invisible shield around him. "You run away when I try to help , get lost in the rain, and make me come get you."


"I'm fine," I wheezed out as the stinging wind finally found its way through my jacket and around my soaking body. It was enough to make me want to throw up, and I almost did.


"You're not fine, lass." The man put an arm over my shoulder and hoisted me up in his arms. I felt dead, but the rain not hitting me anymore thanks to his barrier was welcome. "I'll drop you off at Leah's. I hope this clears up our misunderstanding of each other." I tried to say something but couldn't quite get the words out. Instead, I felt the exhaustion take over.


When I awoke again, I saw a man hovering over me. He said my name and I recognized him as Harvey. He smiled and said something else, but I closed my eyes again and he drifted away. I opened them again and turned my head enough to see that I was in a bed, in a place I didn't know. I could barely make out a figure not too far away. I think it was Leah, but my fever made it hard to focus. She was painting something, focused on her brush strokes. I closed my eyes again.


This time I was awoken by someone. A gentle shaking stirred me and I groggily opened my eyes yet again. It was Leah, I found out, and she had a bowl of something next to the bed. "Hi there," she greeted me. "Can you sit up? I hate to wake you, but you need to eat and take some medicine."


"What…?" I did manage to sit up, but only with her help. I then realized I must be in her cottage. It was a loft style, being mostly one large room. "I was… outside…"


Leah nodded at me. "Walking around in the rain of all things! It may not be winter anymore, but it's still chilly outside sometimes. The Wizard carried you to my door and said you passed out from over working yourself! I called Doctor Harvey to come check up on you, I was worried sick!" Her voice didn't seem mad, but rather concerned. "Imagine having someone you just met get dropped off in your house passed out with a fever; I had no idea what to do."


"I'm sorry… I'll go."


"No, No! That's not what I meant!" She prevented me from getting out of her bed. "I'm just shocked and nervous that's all. I don't mind, we all have to help take care of each other, you know? Marnie has always come to me when I got sick, the least I can do is show that compassion to someone else."


"…Thank you." I smiled as best I could. "I don't want to come off as the farmer who can't even make it without constant help… I'll pay you back when I can."


"You'll do no such thing." Leah put her hand on my head, and I could see that she had all different colors of paint smeared around on it. "You'll eat this yummy soup I made, and take this medicine that was left for you."


"I'll do that." I confirmed, taking a spoon from her. "Thank you. Really, I mean it."


"You're welcome." Leah smiled at me honestly.


I took the first bite as she watched, and really appreciated the flavor. It was gentle, but thick. It coated my throat and eased down into my stomach, settling it and making me feel much better. "This… is really good."


"Thank you! I got the recipe from Evelyn, a nice old lady in town." Leah started eating the soup herself, sitting by my bedside.


There was an easy silence as we ate, listening to the storm raging outside. I couldn't tell what time it was from the light coming in so I looked around the room. I saw several sculptures and paintings, both large and small. "Did you… make all these?"


"Hm? Oh, yeah!" She beamed at me. "I did, do you like them?"


"I do actually…" I had to remind myself to eat some more before continuing. "They look really good. I recall in my old city, there were art shows. I could easily see these being there."


"Oh no, I could never do that. My stuff isn't that good!"


"I think so," I looked around a little more before finding my eyes settling on the easel that she had been working on earlier. Peering at it, I saw a painting of the bed I was laying in, and the person laying in it had a washcloth on their head with rosy red cheeks, along with brown hair in a high ponytail sprawled over the pillow.


"A-ahh!" Leah scooted over in front of me, blocking the painting. "I just, you know, take inspiration from whatever is around me. That's why I moved here, the land is so beautiful." As if on cue, the room lit up brightly with lightning and thunder roared deeply in the sky above us. "Even rain can be beautiful from an artistic point of view," she finished lamely.


I smiled at her. She was quickly becoming a new friend, and I appreciated that. "When I'm not sick and stealing your bed, I'd like to see some of your work."


Leah blushed lightly at the thought of showing her work off. "Yeah… I think I'd like that too." She took my empty bowl from me and took them to the kitchen section of the room. Coming back, she got some pills and filled a glass with some water. "Here, take this." I did as I was told and nodded my thanks. "It's getting late, you should get some more sleep."


"Late?" I asked, concerned. "I can't, I mean, you've done so much for me and-"


"Shush," she commanded. "You complimented my art, that's more than the last person I shared my bed with did." It took her a second, but her eyes went wide and she blushed furiously, waving her hands out in front of herself. "Not that I mean I want to share my bed with you, I was referring to… ohhhh!"


I laughed, partly from her slip, and partly because she was really amusing when embarrassed. "I get it. I do!" Although I did enjoy the laugh, it still took a lot out of me. I felt a little woozy. "Ooh, shouldn't have done that."


"Here, lay down." She pushed me back down gently and covered me with the sheets. "I'll get some rest later. You on the other hand, worked yourself silly. Take this opportunity to recover or you'll only get worse and lose more work."


"Yes ma'am," I sighed out, not really having any other choice. I heard her get up and take a few steps away, towards the painting I saw earlier. "Hey, Leah?"


"Yes?"


"Thank you again. I mean it."


"… You're welcome."


~**~


When I awoke next, the morning light was peeking in through the windows. My head was fuzzy, but over all I felt amazingly better. I slowly brought myself up and saw Leah asleep on a couch not too far away. She was on her back and had one arm hanging off. One leg was mostly fallen off as well, along with the covers being part way onto the floor. Her mouth was wide open and chin slightly propped up on a scrunched up pillow while producing a snore that I didn't think humanly possible from such a tiny frame.


I couldn't help but smile at her, thankful for everything she had done for me. Even though we had just met, she had gone above and beyond what anyone could have possibly expected. I made a mental note to be sure to spoil her when I could. Slowly getting out of bed, I tried in vain to smooth out my clothes. They were just a little past salvation so I gave up.


"But I dun wanna stop eating…" Leah spoke dreamily, a little drool running down her cheek. " Biiiig marshmallow."


I had to clamp a hand over my mouth to stop from laughing, but a snort still escaped. It was enough to make her sleepily open her eyes and then fall off the couch entirely. "Hey, I'm sorry." I walked over to her to help the still half asleep girl up.


"Hi," she squinted at me, mostly asleep. She was still in her clothes from last night and I felt bad for it. "You look tasty…"


"Please don't eat me," I giggled. Leading her over to the bed, she crawled into it at once, hugging the pillow. "I'll let you sleep."


"Nom, nom, nom…" Her lips smacked and before she could even form some type of rational thought, the snoring was back, ramping up in volume as she drifted off deeper into sleep.


I didn't want to just leave without a proper goodbye, but at the same time, I didn't want to sit in her house awkwardly until she woke up again either. Luckily for me, I saw a note with my name on it on the table. Picking it up, I read it to myself.


Kim,


I am horrible waking up in the mornings. If you're reading this, it probably means I'm conked out. Please feel free to stay as long as you want, but if you need to leave then I understand that as well. Your medicine is on the table and the TV remote as well! Please promise me you won't leave unless you're feeling better!

-Leah


I turned the letter over and picked up a pen to write a letter back to her.


Leah,


Thank you for taking me in for the night, and I'm so sorry for how I apparently just crashed into your house sick. I know something like that isn't fun, and your generosity made me very glad to have met you before. You're always welcome at my place, even if it is a little dirty right now. You're the best, Leah, and once again, I really love your art! I'm going to wait for you to describe them before I admire them, as I want to hear what you had in mind.

-Kim


I read it over once before drawing a smiley face eating a marshmallow on it. Now satisfied, I carefully snuck out the door and closed it lightly behind myself.


~**~


Arriving at home, I unlocked my door and stepped inside thankfully. I wasn't my best still, and decided to take the day off to recover. I didn't make it but a few steps in when I heard a soft squeak near my feet. I almost jumped in shock when I saw the little Junimo there, but I somehow managed to keep myself down. It was the green one, and appeared to be concerned for me, as it was hugging my foot.


A blue one came out behind the couch then and ran over to me, jumping onto my leg and holding onto it. I could almost hear them, or rather feel what they were trying to say to me. 'Get better.' the words almost came to my mind like my own thoughts. They were caring and kind, and I felt at ease from them. I just knew they had helped my grandpa, and that was good enough for me. "I'm going to sleep," I informed them, making my way back to the bedroom.


My bed was welcoming, and I had to force myself to change into some pajamas before crawling into it. The mattress was incredibly soft, almost as if it had been repaired or brand new. The frame didn't squeak anymore and the sheets were amazingly comforting. They smelt of flowers and felt like a super expensive set that I had felt in the mall before. This, along with the pillows that somehow were even better than my old ones made me fall asleep almost at once.


My dream was full of visions of the Junimo dancing and playing. They were having fun together, as if it were a game to fix the hoe blade I had forged. I then saw them working magic on my bed, jumping on it to fluff the pillows, and almost singing as they fixed the wood and rusted screws magically. It was a fun dream, and I could almost feel my exhaustion draining away from me as I dreamed about them. It was relaxing and welcoming.

 

Walking out to my mailbox was a new experience for me. In the past, I had always gone to the post office to retrieve my mail. Making an early morning trek out to the box felt nice, and I was shocked to see letters in it. I normally only got bills, so seeing hand written addresses was a very pleasant change of pace. I flipped through them slowly as I walked back to the house, glancing to smile at the small sprigs of green already starting to appear in the section of the farm I had started working.


Stardust V

By: Satashi


The first letter was from Lewis. The mayor had formally invited me to come to town on Friday, tonight, around three in the afternoon. He had informed me that a lot of the town's inhabits gathered there weekly to catch up and have fun as a community. The second letter was from Robin, who told me that the handles for my other tools were ready to be picked up when I needed them, and to be sure to hit the saloon up on Friday night. A third letter was from Leah, who wanted to be sure I knew about the weekly gathering on Friday nights, and to be that she hoped I was feeling better.


A knock on the door made me put the letters down in favor of opening it up to my new guest. To my surprise, I saw Abigail there. She wore the same clothes as when I first met her, complete with a sword strapped to her back. It really looked out of place on her frame, and the way she had it strapped showed inexperience, even from my limited standpoint. "Hey there!" She greeted me cheerfully. Leaning forward, she looked at me nose. "Ah, you still have a mark…"


"It's fine," I tapped my nose. "It just needs to finish healing over."


"Hmm…." She stood upright again. "I hope it heals quickly… anyway, hi!"


"Hi!" I laughed at her second greeting. "Please come in!"


"Thank you, but I can't stay, I'm on my way to practice." She pointed back to her sword. "I'm going to the mines later today. Need to help out the adventure's guild!"


My eyes widened slightly. "Oh wow, that's awesome. You're a tough one huh?" She seemed to beam at my words. "I've heard about the mines from Clint in town. He told me that if I were to bring the raw materials to him, he'd work on my tools for a lot less than normal. I needed to hire someone from the guild to accompany me into the mines to get some ore…" I suddenly realized something. "Hey, if you're going there today, could I hire you?"


"Wha- today?" Abigail looked shocked. "I'm, I mean…"


"I won't take long, and I can pay you! I really need my tools so I can keep going. I have trees and rocks I need to take care of."


"W-well then! I-I guess I'll have to help you!"


I gave a little hop in triumph. "Thank you! You're the best Abigail! I can go now so you won't have to wait. Just a moment and- oh! I'm sorry, I just got carried away. What did you stop by far?"


"Oh yeah, on Fridays we generally always gather in the Saloon for the-- Why are you giggling like that?"


~**~


I peered into the mine entrance curiously. It wasn't anything like I had imagined it to be, as I was used to seeing large, industrial ones that you could drive trucks through. Instead, this was just what appeared to be just a simple mine that happened to be rich with ores. "How deep is it?"


"Not sure," Abigail told me from behind. " It was in full operation way back when, but it slowly started uncovering monsters and stuff inside. The crew quit going as deep until just the first little bit is used. The adventurer's guild made a shop near it and make sure nothing comes out. Luckily for us, they have never once tried to make it out of the mines in the past hundred years or longer."


"And it's pretty ore heavy, even near the top?"


"Y-yeah…" Abigail's voice stuttered again.


"Well then…" I picked up a weathered pickax and a lantern by the entrance. "I'd like some copper and tin, but if we can get some iron then all the better. Ready?" Abigail looked a little more pale than she once was. "Abigail?"


"R-ready!" She clutched her sword with both hands and slowly started walking forward.


"Is it that dangerous?" I pondered, looking around and seeing nothing on the inside.


"Yeah!" Abigail breathed out, eyes darting around.


"Hmmm…" I kept my eyes peeled as we made our way deeper into the mountain. We had been walking for a few minutes before I finally saw something glittering in my light. "Oh, look!" Jogging over to it, I crouched down to inspect my discovery. "I think this is iron!" I started quickly tugging on the exposed section and brushing off dirt. "Wow, I think it's a big chunk!" Abigail stood nervously next to me, clutching her sword while I worked. "I think I'll have to bash it out. Watch my back while I pick at it."


"Y-yeah!" The purple haired girl turned and took a few steps away from me, looking around.


After what seemed like an eternity of picking, I finally managed to break the chunk loose. Kneeling, I grinned at the rock and dirt covered chunk before me. It would fill my backpack up completely, and I assumed I could make at least two tools out of it. Moving my backpack over to the ore, I hesitated picking it up. A small, cute looking jelly creature had just hopped onto it. The thing was a little bigger than both my hands together and had adorable eyes and a smiling mouth that seemed to just float around wherever it looked. "Awww, it's so cute!"


"Th-that's a slime!" Abigail almost shrieked. "G-get away from it!"


"This cute thing?" I almost laughed. "Don't be silly, look how harmless it is." I reached for it, despite the protests. Before my hand could touch it, the slime lunged at my face, splattering over it. I tried to gasp but it made an air tight seal around my mouth and nose. I fell back and clawed desperately at my face , finally getting my fingers under it and peeling it off with a quick motion. I threw it on the ground and turned over, crawling to Abigail and hiding behind her.


"I told you!" She hissed at me.


"I'm sorry!" I panted out, looking at the slime. Luckily it all came off of me, but it was slowly hopping back, that deceiving smile still present. "What are you waiting for, kill it!"


"I-I know!" She held her sword with both hands, choking the handle.


"Abigail!"


"I.. I can't!" she ducked down and avoided a lung from the slime. "I'm so sorry! I'm not really part of the guild!"


"Why are you telling me this now!?" I demanded, scrambling to my feet and pulling her up along with me.


"I didn't mean to!" She cried out, holding onto my arm.


I took the sword from her in my left hand and steadied myself, swinging when it jumped at me again. The blade cut right through it as if it really were made of jelly, and two plops landed behind us. We were both silent for a moment before Abigail slowly peeled herself off me.


"Wow… you were so awesome!"


I swallowed. "Thanks… I think…" We both turned and looked at the dead slime, only to gulp as several more began hopping towards us from the darkness. The dead slime was absorbed into others, who in turn hopped onto each other to form a giant jelly. A long, oozing tentacle came from its side and waved in the air as it's now larger face looked at us in delight. "Ohhhh no." I took a few steps back, pulling my friend along with me. "I've seen too much hentai to know where this is going!"


I pulled Abigail along with me as we ran, scurrying for the entrance with all we had. I paused only for a moment to swing the sword and carve another slime in half. When we made it out, we both went over to the side and collapsed, panting heavily. After a moment, I took a long intake of air and sighed out. " I think I lost a year of my life…"


"I'm so sorry…" My friend replied, voice clearly shaken. She was almost quivering, hugging her knees. "I wanted to impress you…I… wanted someone to respect my goals…" She put her forehead onto her knees, her hair falling around her. "Everyone who ever found out about me wanting to join the guild teases me… My father doesn't want me to do anything but… but 'be a girl' and cook dinner or clean the house… I just… really liked someone accepting me for who I want to be… Look where that got me… I almost had you killed…"


I sat down next to her and put the sword out in front of me. I was upset, yes, but I don't think she would have let me go too far into that cave without letting me know the truth. "I don't consider a ruined shirt and slime covered boots qualifies as nearly getting killed."


"Yeah, but that giant slime wouldn't have been fun for a first time." She tilted her head to rest her cheek on her knees. "I watch hentai too," she joked lightly.


I looked at her a moment before giving a small smile and offering her a little fist bump, which she took. "So, you want to be an adventurer, huh?" I leaned back on the grass with my hands behind my head. I heard her do the same next to me.


"Ever since I was little," she confessed. "But I've always been too scared to do anything… I practice and practice, but whenever I try to go into the cave, I get scared off within minutes… I hate it."


"Maybe…" I considered my words, trying to decide if I was going too far for someone I just met. "Maybe you should be a little more honest with yourself and those around you?"


"What do you mean?"


"Like… you asked me to keep your sword a secret when we first met… Maybe if you want others to take you seriously, you should be more serious yourself? Stop hiding it, and stop trying to practice by yourself… Go to the guild, ask for training. Wear your sword instead of hiding it."


"… I don't know, my parents sold my last sword when they found out, and I was grounded for weeks."


"Sometimes you need to be more determined, though I don't know your situation really well… I'm sorry if I'm over stepping here."


Abigail shook her head. "No, no you're right… I need to do something more… Show them I'm not just someone to be married off to cook and clean for someone who does everything they want to. I'm not a house wife, I'm…"


"An adventurer." I sat up and looked down at her. "I'm just as much a farmer as you are a cave explorer. What say we both help each other out and learn new things together?"


"… Yeah. Yeah, let's do that." She sat up with me and we shook hands. "It's a deal, Farmer Kim."


"A deal, Abigail the Adventurer."


~**~


It was late afternoon before I left Robin's shop, heading down the pathway to her house while chatting it up with the redhead. When we arrived, I waved goodbye to her and almost jumped when their garage door opened up right next to me. A young man, probably in his very early twenties, came out walking his motorcycle. "Oh, hello," he mused, not quite making eye contact.


"Have you met Sebby yet?" Robin asked me, to which I shook my head. "Sebby, this is Kim, the new farmer who moved in nearby."


"Oh, that's right. Maru talked about you. Said you passed out seeing a needle."


I blushed hard, but luckily Robin was there to stand up for me, slapping his arm and telling him that was rude. "Yeah, that's me."


"Sorry, " he looked away. "It's easier to backspace."


"Sebby, you need to get in the real world more," Robin scolded him gently. "The people you talk to online-"


"My friends, mom."


"Your friends online aren't here to interact with. You should go out more. Sam said he wanted to hang out with you tonight at the saloon."


The man sighed. "Yeah, I know."


Robin popped her fist onto her palm as if she suddenly had an idea. "I know, why don't you give Kim here a ride to town? She is heading to the saloon anyway." I could tell he didn't want to, so I opened my mouth to oppose, but was cutoff. "He's real safe, don't worry. I'll see you there in a while." With that, she waved and headed into the house.


"She doesn't understand," He protested. "Sorry you got involved in this."


"For what it's worth," I tried making conversation. "My mom and dad never understood my friends either. They referred to them as 'online friends' and not 'real life friends'. "


"Yeah, and saying they don't really care because they're not here to be with you," he agreed.


"Or not understanding you can't pause an online game!"


"Exactly!" He nodded. After a while he gave me a small, unsure smile. "Kim, right?"


"That's me. And you're… Sebby?"


"Sebastian." He had wonderful black hair that was semi spikey but still long. Although he looked a little gothic, I could tell her was more of the gamer type. Possibly a D&D player as well. "Mom calls me Sebby, thinks it's cute."


"It is cute," I disagreed with him, getting a faint blush. "Would you prefer 'Bastian?" His blush got darker and he looked away shyly. I might be the first girl to tease him like this, so I gave his some slack. "Okay, Sebastian it is… sooo… motorcycle?"


"Yeah." I seemed to have activated his shyness button.


Thinking quick, I went with what I knew he'd want to talk about. "Computer? What kind?"


"Custom built," he replied a little easier. "i7, 32 gigs of DDR4 RAM, GTX980, Formula VI Ranger. Asus, naturally."


"Naturally." I grinned. "Liquid cooled?"


"Of course!" He grinned now, fully meaning it this time. "Would you like a ride into town?"


"I'd love one." I accepted the helmet he gave me.


The ride was rather short, but still fun. Going down the mountain path into the city was quite an experience on a motorcycle for sure. We made it to the saloon a while later and parked next to a blond guy leaning against the fence. He wore a faded shirt and a worn blue jean jacket and had fully spiked hair, almost reminding me of a super sayajin. Sebastian put the kickstand down and let me carefully get off before taking off his helmet. "Hey Sam," he greeted.


"Yo!" the man greeted back as I struggled with my helmet. "Who's the new guy?"


"Girl," I corrected before giving up and letting Sebastian undo the strap for me. I had apparently put it on wrong.


"Whoa really?" Sam asked, amused. "Sorry, you look like a guy with a helmet on."


"Tactful," Sebastian commented, putting the helmets on the handlebars. Back in the city they would be stolen for sure. Here, though, he didn't even take the key out of it before we all started walking to the saloon doors.


"So," Sam tried again. "Who's your girlfriend?"


"We just met," he replied, looking up. "She's Kim, the new farmer in town."


"Oh yeah!" Sam pointed at me. "I heard! Welcome to Stardew!" He opened the door and gave it a push to stay open for me. Sebastian quickly put out a hand to catch it and let me go ahead. "Woo! Racking in those points!" Sam cheered at him.


"Ignore him," Sebastian requested of me.


"Already am," I replied teasingly. There weren't that many people at the Saloon yet, so I followed them to a back room with the word 'ARCADE' flashing above it. Inside was a large room, slightly less lit than the rest of the restaurant. There were a few tables scattered around, but it was mainly a collection of pool tables and various arcade machines along the wall. One of them was taken by Abigail, who had changed out of her normal attire in favor of a mini skirt and leggings, paired with a matching sleeveless top and light jacket.


The woman suddenly groaned and smacked the machine before turning to see us. "Hey guys."


"Die again?" Sam asked before hopping to sit on a table and rest his feet on a chair.


"Gus has it set to maximum difficulty," Abigail complained.


I looked at the arcade and read the title. "Wait, doesn't Legend of the Prairie King only have one difficulty setting?"


"Yeah, very hard." The girl protested. "Kim, come order a pizza with me."


"I would love a pizza," I agreed, walking back to the main area with them.


"My usual!" Sam called out after us.


I saw Leah walk in and I waved to her, getting one back. "Leah is so thin and pretty," Abigail mused beside me. "Makes me a little jealous, just between us."


"You're just fine," I comforted her as the girl made it to us. "Hi Leah!"


"Hi!" She smiled happily. "How are you feeling?"


"Just fine," I replied back. "Thanks again for the other day."


"Anytime! But, well, I'd prefer you not to be sick."


Abigail turned from Gus to look at me. "Are you sick?"


"Not anymore," I confirmed. "Leah nursed me back to health."


"Good job, Leah!" Abigail gave her a hi-five before looking at me. "Did she make you eat her vegetarian soup?"


Leah pouted. "I'm not a vegetarian."


"And I'm blonde," Abigail teased. "She only eats fish, " she told me.


I looked at Leah, who didn't deny it. "Well, you know," She spoke shyly. "Marnie raises cows and chickens and it just… doesn't feel right to eat them, you know?"


"No," I disagreed with a smile. "Gimme a steak any day." Before I could go on anymore, a new voice perked my interest and I turned to see a blue haired girl shaking a cocktail before pouring it out for Maru, who raised it to me in a small toast.


The blue haired girl came over to us and introduced herself. "Hi! I'm Emily, nice to finally meet you Kim!"


"I'll catch up," I told the girls, who went back to the arcade area after ordering. "Nice to meet you Emily." I shook her hand. "I've met so many people lately, it's hard to keep up with who I have and haven't gotten to talk to yet."


"Oh I bet!" She laughed. A jingle came and we saw a new person enter the bar. "Speaking of not talking, there's Shane!"


"Less talk, more alcohol." He complained, sitting at the bar next to me.


Emily instead shook her finger at him. "tstk, tsk, you're supposed to share a drink with the new lady in town. It's proper bar etiquette." I looked over at Shane, who didn't look too willing to buy me a drink. "I'm not taking no for an answer," Emily warned.


"Fine," Shane grumbled. "Give us two of the girliest things you have."


My eyebrows raised at Emily, who reached under the table and poured two small cups of an amber liquid. "Here you go. Two girly drinks on the house."


Shane picked up the glass by the rim and looked at it. "This is straight whiskey," he commented.


I answered before Emily could, leaning my glass to him for a toast. "Maybe you should woman up and drink it?"


Shane looked at me hard a moment before tinking his glass to mine. We both tilted the cups back and drank, him placing his on the table slightly before me. When I didn't gag or anything, he smirked. "A girl after my own heart." With that he put some bills on the table. "Here's to my tab and whatever that little lass wants next. My treat."


"Rum and Dr.Pepper please," I told Emily, who started to work on it. "Thanks Shane."


"Don't mention it…"


"Kim," I reintroduced myself.


"Kim." He nodded. "I won't remember that after tonight, but here's to you." He handed me my finished drink. "Now go play with the kiddos, I'm going to get wasted."


"Call me if you need another girly drink," I patted him on the shoulder as I passed. "I'll buy next time." I saw Harvey on the way back to the arcade and gave him a small wave to catch his attention. "Harvey, thank you for the help the other day! I don't know how to repay you… other than repaying you!" I chuckled at my own joke lamely.


"Just doing my job," he waved it off. "It brings me joy to help people, it just makes me happy. Are you feeling better?"


"Lots!" I nodded. "Thank you so much. I'll come by the clinic next time I'm in town and get you settled up for the house call and medicine."


"No rush," Harvey raised a cup of coffee at me in a little salute and I continued along my way.


When I made it back to the arcade I saw Sam and Sebastian playing pool together. Sam was looking rather displeased while Sebastian had a smug air about him. Abigail was playing the arcade again while Leah was sitting on one of the love seats lining the walls watching the T.V. I chose to sit by Leah, as she looked rather lonely by herself.


"Hey there," Leah moved so I could plot down next to her.


"Hey," I offered her my cup. "Drink?"


"Yes, please. I'm really thirsty." She took it from me and turned it back, only to cough slightly and gasp. "What is that?"


"Rum and Dr.Pepper," I giggled.


Sebastian turned and leaned against the table, looking over at us. "Leah doesn't drink, she has a tolerance in the negatives."


"Worse than that," Abigail called out from the arcade.


I grinned at her. "Want the rest of it?"


Shaking her head, she handed it back. "No thank you, I'd get too drunk to walk back."


I nodded and sipped on my drink some more, looking up at the television set mounted to the wall near the ceiling. Nothing was really interesting so I slowly finished off my drink. When Emily came over with our food, we all gathered round a table and I forced Leah to each some of my pizza since it was just a cheese one. We all toasted our drinks and re-ordered more. This time I got a stronger mix at the urging of my friends.


Gus came to deliver them this time, placing the cups all around. We all made a grab for them and held them up. "To a new friend," Sam declared.


"To a new friend!" Everyone echoed.


"Drink it all in one go!" Sam continued, putting an arm around Sebastian. "Ready?"


"Ready!" I ginned.


We all turned our cups up and chugged them back. Setting mine down, I blinked at it, as I only felt fizz tingling my nose. Next to me I heard Leah burp rather loudly and fan herself. "That tasted funny," she mused.


I slowly leaned over and picked up her cup. Everyone watched me as I turned it all the way up to get some of whatever was left. After tasting it, my eyes widened slightly. "Leah, you drank mine."


"Uh oh…" The small words made the table all laugh together happily.


"This is going to be a fun night," Abigail decided as Maru peeked her head in the room. "Maru! Come join us, Leah is already drunk."


"Am not," she tried to protest, but hiccupped midway. "Oh man…"


The night seemed to go on forever. I can't really remember the last time I had such a good time with friends. Of course I had gone out with people around the office, but that had felt like a more… adult gathering than a bunch of friends just hanging out. This time I had the pleasure of meeting a few new people around the town as well. The names were blurring together as I got tipsy and then flat out drunk. Although I didn't like being wasted, I felt safe around these people.


Marnie, the one with the animal farm close to mine, came to fetch Leah to take her home along with Shane. After seeing me, she insisted that I come along as well, which I did. Leah was still passed out on a couch from before so I leaned down to scoop her up and carry her. This backfired drastically when I couldn't even lift her and instead fell forward on top of the girl. The crowd gave collective claps of approval and I struggled to even stand up straight.


Shane came to my rescue and picked Leah up with one arm, draping her over his shoulder. The girl was stone cold drunk, even from the single drink she had paired with only two shots once her better judgment had left the room. I stumbled after them and got in the truck once I could manage to step up into it. "Thank you," I told Marnie gratefully as I sat down again.


"Oh don't mention it," she beamed at me. "I'm always happy to give people a ride home, it's almost my job on Friday nights!"


I beamed at her stupidly and closed my eyes. When they opened again I somehow managed to realize we were at my farm. Leah was already gone and Shane was helping me step down. "Easy there," he told me, putting an arm over my shoulders to help my stumble to the door. "What did you drink?"


"Lots," I answered lamely. "Thank you."


"Yeah, sure."


"You're a nice guy," I decided to tell him as he basically laid me against my door. "I think you don't want people to know, but I know."


"No, you really don't." His tone somehow made it through my drunken stupor and I could see the sadness on his face. Not wanting to leave it like that, I spoke again before he could leave.


"What do you like to eat?"


"What?"


"Eat," I said again, trying to form the words.


"…Spicy things."


"I'll… I'll grow you some peppers." I decided then and there. "We'll share a drink, and…and eat hot wings made from them."


He looked at me before shrugging and walking back to the truck. "Do whatever you want."


I somehow managed to open my door and stumble into the house. I could barely make out the Junimo running around everywhere as I staggered to my bedroom. I slowly took off my shirt and had to resort to simply pulling my bra over my head, as my fingers couldn't quite seem to undo the second hook on it. I put on a simple spaghetti strap tank top to cover myself and literally peeled down my jeans. Now ready for bed, I crawled into it and sighed out happily. "Tonight was a good night," I told the room before completely falling asleep all at once.

 

The first thing I noticed when I awoke was the splitting headache consuming my skull. I could barely open my eyes and there was a pounding coming from somewhere that ripped through my body with every sound. I had never drank that much before, and I was really feeling it. The pounding came again and I groaned, almost falling out of bed and stumbling to the front door to see who it was.


Stardust VI

By: Satashi


I opened the door slowly, eyes mostly closed to protect myself from the sunlight threatening to make my headache take me over completely. "Whoa!" I heard a voice say and then placed it to Sam. "Good morning to you too!"


"Not so loud," I managed to croak out, leaning against the doorframe. "I'm hung-over… how are you so cheery?"


"Who wouldn't be at a sight like that," he flirted shamelessly. I smiled lightly, or at least attempted to. "Maru wanted me to see If anyone needed some medicine to help their hangover," he explained to me. "I stayed with Sebastian last night so I offered to drop it off to you and Leah on my way home."


"Yes, please, I'd love some." I accepted the small bottle gratefully. "Please forgive me for not inviting you in, I'm in no place to entertain…"


"This is entertaining enough," he protested.


I wasn't used to being hit on, so I just managed out a lopsided grin at him. "Thanks Sam, I'll see you later?"


"You go it," He seemed a little disappointed to leave and I caught his eyes glancing down for just a moment before snapping back up. Laughing, I gave a small wave and closed the door.


I instantly opened the bottle and stumbled back to my bedroom to get some water off my nightstand. I opened the bottle and took the pills quickly. "I'm so hung over," I told the blue Junimo who had hopped onto my bed next to me. It was a little odd sharing my house with mystical creatures, but they were so… comforting… that I really didn't mind it. "I better get going and prepare for the day… I want to plant some more and see how everything is growing…" I slowly stood and moved to grab a pair of overalls to step into. As I pulled them up, I suddenly had a thought. 'Wait…If I'm putting my pants on now…' I looked toward the front door. 'What was I wearing earlier?'


~**~


I knew the Junimo were helping my crops, but I couldn't quite figure out how. The seeds I had planted earlier were already starting to seriously sprout, and the soil was very rich with minerals for them to feast on. I put in my hard work as well, using my one tool to do all I could. Without a good pick to break up rocks and a hatchet to cut down the little saplings everywhere, I had to use my hoe for everything. The work was hard and tedious, but I felt obligated to give it my all. So far I had the area in front of my house all taken care of, tilled and planted.


As I extended my gardens, I mixed different seeds and watered them enough to get them going. It became a rhythm to me as I went. Striking the ground, pulling back, repeat. Move the rocks, pull the weeds, strike the ground, plant the seeds. This stayed with me until my stomach introduced a new tempo. Sighing out, I wiped the sweat from my forehead with a rag. 'And it's still cool outside… how will I last in the summer?'


The thought made me get a small glimpse of a memory from way back when. Curious, I followed my instincts and moved to the far side of the farm. Past the weeds, tall grass, and general neglect, I found a group of trees packed to the brim with fruit. "That's right…" I spoke aloud, walking up to them in awe. "The fruit trees were in the back, where the best sunlight was…"


I was suddenly filled with energy, jogging to each tree to pick up one of its bounties off the ground. I then used my watering can to rinse them off and try a bite of each. The cherries were amazingly delightful, and so fresh it made me moan out in appreciation. An apricot was consumed next and the pit spat out to bounce off the ground. I wasn't a huge fan of them, but I could seriously appreciate the flavor. I saved the best two for last, breaking open an orange so juicy it ran down my arm. A peach was bitten into next, just as juicy. Wiping my face with my arm, I grinned up at them. I knew just what to do with these.


It had taken me a few hours, but I managed to find my grandpa's old wooden crates in the shed. Thankfully they had been treated to avoid decay and were correctly put up from the last fall harvest they were used. Not all of them made it, but the ones near the center of the stacks were well protected and offered me a good storage utility.


Just as soon as I got the last crate settled, I heard the sounds of a truck pulling up into the driveway. Pierre and Gus both got out and walked up to me, smiling broadly at the bounty in front of them. "Welcome!" I called out, throwing my arms out wide. "My first harvest of fruit. I don't have any vegetables yet, but I really couldn't let these go to waste after I found them."


"Absolutely amazing," Gus thought aloud while looking at them. "Much better than Joja's fruit, and I won't have that sick feeling when I'm forced to buy from them."


Pierre picked up a peach and looked over at me. "May I?"


I nodded at him. "Absolutely!" I watched him bite into it and lean forward as it exploded in juice.


"Mmn!" He nodded a few times. "Yes. Yes, these will sell faster than I could stock them…" He looked at Gus. "We're going to have to make a deal on these."


"I'd say," Gus mused, looking at the cherries. "Emily makes some amazing cherry pie, I could… ohhh… I'll give you ten gold per pound."


"I'll give a half gold each for peaches"


"Don't be cheap, Pierre, they're worth at least one." Gus protested. They each looked at each other and took a breath. "Halfsies?"


"It can't be helped." They nodded at each other. "We'll take everything."


I looked at Pierre in shock. "E-Everything?"


Gus smiled at me. "You heard the man. Ideally we would like about this much each, but it's your first harvest so this will have to do." I could tell he seemed more than happy at this. "How much for it all?"


"I.. I don't even know… I just…" I couldn't believe this was actually happening. "I think… I think the prices are… I mean…" I was totally lost. I was expecting to sell maybe a basket of mixed to each at most.


Pierre laughed and put a hand on my shoulder. "I know the average prices, and you'll see what I mark them up for at my store. We can make arrangements to find a nice healthy middle ground."


"And we will all be fair and happy," Gus added in. "Money that stays in Stardew makes us all that much happier." He looked over at the baskets by my door. "What about those? The mixed ones."


"Oh, those are for debt repayment." I told them happily. "Some friends had to really go out of their way to help me when I first got here… This is my thank you to them."


After some massive business talk and settling up, I found my purse pleasantly filled and a ride secured to go into town in the back of Gus's truck. We stopped by Leah's cottage first and I picked up one basket of mixed fruit to carry to her door. I noticed the lights were off and it was silent inside. Knocking lightly, I waited a while before noticing a small chalkboard next to the door. It was outlined with wooden carvings of birds and seeds. Leah's name was expertly chiseled out in fancy handwriting and a twine string hung down next to it with a chalk stick tied in a pretty bow. Smiling, I wrote a small message and drew a heart around it before leaving the basket by the door.


My second stop was a little out of the way for them, but they gladly accepted my request. A semi long drive took us up the mountain area where Robin's house and mill was. This was where I waved goodbye to them and made my way in. Upon entering, I saw Robin look up from her desk and smile at me in welcome. "Hey there Kim! I see you've been hard at it!"


"I have," I confirmed. "In fact, this basket here is for you and your family. A thanks for all the help."


"Awww!" Robin moved out from behind the desk and for a moment thought she would hug me. "You're so sweet! It was nothing really, you even helped me cut the trees down so you more than paid for them. I won't say no though!" She added the last part on quickly.


At that moment, the door opened again and Marnie came in. "Good afternoon!" She greeted merrily. "I saw Kim come here while I was out and wanted to try and catch her."


"What's up?" I asked curiously.


"Well, a friend of mine has been borrowing my farm while his fence was repaired. As a way of saying thank you, he gave me a horse. I already have a male purebred though, so I don't really need another. Too many males makes for mixed breeding, you know." I nodded, despite not knowing if that was true or not. "Anyway, as a welcome to the Valley, I was going to offer it to you."


"I… want it, but I don't have a place for it."


"Wasn't there a small stable on your farm?" Robin asked me.


"Yeah, but it's hardly in the shape to… oh!" I suddenly caught on. " I just so happen to know a carpenter!"


"You do!?" Robin asked playfully. "I bet she would gladly fix up that little stable for you."


I turned back to Marnie and nodded thankfully. "I'd love it. Would it be possible to wait until the stable was fixed?"


"Absolutely. Just come by whenever you're ready to pick him up." She waved at us both and went back outside with a goodbye.


"Well that worked out wonderfully," I mused. "I get transportation and you get some work. Can't really go against that."


"I'd like to get an idea of what I'm going to work with so I can give you a price." She reached back to grab her truck keys. "Do you need a ride back?"


"Actually I was going to head over to the adventure guild and see about going into the mines before it gets too late. I lost a backpack in there next to some ore I'd love to turn into a blade for those handles you made me."


"Whenever you're ready, they're good to go." Robin waved at me as she went to the door. "Thanks again, this was an amazing gift." She grabbed an orange on her way and held it up as a small sign of appreciation.


I made my way out and too the nearby mines, walking along the rim of the small pond nearby. It took a few minutes of walking but I finally made it to the small cabin. I could hear people out behind the fenced off area training, and I smiled lightly. Being an adventurer would be really cool, if I wasn't already discovering a new life as it was.


Upon entering, I saw a few people talking at tables while drinking. Others were telling stories of battles from other towns and caves, while others still told about defending larger city outskirts. It was true that the way of the adventurer was slowly dwindling away, but the world still needed protecting, even if we were advancing quickly with our technology. This town was a perfect example of this, and the rustic ways only endeared it to me even more.


"Welcome lass," An older man greeted me. He looked weathered and battle worn. An eye patch covered his left eye and a scar was visible around it. "What can we do for you?"


"I need an escort." My words made a few people's eyes turn toward me. "Just into the mines a little bit. I lost a bag near the entrance." I heard a few chuckles and most went back to what they had been doing, clearly not interested in such a small feat.


"Just inside the entrance, hmm?" He scratched his goatee and thought. "I have someone who could use the experience, a new recruit. If you don't plan on going any deeper than that, she'll work just fine. Be warned though, she isn't experienced . You only have an hour before we send other in after you. If you're okay with that, it'll be twenty gold."


Twenty gold was almost laughable to hire an adventurer, but the way he was talking made me get my helped up. "What's her name?"


"Abigail."


I grinned, reaching into my backpack to pull out a purse. "Deal." I put the twenty down and watched him stand up.


"Wait here." The man walked out back and through the door. I waited for a few moments, looking around at the people inside. A few made eye contact while others just ignored me. After a few more minutes the man came back with the purple haired girl in tow. She had on light leather armor, tinted black and purple. A matching set of light cotton fabric was under that and two matching daggers were on either side of her waist. "Here's your employer."


"Kim!" She looked positively shocked.


"Hi." I waved simply, grinning. "Ready?"


"Your half," the man stated, tossing a coin to her. Abigail caught it and looked at it in her palm for a brief moment before nodding at it.


"Ready," she confirmed.


There were a collective shouts of good luck as we left the cabin and into the late afternoon air. The sun was threatening to set, casting it's fading red color out over the lake. A small gust of wind blew our hair back as we walked to the mines, and I inhaled deeply to savor it. "Not going to ask?" Abigail finally voiced as we made it to the entrance.


"Ask what?" I replied simply, getting a lantern and lighting it. "I hired an adventurer and I got a friend at no extra cost."


Abigail took a deep breath as well, looking at the cave entrance. "Okay… I'm ready." She took a hesitant step forward, followed by a more determined one. We walked together in silence for a few moments before a slime came into view. I stopped walking and held the lantern high. "Focus," I heard her speak to herself. "Watch…" She slowly unsheathed both of her daggers and held them up. "Be ready to move…" Her words barely made it to me now as she advanced.


The slime looked just as cute as ever, hopping and rolling on the ground towards us. I inched forward carefully, giving her the needed light. The two finally made it close enough to each other for the smile's eyes to narrow and lunge forward. Abigail reacted in time, slashing with her right hand and then her left. Two misses later and the slime landed between us, looking at me. Swallowing, I stood my ground.


A clank was heard as a throwing dagger ricocheted harmlessly off the ground near the smile, who turned back to Abigail. It hopped once, but the girl was already lunging forward, slicing low and cleaving it in half. We both stood in silence a moment before she turned to look at me fully, eyes wide and a smile full on her face. "Did you see that!?" She asked excitedly, hopping in place. "I just took out a slime!" She was almost bursting with energy. "I did it, I really did it!"


"You most certainly did!" I agreed, almost dropping the lantern when she tackled me in a tight hug. "Good job." I praised , returning it with my free hand. "Abigail the adventurer." My words made her giggle and she let go of me.


"Okay," she said determined. " Let's get your bag." The rest of the passage was uneventful, and we found my old backpack right where we left it. "Mission successful," she spoke proudly as I shoved the ore into the bag and strapped it on. "Let's get out of here before-" Her words were cut off as a slopping sound came to our ears. We both swallowed thickly as a large slime rolled from around a crevice in the wall. "Here we go…" she readied both her daggers. "I got this… I got this…"


Abigail ran forward this time, letting out a small battle cry as she did so. A tentacle lash was dodged and to my surprise she managed to lop off the appendage as well. It fell onto the ground and splattered, lifeless. The slime didn't seem too phased by this, however, and simply made a few more to attack with. My protector dodged again and again, using her blades to slowly but surely shrink the jelly monster down.


I was getting excited from this, silently cheering her on from the sidelines. This, however, made us both miss the tentacle slithering along the floor until it managed to loop around her ankle and jerk her off her feet. Abigail tumbled hard and I heard a sickening thunk as her head hit the ground. She went limp instantly and I could tell she was struggling to focus. The slime monster lifted her above itself and opened its mouth, bringing her down to consume.


Not thinking, I grabbed my pickax from before and threw it as hard as I could. I managed to land it right where it's eyes were and it hollered out a bubbling sound, dropping Abigail to the ground. The girl landed and gasped, rolling over to her stomach and pushing herself up. Shaking her head twice to clear it, she grabbed her daggers and ran forward again, thrusting them both into the face of the monster.


The slime blew apart and my friend fell down, splattered in the jelly like gunk of the defeated monster. I ran to her quickly and stood before her as she looked over at me. "I… I did it! I bet a king slime!" She jumped up, slinging jelly everywhere. "I did it Kim! I am now an official member of the guild!" She jumped in place again, and I smiled at her. The torchlight reflected off her figure as she sheathed both her daggers and put her hands on her hips triumphantly. The jelly slowly dripped from her body and in that moment I couldn't help but realize how… sexy… she looked like that. The thought instantly made me blush and I quickly looked away.


We made it out of the cave easily, walking back to the guild where they made a call of triumph when the goo-covered girl entered. Proudly, she walked over to the man behind the counter and placed a large golden coin on it. A king slime coin, somehow made by the jellies when they combined. The one eyed man picked it up and nodded proudly. The whole cabin watched as he walked over to a chart of names on the wall near the desk. Abigail's name was written on it near the end and with a hammer and nail, he pinned the coin under it, marking it as a trophy of hers. Cheers erupted and several people came to pat the girl on the back and celebrate. One even lifted her up onto his shoulders and the group called out her name.


Abigail looked more thrilled than I had ever seen her, eyes shining brightly as she meekly held up her hand in triumph. She looked my way and I smiled at her, nodding lightly." The motion was simple, but made her overwhelm with emotion. Her eyes closed and I saw some tears of happiness come to them as she held up both hands triumphantly. She had finally achieved her dream, and she deserved all of it.

 

I grunted as I cleared out yet another rock in my field. My pickax was up to the task, but my arms were starting to give out. Pressing on, I pulled back with all my might and managed to uproot the buried thing, leaving a small chunk in the ground. My pick was a great cast of iron and the handle was just perfect for my hands. Of course I had melted the ore into ingots and rough forged it at Clint's black smithery. It wasn't perfect, but my Junimo friends had worked their magic into it for me. I could see them now, playing around the plants that were growing alarmingly fast. They seemed so happy to have the farm going again, and they only asked so very little in return, mainly just some crops to eat. I wasn't sure if they were pets or housemates still, but I was really considering them all my mythical friends at this point.


Stardust VI

By: Satashi


Robin was walking over to me, so I steered my wheel barrel full of rocks and sticks closer to her to meet half way. "You're done!" She exclaimed, flipping her hammer with one hand before catching it and sheathing it on her jeans. "A one horse shelter fit for a king." She moved her hand back to show it off and I grinned to myself. It was perfect for my needs. It had a trough for food, a section covered from the rain for some hay, and a watering trough as well on the side. My farm was pretty much fenced off around the perimeter so I could let it roam free until I needed it . "What do you think?"


"Love it," I confirmed. It had taken several days to fix, as it was barely able to stand on its own, but was completely worth it. "Thank you!"


"You're very welcome." Robin smiled. "It feels good making a structure again, I've been primarily making furniture lately. " He wiped sweat off her face. "But it's really hot out, how are you going to last in the summer?"


"I asked myself that already," I laughed. "I'll be fine. There's a pond down there, I'll just take a dip if it gets too hot."


"Sounds good. Would you like a ride to Marnie's farm?"


"I would love one." I confirmed, heading over to the truck with her. The ride was short, but cut my travel time down by almost ninety percent. Waving to her, I headed over to Marnie's barn.


"She's in town," I heard a voice tell me. I looked over near Leah's cottage and saw an old man sitting on a small foldable chair. He held a fishing pole with both hands, skillfully working it to attract fish. "Will probably be back later tonight. Why don't you pull up a seat and fish with me?"


I made my way over to the man by the lake. "Hi, I'm Kim."


"New farmer," the man nodded wisely. "Leah has told me about you. Good lass, that one. Lets me fish here all the time. Good place to catch them as they move with the stream."


"I see…"


"Willy. I run the fish store by the docks." He reached down and offered me a spare pole next to him. "Come, toss a line." I really felt like I wanted to. Accepting his offer, I picked up the pole and threaded a worm on the hook. With a flick of my wrist, I sent it soaring out into the waters. Willy nodded as I sat on the grass next to him, gently reeling in the line. "You've done this before."


"Company fishing trips, pretty much mandatory to go on if you wanted your vacation time. It wasn't really fun, but I did enjoy fishing sometimes." I actually felt a small nibble and I leaned forward.


"Don't rush it," Willy advised. "Let it hook first."


I resisted the urge to jump the gun and waited a few seconds more before I felt a sharp tug. "Got it!" I stood and started to fight the fish.


"Move the rod down and reel in, then pull back," Willy spoke calmly. I took his advice and found it much easier to do so. "That'a girl," he praised while getting a net. I managed to pull it out of the water and gawked at the size of it. "A mighty fine catch." He netted the fish and dispatched it with a quick flick of a knife.


"Wow! Of all the luck!"


"Some people just have it," Willy told me. "You have it. I can tell."


"Thank you." I looked at the fish as he de-hooked it. "You keep it, I live far away and it wouldn't be good to just carry it all the way back."


"I think you should cook it. I mean it gave its life to you, the least you can do is make a meal." He nodded back at Leah's cottage. "She's been in there all day painting. I don't think she's eaten anything at all."


I looked over my shoulder and say Leah's frame in front of an easel, a brush in hand. "Really? All day?"


Willy nodded slowly and recast his line. "Go ahead, she knows how to cook it. I'm going to finish up here in a moment anyway."


"Well... okay. Thank you Willy." I handed him the pole but he shook his head.


"Keep it. If one more person takes up the art of fishing, my life would mean that much more."


"… Thank you, I will." I accepted the offer. "I'll get this cooking. Good luck out here." The man nodded at me and I turned to go back to the cottage. A soft knock made Leah come to the door and answer it with a smile. She had multiple colors of paint on her hands and even a streak of blue across her face. Seeing me hold up a fish, she laughed. "I brought dinner!" I joked.


"I know just what to do with that." Leah invited me in and closed the door. "Sorry my place is a mess, I've been really in the mood lately."


"Mood? Oh, artistic mood?"


"Yeah!" Leah made room on her cutting board and took the fish from me. She began butchering it so quick I was worried for her fingers. She didn't nick herself at all, though, and before even a couple of minutes passed it was de-scaled and filleted.


"You're really good at that." I couldn't help but praise.


"I love seafood." She began getting things down from her cabinets. "You don't have to stand there, make yourself at home! I'll have us dinner before you know it."


"Oh, I didn't mean to imply you had to cook for me-"


"I know, and I want to."


I happily looked around her house, amazed at all the artwork and sculptures everywhere. "Wow… These all look so… so nice!" I felt a little lame at my lack of words. "This is wood… You carved this out of wood?" I gazed at the statue of a fox. I could vividly see the features of its face and even teeth. The fur was so lifelike, I could hardly believe it. "Wow…"


"Thank you!" Leah called out happily. "I love working with wood, it's so… so easy." She laughed. "I mean it works well with you, giving enough to not make as many mistakes… you know?"


"I don't, but I understand." I breathed out, going from one display to the next. "You have so many, do you sell them?"


"I… I'm kind of shy. I mean… I've sold some before, and a few online… but…"


"But what?" I asked defensively. "You're amazing! People need to see this!"


Leah looked positively flattered. "Wow… Thank you Kim… I don’t know what to say…"


"Say you'll seriously consider selling some, if that's what you intended to do."


"I mean... it would make me happy…" She was blushing now, and was focusing more on the fish. "I'm… not really used to getting encouragement like this."


"Why ever not?" I asked, shocked. "You're like…" My mind went blank. "Like… Leonardo Dicaprio of our time."


"Da Vinci?" She asked, amused.


"Yes, him." I felt my cheeks coloring. "You know who I meant."


"I did," a giggle. "And thank you."


I looked around a little more, focusing on each painting and asking a little something about each one. They ranged from scenery to animals to a few self portraits. There were printed pictures everywhere, clothes pinned to various canvas and paper. I noticed a printer hooked into a laptop on her desk, filled with small picture papers. "You like taking pictures?"


"Not really taking pictures, but having them really motivates me. I enjoy seeing them." I hummed at that and picked up her digital camera. Turning to her, I smiled.


"Say cheese!" When she looked I snapped the picture, much to her distress.


"Don't take a picture of me, I'm a mess! And covered in fish guts!" Her words made me take another picture and laugh at her.


"Can I print these?"


"NO!"


"Plug in here?" I continued, putting the cable in and getting her software instantly pop up on the small screen.


"No, no!" She was laughing though.


"Annnd print!" I declared, hitting the button and making the pictures come to life.


"You're so mean!"


I watched the images come out and happily picked them up. "These are going on my nightstand." I informed her, getting a mean but playful glare. "I'll call them…" I held them out at arm's length and spoke in my best art admirer voice. "The many scales of Leah." This earned a full out laugh from her.


"You are such a dork!" She finally managed to put the fish in her oven and came over to me. "Let me see?" When I looked at her doubtfully she shook her head. "I'll give them back…Oh my, I look hideous!"


"That's true art!" I protested. "You look… " I sniffed. "Fishy. Yes, fishy." This got another laugh and we both sat down at her table. "For real, though, I love all this stuff. It's so neat to be able to see things like this."


"Really?" She put both elbows on the table and propped her chin up on her palms. "You mean it?"


"Mmhmm." I nodded to emphasize it. "What? You're grinning ear to ear."


"I just… it feels nice… hearing someone say that."


"Should I continue then?" I teased her, getting a quick shaking of the head." In that case, what's your favorite thing to do?"


"A tie between wood working and painting, I think. Maybe I like wood better because I can always count on wood to be there."


"What do you mean?"


"Well…" She looked to the side a little, cheeks coloring. "Things I want to paint aren't always… there to look at."


This perked my curiosity. "Like what?"


"Well… I want to paint someone…" She looked down at her thumbs and twiddled them. "… Naked."


"Oh there's nothing wrong with that, lots of artist do it!" I waved it off. "That's just fine! It would look wonderful. I promise."


"Yeah, but… I can't just ask someone 'Hey, do you want to strip down naked and lay on my bed?' you know?"


Oh yeah, that was true. "I guess not…Okay, I can see that… but what about online?"


"It's not the same. I came here to see things; to get inspired from what was around me. I don't want to look at a computer screen and try to paint something off it."


"Well… don't give up. I'm sure whoever you ask would understand and be thrilled to have the opportunity." I nodded to myself.


Leah looked at me for a moment and when I was about to ask what she was thinking, the oven buzzer went off. "Food!" She exclaimed joyfully, hopping up and trotting into the kitchen. "It needs a few more minutes, this is the salad buzzer."


"Salad buzzer?"


"Just enough time to make a fresh salad before it's complete!" She worked quickly, chopping lettuce and lots of fixings for it. "I love a good salad, I eat one a day at least."


"Oh yeah, vegetarian."


"Not vegetarian," she corrected. "I eat fish. That's not vegetarian."


"Cow?"


"Nope."


"Chicken?"


"Nope, nope." Leah tossed the salad in some of her home made dressing.


"Pork."


"I won't turn it down. I've never named a pig before."


I could live with that. "Okay. Not vegetarian." She called me over and made me a plate. Together we ate dinner and talked constantly about everything and nothing. I learned a little about the city she was in before moving here, and in turn I shared a little of my boring office life as well. It was already starting to become late before I realized I still needed to talk to Marnie before she closed down for the night, if she hadn't already. My friend actually looked a little depressed at this and pouted slightly. "I had a lot of fun. Thank you for the nice meal." She walked me over to the door slowly.


"Thank you for bringing it to me to make for us. I had a really nice time." She rolled on her heels, hands clasped behind her back. "I haven't really spent time with someone since I left the city…"


"Let's do it again then."


"Sure!" she agreed at once. "It's a date then."


I couldn't help but smile at her choice of words. "A date then." She took a hold of my arm when I was about to leave.


"Hey, uhm, a question? " I looked at her and she gazed right into my eyes, a little unsure of herself. "Would you… like to strip down naked and lay on my bed sometime?"


I instantly felt hot and I could tell my face was rapidly turning red. "I… I mean…" She looked a little scared, but at the same time really hopeful. "I…" I covered my chest with one hand and looked down in embarrassment. "No.. I mean… I'm… flat chested and…"


"I think that's wonderful."


"And… and my hips are big…"


"Perfect figure."


I swallowed, too shy to really look at her. "I'm… super embarrassed…"


"… It's okay, I won't pressure you." Leah's voice was clearly hurt. "Just forget I asked, okay?"


"W-wait!" I couldn't bear that sound. She was way too happy to sound like that. "H-how about… underwear? And… maybe after that… we could try?"


"Is… that really ok?" She leaned down a bit and moved forward to make me look her in the eyes. "Please don't agree if you don't want to…"


"I'm super shy, but… I think it would be okay for now… I can't promise nude later but…" I fidgeted a little. "I'm a little flattered you asked me so… I'd like to try… you helped me so much as well, I can try to help you as well, right? That's what we do."


Her bright blue eyes looked a little moist. "I've never had someone really try for me like this before… Thank you."


"Yeah…" We both looked at each other a moment before giving a small laugh. "When should we do it?"


"Whenever you want to. Just come by and we'll go from there. No rush, let's make it as natural as possible. There is a feeling with art that's important. Doesn't matter if it's tomorrow or a few months from now, just knowing I have someone so awesome with me is enough to fuel my art for a long, long time."


I felt a little overwhelmed by her sincere words. "I'm… just posing? It's not that big of a deal?"


Shaking her head, she tried to explain a little to me. "There's a story behind it. Let's just say for now, it's just so very encouraging. Maybe I can make a good living off of this after all… " Wiping her eyes, she quickly turned into her normal happy self again. "Now go say hi to Marnie for me and get your horse!"


"Yes ma'am!" I saluted her playfully. Grabbing my new fishing rod by her door, I left with a smile.


~**~


I decided to take my new horse into town once my fruit trees had a few more offerings. It wasn't much, but it was enough to make a few good gold pieces. My horse came to me when I gave a loud, sharp whistle and stopped a little in front of me. "Good boy," I praised him. I saddled him quickly and loaded up the back with a custom made basket to hold the weight evenly over his body. "Not too bad is it?" He shook his head and made a noise as if he understood, so I took that as a positive sign. "Alright then, to town!"


The track to town was so much easier now, and I was so relieved not to have to walk it anymore. I chose to go the south passage and grinned when I saw Marnie outside talking with her cows. As I approached, I took out a over ripened peach and leaned over a bit to offer it to her. She gave me a bright smile and accepted it with a thank you and good afternoon. As I continued on I saw Willy wishing by Leah's house so I tossed him an orange. The man nodded his thanks and I continued along, seeing Leah out decorating her bushes with some more spring flowers and wooden birds carved from wood. As I passed, I gave her an apple, which she took gratefully. "What's your favorite color?" I asked curiously.


The question took her off guard and she chewed on her bite a moment before answering. "Light emerald green, why?"


"Just curious." I waved at her and got one back before popping the reigns lightly to make my horse pick up speed. As I went, I saw Sam and Sebastian hanging out together but they were far enough away that I couldn't offer them anything. I continued on into the village and stopped at Pierre's shop. Leading my horse around back, I tied him off. "Stay here for a bit." I asked him while unloading the baskets. Pouring them both into one, I carried it inside. "Delivery!" I called out happily.


"Kim, hello!" Pierre greeted me. "Are those the newest harvest?"


"Yeah, not a whole lot but enough to restock you a bit. I think I'll have to do one type at a time and let the others grow while those sell… It'll keep you supplied longer with fresh fruit and will allow my trees time to regrow."


"That would be fine, I can make a sale out of it to attract more customers." Pierre nodded. "Did you count already?"


"I did," I gave him a list and he looked it over.


"Could I get store credit on part of it?" I pondered. "So I don't have to carry all that money on me?"


"Oh absolutely!" He agreed instantly. "We always offer store credit to the local farmers. You actually get five percent more if you do that."


"Sign me up!" I cheered. We set it up and made myself an account. "Is Abigail home?"


"She is. She's grounded."


"Grounded?" I suddenly had a bad feeling. "May I ask why?"


"She went out and joined the adventurer's guild! After My wife and I specifically told her not to! Can you believe that!?"


I looked at his angry face and weighed my options. I could try to lie and stay on his good side or I could defend Abigail an possibly lose my best and almost only customer. Deciding to stand by my friend, I chose my words carefully. "Oh, I knew!"


"You did!?" He looked shocked.


"She saved my life in the mines. I was in there trying to get some iron to make myself some farming tools." He nodded for me to go on. "She was there, saved me from a king slime! I don't know what would have happened to me if she wasn't with me at the time!" I put a hand over my chest. "I wouldn't be here if not for her… I owe her everything for protecting me!" I think I might have laid it on a little thick, but Pierre was shaken enough to not protest.


"I… I see… She did, did she?"


I nodded and decided to push my luck a little more. "I may not have the right to say this, but… I don't feel safe not having her be in the guild… She's like my guardian… and without her I couldn't keep bringing you fresh produce like this so often."


"Oh… I see… Yes, I suppose you're right, but… My daughter-"


"Is very brave and strong." My words made him look down.


"She is… But she's a girl! She needs to-" He looked at me and I cocked my head to the side, indicating that I was a girl as well. "To find what makes her happy, I guess…"


"I think so," I took the slip of paper from him that had my new balance on it and smiled. "Thank you Pierre, and when you see Abigail, thank her again for me?"


"I will… I will, Kim."


Walking outside, I took out my cell phone and tapped on it, finding her name right near the top. Opening up the messaging, I sent her my first text. 'you owe me one' and added a little heart at the end. When I was finished undoing the ties on my horse's reigns I felt a buzz in my pocket. Checking it, I grinned. 'What do you mean?' with a frowny face. 'You'll see' and a smiley face.


I was already back home before I got another text back. Abigail sent me a picture of herself in front of the guild giving a peace sign. It was a rather nice image and I couldn't help but set it as my wallpaper. The Junimo near my house greeted me happily when I got back. They did a little dance like usual, which I now dubbed the 'back home from work' dance. "Hey little guys," I told them. "What sounds good for dinner?" I knew they didn't like my cooked food, but it just felt natural to talk to them now.


I looked at the calendar by my refrigerator before cooking and pondered on it a moment. I had written down many things on it, sort of like a little diary. Picking up the pen hanging near it, I wrote down today's message. "Saved Abigail's butt and made money." Above this date, last week, I saw another note: "Leah asked me to pose." I sighed out at it.


I was over the initial shyness of the request, but I was still self conscious about it. Leaning onto the counter top, I hummed. "What do you guys think?" I asked a teal Junimo who was next to me. He raised up one hand at me and made a supportive sound. "Go for it?" He nodded.


"I mean, it's not like it's… anything weird, right?" I stood up and walked around, my friends following. "But she did call it a date earlier… so does that mean she wants to start dating?" I turned and paced the other direction. "If so, then getting undressed in front of her…" I tried to fight off the blush. "And then there's Abigail, who is also super cute and strong… would she get upset if I did this?" I turned again. "Does Abigail even like girls? Am I over thinking this?"


I turned and paced the other way yet again, now having a conga line of Junimo following me. "I'm over thinking this… Leah just wants to paint someone, and I happened to be there and support her. So it's totally ok. It's just fine." I nodded to myself several times. "It's fine… I just… oh my, what am I going to wear!? I can't go over there in these!" I looked down and undid my overalls to see white panties with cow faces over them with the word "Moo!" written randomly. "I'll have to buy something…" I blushed harder. "I don't know how to buy lingerie! Who wears lingerie!?" I face palmed and sat down in front of my laptop. "Calm down, Kim, calm down… you're just over reacting because you've been single for several years…It's fine… just… take a peek."


Turning on my Laptop, I opened up a browser and typed in a popular lingerie address. Images came up on my screen and instantly I pictured myself in them laying on a bed in front of Leah. Quickly, I closed the laptop and leaned back in the chair, literally feeling the heat on my face. "I'm doomed…"

 

I stood in front of the green vegetation before me and looked at it with both anxiety and hopefulness. My money from the fruit trees was all but gone, and the last few days I had survived off fish and the random foraging . A few meals were redeemed with free coupons from Gus, and now I was sure it was time to make my first harvest. A farmer's market was being held in town tomorrow and I desperately wanted to sell something there. Reaching down, I gripped the leaves and steadied my grip before pulling up sharply.


Stardust VIII

By: Satashi


A loud cheer came as I saw a multitude of potatoes erupt from the ground. They were huge compared to the ones I had back home, and had a hefty weight about them that I knew meant Good Eats. Grabbing my wheel barrel, I started to harvest greedily. My plots had treated me well, and I was delighted to finally see the rewards of my hard work. Moving them to the area near my house, I placed them in a wire mesh basket and sprayed them with a water hose. The simple rig was Maru's idea, and I was more than happy to let her set it up for me. It rotated slowly, allowing me to rinse the dirt off them completely before transferring to a rack to dry.


The next few hours was a repeat of this. Uprooting or cutting plants, rinsing them off, letting them dry, and moving to baskets. Although I was sure I wouldn't need to do my entire farm all for this day, I still made sure the truck that Robin was letting me borrow was full. Everything else could be sold to the locals later as they needed it. For now, though, I was pleasantly pleased at the haul. As I made my way back inside, I called out to my Junimo friends and told them to take whatever they wanted and pointed to a separate basket I had just for them.


I really wanted a shower and I started undoing my overalls when a package caught my eye. I picked it up off my dresser and looked in it yet again. I felt the familiar warmth on my cheeks grow and I bit my lip. 'Maybe soon, Leah.' My thoughts snapped out of it when I heard a knock at my door. "Coming!" I called out, trotting back to the living room.


Abigail was there waiting for me. I let her in and watched her look around a little bit. "I've never actually been in here," she mused. "It's rather nice!"


"Thanks!" I would take that. Granted, the place still wasn't really up to standard conditions just yet. I was working hard on it, trying to do at least one little thing a day to try and make it more… modern I guess was the right word for it. "It's a real pain working on it so much. I guess you saw it from the outside enough?"


"Oh it was a wreck," she agreed. "Anyway, I came for more than just telling you to clean up." Reaching into her purse, she pulled out a folded piece of paper. "Here, this is a layout of everyone who will have stalls open and where they will be. You're right in front of our shop. There will be a stand for you and you can have your barrels and stuff on the ground as well.


"Oh, that's good." I looked it over. "Thank you, this really helps." Glancing over, I noticed Abigail sniffing. "What is it?" She hummed and leaned closer to me, her nose almost touching my neck. I heard her sniff a few times. "Abigail?"


"You smell really good." She realized. "Like grass and garlic and dirt and sweat."


"That's… a good thing?" I pondered aloud.


"Yeah, it's really sexy when someone works and smells like that." She waved her hands. "Not that I'm saying you're sexy or anything, but you know, you certainly smell sexy and that's a turn on. I mean, not a turn on like… Oh god, I screwed that up." She put her face onto her palm. "I'll just die now, thank you."


I grinned at her. "Thank you. I'll take that as a compliment. Sadly for you, though, I was about to take a shower."


"Aww," She pouted at me and I started to feel like it was a testing flirt. "Okay then, I'll just go."


"You can stay if you want, I won't be long." I offered.


The purple haired girl blushed lightly. "No, I think I better go." She moved to head toward the door, but stopped next to me. I was going to ask, but she leaned close again, her nose just behind my ear. I heard her take along intake of air before pulling away. "Yum." She mused before walking out the door, her hips actually swaying a little as she did so.


I looked to the side where a yellow Junimo was looking at me. "That was definitely flirting." It nodded and held up one arm. "Now what do I do!?"


~**~


The town was bustling with activity when I arrived. People were everywhere, ranging from what looked like local market representatives to just the average person. I had come extra early just in case, and I was glad I had. Carefully I put the truck in a parking space for Pierre's store labeled customer's only. Fortunately I had special permission from him, and was able to set up my wares fairly easily. No sooner than I had my sign up than a few people come to sample my strawberries. They instantly bought some and must have spread the word because soon after, a multitude of people began to swarm me.


The morning went so well I had debating driving back home to get some more, but knew it would be pointless. I couldn't harvest and clean enough while still making it back in time to make it worth closing down my shop for. Instead, I called out for people to come try some of my free samples. After a quarter of my goods were gone, I finally saw Leah in the crowd. It was officially time to open and she jogged over to me, holding something with both hands. "Good morning!" She greet cheerfully. "Uhm, I made you something." She shyly held up a wooden sign and turned it so I could see. My farm's name was carved into it with fancy olden letters. Within the large letters were all sorts of berries and plants, with singing birds and rabbits scattered around as well. There was even a Junimo on it as well! I wasn't sure if she could see them, but I had found out that they were rumored to be around here and had pictures of them in books.


"It looks… Wow…" I couldn't really believe the detail she had put into it. "It's phenomenal!" I had a white poster board in front of my shop that had 'Fresh Produce!' written on it with a marker. "How long did this take!?"


"I don't time my projects," she answered simply. "I measure them in feelings. This one was really high on the list!"


"…Thank you!" I put it up in front of my stand and made extra sure it couldn't fall over. "You're so talented… you should have brought some of your things to sell."


"Well… I did." She revealed a bag that held a small amount of carved figurines. "But I'm a little too shy to try and sell them… I tried! I really did! I just couldn't find my voice to call anyone over…"


"That's going to change." I took the bag from her and started setting them on a cleared out section on my stand. "You are officially selling here now!"


"But, I don't know if I could…"


Leah's voice was cut off by a young boy's. "Look Mama! A kitty!" He ran up and picked up one of the cat statues Leah had done. "Meow!"


An older woman came up and placed her hand on the boy's head. "How much for the cat statue?"


My friend went stiff as a board, eyes wide. "H-hi! Th-that's… That one…On bottom.. price tag!"


I placed both hands on her shoulders and could feel her shaking. "The price is on the bottom ma'am, they're each individually marked. If you buy one, you get a free small container of blueberries."


"Well then!" The woman looked pleased at that. "It is a little pricey, but the craftsmanship is amazing… I have a friend that would love one of these. Could you do a discount on two?" The red headed girl beside me nodded dumbly. When the lady picked up an owl statue, I gave Leah's shoulders a squeeze, making her snap into reality.


"That one," she began. "I am rather proud of the feathers on it. I used an old folklore owl as inspiration. It's supposed to bring good dreams."


"That's wonderful!" She nodded in appreciation of it. "And yes, the feathers almost look real. This is done by hand?" She got a fevered nod. "I'll take both."


Pride and accomplishment couldn't even describe the emotions I saw on the girl's face. She broke out into the largest smile I had ever seen and quickly calculated up a discount and accepted the money. She held the gold in her hands and shook with excitement this time. Before I could even say anything she called out to everyone around. "Hand carved statues and figurines here! Each one lovingly made with wood from Stardew!"


"Free blueberries with every purchase!" I added in, calling out loudly. "Fresh produce picked just yesterday!"


Our shameless calls attracted more people to the stand, and before long I could barely keep up with Leah, who was not only selling but giving out her phone number and Etsy name for people to find her later. My blueberries were starting to go fast, but luckily for me at least, she had only brought a dozen or so. It only took a few hours, but we both sold out. The stand was empty and just in time too, as people were starting to pack up. I thought it would last all day, but seems like Farmer's Markets were just a morning thing.


"That went so much better than I thought." Leah looked into her purse to see all the coins and bills. "I've made more today than… last month as a whole… maybe more!"


"And I made enough to reseed and work new sections on my farm… Not to mention eat. I've lost three pounds the past little bit."


"Don't you dare go without eating something!" Leah scolded me. "We met over food, the least I can do is share some!"


"We met with you sharing some," I agreed. "And I kept your basket for almost a week before returning it."


"I had another," she grinned while pulling her braid over her should to stroke it. It was a habit I noticed she had whenever she was is a good mood. I was going to make a comment on it but Sam was jogging over to us and was trying to get my attention. "Hey Sam, you missed all the good stuff!" I opened a water bottle and took a long drink from it to quench my throat from all the yelling earlier.


"I can always get some from Pierre's place! Say, Kim, are you a lesbian?"


I immediately spit the water out, mostly over his face. "Wha-what!?"


"Sam, that's a really rude thing to just ask," Leah protested as the man made an effort to clean himself off. "That's like if I came up to you and asked if you liked guys out of the blue."


"That's fine," Sam insisted. "So yay or nay?"


"No, I'm not a lesbian." I insisted. "I'm pansexual."


The look of confusion on his face spoke well before his mouth could. "Does that mean you like… have sex with pans and stuff?"


"Oh for the love of…" Leah looked exasperated.


"It's okay, I'm used to it." I tried to think of the best way to describe it. "I like males, females, and anything in between. If you're about to ask something specific, the answer is yes, I do."


Sam nodded and smiled. "Awesome, thanks, that's just what I needed to know." Turning around, he cupped his hands over his mouth and yelled out over to where I saw Sebastian and Abigail standing. "Hey Abigail! She does like chicks!" I saw the girl freeze and then attempt to hide behind Sebastian, who was calmly shaking his head while smoking. "I wonder why she was too embarrassed to ask herself."


"Whelp…" I sighed. "Looks like someone just got pulled out of the closet in a most violent tug."


"Sam, you're an idiot." Leah groaned out. "A clueless, but loveable, idiot."


I saw Pierre and Caroline walking over to the two and began going over as well, followed by my friends. When I arrived, I could already tell what was going on just by their expressions. "Abby, what's going on? Why did you want to know if someone liked girls? The whole town could hear it."


I was fortunate enough to not be singled out, but Pierre was a little less tactful. "Abigail, you don't… like other girls do you?" He asked, uncertain.


Sam's face lit up in realization at that moment. "Uh oh…"


"I… I mean, no… maybe… I-I don't know!"


"It's a simple question, Abigail." Caroline encouraged. "Just say no?"


"I… I might!" She looked panicked now.


Before I could even do anything, Leah was in front of me. She walked over to Abigail and stood next to her. "Abigail, look at me." She asked softly, getting the attention desired. "It's okay if you do or don't, but if you do, and you feel like you would like to be honest with yourself, then we're all here to listen to you. If you don't, then just say so and we'll leave it at that, okay?"


The soft encouraging tone from someone who was already open about her feelings made Abigail ease up noticeably. She looked at her friends first, then to her parents, and then over to me. Nodding, I gave my encouragement with a smile. Finally she took a long deep breath. "I... I'm bi."


Sebastian put his hand on her shoulder and grinned at her. Sam simply shrugged and gave a thumbs up, while Leah gave a little hop and clap. Pierre's voice came next, sounding more dejected than anything else. "First the strange clothes, then the purple hair, now this… Where did we go wrong?"


"Whoa, hey!" I protested at once, walking forward before anyone else could do anything. "You didn't go wrong anywhere! This is Abigail, this is your daughter, this is the same girl you raised from a baby. Her feelings and actions may not be what you had envisioned or even hoped for, but this is still your little girl here!"


Caroline looked over at us. "Yes, but we just wanted what was best for her, not this… alternative lifestyle she keeps choosing.


"Mom! It's not an alternative lifestyle, it's who I am!" Her voice cracked and I could tell she was on the edge of breaking down. "This is me! I'm an adventurer! I have purple hair! I like the color black! I like…" Her breathing broke and she choked a moment, crying now. "I'm bi, mom. This is what is the best for me! This is what I want! You two have always… suffocated me with what you think is the best that you've never looked at things… things from my point of view! You just… just…" She was shaking now and I went to hug her but Leah grabbed my hand and held me back before I could move."You just tolerated it! You never saw that I was happy like this!"


Pierre looked down, not saying anything for a moment. It was deathly quiet in our little area, broken only by the sounds of Abigail panting and a soft sob between every few breaths. The girl wiped her eyes with both hands, her mascara smearing across her nose from the motions. "Is this really what makes you happy, Abigail?" He asked his daughter finally.


"Yes, Dad!" Her voice was high pitched.


"Then… Then I guess I have to accept that." He took a long breath. "Maybe I have been pushing my ideas on you a little too hard…"


Caroline simply nodded at that. "I can't say I understand, but… Maybe you can explain it to us and help us see it the way you do… To see what makes you happy, Abby."


My friend nodded and walked forward, getting hugs from both of them. "Thank you!" She breathed out, eyes tightly closed. I looked over at everyone to see their reactions as well. Sebastian looked awkward to say the least, but I expected that from him. He was too shy to really express much. Sam was almost in tears as well, nodding like a proud parent at a child learning to walk. Leah was simply smiling at the outcome, pleased with how everything went.


Noticing my look, she leaned closer to whisper in my ear. "When I came out, I really needed to have a little break down, or I might not have gone through with it." she explained softly to me. "I've felt Abigail needed this as well for a while now." I bit my lip and nodded, understanding.


When the family separated, Abigail took a deep breath and fanned herself. She turned to look at me and then took a few steps to stand in front of me. "Can I have a hug?" She asked meekly. I quickly gave it to her, squeezing the girl tight.


"Good job," I whispered to her.


"Killing a king slime was easier," she admitted back to me. When I moved to let her go, she gripped me a little tighter, extending the hug. I heard her sniff, but due to her crying spell it was more of a suppressed snort. "I can't smell you," she complained sadly.


"You can sniff my hair later," I promised her. "I'll even rub garlic in it for you." The tease seemed to lighten her mood a little.


"I'll hold you to that." She slowly let me go and looked me in the eyes. "Thank you."


"You're welcome." She took a few steps back.


"Well! That's a thing." She addressed everyone, breaking the tension. "I need some makeup remover! I probably look like a raccoon." There was a collective laugh at that.


"So!" Sam clapped his hands. "How about a coming out party? We can get pizza!"


Sebastian rolled his eyes. "You always want pizza."


"I could go for food," I admitted.


"Pizza it is," Abigail agreed. "To the saloon!" She looked over at her parents. "I'll be back sometime… you both go make use of the extra customers." They nodded and gave one more hug before heading off on their own. "Leah, please tell me you have something in that bag of yours."


"I do. Let's get you cleaned up and ready for a celebration." Leah took her hand and pulled her ahead to the Saloon in front of us.


"Well," Sebastian exhaled his cigarette smoke. "I kind of was taken by surprise."


"Me too, wow!" Sam agreed. "Do you think Abigail and Leah are…?"


"No," I snorted. "Absolutely not."


"Maybe Haley?" He asked again as we started going to the Saloon as well.


Sebastian flicked his cigarette into a trash can. "Sam, you're so blind sometimes."


"I mean who else? Well there's Kim, but she's more like one of the guys."


"What's that supposed to mean?" I exclaimed.


"Well… you know…" Sam shrugged. "You're tough and awesome, and you can skateboard, and just generally not lady like at all." I groaned, going on ahead and leaving them behind. "Hey, what's gotten into her? Those are all really attractive things!"


Once inside, I gave Gus a little wave and pointed back over towards the arcade room. He nodded at me and I walked over to our usual hang out spot. Since I was the first, I went over to the Prairie King arcade and tossed in a gold piece. The game started up and I took control of the little cowboy to lead him once again to his certain death over the course of a few minutes. I was just out of level two and upgrading my gun when I heard the now familiar cracking of a cue ball against the billiards. Sebastian was more than a little skilled at the game, often pulling off trick shots that I had previously only seen on YouTube videos.


My character died and I tried to re-focus on the game at hand. As I did so, Gus came over to us all and started taking orders. When he got to me, I told him I was really craving a hamburger with fries. I also informed him I was going to buy whatever Abigail wanted, but was beaten out by Leah, who was already paying for it. "That's fine, by all means take her money over mine!" He got a good laugh and I called out for extra fries when he made his way back to start on our meals. This, of course, distracted me enough to bite the dust again. It was really not my gaming day.


My last death came soon and I sighed. I entered my initials and succeeded in my current week long activity of knocking all of Abigail's high scores off the machine. Not that this was a hard feat, mind you. She had presently never managed to beat the first boss of the game. If not for Gus resetting the scores every week during his normal cleaning of the machines, the poor thing might never get to enter her name in at all. As I left the arcade cabinet, I sat next to Abigail and Leah on the little love seat, making them scrunch up together to allow me room. "I cleared your scores off the machine again," I greeted Abigail, who now no longer looked like a woodland animal.


"Kim you're so mean." She protested, giving a cute pout. "You know how hard I worked to get those names up there?"


Sebastian answered for me while waiting for Sam to make up his mind on his current shot. "Almost as much work as she put in to top them?" His voice was light and teasing. Before she could answer, the male instinctively grabbed a striped ball as it flew off the table and towards us. "That's a foul, Sam." He rolled it back onto the table without looking.


"Drinks!" Emily called out to us as she entered the arcade area. We all got our beverages in turn and I held up mine.


"A toast," I declared. "To Abigail being awesome."


"Cheers!" The group rang out, all lifting their glasses and making a show of clinking them all together.


"You guys are the best." Abigail replied. "Except for Kim, who beat my scores. Again."


"You know you like me." I nudged her. "Maybe one day you'll beat the boss."


Sam tried to sink another ball, but failed. "When I beat Sebastian at pool maybe…"


"Oh that does it!" Abigail stood up and marched over to the arcade, putting her drink on the little table next to it. Leah reached over and poked me and then nodded over to the arcade. Taking the hint, I hopped up as well. By the time I made it, Abigail had already put in a coin. I slid one in as well and hit the player two button, making it a combo game. "You playing too?" She asked the obvious.


"We've never played together before." I mused, watching the screen.


"Here we go!" Abigail focused on her game, moving around a little carelessly. I made it a point to protect her more than myself, which lead me to almost dying several times over. I kept on, to the point where Abigail took notice. "Are you protecting me?" She asked softly.


"You're the one who protects me in real life," I answered back so only she could hear. "In this game, I can protect you instead." I shot a few more monsters trying to get her and dodged out of the way of a spike, using it to block off a horde that had been building up. "Twin daggers, though? No more sword? I never got to ask."


"They said I was too clumsy for a sword," Abigail almost died while talking. "So they suggested something that can be more…quick to recover."


"It fits you." I complimented her. This caused her to lose focus and die, however. "Hey, keep your eyes peeled there, partner." I picked up a star and started clearing the screen.


We made it to the first boss and hid behind the wooden fences as the now two cowboys filled the screen with bullets. I waited for an opening and Abigail followed suit. After a few rounds of not moving, I finally shifted to the side and shot diagonal at one of them, landing several bullets. "This feels like cheating," She mused.


"They give you cover for a reason," I countered. "You have to really think to survive boss runs." I repeated the same move twice more before my side was taken out. "Don't get reckless now," I warned as she died trying to sneak in a few more bullets. "Just wait and watch." She did as I requested and the boss exploded on the screen. Some forest animals came down to escort us off to the next level and she pumped her fist up in the air.


"Yeah! Take that, Game!" I giggled at her outburst and kept playing. She quickly grabbed the controls again and breathed out in excitement. "New enemies! They take two hits to kill!?"


"Should have upgraded your gun." I moved around her, shooting things quickly. The extra enemies from a second player started adding up and I could tell the end was near. We were getting cornered and just before we were going to be over ran, I saw a clear screen bomb. I just managed to grab it and free us before our last lives were claimed.


"You can really work a joystick," she teased me.


"I've been told that a time or two." I replied airily, getting a quick look to which I grinned at.


"If you ever want to work a joystick on me, just say the word." She whispered a little huskily so only I could hear. The flirt made me falter and die. "My chance!" She cried out, spamming her attack button and killing several more monsters before she died as well. The scores came up where we could enter our initials in, hers slightly higher than mine. "I'm above you!!"


"You… you cheated!" I denied her. "You can't do that!"


"Do what?" A new voice came up. Sam was looked at us while Sebastian took his turn.


"Do… Do nothing…" I finished lamely. Glancing over at Abigail, she wagged her eyebrows at me and pointed back at the screen. Giving up, I walked back over to the love seat and flopped down onto it. Leah looked over at me with a curious face. "I let her win," I attempted, getting a small shaking of a head. "Okay, fine… I lost… but it was a team game, so technically-" She shook her head again and I gave up. "Fine, fine… she beat my score…"


Fortunately for me, our food came then. We gathered at a table and all recollected our drinks for refills. "Another toast?" Sam asked curiously. "It seems to be the day for it."


"To honesty," Abigail raised her glass and looked at me.


"To friendship," I added in and looked at Sam.


"To fun."


"To acceptance," Sebastian added.


"To friendly rivalries and not letting them get in the way of true friendship." Leah finished while looking at Abigail. The two tapped their glasses first, as if it were just for them at that moment. The rest of us joined in and drank together. I couldn't help but look over at the two friends who were laughing about something before both of them looked my way at the same time. I awkwardly held up a hand in a curious wave, which only made them laugh harder.


It was by no means late when we left the Saloon, but we were all tired from the good times and I was especially wrecked from selling this morning as well. We all waved our goodbyes and I began walking with Abigail back to the store to pick up Robin's truck to return. She walked a little closer to me than normal, so our shoulders were bumping into each other's. I could really tell she was being extra playful with me today, and I really didn't mind it. The back of my mind, though, kept thinking it was unfair to Leah the same way I thought posing for her was unfair to Abigail. I knew I really had a problem, and it was starting to really get to me. I was having a hard time truly having fun with either of them without feeling like I was some sort of… something... that was bad.


"You're quiet," she finally told me when we got close to her house. "What's wrong?"


"Nothing," I lied softly.


"No, really, what is it?" She stopped and grabbed my hand. "Was it… what I said earlier? Did I make you uncomfortable?"


"What? No, no! That's not it." I took a breath and tried to think of a way out of this. I looked at her and her eyes were truly concerned for me. I felt even worse and let my shoulders sag down a little. "I don't want to talk about it here."


"Come up to my room with me?"


"I… No, that's not fair to your parents. I'm sure you will have to do a lot of explaining to them. Don't worry, we all go through it."


"Then…" We stopped in front of Robin's truck. "Let me ride with you. You're taking this back right?"


"I am." With that, Abigail walked around and got in the passenger seat, not giving me a chance to deny her. I felt a little happy, though, and got in as well. I drove a little slower than normal, trying to weigh my words. "You see…" I tried before struggling to find the words. "If I say ' I have a friend that' you would know it was me, right?"


"Of course."


"I… really feel conflicted. I have strong feelings for…" I tried to really find the words.


"For Leah and me." Abigail finished for me. "We know."


I stayed silent for a moment before sighing. "Cat's out of the bag then. Yes, I do."


"It's okay, we are both ok with it, and with waiting." She reached over and took my free hand. "We talked about it in the bathroom today while she was fixing my makeup. We both like you… a lot actually. But we both agreed that no matter what happens, we'll still be friends and support each other after… if you pick one of us, of course…"


"I really appreciate that, more than I can really say… but also… I feel like… like I can't really have fun with one of you without feeling like I'm being rude to the other… It's gotten to the point where I second guess just being alone with one of you… What would Leah think if she saw us now… What would you think if I went to her house… It's really tearing me apart…"


"You're a really nice person." She gave my hand a squeeze. "But at the same time, you thinking like that isn't really fair to us either. I want to know that, if you really do like me, that you would be yourself with me. I don't want to win over a person that isn't fully there. I want the whole package. I mean, hell, I just told my parents I was bi just so I could try to be with you… Can't you do the same for us?"


"You really mean that?"


"Mmhmm, and I promise Leah does too. She would be mad if she found out you were holding back for my sake. You would get that pouty face and mean look. I've seen it before." I grinned at that, also knowing it. "So for real, it's ok. We're in an awkward spot, and just have to play it out. You're not a cheater, you're not a bad person, and you're definitely not going to hurt us by being yourself."


"You're going to make me cry," I told her, taking my hand back to wipe my eyes. "I'm driving, don't do that!" She laughed at me softly. When we got to Robin's house, I took a moment to compose myself before getting out. "Okay… Okay, I'm good."


"Really?"


"Yeah… Yeah, I'm good. That took so much off me. I have been having trouble sleeping and making decisions and… I'm good."


"Okay then…" She scooted close to me and leaned forward, giving me a hug and sniffing my hair again. "You smell good."


"Still?" I teased.


"I never know how you'll smell. Sometimes like strawberries, sometimes like garlic, sometimes like dirt and grass… It's always a thrill."


"And now?" I pondered.


"You smell…" she took a long intake that gave me goose bumps. "Like victory." She gave my cheek a kiss and leaned back. "Because I'm going to win your heart." She gave me a peace sign and giggled. I blushed hard and was saved from having to answer when Robin came out to greet us. "I'm going to the guild before going home." She told me while waving to the carpenter. I nodded at her and gave her a wave as well before going to return the truck keys and loading my horse up with the empty baskets. Once done, I saddled up and began the trek home.

 

I really felt in a good mood when I awoke this morning. I slept really well and had decided to give myself the day off in celebration of my first real harvest. I wasn't in an particular mood to do anything specific, but lounging around all day in my underwear wasn't really on the top of my priority list. That thought made me pause and look over at my bedroom dresser. The package was still there, waiting for me. As I approached it, I felt a little more at ease this time. ' Maybe today?' I asked myself, feeling a little excited rather than nervous. 'I've made her wait about a month now…' I pulled the lingerie from the torn open plastic bag and let it fall onto the dresser top. Looking at it for a moment, a single thought went through my mind: 'How do I even put this on!?'


Stardust IX

By: Satashi


Once I was fully dressed for the day, I went outside and saddled up my horse to make the trip to Leah's house. Granted, it wasn't too terribly far of a walk, but it was getting warm and I had put on some makeup and did my hair already. I didn't want it to be ruined by the time I arrived. That, and I was quickly discovering that lingerie was meant to be taken off, not to wear, as the lace was rubbing me in all the wrong spots. Grabbing the saddle horn, I jumped up and slung my leg over the horse, only to stand up and wince. "Ah! Wedgie… wedgie!!!"


Leah's house came into view not too long after I started galloping down the path, and I just realized that I didn't know if she would be home or not today. Fortunately for me, I saw her in the window as I dismounted and tied my horse off to a tree nearby. Getting to the door, I felt the nervousness come back full force. I tried to swallow it down and steadied myself before knocking. "Come in!" Leah's voice sang out. Upon entering her eyes lit up. "Kim! Hi! Welcome, what brings you by?"


"Oh, nothing really," I managed out, putting my hands in my pockets. "Just, you know, relaxing after such a nice day yesterday."


"It was wonderful wasn’t it?" She agreed readily. "I had one person even message me on Etsy last night! The wanted to buy something and wanted to see if I could get it to the mailbox in time for it to arrive before a birthday. I felt so proud!"


"That's wonderful!" I beamed at her. "Look at you, already selling stuff! You just needed a little push is all."


"I did!" Leah nodded. "Today I'm going to paint all day long. I just have this burning desire inside! My art juices are really flowing!"


"That's good!" I rocked on my heels. "So, uhm, since you're going to be painting today, I thought I'd ask you something?"


"Hm? A request?" She looked delighted at the idea.


"Y-yeah… kind of…" I coughed lightly. "Uhm…I thought, maybe… I could… you know… maybe… uhm… undress and… lay on your bed?"


It took her a few full seconds to catch my meaning. "Oh! Oh yes! I'd love to!" She began scrambling to put her art supplies in order. "Oh, my bed is a mess! Ah, I should have cleaned!" The braided girl almost tripped over her own discarded boots. "I'm so sorry, I had this planned out all nice and organized and perfect and just look at me!"


"It's fine!" It was actually making me feel a little easier about this.


"Okay…" She tried her best to arrange the comforter on her bed correctly. "It's really warm today, a long sleeved shirt isn't the best idea, you know."


"I know, I needed it"


"Whatever for?" She motioned me to come over to her so I did.


"Just… because…" I looked down shyly.


"Okay… uhm…" She threw her arms out happily. "Here we are!"


A giggle. "Here we are." There was a small silence between us.


"Should I… turn around?"


"I don't think that would really help, seeing as how you're going to be painting me." We both chuckled at that. "I'm just shy…"


Leah looked at me for a good moment before smiling softly. "Do you want help?"


"…Yeah." She stepped forward and ran her fingers along the collar to my shirt, tracing the hems until they reached the first button.


"Are you sure you're okay with me seeing you?" She asked me gently. "You can still say no." I shook my head and met her eyes. Her fingers undid the button and slid down a little to do the second, and then the third. "Oh!" She realized, the corners of her lips turning up. "Emerald green." Her tone held a certain fondness to it. "It looks wonderful." I nodded my thanks, as I was too nervous to speak properly. As she continued, I watched her face turn from happy to a little confused, to embarrassed. "Is… Is that a garter belt?" She breathed out when my hips were revealed. "And straps… Did you… did you buy this just for me?"


"D-Don't make me answer that!" I pleaded, face burning. She didn't reply, but instead focused on slowly undoing the last button. My shirt slowly fell backwards a little and I finally removed my hands from my pockets. The clothing hit the floor and revealed the sheer, lace covered gloves decorating my arms up to my biceps. They opened at my wrist, save for a little piece that went down my hand and looped around my middle finger to keep them in place. Shyly, I looked away.


"Challenge accepted," Leah breathed out. Her hand reached out to touch me, but stopped just short of making contact. "May I?" She whispered softly. I gave a short nod and felt my breath catch when her palm touched my stomach. Her hands were a little rough, probably from all of her carving and working, but were very gentle on me. She traced the lines of my ribs with both hands, gliding over my sides and to my hips. I felt her slip one finger under my garter and slide it along my sides to straighten a segment that had folded under itself. "You look…" She exhaled happily in a small, content laugh. "…Amazing. Just amazing."


"Thank you…" I whispered back to her. She stepped a little closer and I could almost feel my heart pounding in my chest. Her eyes were everywhere, drinking me in without restraint. Her fingers moved along my collar bone, my neck, and my shoulders, trailing down my sides and back to my hips. I had never felt more insecure about myself than at that moment, but at the same time felt a little proud that I could make someone look that intensely at me as well.


Finally her hands went to the front of my jeans. They paused there and she looked at me once again, silently asking permission one more time. I breathed out a silent yes, and she caught it. Her slender fingers popped the button clasp and her hands went together, slowly unzipping them down as my heart threatened to beat right out of my throat. We locked eyes again and I felt lost in them, dizzy with emotion and shyness. Her left hand touched my cheek as her right moved over my hip to help my jeans go down- and then her phone rang.


We both jumped away from each other and the world came into focus again for me. Panting, I held a hand to my chest and wondered if I had stopped breathing during all of that. "V-voice mail will get it!" Leah insisted, face completely red.


"Right," I agreed, fanning myself with one hand. "W-wow!"


"Y-yeah…" Leah finally gave a little laugh, which I joined in on. "Phew… sorry, I got… a little carried away there."


"N-no, it's fine…" We looked at each other and I took the first step forward back to her. She came back as well just as her cell stopped ringing and her voicemail message played. A few seconds later a male's voice came up, greeting Leah with a rather lewd pet name and asking her to pick up the phone. All at once the mood was shattered. Her eyes narrowed and she gave a low curse under her breath.


"Now, of all times…" The voice on the phone told her to pick up again before saying something about coming in person if she didn't answer. Growling, Leah moved to her phone and tapped on it. "Kel, I told you to stop calling me." She greeted the person hotly. I suddenly felt very exposed without her nearby so I decided to sit on her bed and wrap her blankets around myself. "I don't care if that was rude," Leah continued. "After the way you left last time, you're lucky I didn't flat out block your number." She listened for a little bit. "No, it wasn't magical. I still don't care about coming back to the city!"


Leah paced, trying not to look at me. "Kel, I-" a small silence. "Congratulations on the promotion. Now you can get that place you always wanted….No… No, Kel, I don't want to… My art isn't something that needs to be 'taken care of' by someone else!" She almost yelled the last part. "You never showed any interest in my art before; you always complained about how it would never pay the bills and only took money!" She finally looked at me and gave an apologetic look, which I waved off in understanding. "Kel!" She snapped instantly. "I don't need your money! I'm just fine here…! No…" She turned away from me. "I was lonely, Kel…You brought me wine!" She stayed there, looking at the wall for a moment more. "No! And you're not coming here! That was a mistake…Kel… No, I have a guest over. A very important guest…No! Don't call me later, don't come over, don't look at my Etsy post, and don't email me!" She moved her phone from her ear and tapped it with her thumb before tossing it lightly onto the table.


"Stalker?" I ventured a guess.


"Worse, ex boyfriend." She came over to me and sat down on the bed as well. "I guess you deserve an explanation after all of that…"


"You don't have to."


"I know, but I would feel bad just pretending it never happened after yelling like that…" She took a deep breath. "Where to even begin…"


"At the beginning?" I offered lamely.


Leaning forward a little, she brought her legs up to cross on the bed."That was Kel, my ex boyfriend like I said… we used to have an apartment together a while back. We hardly had the money to get by, and my art supplies were a steady drain on our already limited budget. He was… really vocal about me going to school and learning to do something…real."


"What a jerk. No offence."


"None taken." She tossed her braid over her shoulder when it fell down. "He was…very manipulative. I didn't see it too much at the time, but he always twisted things… Made me feel like it was my fault we were having troubles. He never showed any support to me…" Looking up at the ceiling, she pressed on. "I really loved him back then, and I kept thinking that if maybe I got good enough to make him see that we could make it on my artwork then everything would be better. It just got worse from there, though."


I spoke up when she hesitated. "That bad?"


"It really started to feel like I was a possession after a while. I asked him several times to pose for me, to offer advice from an outside point of view on what I was working on...to… heck, even to just go to the store to get me some paint when I was really feeling the fire of inspiration. He never did any of it… But when he needed something…" She made a face. "He never hesitated to come onto me, even when I was working… made me wear things for him even when he wouldn't even let me paint a single portrait of him even in his casual clothes…" Her face darkened. "He showed me off to his friends! His friends! The people who came over to hang out with us! The people I knew and cooked for!"


"Showed off…?" I hesitated to imply anything, but her furious look told the tale. "… Oh… Wow."


She sighed. "And after a while I just had enough of it. I realized it was going to come down to either my art or him. I chose my art and we parted on really bad terms. Like really, really bad terms."


"But he still calls?"


"Well… It took several months after I left, but he eventually made an effort to contact me. He said he would bring by my art supplies he kept and wanted to see my new place… So I agreed, naturally. He had a lot of important things still… So he came by and…we had some wine… I made mistakes, and he just up and left afterwards, saying something about a work call. Fast forward a few months later, he stops by… I was having a bad day and someone insulted my art online… More wine, more mistakes, and up and leaves. Ever since then, I've made it painfully clear he wasn't welcome to ever set foot in my house again. I don't care what he finds at his home, what he has to say, I don't want any of it. I swear I'll knock his lights out if I ever see his face again…"


"Wow…"


"Yeah… so that's my story." She looked over at me from the side of her eyes. "Leah, the wimpy push over grew a backbone and stood up for herself. I just wish I had done it sooner… and didn't let him think he could still come over and have his way with me whenever he thought it would be fun."


"He got you drunk though? Isn't that like… a class A felony?"


Leah propped her chin up on her palm. "I should have said no to it. Wine and I have… issues."


"Issues?"


"Makes my clothes come off," she revealed, not really ashamed about it. "Just like 'Whoops I had two glasses, I'm feeling hot, might as well strip!' you know?"


I smiled, trying to lighten the mood as well. "You got me to strip without any wine."


"Too bad this had to happen…" Leah apologized. "I'm so sorry."


"Don't apologize. I got to learn something about you. Something important about your past."


"Even if it's about me being stupid?" She pondered.


I shook my head. "I'm hardly the innocent virgin myself. I'm not really proud of all my romps either. But I'm here now, in this town, living this life, and that's what matters. Not some ignorant jerk that thinks with his… other head… or someone who doesn't understand what it really means to be artistic. I mean, here we are, right?"


"Here we are…" Leah confirmed.


"I've never worn anything like this before…" I let the covers fall down. "And you've never painted anyone like this… So let's just go from here."


"You still want to…?"


I almost laughed. "I'm not even sure I can get out of this, let alone put it back on again. This might be your only chance!"


Leah stood up at that. "You're right. This is us now. I have my goals, and I have someone who is really there for me." She looked at me and nodded, starting to go back to her usual self. "Right! This is it!" She walked over in front of me and threw the covers off. "Strip girl!"


"At least buy me some wine first!" I shrieked out as she grabbed the bottom of my jeans and started tugging them off. "Ah be careful, I have on stockings too!"


Leah beamed at the new site. "You really went all out!"


"W-well, it's important to you…" I looked up at her, smiling. "I feel lots better about this now. How should I lay?"


"Well…" Leah spent the next several minutes painstakingly posing me like a life sized Barbie doll. My hair was moved around, my posture was changed and re-changed, and I felt like I was doing a work out rather than just laying. Finally she seemed satisfied and moved behind her easel. Several brushes were lined up next to her and she began making the first strokes. At first I tried to talk with her while she worked, but even though she answered eagerly enough at first, her replies slowly became less and less detailed. Her eyes were almost glazed over, her hands moving almost what appeared to be on their own. She was lost in a trance of inspiration.


I looked around Leah's room as best I could, trying to not move at all. I inspected her books on the shelf behind her, and read over the names a few times each before moving on to memorizing everything I could. When this became boring, I instead looked up at the clock she had on her desk. I watched the second hand tick by slowly, taking it's time. The faint tick of the clock seemed to fill the room, broken only by the random bird song by the window. When I checked the clock for the up tenth time, I realized I had been laying there for a little over three and a half hours. I was beyond sore at that time, and my body was begging for me to move. "Leah?" I asked her, getting a hum. "Leah." I tried again, this time making her blink and snap out of her daze. "I really don't mind this, but… how much longer do you think you'll need?"


"I…" she looked a little panicked. "I'm sorry! I got lost in time. Uhm.. I … could use another four to five hours?" The look on my face must have given her all my feelings on that at once, as she looked rather sheepish. "Three hours?" I whimpered at her. "I'm so sorry, I've never done one like this before, I was just lost on the detail of your bra… Could you… possibly come back another day? Like tomorrow? For another session?"


"How many sessions would it take? Just one more?"


"I'd like a few more ideally…" Her voice sounded like she knew exactly how much she was asking of me. "But you have work and it'll be hard to do your hair and dress up every day like that and…" Her voice trailed off slightly and her blue eyes went over to her table. "Can I… take pictures of you?"


"Pictures!?" I had to stop myself from jerking. "Oh wow, I don't know, that's really personal." I suddenly felt a little silly saying that, as she was literally making a picture of me right now. "I mean…well…" I felt the familiar tinge on my cheeks. "I guess it's okay… You've been looking at me for hours now."


"Are you sure?" The girl stroked her braid nervously, smearing green paint into it. "I don't want to pressure you into things."


"No pressure… I was just shocked is all..." I tried to encourage her the best I could while staying still. "Go ahead."


"Thank you!" She quickly ran to her camera and started messing with the settings on it. After the first picture, I thought she would quit. Instead, she moved for another angle and took another picture, and then another and another. I lost track of the flashes made and grinned as I noticed that glazed over look in her eyes again. Her 'art mode' as I just decided to call it. It stayed with her until she crouched down right at my midsection to get a close up of the lace design. She almost took a picture before realizing what she was doing. She pulled back and looked at me hesitantly. "M-may I?" She requested, pointing shyly with one finger. I blushed a little more and nodded at her. She then licked her lips and beamed at me. "For art purposes only. I promise."


"I know." I let her take several more snapshots before she stood up and looked at me completely.


"I don't want to let you move," she realized. "Can I just like… display you here always?"


"What? No! I have parsnips that need to grow!" I laughed at her


"But it's art!" She insisted. When I shook my head again she pouted at me. "Okay… you can move now."


"Oh thank goodness!" I rolled onto my back and stretched out. "My joints are so stiff!" I felt the bed dip down a little as Leah sat beside me. She was leaning over me lightly, one hand bracing her on my other side. Her long braid had fallen onto my stomach, where it slid off and tickled my side. "Hi." I spoke lamely, feeling shy again at the look I was getting.


"Can I say something?" She pondered.


"You're asking permission an awful lot today."


"You're pretty."


The compliment took me off guard and I couldn't help but pull the covers over my body to try and hide a little bit. She didn't move, and I peeked up over the blankets at her, still trying to cover myself. "…Thank you."


She hesitantly showed me the camera and spoke to me in a really caring voice. "I want to remember this moment… May I take a picture of you? For me?" I felt my heart start to pound again. Her hand moved the blankets to the side to try and find mine, interlacing our fingers.


"Yes," I answered before I could even debate it. "Yes, you may."


~**~


When I found myself working my fields again, one thing was becoming painfully clear: It was getting hotter. My first few weeks of being a farmer was breezy and chilly, then became more and more warm as time went on. I remembered Robin asking me how I was going to survive summer time, and since then several other people had asked me the same thing. I was already sweating heavily and I had only been watering my crops this morning. If I were to start tilling a new area of heaven forbid cutting down some of the smaller trees that took up root here, I was sure I would pass out from dehydration… And it was only the tail end of spring.


The decision to start preparing for summer was made then and there. I sat my watering can down and took off the water holding backpack that Maru had made for me for easy refilling. My horse was nearby and when I gave a sharp whistle to him, he came at my call instantly. I didn't even bother with a saddle today, hopping onto him and leaning forward, hands on his mane. He darted forward when I gave a clicking sound and I began my journey into town. My current path was chosen because I knew if I went the southern way I would have stopped by Marnie's or Leah's house to chat. I needed to get things done today, and that would have been a few hours that I didn't really have to spare.


Emily's house came into view not too terribly long later and I hopped off my horse, deciding to let it wander around. "Don't go too far," I asked of it, getting a sound and shaking of his head. I didn't know if it was actually true or not, but I felt as if my horse could understand me. Maybe it was the Junimo's magic, or maybe I was more 'in touch with nature' than I had originally thought. Either way, my lovely horse obeyed me without question most of the time. In return, I tried to spoil him with enough food to make him healthy and tried not to tie him up unless absolutely necessary. Ever since I began doing that, we became good friends instead of just farmer and horse.


A tune was knocked onto the house door and I was bid entrance almost at once. Walking in, I peeled my boots off and sat them by the door as to not track dirt in everywhere. Haley was there watching TV absently. She was gorgeous as normal, wearing a lovely sundress that complimented her figure. "Hi Haley," I greeted her.


"Hey Farm girl," she replied, not really paying me much mind. I haven't really ran across her much since I came into town despite knowing Emily fairly well by now. "Oh hey, what's that in your hair?"


"Hmm?" I pulled the sunflower from hair ponytail. "Oh, I have them growing on the side of my farm. I thought it looked rather cute so I picked one. Do you like it?" She gave a small nod and a confirming hum. Not really thinking about it, I leaned over and put it into her hair, just above her ear. "There, now you look cute too."


"Hey, thank you!" She sounded rather pleased at the turn of events. "I love sunflowers, they're seriously the best. You have them on your farm you said?" I gave a quick confirmation with a nod. "Would you mind if I went out there and took some pictures of them?"


Somehow I recalled the fact that Haley was into photography. "By all means come whenever you want. It's supposed to rain in the next few days, so if you come before that, you won't have to worry about mud."


"You're not too bad Farm Girl, thank you." She smiled.


"It's Kim," I gave a small, unsure laugh.


"I know, but Farm Girl is more fun to say." I didn't expect her to be the type to give pet names, but she did seem honestly happy with it.


"Sure, that's fine." I allowed her to keep using it. Emily chose that moment to come in from her bedroom/work area. "Emily! Hi, I came to request some clothes." The words made her light up at the idea. "Do you have time to work in an order? Everyone tells me you are the person to come to."


"Absolutely!" She grabbed my arm and pulled me back to her room. There were spools of cloth everywhere, each one a different color or material. "What would you like?"


"Something to work in," I began to explain my ideas to her. "It has to be really durable. I want it mainly for the summer time, so make it breathable and light if that's somehow possible. I don't really care about modesty here. I want to be able to move and work and be cool, that's all. I'm not going to wear it into town or where people can see me. In other words, I would work in my bikini if it wouldn't tear up in three days."


"I know exactly what you mean." Emily clapped her hands together in front of herself. "Just one outfit?"


"Two or three if you can. I don't really care if it's all the same or different, just please make it breathable and cool for the summer time. My overalls are killing me already and my jeans are rubbing my legs raw."


The blue haired woman put a hand on her chin and began circling me. "Hmm… I can do some shorts for sure… I've seen some in movies that I've always wanted to try… Maybe a mini skirt as well… A tied together top would be perfect for you since you don't really need to worry about support." I groaned hearing that, but Emily laughed it off. "Don't be so modest, it's not like anyone notices."


"The guys tease me about it," I protested as she began measuring me. "It's become something of a running gag on Friday nights. Sam even called me 'One of the guys' once."


"Sam is very caring, you just have to get to know him. I'm sure he meant the best of intentions." She leaned to the side and then the other direction, trying to visualize me in different ways. "I'm actually glad you came over, I never got your measurements for your Egg Dress."


"Egg Dress?" I blinked at that.


"Every year we have a festival at the end of Spring. The younger generation all dress up in matching dresses and suits and have a dance. Lots of people come from the neighboring towns." Emily walked around me and moved my hair around, trying to get everything she needed. "Are you the tomboy type and prefer a suit, or a lady type and prefer a dress?"


"Dress for sure," I confirmed without too much hesitation. "I cross dress all the time, but if this is some kind of tradition, I want to be part of the tradition. Besides, I'll get to show off my feminine charm!" I got a small chuckle at that. When everything was said and done, I left with the promise of having something within the next week or two. A whistle made my horse come to me and I jumped on, riding through town and waving to everyone I passed along the way.


I made my way north, past Pierre's store and the old community center. Along the way I saw the person I had been hoping to and galloped over to them. Abigail stopped when she heard me approaching and gave a wide wave above her head. Pulling up next to her, I greeted her with a smile. "Just the adventurer I needed!"


"What can I do for you?" She pondered, accepting my hand and allowing me to assist her in getting on the horse behind me.


"I need metal ore. I'm going to try and make wine barrels for me farm, possibly rum and beer kegs as well. I can cut down some trees and give Robin the wood in return for the planks, but the metal straps on them need to be custom forged per barrel so if I get the ore myself then Clint will do the work in exchange for the leftover materials."


"Wow, you're a smart one! I guess that just leaves the adventurer fee to think about."


"I was hoping to bribe you with all you can eat blackberries."


"Yuck, no thanks." Abigail smacked her tongue behind me as we went to the adventurer's guild. "I don't really like fruits."


"But… but your mom told me you absolutely loved Evelyn's blackberry cobbler! I even got the recipe from her to make for you!"


"Oh, I do love cobbler."


I looked back at her, giving her a confused look. "You hate blackberries but you love blackberry cobbler?" I got a nod. "What is wrong with you, woman!?" She laughed at me and I just shook my head. "Fine, I'll pay you in gold. How much are you now?"


"Forty gold per hour." I gasped at that. "I just got promoted! I can officially go deeper into the mines and start taking jobs outside the city now!"


"Congratulations! The guild takes less of a cut from you now as well, right?"


"That's right. As I get higher in the ranks and require less training and maintenance to them, I get more from the customers."


"But forty gold an hour!? You cost me twenty not a month ago! Don't I get like, the buddy discount?"


Abigail snickered. "Sorry, I'm an employee not a free lance agent. You have to pay them for me."


"That sounds like a pimp." I teased her , flashing a grin back at her.


"Me love you long time!" She shot back quickly, making me laugh so hard I actually snorted out quite loudly. We entered the guild together and I went to pay for Abigail's services which she changed into her leather armor and equipped her daggers. Upon exiting, I looked over at her to take her in once again. Her hair was now pulled back in a low ponytail as to not get in her way while fighting. Her usually casually clothes were now light leather armor, and shoes were now a combat style boot made for grip and reliability rather than fashion. It was amazing how much different she looked despite being the same person. In a matter of moments she went from one of my best friends and romantic interest to my guardian and warrior.


"Here we go!" I stated as we entered the mine. I knew she had been in here several times since I last had, and has been training almost daily as well. I was still a bit hesitant from our last encounter, but her strides were more confident now. This leaked over to me and I began to feel more at ease as well. "We don't have to go too far, just get some metal. I don't care if it's copper or iron or anything, as long as I can make things out of it."


"You don't want to explore deeper?" She pondered, sounding a little disappointed. "I just got the clearance to really get down in here. The old mineshaft elevator still works, they use it all the time."


"I don't know…"


"You might get some iridium if we go deep enough!" She walked to the elevator once we reached it. "Come on, you'll be safe with me."


"… Okay." I couldn't pass up the chance to get some of that rare metal. It held a small amount of magic in it, making it almost unbreakable. I couldn't imagine having even an iridium tip on my hoe back home, or on a hatchet so I could slice through trees like a chainsaw running on jet fuel. "Just down to your new level, but that's it okay?"


"Yes ma'am." Abigail closed the elevator gates behind us and we descended with a loud bang as the gears engaged. Once down, I felt a chill run through my spine. It was a lot colder now and pitch black save for the light emitting from our lanterns. "Keep your eyes peeled," she warned me softly while reaching back to take my hand. I held onto hers tightly as we walked, looking around for some kind of metallic shine.


"Maybe we should hit the walls?" I asked after a while. I hadn't brought my good pickax with me, and was using one of the loaners by the cave entrance. I wasn't really thrilled with this outcome, but it was my fault for not thinking ahead.


"There should be something easy to get." Abigail held her lantern high. "What's that over there?"


I went with her to a small section near the floor of an area semi-hidden behind an overturned boulder, "I think it's copper? Or… gold? It's more yellow than brown."


"Gold is good, right?" Her voice was a little excited.


"I'm not sure if this is Pyrite or real gold, but if it's real then we just got ourselves a really nice dinner lined up in celebration." I grinned at her, but noticed something strange. "Hey… can you see your breath?"


Abigail exhaled, a white puff coming from her lips. "Yeah… Weird." A sudden shiver overtook both of us and I felt exceedingly cold out of nowhere. "It's chilly down here isn't it?"


"Very…" I rubbed my hands together and got my pick. "I'll work fast." A clattering sound behind us made us both turn around. Abigail pulled on my hand, making me go behind her. "What is it!?" To my horror, a humanoid shape came into our light radius. Something that looked like a skeleton wearing old tattered mining gear was lurching towards us steadily. "Oh hell!"


My friend let go of my hand and drew her daggers out. "What is a skeleton doing this high up in the mines!?" She moved forward carefully, watching her enemy before dodging an attack that made small pebbles bounce when it hit the ground. The adventurer attacked at once, nicking the bones with her daggers several times before being slung back by a swing of its arm. "Ow!"


"You okay!?" I almost screamed.


"Bruised," She panted out, gripping her side. "Kim, let's leave. These aren't meant to be here… we can out run it and get to the elevator." If she wanted to leave then I knew it must be something that didn't need to be trifled with. We both started to run, but I felt my feet being grabbed and locked into place. I collapsed at once and looked back, seeing red slime oozing around my legs and sticking me to the ground.


"Abby!" I screamed this time.


Before I could do anything I saw the skeleton above me, corroded pickax raised. It swung down and I almost had a heart attack. Abigail was right there above me, both daggers crossed to absorb the hit. She still collapsed to one knee when the attack landed, her butt being forced down to my back from the force of it. I heard her straining to keep the pickax fro coming any farther down and the panic gave me the adrenaline needed to struggle free from the slime and get away from her. I was still sticking to the ground, but it was enough to allow my friend to deflect the weapon to the floor.


Abigail attacked again and again, her daggers clinking off the bones as if they were petrified. The skeleton lashed out again and she flew through the air and onto me, knocking me back down. "You okay?" I grunted out.


"Yeah." Her word was pain filled though. She went to work sliding her daggers through the slime. It separated like a congealed pudding, and I was able to start peeling it off.


"He's coming!" I whimpered, unsure of what to do.


"Come on…" Abigail's voice was worried now. "I can't let you get hurt…" The monster made it to us before she was done and once again she had to endure a strike to protect me. "Ugh!" The girl panted and pushed away the attack, striking a few more times uselessly. A second swing made her almost collapse onto me. "Come on… come on…" She encouraged herself. "Fight!" She slowly stood up again, arms shaking as he pushed the pickax up.


The skeleton didn't seem to mind, or care, that his hand was being pushed back. Instead it lift its other hand to reveal a hammer. Rearing back, it aimed for my legs. I screamed loudly, knowing Abigail couldn't stop it in time. The girl protecting me screamed as well, frantically trying to move and stop it. I saw the creature lurch it's shoulder and closed my eyes out of fear. I felt a blazing burn of heat flare in front of me, but no pain in my legs. I opened one eye slowly and gasped when I saw my friend.


Abigail was panting hard, one dagger keeping the pickax from hitting her and the other stopping the hammer from hitting me. This wasn't what held my attention, though. Her arms were both alight with fire, burning bright orange flames. The heat was intense and was dancing over her skin and clothes, going down to her daggers and engulfing them in the blaze. Both of the skeleton's weapons cracked and then broke, allowing her to lean forward. Springing into action, she darted forward, slashing both daggers in a crossing motion. The bones shattered instantly, scattering all over the floor and burning.


I slowly stood up, the slime having been melted into a puddle on the floor. Abigail's fire was flickering out now, dissolving around her as she panted heavily. "Abby…?"


"Are you… okay?" She asked me again, turning and woozily trying to walk to me.


"Abby!" I ran to her, catching her as she fell forward. The fire was out now and the only traces of it was the warmth on her untouched clothes. "Come on, we're getting out of here." I moved one of her arms over my shoulders and picked up my lantern. I saw a chunk of purple ore next to it, so I grabbed it and put it in my satchel, along with Abigail's daggers. "Let's go." I helped her to the elevator and we rode it up. "What was that?" I finally asked her.


"I don't know," she admitted softly. I could tell she was weak, or at least extremely tired from the battle.


"You were on fire!" I stressed. "Are you burnt?"


"No," she groaned and stood mostly on her own as the elevator gates opened. We walked out uninterrupted, heading to the cave entrance where a figure was waiting for us. "Rasmodius," she acknowledged the man. I saw the wizard standing there waiting for us. I haven't talked to him much since our first encounter. Although I had apologized to him, he still kind of gave me the creeps. Not so much that I thought he was a bad person, but because he was bad with words. He often said things that were insulting or perverted without meaning them in that way. I had mixed feelings.


"I see you cast your first spell." He looked at Abigail with interest. "I knew you would awaken soon, Abigail. I'm glad to see you reach your potential."


"Spell?" I asked in shock. "Abigail has mana?"


"Oh yes," he nodded. "Just as you do, farmer. Whereas you take your mana from the ground you work, Abigail produces her own. You are in tune with Nature, she is attuned with the elements." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a purple colored gemstone that was a few inches long and about an inch thick. "Here, eat this." He gave it to Abigail, who looked at it.


"What is this?" She asked after a moment. "It looks just like Amethyst."


"It is Amethyst, girl." Rasmodius scoffed. "You need minerals to create your mana, or it will draw from your body directly. Now that you have used some, you need to replenish."


"She can't eat a gem!" I protested. Despite my words, Abigail put the rock into her mouth and bit. The gemstone cracked and broke as if it were a hard candy. Very loud crunching sounds came as she chewed and I was shocked her teeth were still intact and there wasn't any blood leaking from her lips. "H-how…?"


"She shoots fire out of her hands, and you ask about what she eats? You nature types are all the same." The man shook his head. "You, Abigail, rest. Come find me when you have your energy back. Eat a lot. Amethyst if you can find it, white or red quartz will be fine too. I'll explain more when the time comes." With that, he held up a scepter and burst into light, teleporting away.


"…Wow." I breathed out.


Abigail stood up, looking at the gem in her hand. "This… this really made me feel better." Licking her lips, she brought it back to her mouth and bit, breaking it easily."


I couldn't help but take it from her, bringing it to my mouth and trying to bite it, only to cut my tongue on the jagged edges and hurt my jaw. "Ow…" I handed it back and sucked a bit in my mouth, tasting blood. Abigail popped the rest into her mouth and crunched away, swallowing casually. She inhaled slowly through her nose and exhaled a small puff of gem dust. "This has been one weird day…"


Abigail looked over at me fondly. "You called me Abby." I felt a blush come at that. "It made me really happy, but terrified at the same time… thinking you were going to be hurt. I couldn't help but put everything I had into making sure you got out safely… Then this desire just… turned into flames…" She looked at her hand. "I have mana…" Her eyes slowly went to me next. "…And you helped bring it out in me…" She stepped closer and enveloped me in a hug. "I guess you really are the fire in my life." Her voice whispered softly to me.

 

Alright, I'm hooked on this story so far. I just finished chapter 9. Please do continue this!!

 

@EvilPoptart81 Here's another chapter! I'm glad you enjoy it so far!

I was in the middle of making breakfast when Abigail knocked on my door. Fortunately for my embarrassment, I had already been working that morning, so I was dressed. I gave her a happy welcome and invited her in for some pancakes, which she readily accepted. At first I was worried she would step or kick my Junimo friends, but they seemed well versed in avoiding people's feet. They even went so far as to hop on Abigail's boots and ride on them as she walked. Amused, I had to tear myself away from watching her and returned to my griddle to pour some more batter onto it.


Stardust X

By: Satashi


When I flipped the pancakes, I felt Abigail sneak up behind me and bury her face in my hair, shamelessly hugging me from behind. "What do I smell like?" I pondered curiously, holding back a laugh. She was much more aggressive in showing her feelings. It was something that embarrassed me, but at the same time made me feel special and wanted. I needed it sometimes, and Abigail was always ready to smother me with affection.


"Delicious," she answered playfully.


"I'm not a gem, don't eat me." I briefly pondered what it was with the girls in the area and wanting to nom on me. Maybe something was in the food that made them want to eat flesh. Was that how the zombie apocalypse was going to start? Here In Stardew Valley?


"What are you grinning about?" She asked curiously.


"Nothing, nothing." I plated the pancakes and poured the rest of the batter onto the cook top to finish them off. "Did you talk to the wizard guy like you planned on doing today?"


"Rasmodius, and yeah." Abigail moved away from me and hopped up to sit on my countertop, almost crushing a white Junimo. "He explained it to me in more detail and offered training to hone my newfound abilities."


"Abby the witch… or wizard? Does sex change what you're called?"


"I don't know, are you offering?" I almost dropped my spatula at that remark and turned away, blushing furiously. "Forty gold an hour and I'm all yours." Abigail pressed her luck.


"A-Abby!" I almost burnt myself and that was enough for her to ease off of me.


"I'm a mage," she informed. "There are a lot of others like me out there, even one in our guild in town. We aren't as common as standard adventurers, but it's still nice to be in a special class. Apparently I'm affiliated with fire, which is good for fighting."


"Wow, that's amazing." I plated the next batch and nodded over at the table. Abigail joined me and we both sat down to a heaping stack of pancakes. "Here, homemade maple syrup." I passed her the bottle. "From my own trees!"


"Wow, that's so cool!" Abigail poured some out in appreciation. "That reminds me, you're super accepting and calm about me having mana. My parents freaked out."


I knew this would come up, and have been trying to think of how to explain it to her. "The wizard, Rasmodius, told me I had mana as well. I never brought it up because I never thought I needed to. When I first came here I saw all sorts of things around the house and farm. Once I started working and planting… I saw more things. The Junimo, you know of them?" I took the moment to stuff some pancakes into my mouth while she nodded. "I can see them. They are all over the place. One is sniffing at your pancakes right now." This made Abigail look down at her food. "I don't know much about my powers, or what my mana can do, but from what I understand…" I motioned with my fork while talking. "I absorb energy from the land, and when I plant or water or work with it, I put some of it back in, only focused on what I'm doing… Makes my plants grow faster and better."


"That's… really helpful." Abigail looked impressed. "So I'm eating some of your magic now?"


"Seems so," I agreed. "I just accepted it and enjoy it. The Junimo are my friends and really help me out as well."


"I see…" She looked around the house. "How many are over here now?"


I began pointing. "White, Red, Blue, Green, Teal, Dark Blue, and Purple are here now. I think the rest are in the fields working their magic on my crops."


"So… am I going to step on them or anything? I've seen them in books, they're super tiny."


"Apparently they avoid you really well. I found that out this morning."


"Oh…well… Ok…. I'm sorry if I hurt any of you little guys." She smiled at me. "I'm glad you told me, I feel like we're really two of a kind now."


"Mmhmm, me too." My phone chose that moment to bleep at me and vibrate on the table. "Oh, Leah." I almost regretted saying the name, as I wasn't sure if Abigail would get upset. Instead, the girl just smiled at me and nodded. I picked up the phone and tapped it. "She says… she wants a picture of my ear."


"Your ear?" Abigail couldn't hold back her surprise. "Why does she need your ear?"


"She's painting a picture of me," I laughed happily. flipping my loose hair out of the way, I held my phone up to the side and took a picture. "There, sent."


"A picture hmm?" Abigail finished off her last bite and chewed on it slowly before talking around it. "What kind?"


I felt my cheeks color darkly. "Uhm…a tasteful picture of me in underwear?"


"Ohhhh…" She seemed to accept that. "Can I see it when it's done?"


I felt a little hotter. "Th…That's up to Leah."


"I'll ask her." Abigail took out her phone and started tapping on it. I felt like I could die of embarrassment at that moment, but didn't stop her. A moment passed and her phone played a tone that I recognized from the Metal Gear game series. "She says 'Absolutely! I'd love to show you as soon as it's done. I'll let you know and you can swing by whenever you like!' Seems like she's excited to show it off."


"I-I see…" I never really thought about that. Of course Leah would display it, it's the first time she's ever drawn anyone like that, and it seems like she's putting in a lot of hours on it. "I'm not sure how I feel about people seeing me in my underwear."


"Even if it's just a painting?" Abigail, to my surprise and enjoyment, stood up and picked up our dirty dishes to take to the sink and start washing. "Is that the same as a normal picture?"


"Would you be ok with it, if it were you?"


Abigail shrugged. "I think so. She's probably putting a lot of love into it, so I think it would be really flattering." I considered that. It was very true, and I'm sure Leah wouldn't show it to anyone who would think bad things about it or me. I felt a little sheepish at even thinking about it. "I'd like to see you like that for myself one day," she pressed on. "But for real, not a painting."


I coughed. "Wh-what?"


Abigail replied nonchalantly, her usual flirty mood coming back. "Oh you know, whenever you want to take a picture and text it to me."


"Oh I am not texting you a picture like that." I denied her, crossing my arms. "You perv."


"What if I asked nicely?" She inquired, drying the plates.


"Nope!"


"Really nicely?" She looked around at the cabinets and I pointed to the area where I kept them.


"Not a chance."


She walked over to me and leaned forward, a large grin on her face. "Really really nicely?" She held up her phone with one hand and playfully tugged on my shirt with the other.


"R-Right now!?" I shook my head quickly. "No! For real no! I'm not wearing anything sexy!"


"Oh-ho!" She stood up straight, triumphantly looking down at me. "So later is okay then!?"


"I… I… You tricked me!" I stood up and walked away from her, only to get pounced onto the couch. Her hands tugged on my pants, pulling the baggy jeans down enough for her to take a snapshot. The picture clicking sound came and I franticly tried to turn around and grab her phone. "N-No! Don't look at that!"


"How adorable!" Abigail's eyes were practically laughing at me. "Were those chickens on them!?" I felt like I would die, trying hard to reach the phone which she was holding away from me. "They are! With little eggs and chicks as well! Oh my, I have to show Leah this!"


"NO!" I tried once more to grab her phone but she ran out of the house with me hot on her heels. "I'll let you take one later, but don't keep that one! Please!" She was laughing merrily, running around in circles while I tried to get her. Finally, after I was too tired to chase anymore, she quit as well. She nudged my panting form and showed me her phone.


"I never even saved it," she laughed through gasps of air. "I hit cancel right away."


"You… You…" I stood up and fumed at her. "You tricky little… minx! I was so embarrassed!


"Like I would do something without your permission." She stuck her tongue out.


"Ugh!" I was mad at her, but not in a serious way. She looked so pleased with herself at her little prank, and I had fallen into it hard. "So mean!"


"That's me!" She came back to me and put her arm over my shoulders, phone up for a selfie. "Say cheese!" I gave the phone a pout and let her take it. Right before it made the sound, I felt her lips on my cheek. I swallowed and looked over at her smiling face. "I'll take this one instead," she told me happily. "If that's okay with you."


"… Yeah." I smiled as best I could, trying to hide my shyness. "You can keep that one."


Abigail stayed with me most of the day, helping me out with my chores and getting a taste of the farm life. Currently my list of things to do each day was short compared to what it could be, but I didn't really want to push into some of the things that other farmers did. Marnie had all sorts of animals for sale just south of me, so I didn't want to impose upon her business by selling my own. This of course led me to choosing not to build any barns or coops on my land, despite profit being available to me. I knew winter would be hard on me, but if I saved up enough, I knew I could last through it.


After I had all my crops watered and weeds pulled, I allowed Abigail to help me start clearing more of the land that I hadn't had time to clean yet. We worked together to dress up a large patch for a new garden and I could really tell she was about to give out at any moment. "You going to be okay?" I pondered aloud, slamming my hatchet through a small sapling and then uprooting it.


"You do this every day?" She wheezed out, leaning onto my hoe for support."I train and do exercises , learn swordplay and endurance strengthening… And this is killing me."


"I think it's because of my mana. Speaking of, how is yours? Do you feel fine?"


"Just peachy," Abigail breathed out. "I had some quartz this morning as a snack before coming over." I still wasn't used to her new ability to literally eat gemstones like hard candy, but it was an endearing trait to say the least. I bet she really enjoyed showing her parents her talents at doing that. The thought of eating made my stomach growl at me and I realized we had been working most of the day and into the late afternoon.


"I'm so sorry!" I exclaimed when I realized what that meant. "We completely skipped lunch! I bet you're starving!"


"Oh, yeah, I am a little hungry." She took out her phone and checked the time. "Oh! I was supposed to be home a little bit ago. I better head off or I won't make it for dinner."


"You can eat with me here," I offered instantly.


"Thanks, but my parents are really trying their best to work with me and accept how I am. In return they only asked that I try to eat dinner with them at the table every night if I could. I used to eat in my room or get something myself at the Saloon… I think they want some more quality bonding time with their new daughter the mage." She gave a smile. "My mom even brought me a topaz she got from a small shop nearby. It was really low quality so it was super cheap. Taste like honey, actually. Really chewy like a gummy bear."


"Topaz is chewy…" I shook my head. " I see magical creatures and absorb energy from the land, and I still think you're weird."


"To each their own." Abigail pointed a finger out at me and a cute little flame came to life over it. "I summon fire at my call, and I think you're an oddball that has imaginary friends." We both laughed at each other before she gave a short little wave and handed my hoe back to me. I offered a ride on my horse, but she turned it down in favor of a nice stroll. Back when I first got here, walking to town was a task I wasn't really up for nor enjoyed doing. Now, though, after a few months of working my butt off and not eating fast food, I found I could actually jog it and not be super exhausted when I arrived. Maybe that was the Junimo's magic as well, but I wasn't sure. I barely knew anything about my powers at all.


As I walked back to the house, I stopped at my strawberry patch. I had harvested them already, and there were tiny buds still growing but would take another few weeks before the next gathering. Testing, I kneeled down and stuck out my hand to them. "Grow." I spoke softly, getting nothing. "Please grow?" I tried again, waving my hand in a light circular motion. "Grow plant grow!" I shook both hands at them and even did the jazz fingers. "…I guess not." Standing, I went back into the house to call it a day.


The air conditioner felt wonderful as I came in, but it was still struggling to cool my whole house. I briefly wondered if Robin or maybe Maru could do something with it to make it better. I'd love central heat and air instead of just the window unit in the living room… I'd have to ask. As I made my way to my bedroom I took off my sweaty clothes and tossed them into a hamper to, possibly, wash later. I would probably wait until I had literally nothing else to wear before that happened though.


Stopping by my vanity, I gave myself a once over. My bra was simple white with blue straps and my panties, as Abigail discovered earlier, were matching white with chickens all over them. "Why would anyone want to see me in these?" I asked the green Junimo sitting on my dresser. "I can understand that lingerie I have, but this is… so plain." I modeled in front of the mirror and sighed. "Abigail would laugh if I sent her this… what do you think?" The Junimo shook it's head. "How do you even pose for that?" My laptop was opened and I hit a button on it to wake it from hibernation mode. I spoke my words as I typed, ignoring more of my friends now gathering around me to watch. "How…to…pose…for…selfie."


I looked at the image results and made a face. "I said how to pose, not how to raise ducks…" My phone beeped at me but I ignored it for now. "Okay.. top angle, stick out chest, look up, stick butt out behind…" I really thought I'd look funny doing that. "I'd prefer something like I did with Leah… I'm not really one of those girls, you know?" I picked up my buzzing phone and laid on my bed, holding it above. I shifted slightly and smiled up at it, taking a picture of my messed up hair, sweaty face, and just the top of my bra showing. "There. That's me." I tapped the message notification at the top that had Abigail's name on it. "And send." I smiled as it beeped at me. I ran my finger down to pull up the whole message chat and froze solid when I read it.


Abigail: Hey! I thought we could do a group chat!


Leah: Oh hi! That sounds great. It gets lonely here sometimes. What are you two up to?


Abigail: Just got home from Kim's farm. I helped till a plot of land!


Leah: That sounds hard. I bet you two are both all sweaty now.


Kim has sent a picture to chat!


I felt my heart go up into my throat and my stomach turn as the little speech bubbles popped up from both girls and stayed there for what seemed like ages as they typed. Both chat bubbles vanished after a bit before Leah's came back up. Abigail's came up a moment later and then Leah's disappeared, followed once again by Abigail's. My breath was still almost nonexistent for the next little bit before finally I saw a reply.


Leah: You look cute all sweaty! Are you that bad Abigail?


Abigail: A little worse actually. But I did enjoy the picture!


Leah: Isn't she sexy like that?


Abigail: You know it!


I finally breathed out a sigh of relief. I was so thankful they were so easy going with this. As their texts continued, I simply laid on my bed and watched them go one by one, replying every now and then as well. When Abigail said she had to eat dinner and Leah wanted to get back to her painting, I said I was going to take a shower. Abigail instantly asked for another picture with all sorts of smiley faces behind it while Leah simply told me to enjoy myself from such a hard day's work. I sent back a heart to both of them and left my phone on my bed while I got undressed the rest of the way. "I have the best friends in the world," I told the Junimo who were still with me in the room.


~**~


When I awoke the next morning, I could feel the heat already bearing down on me. I had kicked the covers to the foot of my bed and was sweating already. My air conditioner was on still and my door was open, but I didn't feel any cool air waiting for me as I went into the living room. Upon closer inspection, my unit was blowing out slightly cool, damp air. "No, no, no, no…." I asked of it softly, flipping the switch to the off position in hopes it had just frozen over on the outside. "Don't do this to me…" I made sure to turn on every fan in the house before putting on some tight jeans, the only ones not smelling like dirt, and a light white tee shirt that didn't cover much of my stomach. My hair was pulled up into a high ponytail to keep it off my neck and I grabbed a homemade granola bar on my way out for breakfast.


The sun was just coming up when I left my house, casting a reddish orange glow over my crops. I shouldered my watering backpack and filled it up with the little pond near my house. The cool water felt great running down my back and I debated watering myself for a moment. Instead, I went over to my crops and started giving them a healthy drink for the day. A lot of red caught my eye with my strawberries and I kneeled down, eyes going wide when I realized the crop I had messed with the night before was actually sprouting at an alarming rate. "Oh wow…" I gave a small laugh. "I guess I can do this after all!"


Standing up full height, I concentrated as I watered them. Willing myself to try and give them my mana, I walked around everything while sprinkling them. At first I couldn't tell any difference, as I was kind of expecting some magical green glow to envelop everything, but by the time I was half way done with my watering I started feeling a bit weak. The end came pretty soon, but I was struggling to walk correctly with the backpack on. Sure enough, I fell and landed with a thud. The watering pack was shrugged out of and I panted hard, gasping for air. I stayed on my back for quite a while, unable to really walk. Deciding to just rest, I began eating my breakfast. Crunching on the nuts and seeds held together by maple sap that I turned into a thick syrup, I started to feel better almost at once.


I was a little confused at my body today and decided that I should probably stop by Harvey's and get a check up to see if something was wrong. I shouldn't have collapsed so easily and I most definitely shouldn't have recovered so quick on just fruits and seeds. As I stood, I wiped sweat off my forehead and looked towards the front of my farm. A car was pulling in and parked near my house. To my surprise I saw Haley get out and wave over at me.


By the time I made it to her, she had popped the trunk and was assembling a camera that looked beyond expensive. "Hi!" I greeted her. Haley was wearing a very light sundress that lightly clung to her figure and went to her mid thigh, showing her smooth legs off. Her feet were covered in simple white sandals, definitely not the best to be tracking through my farm but cute none the less. "Decided to take some pictures of the sunflowers?"


"I was really wanting to," she agreed readily. "Where are they at?"


"Waaaay over there!" I pointed out near my fruit trees. "I try to keep the flowers away from my crops so they don't spread weeds or try to take over my beds."


"Oh… Wow, that's far. No wonder you told me not to come after a rain."


"It's not bad, here I'll give you a ride." I gave a hard whistle and my horse came over to us. "Meet Okami." My horse nudges Haley with its nose and got a laugh.


"He's cute!" She praised him, getting another nudge. "Hey, don't knock me over!"


I jumped up onto my horse easily and offered her a hand. "Here, climb up."


"Without a saddle?" She looked nervous. "I don't know…"


"It's easy! I'll make sure you don't fall." She reluctantly took my hand. "Jump and climb up." She did as requested and I had to pull hard to get her in front of me. It took a moment for her to settle down but after she was steady I heard a happy laugh. "See? Easy."


"Not at all!" She giggled. "Whoa!" She held the horse with both hands as we began to walk. "I might fall!"


"You won't fall." I put an arm around her waist and held her close as we began to gallop across the fields. Haley, to my utter surprise, was very vocal about how neat it was to be on a horse like that. She was giggling constantly and when I hopped off at the end, she was smiling ear to ear. "Told you." I offered her my hand again. "Now come down."


"I think I really will fall," she denied. "Is there an easy way?"


"Just slide your leg over and hop down." I grinned. "Or is that pretty little dress going to get dirty?" Haley sniffed at my tease and did as I asked. I could tell she was going to fall before she did and I caught her easily. "Oopsies!" I laughed at her terrified face. "See, I told you I wouldn't let you fall."


"Wow, you're really strong." She gave a half laugh, half embarrassed cough. "Thank you, Farm Girl."


"You're welcome, City Girl." I teased right back at her. "Take all the pictures you want, I'll be over here trimming some of the grass down for Marnie. When you want to head back just let me know and I'll ride you back, okay?" I got a nod and I began to go about my normal routine. I had struck up a fantastic deal with Marnie not too long ago. My field was over grown with grass that was perfect for hay, and she needed as much as she could get stored up for the winter. In return I had a tab from her that was insanely in the positive that I spent on milk and eggs and sometimes when she went into the city to sell her animals she came back with meat to sell to the village. I took advantage of that really quick, and my fridge and freezer were packed with enough food to last me for weeks.


Haley stayed for a lot longer than I thought she would. The girl actually made her way around my farm, taking pictures of lots of things. I wasn't really sure what all there was to be interested in, but I didn't mind. It was past lunch when I rode by her again and noticed she looked about ready to go. She accepted my invitation and rode back with me to her car. I once again helped her down, this time literally lifting her off the horse and setting her on her feet. "You're really strong!" She praised me as I let her feet touch the ground. "Are you sure you're not a farm guy?"


"I'm sure!" She made me laugh.


"Can I get a quick picture of you?" She held up her camera. "In front of your house?"


"Sure!" I walked up to my house and turned around. "I'm getting used to having my picture taken."


"Are you?" She was interested. "By who?"


"Leah and Abigail." I wasn't really sure how to pose for her.


"Oh that's right, you're…"


"I am." I snickered at her. She snapped a picture of my laugh. "Does that bother you?"


"No," She admitted, looking a little shy. "It's just… weird."


"Weird how?" I moved my arms out as if motioning to my house and she took another picture.


"Just… you know… how do you…" She held up a finger with one hand and made a circle with the other and moved it in and out. "You know…"


I blushed at that question. "We-we… uhm… lots of ways! It's perfectly natural!" Haley took the chance to take a picture of my red face.


"So it's… just normal?" She looked at me.


"Yeah.. when you love someone and want to have sex, you just… find what feels good. You don't have to have one specific thing to make love. You just need the feelings behind it."


"Oh…" She blushed a little too. "So, like, is it… nice… with another girl?"


I was starting to get the hints. Was there something in the food here that not only turned people into zombies but made them really open and accepting about their sexuality as well? "It's nice with anyone you want to be with, boy or girl." I informer her softly. "And you just need to want to, there's no special things you need, no weird positions or… attachments… or… things. Just, you know, feel nice."


Haley looked at me a moment and decided to ask one more thing, although she looked very unsure. "Okay…Thank you Farm Girl." I guess she changed her mind. "Could you keep this between us? I don't want people thinking things."


"Absolutely." I beamed at her and gave the girl an pat on the shoulder. "You're a very pretty girl, you'll make someone happy once you find out who."


"Thank you… you're not that bad."


"I try."


Haley leaned forward and sniffed at me. "Although you're really dirty and smell like grass."


"Some people like that," I defended myself.


"It's not as bad as I thought." She held up her camera and took one more photo of me. "See you around, Farm Girl."


"See ya, City Girl." I gave a light, playful salute at her to send her on her way. When the car was out of my sight, I spoke to the Junimo who came out of hiding. "Well that was odd… I wonder who she's crushing on." They made small cute sounds to reply, but I couldn't understand them. "I hope it's not Abby or Leah…" They made some more sounds and I looked down at them. "Don't think it's Farm Girl do you?" I laughed hard at that. "Oh that's rich! Farm Girl and City Girl!" I chuckled hard as I went into my house. "Don't get your dirt on my nice clean carpet, Farm Girl!" I shouted playfully to myself. "Take off those boots and change those clothes!"


~**~


I found myself heading over to Emily's house a few days later to try on my dress for the upcoming Festival. I had been cutting it close, apparently, as the event was in two days on the last of spring. Arriving, I hopped off my horse and knocked my standard little rhythm on the door. Emily called for me to enter and all at once I was swept up in Hurricane Emily. My clothes were all but tugged off and the woman was all over me, tugging and zipping and measuring. She spoke words around several bobby pins in her mouth that I didn't quite understand and before I even knew what was happening I was standing in a lovely white dress in front of a mirror. "H-hi." I finally greeted her, wondering how in the world my boots had come off and were replaced with those heels.


"Hi. Is it too tight? Too loose? Can you move?" Her words ran together and she leaned on all different sides to check.


Trying to move, I tested the dress's abilities. "Feels great around my stomach," I mused. "Really nice on my hips and…" I puffed on the chest. "I have a padded bra at home that will fill this out." I was rather impressed with it for being made so quickly. It was very lacey but light and airy. I could dance in it no problem since the bottom only went to my knees. It didn't suit me for sure, but it was a traditional dress so it wasn't really supposed to. "I really like it!"


"Great!" Emily looked relieved. "I was scared I was going to have to revise it a lot. This means your other clothes should fit as well!" I was about to ask about them, but I was attacked again, being stripped and turned and dressed up so quickly that when she was done I was panting. My hair was a mess and I looked in the mirror to see myself in something that looked really flattering on me.


"Whoa!" I turned to inspect myself. "This is nice!" I had one blue jean shorts that were cut so short I could see the back pockets hanging out of them. They actually made my butt look nice as well, something I wasn't quite used to. My top was a flannel pattern red that was more or less short sleeves that went over my arms and shoulders. There was a little cloth on my back and the front was tied in a knot over my bra. It was a little slutty, but danged if I cared. No one would see me in this at home. With a cowboy hat and some boots I was sure I could pass for a really sexy model in these clothes!


My next whirlwind came and I was looking at myself in a mini skirt and a sports bra that matched. They were a matching black and red that still screamed farmer! while looking like I could sweat it out in them without being uncomfortable. "Yes!" I praised her happily. "This is what I needed! Something I can get dirty in without drowning in my own sweat. Thank you!"


After paying for my clothes and getting them in a little bag to carry back to the farm, I headed out to hop onto my horse. Haley stopped me just outside and asked for the address of my farm, which I gave. Although confused at why she needed to know, I left it at that and waved goodbye to her and heading home. I was close to the bottom of town so I decided to visit Leah along the way. As I approached, I saw her outside coming from Cindersap Forrest. She had a basket in one hand, which means she was probably foraging for her dinner again. I didn't really understand why she liked doing that so much, but to each their own.


"Afternoon," Leah greeted me with a smile. She had paint smeared on her face and arms again, a sure sign that she had been painting nonstop today.


"Afternoon," I replied back in kind. "Have you eaten today?" She gave an embarrassed laugh. "Thought so. Don't forget to take care of yourself!"


"Your painting is done." She changed the subject and looked rather proud of herself. "I finished it just a bit ago."


"Can I see?" I asked all at once, delighted to find out what it looked like. She nodded and I offered my hand, pulling her up behind me on my horse. We rode the little path to her house before each hopping off skillfully. "I shouldn't be too long," I told my horse while patting his neck. "If you're hungry or thirsty, go find some food. I'll whistle when it's time to go home, 'kay?" It neighed at me and shook his head before trotting off in search or something to nibble.


"Can he understand you?" Leah looked amazed.


"I think so." Walking over to her, she took my hand and lead me into her house. Instantly she put her basket on the table and moved me over to the easel that was still near the bed instead of at its usual spot. I couldn't really believe what I saw on it. Leah was plucking off literally at least a dozen of the pictures she had taken of me from around the painting, leaving just the raw artwork. It looked wonderful and very realistic, but still had that hand stroked feel to it. Upon closer inspection I noticed the black lace of my lingerie was pretty accurately recreated as well. I had no idea how she managed to get such tiny detail in there, but from the mass of brushes nearby I could make a guess. "How long?" I breathed out.


"I have no idea." Leah admitted. "You know I don't time my artwork. Do you like it?" She asked the last part a little nervously.


"I… don't really have words." She had managed to make me look exceedingly attractive, but I didn't feel as if she had embellished any of my features at all. I was still me, but… a sexy me. "It's… wow…" The girl was tugging on her braid nervously, watching me with a mixture of delight and excitement. I could tell she was holding back more questions and possibly a squeal of joy at the same time. "Leah…You're so skilled… really… I just wow."


Finally she hopped on the spot, clapping her hands together. "I'm so proud of it, you have no idea!" She finally gushed. I used brushes that I never used before to get the lace designs in there, and mixed actual gem dust I got from Clint to make your body look like it shined in the light! And, and I strained my eyes looked at the designs but I'm so happy with how it turned out! I even got the little nick on your nose just right!"


I blinked. "Wait, nick on my nose? I squinted at the painting and saw a tiny, almost unnoticeable scar on my nose on the painting. "Do I have a scar on my nose?"


"Of course," Leah said proudly. "It's hard to see, but I know it's there." I moved over to the side of the room where she had a mirror and checked. Sure enough, the cut that Abigail gave me when we first met had scarred over, probably from the cleaning supplied I rubbed all over it and not really allowing it to heal properly. "Is that bad? Do you hate it?"


"No, no I don't hate it. I just never realized it scarred." That caused me to giggle slightly. "But yeah, your painting is phenomenal. What are you going to do with it?"


"Of course, every rational aspect of me is screaming to submit it to a contest I know about. If I win I get a whole lot of really expensive art supplies. A new easel, high quality brushes and a complete set of paint bases, not to mention a lot of gold to invest in other tools. "


"Wow, why ever would you not do that?" I looked at her in shock.


"Because… I have to send it off to be observed and graded… and I won't get it back."


"Oh. Okay, I understand that." I wasn't super thrilled about a lot of people observing every aspect of me in lingerie, but at the same time I felt like it was the best choice for Leah to make. "You should go for it," I encouraged her. "For real, you'll have to get used to letting your art go, even if it really means a lot to you. I can't imagine putting that many days into something just to never see it again, but that's just how it works I guess. You can always scan it or take a picture of it to keep for yourself? The memories and emotions will always be there, right?"


"It's not that easy," Leah sighed. "I know I should, but at the same time it's my first one like this… and it's you. It's special."


I thought about that. "Yeah…I understand." I didn't want to push her to make a choice though. "Hey… tell you what… If you do end up submitting it, I'll come back if you want me to…. and I'll let you do two sessions this time. "


The girl looked over at me and bit her bottom lip. "Two?" I nodded. She hesitated and I could tell the next question already. "Without clothes on?"


"M-Maybe without top? Maybe. Probably not. I can't promise. But two." My answer made her a little less enthusiastic about the deal, but I saw that she was considering it. "I'm sorry, I'm just… really shy about being naked."


"D-don't say it like that!" She waved her hands, blushing. "Don't make me feel like I'm pressuring you!"


"You're not!" My voice cracked in my hurry to answer, making her bite back a laugh. "Really, I just don't think I'm that pretty… It's embarrassing."


"You are pretty," she took both my hands. "I'm just really eager to capture that… but for real, don't worry about it. I can do you with clothes on this time."


"I don't mind a little." I felt like burying my face in my hands. "L-Let's just get your painting wherever it needs to be for now. We can discuss more later. Right now, the most important thing is that you can have whatever you need to make whatever you want."


"…Thank you." Leah stepped forward and kissed my cheek. "You're amazing, have I told you that before?"


"Maybe once or twice." We both giggled and she started playing with my fingers, glancing at me every now and again before looking away with a silly grin. I was going to say something about how cute it was, but her stomach growled out at that moment. "Eat." I poked her nose.


"Do you want to stay for dinner?" She asked hopefully. "Maybe we can snuggle up and watch a movie afterwards?"


"I'm sorry, I have to get home. My horse is still out there and I don’t want to risk falling asleep. I'm really tired today." To stress my point I felt a yawn coming on. "But next time for sure. It feels really nice and cool here, I'd love it."


"The breeze from the water really cools my house down. Why? Is yours hot?"


"Blazing. My air conditioner is going out I think."


"If it does, you're welcome to stay here anytime you want." Leah looked happy at that idea.


"Thank you, I might have to take you up on that."


Leah walked with me to the door and waited a moment there before finally asking me something. "Hey, can I ask something?"


"Sure?"


She met my eyes and was giving me a really shy but eager look. "If you do pose for me again… can I pick something for you to wear?" She smiled nervously. "Back then…I've always been asked to wear things for pictures but I've never gotten to pick something out for someone I cared about… I'd like to do that."


I felt suddenly a little nervous about what I was getting myself into, but I couldn't say no to that look. "Yeah… anything you want."


"You're the best." I got another hug. "I'm really painted out right now though. I'm going to work with wood for a while to get my groove going again. After that, I'll see about something."


"Take your time." I giggled. "I'm still nervous about it. Maybe then it'll be easier."


"…Sweet dreams, Kim."


"Sweet dreams, Leah." She held onto my hand until I had walked far enough away where she had to finally let go. I called out with a loud whistle and heard my horse come galloping up to me at once. Mounting him, I gave another small wave before going off to my house. When I finally arrived, I gave my horse some extra feed and water before allowing myself to check my phone.


Leah: I finished the painting! Come by whenever you want Abigail


Abigail: Awesome! I'll be there tomorrow!


Leah: Can't wait, huh?


Abigail: Kim in underwear? Sign me up!


Kim: I look sexy in it too, she cheated somehow.


Leah: I did not! The green lingerie just really fits you.


Abigail: They'd be sexier on my floor.


Leah: Abigail!


Kim: Abigail!


Abigail: What? you can't say you didn't think the same.


Leah: I'm going to eat now!


Abigail: Don't avoid the question!


Kim: Can we please not talk about this!?

 

Oh my Gosh! Your Story is soooo *cough cough* beautiful! I can not tell how i love that. I'm waiting for the next Chapters.
Thank you so much for this.

 

Awwww thank you!!! You made my day. Here's a little teaser of next chapter for you!

"Kim? Kim!" I felt shaking and slowly realized that I was being spoken to. "Kim, wake up!" I managed to creak open my eyes just enough to make out a blurry image of Maru's face. "Oh thank Yoba." She unstrapped the watering pack and moved me to lay on my back. I could make out the dull reddish orange glow of the sun, but shapes were avoiding me. Suddenly a light came over and I blinked. "Kim, focus on the light." I looked at it. "Kim, the light, look at it."

"…Am…" I coughed out. The light moved and I blinked before finding it again.

"Oh man…" Maru turned off the light. A few seconds went by as I heard some rustling. "Doctor Harvey, I need you at Kim's farm. She passed out and isn't very responsive." I tried to deny that, but couldn't quite seem to remember how to properly talk. "Yeah… Okay… Kim, what do you remember last? How long have you been here?"

I struggled to form words. "Not… long… I saw… the sun rise…" I looked over and felt the world spin along with me. "It's… not…risen yet…"

"Oh man… Doctor, she's been out since this morning. I need you!"

 

Okay, well now you've got me worried about what happens to Kim Can't wait to read the next chapter!

 

Satashi !! that wasn't nice with that spoiler !! _whines-

 

Can't wait for the next chapter! It seems many candidates for Kim now....

I think she may choose Leah or Abigail. But why I see Maru is more interesting. With her help for Kim in the next chapter. >///<

 

My guess is that Kim overdid it with her newly found magical abilities and accidentally cast from hitpoints. Just what I think though.

 

Maru is just awesome xD and I wanted to put her in a bit. Plus Kim needed medical attention so she is awesome for the part.

As for why she passed out... Weeellll~

 

SATASHI !!!! -cries- your so evil I love it