AN: While I was writing this chapter I found out Take This awarded the Dr. Mark award for excellence in the portrayal of mental health, healing and hope to ConcernedApe while he was at PAX. Thinking about it, those three topics, mental health, healing and hope are very big corner stones for Stardew Valley. Not only do they form the reason that the main character exists but they form the stories of the other characters as well. Each and every one of them has their own trials they are trying to overcome. And the MC helps them through them, I wasn't even thinking about that when I planned out how Matt was going to interact with the other residents of Pelican Town. To be honest writing just these two chapters alone has been far more therapeutic for me than even my fluffiest RWBY fic. I may go off script once in awhile with the characters but I hope I can give the core ideas behind Stardew Valley enough impact to seem realistic.
And before anyone asks, no I still don't fully have a plan for this story yet but I will go far and beyond the bundles for the community center and what is considered the "end game". At least for as long as I feel able to write and since I literally have a save file dedicated to just solo RPing out scenes I think I'll be writing this for a very very long time. Anyway that's enough rambling from me. Enjoy the journey, keep moving forward, and don't feed the guard dogs. - Phoenix Commander signing off!
Chapter Two
Matt woke bleary eyed to the sun streaming in through the window and into his face, Ugh… my head is killing me. Why did I say yes to that drinking challenge with, what was her name? Pam… yeah she drank me under the table.
The new farmer looked around his grandfather's small cottage, as he reached for his boots. He put on a pot of coffee as he slowly began to dress for his first day's work. As it had turned out, the homey place was slightly larger on the inside than it had looked on the outside. Which was to say it was somewhat cramped. Matt's perusal of his new abode was interrupted by a knock at the door accompanied by the voice of Mayor Lewis, sending a slight spike of pain through his temple. "Matt, you alive in there?"
"Just a second, Lewis." The hazel eyed farmer called back, wincing as he aggravated his headache further.
As Matt opened the door he noticed Lewis had brought a small package with him, and a bundle of various farming tools. "I figured I'd help you get started. Brought over a bundle of parsnip seeds from Pierre's general store, and your grandfather's old farming equipment."
The farmer smiled slightly in thanks as he let the mayor into his home and poured a mug of coffee, nodding to the pot. "Thanks I appreciate it. Do you want a cup?"
"Sure, I could use it. I still have to make my rounds today, with winter come and gone I need to make sure everyone is able to do what they need to for the spring." The mayor said, taking the proffered mug.
Matt chuckled as he asked jokingly, "Only thing in life that's certain is death and taxes, so are you the reaper of the seasons or the tax collector?"
"A little bit of both. I'd tax death if it would help put money in the town coffers." The grey haired mayor answered with a humorless laugh. It's meaning didn't escape Matt's notice. After a few moments of silence Lewis downed the rest of his coffee, set the mug on the table and started for the door. "I should let you get to work. Once you get those parsnip seeds in the ground if you want to get more, or you want to get different seeds, Pierre sells them for a good price."
Matt followed Lewis out to the porch, taking another sip from his mug. "Thanks Lewis, I'll keep that in mind. Once I get these seeds in the ground I think I'll make my own rounds about the town and introduce myself to the rest of the other residents." The farmer replied thoughtfully.
"Not a bad idea, oh and if you find or grow anything worth selling I've placed a bin by the gate to your farm. Just leave your produce in there, I'll come by in the evening to pick it up." The mayor replied, gesturing toward a large wooden bin by the gate as he walked to the border of Serenity.
"I'll be sure to put anything I find in there." Matt replied bidding the mayor farewell. The new farmer picked up his hand me down tools. An old battered watering can, a pickaxe, a hoe, an axe and a scythe. Better get these parsnips in the ground. The sooner I do it the faster I'll learn and the faster I learn the more I can help Pelican Town. Lewis meant it as a joke but he knows the town can sorely use any income.
Picking up his tools the hazel eyed farmer walked a short distance from his cottage and began cutting back the weeds and other vegetation that had claimed the soil with the scythe. It wasn't as easy as Matt had first thought it would be. His first few swings did little to clear the weeds and grass, "You're gripping too high up the haft. Readjust and don't throw your weight into it, let the blade and momentum do the work for you." A voice called out grabbing the new farmer's attention.
Turning toward the voice, Matt saw a short middle aged woman. She was wearing an orange shirt under green overalls and her dark brown hair was pulled together in a ponytail. "Hello there!" Matt called back as he followed her advice, and waved her over so they wouldn't have to shout. The swing cleared a suitable portion of the weeds for a few of the parsnip seeds. As the woman stepped through the gate and walked over to him, the farmer asked not unkindly, "So I've met Lewis and Robin, mind telling me your name?"
The woman smiled and nodded approvingly at the now cleared soil, "I'm your neighbor, Marnie. Lewis said you arrived yesterday so I thought I'd introduce myself after seeing to my animals."
"Pleasure to meet you, Marnie, I'm Matt." The hazel eyed newcomer said, offering his hand. Marnie shook it warmly, her grip surprised him, the former HR director could feel the rough calluses on her palms from her years of work. "How long have you run your ranch?" He asked curious, as he subconsciously flexed his now sore hand.
"Oh right around thirty years, though I helped my Pa maintain it till he passed it onto me when I was about twenty." The rancher answered, looking thoughtful for a moment. "Hhmm, you've got your work cut out for you, Mr. Matt. You dress the part well, jeans and a T-shirt aren't a bad idea for the day's work. But looking the part isn't everything." The middle aged rancher said.
"I know. But like I told Lewis and Robin, I'm willing to learn as much as I need to." Matt replied, taking no offense to Marnie's comment. He could tell she meant well.
Marnie nodded, with a smile. "Good, Pelican Town needs that kind of drive. Though farming itself needs that drive regardless." Marnie glanced in the direction of her ranch, Matt could hear the distant baying of sheep and mooing of cows. "I'd better get back to the ranch. Don't be a stranger, if you ever want to learn a few tricks for raising animals or a lesson or two about a few crops I'd be happy to lend a hand."
"Thanks, Marnie, I will. Before you go, I should be out around town later today, any advice on where I should go first? Lewis' tour yesterday was not all encompassing." The greenhorn asked, returning the smile.
"Start with Cindersnap Forest. It's just west of my ranch, see what it has to offer. If not for wild produce then at least for the sights. Then loop back into town, by then most everyone will be up and about." The rancher suggested, before heading to the gates of the farm and waving goodbye to her new neighbor.
Thanks to Marnie's advice about how to better use his scythe, Matt cleared a sizable plot of land for all of his parsnip seeds. Setting the scythe aside he grabbed the hoe and began tilling the soil. By the time it started to reach eleven O'clock, Matt had turned up a thirty foot area of soil, planted the seeds, and watered them. "Not too bad for a start. But a few parsnips won't be much in the long term. I do feel great about doing this, it's refreshing to be able to work with my hands." Matt said to himself, looking at the freshly tilled soil and the crops he had planted within it. Placing his tools on the porch, the farmer headed into his cottage to clean himself up after his work.
After changing into a grey long sleeve shirt, the sleeves of which he rolled to his elbows, a pale blue vest, a clean pair of jeans and enjoying a quick meal, Matt paused at the door. He went to his suitcase and pulled out his small harp and placed it inside a small satchel before stepping onto the porch and locking the door behind him, I need to get back to playing again, if I find a good spot I'll spend an hour or two practicing. With his harp in his bag Matt started toward Cindersnap Forest.
The sounds of the awakened town soon fell away behind him as the farmer wandered into the forest. The dense trees and untamed foliage muffling any noise better even than the vegetation on Serenity farm. Looking around himself, Matt could see an abundance of wild dandelions, daffodils, and other plants. The farmer could even see the river that flowed through Pelican Town and the source lake from where he stood. "It's quiet here, and Marnie was right, it is beautiful." The brown haired man mused, a small smile of contentment forming at the peaceful quiet.
"You're right it is, that's part of the reason I like it here." A voice said, startling the greenhorn from his musing.
"Mother of Yoba!" Matt exclaimed, looking quickly toward the voice, his heart racing a little.
A young woman sitting with her back against a large oak overlooking the lake, an art easel in front of her, an apologetic smile in her blue eyes, "Sorry I didn't mean to scare you." Her pale orange hair was done in an elegant braid. She was dressed in a mossy green midriff blouse, her sleeves rolled to her elbows, a dark green vest, dark brown suspenders ran up from her faded jeans. Her mid calf brown boots were flecked with small droplets of dried paint and clay.
"I-It's fine. I didn't think anyone would be out this far from town besides Marnie and myself." The hazel eyed farmer said regaining his composure.
The woman looked him over as if studying him, He's fresh from the city. I wonder what brought him here? After a moment she replied, "You wouldn't happen to be the new farmer that Mayor Lewis was telling everyone about, would you?"
"Yeah that would be me, I'm Matt. How much did Lewis tell everyone?" The greenhorn asked, offering his hand.
"I'm Leah," she replied, shaking Matt's hand warmly. "Mayor Lewis didn't say anything bad, don't worry." Leah chuckled.
"Good, I'm glad to hear the rumor mill hasn't started yet. Mind if I join you?" The farmer asked, not wanting to intrude on Leah's privacy.
The painter set aside her easel and took out a sketch pad, "Of course not, though I do like the quiet I don't mind the company."
Sitting with his back to the oak Matt glanced at the easel Matt could see the beginnings of a landscape painting of where they were sitting, "That's beautiful, how long have you been painting?" Although her handshake wasn't as strong as Marnie's, the former HR director had felt the wear and tear of dedicated hard work on them. The ridges of a few small scars crossed her hand, most likely from a few slip ups with her artisan tools.
The farmer noticed the embarrassed blush that dusted Leah's cheeks, as she continued to sketch, casting a few quick glances at the hazel eyed farmer. "I, um, that's nothing. Just a small exercise."
"Well it's better than I could manage." Matt looked thoughtfully at Leah for a moment before reaching into his satchel and taking out his harp, She's sketching me, I don't mind it though. A sketch never hurt anyone, besides it's all in good fun, might as well give her something to add to it. Finally breaking the momentary silence the greenhorn asked, "Do you mind if I play a little?"
Regaining her composure Leah nodded as she continued to sketch, now adding the harp to her sketch, while trying to keep from making it obvious the seated farmer was her subject, unaware that she had already been found out, "Sure, I'd love to hear you play."
Closing his eyes Matt started to play, slowly and softly at first but after a few minutes his fingers danced quicker across the strings, the notes drifted through the air filling the quiet spot. The harpist started to sing softly as he played.
No more talk of darkness,
Forget these wide-eyed fears;
I'm here, nothing can harm you,
My words will warm and calm you.
Let me be your freedom,
Let daylight dry your tears;
I'm here, with you, beside you,
To guard you and to guide you.
Say you love me every waking moment,
Turn my head with talk of summertime.
Say you need me with you now and always;
Promise me that all you say is true,
That's all I ask of you.
Leah finished her sketch halfway through Matt's song, the artist applauded, "That was amazing!"
"I missed more than a few notes. But if you think I did well then I won't complain. It's been a long time since I've had the chance to play." Matt said, his own cheeks flushing, placing his harp back into his satchel.
"Really, it was wonderful." The blue eyed woman said, her smile beaming.
"Thanks, I should probably get going. I still want to introduce myself the rest of the residents. Plus I need to get some more seeds from the general store." The farmer said, returning the smile as he stood back up. "Will I see you around?"
"Yeah, I have a cabin not too farm from Marnie's ranch and I'll be around the Stardrop Saloon most nights. But mostly you'll find me out here, I'll try to make a little more noise next time you're out this far so you don't jump out of your skin!" Leah laughed, Matt could hear the liveliness in it. And something else, but he couldn't quite place it.
The former HR tucked the thought away for later as he replied, "Good, the last thing I need is a heart attack. If you ever want to hear me play again, just come find me. I take it you know how to get to Serenity Farm?"
"Yeah I do, and I may just take you up on that offer." Leah replied, with a thoughtful smile as Matt started back for Pelican Town proper. She looked at her sketch of the new farmer, his eyes closed as he played his harp, the artist doubted he'd even realized how content and happy he looked playing the instrument, He may be from the city but he's not bad, enough time and it'll be as if he was always here. Hhmm, I wonder how mom is doing? I should call her later today.
Matt decided to stop by the general store and see what was available. After browsing for a while through the various produce and other seeds that were for sale the farmer's hand went to his meager coin purse, Best to just go with the parsnips for now. I can save up for more lucrative crops later down the road. Picking up a bundle of fifteen parsnip seeds, the farmer stepped up to the counter.
"Welcome to Pierre's General Store! Is there anything else I can get you?" The brown haired owner asked, his eyes sparkling behind his glasses, whether it was with joy at seeing a new face or at seeing his coin purse Matt wasn't sure.
"No thanks, the parsnips are enough for now. I take it you're Pierre?" Matt replied, with warm smile as he placed the bundle on the counter.
"The one and only! Seller of the finest produce in Pelican Town! Though you're new, aren't you?" Pierre exclaimed pridefully.
The farmer nodded as he started counting out what he owed for the seeds, "I am, just arrived yesterday in fact. I'm Matt, the new owner of Serenity Farm."
The proprietor said, a welcoming smile gracing his features before fading a little. "Ah, I thought so. Lewis mentioned you might be dropping by. I hope you like our small town, such as it is."
Matt picked up on the cause of Pierre's slight melancholy, "I do, though I understand what you mean. Joja Co. is no good for anyone. I'll try to help as much as I can, so expect me to always be buying from here."
"I'm glad to hear I've got a loyal customer. I'll tell you what from now on I'll knock twenty percent off all your purchases." Pierre's smile returned, if anything it was wider than it had been.
The farmer paused, surprised, "Are you sure? I don't want to seem like I'm taking advantage of you, just because I'm buying from you."
"Completely sure. I wouldn't have offered if I didn't mean it. We growers and purveyors of goods and produce need to stick together after all!" The general store owner nodded, sliding two hundred in gold out of the five hundred Matt had placed on the counter back toward the farmer.
"Wow, that's generous, thanks!" The hazel eyed farmer said, picking up the coins and his seeds.
"Don't mention it, I can tell you've been on the short end of those slimeballs too. Well as long as at least a few people are buying from me and as long as you're growing the produce, we might just keep ahead of them." Pierre said, with a hopeful smile.
Matt replied, pondering the other seed selections for the future, "Just so you know I'm still new at this. I won't be selling bushels or barrels of produce for a while yet."
"Long as you get the hang of it eventually, there'll be no problem." The manager said, with a short nod as Matt left the shop, Good guy. Gonna be a lot of help for this town. And not just for my wallet either.
Once he made it back to Serenity, Matt changed back into his work clothes and spent the rest of his day tilling up more of the soil and planting his newly bought seeds, bringing his potential crop to thirty parsnips, provided they all reached maturity. As the sun dipped approaching the afternoon, the farmer had just changed again and was going to head to the Stardrop Saloon to relax for a while, when his phone rang. Only three people had his number, the rest only contacted him by mail, it was an odd quirk of his he rather enjoyed. Looking at the number, Matt answered without hesitation, "Margaret, how are you holding up?"
"I'm fine, HR Director Matthias. How are you?" The woman asked in reply,
Matt found himself wincing at his full name again, before replying, "No longer HR Director Matthias. I cut ties with Joja a few hours after I got word they let you go. I'm sorry that happened, if I could have stopped it you know I would have."
Matt's former colleague replied firmly, her tone clearly conveying to him that she didn't blame him, "It wasn't your fault. But I guessed you'd cut ties when I got a call from my daughter that she met a new farmer in Pelican Town. I remember you mentioned your grandfather gave you the farm and wanted to work it if you could leave the company."
"I, I did, yes. You didn't tell me you had family out here." The farmer said, subconsciously looking at his suitcase, he could see his blackmail documents in plan view. I can't really risk using them or Joja would take it out on the town, much as he's afraid I'd use them they're effectively useless as they don't guarantee a loss for the company. Only a potential loss, but as long as the threat is there then that's good enough for me.
"It didn't cross my mind at the time, sorry. Her name's Leah, and she's why I'm calling. She moved to Pelican Town a few months ago, before everything else happened." Margaret said, stifling a small groan, Matt was sure her arm was still troubling her, "I want to ask you to help her if you can. She's not very secure about her talents even though she is a skilled artist."
"'She is very skilled indeed, I saw one of her paintings, it was beautiful. I take it she didn't have it easy in the city?" The amatuer harpist, asked.
Margaret said, a small smile coming out through her voice, "No she didn't. Her art didn't sell well either so she's… not very open to sharing it with others. You were lucky, Leah doesn't show many people her art."
"So you're asking me to support her in her interests?" Matt asked, slipping into his role once more as an HR rep. He may have hated the skills he gained working with Joja Co. but they at least came in handy. Her insecurity, that explains the other hint of emotion I heard in her voice.
The former Joja employee replied, a little hesitant a she searched for the right words, "Yes, in a way. But in other ways too, she's a loner and made very few friends in the city, and from what I hear only a few friends in Pelican Town as well. Just be the friend to her that you were to me."
"You don't need to ask that of me, Margaret. Consider it done." Serenity's owner said.
"I'm glad to hear that, Matthias. Do you mind if I still use this number? I can't quite handle a pen yet." Leah's mother asked.
"Of course, don't hesitate to call me if you need anything. Just get better, but please call me Matt. It's much less impersonal than Matthias." Matt said, a smile making its way into his face.
"Thank you, Matt. I'll be in touch." Margaret said, ending the call.
Small world… Well, I guess my prerogatives have changed already. Leah and the other townspeople first, my happiness and fulfillment in my work can be achieved by helping them so that can be second and third can be dealing with Joja Co's Pelican Town branch if it comes to it. Matt thought as he walked out of his cottage and towards the town, heading to the Stardrop Saloon for a few drinks and to visit with any of the other residents that happened to be there.
As he walked through the doors, the hustle and bustle of the pub was in full swing. Matt could see Leah off in a corner and she looked unhappy compared to when he had seen her earlier in the day. The farmer could see an empty wine glass on her table, tapping his coin purse thoughtfully the hazel eyed man decided to make use of his remaining coin, "Hey Gus, you got a bottle of wine left from last fall?"
The barkeeper looked surprised at Matt's request, "Sure do, Matt. Though you still look more like a beer person, what's the occasion? Besides getting through your first two days on the farm, I mean."
The farmer answered, with a shrug. "Just having a few drinks, that's all."
"One bottle coming up. Consider this one on the house for your performance last night, not many would accept a challenge from Pam." The mustachioed saloon proprietor said, giving a sidelong glance at a middle aged blonde woman with shoulder length cut curly hair who was drinking what appeared to be her fourth pint of ale.
"I don't plan on doing that again. Thanks, Gus." Matt said, a little surprised, accepting the bottle and two clean glasses before making his way over to Leah's table. "Mind if I join you?" He asked.
Leah slid one of the chairs back with her foot, "I knew you were from the city the second I saw you, Matty."
Matty…? That's a new one. The farmer thought before replying with a sigh as he sat at the table, "I figured you had me pegged." He said, setting the wine bottle between them, and sliding a clean glass toward Leah.
"Small world, isn't it? How long did you know my Mom?" The artist asked, leaving the bottle and glass untouched. Her expression morose.
"Six months, and if I'd have been able to do my job she'd either still be working with Joja or your mother would have had more time to find a better job elsewhere." Matt sighed, keeping his expression open, now was not the time to close up.
"She was on medical leave for Yoba's sake!" Leah exclaimed, though the noise of the saloon thankfully muffled their conversation.
The former Joja employee shook his head sadly, "I know, but the CEO went over my head. There was nothing I could do."
"So what now, were you transferred here to supply produce for the Pelican Town store?" The blue eyed woman scoffed.
Matt smiled slightly as he chuckled a reply, "No, I'm here to destroy it if I can. But I'm mostly here because I feel like this place can be home for me and I want to help it and the people in it."
"I… you quit didn't you?" Leah asked, her ire giving way to confusion.
"Technically they fired me, but not before I stapled my resignation through the CEO's necktie and to his desk." The farmer said, his smile growing at remembering the sight.
"Huh… well that's, violent. But you're gonna have a lot of ground to cover with me personally." The artist said, still a little upset.
"Well I'm not part of Joja anymore, so that's at least something in my favor. But the rest of that distance might be a challenge and I wouldn't have come to Pelican Town if I didn't want a challenge." Matt said arching an eyebrow, "How about we start over? My name's Matt, I'm the new owner of Serenity Farm."
"I'm Leah, it's a pleasure to meet you." The artist replied, chuckling a little at the man's idea.
"I'm being foolish aren't I?" The greenhorn asked, laughing himself.
"Yes, Matty you are." Leah replied with smirk, her dour mood lifting.
"Then how about we open this bottle of wine and just toast to new friends and new starts? If I recall what your mother said, you're somewhat new here too." The farmer suggested.
The green dressed woman nodded as she picked up the glass Matt had offered her, "That sounds like a plan to me."
The hazel eyed farmer pulled the cork on the bottle and filled their glasses, "To new friends and new starts." He said, raising his glass.
"To new friends and new starts." Leah replied, as she thought, Yeah, he's from the city and used to work for Joja but he's not with them anymore. Maybe I overreacted a bit, not like he had a choice in what happened. Finished with their toast the farmer and the artist and refilled their glasses, deciding to spend the rest of the night in each other's company. Shortly before Gus closed the pub they walked to the outskirts of the town.
As they made it to the fork that separated the paths to their homes, Matt broke the silence that had formed between them, "What's on your mind, Leah?"
"Hhmmm? Oh, I, um. I over reacted earlier. I want to apologize for that." The artist said, a little embarrassed at how she had handled hearing about Matt's past.
"Water under the bridge. After all, didn't we just toast to new starts a few hours ago?" The farmer asked, waving off the apology.
"Are you sure? I kind of did make a complete ass of myself grilling you like that." Leah asked, her eyes fixated on the path as she scuffed her boot in the dirt.
"Leah, look at me." the greenhorn waited until she did as asked before continuing, "It's water under the bridge. To be honest though, there is a bit more I can do."
Leah blinked a little confused as she couldn't clearly see her new friend's face in the dim twilight, "And what would that be?"
"I'll let you know. It's gonna depend on how well off Serenity becomes." Matt replied, before turning toward his fork, "See you around?"
"Yeah, Matt I'll see you around. And thanks for clearing the air some. Though I do still have some questions." The artist said, as she started down her own fork.
"If you want to ask them now I've got time, I won't hide anything." The farmer replied, turning back toward Leah, expecting to answer a few more questions.
The outdoors-woman shook her head, a small smile on her lips, "They can wait for another time, I'll be in Cindersnap forest tomorrow around the same time. If I don't catch you there then I'll see you in town."
"I'll see you then, and maybe I can see that sketch of me you drew?" Matt replied with a chuckle at Leah's embarrassed blush at being found out about her sketch. After a few moments, the pair parted ways. The artist with thoughts of her career and the farmer, the farmer making plans for his farm and thinking of ways to help the artist.