Author's notes:

Welcome to the first chapter of my Stardew Valley fanfic. My goal with this story is to try and flesh out the characters in a semi-realistic way while keeping true to what they were meant to be. I chose a first-person standpoint for this because I feel that Concerned Ape wanted us to enjoy his game by projecting ourselves onto our farmer. I didn't want to ruin that by constantly having my character's name dictate the actions, so I'm attempting to avoid using her name as much as possible. This first chapter is the standard introduction/set up, so please forgive the necessary getting off the bus intro. I do believe that if you stick with it, you'll find yourself enjoying the story along with me. If not, please let me know why so I can consider it in future writing. I haven't decided which person will be the main love interest for this story, so if you would like your favorite considered, leave a comment. Male or Female doesn't matter, I'm happy with both!

Some things never change. I remember thinking this every year when I visited my grandfather on his farm. The smell of the valley in spring, the brightness of the sun, the way the breeze was warm but still had a wisp of cool air mixed into it as well. All of these things came back to me as I stepped off the dank bus and onto the grass. It had been years since I had last been here, but the emotions and memories long forgotten still managed to tug at my heart strings. I suddenly missed my grandfather again, but the feeling soon turned to pride as I retrieved my huge bag from the side compartment of the bus. The weight of it reminded me why I had come here. I was going to change myself for the better, and my late grandfather was the one who had given me this chance.

Stardust

By:

Satashi

"Hello there!" The voice came from an older gentleman with a gray mustache. He was walking over to me with a smile plastered on his face. "You must be Kim, I've been waiting for you."

"Mayor Lewis," I realized. I had spoken with him on the phone when finalizing the legal work needed to accept the property given to me. "Yes, hello," I stumbled a bit and my bag slipped from my shoulder and crashed to the ground next to me. I extended my hand to him to make it look like it was on purpose, but I could tell from the chuckle he gave that my plan had failed. "Nice to meet you," I finished lamely. I had always been a little clumsy, just enough for people to point it out, but not get used to it.

"Welcome to Pelican Town." His voice was sincere and honest, and his smile stayed as he shook my outstretched hand. "I was good friends with your grandfather. I recall him having his granddaughter over in the summers. I do believe we've met, but you're hardly a tiny little thing anymore… Ah, there I go again. Come, come, let me show you the way."

Holstering my bag once again, I started to walk with him. I heard a small rustling next to my feet and looked down, seeing something scuttle into the bushes. "I think I startled a squirrel."

"Oh you will find plenty of them here." Lewis continued on. "The old farm is a bit away, I hope you have the energy to carry that large bag of yours."

"I'm fine." I was by no means weak or dainty, but my bag did contain everything I had decided to take with me, minus a few larger things that would come by mail later. This, however, didn't help the fact that we had been chatting while walking for what seemed like a full hour. I was about to ask how much farther we had to go when we reached the top of a hill. A semi-flat area took up most of the real estate, save for a small house next to the drive way. "There it is…" I spoke aloud, my throat going somewhat dry at the sight.

"There it is," Lewis confirmed. The weeds were almost as tall as I was in some spots. The fields of crops that I recalled from my youth were all gone, transformed into wild trees, plants, and massive patches of grass. "I'll leave you here." The mayor nodded at me. "You should come to town when you're able, it's not every day we get a new resident."

"I'll do that." I still couldn't get over the dramatic change before me, and my voice reflected that. "I'll need a bit to settle in."

"You have power and running water, I made sure of that." The words made me feel a lot better. "Well now, you get settled."

"Thank you." I shook his hand one more time and then turned back to the farm... to my new home.

The walk to the front door gave me time to take in the house. I remember it from my youth, although faintly. A small two bedroom house with a shed nearby, made from logs instead of brick. The scent of the lumber used to make it was still there, although worn and coated with pollen and dust. The last time I had reached for this door, my arm was reaching upwards. Now, years later, I was putting a key into the slot. I heard a soft click and I pushed the door inwards.

There was a fireplace in the living room with a large mirror over it. Although dust stained, I could still make out my appearance in it. Long brown hair, held into a high ponytail by a scrunchie. My shirt was casual, chosen for comfort to combat the long bus ride I had to endure. Paired with a set of skinny jeans and sneakers, I looked positively average. I tore my brown eyes away from the reflection and took in the rest of my new home.

The cabin was almost empty, save for a dining room table that separated the kitchen from the living room, as well as a huge tube style television sitting on a stand that didn't look like it would hold the massive weight anymore. A tiny couch was in front of it, and a door lead to a bedroom nearby. Across the hallway there was another door to a guest bedroom and a bathroom for the house to share. "Home sweet home."

It was in the afternoon before I allowed myself to take a break from cleaning. I was sweating, despite having the old air conditioner running full blast. The poor thing was trying it's hardest, but it just wasn't enough for me. One thing the city life had ingrained in my head was a cool temperature at home.

The inside of the house was looking a lot better. I had decided on starting with the main entrance and living room, cleaning it to the point where it was passable, or at least livable. I needed a break from this, though, and went outside to look around at the farm. The area was just as bad as I first though, being completely over ridden by weeds and vegetation. "What am I going to do with this?" I asked myself out loud.

Walking through the field, I tried to recall the huge stalks of corn placed in neat rows, the strawberries cluttering the ground with just enough room to walk between and pick them. I remembered parsnips, turnips, leeks, and potatoes. I also remembered the grass. Huge blades of grass that were several feet tall, thick and perfect for cutting. This grass was beyond that, though, and I didn't feel the need to run through it like I had used to when younger.

Upon closer inspection, I noticed some of the grass was shaking. Stopping, I tilted my head to the side a bit, watching closer. Just as I had thought, the grass swayed violently to one side. A light glimpse of purple appeared near the top of the grass, swishing through the gaps. Curious, I walked closer. Listening to the sounds, I heard heavy breathing and slashing sounds, almost like grass was being cut.

As I got closer, I realized the purple I had seen earlier was actually hair. It belonged to a girl, and went just past her shoulders. She had on a black tank top with a light blue sleeveless jacket. A matching pair of dark jeans covered her legs, finally ending with what looked like boots on her feet. What got my attention the most, however, was the blade she was wielding. The girl had a double edged standard style one handed sword. She was focused on an imaginary enemy in front of her and she swung again and again, battling her unseen foe.

I was debating if I should try to sneak away before she saw me, not knowing if she was crazy or not, but the fact she was on my farm made me want to confront her, at least find out what the deal was. I had just opened my mouth to speak when she let out a battle cry and spun around, her sword heading straight for me. Instinctively I moved back, quickly avoiding the wild lash. My shocked yell made the girl stop dead in her tracks and look at me in fear. "Oh crap!" She exclaimed, almost dropping her sword. "A-are you okay!?"

"I'm fine." I managed out, looking at her with wide eyes. I felt a little tingling on my nose and touched it, feeling something sticky on my fingers. My eyes went down and I saw a tiny smear of blood on them. She had just managed to nick the tip of my nose.

"I'm so sorry!" I could tell from her voice that she honestly meant it. "I-I was just… oh you're bleeding! Stupid, stupid, stupid! I should have paid attention, I-"

"I'm fine," I said again. I luckily had my cleaning rag still stuffed in my back pocket so I took it out and touched it to my nose to help stop the bleeding. The cleaning chemicals on the rag instantly burnt the cut and I winced.

"What are you doing out here?" She asked me, sheathing her sword in the holder on her back.

"I live here," I responded, looking at the rag to see it was getting rather covered in my blood.

"You live…oh!" She looked flustered. "That's today! The new farmer!"

"Nice to meet you too." I moved the rag to a dry spot and winced again as I touched my cut. The girl moved closer, but hesitated before reaching out to look at my nose. "Really, it's just a nick. Face cuts bleed like crazy from the smallest things."

"…True…" She didn't look convinced so I moved the rag to show her. "Oh… good, I can't even see it… Uhm… I'm Abigail?"

"Hi Abigail, I'm Kim." I offered my hand, which she shook carefully. "Mind if I ask why you're swinging a sword around on my farm?"

"…Practicing," Abigail told me hesitantly. "I'm sorry, this was the best place to go to be alone. I've always come out here to explore the fields and get away from my family when they get annoying."

"I see." I could accept that. I had just arrived that day after all. "Well I don't mind. I haven't really started anything yet." Looking over my shoulder, I felt my heart sink a little at the state of things. "I have a lot to do before I can use this whole field…"

Abigail stayed quiet for a moment before answering me. "Thanks, but this is yours now, I shouldn't trespass." She was clearly still shaken at having almost decapitated me, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't.

"Don't worry about it, I have quick reflexes." I smiled at her and could tell she eased up a bit.

"Hey, tell you what." She put her hands on her hips. "As an apology for trying to kill you, how about you stop by my place sometime and I can give you something to help you out on your farm?" When I looked at her doubtingly, she elaborated. "My dad owns the local general store. We have all kinds of seeds, materials, tools, and lots of other things. Come on by and I'll make sure you get something to help you get going!"

I couldn't turn down a deal like that. "Thank you, I definitely will. Where at in town are you?"

The purple haired laughed. "You can't miss us, I promise." Looking satisfied with herself now, she smiled at me. "I should get back before I cause any more damage here. Sorry again."

"Forgiven." I meant it and she seemed to catch that. "Nice meeting you, Abigail. Maybe we'll look back at this moment in the future and laugh it up."

"That'd be fun." She walked past me and hesitated, looking over her shoulder. "Hey, Kim?"

"Yes?"

"Could you keep this between us? The sword I mean?"

I blinked. I knew monsters and spirits were more active out in the rural areas and lesser developed towns, but had always heard great stories of Adventurer Guilds and their proud members who hunted them. "Okay?"

"Thanks." With no other explanation, she waved again at me and headed off.

'Weird,' I thought to myself as I watched her go. It had been an interesting day so far for sure. Checking my nose again, I found it still trying to bleed through the cut that I probably wouldn't even be able to feel if not for the wood cleaner and polish I kept dabbing on it like an idiot.

Upon entering my house again, I heard what sounded like a few small animals scatter from the living room. 'Great,' I sighed out. 'Looks like I have rats too…'