Chapter Text
Amelie sat at her desk, withering away as she typed and typed. The corporate buzz hummed in the background, as well as the constant sounds of keys clacking. She looked up over her cubicle and saw the green light for ‘work’ was still lit. She sighed and looked around the room. Across from her was another cubicle with a 40-something man in it typing away. Frank. She barely knew him, only chatting idly with him during lunch breaks. She looked back at her computer, the email she was writing staring back at her. The fluorescent lights above were blinding.
Her mind drifted to the letter in her desk. She remembered her grandfather giving it to her, handing it to her as she bit back tears. He’d told her to wait, to not open it yet. She’d obeyed, not daring to open it up. It sat now in her desk, a constant reminder of what once was. The days helping her grandfather on the farm, the cozy nights at the fireplace. She let out a sigh, then opened the compartment in her desk and took the letter gingerly in her hand. She thumbed the old crumbling letter, the purple wax seal still unbroken. She decided, today was the day.
She broke open the seal, pulling out the yellowed old parchment. Her fingers lingered over the page. She read the first line.
“Dear Amelie, if you’re reading this, you must be in dire need of a change….”
She read through the letter once, her gaze lingering on every word. Then she read through it again. And again. And again.
Her mind drifted back to those days spent on the farm when she was young. She’d spend the summer, once she stayed the entire year. She remembered helping her grandfather with the crops, watering them and weeding them. She remembered the calluses that had formed on her little hands. She remembered walking through the fields, scanning the plants for evidence of pests. She remembered feeding the cows, chickens, pigs, and sheep. She remembered sitting with her grandfather next to the fireplace after a hard day of work, and he’d make her hot cocoa while telling her stories of the valley. She remembered him tucking her into bed, then heading back out onto the farm. One night, though this particular memory was always a bit blurry, she couldn’t sleep because of the intense summer heat, so she got up and wanted to see what grandpa did whenever she slept. She opened the farmhouse door, and thought she saw her grandfather wielding a sword, when he saw her, he turned and ushered her back inside and told her to go back to sleep. When she asked about it the next morning, he didn’t brush it off as her dreaming, but instead he knelt down in front of her and put a hand on her shoulder, saying,
“Amelie, you have a strong connection to this valley. Stronger even than myself, and I know you’re going to return back here one day. When you do, you’ll learn what I cannot teach you now.”
She was confused at what he meant, and still was. She thought of all this on the bus ride. Her eyes glazed over the familiar landscape passing by, the rolling hills and blue sky. Then, she saw a roadsign. A sign she remembered vividly. ‘Stardew Valley, 0.5 miles.’
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Amelie got off the bus, adjusting her backpack straps as she stretched. The crisp morning air of spring felt euphoric against her skin, and she could really breathe fully in the fresh mountain air. She closed her eyes for a moment, taking it all in. It felt like the valley was welcoming her back, and she loved it. When she opened her eyes, she saw a familiar face waiting for her. In her visits to the valley as a little girl, Robin would sometimes visit to help Grandpa around the farm, and Amelie grew to look up to her. Even now, she saw Robin with her long red hair in a ponytail like it always was, and smiled.
“Robin! I wasn’t expecting to see you here!”
“Amelie, welcome back! Been a while since you’ve been around here, huh?”
“Yeah, it has been a while… I missed this place! I hope the farm hasn’t fallen into disrepair.”
“You can be confident in the Mayor's abilities, he tried his best to keep that place in shape. Speaking of which, he actually sent me over to fetch you! I know you know your way, but it’s nicer to have someone to chat with on the way.”
Amelie smiled at the friendly company. She’d always liked Robin. The kind carpenter who lived up in the mountains. She walked with the red head as they chatted idly, mainly about what’s been going on lately.
“Everyone’s been pretty excited about your arrival, Amelie! Not every day we get someone new in the valley. Or I guess- semi new.”
Amelie laughed as they stepped onto the property of Sunrise Farm. Amelie was… shocked, to say the least. Before her was the once prosperous farm, but now it looked like a war-zone. The fields were covered in debris and foliage, the greenhouse had collapsed, and then there was the farmhouse… It looked good for how old it was, but the side rooms had completely collapsed, some of it even looked like the wood was scavenged and taken.
“I- Robin, I thought you said it was being watched over!”
“It was! We tried the best we could, but it is an old farmhouse..”
Just then, Mayor Lewis stepped out of the house, closing the door behind him. His eyes settled on Amelie.
“Ah, Amelie! Welcome, everyone’s been very excited!”
“I- yes, hello Lewis.” Amelie shifted uneasily. She never really liked the mayor. He was always pressuring her grandfather into giving more to the town, and it seemed with age his greed only increased.
“So, you’ll be moving into your grandfather’s old cottage! Nice place, very eh… ‘rustic’!” As if to emphasize, Lewis pulled on his suspenders.
“Yes I- about that.. Robin told me you’d try to keep it in shape.”
“Ah, that. Yes well, it’s an old building on property I don’t own, it’s still going to be pretty hard to keep it completely intact.”
“I suppose so..”
Robin piped up, seeing the disappointment on Amelie’s face. “If you want, I could do some upgrades on the house! Of course, I’d need money and materials to be provided.”
“That’s a very kind offer, thank you Robin. And eh, Lewis… thanks for… keeping the house up.”
Lewis beamed, choosing to take her unsure tone as a compliment. “Of course! Now, if you need me, I’ll be around. And I left a little gift inside for you as well, to get you started. You know how the shipping bin works from your time here as a child, yeah?”
Amelie nodded reluctantly, then walked over to the door to open it.
“Oh, one thing before I forget, try and explore the town and introduce yourself! I’m sure the townspeople will like that.” Lewis smiled her way as she nodded, then he left the grounds with Robin in tow.
“Good luck Amelie!” Robin called after her as she opened the farmhouse door and stepped inside the familiar home.
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The floorboards creaked under her, almost as if recognizing her. She smiled, taking in the small house. It used to be much larger, yes, but it still kept its core element now. The fireplace she remembered sleeping next to, the cozy bed, the small table where she had watched her grandfather craft. It felt warm and nostalgic.
There was even the small picture of grandma still on the mantle above the fireplace. Amelie had never gotten to meet her, seeing as she'd died before Amelie was born. But her grandfather had told her many stories about her, and his adventures with her. Right next to the picture was also that strange figure that grandfather insisted on keeping, a little Junimo. Junimos were just fairytales, Amelie knew that, but her grandfather had spoken of them as if they were real. Strangely though, she felt an unexplainable pull towards the small figure. She walked over to it, picking it up and holding it gently in her fingers. It felt warm, which was odd. She set it back down.
Then, she looked down at the floor at the foot of the bed. Sitting there was a small parcel, wrapped with a bow. There was a note, so she walked over and picked up the package. The note simply read, "Here's a little something to get you started. -Lewis.”
She opened the parcel and was met with… 15 parsnip seeds. Wow. What a great gift. She scoffed, recognizing Lewis’s cheapness. He could’ve given her a bit more, maybe at least some fertilizer. She tore off the note and stuffed it in her mouth. She didn't appreciate Lewis’s gestures of fake kindness.
She picked up the seeds and put them in her pockets, then opened the door and took a step outside. Dang, this farm really needed her help. She smiled, glad that she'd be able to take care of her legacy. She jumped down the wooden steps off the porch, landing with a soft thud on the earthy ground. The dust poofed up and curled around her boots. She walked forward, getting her pickaxe and axe out of her backpack, taking turns with the tools, hacking at the debris. Once a decent chunk was cleared, she took her hoe and tilled the ground. The soil split open, responding to her like it was eagerly waiting for this. She ripped open the seed packets and poked holes into the newly overturned earth, then put the seeds in the indentations in the dirt. She took her watering can over to the small pond on the property, filling it up and lugging it back over to the plot. She sprayed the seeds with a healthy dose of water, and when she finished she set the watering can down next to the porch. Maybe she could make a chest to store some of this stuff in? She made a quick but functional chest, stuffing all she had that she didn't need in there. The fiber, wood, stones, and everything else she'd collected sitting in the chest. She wiped her brow, then checked her watch. 12pm, damn.. Seeing as she'd spent her entire morning on the farm, she decided it would be a good time to head into town.
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Amelie walked through Pelican Town, her feet falling on the stone path as she chatted idly with people, meeting the newer people and catching up with others. She didn't know the younger crowd like Abigail, Sebastian, or Sam because she was a bit older than most of them, and hadn't talked to them when she visited the valley as a kid. But she was also too young for the older crowd, like Jodi and Caroline. So she felt.. Out of place, drifting between. She gravitated towards the beach. It just felt… calming, peaceful. Like she belonged there. It was the perfect bridge of the world she loved, and this new open front. The trees were behind her, so they rustled in the passing breeze and calmed her. The ocean was in front of her, and she heard the waves lapping against the shore as distant seagulls called out for a far away home.
She wasn’t usually a beach person, normally when she visited the valley as a kid she felt more inclined to be in the forest. But today there was just something… different. Amelie walked over to the pier, sitting down and taking her shoes off so she could dip her feet in the water. She breathed in the salty air that seemed to mix with the everpresent scent of the earth that followed her around. Unbeknownst to her, someone else saw her sitting there. He too was walking towards the pier, and his gaze happened to land on her. The man’s breath caught in his throat as he saw her sitting there, silhouetted against the ocean.
“I’ve not seen you around, you must be the new farmer we’ve all been expecting, and whose arrival has sparked many a conversation!” He let out a hearty chuckle
Amelie was a bit startled by the sudden voice, and turned to see who it was. Her eyes fell upon the most graceful and elegant man she’s ever seen. His hair was long and auburn, falling into silky locks around his shoulders. He wore a distinguished coat, and dress pants that made him look like he was ready for a ball dance at any moment. Amelie, a bit embarrassed to be in this gorgeous man's presence, stood quickly, dusting off her overalls and grabbed her shoes, holding them in her hands.
She wasn’t attracted to this man, but he was objectively attractive in a way you couldn't deny. He had almost this mysterious allure to him that made her look at him and wonder what he was like.
“Ah, hello! My name is Amelie, and I am indeed the new farmer! What's uh… What’s your name?”
Amelie held out her hand, her fingers outstretched. The mysterious man shook her hand, his grip strong. His fingers felt tender, like he used them often. She couldn't help but wonder what for.
“My name is Elliott, I live in the little cabin over there. It’s truly a pleasure to meet you.” He nods slightly, his long locks falling slightly from where they were tucked behind his ear. He notices and gently pushes them back, leaving his grip on her outstretched hand.
“It’s nice to meet you too!” She stood awkwardly, looking around and trying not to get splinters in her feet. She never was exactly… the best at people. She never knew what to say, especially now that she was in front of such a well spoken man. “You uh.. Speak very elegantly.”
He paused, then chuckled. “Thank you, I take pride in my craft.”
Amelie was a bit confused. “Are you… a poet?”
Elliott beamed at the mention of his profession. He seemed to love the artform. “Indeed I am! Nay, I am more than simply a poet, I am an author!”
The farmer perked up at this. An author? It did make sense, he was very poised and lived a bit further from the town. He seemed like a bit of an oddball, and authors usually were. “Really? What books have you written?”
He paused, seeming a bit more awkward at the mention of quantity. “Ah, well, I haven’t actually published anything yet, but I am working hard towards said goal! Speaking of such, I really must get back to my work, I apologise.” And with that, he started off towards the little cabin in the corner of the beach. Amelie hadn’t really thoroughly looked at it before, but she was looking now. It looked rather small, with overgrowth sprouting from some of the cracks in the wood. It reminded her a bit of her own home right now, the farm house. It was kind of endearing.
Oh shoot, the farmhouse! She needed to get back there asap! It was getting later than she liked, and she’d met a considerably good amount of people today. She hurriedly put her shoes back on and speedwalked to the farmhouse. She really didn't need to rush, it was only around 6pm, but the sun was starting to set and she didn't want to be caught out in the dark.
She arrived at her farmhouse, the torches she'd quickly made in the morning glowing faintly and illuminating the overgrown fields. Staring out at the farm made her feel a mix of emotions. She was happy, no, overjoyed at the fact she was able to be here and continue her grandfather's legacy, but the farm was basically in pieces… Not to mention her body wasn’t close to used to the conditions of farming. She’d done the hoeing and watering for one day, and she already had felt like passing out.
But, this was her grandfather's farm. The one man who’d helped her the most in her life. She needed to prove to him that she could do this, she could make him proud. She smiled to herself, walking up to the steps of the front door and opening it, walking inside the cold cabin. She shivered slightly, but remembered the old fireplace. Striding over to it, she took a match out of her matchbox and struck it against the course surface. When the small flame ignited, she threw it into the fire pit. The logs started to glow, then caught fire quickly. The room instantly started warming up, and Amelie was happy. She laid down in her rickety old bed, sleeping contentedly for the first time in ages, finally feeling like her life was measuring up to something.