Intoxicated (Stardew Valley)

Chapter Four

IT WAS THE 20th of spring. Shane's birthday. I knew his birthday was this month, but I didn't expect it to come by quickly.

With being the new farmer in town, I wanted to be friends with everyone and get in their good graces. And my logic was to give them gifts twice a week, especially on their birthday. And Shane's was not an exception... but I did want to get him something he loved.

Gus loved to talk. I'd head to the Saloon during the early afternoons when it was empty and talk to him. With him being a bartender, he would know all the secrets and latest gossip circling around town. From him, I learned that Shane loved pizza.

"Can you pass me the flour?"

I snapped out my thoughts and looked at a vibrant flop of blue hair. Emily had a confused look as she was waiting with her outstretched hand.

"The flour, right..." I murmured, picking up the ingredient on the counter and handing it to her.

My house wasn't fully upgraded and didn't have a kitchen. With Emily being my closest friend here, I asked if she could help me make pizza at her house. She agreed, and now so we were making pizza in the morning before she headed to work.

"You know..." Emily drawled out, spreading flour at the base of the dough, "Shane seems to be a lot happier since you've arrived here." She had this knowing look in her eyes that I couldn't seem to comprehend.

I hummed in response. Ever since our encounter at the dock, I realized that his attitude started to change. His cold demeanor was replaced with some light. I had hoped that his newfound kindness was because of me... I didn't want to assume.

We started to put the toppings on the pizza. "I'm really glad he's making friends. He always used to keep to himself at the bar," Emily said. "I'd call him out for always hiding in that little corner of his. It's his little space."

I frowned. I didn't want to think about his life before I arrived. Was he that miserable?

Seeing my face, Emily patted my arm, getting bits of flour on my sleeves. "Don't worry, Mae. As long as you don't hurt him, he'll be fine."

I leaned against the counter as she added hot peppers to the dish. Shane loved anything spicy. "But why is he like this? What happened to him?"

Emily put the finishing touches on the pizza and set it in the stove. She kept her back to me. "I... don't really know. He came from the city and rented a room at Marnie's place... but I don't know about his life before that. He never talks about it."

The sun outside was at its peak, signaling the start of the afternoon. The birds were chirping, the ocean waves were serene, and it was peaceful. The glare of the sun struck my eyes through the window as I thought about what Shane was doing. Was he tending to the chickens? I let out a wistful sigh. "Maybe he'll tell me eventually."

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"Now this is what I call a good pizza!"

Emily and I grinned at each other, the scent of cooked mozzarella and hot peppers filling the air. We both stared at the finished dish now cooling on the table. "Do you think Shane will like it?" I asked, fidgeting over what his reaction would be. Would he even accept my gift?

The blue haired girl rolled her eyes and lightly punched my arm in a playful way. "Of course he will!" she chirped, "It's fresh, spicy, homemade, and it's from you. What's not to love?"