AN: This one is picking up immediately where the last one left off. Bit of a quick heads up, it might take me a few days to reply to PMs and reviews. Things are not well in my family right now, I'll be making a trip to Maine to put my great grandfather to rest. I knew this was coming but it still hurts. He was 96 years old, a veteran of WW2, always had a smile on his face even after his wife passed away and ended each night with a shot of whiskey before bed, he lived a good life. I know I'll see him on the other side. This chapter is for him. Keep moving forward, enjoy the journey, and don't feed the guard dogs. - Phoenix Commander signing off
Stardew Valley is the property of Chucklefish Games and ConcernedApe
Chapter Six
"So Matty, do you have an idea on where we are going to help Abigail set up her surprise picnic for Penny?" Leah asked as she dug her fork into her salad.
"I do actually. I was thinking of showing her the spot in Cindersnap where we met. That is, if you don't mind giving up your artistic spot for the afternoon." Matt replied as he cut his sandwich in half. As much as the farmer enjoyed the amount of food Gus served, the owner of the pub was already showing that he could be a bit overzealous at times. The farmer would be taking half of it home.
The blue eyed artist thought about it for a moment as she crunched into a cherry tomato before replying, "I don't mind, not a bad spot for a picnic. Nice view of the lake and river, decent view of the sunset too."
"That's what I thought. Plus there looked like some good handholds on that old oak, would make getting up there pretty easy." The hazel eyed man said, wondering just how high he could climb without disturbing Abigail or Penny.
The persimmon haired woman choked a little on her drink at his reply, reaching for a napkin she replied between coughs, "I-I t-thought y-you were an HR Rep? W-What ha-append to privacy?"
"Former HR," Matt corrected with a chuckle, "But I do keep secrets as long as I'm asked to. And besides it's not like I can play out in the open. I'd ruin their moment."
Leah placed her napkin down as her coughing fit subsided, "I guess you have a point. Still, that's not something I expected you'd do."
"Well now, would you rather I keep doing what you'd expect?" The green and brown dressed farmer inquired with an arched eyebrow.
"Oh Yoba, no! You'd be way too boring if you did that!" The artist chuckled as she quickly swiped a pickle slice from Matt's plate with her fork, biting into it with a crunch.
The green and brown dressed man narrowed his eyes his mouth curling into a smirk. "Of course you realize stealing that pickle was a declaration of war?" He punctuated his statement by jabing his fork into Leah's salad and stealing a slice of bell pepper.
"How dare you, sir!? I shall avenge that bell pepper!" The artist exclaimed, feigning insult as her fork dove for an onion ring that was perched on the side of the farmer's plate.
Matt batted away the first few lunges of the woman's fork, only for her to snag the onion ring. "So another valiant fighter falls to the enemy. I must concede this battle." The hazel eyed man lamented.
Leah took a sip of her drink, chuckling as she did so, "And so the safety of my pla-. Hey!" The artist's gloating was cut short at the smirk on the farmer's face. A large lettuce leaf impaled on his fork.
"Even in defeat I have victory!" He laughed, taking a large bite out of the vegetable.
As they were finishing their meal, Emily brought over their bill, "Did you guys enjoy everything?"
"Of course, though I'm going to need a to-go box for my sandwich. Gus went a little overboard again." Matt replied giving the waitress a small smile.
The waitress returned the smile, "I'll be right back with one, Matt. Here's the bill, just let me know when you're ready."
As the farmer reached for their bill, Leah swatted his hand away from it, "Not this time, Matty! I'm picking this one up, since you paid last time."
"Only if I can pay later." The hazel eyed man relented as Leah picked up the bill.
The blue eyed woman placed a few coins on the table as Emily walked over with the box for Matt's sandwich. "That's fine with me. Besides you're pulling yourself away from planting to do this picnic for Abigail and Penny, so I feel the need to pay."
Matt picked up his food and satchel, replying as they stood up from their table and started leaving, "I've got a bit of time before I need to plant my next crops. Need to wait and see how much I get from my parsnips. Can't very well start buying seeds all willy-nilly without knowing how much money I'll have left over."
"Smart move, Matty," The artist said as they started walking in the direction of Serenity Farm. It was just after one O'clock which meant they'd have a few hours to get started on the picnic before Abigail brought Penny over to the farm. "How much of your brain is common sense, and how much of it is strictly business?" She asked probing his thoughts.
The farmer pondered the question before replying, "Well, most of my thought process is common sense. I don't really consider the business side of things that much. Even working with Joja I didn't crunch the numbers. I just went with what was the right thing at the time."
"Hhmm…so I take it you already know what your next steps are?" The green and brown dressed woman asked curious.
The greenhorn nodded as he held open the gate to Serenity for her, "Yup, I already have a few crops in mind that Marnie recommended that I work with. After I get paid for my harvest I'll see how much of each plant I can get and still leave myself some breathing room. Later on I think I might see about getting a few animals, but that'll be much later."
"Wow… You have been putting some thought into all this." Leah replied realizing how far ahead he was planning.
"Part of the reason I picked up a journal, I want to organize my plans as I go. Right now I need to get this place cleaned up more." Matt said, setting his satchel on the porch as he gestured toward the western part of the farm, "At the very least, clear the usable soil and fence off the wilder part of the farm. Probably spend most of tomorrow doing that after I plant my next crops, while Robin takes a look at my roof."
The forager said, looking at the untamed wild undergrowth, "I'm calling first dibs on any berries that are growing there. Even if I have to wake up before sun up to beat Abigail here!"
"Then I'll tell you the same thing I told her, be careful. I'd rather not have to pull you out of a hole or something." The hazel eyed man chuckled as he went into his cottage to put away his food, his satchel, and to change into a T-shirt.
Poking her head into the doorway, Leah could see into the farmer's small domicile. Looks a lot better on the inside than the outside. A little worn but still much better than my drafty cabin at least.
"Don't worry, I've already talked to Robin about what t would take for getting this place fixed up." The farmer said, looking at the artist, scythe in hand, as he stepped back out onto the porch.
"I, Um, Sorry I didn't mean to pry." She stuttered, embarrassed at being caught staring.
Matt patted her shoulder goodnaturedly, as they walked to the southern end of the farm. "It's fine, Leah, true this cottage isn't much. But it's a start and that's all I really need to make things better."
After a little while the pair made it to the chosen picnic location. It was almost two O'clock, but they still had plenty of time left before Abigail would arrive. Matt, whistling to himself, started clearing the thicker underbrush with his scythe as Leah piled fallen branches and other bits of timber off to one side.
As they worked, Leah's thoughts drifted to the confrontation between the farmer and Morris. "What do you think he'll do? After he finds out you aren't part of the company." She asked concerned.
"Well he'll probably come to me first to see if I'd be willing to supply them. Typical corporate slime balls think more about how to make a profit even from a loss," The hazel eyed farmer set his scythe to the side and picked up a pile of the cut foliage as he was speaking, he was almost nonchalant about his opposition, "Joja Co. lost me, so naturally Morris'll want to see if he can supply the store cheaply by coming to me with some sort of deal, and not have to bring produce from out of town."
"Which, even if pigs were flying around, you wouldn't agree to." The artist said, picking up on his train of thought.
The greenhorn nodded, "Exactly. And since Serenity has been in my family since Pelican Town was even founded, it's not like Joja Co. can run me off either. Morris and his ilk are stuck with me. If that toad wants to try and push me then I'll be one big thorn in his side."
Seems like he already has pushed you. You've certainly got a bit more pep in your step. The blue eyed forager thought as they worked to finish clearing the secluded spot. After a few moments she broke the silence that started growing, "Matty, make sure you worry about yourself too, alright?"
"I will Leah, don't worry." Matt said seriously, before chuckling a little to lighten the mood, "Though I do have somewhat of an addiction to caffeine, so I can't promise I won't have the occasional sleepless night."
As the farmer bent to pick his scythe back up, Leah crept up behind him and dropped an armful of loose foliage on him, chuckling as she did so, "Then don't drink coffee after two in the afternoon. That'll fix your restlessness problem."
The artist and the farmer made it back to Serenity Farm, with a few minutes to spare as the wind carried Penny's and Abigail's voices toward the quiet farm.
"Matt probably isn't even there right now. Abi, why are we even going to Serenity?" The librarian asked her girlfriend confusedly.
Patting the basket she had brought with them, the adventurous woman replied, "I told you Penny, I wanted to bring him a little something as thanks for getting that creep outta Dad's store. That and get you out of town for a little bit. You have to agree it is a refreshing change."
"I'll give you that. Still not sure why you won't tell me what is in it though." The green eyed woman said as they walked through the gate.
"Penny, Abigail! Wasn't expecting the two of you here." The farmer called from the porch, a few pine needles and leaves still sticking to his clothes.
Penny laughed when she saw the farmer, "What happened, Matt, did you lose a fight with a tree?"
"Yeah, he did, a rare species of oak called a Leah." The artist smirked as the man shot her a playful glare, "Have a nice walk you two?" The artist asked.
"Yup, even saw a large patch of mushrooms on the way over too." Abigail said pointing back toward town. "Might want to get those before the birds do, you two."
"Not a bad idea actually. So do you want me to show you that clearing, Abigail? Since you're both here." Matt asked stepping off the porch.
"What clearing are you talking about, Matt?" Penny asked confused.
"Just south of the farm, I found a spot that I figured might make a nice location to take your class to every once in a while. Wanted to get your opinion on it." The farmer shrugged.
"Hhmm… It would give me a reason to get the kids out of the library for a change and give them a lesson on the local wildlife." The school teacher mused, not noticing the look Abigail and Leah gave each other.
"That settles it then! Lets go check it out while we still have some daylight." Abigail exclaimed impatiently, the small basket swinging in her grip as she hopped from one foot to the other.
Matt smiled a little at her understandable enthusiasm, as he motioned for the school teach and the explorer to follow Leah and him, his satchel sling over his shoulder.
The farmer paused short of the spot and let Penny and Abigail go ahead to the spot. "You both go on ahead it's only a little bit farther ahead. I need to get something from my house."
"Need a hand Matty?" Leah asked as he started to turn back up the small trail.
"I might need one actually." Matt nodded as he replied. Then looked at Abigail and Penny, "We'll catch back up you two. You'll know the spot when you get there."
"Alright, Matt. We'll see you there." Abigail said tugging Penny with her, before the librarian could voice her thoughts.
After walking back up the trail a little ways, Matt and Leah cut into the overgrown forest and started making their way back to the chosen picnic spot. Bracing his back against the tree, the farmer cupped his hands. The artist arched an eyebrow questioningly, the hazel eyed man replied with a short nod.
As quietly as she could, the forager planted her foot into the greenhorn's hands as he boosted her up into the lower branches of the oak. Before he could start climbing up after her, Leah reached her hand down and helped him up. Moving as carefully as they could to a higher branch, the pair started to move to the front of the tree.
Overlooking the small clearing, the farmer and the artist could see what was happening. Penny was looking around the far edge of the clearing, failing to notice that Abigail had set down her basket and started removing its contents. "You know, Matt was right this is a pretty good spot to bring Jas and Vincent. Don't you thi-." The librarian paused in surprise when she turned to look at Abigail.
"Surprise!" The purple haired woman cheered, a wide smile on her face. The picnic spread out around her. Various foodstuff and a large jug of tea were laid out on a checkered blanket.
"Wha, W-What is all this?" The green eyed teacher asked.
"A picnic, silly." She replied with a smile, patting the spot next to her, "Now, are you going to join me?"
Perched in the branches of the oak, one leg dangling from the branch, Matt pulled his harp from his satchel, closed his eyes and started to play. His fingers dancing softly along the strings, the music adding to the birdsong of the evening as the sun started to descend. After a while when the sun was almost set, the farmer finally looked down at the picnicking duo.
Abigail was sitting against the oak, Penny in her lap, as they both watched the sunset. If either of them knew the farmer and the artist were in the oak just above them neither seemed inclined to ruin the moment.
Now that is one of the best ways to end the day. Matt thought as he quietly packed away his harp, and silently motioned for Leah to start climbing down. Should see about what to have for dinner myself, might just finish the rest of that sandwich.
Walking back to the trail, Leah broke the silence that had formed while she and the farmer were lost in their own thoughts, "Matty, that was just as beautiful a song as the one you played a few days ago. What would it take to get you to play in the Stardrop?"
The greenhorn answered almost immediately, "For one or two people, I don't need anything. But if Gus has a full house it would take something along the lines of three bottles of wine or a jug of six year old mead."
"Ah, so the farmer doesn't like to play for large crowds? One of these days that'll have to be fixed." The artist grinned mischievously.
"You are welcome to try, Leah." The proprietor of Serenity chuckled. They returned to the farm just as the moon was starting to climb into the sky.
"Really is something isn't it?" The forager asked looking at the moon.
"Certainly is, could never really see it with all the lights back in Zuzu." Matt agreed, before turning toward the door to his cottage. "Penny and Abigail had a great way to end the day. But I'd say that moonrise is the best way to start the night. I'll be right back." Rummaging quickly through his cabinets, the farmer found what he was looking for, an ninety-six year old bottle of whiskey his grandfather had distilled himself. A shot apiece wouldn't hurt, after that we might as well head down to the Stardrop and who knows? I might be inclined to play while we're there.
Hearing the door close behind her Leah smiled lightly at the hazel eyed man, "Hard liquor, Matty? I figured you'd stick to wine and beer."
"Normally I do. But I think today warrants a little treat. Ninety-six year old bottle, the first one my grandfather ever distilled." The green and brown dressed farmer replied, passing her a shot glass.
"I met him once, y'know. I was visiting Pelican Town with my parents, he even let me ride on his horse. I would've broken my arm that day if the boy leading the horse hadn't caught me." The blue eyed woman chuckled, thinking back to her first visit to the Stardew Valley area, before taking her shot. She had expected the burn that normally accompanied whiskey, but it never came. "That went down smoother than I thought it would."
"I'm not surprised, my grandmother says that he had a knack for making palatable alcohol. Wait a moment...I think I remember someone falling off his horse…" The farmer said thinking back to his earlier years, as he took his shot. He looked carefully at the persimmon haired woman. "That...That was you?"
"I guess the world is even smaller than we thought." The artist mused, from her spot at the porch railing.
"That it is, Leah. That it is." Matt agreed, turning back to his cottage he set the bottle on the small table that practically took up an entire corner. "What do you say we head back down to the Stardrop? I think I'm actually willing to give them a show." He suggested with a smile as he locked the door and stepped off the porch.
"Sounds like a grand plan, Matty." Leah said, practically beaming as she hopped off the porch and followed him to the gate.