The Maelstrom of Stardew

Year 1 (Spring)

Chapter 38 – The Spring Finisher [Part 1]

Saturday, the 28th of Spring, 2017

[Quest Announcement] - Gamer Ability/Notification

[LOAD GAME]

…

[GAME LOADED. WELCOME BACK!]

Taeko awoke with Logan licking his face and he playfully shoved the mutt off the bed. He smelled breakfast…and Elly May came in wearing a white tank top and her overalls again.

"Morning Kiba." She said sweetly. "Breakfast is on the table. The grown crops on the field are outside in a basket for you to grab."

Taeko could see curls of pit hair poking out from under her arms. He figured he was in for that.

"Thanks, Elly May." Taeko said getting up. "Go ahead in the living room. Turn on the TV and check the news for me. And please knock on my bedroom door before coming in."

Elly May left the room and Taeko got up stretching. He had headed off to bed in a [Basic Goth Shirt] and his usual long pajama pants. He came out of his room to see a [Complete Breakfast].

"I went grocery shop in the city to stock up on vittles in my fridge." Elly May remarked as he ate.

The news was about Red County and his business revitalizing the police force. The governor making some spiel on how good it was to see a young person want to improve things. He rolled his eyes at that.

"If the governor cared, Zuzu wouldn't be a gang-ridden city." Taeko muttered under his breath.

He looked over at Elly May thinking about her for a moment. He noticed the Menu of available options. Tempted as he is, he put it off for now considering the Flower Dance. He finished eating only to slip on his geta sandals to go deal with the farm as he had that buff from the food.

The basket had a [Green Bean] and about twenty [Coffee Beans]. He moved to destroy the [Green Bean] plants as it was the end of the season. Double the [Farming] XP and the buff from the breakfast made it rather easy to rack points. He moved to the greenhouse to get those [Garlic] to find they were all Gold Quality. 224 XP went a long way. He moved to the coop to see that his farmhand refilled the feeder (with other stuff besides [Hay]), but missed the eggs.

"Damn it, what did Elly May put in the hay?" Taeko said as he picked them up. "Two dozen [Large Brown Eggs], a dozen [Large White Eggs], half a dozen Silver Quality [Dinosaur Eggs], and three [Duck Eggs]."

He petted the animals racking up more XP before going over to the barn. He got the pail to start milking ever more grateful for Elly May. He got three jugs of [Milk] and [Goat Milk]. He sheared the sheep for their [Wool] before petting them.

[You have leveled up your Farming skill! You are now on level 8. +1 to Hoe and Watering Can proficiency. [Keg], [Deluxe Speed-Gro], and [Oil Maker] crafting recipes obtained.]

He found that ironic that only know he could make a [Keg] himself, but he was glad for the perk from Maru making crafting much easier. He could make his [Oil] now. He left the barn before going to the Farm Cave. It was overridden with fruits and shrooms given he had not even checked on this place. Thanks to his perks, all Iridium Quality. He put the OG Fitted Cap on his head to make space in his Inventory before gathering the spoils. He decided to make collecting in here everyday Elly May's job. With that buff faded, he went to the shed.

Nine bottles of [Mead], two bottles of [Blueberry Wine], and three bottles of [Mango], [Strawberry], and [Banana] wine were collected. Four jars of [Blueberry Jelly], two jars of [Mango Jelly], and ten jars of [Mayo] were also collected. He loaded the [Mayo Machine] before leaving.

He returned to the house.

"Elly May, I got something for you to do, but first…I have a gift." Taeko said.

He gave her a jar of [Blueberry Jelly], [Mayo], and a bottle of [Strawberry Wine].

"Good work for the first day. Only fair you get some of the spoil." Taeko said. "Go ahead and put them away. I need to put away my haul and make an order."

Elly May nodded and left with the gifts. He got some of the stuff in his Inventory away before getting to making the thirty bottles of [Oil of Garlic] Gloria wanted only to realize to his horror that he realized he needed ten [Garlics] to help in making just one of them. He and Gloria failed a spot check.

"Maybe the Dwarf can help?" Taeko thought before making the three bottles [Oil of Garlics].

He went off to shower tossing a few dirty clothes in the washing machine. It was only seven a.m. with the Flower Dance two hours away. He finished his shower and got on some under clothes.

"Ok, I can't go to the dance with a raging hard-on." Taeko said to himself.

Elly May was an option, or he could use the [VR Headset]. As he was thinking things over, Elly May walked into the room.

"Um, Kiba? You lookin' like you got a mighty hard-on here." Elly May said innocently.

Taeko guessed she was not exactly as innocent as he thought.

"Jethro used to get those all the time…usually Candace took care of him." Elly May remarked.

Taeko decided to ignore that implication focusing on when Elly May offered to take care of his for him now. He accepted…and she ushered him to a couch before she was on her knees fumbling to get it out.

"Gosh, your cock's huge…you're heaps bigger than Jethro." She said.

"Elly, please don't compare me to your cousin." Taeko said dryly as she began stroking. "Yeah, that's it."

"Mighty sorry. Candice never let do it. Said, me and Jethro were too close in blood relation…she's his second cousin removed." She rattled as she was stroking the meat.

"Hey Elly, open your mouth." Taeko mused before he shoved his shaft in the mouth. "and care of that…."

With her mouth working on it, he did not have to worry about her not saying anything that will not allow him to look at Candace with a straight face. Elly May took to it in stride she popped the livid glans from her mouth. She wrapped her lips around it and began giving him an inexperienced but enthusiastic oral experience. She began to pump her head back and forth, sucking fervently as she slid her salivating mouth over the length of his shaft.

Taeko wished she was not in all those clothes, but he was feeling the pleasure flow through him. He had rather pent-up considering Kyu toyed with him. He grabbed her by her hair thrusting it down her throat. He drove his cock into her mouth to the hilt, with his balls slapping against the farmgirl's chin. He had kept this up for nearly ten minutes. He bit his lip pulling his fleshy saber out and sprayed her face finally releasing his load. Her hair had a few globs of spunk, and her white shirt was stained.

"Shoot, you firing like a hose." Elly May said wiping some of your face.

Taeko was not worried, but he was pleased with himself as he cleaned his rod up before getting his underwear and boxers back up.

"Sorry about the mess. Good thing is I had ordered some new clothes…so go ahead and use my shower to clean up." Taeko said going for his phone.

He had to check texts first. There was one from Abigail reminding him about the dance and to wear a suit. The next was from Velma.

[Text Message from Velma]

Red County Headquarters has been formed. It's located on a ranch right outside Grapeseed. It won't have living quarters given you have a safehouse in town already. It will have the same pickups as the main one save for the vehicles. A [Picador] and a [Manchez] will spawn instead.

He noticed a text from Kyu.

[Text Message from Kyu]

You're building up quite a reputation now. Check your e-mail. There's a private security organization wanting to offer their services and/or let you work for them.

He'd check that later as he saw a text from Mater saying they got people to manage the headquarters. With no more texts, he checked his e-mail. He approved two ad requests and promptly deleted the one from a Joja affiliate.

He noticed the e-mail Kyu was talking about from a group called SecuroServ. He opened it up.

[From: handler ]

[Subject: Offer]

[Mr. Maelstrom, we have been hearing about your exploits on both sides of the law. A young C.E.O. with a privatized police force while leading a growing gang. We are aware of your ties to Kyu Sugardust, one of our most recent financial backers. SecuroServ is a private security organization offering work to those with a certain set of skill (like you) and services to CEOs/gang landers with status (like you). Because of your CEO status, you have qualified for VIP services. All that is needed is for you to sign up using the link below. On a second note, we have someone who wishes to speak to you once you sign up. – Kind Regards, SecuroServ]

Wasted no time using the link to sign, the Game handled registration and his Huniebee phone now had the SecuroServ app along with the icon showing up on his computer. He immediately got a call from an unknown number, and he answered.

"Hello…" Taeko asked.

"Yes, I'm from SecuroServ. Before you go and see what boons you have from us, you need to know something. There's a reason we came to you. You and our organization have a common enemy in Joja. Joja, who happens to have ties to a rival group of ours, Merryweather. We may have work for your group to help us deal with our enemies."

"Sounds good." He said.

"See me as your handler of sorts for those missions when you call. Each VIP is assigned a handler to deal with requests and the like. I am designated to you as 'Zephyr'. Goodbye." Zephyr said hanging up.

[Welcome to SecuroServ]

You now have backing of SecuroServ. With them you can use their network to sell cargo in your [Drop Points]. You can buy property through them with you'll need for smuggling. You can hire people to back up on missions or work your fronts. You can buy vehicles and along with other options. You can access the site from your phone and computers.

What Taeko saw was a lot of options…that were pricey. At least for the Warehouses and the like. Thankfully, because he had Offices and a Hangar already, he could buy stuff for them already. It did annoy him that he would need a Warehouse. He texted Velma about that, and she remarked that selling the lockup to use the money to get one is an option. He approved that and she said it would be handled.

He checked the mail leaving the packages from Binco for last. A letter from his mother was first up with a package.

[Letter from Your Obasan]

Dear Taeko,

You were making news again. Seems you're joining Nichloas Ark in the young millionaire's club, and I have been trying out of your products with your father. I wonder if you have the means for metalwork. I have enclosed to you a [Geode Crusher] so you don't have to go to a shop to get them cracked open. Your father is all in arms on getting you going as a business. I told him that sending you money is unneeded, but he insisted on giving you two million gold. Spend it wisely…

Take care, my little warrior.

Love, Victoria

[Enclosed: 1 [Geode Crusher] + 2,000,000 Gold]

He was almost mad his oba tried to tell his tousan no to that. He said a silent prayer of thanks and moved to the next one.

[Letter from Jed Clampett]

Mr. Maelstrom,

I wanted to thank you for helping us out and I figured the post would be more…discrete in giving details. I got out of that scrap all right. They bought the story and I got insurance for it. Calling me a hero even when I don't really deserve it. Me and my kin have settled in Bayside in Tierra Roboda. Lovely town with a nice big house by the sea. A combo of reward money from the bounties and insurance led to it. While I have no need to work anyway, I settled for investing and starting my own business. I co-own the Bayside Boat School now for young ones to learn to sail and run the Clampett Boatyard where I sell, buy, and repair boats among other services. I heard your business is making waves so I wanted to send something. Your cut of the reward. Visit us in Bayside if you got the chance, and I written my number if you need anything.

Sincerely, Jed Clampett

[Enclosed: 950,000 Gold]

[Jed's number has been added to your phone! You can call for a 'Water Taxi' to be carried around the Republic! You can also access their site to buy or arrange the sale of boats!]

Taeko decided he had to visit Bayside…maybe this summer he would. He texted Velma to hold on getting a Warehouse just yet. Next letter was from K-Dash with the daily profits, 125 Gold. Santos and Beli sent their cuts adding 4,500 Gold into his hands. Then the rent checks from the Verona Beach apartments came in totaling in 7,000 Gold. The Game did inform him he could increase rent a bit if he put money into upgrading it as…right now it was set to 500 Gold.

"So much money…" Taeko thought. "I am so going shopping later!"

He carried the packages inside. He put the [Geode Crusher] next to the [Crystalarium]. It had been spitting out [Quartz]. Taeko was shocked to get 35 of them out of it along with original one. He put those away for now before going to his packages. He got the clothes for Elly May and he called for her. He decided her to work out in the buck. Her body type reminded him of Yang Xiao Long only with visible abs. Brown nipples and a dark hairy bush that trailed up like San's.

"I bought you some new clothes. Modern underclothes and a dress because today is a special event in town. The Flower Dance." Taeko said giving her the box. "You should get ready."

"Shoot, that's sweet. Pa sent me money already. Candace called to say he's mighty successful now thanks to you." Elly May said taking the box. "My clothes are in your washing machine. I took yours out and put them in a basket."

She went outside for her cabin still naked. Taeko just took his package to the closet letting the Game handle that. Taeko was beyond pleased to see he got lucky.

[Hintlerland Boots (Dark) – Feet (Equip Item) – Walk, run, and crouch in the underground in iconic style from Liberty City with that Serb flair. This rare version is imbued with that Serbian defense and speed. (5% increase to weapon speed, +4 Speed, +4 Defense) (Bonus can be made if all three pieces to the iconic outfit plus fingerless gloves of any type) (GTA Collectible)]

It was one of the [Niko's Sasha Outfit] set, but he equipped it anyway before chucking the [Delta Blacklight Shoes] aside. He still got the chime for equipping it. Maybe he'd give them to Vincent later. He changed into his red tie, onyx suit, and suede wingtips. He saw that the Fusion Fall wear he gave out was replaced and took a [Western Hat] for Elly May. He could go to Rodan for a hat himself. He made sure his [Inventory] was organized putting away what was not needed and so forth. He got his swords and his vital things before leaving. He even took a few bottles of wine from his fridge. Elly May came down wearing the cream dress and boots with a rust red jacket.

"Here." Taeko said giving her the hat.

"Real sweet of you. Love the boots." Elly May said as they begin walking.

The pets followed and the Game showed him where to go. He passed by Rodan who was about to head out himself.

"Dude, I heard you were making moves in the underground. Wiped the Red County leadership out and took over. I owe you big. Let's just say a few peeps loyal to Marty decided to sell out and flee. I got a store in RC I bought out for cheap. Not only am I selling hats, but bicycles and motorcycles through Mr. Rodan's Bike Shed. It's in Dillimore. We also sell biker clothing and accessories." Rodan said as San came out in a dress and flats.

"Oh wow, you look like my great aunt Agate…but a bit more Asian…" Elly May said getting Taeko's interest.

"What was her full name?" He said.

"Agate Clampett, why?" She said as Taeko texted something.

"No worries, just prying." Taeko said as San looked at Taeko. "We should go, but I need a hat."

Rodan adjusted his tie before putting a [Bowler Hat] on Taeko's head as the four when to the source of the event.

"Taeko, you're right on time." Lewis said. "And who's your friends?"

"Harry Rodan. I live in the woods actually…I sell hats in the woods." Rodan said. "And the one with green hair is San…who also lives in the woods."

"I'm Elly May Clampett. I just moved in with Taeko last night." Elly May said as Pierre choked on a drink.

"Moved near me, Elly." Taeko corrected. "She's my assistant farmhand."

"Knowing you, it's…." Pam snarked only for Taeko to glare her into silence.

"Yeesh, Taeko. You're attracting girls like a magnet, and this one is really as big as you." Marnie said as Takeo revealed he brought wine. "And you bought the good stuff."

"2 [Blueberry], 3 [Mango] and [Banana]." Taeko said putting them on the table. "I'm in a good mood. A real good mood."

"Why so?" Shane asked.

"News from home. My parents sent me a care package. Something useful…and my father wanting to throw two million at me. That and helping out some people has netted me some fruitful amounts of cash." Taeko said jovially.

Haley's jaw dropped. She was a bit jealous Taeko's folks just threw money at him.

"I also got a bit of announcement. I joined up with a private security group…offering services to companies like mine and groups like us. I'll have my assistant e-mail you all with the deats. For now, let us enjoy the party!" Taeko said getting cheers from his friends.

He went to Pierre's booth buying the [Tub o' Flowers] recipe and five of them for decorating.

"So, Taeko? What are you going to use the money for?" Haley asked looking innocently.

"Investing in the business. I'm making the means to produce my own [Cloth] and [Oil]." Taeko said getting Emily's attention.

"You show me what you got and I'll buy if it's good." Emily said raising a glass of wine.

Before Haley could say anything, Alex got in the way.

"Dude, you're making bank. Still good your cash hasn't changed you, but I guess you did come from money. The way you handle yourself makes that clear." Alex said as they high-fived.

Before Haley could try anything else, Abigail led him away.

"Hey there, T. You clean up nice." Abigail said.

"So do you." Taeko said eyeing her white gown. "Though I see I should have gotten a blue suit."

"Don't worry about it." Abigail said taking his head. "You ready for this?"

"Of course, love. Wouldn't miss it." Taeko said smoothly. "But one second."

He texted Velma a quick order to make before giving Elly May 90,000 Gold.

"Elly May, my assistant Velma is going to be coming by to pick up this money and give you a package for me." Taeko said before going back to Abigail. "She'll let you know who she is when she gets there."

[BGM Unlocked: Howl's Moving Castle OST – Main Theme]

It was a fitting song that was picked as the dance began as Abigail and Taeko were simply focusing on each other. It was a slow waltz that Taeko could not help but hum along to. A whipping breeze blew the air with those spring leaves slowly colored different for the summer. Sebastian and Ling were next to him enjoying each other's company. Ling wore a more formal Chinese dress this time around.

"It's time to not have to worry and have a bit of down time." Ling said gently.

"You and I have been a real whirlwind." Sebastian said.

What caught Taeko's attention was Charlotte arriving and going to dance with Shane.

"When did they start seeing each other?" Taeko asked.

"I introduced them. Shane's last date didn't gel. They did." Sebastian said as Takeo had a pleased. "He's happy with her."

"Pair the spades, I guess. Works out for me." Taeko said.

Angel looked so peaceful and relaxed. For that moment, all the trouble, all the issues within everyone were allowed to be alleviated for the moment. Completely at peace.

"It's nice that in the tornado you brought in, we have a moment of calm." Abigail said wrapping her arms around him.

"You guys are my calm belt from Joja's storm." Taeko remarked back. "Looking forward to the coming season and what will come."

"Cheers to that."

Taeko turned to see a familiar face was back in town and smirked saying only a few words.

"Took you long enough."

[GAME PAUSED? WOULD YOU LIKE TO QUICK SAVE?]

[Yes] [No]

….

[GAME QUICKSAVED! HURRY BACK!]

(A/N: I wanted to separate the early parts and the dance for its own chapter. Give Abigail and Taeko a moment…even if there was a moment before Elly May and Taeko earlier. Considering the circumstance, it allowed for the dance to go much smoother. Next part, we finalize all that it the Red County gang's absorption into the Shadow Yakuza.)