THIS STORY CONTAINS STORY OF SEASONS SPOILERS. Sorry for such an aggressive opening but I don't want a single comment of people being mad at me for spoiling. So I am going to warn over and over again, if you have not played story of seasons and you are avoiding spoilers, then do not read this story. Seriously, just turn back and leave now. Like it's not just a little character blip that I'm spoiling like it's a plot point. So if you don't want to be spoiled don't read. Or do read, and don't yell at me. It's not my fault at this point.

I just got inspired to start this story while playing SOS, so yeah. Not sure how long it's going to be. Also one small thing I feel the need to point out, I treat the in game seasons as if they were three months in the story… Yeah. So hope you enjoy!

Raeger wished he knew how to help her feel better. But after something like death happens what can you really do? The whole town seemingly stood still for a day, everyone had met Madam Eda at one point or another. She used to come into the restaurant all the time and the young chef enjoyed talking to her quite a bit. When she passed on… No one was really ready for it. They all knew that she would go eventually, but it didn't make it easier.

Annie seemingly took it worst of all though. She used to come into town every day, make an effort to try and talk to everyone she could. When the town lost Eda she lost something as well. Now she simply walked through town to get to the trade depot when her crops were ready. She'd give polite nods to people passing by, and if anyone asked if she was alright she would dismiss them, saying "I'm fine" and finding the quickest way out of there.

The rest of the town went back to normal, she didn't.

Raeger was worried about her more than most of the town. They had formed a special relationship in the nine months she had lived in town. She came to talk to him every day, even once took care of him when he was sick. He honestly felt himself falling for her the more time they spent together. Even he couldn't break through her grief, she'd push him away like all the rest.

He tried to talk to her at the funeral but she was quite distraught, she didn't want to talk to anyone. He hated seeing her cry like that, it broke his heart. Deciding to give her space, he just left her alone. "She's just busy with the new farm." He reasoned to himself every day she didn't come in. But a week passed without her dropping by so he went to go see her, check if she was alright. Eda's farm hadn't been touched at all. It was all left to Annie but it still looked the exact same as it was at the funeral. Empty. He knocked on the door, asked if she was alright. She just said she was fine, she was busy, and closed the door before he could ask any more.

So he stood in the restaurant. Late evening as snow fell past his windows. The place was nearly empty, only a couple at the very back both enjoying a piece of pie. Agate walked into the building and smiled at her friend. He responded with a half-hearted smile. "Hey Agate. What can I get for you?"

She took a seat at the counter before thinking for a moment. "Apple pie if you got it?" She beamed another happy smile.

"Coming right up." He walked over to the desert shelf to get her some apple pie. She watched him and tilted her head when he came back. She knew her friend well, even when he was sick he was always happy at work. It was as if the life was sucked out of him.

"Are you okay Raeger?"

He put the pie down in front of her and let out a sigh, "Just thinking about Annie."

"Oh… Still hasn't dropped by then I'm guessing?" She asked.

"Nope… It's been two weeks. I'm worried about her. Went to go see her and she still won't talk to me. Fritz said the same thing and they're pretty much best friends."

"She just needs time. If she was really close to Eda then it might take a while longer for her to get over her death." She picked at her pie as she spoke. "All people grieve differently. I haven't known her for long but… She is a quiet person. Space is probably good for her."

They both went quiet as the other couple walked past and out of the restaurant, paying earlier.

"I'll just give her some space then… But after another couple days and I'm going to go see her. She needs to open up eventually, right?"

Agate just nodded. "She will eventually." She assured him and began to eat her cake. Raeger started to clean up, feeling a little bit less worried about it.

The next morning Annie found herself walking up to the Margaret farm. Elise had wanted some farm inspection two days prior, so she had to bring over some vegetables. She didn't really want to go, but she knew eventually she would have to get back into regular life.

She walked up the large stone steps and shivered. Even though the sun was shining, the snow from the day before still covered the ground. When the entered the farm though the snow had been cleared. She just figured Elise had made her servants do it so she wouldn't have to step in the snow. Up ahead she saw Elise in her signature bright pink dress, and there was someone else with her. Someone Annie didn't recognise from town.

Walking over, she got a closer look of the man. He had a very exotic look, his clothing reminded her a bit of Asche's from the trade depot. His white hair and red eyes stood out most though, intriguing her greatly. As she approached Elise looked over, halting the conversation.

"Hello Annie. You finally managed to make it out here," She smiled at the other farmer. She wasn't trying to be rude, it was just her way of talking.

"Just had to wait for the crops to grow," Annie admitted, the man just stayed quiet.

"Oh, leave that for another day. I want to introduce you to Nadi," Elise gestured to the man who nodded his head to Annie respectfully. "Nadi is the landscaper I hired to work on my estate."

Annie smiled at him politely, actually glad to see a new face in town. "Hello. I'm Annie," she stuck out her hand to shake his.

He shook it, "It's nice to meet you Annie."

Elise was glad to see Annie talking to someone. She wasn't the closest to Annie, but she noticed the change in her after Eda died. "Well Nadi, you start work tomorrow. Better be well rested, want you here bright and early."

"Yes Ma'am."

"Maybe you two could get to know each other a little better?" Elise suggested. "I should be going now. Check on the fields… And Annie drop by with some vegetables another day!" Elise told her.

Before Annie could protest the girl was walking away. She just wanted to get the farm inspection done and over with. There was a pause between her and Nadi before she turned and looked at him.

"So… where are you staying?" She asked.

"At the hotel in town," He responded, she could already tell he wasn't the talkative type. Not that she minded. For the past two weeks the last thing she wanted to do was talk. In a social town like Oak Tree, it's hard to avoid.

"I could show you where it is if you'd like? I'm going that way anyways. My farm is that direction." She said and then paused, "If you want I could actually show you around town. Don't have anything else to do today… That is if you want me to show you around."

He considered the request for a moment before nodding. "Alright, thank you Annie." For the first time since she met him he gave her a small smile. And for the first time in two weeks, she wasn't thinking about Eda.

That's the end of chapter one! Hope you enjoyed it! If you want then give it a review, always appreciate feedback