Chapter Text
Farmers POV
I turn on my headphones and unlock my phone, scrolling to find a song I’m in the mood for. I’m sitting towards the back of the bus, so the loud rumbling of the engine can be heard despite the music playing in my ears. Personally, I need music playing 24/seven. I’d say that music is probably the most important thing to me. Before I decided to move my entire life to Stardew Valley, I was scraping by in Zuzu City, trying my luck at a solo singing career. I’d post flyers around town, posted often on my socials, and went to all the open mic nights, but none of my songs were picking up traction. After a few years and a lot of rejection, it’s really hard not to pick your art apart and hate everything you write. So I quit.
When I was a kid, my grandpa gave me a letter before he passed. He told me that I couldn't open it then; that I had to wait until the day came when I would feel crushed by a burden and my spirit would fade. Only then, could I open it. That feeling hadn’t truly hit me until last night. I screwed up every guitar solo at my shitty gig no one bought tickets for. Coming back to my apartment to see that my monthly listener count dropped and my latest release hadn’t been streamed once since I last checked didn’t ease the pit in my stomach and the lump in my throat. I was 2 months late on rent, and it’s safe to say that I’d never been more desperate in my life. I know it’s probably impulsive and irresponsible to pack up everything at the last minute and hop on a bus to a town in the middle of nowhere six hours outside of the city. But when I read that my grandpa had left me his farm in Pelican Town, it felt like he knew exactly what I would need all these years later. A miracle was granted to me right in front of my eyes; I got a fresh new start. And don’t get me wrong, I could never give up playing music. Music has had a special place in my soul since I was born. I’m just putting my career on hold. I’m deciding to look at this in a positive light; maybe being a humble farmer could give me the stability I need.
A blur of trees and an endless orange sky is all I can make out through the muddied window. I left later than intended since I overslept and missed the first 3 trains, so the sun has slowly begun to set. I can’t resist the heavy weight of my eyelids anymore, as they begin to flutter closed.
“Last stop at Pelican Town. I repeat, last stop at Pelican Town.”
The loud vibration of the bus driver's voice over the intercom shook me awake and I immediately noticed that it was now pitch dark outside, with only the bus stops’ overhead light to illuminate the outside path. I gather my suitcases and quickly shuffle off the bus and down the steps, trying not to bump into anything with my bags. I look around to notice that the bus stop is in the middle of a forest. A cool wind stings my cheeks. Orange and brown leaves drift through the air as we’re nearing the end of autumn into winter. I carefully step on the dirt path, and a woman with golden-ginger hair approaches me, startling me a bit.
“Hello, welcome! You must be Rory! I’m Robin.” She smiles and holds out her hand for me to shake. I warmly take it, and I can feel the rough calluses on her palm and fingertips. “It’s good to meet you, Robin.” I smile. I can’t make out her features very well in the dark, but she seems to be a very beautiful woman. Older than me by maybe a decade, but she clearly takes good care of herself and is about my height. “Mayor Lewis sent me to show you the way to your new farm! He’s there now, fixing up the place for you.” She gestures over to a path on her left, implying that I follow her.
The walk to the farm wasn’t long at all. I followed Robin’s lead down the road, the trees lining the path rustling and swaying along with the wind, synchronizing. We approach the entrance, and the snapping of tree branches and leaves crushing up underneath our feet interrupts the silence. The farm is incredibly overgrown; piles of broken tree logs, boulders, and wild bushes cover the entire terrain. No one’s been here since Grandpa passed. I remember when this land used to be bustling with chickens and cows, keeping him consistently occupied. Dead tree limbs lay where the countless rows of different flowers, vegetables, and fruits used to be. This land used to have beehives and tons of wine kegs, which, if you listened real close, you could hear the bubbling of the grapes fermenting.
Suddenly, a tall, older man dressed in green and suspenders, who I can only assume is Mayor Lewis, steps out of the cottage to greet me.
“Rory, hi!” Without warning, Mayor Lewis outstretches his arm and grabs my hand, enclasping it in his with a firm handshake. His eagerness takes me by surprise, but I maintain a polite smile. His cheery demeanor overwhelms me a bit, but I’ll pass it off as southern hospitality.
Towards the very end of my grandpa's letter, he had written a P.S. note.
“If Lewis is still alive say hi to the old guy for me, will ya?”
I had only been to Pelican Town a few times as a kid, but I didn’t know it was small enough to make friends with the mayor. I guess I’ve gotten too accustomed to the city.
“I’m Mayor Lewis, it’s great to meet you! Everyone is very excited to meet you too, it’s not every day we get a new neighbor, y’know!” He smiles and releases his grip on my hand. “It’s good to meet you, too, Mayor Lewis.” I let out a short sigh. “I needed a change of scenery.” Robin bids us both her goodbyes and heads back the same way we came. “You know, I didn’t know you were friends with my grandpa.” I say. Mayor Lewis’s eyes light up a bit when I mention his name. “Of course! He did a lot of good for our community while he was here. He was always a pleasure to be around. How’s he doing now?” I was afraid of that question. I hesitated to answer, but I decided that I couldn’t lie to him. “Mayor Lewis, -” “Oh, just Lewis is alright, Rory.” Oh yoba. “Lewis,” I swallowed before speaking again. “My grandpa passed several years ago, I inherited his cottage.” The light from his eyes promptly dimmed in a moment. “Rory,” He comfortably placed his hand on my shoulder. “I’m so sorry to hear that. He was an incredible man, I’m sure you know that.” I do. And I miss him every day. But for right now, I’m just grateful that he’s given me this second chance. “Thank you, Lewis, I really appreciate that.” I beam. Mayor Lewis pulls me into a quick side hug and makes his way down the steps of the porch, heading towards the path to leave. “You must be tired from your journey, please get some rest. You should check out the townsquare a bit tomorrow. The townspeople would love to meet you. If you have the time, drop by the Stardrop Saloon!”
I bid Mayor Lewis goodnight and take my first step into my new home. I’m excited and nervous and feeling every emotion under the sun as I turn the key and open the door. I’m welcomed to a single-room cottage, with only an old-fashioned box TV, a twin bed, and a wooden table and chair inside. I suppose it’s better than nothing.