The Maelstrom of Stardew
Year 1 (Summer)
Chapter 4: The Spring-Summer Swan Song (Part 1)
Monday, the 30th of Spring, 2017
[Quest Announcement] - Gamer Ability/Notification
[LOAD GAME]
…
[GAME LOADED. WELCOME BACK!]
Taeko had to admit that he really liked the bed in the trailer. It was also nice to have a straight up sleep with no interruptions, but the headache was annoying. Why did he even feel hungover? He had the perk from Pam. He noticed a notecard from Kyu on his desk.
'Taeko, due to base game updates…a new recipe was added to your list. In doing so, the System may have given you a headache. Don't worry, it'll fade. There's a [Complete Breakfast] on the table. Also check your perks, one of them was redefined. Sorry, T - Kyu'
He went for that breakfast and wolfed it down to which he felt instantly better. The +50 max energy buff and +2 [Farming] buff were welcomed additions. Taeko did check his perks, his [Friend to All Children] was modified. The System did explain this perk that befriending children easily would only work if they were under fifteen. The irony was not lost on him, but the System noted that not going down the corruption road with Angel and deleting it from was due for a lot of karma which netted him a reward. However, the System saw fit to do so citing that he would receive it after going to his former safehouse. He finished his breakfast.
He went outside to check his mail, surprised to see he had a mailbox. He checked to find the stuff for Irinia when he stashed away in his [Inventory]. He also found a check from Demetrius, two hundred Gs which he pocketed.
"I should probably invest in something…" Taeko said before going inside to get ready for the day.
After a quick hot bath, he did some online shopping to get some new clothes, spending 20 grand on clothes from various shops.
He settled to wear a black tank top under an open gray woodland shirt, a gold chain, gray woodland cargo pants, and white socks in a pair of matching tactical boots.
Taeko raced off on his [Sanchez] over to the house to see Irina and Natasha, noticing they were packing up.
"I got your stuff as promised." Taeko said, handing the envelope. "Birth certificate, ID, driver's license…it's all there."
Irina hugged him as Natasha returned his key for the house.
"Thanks but we won't be needing it. Irina and I have decided to travel together…we don't exactly have a place that we want to settle in, but we're thinking either Forajdo…or Bayside." Natasha remarked before pulling him into a hug. "It was a pleasure to meet you."
"Same." Taeko said, returning the hug. "I'll miss ya. But I never asked the name of the dog?"
"Wick." Natasha said as the dog came over. "Either way, now that we got her papers…we can get going."
He helped them load up their suitcases and saw them off. He'd get a message from the System that the Angel Pine Safehouse was his again and there was a parking spot next to the house. His phone rang to which he answered to hear Kyu's voice.
"How are you doing, playa?" Kyu asked.
"This about the reward?" Taeko asked.
"Yeah, the furnishings in this house were redone." Kyu said as Taeko had a dry look. "How about some gold too?"
"Sure." Taeko mused.
"By the way, check your mailbox before going about your day." Kyu said before 400k was dumped into his account.
He noticed now the house had a mailbox. He checked it to see a check from his Red Country operations totalling to 10,875 gold. Then the check from Liquor Mart and a reminder to visit.
"Also I got some bad news. I couldn't get the restored cut content to work properly because of the change in base game…so Liquor Mart had to be redone. For the last two tiers before getting the place fully upgraded there will be two side tasks. [Courier] runs and a [Hitman] list." Kyu mused. "The Courier runs will be just like San Andreas, there'll be a special delivery vehicle there for you and six levels to do like in Saint's Row 2. As compensation for the lost content, there'll be some added random events…and today only…a 50% discount."
"On?" Taeko asked.
"Everything." Kyu said as Taeko's jaw dropped. "My advice, get an actual hangar for Ruby to inhabit and run your smuggling. If anything, Kurokusa should be used to store some of your planes and run your small scale smuggling for Bison."
She hung up on him and there was Taeko with a wide grin. Kyu had no idea what she unleashed onto the world. Taeko put the [Sanchez] in the parking lot before popping one of those [Bull Shark Testosterone Pills] on a run for Whetstone's beach which was a distance away from Angel Pine. While doing so, Taeko looked at the description for the pill.
[Item - Bull Shark Testosterone Pill - Made from the testicles of Chilean sharks, this will put an increase in your drive! (Will double strength, speed, and reflexes for 60 seconds)]
"Useful…but I should not get reliant on these. Too much is no good." Taeko thought.
He arrived at the beach hoping for a car spawn nearby as he remembered. Instead of an [Injection] there was a blue BF [Bifta] with a black stripe. Taking it, he returned to Angel Pine ready to Fast Travel only to remember Rosemary. He went back to his trailer, got a [Basic Goth Shirt], and a piece of paper to write a short note. He was relieved to see Rosemary had her window open so he just tossed it in through it before leaving for Fast Travel. With the FT system though, he had to FT over to his place in Grapeseed before being able to wrap to any of his spots in Zuzu. It was like places in the county were a midpoint. He did not complain. He just kept using it until he was back at the garage in his farmhouse. He got out of the car and sauntered back into the farmhouse finding today's collection of [Large Eggs] of both chicken and duck; plenty of [Wool], jugs of [Large Milk], bottles of [Large Goat Milk], several dozen [Coffee Beans], and a half dozen [Tea Leaves] already listed out and put away.
"I should go see my friends." Taeko thought before his phone rang. "Hello?"
He answered it to hear Charlotte.
"Hey, it's Charlotte…you home? I'm in the area near the bus stop and I need to talk to you…face to face." Charlotte remarked.
"I'll come on over." Taeko said before hanging up.
He jogged on over to see her in her car looking hopeful.
"I wanted to let you know that I'm resigning as a member of your organization. It was a pleasure to work for you, but I got an offer for what's close to my dream job. Working on the radio which is taking me out of the city into the deserts of Bone County." Charlotte said as Takeo smirked. "Plus, I reconnected with an old friend…someone I would have wanted to date had things been different. He just got out of a crappy job and he's looking to move out of his mom's for greener pastures away from his shit office job."
"Joja?" Taeko asked.
"No, one of their subsidiaries. The social media company that is desperately trying to be Twitter and Facebook." Charlotte remarked.
"You mean Grapevine. Ugh, I remember that cesspit. Good for him." Taeko said before thinking, "I wonder if Patty still works there…they always did treat her like shit. Also I'm pretty sure Joja is using that place for a front."
"Yeah, well. I guess that's it…and thanks. As an exit gift, I helped out with your weed farm by getting you a full deck of supplies. My way of saying thanks." Charlotte said before shaking his head. "It's been real."
"Good luck." Taeko said before tossing her 10,000 gold. "Now we're even."
Charlotte drove off as Taeko returned to the farmhouse to find Penny there, who quickly hugged him.
"Hey, you doing all right?" Taeko asked.
"Yeah, just noticed you were gone all day…and I heard something about an exec dying." Penny remarked.
"Just some prick getting his just desserts." Taeko said. "So what are your plans for the summer? Summer school?"
"Yoba, no! I love teaching, but I want my summers!" Penny mused, breaking the hug. "So I'll just be relaxing…making some side money fishing and stuff. I just wanted to make sure we'll have time to spend together. I know the summer is going to be a perk farming activity. You and your assistant are hard at work."
Penny kissed him to his surprise, rather roughly before she suddenly stopped.
"Sorry, it's just you smell really good…bye." Penny said shyly before leaving.
"Wait up, I have to go into town." Taeko said, following after her.
Penny had a lot of mind, namely trying to control her abilities as a dhampir. She did have a craving for Taeko. She still was not fully ready for intimacy…despite her 'desires' wanting it..she wanted to wait and Taeko respected that.
"I'm surprised my mother is actually making an effort to work. She didn't smell of liquor at all…" Penny remarked. "What did you do?"
"Promised a vacation if she could go without booze for a while to work." Taeko said slyly. "I'm off to Clint's. Later, P."
Taeko jogged ahead as Penny looked on with a serene look.
"Yoba, look at him work those legs. No…down girl…" Penny thought. "I need a cold shower."
Taeko went to the blacksmith shop to see Clint, reading a magazine.
"I'd like to upgrade my trash can to an iridium one." Taeko asked.
"Five [Iridium Bars] and 6,250 Gold." Clint said before Taeko ponied up. "Thank you, it'll be done by lunch."
Taeko was grateful that one of the updates was for buying certain upgrades and items that required him to have a certain item for help in creating it…he didn't need to have them in his on-hand [Inventory]. This however only applied if the needed items were in the chests within his living space alongside his closet and fridge. He left Clint's jovially going over to the General Store.
"You're ok!" Abigail said before playfully punching his shoulder. "What were you thinking? Cops were all over the place."
"It was to save someone. I'll explain after I get some shopping done." Taeko remarked going up to the counter. "Mr. Belmont."
"Just call me Pierre…I'm just counting down the days until you decide to make me a grandfather." Pierre said sarcastically.
"Dad!" Abigail remarked, embarrassed. "Give our relationship more time, yeesh!"
"I'm kidding." Pierre snarked. "It's still too early for my little girl to be a mother…and for you to be a dad."
"Agreed. But I do ask if I can get in-season for summer seeds, at this point…growing any Spring stuff is not an option." Taeko remarked.
"It's the cut off date so sure." Pierre remarked.
Taeko bought two [Hop Starters] and a dozen of every other seed for the summer that was available. He paid up and left with Abigail…who wanted to help hold the bags of shopping to which he decided to humor her.
"So what happened?" Abigail asked before Taeko explained a bit of what happened. "Wait, so Russia thinks having their base of weapon development in Ukraine is a good idea? That sounds doomed to backfire."
"It will." Taeko said as they entered his home.
Taeko put the stuff away save for the [Hop Starters].
"I'm glad you're back, Takeo." Elly May said coming in.
She was stark naked save for some dirt on her skin.
"Damn." Abigail said, eyeing her built frame. "I'm kinda jealous."
"Elly, why are you-"
"Oh, I was making the farm a bit bigger. My folks dropped off more supplies…we had a storage shed of stuff for the farm that we're no longer using. A dozen [Looms], some [Cheese Press], ,enough [Hardwood Fencing] to redo the whole fence, and some [Bee Houses] that I put around where you grow your flowers. Also got me some better tools, so I need two new rows to your plot." Elly May said innocently. "And I'm naked because I would have gotten my clothes really dirty. I didn't want to mess up your fancy washing machine."
"Well go on ahead and take a bath. Relax. I'll handle some things on the farm from there." Taeko said before Elly May left for her cabin. "Well…that worked out well."
"Must be nice having a buff assistant not bothered to walk around naked." Abigail said as he laughed. "But in all seriousness, I think it was really brave for you to risk your neck out like that. What's going to happen to her now?"
"She can live. Plus, she's with a friend…traveling together. They'll be fine. I know it." Taeko stated. "So what about your plans for the summer?"
"The Mines. Just you and me beasting through them, the next infected zone is in the thirties." Abigail said as he nodded. "That's what I want to see. I'll leave you to your work. Later, Sensei."
She kissed him before leaving.
"I should go see Marnie." Taeko remarked before getting a [Coffee] out of the [Coffee Maker]. "I could buy a stable from Robin…and get a horse. Nah…it'd be redundant."
Offloading some of his weapons in the closet, he sprang out of the house. Elly May had stopped him to relay…some information before heading back in. Taeko sauntered onward to the Sanford Ranch. He walked in to see Lewis and Marnie playing tonsil hockey.
"I find it funny that you can make out like horny teenagers, but can't be open that you two are just seeing each other." Taeko said interrupting.
"Taeko, I…"
"Lewis, I can't watch this. Look, I know you love your job, but what exactly is stopping you from being open about seeing Marnie? You both are consenting adults." Taeko said. "Though it does feel you're married to the job and I can respect them…personally you can share them with Marnie. Marnie's passionate about this town as much as you are."
Lewis was a bit sheepish.
"And I'm going to be honest, I'm pretty sure everyone is aware of it. Also…Elly May saw you both…doing it on my farm last night." Taeko said.
The look on their faces was priceless.
"Taeko, I'm so-"
"Oh please, don't apologize. You didn't leave a mess." Taeko joked.
"Still, we shouldn't have done that there." Lewis said as Taeko waved it off.
"It's fine. If you two need to get your rocks off outside…I suggest the Secret Woods or the Backwoods." Taeko said. "But seriously, the only person I could see trying to take issue with your relationship…is Morris. And quite frankly, he's an asshole."
"And he's part of the reason…Joja's a dangerous entity. A snake willing to do whatever it takes to get it's prey. Also, I'm a bit ashamed to admit I'm a little afraid of commitment." Lewis admitted.
"For someone afraid, you've stuck around for years." Marnie said gently. "But I'm glad to hear you out…you could have talked to me, Lewis."
"He just needed a push, but I don't blame at least…on the matter of Joja. They want the community center…and they got plans. I'm doing what I can to ensure that never happens. If I can play my cards right, I can get rid of Joja…at least in this town. And when that happens, can you just marry Marnie? Can you do that for me?" Taeko remarked.
"If you succeed and pay for the wedd-"
Marnie punched Lewis's shoulder giving him a teasing look.
"When he succeeds. Now scoot, Lewis. I believe Taeko has some business to act on." Marnie said, shoving Lewis out from behind the counter. "We can have lunch later, darling."
Lewis took his leave as the world went gray for Taeko. He was reminded of the old karmic choice that took the neutral out early in the season.
[Karmic Choice Chosen!]
[You've opted to help save their relationship after all.]
[Friendship with Marnie and Lewis maxed out, check your mail from new recipes and look for an alternative heart event.]
[Marnie content on the VR headset unlocked.]
[If Busted by the cops, you won't lose your weapons (on hand), your body armor, or any drugs (on hand).]
[+1,000,000 Gold]
[50% Off Products at the Sanford Ranch.]
Taeko felt good about helping them, and the rewards were just icing on the cake. Given his 24 hour discount, he was able to get the two [Auto-Grabbers] and two [Pigs] for free. He left to see the Traveling Merchant was in town.
"Antonia, I figured you'd only be here on the weekend." Taeko asked as he came up.
"Taeko, dear child…I've decided on operating on the final days of the season to make up for some inconsistencies in my schedule. So here are today's wares where this time it's twenty items for sale." Antonia said as the menu came up.
He wound up buying nearly everything: the five [Rare Seeds], the five [Mega Bombs], the last items for the [Chef's Bundle] and the [Geologist's Bundle], five [Iridium Bars], and seven [Deluxe Speed-Gro] all totaling to about 6,000 Gold thanks to the discount.
"Come again." Antonia said before Taeko ran off.
He went to his garage to get out his [Sanchez] before riding off for the Community Center. Parking his bike, he noticed Morris glaring at the building before walking away.
"Selfish prick." Taeko muttered before going in.
He went to two bundles to put in the last needed items for those two before they glowed signaling completion.
[Geologist's Bundle] [COMPLETE]]
Quartz [X]
Earth Crystal [X]
Frozen Tear [X]
Fire Quartz [X]
[Reward: 5 [Omni Geodes]]
[Chef's Bundle] [COMPLETE]
Maple Syrup [X]
Fiddlehead Fern [X]
Truffle [X]
Poppy [X]
Maki Roll [X]
Fried Egg [X]
[Reward: 3 [Pink Cake]]
He was alerted that he had all the items required to complete a bundle in the pantry. To his relief, he could pull the same 'pull items of storage' to bring up to deliver an item…however the System noted there was a restriction. He could only do it if he had everything the bundle asked for, which Taeko considered a fair trade. He went to the [Animal Bundle] to complete it.
[Animal Bundle] [COMPLETE]
Large Milk [X]
Large Brown Egg [X]
Large Egg [X]
White Egg [X]
Large Goat Milk [X]
Wool [X]
Duck Egg [X]
[Reward: 1 [Cheese Press]]
He also slipped a [Red Mushroom] into the [Dye Bundle] being halfway to completion. Taeko made sure to add a [Solar Essence] and a [Void Essence] to the [Adventure's Bundle] only needed to get some [Bat Wings]. Taeko returned home to install the [Auto-Grabber] in the coop before installing the other one in the barn with the other [Cheese Presses] that he all moved to the shed. He found his new pigs were there and promptly petted them before leaving. Now it was time to do some farming in the greenhouse. Using the [Deluxe Speed-Gro] on seven slots, he planted the [Rare Seeds] and the [Hops Starters].
"Looks like Elly May missed out on the harvest here." Taeko said to himself.
The [Cranberries] and [Strawberries] were in full bloom, and he got to collecting them and the other fruits grown having a haul of 32 [Cranberries], 25 [Strawberries], two [Pineapples], two [Mangoes], and a bunch of [Bananas] all of those gold quality. He ate one of those [Bananas] before going to the house to get eggs for the Mayo Machine and milk for the Cheese Presses among other supplies. He loaded it all up before looking at his soon to be quality handiwork before back to store whatever was leftover. He just texted Chen that he had some brews in the works for him when he sensed a visitor. He comes out of the house to see Linus.
"Linus, what's happening?" Taeko asked.
"Just came by to ask for a few things in exchange for some [Wild Bait]." Linus remarked revealing two buckets full of them. "Some pickles, jellies, three loaves of bread, cheese, and vegetable juice."
Taeko handed several over given he could have stood to clear out his fridge and he got 100 [Wild Bait] out of it.
"Thanks, enjoy going out to fish." Linus said before leaving.
"Wait, I know you upgraded from a tent recently. You doing ok, man?" Taeko asked as Linus chuckled.
"Well as I can be, kid." Linus said before heading out.
"Might as well crush those geodes." Taeko said before going back inside to use his [Geode Crusher].
The cost of a [Coal] per use was a welcome price to pay to not have to deal with Clint. He even got his coal back given two of the geodes were stuffed full of coal. The other three had three new ores that he could donate. He got back to his dirt bike and rode off for the museum. He entered to hear the whine of Vincent.
"Vincent, the sooner you finish your final test. The sooner you can enjoy your summer." Penny said gently.
"Gunther, I got three new ores. [Jasper], [Ghost Crystal], and [Marble]." Taeko said putting them on the table.
"That puts you over forty items donated. You earned this." Gunther said giving Taeko [Rarecrow #8].
[You achieved the 'Treasure Trove Achievement'!]
"Thanks, I'll be back soon." Taeko said, striding into the library. "Hey Pen, when the kids are done…they can have this. One's for you."
He put down two of the [Pink Cakes] he had before leaving. He rode his dirt bike over to the clinic. Entering the place, he was met with a hug from Maru who looked relieved to see him.
"Sorry, I didn't call…shit got wild." Taeko remarked. "Where's Harvey? I don't sense him around."
"Doctor's appointment for the doctor." Maru remarked. "I'm just holding the fort down."
"Well, I got you a present." Taeko said, revealing an [Iridium Bar]. "I've been working on producing more of these."
[You've Given Maru a Loved Gift! +80 Friendship Points]
"Taeko, you know me so well." Maru said, taking it up. "Tempting for me to have you here for some company…I think that's best suited for a fantasy."
He kissed her before bidding her goodbye and leaving. He called up Velma to ask about the Glamour Slam.
"The GS was 'retconned' to be moved to another location, that was because of the map. It's being shifted to one of the spots for nightclubs. Yeah, you're getting After Hours content. However, don't worry about the setup and staff. The original location was torn down and property sold so…the new spot is already set up. A structure that has the nightclub on top that'll be the cover, the Glamor Slam under it, and lastly the Meta Bordello. Of course, there's sub-floors for your operations as well. Staff for GS and MB are set up, you just need to meet them. However, the nightclub staff you'll need to recruit." Velma explained. "Once you pick the location, you'll be getting a call from your new business partner on making the club a hit. Later."
She hung up as the world went gray with the System asking which location he wanted to pick. Given he had a weed farm in Downtown Vinewood already, he was quite willing to select the Downtown Vinewood location…
[GAME PAUSED? WOULD YOU LIKE TO QUICK SAVE?]
[Yes *] [No]
….
[GAME QUICKSAVED! Hurry back.]
(A/N: It's basically been four chapters and this already is 47 pages on the document. This story is going to be packed full of stuff for Taeko to do. And yes, we're going into the After Hours update a bit. So who will be helping Taeko with the club business and what did he name the club? You'll see.)
