The Maelstrom of Stardew

Year 1 (Summer)

Chapter 22: Summer Showers

Thursday, the 4th of Summer, 2017

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Taeko woke up with an early morning climax from a real intense dream right into Elly May's throat. She gulped the load down before swallowing to greet Taeko.

"You were packing a big ol' woody there…just wanted to make sure you woke up in a good mood. Especially given that it's raining out there." Elly May said gently.

"Not really too mad about that, I can still go fishing." Taeko said getting up. "Thanks, Elly May."

"Breakfast is on the table and I already got the harvest in the crates on the tables." Elly May said. "I'm going to go back to my place and relax."

She left him alone as he went to shower and get ready for the day. Given the rain, Taeko opted to wear a dark blue hoodie over an aqua tank top, black faded jeans, gray round-toe boots, his fingerless gloves, a black baseball cap, blue Hornet mono shades, and [Claude's Jacket]. He zipped up the jacket as he went to the kitchen eating the [Complete Breakfast] with toast and [Melon Jelly]. He still had the espressos in his [Inventory] so he drank one of them while eating his meal.

"This is living." Taeko said before turning on the television to see the news.

The weather report mentioned that it'd be raining until Friday as Taeko checked the other stations. Welwick had noted Luck was not going to be on his side today which was a -0.02 to his Luck. The [Special Charm] basically saved his skin from having bad luck, but 0.005 wasn't anything to write home about.

"The Mines are out." Taeko said before looking at the haul.

In terms of produce it was ten pineapples, four mangos, a dozen bananas, four bunches of hops, eighteen bunches of cranberries, thirteen Ancient Fruits, twenty-four hot peppers, five bushels of wheat, ten starfruits, four large duck eggs, ten large white eggs, twenty large brown eggs, twelve large jugs of milk, twelve large jugs of goat milk, and half dozen truffles all in Iridum Quality. As for everything else, there were the sixteen bottles of [Cactus Fruit Wine], twelve jars of [Strawberry Jelly], fifty bottles of [Squid Ink], eighteen jars of [Wild Honey], and the twelve bottles of iridium quality [Mead]. He called up one of his mooks to pick up the liquor to deliver to Desired Myth to which he handed them all too before calling Mr. Chen…who was embarrassed to hear Taeko found out about his markup scheme.

"Now I've given you the last of any booze I will give to you. You've made plenty of money off me, fair's fair any all. Keeping the kegs you gave me though." Taeko said.

"Damn…well…that's business for you. I guess we're even." Mr. Chen said.

"That we are." Taeko said, hanging up. "Dick."

A text came from Tera letting him down that the harvest from crops was put in the fridge and the cloth made was put in storage.

"So that's 13 melons, eleven more bushels of wheat, fifteen jars of [Poppy Honey], and a lot of blueberries. All right, let's get to it." Taeko said.

First off, he loaded all the wheat in the kegs to make [Dagger Beer] along with some fruits to make wines and jellies. Some of the honey went to make [Mead] while the rest was tossed in the selling bin. Flower honey simply tasted better, and he wanted to get both it and the wild honey in the fridge out to be sold. He loaded eggs to be made into mayo, and milk to be made into cheese. Truffles were made into oil. Everything left over was put away and he put down the [Mini-Jukebox] as he got his fishing supplies to go out to fish. He even made a tackle, a [Treasure Hunter] and a [Spicy Eel]. He checked out that fishing channel Pam had mentioned and to his relief he basically got all the information he needed on fishing for the season. He snapped a photo of it before leaving out into the rain, pulling his hood up. Tom and Logan were finishing their breakfast, opting to stay indoors. He jogged to his garage and rode out in the golf cart going through the backwoods to get to the Community Center. He went in, the place even more quiet with the only sound being the rain. With the needed items, he completed the [Winter Foraging Bundle] which got him 30 [Winter Seeds].

"I'll save for when winter comes." Taeko said, munching on the extra [Crystal Fruit].

The room glowed with all the bundles completely restoring the crafts room to its former glory with more modern touches.

[You've completed the Crafts Room bundle! The bridge to the Quarry that's east of the Mines has been repaired. Quarry and Quarry Mine are unlocked!]

He also had placed five [Melons] in the [Quality Crops Bundle] due to the recent fix allowing him to put anything above gold quality in place for it. Taeko had felt victorious as there were just two bundles left. He left the place to get back in the cart to go towards the mountain. He arrived to see the bridge being replaced as Kyu and Tora in their worker's garb left the scene. For a brief moment, Taeko saw the Jumino leaving the scene as well. However, he parked the cart near the lake and readied to fish, drive-by style.

"Good to see the rain isn't stopping you." Linus said walking up with an umbrella and a fishing pole. "How's things, kid?"

"All right, Linus. I'm close to hitting that goal with the center. Just a bit more." Taeko mused. "By the way, if you caught some [Green Algae] and [Seaweed]...I could use a lot of it."

"Trade you for some of that ice cream you make." Linus remarked.

"Got a flavor of choice?" Taeko asked.

"Vanilla. Good for a mixer." Linus remarked.

"Got five tubs in my freezer. After I fish a bit, I'll give you a lift." Taeko said loading the [Treasure Hunter] tackle on along with the [Wild Bait].

"Don't worry, I'll meet you there. By the way, I saw that the bridge was repaired…good on you. I already told Lewis you got that dealt with." Linus said before leaving.

Getting a [Dish O' The Sea] out, Taeko ate it for the bonuses before casting out his line. He went quiet, focusing on the line as he got a bite. He reeled in a pair of [Bullhead] and a treasure chest that had…ten pieces of [Wild Bait]. Remember about the legendary fish, he got out of the cart walking across the makeshift wooden bridges to get to the patch of land in the midst of the lake facing the submerged log. He swallowed down the [Spicy Eel] as he cracked his knuckles, putting the [Curiosity Lure] tackle on and one piece of [Magic Bait]. He casted the line into some bubbles and got a bite putting Taeko in a bit of 'battle' with the fish.

"Slippery bastard…" Taeko muttered. "I don't give a damn if luck isn't going to be on my side, I make my own."

He contested trying to keep the fish concerned in the bar even though it showed to be moving all around.

"And gotcha!" Taeko said, reeling it in.

The [Legend] in the flesh was in his hands.

[You caught one of the Legendary Fish!]

"That [Magic Bait] really works and so that had that lure…." Taeko said, swapping it back for the [Treasure Hunter]. "But I got more fish to get it."

With the buffs from the food, a bit of [Magic Bait], and patience, Taeko got plenty of fish and treasure including the ones he needed for the bundle. He carried to the cart, munching down another [Dish O' The Sea] before racing off for the river in town. With the last bit of the luck buff from the [Spicy Eel], he managed to catch another of the Legendary fish, the [Angler].

[You caught one of the Legendary Fish!]

"Damn, I wanted a [Sunfish]." Taeko said before trying again.

He'd get the [Sunfish] and the [Shad] he needed, right as Krobus called.

"Krobus." Taeko asked.

"Yeah, sorry…I got my dates mixed up. I didn't realize it…but to make up for that mistake I went got a [Tilapia], sent it by mail. And today's special is [Mixed Seeds]. 10 for 300g." Krobus said hanging up.

"Then I just need a [Red Snapper] at the beach…man it's good that it's raining." Taeko said driving down to the beach.

Taeko casted his line…but then the rain started clearing up.

"What? No! NO! Please!" Taeko said as the rain seemed to just stop. "Oh come on!"

"Never thought I'd see someone unhappy about the rain." Penny said, coming out on the deck of her boat. "What's wrong?"

"I need a [Red Snapper]." Taeko said.

"I'll give you one for 3,000 Gold. I-"

"Here! Give me the fish!" Taeko said, tossing her the money.

Penny gave it up as Taeko ran off with Penny looking confused as to why he needed it but she shrugged. She had the money to get her car decaled today all for the cost of a fish that was easy to catch…in the rain. And as if the weather wanted to flip everyone off, it began pouring again. Taeko was going to ride out, but remembered Willy…and turned around.

"Willy!" Taeko said coming through the door as Willy woke up from his nap.

"Taeko, I…" Willy said Taeko put down the [Legend] and the [Angler] in the big fish tank for the legendary fish. "I'll be damned…two of them…including the legend itself. I never thought I'd see it in front of me."

"Yeah, well, I have to go." Taeko said going to the door.

"Wait. This at least deserves a reward given you caught the [Legend]...I'll separate them in different tanks and shoot a photo to the Stardew Fishing Association…they'll be a big reward for you and a good finder's fee for me. So in light of that, a 20% discount in my shop." Willy said.

"Awesome. Thanks, man." Taeko said before rushing out.

"Always busy that one." Willy said before he got to work.

Taeko raced home, getting the package from Krobus.

"I forgot to check my mail…but later." Taeko said getting the ice cream for Linus.

With the ice cream, Linus handed over a sack of the promised algae and seaweed. 150 of each. Linus made his leave as Taeko headed back to the community center.

Completing the [Lake Fish Bundle] netted him a [Dressed Spinner] tackle, the [River Fish Bundle] got him 30 pieces of regular [Bait], and the [Ocean Fish Bundle] got him five warp totems to the beach. With all the bundles completed, the fish tank glowed before being removed…though there were no fish in yet. Seeing the tank was fully automated and loaded with fish food, he simply threw the three [Bullheads] he had caught inside it.

[Fish Tank Bundle Complete! Glittering Boulder can be removed, go to the Mountain to blow it up and get a cutscene]

Taeko left immediately to go over there. Seeing the glittering boulder, he charged an energy sphere before firing it at the boulder and blowing it to chunks which spilled water, chunks of ore, and rocks going down the stream.

"Not bad, Taeko." Willy said, appearing from behind. "Just when I'm about to fish, you go and make it possible to pan for ore."

Taeko laughed as Willy smirked.

"Here." Willy said, giving Taeko his spare [Copper Pan]. "Use it to pan for ore or whatever you can get. If you need more, I sell them at the shop. Speaking of the shop, I got some new stock in. Fish tanks and a double bed of my own design."

"Thanks, man. I'll check it out later…" Taeko said before leaving.

The new item would join his [Light Key Items] before he got home. That's when he saw Zoey.

"What do you want, Zoey?" Taeko asked.

"I was wrong about you. I saw why the Jumino chose you…you're so close to completing all of them." Zoey said. "I'm proud of you."

"That means a lot." Taeko said. "I'm sorry for the hostility."

"It's fine. I have a reward for you." Zoey said as Taeko perked his eyebrow up. "Here."

She gave him a key.

"A key…"

"It's to your new farm. Shara Farm. It's a forest farm, one that won't be good for farming, but perfectly for foraging and lumber. It's deep in the forest on the other side of Stardew Mountain. Go check it out, there's some goodies that Kyu left for you." Zoey said before leaving.

[You now own the [Forest Farm]! Zoey has named it for you though…cost of getting it free.]

"Might as well go." Taeko said going inside to put the fish and fishing supplies away.

He did call Robin to request the construction of two more [Fish Ponds] telling her to build them to his first one and he had left the supplies outside in a chest. He sent over the payment and put the materials out for them. He threw the [Treasure Chest] in the selling bin. He'd deal with the geodes later as he left for his car and used [Fast Travel] to get as close as he could before going on that drive.

[GAME PAUSED? WOULD YOU LIKE TO QUICK SAVE?]

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[GAME QUICKSAVED! Hurry back.]

(A/N: A bit short, but I wanted to highlight Taeko's drive and set up for the fact that Taeko is close to completing the Community Center bundles with two bundles left. Next chapter, we see the new farm and the surprise farmhand assistant he'll get.)