Tuesday, 9th of Summer

It was a stormy day, but when she stepped outside, she saw that the summer spangles were in bloom! She gasped and stepped down to take a closer look. They were beautiful, star-shaped blossoms of many colors - like nothing she had seen before. She wondered if this was another indigenous species to Stardew Valley. She decided to keep the best ones of each color and take the rest to sell to Pierre. Before that, though, she did her usual rounds on the farm: seeing to the chickens, gathering eggs, collecting mushrooms, and doing a quick walkthrough to clean up any clutter on the land.

When Alma came into Pierre's shop, she saw him working on inventory notes from behind the counter. He seemed a bit stressed. "You okay, Pierre?" she asked as she wiped her boots.

"Most people stay indoors on a day like this," he moaned. "It's not good for business."

"Well, I'm here!" Alma said with a smile, and she plopped the wet summer spangles on his counter.

"You are indeed," he laughed, putting his notebook away. He bought her crops from her, and she finally remembered to buy more radishes along with more spangle seeds.

"You spend any more time in the mines? I bet it's dry down there."

"Relatively, yeah, though it can get muddy and mildewy," she said as she put her bag on her back. Then she winked and said, "You should try it sometime."

"Nice try," he said, looking back down to his books.

Alma thought about what he said the other day about Abigail wanting to go to the mines. While he had his focus on his books, she snuck through the back door of the shop. She wondered which door was Abigail's, but she could hear the faint noise of video games coming from the door on the far left. Alma cracked open the door and saw that, in fact, Abigail was there, sitting on the floor in front of her TV. She turned and jumped when she saw Alma at the door. "Alma? You scared me, sneaking into my room like that!" The video game made a whimpering sound, like a level had passed undefeated. Abigail sighed.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. It's just that I didn't want your dad to know I was coming back here."

Abigail snickered. "Yeah, he can be weird sometimes."

Alma approached her and asked, "What game are you playing?"

Abigail leaned back on her palms and sighed again. "So I've been playing Journey of the Prairie King for hours, and I can't even beat the first level …. This game is ridiculously hard! Well, either that or I'm just terrible at it." Then she sat up and looked up at Alma like she had a stroke of genius. "Hey, do you want to try this level together with me? I think I might do better with your help."

"Uh … sure, I can try!" Alma said, taking a seat next to her on the floor. "It's been a while since I've played any video games, but I still know my way around a controller."

Abigail handed her a controller and started a new two-player game. Their avatars stood in the middle of a field, armed with only guns, ponchos, and cowboy hats. As the dramatic eight-bit music played, little green enemies started approaching from every side. "Here they come!" Abigail cried. They both started shooting furiously, taking them out one by one. Though Alma picked up a couple extra lives, they both kept dying. "Nooo!" Abigail cried. But they kept trying. "Half-way done!" Alma felt new resolve, and her fingers moved more quickly. But try as they might, they couldn't beat it. The game whimpered again. "Ugh, I give up," she moaned, tossing the controller. "I'll never get past the first level. Oh well … thanks for trying," she said with a little smile.

"Sorry, I told you it had been a while. I seem to be improving in real-life combat but have definitely not improved in digital combat."

Abigail perked up again. "What do you mean 'real-life combat?'"

"Well," Alma said, "that's what I came to talk to you about - and what your dad didn't want me to talk to you about."

Abigail gasped and whispered, "Have you been going into the caves?" Alma nodded, and Abigail let out a tiny shriek. "Do you use a real sword?!"

"I do!" she laughed. "I'm even part of the Adventurers' Guild!"

Abigail gasped again. "Oh, I'd give anything to be in the Adventurers' Guild!"

"It actually wasn't too hard. I mean, if they let me in, I'm sure they'd let you in too. You'd have to talk to Marlon, but all I had to do was kill ten slimes."

"Yes, I've seen those! I've snuck into the mines a few times. They're the green … well, slimy things, right? And I'd have to kill ten?"

"Well, that's what Marlon asked me to do. I don't know - maybe he'd have different requirements for you. Anyway," Alma said, standing up, "I wanted to let you know that if you want to come join me sometime, I'd be happy to have you tag along." Abigail shrieked again, trying to hold in her excitement. "But!" Alma said with a pointed finger, "you really do have to understand that it is dangerous - and a bit scary. I've already passed out a number of times in there. People may come and pickpocket you or just leave you for dead if you get incapacitated. And if your dad finds out, he might kill us both. So don't take this invitation lightly, okay?"

"Yes, okay!"

"Do you have a sword?"

"Uh … no, not yet."

"Maybe you should get one. Talk to Marlon, and he'll get you one. And you can ask him about the guild too."

"Okay, I will! Thank you, Alma!" She stood up too and headed toward the door with Alma.

"Remember: not a peep to your dad."

"Right, yes, got it."

Alma put a finger over her mouth and snuck back out of the room. Abigail waved to her silently and closed the door behind her. Alma took the opportunity to look through the rest of the building. She saw another locked door (presumably Pierre and Caroline's bedroom), a large and open room almost like a ballroom (where Alma assumed the ladies do their weekly aerobics class), a small Yoba temple, and a kitchen in the back.

She took some time to look around the temple. She had never been religious, but she was always amazed at how a space like this could bring calmness. It was ornate and quiet, with the shrine to Yoba at the front. She took a seat in the first row and had a moment of peace. She didn't necessarily pray, but she sat in silence and thought about her life to this point. She still had moments throughout the day where she felt like she didn't know how she got here. She felt like she was in a dream - or maybe it was her past life that was a dream. She took a moment to be grateful. "Thank you, Yoba," she said as she stood up. She placed a hand on the shrine and left.

When Alma came back through the store, she was prepared to tell Pierre that she was paying her respects to Yoba, but he was still busy in his books. She exited the store without a problem.

Alma thought today might be a good day for fishing, so she went next to the beach, stopping on her way to drop off the lost book at the library. She continued to the beach, cast her line just outside of Willy's shop, and after several hours, she had quite a haul: a few red snappers, tilapia, flounder, red mullet, and some seaweed. The red snapper and tilapia were for the community center, but she figured she could sell the other to Willy. She stepped inside his shop and saw him puffing away on his pipe from behind the counter. "Ahoy!"

"Hi Willy! Just coming to do a bit of business."

"Aye, come in … make yourself at home."

She first went up to the counter and plopped down some of the fish. "I figured you might be interested in buying some of these first."

"Oh, been doin' some fishin' today, eh? Today's a good day for it. Rainy days are often the best fishing days." He gave her the gold, and she took a bit of time to look around his shop.

She looked in some of the bait boxes and saw some movement in the dirt. "Are these things still alive?" she asked, sticking her finger in with the wriggling worms.

"Aye, that's good stuff there. The fish go crazy for it. Just … eh … make sure to wash yer hands good after dipping them in those juices …. The aroma has been known to linger for up to seven weeks, miss."

Alma jumped and pulled out her hand. "Well, great." She wiped her hand on her pants. "Guess I'll need to make a trip to the bath house soon." She continued on, looking at tackles, hooks, and other things he was selling.

"So … you been catching a lot o' fish?"

She thought how she should answer. It was pretty difficult, so she wasn't catching as much as she had hoped. But, yes, she was still catching quite a bit. "Yes, in fact! Your tips have been helping, I think."

"Aha! A lady after me own heart," Willy laughed. "You can always count on a lady who fishes …. That's what me ol' Pappy used to say, at least. Haha!"

Alma smiled. "Your Pappy seems to have had a lot of wisdom. I wonder if he knew my grandfather too."

"It's not likely, miss. He was always away on the seas. Hardly set a foot on land."

"Wow," she laughed. "I wish I were better at fishing, you know, but at least I'm getting something pretty consistently."

"Well, keep it goin' …. if you can catch every fish in these waters, I've got a special prize waitin' for ye …."

"Okay! I'll keep that in mind." He lowered his head and puffed on his pipe more, and Alma thought he suddenly looked quite sad. "Everything okay?" she asked.

"Aye," he said with a smile. But then that smile quickly went away. "Well, business has been tough, lately. It all started about the same time that old community center fell to ruin …. Me fish just don't sell like they used to …. I've been working double-time just to make ends meet! No time for me own projects …."

"I'm sorry to hear that. I know business has been tough for many people in town, like Dr. Harvey, Gunther, and Pierre."

"But, if things picked back up around here, I might have the time to show ya somethin' …." She watched as he turned and looked at the back door. He let out a smoky chuckle and patted his hand against the old wooden door. "Yep. She's back there … an 'old friend' that's seen better days …."

"'She?' But who are you - ?"

"Some day, miss," he said, turning around to her again, "you'll see what I mean."

Willy seemed to be unusually cryptic, and she decided maybe it was best for her to go. "Well, thanks for everything, sir. I'll see myself out now. Have a good evening!" She left his shop and stood outside for a moment. "That was a bit weird." She sniffed her hand and recoiled. "Okay, bath house, now. I don't care if it's raining." So Alma rushed up into the mountains and took a dip in the bath. This time, too, she put her overalls in the bath too. They needed a good washing. She felt the sticky humidity from the summer rain wash off her body in the hot, refreshing water of the bath. She scrubbed at her hand and dipped her hair in too. It always felt so refreshing to get clean. And after she got out, even though her overalls were soaked, it felt nice to know they were clean too. She went back out into the rain and decided to go to the saloon.

Just as she was coming in, others were filing in too. It was right around dinner time. Pam and Shane took their spots and got their drinks, then Leah, Marnie, and Willy came in too. Then after a few minutes, sure enough, Harvey came in. He had his coat pulled over his head to protect him from the rain. He smiled when he saw Alma sitting at the bar. "Good evening," he said, throwing his wet coat over the bar. "Doesn't look like your, uh … your hat has done you much good today - though it's hard in such stormy weather!"

"Actually, I just got back from a dip in the bath house. It felt good to get clean, and I washed my overalls too!"

"Well, just don't get too cold. Maybe we should light the fire?"

"Nah, it's so muggy, no one else is going to want the fire. I'll be fine. How about a coffee?"

Harvey's face lit up. "It's for me? It's like you read my mind."

"Gus, two coffees please?" He nodded, and after a moment, he put a coffee mug in front of both her and Harvey, who hugged his hands around the mug and took a deep breath in. "I've never seen you happier than with a cup of coffee," Alma laughed.

"This is my favorite stuff!" he said before taking a long sip.

Alma took a sip too and smiled. "Mmm. That will warm me up for sure. Who needs a fire?"

They both sat and silently enjoyed their coffee together. Then, after a while, Harvey asked, "So h-how was the farm today?"

"Oh, yes, actually, I have a question for you." He lifted his cup to his mouth and raised his eyebrows in anticipation. "So I had some summer spangle flowers that were ready today. I remember with the blue jazz, you and Maru told me it's a native species to Stardew Valley. Is the same true for spangles?"

Harvey nodded. "Yes, that's right. And also like the blue jazz, I think they're appropriately named, don't you?"

"What is a spangle exactly? Like, a firework?"

"Just something shiny or glittery, like a sequin. Gunther could give you a more detailed etymology, I'm sure."

Alma took another sip, and she was starting to feel the effects of the caffeine coursing through her. "Well, that does make sense. It's a beautiful flower! I bought some more from Pierre to plant today, and I'm excited to see them bloom again." She started fidgeting in her chair like she suddenly couldn't stay still.

"Are you a-all right, Alma?"

"I think it's just the caffeine," she said. "I don't drink coffee too often. I feel pretty wired."

"Yes, if you don't drink it often, it can feel more potent." Harvey looked at his watch. "It's about eight o'clock now. Hopefully the caffeine will wear off before you go to bed tonight. Or maybe you can do something to work it out before you sleep? Some … jumping jacks or something?"

"That's a good idea."

"Exercise is important, but don't get too exhausted, or you might end up at my clinic! Make sure and listen to your body."

"I know, I'll go to the mines! The night is still young!"

"Now wait, I don't think that's - "

She chugged the rest of her coffee and patted Harvey on the back. "I'll take care of myself, I promise. Have a good night!"

She rushed out of the saloon and ran through the rain up into the mountains. She switched out some of her stuff at the chest in front of the mineshaft elevator, and then she dropped down to the fifteenth level. There were a few monsters that she took care of first, including a rock crab that she was able to pick up after she killed it. "Yes!" She remembered that a crab was one of the last things she could put in the crab pot bundle in the community center, so she happily put it in her bag. She kept mining and chipping away until she found the ladder down to the next level. But when she dropped down, she saw the air was a thick, green haze. There were slimes everywhere, and it was infested with monsters. "Not today, Satan!" and she climbed back up the elevator to get to the surface.

Alma ran through the rain again and made her way to the community center. She dropped off the crab and completed the bundle. She opened the present the Junimo gave her, and saw it was three crab pots. She thought those would come in handy for more diversified fishing and, as she rushed back home, she thought about where would be the best places to put them. It was about ten o'clock when she arrived at the cabin, and she still had quite a bit of energy, so she went ahead and planted her radishes and spangles again. Then, as she was putting her things in the chests, she started to feel the caffeine wear off. "Oof, there's the crash," she told herself. She was happy to be close to her bed. She went inside and saw Bisclavret happily curled up on top of her bed. She rubbed his head. "Good boy." Then she changed out of her wet overalls and climbed into bed, falling right asleep.