Choice of Roots - Stardew Valley Fanfiction

Chapter 2 - Acquaintances

In the days following my meetup with Lewis, I tried to follow his advice and not think too much about Joja. At times, I'll admit I couldn't help but dwell on it, but my work kept me busy enough to have a clear mind about me. Day after day, I took care of the bundles of crops that were beginning to adorn my farm. Whenever I felt up to the task, I began to clear away sticks, stones, and overgrown grass from the acres of land before me. It might take a season or two before I was going to be able to bring back the land from nature's entangled grasp, but tiny steps were enough for the time being.

It was starting to overturn to the middle of the spring season, when I got wind of an exciting event to take place in town. The Egg Festival. I assumed it was mostly for kids, seeing as the egg hunt was the main event of the day, but Lewis encouraged me to take part it in regardless. "I'm sure you'll have so much fun!" He had insisted with a smirk. "You'll be surprised—those young'uns will beat you to it if you're not careful!"

Whether or not I was going to participate really didn't matter at this point (although I'm sure I'd eventually force myself to, no matter how hard I made a fool out of myself). What was important about this event, was the preparation that was to be taken in the days prior.

I had found out about the hard work and dedication the village had for its events while walking into town on an early morning, aiming to buy some seeds from Pierre's shop. As much as I had wanted to take a little job around the area, to make myself familiar with the layout of Pelican Town, I didn't really have much of a chance unless I was forced to via work or chores. On this particular day, I had found multiple citizens hard at work in preparation for the Egg Festival. Tables that were needed were being put together by scratch, dishes for the large lunch that were to be held were being planned, and of course—they had to decide where they were going to receive all of the eggs from (I suspect Marnie was always the first choice).

For some reason, their hard work captivated me enough to stare—which was eventually noticed by Robin as she passed me by.

"Why don't you come and help out sometime, since you look so intrigued?" She has grinned at me, while carrying what looked like a couple pounds of timber.

I had shrugged, offering a half-smile in response. "If I could find time, I'd love to. But, I mean...I don't know anything about this festival. How am I supposed to be able to help?"

Robin had snickered, patting my back as she started to walk back towards the town square. "Don't worry so much about what you can and cannot do! We could use all the help we could get, I assure you!"

I tend to have a bad habit of not following the advice I am given, with a few exceptions. Luckily, I decided that this should be one of them. Despite my nervous manner, I ventured out one rainy morning en route to the town square. The crops didn't require much care on damp, down-poured, days like these, so in a sense I had all the time in the world. Deep down, I couldn't really find an excuse not to help, other than the silent tug in my chest that was still a bit jumpy when it came to meeting new folks. Back in the city life, nobody knew your name unless you grew up in the same apartment complex. Here, everyone wants to get to know you, and sometimes get up all in your business. Like the new weather, and new labor working its way into my brain, I suppose that this was something I also had to get used to.

Dressed in a yellow rain jacket and matching hat, my stand-by boots, and rugged denim shorts underneath, I made my way onto the path that connected my world into theirs. While the rain came down overhead, I remained perfectly dry underneath all of my resistant clothing. Meanwhile, the air was oddly warm enough for my legs to be exposed. It's only spring, and the air is already getting used to warmth, I observed. Well, no complaints here. I'd like to be as far away from winter as nature can allow.