Choice of Roots - Stardew Valley Fanfiction

Chapter 5 - Long Nights Like These

[Sebastian's POV]

After the fun little confrontation I had with that bastard author, you could say I wasn't in the best mood. Even more so, when I realized that I was going to have to wait outside on a cold spring evening until the saloon would clear out—which most likely meant a couple of hours. Going back inside was out of the question. I didn't want to have to stand sitting near Elliot for that period of time, nor did the embarrassment of walking back in after my outburst sound like something I wanted to experience. So instead of taking that route, I made my rest leaning up against the outer walls of the saloon entrance where it was warmest. For what was supposed to be a mild season, the nights of spring in Stardew Valley could get pretty chilly, especially after the evening hours drew on.

My entertainment for the evening consisted of lighting a cigarette and listening to my own thoughts as the breeze swept through the atmosphere. There wasn't much to look at or gaze upon as I stood there, seeing as the cloudy night sky drew out any possible light from the moon. I could only smell the burnt scent of smoke whenever I took a good breath of my cigarette, which was the only calming or familiar feeling I didn't resent. Everything else just felt cold, forcing me to cling to the thin fabric of my jacket. Might as well have brought my winter coat if I knew I was going to end up out here, I remarked as I glared out into the abyss.

The only thing I really have left to describe are my thoughts, and at the time, I bet you can guess they weren't so happy-go-lucky. I'll start with the worst vibe I was consumed by—hatred. I don't want to go off ahead and say that I hate Elliot, seeing as I didn't know everything in the world that there was to know about him. But, from what I had heard and seen before now, and with what had just occurred, it was safe for me to assume that I dislike him. There was something about him that didn't really swing in my direction, although I couldn't put my finger on it. Was it the fact that you could often find him in a drunken state of mind? Or, maybe because he never helped out in the community like the rest of us? Was it because he was so consumed by his goddamn novel? I hoped that last bit wasn't it, as that would have been pretty hypocritical of me now that I take a gander at it. In a way, we were both in the same situation give or take. I didn't want to be one to judge, but at the same time I couldn't ignore my gut's feeling. Especially now. But, why?

It wouldn't be too dramatic of an assumption to guess that I had consumed most of my thoughts to answer that question, as that's what I ended up doing. I couldn't really come up with an answer other than my 'gut feeling', since I barely knew the guy. Maybe I would find out with time, but I frankly wasn't too interested in seeing any more of him around town. Letting his presence ruin another potentially nice evening is not something I was going to look forward to again.

That's when my train of thought had paused—was I pissed because he ruined my night with Roxane?

Well the answer seemed rather obvious—yes! The part that was a bit confusing was that I had gotten pissed enough to want to hate the guy so badly...which is a bit odd. It's not like I was best friends with her anyway, even if she seemed like a pretty nice person under all of that shyness. I don't mean to sound so cruel, but I don't tend to make connections pretty quickly, if at all. When was the last time that I was upset that I couldn't hang out with Sam or Abigail? Never, since I find programming a bit more important than getting into some mischief. Er...no offence to them. I'm not just not the go-to sociable fellow in the valley more often than not, so the fact that I was so upset that the night was ruined was odd. It was different. And to be completely honest, I didn't like it.

So like everything I don't like, I tried to ignore the suspicious feeling. Hell, I tried to ignore what had happened altogether, and convince myself that I didn't care that he went and butt-in on our night. Why should I care if he's in there sweet-talking her!? Go ahead, make nice with the new girl! I don't care.