Through the Valley

Drunken haze

Spring 🌦️

Chapter Two

(Trigger warning ⚠️ Suicidal Thoughts)

"There's a Joja Mart here?" I coughed, part of my drink escaping from my lips. I had taken Robin up on her offer to visit old Gus- The Stardrop Saloon aged with grace and flourished within Stardew. He had replaced the old splintered counters with a glazed oak, added a lounge in the spare room and with that some games. He even placed menus to the rounded tables- A sweet touch seeing as Stardew Valley wasn't much of a tourist attraction.

"They've been here for a few months now.. It's a blessing and a curse." Lew shrugged. Marnie, a new farmer who settled down in Cidersap Forest, patted Lewis's back with care. She was a pretty middle aged woman with an abundance of chestnut waves. Her tired brown eyes settled on me, concern plaguing them.

"They've taken a lot of business from us- But in the same turn given a few of our youth jobs.." I took one last sip from the empty glass, considering her words.

In my opinion; Joja was a sick, untrustworthy company.

I worked for many of their branches after finishing college- My Bachelor's in Business now wasting somewhere in my parents attic. Each one was more demanding than the last- Asking for everything but blood. The money was good but at what cost if my soul was theirs to break..

I much preferred me now.. In a dirty, newly stained, white T. The blue Jean shorts I borrowed from Jen, my older sister, practically glued to my skin from the sweat built up. Still tired, but now hopeful.

"I wouldn't consider Shane youthful." Lewis muttered under his breath. Marnie scowled in return, a dark look only a mother could have. I gave them their space and headed over to the bar where a beautiful, blue haired woman offered me the menu. Glass pools of crimson dug into me, a sweet smile seemed odd to be paired with such a strong feature.

"Hi! I'm Emily," She glowed, opening up the menu and pointing out a cocktail. "Wanna try a Stardop special?"

"Oh- I'll just take another beer." It was slight- But her face twitched quickly before withdrawing. I had also worked in her place long ago. In a slight haze I could see 16 year old me, flittering through the small rack of drinks and handing out finished meals. It felt like another life, a life lived by someone else.

Emily clicked down a foaming glass before attending to another. Out of habit I began scrapping off the foam and placing it on a napkin near.

"That's one of the best parts.." I peaked up to see a man I didn't recognize. He seemed older than me, with dark hair and grim expression . He was wearing an all too familiar Joja jacket and I couldn't help but show my distaste.

"No that comes after the glass is empty."

To my surprise he laughed, it was genuine with a hint of sorrow.. Emily returned with another beer and a shocked expression to see him take a seat with me.

"Shane," I chocked slightly, trying to mind myself while they spoke. "Don't you think you've had enough?" Emily glowered, it was meant to be a subtle warning but I was already wise.

Shane seemed a mess, the kind of stain you didn't bother to soak. His hair was unkempt and his facial had grown into his neck. Not to say he wasn't handsome- No. There was probably a time I would have looked at him in that way.. But now he was like me. Lost, looking for the slightest grace of serotonin.

Yet I couldn't find it at the bottom of a bottle the way he could..

"You're the new farmer, right?" He asked, his lips already downing half his jug. I nodded, taking a sip of mine.
"What made you want to leave Zuru?" His question was a double edged sword- One that I was not prepared to take this late at night.

"Just looking for a change of scenery.." It wasn't a full lie but it definitely couldn't be the truth. I needed more than a new house to change my thoughts on life. I needed more than my therapist offered.. Something in me was screaming to give living one last shot- But I wasn't sure how much more I could take.

"Hm.." His brows shrugged, looking down into his empty glass. I could now see it, that little twinkle when he reached the stage past buzzed. It must be cathartic..

"Does it help..?" I asked without thinking.

"Not at all." He admitted before raising his finger for another. "But it'll do for now.." Even with the evidence I could not concede. Temporary happiness was not my end goal..

But the view once I stepped outside the Saloon..?

Immeasurable; It was like someone planted each individual star in its place. Each one serving its purpose while I was nothing more than a speck of dust. This must be it, small and fading. But still I could feel that twing of joy.

"Waiting for something?" I jumped- And so did he. He was leaning against a large trunk, drenched in midnight.

"I didn't mean to scare you.." He grinned, puffing out a small cloud of toxin. "I'm Sebastian.."

"Aspen.." I muttered, slightly off beat with my footing. "Can you point me home.." He chuckled, tossing his finished cigarette on the floor. His Doc's crushing out any smoke that dared to escape.

"I can do you one better." His arm slipped around my waist. I objected momentarily- I barely knew the man. But I caught a hint of something; under the thin layer of smoke was the rich scent of Cedar. Topped with something sweet that I couldn't pinpoint. My knee buckled and I forfeited my reluctance.

We wobbled all the way to my little farm, humming along to some old band we both happened to enjoy.

"Nice place," Sebastian nodded, helping settle into my bed. "I guess this concludes our little date."

"Mm.. Is this the part where we kiss.." I giggled, a small hiccup sent us into laughter.

"You'd like that, wouldn't you?" He lowered himself.

I knew he was joking, but in my drunken haze I grabbed his jacket collar delicately tasting him. It was like a small bolt of lightning had shot right through me, sobering me right up when I felt his tongue embrace mines. I withdrew first, an apology lost behind my covered lips.

Sebastian smiled widely as my feverish expression, leaving without a second word.