Til There Was You - Dr. Harvey x Farmer, Leah x Shane Stardew Valley Fic

chapter 3 - jensen

The following day greeted me with the warmth of the rising sun as I slowly woke up and got ready. Excited to tend to my freshly planted crops, I stepped outside into the crisp morning air. The task seemed simple enough, all I had to do was water the seeds, but it proved to be more time-consuming than I expected. My watering can only poured out in a meager little circle and needed constant refilling. Emily's words then echoed in my mind; she had mentioned that the local blacksmith, Clint, should be able to give me some better quality tools. After I finished watering, I figured I had nothing better to do than head over to his shop.

    As I strolled through the town square, the early morning hour ensured its near emptiness. I passed by the saloon, Pierre's general store, a charming little clinic, and some colorful homes that exuded a sense of warmth. Stardew Valley, with its small size and walkability, was quickly beginning to weave its charm around me. I couldn't help but appreciate the convenience of having everything I needed within reach, and it really felt like a community.

    My steps led me to a dark stone building with a brick roof, from which a furnace protruded, belching smoke into the air through the chimney. The solitary window on the second floor was guarded by sturdy metal bars. Though the sight of the building was a little intimidating, it looked like this must be the place.

    I stepped inside to see the same man I had seen at the saloon last night - Clint. I wondered why Leah and Emily had seemed to think that he was such a creep. He must not be too harmless, as Emily had recommended that I come to see him. Observing him, I realized he hadn't changed from his armor-clad appearance. I realized that he probably forged the peculiar armor himself.

    Clint's blank stare greeted me as I approached. Breaking the silence, I mustered a friendly greeting, "Hi, you're Clint, right?"

    "Yup...and you are?" he replied, his voice tinged with curiosity.

    "My name's Jensen. I don't know if you've heard anything about me, but I own the farm to the left of town." I introduced myself, still coming to terms with the fact that I now owned property. "My grandfather used to own it before he passed."

    "Ahh, yes, I've heard a thing or two about that," Clint acknowledged.

    "Okay, awesome..." I continued awkwardly. "So, Emily actually suggested that I come to you with some of my tools. She told me that you could upgrade them and make them a little easier for me to use."

    Clint's eyes seemed to enlarge to five times their original size. "E-Emily told you that?!"

    In that moment, I wished I had never mentioned her name. "Yeah...she was just telling me a little about some of the people I hadn't met yet..."

    "Well, did she say anything else about me?!" he asked, obvious desperation in his voice.

    Now more than anything I just wanted to leave, but I remembered what I had come here for, and I wasn't going to let this weirdo scare me away. "She said you were a talented blacksmith. And that's the reason why I'm here right now." I responded with a hint of firmness.

    "Oh, right, right...Yep, I'm a blacksmith. In fact, my father was also a blacksmith. My grandfather was a blacksmith as well." Clint revealed, pausing briefly before adding, "I bet you can't guess what my great-grandfather was..."

    I stared at him for a moment. "A blacksmith?"

    Clint's surprise was evident. "How'd you know?"

    The silence hung heavy in the room "Lucky guess," I replied, seeking to break the awkwardness.

    "So...you're looking to get your tools upgraded?" he asked, finally returning to the matter at hand.

    "Yes, please."

    "Can I see them?"

    I plopped my hoe and watering can up onto the counter. He examined them quickly, and then asked, "Did you bring any copper with you?"

    Confusion clouded my face as I asked, "Any what?"

    "Copper. If you want me to upgrade your tools you'll have to give me the correct ore." he explained.

    "Oh, I'm sorry, I'm pretty new to all this, I had no idea," I admitted, feeling a hint of embarrassment. "Where can I find copper?"

    "Well, for that, you'll have to venture into the mines."

    My eyebrows raised. "The mines? As in...I have to mine my own ores?" I asked incredulously.

    "Yup, that's how that works around here. It's not as daunting as it sounds; trust me, I've been doin' it for years. You got a pickaxe right?" Clint asked, his gaze steady.

    "Yeah, there was one left at my house before I moved in...I guess I didn't expect that I would actually have to use it," I confessed, feeling a twinge of naivety.

    "Yup. The entrance to the mine should be right above your house, right next to Robin's ol' carpentry shop. Come back when you find what you need." Clint instructed.

    I was dumbfounded. I didn't know what else to say, so I thanked Clint and left with my tools in hand, contemplating the unexpected journey that was now awaiting me.