Robin and I stood proudly at my fully upgraded house; standing tall and proud as she brushed her forehead.

"There… I guess that's it for the farmhouse. Nothing else I can do with it in terms of renovations now… but, it looks a little drab, don't you think?" Robin asked me as I drew a finger under my chin.

The house's exterior did remind me of Grandad but, if I am to ever let go of the bad history… then she can do with an uplift. So, I asked her to paint the exterior; Pale blue with white trim should do it, and the job was complete. During my week in between, I did so some more bundles, and sold some of the crops to buy new ones.

There, in the corner of my farmhouse, a small plot of land was dedicated to growing and cater to the Ancient Fruit plants, that I had managed to get from Gunther. Renewed and ready for planting, I saw the first stalks piercing the earthy soil. Given their long ancestry, these might take a while before they bear the first of many of the hopeful fruit that has prospered the past. I couldn't bear to hold any more excitement.

Then I looked out to a more sheltered part of the land; Somewhere where there's little space for another field. As Robin was still around, I went to her and asked.

"I've been thinking… Marnie has been suggesting that I could raise some animals and there's a small particular spot near the back where I could have them there." Then I led her to the spot where she pondered. "Hmm, I guess that can work. Do you have the wood and stone for it?"

Even after the renovation project on the house, I still have some spares. Just enough for that Coop.

"Yea, we can start with a coop and see what we can do from there." I said with a smile.

"Oh good. Just leave them at the site and I'll get to work. Man, your farm is really starting to take shape. Your father would've been very proud of you." She smiled.

"Yup, I couldn't be any happier to take to the skies again." I chuckled and left the woman be. I then went to the Mines; Knowing that I haven't really progressed much beyond the strange jungle growth level, I decided to enter the Adventurer's Guild to buy some new equipment.

"Hey, Robbie, it's been a while. Abandoned the hope and future of stardew to chase some farming?

…

Ahahaha, I got ya. Not everyone's fit to commit adventuring in its entirely. Come and go as you please, kid. Nothing brings me joy to see someone actually putting their tooth and nail into a spot of monster huntin' every now and then.

Now, I got me some new equipment in stock. The higher ups been noticin' that me guild has been gaining traction in the area so they bestowed us with some new weaponry to give to budding venturers.

We don't normally arm our members with these but I suppose I could trust ya enough with one." He chuckled and presented me with an ominous looking weapon. "It's an old shotgun. Lotta ol' farmers used these to keep crows pecking their crops. Now, I be warned ya that this lil beauty packs some serious wallop, it might even take yer entire arm aff, if yer not careful. Also, make sure the business end, that's the ones with the oles' in em is pointed towards the monsters and not some willy nilly passerby. I don't wanna stain our record with… 'ya know what I mean' ahah. So, this is a rule ok? Only use the darn thing in the mines and don't get any bright ideas otherwise, I'll know and ya'll be in deep trouble for sure.

And lastly, them sneakers ya got on won't work very well in the deeper depths, the monsters are a lot stronger from the growling magic thriving down there so I'd recommend some special magic boots." He spoke and handed me some fancy new footwear.

They looked different than the usual flight boots, I was given but giving the fact that I might be up against even sterner competition that I would've not lasted long with them.

Gingerly, I took my new equipment, handled the new weapon and slipped into the rather-comfortable boots. They're even well ventilated; A must've for my summery adventures.

"I hope ya can come back with some decent grubbins. Them caves have been swelling with varmits so I'd expect some spoils from your return. Stay safe kid!" Marlon gruffed as I exited the building with my new equipment in hand.

This… shotgun… reminds me of the old days when my great grandpa used to shoot the blackbirds when scarecrows weren't pioneered yet. Would've been lethal to anything on the other end of this thing. Still, I had moral concerns when Marlon handed me it without a word on teaching me how to use it. I guess it came from experience but still, I headed into the cool bowels of the cave and ventured deep into the depths.

Now, normally, I'd have worn my trusty flight boots but, since the ones I get from the Guild grants me a little more magical protection from the monsters, I'd wear those only outside the mines.

As I progressed deeper, I encountered a room where the air started to grow colder, as if it were winter itself. Opening the gold and red chest in the room here, revealed a new weapon and something that most pranksters enjoyed using. A humble slingshot.

It was a simple one; All you did was pull back the missile and then launch it from afar. Something far less elegant that the obvious steel barrels of Grandad's shotgun when he was out watching for crows. Armed with my new device, I headed down the ladder to see that the environment has indeed transitioned into this frozen cavern. Ice has been scattered all over the place, squelching blue coloured slimes patrolled the passage ways and snow-covered crates and boxes revealed hearty food. Though the air was a welcome transition from the sweltering heat from outside.

What caught my eye the most however was the new mounds of a white metal ore embedded into stone. No longer were the ores of orange tint but more greyish in colour. Cracking them open yielded the new metal; It looked a little firmer so it might be useful in upgrading my tools. I gathered more of these fragments, while taking care not to get hit by the new slimes. However, it wasn't just slimes, I'd have to contend with but new kinds of creature skulking about on these levels: Dust Sprites, bouncy little guys that squeak and chirp but drop a bounty of coal when slain. The other was the humble frost bat; Unlike the cold earth caves filled with stalwart stone golems and conventional bats, these ones were a little stronger but were relatively the same.

Fighting through the denizens, I was able to descend another 10 floors, with a melodious chime of the elevator activating hinting that I don't have to go down the same ladders this time.

Though, mining all this ore and fighting the inhabitants did leave me a little winded so back up to the surface I went and back out into the sweltering afternoon; Maybe I should stick to the ice caves a bit longer… Though it was still a bit late into the afternoon and Clint's was still likely open so presented my findings to the blacksmith, just before he closed up shop.

"Woah, is that raw Iron? You've been making some progress in those caves Robbie, I'm impressed.

These are a little firmer than the softer copper ore so, if you make me 5 ingots, I'll upgrade any of the copper tools to make 'em even better than they were." He explained.

Hmmm… it might make my life a little easier mining the new ore in the mines. I have managed to gather enough to upgrade my copper pickaxe. As night began to seep over the valley, I decided to head over to find Abigail, whom was sheltering in the graveyard.

"Hey Robbie, did anything fun today?" She asked as I sat next to her. "Quite, I made my farm a little better and delved a little deeper into the Mines. Got some good stuff out of there." I said and got out another Amethyst for her. "Wow! It looks so beautiful." She gasped and held the stone in her hands. "You really do know how to make me smile." She giggled.

Quietly, we sat together, whilst staring at the fading sun, and unconsciously, held hands.

"Y'know… I've always wondered who my true love would be like. Dad always said that it would've been Sebastian; Given his mysterious demeanour and that we'd always end up being in a band of sorts but… when I met you, it totally changed my expectations.

You may just be an ol' farmer but there's something about your character, how you talk to people… you're just so nice to others yet Seb hardly ever shows that. Also, your plane is a lot cooler than that motorcycle of his; Who'd want to ride on a noisy thing like that anyway...?" She spoke as we looked to each other.

"You'd be the one who I want in life; A strong, willing and charming young man who cares more about family values than himself, who isn't afraid to let go."

"Well… that's how Ma raised me to think this way. As Joja bought out my family's farm, I wanted to continue the family legacy and keep the crop-dusting spirit going for centuries to come.

But… there is always something about you, Abi. That mysterious aura, the way you play your flute… it made my heart hit a little harder when I hear that music. I don't think any of the others would have that quality. Also, the hair is a big bonus." I answered with a nervous chuckle.

Then, as the moon rises, the grips on our hands slowly tightened and stared into each other's eyes until, rather apprehensively, we smooched. It was a long one too. I swear my nerves were trying to take over but I seem to enjoy the embrace. I think we're finally falling in love.

"I love you, Robbie." She said with a giddy smile.

"… I love you too, Abigail."

Seems, I found my girlfriend.