Chapter Text
It had been a few days since you'd moved into Stardew Valley, and you were starting to feel a little overwhelmed.
It made sense, really-- a new environment, new people, a run-down farm that claimed all your attention-- it was hardly surprising that you were tired. Even now you were still going over names in your head, trying to ensure that you had all the villagers connected to the correct names. Robin the builder. Harvey the doctor. Clint the-- was Clint the... blacksmith? Scrunching up your nose thoughtfully, you frowned. Yeah, yeah he was the blacksmith. Right?
With a slight shake of your head, you shifted the fishing rod on your shoulder to a more comfortable position as you walked. It was a good thing you'd decided to take a break today-- after watering all your crops, naturally, but that was a necessity. Even fishing was arguably not a real break, but it was better than chopping wood, or-- Yoba forbid -- tramping through those mines with only a pickaxe and some rusty sword to defend yourself. Some part of you wished that you could just sit on the beach and do nothing, but the spring air was just a little too chilly to warrant sunbathing. Besides, catching a few fish will be a good extra source of income, Yoba knows I need that right now.
You were so deep in thought as you set foot on the beach, your eyes absentmindedly running over the sands in search of some pretty shells, that you didn't notice the person on the docks until you very nearly walked into him. Coming to a sharp halt you looked up, noticing that he had done the same.
"OH-- sorry," you stammered, pulling back your fishing rod as you realized that it was dangerously close to his face, "I was distracted-- I'm sorry."
The surprise on his face shifted to amusement, a sharp laugh sounding from his chest. "It's all right, I was a little lost in thought myself." A reassuring smile lingered on his expression as he gazed at you with intrigue, and it slowly occurred to you that you hadn't met this particular villager before. Switching your grip on the fishing rod so that you could hold it with one hand, you stretched out the other towards him.
"I don't think we've met? My name is Y/N, I'm new to Pelican Town."
The stranger's eyes seemed to brighten as he shook your hand, the smile widening. "Ah, Willy mentioned someone had moved into the abandoned house! My name is Elliott, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
"Elliott." You repeated the name under your breath, trying to commit it to memory. Elliot the... the... A small frown creased your brows as you let your gaze wander over the figure before you, trying to make out his occupation. You'd learned quickly that almost everyone in Pelican Town had some kind of job or duty, which you'd gratefully made use of when trying to memorize their names. But as you took in the long copper-coloured hair, the maroon jacket with its broad lapels and the vibrant green tie, you found yourself mystified. Harvey was the only other person you remembered wearing a tie-- but Elliott hardly seemed like a doctor, and he was out here during working hours. His hair bore the most resemblance to... Robin, maybe? Her younger brother, perhaps? Or--?
"Is something wrong?"
You snapped out of your daze, blinking rapidly. "Oh--! No, I was just... thinking. Again."
There it was again; that warm smile, the slightest quirk of the corners of his lips. "In that case, forgive me for breaking your concentration. I'll just be over here."
You shook your head, waving your hand in a dismissive apology. "No, no, it's all right. I should get started on fishing anyway."
Shrugging the rod off your shoulder, you walked towards Elliott's other side, where the water was slightly deeper. You set down the rod with clumsy awkwardness-- Willy had just taught you how to use it the day before, and it still wasn't completely familiar-- and untangled the hook methodically. Satisfied that it was ready, you swung it backwards, before casting the line into the blue waters ahead. There was a small splash and then a quiet stillness, and with a soft sigh you sat down.
This could take a while.
When sometime later you turned to address Elliott once more, you found that he was already gone. You hadn't heard him leave, which was impressive considering how much the wooden docks creaked beneath your own feet. It occurred to you that you hadn't even asked him about his job, or even where he lived. Before you could pursue the train of thought, you felt a sharp tug on your line, and instantly your attention was riveted back to the task at hand.
By the time you'd reeled in the fish, sweating slightly at the effort but beaming with pride, you'd forgotten all about the mysterious villager.