Thursday, 11th of Summer

Alma woke up in her bed, exhausted and stressed. She sluggishly got dressed and went outside, keeping her straw hat down to deflect the bright morning sun. The air was still heavy with moisture from the storms over the past two days, and she could see from a quick glance that a few of her crops and trees had been struck by lightning. She also saw that most of the summer seeds were ready, along with the melons and poppies. She harvested all that was ready, saved what she needed, and threw the rest in the shipping bin since today was the luau; she knew Pierre would be there instead of in his shop. She filled Bisclavret's dish and watered the crops, and as she went toward the chicken coop, she noticed that one of her tree taps was full. It was a sticky substance from the oak tree. She was able to pour it into a bottle and seal it with a cork. She remembered seeing oak resin as something needed for one of the community bundles, and she wondered if that's what this was. She put it in her bag and continued to the coop. Alma cuddled the chickens, gathered their eggs, and was happy to see that one was indeed a high quality, large egg. "You, little one, are going in a soup today." She placed it in her bag and went to the cave to gather mushrooms. Again, she kept what she needed and threw everything else in the shipping bin.

It was after nine o'clock, so Alma knew people would be gathering at the beach for the luau, but she thought she probably had time to drop things off at the community center first. She put one melon in the summer crops bundle, the oak resin in the Rasmodius's bundle, and a poppy in Gus's. She went south to the beach feeling very productive.

Sure enough, when Alma crossed over the bridge, she could see that everyone was already at the luau. There were tiki torches, buffet tables, a gigantic soup cauldron, and a dance floor with upbeat island music that already made Alma shake a bit. She saw Mayor Lewis standing with who she presumed was the governor. She did a quick look-over to make sure she looked presentable then walked up to them. "Hi, Mayor Lewis!" she stuck out her hand for him to shake.

"Yes, Alma, hello!" He accepted her hand and then pulled her closer. "Look sharp! The governor's here for his annual visit." His voice was low and stern.

"Yes, sir, of course," she answered quietly.

"If you brought something for the potluck, make sure and add it to the soup cauldron," he said at his previous volume, bright and cheerful.

"Yes, sir, only the best ingredients from my farm, fresh just this morning!" she said, smiling at the governor. She extended her hand to him as she said, "Hello, Governor! It's great to meet you. My name is Alma."

"Alma is our newest resident," Mayor Lewis added. "She's only been here since the beginning of the year, but she was recently featured in the Stardew Valley Tribune!"

"I do believe I saw that," he said, taking her hand. "It's lovely to meet you." He pulled on his lapel and sighed happily. "What a lovely occasion …. It's always a joy to visit Stardew Valley."

Mayor Lewis gave a tiny bow. "Well, it is always our pleasure to host you!"

"It is," Alma added. "I hope you enjoy the luau. If you'll excuse me, I'm going to go say hi to everyone else." The governor nodded to her as she walked away.

She went first to the buffet tables, where Shane was filling a plate. "Wow … you don't get hot pepper chutney like this in the big city …!"

Alma scooped some chutney with cream cheese on a cracker. "Mmm! That is amazing!"

Pam was on the other side of the table, and she laughed at Alma's response. "Free buffet. One of the perks of living here. Enjoy it, kid!"

"Oh I will!" Alma said, reaching for a plate.

Gus took a plate just before Alma, and he was using it to swat at flies. "These blasted sand-flies keep landing on the food!"

"They just want some too, Gus!" she laughed. She continued around the tables, filling her plate with so much delicious-looking food.

She came around and saw Jodi and Caroline filling their plates too. "I hope the soup is good this year," Jodi said. "Did you bring something to contribute, Alma?"

"I did! A fresh egg, laid just this morning."

"Ooh, that should be a tasty addition," Caroline said. "I put fresh vegetables from my garden into the communal soup pot."

Alma nodded. "That's what I was betting most people did. I wanted something that would go well with that."

"I think that was a good decision," Jodi said. "It sounds delicious!"

Alma continued around the tables and saw Clint near the end. "Hi Clint! Enjoying the food?"

He shrugged and put more bread on his plate. "I'm full, but what else is there to do besides eat?"

She laughed. "Fair enough."

When her plate could hold no more food, Alma turned around and saw Marnie stirring in the humongous pot. "If you brought something for the soup," she said, "climb the stairs on the other side and throw it in."

Alma put her plate down for a moment and laughed as she dug in her bag. "You know it's a serious potluck when there are stairs up to the pot!" She climbed the stairs and cracked her egg on the side. She watched while Marnie stirred and the yolk got broken up and stirred like feathery sinews at the top of the soup.

"It looks delicious!" Marnie said. "Thanks, Alma."

"No problem," Alma said as she picked up her plate again. She ate while she walked over to the dance floor.

Haley and Alex were standing nearby, watching people dance. "Perfect weather for a beach party, huh?" Alex said as she approached.

"Yeah, it's pretty nice!" Alma said as she took another bite of food. "Are you all planning to get out there?"

Haley flipped her hair and said, "I would dance, but I don't want to get sweaty."

"I don't dance unless I have to," Alex chuckled.

"I'm a bit like that myself," Alma said, stuffing some more hot pepper chutney in her mouth. "They all look like they're having fun, though." Alma could see the Mullners standing on the far side of the dance floor. "I think I'll go say hi to your grandparents," she said with a wave.

As she passed the dance floor, she could hear Demetrius and Robin. "Ow," Robin winced. "You stepped on my foot, dear."

"This is tiring, honey. Are you ready to visit the buffet soon?" he panted.

Alma also passed by Emily as she danced, and though she tried to say hi, Emily was unresponsive; she was lost in the music.

Jas and Vincent were twirling around and dancing too, and as Alma passed by, Vincent plopped on the ground and huffed, "I'm bored."

"You have to get up!" Jas whined. She looked up at Alma and said, "Vincent isn't a good dancer."

"Give him some time," Alma answered. "I'm sure keeping up with your skill is hard!" Jas giggled as Alma continued on to see the Mullners. "Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Mullner! Enjoying the luau?"

"That music! It's too loud," George complained. "We came over here to listen to the waves. Can't I have a little peace and quiet to enjoy the ocean?"

"It is quite loud right here next to the speaker," Alma said. "Maybe if you went out a bit more, it'd be better?"

"We could try, honey," Evelyn said, taking his wheelchair by the handles. She wheeled him in the sand a little farther down the beach. Alma followed them. The music did become a little quieter. "Ahh …. The smell of the ocean takes me back many years. Long before you were born."

"When you knew Grandpa?" Alma asked, taking another bite of food.

Evelyn's face lit up, as if she realized something. "As a matter of fact, yes. I haven't told you much about how we knew your grandfather." She looked out to the ocean. "I grew up in Pelican Town, and your grandfather and grandmother moved here when I was thirteen. I loved your grandmother, sweet Ms. Anna. She and I would sew and bake together, and I even sometimes babysat for PJ and little Natey! Which one was your father, Alma?"

"Nathan, ma'am. Phillip Jr. is my uncle."

"Nathan," she said with a smile. "What a sweet little baby he was. Anyway, your grandparents treated me like family. George and I married when we were just nineteen. Can you imagine?" she laughed. "It was toward the end of the time your grandfather was here, but he was still keenly interested to know that George was treating me right. George worked in the mines, and while he was gone, when the housework was done, I would come here and enjoy the ocean. This was before our Clara was born, so I had much more free time to garden and have hobbies. Sometimes I'd fish, paint, sunbathe, read, gather shells, even swim! And your grandfather Phillip, bless his soul, would often be on the beach fishing. Alma, if he ever caught a fish and saw me there, he would give it to me for our dinner that night. Never failed. He always wanted to share what he was able to get from nature. Your grandfather was a good, good man." She looked back out to the ocean and smiled. "He's one of the reasons I have such good memories of the ocean."

"He's also one of the reasons we don't care for fish much anymore," George added. "Ole Phil fed us a lot in those first years when we were getting on our feet," George said quietly. "Don't know how we would've made it without him."

Alma was near tears. "Thank you for sharing that with me. That's really special to hear."

Evelyn put a hand on Alma's shoulder. "You go enjoy the luau, dear. Us old folks are going to stay here by the ocean where we can have some quiet."

"Aren't you going to eat some of the soup? Would you like me to bring you each a bowl?"

"I'll get us some later, dear, don't worry about us," Evelyn said with a reassuring pat.

Alma put her hand over Evelyn's then went back toward the party. She saw Sebastian standing next to a totem pole, smoking a cigarette. "Hi Sebastian. Having fun?"

He exhaled, and Alma watched the smoke carry on the breeze. "I guess. I always want to put something ridiculous in the soup. But Sam tried that one year, and it didn't work out.

"Oh?" Alma said, bringing up another bite of food.

"Yeah, one year Sam put a pound of anchovies in the potluck soup. Ever wondered why Sam leads the town in community service hours?" He laughed a bit, and it was the first time Alma ever even saw Sebastian smile. "Maybe I'll think of something better someday and beat him."

"I hope I get to see that," Alma chuckled. She saw Abigail standing by herself on the pier. "Excuse me." Sebastian gave a nod as she walked away. "Abigail?" Alma asked as she approached. Abigail turned and smiled. "You doing okay?"

"Yeah," she said, looking back out to the water. "It's tiring to socialize with everyone."

"I hear that. Why do you think I'm eating as I go?" Alma laughed. "It's fuel and a distraction." She popped another sauteed mushroom in her mouth. "Did you get some of the food?"

"I'd rather watch the sea," she said. "But I'll get a taste of the soup if the governor says it's good."

"All right. I'll leave you to the sea then." Alma saw Rasmodius standing farther down the pier, right off the dock. "What do you think of the luau, sir?"

He looked down into the water in front of him. "The merpeople are curious about your festivities."

"Merpeople? You're kidding me, right? What other magical creatures are there here in Pelican Town?!"

He got down on his knees and put his hand in the water, lifting out an old newspaper. "They become upset when you litter into the ocean."

"Hey, don't look at me! I generate, like, zero trash. And I often pick up trash from the water when I go fishing."

Rasmodius stood back up and dusted himself off. "Then you're on their good side." He looked at her with a serious face. "Make sure to keep it that way."

Alma scanned his face, a bit unsure how to respond. "I'll, uh, do my best." Rasmodius continued to peer at her, and she became increasingly uncomfortable. Then, finally, he looked away back to the ocean. "Well, uh, I'll see you later, sir. Enjoy the luau!" She started to back away slowly then went back up the pier. Before she went back on the beach, she looked down toward Willy's shop and saw him standing by himself at the edge of the dock. She decided to go say hi to him too. "Hi, Willy!"

He turned a bit as she approached. "Hi there, Alma. Taking a breather?"

"From the farm work? Yeah. It's nice to have a holiday. And this food!" She popped another bite into her mouth. "You just can't beat it! Have you had any?"

"I'm not too hungry. I'll wait to see if the soup is good." He puffed on his pipe. "To tell you the truth, I'd rather be fishing right now."

"I can understand," she said. "It's what you love to do. I'm sure this kind of thing can be a bit overwhelming for someone who enjoys quiet time on the ocean."

"Aye," he sighed. "But I'm all right. Thanks for checking in, miss. Why don't you go enjoy?"

She patted him on the back and then went back up the pier to the beach. Alma went past Marnie to go visit Pierre at his stand. "Hi Pierre! Selling anything special for the luau?"

"Mostly decorations," he said, showing her the various leaf wall decor.

Alma could see him eyeing the governor. "You a little nervous? Since the governor is here?"

"Nervous, no." He looked back at her. "A little annoyed? Maybe."

"Why's that?" she asked, taking another bite of food.

"He only comes to schmooze at social gatherings. There's never any reward for us; it just makes him look good for the next election. But then again … Hmm …." He looked over his shoulder back toward Mayor Lewis and the governor again.

"What is it?"

"He's not the only one who can schmooze …. Maybe if I get on the governor's good side, he'll give my business a tax break …." He looked up, thinking through his inventory. "I wonder if he likes aged whiskey?"

Alma shook her head with a chuckle. "Good luck with that." On the other side of the stand, she saw Elliott and Leah standing just outside his little cabin. "Hi, Elliott, Leah. You look a little … tired?"

Leah handed Elliott a piña colada, and he moaned. "I woke up late, stepped out of the door, and found myself in the middle of all this hubbub! I forgot that today was the luau." He took a sip and rubbed his eyes.

"How's the farming coming along?" Leah asked. "It must be a busy season for you."

"It is! Profitable, though, too, thankfully."

"That makes up for it," she said with a smile. Then she lifted up her glass. "Enjoy the break!"

Alma lifted up her fork and took a bite as she moved on. Marlon stood in the shadows by the treeline on the other side of Elliott's house. "Marlon! You look like you're hiding! Don't tell me a warrior like you is a little scared of a soiree?"

He let out a smokey chuckle. "No, it's not that. I don't like to be in the sun. I prefer the cold, the dark. So I'll be back here by the trees …. The air is a lot cooler."

"Sure, sure," Alma joked, waving her fork at him. Along the far side of the beach, Sam and Penny stood together. Alma walked toward them. "Hi guys! You all look like you're trying to get as far away from the governor as possible," she teased.

"Governor?" Sam snorted. "Who cares … Why should I care about some random old guy?"

"Well, he's one of the political leaders of the area. If you wanted a chance to change some things in town, he'd be the person to talk to, right?"

He crossed his arms and scoffed. "Unlikely. Mayor Lewis is just trying to brown nose him."

"For a good reason, though," Penny added. "We do this festival every year to give the governor a taste of everything the valley has to offer. Sure, it seems a little contrived, but Mayor Lewis hopes it will get the governor on our good side. Give us extra budgeting, more foot traffic - that kind of thing. That's why he's so neurotic about the way the soup tastes."

"He is that," Sam said.

Just then, Alma smelled something heavenly. "What is that?" She sniffed the air again.

"It's probably Linus's roast," Penny said, pointing that way.

Alma saw him slowly turn the hog over the campfire. "I've got to go check this out. See you guys around."

"Bye Alma," Penny laughed.

As Alma approached, she noticed Harvey and Maru standing closeby. "Hi Alma!" Maru greeted with a smile and a wave.

"Hi," she said as she came up next to them. "Who knew Linus was such an excellent cook, huh?"

"You're right," Maru agreed, "whatever Linus is roasting smells awfully good …!" She slurped and pretended to wipe drool from her mouth.

Linus smiled at them. "A slow, continuous rotation is the key to achieving the perfect roast."

"How slow is slow?" Alma asked. "Because I'm ready to eat that!"

"Soon but still in a while," he answered.

"That's all right," she said, taking a bite of her food. "I've got food to tide me over." She looked over at Harvey who was squinting up at the sky. "You looking for planes, Harvey?"

"Hot air balloons, actually. They start to fly over the ocean this time in the summer." He shielded his face with his hand. "It's so bright, though, it's hard to see." He gave up, turning back to them. He pulled out a bottle of sunscreen from his coat pocket. "Good thing I came with sunscreen. Would you like some?"

"I'm fine. I made sure to wear my hat today for that very reason," Alma said, tipping her straw hat.

"I wonder if Maru could use sunscreen on her shoulders?" Harvey asked quietly. Alma was a bit taken aback by this comment. Was he - ? She looked at his face, and he seemed a bit out of it for a minute. Then he blinked his eyes and looked at her, as if waking up. "Yes?"

Alma wondered if he even knew he said that out loud. "I'll ask her for you!"

"Ask - who? What?"

"Maru, would you like some of Harvey's sunscreen on your shoulders?"

Maru turned and looked at Alma then at Harvey. "Oh, uh, no thanks! I put some on already."

Alma turned back to Harvey and smiled. "She's fine!"

"Are you okay, Harvey?" Maru asked. "Your face looks a bit red."

"Yeah, maybe you need more sunscreen on your face."

Harvey froze for a moment, then quickly said, "Excuse me," and walked away. Alma immediately felt bad. Why did she act like that? She shouldn't have drawn attention to his insecurities. But at the same time …. He had been dropping so many hints that he felt something for Alma too, and she thought he must know she feels the same. Only for him to make a comment like that - in front of her? But still … Alma could have handled that better.

"That was weird," Maru said, watching after him. "Is he okay?"

Alma sighed. "I'm sure he'll be all right." She smiled a bit at Maru and said, "I'm going to go check on the soup, I think." She walked toward Marnie but watched Harvey quickly walk onto the pier. "How's it coming, Marnie? Are we about ready to eat?"

"I think so!" Marnie said.

Mayor Lewis came up behind them and asked, "Should we move forward with the luau? The governor seems a bit hungry."

Alma looked at Marnie, who tasted the soup. She smiled and nodded. "Yes, let's start!" Alma said.

Lewis went up the stairs and clapped his hands. "Well, folks, it's time once again for the potluck ceremony." People started gathering around the tables to listen to him speak. "I trust that you all put high-quality ingredients in the pot this year. We don't want the governor to regret his visit to the valley!" Mayor Lewis laughed, hoping others would too, but other than a few nervous chuckles, it was still quiet among the audience. "Well … Governor?" he said, waving the governor to step forward. "Would you do us the honor of tasting the soup?"

"Of course!" Mayor Lewis came down the stairs, and the governor took a spoon and went up them. "I've been looking forward to this all year!" He leaned over the soup and put his spoon in. He held his other hand under it, blew on it a few times, then brought it to his mouth. There was a pregnant pause. Everyone watched in anticipation. "Ah …" He looked up and shook his spoon in the air. "That's a very pleasant soup. The produce from this valley never disappoints!"

The beach filled with applause, and Mayor Lewis also put a spoon in the soup to have a taste. "Mmm … tasty. You all did very well today. Marnie, would you fill the first bowl for our guest, please?"

"My pleasure." Marnie went to get a bowl and ladled out a hefty serving, giving the bowl to the governor.

"Now … who else wants some soup?" Mayor Lewis called, waving everyone to the cauldron. People started lining up, bringing bowls and spoons to enjoy the soup. Alma joined the line too, and she saw that Harvey was still standing at the pier, looking over the water for hot air balloons. He now had his coat off, sleeves rolled up, and tie loosened. She could tell he was quite anxious. Part of her felt really bad, but part of her didn't. She felt like she should say something but decided it was best if she let him calm down on his own. She got a bowl of soup and enjoyed eating it with the others. As they were eating, the sun went down, and the tiki torches lit up the beach. They all enjoyed eating, dancing, and relaxing with each other.

"Well, Alma," Mayor Lewis said as she was finishing up her food, "what did you think of your first Pelican Town Luau?" He and the governor were apparently making rounds to talk to everyone.

"The luau was a success! Good thing I brought something tasty for the soup," she said with a laugh, and they both laughed too. She looked and saw Harvey eating quietly by himself at another table. "But it's starting to get late now. Time to head home, I think." She stood and put out a hand for the governor. "It was nice to meet you, sir."

"You too, Ms. Alma. I hope we will see each other again."

"Next year, at least!" Mayor Lewis said, slapping her on the back. She laughed and glanced again at Harvey.