Tuesday, 16th of Fall

Alma worked quickly on the farm this morning, trying to get things in order before going to the fair. She had a letter from Demetrius which included a nautilus shell - something she put aside for the community center later - and in addition to cranberry jelly being ready in the preserves jar and eggplants growing purple on the vine, she also saw a bright diamond sitting inside the crystalarium! "I don't believe it," she gasped as she held the gem up to the sun. The colors shined through the prism; it seemed to be a real diamond! The crystalarium would make new stones?! She let it continue to create another diamond, still thinking that was probably her most valuable stone she owned. She put the new diamond in the chest and continued on her way.

Bisclavret seemed especially loving this morning. Even after Alma filled his water and gave him some pets, he followed her around, just happy to be by her side. It seemed that he was really growing attached to Alma, and that made her happy.

As she went through the farm, Alma thought about her grange. She got her best egg, duck egg, and mayonnaise to highlight the work the chickens were doing; and she got the highest quality goat milk, cow milk, and cheese to show off her livestock produce. She got a beautiful pumpkin to showcase her vegetables, and a juicy wild plum to show off her fruit and her foraging skills. And for her last item, she thought about getting something else that she had made … and remembered the fresh cranberry jelly made today! So she carefully put these things in her bag after she finished the rest of the work and went into town.

As Alma came down the cobblestone road, she could see the lively energy of the fair on the square. She first heard bluegrass music echo through the trees, and she smelled smoky and delicious barbecue. She could see the tops of several red and white tents set up, and as she came closer, she was amazed at how many people were there in the square! It wasn't just her neighbors but guests and vendors too! She first passed a shop on the left, but she was surprised to see it wasn't Pierre inside. "Hello!" she greeted.

"Trade in your star tokens for prizes?" the vendor asked.

"Oh, uh, maybe not yet." She took a quick look at what he was selling: some decorations, a hat, a rarecrow, and - wait a second. "Is that … a stardrop?" she asked.

"It is indeed. Only two thousand tokens!"

Alma remembered reading about those in the lost books. Two thousand seemed like a lot, but she hadn't yet seen the games and activities set up; maybe she could get that. How incredible would it be to see what a stardrop tasted like and what it could do!

She looked up to the path up the cliff and saw a large purple banner: "Stardew Valley Fair." Alma smiled. An event like this was really something special, and it was so homey and nostalgic. She looked up the path to the park and could see Gus tending to barbecues in front of the fountain. But in front of her was Mayor Lewis, looking pleased as ever with the turnout. "Well, Alma," he said, "it's the big day … our most important festival of the year, the 'Stardew Valley Fair.'"

"Yes, it looks great! I can't wait to see what all there is!"

"Oh, there are lots of games, activities, displays, food," he said, gesturing throughout the square.

"Yes, the food smells amazing! Do you know what Gus is cooking?"

"Barbecue! Burgers - which I believe he calls 'Survival Burgers' - and some other meats too! It's all free, so help yourself!" He pointed over to the area in front of the clinic and general store and said, "If you'd like to participate by setting up a grange display, I've left an empty stand for you." Alma could see Pierre, Marnie, and Willy setting up their displays.

"Yes, I did bring some things from the farm. Thank you!"

"Excellent! I think you're the last one to get here, so just let me know after you've set everything up so we can get to the judging."

"No problem, sir. Thank you!" She went up first to check out the food and saw the Mullners there next to the barbecue. "Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. Mullner! Hello, Gus!"

"Hi Alma! Eat as much as you like! It's all free today, compliments of Mayor Lewis!"

"Yes, so I heard!" she said, grabbing a plate. "You know I won't turn down free food."

George rolled his wheelchair over while Evelyn held his plate. "Hmm …." He investigated the food on the barbecue. "Is that smoked turkey haunch?"

"It is indeed, Mr. Mullner!" Gus exclaimed. "Also ribs, chicken, fish filets, and some sausages too!"

"I'll get it for you, dear," Evelyn said, grabbing it with the tongs.

"I guess this festival isn't all bad," he said, taking the plate.

"But just one," she reminded him with a pat on his back. "Dr. Harvey says we need to watch your cholesterol. And your sodium." George grunted as he wheeled to a table. "I wish Gus would include a vegetarian option," she said to Alma as she looked over the selection for herself. "Some zucchini skewers, maybe?"

"Ooh, that does sound good!"

"Let me tell you a secret, Mrs. Mullner," Gus said, leaning closer to her. "The burgers are vegetarian! Made out of cave carrots and eggplants!"

"Well, how about that!" She put a burger on her plate and joined George at his table.

Gus laughed and threw a fresh patty on the hamburger bun Alma opened on her plate. "Oh!" he exclaimed, reaching for an unmarked sauce bottle. "Make sure to dribble some of my secret sauce on there." He squeezed the bottle on her burger for her.

"Wow, thanks!" She closed the bun and took a bite. "Oh, Gus. You've outdone yourself again."

"Have as many as you like!" he said with a proud grin.

Elliott approached them at the barbecue too, getting another burger on his plate. "I'm trying to get Gus to tell me his sauce recipe," he said to Alma, "but he won't budge."

"That's right I won't!" Gus laughed. "But I will let you eat as much as you want," he said, squirting the sauce onto Elliott's burger too.

Alma looked around the tables and saw Maru eating by herself at a table. On the way to her, she heard a tourist saying to himself, "Man … I can't take another bite of this barbecue sandwich …. So stuffed."

"Hi Maru!" Alma said to her as she approached the table.

Maru had just taken a big bite, and she slurped at the sauce running down her chin. "Mmm …. This barbecue sauce is amazing. I can't let it go to waste!" She looked up at Alma and chuckled. "Sorry, I guess my table manners aren't very good."

"Table manners, shmable shmanners!" she said, taking a big bite of her burger too. "When the food is this good, you just do whatever it takes to get the food from the plate to your mouth!" She looked around, noticing that no one else was around. "Where are your folks? And Sebastian?"

"Mom set up a grange display, and Dad's with her. Seb's probably hanging out with Sam and Abigail or brooding somewhere," she chuckled.

"I forgot your mom might have a grange display too, that's right. I should go check it out. Enjoy your burger!"

"You too!" she said after her.

Alma went down the stairs and back into the square, eating her burger as she looked for Harvey in the crowd. She glanced at the tall and beefy bodybuilder next to the high striker. He gave her a side eye as she passed, and she was relieved to see Caroline and Pierre there. Pierre stood next to his grange display, hawking his products. "My store carries the very finest quality products in the whole valley," he called to passers-by. "Please, inspect my grange display closely and see for yourself!"

Caroline leaned over to Alma and said quietly, "Pierre is very serious about his grange display."

"So I can see!" Alma answered. "Hoping to draw in business from neighboring towns, maybe?"

"Mm-hmm. He's been setting aside the best-looking produce for weeks in preparation." Alma looked over his display: tomatoes, a pumpkin, red cabbages, and bunches of kale were neatly pushed together with blueberries and eggs in between. Alma thought maybe the pumpkins, cabbages, and eggs might hold up for a few weeks if they were refrigerated, but the others were probably more recent harvests. She wondered if any of them were hers.

Pierre turned and saw her next to Caroline. "Oh, hi Alma! It seems we're grange neighbors!" he chuckled, gesturing to the empty display next to him.

"Stiff competition," she said, going to her display.

"Eh, it's just your first year. No pressure. If nothing else, it's good practice!" He then turned his attention back to catching the eye of people passing by.

Alma took her bag off her back and set it on the ground in front of the display. She looked up and saw that Marnie had her display on the other side. "Hi, Marnie! How are you feeling about your grange display?"

"I tried my best," Marnie said with a shrug, "but my display is pretty weak compared to Pierre's."

Alma stood and took a look at her display. There were several bolts of cloth, a half dozen large eggs, and a giant cheese wheel. "I mean, it looks pretty great to me! That cheese alone - wow!"

Marnie patted the cheese wheel and smiled sheepishly. "Well, maybe the judges will give me bonus points for the massive cheese wheel."

"I think they should!"

"I've got some of my animals over there with Shane and Jas too," she said, pointing toward Mayor Lewis's manor behind them. Alma looked with her and saw that Harvey was over there too. "Oh, it looks like your sweetheart is visiting some of my pigs!" she giggled.

"It sure does! I'll go say hi to him after I've finished with my display." She leaned her head over a bit and saw Willy and his display on the other side of Marnie's. "Hi there, Willy!"

He peered over and nodded her direction. "Are you setting up a grange display, Alma?"

"I am, yessir!" She started to pull out some of her products to get them into the display.

"That's good. It's your chance to show off all the good produce from Paradise!"

"And what have you got?" she asked, stepping a little closer.

"Some of my best fish, bait, and shellfish!" Alma looked and saw a dorado, shad, and chub along with three bins of bait and three mussels. "I don't have high hopes of winning …. These fish look nice, but they don't exactly smell great …. Sorry, Miss," he said to Marnie.

"It's all right, Willy," she answered with a cordial smile.

A tourist passed by and stopped in front of Marnie's display. "Wow. That's the biggest cheese wheel I've ever seen. Very impressive."

Marnie blushed a bit and answered, "Oh, thank you very much!"

As the visitor kept walking, Alma elbowed Marnie and laughed. "See?! That cheese wheel's gonna nail it." Marnie chuckled a bit too and gave her a dismissive wave. Alma started to look over her products and try to arrange them neatly in the display. She put her milk jugs in the back since they were taller, with the pumpkin in between since it was also quite large. Then in the middle row, she put the mayonnaise, chicken egg, and duck egg, since those seemed to go together in Alma's head. Then in the front, she put the jelly in the middle, with the cheese propped next to it and the wild plum nestled beside it. She stepped back, and though she tried to make it look good, it still looked pretty sparse next to Pierre's. Marnie's cheese wheel also seemed to engulf it. She scrunched her face to the side, wondering if there was anything she could do to improve it. "No, too late now," she thought.

"Wow, Alma! It looks great!" Marnie said. "You have a really good selection of different kinds of products!"

"Thanks," she said with a shrug. "That's kind of what I was going for. A little bit of everything." She looked over and saw Lewis walking away. "I guess I should go tell Lewis I'm all set up, huh?"

"If you're ready, sure!" she said with a gulp.

Alma patted her shoulder and smiled then stepped to go see the mayor. "Mayor Lewis!" she called.

He turned and raised his eyebrows. "Oh … are you already finished setting up your grange display?"

"I am! I think everyone else is ready too."

"All right then," he said, pulling a notepad out of his pants pocket, "let me go take a look at these."

Alma walked back toward her display, and Pierre stopped her as she passed. "Hey, good luck," he said with a little smile.

She patted his hand and smiled back. "You too, Pierre!"

She walked and stood by Marnie, a little back from her display. They both watched as Lewis started with Pierre's display, looking over the produce and taking notes. "Well, here goes nothing …."

"Yep," Alma sighed. She looked around a bit and happened to see what else was going on around her, and she looked behind her and still saw Harvey by the animal pens. It looked like he was walking around the chickens, pigs, and cows, and Alma knew he was probably pacing. She excused herself and made her way down there to see if he was okay.

Jas and Vincent were with the animals too. "Moooo!" Vincent mimicked a little too loudly.

"Ow!" Jas cried. "Uncle Shane!"

"What is it, Jas?" he called, coming to her.

"A hen pecked my little finger!"

"Well, all these animals are friendly and love to get massaged - not poked and prodded! Be gentle, okay?"

"Okay," she moped, passing in front of Alma.

"Excuse me, kiddos," she said, squeezing by them to get to Harvey.

He heard her voice and turned. "Oh, hi, there you are." She gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "What do you think of the fair?"

"I really like it so far - very homey and cozy! But I haven't seen a whole lot yet. I set up my grange display then came to find you. You doing okay?"

"Yeah, I-I guess. I'm just a bit sad."

"Sad? Why?"

"I like seeing the animals and learning about them and their behaviors. And just a few steps over there, Gus is grilling up a batch of pork ribs …. Yikes. I've got some soul-searching to do …."

"The burgers are vegetarian, if you want something to start your soul-searching with," she said, patting his arm. She looked across the pig pen and saw Linus standing on the other side. "Hi, Linus! What do you think of the animals?"

"These animals never judge people by their looks," he said, leaning over the pig pen. "The same can't be said for humans."

"That's quite true, Mr. Linus," Harvey answered. "We don't deserve the animals, do we?"

She happened to look up and see Mayor Lewis walking away from the grange displays back into the heart of town. "Oh, it seems my grange display has been judged. I think I'm supposed to return to Lewis for the result." She looked up at him. "Come with me?"

"Of course," he said, putting his arm out to escort her. As they walked past the displays, he pointed and asked, "Is th-that one yours?!"

"Yeah! Look good?"

He stopped to take a look. "Everything looks so colorful, fresh, and healthy!" He looked more closely at the jelly. "What kind of fruit is that? Cherry?"

"Cranberry! Fresh from this morning."

"Wow. Alma, you could really have a chance at winning!"

"No no, Pierre or Marnie have it in the bag. Did you see Marnie's cheese wheel?! And Willy's fish look good and fresh too!"

"Well, let's go find out, shall we?" he asked. They approached Lewis, and Marnie, Pierre, and Willy all did too, along with some of the other townspeople.

Lewis looked over all of them and asked, "Everyone's here now? Okay, here we go!" He pulled out some ribbons and looked over his notebook. "In fourth place …." He walked over to the grange displays, holding out a yellow ribbon. He made his way over to Willy's and stuck the ribbon on it. "Willy, with a score of fifty-eight!"

He handed Willy the paper with notes about his score. Willy looked it over and muttered, "Wow, I got a low score. I guess Mayor Lewis isn't much of a fish man." He looked up at Alma and shrugged with a smile. "Oh well …."

"In third place," he said, holding up the white ribbon, "Marnie, with a score of seventy-seven! You win five hundred star tokens!" He placed the ribbon on her display, and Alma caught sight of a wink he gave to Marnie when he handed her his notes.

"Well, I didn't win," she said, "but it was still satisfying to share all my hard work!"

Alma smiled at her, and then she felt Harvey's hand squeeze hers more tightly. "In second place," Mayor Lewis said, dramatically holding up the red ribbon. He took a moment to look around the crowd. "With a score of ninety and a prize of 750 star tokens … Pierre!"

"What?!" both Pierre and Alma cried.

"Alma!" Harvey shouted. "That means - "

"Congratulations! You won first place with a rating of ninety-four!" Mayor Lewis handed Alma the blue ribbon, her mouth still agape. "Your prize is a thousand star tokens. Spend them wisely," he said, handing her a small bag full of coins. The sound of applause filled the air, and people were shouting for Alma.

"I won?!"

"You won!" Harvey cheered.

"How - How did I win?!"

"Here's how!" Lewis handed her score sheet. "Oh, and don't forget to clean out your grange display box."

She and Harvey both looked over the score report and saw that her large iridium-quality egg is what racked up the points. But realistically, because she submitted almost all high-quality products, everything had a high score! She looked and saw the blue ribbon now hanging from her display. She was still so shocked. "Pierre! Pierre, I - "

"I can't believe I lost …."

"I'm so sorry, Pierre!"

"No, you know what I should have done?" he asked, wagging his finger. "I know that some of my best produce comes from Paradise. I should've chosen my selection from your stock," he laughed. Alma wasn't sure how to answer and nervously chuckled. "But even then," he continued, now just thinking aloud, "my stock from a few days after would never be as fresh as yours coming straight from the farm that morning! I may … I may never win again …."

Harvey and Alma exchanged glances, and Caroline swooped in and put her arm in Pierre's. "Well, honey, just think of it this way: healthy competition is always good for the economy." She smiled at Alma. "Alma is just keeping you on your toes. You've never had someone besides Joja stepping on them."

"A-And wouldn't you prefer competition from a local farmer rather than a corporate megastore?" Harvey asked.

Pierre nodded, pouting his lips. Then he shrugged and smiled at Alma. "I'm coming for you next year, though." He stuck out his hand, and she shook it. "Congrats, Alma."

"Thanks, Pierre."

Harvey squeezed her shoulders and said, "So, a thousand star tokens! What are you going to spend them on?"

"Actually," she said, looking at the coin purse, "I saw the vendor is selling a stardrop! An actual stardrop!"

"Have you never had one?" Pierre asked.

"No, I haven't! I'd love to try it. I read about them in one of the lost books in the library. But it's two thousand coins. I'm only halfway there."

"I guess that means we have some games to play," Harvey said. "Come on, it's your first fair. Let's go have some fun." He held out his arm to escort her again, and she took it, laughing.

As they walked, Alma said, "You seem a lot more comfortable during this festival than others. You don't feel too nervous?"

"No, the fair is different. Sure, there are more visitors, but there are also more distractions. People aren't as interested in small talk and such. Plus," he said, patting her hand, "your, uh ... social butterfly energy makes it a lot easier."

"Do you ever play any of the games?"

"No, they've never really been my thing. But I will enjoy watching you play just as much - maybe even more." He stopped in the middle of the square and looked around. "Where do you want to start?"

Alma looked around and pointed up at the bodybuilder. "Strong man game?"

Harvey smiled. "Yeah? Think you can hit the top?"

"No way of finding out unless I try it!"

She pulled him that way, and as they approached, the man standing next to it started sizing them up. He looked at Harvey and flexed all over. "Are you strong like me? Smash stone!"

"Don't mind if I do!" Alma said, rolling up her sleeves. Harvey smirked at the bodybuilder.

The bodybuilder watched as she grabbed the hammer and began to feel how heavy it was. She did a few practice swings and then flung it down on the stone. The machine read, "Strength Level: mountain troll."

"Nice try," he said, crossing his arms.

"Try again!" Harvey said, getting a little annoyed by the man.

Alma did a few more practice swings, and then hit the stone again, making the meter go a little higher, just shy of the bell at the top. "Strength Level: iron."

"Third time's the charm!" Harvey said.

Alma swung one more time, and the bell dinged at the top. Harvey cheered, and the bodybuilder gave out a loud, hearty laugh. "Now that's what I like to see! Here, have a star token." He flung a coin at her.

Alma caught the coin and held the hammer out to Harvey. "Want to give it a try?"

"Oh, no, I don't think - "

"One swing, come on, Mr. Hot Air Balloon Pilot!"

Harvey smiled and rolled his eyes. "All right." He took off his coat, handed it to her, rolled up his shirt sleeves, and took the hammer. "I'm not going to try to beat you, though - I know better than that," he said over his shoulder. He did a few practice swings too then threw the hammer down, hearing the bell ding. "Wow! I did it!"

"Nice job! Here ya go," the man said, flinging another coin to Harvey.

Harvey caught the coin and gave the hammer back. He gave Alma his coin, took his coat from her, and said, "Maybe he just needs to recalibrate that thing."

"No, it's Robin's weights for sure," she chuckled. As he rolled his sleeves back down and put his coat on, Alma noticed a woman and young boy with a red balloon walking through the square together. They were obviously tourists. As they passed, Alma asked, "Are you enjoying your time at the fair?"

The woman turned and smiled. "Oh yes! It was a long bus ride here but totally worth it! This valley is so beautiful. Simon loves it," she said, looking down at the boy. "Don't you, Simon?" He didn't respond but instead hid behind the woman.

"Well, you all have a great time," Harvey said to them with a nod. She smiled, and they continued on their way.

They went to the tent ahead of them, where the woman inside smirked and said, "Play the slingshot game and win star tokens!"

"Slingshot, eh?" Alma pondered, looking up at Harvey. "I've got a little experience with that."

"Why don't you give it a go?"

"Yeah, all right," she said with a shrug. "It's only fifty gold." She pulled out the money, and the vendor handed her a slingshot and allowed her to the back of the tent. She stood inside a blue walled-in platform, and she looked ahead to the false desert backdrop.

Harvey watched from outside. "Good luck!" he cheered. She looked back at him and grinned.

The whistle blew, and targets started appearing all around her. She tried to shoot as many rocks as she could, turning this way and that. She felt like she was doing okay, but she was missing quite a few too. It was especially satisfying, though, when the targets lined up close together and the stone shot through several at a time. When the whistle blew again, she came back to the vendor and returned the slingshot. She added up her scores and showed them to Alma: "85%, 22/27 successful shots, x2 accuracy multiplier! Score: 108. Reward: 90 star tokens."

"Wow, Alma! That's great!" Harvey said as the vendor handed her the tokens. "An eighty-five is a B plus!"

"Why don't you try?"

"What? Me?"

"Sure! It won't hurt! See if you can beat my score!" She handed the vendor another fifty coins and pushed Harvey toward the gate.

"Well, o-okay," he sputtered as the vendor allowed him to the back, "we'll see!" He gulped and held up the slingshot as he waited for the whistle. As soon as it blew, he began shooting wildly. Alma laughed quietly, watching him anxiously shoot without much control. Still, he wasn't doing badly! When the whistle blew again, he turned around and released a long exhale. "Nerve wracking!" he laughed as he came back out.

The vendor handed him his score, and they both looked over it: "77%, 21/27 successful shots, x1.5 accuracy multiplier! Score: 99. Reward: 80 star tokens."

"See! Look at that! Not bad at all!" The vendor handed him the tokens, and he gave them to Alma. "What, you don't want to get something?"

"I'd rather see you get that stardrop!" he said.

Alma looked around and saw Abigail standing nearby, looking a little bored. "Hi, Abigail! Having fun?"

"Sure, I guess," she answered with a shrug. "I already beat all the games …. Now what?"

"Get some of the good food!" Alma suggested. "Or go pet some animals!"

"Ooh yes, I could go get some more of Gus's barbecue! Great idea. Thanks!" She walked past them.

Alma watched her go and put her arm through Harvey's again. He gave her a quick smile. "What next?"

She looked across the square and saw another tent with another woman. "Maybe go check this out." They stepped up to the counter, and Alma smiled to the vendor. "Hello! What's happening around here then?"

"Selling star tokens for just fifty gold a piece!" she said, tipping her hat.

"Well, nope, we don't want to do that," Harvey said quietly. "We just got a hundred tokens for that same price from the slingshot game. Let's move on."

As they turned, Alma saw another visitor by the tent. She smiled and asked, "Are you visiting us here in Pelican Town?"

"I am!" the man said. "It's a fine-looking town you've got here. Nice and cozy, and a real sense of community."

"It's good to hear you have such a good impression of us," Harvey answered.

Alma added, "Come back and visit any time!"

"Thank you, ma'am!" the man said. "Maybe I will!" They gave him a smile and moved on.

Alma saw Penny closeby too, standing by the fence. "Hi, Penny! Have you played any of the games?"

"Yes!" Penny answered with a small smile. "I won the wheel of chance ten times in a row," she said, pointing in front of her to the man standing by the orange and green wheel, "and now the man won't let me play anymore."

"Wow, Miss Penny! You must be good at knowing the odds!" Harvey said.

"It's green about two-thirds of the time," she said quietly.

"Ooh, good to know!" Alma whispered back with a big smile. "Thanks, Penny!"

"Step right up!" the man next to them called. "Pick a color and place your bet for a chance to double your wager!"

"I'll bet on green!" Alma said, stepping forward.

He smiled and asked, "How many star tokens would you like to wager?"

"Be careful, Alma," Harvey said quietly. "Maybe not more than half of what you have."

"Let's start out small," she answered. She looked at the man and answered, "Two hundred please." She got out her tokens, handed them to him, and he spun the wheel. The three of them anxiously watched the spinner go around and around and around. It slowed in the orange and did look like it would go into the green …. And then it did!

"Winner!" the man exclaimed, giving her four hundred tokens. "How about another go?"

"Let's stop while we're ahead," Harvey suggested, and Alma agreed that this was a good idea. She thanked the man, and they kept walking through the square.

Alex and Haley were standing there closeby, and Alma greeted them. "Have you been to the fortune teller?" Haley asked.

"No!" Alma gasped. "Is it Welwick?!"

"Yeah," she answered, "she set up her stand in the graveyard. I already saw her."

"Oh really?! What did she tell you?"

"She told me something interesting," Haley answered with a clandestine giggle. Alma, Harvey, and Alex all exchanged glances.

"I'd love to see her! I watch her show on TV all the time!" Harvey couldn't help but roll her eyes at Alma. "What? I think it'd be interesting to meet her and maybe see what she says about me! She might be able to … answer a few questions."

"Ooh!" Haley giggled more, looking between Alma and Harvey.

"No, not about - Well, I guess it could be about us, but I meant more about - Oh, nevermind," Alma said, facepalming.

"What about you, Mr. Alex?" Harvey asked, trying to help her change the subject. "Have you done any of the activities?"

"Yeah, I played the 'Strength' game too many times," he answered, "and now my arms feel like rubber."

"Take it easy," Harvey answered. "A dip at the bath house and some ice when you get home should help."

"Noted, doc. Thanks."

"How about we go check out this one over here?" Harvey asked, nodding to the tent ahead of them. Alma agreed, and they said their goodbyes to the young people.

"Try your hand at some fishing?" the vendor at the tent asked. He reminded Alma of Willy, with his sea-worn face, big beard, and yellow rain gear. "You could win big."

"Fishing!" Harvey cheered. "Now there's your thing, right?

"Oh, well, I wouldn't call it my thing," Alma said, eyeing the vendor.

"Better hurry up, kid," Pam added from her spot next to the tent, "before ole Pam here fishes every last lunker out of the tent!" She chuckled, but Alma could see that she was quite serious.

"All right, yeah, I'll give it a go!" Alma answered, giving the vendor the money. He let her come to the back of the tent, where there was a small pool set up. He handed her a fishing rod, and as he stepped away, Alma grinned up at Harvey, who gave her a supporting thumbs up. Alma heard the whistle and threw her line into the pool. Soon, a fish was biting, and she reeled it in. As soon as she flung it off the hook, she put the line back in the water. This repeated for the entire two minutes or so that the race went for, and Harvey was cheering the whole time. The whistle blew again, and Alma breathed a sigh of relief, looking at all the fish she had caught. She gave the rod back to the vendor and went back to the front of the tent, where Harvey gave her a hug.

"That was fantastic! You really are a great fisher!"

"Eh, I think it was all right," she said, awaiting the score.

The man came back after a minute, and the score flashed in front of them: "Fish caught: 6. 186 perfection bonus! Score: 292. Reward: 348 star tokens!"

"Wow! See? You did great!"

"Are you going to try this one?"

"No no no, I know how that's going to go. But that does seem to be your biggest chance of getting more tokens so far. How many do you have now?"

"Just over sixteen hundred. So maybe another time or two, and I can get it. But there are a few more tents set up. Let's go check them out!" she said, squeezing his arm.

They walked further down the square to another tent, where a disparaged-looking clown was standing out front with a juggling ball and some balloons. "Oh boy," Harvey said quietly. She could feel his grip tighten.

"Not a fan of clowns?" she asked. He shook his head slightly, keeping his eye at the man's painted face. "Just think of him as an artist. He's just trying to make a living too."

Jodi was there, and she could hear them. She stepped over and added, "He doesn't look very happy …. I guess Mayor Lewis had to cut costs with a budget clown this year."

"This isn't the same clown as usual?" Alma asked.

"No," Jodi answered. "This one is silent, and he doesn't do too much except pass out balloons to the kids. Vincent got one, but he accidentally let it go. He didn't want to get another one."

"I-I wouldn't either," Harvey said.

Emily came close too. "He doesn't seem like he's having a good time, does he?"

"No, he doesn't," Alma answered.

"You know," Emily started, "I would've made a pretty good clown."

"Why do you say that?" Jodi asked.

"I can let go of inhibitions and be creative, and I like to make people laugh - especially children! I'm kind of a child still myself, you know. I think I missed my calling."

"Well," Alma chuckled, "I'm sure this guy would let you take his job."

The clown looked in their direction, and Harvey flinched. "Let's, uh ... Let's keep moving please."

"Yep, got it. Bye, ladies!" When they turned around, Alma gasped when she saw Robin and Clint's displays of their crafts. "Are you setting up a grange display too, Robin?"

"No, not necessarily. Just … advertising."

"Nonsense," Demetrius answered with a chuckle. "Robin really works hard on her carpentry stuff." He smiled her direction. "She deserves a little recognition now and then."

Robin smiled back, and Alma thought she saw a little blush there. "Thanks, hon. But, no, this is just like a place to do quick orders. I've got my sawhorse, some wood, my trusty ax, and I'm making whatever people want me to make!"

Leah was there too, and she smiled and piped up. "I really admire Robin's carpentry skills. I use a lot of the same techniques in my own line of work."

"Aw, thank you, Leah," Robin answered. "Woodworking is an ancient tradition that I'm very proud to be a part of. It's amazing all the things you can do with it - from carpentry to sculpture and so much in between!"

"What sorts of things have you made for people today?" Alma asked.

"Mostly little things: a couple birdhouses, a stool or two - Ooh! I carved a spoon for someone! That was cool."

"I bet!" Harvey chuckled.

Alma glanced over at Clint's display. "Wow, Clint! Everything looks so good!"

Clint smiled a little as they came a little closer. "I complain about my job sometimes, but I do take pride in my work. These are some of my finest pieces. I hope you like them."

Alma picked up a dagger and looked over the blade. "I mean, I don't know a ton about blacksmithing, but these look really good!"

"Thanks. I'm still not the best. I learn and improve all the time."

Marlon was behind the display, looking over the weapons too. "Clint's blades get sharper every year," he said. He looked up at Alma and bobbed his head, saying, "So do his prices …."

"Well, the man's got to make a living!" Harvey said.

"Ooh! I think I see Welwick's tent over there!" Alma said, pointing that direction. "Haley said it's in the graveyard."

"Okay, let's go," Harvey muttered, and she pulled him slightly that way. "I can't believe I'm doing this."

As they walked closer, Alma saw Sam and Sebastian standing closeby. "Hey Alma," Sam called with a wave.

"Hi, Sam! Sebastian. How are you all today?"

"It's kinda hectic today," Sebastian said. "I'm just gonna hang out here for a while." He puffed on his cigarette and tried to avoid Harvey's disapproving stare.

"Having a good time?" Sam asked.

"Yeah! It's fun! We're just about on our way to go see Welwick. What about you? Enjoying any of the activities?"

"The slingshot tent is pretty fun, and if you get good at it, you can really rack up the star tokens."

"Did you get a lot then?" Harvey asked.

"Eh, enough," he chuckled with a shrug. "So Welwick, huh?"

"Yeah, I watch her show nearly every day!"

"Well, maybe she'll tell you good things, farm girl." Sam looked over at Sebastian for a laugh or a response, but he just took another drag.

"I hope so! Bye!" She waved and pulled Harvey back down toward the cemetery. They came around the tent and saw the hooded woman inside, with Rasmodius standing there next to the tent.

"Ah, Alma," he said, drawing out her name, almost like he was tasting it. He looked over Harvey and smirked. "You're with the physician. Anyone could have seen that coming."

"I'm sorry, but after all these years, I don't believe we've officially met." He stepped forward and put out his hand. "I'm Dr. Harvey. It's nice to meet you."

Rasmodius looked at the doctor's hand then back up at him. "I am Rasmodius," he started, sticking his chest out a little and looking down his nose, "seeker of the arcane truths. Mediary between … ah, whatever." Then he took Harvey's hand and shook it. "I'm the wizard in the west forest. Nice to meet you."

"I didn't think you would be the fair-going type," Alma said.

"I'm not usually. But I came to visit my dear comrade." He glanced back at the tent. "Welwick and I have known each other for a long time." Welwick looked up at him and smiled. "She is a remarkable diviner, and a good friend."

"You are too kind, Rasmodius."

Alma approached the tent and put a hand to her chest. "It is such an honor to meet you, Ms. Welwick. I - I have so many questions!"

"Ah yes … you must," she answered with a knowing look. "My crystal ball is swirling with visions of your future, young one. If you wish for me to answer your questions, the price is one hundred gold."

"Oh, well, actually," Alma said slowly, "this is not about my future but about … general information about the spirits."

Welwick looked up and raised an eyebrow. "Then it depends on the question. Ask, and I will tell you if the answer is worth a charge."

Harvey whispered in Alma's ear, "She's just trying to swindle you, Alma. Be careful."

"It's okay, it's okay," she insisted, waving him off. Then she looked back eagerly to Welwick. "I watch your reports on the 'spirits' nearly every day, and I know how their moods affect the natural world - things like fish, plants, minerals, animals …. I wondered if you might be able to tell me who or what the spirits are?"

Welwick shook her head and chuckled. "That will be several hundred gold."

"Well then, let me ask this: Are you familiar with the Junimo?"

Rasmodius looked toward them, and Welwick paid more attention too. Her expression stretched into a smile. "I knew there was something about you," she said quietly.

"Welwick," Rasmodius said, stepping toward them, "they have revealed themselves to her, and she has since communed with the forest. She and I have been … sharing notes, as it were."

"Yes, though I still don't know much. I wanted to ask: are the spirits the same as the Junimo?" Alma asked.

Welwick lowered her head, wondering what she should say. "The Junimo are the spirits, but the spirits are more than the Junimo."

"Do the spirits have limits to their reach?" Harvey asked. "I mean, do they affect everyone equally?"

Welwick smiled. "As with most in the supernatural world, you must be open to understanding. She is open," she said, pointing to Alma. Then she pointed to him. "You are not - yet." She closed her eyes and drew her finger back. "Har … Harvey, yes?" He nodded, remembering he had introduced himself to Rasmodius just now. She smiled again and closed her eyes. "You are a man of facts, science, research, structure ... Everything has its place and its purpose, and to you, not knowing that opens the possibility that you may not know your place as you have understood it thus far. That is scary for you." She opened her eyes. "In fact, you are … a man of many fears. You are closed to the supernatural because you are afraid of it and what it could mean for your life." She shook her hands and arms in front of her, saying, "Your aura is trembling most of the time, but when it is still, it is solid." And she laid her hands flat on the table. "You are very loyal. So maybe someday, you will be more open, and when you are, you will be a strong believer."

Harvey listened to her words carefully, a bit taken aback by how accurate they were. "So then, why me?" Alma asked. "Why did the Junimo choose me?"

Welwick took a moment to look over Alma, and she glanced between her and Rasmodius carefully. "You introduce yourselves by name … Alice? No - Alma. But those like Rasmodius, myself - and the Junimo, we first see your aura. And when I see your aura, I see …" She closed her eyes and lifted her head. "Bravery … compassion … boldness … humility …. You are a servant … and a fighter. But," she said, opening her eyes again, "these are buried deep underneath immense pain, heavy grief, and deep shame. And you were not the one to bury your core qualities. Others did." Alma's eyes began to get hot, and she felt tears welling up. "Yes. Yes, the hurt is so strong it can't help but bubble out." Harvey looked at her with concern and put an arm around her. "Those of us who see your core," she said, gesturing to Harvey, "we know this is not who you really are, but even you yourself wonder. The Junimo know your true self and want to help you tap into it because those qualities are unique and powerful. They can bring change, justice, new life - all of which are things you crave." Alma closed her eyes tight and nodded.

Welwick sat back in her seat a bit. "Visions of condition are free. Do you have other questions?"

Alma pulled out a hundred gold and placed it on the table. "Keep going?"

Welwick looked at the money then up at Alma. "Ahh … Indeed. But I'm afraid I do predictions in secret. They are confidential."

"You go ahead then, Alma," Harvey said, patting her back. "I'll wait here."

"All right." She nodded to Welwick.

Welwick took the money and nodded too. She stood and opened up a flap inside the tent, bringing her crystal ball with her. Alma stepped in and could barely see the table and two chairs in the middle of the nearly pitch black room. When Alma sat and Welwick closed the curtain back, the only light was a small glow from the ball. She placed it on the table again, and the swirling light became brighter. She looked up at Alma, and Alma could see her eyes rolling back in her head just before she closed her lids. "I see you in a room, having a conversation with a man," she said after a moment. "Oh! It's … P - P - A French name? Pierre? Pierre!"

"Yes, that's right, Pierre," Alma answered.

"You seem to be good friends. You do business together, and you are both very pleased with … an exchange of goods. He trusts you." She glanced up at Alma for a moment, then the crystal ball swirled again. Welwick closed her eyes again. "Now I see … you and Harvey in a field of grass. Trees. Dirt. Plants. There are … animal sounds? Livestock? You are sweaty and covered in dirt, with some tool in your hand. A shovel or a - a scythe! …. He has books with him. He's relaxed, reading closeby. I believe there's a dog next to him?" That must have been on the farm, and it made Alma wonder … would he move in? "You seem happy. You feel … connected to your past - but like you've buried other parts of it too." Alma could see the swirls of light in the crystal ball moving quickly, and Welwick looked down at it too. "The crystal ball has moved on …." Welwick's eyes opened wide, and she jumped with a shriek. "You're in combat! There's something dreadful bearing down on you from the dark! But … you seem more than ready to face it." She took a deep breath. Alma saw the clouds in the crystal ball swirled again and disappeared, making the ball clear again. "Ah … the crystal ball has gone dim." She put her hands down on the table and sighed, as if a lot of energy had just been drained from her. "That's all I can do for you, young one."

"Well, thank you. Thank you very much. I appreciate it."

"Now, just keep in mind that the future isn't set in stone!" Welwick said as she picked up the ball and opened the flap again for Alma to get out. "Whatever I've told you today can still be changed, if you set up your heart for it." Alma stepped outside of the flap, but then Welwick gasped a little, holding her head.

Alma stopped and looked back at her. Rasmodius stepped forward too. "Are you okay?" she asked.

"Alma ... was it?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Let me ask you something now." Alma stood on the other side of the booth expectantly. Welwick set the ball down on the table carefully and paused a moment, almost like she was listening to something. "Do you know someone named … Ph - Phillip, maybe?"

Alma's eyes widened. "Yes! Yes I do. What, do you - ?"

"Oh, now this is making sense," Rasmodius said. Alma and Harvey both snapped to look at him.

"You sense it too, Rasmodius?" Welwick asked.

"Is he - Is he here?" Alma asked, bringing her hand to her mouth.

"Yes, he is," the wizard answered. Alma gasped and clung to Harvey, who couldn't hardly make sense of what was happening. "I'm familiar with Phillip. He roams around town often. I have communed with him for years. He is your … grandfather?"

"Yes!" Alma answered, tears now rolling down her cheeks.

"No doubt you two are related - you have the same auras!" Welwick laughed. "A good man who has also seen a lot of pain. And even in his life, he was open to the spirit world too."

"Did he know about the Junimo too? Is that - Is that why he brought me here?"

"I can't say for sure if he knew about the Junimo during his time here," Rasmodius answered, stroking his beard, "but he definitely was aware of things above the human experience."

"He said this was a magical place," Alma said quietly. "I didn't … I didn't know he meant it literally." Rasmodius and Welwick both chuckled at this.

"So he's - here? Right now? W-With us?" Harvey asked.

"Yes," Welwick answered, almost as if it was obvious now. "And he …" She paused and closed her eyes again as if listening closely. She opened her eyes and smiled at Alma. "He wants you to know he's so proud of you and he loves you very much, his little … Almaroo." Alma was shaking by this point, and the tears just kept coming. She brought her hand to her mouth again. She was silently sobbing, filled with such happiness to know these things.

"But Alma," Rasmodius said, his voice a bit more serious, "you should know, his spirit is fading. He has been waiting for you a long time. I constructed the shrine close to his old home to give him a place for his spirit to rest in town - "

"It was you! You did that!"

"Yes, but it is losing its strength. It will only hold his spirit for another - "

"About two more years?" Alma asked, nodding. Rasmodius was a little shocked that she knew. "There was a note on the shrine when I arrived, saying that he would return on the dawn of the third year."

"Yes, and when that meeting happens, you may have the ability to strengthen his spiritual connection to the physical world."

"Really? How?"

"We don't know that," Welwick said, a bit dismayed. "He will let you know."

Alma sighed, feeling that this was a lot more than she anticipated. She was so happy but so overwhelmed with information. She wiped her face and smiled at Rasmodius and Welwick. "Here," she said, taking out another two hundred gold. "Here's an extra hundred for each of you. Thank you so much," she squeaked. Harvey put an arm around her.

Welwick accepted the gold with a smile and a nod, then she looked at Harvey and chuckled. "Your openness has already changed just since you stepped this way, Doctor." Then she looked to Alma and winked. "Tell him everything. You will help." Welwick bowed a little. "It's been a pleasure to meet you both. I hope our paths cross again. Farewell."

Rasmodius tipped his hat as he put the gold in his breast pocket. "Thank you for this. See you around." Alma and Harvey began walking back toward the square, and as they walked on, Rasmodius saw the clown past them. "That clown … I know him from somewhere," he said, almost to himself. "Was it the school of illusion? Or maybe the Carnival of Secrets? Hmm …."

"Definitely the Carnival of Secrets," Welwick scoffed. "He looks the type."

Their voices faded in Alma's ears as they walked away. "Well," she said with a sigh, "this fair took a turn, didn't it?"

"It did, y-yes," Harvey answered. "I have … a lot to think about."

Alma chuckled and said, "Yes, first you were considering veganism, and now you are beginning to question the supernatural!"

"It is a lot to chew on, for sure. But thank you for insisting to see Welwick. I was wrong about her - and Rasmodius. My eyes have been opened, and apparently … m-my aura has been too." He patted her hand and said with a smile, "Speaking of chewing, though, I do think I'd like to get one of those veggie burgers from Gus."

"I think that's a wonderful idea. You go ahead. I still have one piece of unfinished business."

"Ah, yes, how many tokens do you have again?"

"A little over seventeen hundred. Why don't you go get your burger, I'll go fish, and we meet back at the tent to redeem the tokens?"

"Deal." Alma went back to the fishing booth, and after just one round, she won five hundred more tokens. She had a thought: if she could get to four thousand, she could get a second stardrop for Harvey to try. So she kept fishing and fishing and fishing … and eventually Harvey came to check on her. "Everything okay?" he asked as she finished another round.

She came out of the tent and smiled. "I just fished enough for both of us to try a stardrop."

"Seriously?! You got another two thousand tokens?!"

"And a little change. 4133 total tokens. Let's go do some shopping!" They went together to the tent, and Alma gave the vendor her tokens and said, "Two stardrops please!"

"I'm sorry," the vendor answered, "but there's only one stardrop."

"Oh! Well …." Alma looked at Harvey, disappointed.

"Of course you take it! I've had one before. You need to try it!"

"All right," she said, accepting the fruit from the vendor. "And how about those dried sunflowers too please?" She thought those would be a nice decoration to have in the cabin. The salesperson handed her the blue vase of beautifully dried flowers, which she then put in her bag. She and Harvey stepped away, and she looked over the strange fruit.

"It's so … otherworldly, isn't it?" Harvey said.

"Actually, one of the lost books said that there may be a connection to the stardrop and meteorites, so ... yeah! It is otherworldly!" She took another look at the purple, almost iridescent star-shaped fruit in her hand, then looked up at Harvey. "Well, here goes!" Alma took a bite and was surprised at how soft it was. The texture was like a peach, with a thin skin that easily ripped as her teeth sunk into the soft meat of the fruit. The sweetness was complex, and it seemed to fill her mouth immediately. Her eyes opened wide, and she looked up at Harvey with amazement. She felt like she could hear music, like her body was shaking, and she could see a haze of purple all around her. She closed her eyes and felt almost like it was a dream. Her mind was filled with memories of something. What was it …? She opened her eyes again and saw Harvey smiling in front of her. The sound of bluegrass faded back into her consciousness, and she was reminded where she was. She now felt energized and invigorated, and she took a deep breath of the autumn Stardew Valley air. "Wow. Well … that was … unlike anything I've ever experienced before!"

"I have found it really difficult to describe. How would you say it tasted?"

"Like … like a new life."