Rambling Writings (+ Shorts)

The Newest Star (A Stardew Valley Short)

'Life is better with Joja!' read a billboard that whipped on by as I headed out of the city, this time for good. I rolled my eyes, memories of the drab, grey-scale office I had worked in previously flooding back to me. However soft the coach interior was, I just couldn't get comfy. Buttterflies didn't just flutter in my stomach, they were tossed about both with the motion of the large vehicle, and the nervous excitement of moving away. This is what I had been yearning for, subconsciously, for years. Longer than I had known. 

"Next stop: Stardew Valley Coach Stop, for Pelican Town." Spoke the intercom over the quiet hum of passengers. A few, like me, raised their yellow travel passes, so that the driver had an indication to stop. The chorus of butterflies grew louder as the coach came to a halt, and my feet seemed like unstable supports for my jelly legs as I walked off of the coach and gathered my things from the compartment. I took one last look at my former life, the bus pulled away further into the unknown. 

'Fern, take a right from the coach stop path and you'll arrive at your grandfather's farm. I should be there to meet you and settle you in. Apologies if I am late!
Mayor Lewis'
I came to the end of the letter as I took the right, and travelled on down the path to what was, long ago, grandpa's prosperous farm. Taking those steps felt awfully familiar, as if burned into my brain. Hedges either side of this path looked set to overgrow with spring flowers, as the buds grew from every branch. The track itself was dusty, and relatively unworn. That was about to change, big time. As I rounded a small corner, I was greeted by the sight of a timely, mature farm house. I didn't have the heart to call it old, as in fact I thought, and still think, it has worn its age very well. 

"Fern! Welcome to Pelican Town, my dear. How was your journey?" Walking towards me in mid-speech was a man in brown, well-worn dungarees, a green shirt, yellow tie, and a flat cap adorning his grey hair. I outstretched a hand, and in due course he shook it, smiling from ear to ear. "My my, young woman, how you have grown!" As I chuckled, and gave my grandpa's old friend a hug, a woman approached to the side of Lewis. "Oh, Fern," He smiled once again, letting me go. "This is Robin." He paused as we shook hands, and started up again promptly. "Robin is the town's carpenter. I'm sure you'll have plenty of use of her services once you're all up and running." Robin's green eyes fixed onto me, and she smiled brightly. "Yeah, you'll need me for this old-timer of a house! Sure surprised it has kept this well, huh?" With a bewildered brain, I simply nodded my head in response, to which she chuckled. Her bright auburn hair bounced a little as she patted me on the shoulder. "Nah, your grandpa's house has held up well. She's a bit creaky, but she'll keep you warm at night." Mayor Lewis glanced at the old house as a small spurt of wind blew by, animating his hair for a brief second. "Well, young Fern, we'll leave you to get settled in, okay? Robin's left a set of tools for you inside, so you can get started today, if you'd like." 

"That sounds good, Mayor." I smiled as they turned to walk into town, and glanced up at the house again. 'She's a fixer-upper, alright', I muttered in my head as I opened the door to my new house. My own house, my own land, my own space... 'Is this what peace feels like?' my brain threw thoughts at me as I clambered through a chest, marked 'tools'. A sizeable scythe lay inside, with an axe, watering can, hoe, and pickaxe. My mind whirred and I chuckled in a confused fashion... what on Earth would I need a pickaxe for? Dying for yet more fresh country air, I stepped outside, and my eyes met a tangle of what once was proud, productive farmland. Looking down at the pickaxe in my hands, I realised what I'd need it for. Askew was this land with overgrown trees, bushes, long grasses, large rocks and logs of assorted sizes. Just looking at it made me break a sweat. 

As I walked into town, my ears picked up the faint melody of a skilfully played flute. I heard the smooth sound of birds chirping in the trees alongside me, feeding their young. I closed my eyes to the chorus of leaves rustling in the light spring breeze, and breathed a sigh of contentment. Song long, Joja, and so long city. Each step brought me closer to the centre of Pelican Town, it's quiet, yet powerful, melody of nature sounding all around. 

1st of Spring, year 1, that was. My, how it's all changed since then. 

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Author's Notes:
I am in love with the Harvest Moon clone that is Stardew Valley. Hark at me, I'm not at late Spring, year two! My interest never gets that far with the Harvest Moon games. I won't say too much, as my experiences so far may serve as future writing material, but I'm in love with this game. So, so much.