[Stardew Valley] On the Edge - Shane

4

As Shane neared the living room, he heard two girly voices giggling among each other. Marnie was busy in the kitchen, so Shane's curiosity piqued as he wondered who was with Jas.

"Uncle Shane! Come play princesses with us," Jas frantically waved him over. Next to her was that farmer Aria, both of her hands occupied with two of Jas 'dolls. She extended one of the dolls to Shane, patting the spot between her and Jas.

He sat reluctantly. This wasn't exactly how he pictured this playdate going. But if Jas was happy with Aria's presence, he would deal with it.

"I came over to buy some chicks for my new coop, but I was a little late," She explained, tucking a stray curl behind her ear, "But then little miss Jas invited me to come on and play. It's been all work for me lately, so why not?" She shrugged. Jas giggled and clapped.

"You've come just in time for the royal ball," Aria explained, positioning the tiny crown on the doll's head and rolling a plastic horse and carriage towards Shane. He eyed her briefly before taking the toys.

Aria listened carefully to everything Jas was saying, raising the little doll's arms and walking them to the castle. She put them on the plastic horses and even whinnied like one when they rode off to the ball.

She's really into this. He thought to himself as he mostly just watched the two interact. Jas giggled and squealed like she was having the best time in the world.

"Can you be the prince? I'm taking on a lot of roles and you're too quiet over there," Aria asked him, not really waiting for his answer as she shoved the prince doll into his hands. He didn't even really have the energy to object.

"Fine." He propped the doll up and walked it over to Jas' doll. "Hi, princess. Would you like t-"

"NO!! Not MY princess, HER princess," Jas demanded, jabbing her little finger at Aria's doll. Aria stifled a laugh at the flat look that fell onto Shane's face. She thought it was cute, watching the stoic guy she'd seen moping at the bar most nights participate in an innocent game with his goddaughter.

"Okay, fine." He muttered, turning his doll towards Aria. "Hello, other princess. May I offer you a fancy snack during this ball? Such as a slice of royal pizza?" He tried to put some effort into playing the part, but it definitely wasn't going to be as involved as Aria's acting.

"Hey, that's not a fancy food," Jas objected smally. That earned a chuckle from Shane and a small grin from Aria.

"It could be," Aria mused to Jas with a wink. Jas' unconvinced look towards Aria almost made Shane burst out laughing despite his crummy mood.

"That sounds quaint, prince. Please bring me the fanciest slice available." Aria walked her doll over to his, and like a hawk, Jas snatched up both dolls and pressed them together.

"They're dancing now," Jas announced, practically tossing the dolls aside and forgetting all about them. Aria snickered at the girl's impulse and looked at Shane. He shook his head with the faintest smile present on his face.

"What about their fancy pizza?" Shane asked tauntingly. Every once in a while, he found it amusing to get a little rise out of Jas. "It's not good to dance on an empty stomach, you know."

Jas didn't really have an answer for that one, so she ignored Shane's logic and just picked them up and started playing with the dolls herself, humming and tuning him out. Just then, Marnie emerged with a plate of fresh poppers.

"Alright kids! Soup's on," Marnie cheerfully announced, setting the plate of snacks down near them. "Aria, you're more than welcome to stay for a bite,"

"Oh thanks, I should probably get going, I have some stuff on the farm to take care of before it gets too dark," Aria answered, gathering her tools and bag up and standing. She tugged a worn down baseball cap over her curls and turned to leave.