Poppy - Stardew Valley Penny

5 - A dance!

After spending the bulk of the day collecting the remaining 150 unfound eggs with Clint who told me rest assured he would 'dispose of them', I trudged back to my farm. My eyes were beginning to feel weary and my head still spun from the events of the day. As I was pulling brightly coloured eggs out of trees and behind fences and inside Alex's doghouse for some reason (needless to say I have befriended the dog), my eyes kept straying from the task. Each flash of orange would draw my eyes. The first time it was just Leah furtively lugging a piece of wood around and the second time it was Robin heading to her exercise class at Pierre's. Why are there so many orange haired people in this town?!? I even turned at the sight of Sebastian for some reason. I knew I was just waiting to see if Penny would return, but I also knew from the sound of Pam's voice when she approached Penny earlier that she would not. I hope she's okay. 

I collapse into my blankets. I barely even know her!?! Why am I so concerned with her wellbeing??? She did save me back in the egg hunt, so I definitely owe her for that. But does that explain why I feel drawn to her? A friendly concern? Too many questions. I scream into my pillow.

The next day it's dark and raining by the time I'm finished with my routine chores so I figure I may as well remind myself what it feels like to socialise with real people by heading to the tavern. It's bustling with people. Sam and Sebastian are the first to greet me, Sam with the energy of a golden retriever and Sebastian with the energy of an edgy gamer bro. I look towards Abigail hoping she has calmed since her fall from egg grace, however, to my immense fear, her eyes shoot daggers at me. I fear that next time it will be real daggers. 

Pam sits slumped at the bar, though she does not seem completely inebriated. Just sad. I turn to make my way over to her but Abigail grabs my arm, rather tightly and tells me "Stay.", dragging me over to Journey of the Prairie King. "Play it." she orders. I am truly beginning to fear for my life.

The screen illuminates. The music plays. I shoot. I run. I win!!!!! Yay!!! I shout out a hurrah only to have it die on my lips as Abigail quietly fumes. After an awkward silence, she looks up at me, murder in her eyes.

"I swear by Yoba that I will one day destroy you." She seethes, "Next time we duel. To the death" I'm starting to think that perhaps she just wants to experience some adventure, some excitement and if that means she declares me her sworn enemy then I'm okay with that! I support Women's rights AND wrongs!

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

A floral expanse welcomes me as I step into the clearing prepared for the flower dance. In my hands I clutch a fluffy white dandelion that I had gathered on my way here. Usually I avoid picking flowers from the ground, what right have I to steal one away from its worm-infested dirt home? But this one I couldn't resist, all I wanted was to make a wish. One summer when I'd visited Grandpa in the valley, back when my family could survive off of warm nostalgia, Grandpa had plucked a dandelion and told me to make a wish with it. Naturally as the insufferable child I was, I scrunched my nose up at it and wished for a different flower; sunflower, sweet pea, poppy. The memory always leaves me feeling pensive.

I make my rounds of the forest clearing greeting all of these people that I have somehow begun to befriend, when I hear a laugh that sounds like bottled joy bursting out. It's Penny standing off to the side with Harvey and Maru. Her cheeks are rosy with life and small white flowers delicately adorn her head. I look at the dandelion in my hand which is still completely in tact for wish making. I haven't made a wish yet, I suppose I'm still waiting for the right time? Oh my. WAS I SAVING IT FOR HER???? The realisation stuns me in place as my face begins to warm.  I hesitate and it is because of that pause that I get roped into a *lengthy*conversation with George and Evelyn about flower arrangements. Out of the corner of my eye I see Sam and Sebastian approaching them and, nosy as I am, I want to know what they're talking about but I'm not going to leave George and Evelyn mid conversation. I am too plagued by the thing called social etiquette.

"Oh, I don't know how to dance really." answering Evelyn's question as to why I'm not preparing to dance. At this she laughs.

"It's not about whether or not you can dance, it's about who you dance with". She looks to George and starts giggling. I will protect this adorable old lady at all costs. She may be right but I think I'd rather sit in the corner and suppress my feelings. AAGHAHHA! I'm becoming Clint!! It is this thought which spurs me into action, my legs moving without permission from my head towards Penny. The dance is going to begin shortly and so she's standing alone besides a cherry blossom tree stretching her feet. She looks up as I appear beside her, her face alarmed by the nervous energy I'm radiating. 

"Do you uh-" I begin, risking all of my self confidence and dignity. Her eyes hold mine. She's beautiful. The thought almost freezes me completely but, using the remaining drop of boldness left in my body, with one last push, I ask "Do you want to dance with me?"