The Maelstrom of Stardew
Year 1 (Spring)
Chapter 8 – Tilling and Training
(Still) Tuesday, the 2nd of Spring, 2017
[Quest Announcement] - Gamer Ability/Notification
[LOAD GAME]
…
[GAME LOADED. WELCOME BACK!]
Abigail would arrive at the farm a half hour later to find Taeko using his Hoe to make eight slots of soil in a box around an untouched spot before planting flower seeds around it. Abigail carried her sword like people would only do in fiction, over their shoulder.
Abigail noticed Taeko was planting up with no shirt on and his jacket hung up on the railing to the porch of the farmhouse. Walking up on the cobblestone path, she watched Taeko get up to face her.
"You're a bit late." Taeko remarked. "And I'm a bit peeved about what you did."
"I'm sorry about that, but I had to say something." Abigail remarked, trying not to gawk. "You don't really have to pay me."
"No, I have to. Because I actually do need your help around here." Taeko said with a smirk. "You see those 28 empty plots, they need to be filled."
Abigail paled looking at Taeko with pleading eyes. Those bluish-green eyes shone and Taeko was tempted oh so badly to relent. It was a true contest of wills…that Taeko was able to win thanks to [Gamer's Mind].
"Sorry, Abigail. I need those filled. Plus, considering it training just like that movie." Taeko teased.
"Oh no, you're pulling a Miyagi on me! You dick." Abigail said in a joking mood playing punching Taeko's shoulder.
"I'm serious, but I'm not a dick. I will split the work with you." Taeko said kindly. "Then, we can train."
[Cue BGM: Nujabes – Color of Autumn]
Taeko tossed back on his shirt and he and Abigail got to work. Taeko was partly glad he had a partner to make it easier. The Game already makes farming an easy process, but it was nice not to have exhausted all his energy. He made sure to lay the fertilizer down on nine slots before getting to planting realizing one would have to go without fertilizer. Abigail got the job of planting [Acorns], [Pine Cones], and [Maple Seeds] around the farm which was an easy enough task. With the [Potato Seeds] planted and the trellises for the beans set up, Abigail came back looking a bit haggard.
"I really dug myself into a hole." Abigail thought. "I know he gave me the easy task, but he looks like he's barely broke a sweat."
Taeko turned to Abigail with a content look on his face saying he had one more task before they could get started. Taeko handed her the [Watering Can] and told her water the seeds and trellises he just planted. Simple enough, Abigail poured away noting the number of crops planted already.
[BGM Unlocked: Kenichiro Nishihara - Mind Tourism]
"Hey Taeko, no mean to pry but you got family?" Abigail said as she watered.
"I got parents, but they're still back home in the Virgin Islands. I do have a little sister who my family adopted, but I haven't seen Hikari in over five years. She ran off to travel the world or something." Taeko said twirling his sword.
Abigail finished the water excitedly handing over the can back to Taeko and getting up her sword in her hands. Upon a closer look, the sword was seemingly the "offspring" of a claymore and a chokuto. It had a purple jewel on the hilt and the blade give off an eerier dark purple glint.
[Normal BGM Active]
Taeko was about to draw but remembered something that got him to not to bring his sword out.
"We can't start yet." Taeko said.
"Why not?" Abigail said with a pout.
"Well, what's the most important thing about being a sword user?" Taeko asked. "Aside from the sword."
Abigail was admittedly at a loss for words as Taeko pointed out it was support. Taeko led her into the farmhouse, and he sat on the couch as he dug in his closet. He came out with what seemed to be bandages.
"This will help to make your sarashi." Taeko said. "It's wraps to support your body and protect you from injuring yourself."
Abigail merely took out her smartphone to which she proceeded to look it up. Seeing that, Taeko got out his Huniebee phone. To Taeko's surprise, he had Leah's contact information automatically. He noticed a few messages from Kyu with attachments but put the phone away.
"Okay, I see you know what you're talking about." Abigail said with a blush. "So, you'll have to wrap some around my stomach and my…chest."
"If you want, I could get Leah to help." Taeko asked.
Abigail seemed a bit frantic to keep all this secret, but Taeko pointed out that Leah was his best friend.
"She's grown up with me. Hell, she knows how to use a sword as well. Not to my extent, but enough to know how to care for more and properly wrap a sarashi. If you really don't want to get her, I can do it. I just don't want it to be awkward." Taeko said sheepishly.
Part of Abigail's mind was telling to have him to do it, but the only half told her maybe getting Leah's a good idea.
"What am I thinking? I have only known the guy for two days." Abigail thought before saying, "You're right. You should get Leah. If you trust her, it's good enough for me."
Abigail and Taeko walked back outside, and Taeko told her he'd be back. He took off for Leah's cabin checking the time on the way.
"Eleven twenty, already?" Taeko thought as he arrived at Leah's cabin.
He entered the cabin to walk into an awkward moment in the making. Leah had her pants off and her underwear around her ankles as she furiously pleasuring herself. Her shirt was even rolled up giving Taeko an eyeful. Seems Taeko had come right on time as Leah twitched violently back.
"Taekoooohhhhhh!" Leah said arriving at her climax.
"You should really lock your door, and honestly, getting off to Korrasami of all things. That pair is totally overrated like the show itself." Taeko said looking at the laptop. "And a bit of ya…"
Leah cut him off by throwing a weight at his groin costing him a good chunk of health.
[Current Health: 500/570]
"Oh hey, my health went up." Taeko thought with a pained groan.
"I know the show and that pair are garbage. The artwork's hot…bite me." Leah said cleaning up and getting dressed.
"Isn't that the same logic that led to it being canon in the first place?" Taeko asked incredulously.
"Oh please, don't start this up. I thought we agreed shipping in LOK was overrated." Leah remarked.
Taeko rolled and decided to move on from this conversation.
"Either way, I need your help. I'm teaching Abigail how to swordfight." Taeko remarked.
Leah raised an eyebrow.
"Why?" Leah asked.
"Can't say. She wants the reason to stay secret. I came to you because I need your help getting a sarashi on her." Taeko said sheepishly.
"I'll do it, if you treat me to lunch." Leah said with her stomach growling.
"Come back in six days, and I'll have potatoes. If I get some oil, I can make fries." Taeko remarked.
"Well, you're still the smartass." Leah said as the two left her cabin.
"And you're still the deviant." Taeko sniped back.
The two returned to the farm where Leah and Abigail bid their hellos before she dragged Abigail into Taeko's room to wrap her up. Taeko was outside eating four of his [Dandelions] to regain lost health. Abigail would come out looking ready to train and Leah giving the thumbs up. He handed over the rest of his [Dandelions] to Leah saying that's lunch, but she didn't complain as at least it was not [Daffodils].
"Let's begin, Abby. Show me your stance." Taeko said as Abigail did so.
The stance itself was a bit loose, but Taeko was a bit glad she was not a complete novice.
"Not bad, not perfect, but it's workable." Taeko said drawing his sword.
Leah helped to adjust Abigail's stance to make her more balanced. Taeko and Abigail had started the simple parrying of blades. Abigail did find the borderline fencing boring, but Taeko had a serious look seeing her bored face.
"Even the likes of Zoro were not slicing mountain men when he was starting out. You must master the basics. It'll be slow, but you'll get there. I'm not leaving the Valley anytime soon." Taeko said assuring. "It'll be easier for you because you don't have other skills you needed to balance."
"Yeah, his family was nuts about training to be skilled in combat outside of gunplay. Swords, knives, bos, and so on. Something about disciplines or something." Leah said.
"You mean the disciplines of ninjutsu." Taeko said. "Bajutsu (horsemanship), Bōjutsu (stick and staff techniques), Bōryaku (tactics), Chi-mon (geography), Chōhō (espionage), Hensōjutsu (disguise and impersonation), Intonjutsu (escaping and concealment), Kayakujutsu (pyrotechnics), Kenjutsu (sword techniques), Kusarigamajutsu (kusarigama (chain-sickle) techniques), Naginatajutsu (naginata (polearm) techniques), Seishinteki kyōyō (spiritual refinement), Shinobi-iri (stealth and infiltration), Shurikenjutsu (throwing weapons techniques), Sōjutsu (spear techniques), Sui-ren (water training), Taijutsu (unarmed combat), and lastly Tenmon (meteorology)."
"Wait, so you're basically a ninja?" Abigail said shocked. "That's hot."
Taeko blushed and Leah snickered. Taeko learned the basics of those skills but did not further use on all of them. He did not realize all that knowledge would come in handy in this quiet little valley, at least not yet. Abigail blushed, nearly loosening her grip.
"My grandpa was the truest ninja. He used to troll the people of the valley by pulling a Batman on them or disguising himself as them to confuse them." Taeko said warmly. "He could fight like the best of them. It's a shame cancer gutted him."
"I'm sorry about your loss." Abigail said as their swords clanged once again.
The training ended about noon with Abigail exhausted and Taeko having barely broken a sweat.
"There's your first problem. Your stamina needs to increase. Seeing that you're in your prime, it can be doable. You'll have exercise a lot. Trying to run or jog around and upping your diet." Taeko suggested.
"You may want to start wearing weights too." Leah suggested. "You'll need them to up your body's physical strength. I do have some of Taeko's old training weights laying around the cabin. Better you use them then them being used as paperweights." Leah said, getting up to stretch.
"Thank you, senseis." Abigail said with a far firmer bow.
"Well, that's just one thing we need to do to conclude it. You have to name your blade. It's a bit of a rite of a swordsman. Now cutting yourself to put blood on the blade is among the old ways of doing that, but that's a bit extreme for you. A sword is an extension of you and must be treated as such. So, what'll it be?" Taeko said sheathing Eclipse.
Abigail looked at her sword noticing the eerie purple glow that shimmered off her it.
"My family's ancestors were masked in legend for slaying vampires with that whip that dad keeps in the closest." Abigail said. "How about Espada?"
"I think that's taken. I might be wrong" Taeko remarked. "But what the heck, Espada it is! Besides, how did you get your sword anyway?" Taeko said.
That question went unanswered as a text box flashed up.
[The Origins of a Blade: Quest Locked until Friendship with Abigail is at 7 Hearts or More (Heart Events must also be done as well).]
"Never mind that question, here's your pay." Taeko said paying her 10 gold coins. "And here's your lunch."
Taeko gave the woman a [Leek].
[You've given Abigail a "Leek" as a gift. It's a liked gift, +45 Friendship Points. (Reminder: You can only gift once a day, and only two gifts to a person per week.]
"Later, to both of you. I go things to deal with." Taeko said walking off.
Being it was noon, Taeko wanted to grab a bite of at the saloon. Coming in, he noticed Cosette at the counter reading a book familiar to Taeko.
"Does everyone in town read manga? Because if that's the case, I found my paradise. I never thought anyone reads Michiko and Hatchin Ride Again." Taeko said coming up to the counter.
"Ah, Taeko. How's the farm treating you?" Cosette said, putting the book away.
"Well enough. I've got [Parsnip], [Rhubarb], [Potatoes], and [Beans] growing there." Taeko said. "It's slow, but I totally intend to make fries out of some of those potatoes. I just need the oil and salt."
Cosette chuckled.
"But for now, I came to buy lunch." Taeko remarked.
"Gus and I do feel bad charging you for food when you just started out on your journey." Cosette said being empathetic.
"I'll cover him." A familiar voice said entering the saloon.
Taeko turned to see it was Emily and a smile came up. Emily was someone Taeko felt a click with, only that was slightly returned by Taeko.
"Hey Em, nice seeing ya. I'll find a way to make it up to you, and I think I know how." Taeko said, handing her a [Quartz]. "It's no ruby, but maybe you'll find use it in."
[You give Emily a "Quartz" as a gift. It's a liked gift! +45 Friendship Points gained!]
"I feel a positive energy off you and this gift." Emily pocketed. "So, what will you be having for lunch?"
"Spaghetti and meatballs for me, please." Taeko said getting a Joja Cola to down with it.
"I'm surprise you drink that swill." Emily said, taking a seat on the stool next to him.
"It's a childhood thing. It does remind me of good times. If this town had Fanta Soda, I'd toss this in a heartbeat." Taeko said as Cosette put a cold Grape Fanta in front of them.
"Lucky for you, I have a guilty pleasure for Fanta. It's a bit better than Joja swill. Have one on me." Cosette said with a wink.
Taeko put the cola back in [Inventory] as Cosette came back with a [Spaghetti] plate for Taeko and a chicken Caesar salad for Emily.
"Dig in, you two." Cosette said as Emily paid for the meals.
"Where's Gus?" Taeko asked curiously between slurping the noodles.
"Resting up. He hit the wine a bit too hard last night." Cosette said with a giggle.
"Oh, a hangover. I've been there before." Taeko said under his breath.
"So, Taeko? What's the plan for today?" Emily asked.
"Socialize a bit." Taeko remarked. "What's your plan?"
"I'm thinking on working on making a jacket like yours, but it's to get hard proper [Cloth] out here due to Pam no longer driving the bus." Emily said. "My sister will probably walk out and takes pictures of things."
Taeko had a raised eyebrow, but he decided not to ask further about that. Finishing off the heavenly food and downing the soda, the farmer leapt up off the stool.
"Thanks Cosette, say hi to Gus for me." Taeko said before leaving. "Later, Em."
Leaving the saloon, Harvey's spot was next. Entering the office, Taeko found Maru at the counter of the doctor's office.
"Yo." Taeko said coolly walking in. "Well hello nurse."
Maru chuckled. Taeko asked about Harvey, but Maru explained he's with Evelyn on her appointment.
"So, Taeko? When are you setting your appointment?" Maru asked. "You do live here now."
"I'll think on it, but I wanted to talk a bit." Taeko said.
"Well, I'd love that, but I can't. Sadly, I'm on duty of stocking shelves." Maru said with a huff. "But I get off at 4:45."
"Good to know." Taeko said before leaving.
"One more thing, check the town's bullet board for quests and stuff. It'll be an easy way to earn some coin." Maru said as he left.
Taeko went over to the bulletin board next to the general store and checked it out. A text box pinged up.
[Bulletin Board Quests]
[Every day, this bulletin board a randomly generated Help Wanted quest from a village that you can complete in exchange for money, sometimes increased friendship, or favors from the quest giver. When a new quest is available, the bulletin board will have a yellow exclamation point floating above it. Rewarded money depends on the number of items/monsters involved, your skills, and sometimes a bit of randomness. Once you have accepted a Help Wanted quest you will have only 2 days to complete it, the current day and the next. Quest come in four types: Gathering, Slaying Monsters, Fishing, and Item Delivery.]
Taeko hit yes and a quest came up.
[Item Delivery 01]
Haley: I will *heart* you forever if you bring me a Quartz – Haley
Get Haley a Quartz!
Reward: 75g on delivery, Haley will be thankful (+150 Friendship Point), Possible Favor
Quest Failure: Nothing.
You got two days.
Accept This Quest?
Taeko accepted the quest. While he did not like Haley too much, the quest paid well. He went to find Emily to ask where her sister was.
"She's at home. Tuesday's her lazy day." Emily told him.
Taeko had gotten Emily's number in the process, ending a bit of a conversation. It was about one in the afternoon when Taeko entered the Umbra house where Haley was on her phone. Listening in, he could hear she was doing what most millennials with money do (*cough* like those rich kids in Saudi *cough*) with nothing better to do, Instagram. Taeko groaned.
"I keep trying to defend my generation but shit like yolo and Tide Pod challenges makes it nearly impossible." Taeko thought as he walked up.
"Hey followers. You're talking to your favorite rich chick from Stardew…and *sniff* I smell dirt. Ugh, probably some…"
Haley did not finish that sentence as Taeko's groan cut her off.
"I'm not one to talk, but shouldn't you be doing something productive?" Taeko said.
"Sounds like something a poor person would say." Haley remarked callously.
Taeko sighed.
"Dadakko, do your research. My family aren't poor." Taeko remarked. "Unlike you and those rich pricks from Saudi, we don't blow through money like madmen."
Haley rolled her eyes but did the research. The Maelstrom family was ironically right under her family in the wealth department. Taeko's mother, Victoria Bellator, ran a business that used to be a failing one. She came from a family of blacksmiths forging weapons and so forth. Fitting, she married Taeko's father.
"Wait, you're the son of the Victoria Bellator of Bellator Industries. The same company that sells metalwork!" Haley said shocked.
"Yup, the same woman." Taeko remarked.
"But she's…white." Haley said blankly.
"I'm mixed race, ignoramus. Plus, she's not white alone, she's Latin as well." Taeko pointed out. "I just take after my father's side."
"I can't believe. Why are you living as a poor person? You've got money to spare. Why bother with farm life?" Haley asked.
"Because my parents believe in a hard work ethic. Secondly, I'd commit seppuku then be anything like those Saudi pricks. I never asked for more money than I needed because I wanted to work and make something of myself. My mother did not come from old money, but he worked her way up. She fiercely believes in hard work and education." Taeko spouted.
All this flew over Haley's head, and Taeko sighed.
"I have a [Quartz]." Taeko said, getting her attention by producing said item.
"Eeee! Gimme!" Haley said trying to take it.
Taeko pulled it away.
"I don't know. You did insult me, even if you pay me, it wouldn't sit well. I guess I could give me to Emily." Taeko said sneakily.
Haley did not need to know he already gave one to Em, and Taeko was enjoying messing with Haley.
"Wait, I can offer up something." Haley said. "I need that quartz for a photo piece I'm making. How about along with the pay, I give you my number?"
Taeko was going to say no when a text box specifically from Kyu explained that a number in the Huniebee from females can lead to more benefits. Remembering Huniepop made Taeko accept that deal, and Haley become contact number four.
[Quest Complete: +75 gold, +150 Friendship Points, and Haley's Number are rewarded!]
Funny, Taeko thought. He had a full heart with her now. He left decided to see what Penny's up to unaware he was walking into a heart event as it was a sunny day, and it wasn't past 2 in the afternoon just yet. Taeko noticed George struggling with reaching inside his mailbox. Taeko noticed Alex was standing there doing nothing to help him, but Penny comes up to the old timer.
"Here, Mr. Mullner." Penny says respectfully getting the letter out for him.
Sourly, George scolds her for helping.
"Oh, for shit's sake." Taeko muttered as he walked up.
"Oh, Taeko?" Penny said surprised. "How much did you see?"
Taeko was given a choice but decided to go to a bit of a custom response to take a gamble.
"Enough to know you did a kind thing for someone who clearly doesn't deserve it. That's a sign of good character in you." Taeko said warmly yet firmly.
Penny went beet red stuttering a bit.
[+75 Friendship Points Gained. Good custom response!]
Alex snickered, but Taeko glared at him which got Alex to shut up. Souamil did wonders in teaching you how to shut a man up with one action. His gaze shifted to George, and the old man looked up at Penny.
"I should apologize. I don't want everyone to help me, but there are times when I'll need it. Thank you, Penny." George remarked.
"And on that note, why the hell were you just watching him instead of helping Alex?" Taeko said turning to the jock.
"He didn't want me to help." Alex said plainly.
"I really hate this guy." Taeko thought.
"Sure, let your grandfather flounder. When he's in a jam and screams "Don't help". You'll watch and fumble your balls." Taeko said sarcastically.
Taeko left with Penny.
"It must be difficult growing old." Penny said to him.
"It can be if you get screwed over like him or my granddad." Taeko remarked.
"Thanks for standing up for me." Penny remarked. "I'll be at the library if you want to talk."
"Wait, one thing. I don't have your number." Taeko remarked.
Penny blushed harder as she got out her phone. Her smartphone was white, having an evident crack in the upper corner taped up with invisible tape. Taeko got her number registered, and the heart event ended. However, time skipped an hour leading it being close to evening.
"Oh, crap. Sebastian and Linus!" Taeko thought.
He was off to Stardew Mountain to the carpenter's place. The house was well built and clearly a custom job that was a labor of love. Entering the home of Grant-Shadows, his HUD pointed out that Sebastian lived in the basement. Thus, he headed down right into another heart event. Coming into the room, Sebastian was finishing work on a program.
"Hey Sebastian, what's up?" Taeko remarked.
"Working on a program for a client." Sebastian said.
"So, you use C++ or IntelliJ for that?" Taeko asked.
"You program?" Sebastian asked.
"I mod." Taeko explained. "I would have done it for a living if not for working for Joja."
There was a text from Sam that came to Sebastian asking to hang out despite Sebastian not wanting to leave. Another text from Robin came saying Abigail was looking for him. Robin was currently with the other women of the valley still exercising and Demetrius was out scouting.
"I swear nobody takes my work seriously." Sebastian remarked.
"Well I do. And in a sense, Maru should as well. Considering she makes gadgets; she'll need to program them." Taeko said making a valid point on the fly.
"Huh…you got a point there." Sebastian remarked. "Maybe I should bring that up sometime. Thanks."
"You got it, bro. Seems you're busy, so I'll be going. It's close to five either way." Taeko remarked.
He left as the smiling emo bid goodbye. No points were gained, but Taeko still felt good aiding his old friend. Coming up, he ran into Robin. Robin was not in her usual clothes, but exercise grab. The tight-fitting kind. Taeko had to control himself and hastily said hello.
"Oh, Taeko. Didn't except you here." Robin said.
"Just came to see my buddy, Sebastian. He's busy on a project for a client." Taeko said.
"Well, that's nice. Since you're here, why not take a look the shop's catalogue?" Robin said kindly. "You do owe me one for the silo and coop not being built by me?"
Taeko would have rolled his eyes but decided to roll with it. Her main stock did not really have anything Taeko wanted at the moment, but he noticed the Game showed she had a rotating stock of furnishings. He did buy something, a [Purple Office Chair]. If anything, he needed a comfy chair for his desk. However, he was a bit sore having to spend 500 Gold for it, but at least got 100 back by selling Robin his [Clay]. He left as Maru was coming in.
The evening sky was a beautiful sight to see in the valley, and Taeko trotted up the stairs to see Linus at his campfire near his tent.
"Hey Linus." Taeko remarked.
"Well hello. I see you have a bit of time on your hands after all the farmwork. What brings you?" Linus said cooking a fish.
"Figured I'd see if you were all right. Plus…you need something to go with that." Taeko said dropping a [Leek] in his hands. "Least I can do."
[You've given Linus a "Leek" as a gift. It's a liked gift, +45 Friendship Points.]
"Thanks, Taeko." Linus said. "I'll savor it."
"Well, I'm off to fish a bit." Taeko remarked jumping down off the incline to head for the mountain lake.
-(Meanwhile)-
Penny was at home at the trailer looking evidently annoyed. Her mother was off at the saloon blowing through money like she had any to so do. Penny felt miserable but had a simple comfort in her books. She wanted nothing more than to escape her reality. Right now, she was in the midst of reading The Good Earth. How fitting.
"I wonder if Taeko is actively struggling with that farm of his." Penny thought.
Penny groaned with a bit of envy.
"Must be nice. All that house to himself, and all I have to my name is this tiny room." Penny thought.
The trailer was a one-bedroom trailer, and Penny's room was actually a closet. Pam got the actual bedroom. Penny wished she had a game console to drown her time into. Teaching the local children only did so much to ease her pain. Penny put down the book and went to the fridge. Of course, it was full of alcoholic drinks. Penny would sooner drink water out of the river than drink a single one of those. Hell, she'd even take a [Joja Cola] over it.
"Well, might as well root through the trash." Penny thought glumly. "Not like mother knows that's where half our food comes from."
-(Back With Taeko)-
Taeko was walking back to town a bit drained. Fishing with the regular rod basically sucked. He made a note to get the [Fiberglass Rod]. At least he caught a pair of bullheads and chubs. As he arrived in town, he found Penny rooting through the trash of the Mullner home and finding a [Spring Onion]. She turned terrified to see him.
"Taeko…" She said in a low whisper.
Taeko was given a karmic choice, but when for the custom approach.
"Let me guess, food troubles?" Taeko remarked.
Penny nodded.
"Well then, I have an idea in mind. I could get you a meal at the saloon." Taeko offered.
"I can't go in. My mother's there." Penny remarked.
Taeko thought about it and had an idea. It was about seven and Pam would most likely be drinking it up.
"How about you come over to my place and I can cook you a meal?" Taeko remarked.
Penny blushed at thought of the invitation but accepted the offer. Taeko told her he'd meet her at his place as he had to get some things from the store. Penny walked off ahead and Taeko got to work. Sneaking around, he raided all seven trashcans out of the valley in succession, not looking at the item he got until he was done with the last time outside of Emily and Haley's place. He huffed back to the dusty road between his farm and the town before leaning against a tree to see what he got.
"Let's see, an [Earth Crystal], an [Amethyst], some useless [Trash], 7 [Cookie(s)], a [Geode], a piece of [Coal], and a [Lucky Lunch]." Taeko remarked.
Taeko tossed the trash and ate the [Lucky Lunch] feeling a lot luckier. He waltzed into the saloon which was rather full of people. Taeko strode up to the counter.
"I need recipes. One for [Hashbrowns] and [Bread]." Taeko said to Gus and Cosette. "Here's 750 for the two."
Gus gladly handed the two scrolls over as they turned into blue flames and went into Taeko's body. It did not hurt as much as the first time.
[You can now make "Hashbrowns" and "Bread"]
Taeko dashed out for home but was surprised to find Marnie there with Penny along with a dog and a cat. The dog was a golden lab retriever, and the cat was an orange calico cat.
"Well howdy, Taeko. I wanted to give you some dinner in the form of a [Pizza]. Shane wanted to get you one, so he got me to get you a frozen pizza for you to heat up." Marnie said. "On the way, I found these two in your farm."
The world went gray.
[Pets]
Within this game, you will be caring for animals. Adopting the pet is optional. If you accept, you will be able to choose any name you want for your pet the moment you adopt it. You can choose the dog, the cat, or both. Pets function as your companions. So, what will it be?
[Adopt none of them]
[Adopt the cat]
[Adopt the dog]
[Adopt both]
Taeko went for both and got another box saying his friendship with Marnie shot up to two hearts and he could enter her room now.
"Aw, that's sweet of you to adopt both of them." Marnie said warmly. "What will you name them?"
"The dog I'll name Logan and the cat Tom." Taeko said being deliberate in his choice.
A text box came up explaining that pets had a bigger purpose and can function as battle pets to fight monsters if they are trained. Taeko was suddenly gleeful to Marnie and Penny's befuddled looks as he snuggled his new pets.
"There's a corner for the pets to rest in, and a nearby cave on the farm if it rains. I can handle them both." Taeko said walking over to that corner to fill the water bowl.
"Well, that's great." Marnie said, handing Taeko the box with the frozen pizza. "Be seeing you two."
Marnie left, and Taeko and Penny entered the farmhouse.
"How lovely." Penny remarked. "It's really homely."
"Thanks." Taeko remarked. "Now seat yourself on the couch and let me cook."
Taeko put the frozen pizza in the oven to let it cook. Then, got to breadmaking using two boxes of Wheat Flour to craft/cook two loaves of [Bread]. Using the [Spring Onion] from Penny and two [Leeks], he made a flavored bread like garlic bread.
[Custom Craft Object: Onion Bread – Food Item – Using two out of the onion family, combining butter as well, you have glazed the bread to toast to create the baby brother of garlic beard. (Ingredients: Leek, Spring Onion, Bread) Healing Properties: +34 Energy/+15 Health]
Taeko got a warning that giving custom objects as gifts could be a gamble in either the receiver will like it or hate it. He swiped it aside and set the table. He put down the pizza, the bread, and a pair of Joja Cola.
"Sorry, I got nothing else to drink aside from water. I really should invest in getting juices." Taeko said with a chuckle.
"I'll forgive this. It's just you who lives here alone." Penny remarked. "This bread looks different."
"Just made it with onion and leek glaze and toasted it." Taeko said getting the remote to flip on the television.
On the television was a sci-fi movie, Alien vs Predator vs Jason vs Freddy. The plot was weird, but it appealed through its fight scenes. Penny devoured the [Onion Bread] and seemed to flat out love it. Dinner was a nice affair as the two watched the movie making fun of it yet enjoying the mindless violence with several cold ones of Joja Cola. It was sound nine when the movie ended with Predator winning the fight only for the Terminator to show up with a To Be Continued.
"The Terminator? How the hell did they get the rights?" Taeko asked.
"That's your first question." Penny said. "Either way, it's late. And I should get home."
Taeko was given a choice to walk her home to which he accepted. He left the farmhouse with Penny. Tom was already asleep, and Logan trotted up to follow along.
[BGM Unlocked: Night – MySims Kingdom]
Taeko had walked Penny across the road enjoying the peaceful night with Penny by his side. The two took their time before getting to the trailer.
"Well, good night, Penny." Taeko remarked.
"You too, Taeko." Penny said as Logan barked. "You too, Logan."
Taeko and Logan departed leaving Penny to enter her lonesome trailer. She found herself more appreciative of him already.
"To think he's only been here for two days." Penny said to herself. "He's a true whirlwind."
Taeko got a few text boxes.
[Your "dinner date" with Penny was successful! +75 Friendship Points! Penny feels indebted to you!]
[Hidden objective: Walk her home (Complete!) Reward: Pet skills unlocked, check tomorrow on more details.]
"Huh, neat." Taeko said. "Well, Logan. Let's go home."
Taeko and Logan jogged home. Taeko did not have anything for the bin tonight and entered inside. He put the [Amethyst] and the [Coal] in the storage chest. He tossed the [Bullheads] and [Chubs] in the fridge. He set the office chair in front of the desk in his bedroom. Changing into his pajamas, he went to bed wondering what else this valley to offer. He did not notice the last text box come up. He also missed his Huniebee ringing with a message from Penny.
[Game updating to V1.1 (Pets Edition)]
(Elsewhere)
On an isle far away, a young woman of seventeen was looking out to the ocean. Coming up to her was a blue-haired, green-eyed boy of sixteen dressed in blue overalls, an orange shirt, and wears a dog hood hiding most of his dark blue hair.
"Tim?" She said to him.
The young man, known as Tim, spoke up.
"Yeah, Hikari?" Tim asked.
"There's another player out there….." Hikari said as her body seemed to flicker.
[STATS]
Taeko Kiba Maelstrom
Occupation: Farmer/Freelancer Ronin
Age: 20 years
HP: 570/570
Energy: 350/350
Overall Level: Tiller
Farming Skill Level: 1
Mining Skill Level: 0
Foraging Skill Level: 4
Fishing Skill Level: 2
Combat Skill Level: 10
Gold: 4888
Taeko is a former employee of the corrupt Joja Corporation. Screwing it over, he got away with it free to chase his dreams and ambitions. An anti-hero and a roughneck, he won't take crap from no-one. Now he's the head farmer of Shadow Farm along with being essentially a ronin. His favorite food is pepperoni pizza. His favorite gifts tend to center around gaming, manga, and combat.
[Taeko's Perks]
The Gamer's Mind – Allows the user to calmly and logically think things through. Allows peaceful state of Mind. Immunity to Psychological Mass Effect and Hypnotism.
The Gamer's Body – Grants the user a body to live life like a video game, Immunity to Physical Damage, but not the pain. Sleeping in a bed fully restores HP/Energy, Sleeping in a tent restores HP/Energy by 75% of total amount, and sleeping on an improvised surface (a couch, the ground) restores HP/Energy by 50% of maximum amount.
Made of Iron – You can survive your HP going down to zero, and you only need four hours and ten minutes of sleep to function perfectly. (Downside, you have to bed before 2 A.M. or else you pass out.)
Fighter – All attacks deal 10% more damage. (+15 HP) (Augmented by Anasatsuken fighting style)
Brute – Damage is increased by 15%
Gatherer - Chance for double harvest of foraged items. (20% chance of double harvest)
[Relationships]
Sandy – 4.40/10 Hearts – 1100 Friendship Points
Pam – 1.4/10 Hearts – 350 Friendship Points
Lewis – 1.4/10 Hearts – 350 Friendship Points
Pierre – 2.4/10 Hearts – 600 Friendship Points
Robin – 0.4/10 Hearts – 100 Friendship Points
Abigail – 3.43/10 Hearts – 857.5 Friendship Points
Caroline – .40/10 Hearts – 100 Friendship Points
George – 1.4/10 Hearts – 350 Friendship Points
Evelyn – 1.4/10 Hearts – 350 Friendship Points
Alex – .40/10 Hearts – 100 Friendship Points
Harvey – 1.4/10 Hearts – 350 Friendship Points
Maru – 1.4/10 Hearts – 350 Friendship Points
Linus – 1.7/10 Hearts – 425 Friendship Points
Gus (and Cosette) – 2.4/10 Hearts – 600 Friendship Points
Sebastian – 2.25/10 Hearts – 562.5 Friendship Points
Haley – 1/10 Hearts – 250 Friendship Points
Emily – 0.83/10 – 207.5 Friendship Points
Penny – 3.2/10 – 800 Friendship Points
Jas – .40/10 Hearts – 100 Friendship Points
Vincent – .40/10 Hearts – 100 Friendship Points
Demetrius – .40/10 Hearts – 100 Friendship Points
Clint – .40/10 Hearts – 100 Friendship Points
Willy – 1.40/10 Hearts – 350 Friendship Points
Leah – 10/10 Hearts – 2500 Friendship Points
Marnie – 2/10 Hearts – 500 Friendship Points
Elliot – 0.4/10 Hearts – 100 Friendship Points
Shane – 0.9/10 Hearts – 225 Friendship Points
Sam – 1.4/10 Hearts – 350 Friendship Points
(Status of the Farm)
Column 1:
Row 1) Parnsip (Basic Fertilizer) (Days in the Soil: 1/4)
Row 2) Parnsip (Basic Fertilizer) (Days in the Soil: 1/4)
Row 3) Parnsip (Basic Fertilizer) (Days in the Soil: 1/4)
Row 4) Parnsip (Basic Fertilizer) (Days in the Soil: 1/4)
Row 5) Parnsip (Basic Fertilizer) (Days in the Soil: 1/4)
Row 6) Wild Seeds (SP) (Speed-Gro) (Days in the Soil: 1/6)
Row 7) Wild Seeds (SP) (Speed-Gro) (Days in the Soil: 1/6)
Row 8) Wild Seeds (SP) (Speed-Gro) (Days in the Soil: 1/6)
Row 9) Rhubarb (Speed-Gro) (Days in the Soil: 1/12)
Row 10) Rhubarb (Speed-Gro) (Days in the Soil: 1/12)
Row 11) Parnsip (Days in the Soil: 1/4)
Row 12) Parnsip (Days in the Soil: 1/4)
Column 2:
Row 1) Parnsip (Days in the Soil: 1/4)
Row 2) Parnsip (Days in the Soil: 1/4)
Row 3) Parnsip (Days in the Soil: 1/4)
Row 4) Rhubarb (Days in the Soil: 1/13)
Row 5) Wild Seeds (SP) (Days in the Soil: 1/7)
Row 6) Wild Seeds (SP) (Days in the Soil: 1/7)
Row 7) Wild Seeds (SP) (Days in the Soil: 1/7)
Row 8) Wild Seeds (SP) (Days in the Soil: 1/7)
Row 9) Beans (Basic Fertilizer) (Days in the Soil: 0/10) (Will Produce More Every 3 Days after it's Fully Grown)
Row 10) Potatoes (Basic Fertiziler) (Days in the Soil: 0/6)
Row 11) Beans (Basic Fertiziler) (Days in the Soil: 0/10) (Will Produce More Every 3 Days after it's Fully Grown)
Row 12) Potatos (Basic Retaining Soil) (Days in the Soil: 0/6)
Column 3:
Row 1) Beans (Basic Retaining Soil) (Days in the Soil: 0/10) (Will Produce More Every 3 Days after it's Fully Grown)
Row 2) Potatoes (Basic Retaining Soil) (Days in the Soil: 0/6)
Row 3) Beans (Speed-Gro) (Days in the Soil: 0/9) (Will Produce More Every 2 Days after it's Fully Grown)
Row 4) Potatoes (Speed-Gro)
Row 5) Beans (Speed-Gro) (Days in the Soil: 0/9) (Will Produce More Every 2 Days after it's Fully Grown)
Row 6) Potatoes (Days in the Soil: 0/6)
Column 4:
[Empty]
Flower Box:
Slot 1) Blue Jazz (Days in the Soil: 0/7)
Slot 2) Blue Jazz (Days in the Soil: 0/7)
Slot 3) Blue Jazz (Days in the Soil: 0/7)
Slot 4) Blue Jazz (Days in the Soil: 0/7)
Slot 5) Tulip (Days in the Soil: 0/6)
Slot 6) Tulip (Days in the Soil: 0/6)
Slot 7) Tulip (Days in the Soil: 0/6)
Slot 8) Tulip (Days in the Soil: 0/6)
(Day 2 Total Profits: 0)
(Shadow Farm's Total Profits (This adds all the money made by the end of each day): 8,508 Gold)
[Status of the Pets]
Logan Maelstrom
Occupation: Farmer's Dog/Battle Pet
Age: 1 Year (in Dog Years)
HP: 200/200
MP: 350/350
[Perks/Traits]
Active - These dogs are very energetic. They really like running and enjoy frequent walks. (Allows them to regain lost health easily)
Hunter - These dogs are natural hunters. Send them off into the world and they'll hunt and dig for things. (Starts off with Lv1 in Hunting, training in hunting is easier)
Loyal - These dogs want to be closer with their owners and love to be pet. They like to follow their owners around. (Easier to build relationships with them, will be more willing to guard the house, and protect its owner.)
[Skills]
Hunting – The link dogs have to their predator ancestors. They will go out to hunt. Can possibly bring back a small animal, valuables, forage-able, or junk. The item depends on which area Logan is sent to hunt. (Level 1)
Tom Maelstrom
Occupation: Farmer's Cat/Battle Pet
Age: 1 Cat Year (15 Human Years)
HP: 150/150
MP: 250/250
[Perks/Traits]
Clever - These cats are fast learners, and some say that they can even understand human speech when spoken to! (Will be more likely to understand commands and be more perceptive to conversations by humans.)
Friendly - These pets tend to be friendly towards people and will happily greet others around them. (Easier to befriend and can help aid to befriend other people)
Glutton - These pets will eat significantly more often, and much more messily. (Will eat slightly more, can sniff out food within a mile radius.)
[Skills]
Food Seeker – Can use its nose to seek out food as long as it has a scent. (Level 1)
[GAME UPDATED]
[SAVE GAME]
….
[GAME SAVED]
(A/N: Yeah, this is long overdue, but I hope two chapters makes up for it. This month is going to be quite busy! So, I hope this quenches your appetites. I wanted to do some development for Penny, but not too much. The training sessions will be sporadic, but I hoped this one opens up on Taeko, Abigail, and Leah's characters. The pets were long overdue. He was supposed to get them in the morning, but I forgot about it until later which is why they show up late. But, surprise, they are a part of the Game as well. They will have an active role as Battle Pet, so suggest attacks they could do. I bet you did not expect the ending….will Hikari and Taeko meet up? Time will tell!)
(Remastered A/N: Penny was cute to write. I redid the movie bit, as I realized it'd make no sense for Freddy Fazbear to fighting Freddy and Jason. Aside from that, I cleaned it up and got things solidified.)