I ended up venturing back to the valley alone. Elliott must have booked an either earlier or later train.
Before I walked out the front doors of the resort for the final time, my luggage rolling behind me, I turned around specifically to see if Elliott was behind me in any sense. As I should have expected, though, nobody followed. The lobby of the hotel remained just as gigantic and empty.
The train ride back to ZuZu was markedly more boring than the ride to the resort had been, and I couldn't even argue that it was because the seat beside me was vacant. The train stopped completely in the middle of some woods at one point, and I spotted a healthy green leaf slowly falling off a tree. I opened my mouth to tell Elliott about it, only to disappointedly close it when I realized he wasn't beside me. In that moment, I realized I couldn't argue it any longer, that Elliott had become my friend. I'd developed one of the most unique friendships of my life. I'd have to thank him for that at some point.
The sun was not quite to the horizon, but it was preparing to get there once I finally stepped off the bus and back onto Stardew Valley soil. I stood there for a moment, counting a few specific blessings of mine... those that this place, where I was welcome, where nature could find a safe home away from modernity, where mysteries about nature itself lived... was one I could call home without lying.
I then laughed a little to myself when I realized I wasn't busting down my own front door in a blind panic for Laslow's life this time. Still, I was just a tad anxious to see my precious boy again.
I was overjoyed to see that when I opened the door, Laslow was sitting by his bowl, which was half full, and looking up at me with a healthy look of content.
Not able to be bothered to unpack, I set my luggage by my bed, went over to Laslow, and picked him up to hug him close. The only feelings I could comprehend at the moment were happiness and fatigue, the latter being from the travel home. Well, warmth as well, from Laslow, who was also purring. I looked forward to combining his warmth with the warmth of my blanket, for the ultimate warmth-and-rest experience.
As soon as I raised my face from his fur, though, I spotted something white on the floor, right by Laslow's dish.
Once my eyes focused, I saw that it was a piece of paper. Rather, a sheet of notebook paper, folded in half.
A note from Sam? Well, that was my first thought. It made butteflies spawn in my heart and stomach.
I took a breath, picked it up, then opened it. It was, indeed, a note, and it read as follows... in handwriting that was somehow sloppier than mine.
"Dear Rachael,
I was going to wait for you to come back to Pelican Town, but my mom wanted me to get home for dinner, so I had to leave you this.
Sebastian and Abigail are a thing now!
A few days after you left, Sebastian told me he confessed! And, while he wouldn't go into all the details, he said you had a pretty big hand in convincing him to confess his feelings to Abigail, so... thank you!
They've been on a few dates since then, and... well, okay, maybe they're not OFFICIAL, but they might as well be. If they're not, what are they? You may see what I mean the next time you see them.
Aside from that... thanks for letting me and Abigail take care of Laslow again. He's an awesome cat, and I enjoyed spending time with him. Abigail and I have played with him with a string plenty of times! I love how lovable he is, haha.
Can't wait to see you again!
- Sam"
...I leave Stardew Valley for one week...