Stardew Valley Fanfiction:
'The Farmer Witch'
Chapter 55:
It was just prior to midnight on the 24th of Winter. Damon, Sebastian, and Alice were bundling up to head outside. The trio stepped out into the cold winter's night and headed straight for the southern end of the farm. They trudged through Cindersap forest until they came across Rasmodius standing on the pier of the fresh water lake.
The wizard greeted his student and the two young adults with a casual bow, then turned his back on them to examine the stars like he had been prior to their arrival. Damon had informed the two farm residents that it was an ancient tradition of the magicfolk to gather under a clear sky at midnight to witness the Winter Star coming into view. Only those with magic in their blood could actually see the nighttime phenomenon that was the Winter Star's light. It was so far from the earth, that it's light could not reach the planet. But it's magical radiance could. So the group had gathered together to celebrate their own quiet welcoming of the holiday.
It was a silent affair. Damon stood beside his master, peacefully watching the skies together. Sebastian and Alice took a seat on the end of the pier, huddled close together with the man's arm around her shoulders. The four magical beings watched as midnight came and brought with it a beautiful glowing light in the sky, an extra 'star' coming into view just for them. White and blue light seemed to glimmer happily for a few minutes for the group to enjoy. They silently watched.
Like any star, it was common to make a wish upon it too, right? Alice wasn't really sure what to wish for. Everything she could possibly want was already with her here on the dock. So she silently wished for a fruitful new year on the farm. She wished that whatever happened, that he efforts would make her grandfather proud. As long as she could live up to his dreams for the land, then she would be satisfied. She hoped wherever Grandpa was now, that he too could see the beautiful lights in the sky.
The Winter Star came and went all too soon. After a few minutes of reverent silence, the lights faded, the star traveling away again until the following year.
Rasmodius was first to break the silence, bidding the trio a good evening.
"Will you be attending the festival today?" Alice questioned the wizard. She already figured on the answer though.
"No. I will celebrate privately." He declared. "But I wish you a pleasant feast." He offered a rare small smile to her, then began his walk back to his tower in the distance.
Damon rubbed his hands together for warmth. "We better head back if we want to be well rested for the festival. I'll see you both in the morning." He too smiled and took his leave back to his tower on the farm.
This left only Alice and Sebastian, sitting on the cold dock together. She looked up at him after a few minutes. "So, are you enjoying life as a warlock so far?"
He laughed softly. "I guess. I feel like I learn something new about this world every day."
"Yeah, that never goes away. I'm still learning new things about magic myself." She grinned, leaning up to place a soft kiss to his cheek. He felt cold to the touch. "Should we head back inside?" She asked.
"In a minute." He tightened his grip around her shoulder, pulling her back to lean against his side possessively.
As she rested against her boyfriend's arm, her gaze fell to the other end of Cindersap Lake. She remembered a few seasons back how she had run into Sebastian over there, literally. At the time, she had just been happy that the brooding male had finally talked to her. She had thought of him as cold and moody. She hadn't known back then how compassionate and caring he actually was. She had never imagined back then that they would have ended up like this together.
So much had happened in this year. She didn't feel like the same person anymore. She was happy. She was where she belonged. How had Grandpa known that this would be exactly what she needed? Exactly what Damon would need? Exactly what Sebastian would need too? Without the farmer returning, Alice had no clue where the young man would have ended up. Probably in Zuzu City somewhere after leaving home. Would he have ever met his father?
No matter.
What's done is done. It was time to look forward, not back. And just like the light of the Winter Star, her future was looking awfully bright.
She snuggled into Sebastian's side a little more. A few more minutes…then they would head back inside for some sleep.
"Alice?"
She looked up at the man. He looked so handsome against the background of the stars in the sky.
"Yeah?"
"With all the construction on the farm… my dad's tower… the slime hutch… I just want to make sure we aren't taking over too much of your space?"
She smirked. "I already told you not to worry about that. After all, if I let you keep enough stuff on the farm, maybe you'll never leave~"
He smiled, and even in the dark Alice could tell he was blushing a little. He and his dad were both so pale that even the tiniest red on their cheeks stood out easily. "I definitely don't intend to leave." He admitted. "Not unless you ask me to go."
It was Alice's turn to blush now. She hoped he meant it. She would be heartbroken if he ever decided to go…
"Well I'm never going to do that." She told the man.
He smiled softly beside her, looking out over the water. They stuck around for a bit longer, than Sebastian walked her home. They shared a kiss goodnight, which maybe lasted a little longer than their usual brief parting kisses. It was late though, and both needed rest before the festival began in the morning. Sebastian had to deal with his mother and her family tomorrow so he needed to be WELL rested. Alice and Damon had requested their own table from Lewis when he was making the plans in preparation for the big day, so at least Sebastian wouldn't be expected to sit with the Carpenter's if things got too weird.
It was a little hard to get to sleep though tonight. The farmer usually could just lay down and get right to dreaming. But filled with butterflies and happiness from time spent with her partner, Alice laid awake for another hour or so before she was able to drift off.
Okay, so I lied, one more chapter for today, then an update tomorrow! Thanks for all the kind reviews! It makes it a lot easier to write/update the story when I know people are still interested in it. - Mystical Jelly
