(Author's Note: I apologize for the long delay in updating. I've had Covid for the past week and a half. While that means I haven't been at work, every time I sat down to do any writing, I ended up falling asleep. Haha! Otherwise, I'm doing fine though. :) I'll do my best to continue. I have lots of plans for this story!)

Theme Song: Slow Me Down - Emmy Rossum


What. Are. Those?

The farmer looked down at the mass of worms that wiggled in the earth, as if beckoning her to look and see what secrets they hid. It was honestly a little creepy how much they seemed to scream "Check and see! There's something here!"

"I don't want to hurt you…" she bent down and brushed the worms away before taking her hoe and digging into the dirt. She felt silly. Very silly. They were just worms and yet…

She hit something hard. Quickly, she reached down and picked up the object, brushing it off.

"A rusty cog?"

She stared at it a little longer. It was probably useless… But she had also learned that Mayor Lewis could sell pretty much anything she put in the shipping crate. It was slightly uncanny. She had also promised Gunther that she'd bring by anything she found that might be of interest, so maybe she'd stop by the museum first.

"Apparently you were hiding something," she muttered to the worms, looking over at another mass not too far away. That one yielded some copper nuggets, which reminded her that she still needed to upgrade her tools… Which meant eventually she'd have to traverse the mines. The thought of them gave her chills.

As she turned to head for the museum, she could see Linus foraging around not too far off.

"Good morning!" she called, approaching him with a slight spring in her step. "How are you doing today?"

"I'm fine," Linus nodded politely. "And yourself?"

"So far, so good! Took care of all the plants, and now I'm just… exploring the valley," she looked off to the side, and noticed Linus' tent was leaning quite a bit off to the side. "Oh dear. Your tent!"

Linus sighed, "Yeah. It happens often. Someone really doesn't like me living here."

"Someone did that?" she frowned, trying to figure out who on earth in town would be that mean. "I'm so sorry! I wish I could get you something a little more sturdy that isn't so easy to knock down…"

"The crisp air of the wilderness is all I care to know. I live out here by choice," he smiled kindly at her. "Don't worry too much about it. It's easy enough to fix."

"It's still an awful thing for someone to do," she folded her arms. "If I ever found out who it was…"

Linus chuckled, "I fear for that person. They'd have to face the wrath of our steadfast farmer."

She bid Linus farewell, her heart aching for the poor man and his collapsing tent. She wanted to help, but wasn't sure how. He didn't want a house. He just wanted to be allowed to live how he wanted to, in the wild…

She continued to ponder what she could do as she walked towards the museum. She was so lost in thought, she almost missed speaking with Marnie as she walked across the town. Luckily, she managed to catch the rancher just in time with a short shout and a wave.

"Hey!" the farmer ran over, a grin on her face. "I have something for you. I just wanted to say thank you for taking care of my animals while I got settled in…" she reached into her bag and pulled out a horseradish she had found earlier. It wasn't much, but surely a gift couldn't go amiss.

"Oh," Marnie looked at her in surprise, then back at the horseradish. Silence filled the air, and the farmer's heart started to fall when Marnie quickly tried to cover up her disappointment. "I guess I'll take it!"

"Sorry," the farmer muttered, feeling worse and worse with every passing moment. "It's not much, but it's all I have and I didn't want you to feel like I wasn't grateful. I am. I'm super grateful for everything… And I wanted to be a good friend. I mean, a good neighbor. You know…"

"No no!" Marnie tried to calm the poor farmer, her hands gently gesturing for the anxious soul to pipe down. "You're fine! They were fine! I just love animals, Ms. Farmer. Treat them kindly and we'll become friends. I'm sure!"

"Sorry…"

"You don't need to apologize," Marnie assured her, tucking away the horseradish. "I'll find something to do with it, even if it's not my favorite. It's the thought that counts!"

"Yeah…" The farmer watched miserably as Marnie quickly excused herself from the awkward situation.

"She likes pumpkin pie and diamonds."

The farmer whirled around to see Alex standing nearby, tossing his football in the air. Although, she had come to learn that they actually called it gridball around here… Even though she was fairly certain the correct term in her own mind was football… But then again… Her memory wasn't exactly reliable.

"Diamonds are a little out of my price range," the farmer snorted. "I am just a farmer."

"I mean, you can find them in the mines. They're rare but not terribly difficult to come by," Alex shrugged.

"Really?" she said in surprise. "Must not be too hard to propose with diamond rings around here then."

"Propose?" Alex looked confused. "Why would you propose with a diamond ring?"

"I- Uh-" she stammered, her face turning red as she fumbled with some clunky information that seemed to slip from her mind just as soon as she grabbed hold of it. "I'm not entirely sure. But aren't diamonds… really expensive?"

"They're up there," Alex said with a shrug. "But prismatic shards are harder to come by and cost more because you can't duplicate them."

"You duplicate diamonds?"

Alex nodded.

"How?"

"I don't know much about it," he tossed the ball in the air again. "I've just seen it done a couple of times. There's a machine that duplicates all the minerals around here. Takes a few days and the materials to build one are harder to come by, but they can be pretty handy to have around. Anyway, if you can't do diamonds or pie, you could always try to make her a farmer's lunch. The old owner used to do that for her every week…"

"Without a kitchen?" she frowned.

"I guess."

"Huh. Well… thanks for the heads up. I'll try that next time." She started to walk away, but Alex stopped her.

"Hey! Did you know I was an all-star quarterback in high school?"

"Oh?" she turned with a smile. "Really?"

"It's true. See this little star on my jacket here? That proves it," he puffed his chest out proudly.

"Well then, I suppose I should give you a gift as well. For being so awesome, right?" she winked, reached into her bag and pulled out a daffodil. "No one ever gives boys flowers, and I just feel like that's such a shame. Like… I feel like guys like receiving flowers just as much as girls? Right? Unless you're too cool. You know, being a quarterback and all…"

"Not in the least!" Alex's face broke into a wide grin as he accepted the flower excitedly. "Thanks!"

"In all seriousness though, Alex. You've been a really great friend," she hefted the bag back onto her back. "You make Stardew feel like home to me."

She didn't miss the blush creeping up on Alex's face as she turned and walked away, heading over the bridge and down towards the museum. He didn't seem like much of a words of affirmation person, but it was clear he still appreciated her efforts.

"Abysmal… Not a single piece in the entire collection…" Gunther was muttering to himself when she walked into the museum. Hopefully she had something that might cheer him.

"Hey Gunther," she approached, taking her bag off her back. "I think I might have something you'd be interested in?"

"What's this?" the curator immediately perked up. "You found something? Let me see it!"

She handed him the rusty cog, nervous that it wasn't helpful at all as he studied it closely, humming.

"Remarkable! It's very old. I'd love to study this in greater detail… But it is yours," he hung his head a little bit as he handed it back to her. "Hmm… I've got a favor to ask you. Would you consider donating any new artifacts or minerals that you find? We could make a groundbreaking discovery together! Oh, and who knows… If you keep donating I might come across some interesting items to send our way. Think about it, will you? If you decide to donate, just bring the objects to the front desk."

"Oh," she held the rusty cog back towards him. "It's a deal, and we can start with this!"

Gunther gave her a huge grin, snagging the object and carrying it off behind his desk for further inspection. She left the museum feeling quite satisfied herself.

"Hey, farmer," Sam was leaning against a tree as she exited the building.

"Oh, hey Sam," she greeted him with a smile. "What are you up to today?"

"Nothing much. Just enjoying the sunshine. You?"

"Well, I'm actually looking for a leek. Seen any around?"

"They're usually on the mountain," he shrugged.

"Yeah," she sighed. "I know. But I already looked up there today. I couldn't find any."

"Oh. That's too bad."

"It's alright. I'll just have to keep looking," she gave him a smile. "I'll see you around!"

She headed towards the forest. She knew she probably wouldn't find anything, but it was the only place she hadn't looked yet. Besides, it was a nice day and the forest would make for a lovely walk…

There were, however, more people out and about in the forest than the farmer had expected. She could see Leah strolling among the trees, as well as Haley taking pictures near Marnie's ranch. It was still fairly early in the afternoon, so she figured stopping for some conversation would be alright. She'd mostly given up on finding a leek for the day anyway.

"Hey, Leah," the farmer approached the ginger artist, hands shoved into her jeans pockets. "Out for a walk?"

"Yes!" Leah turned and smiled. "The trees look nice today, don't they?"

The farmer nodded, but was unsure of what more to say. She hadn't thought that far ahead before coming over. She was just about to open her mouth and mention what she'd spoken with Elliot about, but Leah beat her to it.

"So, why did you agree to become our farmer?"

"Oh," the farmer blinked, caught off-guard. "Well… I guess I did have a choice, huh? I mean, it kind of felt like I didn't because I didn't have anywhere else to go, but now that I think about it, I'm sure that Dr. Harvey would have figured something else out…"

"I came here to escape my old life," Leah looked out across the river, causing the farmer to pause her slightly frantic explanation.

"Oh… What uh… What was your old life like?"

"Empty."

A breeze blew by, playing with Leah's braid and the farmer's shorter hair. There was almost a magical feeling carried by the wind. A scent that filled a void. A mystical energy that created a pocket of belonging.

"Anyway," Leah turned and smiled. "I better get going. I'm working on a sculpture right now and I only came out to get some inspiration. I think… I think you've helped me with that."

"Oh. Well… You're welcome," the farmer answered softly as Leah turned to head back to her own cabin, leaving with a friendly wave.

That only left Haley to speak with. The farmer winced slightly. Their interactions had been brief and not very friendly. Maybe if she gave her a gift… She dug through her bag, pulling out another daffodil. It had worked on Alex. Maybe it would work on Haley too…

"Hey," the farmer carefully approached the girl. "You're Haley, right?"

"Oh… It's the farmer," Haley wrinkled her nose.

"How are you doing?"

"Well, I went shopping last night and picked up a Flounder on a 'chum-bucket' sale for only 125 gp. It was despicable! No wonder Willy was practically giving that junk away…" the blonde heaved a sigh. "This town is so small. It sucks. I have to drive, like, twenty miles to buy any decent clothes. That's why I usually just order online…."

The farmer shifted uncomfortably. Maybe this had been a mistake…

"What?" Haley had paused briefly, staring at the farmer with a tilted head.

"Oh. Sorry. Here, I actually have something for you…" The farmer held out the flower, bracing herself to be disappointed.

Haley gasped, "... for me?"

"Of course. It seemed fitting," the farmer smiled, feeling hopeful.

"Thank you!" Haley grabbed the flower, immediately putting it at her nose. "It smells so good!"

"I'm sorry your shopping trip last night was such a bust," the farmer turned to walk away. "I hope this makes up for it."

"I've got to get it in a vase of water right away," Haley grinned. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

Once the blonde girl had left, the farmer found herself on her own once more. She wandered the forest for a little bit, but all she was able to find were some onions. She was carrying so much stuff, she had to stop at home and drop off her foraged items in the shipping crate before she was able to head back into town… Though she wasn't sure what to do now. Maybe some evening fishing… At least that would make some money.

She was so lost in thought, she almost missed it as she passed the bus stop. In fact, if the wind hadn't carried its scent…

"Is that…?"

The farmer ran forward, falling to her knees as she pulled the vegetable from the ground. It was, in fact, what she had spent so many days looking for.

"A leek!"

Her face broke out into a grin and all fatigue disappeared from her body as she held it in front of her, tears in her eyes and started to run back into town. She was so focused on getting to the community center, she almost missed Dr. Harvey calling to her from over the fence of the small park near the clinic.

"Is that our farmer?"

She slowed her pace, stepping towards the fence. Dr. Harvey's eyes filled with concern as she approached, and she wondered what was wrong.

"Hey… Are you… Are you okay?"

"Me?" she tilted her head.

"You look a little flushed," he stammered.

"I'm just a little tired," she smiled. "I've been doing a lot of running around for the past few days…"

"We sell a few over-the-counter medicines at the clinic… feel free to stop by if you're feeling exhausted," he hesitated, like he wanted to say something more, but ultimately settled on something else. "I know being a farmer is pretty tiring work… Don't overdo it!"

"I won't!" she smiled. "It's just a little fatigue. It's not like it's Covid or anything like that."

"Covid?" he tilted his head.

"It's…" she paused, a memory rushing in as she stared into his emerald eyes. "It's a virus. You… You aren't familiar with it? But I thought it… It was all over…"

Harvey's face had paled. He seemed to be trembling now, and she shook her head to clear it.

"I'm sure it's nothing. Maybe something I read about in a book…"

"Y-yeah… A book," Dr. Harvey cleared his throat. "I uh- J-just be careful, okay?"

"Sure," she tilted her head. She was more worried about him than herself. "But are you alright? Your face turned white when I mentioned-"

"Oh, it's fine. It's nothing," he waved her concern away. "You were in a hurry before I stopped you…"

Right. The community center!

"Alright. If you're sure," she gave him her best smile. "I'll see you around!"

She was no longer afraid to go inside the community center. Whatever darkness had lingered that first time, the knowledge of the junimos and her newfound mission seemed to have cured her of the fear.

She knelt on the floor and placed the leek down. A soft glow came from the parchment paper, lighting the room for a brief moment. When the flash cleared, she looked down to see a junimo carrying the objects she'd brought, all bundled up.

"Hello, little one," she said softly.

The apple spirit let out a little squeak before it started to waltz out of the room, bundle held above its head. Underneath where it had been standing, it left behind a package of seeds with the word "SPRING" stamped across it.

She quickly picked up the packet and moved to follow the spirit towards the strange hut in the main room. Once it had carried the bundle inside, the entire community center filled with a warm light.

"What…?"

When the flash dissipated, she could see another scroll off to the right, near the fish tank.

"Is that…?" she walked towards it, her face falling as she read the scroll. "Another one?"

She searched the community center, finding yet another scroll that contained requests for various types of crops for the different seasons as well as the one asking for specific fish. Her heart was pounding, but not out of fear or excitement.

This was going to take forever.

"Please," she knelt outside the hut, feeling defeated. "Please just… tell me my name. Give me my name at least…"

But her pleas went unanswered. The hut, and the rest of the community center, remained silent.

Perhaps that disappointment is why she didn't even flinch when Shane demanded to know why she was still trying to talk to him at the saloon… Although it sounded more like a plea, really. She just handed him the usual beer and walked out… Aware of the strange and concerned looks she was receiving from everyone.

She went fishing. Not to fill the new bundle, but just to take her mind off of everything. The water helped her feel calm… and numb.

By the time she had placed everything she wanted to sell into her shipping box and slipped into bed, her mind had completely shut everything out. It didn't matter. None of it mattered if it was just going to keep going on and on… There was nothing left to do but sleep and hope that tomorrow was a better day.


The Gotoro Empire is a place littered with disease and plague.

Harvey read the words in his book quickly, his heart dropping further and further the more he read. It was the only thing that made sense. She had come from seemingly nowhere. She knew nothing about the Ferngill Republic. Her strange ideas and the weird way her hair was cut…

Was she a spy? Was she pretending to have forgotten so she could steal secrets and send them off to her people? Was she the first of a battalion coming to seize control of the valley?

Harvey couldn't stop his hand from shaking. The sun had set long ago, but sleep eluded him. All he could think was that he had somehow betrayed his country. The weight of guilt came crashing down and he was having a hard time breathing… What could he do? There was nothing he could do…

You always fail. Every time you try to do something right, you just end up failing…

This was just like the child… The girl… The patient he'd been unable to save… Only this time, he wasn't frozen because he was incapable…

He was frozen because he was terrified.