(Author's Note: I'm back on break for the week! I don't know how much I'll get done... But here's a chapter to show I haven't given up on this story yet! Enjoy!)
Theme Song: Crawling in the Dark - Hoobastank
Farmer,
I have a request for you. I need fresh cauliflower for a recipe I want to make. Could you bring me one?
-Jodi
Jodi's letter was very timely. The farmer looked over the top of it at her small garden plot where there was, in fact, two heads of cauliflower ready to be picked. One for the Community Center, and one for Jodi, apparently.
Along with that, there were also 10 parsnips ready to be picked. None of them were of superior quality, but that was alright. With the cauliflower and parsnips, she finally had enough to finish another bundle for the junimos. She very quickly took care of her chores and then headed out to deliver the requested cauliflower.
Just as she was about to knock, Vincent opened the door and stared up at her.
"Oh, hi! I just came to give something to your mom. Is she home?"
"Yeah," the child pushed the door open. "I'm going to meet Ms. Penny."
"Fun!" the farmer grinned. "I'm delivering something for your dinner."
"Ew…" Vincent wrinkled his nose. "It's boiled beet night again…"
The farmer started to correct him, then stopped. Maybe it was a surprise that she shouldn't ruin.
"But the food is coming from my farm, so it'll be top quality no matter what," she winked and stepped inside the house as the child exited.
"I guess…" he pouted. "Mom's in the kitchen."
Once the front door was closed, the farmer headed back to the kitchen, "Hello!"
"Is that the farmer's voice I hear?" Jodi responded. "Sam's still asleep, I think."
"That's alright," the farmer held up the cauliflower as she entered the room. "I'm just here to deliver on our request."
"Oh!" Jodi pulled her hands out of the sink and wiped them on a towel. "I just barely sent you that letter this morning! I wasn't expecting anything this quickly…"
"Well, I figured I'd hurry for Vincent's sake. Something about boiled beets?"
Jodi chuckled and took the cauliflower, "Oh, that looks so delicious. Thank you, this is just what I wanted. It's going to be perfect for my yellow curry! Let me grab you some money to pay for it…"
"Oh, that's alright, you don't-" the farmer started.
"Nonsense. Here, this should cover it," Jodi tucked 350 gp into the farmer's hand. "I saved it specifically for this cauliflower. The food at JojaMart might not be the healthiest for my family, but with such low prices, you'd be crazy to shop anywhere else! Don't worry, we are able to splurge on some fresh vegetables every now and then…"
With one task completed, the farmer bid Jodi farewell and began her journey to the Community Center… But stopped short as she passed the family's trash can, where she could make out what looked like a fish tail hanging out. After making sure the coast was clear, she lifted the lid to look in.
It was, in fact, a largemouth bass. It was gently set on top of the rest of the trash, looking like it had just been fished from a lake… And it was one of the items on the farmer's list.
She couldn't believe she had taken the fish. Everything in her was screaming that it was gross, but she wasn't giving it to someone else. She was giving it to forest spirits. If they minded, they'd let her know. If they didn't, well… That was one less item she'd have to find.
Linus would be so proud of me….
The back and forth war in her head stopped once she received confirmation from the junimos that the item was acceptable. Sure, it was weird… But everything about her current situation seemed to be a little odd… Including the speed grow dust she was given after dropping of a parsnip and her other cauliflower in the pantry… And the appearance of yet another list of demands that she stumbled upon in the boiler room.
"I had a feeling there'd be another one…" she sighed, exiting the Community Center. "At least this one doesn't have a lot of items on it… Though I'm not sure what some of them are. They sound… Fantastical."
That was it. The items were probably magic, and there was only one person she knew of to speak with about magic…
She passed Haley, who was pointedly ignoring her. It didn't bother her much anymore, though. That's just how the blonde was. Thankfully, the other blonde she passed wasn't as unfriendly. Sam waved to her as she walked by his house. He was on his skateboard, trying to do what appeared to be a kickflip… which wasn't working so much in his favor.
"I wonder if I know anything about skateboarding…" the farmer mused as she wandered passed Marnie's farm and towards the lake. She considered going around the southern side, but something caught her eye to the north. It looked like… A carnival booth?
As she moved through the bushes, towards the new structure, she realized it wasn't a booth, but a wooden cart, almost Romani in appearance. That wasn't the strange part though. The strange part was that it was being pulled by a pig. A woman with turquoise hair sat, looking unimpressed and bored until she met eyes with the farmer. She sat up straight and gave an enthusiastic wave, beckoning for the amnesiac to approach.
"Uhm… Hello," the farmer hesitated slightly before walking forward.
"Good afternoon! Are you looking to buy what you need from my traveling cart?" the woman asked.
"Oh uhm… Maybe? I-I'm not really sure," the farmer thought about her new list from the junimos. "I have a list of things I need to get, maybe you have one of them? They seem kind of… magical though."
"Let me see… Oh! I've got just what you need!" the woman said whilst rummaging around in the cart before popping back out with a small envelope. "Rare seed!"
"Rare seed?" the farmer consulted her list. "Oh… No, I'm sorry. That isn't one of the items. Even if it was, I don't have much money on me right now. I just bought this new backpack, and…"
"It's okay! I'll be back again soon! Come visit every Friday and Sunday! The stock changes, so maybe I will have what you need another time," the woman winked.
"Alright! Thank you. I'm the new farmer, by the way. I, uh… You can just call me farmer."
"Ooh, private and mysterious… I like it."
"Well, no, I just- Nevermind…" the farmer shook her head and gave the woman a smile. "I'll stop by next time. Thanks again."
She waved farewell to the strange woman and continued on her way towards the wizard's tower. She hesitated only briefly before knocking. Surely Rasmodius would want to be updated on her progress with the junimos and the community center. No reason to feel unsure or afraid of approaching him.
"Come in!" the voice echoed almost immediately.
"Rasmodius?" she pushed the door open and peeked inside.
"Yes, yes… I sensed you were coming a long time ago. Come in, child."
Of course he had.
"Sorry, I was just-"
"Afraid? I believe many of the townsfolk are afraid of me. It is unfortunate, but I suppose it is human to be afraid of the unknown."
"No, I just wanted to ask you-"
"About the newest list the junimos gave you. Yes, many of those are items with magical properties. You'll find them as you venture further into the mines."
"Maybe the townsfolk are just annoyed with you not letting them get a sentence out before you start talking," the farmer muttered before meeting the wizard's eyes with a playful spark in her own.
"I apologize. It is sometimes easier to state the facts and desires than wait for a blundering farmer to stutter them out as she tries to focus on what it is she actually wants," he responded dryly.
"We both know what I want."
"Answers, yes… With time. But have you considered that you might be missing other, key things while focusing on these answers that may or may not exist?"
"What do you mean?" she asked, suspiciously. "What do you know?"
"I know that there are many opportunities before you… Many people who want to get closer to you, but you're so busy seeking who you were that you aren't taking time to realized and discover who you are," Rasmodius busied himself around his cauldron, but the farmer could see him watching her out of the corner of his eye.
"Like who?" she snorted.
"That sad sap who mopes around the lake late at night. I see him from my bedroom window all the time, wandering the forest like he's got nothing better to do…" Rasmodius shook his head.
"Shane!? Do you mean Shane? That guy hates me!" the farmer said with a shake of her head.
"Didn't look like he hated you that night you spoke with him on the dock…" The wizard stopped and turned to look her in the eye once more. "You're missing more memories than you know."
"The night on the dock?" she trailed off, a distant memory of a dream…
"Right. You think on that some more, and maybe you'll find something you weren't even looking for. I must get back to work… Unless there was something else you wanted to ask," Rasmodius began guiding her towards the door, until the farmer jumped out of her reverie.
"There is, actually! Yes!"
"There is?" Rasmodius looked a little shocked.
"Yes! I harvested more parsnips this morning. Here…" she rummaged around her pack and held one out to him.
"O-oh…" Rasmodius took it from her gently, inspecting it.
"The junimos want some high quality ones, but these aren't quite there… You've always been very helpful, so consider it a thank you gift… For sharing your knowledge and wisdom with me," she paused. "Sometimes it feels like you're the only one that I can trust all my information with… Like you're the only one who can truly understand what I'm going through."
Rasmodius was quiet for a good long while, staring at the parsnip. It almost seemed like he was going to say something… But he quickly cleared his throat before it got too awkward, "Many thanks. This item has some very interesting properties."
"Wait… What is that supposed to mean!?" the farmer started to turn away from the door, but Rasmodius held onto her shoulder firmly, leading her out of the tower.
"No, no. I must study this immediately. Be on your way then. Come by another time and we can discuss the magic of the valley and the effect it has on crops…" once she was on the doorstep, he shut the door firmly behind her. She heard the distinct click of a lock sliding into place.
It was nice to see that Rasmodius was as helpful and then unhelpful as he always was.
Rasmodius turned to meet the gaze of a disapproving blue junimo.
"You know this is for the best," he sighed, setting the parsnip down on his desk. "No attachments. The fondness she feels for me will subside when she knows the truth. I must remember everything she thinks I am… Is all a mask. A disguise to help keep the valley safe."
The junimo squeaked and Rasmodius furrowed his brow.
"What fondness that I feel for her? There is no fondness there. She is merely a convenient tool to help us achieve a desired result," the wizard nodded his head, as if trying to convince himself. He didn't miss the eyeroll of his forest friend, however. "There is a reason I do not have children, young junimo. I have no room for fondness, and I already failed at love. I just hope our new farmer manages to succeed where I fell short. It's what this valley needs."
Another face flashed through the mind of the wizard, but it wasn't the face of the farmer. No. This time, he was thinking about a certain villager with green hair and an affinity for green tea…
He banished the face as quickly as it had appeared. Sometimes, sacrifices had to be made for the greater good. Sometimes, giant corporations needed a little competition to keep them in check. Sometimes owners of small stores need support, love, and encouragement… And sometimes other distractions and potential marital problems have to be rooted out…
Sometimes wizards had to be lonely in order to do their job.
Rasmodius turned back to his cauldron. There was still much to be done. Sometimes, there was no time to think. No time to mope. Just time to do what needed to be done.
The farmer placed the last piece of coral into her bag before heading for the saloon. It was Friday, so Sam, Abby, and Sebastian would be there. She wanted to update Sebastian on what had happened the day before, in Penny's trailer… But she was also thinking about what Rasmodius had said. Sam had been begging to hang out, and she didn't know Abigail very well, but she seemed fun… Maybe one night of hanging out wouldn't be so bad?
Sam was already there, seemingly having given up on learning his kickflip. He was setting up the pool table and didn't notice as the farmer snuck in and pushed a coin into the Jojacola machine. She winced as the machine clunked, but Sam was very invested in whatever he was doing with the cue ball and pool stick to notice her…
"Hmm… If I give the cue ball a bit of a top spin, maybe I could-"
"Would some extra energy help?" the farmer plunked the can of soda down on the pool table, causing Sam to jump.
"Geez! You scared me!"
"I'd say sorry, but that was the intention," the farmer grinned as Sam took the soda with a bright and thankful smile.
"I was just strategizing. Tonight, I'm going to finally beat Sebastian!"
"Well… As much as I'd like to believe my gift is going to help you…"
"Don't say it!" Sam closed his eyes. "I'm trying to manifest positivity!"
"Maybe you should ask Emily for some of her crystals to help you with that," Abigail laughed from the arcade entrance as she entered.
"On a Friday?" Sam snorted. "She's probably too busy serving people."
Abby stopped short, "Wow, I just realized it's Friday. Sometimes I lose track of time…"
The farmer nodded, "Tomorrow will be my twentieth day living on the farm. Feels like it was just yesterday that Robin and Mayor Lewis were showing me the cabin…"
"And it feels like just yesterday that I found you lying in the snow…. But spring is almost over," Sebastian's voice floated in from behind Abby. "Which means less rain…"
"And more sunshine!" Sam pumped his fist. "Beach time!"
"Yay…." Abigail and Sebastian both looked and sounded less than enthused.
"A whole season almost over, and I still don't have a lot of answers…" the farmer looked between her three friends. "But I'm grateful to have landed here. And, I did manage to remember something important yesterday… If you want to hear about it."
"Of course!" Abigail dropped on the couch, patting the cushion next to her.
"A good story will give me the morale I need to defeat Sebastian!" Sam handed a stick to the carpenter's son.
Sebastian didn't say anything, but the farmer could tell he wanted to listen as well… So she recounted her memory of being kidnapped as they played pool, interjecting to clarify a few things as she went along.
"A rainstorm in our area at that time of year would be unusual…" Sebastian knocked the 8 ball into a corner pocket, causing Sam to groan.
The farmer nodded, "That's why Harvey thinks I may not be remembering everything… Maybe I was with him a long time…"
"That's awful," Abigail shook her head. "I can't imagine…"
"But you're here now, and you're safe and barely remember it!" Sam put the pool stick up. "So… Does it really matter what happened?"
Sebastian and Abigail both glared at him, and the farmer just gave a sad smile, "I… Guess not. Other than the fact that it helps me figure out where I'm from…"
Sam's smile faltered slightly, "If that's where you are from, aren't you happier being here now?"
"Of course I'm happy," the farmer gave him a sympathetic look. "But I'm sure there's more to it than just the kidnapper. That's just one, brief moment of my past…"
"I think what Sam's trying to say," Abigail cut Sam off by slapping a hand over his mouth. "Is that we're happy to have you, and if you don't want to return to something that was traumatic, you don't have to. We want you here… But of course we support you in your search for clues about your past."
Sebastian nodded silently.
"Sorry," Sam shoved Abby off of him. "I don't mean to sound insensitive or like what happened wasn't horrible. I just… The idea of you returning to that makes me…. Sad."
"I get it," the farmer shrugged. "It's sweet of you to be concerned. Don't worry about me, though. I'll get it all sorted. I just… wanted to talk about it with someone."
"You're always welcome to," Sebastian encouraged her. "We're here to listen and help with whatever you think is best for you."
"Thank you…" the farmer turned towards the rest of the saloon. "I think right now I just want to go get some sleep and mull it over some more. Sam isn't the first one to tell me to consider not dwelling on the past…"
"That's not really entirely what I was trying to say…" Sam muttered.
"I know," the farmer turned to him with a smile. "Don't worry. I understand your concern. I'm going to get some sleep. You guys be careful getting home…"
"Same to you," Sebastian shoved his hands in his hoodie pocket while Sam stared down at his half drunk can of soda. Abigail was the only one who mustered a farewell wave as the farmer walked towards the saloon entrance and out into the street.
The sun hadn't set yet, and the farmer was able to deliver another daffodil to Alex before heading toward the farm. She had left early enough that she could see Shane headed towards the saloon. Her earlier conversation with Rasmodius echoed in her head as she walked towards him, reaching into her backpack to grab a parsnip.
"Hey, stock boy!"
Shane looked up from the ground, his eyes tired and full of dread, "Listen, Farmer, I'm really not in the-"
The farmer reached out and took his hand, causing him to cut short whatever he was saying. She could feel him trembling as she opened his fist to expose his palm before laying the parsnip in it gently, "I'm sorry… About the cow comment yesterday. It was uncalled for. I hope you have a nice evening…"
"I… uh… This is… great. Thanks," Shane's fist closed around the parsnip as he accepted the gift from her. "You… Have a good night as well."
The farmer started to walk away, but she turned after a few seconds to ask him something… He was still there, watching her walk away.
"Uhm… Hey… That night on the dock?"
"Yes?" he didn't make any move to disappear or run away.
"Did- Did something…" The farmer watched as the color drained from Shane's face. She had felt him trembling before, but now she could visibly see him shaking. Her heart started to pound and she felt light headed herself… "Never mind. It isn't important. I'll see you later."
She retreated.
As she placed the items she had foraged throughout the day in the shipping bin, she cursed herself multiple times. She should have just asked, but seeing him panic like that mad her panic and… What exactly had happened that night? Did she really want to know? What if Shane had… done something awful?
She shook her head and distracted her thoughts with a few other objects she had collected. They looked like artifacts that Gunther would probably want to look at. She could do that tomorrow. And there was still land that needed cleared, so if she worked on that tonight… She wouldn't have to think about Shane. Or what might have happened that night on the dock.
But even as she shoved it away and began working, she knew deep down in her heart… She couldn't ignore it. One day, she'd have to face it… The reality that what she had once considered a dream… might not be a dream at all. Like her dream about the kidnapper, it might be a memory. Only… This was a memory she wanted to keep.
That's why it scared her.
Shane watched the farmer walk away, his palm still tingling where the parsnip lay. His heart was still pounding after her comment about the night on the dock… Had she remembered?
But if she remembered, then why had she hesitated to ask about it? Why had she stopped herself?
There was only one answer that Shane could come up with. She was embarrassed by it. She hadn't wanted it to happen. That night was something she preferred to keep buried, and who could blame her? It was him, after all.
Tomorrow was his birthday… He would be another year older and another step closer to… Nothing. He had nothing he was working towards. Nothing to look forward to. Nothing to show…
And that's what that night on the dock had been to her. Nothing.
Maybe… just maybe… it would be better if he could embrace that. Would anyone truly care if he, too, became nothing?
The thought used to scare him. Now, he welcomed it. He could do that… He could become nothing. Maybe not on his birthday… But soon. It was the nicest gift he could give to everyone. If he were gone… Marnie wouldn't have to worry. Jas would replace him with a better role model.. The farmer…
She could forget that night ever happened.
Shane could do it. He could become nothing. It used to bother him… But now…
Nothing scared him.