Poppy - Stardew Valley Penny

3 - Farmer?

"Oi, Gus! Gimme another pint of your strongest!" The rough voice booms loud over the bustle of the Stardew saloon. Slumped over a half empty pint, the pale liquid sloshes over the edge of the cup as Pam flings her arms around in a drunken gesture. Nobody in the saloon seems to even acknowledge her presence, somehow desensitised to this intoxicated behaviour. Elliot and Leah sit a few metres away having an intense discussion on the most artsy way to drink artisan wine. They don't even look up at the clunking sound of a knocked over glass, followed by a barrage of swearing. Surveying the scene before me, everyone here seems to be a in a world of their own. Gus, hands full in the middle of serving Harvey a radish or whatever it is he eats, shoots Pam a concerned glance. No one else seems able and willing to help her. Still covered in dust from the mines I make my way over to the bar, shaking her awake.

"I don need ur halp" I grimace at her beer breath. After much, much convincing she grunts in resignation. I swing an arm over her, she sways as she stands. Elliot and Leah, still seemingly unaware or perhaps they're just unbothered by my struggling, have shifted their conversation into discussing the most effective, and from what I perceive as morally grey, way to destroy Jas and Vincent in the annual Egg Festival tomorrow, of which this topic is the only thing the whole town can seem to think about.

"I'll take you home and then I promise I'll dump you there and leave you alone" The words sound harsh but for some reason this is the only form of language that Pam seems to responds to. Politeness makes her nauseous. Literally. We make our way towards the exit, Pam stumbling as we pass Lewis and Marnie who seem to not notice anything besides each-others' eyes. Now that makes me nauseous.

As we pass Alex's dog sitting rather sadly in his kennel, he leaps up to the gate barking loud enough to wake all of Pelican Town. A pool of light opens the darkness, standing in the doorway, hands holding tight onto the doorframe is Penny. She knots a dressing gown around her, craning her head towards our approaching figure. It's late, no doubt she had been asleep.

"Mom." She crosses her arms around her body as we approach. As we step into the light Penny freezes. "Farmer?" Surprise flutters across her face as she recognises whose arm is keeping Pam afloat. I give her a tight smile, not exactly sure what the appropriate response is. Shaking herself from her thoughts she moves out of the doorway and motions us in.

This is the first time that I've entered the rusted trailer that Penny and Pam have resided in for as long as Penny's been alive. Beer bottles lay scattered around a small living area that opens into an even smaller kitchen. Despite its size it's clear that some care is still taken into making the trailer feel homely. A vase of wilting poppies rests on the wooden kitchen counter beside a stack of drying plates cutlery. The poppies surprise me, fall has been gone long ago and they're bygone their freshness yet they remain in a prime viewing position.

Pam, much too delirious to form any cohesive sentences, mutters angrily at the disappointed hum coming from Penny. I stay true to my words and dump her on the couch. She sprawls out, melting into the couch immediately. I don't want to make Penny more uncomfortable than she already is so I give her a respectful nod as I move towards the exit. She reaches her hands outwards to stop me and without thinking I pause. My mind is yelling at me to leave but I cannot move. She retracts her hands and folds them against her side.

"I'm so sorry you had to see this" She says, gesturing all around her; to her mother, the trailer, to herself. She averts her eyes and wraps her arms around herself as though in a hug. "She's not usually like this." The words tumble out of her mouth and we both know it's a lie.

"Penny," I sigh, "don't be sorry." She looks up at me, her lips parted as though wanting to interject but unable to identify what it is she wants to say. "I'm not saying I understand exactly what you're going through, but just-" I shift on my feet, surprised by my own words. It takes me a moment to find the right words, "Just know that I'm here if you ever need a friend". I scratch the back of my head and look away. I slowly raise my head, scared of what I may find in her face; anger at my audacity, boredom, disgust?

"Thank you." She says as my eyes meet hers, pupils deep and shining, the corners of her eyes crinkled in gratitude. Relief fills me and I move towards the door again. "And Farmer?" I look back to her, her eyes searching mine, "don't be too disappointed when you lose tomorrow." She grins, a mischievous sort of grin, one that makes me fear for what it means. I have no doubt she's referring to the bloodbath of an egg festival being held tomorrow. Yoba help me.

I hold her gaze in challenge, "Wouldn't dream of it," grinning back, I can feel her eyes lingering on me as I shut the door behind me. I lean against the door taking a deep breath of the cool night air.

Later that night I overthink every single word I said. I don't even know her yet I pledged my undying allegiance and support to her. She probably thought I was overstepping or that I am a busybody. I scream into my pillow before tossing and turning myself into a fitful sleep.