Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Rain speckled through the blue dawn, snapping silent onto the windshield. Alice leaned in, biting a sore lip as she tried the key again.
“Come on, please,” she groaned, bangs breaking free from her bun and laying against her pale brow. Turning hard on the plastic of the key had already numbed her finger, shaking as the car sputtered before, with a sigh, starting roughly. “Okay, here we go,” she said, putting the sedan in drive and turning the wheel with the palm of her hand.
Tires groaned over the incline of the drive as Alice pulled into a spot 5 rows away from the employee entrance. Tired eyes stared blankly through the loud squeaking of the windshield wipers. JoJa-Mart’s sign on the corner of the building beamed white, garish around the mist as one bulb flickered at the T. Deep inhale, shaky exhale, she opened the door as the onslaught of rain came crashing into her ears.
College ran across her mind again, as it has begun to frequent. Trees sighing in the wind, the red brick buildings with cracked white mortar that were swarmed with pine needles. Playing hacky sack with her English professor who always wore red chucks. The off brand coffee shop that offered as much sass as caffeine. Late nights and roommate problems, the one roommate who covered her room in silks and stole a traffic barrel she put a tie on, whose boyfriend broke up with her and she has never been the same since.
You don’t have to save the world, you can just save yourself, one professor said. Although, with large hearts and eyes glowing, you thought you could do both.
Graduation that sped into her life dumped her out with a screeching halt, throwing her into the street. Letters of exorbitant student loan payments were becoming due and she can’t get her water bill under control. Throwing her resume everywhere, getting phone interviews on occasion asking if she has 3 years of payroll experience for an entry level position.
“Ballpark, what kind of wage range do you need?”
“$14.00,” came out of her mouth, far below her expectations and slightly below her ability to pay bills.
“We only have the position budgeted for $11.00, I’m sorry,” followed by the apathetic tone of a closed line.
Swallowing stiffly, she ran her card through the slot. Large, lapsing pixels of a clock recorded her time before freezing. The strap of her work bag dug into her shoulder as she looked, Alice feeling her eyes dry out as she looked into the wide case files bay.
The buzz of fluorescent lighting hung over her desk, the dim light not reaching the corners of her office and making it difficult to read the text on her page. The monitor she had was similar to one she had her freshman year of high school, and even then it was a hammy down, complete with the aged white border 2 inches thick on all sides of the screen. Ramming a finger on the power button of her ancient tower, she watched the screen hum to its dull life.
Clanking whirs drew her attention to see the camera at her cubicle turn towards her. Sighing, she straightened herself and continued typing. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the camera turn back to the patch on the wall and the pictures strewn the plaster board with scotch tape. Her graduation from only a couple years ago, a proud English degree in her manicured fingers - her first and last manicure. She wore red lips that day, as red lips always made her feel she could conquer the world. Another photo of her first dog, panting as her rain boots were too big for her toddler feet. The last dog they had.
Shaking her head, she turned back to her heating monitor, the cooling fan blowing the exhaust in her face. One picture kept dancing at the corner of her eye, even as she tried to push it away from the forefront of her mind. It wasn’t until she had completed three forms before she finally gave in.
The picture was of her Grandpa and her.. He brought her a fairy rose from his farm, several hours from Zuzu City. Her fingers curled in at the realization.
She had refused to look at that picture, since her grandpa died three years prior, two days after her graduation. He asked for an audience with her alone.
Heat from the fireplace wafted towards her. Her hands were firmly pressed against the wood of the door, nails scratching a bit as grandpa had a rattling cough. “And for my very special granddaughter, I want you to have this sealed envelope.” He raised a shaking hand to hand her an envelope, the purple seal was wax pressed, and from some time ago. Alice swallowed, putting her thumb under the seal. “No, no, don't open it yet. Now listen close…” he began coughing, harder this time. “There will come a day when you feel crushed by the burden of modern life and your bright spirit will fade before a growing emptiness. When that happens, my girl, you’ll be ready for this gift. Now let Grandpa rest.”
“Did you tell him about Zuzu city?” Alice asked her mom in the other room, her dad rushing in to see his in-law.
“You just graduated baby, I wanted you to see the world, and not just stay in this same place the whole time.”

Heat from the computer made her dizzy as a loud buzzer went off. The front wall lights went from green for “Work” to Red for “Rest.”
30 minute lunch break, Alice thought, looking tired, up at Life is better with Joja plastered on the wall. A tired hand pulled open the top drawer of her personal file. A tired envelope, a part molded from her sweaty palm from her taking it with her:
Dear Alice,

If you are reading this, you must be in a dire need of change.

The same thing happened to me, long ago. I’d lost sight of what mattered most in life… real connections with other people and nature. So I dropped everything and moved to the place I truly belong.
I’ve enclosed the deed to that place… My pride and joy, White Stag Farm. It’s located in Stardew Valley, on the southern coast. It’s the perfect place to start your new life.
This was my most precious gift of all, and now it’s yours. I know you’ll honor the family name, my girl.
Good Luck.

Love Grandpa.

P.S. If Lewis is still alive, say hi to the old guy for me, will ya?

Alice sat frozen as she stared at the letter. Pushing the paper over with her thumb, she did indeed see the deed folded between the sheets. The seal shimmered in the artificial light. Her face shot up.

Sunlight streamed in from the bus window, hills moving hazily under an open, blue sky. It was only a week after she found the deed, fortunately her lease was coming due and she didn't need to hunt for another apartment this time. Stops were fewer and farther between as fences started cropping up.
Stardew Valley .5 miles ahead.
Alice started flustering to get her bag together, shoving her music back into the messenger as well as her money from selling her car. Her first car. Knuckles turned white as she gripped the strap, feeling the weight of her decision immediately.
With a smack of gum, the bus driver pulled into a stop on a small road. A block of sidewalk separated the blossoming pink trees from the faded road. A woman was waving on the sidewalk, leaning into her wave as the bus turned in. Alice looked around, but she was the only one showing signs of movement on the sparse bus. Taking a deep breath, she got off the bus.
“I’m Robin, the local carpenter.” The waving woman offered her hand, which Alice took. Her handshake was strong, and she grinned as laugh lines showed on her face. Ginger hair had flickers of silver in them, and Alice realized this woman was the same age as her mother, if only her mother was as happy. “Mayor Lewis sent me here to fetch you and show you your new home. He’s there right now, tidying things up for your arrival. The farm is right over here, if you follow me.”
Alice looked up to where Robin was headed, a path meandering off to the right of the stop and up a hill. Adjusting her bag, she followed the wagging tail of Robin’s ponytail. The path rocked her back and forth, and Alice adjusted her bag a few times over burning legs before they made it to the shimmering roof of a house.
“Aw, there you are!” came from in front of the house. Hat tipped back to gray hair, the man scratched his forehead, adjusted his brown pants despite his suspenders and said, “Quite a sight. I’d love to see this farm back and running!”
Alice leaned forward to see the house, a chill running down her spine as she saw the size, or lack thereof, of the house.
“It is a bit rustic, yes, but you can come up the mountain to my shop, and I can update it and expand it for you. Been doing carpentry work for over 20 years,” Robin leaned in, bumping her shoulder with Alice’s, smiling.
“You don’t need to exploit the girl for your own gain, Robin,” the mayor said, making Robin cover her mouth and flush. Alice smiled a bit, looking back at the house again as heat lapped into her brain.
“I’m Lewis, the Mayor. Here,” Lewis put a hand into the pocket of his green shirt, and pulled out a shaking packet of paper. “Have 20 parsnip seeds to get you started. I have your tools on your table in the house, and I put some furniture in there. The bed is nice, at least. Did my best with that.”
“Thank you, really,” Alice said with a dry mouth, lips straining. “It’s a bit overwhelming,” she said as she turned to see trees shaking in the fields, grass high and rocks tumbling over each other in a contest for space.
“You’ll get it done,” Lewis said, patting her shoulder with gentle, solid thumps of encouragement. “Just settle in today, and come see me tomorrow.”
The two took down the path, the shadow of the trees veiling them in their descent. Breeze washed over Alice, her hair dancing on her back as her body felt a break from the spring sun. Fresh water and mountain grass filled her senses, sun glaring through her closed eyelids and she breathed. Sighing, she opened her eyes. Lips tight, she went inside to fetch the tools.
With the sun setting, heat exuded off of Alice’s face. Sighing, she wiped off the sweat lines creeping down her skin, feeling traction as she did. She moved her hand to look at it and froze. The back of her palm just spread a line of soil on her cheek, crunching as the specks rolled against her skin. A small field of warm soil looked up into the starry night, seeds nestled in the underbellies of the tilled mounds. The first layer of the hill that sat with her shack was mostly cleared, a broken down greenhouse was discovered before the hill dropped off into the stream. She looked at it again, the black lines sighing against the rock and ivy that took over where the glass used to be.
Rubbing her brow, she headed for a hot shower before crashing into bed and into her restless subconscious.
In her dream, she was walking in a cloud. Not a typical water vapor but a suffocating, thick pillowing of fluff. The white round patches leaned heavily into her small hallway, and she had to shift and adjust to keep moving. Just as she wondered why she was pushing ahead, a ball of color bounced at the bend of the hallway, ducking off as soon as she noticed. Alice stumbled a step, and the cloud rumbled. The pieces that stuck out rumbled and grew, pushing against the last of the free space as she fumbled and ripped through the last of the space, fingers reaching to the color.
With a sick gasp, her stomach turning she fell through the floor into deep water. Dark blue coated her, weighing her in. Slowly she spun, hair in her face, to see a shark coming for her. Screaming, no sound coming out, she panicked to reach the surface. Her body didn’t move. Her vision began to blacken, and she felt the shark closing in.
Hands held her ribcage, cradling right as the cage started. Looking down, she saw she was naked, and the hands belonged to a guy she never met. His face was mostly blurry, dark hair stiff in place, but his gray eyes were stark as she rose to the surface. More hands reached from her on the surface, and when she broke the water she gasped awake.
Once the watering was done, she looked around. Young saplings continued to tower over her farmland, taking up space with their deep roots and shaking leaves. Grass and stumps were cut back to make room for a new patch already, but Alice couldn’t bring herself to start to clear it and spend another three days working on that. Her sides burned and her body was stiff, she sighed and put her water can back into her storage bin. After washing up in her small bathroom, moving the waterhead over aching her shoulders, she decided to go into town. With a new gray boat neck and faded pink pants, Alice searched but could only find her work boots to go with her outfit in the morning light.
“I guess this is all I have,” she said to herself with raised eyebrows, rocking herself up with one arm and heading down the hill.
She passed the bus stop on her left, noticing a broken down bus stuck by its stop. Stopping, she looked around, but only found one path. “I guess this is a small town.”
“Hey, Mayor Lewis,” Alice said in a breath, brushing her hair back as she caught her breath.
“Hey, morning Ms. Alice,” he said with a smile, standing up from the naked bulbs in his garden bed. “I actually have a little errand for you to do, and the prize is another 50 seeds!”
Alice leaned in a bit more. Lewis laughed.
“Yes, I would like you to go say hello to everyone in town. It’s so small, I would really like to see the dynamic change a bit. Plus, I really owe your grandfather. I miss that farm and all its glory.”

Chapter Text

“So we have Marnie, who is the rancher,” Alice said, putting a finger on her finger to make sure she remembered them all. “There is Jaz, her niece, and Shane, her nephew. Leah lives in a cabin in the woods, we actually used to go to the same yoga class in college. We have Sam, Vincent, and Jodi. Emily and Haley. Pierre owns the shop, Abigail has purple hair, Caroline is the mom. George; Evelyn is really nice, their grandson Alex. Willy, who lives by the sea and loves fish, Elliot who is a writer by the sea. Robin, Demetrius and Maru. Pam, and Penny! Oh, and, Harvey is the doctor. Gus owns the saloon, and I even met a wild man, Linus.”
Alice stood proudly, chest out and hands on her hips.
“You are forgetting one,” Lewis said.
Alice kept her position for a moment, letting the sentence soak in. “What do you mean?” she asked, finally deflating.
“You missed one,” Lewis repeated, leaning back down to his garden. Alice’s shoulders drooped.
“Honestly, I’m not surprised you missed him. Why don’t you go back to the mountain side and see if you can find him.”
Alice walked up the mountain, panting a little heavier than she would like to admit once she reached the plateau of the lake. The day was already half over, the sun passing the halfway point in the sky. Do I have time to just wait around? Alice thought, rubbing her hands together. Actually, I bet I could fish while I wait for this mystery man. Golden sunlight beamed against the clean blue of the mountain lake. Streaming water competed with the rustling of leaves as Alice held onto her bamboo rod that Willy gave her. Leaning back on one arm, she felt another tug on the rod and gave the spinner a wind.
“I caught a fish!” She whispered to herself, looking over the tan body of the carp that hung limp and shining from the line. Smiling, she unhooked it, with a few struggles, and put it into the bucket by her side. Soon, starlight made the sky afire, the cool blue hue lighting everything like a painting. The trees looked soft in the night, the evergreen misting as the pine smell mixed in with the lake. Alice kicked her feet by the shore, thinking about home.

“You should sell the land,” burned in her ears. Alice looked away, pulling the deed back from her mother’s snatching hands.
“I have nothing here,” she said quietly, staring at her feet. “I want to go.”
“Your grandfather put our entire inheritance into that pointless land, and then squandered it! He sold all our investments on it, hundreds of years old! During the recession!! If we kept that, our family would be millionaires, you should sell it! Bring something back.”
Alice shoved her mother off of her, running to her old room. Locking the door, she heard her mother pounding on the wood and screaming, although it was hard to hear through the door what it was. Alice shook as she held the deed, remembering how she loved the valley, but why did she? The thought burned her.
“You are NOT going back to that valley, Alice! EVER!!”

Footsteps stopped her moment, and she looked up to find a man about her age walking towards where she was. It must be the mystery man, I don’t recognize him. Black hair was layered near the front of his face, parted to the side. One hand in the pocket of his black hoodie, the other holding a cigarette to his mouth. She watched his cheeks sallow as he inhaled, dark eyes under dark eyebrows absorbing the horizon. He turned to look at her, nose straight and mild structure to his jawline. It was like Robin’s. Oh wow, he is cute.
Alice looked up, blinking, before jumping up with a breath. Her head spun as she jumped up.
“Hi, I’m the new farmer! I just moved into the old farm. It’s actually closer to here than town.”
The man just inhaled another breath, moving his hand as the smoke was released through partially parted lips, shrouding him. “So you're the new farmer? Cool.” he hesitated a moment, looking at the horizon as a bat spat through the air and out of sight. Softly, he added, “Of all the places you could move to, why Pelican Town?”
“Uh, well, it was my only option. That or stay in Zuzu city.”
He raised an eyebrow at her. She flushed red, averting her gaze from his dark, indifferent eyes. Alice didn’t want the conversation to be over, so she looked around quickly to find something to talk about.
“I caught my first fish!” she said happily, showing him the yellow fish in the bucket.
“It’s a carp, it’s kind of useless,” the man finally said, shoving a hot poker through Alice’s chest. Face red, she grabbed her bucket and skirted off, head down so her hair covered her face. The man watched her go. He stared at the path into the trees for a moment after she left.
She’s kind of like me, which is actually a bit of a relief. Except, why would she move here?

“Oh, Alice, good to see you,” Lewis turned to smile, his mustache curling up. “I heard you met Sebastian.”
Alice flushed again, and nodded, brushing some dirt off her forearm.
“You see this old building?” Lewis pointed towards the faded, brick building in front of them. The center clock over the green doors froze in place at noon. Ivy reached high towards its, the dark windows hazed in filth. “JoJa Corporation has been pressuring me to sell it. But, I just can’t. Maybe I’m old fashioned.”
He pulled a bronze key out of his pocket, thumbing over the inscription of PT. Shoving it into the keyhole, he turned it with the crackling of loosening dirt. Heavy ooming pushed the door, and he stepped inside.
“JoJa is here?” Alice said, ducking under cobwebs as she came in. Specks of dust danced in the scattered sunlight that found its way to the patched floor. Brush came creeping through the floorboards, with a broken tank by the fireplace. A bulletin board with faded, crinkled paper till pinned to it eased into the dark hallway, lines of rust sighing off the old metal tacks.
“Seems the kids have found their way in here,” Lewis said with a smile, putting his hands in his pockets. Alice turned to see what he was looking at – a brown hut with palm leaves as the roof. Purple jumped in the corner of Alice’s eyes, and she stepped a bit to catch something hopping behind Lewis.
Shrieking, she covered her mouth as she pointed. Lewis turned, confused, and the pink vanished.
“What’s wrong, see a mouse?”
Alice huffed at that response, but green colored up in a corner. It was a small round shape, like a giant green marshmallows with an antenna of a droplet. It hopped on small black legs, arms reaching its small birth at the foot of the blackened fireplace.
“I think you have been in the heat too long, Alice,” Lewis said, “Let’s get you something to drink at the saloon. I think coffee will do you wonders, my treat.”
Color danced in her thoughts in the shape of the little round creatures as she sat in the woodsy Saloon, beer and firesmoke. Shane stood in the corner, looking over with narrow eyes occasionally at her. Alice tried to ignore him as she was catching up with Leah, deeply enjoying having a familiar face and fellow odd ball to be with.

Alice sat on her porch, watching the sun rise. Her back was stiff, and her palms hurt from weeding the garden with her hoe. but the clean light scattered through the darkness, the sun masking her face as her mouth opened in surprise.
She had seen the little creature as a child. She visited her grandfather, and saw it. Next to the greenhouse, chasing it by. That was the last time she was at the valley, she told her grandfather as her parents came to get her. Her mother was screaming at her, at him, for corrupting her. Flashes of white halls and white robes came across and shrouded the memory. Swallowing, Alice looked down at her patch of darkened earth, the weight of the watercan urging her to take action before the sun got too high.

Chapter Text

Sighing as she put the watering can down, stretching her back, she strolled to the mailbox at the start of the path and pulled back the stiff metal door. A letter, thick and old, was leaning inside. Eyebrows knitting, she pulled it out and found a purple wax seal holding it down. An ornate R pressed the wax in. Mouth trailing open, she pushed her finger under the crease only for the seal to evaporate. Dropping the letter, Alice watched the pillow of saturated purple smoke curl off and vanish. The letter laid in the grass for a moment, the letter exposed under the envelope's yellow shell. 

“It’s just paper,” Alice said, pressing her hands down in emphasis, kneeling to pick it up. 

Alice,

I am Rasmodius. It has come to my knowledge that the Forest spirits are interested in you. Please come to my tower on the western part of the Cedar Bark Forest, and I can explain further. 

M. Rasmodius.

Shoulders dropping, she blew her bangs off her face. Is this a scam? Or a kidnapping attempt. Alice turned to look at her plot of cauliflower and parsnips, the sticks she put in with the seed labels stabbed onto them, and the overgrowth behind it. She turned back to the letter. Pulling her ax out of the chest, she gripped it tightly and nodded to herself that a good swing of this should deter any kidnapping attempt. 

“I mean what are you gonna do, steal my student debt? It’s all I have,” she laughed sadly as she walked through the pine trees. The tree's dry bark cracked the purple and red hue around the thick bushes and shrubs. Grass patched through the floor of pine, and a deer blew at her before running off. A fox stopped and watched her near the end of the forest, its ears twitching high on its orange head. Alice smiled, and the fox turned and trotted off. She stopped to pick some wild horse radishes and leeks, stuffing the fat vegetables into her bag. Reaching the end of the forest, the sky opening up over the wall of rocks, she saw a tower. It rose high above the forest, the crooked rock walls leaning and twisting to the patched roof. A telescope weaved out, gold and shimmering next to a series of three glass balls on a rod. A stone path led up to the front door, which was a rather uninteresting raw pine compared to its powering, awkward building mates. 

Climbing the stairs two at a time, feeling her ax tied to her back for support, she reached the door. Balling up her fist, she knocked once on the raw wood, scratching her hand, when the door opened for her. Taken aback, she stood there a moment with her fist still in the air before she heard, “come in.”

Cool air and the smell of charcoal and steam washed over her all at once, her eyes barely adjusting to the dimmer light inside the tower. 

 "It is good to see that the farmer’s granddaughter still has her gift." her vision still hadn’t fully adjusted, the deep voice came from the dark outline of someone. It moved to another part of the room, shifting her gaze to a large cauldron that was bubbling over a floating fire. Green bubbles rose out of it but never passed the fat lip of the black cast iron. This must be the wizard. Why is his voice familiar?

Alice looked at Rasmodius, a frown plastered on her face as her mind dug into space and time of her memories.

"What are you talking about," she finally answered after her fruitless attempt to recall this man, but still feeling an itch in the back of her mind. 

The wizard nodded to himself, circling around the great cauldron between them. "You were young, very young, at the time it started. I believe it was your first visit to the farm with your grandfather. But it's not my story to tell or to help you remember, no that is not my part to play. There is a lot more here that you have known and are capable of, unlike almost anyone else. It's why you feel the way you do, see the things you see, even dream the way you dream. I know you know what I'm saying. But no, if you want more answers, I can help you understand the jumino but it lies with them and they will help you. I'd suggest returning to the place you saw them after this, and see what they need your help with."

Alice absorbed what the wizard said, the words sinking deeply into her and planting roots. Thoughts tunneled into the soil of her mind, creating a jungle of emotions and thoughts things to consider. Breathing in, she breathed the thoughts out for now to consider at a later time.

“Do you have a nickname or does everyone just keep calling you wizard, Rasmodius?” Alice said with a smirk. Rasmodius huffed at her, lowering his head so his black hat covered all but his purple beard. 

“ The forest spirits use a certain kind of language, and since they seem to have taken a liking to you, I made you this potion to understand them, so you can help them with whatever they came to get you for,” the wizard said shortly fixing his hat before ruffling his purple mustache. Alice gave him a side smile before taking the potion, and her vision went out into a thick screen of green with leaf textures. 

Cool, stiff air pressed against the sweat on her skin, making her hair stick up in goosebumps. A quick shiver, and she saw a small yellow spirit hopping in a hallway on her left. I’m not crazy . It chirped, and with a sliver of nerve, went into the enveloping darkness after it. It turned into a room, evanescent into the darkness. Alice reached out, faltering over her own steps as she tried to catch it. Light creeped into the old room, the boards creaking at the entrance. A box was in the center of the room, and upon closer inspection with veins on the pink flesh showed a bud of a flower design. Inside, where words that replaced symbols slowly, making her rub her eyes. 

A tree was in the middle, with bundles like the flower on the branches. 

“They want foragables?” Alice thought aloud, which was greeted with chirping. Her head whipped to the side, but the culprit had vanished. “Alright, I have these already from earlier,” she said, reaching into her bag. 

Chapter Text

Spring eased on quickly, with vegetables taking in and enough money stored away to ease into a small chicken coop. The idea of some more protein in her diet made her mouth water, anything besides the carp she kept catching. Alice's backpack dug into her shoulders and her legs were burning up the mountain path to Robin's. And Sebastian's, her brain interrupted, making her shake her head like those words would fall out. 

Finally, she reached the shop, a deep exhale escaping her as cicadas hissed as the morning must start to fade. Alice reached for the door and pulled with more force than she thought she had.

A hydraulic bar kept the door from slamming against the wall, the high pine ceiling greeting her in the cool, air conditioned store front. Red frames of plans and sketches of houses, sheds, coops, barns, and more littered the walls as Robin came from the back, smiling wildly.

"Good morning, Alice! It's so nice to see another early riser, everyone else in the house is still asleep. What can I do you for?

Alice was thrown off by the comment, knocking the wind out of her sails of thought. Why did her saying that defeat her so much? It's not like they had much of a conversation last time.

Catching herself, Alice nodded and proceeded to order her coop, walking through the selections and adjustments with Robin as she patiently guided the new farmer, explaining the why's and how's. 

There was a ping from the kitchen and Alice's head shot up. 

"Oh, sorry that's me. I'll be right back!" Robin said, pointing to the ceiling as she waltzed around the counter to go back into the back - or the living spaces of her house. 

Behind Robin's desk was a picture of a small, young family. A young Robin, younger than Alice was now, with a dark haired toddler on her lap. Robin's freckles spread like a galaxy of sunflowers on her smiling face as a juvenile Sebastian frowned at the camera ever so slightly.

Alice's heart migrated to her throat.

"Here they are!" Robin said, holding a basket of warm croissants over her head, the butter smell slapping Alice back into reality. “I made these, would you like one?”

“Oh, yes, thank you,” Alice said, smiling as she tenderly grabbed a roll of bread. Despite being hot from the oven, she felt little give when she grabbed it. Oh no.

“Well, I guess I will see you tomorrow,” Robin said after a pregnant moment. Alice blinked rapidly, floored by that. “Oh, Sebby!” 

Robin leaned against the counter, her orange hair rolling off her neck as she waved to her son. Alice froze a step as the man from the lake turned to see her. Heat flushed in her face as she saw him, his calm eyes going from his mom to her, flickering just a bit. 

“Oh, um, hi. Sorry about earlier,” Alice said, shuffling a bit in her embarrassment. Sebby?

“It’s not a big deal,” Sebastian said, hands in the pouch of his black hoodie. I was not ready for her to come this early, I am not ready to be seen right now, I have to get out of her view. 

“Have you met the new girl before?” Robin asked, leaning heavily against the counter as she did so.

“Uh-huh,” Sebastian said as he walked down the hall. 

“Why don’t you respect your mother?” could be heard from the hallway, which Robin put her head down a bit. Alice frowned. 

“I do respect her, just leave me alone,” she heard Sebastian reply, and the conversation moved further away but grew in intensity.

“Why don’t you head on back now, I’ll be by in a bit,” Robin said quietly, but gently, putting her hand on Alice’s shoulder in comfort.

“Thank you,” Alice mouthed, smiling. Her eyes shot down the hallway again before turning to leave, closing the door tenderly behind her. Sunlight washed over her, warming her skin as it lined the cool green pine tree with a golden silhouette. Birds sang as the mountain stream bubbled behind her. 

Alice watched a blue jay flick from one tree to the next, the dawning of a lost expectation washed over with more power than the morning sunlight did. 

“So, your mom is out at the new farmer’s place?” Sam said, leaning forward from the couch. Sebastian clicked away at his computer, muttering a “Yup,” through the hand over his mouth. 

“My mom really likes her, I’ve seen her over a couple times at the table. Loves coffee. Usually only comes over when it rains, though, kinda odd it doesn't bother her to walk in it. I think her and my mom read that witch book series.”

Sebastian stopped typing for a breath, but then kept typing. 

A knock announced the entrance of a girl with purple hair before either could respond.

“Hi, guys!” the girl said, smiling brightly as she sat on the couch next to Sam. 

“Hi, Abigail,” the guys both responded in unison. 

“So, it’s hard to see her when it's sunny, Vincent and I went to her farm on the hill. She's been busy. She cleared the whole front area by her house, and half of it is plowed. Already has a coop, too, and this dog she watered with the watering can when she fell asleep in her garden. But get this,” Sam raised his hands in suspense. Abigail’s eyes went from Sam’s hands to Sebastian black hair tucked behind the monitor.

“She was wearing Diablo socks yesterday, took me ages to figure out what it was.” Sebastian stopped typing, and leaned over the side of the computer screen. Abigail stared right at him, his puzzled face and furrowed brows. The Diablo poster behind his head lined her eyes in red and black. 

After a while Sam and Abigail left, it took some coaxing for Abigail to leave with Sam as she was determined to spend some “quality time” with Sebastian again. It was getting harder to turn her away, but this time was a bit easier as he needed a moment to think. 

I don’t think I am ready for this , Sebastian thought to himself, leaning back in his chair and staring mindlessly at the basement ceiling. It was a half finished basement, so the frame and boards were visible with the wires snaking between, but at least they were all painted black so it was less, unappealing. 

Why did the farmer have to be so cute? I thought I could shove it out of my mind, but after Sam said all of that… Sebastian put his hands on his face, pulling his cheeks down for a moment before shoving off the desk and collapsing onto his bed. He reached over to his book stack and pulled an old comic out, one of his favorites about a summoner and a fighter that were working together to stop the world from ending. Reading would certainly get his mind off of the farmer, especially reading about the summoner, his first childhood crush…

He froze for a moment before shoving the comic under the bed and throwing the blankets over his head. Nestled under the mattress in the safe recluse of the bed frame, the comic laid open on a page with the summoner, who looked eerily like the farmer from her brown hair to her round nose. She even had her hand on her chest, like the farmer did when she sat on the pier by the lake that night.  

Alice sat at her dining room table with the cake slice and a cup of coffee. A fern curling out of a broken teapot was her company as Lady Maria slept in her old bed. A single, generic card sat propped open from her dad next to the fern - no mention or signature from mom. She swallowed as she looked at the cake Gus asked her about, and she said it was no special reason. He didn't seem to believe her, but he gave it to her nonetheless. Alice bit back tears, nodding to herself "you've had worse birthdays, you haven't had a party in 4 years and no one's celebrated in person with me since then. It's no different."

"Dear Alice, I know I don't understand why you went to the farm, but I know you don't do things unless you know for a damn good reason they need to be done. You have grown into a beautiful woman and I'm so proud of you. I'll always be rooting for you even if I can't come see you. Happy birthday, my little rose."

Chapter Text

Alice trotted to town with her nice, pastel pants and white striped boatneck. She had saved up for the strawberry seeds that were advertised by Pierre’s, and a fire in her vision at the egg hunt promotion that was next to it. $200 grand prize to find the most eggs during the egg hunt. Inhaling the brisk spring air, she felt the pollen tickle her face as she sneezed it out. 

Making her way into town, she found it covered in streamers of flags in an array of blues, pinks, purples, and yellows, cascading the bleached out color of the bright morning sun. Dew started to vanish from the stark green of the young leaves whispering out of the gray brown bark of the trees. Vincent and Jaz ran in front of Alice, making her jump her step to let them go by. Penny tried to call after the children, but was ignored for her efforts, her small shoulders dropping until Sam grabbed Vincent by the waist and threw him in the air. The excitement of children screaming set the tone as Alice trotted to the vendor table, cleaning out most of her money to get the strawberry seeds. With the seeds tucked safely in her messenger, Alice looked around for a familiar face to see Leah’s orange hair shining in the sunlight.  

“Quite a spread, huh?” Leah said with a smile, leaning over the colorful assortment to plop more fruit salad onto her plate. 

Alice looked at the cold boiled eggs, deviled eggs, breakfast eggs, potato salad and fruit salad with a frown. 

“I was wondering if-” Alice started, and Leah smiled and pointed to another table, on the other side of the festival, all of it warm food. Alice walked across the brightened cobblestone, the sun coming down like she came onto a stage, to head to the other table of warm plates. As she passed, she watched visiting children from Zuzu city and beyond check in with Lewis. 

“Oh, you are going to register for the adult Egg Hunt?” Lewis said with a smile, eyes gleaming with the added participation. Alice smiled warmly as she nodded, writing her name on the paper. 

“I am going to compete, too!” came abruptly behind her. The farmer jumped, the pen leaping out of her hand and onto the clipboard. Alice turned to see Abigail staring at her, a sense of malice in the air. 

“Um, okay, I’m done,” Alice said, offering the pen to Abigail who blew past Alice, brushing her hand out of the way. Locking her jaw, Alice tossed the pen lightly onto the table and left. Her jaw was still locked as heat built up behind her eyes when she saw Sam waved her over. 

Alice started walking down the cobblestone, smiling as she waved back to the blond young man as he stood by a tree. As she got closer, a pillar of black exposed itself against the soft brown of a tree. Sebastian turned and locked eyes with Alice as she continued to walk, slowing down as she did. Sam looked at the two, grinned, and moved over to have her fit into the standing group more comfortably. 

“Sam, are you okay? You look...swollen.”

“Yeah,” Sam sighed with a nasal undertone. “Allergies.”

“Oh,” Alice said, her hand lifting to land on her chest. Sebastian watched the movement, the delicate joining of the middle fingers and her clean fingernails. “I have honey, local honey helps if it's a flower allergy, you can stop by, I’ll give you some.” Sebastian looked from her hand to her face at her response to Sam as they spoke details. 

“So, how do these festivals usually go?” Alice asked, tilting her head so her bangs shifted. Sam opened his mouth, closed it, then leaned on his back foot as he looked off to consider. 

“The festival usually ends with the egg hunt. As for this event, that’s generally the only one.”

“We used to have a rotten egg toss, Sam and me.” Sebastian said, his cool voice shocking from the warmth of Sam. “You can imagine that Lewis stopped that pretty quick.”

“Oh wow, really?” Alice said with a smile, her eyebrows raising. Sebastian smiled back, looking down as he nodded when a loud cough interrupted them. Sebastians mouth became a line, his composure stiffening on the spot. Alice watched the change in him as Sam spoke between the two, “Hi, Abigail.”

“Am I not good enough to say hi to, Sebastian,” Abigail said, leaning between Sebastian and Alice so her shoulders touched both of them, causing Alice to back up as her jaw locked. She didn’t realize how close she had gotten to Sebastian just then. 

Alice’s ears began to ring as she took a step back, but her vision continued to tunnel as Abigail leaned in front of Sebastian. Alice decided to leave it, and turned around and walked off. Sebastian watched her go over Abigail’s head as Abigail was talking zealously about the upcoming egg hunt. 

“Hey Abi, I know you don’t like strangers much, but Alice is pretty cool. Maybe you should give her a chance,” Sam said to Abi quietly, who swallowed at the more somber tone in his voice. 

“Did I get bad again?” she whispered, shoulders rising to her ears as she put a finger on her lips. 

Sam nodded, making Abigail look at her shoes. The soft flick of the lighter flared up a cigarette as Sebastian put the paper to his lips. 

“Attention everyone, we are going to start the annual egg hunt! If you are participating, please come to the red circle,” Lewis called out. Sam and Abigail looked at each other before both heading over to the circle. Maru, a teenager with purple hair that bounced on her head, crossed Sebastian’s vision as he sighed out of his nose. 

I am really too old to be here, my friends are in an egg hunt… He shook his head as he took a puff, grabbing the cigarette between his fingers and looking at the circle. There he found Alice, poised and frowning. As Lewis gave the instructions, her eyes were clear, determined, cutting through the mayor past everything. They were so stark as she looked around, he could feel her movements as the whistle blew. She turned the corner and was out of sight, Sebastian going to take another puff of his cigarette only to see it had burned half out already. 

Alice leaned into her gait as she looked around, hands picking up the colored eggs with swift wrist pops. Abigail passed by her, giving her a look as the heat in the back of Alice’s throat came up. Abigail had more eggs than her. 

Turning, face hot, Alice saw a flick of color. Hurrying towards it, she saw it was a Junimo

“I’m trying to win so I can get chickens,” Alice hissed through clenched teeth to the jumping Junimo. The forest spirit turned and bounced off, disappearing among the leaves in the bush. A flash of energy went through Alice, making her stutter a step and shake her head to come back. A new vision had her eyes, and she saw where all the eggs were across town, sticking out among the bushes and trees and yards. Hoisting her basket closer, she leaned back into her gait. 

The final whistle blew, Alice feeling her hand over an egg not even 6 inches from her palm. She stared at it, breathing through her nose before she stood, back stiff, and turned and left it there. I should have been faster, she thought angrily as she turned her basket over to Lewis. 

“If only I could have you kids clean up litter like this, then we would have the cleanest beach on the Gem Sea!” Lewis chuckled to himself as Alice grumbled. I’m not a kid. 

“The winner is…. Alice!” Alice looked forward, shocked, as clapping surrounded her. Shaking her head, she approached Lewis as the sounds surrounded her. 

“Thank you,” she mouthed at him as she grabbed the envelope. Lewis smiled, his mustache bushing, as he said, “It’s okay, go back to the crowd, I’ll get the attention off of you.”

Sebastian watched Alice duck her head and scurry out of the limelight. His lips closed gently against one another as she continued on through the onlooking crowd, down the cobblestone, out to the bus stop. He felt a pang in his chest as he looked back to watch Abigail happily accept second place and the vintage hat that was donated for the event. He turned to look where Alice went, but noticed she was gone. A breeze picked up, rustling the leaves in a shimmer.

Alice crested the path to her house, feeling the sun embrace her as she shed the shade of the trees. Feeling the money weigh against her side in her bag, she felt that much weight lifted off of her, almost enough she felt she could almost float between her steps. The breeze blew over from the ocean, bringing the cool air with a hint of brine. The trees shimmered, the vegetable leaves nodding and swaying, and Alice breathing a moment of free, calm air, surrounded by the present moment.

Alice woke early the next morning, the sun still weak and fresh with dew. Watering went quicker than it normally did, whether from excitement or anxiety, she wasn't sure. 

"Why am I so ...antsy? Maria, what do you think?" Alice asked as she adjusted her hair once then twice then again in the mirror. "Oh, it's fine,whatever!" She finally huffed, putting her brush down and storming out of the bathroom. "It's chicken time."

The walk through the pines over the road took longer than Alice remembered, as if they were expanding as she went, stretching further away from her, each step she made getting less purchase in the distance covered.

Chapter Text

I read several different variations of the same story, the story of Persephone and Hades. The goddess of spring and the god of death, such an orthodox combo. Sebastian rubbed his forehead, flicking his hair back and reaching subconsciously for his mug. He took a long swig, squinching his face a bit as his coffee was quite cold now, but kept working. 

Some of the versions are disturbing, that he kidnapped her, took her against her will. But, I did read a version where she went with him willingly, that she felt a kinship with Hades that she never knew before. I used to think that was so strange until I overheard Alice and Leah at the bar last night. 

“I think you might need to explain that to me,” Leah laughed, leaning heavily over her pale ale. A platter of cheese and garlic mushrooms between them was half devoured. Alice smirked, looking down at her drink, she was drinking something much stronger than the ale but it was hard to tell. 

“Persephone was always my favorite, remember how into the goth scene I was when we were freshmen? I didn’t really get her as much as I do now, but, there is so much death in spring. Plants feeding on death, so much culling of sprouts you plant, the systematic forcing of survival of the fittest to make the crops grow and make it. I am starting some of the summer crops and it's so fulfilling to have the little pebbles of dots turn into life, only to pinch them off for not doing enough. I really feel like such a reaper, and sometimes I think I should feel guilty but I don’t. There is only one of me, only so much time and so much space, I do the best I can, and for some reason I am okay with that.”

“And it's spring, more so than any other season?”

“Absolutely.”

Absolutely. 

Her face haunted him, the serious look in her eyes, the deadset determination and understanding of herself. Yoba, how he envied it. If he had a fraction of her tenacity he wouldn’t still be in the basement of a half forced marriage and the patched up love of parents who prefer the youngest.

He leaned back, thinking of the story he read, of how Hades and Persephone were actually happy together. How they both understood one another like neither were at their homes prior to their union. When things got bad, they were found together on the throne, how they talked maturely amongst themselves in response to Demeter’s behavior and Zeus’s threats, and the confidence in themselves of her return. How useful her powers were, how she helped create a better afterlife with him, how they flourished. So happy, so in love.

Would a farmer like her like a software engineer like me, how would we flourish? I’ve seen her with Alex before, maybe the muscular man is her type? I guess he would be more helpful on a farm than me. 

His face found itself embedded in his hands, but he raised it and thought for himself that maybe, perhaps, he would indulge himself in the selfish idea that maybe it would work. 

I wonder if we even have anything in common? Does she like reading? Fantasy? Comics? The mountains at night… or does she like fitness like Alex? It was hard to not notice the changes in her. He saw her in shorts once at Pierre's when she was reaching to get some rice on the top shelf. He went to help her when he saw the slight bend of her body and seeing reach and her muscles stretch with it and it made his mind race. Especially when a slip of black came under her shorts, a tattoo that snuck back into her jeans when she finished grabbing the item on the top shelf, and his imagination took off. What was the tattoo? Did it keep going, what places did it go? What was it, was it something meaningful or something that was beautiful for the point of aesthetic? Would he see it, the layers shed to the side, put on the floor because of him.

Sebastian groaned at the memory rearing its ugly head again, the noise audibly leaving him. 

She just got here, maybe these feelings and urges will pass. It's only spring . He looked at the clock, already past midnight. He sighed, turning to look at the calendar only to groan. Tomorrow was the flower dance.

A knock was rapping the door repeatedly, making Marnie look up, confused, from the kitchen. Sure, her shop was open, but she didn't really expect anyone to actually come. She pressed a finger on the microwave to pause the timer to reheat her mocha and went to the front door as she wiped her hands on her dress skirt. The microwave was 9:00 on the dot, meaning whoever was at the door was waiting. 

I don't know if I like this, I do need to sell more products, but this? I don't know about this , Marnie thought.

The door was still vibrating from the rapping when Marnie opened it to find the farmer there. Her hair was disheveled, and the bags under her eyes and sallow cheeks said enough on their own. 

“My chicks are hungry, and not doing well, I don’t know what to do,” Alice said in a direct way, her eyes boring into Marnie. Marnie shifted, uncomfortable by the intensity. 

“Have you tried petting them?” Marnie asked, averting her gaze. 

“Yes.” Alice said, her jaw locking. “I need to get feed, a heat lamp, anything.”

Marnie heard her nephew stir, and his door opened. Thank Yoba , she thought, turning as she said, “just wait here while I check in the back.” She skirted into the kitchen to see Shane stare, confused, at the mocha still inside the microwave as he held a paper plate of day old pizza in his hand. 

“Are you done with this?” Shane asked Marnie, his voice husky. 

“I need your help right now,” Marnie hissed. 

“Why,” Shane said, moving the mug out of the microwave and placing it on the counter as he placed the paper plate into the microwave.

“You live here.”

“Yeah, and I pay rent.” He hit the button to start the microwave.

“The farmer is here and she’s kinda scary.”

“Okay, she’s not that big though, she can’t exactly rob us.” 

A brief silence filled with the low burr of the microwave.

“She needs help.”

“Okay, I don't know how that is my problem.”

“She is struggling with her chicks she got the other day.”

Shane’s hand froze while reaching for the paper plate in the microwave. He stopped, and thought for a moment. Marnie stood there, waiting for Shane to respond, feeling Alice standing in her doorway, growing in her deep discomfort in the situation. 

“So, you got chickens,” Shane asked, putting his hands in his pockets. He didn’t expect this conversation to be long, she probably didn’t have something easy and she could be gone and he could be back to his room, bed, and beer.

“Yes, the heater is on 90-95 degrees, I clean the water everyday, I feed them a varied diet, I stayed up all night trying to make sure they were safe after a strange - nevermind.”

Shane blinked, surprised before he watched Alice turn to leave. 

“Wait, what’s wrong with the chicks?”

Alice stopped, the grass wafting in the wind as she stared off, thinking carefully about her words, about the strange black egg she found that she put in her pocket, thinking for even just a brief moment if someone else confirmed its existence, she wasn’t completely mad. 

But, as she turned, she brought her hand out of her pocket where the warm egg was, not wanting to burden someone with her strangeness. 

“I found a strange egg, the other day,” she said, despite her thoughts, maybe the sleep depravity took more out of her than she knew. 

“Strange, like shaped weird?” Shane asked, taking his hands out of his pockets. Alice was not anticipating such a shift in his focus on this subject. The black egg consumed her mind, and she chose an easier path, and just nodded small. 

“Well, even if an egg is weird, it is still an egg, and can still be a chick. It might be worth giving it a chance, and if not, at least you tried. But here, try this food, too." He offered her a paper bag that felt like it was full of sand.

Alice nodded, “I do appreciate your help.”

“Yeah, yeah of course,” Shane said, nodding to himself, watching the farmer leave in the sea of grass that surrounded them, climbing the hill like she was walking into the sky.

Chapter Text

When Alice initially saw the posting of the Flower Dance, a large spring event celebrating the growth and fruition of spring as it went into summer, she pushed it aside. I have so much to do, I will get ready for the dance after these seeds are planted . Then the saplings need to be trimmed, and the fruit trees planted. The fences by the chickens snapped, and they ran out of hay again, so Alice spent some time on her old college laptop trying to research ways to make her own hay as Marnie was out for three days. That wound up not panning out, and she had to go to the library to see if there were any books on it, only to be told by the library owner, Gunther, that a large chunk of the museum portion of the library was stolen by the previous curator after a feud following the grant about expanding the exhibition, which started a new set of things to think about and before Alice knew it, it was the night before the Flower Dance and she realized she had done nothing to prep, not even wash her hair yet. She didn’t even have a chance to read the book she checked out that was a journal, handwritten, from the curator before Gunther.

She laid in bed that morning, staring at the dust floating in the sunlight that came in through the window, mulling over the romantic implications of the Flower Dance, only to feel a deepening in her isolation as a new member of the community, as well the geographic alienation of her farm. The closest people to her were over 20 minutes walking distance away, who consisted of Leah who liked to run in the mornings, and Sebastian who made Alice’s head spin when she thought about him. 

I’m probably boring to him, just a washed up English major on a nepotism farm that is overrun and barely producing , Alice put her hands over her face, welcoming the darkness they provided over her eyes. 

I mean I could ask him, s he thought to herself. Yeah, and he can say no, and everyone will see that , she argued back to herself. 

But at least I will know what he thinks . 

Alice swept her hands away, looking up at the ceiling as she pondered that line again. At least I will know what he thinks.

“Welcome to the flower dance, just take this tulip and give it to whoever you want to dance with,” Pierre said, handing her the white cupped petals on the stiff green stalk. Bringing the flower close, Alice brushed the smooth petals on her nose, realizing it hadn’t once crossed her mind how she was going to do this. How hard can asking a question be? Also, what even is the dance? I hope it's not choreographed.

Making her way under a tree, watching Hayley practice spinning in the open field, Alice’s finger ran over the edge of the leaves. She wore a white eyelet dress, her bare feet feeling the grass blades duck down and brush her skin. The stiff lace brushed the top of her calves, whipping the curls in her hair she did for the event, thinking it was more serious than it was. Lines broke the pattern along her collarbone in a deep scoop, with more lace ending at her elbows. Licking her lips, she pouted them both together as she picked her chin up. I belong here, too . She thought the affirmation would have a stronger impact than it did, but she kept repeating it anyway.

The breeze picked up, and Alice felt eyes on her. Perking up, she met the gaze. It was Sebastian. She swallowed. The breeze ran across his pale face, pulling his dark hair back to fully expose him from jaw to hairline. Gray eyes looked so open, clear after a rainstorm, and just stared at her with an unflinching observation. She held the tulip closer. 

Just ask, just ask, the worst he can say is no. Alice thought, leaning into her steps. A wall of purple hair came between her and her target. Alice tripped a step, freezing a spell as a yellow flower was pushed in his face. 

“Will you dance with me, Sebastian?”

“You know I hate this dance,” he said, taking a puff of his cigarette. Throw sleep deprivation into the mix, he really wished he wasn’t even there.

“Come on, Sebastian!” she smiled, “You owe me when I played the healer for you and Sam during dungeons and dragons.” Sam’s eyes grew wide, trading looks from Sebastian, the cigarette stiff in his pale lips, to Abigail who rocked side to side with a smile on her face. 

Alice looked around to see any familiar face or a place to go that felt a little less in the middle of nowhere. Even Leah was dancing, it was her first year as Elliot was also new, so it balanced out. Alice was the literal odd one out, there were no more coupling left. Not unless someone changed their partner last minute in a jarring, uncomfortable fashion of telling them no that day. Alice looked at Abigail and Sebastian walking to the line up and quickly turned away to see Jodi sitting alone under a tree, her eyes glazed over and staring into the sky. Alice felt a kinship with her so much so she decided it was worth giving her flower to someone who wouldn't expect it.

“I thought, since your husband is away, you would like this flower,” Alice said, extending the white tulip to Jodi. Jodi covered her smile with one hand, laughing before moving her tawny braid back on her shoulder. “The small things you do really make my day special.” Alice grinned back, the two taking a place by the tree to watch the dance. Abigail looked over her shoulder on her way to the field, an odd feeling in her gut as she watched Alice sit next to Jodi, hugging her knees and laughing. 

I wish I could dance, too. I know I just got here, but it's hard to not want to be a part of things, too . Alice smiled as Jodi showed Vincent how to make a flower crown, her own fingers copying the movements without openly admitting to it.

Alice tried to stop herself from looking up at the dance, to all the coupling off and particularly one. He seemed distracted, his eyes far away as the motions happened, the turns and lifts. He looked at her once, and her heart jumped at the intensity of his eyes boring over her. Chills went down her body, the dance forced him to face away from her as she looked to the ground, and Abigail watched her reaction.

Alice left the flower dance midday. Instead, she stared at her scratchy notebook paper notes Clint gave her to find the caves 

"Yeah, there is ore down there, if you bring me enough we can update your tools and farming should get easier."

"Why didn't you go to the Flower dance, Clint," Alice asked, flipping her bangs back with a head swoop before putting the paper he gave her into her pocket 

"I, yes, well, I, busy. Just busy. No reason. Besides she's dancing with, nope. Don't worry, just follow the notes, but I think you should go right now so that you don't waste any time," Clint rambled off, starting to cough strong at the end. Alice raised her hands as she left, saying, "Okay, okay, thanks for your help!" Don't know if I want to know, Alice thought as she left for the rumored mines.

Alice trotted over the rickety bridge, watching the mountain water gurgle out of the glittering boulders by the mountain cave. Walking around the old oak tree, she found the entrance to the abandoned mines. She heard mumblings of material that could be found down there, and since Lewis mentioned he's been down there many times and suggested taking a look, Alice thought it might be worth a shot if an older gentleman in plaid pants went down there she probably could too. 

“Alright,” she nodded to herself, smiling as she walked through the rocky mouth. A wail washed over her as she hit the threshold. She blinked and kept going in. It took her a moment for her eyes to adjust to the darker room, the lamplight on the wall flickering the warm glow on the brown earth. An elevator sat in the back of the room, and she looked at it with a faint sense of confusion. 

“It’s out of service,” came a voice, and she jumped. An older gentleman with a worn look about his old fashion attire stood by a hole in the floor, the pegs of a ladder sticking out. He came over, his hair wild and his face scared, an eyepatch over an eye. “The elevator can be used, but you have to get the floor it’s attached to and flip the switch. Whoever reached the bottom turned them all off.”

“How far does it go?” Alice asked, trying to maintain eye contact with the one eye without getting cross eyed herself.

The man smirked, smiling a bit as he nodded, “No one really knows. So, I’m guessing you want to go down there?”

“Yeah, I was planning on it,” Alice nodded to herself.

“There’s monsters down there,” he said.

Alice smiled as she narrowed her eyes. “No way.”

The look the man gave her answered it for her. 

“Well, I still want to go down there,” she said, puffing her chest out. "I hear there is ore down there, and I need it for my farm. My farm needs a lot of work, and I am going to do my best to bring it back.” She pushed herself with that one, not sure why she did or where it came from. 

To her astonishment, the man came up and handed her an old sword. It felt heavy in her hand, the worn handle bending into her palm as the blade shifted down to the ground. 

“Just in case.” 

Alice smiled, “Thank you,” she said breathless. You don’t get a free sword everyday. 

He left back into the blinding sunlight, and Alice took a few quick swings of the sword. It was surprisingly easy to swing, but still could feel the slight muscle use as she did. "Okay," she whispered to herself, holstering the sword as she descended the ladder. 

The cool air wrapped her up as the lamplight burned well in the mine. Rocks sat all across the floor. Taking her pickaxe out, she took a full body powered swing at them one at a time until she found another ladder, and continued the process. After a few floors, she began to breathe heavier, sweat clamming up her palms as she moved some stone for coal and copper ore she was finding.

On the fifth floor, she saw a familiar, geometric shape on the wall. The elevator! she thought, hopping down off of the ladder and skipping to the panel. Pressing her thumb firmly on the button, the light went up, and the elevator dinged. She could hear it begin to lower, when something was making a squishing sound behind her. 

Turning slowly, she saw a green blob bouncing behind a few rocks. 

“Aw,” she started, “How cute!” The slime got away from the rocks separating them, and took a jump at her. Slime smacked against her leg, smacking up and hitting her arm in the stinging green mucus. Hand shaking at the irritation, she saw the slime was preparing to jump again. 

“Yeah, how about no,” she said, taking her sword out and taking a swing at it. The cut that went through it reformed, but she could see the scar it left. Heading rocking back, she licked her top corner tooth as she said, “huh.” She took several swings at it until it disintegrated and melted off. It left some slime pieces, the size of baseballs and bouncing. Shrugging, she put them in her bag and said, “you better not be some organs that rot.” 

Her body stung all over as she settled down, deciding to press the elevator and ride it up. She felt her hair dripping with slime, dirt caking against her sweat and bending into her crevices as she moved. 

After a few levels, Alice’s bag was weighing her down with all the material she had in it, not to mention the strain from mining and fighting. I better get home , she sighed, feeling her body ache. I bet a bath would feel really good right about now , she thought as she went to the elevator and smacked the call button with the palm of her hand. I really hope no one sees me , she thought begrudgingly as she rounded the tree and crossed the bridge that creaked loudly. She felt eyes on her and saw Sebastian looking right at her, the hood of his jacket up as the front of his hair framed his face. A cigarette burned in his hand, making a mist swirl around him. 

Great, him of all people , she thought, looking down as she turned red. 

“Hey, are you okay?” he asked, his face open and eyes exposed. He had walked up to meet her, which made her heart race.

“Yeah, I was just in the old mines,” she said quietly. I hope I'm not blushing too obviously . She pulled at her sleeve.

Sebastian blinked at her, bewilderment on his face. Alice fidgeted in her spot, thinking how intensely she wanted out of the soiled clothes and the backpack off, and then the internal fluster of thinking that in front of Sebastian. Thinking fast, she pulled out a chunk of quartz she found and handed it to him. 

“Please don’t tell anyone,” she whispered, his eyes leaving her for the rock in his hand. Taking the brief moment of his attention change, Alice resituated her bag and trotted off to the mountain pass to her farm. 

Sebastian felt the cold rock in his hand, heavy but firm. His cigarette had burnt out in his shock, and he saw a nub left with a crumbling stick of ash. Putting the nub under his boot, he put it out and brought the two back to the house, tossing the butt into a bucket he kept next to a tree before going inside, marinating in thought. 

Chapter Text

Spring sighed into summer, the sun rising high into the great blue sky that was cradled by the mountains surrounding the valley. 

Robin laughed as Demetrius talked to her over the counter. Sebastian turned to look, grumbled to himself as he headed to the kitchen. 

“Alice came by earlier,” Robin said, and Sebastian stopped in his tracks. His heart pressed against his chest a breath, and he looked at his hand. What is going on?

“And I’ll have about 30 melon seeds-“ Alice started but was cut off by a loud announcement. A man in a blue suit barged in waving his pamphlets around in the air. A few people turned around, putting their items back on the shelves as the man cried out.

“Come to Joja mart, new members get 50% off their first purchase!” he smiled at Pierre, who scowled under his wire framed glasses. Everyone in the store came over with surprised muttering, grabbing the pamphlets and leaving the store.  

“See ya around,” the man nodded to Pierre and Alice, who were both frozen in place. Stiff silence pushed against them as the ringing of the shut door echoed into nothing. Alice's face was heated over, staring at the doorway where the man was, intense memories of not even 6 months ago flaring over her eyes. Long days, drained eyes, feeling of hopelessness that buried deeply her rage for something better, but the job kept piling on the ash of apathy the rage was never able to break free there.

“I, can’t compete with those prices,” Pierre finally whispered. “Am I going to lose everything?”

“I’ll take 50 melon seeds,” Alice said firmly, putting her money down, more than she was anticipating to spend today, or work in the field. Pierre blinked at her, before smiling at the counter. “Yes, of course!”

“They think they can follow me here?!” Alice said angrily, puffing her chest. She put the items into the community center, re-saddling her backpack. “I mean, I went to college, I followed my dream, I did what I was told to do and then all of a sudden the world is completely different. Takes me ages to get a job, finally get one working as a slave for a money-over-human-life Joja mart. I get one break, one break, and they follow me here. Think they can just take this away from me.” She stabbed the soil with her hoe, growling as she leaned against the copper head to lever the warm, dark underbelly up. Her dog came up, and barked. Her ears flopped at the bark, before she smiled at Alice and wagged her tail 

“Not now, Lady Maria, mommy is on the warpath,” Alice huffed, hands on her hips. The trees rustled around her farm, the rocks outlining the borders of her land. Sighing, she leaned into the wooden handle of her hoe, cheek brushing against the dirty wood. “I wonder if Grandpa had to deal with this.” Maria came closer and Alice obediently scratched behind her ear. Slowly, another thought entered her mind. The rows she was digging for the melons, easing down the hill. The cut wood, her axe dug into a stump, the chickens that need her to feed, water, and care for them. The request slips from the board by Pierre's shop next to her door so she could keep track of them, back down to the dog who demanded something from her that she gave without thought. 

She dug deeper into the soil, ignoring the heat on her back.

Cicadas rang in the morning sun, high in the deep canvas of the blue summer sky. Alice covered her eyes with her hand, feeling the heat as she looked over the seeds nestled into the dirt. Her body aches from the extra workload.

“How did you even find my farm, Lady,” Alice said, shaking her head. Sighing, she sat back on the porch steps with a heavy slouch. Leaning back, she looked back inside and then returned to her field. Her stomach growled, and she already felt exhausted. 

“Not much else I can do, today,” Alice said to herself, grabbing her fishing pole and her swim bag. Heat heaved against her back as she climbed the path on the back of her farm towards the mountain. She held the bag with her swimwear tighter. 

“Hey, Farm girl,” said a guy under a tree. Alice turned, blinking, to see Alex flipping his football in the air. “Are you wearing new pants? They look good on you.”

Alice smiled, chest swelling. Her coral pants were soft against her white scoop neck, and she shook her head but continued to smile, dimples showing. 

“Wanna see me toss this around?” he gestured to the football in his hands.

“Oh, I want to play, you can throw it to me!” Alice said, waving her hand in the air a bit as she backed up a couple steps. Alex looked shocked, running his hand through his chocolate hair as he laughed. 

“I didn’t expect you to want to join in, you sure are surprising! Man, now I feel bad, my arms are trashed after doing arms yesterday.”

Alice raised an eyebrow, mouth pressing to one side. Alex smirked and said, “Hey, I can toss it a short bit!”

Alice shook head, her bangs dancing around, but smiled and offered her hands. Alex tossed it, the ball landing in the nest Alice made, but she didn’t close her hands in time and the ball bounced off. He chuckled once, and Alice shrugged. His eyes gazed, and his eyes noted her bag. 

“Hey, you wanna go swimming?”

Alice blinked wildly, “Isn’t the water still cold?”

“I think a current just came in, here let me test it out,” he said, grabbing the hem of his shirt and shoving it off of his head. Thick abs were marked with prominent obliques, with lines on his ribs. Alice looked for a moment, but swallowed as he ran off to see his back and his lats moving. 

Does he know what he is doing? Alice thought, but caught him smirking as he jumped backwards off the dock, pointing a finger gun at her. Okay, yes he does . 

“Jeez, it is cold!” Alex yelled as Alice trotted over. 

“Yeah, I dunno if I want to join you,” she said lightly, leaning against her knees. He looked at her and smirked, and she caught his gaze towards her cleavage and stood up straight. 

“I’ll see you around, Alex!” as she walked away. 

“Hey, I’m sorry! I couldn’t help it,” he called after her, wading the water. 

“Uh-huh,” Alice said, waving a hand. Her heart beat against her chest as she went to the mines to try and get some supplies. 

Alice yawned as her lower back muscles clung tightly to her vertebra the next morning. Summer was easing in around her, the chicks she bought stomping around in the grass she hadn’t attended to yet and her garden getting thicker and deeper as the time spent that carried on. Grabbing the railing on her porch, she twisted until she felt that satisfying crack. Sighing, she sat as the sun crept over the line of trees, making the ocean shimmer in the distance. The cool sunlight hit her face, not quite strong compared to its midday. Looking around, she thought she would cut more wood to add to her collection. Nodding to herself at the thought, she grabbed her ax and walked over to a pine tree, the needles waving in the wind. Raising the ax on her shoulder, she shifted her body to make the first swing when her left shoulder jolted in pain before the metal made contact with the bark. Alice let out a howl that reverberated and a flock of birds shrieked as they flew off.

"Of course, please have a seat and I'll see if Harvey is free," Maru said softly behind the counter. The clinic was in a small, older brick building next to Pierre's shop, the interior tiled white with clean black lines. Maru was Sebastian's half sister, her tight curls dyed a deep plum and red frames hiding her soft brown eyes. She motioned to one of the faded chairs in the waiting room to which Alice took a tender seat.

It was only a moment before the door popped open and flooded the room with bright morning light.

"Hey there farmer, whatcha doing here? You feeling ok?" Alex said with his open voice, the sunlight haloing him before the door closed and letting Alice's eyes settle on his tan face. He frowned and looked at her holding her shoulder. 

"It's nothing," Alice muttered, looking away.

"Hey I'm still sorry about before," he said, taking a seat next to her. "I kinda, got away with a lot in highschool, but I'm pretty good at body stuff."

Alice flustered more at the word choice, but Alex continued.

"Did you do much lifting before moving here?"

"No," Alice grumbled before tacking on, "I did yoga and some dance but not lifting."

"You been stretching your arms after planting, hoeing, cutting wood?"

Alice froze.

"No…"

"Is it your front shoulder, kinda closer to the bone than the surface?"

Alice turned to face him now, his face focused on her shoulder she was holding with a calm severity. 

"May I?" He asked, a hand by her shoulder. Alice looked at the shoulder, then at him, nodding as she moved her hand. His hand pressed into her shoulder with a confident force and Alice felt the pain kick up again instantly. Biting her lip so she wouldn't yell again, she winced fiercely and the pain stopped immediately as Alex removed his hand.

"Yeah, your bicep tendon is tight, it gets confused for the shoulder or a shoulder injury a lot. Harvey's great but he can't do much, you just need to stretch it. It's kinda built up so it might take awhile, I have an older roller ball I can give you later and you can use that."

"Thank you," Alice said, rubbing her shoulder gently as the pain was mild as she massaged it. "Why are you here, are you okay?"

"Me? Got an ankle sprain again. Was doing sprints on the beach and twisted my ankle on some driftwood. Chucked that sucker back in the ocean, it skipped twice, so that was pretty cool."

"Ok, Alex," came from in front of them and they both looked up. Harvey was in front of them with a lab coat and a clipboard. He was a middle aged man with brown hair and a thick mustache. He looked up from thick rimmed glasses to see the two, hesitated, then said, "err, I'm ready to see you. Alice, I can take a look at your shoulder after if that's okay."

"Um yeah, I'd like to know a bit more," she whispered, looking at Alex as she did.

"Totally get it, no worries," Alex smiled as he got up and limped with Harvey past the double doors.

Alice walked back to her farm, the midday sun nestling against her, a roller ball right in her fist. Alex was absolutely right.

Chapter Text

A knock on the door made Sebastian stop typing for a moment. 

“Do you mind if I come in?” came from the door, and he moved his hands off the keyboard. He swallowed stiffly for a moment before he choked out.  

“Alice?” He day dreamed of this moment a few times, but never thought it would actually happen. I have no idea how to handle this, why didn’t I think of some smooth questions? Floor her with my rapier wits, perhaps?

“Yup,” came from the door, and he had to cover his mouth for a minute to suppress a smile. Perhaps I don’t need to? Quick steps announced the arrival of him as he opened the door. Alice ducked her head as she smiled, and mouthed a “hi.” “I have the potato you wanted from the ad on the bulletin board, so here you go,” she said gently, placing it on his desk. Oh, the bulletin board ideas did work, not sure what I'm going to do with a potato, but I get to talk to her now! She turned to quickly leave,making Sebastian's heart jump as he said:

“Have a seat, just give me one sec,” he gestured to his couch, a faded black against the gray brick walls. A faint smell of dirt and cement was potent as basements tend to have, with the whirring of his tower a white noise. 

“Sorry if I’m interrupting,” Alice said, noticing the comics on his coffee table. She grabbed one and started looking through, the one in her hand about Raven. Sebastian peeked over at her comic choice, feeling a swell of joy she picked that one.

“No, it’s fine, I just had to finish what I was working on,” Sebastian said, leaning over a spell to see Alice. 

“So, what were you working on?”

“I do freelance work as a programmer. So, you know DC?”

“I like DC villains better, they just feel more organic and understanding, I prefer the gray stories myself, so I am probably biased,” Alice nodded into the book, dark brown hair bobbing. Typing stopped a breath, Sebastian opened his mouth to say something but-

A ping went through his computer, and after a moment he said, “That was an instant message from Sam… Guess he wants to hang out.” Sebastian leaned back against his chair, the leather sighing. “I really don’t feel like going out today.”

“Sebby!” Robin came down the stairs. She looked at Alice for a moment, the farmer tucking her face behind the comic a bit more as Sebastian’s mom smiled. “Hi, Alice. Sebby, I know you hate when I come in here, but I ran into Abigail at the store and she said she was looking for you.”

“Did you tell her I’m working?” Sebastian said, going back to his screen. Alice’s face burned behind the pages.

“I did,” Robin said, looking down the couch to see Alice, a sly smile creeping on her face for a moment. Alice tucked behind the comic even more. “But she said she’d probably stop by anyway.”

Sebastian sighed, pinching his brow. Robin mouthed, “sorry,” and closed the door, her footsteps fading upstairs. The comic nestled against Alice’s knees as she put it down. 

“No one takes my job seriously,” Sebastian growled, smashing his hand against the table. “No one ever bothers Maru at the clinic, do people just think I’m on the internet all day?”

“So, what are your goals in the long term for your programming job?” Alice asked, standing up and walking over. She leaned a bit to one side, hair following her as she smiled a bit. Sebastian’s fist released, his fingers limp against the wood. 

“Well, I’m trying to save up so I can move out of here. Probably to the city or something.” He paused. “You know, if I’d gone to college I’d probably be making six figures right now… but I just don’t want to be part of that corporate rat race, you know?” Alice’s face squished a minute at his response, but he broke his composure. His hands fell to his lap, putting them into this hoodie pocket as he pushed back against the desk. “Well,” he said quietly, “And I guess I just feel more comfortable hidden behind a computer than dealing with people face-to-face.”

The smile dropped from Alice’s face, and she looked at him softly. 

“Well,” he said after a moment, “I should get back to work… I need to get this module finished by tomorrow.”

“Alright, Sebby,” Alice said with a small smile, his eyes looking up at her as she said that. “I better pick up some seeds anyway before the store closes. Oh yeah, I brought you something, I saw your posting on the job board but, well.” She pulled out something from her backpack, placing it on his desk. A smooth, black rock tapped on the wood. The black was so thick that it didn’t look real until the light reflected off of it in strange, round shapes. Sebastian’s mouth dropped, picking it up for closer inspection. 

“I thought of you when I found that in the mines, so I wanted to bring it to you, too," Alice nodded at the door. “Welp, see ya around.”

Sebastian felt her presence after she left, more than he cared to admit to himself. He rested his hand on the rock she gave him, according to an internet search that he didn’t want to think how many sites he cross checked to be sure it was accurate, was an obsidian. According to his internet research, it was a volcanic stone that was highly regarded as a protective stone with strong abilities to block negativity and help the owner to embrace courage and explore the unknown. 

That is so stupid , Sebastian thought, but looked at the rock again. Volcanic? What is even in those mines she vanishes off to so often ?

He thought there might be a hidden, underground lake down there, like in Hollow Knight, but never thought of much else. 

He leaned back in his chair, putting his ankle on his knee as he stuffed his hands in his hoodie pocket. The basement was cold, which Sebastian normally liked, but he often will forget how long he has been down there until his fingers start to grow stiff. 

I’ll just take a walk, Sebastian sighed as he stood, twisting his spine to get a satisfying crack. As Sebastian climbed the stairs, he heard muffled talking. 

“-think of her future, it would be an investment to get her into that online course,” Demetrius said. He was in the kitchen. 

“But we just bought her that telescope that was several thousand dollars, and Sebastian’s room isn’t fully insulated yet, I wanted the next big purchase to be on him. He missed the last three.”

“But isn’t he leaving soon anyway? Maybe if we freeze him out, he’ll get a full time, in person job. Besides, Maru needs classes more than he does, I know he asked to get help paying for a programming certification, but he has a job, he can pay for it.”

“That is really unfair, Maru also has a job and especially considering I am bringing in more-” Robin started to get heated, and Sebastian walked out the front door and closed it as quietly as he could. He didn’t want to hear about that conversation again. It always started the same, and ended the same. Demetrius explaining what he wants, and then Demetrius getting what he wants. His mom trying somewhere in the middle, and always loses or gives up.

The summer air was a rapport for Sebastian’s hands as he rubbed them together, walking to his usual spot by the lake. He looked over to see Linus’s tent, and the fire that was crackling like a small sun in the cool blue night. He thought about going over to say hey, ask what it was like living alone like that. Sometimes he wondered what it really must be like to be so isolated, was it quiet? Did he have to worry about more, or less than living in a toxic home?

Sebastian shook his head, feeling all the thoughts in there splash around like water. He watched the moon’s reflection ripple in the mountain lake, the deep green pine trees frame around the white orb as the waterfall gurgled out of sight. He felt his thoughts bubble around, the rock, the front of the mines, Alice’s sweat causing the shirt to cling to her body, caressing the curves that normally didn’t show in that shirt. 

I’ll just have a look around , Sebastian thought, as he carefully crossed the threshold to the mine entrance. It won’t take long, there can’t be that much in here . 

The entrance to the mine was a lot more well lit than he realized, with gas lamps framing the large rock room, with two by a door in the wall, and one by the ladder off the right. He blinked from the ladder, to the door. 

As he got closer to the door, he realized it was an elevator. That is so strange . He pressed the button by the elevator, and saw a line of buttons. They lit up past a certain point in increments of 5, and his face flushed. 50? Alice has gone through 50 floors in the mines?

Heat rushed to his face, a feeling of inadequacy rippling over with strong feelings of pride and admiration. Just how strong is she? What else is she capable of?

If she can do 50, maybe I can look at 5. I think that is a fair assessment , Sebastian thought to himself as he pressed his finger on the cold, stiff brass button. The elevator door yawned shut, and he felt the pulleys shutter and whir as it lowered him down. 

With a ping, the elevator stuttered to a stop then with a burr the doors opened to a large floor with stone and rock everywhere. Sebastian looked around, eyeing the flood light by the elevator and a torch placed on the other side of the room. That had to be Alice’s handwork , Sebastian thought, feeling a jolt of excitement. I’m at a place that only she has been in, now just the two of us. I have now done something that only we have done . He walked around the rocks, putting his hand on each one, feeling the cold earth pressed against his palm. The crackling of the torch was oddly soothing, and Sebastian felt oddly comfortable alone in that place. 

The crackling got louder, and he stopped, turning to face the torch. Is it a special torch, like magic? Sebastian shook his head, that’s nonsense, there is no such thing . He kept looking anyway, tilting his head as the fire was acting rather normal. 

He looked down, and saw pinches coming out of a rock that was in front of him that was not there before. The pinchers moved faster than he could, slicing his leg before he could kick it with the other foot. It winced and went under its rock shell again, but Sebastian seethed as it ripped through his pants and the heat of pain was washing over his leg. Turning, he started limping back to the elevator door. As he got a few steps away, he started to hear the clicking again, and he turned to see the rock was moving towards him. Its pinches hung out from under it, with yellow eyes glowing as it pursued him slowly. 

Little fucker , Sebastian thought, using his arms to get to the elevator faster. As he cleared the floodlight’s beam, the rock crab hissed and backed off away from the artificial light. Sebastian hit the button to go back out with more fervor than he intended, thinking of how he was going to get his bloody leg back into the house, as well as so Demetrius doesn’t see it. 

Chapter Text

"You knew Leah from college? That's pretty cool you're both here," Alex said, holding his football in one hand and his ice cream in the other.

Alice nodded, brushing the brim of her sunhat back before taking another lick of her lavender ice cream. "We didn't talk much before, we did morning yoga so no one really talked in the class, but we enjoyed each other's company. She had an awful partner part of the time, so sometimes silence was great. Sorry, that probably wasn't my information to share," Alice flushed heavily, shoulders rising in her shame. 

"Hey, I don't judge, some people are just down right jerks, you know. Probably born that way,” he added with a bitter hint. 

“Well, maybe they weren't always mean, probably had a rough upbringing that didn’t help and never talked to anyone about it,” Alice added gently, pushing her hat up again to look at the horizon. It was darkening, the clouds getting thicker and higher. She focused under it to see if the haze of rain was under them, and sure enough it was. 

“I don’t think it's an excuse at all,” Alex whispered.

“No, I agree, it's not at all. We should be nice to each other, we are all we have in the end,” Alice said, remembering being on the farm with her grandfather and him saying that. She was wearing little frog rain boots as it had just rained in the memory, the sheen of the world crisp as she pattered past the ivy on the stone path to the field. Small hands smacked the plump pink flesh of a melon, and she turned in and grinned at her grandpa, who was coming to join her. Looking back at the melon, she saw her hands weren’t the only hands on the melon. A green junimo was next to her. 

Alice held her head, the pain cutting into her head and over her eyes, blurring her vision. 

“Hey, it looks like it's gonna rain, and I’m meeting Haley later, I’ll see you around,” Alex said, patting Alice on the shoulder as he got up. He offered a hand as he said, “Wanna head back before you get wet?”

“No thanks, I like watching the storm come in. Plus the wind is refreshing. Thanks for the ice cream and lifting advice, I really appreciate it.”

“Anytime,” Alex smirked, flipping his football as he whistled back to town. His whistling stopped abruptly as he saw Sebastian walking towards the beach. Sebastian stopped to look at him, his hair blowing in the wind that wasn’t tucked into his hood. 

“Hi,” Alex said, thinking of what Alice said, and how it reminded him of his mother. His eyes lingered ever so slightly at Sebastian’s gait before looking away. 

“Uh, hi,” Sebastian responded, blinking twice before averting his gaze. They both shrugged the other off, Alex continuing the trek up the hill to the town as Sebastian froze, staring at the woman at the end of the pier. The sun hat blocked the face, but Sebastian had a wild guess who else would be at the ocean when a storm was coming in. 

As if on cue, the stormwind blasted in, catching the woman’s sun hat and sending it flying. Alice twisted over in her sundress to catch it, her body twisting over as she reached to snag the hat. Willie came out of his store and quickly grabbed it, handing it back. She smiled at him, her smile brightening her face and causing his heart to skip. He leaned into his gait to talk to her, feeling the umbrella in his pocket, wondering if she would stay with him in the rain until he watched her stand. The wince as she pushed off, the tape on her shoulder, the almost gone ice cream in her hand. Heat grew in his gut, looking back to see Alex turn left at the end of the bridge. Tape in his back pocket. No one else was on the beach. 

The heat in his stomach from jealousy was overwhelming. 

Sebastian leaned against the side of the bridge on his walk back from the beach immediately after seeing Alice, his leg burning more than his ability to feel it. He hadn’t fully decided if he wanted to commit to the beach after seeing that, or really feeling that, but his gash did ache. 

“Hey, how are you, is something wrong?” made him jump, looking up to Alice in her windswept hair and her dress that pressed against her body in the wind. Her hat was in one hand and her almost gone ice-cream cone in the other, and concern was outlined heavily on her face as she looked at Sebastian’s leg. 

“I’m fine,” Sebastian said reactionarily, waving his hands mildly and reaching for a cigarette. Alice looked at him critically, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly as she bored into him. I should just tell her, if anyone would understand, it's her. Just tell her . 

“Well, don’t tell anyone, but I went into the caves and a rock crab tore into my leg,” he said, shoulders dropping. 

“Are you okay?” Alice whispered. Sebastian expected her to ask, but he still felt a rush to her asking. Comfort, warmth, and love, the instant relief was like taking a hit. He felt horribly selfish, but he wanted more. 

“Yeah, it'll be fine. It is hard to walk though,” it was liberating to be honest. Honest and have someone genuinely listen to him.

“Why are you walking on it if it hurts? Not like I have much room to talk, though…” Alice asked before muttering, running her hand on her hat brim. “Alex gives me a lot of tape to help, and the hot springs on the mountain have really pushed my limits, I have no idea how I've had the ability to do so much honestly.” She pinched her eyes shut, wondering how all of that came out like a word waterfall. She looked up and saw his soft gray eyes looking at her, gentle as rain. It was hard not to smile in the comfort of him. 

“I think it's cool you care so much about the farm,” Sebastian said, nudging Alice with his shoulder, which made her face flare up in heat from the positive contact. 

“Well, how is it supposed to be at its full potential if no one cares?” Alice said, shaking her head lightly when a gust of wind picked up and her hat took off, the blue fluttering in the deepening gray backdrop. 

“Oh, I’ll see you around!” she called as she ran after the hat, dress in hand. She waved, her hair a wild mess behind her as she took off into the thick storm air. 

How is it supposed to be at its full potential if no one cares , sat in Sebastian’s mind even deep into the night, staring back at him through his closed eyelids. 

Chapter Text

"When are you gonna stop fooling around with Penny, it's pretty obvious she wants more," Sebastian said, leaning against the tree as he took a drag of his cigarette. The shade from the leaves was a somber retreat as the summer heat finally started its great incline. Sam shrugged, leaning his switch side to side to try and increase his game mobility.

"Nah, she doesn't want that from me. Plus I heard she was having a fling with Alex, not that I can blame her, he keeps getting bigger. Ugh, girls suck."

"Sam, you're 22," Sebastian said, leaning over to watch him second to last in his racing game, "you might have more luck if you keep the Switch straight."

"This game is wack," Sam said, rolling his eyes and putting the switch on his lap. "Ugh maybe I'll just ask the farmer out," he muttered, looking off.

"What?!" Sebastian said, eyes shooting towards his gaze and seeing Alice talking to Penny as she sat under a tree. Both women had a book in their hands, Alice speaking with her free hand to tell a story as Penny laughed softly. Sebastian frowned as he watched Alice pull her shorts cuffs down her legs, realizing the material was tight on her thighs, which were getting bigger. Her shoulders were also more pronounced than they used to be. He swallowed, feeling heat building off his chest and into his collar.

Penny turned towards Sam and waved a full arm wave. Alice turned towards them, her ponytail waving in response to the sudden movement. Her eyes locked with Sebastian's as the hot breeze picked up and pushed her bangs back under her own island of shade. 

Penny and Sam were already walking towards one another, Alice and Sebastian both looking at them before locking eyes again. Breaking contact, they both followed their friends over to meet in the middle. Sebastian quickly put his cigarette out and put the bud away before heading to the new tree to hang at.

"Oh no, Alice was just having ice cream with Alex," Penny said coolly to Sam, who whistled. 

"Why so cold, Penny, are you jealous?" Sam said quietly back. Sebastian looked at the two of them to Alice, whose book was stacked on a box on her hip like she was holding a baby.

"Honestly, we just talk fitness, having bad movement habits while bringing the farm back is pretty dangerous. We jointly ordered some protein to use a coupon he had so I was just picking it up on my way back from the library. Alex doesn't really read so I caught Penny here and-"

"Is that the Solarian Chronicles," Sebastian whispered, causing everyone to look at him as his eyes bore into Alice's. 

"Yeah," she said with a breathy half smile, "Book 4, I'm rereading it again as a guilty pleasure, I was telling Penny she might like it when you both came by."

Sam and Penny looked between the two as Alice and Sebastian started leaning in towards each other, talking about the series with zeal and hand movements. 

"I'm sorry for the Alex comments," Sam whispered to Penny, who smiled and put a gentle hand on his shoulder.

"I'm sorry, can you say that again, please?" Alice asked, coming out of a daze. 

"I said Penny and I are going to the beach, do you two want to come?" Sam said, looking between the two of them and smiling.

"Oh!" Alice said, shocked as she put a hand to her chest before nervously tucking her hair behind her ear as she said, "well actually I was going to head home, I have all this protein and I try to stay out of the sun as much as I can and my sunhat is at home." Sebastian turned to look at her, making her blush more 

"I can walk you back if you want, there's a mountain path back to my place anyway. It's actually faster if I go with you," Sebastian said quietly, smiling at her. Alice turned pink, but her desire for him to join was apparent on her face. Sam took the hint and left quickly with a small wave goodbye. Sebastian gave him a small two finger salute to which Sam winked back.

The sun was high, cicadas hissing behind the line of trees on the mountain. The pair walked in the shade as much as they could, but it didn’t take long for Sebastian to take his hoodie off and wrap it around his waist. 

“I honestly haven’t said this out loud in awhile,” Alice laughed nervously, looking away. “I’ve always wanted to tell stories, I’ve written so many short stories, been published a few times, too. Even poetry, for some reason my haikus are popular, I mostly do snippets of longing and sadness, I guess that resonates with people, especially in the city,” she smiled meekly to Sebastian, who was listening intently. 

“Do you know one off hand? I think I might like it, too.”

Alice stared off into the sky for a moment, the deep, still blue painted by tall, detailed clouds. 

“A string of birds fly, across that empty canvas, I don’t belong here.”

They walked in a silence a breath before Sebastian said, “That was really good. What caused that feeling?”

“I was in my senior year of college, I wasn’t working as much -quit one of my two jobs because I almost failed biology, but I realized I didn’t enjoy my time in college because I was working so much and felt alienated. I moved to Zuzu city not long afterwards, working part time as an editor to a literary magazine, but that didn’t pay anything. Alienation got worse, I felt so numb to it all. But now I am here, and I feel much more alive." She shot him a quick smile. “I know it's hot right now, but I like feeling it, the sweat down my back, wind on my skin cooling me in intervals. The calls of the cicadas, the rustling of leaves. A deep inhale can either taste of the mountain conifer or the ocean brine. It's electrifying to feel so much at once,” she looked down to see a junimo in a bush, spying on them as they passed. 

“I think I know what you mean about feeling numb,” Sebastian thought, feeling his throat ache a little from the lack of nicotine. He knew Alice didn’t like the smell. She commented about it quietly when she first met Sam and didn’t know he was there, and he never forgot it. 

He thought of how numb he felt at home, and how this town had dulled him. He tried to get more engineering jobs, tried to start a DnD campaign in the library when he was younger, asked to have more books. There was a lack of funding, or a lack of interest, or one thing or other. The no’s he always seemed to receive were so dull and tired, and over the years it rubbed off on him. Alice walked next to him in her white shirt with yellow daisies and her high waisted shorts, inhaling deeply as the wind blew into them, a smile perching on her mouth as she experienced the sensations. He turned into the wind and smelled a hint of pine in the air, some moss, and even a hint of that brine she mentioned. He got goosebumps.

She slowed down on the path, and he realized they had reached her farm. He hadn’t seen it before, but he wasn’t ready to see what he saw. 

The house was still small, but it looked like there was a framework for expansion around it, his mom’s handiwork he could see a mile away. A few large stones were laid out in a path and a chunk of the field was completely cleared and crops grew for a good couple dozen rows. Melon leaves were furling amongst themselves as pink fruit were showing next to blueberry bushes clinging to their guides by the radishes, and the list continued on. Little seed packets were stuck onto sticks that were stabbed into the ground to keep the lines identified and straight. He looked to the side of the house and saw a pile of cut wood and logs, looking like it was ready to go for his mom to get to work on expanding the house she was talking about. 

Alice stood there, stiff, watching a jumino hide behind her stairs. 

“Have you ever heard of… junimos?” Alice asked, a slight shrill in her voice. 

“Uh, my mom read me stories about them ages ago, when we first moved here when my mom got remarried. I think they were kinda like little apple looking things, right? Cute myth, honestly,” he whispered the last part. 

“Yeah, just a myth,” Alice shook her head zealously, watching the junimo slowly lower behind the stairs and run to the otherside of the cottage.

Sebastian took the opportunity to look at the u-shaped exposed skin of her tank top and ponytail. There were slight indents where the muscle was prompting him to feel heat in the back of his neck. He looked down at his arms, wondering how much longer it will be until hers are bigger than his. She is chopping wood everyday, that is something hard to compete with. 

“I’ll see you around though,” Alice turned around and smiled at Sebastian, “Thanks for talking to me, and walking me home.”

“Yeah, anytime,” Sebastian smirked, nodding at the ground to hide his blushing face. 

“I might keep you up on that,” Alice said, eyes averting as another jumino appeared around her house. 

“Uh, well, that would be cool,” Sebastian coughed, his throat burning for a cigarette. As much as he didn't want to leave, he needed to quench that desire and with a wave and a reluctant heart, started heading up the mountain path. With another wave and smile, she kept smiling and waving at him as he left, he went around some of the cultivated farmland and chicken coop and up the mountain path.  

Alice hurried into the house, fumbling with the lock and then Lady Maria who was trying to help Alice get in sooner. She furiously looked through drawers and cabinets until she found it at the back of a closet - her box of her personal items she kept at her desk at Joja mart. Prying the bank box top off of the box, she sifted through until she found what she was looking for - the picture of her as a toddler with a fairy rose. She stared at in silence for a few minutes, processing, as she saw on the other side of the great rose stem was a junimo, holding it up with her. Lady Maria laid down next to Alice, her body curled around and her breathing anchoring her. 

The walk back up to the mountain, which was usually the same, failed to be so this time. Sebastian felt the heat on his shoulders, resting against his black shirt. The breeze went past, and he felt the cooler air tousle his hair and breath fresh air against his little sweaty crevices. Taking a deep, piney inhale, he exhaled, looking up at the sky that was patchworked with clouds when he thought he saw movement. His eyes shot down to the ground, thinking he saw a bright color run behind a tree. After a moment, he shrugged it off as a hallucination brought on by the heat, and continued home. It wasn’t until he got to the front door that he noticed he didn’t even think to smoke before getting to the door and seeing his ashtray. 

Thunder grumbled high above the treetops, deep in the murky gray clouds as a single drop of rain soared down into the misty evergreen. The sky hesitated, then a few more drops tumbled down, nodding the leaves of the trees. After a collective sigh, the rain poured down and washed through the air, the sound a wondrous hum in the forest that was only broken up by the aggressive knocking on Rasmodius’s front door. 

He knew who it was before he opened it, only one person had the courage to approach his tower, but even when he saw her, he was a bit shocked. The rain had drenched Alice, her dark hair black from the water and holding against her soaked frame and draping clothes. 

“I have a few questions and I would greatly appreciate some answers, if I am being honest,” she said with gritted teeth. 

Rasmodius blinked once at her before snorting out of his nose. He muttered something, then tossed his hand over her hand as if it had something in it. A wall of color formed around the door frame, and then he gestured her inside. Alice frowned at the membrane, but passed through it anyway. As she passed, the water on her body and clothes stayed on the other side of the wall, and a puddle of water shed on the other side, and she was dry in the cabin. 

They sat at a small table by a wall of books that covered most of his front room. Herbal tea steamed in front of them, and it was just lavender and mint to Alice’s relief. Rasmodius was set on being comfortable before this discussion, and Alice quietly played along even though the words were chomping at the front of her mind. 

“Please don’t tell me you know why I am here,” Alice finally said, breaking the hum of the rain once again. 

“I might know, but I also might not,” the wizard said calmly, taking a sip of his tea. 

“How long have the junimos been following me around?”

“Since you first arrived here, you were about 2, I believe. Your grandfather was over the moon about it, though I will say he loved you even before that happened.”

“So my grandfather saw them?”

“Oh yes, the farm has magical properties, he would never have gotten it if he didn’t.”

“How did he get the farm?”

“He bought it, it was just a field and pieces of forest at the time.”

“Did my mom or dad see the junimo?”

“No, they were not very awake.”

“Does anyone else in this valley see the junimo?”

Rasmodius hesitated, just for a brief moment, but it was enough for Alice to catch. He put his teacup on the table before saying , “No, I do not believe so. Well, one, but he will tell you when he is ready, if he does at all. ”

“Can someone else grow into a place where they will start to see them?”

“It is unlikely, but not impossible.”

Alice sat in silence for a moment, breathing in the mint and the books and the rain. She stared at the mug, the swirling liquid in the blue teacup on the warm wooden table. The rainfall continued.
“Why me?”

Rasmodius smiled at her, his mustache raising ever so slightly on its edges. “That truly is the question of the ages, isn’t it. Why do the junimo work with you, let you see them? Why is your farm so successful, why did your grandfather choose that land, why am I a wizard? Maybe sometimes we fall into places that we are simply meant to be to do work that we are destined to do. But I think that is enough chat today, maybe you can enjoy some of your day since it is raining.”

“But I - “ Alice started, jumping up out of her seat as she watched the wizard rise. As he finished standing, she was sitting at her table in her cabin. Maria trotted to the table, her tail wagging and putting her head on Alice's lap.

“Oh, Lady Maria,” she sighed.

Chapter Text

“A Luau?” Alice said, wrinkling her nose as she leaned into the announcement poster, trying to read the aged poster. How many times did they use this same layout?

“Oh yes, it's a food festival,” Harvey said next to Alice, making her jump. “Oh, I’m sorry!”

“You’re fine, I just didn’t see you there,” Alice said, putting her hand on her chest as she centered herself. “There sure are a lot of events here.”

“Yes, Stardew Valley used to be pretty popular as a travel destination, and it used to be a pretty full town, too. It's much smaller these days, and I think Lewis is trying to get back to the old days. Build it and they will come mentality.”

Alice looked at Harvey, from his mustache to his thick rimmed glasses to try and read what he felt about the attempts, but he portrayed nothing. 

“I h-hope your shoulder is doing better?” he asked after a brief silence. 

“Yes, thank you. Alex helped a lot, and I feel less sore overall. He gave me some medical tape and a roller ball.”

“Ah yes, that is very good. He used to be injured so often when he was younger, then he got a new coach at his high school and that turned around. He really seemed to pick up a lot.”

“It is comforting to know what I am doing has your professional approval, thank you. I do want to ask a non-medical question - what happens at the Luau?”

“Well, it's a potluck soup at the beach with food and dancing, and it's pretty popular so people come in from Zuzu city to include the Governor. Everyone is supposed to bring something to the potluck based on a theme, so if the theme is spice you don't bring, chocolate I guess. I'm surprised Lewis hadn't reached out to you about it yet."

"He might have, it's probably in my mailbox," Alice said with a smirk. "I was just on my way up the mountain, so I should probably get going."

It's probably best I don't mention I'm headed into the rundown community center to a literal doctor , Alice thought to herself.

"Oh, I'll come with you, I've been trying to get more steps into my day and I was hoping to walk around the park up the hill a ways," Harvey said, his mustache twitching. 

Oh no, of course the doctor who is certified to lock me up for being crazy wants to walk with me to the community center to watch me give offerings to the forest spirits. Can’t he just get a call from someone that they think they have the flu or something?

Harvey checked his watch as Alice resituated her tote with the offerings when Maru stuck her head out of the clinic door and said, “I know you are off for the day, but Jodi called, apparently Vincent is coughing and showing flu-like symptoms and she wanted to get your input.”

Harvey pushed the bridge of his thick glasses up his nose, “Oh, that is serious, I am sorry Alice but we are going to have to postpone our walk.”

Oh, thank goodness , Alice sighed. 

“Oh, are you going up the mountain? Mind if I join, I need to head home and I think I know where you are going,” Maru said with a smirk. 

Yikes , Alice thought, stiff, her yams jiggling in her Pride and Prejudice tote. 

The sky was bright and open, caressing their view that was framed with leaves and that seemed to haze into the lazy sky in the heat. Alice felt the sweat dripping off of her, the more intense the breeze felt in those lines as if she were a painting of the forest crafted in temperature. Her calves burned a little in the incline, but it was a regular trip for her at this point. 

“So, you’ve been here for a few months now,” Maru said, hands waving around her as she walked, her shortalls accenting her movement. Alice was hoping the uphill trek would take some of her attention, but it was pretty clear that she made this walk frequently and it wasn’t a break Alice was going to receive. 

“Yes,” Alice responded. 

“And your farm is already doing well, I heard!” Maru said brightly, her tight curls bouncing as she walked. Alice smiled. Maybe this walk won’t be so bad, and I can come down to the community center afterwards and be done with it.  

“And I’ve seen you talk to my half brother Sebastian a few times already, so I was wondering if you liked him-”

“Hey, Alice, I was looking for you!” came a familiar voice, and Alice felt like she was going to faint when she heard it. 

“Hi, Leah, is everything okay?" Alice asked, to which Leah hesitated before looking at Maru. 

"Okay, I'll catch you later then," Maru waved as she continued up the path to her parents. She shot another look at Alice, who felt the later part of her farewell was a promise.

"Can we go sit, do you have a minute?" Leah asked, pointing towards one of the benches by the old fountain. "It is a bit heavy if you have the capacity to hear it."

"Yeah, of course, honestly you saved me from Maru asking me about.." Alice trailed off, but Leah smiled quickly at it - she knew. She always knew without saying much, Alice felt she wore her heart on her sleeve but Leah always said she just had the code book on Alice.

They both sat on the cool cement bench, the bushes almost overtaking the space. The fountain splashed calmly in front of them, and thankfully guarded them from direct view of the town.

"So, you remember my ex," Leah started.

"Oh no," Alice whispered automatically, to which Leah nodded. 

“Well, they called, I don’t know how they got my number again, thankfully it was just my landline since we have virtually no service in the valley. I guess I am just tired of having to be reminded of their existence,” Leah sighed. The breeze picked up, rustling the leaves and sending a flock of swallows into the air, the deep blue sky cut by their pronged tail outlines. 

“I came here for a reason, at least, that is what I keep telling myself. I’m not 20 anymore, and I just feel so tired. My artwork has been flowing like water, but everytime I think to do something I just -” Leah reached out in front of her, her braid stretching with her, veins rising from her sun kissed skin, the bird silhouettes vanishing between the gaps of her fingers. “I just feel Kel haunting me, still, trying to control what I am doing, and the thought of them seeing my work again I feel shame, and that horrid imposter syndrome that seems to sit on every artists shoulder,” Leah pushed her shoulder gently against Alice, who smiled softly at her in response. 

“I know it's hard to write when you have a farm, but maybe it’ll pick up, maybe you’ll get help one day,” Leah smirked, and Alice shook her head. 

“Why don’t you have a local art show here, where it is just the valley? I don’t know how Kel would find out, and even if they did, I am here, if that helps. We are all here, and I think it would be brilliant to show how much the valley has given you, and what it means to you, to the other people who are here.”

Leah smiled, resting into her seat, but the idea was clearly sinking into her, nestling into her brain. 

“I will definitely keep that in mind, thanks.”

Alice looked over at the community center, and Leah noticed. She nodded, grabbed her own bag, and patted Alice on the knee as she said, “I’ll see you at the Luau? I am bringing mushrooms I scavenged for the pot. I heard that there are quite a few vegetables, if you want to bring meat. Don’t tell Lewis I said that, he hates when people ruin the surprise of the potluck, but also gets upset when it doesn’t magically come together. Have a good rest of your day!”

Alice waved as she watched her go, continuing to sit on the bench as the whistle of heat rang against the high sun. She waited partially to make sure the coast was clear, and partially to enjoy the rich colors of the early summer day, while the plants were still plump with moisture and fervor of growth against the cloudy backdrop. 

Magically come together , kept ringing in her ears even after she finished putting the yams away and headed to the lake for some last minute fishing. 

The sun lined the morning with fresh light as the dew coated every fresh leaves and vines that weaved between Alice’s fingers as she worked. Soil pressed against her palms as she thought deep, breathing in the dawn and playing out the day in her head. Cicadas hissed as the sun rose higher into the sky, burning off some of the dew. Alice lifting the brim of her sun hat up so she could get a better look at the blue sky and its deeper shade of blue. Maria came up, wagging her flagged tail and grumbling a little. 

“I think you are right, I better get ready,” Alice smiled, rubbing Maria’s head as she headed inside. 

“Good morning, Leah, I hope this season has been treating you well so far,” Elliot said, rolling up his sleeves as he walked over to her. The heat was seeping in around them, but the breeze that came in from the ocean brushed it off, at least for a moment at a time. Lines of tables had food, from fruit with a magnificent display of a fish made out of cut tropical pieces to a table of meats and another with vegetables. 

Leah grinned at him, her freckles almost glowing in the sunlight, “It’s been wonderful, thank you for asking. I have been having a lot of success with my wood carvings recently, I can see an immediate change from when I moved her last year. How is the next great novel coming along?”

“Oh, you know,” Elliot said, shaking his head, his chestnut hair waving in its ponytail behind him, “Its, coming.”

Leah smiled, she didn’t need him to say anymore to understand what he meant. “You know, Alice was a writing major in college, she should be here in a little bit.”

“The new farmer? Marvelous! I bet we would benefit greatly from one another’s company,” Elliot thrilled, looking around immediately for her. “Well, I can imagine she is busy and will be here soon, I’ll grab a nice lemonade from Gus.”

Leah watched him go, deciding to move closer to one of the pop up tents and take a seat on the cooler picnic tables that were placed there. Jars were filled with string lights and shoots of pink lilies and plumeria, providing an aromatic cloud. Shane was finishing helping Lewis set up the stereo at the dance floor, and immediately Emily went to the floor and went to work. But Leah’s eyes shifted over to Robin, who was whispering into her son’s ear. He smirked, and shook his head, patting his mom on the shoulder as he went to walk away when he froze. He put his hair behind his ear, and slowly put his cigarette pack away, looking around before making his way to the drink table, but didn’t grab anything. 

Alice came into Leah’s view, a sunhat on her head and the flowing white dress she wore to the Flower Dance. It rippled against her calves as she held onto her sky blue tote and made her way to the drink table. A wide smile broke across her face at Sebastian, who returned a demure smile and they chatted for a few minutes. After he said something that made Alice laugh, her hand covering her mouth and Sebastian finally grinning, did Abigail go between the two of them. A few words were exchanged and Alice grabbed her cup and left, looking around before she saw Leah and her face lit up. She hurried over so fast she had to put a hand on her hat to keep it from falling off. Leah grinned and waved happily over, but her eyes returned to Sebastian who kept watching her go, even as Abigail was talking to him. 

“Hey there,” Alice grinned, putting her empty tote down on the table before sitting next to her friend. 

“My my, what did I just witness,” Leah said, raising her eyebrows and taking a drink of her lemonade. Alice grinned into her tiki cup.

“Might have a crush,” she muttered into the white ceramic. 

“Oh, might? We can ask Gus if he would serve us the pina colada early, I know he wasn’t planning on it because -”

“Pam?”

“Well, yes, but not just her,” Leah said softly, taking a sip. 

“Oh,” Alice said gently, “Well, maybe we can ask, it won’t hurt, I think.”

Alice started to get up, but Leah got up, drinking from her glass and raising a finger. “No, I can ask, I told Elliot you write, so he appears to be coming this way.”

Alice's face lit up, looking around excitedly as Elliot broke through some of the crowd and offered his hand to Alice, who stood before she shook it, the zeal oozing off of both of them. Leah smiled to herself as she made her way towards Gus, grabbing two lemonade cups on the way. 

“They can’t be that close, I haven’t seen them talk before,” Leah overheard, and started to slow her pace. 

“They seem to know each other pretty well right now, I wonder if she knew him in college, too?”

“Nah, Elliot didn’t go to a normal college, I think he went overseas for a year or two, doubt Alice had the same upbringing if she’s a farmer now.”

“Hm,” Sebastian said, taking a drink of his water. Sam was sipping a mango juice with an umbrella sticking out of the hollowed out coconut, the sucking sound echoing around him. 

“If you want a refill, you know you can just ask right?”

“Hi, Gus, I was wondering if you could help a couple of poor, parched ladies out,” Leah said with a grin, making Gus laugh. 

“And what can I help these poor, particular ladies out with?” she asked as she handed the mugs across the spread of food to his bar area. He took the glasses and put them on the tray, taking a quick look around before pouring the thick, tropical liquid. 

Leah just kept smiling, and Gus nodded his head, “Alright, keep your secrets, but nothing stays a secret for long and you know I’m the first to know!”

“Oh, I hope you find out soon,” Leah said, winking as she grabbed the cold mugs, their sides already glazing over with frost. 

“Oh, what do you have there?” Pam asked, suddenly interested in Leah. 

“Alice’s throat is a little sore, so I got some cold drinks for her,” she replied warmly, excusing herself to return to Alice. 

“That’s very nice, I might see if my throat hurts, too, and if Gus could put something in it for me, too, ha!” 

Alice reached out for the cup as Leah reached out, the pair grinning and toasting before taking a strong swig. 

The sun was blazing when Lewis announced the pot luck was finished and that the Governor was going to taste it first. 

“What did you put in the pot?” Leah whispered during the announcement, eyeing the tote that Alice brought.

“I let some halibut soak in lemon juice and tomato overnight, the citric acid actually creates the same reaction to the meat as heat - it cooks it.”

“Oh! Where did you- Gus?”

“Actually, no, I was watching the cooking show that comes on the free channels -”

Sebastian was only half paying attention to Lewis telling his speech about the valley and how it used to be a huge tourist destination and artisan spot to the governor, his mind was split more than he wanted it to be. Past the plastic tropical plants hanging from rope, the brightly colored outfits, with the backdrop of the endless cerulean sky was Alice whispering to Leah and Elliot. 

“I hope the farmer put something gross in the pot, like the mayor’s underwear or something,” Sam chuckled, stirring the ice around in his cup with a straw. 

“How would she even get the mayor’s underwear,” Sebastian smirked, taking a long drink of water. It was really hot today, even in the shade.

“Wasn’t he and her grandfather good friends? It wouldn’t surprise me if he wants some of that friendship back with his granddaughter.”

Lewis gave the first bowl from the community potluck to the governor, who’s face lit up at the first bite. Everyone turned from the governor to the pot, and quickly gathered to get their own bowl. Sebastian watched the overall happy mingling brought on by food and human interaction. Alice took Leah’s hand and they giggled off to the dance floor, a slight lopsidedness to their gait, and they joined Emily on the mat of palm leaves in the cooling setting of the sun. 

The day was easing into a deepened color palette as the sun was starting to set, yet people stayed despite the fact that the main event had already ended. They stayed because they were talking with each other, laughing and eating as they mingled in the sand and the water. Alice went to the dancefloor several times, and was confident in her movements as she was in a trio with Leah and Emily. Sebastian talked mildly with Sam for awhile, before he went off to play with Vincent. The blond was playing in the sand with the young boy, watching them shovel and press the sand into buckets to make a disheveled sandcastle. Radio static played in his mind as he thought what it would be like to help, too. 

“Hey, Sebastian, I wanted to show you something!” Abigail said, tugging on Sebastian’s sleeve as she talked, making him spin around. 

“What, what is it?” Sebastian jumped, shaking his head a bit before looking at the piece of paper she thrust forward. It looked like a tiger drawn with parts of a lion, the details were heavily accented as the outline was less confident.

“What do you think?”

“Yeah, it's great,” he answered without much thought, but in a moment hesitated. He watched Abigail’s face dim, her shoulders drop as the art lowered slightly, the mild, “oh… thanks,” escaping her mouth. She started to turn when he continued,

“I mean, I’m honestly not a great person to ask, I don’t know much about art. I know Leah knows a lot, and Alice does, too. I’ve seen her doodle with Leah before.” He was surprised he admitted that, looking over his shoulder every chance he got to glance at their table at the Saloon. The two ladies hair brushing the table as they drew on paper and even drink napkins, laughing as they drew poop and butts in the corners of their mermaids, witches, cats and trees. Alice drew Jumino frequently, too, but he pushed that memory aside as Abigail turned to the dancing ladies and back to her art. 

“It is cool that you draw, I just think there might be better people to ask.”

“Thanks, I’ll, I’ll think about it,” Abigail said, almost more to her drawing than to him, and left carrying the paper close to her like a child. 

I wonder what it must be like, to have a dedicated conversation with someone who cares what you think. We could talk about books, games, nature, the farm.  

Sebastian hesitated as he thought about the farm . Where did that come from? His eyes wandered off to Alice, again, watching her dance, her body moving freely under her dress. Sweat lined down her back, and he swallowed as he felt hot, wondering where it was going. 

I wonder if she would talk about those things with me? How do I get some time with her alone?

“Oh, there you are, I was wondering where you went,” Robin said, smiling at her son. 

“I was watching the sunset by the ocean, I could even see-”

“Oh, that's great, Maru, did you try the soup? I saw you were eating a lot of dessert, so I wanted to make sure you had a more balanced diet.

Sebastian sat down with his family, feeling the thoughts and words dangle like unfinished rope in his mind. 

Chapter Text

Alice finished the climb to see Robin’s house, the satellite sitting garishly on the red tile roof. The clinking of a wrench caught her attention, and she crept around the picket fence to discover a blue motorcycle in the cool garage. 

“Oh, hey Alice,” Sebastian said, rolling out from under it. Oil brushed his cheek, rolling around the contour of his face. He smiled at her. I hope this is my chance to actually talk to her, see if I can get her as interested in me as I am of her. Wait, no that's stupid, just play it cool. “What, you haven’t seen my motorcycle before? Hmmm… I guess I haven’t shown it to you.” He rolled back under the chrome pipes, the metal curving around the thick engine, reflecting his black hoodie in obscure lines. 

“Sometimes, after sundown, I make the long ride out of Stardew Valley… There’s nothing like it, blazing along the empty stretch of road toward the faint city glow…” he stopped a moment, Alice leaning forward a bit, engrossed, “Once I’ve saved up enough money, I’m going to head out on my own… to the city and beyond. Just me and my bike.”

Alice’s shoulders dropped, eyes getting a bit dry as the air leaked out of her body. A familiar feeling of her own dream came up, escaping to the city to fend off her life on her own. An ache came over her as she recalled the moment, the clanking of metal mixing with bird calls her only background. 

“There we go, oil is changed.” He rolled himself out from under the bike, putting his hands against his pants as he leaned forward. His hair was pushed out of his face, and a bright look was in his gray eyes again. “Hey… Maybe I’ll let you ride some time, if you want.”

Alice’s frown opened wide into a grin, and Sebastian chuckled. 

“That sounds fun.”

“Great.” 

Robin could be heard calling from inside the house, her voice muffled by the wood but her footsteps growing. Alice looked up towards the door and said, “I’ll see you around.” Sebastian lifted a hand and Alice waved hers, before saying, “Hey, I know you are busy but, I was wondering if you wanted to talk about books sometime? I tried talking to Penny, but we read really, different stuff, and process it differently. Elliot is in the middle of writing, so he is pouring all of his time into that.” Alice was bouncing by a pine tree, her backpack shuffling as he watched her body bounce with it and her pony tail wave side to side. He flushed at her breasts again, trying to behave so he could keep watching. “Yeah, I can walk you home tonight, if you want.” Walk you home? That sounds really romantic, I hope she doesn’t -

“That sounds great!” the zeal was palpable in her voice. “Especially since -” she looked around before jogging back to Sebastian. She reached him and bent down, her cleavage showing as she was face level with him as he was still on the floor of the garage. It hurt to breathe for a moment, smelling vanilla off of her. “Especially since I’m going to the mines again, don’t tell anyone, it's apparently really dangerous in there, and I don’t want to cause a scene. Not much to talk about in this town, don’t want to be the center of it!”

Sebastian smirked at the comment, looking down as he said, “yeah, it's no worries, silent as the grave.” He looked back up, and their eyes locked. His crooked smile, hair wafting in the breeze. The linside, and the door to the garage swung open and Robin found her son still fiddling with his bike. But she did see the flash of brighter colors, the khaki shorts and white tank top, the bouncing hair, and she realized he was talking to the farmer again. 

“Where is he? I thought you said you were getting him?” came from inside, but Robin struggled with words and went back inside without saying them to her son.  

Night eased the heat of the day away, the still silence of rest settling in. The stars began to spill across the deep sky above, the sound of frogs croaking mixed in with the gurgling of the lake to the stream on the south side, tumbling the water to the ocean. Sebastian took a deep inhale again of the crisp mountain air, coughing before putting his cigarette butt in an old metal gum container to keep it off the ground. 

It’s getting late, I wonder if she already left for the - Sebastian started before he watched Alice’s silhouette break from the shadow of the mine entrance. She looked around, blinking rapidly before sneezing, her ponytail wiping over her head and back with force. Sebastian couldn’t help but smile at the display, watching as she crossed the wooden plank bridge carefully over, the fixation on the task giving her such an innocent quality. As she got closer, her face lit up, and her pace picked up, which made Sebastian’s heart flutter. 

“Hey,” he said, pushing his bangs back so he could see her smile better. She was a bit dusty, and looked a little scraped up, but she didn’t seem to mind. The smell of sweat and cold earth made her stick out a bit from the forest and lake, the smell of vanilla creating an interesting mix. 

“Thanks for walking me home again,” Alice said, hoisting her backpack further on her back, it rustling like it was full of rocks, “It’s really nice to talk to someone, especially a fellow Solarian.”

“Yeah, no problem.” 

Their steps filled the silence for a while, and questions started to burn in his brain, until he decided there was only one way to find out. 

“What do you do in the mines all day?”

“Oh, they are full of resources, I needed to get more ore to help upgrade my tools so I can farm better, they weren’t too great when I got here to be honest. I didn’t know any better, of course. I have copper already, but I had to get them to iron. That took some work.” Alice grimaced a little bit, and Sebastian thought of offering to carry it for her, only to hesitate when he realized she might be stronger than him. He flushed in embarrassment and mild arousal. 

“So, how far deep are you?”

“Uh, I think in the 70s.”

“70 levels?!” Sebastian almost choked, and started coughing again. He paused until it settled, and he looked up and was surprised to see Alice was waiting for him. Calmly, too, no emphasis on the time or how tired she was carrying a pack full of probably iron ore and stone. 

“You okay?”

“Yes, uh, thanks,” Sebastian mumbled back. She is so nice. 

“Are there monsters down there? I mean, besides a rock crab.”

“Well, I mean, yes and no. I used to think of them as monsters, but now I just think of them as animals. Some do fight me, and I do have to do something about it.”

“You have a sword?”

“Yeah, I can show you sometime, but it's a bit dirty right now.”

“What would you have done today if I hadn't walked you home?”

“Probably be alone,” she said, wrinkling her nose as she smiled. “Probably go soak in the bathhouse alone, actually,” trailed out of her mouth, her eyes getting distant. 

“Too bad I can’t help you there, huh?” Sebastian asked, nudging her shoulder. Alice tripped a step, arms fumbling forward in shock. Sebastian reached to grab her, his hand clasping her elbow and stopping her at his hip. He felt her exacerbated breath warm through his jeans onto his groin. Blood rushed down, Sebastian’s grip tightening as he swallowed heavily, raising Alice up. She was heavy, and to keep his balance he brought her close to him. Vanilla and earth mixed in his nostrils as her hair trailed over her shoulders, her body pressed against him like it was molded to be there. 

When Alice fell, Sebastian caught her, which was a thankful surprise, but when his grip got rough she felt heat grow in her throat and thighs. He lifted her up, guiding some of the falling weight to get her up and against him. She was a bit off balance, but his steadied her, the weight of his grip on her arms making her head spin. 

She almost leaned forward and pressed her lips against his, drowning in the heat radiating off of his touch, mind racing to a different location that was more discreet. 

“I-” Alice breathed, Sebastian inhaling her breath as she did. “I should probably go, we are at the farm entrance.”

He let her go, easing back gently and putting his hands in his pockets. 

“Thank you for,” Alice took a breath, “walking me home.”

“Absolutely,” Sebastian breathed, nodding quietly while looking at the ground. 

"Let's do it again sometime," Alice asked, making Sebastian look up. She walked back towards him some, her scent teasing him as it was just out of reach.

"That'd be great, yeah," Sebastian smiled, nodding. The heat enveloping him was all consuming, but he didn't know if she felt the same. I can't force this on her, he kept repeating to himself, although his imagination had other ideas. Alice waited a breath, as if expecting him to continue, before turning and finishing the walk to her house.

"Have a good night!" She waved as she went. 

"You too!" Sebastian replied, hand waving even though Alice was walking away and turned the corner. He felt stiff all over, which was only exacerbated by the intrusive thoughts of him and her alone in the bath house.

Chapter Text

Rain speckled against the window pane by Alice’s bed, and she sighed a refreshing breath of relief. Turning over in her bed, she slept for a little while longer before going in to check the animals. 

I wonder what the merchant has today , Alice thought, closing her eyes. She saw the woman with her cart, by the forest, and kept saying to herself , oh, I’ll go back to it when I have time . Alice closed her eyes, contemplating that line. Well, I have time now , and grabbed her raincoat. 

Alice stood, hands on the wooden counter, head back as her eyes dragged along the chalkboard menu of items. The small awning at the counter was a small recluse from the rain that surrounded them, the falling water creating a curtain around the two of them.

“This is a strange list,” Alice said, smiling a bit. 

“Yeah, I know it's a bit pricey, but it's all smuggled from the Gotoro Empire, so,” the merchant shrugged, her earrings dangled in the movement. Her eyes trailed off for a moment, lost in thought. 

Alice stared at the woman, the sound of rain filling the silence around them. “So, what is a rare seed?” 

“Oh, that?” the merchant turned her head to face her own chalkboard menu. “There are some seed productions that went way down, like this one, after the war. The area they grew was burned during the start of the war.” the merchant hesitated, but for just a moment, “The fruit pretty much went extinct, but my family has a technique to cultivate them. I can only make so many, and am able to sell only a few a week, usually only a few.”

“A 1000g is pretty steep for a seed,” Alice said, making a face.

“Yes, but they sell for much more than that,” the merchant nodded to herself. “Plus, the effort I put in to make-”

The merchant stopped as she saw the coin purse put on the table. The money shimmered in the low light from the rain, and she looked up to the smiling farmer. 

“I’ll take it,” she nodded, “and I can come by and see you later this week for another?”

The merchant smirked a laugh, taking a breath before grabbing the money and the rare seed for the farmer. 

The dark sheet of rain cut through the summer heat like a knife. Steam rose up from the chicken coop, hissing into the air as the roar of rain splattered across the farm. Alice watched quietly, a mug of coffee warming her sore hands, letting the sensation of rest overtake her. 

And yet, she grew uneasy. The TV only had a few channels, and Gunther said the shipments of books she requested (and made a donation of fossils she found on her farm) were behind. Alice tossed the remote on the old arm chair and sighed, tossing herself face first into the bed. Clint still had her ax he was upgrading, so she couldn’t even clear trees, not that she wanted to. Maria trotted up to the side of the bed and put her snout on Alice’s hand, her tail thumping the floor. Sighing, Alice got up, scooped the dog up in her arms, and plopped it on her spot in the bed. Maria turned once, twice, three times before laying down, nose to tail and fell asleep. 

“Alright, I’ll go do something,” Alice sighed. 

Alice donned on her yellow raincoat and baby blue boots to trek down the ocean. Her fishing pole saddled on her shoulder, bucket swinging by her side as she took the quiet walk alone. The valley was serene in the silence, at least of other humans. Birds chirped among the high trees with the humming of rain, and a few damp deer blew before leaping out of sight. 

The waves of the ocean were a calming white, the water a green blue with shadows of fish being seen from even the thick sandy beach. The dull roar of the water soothed the farmer to her core, the water more unsettled past the rock barrier further out. Alice set up on the end of the pier, scooping up ocean water and setting it by a post on the water before casting out her line. 

The water started to settle, which Alice thought was odd in the rain. Within a few moments, the water was still except for the drops of rain disrupting it. Frowning, Alice looked around to see if the water level was lowering to show an incoming tsunami. Those are not common in this area, but the ocean is powerful and does not care for statistics. 

Suddenly, her line went rigid, and a force started pulling against it. 

“Woah, what are you,” she muttered to herself. 

Alice spun the reel, the pressure from the catch digging into her fingers. The rain didn’t help, as she felt her knuckles turning white not only from reeling but from holding on to prevent her fingers from slipping. 

“Not today,” she gasped, when her whole rod tugged. She was thrown off balance, her torso hurling forward, her legs barely staying under her. Before she could recover, another tug ripped her into the water. 

The plunge was shocking, causing Alice to let go as she used her arms to keep herself oriented in the current. Opening her eyes, she saw she was close to one of the large beach rocks, and chills went down her spine at the thought of clocking her skull against that behemoth. 

She turned to see where her rod went, but instead froze. Amongst the waving lines of yellow green Bull kelp in the cerulean water was a humanoid creature. It was a cool gray palette, easily blending in and if it wasn’t facing Alice so close, stark still in the constant lulling of the leaves in the current, she could tell how she could easily miss it. 

It held her lure curiously in its hand, but was staring at her. Alice blinked, the thoughts of junimo running in her mind and how much the sea creature reminded her of them. The creature held something in its other arm, something smooth and rather large. 

Alice started to see stars, she was running out of air. Despite how badly she wanted to see what the creature was holding, maybe even learn who they were, she started kicking to the surface. 

Oh no, I am way deeper than I thought , Alice thought, legs aching as she kicked. Her clothes were so heavy, and despite her heavy kicks, she didn’t seem to go anywhere. The stars in her eyes started to spread, creating a humming in her brain as she reached towards the surface. 

She felt hands on her as the roaring of water rushing past led up the crack of breaking the surface. Rain was the first thing she heard, and then something warm pressed into her hand, and then something hot grabbed her ribcage and hoisted her up. 

“-are you sure that is what happened?” the voice was panicked. Alice started to get feeling in her body again, feeling the stiff cold of the pier under her, the burning in her lungs. Water puddled in her esophagus, and a coughing fit erupted to evict it. 

“It's alright lass, just get it out,” this voice was different to the first one she heard, and she was more aware than before. 

Willy, seems pretty obvious he would pull me out, actually , Alice thought, wiping water from her eyes. 

“T-thanks,” she coughed out, trying to open her eyes. Salt burned in them as the falling rain was determined to keep water in them. 

“Well, I’m not the one that pulled you out, actually. It was Sebastian here.”

Sebastian . Alice forced her eyes open, as shocked as Willy sounded saying the name himself. 

Sure enough, Sebastian was standing in front of her, his umbrella closed and off to the side as he was finishing taking off his hoodie, which was now soaked from reaching in and grabbing her. His hair was starting to soak as well, deepening the color and pressing against his face. He pushed it aside, showing his clear eyes as he looked at her with concern and intent, the gray matching the sky behind him. 

Alice tried to say thanks, but the coughing fit returned, her aching body pressing around the warm round thing on her lap that the sea creature gave her. She heard a slight tack on the pier, so subtle she was the only one who heard it. Turning her head, she saw her rod was placed gently back on the pier, and the slight flick of a gray tail in the water vanishing in the waves of an omniscient ocean. 

“Y-you pulled me out?” Alice struggled out between coughs. Willy looked at Alice to Sebastian and quietly excused himself, but his smirk was hard to hide even under his beard.

Sebastian stared at Alice, her outfit clinging to her body like it was painted on. Her hair curled on her jawline like a Greek painting, reminiscing the horror he felt when he watched her fall in. Although it certainly looked so much more like she was pulled in, it was so violent her coat well off and her hair whipped back as she was ripped into the water. Sebastian choked, sprinting against the wet sand, slipping a few times in his fervor to get to the dock. By the time he got there, all that was left of her presence was the damp yellow coat and a bucket of meager fish. 

She was just here, she couldn't have gotten too far , it was hard to breathe. He turned once, two, three times to see where she fell into the water. Why is the water so still? What is - 

There, a spot of dark brown - her hair! She wasn't far from the pier .

Willy shuffled out of his shop, a net and a life vest on his shoulders as he turned the corner to see Sebastian prone on the pier as he pulled Alice out of the water. Throwing the life preserves on the pier with a dull thud, he ran over and helped the young man hoist the new farmer out of the water.

It took the fisherman all of three seconds to see there was an unspoken attraction between the two young adults and he decided to excuse himself. As he did, he looked off to the far side of the beach to see if his old friend was paying the valley a visit on this stormy day.

“We should probably get you home,” Sebastian said, offering a hand. Alice took it, and Sebastian strained as he leaned back to get her up. She’s really heavy , he thought again, flushing in embarrassment. She stood, but was uneasy, and Sebastian came in and put an arm around her waist and swooped her arm over his shoulder to hoist her up. 

They crossed the beach, sliding an uncomfortable amount on the wet sand as they reached the edge full of white washed up trees that lined the forest edge. Something blue stuck out, and Sebastian leaned to see if he could get a better look, but it was gone. Thunder cracked overhead, making them push for the town with a bit more tired fervor.

"Oh, Miss Alice, you look positively dreadful, and Sebastian, you look exhausted!" Came behind them, they turned slowly, feeling Sebastian's hand press in ever so slightly more as he watched Elliot run up to them. He sported a green raincoat and a large red umbrella.

"Why don't you both stop a moment and take a breather, why are you both sopping wet?"

Sebastian started to open his mouth to answer only to realize he also didn't know. How did she fall in, or was shoved in? He turned to face her.

"Well I, um, fell in," Alice said hoarsely. 

There was a pregnant pause.

"Yes but, why?" Sebastian was surprised when he realized he was the one that asked that question.

A small story played out in Alice's eyes. Wonder, confusion, contemplation, a breath of fear before she cleared her throat and said, "a fish pulled me in, maybe I caught a shark, it's hard to tell. I'm safe now, that's all that matters."

Sebastian thought about pressing further, but decided against it. Elliot came forward and put his hand on Alice's brow and heat shot up Sebastian's spine, anger pooling into his body as he watched the other man touch her unprovoked. Alice stayed still, watching calmly as Elliot took his hand back and said she was shockingly hot for someone who almost drowned. 

“Alice!” The shrill call cut through the rainfall as Leah ran over, her green raincoat was hiker's quality and she looked like a professional outdoors person as she approached them with some speed. 

Next thing Sebastian knew, Leah was pulling Alice onto her shoulders and leading Alice back to the farm. He wanted to object, but it was clear that Leah was much faster carrying Alice than he was. 

“Oh good, Leah got my call, she is such a good friend,” Elliot nodded. “You can come by my cabin if you would like to get out of the weather, it's a long walk back to the mountains.”

Sebastian was taken aback by the gesture, he racked his mind trying to remember the last time he ever spoke to Elliot besides a nod of acknowledgement in common areas. 

“Well, actually,” Sebastian started, before pausing, thinking of Alice, “I think I will, yeah,” there was a moment pause before he tacked on, “thanks.” Elliot smiled at that.

It was eerie, walking away from Alice as she was in need of help to have a quiet moment for himself with one of her friends. Sebastian watched Elliot’s orange hair wave under this umbrella as Sebastian followed him back with his own. Salt was starting to cling to his skin, and the roar of rain felt mocking his inability to help. How is Leah so much stronger than him?

Elliot opened the cabin door, stepping back and offering Sebastian in first. Blinking twice in shock, he went in, nodding a thanks as he closed his umbrella quickly upon entry. 

It was an old cabin, but it looked well put together, the stained logs from the outside were beautiful maintained on the inside, creating a rich, warm aura. There was a desk with a few stools of plants around it, a piano, and then on the right two doors, he was guessing for the bedroom and bathroom. A small kitchenette was on their immediate right, which Elliot went to once he came inside. 

“You seem a bit stressed, my friend, can I offer you some chamomile?” Elliot said warmly as he washed his hands. He had already shed his jacket on a hook by the door, prompting Sebastian to do the same. 

“I feel it can be a bit alarming to see someone you care about take a dive, but Alice is a very capable woman, and so is Leah! I bet we will see them later, perhaps a bit shaken, but well. Quite well.”

“How do you know that? And how is Leah so strong?” Sebastian finally asked, making Elliot laugh. 

“Oh, I just believe they will be fine, and it usually pans out! Leah and Alice are some of my favorite friends, and Leah is very strong, she does woodworking. What with Alice being a farmer, I heard she is not far behind cutting down trees as fast as Leah. Have you tried that? It is truly an all body workout.”

“Do you think that is why she talks to Alex?” Sebastian blurted out, shocked again that his thoughts had a direct line to his mouth. 

“Yes, she did mention that she was injured once and Alex helped her. She said he is really quite nice, just takes a bit of getting past his shell, although I am sure you know about that, huh?”

The kettle whistled, and Elliot hummed as he placed the prepped diffusers into the mugs, and pouring the steaming line of water into the mugs. 

“I heard from our lovely little birdies that you are a fellow Solarian, and I would like to inquire your opinion on which villain had a better monologue, Gale or Will?”

Sebastian blinked, and then smiled.

Chapter Text

Leah had brought Alice all the way home, both huffing a bit once they arrived. Leah had asked her friend why she was hellbent on carrying that strange rock with her all the way back to the farm, but the farmer kept deflecting, her eyes glazing over in thought. Setting Alice in the bathroom, helping her out of her heavy clothes, Leah left to put them in the laundry while Alice showered when she came across the rock again. It was nestled gently on a chair in a nest of her coat and blankets. Maria sat next to it, nose pointed directly at it like a painting rather than something actually happening in front of her. She tried to ignore it, at least for the moment, for the sake of her friend. 

“Here, please take at least some of this tea,” Leah said gently as Alice sat across from her in her pajamas. Alice leaned against the table to get her bearing as she took the mug. 

“I know you are tired, but I think you can understand I have a few questions,” Leah said, nodding to her friend, watching her wet hair hang to her sides as she took a sip of the hot tea.

“Do you feel that you came out here by choice, or that someone wanted you to come out here,” Alice asked. “That it was disguised as fate, and they are using you to do something they want. Like it doesn’t even matter if it is for a good reason, that you are fighting a greater evil, but that you just do. not. have a choice. And that by itself, even though it feels selfish, seems horribly immoral and cruel. And you wonder why you even bother.”

Leah sat silently for just a breath, staring at her friend who wouldn’t meet her gaze. 

“Is this about the rock you got from the water?” Leah asked quietly, eyes fixed on the strange, beige textured thing. Why was it warm?

Alice smiled quietly, looking at her mug. “I did fall in, you know, it's hard for me to express why that thing is important, I don’t even know why. Do you ever feel that way?”

Leah grew stiff, her eyes glazing over. “I think I know what you mean. I kept dreaming of this place, strange dreams. Fairies, a witch in the sky, little apple creatures in the bushes. Even a little black shadow stealing a magnifying glass, as strange as that is. I barely remember buying my ticket here, letting my lease up, getting the cottage. Do I feel that my art flow has an ulterior motive? I honestly don’t know, but sometimes I feel strange urges I don’t understand.”

Alice smirked, a little burst of emotion. 

“Welp, shall we go drink it off? It is ladies night, it's Thursday. Half price for all ladies,” Leah said with a quiet addition, “besides one.”

Alice smiled, her eyes squinting as she did, “and we are not one of those ladies.”

There was so much to process, the thoughts and ideas and recollections weighed so heavily on Sebastian’s mind that it felt like a physical weight that hung over him and interfered with his posture. He leaned over the thick wooden table at the Saloon, watching the bubbles of the beer's carbonation circle the glass. 

Abigail sat with him, but just for a moment. He told her by her third conversation attempt he wasn't interested, and that it wasn't about her. The way she got up, scrapping the chair loud enough the saloon hummed a moment in silence, he wasn't quite so sure she believed him. Sam patted him on the back twice, then left.

The door creaked open, the hum of the rain and crisp air breaking up the warmth and smell of cheese and bread to show Alice and Leah coming through. Alice had on a pink coat this time, it looked a little tight on her compared to the yellow, and strands of her hair started to curl from the rain, but she seemed okay. Distracted, avoidant, eyes showing she was mentally somewhere far away. But okay, walking, anatomy working, neurons firing. 

Willy came right over, the ladies barely had a moment to fully remove their rain gear as he talked to Alice. She blinked at him then her smile bloomed, and Sebastian smirked to himself, relief washing over him. Before the ladies could leave he handed them both a shot glass of bourbon, which they took straight. With a slight wince at the end, they thanked him and went to their usual spot.

"I told ya it would warm them up, I'm sure the poor farmer is still cold. I know she's sturdy but she's human, too." Willy said to Gus, you leaned over and grabbed the glasses. 

"Alice gave me so many fresh eggs this week, it's the least I can do, thanks for checking on her." 

Sebastian smiled again, looking at his distorted reflection in his beer. Even though he was concerned about Alice, he felt relieved that she had a good support system. One he didn't.

He looked up slightly, feeling his shoulders ache from leaning so heavily onto the table, the thoughts bubbling on the rim of his skull.

Sebastian decided to turn in early, it was satisfying to see Alice doing well, and alienating. She has such a strong support network, and she just got here. Sure, she knew Leah beforehand, but it wasn’t any less tender to think about. Who did he have? He looked over at Sam, who was shoving chopsticks in his nose, trying to make the art table laugh. His mom was with Demetrius, dancing with the jukebox playlist, feeling like they were off on their own. I need to think about a few things, I don’t know what happened or why she won’t tell me about it. Why don’t I like that she won’t tell me? She has every right to keep her secrets, and I don’t even know her that well. What does she even owe me? 

It was a lot to take in, and to process alone in a public place. He got up quietly, put his empty glass on the bar for Emily with a tip next to it, and left. Alice looked up for a moment, but did not draw attention to it as she returned to the going ons of her table. 

He sighed as he looked at the stars right outside the saloon. The speckled white on black canvas stretched far overhead, curving with the overture of the planet, off and away past the horizon and past anything he knew or saw. Sebastian put his hood up, taking a deep breath of the clean air, and turned to walk home. He stopped only a few steps in to see Alex standing on the way up, stiff as a statue, staring into the dog pen. 

Sebastian didn’t know who’s dog that was, but it was in front of Pam’s trailer and looked like hell like her yard, so he assumed it was hers. No one would say. But the way Alex stared at the dog, quiet, severe, kind, he wondered what he was thinking. 

“Hey man, you okay?” Sebastian asked, walking up. He thought of Alice, thought it was something she would say. 

Apparently, Alex had a similar response on the other end, he looked up briefly with a rawness of emotion that he quickly put away once he saw who it was. 

“Oh, hey, Sebastian. How’s your leg?” Alex seemed to ask the dog, who was sleeping in his dog house, instead of the person next to him. 

“How did you-?”

“You were limping by the lake, I kind of assumed it was a not typical injury because the limp had a pull that originated from the front, and honestly I don’t think you are doing anything that would cause that kind of injury without it being a cut.”

“Oh, well, that’s fair.” Sebastian nodded, looking at the dog. His red collar was nestled on the rolls of skin around his neck, he looked like a hound dog of some kind. “It’s really cool you know that, did you go to school for it?”

“School? What, no way, it's just what I learned from my coach for gridball, it's really a lot of understanding of how the body works, moves, talks to each muscle. Plus, getting injuries yourself, you really feel where it comes from, and it makes it easier to see it in others. If I had my coach when I first started out, I would have probably gone a lot farther. I was injured from something I got a while ago during the game where a scout came. I try to not, but I wonder what would have happened if I was able to play that game. Would I have gotten into college and played at that level? I am still trying to get a scholarship, to make my grandparents proud, to make something big of myself, but.”

“That’s tough,” Sebastian said, nodding. He didn’t expect Alex to have gone through this, or to say this. There is a lot more to him than Sebastian realized, understanding now why Alice talks to him a lot, how strong she has gotten, how well her body moves with such confidence to catch him. How heavy she was coming out of that water.

“Do you know a lot about lifting,” Sebastian asked. Alex didn’t meet his eyes when he said, “yeah, why?”

“Do you think maybe you could teach me? I could pay you some, I know it's a lot of work, and-” Sebastian flustered, hands tight on the fence. Alex bore into him, staring him down, trying to assess what he was saying. 

“I can, but why? Why do you want to lift? It's a lot of work, it's a slow burn, and it's going to be hard.”

“I want to be strong enough to help those around me,” Sebastian said firmly, “I don’t want to feel like I’m not worth anything, and I want to know what I can do.”

Alex smirked at him, “so what are you doing right now? There’s a bench in the hot springs by the mountain. I got them put in a while ago when I was a freshman but it's still a really good set up.”

“Sure,” Sebastian said, head spinning in excitement. I’m coming to meet you at your level, Alice.

Alice remembered less about her evening than she typically does. Emily drew flowers on the scrap paper with them, the pops of color accenting the graphite sketches. Abigail even sat and drew for a bit, although she was quiet, even with the other women's positive nudging. Leah even told Alice her conversation with Shane about chickens was shocking and oddly successful, which the farmer herself thought didn't happen.

Eggs filled her head as Leah took her to the farm, waving madly in the dark and wet evening home to her cabin. Alice waltzed into her home and saw the nestled strange rock still in the blanket by her bed. 

Must be a cold egg, just a cold egg , Alice thought as if it was the clearest response in the world. She took the egg, the blanket trailing off in a line out the door, as she went through the splashing wet grass and high pitch crickets to the chicken coop. In the far corner was an incubator, a secure pillar with a decent sized door that Alice tucked the strange egg into and latching it. The machine began to whir away, the new contents securely inside.

Chapter Text

Alice dreamed heavily, a thick blanket of concern coating her and causing her to toss and turn. She dreamed she felt something wrong, throwing her blankets off and running outside in nothing but a shirt and underwear. Her head craned back to look into the sky, to see a dark figure skirting across the void of the night, a thick feeling of ominous making it hard to even look at the figure. The figure grew closer, flying over her house and making her duck at the power it exhibited, blowing her hair every which way. 

No , Alice thought, watching the figure head towards her coop. Not my babies, not my rock . Her feet smashed against the stone path, the heat pressing against her soles. With a huff, she arrives at the coop to watch the figure drop something like sand on her coop then fly off. Wind blew past Alice again, making her cough as she looked at the figure, which looked like a woman on a broom. 

Morning was exhausting, the chores in the weak sunlight being painful from her dream. Even her feet were still tingling from the dream, it was so realistic. She sighed into her watering can, feeling her spine burn.

I wonder if Alex has a remedy for this , Alice finally sighed, finishing up her watering. She put her watering can in the bin and kicked off her boots before going in for a fresher change.

It was fairly early, but the cicadas still hissed as the sun's heat pressed into her back. Town was lovely, flowering plants hung from every window and the large garden displays shimmered in the breeze. Color was erupting among the aged stone and warm palette buildings. 

"I said I'm fine!" Came a frustrated voice, it was coming from Alex's house. Alice's brows knit and she leaned into her walk over. Turning the corner around a bush, Alice watched Penny push George's wheelchair and reach into George's mailbox and pull out a small stack of mail. She handed the stack to him, a smile on her face. George snatches the mail and snapped, "Can't you hear, I said I didn't need help, at all!"

Penny went stiff, and Alice came over a bit closer. 

"Alice, I - were you watching the whole time?" Penny asked, adverting her gaze.

"I was," Alice responded, which made Penny look at her. "I know your intentions were kind and to help, but did you ask George if he needed help, first?"

Penny slowly looked down, her shoulders dropping. "No, I'm sorry." Alice swallowed roughly.

George looked from Penny to Alice, and then back to Penny.

"Hey, miss, I'm sorry about how I responded. You did a kind thing, and I appreciate you caring." Penny looked at him and smiled.

"Thank you, Mr. Mullner." She started to walk back to her trailer and whispered, "thank you, too, Alice."

"So, you must be Alex's new friend, the farmer. Huh. At least it's honest work," George said, crossing his arms. "Bet you're strong like our boy, too. " Alice smiled.

"It's nice to meet you, and I am here to see Alex, I need to ask him some fitness questions."

"Oh, I think he's out doing runs on the beach again, something about sand and resistance or something or other. Boy can't focus unless you get him talking about all that muscle, body function stuff."

Alice thanked George and went on the path down to the beach, her mind muddling over instances with Alex whenever they did talk about anything physical fitness.

The sound of waves crashing came before the sight of the ocean. Alice walked a little slower after seeing it, her mind muttering over her last experience in the water. Alice expected a friendly smile, a big wave, even a deeply focused Alex not even noticing her, eyes off in the distance as his bare feet dug into the sand as he sluggishly sprinted through it. 

But instead she received the high sun, white bubbles from the waves, and a quick, “Hey, you are the new girl, right?”

Alice turned to see Emily’s younger sister Haley laying on a towel, closer to the tree line. She had made a comfortable setup among the washed up trees, with a tote filled with beach supplies, a lemonade in a large thermos with a handle and a straw, and a stack of Fashion Today magazines. 

“Yeah, I’m Alice,” the farmer responded, “Is Alex here?”

“He usually is, I think he might have gotten distracted, though,” Haley’s face looked a little sour, straightening the magazine in her hand, putting a bookmark in the pages before setting it down. “Are you looking for him?”

“Yeah, I wanted to ask him about how to make my back not hurt, I might be using bad form while farming.”

Haley listened, looking Alice up and down before saying, “your pants are cute, but they look dirty.”

“I live on a farm.”

“Is that dirty work?”

“Well, it's really biological, and technically it has a lot of soil, and the soil is pretty much alive. Plus everything washes off, so it's not really a big deal.”

Haley listened, blinking once before saying, “huh. Well your dirty pants are nice.'' She went back to reading her magazine, and Alice shrugged and decided to check the tidal pools, just in case. 

Sebastian’s shoulders and back were so stiff that it took him almost 3 minutes just to put his shirt on this morning. He sat in front of the yield sign by the train tracks, shielding his eyes from the sun. The area was more bare than lower in the valley, exposed rock all around them like a bowl. Jagged rock lined around them and opened up to the expansive sky, and a part of the rest of the mountain leaned off to the north. A brick lined tunnel entrance between the jagged walls, tempting the arrival of a train at any moment. 

Sebastian used to run up the mountain pass to watch the train go by when he was younger, as it appeared magically on the left and vanished on the right through those tunnels, as if getting up and leaving was so easy. Like his real dad. Like how he wanted to do so himself some days.

Sebastian sighed heavily, shaking his head as his hair fluffed around him. Alex said he will be over as soon as his shift at the ice cream stand ends, which should be soon. Alex said lifting again will help break up the lactic acid in his back, so Sebastian might have felt overzealous to get that stage over with. 

First few weeks are the hardest , Alex had said on their first day, which Sebastian kept repeating to himself like an incantation, as if it would singularly make the transition easier. Plus, it got him out of the house on his work lunches, and he heard less gripe from his step father if he wasn’t there to exist in a shared space. 

He shook the last conversation he overheard out of his head, as if he wasn’t in the hallway during it, and was still ignored to the point he didn’t even feel seen. There was an explosion, shaking Sebastian at his desk and almost pouring his coffee over into his computer tower. He barely stopped the mug induced apocalypse before he threw himself out of his chair and up the stairs to see if his mom was okay. Reaching the top, the shrill ring of the fire alarm pulsing as a plume of smoke pillared out of the lab like a thick tree branch. The lab mom built Demetrius was off to the right, the ceiling high above of stained log work was splattered in a strange chemical, and it reeked of smoke and burning hair. The fire alarm was blaring, and his mom was yelling over it about how he needs to be more careful. Maru was crying loudly in the side of the lab as Demetrius yelled back how hard it is to focus in such an environment, and someone like Robin would never understand, and it was so fortunate for Maru that he was there to actually raise her. Robin was so red Sebastian was worried she would have a medical implication, but he was so numb from hearing that he couldn’t do anything about it. Again, feeling so powerless.

I need to get out of there , he thought grimly, not even feeling the heat from the sun as the sweat rolled down his back. With the thought of leaving, immediately Alice’s face shot across his mind like a meteor, the way she turned to look at him under the tree, her waking up after being pulled out of the ocean, her soft breathing next to him that night. The shock of her entrance into his life threw so much light onto everything he wondered how it was before at times.

He felt stiff all over for a moment, sighing it out and looking at the lazy clouds overheard. 

“Hey, sorry!” Alex called, jogging up the mountain pass, which made Sebastian shake his head that Alex probably jogged the whole way and looked more relaxed than he did just standing there. “You ready?”

Sebastian smirked and nodded, taking his hands out of his pockets. 

I have to stay, at least a little while longer. His mind settled on thinking about what he would say to Alice next. Do you like board games? What do you do in your free time besides read? What are your tattoos about? Could I possibly see them? He shut that line of thought down immediately, especially as he followed Alex into the bathhouse.

The bathhouse building was old, and had a comforting sense of abandonment about it. The smell of chlorine filled his nose, even though the springs were saltwater based for at least the past 5 years, which ironically was the last gift that Alice’s grandfather gave to the town. The front areas felt like time capsules of the early 90s, with the empty off white walls and faded blue chairs lining the walls. A singular fake plant stood on one side, and the fluorescent light hummed into the dull nothing of the air. Alex cut past all of it, with Sebastian following quickly behind, trying to shake thoughts out of his head of a certain farmer. 

The locker area was the start of the pool room, and immediately the full tiling took over, from floor to ceiling were small, perfectly symmetrical pale blue tiles that extended the feeling of the room. Lockers were off to the left, and Alex had certainly claimed on. There were protein tubs, a lifting belt, straps, a jar holding a brick of chalk, a few cases of multivitamins, the large locker was so full from top to bottom it was hard to decipher all the items in it. 

Sebastian initially got gloves, reading on online forums that they are helpful when first starting out, especially if your hands are soft, which his embarrassingly were. Alex saw him wear them the first day, and said it would be better to not have them on, as they negatively impact grip and control, and Sebastian isn’t lifting enough for it to really tear his skin up. 

It’s a great, immediate feedback of doing a good job, though. I really like calloused hands , Alex had said. Sebastian flushed, remembering how calloused Alice’s hands were, and what that would feel like. 

I have to do something with these intrusive thoughts , he thought as they walked down the locker room to the weight area. There was a chunk of lockers that were taken out to make room for a crude powerlifting set up, with a bench, a rack, and an old line of dumbbells that started at 30 pounds, which was embarrassingly heavy for Sebastian. Alex said to not worry about it, kept saying how little there was to worry about Sebastian wondered if he ever would have lifted without the encouragement.

“Okay, we are going to start with the bar on the incline bench press to get warmed up, no weights yet, just make sure your form is good first,” Alex said, nodding to himself as he situated the bench at a 45 degree angle. Sebastian watched him do it, taking mental note, as he sat on the bench and stared down the hallway to the dark end with the closed door, the slight splashing of the poolroom beyond that.

Alice was back at Marnie’s farm, much to Marnie’s surprise and apprehension. 

“She’s back, Shane!” Marnie hissed as the door knocked at 9am on the dot again. 

“Didn’t you say you needed more customers? She just built her barn, she’s probably here to get a cow.” He blinked slowly, one hand in his basketball shorts the other holding a cup of steaming coffee. 

“Uncle Shane, can I have some milk,” Jaz yawned at the table, “and can it be chocolate?”

“Yeah, go for it,” he yawned back, turning to return to the table. 

“Shane!” Marnie hissed as the banging returned on the door. Shane grumbled loudly. 

“So you want a cow?” Shane said as he opened the door, Alice’s fist mid knock. 

“How did you know?”

“You just got a barn, it should be obvious,” he said, rubbing his head, hair rustling everywhere.

“Is anything actually obvious? What if you didn’t know about my barn?” Alice said back, hands on her hips as Shane walked past to take her to the sale barn.

“Touche,” he said, sticking his hands in his ragged jacket pocket. “We had a few youngins reach a good age, come pick who you want out.”

“Why do you help me and not Marnie?” Alice asked as they crossed the shadow of the barn door. The smell of hay and manure wrapped around them like a blanket. Mooing was coming from the stalls, ears bobbing in and out of view. 

“She’s not very confrontational at all, and I think the fact you are intimidating her?”

“You think I am confrontational?”

Shane gave Alice a look and said, “You bang on our door at 9a on the dot and scare her with it.”

“She isn’t always around, and I need to take care of my farm. My chickens are doing great, by the way.” Although the incubator is full, and I don’t know why , Alice added to herself. It’s been a few weeks, whatever is coming out of there could make an appearance any day now. 

“I know, but I am glad about the chickens. Okay, here are the girls, take your pick,” Shane said, throwing a barn door open to four young cows with wet noses who all turned to Alice as if on cue. 

Alice let Tessa in the barn, the white speckled cow walking in with confidence towards the feed bin, sniffing around before turning around to face Alice and mooing loudly. 

I should be able to have milk for the community center soon , Alice thought, leaning against the frame of the barn door. Why is the community center always my first thought ?

The day ended with not much left, so Alice went to the mines to clear her head. Until, something strange dropped. She pulled her sword aside, looking at the shattered barrel, and stared at the scroll with the green band. She had found another before, and didn’t think much of it. A dwarven scroll, Gunther said, when she turned it into the museum. But another one?

It grew more strange when she left the mines, sighing as her back ached, and she swore she heard something. Getting quiet, she turned to her left, and saw that there was light coming from a crack in the rock. Frowning, she walked closer and saw there was a tunnel, and the rock was a newer addition. The sounds picked up again, and Alice leaned closer to try and hear better, putting her hand on the stone to balance her. The moment she did, the sound hushed out, and with a sigh, the farmer chose to go home instead. 

Chapter Text

Alice smelled a shift coming in the weather, the tinge difference in the air coming in through her nose and cooling down her windpipe and filling her lungs as she sorted through the origins of smell like a sorting machine. 

It can’t be that much longer of summer , she thought, her sleepy eyes looking over the golden morning sunlight gleaming and haloing each crop. The plump melons, curling bushes of blueberries, robust hot peppers and tomatoes nodding in the wind. The crops continued on, radishes, wheat, and a few heads of nodding corn. Fresh produce was already taken to the bin, with a couple melons Alice couldn’t decide on for the community center sitting off to the side. Where did the time go already?

She sighed, rolling her shoulder with her elbow out to get a wider movement. It was still sore, Alice blew her bangs out from her face, thinking as she looked at her community center bag. She left the other melon there, thinking to herself she will grab it later, and grabbed a load of other vegetables she had prepared, and her first milk. She thought she would be more excited when she bought her first cow off of Marnie, or honestly Shane, but her head was busy with the next thing. She shook her head. 

I’ll just drop these off, and then maybe just see if I can find him . 

Despite the mild tempo of the walk, Alice’s mind raced. Even though she spoke to Alex frequently, it wasn’t who was on her mind. Swallows swooped down by her between the trees, the sunlight beaming down and making the fence by the bus stop glow, the tree leaves shimmering around her. 

Let’s think about this logically. He asked me to go for a walk with him, and he offered me a ride on his bike. He likes when I talk, I am pretty sure. These all certainly check out. The possibility he likes me back is there. Definitely . 

Alice nodded to herself, mouthing definitely as she reached the top of the stairs. The community center stood in the back of the park, the warm brick standing straight among the wafting green. A flock of birds settled on the roof, shaking their feathers and gleaning against the shingles. Alice resituated her bag, the melon rolling in the bag and causing a strange distribution of weight, pressing against her clavicle. 

Dust scattered as she opened the great oak door, slipping in with her bloated bag and sliding the door shut again. Darkness came over the building, with only the sunlight speckling in from the dirty windows. Alice walked the familiar paths to the bundle areas, knowing she will have a few completed with this final run, especially with her corn crops doing so well. 

Her eyes wandered more than usual, as her legs were so accustomed to the path that she was able to fully soak in the building. There was a sewing area, with a few dusty fabrics in a large, well made cubby system that was covered in dust and a suburb for spiders now. There was a children’s area, with an old toy chest that was busted, but preserved enough of its original shape to remind her of a pirate’s chest. However, the loot therein has long left, and even if it hadn’t, Alice wondered about the safety of it. 

I wonder if my kids will ever play here , Alice thought, thinking of a black haired and a brown haired set of children and immediately flushing red with the strong implication of who has black hair in the valley. 

As she gifted the produce to the juminos, their little arms gleefully taking the items and running into their hut with high pitched chirping, her brain continued on the path that it started. The walk back to her farm brought heat to her face, her thighs tingling at his breath on her cheek, warming her neck. His hands holding her up against him, his chest pressing against her skin. 

The tomato rolled out of her grip, and her hands frantically went after it as a jumino whipped it up off the ground, patted her hand, and ran off with it high above its head. 

“I really need to talk to someone about this,” Alice whispered, staring down the dirty wooden hallway as the sound of windchimes mumbled in the air. 

Wiping the dirt off of her sunflower sundress, Alice took her empty bag and went down the list of people to chat with. Leah was the first miss, with a note on her door saying she was going to a contact for soft wood that was the next town over. Alice whistled, surprised Leah’s old truck still worked, but the dedication she poured into it made that surprise less harsh of a landing. The next stop was Alex’s, although Evelyn caught her outside. The elderly woman was deep in the flowerbeds of one of the two displays. She looked up, a warm smile on her face, as she sat back and put her sunhat up. 

“Alice, it's so wonderful to see you! Are you looking for Alex again?” 

“Hi, Mrs. Mullner, and yes, I am,” Alice said, looking down at her shoes for a moment before looking back up. Evelyn was smiling at her, a hint of knowing in her eyes. 

“I think he is actually in the bathhouse, although I can’t be sure. He actually is training someone right now, which is very exciting for him. He has been so happy lately, it's all he talks about at dinner.”

“Oh, that is wonderful, who is he training?”

“He told me it is a secret right now, and that the person training doesn’t really want anyone to know. Alex is so good he didn’t even mention it to us, and he can be pretty open. This whole situation has been good for him, he is taking it very seriously.”

“Well, thank you for your help, I am going to see if I can meet one more person, if at all possible.”

“Absolutely, have a lovely day,” Evelyn said, already going back into the flowers. 

Alice’s mind was racing, wondering if Alex was off training this mystery person, or if she would be able to catch him. O kay, if Evelyn said he may be training someone, he is likely not home. That means there is a chance he is somewhere else. If I know him, he likes to take a bit of a break between sessions, so that means he will probably be visiting someone, which means, even if it's a slight possibility … She turned to Haley and Emily’s house. 

Alice’s hand brushed the front door, the warm metal leaving her fingertips as the door opened. Alice stood there, looking at the open wooden frame, as she overheard a disagreement. 

“Urgghh! I always clean under the cushions! It's YOUR turn this week!” This sounded like Haley . 

“You’re being childish, Haley. I do the vast majority of the work in this house, and you know it.” That definitely sounded like Emily .

Alice sneezed, immediately covering her mouth as if she could take the abrupt noise back in doing so. 

Haley leaned over from the living room to see who it was, her eyes wide and blinking as she looked at Alice. 

“Oh, it's that new farm girl,” Haley said, motioning Alice in who walked in cautiously. Alice looked over to Emily, who was staring at Haley. 

“She has a name, you know,” the patience in Emily’s voice suggested it wasn’t completely outlandish that Haley said something like that. 

Haley looked over to Emily, looked down at her shoes, and then over to the couch next to her, the red plush shining in the sunlight from the door and windows.

“Hey, I bet you’ll understand my point of view here,” she said, making Alice’s mouth open a little bit and looking over at Emily, who sighed. 

“I’m really sorry to involve you in this, Alice. Haley is complaining because I asked her to clean under the cushions,” Emily said, hands on her hips. 

“It’s only because I cleaned them last week!” Haley said, throwing her arms down. Alice looked between the two of them, feeling a lack of movement on either front.

“Haley, why not have this be your one weekly job?” Alice offered. Haley sighed loudly, looking away as she grumbled. After a moment, she sighed again and turned to face Emily. 

“Alright, you win. I guess this can be my job every week. Then there won’t be any reason to argue over it,” Haley said, arms crossed but voice calmer. 

“Thanks, Alice. That is a great solution,” Emily smiled, causing Haley to wiggle but smile a bit herself. 

“Hey, Haley, I was wondering if you knew where Alex was, I wanted to ask him something,” Alice asked, wringing her hands as she did so. Haley turned to face her, a look of frustration on her face. 

“No, I don’t know where he is. He has been away more than usual,” she started walking to her room, Alice following her. 

“Do you think it's?”

“I know he's training someone new, but I don’t know, times aren’t adding up. Anyway, what are you up to?”  Haley went into her light blue room with pink accents everywhere, a plush bed with white iron bed frame with hearts, fairy lights wrapped around the ceiling above her. She sat at her vanity, white with three mirrors with lighting all around, giving her a halo effect as she looked in the mirror and fixed her hair part with a brush. 

“Well, I will be honest, I was hoping to talk to Alex about it but I am wondering if you are a better person to talk to about it,” Alice admitted, putting her hands in her pockets. Haley put her brush down, pushed against the table of the vanity and turned to face Alice fully. She was staring at Alice intently, completely silent, so Alice continued.

“Well, it's about someone that we both know. Well, I know him more than you, probably obviously given the nature of this conversation. I think I dreamed about him when I first moved here, and he was saving me, and he saved me from the water. We like the same things, and he's really funny, and he smells really good, and he listens when I talk, and we have a lot in common, and I think I really like him and I am not really sure how to handle that. Usually if someone liked me, they asked me out, so I never really learned how to do this.”

“A guy?” Haley’s smile started to grow into a wild grin.

“Yeah,” Alice said, blushing as she smiled. Haley squealed loudly, jumping out of her chair and over to Alice and hugging her. 

“Oh my gosh, who is it?”

“Sebastian.”

Haley nodded, her eyes looking around in thought before she said, “Yeah that makes sense. You both like nerdy things. He’s quiet, that's probably your type.”

“You weren’t worried about me hanging out with Alex all the time?” Alice asked, shrugging. 

“Oh no, Alex is too honest,” Haley sighed, “If you can ask him the right question,” she muttered under her breath. “So, you want to ask Sebastian out? Or just talk about him?” Haley turned back to Alice, flipping her hair in excitement. 

“Well, I suppose I'll ask him out, I am nervous he won’t like me back and I don’t want to come on too strong.”

“Oh, why don’t you ask him if wants to watch the Moonlight Jellies with you? You can even ask him that night, so it's super casual,” Haley nodded, getting up and leaving her room as Alice followed. 

“I am wondering, though, do you think Abigail is taking this badly?” Haley asked quietly, looking over at Alice with sly eyes. “She has had a huge crush on him for years.”

“Oh,” Alice’s face grew a deep shade of pink, “Well, that makes sense, with how she has been, actually.” 

“Haley! What are you two talking about that has Alice blushing like that!” Emily exclaimed, closing the door to her room with a stack of folded fabric on her hip. “Alice, I did want to say how cute your pink pants are, it is honestly inspiring, so I thought I would come out and sew for a bit. I didn’t expect you to still be here, though! People tend to just come and go when business is done,” she plopped the fabric on the plush chair by a cube organizer. She grabbed an antique wicker chair to a sewing machine. Grabbing a few colors, Emily turned the fabric over and over until she found the line of pins and fed the line to the needle of the machine. Haley looked at the chair, and Alice’s eyes saw the stack of magazines on the stand by the chair. 

“This seems like a hard space to mingle together,” Alice said, causing Haley to look at her for a moment before turning away. 

“Yes, yes it is,” Emily said, leaning back in her chair. “Our parents left for an extended vacation, its been almost a year and they said they don’t really plan to come back for another year, they are enjoying the tropics too much.”

Haley rang her hands, slowly backing away before going to her room and quietly closing her door. 

“She isn’t taking it well,” Emily whispered, barely audible. “They missed her prom, graduation, she has orientation next week at the community college and they aren’t coming there, either.”

“I’m really sorry Emily,” Alice whispered back. 

“Have you heard of third places?” Emily asked, her eyes darting to Haley’s door, and Alice nodded. Just in case she was listening.

“I have heard a mention of it, a place where people can interact on their own, that is not work or home. Somewhere to just exist.”

“And build social capital,” Emily responded, nodding.

“Social, I’m sorry?” Alice asked, putting her hand on her chest.

“Social capital, it is the network of relationships people build around who they live and work with in a particular area, like Stardew Valley, and it is how a society functions effectively. Without it, well, you see how siloed everyone is here.” there was a breath of silence before Emily laughed. 

“I’m sorry, I know this sounds out of nowhere. I had a dream that you came out of the community center, and it was fixed, and I had a sewing area! I thought it was a message, so I wanted to tell you why that dream excited me.”

Alice blinks, unsure of how to answer. 

“I think you have such lovely hair, I am going to make you a flower dance for next year, so you don’t have to feel left out. I always help Haley with hers, and her dance moves which she doesn’t always get into, and I love seeing how happy it makes her. It would be nice to give that to you, too. You always look, well, a bit overwhelmed.”

“There is probably a bit of truth to that,” Alice smirked.

Chapter Text

The little flier that Alice found in her mailbox was old, the ink was slightly faded and the art design looked like it was made by a high schooler in original Photoshop. However, despite all of that, the content was thrilling in blues, purples, and cyan boasting an event at the pier this evening. The bold, funky title said Dance of the Moonlight Jellies, but the rest of the words on the flier were much smaller and lost from the age of the print.
Marie woofed quietly next to Alice, the farmer leaning down to let the dog intently smell the rest of the mail, a letter from her dad, a news flier from Joja that just went straight to the trash, and another letter she didn't recognize. Standing up straight, she saw “Farmer” on it.

Farmer, I am working on experiments right now and need a fresh melon to complete my work. Can you bring me one by chance?

-Demetrius

Seriously? Alice thought, feeling her hair frazzle from her frustration and the pressure rising in her gut as she looked at her field freshly cleared of melons. Summer was far too gone to make another harvest and she started to anxiously fan herself with the mail when she realized she left some extras for the junimo, just in case. Thank you, past Alice, she thought with a sigh of relief.
Alice was sweating by the time she reached the terrace where the shop was, her bag pressing against her shoulder and back with the firm, round melon reiterating her sweaty clothes on her skin. Positive thoughts, I can see Sebastian while I am here. Alice smiled, but then she thought, what if he’s not around? I haven’t seen him in almost two weeks, does he not like me? She slowed down to a stop right in front of carpenter’s house, watching the satellite on top left of the house rotate in its soft hum.
Sighing, feeling the breath leave her body and drop her shoulders, she looked longingly off to the right, remembering spending time fishing with Sebastian there. His silence was comforting, watching the moon outline his profile as he looked off over the lake, before turning to smile at her.
Alice walked over to the spot by the tree, feeling the summer breeze wash over her, feeling the heat ease out of it near the end.
“Farmer Alice!” she heard call out to her, her hazy eyes slowly opening out of her trance, and looking over. Demetrius was standing by the shimmering boulder on the side of the mountain, fairly close to the mine's entrance. Resituating the strap again, Alice made her way over, feeling her weight against the boards of the bridge over the lake as Demetrius smiled at her, not moving from his spot.
“Hi,” she said, out of breath and shrugging off her bag. “I have the melon you wrote to me about.” She pulled the fabric off of the fruit's flesh, holding the melon to him. Demetrius wrote a quick line in his notebook, moved the ribbon, closed the notebook and slid the pen into its holder. Alice’s shoulders started to burn as she watched him put the notebook in his fanny pack before grabbing the melon from her, watching the weight of the fruit throw his center of balance slightly off kilter.
“This is perfect! It’s just what I need for my research. It’s going to be hard not to eat it!” Demetrius laughed as his own joke, throwing his head back as Alice smiled slightly. “Thanks a bunch.”
“Well, I’ll see you around,” Alice said, turning to leave.
“Wait, do you come by the house to see Sebastian, or Maru?” Demetrius asked Alice, making her shoulders shoot up as her face turned red for just a moment. Why do I care what he thinks? Come on, she told herself, he just asked for a melon on the last day of summer.
“I do like to see Sebastian, he is very close to me,” Alice said, her throat going dry as she watched Demetrius react with a mix of relief and confusion.
“Well, I'm glad, but I don't understand why you would waste your time with Sebastian, he has no drive. He also talks about leaving, so it would probably be best if he didn't get much closer.”
Heat rose thick and heavy into Alice's face, her vision tunneling as her knuckles gripped white on her empty tote. She took a deep inhale before saying, “I better head back to the farm.” It took a lot for her to muster that much.
“Good idea, hopefully I'll see you tonight at the moonlight jellies.”
Hopefully not, Alice thought as she turned away quickly and headed back to her farm. How does Sebastian live with that? Swallowing, she thought of her own step mom, and immediately started burying those thoughts as promptly as they arose.

Alice breathed slowly out of her mouth, feeling the cold air on her lips as she opened her eyes again to her reflection in the mirror. She pulled a curler out of her bangs, hoping to get some shape to them as they have gotten past her eyes now. The ends flicked on her eyelashes, making her shake her head so she could look at her eyeliner properly. She fluffed her periwinkle dress, shaking out any stiffness in her legs and went out the door.
Butterflies nestled against her ribcage as she thought of seeing Sebastian again, the cooling night breeze brushing over her, whipping her bangs back. They were so close the last time they were on the pier, her warm hands under her chest, feeling his hand press against her breast as he held her up, her thighs tingling at the proximity. She took another deep breath, feeling her cortisol still rise regardless.
“Welp, Lady, here goes nothing,” Alice said to the dog’s reflection in the mirror, the dog yawning in response on the bathroom rug. At least a friend agreed to meet with her.
Haley stood by her house, arms crossed as she stared out over the gurgling of the stream. Her hair was in a stylish ponytail and she had on a blue dress, which was not too dissimilar to her own.
“Hi, Haley,” Alice called, waving as she walked over. Haley looked over, a hint of surprise on her face before she eased into a soft smile.
“Hey, Alice, your dress is cute,” she nodded as she looked back to what she had before turning back. Alice eased in next to her to see what caught her eye. The lightpost stood stark black in the blue night, beaming out the warm golden light against the tree next to it. The details of each leaf was stark, with a strong emphasis on the complimentary colors of blue and green and yellow and orange.
“That is beautiful,” Alice said, to which Haley looked over.
“I really like color,” Haley said after a moment. “Well, shall we go? I am sure the boys are waiting,” Haley raised her eyebrows and shimmied her shoulders slowly as she spoke, which made Alice blush.
“I do want to know what would happen if you were bold with that emo boy,” Haley said, fluffing her blonde curls as they crossed the stone bridge, their sandals smacking the cobblestone. “I kinda wanna know if he would take the bait or if he would lay on your lap like a dog.”
Alice put a hand on her hip, sticking her tongue in her cheek as she thought about it. Was it embarrassing to think about, sure, but Haley’s confidence was encouraging, and Alice started to think of what she really wanted out of the interaction between the two of them.
“Here we are, oh I wish I brought my DSLR,” Haley sighed as the pair crested the hill. Salt air washed over them, Alice sighing and Haley looking forward. “The way the paper lanterns hit the water? I bet I could have captured that. I can try next year, at least.”
The night was rich in magic, Alice could feel it filling her pores and washing her over, making her hair dance up in its power. She breathed, feeling the essence swirl around her as if she was surrounded by glitter.
“This is stunning,” she whispered, her eyes fluttering.
“Wait till you see the little things,” Haley said, her eyes crinkling as she did. “Come on, let’s get to a good spot - the water is warm and we can put our feet in,” she said, grabbing Alice’s hand and guiding her to the ocean as the farmer’s head leaned back, breathing in the expanse of the universe overhead, pondering her place in it.
The pair settled on the pair, the warm wood creaking as Alice tucked her dress under her bare thighs. She felt exposed in her thong in that brief moment, but when she nestled her sandals next to her and sunk her feet into the ocean, she felt as if her body was put into an amplifier. The magic of the air was deepened, and she could have sworn her vision shifted to everything having an added layer to it. In the water ripples, she thought she could hear whispers of something she did not know, and a splash of lights in the waves.
“I love being near the ocean,” Haley sighed, the release washing over Alice in waves. She turned, and could see a light blue aura around the girl. Alice opened her mouth, and closed it, watching the blue shimmer around the young woman. In the corner of her eye, she saw a familiar outline by Willie’s hut, and the curiosity overtook her.
“I’ll be right back,” Alice whispered, getting up and feeling the power release like she was unplugging from the wall.
“Ok, but hurry, Alex said he will be over soon, and I want you to have an advantage,” Haley said, leaning back and letting her eyes close.
“Rasmodius,” Alice said as she turned the corner, feeling intoxicated by the power in the air.
“Why are you here speaking my full government name,” the wizard responded, lowering his head. “The merfolk are close, they are curious about the festival.”
“Are they who I hear when my feet are in the water,” Alice barely breathed, eyes panning off to the ocean horizon. It was alienating to see it, to observe the water continuing on for miles and miles, and likely the same for its depth. A majority of the planet was the mysterious water, hidden away. She felt miniscule.
“Yes, yes, it's them. It's a thick night,” he breathed, standing to join her. “I would suggest you join back to your company soon, though, it won’t be good for everyone to see us talk. I have a slight reputation, and it would be hard for you to do your job of helping the community if we are seen together. Besides, your fate is coming, at least according to Welwick.”
“Who’s Welwick,” Alice asked, taken aback, turning to face the wizard so maybe he has to face her questioning. Yet, he vanished, right when she finally knew what to ask. Alice clenched her fist in frustration, then released it, grumbling as she got back to her spot with Haley.
“Who did you talk to?” Haley asked, eyes still closed. Alice slipped her bare feet back into the water, feeling the increase in power like switching on a light.
“Not anyone of any significance,” Alice said coolly, making Haley respond with a light “Oooh.”
No significance, really? came into her head.
Get out of my head right now or I will pay you another visit with my ax, Alice shot back into the void in her head, and she felt the shift as he left. How powerful was the night?
“Hey, Alex, where have you been for the past couple of weeks?” Haley asked, her shoulder subtly nudging Alice’s, who broke out of her trance to look over. Alex was there in his usual white shirt, the material tight around his chest and shoulders and his usual messy hair, but behind him was someone she never would have thought to see with Alex. Sebastian.
He stood behind Alex, who sat next to Haley with zeal, leaning over and giving her a kiss on the cheek which she accepted with a smile. Sebastian stayed standing, looking at Alice with a slight smile, although his eyes gave more away. Despite it being a summer night, he still wore a black hoodie, but this one was thinner. A hint of something was showing, was his chest tight around the arms like Alex? Alice blinked, is Sebastian Alex’s secret client? Is he doing that for me, because he couldn’t carry me home?
Warmth enveloped Alice at the realization, like a heated quilt was wrapped around her, filling her with safety and love.
“It’s certainly nice to see you again,” Alice said, a smile growing on her face. Sebastian smiled back immediately, his eyes gleaming. “Do you want to go talk for a minute?”
Sebastian blinked, taken aback, before saying, “Yeah, sure.” He offered his hand to Alice, which she took.
“Come on, fuck me, emo boy,” Haley whispered into Alice’s ear right as Sebastian’s cool hand grasped around hers, and the farmer almost stuttered as she rose to standing.
“Hey, why are you out of breath,” Sebastian whispered to Alice, his hair tickling her cheek. She breathed a moment, but just shook her head, curling her fingers around his for just a moment longer.
Alice walked to the other side of the pier, reaching the end and looking up at the moon. Sebastian slowly came behind her, stopping closely and she could feel his chest brush her shoulder.
“Hey, what was that,” he whispered, pointing his arm over her shoulder, bringing her cheek next to his. Heat came off of him and washed down Alice’s body in waves. She drunkenly followed the direction his arm went into the water. She took a step, peering into the dark, waving water.
“What am I looking for?”
“Something big, something dark,” Sebastian said, coming to stand by Alice, looking intently into the water. She couldn’t see anything, but more importantly to her that she knew Sebastian didn’t know, is that she didn’t sense anything. She turned to give him a look, only to see him smiling at her with a crooked grin. “Sorry, just trying to scare ya,” he nudged her shoulder with his own.
“Uh, I was going to shove you both in, but now I don’t know if I want to,” come from behind them, making the pair whip around and take a small step away from one another. Sam was behind them, shoulders slumped over as he sighed. Abigail was behind him, rather tense but looking at Alice with curiosity.
“Did you know most jellyfish are extremely poisonous, if we were pushed in we might have had to go to the clinic,” Alice said, putting her hands on her hips. Sam blinked once, twice, three times before saying.
“I didn’t think about that.”
“Yeah, doesn’t sound like you did,” Abigail said, coming around Sam to face Alice.
“It’s a pretty night,” she said flatly after a moment.
“It is a pretty night,” Alice responded, smiling. Abigail smiled back for a moment, looked between her and Sebastian, and turned to the other side of the pier and put her feet in the water.

Alice followed Abigail’s suite, sitting by the pier and sticking her feet into the water. Sebastian just noticed that Alice was carrying her sandals, white braided thongs hooked on her fingers she settled by her side, which he noticed was opposite of him. She turned and smiled at him, patting the wood next to her. Flushing, Sebastian quickly started rolling his pants up.
Settling in next to her, he felt his thigh rub up on the side of hers as he slid his feet into the water. The warmth would have taken his attention more, but it wasn’t the only for a moment. He could hear whispering, something weird. He shook his head, but he couldn’t get it out.
Alice leaned forward, concern riddled in her eyes, he looked down and saw her hand on his thigh. Heat roared through him as he felt her palm close to him, her warm pressing on him with the comfort of a weighted blanket. She had a strange glow to her, almost as if she had an outline of pink.
Sebastian shot up, and the moment his feet left the water the noises stopped. Breathing was hard, and it was a bit more labored than he would have liked. Alice was standing with him now, one of her hands on his chest and the other on his forehead. Her calmness steadied him, and he started to settle as she stared at his forehead, concentrating.
“You don’t have a fever, would you feel better if you went home?” Alice whispered, taking her hand off of his forehead. Her hand on his chest started to fall, as well, but his hand clasped around it, returning it to his chest. His breathing was steady, but Alice’s took an uptick as she looked into his gray eyes. They started to move closer without realizing it when someone gasped.
A light shone through the water, the cyan clarity of water highlighted around the blue jellyfish. Alice gasped, leaning down to the pier to see it, curling her fingers around the wood.
Another showed up, and then another, and soon the pier was surrounded by glowing blue jellyfish like stars in the sky.
Alice turned to grin at Sebastian, and he smiled back and he kneeled beside her. They turned back to the water to see a different color. A large jellyfish, with more ornate patterns on his bell and long, curled tentacles was bobbing to Alice. It was green, the color stark compared to the others. It bobbed in front of her for a while, and then went back into the deep sea, vanishing under the reflection of the moonlight.

Chapter Text

The smell of autumn came in through the window, and Alice stopped a moment to take a deep inhale of the organic, earthy smell with a little bit of sweetness to it. Exhaling, opening her tired eyes, Alice looked out over the farm and watched the crisp fading of green to gold all around her. Alice sighed as she rolled her shoulders, feeling the warm morning tightness. Her head felt hungover from the night before, a mix of the physical reaction to the water and a mix of emotional cocktail as she watched Robin collect Sebastian right after the jellyfish left. Her fingers left him with a longing that physically hurt, with him looking back with a deep apology. Apparently there was a promise Sebastian made that had to be cashed in immediately, and Alice was forced to sit on the pier sadly without him. Haley came over and rubbed her shoulder, and Leah sat with her in silence until they both went home. 

Alice shook her head furiously before putting on her game face and heading out to the field. The hoe pressed against her palms as she ripped up the previous season's plants, the dark underbelly of the soiling skyward so she could fertilize and water. Running to Pierre’s, Alice got as many seeds as she could carry, from pumpkin to cranberry to yams and eggplant. Lines of pumpkin next to stakes for cranberries she stabbed into the ground before starting the eggplant row and the wheat. On a careful spot right next to her door that she could see out her front window, Alice made a small section of cultivated earth with freshly mixed in fertilizer as her base for the rare seeds. She plopped the large dollops into the ground, folding the earth gently on top, and staring at the mound for a moment in contemplation.

Fairy rose seeds shone purple in the morning sunlight as Alice buried them with tenderness by the buzzing beehives. They were always her favorite as a child, and maybe even still, and the thought of growing them on her own filled her deeply. The noon sunlight was starting to fade, and a cool wind blew through Alice’s hair when she shot her eyes open in realization. I haven’t let out the chickens . 

“Sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry,” Alice kept whispering as she unhooked the latch to the coop, watching the brown and white chickens bustle out with a flurry of soft clucks. After the half dozen chickens and a duck waddled out, Alice had to blink the other half dozen of times as a small, black chick shuffled out of line, its small wings out in balance. The farmer followed it in her bent over position, her hair flowing down her sides as she kept up with the chick as it ran to the grass to start to peck at the leaves and bugs. 

“I don’t remember you - unless you are from that strange egg that I-” Alice started, before she saw movement coming out of her coop once again. She froze as she saw it, scaly green foot stepping into the sunlight, followed by a lizard-like head a few inches higher. Alice couldn’t breath as it kept walking out, with a line of rust colored plates gently lining its back. It looked at her, blinking slowly before baying lightly, opening its turtle-like mouth and trotting to her into the grass. The farmer stayed where she was as it ran under her, her hair swaying from the contact of the plates, and munching on the grass. She reached out slowly, her fingers trailing down its body, the warmth making her skin tingle. The creature made a strange purring noise, shaking its body in response to the touch. 

This can’t be normal , she thought quickly, borderline sprinting back to the house to change, only to stop and head back into the field to finish the farming. 

Alice shook the wrinkles out of her striped boatneck shirt, wiggling into it as it nestled over her orange pants. At least I can finally wear my fall clothes again , she smiled halfheartedly in the mirror, before feeling her shoulders drop. How can I safely find out more information on this?  

The idea dawned on her like the rising of the sun, and she left with a pack on her shoulder and a lean in her step to make it to the library before it closed. 

Alice opened the door to the calming smell of books washing over her, and she already felt a little calmer. A little, at least. She waved at Gunther, who smiled and nodded his head at her before returning to his writing, the pen scratching lightly picking up in the cool air. 

The farmer meandered off to the back of the library, taking note of which section she was in until she got to the handwritten accounts of previous tenants of Stardew Valley. Her eyes trailed the spines of the books, looking for anything useful. 

An Old Farmer’s Journal caught her eye, and with a flick of her wrist she yoinked it from its spot and read a note on one of the entries. 

I've been here for a year now, and I've started to make friends with the local townspeople. It sure feels great! And they're sending me gifts and secret family recipes in the mail, too! That's really helpful.

Well you’re not really helpful , Alice thought to herself, clipping the book shut and putting it back. The Secret of the Stardrop? She pulled it from its cozy spot on the shelf. 

For thousands of years, people have been intrigued by the mysterious powers from the stardrop... but no one knows where they come from!

Professor R. J. Kutler, a leading researcher on strange fruit, says this: "We've discovered traces of genetic material on meteorites that closely resemble the Stardrop, but it's not a proven match".

Regardless of where they come from, the peculiar fruit is said to be uncommonly delicious... and some even claim they grant special power to those who eat them.

Interesting, but not entirely what I am here for , Alice thought, backing up and seeing if the larger view would help her. The clock overhead was ticking, just kept ticking. Her eyes looked up, shoulders raising, to see she only had 15 minutes left before the museum closed. 

Goblins by M. Jasper caught Alice’s eyes, and she thought it couldn’t hurt to try, it was more aligned than some of the other books. 

 The species commonly known as "Goblin" seems to have originated in the forests of the far northeast, beyond the Bluemire Hills. Characterized by their green skin, bright red eyes, and foul smell, initial encounters with Goblins can be frightening for unexperienced travelers.

Despite their unsettling appearance, Goblins possess an intellectual and emotional capacity akin to humans, and have no trouble learning our customs and languages. The goblins I've met have been rather friendly and amiable, once I've shown that I mean no harm. Unfortunately, centuries of distrust and ill-treatment from humans has led many Goblins to pursue careers in the employment of witches, warlocks, necromancers, and other unsavory types.

A traditional Goblin diet consists of grub meat, typically from the large and juicy grub varieties native to the Goblin home-forest. On special occasions, Goblins will indulge in an item called 'void mayonnaise'... considered perhaps the finest delicacy in all Goblin cuisine.

How is this helpful? Alice put the book back and put her hands on her head. What is void mayonnaise, is it from a void chicken? Alice shook her head quickly, but the thought still began to settle. Is that what she has? The pieces began to fall together. I wonder if the wizard knows?

She turned to walk out, when another book caught her eye, Mysteries of the Dwarves. Curiosity poured over her like water, and she reached out to the book. 

 The Dwarves call themselves 'Smoluanu'... which translates to 'sky people'. An odd name for a group that lives deep underground, isn't it?

Another mystery of the dwarves is the advanced technology they supposedly possess. Evidence such as this had led me, despite the ridicule of my colleagues, to propose a new theory:

I believe the dwarves are the remnants of a once advanced civilization whose interplanetary vehicle crashed on this planet long ago.

I propose that this dwarvish spaceship bore down, deep underground... and over time, the dwarves became adapted to their new underground environment.

My colleagues ask, 'Why didn't they come above ground and live on the surface?' ...Perhaps their old planet had a thicker atmosphere that protected them from stellar radiation, and they simply could not survive in our sunlight.

That would explain why they only surface at night to take what they need from our houses...

-M. Jasper

The five minute tong played over the speakerphone that signaled Alice the library was closing. Alice felt a little more accomplished than she did when she arrived, and she chalked that up as a win. Resettling her bag, the farmer started out of the library when Gunther called out to her. 

“Farmer Alice, I have something for you!” she turned, and saw Gunther holding up a book, it looked like what he was writing in earlier. “You saved me a trip to your farm by coming out today, what a stroke of luck.”

Or magical intervention suggesting I go places , Alice thought snidely before burying the thought that was quickly subdued by a small, fat book being placed in her hand. It had a few geometrically inspired art.

“It's a Dwarven translation book, based on those scrolls you brought in from the mines. I wanted to thank you somehow, and I know how much you love learning things. I thought you would appreciate it.” Gunther’s warm words felt like a blanket around Alice, and she struggled to keep the tears from welling in her eyes. 

“Yes, well,” she choked, looking down, thankful for her bangs to cover her face. 

The bangs lifted up, eyes flaring as she stood in front of the Wizard’s door, questions burning further into her mind. The sun was starting to set, and the auburn twilight was easing around them, hushing the forest and settling the rich golden and red leaves. Rasmodius answered the door, a line of frustration on his forehead for just a moment before he saw the book in her hand. 

“Please come in,” he said, stepping back so Alice could step by. There was a new potion brewing, the smell was a sweet butterscotch and a smell of fallen leaves and ocean brine. Given the last time she was up close and personal to that she was able to talk to magical forest spirits, she decided it was best to avoid the area. 

“I have some questions, please,” Alice said, taking a seat at the small table off to the side again. Rasmodius was already approaching with a teapot, pouring into the cups of tea that were already waiting. He likely knew she was coming, again, but didn’t see anything about it, which she appreciated. 

“So, I have a black chicken,” Alice started. 

“That is a void chicken, my ex-wife probably cursed your coop one night,” Rasmodius said mildly, pouring the water into the open diffuser, watching the cut leaves and rose buds swirl around in the flow. 

“I-what?” Alice said, shaking her head, before her strange nightmare came into her head. So it wasn’t a nightmare, great .

“What else can visit my farm at night?”

“That’s hardly why you are here, isn't it?” Rasmodius countered, to which Alice shook her head at him. 

“Then, I have a green creature in my chicken coop, it looks like-” Alice started. 

“A dinosaur? A rare subspecies of Wuerhosaurus, which is closely related to the Stegosaurus,” Rasomodius nodded to his tea as he finished pouring it. 

“Can you stop interrupting me? Do you have no one else to talk to and you lost your understanding of social dynamics?” Alice snapped, folding her arms. Rasmodius blinked at her outburst, and his mustache tilted in what looked like a smile. 

“I apologize. Yes, a few other things can visit your farm, but I will send you something that will stop my ex-wife from visiting, if you prefer.”

“Yes, I would like to sleep at night knowing my animals are safe. But why do I have a dinosaur on my farm??”

“I believe the merfolk gave you that egg, as a sign of trust. They are hopeful for the safety you can provide them.”

“How exactly can I provide safety to merfolk?” Alice asked, closing her eyes in confusion. 

“Keeping Joja away from owning this valley as long as possible. Stopping them with the only thing they understand, money. Preventing them from getting more of a foothold here, restoring the community center and bringing the community together and restoring the power of human interaction.”

“And that all has to fall on me? Because my farm is magically powerful?” Alice asked quietly, staring at the tea, watching the leaves continue to swirl around despite the long gone upheaval from the poured water. Silence surrounded them. “Your ex-wife?”

“Yes, well,” Rasmodius started coughing, fidgeting in his seat a moment before settling down. “Well, yes. Strange, I know, for a man like me. My wife and I were together for many years, until… until I made a mistake that drove her away. Her anger and envy were so intense that she turned green and began flying around the countryside, cursing everything in her path… It sounds like she hit your farm.”

Alice looked at Rasmodius, feeling pain and regret coming off of him in droves. But also acceptance, and a strange hint of curiosity and hope. 

“What did you do that made her green with envy? Isn’t the rhyme jealousy?”

Rasmodius started to flush, averting his gaze as he said, “You mustn't tell anyone… but I have reason to believe that one of the locals is actually my daughter…”

Alice’s mouth hung open, the information processing through her head.

“I could be mistaken,” Rasmodius coughed into his fist. “It's rare, but it does happen. Anyone, you brought me something to look at?”

“Um yes,” Alice said, pulling her book out abruptly. The wizard tapped the book three times with his index and middle finger and the book went up in a small, purple smoke. 

“Hey! Gunther handwritten that for me, it was very important!” Alice choked, standing up in her frustration. 

“Oh, if that is the case I can replicate its physical form again, but it may take some time. Trust me, the book is much more useful now. You should probably be going, it's getting late.”

“What do you mean it's more useful?” Alice asked as the wizard caroled her to the door, her emotions still raw. 

“You can now speak and understand Dwarvish, now goodnight!” Rasmodius said as he shoved Alice out the door, she stumbled a step before catching herself. Looking up the the tower, the ivy growing along the stone was growing red on the edges, and the cool moonlight created a poignant color palette. Sighing, Alice went down the stairs to see Abigail sitting next to a tree right by the entrance of the tower. 

“Abigail, what are you doing here?” Alice asked, trying to keep a shrill of panic out of her voice. 

“I just really like this area,” Abigail smiled up at Alice. “It’s so calming. It feels really comfortable to be here.”

“It’s kind of late, do you need someone to walk home with you?” the farmer asked. 

“Well, I haven’t done any of my schoolwork yet this week, and half is due tonight at midnight, so maybe I should go back.” Alice stood leisurely, as Alice felt panic run down her spine at the lackadaisical treatment to higher education. “I can walk back on my own though, I’m really tough,” Abigail said proudly, putting her hands on her hips. 

“You are tough, you were hard to beat at the egg hunt,” Alice nodded. 

“Thanks, well I will see you around!” Abigail said, walking back to town. Alice watched her go, feeling her own head start to ache. 

Chapter Text

Night came earlier in the fall, easing out of the sky before the heat could set in. Fireflies rustled up from the grass and woods, bustling about as Alice as she went into Cindersap forest. Robin said to upgrade the house further than her kitchen addition, she will need hardwood, and the desire for more room to rest was itching on her mind. Lewis mentioned that winter should be a slow time for her, and the thought of rest was enticing, and the desire to prepare for it was intoxicating. Although it was late, and Alice was tired, she was hoping to forage.

Between the blue hue of twilight and the green stars of flickering fireflies, a person was sitting on the pier by the pond. Alice lowered her small list as she looked over, the blue hoodie illuminated by the lantern. 

Is that Shane? Alice thought, putting the list in her pocket. She was glad she decided against cutting the hardwood today and didn’t bring her ax. She crossed the waving sea of grass, fireflies erupting at her presence like the parting of the sea. Shane did not look up, if he noticed her approach, he did not signal it. Next to the warm lantern at his side was a case of beer. Alice frowned, reaching the pier. She used to watch Leah paint here when she was foraging or cutting trees, she had such a fond attachment to the pier at the lake. Seeing Shane drink there alone added a poignant layer to it she did not expect. 

As she walked onto the pier, Shane moved his head to acknowledge that he was in fact, not alone. Not good reaction timing to be alone in the forest , Alice thought, eyes looking around, hearing bats, hearing the slimes in the forest, the clutter of rocks that made up the wilderness golems. Yet he sat there, drinking another can of Joja beer, starting to toss the can when Alice flicked it out of his hand. 

“Hi Shane,” she said quietly, crushing the can in her hand. He looked up at her, blinking, his eyes bloodshot and lips swollen. 

“Hey,” he said, putting his head down. “Want a beer?”

Thoughts swam in her head, the dinosaur, a witch, void chickens, the complication of a happy piece in her life with the pier, and nodded. She sat down quickly, the motion so comfortable to her, and took a beer. Popping the can, she let the bubbly ale slip into her mouth and let it continue, feeling the alcohol loosen her thoughts so it could be easier to walk amongst them. After she finished the can in one swig, she looked at the beer and realized it was Fat Tire. The case said Joja. 

“Yeah -stole them from the back of Joja, they let you get free Joja once a day, but I won't drink that swivel if I can help it.” Shane looked over, and saw the can being crushed in Alice’s fist before she put it in her bag. A corner of his mouth perked up and said, “Heh, woman after my own heart.”

“I don’t know about that,” Alice muttered back. “What are you doing out here?”

“I could ask you the same thing,” he answered quietly. 

“That’s fair,” Alice said, closing her eyes.

“Buh, life,” he said, cutting the silence. Alice opened her eyes, watching the lily pads at the far end of the small lake bob in the calm ripple of the water. “Do you ever feel like… no matter what you do, you’re going to fail?”

Alice’s head tilted, and she turned to look at Shane. The lantern highlighted his sunken eyes, the bags under them, his sallow complexion. He had a 5 o'clock shadow that looked unevenly shaved. 

“Like, you’re stuck in a miserable abyss and you’re so deep you can’t even see the light of day?” There was a pause. “I just feel like no matter how hard I try… I’m not strong enough to climb out of that hole.”

“Not you though, I feel like you have a future ahead of you.” He looked at the crushed can. “Don’t make a habit of drinking.”

Alice sat in silence as Shane got up, stretching with a groan. The lily pads continued to bob in the water, like her thoughts, fighting the urge to ask him to see someone, and the urge of if it was inappropriate, and if he would be less inclined to do so because she said something. Maybe its the beer talking, maybe he had a rough day. She just shook her head. 

“Welp.. My liver’s beggin’ me to stop. Better call it a night.” Shane grabbed the beer case between them. “See you around, Alice.”

“Wait,” Alice finally said, turning as she stayed at the pier. Shane turned to face her, halfway down the pier. 

“What do you want?” he asked. 

“I might need some advice.”

“I’m not a good person to give that,” he said, turning away. 

“I think I like Sebastian,” Alice said, feeling her heart migrate to her throat. Speaking the words out loud had a tangible impact on her, the shivers going down her neck and into her arms. And the liberation of thought, that she was able to get that out of her and into the air, validating its existence. 

Shane did turn back, the hand with the lantern in it raising slightly. With a sigh, he put the beer down and came back to sit next to Alice. 

“I’m drunk off my ass, but I can try to help, though I don’t know why you would ask me for advice on anything.” He grumbled, rubbing his neck before sighing and asking, “Have you told him you like him yet?”

“No, not yet. I think it’s only recently fully dawned on me,” Alice said through pursed lips.

“Ok,” Shane nodded, “Have you tried spending some time with him, some alone time? Dude’s shy, you might get a better, more accurate reaction from him if there is no audience.”

Alice blinked rapidly at the response, thinking backwards over the past few months. Fishing by him at the mountain lake in the spring, time in his room just the two of them, walking back to her farm together, to her falling into the ocean, not seeing him for a few weeks alone, or unsure how to catch him. The longing that grew, the physical ache to not see him, his clear grey eyes fully focused on her when she spoke, his calming demeanor when she felt a bit more elevated, his intoxicating smell when she was near him…

“Okay, that does make sense,” the farmer finally said. 

“I’m guessing I don’t have to tell you to keep busy if you don’t feel ready to tell him, since you have a farm and like to scare Marnie first thing in the morning,” Shane smirked, to which Alice’s face grew hot. 

“9 am is not first thing in the morning, and it's her store hours! I am just trying to buy things, I don’t know how that is scary,” Alice huffed, making Shane shake his head with a smile. 

“Well, see if you can get him alone and gauge his response, see if he is interested in you without anyone watching, but also make sure he isn’t trying anything just for the sake of it. He’s not a teenager, so I probably wouldn’t expect that of him, but still. But again, I am not a relationship expert at all whatsoever, if anything backfires you never heard from me,” Shane nodded, getting up with a grunt again. Alice decided she would, as well, but she turned left when Shane turned right, waving to each other with a little less motor control than usual. 

Okay, Alice, think what are some things you could do to tell Sebastian that you think he is neat, and you like his taste in media, and that hair that sticks out behind his ears is cute , Alice thought as she unsheathed her sword. 

I could - go by the mountain lake and fish more, maybe? Ugh, but the ocean has better fishing options right now , Alice picked up some fiddlehead ferns and put them in her bag, leaning on her sword to get back up. Green bounced into her view from behind a bush, the slick surface of the slim shimmering in the moonlight. After a few swipes, it was gone but a few pieces of slime that she put in her bag. 

I could invite him to the bathhouse at night? No, that’s trashy. And it implies something , Alice shook her head, putting her free hand on her face only to regret it as it had dirt and slime on it. Her body was starting to straighten from the beer she chugged, and she wanted to finish the forest by the time the beer completely finished, so she wiggled her shoulders to shift her backpack into place and kept walking. 

But, what if I don’t mind if there are implications to wanting to see him? Alice stood, still in her thoughts. Heat rushed over her at the thought, the actualization of the physical hunger of his hands on her, his body contouring to hers. She closed her eyes and imagined him wanting her, hunger in his eyes, and his soft lips closing in on her. 

Sighing, feeling the physical need pent up without much she could do about it in the forest. She turned to face the statue in the ruins at the end of the forest path, the knocked over stone pillars with moss and ivy meandering on the crumbling classical architecture. Little trios of mushrooms grew in some of the more prominent cracks, glowing lightly in the bright moonlight. Crickets hummed in the sighing forest, and the statue sat, poised, silent, knowing something that the farmer couldn’t quite read. Old Master Cannoli, the statue was called, according to the inscription that in full read:

  Old Master Cannoli... still searching for the sweetest taste...

Yeah, me too, buddy , Alice thought, closing her eyes again before deciding she needed to head home, wash her face, and take care of something that was rather pressing and sending heat into her inner thighs. 

In the feverish exploration of self in the heat of the night, outside the doors of the house and into the upturned bellies of earth that were the gardens, a speck of unusual light was swaying over the small sprouts of roses. The light wafted from pink to baby blue to lavender, settling on a mix of the three to show a small human similar to a woman, with a petal dress and floating hair. She breathed in deep, concentrating, before putting her hands on her heart and pulling out dust that landed all over the fairy rose sprouts. In the rain of shimmering light, the pearlescent color that brushed the soil, the small curls of two leaves on a pale stem trembled. It shivered, it grew explosively in a deliberate and poised movement reaching over the fairy as she rose with it, a small hand on a leaf as she flew up with it. Buds swelled fat on the top of the stalks, releasing folds of petals in pinks, blues, purples, and pearly ivory. The fairy took another deep breath, and sighed, shoulders back, looking at the moon in its full glory.

Chapter Text

Murmurs rustled through town like the leaves brushed by the wind against the cobblestone paths, tittering and sighing in the cool autumn air. After years of decay and lack of use, the mine carts had delved into a piece of the scenery, moss covered and still. Then, as if time was a construct and reverting back was as simple as a thought, they were running again. Clint stared at the cart that had a stop by his shop, the light steam pillar hissing out of the engine on the side, purring away as if it was over 20 years ago and he had just seen it as a kid. He asked the Mayor in front of Pierre’s when did the town get the money to restore the carts to such a level, and the Mayor stared, dumbfounded, at the question. After a few questions and a handful of townsfolk coming over to ask how did the minecarts get fixed if not for the tax money, and why did they not have money before? Where were the taxes going? Lewis’s mustache bustled in his fluster, adjusting his hat with a nervous flick of his wrist, and walked over to the bus stop to see for himself. Sure enough, the cart stood there, proud as a peacock and bustling away with the shimmering of golden leaves all around it. 

How did they come back so beautifully? Was there a secret restoration society that came through? Why would they restore the minecarts? Who was involved, how did this happen?

Alice smiled at her farm, leaning a cheek on the top of her hoe to see the curling leaves and budding vegetables. She woke up that morning with the fairy roses fully grown in, and sighed as she remembered the story her grandpa used to tell her about her favorite flower, that they were fairies favorite flower, and they may visit you and help your garden grow if they were pleased with your work. She sighed, remembering how he called her his little fairy, and let her cut the stems of the pumpkins, carrying the large orange fruit to the wooden wheelbarrow he had, then he would pick her up and let her ride with the pumpkin, her soft arms curled around it as the bumps of the cart made her pigtails bounce, she would not let it affect her pride and joy. 

Sighing, she watched the dark green ivy spin about itself, the orbs of light green swelling in the warm sunlight, flirting with the idea of pumpkins in just a few short weeks. 

Well, chores are done, I think I will, see if I can get Sebastian… Alice looked in front of her, past her house, to the mountain path and beyond, alone . The thought sent shivers down her body and nestling in her inner thighs. She scurried inside to take a quick rinse shower, grabbed her striped boatneck and orange pants, and with a quick squirt of rose and vanilla perfume in her hair, she set off. Leaves danced around her in the wind, rustling about but not settling in any one place. Alice looked over to the broken down bus, the tires rotting in their place and the ominous feeling of abandonment on the side of the road. By a bush, she saw what she thought was a nest of some kind, all though the form was too well made and too large for a bird she was aware of. 

Junimo nest , Alice thought to herself, then smiling at her own sarcasm. I can check it out later, though . 

Alice felt her heart against her chest when she reached the carpenters house. The store was open, but Alice had a feeling that Robin had already left for the aerobics class with Caroline, so she was able to sneak in and turn the corner, silent as a mouse, and away from the eyes of questioning individuals. 

Heat began to build up in Alice’s throat, exploring the catalog of ideas in her head that she could explore with him. His hands were usually cold, but she imagined it hot, and running up her leg, curling over her hip, and further up. At least at first. 

Closing her eyes a moment as she reached his door, she raised her hand to knock, but saw that it was ajar. She heard some rustling inside, and felt a pit form in her stomach at the idea that someone else was in there. It can’t be Abigail, he doesn’t like her. She hesitated. Right?

Throwing caution to the wind, Alice pushed the door open, and saw Sebastian look at her with surprise on his face, and Sam turned around, confused, to see her. They sat around the table, with cards, figures, and a stack of books on the table. A map was laid out and Sebastian has a binder open, and a heavily sticky-noted book open by it. 

“Hey, Alice,” there was distinct excitement in his voice. “Sam and I were about to play ‘Solarion Chronicles: The Game’... Why don’t you join us? It’s better with three players anyway.”

Alice’s face lit up, “Solarion Chronicles has a game?” she asked, nestling into the free seat, feeling the pillow on the chair scout around until she was still. 

“Abigail used to have that seat,” Sam said, moving a figure around with the tip of his finger, its sword pivoting around his skin as the base rolled around the wooden table. “But she didn’t answer our texts for our regularly scheduled time. I think she’s mad at Sebastian.”

Sebastian frowned at Sam ever so slightly, and Alice felt she walked in on something unknowingly. 

“Well, maybe she is working on her homework,” Alice suggested, secretly hoping that she was indeed working on her homework and not putting it off. 

Sam chuckled, but Sebastian seemed engrossed, leaning in deeply over the binder, eyes locked on Alice as his hand reached over to the card pile in the middle of the table. 

“Okay, here we go…” a crooked smile played on his face, making Alice blush but not release the gaze, “Let me draw the scenario card.” He pulled the card to his face with flair, lifting his eyebrows over the card to Alice. “Hmm… It looks like today’s quest will take us into the Necromancer’s Tower… To try and reclaim the Solarion Staff from the clutches of Dreadlord Xarth.” He waves his fingers ominously at Dreadlord’s name.

“Not THAT Dreadlord! He once kicked my dog on our mountain walkies,” Sam said, putting a hand on his chest and another on his head. “This is a truly EVIL person.”

“Evil indeed,” Sebastian said, leaning against the table. Alice grinned looking between the two. 

“Alice, are you ready to choose your character?” Sam whipped around to Alice quickly, shoving three miniatures at her. She leaned a little closer to them, lips pressed together as she looked between the three. There was a Warrior, with a large sword and shield, his headband keeping a strong 80s flair to his attire. A Healer, who was a woman with long hair in a cropped cloak with triangle markings and a staff and knee high boots. A Wizard, with a hat and staff large and empowering, and a cloak that covered so much. The Solarian Chronicles was fresh in her mind, the arc of the fall of the king, the wizard prince, the dragon warrior, the princess healer. 

“I’ll be the healer,” Alice said, slowly grabbing the miniature, excited to bring it closer and inspect to see if it is the princess. “I prefer to help others.”

“That’s a great choice,” Sebastian said, his smile deepening as his eyes flared. “I’ll be the Wizard, then.” He reached over and slowly grabbed the wizard, Alice’s smile growing as he pulled away. 

“Hell yeah, Warrior is my favorite! Abigail always picks him and we usually die quickly.” Sam grabbed the warrior miniature with zeal as Sebatian laid out a stack of maps on the table. The first one was outside, with trees and a tower on a cliff face. The blue showed an ocean, and the green had a path on it. 

“Let’s begin,” Sebastian said, putting his miniature on a spot on the map. He motioned for Sam and Alice to do the same, who both did so with their own personalized version of excitement. Sebastian quickly stood up and went to his computer, shuffled the mouse, hit the space button, and went back to his seat at the table. Slowly, an orchestra started to play as he cleared his throat before diving into the tale. 

“The King has entrusted you and your companions with recovering the Solarion Staff…”

Alice smiled at Sebastian as Sam cracked his knuckles in anticipation. 

“A task which, if completed successfully, will ensure your place in the hall of legends, as well as a sizable fortune of gold and silver. After a long month of journeying acrossing the unforgiving lands, you step out into a precipice to see your destination looming in the distance. There, beyond the moonlit plain, lies the Necromancer’s Tower… where Dreadloard Xarth usurps the power of the stolen Solarion Staff for his vile purposes. What do you do to prepare?”

Sebastian turns to Alice first, his eyes focused on her, a smile playing on his lips. 

“I pray to the moon goddess and ask to give support and guidance on this mission, and I eat mint to calm my nerves,” Alice said, sneaking her foot ever so gently across the table and tapping Sebastian’s. His head moves just slightly in shock, and his eyes flame over at her, and his smile gets slightly deeper, slightly darker. 

“I sharpen my blade, I really want to cut off some heads!” Sam said, rubbing his hands together and moving his miniature forward to the front of the tower. 

“The tower lies before you, what do you do?”

“Go in the front. Fortune favors the bold.” Alice said with a smirk on her face, challenging Sebastian. He raised his head slightly, his jawline showing as his bangs moved. 

“A skeleton guards the hallway before you. It looks dangerous.” Sebastian placed a skeleton on the map with a soft tick. 

“Stab it, stab it,” Sam mutters under his breath, eyeing the miniature.

Alice bit her lip, then remembered the fake out in the second book in the series, about how the skeleton faked its second death only to shoot a fireball at the party, injuring the monk. 

“Fight it,” Alice said, leaning forward on the table, hands together and chest on her hands. Sebastian smiled as her eyebrows knit in concentration, her bangs brushing her chin. 

“The skeleton lunges forward!” Sebastian grinned, Sam hollering as Alice’s eyes narrowed. 

“Raise our shields.” Sebastian couldn’t help but smirk, knowing the exact scene she used that mindset on. 

“You successfully block the attack. The skeleton stumbles backward, giving you enough time to strike and slay the foul creature.”

“Yeah, get wrecked, nerd!” Sam yelled, pounding his fists on the table. A knock on the top of the door made all three of them duck their heads for being too loud. 

“Sorry,” Sam whispered in an exaggerated fashion. 

“Happens to the best of us,” Sebastian said, looking up at Alice, who raised her eyebrows quickly, making Sebastian drop his dice. The metal clanked over the table in his fluster, and he coughed into his fist for a moment as he scooped the dice back quickly. 

“You continue down the hallway, taking care not to step on the skeleton’s remains.” 

“I would kick the skull personally,” Sam muttered. Alice smiled, shaking her head at him. 

“You find yourself in a sewer-like corridor-” Sebastian started.

“Ew, gross,” Sam muttered.

“To your left, a hallway glows with a peculiar green light. To your right, a staircase that leads up into the dark. What do you do?” Sebastian looked up to watch Alice’s reaction, her face softening as she looked down, her pink lips moving slightly as she muttered to herself. He watched her tongue separate her lips before she said, “Enter the hallway on our left.”

“Curious as always,” he teased. 

“Wouldn’t you like to know,” Alice said, making Sebastian’s foot brush hers for just a moment before Sam kicked both his feet down, and his hand shooting under the table. The two separated as he came back with a pen. 

“Ope, sorry about that,” a smile on his face. 

“You are in a room. On your left is a ladder. On your right, three prisoners are floating in strange, flowing capsules. They appear to be in the process of some kind of transformation. Could this be some sick experiment of the Dreadlord’s? What do you do?”

“That is so inhumane, is it possible for us to destroy the capsules?” Alice said, shaking her head. 

“Very healer mindset of you,” Sebastian smirked, to which Alice stuck her tongue out at him. with a laugh, he said, “After putting these poor souls to rest, you and your companions climb the ladder.”

Sebastian leaned in as he shifted the map on the table, there was a long hallway and a piece of paper at the end, covering the last bit. Alice stared at the map, at Sebastian’s hand and how his knuckle accented before reaching into his fingers. She thought for just a moment she saw a familiar style callous on his hand, but he took it away before she could get a good look. 

“Here we go,” Sam said with excitement, tapping the table by Alice, a big smile on his face. 

“You’ve come to a door at the end of a hallway.” Sebastian slowly started to move the paper back until it faced a door. “The time has come to face Dreadlord Xarth.”

Sam was shaking with excitement, looking at Alice with zeal. 

“Intruders? How dare you trespass in my private chambers!” Sebastian called with a grizzly accent, his hands tensing like claws as he spoke. “Ah, so you’ve come for the Solarian Staff… hehehe… fools. You’ll make a nice addition to my skeleton army!” Sebastian cackled menacingly as Dreadlord Xarth. “Dreadlord Xarth casts shadow beam!”

Sebastian rolled some dice, the metal clanking on the table as he looked at the numbers then at the binder. 

“Alice, you were able to dodge the spell, but Sam and I are down. You have one spell slot for the 3rd level spell needed to do a full revive, who do you revive?”

Alice blinked, then said, “Heal the wizard,” without a thought. Sebastian smirked again, but Sam dropped his head with a small, “aww…”

“I cast ‘Pure Bolt’ which-” more rolling of dice, “Nice! A beam of white light hits Xarth in the face. The Dreadlord shrieks and crumbles into dust.”

“Alice, you pick up the Solatian Staff and hold it high. Order has been restored to the world!”

“Yay,” Alice said with a small clap for herself.

“Yeah, yay,” Sam said, shrugging. 

“Hey, not bad!” Sebastian grinned, flipping his hair. “It took me I think three or four tries to beat my first scenario.”

“Well, the last wizard kept dying before we got to the boss, so,” Sam whispered. 

“That does sound rather problematic,” Alice said, smiling at Sebastian, who smirked back. 

“Well,” Sam sighed loudly, “We should probably get going then, come on, Alice,” he said as he stood. Alice kept sitting, looking up at him. 

“I actually need to talk to Sebastian about something, alone, if that is okay,” Alice said, feeling Sebastian move his foot against hers under the table. Heat built up around her neck as she felt the pressure against her foot, but she swallowed it as she smiled innocently at Sam. 

“Alright, I guess I’ll catch you later,” Sam sighed, leaving in defeat. As soon as he left, the door clicking behind him, the air in the room shifted. Sebastian moved the the map, the miniatures, and the binder in a single arm sweep. Alice saw him do that and her body filled with a hunger. Her palms pressed against the table, palms sweaty in the fervor as she put her knees on the table to get closer to him. Sebastian stood, leaning over the table as Alice reached him and put his hand on the back of her neck. His fingers curled, strands of her hair pulling gently as he urged her neck back and met his lips on hers. 

Alice breathed into the kiss, feeling the soft contour warming her mouth and his sweet breath. Her stomach flipped over as she leaned into him, sitting on her knees as he came with her onto the table, his other hand wrapping around her waist and dragging into the small of her back. She grabbed the collar of Sebastian’s hood, fingers wrapping around the fabric and pulling him closer. His lip curled in a smile as he ran his tongue on her bottom lip. 

A fervorous knock on the door ripped them apart, Alice getting off the table, fixing her hair as she breathed heavily. Sebastian groaned, flipping his hair and rubbing his lips together before asking loudly, “Yeah?”

“Sebastian, we need your help upstairs, Maru broke a few beakers and she is crying. and then we need you to -”

Alice’s heart sank, feeling the vibrating heat all down her spine. Her lips were swollen ever so slightly, pink and shimmering from the thrill. She felt the lower lip protruding out as she watched Sebastian say that the farmer is over, and if it could wait. The tone of the no was telling. 

“I’ll see you later,” Alice said, blushing and out of breath as she started for the stairs. Sebastian reached out to her, but put his hand down to give her space. His sigh transcended his body and reverberated in his soul. 

Chapter Text

Alice let the pen twirl around her fingers, feeling the now warm metal create an artificial rigidity to her fingers flowing motions. Sighing, Alice pressed her palms against the desk’s edge and walked towards her window, arms crossed. Fern leaves tickled her bare thighs as she looked out at the rainy farm, the nodding leaves at the raindrops, the little chicken beaks poking in the open hutch door, but not venturing out. 

The novel idea was scratching her mind for such a long time, and it felt weird to have a moment to breath to get it out. The kiss exhilarated her, her mind could not rest when she got home. Thoughts bounced around in her head of scenes in the book with fervorish color and tenacity she felt if she did not get it out, her brain would crack like an overfilled dam. Making time to write never occurred to her before farming, to schedule time in the mornings after farm chores, and yet having the set time brought the flow in as if the words itself were anticipating the set time to start the flow. 

The rain only gave her more time back, allowing a slower morning and a longer page of words in front of her. The cow and baby goat were settled in nicely, and the chicken coop that was filled with oddities at this point, settled down for a nap after breakfast and attention. 

Alice stood by the window, holding her arms, letting her mind race over Sebastian, the smolder in the pit of his eyes, his hand firm against her back to bring her in, the warmth of the kiss. 

“Don’t go straight over there, he will think you are desperate and crazy. It can wait, it can wait,” she repeated to herself. He wasn’t up until mid morning typically anyway, seeing her first thing in the morning would not be a great way to continue this. 

I wonder if he would be interested in being… no, why not go see if my pickaxe is upgraded and go to the mines? Alice nodded to herself, thinking how it was a good idea to distract herself, grabbing her yellow raincoat and blue rain boots. 

“Your pickaxe is much stronger now, so it should be able to break those boulders on your farm, so you can do more farming,” Clint nodded once, sliding the pickaxe over to Alice. Her smile grew as she looked at the sheen and neat craftsmanship.

“This looks great, thanks!”

“Uh, yup, been a blacksmith for awhile,” Clint nodded, staring at the counter. “My father was one, too. You'd never guess what my grandpa was.”

“Was he a blacksmith?” Alice asked, hooking her pickaxe to her backpack.

“Yeah, how did you guess?” Clint asked, blinking slowly in shock. Alice smiled 

“When's the last time you took a day off?” She asked, hoisting her backpack on her back. Her old college shirt and leggings were prepped with knee pads and a small bit of armor underneath as she thought about how far she needed to get into the mine. She was so close to level 100 that it was eating her mind, and was a happy distraction from Sebastian. Don’t want to come across as easy or desperate and ruin this. Her body shivered at the forced distance, but she also wanted to know what was in that cave. 

Clint stared at the counter for a moment, then up at Alice. 

“I can’t remember, actually,” he was surprised at his answer, although Alice was not. 

“When I worked at Joja, I worked too much, and it had taken up my whole life. I felt drained, irritable, and honestly time passed and I had nothing to show for it. I think it would probably be good to take some time off. Go for a walk? Try some art?”

Alice raised her eyebrows in an attempt of support, but Clint shook his head quickly and looked at the counter. 

“I mean, I could think about it. I guess. Thanks. Yeah,” he flustered, and Alice waved and left, letting him have the break in conversation. She walked around the shop and tossed her bag in the minecart before situating herself in next, and then pulling the lever to send her to the cave entrance. 

The cart took her through the woods, a whirlwind of red and gold blurring over her eyes like spilled watercolor in a rustling of leaves behind her. The cart climbed up the hill, with slight tacks over each clicking lightly as she was rushed into the tunnel. Sunlight vanished instantly, dousing her in darkness until she reached the enchanted torches, the warm light passing over her like streetlights until the cart slowed towards the entrance of the cave. With a light click, the cart completely stopped and she was able to comfortably get out and grab her bag, hoisting it behind her with the newly upgraded pickaxe in hand. 

Alice pressed her thumb into the stiff elevator button, calling the elevator with a dull ring echoing amongst the stone. Alice stood, zoning out in the comfortable silence when she heard a muttering. She opened her eyes fully, looking around. Again, she heard something, but it sounded strange, but she understood the words. She turned her head to get a better sound off of it, and realized it sounded like it was coming from her right. 

But there is a wall there , Alice thought, looking over to see an off color boulder in the wall. It was a different material than the wall, and it seemed familiar - 

The ting of the elevator shot Alice back to the present moment, and she hoisted her pickaxe, feeling the weight of its head pressing against her palm, as she boarded the lift. 

Going down took a moment, as she was getting deeper into the mountain. She could feel the shifts between zones in the floors ever so slightly through the door, the mossy smell of the early levels, the wet stone of the 20s, the cold of the 40s to 60s, and then the heat of the 80s starting to press on her, and she knew she arrived. 

Warmth washed over as the elevator doors opened, exposing the underbelly of the earth in the red hued caves. A few shadow creatures shuffled in the back corner of the room, bobbing over the purple and red boulders and gold hued slivers shimmering in the torchlight. Alice put her pickaxe on the strap on her belt, the sharp ends sticking out either side dangerously as she unsheathed her sword, the black obsidian gleaming as the shadow creatures looked over at her. 

As floors went further down, Alice’s bag grew heavier with it, the stone, gems, and gold starting to weigh on her shoulders. Sweat dripped down her forehead, and she turned to look at the elevator counter, floor 99. Just one more, then maybe I can run into Sebastian on the way out , Alice thought, eyebrows furrowed, pickaxe heavy in her hand. She raised the heavy tool overhead, feeling the weight in her tired state, and hitting the boulder in front of her. Then another, then another. Until finally, a boulder split, gorgeous and evenly down the middle, and exposed the ladder to the next floor. Sweaty fingers clasped the pickaxe back to its holster as she rubbed her palms together and descended the dark tube into the next floor. 

She dropped into the next floor, bending her knees on the fall to buffer it. Like before, there was a chest in the middle of an empty room, and the elevator by the north wall with the ladder to the next floor nearby it. Alice looked at the chest as she circled the room, as if the chest were alive and she didn’t want to lose sight of it for even a moment, otherwise it would disappear. She pressed her palm to the elevator button, the machine ding -ing as the floor reattached to the network, putting the floor online. Pulleys whirred and she felt the lift coming the long way down to meet her. She had a moment before it would arrive. 

Alice unlatched the chest, pressing the warm metal apart as she stared, dumbfounded, at the contents. A fruit the shape of a star was there, with a natural hole in the middle. The purple flesh shimmered in the dull light and the farmer felt an intense desire to eat it. Her hand reached out and took the fruit, the whole thing fitting in the palm of her hand as if it were a drop of starlight. The fruit didn’t touch her palm, it was floating just above it, as if it had a protective layer around it from being touched. Yet that did not stop her body from it, her hand pushed the fruit into her mouth, which fit, but to her exact capacity to close, chew, and swallow. 

Alice felt as if her spirit left her body for a moment, feeling what was happening as if through a third person point of view. Her eyes dilated, feeling as if she could see through space and time, the concept of it all, the leylines of the world, highways of energy webbing around her like an artery system. Colors raced over her eyes, and her body began to tingle all over as the intense sensation of tiramisu enveloped her mouth, her favorite food. Thoughts of her perfect life, a published book, a beautiful artistic home, a quiet life, someone sitting on a chair next to her as they both read in the early summer sunlight. 

As instantly as it happened, Alice returned to normal, shaking her head intensely to get over the whiplash. Except, she wasn’t exactly how she was before. Her body, despite showing signs of wear and tear from work, felt as if she had just started her venture into the caves. Her vision was slightly different, as well, although she couldn’t quite understand how. It was as if the world’s saturation went up ever so slightly, and had a hint of light in boundaries and borders, like that night at the moonlight jellies, but significantly less intense. 

Shaking it off, she decided to commit to her plan to leave, it was evening, but still young. I have put a long enough delay on this, I want to see Sebastian, she thought, shuffling her bag on her shoulder and walking to the elevator. Her finger pressed hard on the stiff button, and she tried to ignore the thoughts of what she just ate as the elevator raised her through the earth’s crust.

Leaving the elevator, the noises from before were even more pronounced. Alice’s eyes trailed over to that boulder again, and the sounds seemed slightly more articulated than they were before. After standing still for a moment, Alice thought she heard the word gems , ever so slightly. 

Unclipping her pickaxe, Alice lifted it up, feeling so rejuvenated she pulled a step back, put both hands on the pickaxe and with her full body weight behind her, railed the head of the pickaxe into the boulder. The metal sunk deep into the stone, creating a webbing of fissures across the stone. Unhitching the metal, she hit the boulder again and it separated, falling apart just enough that there was a walkway just large enough for her to fit through. On the other side, through the opening of cracked stone, was another room. It was well light, and it looked to continue to expand, similarly to the opening of the mines. 

Alice crossed through the stone, preparing herself for anything at this point, of what was on the other side. Yet, despite saying that to herself, she still felt a mix of shock and acceptance when she turned. There was an individual on the far side of the wall, nestled between a table with a lantern and a few coins on it and a large, golden chest. He sat there, in his red outfit and golden helm that covered most of his head but his face, which was a black void. Golden eyes turned to look at Alice, but no other facial features were apparent.

“Oh, so you broke the boulder? Finally, maybe I can get some more customers,” it said, nodding to itself, hands on its knees as it sat neatly on a wooden stool. 

“Excuse me?” Alice asked, feeling a shrill in her voice. There was a hint of something in her voice, as well as his voice when he spoke, that felt like magic. 

“Oh, you speak dwarvish? That makes my life easier,” he said, “you would think humans would be more considerate and learn, but maybe they did lose the old books we gave them. I heard the last person we gave them to continued on into the next life. Makes sense. Anyway, are you going to buy something?”

“Are you a dwarf?” Alice asked, walking forward. Her conversation with the wizard and the dwarven translator disappearing began to dawn on her. 

“Uh, yes, isn’t it obvious?” the dwarf said. “I have a few things, are you gonna grab any? I even made this scarecrow that looks like me, I think. I am really proud of it.”

Alice smiled at the thought. I will definitely be seeing the wizard again about this , bringing her coin purse out as the dwarf started clapping his hands. 

Sebastian pressed the bar off of his chest, feeling the weight against his palms, but his stacked bones supported by his growing muscle was able to get it off smoothly, even though he felt the weight. Alex said that there will be a point that he will no longer feel the weight, and next thing he knows he can pick up things he never thought of before. 

Like lifting the farmer out of the ocean and being able to take her home without any help. 

His thoughts kept deepening around what would have happened if had been able to, to bring her home and put her into bed. If that would have opened doors with her, if they would have gone farther than the kiss. 

He felt the weight slip and drop to his chest, Alex’s hands catching it before it hit too hard. He was distracted, he knew, Alex stopped mentioning it and instead suggested throwing caution to the wind and telling her, doing something, buying flowers. He wondered if Alice would like picked flowers, but then realized it was autumn and options were limited to fairy roses, and they were premium with premium prices. Would it be too fast? 

Was he thinking too hard, was he the reason things went so slow? Yoba, he couldn’t stop thinking about her. When he wakes up, everytime he eats, he feels her fingers ghosting on his hand as he codes. He wanted it to be real, he wanted it to be an option, a very real option. 

Chapter Text

Alice felt the dirt and dust from the mines rub against her skin as she walked to the minecart, dwarf scarecrow over her shoulder. His little jacket and hat was identical to the Dwarf’s, who was confused when Alice asked for his name, and she was excited to place him near her bee hives. 

The dusk was chill in the minecart, the cool air strengthened by the speed of the cart and the sweat that sat on her body. By the time she reached the bus stop, she was almost shivering as she took her full backpack and scarecrow with her back to the farm. She shoved the scarecrow by the fairy roses, the periwinkle, pinks, and purples all curling and whirling around the beehives. The dwarf hat bobbled as she finished settling him into the dirt, as if nodding in approval for his new placement. 

Alice sorted the stones and ingots into the respective chests, started the smelter's long process of melting gold, put her tools away after spraying them off, and then finally looked at the time. It was only 5p. 

The wind picked up again, and despite being cleaned off and in a Sailor Saturn sweatshirt, Alice was still shivering. 

I think soaking in the bath house might be needed today , Alice thought, finally putting her bag down, taking with it her thoughts of responsibility. I deserve a break, to do something purely for myself . She grabbed her scarf and put Maria’s food on the floor. Probably for once? Is that an exaggeration? If I can’t think of the last time I did something for myself, does that count as for once? The leaves rustled in the wind as she went up the mountain path, seeing that strange nest again but with a bit more leaves and it was harder to see if she didn’t already know if it was there. 

A brisk wind came through as Alice crested the stairs to the higher mountain pass. It was hard enough to walk past Sebastian’s house, it was too late in the evening for her to casually stop by. She thought of interrupting dinner with her unholy intentions, and brushed it off. Especially at the idea of having to talk to Maru about it or see or hear from Demetrius again. She shivered again as she reached the top of the final set of staircases, the moonlight splashing over her as the golden leaves rustled around her. 

The bath house stood quietly in the plateau among the stones and stars. It was a mix of postmodernism and brutalism that was probably 50 years old, with its strong concrete walls but eastern inspired roof. Windows showed at the top, with hits of leaves and ferns brushing against the steamed glass. A pond out front had a deer scare, and its hollow thunking was soothing in the brisk evening air. 

Alice anticipated the hollow room with its symmetrical roundness and tiles shimmering in the lowlight as if she were inside the milky way.

Her fingers curled around the door, mind already resting in the salted waters when the door opened too easily and she walked in, but was immediately stopped.

Alice stuttered, putting her hand on her chest as she looked at black fabric that stopped her. Eyes trailing up, her vision settled on Sebastian’s face. He looked flushed, skin glistening and hair disheveled. The door closed behind Alice, brushing her on her bum and pressing her forward, feeling the heat coming off of Sebastian as the moonlight and the wind through the trees outside left them and the dim lighting and fluorescent buzzing replaced it.  

“What are you doing here,” Alice whispered, watching Sebastian’s gray eyes bore into her. What is he thinking about? Her lips parted to get more oxygen into her body, she felt suddenly lightheaded.

“Chest and tris,” he said calmly. He stared at her mouth as he said that, his jaw clenching. 

The inches between them felt like kindling, ready to burn at the first suggestion of heat, and Alice felt like a flame, living and vibrant. She thought it would cause her to stop, or say something, but the primal attraction gave her a utterly impossible thought, once again. 

“Sounds hard,” she breathed, taking a step closer to him in the dull lobby. Sebastian looked at her, swallowing, before thinking, fuck it . 

In a breath, Sebastian scooped her hand around Alice’s waist and his mouth was on hers, hot and insistent. 

Alice felt her knees buckle in the warmth, his lips melding perfectly around hers as it met and released, met and released. 

His warm hand tunnels through her hair, cradling the back of her head and angling her up to deepen the kiss. Alice’s lips part eagerly as an invitation, which Sebastian takes, sliding his tongue next to hers in teasing strokes. Alice gasped, clutching his shirt, fist full of black fabric as she felt his hot chest against her cold hands. It was harder underneath than she thought it would be, and that made her thighs tingle. 

Her back hits the wall, pressing her between it and Sebastian’s body, the heat pouring off of him like a blanket. Alice gasped as he separated his mouth and started trailing kissing down her neck, making her eyes roll back as her breath stuttered. 

“Oh, Sebastian,” Alice breathed, bringing Sebastian’s face back up. 

“Mm, yes?” he asked as he continued kissing her jawline, the butterfly kisses leaving blooming tingles in its wake. 

“I have waited so long for you to do this, I am realizing now,” Alice said, grabbing Sebastian face and kissing him deeply back, feeling his body shivering in response before he grabbed her leg and put it up against him.

A call happened down the hall, the shrill ringing reverberating down the halls and through the air. Alice and Sebastian both looked up, hair tousled and hot breath breaking off between them. 

“I know somewhere else we can go,” Sebastian whispered into Alice’s ear, feeling his lips on her neck, making her shudder everywhere.

The humidity on the balcony over the hot springs was overwhelming, the steam a permanent fixture among the small white tiles that covered the geometric ceiling. A large, misted window was above at the top, and the walls met up at angles to reach it. The balcony itself was joined in the angles, with a triangle view behind a white sealed barred railing of the pool below. The sound of the water pump was a dull roar that echoed in the quiet room, and just barely covered the sound of Alice’s gasping. 

Sebastian guided Alice quickly out of the reception area into a door hidden behind a plastic plant, which she was not anticipating being there. The hallway was barely light, the cement walls and exposed wire at the top had a smell of residual chlorine and the sound of dripping. They ran down together, hands interlaced, down the side, up the stairs. The next set of stairs had no lighting, the exit door illuminating them in green as they reached the door. Sebastian grabbed the handle, and pulled back, and the white light and steam blinded Alice for a moment. 

They were on a balcony overlooking the pool, the water waving and splashing calmly underneath. Steam surrounded them like a cloud, hazing over everything. She took a step into the room, watching the tiles shimmer in the white and blue. The side of the ceiling met itself in a triangle. Alice felt a shiver of comfort down her spine as the door closed, feeling Sebastian’s hand wrap around her, feeling his chest on her back and his hips against hers. 

Warm fingers lined her pants hem, making her stomach flutter as the fingers ran down to her buttons and started unfastening them. Alice gasped a moment as she caught her loose pants with her thumbs and guided them down the rest of the way. Her boots stopped her, and she started to loosen them, bent over. 

Sebastian looked at her pink panties, her vulva teasing him under the damp, pink material as her bare thighs were bent over. Pale lines of hamstrings showing the blue lines of a tree of Gondor and a line of the planets on the other side. Quick hands shed his hoodie and his black shirt, feeling his torso exposed, feeling like he was blending in with the steam of the pool. He grabbed her butt, feeling the cool, subtle give and cushion, a grumble in his throat as he felt himself growing increasingly erect. 

Tossing her boots aside, Alice stepped out of her pants and turned to a mouthful of Sebastian, the hunger back in force. He lowered her down to the ground, his hand cradling her lower back as he did so, refusing to break the kiss as he did so.    

The tiles met her back, but Sebastian continued down, feeling his weight on her, holding her down as her heart beat against his chest, her shirt tousled up and exposing her bra. Heat engulfed them, Sebastian having his arms over Alice’s head to brace himself up as he nestled down into her neck again. Alice’s back curved into him, and she could have sworn she felt him purr as she did so. 

Sebastian curled some of Alice’s strands in his fingers as his other hand trailed down her body, flicking her shirt up on its way down to her panties. Index and middle finger trailed the panty lining again, separating the fabric and baring air to the skin below even further. Alice gasped, running her hand through Sebastian’s hair. He released the fabric, Alice’s shoulders dropped just a breath in disappointment until he glided the fabric of the panties across her clit, making her back arch as she gasped, scratching Sebastian’s back ever so slightly. 

“Oh, you like that?” Sebastian asked, smirking. Alice glared at him until she saw he had his hand back up, licking the index, middle, and thumb tips before the hand slid quickly back down. The fabric separated with surgical precision as his fingers slid over her clit again, gently and slow. Alice moaned as he did, feeling the pleasure reverberate up her body in waves. 

“You are always taking care of everyone else, but is there anyone taking care of you,” he whispered into her ear, her vision blurring over as she felt him separate her labia and rub the up and down the center until his fingers easily slid into her opening. His thumb, still wet, pressed against her clit and slow rubbed it. 

“You sure are wet, are you enjoying yourself?” Sebastian purred, rubbing his cheek against hers. He could tell she was struggling to focus, her mouth agape and twitching hesitantly as he moved. Feeling her was so hot to him, he felt himself get painfully erect and had a intense desire to be inside her. 

“Do you want to go to the next step?” Sebastian asked, to which Alice grabbed his hair and pulled him close to her. He held back a laugh, but felt triumph as she had done so. Removing his fingers, he felt the wet drip off of his hand as he hooked his fingers to the side of the panties and slipped them down. Her skin was moist in the steam, and he had to separate from her to get them off the rest of the way. Rising onto his knees to finish releasing himself from his pants, he looked at her. Her bra was unhinged, with half of her breast exposed underneath. The line from her chest that went down her belly, pink from this rubbing, down to her thighs that were separate and relaxed, exposing her vulva to him. It was so pink and soft, he struggled to get the rest of his pants off. 

Swooping down, he ran a long, wide tongue up between the labia, sucking the clit at the top before he went further up her body. She gasped loudly as he had done so, and he felt his penis tremble. Her noises were so arousing. 

Out of nowhere, Alice’s hand went to Sebastian’s member, heat erupting all around him as she rubbed up and down. His neck twitched as her hand reached the bottom of his shaft, and he wasn’t sure how much longer he could last. As if reading his mind, she guided him into her opening.

Hear rippled through Alice's body as he slowly slid it, feeling her walls stretch in the erotic discomfort. As he pressed in fully, initially finding where that was, his head pressed perfectly on a spot in her. 

“Oh, dear,” Alice whispered, which Sebastian stifled a laugh at.

“Same, honestly,” he struggled to say, thrusting picking up as Alice's eyes rolled back. Pleasure washed over her in increasing waves and intensity as Sebastian continued until it spilled over, gasping as she wrapped her arms around him. He gasped once before pulling out, breathing heavily in the nape of her neck.

“I'm glad we finally did that,” Alice said, kissing the side of Sebastian’s head, the heat seeping through his hair onto her lips. 

“Wait, how long have you been wanting to do that, with me?” Sebastian asked, a hunger to know in his eyes. Alice opened her mouth but splashing caught them off guard, Alice flipping over gently and crawling towards the railing. Her fingertips perched on the edge of the tile as she saw something she did not expect at all. 

“Is that Penny?” Sebastian whispered in Alice’s ear, the sensation made her stomach flip over. He was over her again, his arms on either side, and she felt incredibly safe as she watched the scene unfold below. 

Penny’s red hair was a glaring dot in the sea of blue below. Her frilly pink suit made her flushed skin even more garish, as well, and it was hard to not look at her as she walked towards the stairs by the door. She was thin, but looked a bit worn down, her skin was not defined and looked a little too flushed. Alex came out in his swim trunks, hands in his pockets, looking like he was frowning. His physique looked a little bigger than when Alice saw it fully last in spring,  Alice felt Sebastian lean forward ever so slightly at Alex’s arrival, and she felt her heart in her throat in several different ways. 

“I don’t think we should keep doing this, Penny,” Alex finally said, breaking the silence. Penny stopped her ascent, still on the stairs, ankle deep still in the water. “It feels wrong, and I would like to get back together with Haley.”

“You told me you didn’t like her, and that you wanted something else,” Penny finally responded, taking one step back into the pool. 

“I wasn’t sure, you were so in need, and Haley and I weren’t talking much, so we took a break. I don’t want to anymore. I also don’t think this is good for you.”

Penny turned to face away from Alex. Alice and Sebastian leaned ever so slightly closer to the railing, their hair crunching against the covered metal, but still couldn’t see her expression. 

“Hey, I’m sorry, I just can’t do this anymore, okay?” Alex said, walking towards the edge of the pool, squatting down with his elbows on his knees. “We had a good run, at least? But I need to listen to myself and what I want.”

Penny walked to the water's edge, leaving a veil of ripples behind her, and said something to Alex. Alice and Sebastian pressed their faces against the bars to try and hear what was being said, but all they got was pink marks on their faces for their efforts. 

“Fine, but this is the last time,” Alex groaned, standing as he put his hand on his forehead. Penny backed up, untying her bikini top as Alex stood and walked into the water. Penny backed up a step as Alex walked forward awkwardly with his thumbs in his waistband to walk out of his trunks. Tossing them to the side, Penny tossed her top badly as well, making a wet smacking noise on the cement as Alex put his full mouth on her, and she curled against him hungrily. 

Alice flushed heavily, backing up pelvic into Sebastian’s. His quick breath made her shiver, as she felt his body grow tense and he got a little hard again to her. 

“Sorry,” she flushed, wiggling free. “I just feel weird seeing this,” the farmer’s hands frantically went for her clothes. It felt uncomfortable to put the dusty fabric on her damp body, the filth clammy on her. 

“It’s okay, yeah we should leave,” Sebastian said, skipping his shirt and going straight for his hoodie. Alice watched him quietly, enjoying the thought of his bare skin hiding underneath the hoodie, no other layer there and so hidden in plain sight. 

“I feel I need to talk to Alex about this,” Alice shivered as she walked out of the bath house. The autumn air rushed over her, feeling both chilling and soothing at the same time, bringing her head back down a little from the incredible high she was feeling. Stars poured out overhead as if they were just dumped from a bucket, spilling all over and providing a soft light. 

“I kind of want to let Sam know, I am not sure. I don’t know why Alex would do that?”

“Maybe I should start with Alex, or you? He didn’t seem to want to do it?”

“I can do Alex, but maybe Penny instead of Sam?” Sebastian put his head on Alice’s shoulder, leaning down to do it as he sighed, “man, kinda wish we didn’t know.”

“Me too, but maybe we can at least soothe our own conscious by asking. I wouldn’t bother asking if I didn’t think it would bother me so much talking to them.” Alice leaned her head into Sebastian’s, taking in the calmness, the complete comfortable stillness that surrounded her. 

“It’s late, we should probably get home,” Alice whispered, and Sebastian grumbled before nodding. He was half asleep as is. They interlaced hands and started walking back down the hill in the symphony of wind, the lake’s waterfall, and the breathing of their bodies. 

Chapter Text

Crows cawed, flying out in a wave when Alice opened her front door. She watched the black silhouettes cross the golden border and up into the blue sky, singing the whole way up and out of her farm. Her shoulders dropped as she looked at her crops, only to realize they left them alone. Looking back down, she watched as the pumpkins started to swell, noting their growth. Grabbing her watering can, she slipped into her watering boots and went to work. 

The sun was starting to rise when she finished, putting her can down with a deep sigh. A few chickens clucked around her, pecking away bugs from the leaves with a particularly strong proclivity. Bright eyes went from the great expense of the sky to the mailbox when she saw the flag up, noting that she had mail. 

“Hmm,” she thought out loud, putting her can back in the storage bin, but retaining her watering boots. Flipping open the stiff, metal door, she saw a few notices. 

One was from Linus, written on some scrap paper, stating:

Hello, 

It’s blackberry season right now. The bushes are full of them. I want to pick some, but I lost my basket. Can you help me?

-Linus

Alice folded the note up and put it in her pocket, feeling a bell ring in her mind vaguely. The next letter was a 500g fund from Lewis from the Agricultural fund, which Alice felt a wave of relief over, as she spent a large portion of her free money on seeds and harvest hasn’t come in yet for any of them. 

Another note, which made Alice’s face flush, stated: 

Alice,

It seems like you’re starting to get close with some of the townspeople. If you want to show someone that you are romantically interested in them, you’ve got to give them one of my beautiful flower bouquets. I’m selling them now, for a very fair price! If you want to start a family someday, this is the first step!

Pierre

“Of course you do,” Alice muttered under breath as she flipped to the last letter in the mailbox, which was another worn ink flier. Browns and oranges were bleeding into one another as if the poster was left out in the sun, with some mod flairs. Stardew Valley Fair was in funky letters throughout, with a note paperclipped to it with Lewis’s handwriting. 

One week from today, we are holding the Stardew Valley Fair in the town square! It’s the biggest event of the year, drawing people from all across the country to our humble town. If you’d like, you can set up a grange display for the event. Just bring up to 9 items that best showcase all your talents. You'll be judged on the quality and diversity of your display. The fair starts at 9 a.m…. Don’t miss it!

Mayor Lewis. 

Alice stared at the underline of all, chewing on the full aspect of her farm. Should I bring something from fishing, I’m apparently well known for that? And mining, I am also well known for that? Maybe that weird mushroom I found the other day , Alice’s thoughts continued on as she looked at the flier again and grew silent. A purple fruit with a hole in it was in the corner, the faded ink stating “win a chance to get an authentic Stardrop!”

Her mind flooded with the memory of the last one, and the permanent, slight effect on her senses she was still feeling after she ate the one in the mines. 

I need to win that Grange display , Alice thought with rumbling resolve, feeling it all over her body as she thought of getting another one. 

Sebastian was already on his second full code, and it wasn’t even midday. His brain was firing off with clarity he hadn’t known before, feeling as if nothing could stop him. His hand instinctively reached for his coffee, and in taking a sip, he realized it was actually still warm. 

That’s weird, he thought to himself, enjoying the heat of the coffee. I could get used to this, though . He leaned back, looking at his queue, seeing how for the first time in a long time, it was empty. He blinked once, twice, three times before he fully absorbed that feeling. I’m on a roll, I could keep going… 

He minimized his queue, and saw a familiar folder, feeling as if it were covered in an unknown amount of digital dust, on his desktop. His personal project, which he hasn’t opened in awhile, of creating a game. It was originally an adventure and material collection game, but he ran out of ideas of collecting, and ways of doing so that were dynamic and interesting, so he shelved it. 

But as he double clicked the folder and saw the files in it, an idea dawned on him. Alice’s face passed his mind with routine and comforting ease. He opened a code file, and watched the wall of figures open in front of him. Already, he could see why the code didn’t initially work, and with a quick mouse scroll and clicks on his keyboard, he immediately went to work to resolve the issue. 

So, if each season has different seeds, I can make them each have a different growth rate. More seeds unlock as you progress in the game? I can also add animals, which has another collection option, and have there an option to do something with their stuff? What can you do with eggs? Sebastian picked up his mug, took a sip, only to realize it was empty. He looked at the bare bottom, slick with residual liquid, and felt the pang of disappointment in his mouth.  

A ping came in, and he looked over at the notification bubble that came up. Two more code requests came in. Sighing, he saved his work, closed out, and went back into the company’s code. It was hard to switch gears, and he kept thinking about the roll he was on for the game code when another ping came in, this time from Sam. 

Sam: Hey man, are you there?

Sebastian: Yeah, but I am busy, can this wait?

Sam: I think Penny is seeing someone else, and I am freaking out. 

Sebastian typed, then deleted. He thought about it, but decided messenger was not the place to say this, so instead he wrote: What do you mean?

Sam: Her bathing suit was already wet

Sebastian: I am not entirely sure how that means she is seeing someone else. 

His face started to get hot. Why can’t Alice have an instant messenger? He drummed his fingers, watching Sam type and delete, seeing his code requests, thinking of his game code, thinking of last night, thinking - 

Sighing, he pushed out of his chair and started up the stairs. Maybe he can get an answer in person. He pressed the door open, and felt eyes on him immediately. 

“And so he emerges,” Demetrius said, shaking his beaker. Maru sat in her chair, saying nothing. Sebastian put his hands in his pockets, feeling his arms against his black shirt, as he turned to leave. 

“Where are you going?”

“For a walk,” Sebastian said, feeling heat in his face. 

“Shouldn’t you be working, so you can move out? When is that happening, again?”

Sebastian left, feeling his head swimming. He was spending the extra money he was making taking on more work on lifting and Alex, but he didn’t feel like he needed to explain that. It was a way to keep him calmer, and he looked forward to it, but a piece of him knew if Demetrius found out, he would somehow find a way to put a stop to it so all the money just went to him leaving the valley. As soon as Sebastian got higher level gigs, the rent went up in Zuzu City, and he was just barely under the surface of being able to afford to be there. He quietly saved money, as much as he quietly could in that house, in case he reached a breaking point, but with the cost of living increasing it really felt like he was in a slow quicksand compared to his salary. 

He thought of what Alice said on his walk, taking a deep breath and holding it. He noted the pine, the sweet smell of leaves, a quick waft of chicken as he turned the corner. As usual, her farm was lovely, and it felt like an extension of her, even though he couldn’t see her. There were glimmering stones laid out in a path in front of the house, leading here and there. Bees whizzed around curling pastels of fairy roses, pumpkin leaves ornate and waving around the ground like nouveau borders. A weird plant he never saw before grew around a scarecrow of a strange creature he never saw before, as if the plants were worshiping it. There was a blue coat and a red helmet, Sebastian walking in front of it to get a better look. 

Maria trotted up to Sebastian, sitting in front of him and staring at him with her big, brown eyes. 

“She’s not here, is she, girl?” Sebastian asked, his hair being blown out of his face by the wind. Maria gave him a small woof, then went to lay on the front porch. Sebastian looked at Alice’s tool shed, which was agape, to find her fishing pole missing. Taped haphazardly on the inside was the old Stardew Valley Fair flier, and he realized what she was up to. 

I wonder if she is trying for that old stardrop, no one really wanted to go for it before, but she’s not afraid, like most people. He smirked at the idea. Unlike me . 

Alice sat on the wooden bridge in front of the waterfall way behind the Joja Mart, her legs dangling under her, the crystal clear water running lazily under her toes. Her rod was lined into the base of the waterfall, her sore eyes looking over at the scanned copy of the book from the library - notes on angler’s in the valley. There was a legendary fish here, and to her luck, it was in season. She would win that stardrop, to hell and high water, no one was getting a better display than herself. 

Alex sat next to her, arms crossed, head tilting as she pulled a line on the rod with her spare hand. 

“I don’t understand what the appeal to fishing is, but if you catch any salmon, can you share? I love salmon,” Alex said, nodding to himself. 

Alice smirked, “I’ll be sure to keep that in mind.”

“So, you wanted to talk? And guessing by how you asked, it's not about fitness?”

Alice sighed, “No,” before bringing her line straight. “I was in the bathhouse last night.”

“Oh damn, with someone?”

Alice’s face flushed a deep red, and Alex laughed heartily, the laughter echoing in the small canyon. 

“Was it Sebastian?” Alex whispered, nudging Alice’s shoulder. “I hope so, guy has been pinning something fierce, I figured it was you, he never cared for Abigail much.”

Alice nodded, feeling heat wash over her, but also relief to admit it. Alex smiled and patted her on the back. 

“Good for you, man,” he smiled. 

Silence washed over them again, and Alex turned to look at the farmer. She stared off, her eyes not entirely focused on where she was, nor her line that was strangely still. 

“That’s not it, is it?”

“I saw you with Penny last night,” Alice said, barely a whisper. Alex settled into silence as well, nodding slowly. 

“I broke it off last night, that was the last I will agree to meet anymore. I want something else,” Alex finally said. “And she just wanted that.”

“Why were you meeting with Penny, you two aren’t dating?”

“No, we are not.”

“Then why?”

“Hi, Alex,” came through, and the pair on the bridge slowly looked over to see Penny standing there. The discomfort was palpable. Alice felt a nibble on her line, and gratefully moved her attention solely on that task.

“Looks like my cue to leave,” Alex said, getting up. He walked past Penny, who seemed stunned at the response, clutching her book against her yellow blouse. 

Alex whispered quietly, but gently, to Penny before quickly removing himself from the situation. 

I don’t know if I am ready to do this right this second , Alice thought as the line started to jump. She definitely had something strong on the line, and her focus was in no situation to be split. 

Penny stiffly came over and sat next to Alice, placing the book down between them as she also stared at the line. 

“I’m sure you think I’m a whore,” Penny finally said, which made Alice look at her confused for just a moment before the line pulled her back. 

“I don’t think that at all, actually,” Alice said, trying to keep her voice sounding calm when she did not feel so herself. This is so uncomfortable, but I literally can’t leave . 

“I thought about it pretty hard last night after Alex said no more. I guess it was just an escape. I felt so, in a bubble doing that. And he was nice enough to keep it going. I asked when he and Haley were off again, in my defense. I don’t know, I just struggle with home a lot, and I chose a bad escape.”

“There is nothing wrong with sexual health, but I guess I was more wondering about how this impacts Sam than anything else. I honestly wish I didn’t see it, because it's not my business at all. But please don’t shame yourself for taking care of yourself, especially as a woman.”

Penny flushed deeply, Alice pulling hard on the line. She was so close. 

“I don’t know if Sam even wants to date me, he’s been so weird.”

“Maybe just ask him point blank, sometimes people aren’t good at subtle.”

The line finally gave, and a fat fish of moss green and blue shot out of the water. Alice’s eyes widened as she saw it start to fly towards her face, Penny covering her mouth when the fish swung past the pair of them and then back again in front. It was a strange angler fish and Penny gasped. 

“I read about that fish, I didn’t know it was real…” Penny whispered, leaning in to see it. Alice moved the giant thing to the bucket she brought, working carefully to unhook its lip. It was surprisingly docile for it, as if it knew its purpose in this endeavor.

“I am hoping it helps me win the Grange display at the Fair,” Alice said, finally getting it free, where it lazily floated to the bottom, waving its fins. 

“I think you have a pretty good chance, there.”

Sebastian stood at the train crossing sign, taking an uncomfortable puff of his cigarette. His lungs seemed to be fighting him on it, these days, watching the red and gold leaves occasionally brush overhead in the wind. He had a crumbled notice he found in the trash, 

- seems like you’re starting to get close with some of the townspeople. If you want to show someone that you are romantically interested in them, you’ve got to give them one of my beautiful flower bouquets. I’m selling them now, for a very fair price! If you want to start a family someday, -

It looked like it was ripped, and Sebastian wasn’t sure if it was for him or for Maru, or if Pierre was panhandling his bouquet service he was trying to bring back, especially with the weather starting to cool off and people tended to couple off when that happened. He watched it happen every year, feeling a small thrill he finally had an interest in it in the valley. Numbers ran in his head as he watched the smoke trail off into the sky.

Chapter Text

The night before the Stardew Valley Fair was more nerve wracking than Alice was hoping for. She had 5 large pumpkins just pulled aside that morning, she found her mushroom, she apologized to the angler in the bucket again, and pulled out the biggest diamond from the mine she had, feeling guilt that she didn’t give it to Gus for the museum yet. The timer was almost set for the starfruit wine she had just for the show, her mouth watering from the tangy and sweet floral taste it taunted to her from the smell. 

But I can’t, I have to get that stardrop , she pressed to herself, feeling her nerves escalate. 

I wonder if Sebastian is at the saloon playing pool , Alice thought, wringing her hands. I could use a drink, too, just to settle down. I can talk to Leah and give my nervous system a break . 

The sun was almost finished setting as she started her walk to the saloon, thinking of Sebastian at the pool table. He was so focused when he played, a sharpness to his eyes as he braced his fingers as a cage around the cue, their detail stark in the highlighted light. He would pull back and hit the billiard with precision, and then stand and always let his head back ever so slightly afterwards, as if to reset his body form being bent over. Her mind raced to his finger pushed her underwear band up sliding down and the heat as his fingertip brushed her clit.

Shaking off the heat that engulfed her, but she still went inside to change, thinking of saying, “hi,” wondering if he was thinking about her, too. 

The walk felt so much longer than it normally did, and she felt the weight of her legs as she tried to press them to move faster, to get her there sooner, but also to not look desperate. Last thing she wanted was to look disheveled and desperate when she was attempting to be casual and nonchalant. Taking a deep breath, she looked up, and watched bats dart across the darkening sky, enjoying herself a moment. 

As she got to town, she heard something strange, something that was a mix of heavy breathing and metal thunking in the dirt. She paused, looking around, seeing some of the storage caddies were brought out, wooden displays cradled in them, tent poles, striped tents, and a few boxes with faded sharpie and well used tape that suggested decor and odds and ends. 

I wonder if the dwarf is looking through this, he likes human stuff that - Alice started, when she heard a clear, “Hi-ya!”

Okay, that sounded like Abigail , Alice thought, walking towards the source. A few lanterns were lit in the old graveyard, and sure enough, the farmer saw the distinct purple hair bouncing around over the hedge. 

“Abigail?” Alice asked, grass crunching under her boots. Abigail wiped around, her purple curls circling around her as she did. She dropped her old sword, the rigid metal smacking the ground.  Alice stopped, hands in her pockets, taking note of the faded gravestones to Abigail’s sweating face. Can- can I read that? That looks - 

“I bet you are wondering why I’m standing in the middle of a graveyard in the middle of the night,” Abigail started. Alice took a peek at her watch to see it wasn’t quite 8:00p in the evening, but just nodded along with her. 

“Well, I’m here because it's the best place in town to find some privacy.” Abigail sighed, “And I’m all sweaty because I’ve been practicing my swordsmanship.” She blushed as she said that part, looking over at Alice who just blinked, trying to not read the gravestone behind her, feeling guilty at her distraction. 

Abigail noticed her distance, and shot out a “Hey! What… you think I’m too weak to swing a blade?”

Alice was taken aback at the abruptness, which Abigail noticed and said, “Sorry, I guess I’m getting a little defensive. You know, I want to explore the mountain caves… But I know it’s too dangerous to go there unarmed. I know no one else has really gone in there but you and Marlon…”

Alice’s shoulders dropped, watching Abigail look down, seeing the slump in her posture, the lack of confidence in herself. 

“You’ve used a sword before, haven’t you?”

Alice thought of her obsidian blade, its weight, although it's been heavier than she likes and slowing her down. Although, it was hard to ignore the exhilaration of getting through the mines, the exploration, the discovery, the strange fish…

“Yes, and it's exciting,” Alice said, smiling reassuringly. 

“See!” Abigail said, pointing at Alice, “You get it! I’ve lived in the valley my whole life, and I’ve never done anything memorable. I want to go on an adventure!” Abigail turned to face the gravestone, her back to the farmer.

“You don’t think this valley is exciting?” Alice asked, walking towards the gravestone, trying to get a look at the inscription again. 

Stand between the -

“Abigail?!” came from behind them both, making the farmer jump as Abigail turned, rolling her eyes as she did so. Pierre was at the front of the graveyard, looking confused and rather flustered in his brown jacket. Pushing his glasses back up the bridge of his nose, before marching in deep with Abigail and Alice. He planted his feet uncomfortably close to the old sword on the ground, Alice watching that happen while trying to not draw attention to it. 

“I’ve been looking all over for you! Your mother wants you to come home and help with dinner!” he stopped, and looked around a bit, his shoulders flaying as he did so. “What are you doing in a graveyard, anyway? This is no place for a young lady!”

Abigail threw her hands up, making a loud grumbling noise when she said, “Mind your own business! You think I should be at home cooking dinner because I’m a girl, don't you?!”

I really don’t want to be here right now , Alice thought, standing uncomfortably as the two argued of what the other said or should be doing or not doing. 

“You’re really stuck in the past, dad…” Abigail sniped. Pierre’s mouth dropped open, then shut, then open, processing a response. A warm hand grabbed Alice’s arm, making her stiffen a bit when Abigail said, “Let’s get out of here, Alice,” dragging the farmer away. Alice watched the sword leave, saw Pierre’s confused face with pity, then finally got a good look at her gravestone. It was in dwarvish, and it wasn’t a eulogy. 

The pair rounded the corner of the graveyard, Alice trying to match Abigail’s speed so she felt less of a pull on her arm. They went down to the side of the stream that ran through, Abigail’s purple hair bouncing as she headed towards the stone bridge that led to the museum side of the stream. She shot a quick look back, past Alice, before sliding into the tall grass on the side of the bridge and going down, ducking under the stone. Alice looked back, too, only to see a few bats in the sky but an otherwise quiet blue night with the yellow lights of the old light posts. She slipped into the grass where Abigail went, the blades hissing as she parted them, and down under the bridge. 

It was cool down there, but it had a comfortable space to sit. Flat stone met them, with a good distance for their feet to not be touched by the gurgling mountain water. Abigail sat, looking at the side of the bridge support in front of them, as Alice looked down to the shimmering wiggles of salmon in the glass of the water. I wonder if this is where Abigail frequently runs off to?

Abigail sighed, “My dad won’t find us here, he’s too boring and uncreative.” Abigail turned to face Alcie with zeal, “Can you believe my parents were ever young?” She turned back to the bridge, “They don’t understand my perspective at all. I know, I know… they grew up in a different era, with different values. It still just ticks me off sometimes, okay?”

“Well, if it directly impacts you, then you do have a reason to be upset at it,” Alice said, looking away from the fish and towards Abigail. How old is she, exactly? “I feel it's even harder if you are just starting to figure out who you are, and they want to have a contribution to that discovery, it can feel a bit infantilizing.” I feel very fortunate to have a place of my own, that is something very few have, pretty much just Leah in our age group has a place, and Elliot, but Willy has told me he steps in a lot in teaching him how to live on his own. 

“You know how the fair is tomorrow,’ Abigail said, making Alice come back to the present. 

“Yeah, why?” the farmer asked slowly. 

“Well, my dad has been collecting all the best looking produce that you have been selling, and is going to enter those into his grange display and say he grew them.”

Alice’s face paled, remembering some of the vegetables she had sold before she knew of the faire that she wished she still had. Cold filled her up as if a pitcher poured into her, touching every corner of her being. Abigail noticed the farmer paling, and nodded, lips tight and eyes sad. 

“Mom and I said that was wrong, but he said that it wasn’t. That he knew more about vegetables than anyone. Mom got so mad she walked into Cindersap forest. I didn’t see her for awhile, I wish I knew where she went so I could go. I have been meaning to catch you to tell you, because, honestly if nothing else, you can beat him. I want you to beat him so badly. Imagine losing to someone who stole from - I think that would really show him,” Abigail pounded her fist on the stone before shaking her head furiously, purple curls waving around. 

“I will beat him,” Alice said quietly, looking at the water. Abigail looked at her, but smiled. 

“I know you will, you’re a cool person. I’m sorry I was weird at first, I guess I felt jealous. But you can’t be jealous of something you never had.”

Alice looked at Abigail, but only saw the side of her hair. 

“Well, thanks for hearing me out,” Abigail smiled, turning to the farmer. Her face was hard to read. 

Why did I come out here, exactly? To escape being used by Joja, to live a life that mattered, that I had a sense of control over? Ibly for someone I thought I trusted to use my own produce against me, is that even ethical? Are there rules to entry? 

Alice watched Abigail crawl out from under the bridge, the gold and silver grass parting for her purple pants into the golden lamplight. 

Is what Abigail told me true? Alice’s palms pressed the grass apart, and Abigail offered her hand to the farmer, a look of internal sadness clear on her face, but also a look of trust. No, I don’t think she would lie, she wouldn’t have said that if it didn’t bother her. 

“Thanks for talking to me, sometimes, it's kinda hard, you know. It doesn’t always feel like the guys listen, or my mom, and not my dad. But I always know you are listening, and it helps a lot.” Abigail said, more to Alice’s feet than to her face, but Abigail stuttered a step as Alice hugged her. Her shoulders dropped, feeling the farmer’s strong arms around her, and the steadiness of the hug, without the reserve of waiting to let go. Lip trembling, Abigail hugged back, digging her face into it, smelling the trees, the rose, and the coffee off of the farmer. Breathing deeply, she felt so much calmer, feeling a hint of tears in her eyes. She let go, and started walking to her house with a wave, hearing the farmer say “Bye,” with a hint of concern. She can tell her tomorrow, but right now, she wanted that space to herself. 

Alice sat on the edge of the mountain lake, listening to the leaves in the trees, the cascade of water, the hooting of an owl. She heard the leaves crunching in the grass behind her, breathing in the night as she leaned back. Sebastian stood over her, leaning down so his mouth met hers. Her neck hurt in the position, but his lips were so warm and soft and grounding she didn’t want to let go. 

Breaking off, Sebastian nestled next to Alice, their hips meeting in the grass as the farmer leaned against him. Her soul was heavy, pressing her deeper into the earth than she was comfortable with, wondering if she fell in the water if she would be unable to break the surface again. 

Sebastian seemed to read the hunger in her lips, as he slowly leaned her back. She felt her back press into the grass, looking up to see him. The moonlight haloed his face, stars flickering around him as he gray eyes looked at her with a gentleness. His warm hand lifted her shirt, finding the buttons holding her pants up and loosening them with the gentle pops of each button releasing. Heat rushed before his hand did, so when he pulled her panties aside and slid his middle finger down the center of her labia, her eyes immediately rolled back to the instant wave of pleasure it gave her. 

He leaned down, kissing her neck slowly as he rubbed his finger up and down, and she felt the heat build as her fear and tension slowly melted away, at least for a time. 

Before she slept that night, she wrote down what she remembered from the graveyard, feeling light and drunk all over from the lake before she put her head down and washed away into a deeper sleep.

Stand between the pillars three

With a gift as precious as the sky:

A rainbow forged from land, not sea

Then galaxies will heed your cry.

Chapter Text

The sun rose, like any other day, beaming through the window and creating squares of light at the side of her bed. Yet, it's presence felt an increased level of power, of importance that the moment she felt it's presence it woke her with her fervor. 

Alice got up, looking at her grange display materials, her outfit laid out, the faded poster on the fridge with an old cow magnet. She was as ready as she could be, yet it didn't feel like it was enough. Marie jumped off the bed, and Alice jumped at the sudden change, her bed head bouncing around. Grumbling, she pressed her palm to the side of her temple, feeling a pressure headache from lack of sleep.

Alice finished loading up the wheelbarrow that Lewis lent her, and turned back to her farm. Even though her full plan was to go to the faire, the responsibility of the farm still demanded her. Sighing, she went to the bin to grab her watering can, shoving her flats into the oversized work boots to protect them, hoping to not get anything on her jack o lantern dress.

All the crops watered, their leaves shimmering in the morning sunlight, her coop was open and the chickens and others were rustling around the tall grass, and Tessa bellowed at the farmer, tail smacking her haunches as she chewed dramatically. Alice looked around, nodding, before hoisting up the wheelbarrow handles and heading into town. The bus stop had several parked buses there, already, and an attendant in a reflective vest she didn’t recognize. Surely I am not that late …

Alice thought she was still pretty early for coming in only half an hour after it started, but the hustle and bustle of the faire told her otherwise. Streams and banners lined the building, making it feel like a carnival from that alone. Striped tents popped up everywhere like the night circus, and the smell of funnel cake and smoked meat were competing one another depending on which way the wind blew. Alice looked around at all the people she didn’t recognize, her hair brushing her shoulders over and over from the back and forth. Maybe a Halloween dress was the wrong call, she thought, when she looked past the parents and children, the lines of balloons, the different carnival games to the Grange display sign that was hoisted high near Pierre’s shop. Determination burned in her back, and she lifted the wheelbarrow again and pressed forward. 

Her display was between Pierre and Marnie, the large blank oak wood holding a small, handwritten note with her name on it. Someone also drew a smiley face in the corner of Alice, and she smiled, noticing the ink was different from the original name. 

“Hey, want some help?” came behind her, making Alice jump, almost dropping the card in her hand. She turned to see Leah grinning at her, and the two exchanged a quick hug. 

“I saw you come in, and I thought you could use the break, Robin is doing an exhibition of wood carving I am very interested in, so I won’t be long here, I’m sorry,” Leah explained, hoisting one pumpkin after another to Alice, who placed them carefully in the display. She felt eyes on her, and she was focusing on ignoring them. 

“No, it is appreciated, and I understand. I am sure I will find something of interest,” Alice thought, looking around quickly to see if she saw any familiar columns of black. 

The bottle of Starfruit wine, the smoked Angler, and the old pillow she found to place the diamond on finished her display. The farmer stepped back, and tilted her head at the set up as Leah smiled, crossing her arms. The pumpkins created a frame, with the other elements higher up, like a great orange flower. 

“It's a great composition, maybe you’ll get points for the set up, too,” Leah said, rubbing Alice’s shoulder. 

“Maybe, thank you, this looks so much better than if I did it myself,” Alice said, as a clock chimed. Leah looked up at the round clock, and said, “Oh, Robin is starting, I’ll catch you later, and good luck!!”

“Thanks again!” Alice called, waving after Leah as she vanished into the warmth of the brown boxes, fall colors, and bodies, behind the line of a tent. 

Alice turned to see Pierre looking at her, a smile painted on his face as he looked at her display, then his. Heat bubbled up into her eyes as she saw a basket filled with blueberries, one of her last summer crops being a full basket of blueberries. A few pumpkins were stacked in his display, a bushel of tomatoes, and a few apples, all of them looking familiar. 

Carolin looked between Pierre and Alice, and mouthed a “sorry,” to the farmer, before turning away. 

“It’s a beautiful display,” came behind Alice, making her jump. Lewis was behind her, in his

signature green plaid and brown slacks, but he looked extra crisp today, smelling faintly of a cologne and truffle oil. “You worked really hard in your first year here. I know your grandfather would be proud,” He said, smiling at Alice, who smiled softly back. 

“I know we didn’t see you much once you started school here, but your grandfather loved you. He kept talking about you and how good you were at farming despite being a little tike. I’m so sad your grandfather is gone, but I am so grateful you are here. He would be so proud of you, too. I hope you are proud of yourself.”

Alice blinked repeatedly at the words, trying to combat the tears that were welling up. The words struck hard, her breath fluttering a bit as she covered her mouth. Her parents weren’t there, again, and it dawned on her how empty she felt because of that. Her grandfather would be there, nothing could stop him from seeing her until his health was so impacted that he could no longer move like he used to, and had to depend on others to get around. That was an entirely new feeling of loss of control when that happened. 

“Thank you,” she was able to whisper out, “that means a lot.”                  

“Judging will take some time, why don’t you go look around? The Faire has changed a lot since you were a toddler,” Lewis said, offering another smile, which Alice meekly returned, nodding, and went to clear her head.

The fair was bustling, and bodies weaving out of the crowded corridors between tents, displays, wood carving, and a clown. Alice walked past a few betting areas to see Emily standing near the clown, hand on her chin, shaking her head. Next to the clown was the wood carve station, and sure enough Robin was carving with tenacity a piece of softwood. A small crowd was formed around her, but no one was as enamored as Leah, the fellow red head leaning on the railing, eyes glued, breathing steady, at the display. 

Clint was nearby with a display of swords he made, with Marlon nearby. Clint standing so stiff he was shaking like a leaf, as Marlon stood calmly, wearing a kilt and a cape on his left side, as usual. 

“You alright, miss?” he whispered so subtly it took Alice a moment to register. 

“Yeah, just thinking of my grandpa is all,” she said quietly, blinking slowly. 

“Yeah, grief takes a lot of energy, but sometimes in the pain, there is a seed of joy. I hope that seed grows for you, soon.” He looked over at the displays again, Alice quickly following his gaze, watching it linger on Marnie as she fidgeted with her embroidered cardigan again.      

The emotions started to weigh again, and Alice nodded, thanking Marlon, and kept walking down the corridor of tents and displays until she saw a familiar face. 

“Rasmodius, what are you doing here?” Alice asked, feeling some relief as she approached the purple clad man. He lowered the brim of his hat as she approached, as if hiding from someone. 

“Yes, hello there. I am here with my friend, Welwick. She is very gifted at her craft, if you want to take a gander,” he said, looking over. Alice followed his eyes to the small, red and white striped tent tucked next to a lilac bush. Her tent was at the end of the corridor, and the murmur of the crowds were muffled by the tents, and the bubbling of the river. 

Alice turned to face her more directly, watching the side of the tent open like a curtain around the older woman. Her eyes were closed, and she was wearing a royal blue hijab, the scarf settling neatly on her shoulders like petals. In front of her was a large crystal ball, with a piece of lace over it. She looked familiar, when Alice realized she was on her TV in the morning, right around when she wakes up. 

Welwick raised her head ever so slightly, and she removed the lace from the ball so quickly that Alice didn’t see her hand do it. 

“Ah, yes… my crystal ball is swirling with visions of your future, young one.”

Alice saw on the sign it was 100g to read a fortune, and a small, covered box with a slit. Reaching into her wallet, she grabbed the amount, and placed it into the box, hearing the coin clink at the bottom.

Welwick cleared her throat, and as Alice looked at her to see what she would say, she felt herself being whisked away, her mind growing completely dark. She looked around, with only darkness meeting her, until she saw something, as Welwick’s voice echoed around her. 

“Hmm…. I see you laying on a cot… It looks like a hospital.  Marlon is there to keep you company while you recover. What a nice friend.”

Alice did indeed see Marlon sitting on a stool next to the hospital bed, a book closed in his hand, a finger holding a spot, as he leaned into the smiling Alice in the bed, and they both laughed silently. The vision started to fade, but Alice smiled at it, knowing that isn’t a far off thing. 

It faded, and another vision played out, one in a familiar space to her. 

“Now I see you and Leah in a dimly lit room. You look serious… but not unhappy. Something important must be happening.”

Alice stood, trying to read Leah’s face in the vision, concern on her face as she turned to see the vision her with the same exact expression. They were in Leah’s cottage, and it’s raining outside. Alice sat on one of the Gundam seat cushions she had to hide when she left Zuzu City, and Leah was on her easel stool, one leg propped up, her ankle bobbing which she always did when she felt anxious. 

The vision faded, and Alice sighed as it did, hoping everything was okay. 

Suddenly, stars showed overhead, and Alice looked around desperately as Welwick said, “Ah, the crystal ball has moved on to somewhere else!” Finally, Alice saw a silhouette of a pair in the distance. It was so far away, and Alice knew the last couple of visions ended so quickly. The desire to know who that was, who she was with, was overwhelming as she leaned towards it, feeling her gait speed up to match it. 

“Yes, I see you with a certain someone special, it looks like you are very happy.”

Very happy, me, in the future , Alice started running as fast as she could watching the pair fade, feeling the panic bubble into her throat and out of her mouth in a sigh as the silhouettes finally vanished. 

“The crystal ball has gone dark, that is all I can see. But remember, the future is in your hands!” Alice looked down, feeling her mind return to her body, when she saw a frog at her feet. 

Why is there a frog? Alice thought as she returned to her body, feeling a moment of vertigo as the sunlight and warm colors washed over her. Shaking her head, she waved to Magnus and went to find a seat on some barrels.

The wood was warm when she sat, letting her brain align the colors and gravitational pull correctly as best she could. A noise, a shuffling, caught her attention for a moment, but she pushed it aside, head spinning visions of starlight and frogs in her brain. 

Again, the shuffling came back, like an itch by her ear. Twitching towards it, she noticed something unique about the noise, and blew through her nose. 

Alice pushed past the tent as carefully as she could to not disturb the fishing tent on the other side. Her hands ran against the striped canvas, opening up more to her view of the barrels and boxes stacked behind plain view, when she passed the tent and was released into an open space in the grass with the dwarf right in front of her, tucked behind a barrel. 

“I wanted to see what all the commotion was, please don’t tell anyone I am here,” they said, shuffling their hands over a brown bag filled with a cup, two tickets, a lemon, a baby shoe, and what looked like a bag of someone’s pot.

“Where did you get all that stuff?” Alice asked, feeling her face tighten as she tried to not smile. 

“Oh this? You would be surprised what humans leave laying around,” they nodded to themselves, picking up the straps of the bag and jostling it around so the items settled deeper into the bag. 

“Did you steal those?” Alice finally was able to muster out from her tight face, the laughter bubbling in her throat. She didn’t want to draw attention to them, and it was a real challenge for her to do so. 

The dwarf looked at her, hands shuffling the bag in their silent thought, when finally they said, “I do not understand this ‘stealing’ that you speak of.”

Alice blurted out a chuckle, high pitched and reverberating, but it was covered by an announcement:

The Grange displays have all been tallied and the scores have been posted. Please see Mayor Lewis to receive your score.

“Well, that's me!” Alice said with a level of gratitude, slipping out of the area as the dwarf waved at her in her departure. 

The farmer broke into the main area just in time as Lewis turned to her and smiled, walking up with a clipboard in hand. She looked around and saw some motions of melancholy among most of the other competitors, although Pierre had her back to her. She felt a shiver of nerves rattle in the back of her mind as Lewis reached her.

“Congratulations!” Lewis started, making Alice blink, taken aback. “You won with 104 points - very impressive. Here are your star tokens, 1000 in total. Spend them wisely, although I never worry about that with you.”

Lewis handed her the bag, the pouch squishing in her cupped hands, the weight distributing around her fingers. 

“Oh, and don’t forget to clean out your grange display and take everything home.”

“Yes, of course,” Alice whispered, doing the mental math of how to get the other 1000 tokens to get her stardrop. Putting the bag in the pocket of her dress, the pouch fattening her left side from its bulk, she went to her display first to ensure she didn’t forget it. Alice grabbed the wagon and started loading her pumpkins back into it, thinking of trying the wheel for a moment to win the rest of the tokens. 

“I can’t believe I lost, it was the best produce in the whole valley,” Pierre said solemnly, barely audible from behind her. 

“I know, dear,” Caroline said with a sigh, a breath of disinterest. 

“It was the best product, I should have won,” the sentence had a bite so it, making Alice frown uncomfortably as she kept piling pumpkins into the wagon, watching the fat orange fruit fill the wooden box like bricks. 

“Dad, don’t be a sore loser,” Abigail said, and Alice could feel the energy shift. Snatching her diamond off of the pillow, Alice scooped up the handles of her wagon and walked the wagon to the entrance of the faire as fast as she could, refusing to look at the display on her right as she left. 

Alice reached the prize tent with a mix of relief and hot exhaustion, her hand heavy with the 2200 star tokens she won from fishing, and then finally the wheel where she watched for a split second when the arm would stop. 

“I would like the stardrop, please,” Alice said with a breath, watching the woman blink and then smile, heading over to the small box in the back. She passed the stuffed animals that were overstuffed at the top of the tent, the plastic water guns, the dried flowers, the sparkling pinwheels to bring forward an old box made of wood paneling and lined with dust. 

“No one has asked for it, I’m glad it's finally going to go to a new home,” the woman said, handing the box over to Alice. The woman grabbed the coin bag and took it to the antique register in the back, and started to count. Alice took the opportunity to flick open the small lock on the box and see the star fruit inside. It shimmered exactly like the last one, and she scooped up the small fruit that floated in her palm and put it straight into her mouth.

The out of body experience returned, watching her eyes dilate, but her head raise at the awareness this time of what was happening, watching the thoughts run through her own eyes, as if she was facing a mirror. Galaxies of thoughts and time, energy connections like a million stars shooting past her as if time was a construct, and nothing mattered. The tingling began next, the thick feeling of the light espresso and cinnamon cake in her mouth, the quiet moment in the chair in a larger house, the rain speckling outside, a warm coffee in front of her, someone sitting in the chair next to her as they both read. 

She was returned back to her body, and exhaled, feeling her body process the change. She opened her eyes, and saw a light yellow aura around the woman as she moved her mouth at the farmer. 

“I’m sorry?”

“I said you have enough star tokens to get another prize, you can get the scarecrow, if you like,” the woman repeated, smiling in her customer service style. 

“Oh yes, yes, I would like that thank you,” Alice said, nodding as slowly closed the stardrop box, watching the woman turn around, watching the world around her shimmer ever so slightly in energy she didn’t see before. 

Chapter Text

Sebastian wasn’t sure what he expected out of the fair, but it wasn’t babysitting duty while Sam ran off to play another round of games, trying to get his star tokens back. 

“I promised mom I would give her a break, and somehow Jas is here, too?” Sam said, shrugging. Sebastian stared at Sam, struggling to process as the two children ran around them, screaming as Vincent chased Jas with a piece of manure he found by the animal stall. 

“So, are you going to intervene, or just stand there?” Sebastian asked, watching the kids. He watched Vincent reach as he tried to get the manure closer to Jas, and her screaming, frantic, away from him. Sebastian felt a ripple of discomfort at the scene, at the familiarity of it, of how he wished he hadn't done that now. 

“I dunno, poop isn’t scary, just gross, though maybe we should stop it,” Sam said, putting a hand in his pocket as Jas’s scream started to devolve into crying. Sam wouldn’t notice any of this, the age gap is too big, and he didn’t have the regret.

“Okay, that’s enough,” Sebastian said, grabbing Jas and scooping her out of Vincent’s path. She kicked her little violet shoes, wailing until she saw that Sebastian had stopped the chase, settling as he set her back down. Vincent stopped chasing her and faced Sebastian. 

“Hey, we were playing,” he said, holding onto the partially dried cow poop as if it were going to wriggle away. 

“Is that right? Jas, were you having fun?” Sebastian said to Vincent, then turned to Jas to ask her. That’s what I wish happened to me . She was still sobbing quietly to herself a bit, rubbing her damp eyes. 

“No,” she sniffled, “I wasn’t having fun at all. It's gross!”

“Well, it sounds like it's not okay for you to chase Jas with that anymore, doesn’t it?” Sebastian asked Vincent, kneeling so he was at Vincent’s level, who dropped the manure in shock. 

“But it's not gross!”

“She doesn’t think that way, so you need to respect that. Does that make sense?” 

Vincent looked at the ground for a moment, lower lip out, kicking at the dirt with his red shoes. 

“Yeah, I guess,” Vincent sighed.

“You guess?”

“Yeah.”

“Alright then, I think you should apologize to Jas and play a different game,” Sebastian said, standing. 

“Sorry, Jas,” Vincent said, frowning. 

“Okay,” Jas said, nodding and smiling. “Let’s pet the chickens.” She already started running back to the pen, but in a different direction than the cows.

“Okay!” Vincent called, chasing after her, his little fists pumping in the air as he did so. 

Sebastian watched them go, a swift fall breeze cutting through and spreading the smell of the livestock around. 

I need to find where Alice is, I need to help her with the grange display so she can beat Pierre . He looked around for Sam so he could finally go look for her. 

Yet, Sam was nowhere to be found. Sebastian looked around the tents, by the animal pens, even around Penny’s trailer and Alex’s house, but there were just a few tourists and Vincent and Jas shoving grass in the chickens face’s through the bars. 

“Sam, you can’t be serious right now,” Sebastian muttered to himself, feeling an urge to go look for him, but the stronger urge to not leave the kids alone. 

“Hey, do you kids want to go into the fair and look for Sam,” Sebastian asked, turning to the kids. They both looked up at him for a moment from their squatted position, arms through the fence, chickens clucking around in the straw in front of them. 

“No,” Vincent said.

“We are petting chickens,” Jas said, sticking her chin out. 

Damn, kids are tough , Sebastian thought, running a hand through his hair. No wonder Sam bounced . 

Sebastian watched the kids pet chickens for a few more minutes, looking anxiously to the center of the fair, trying to get a glance of the farmer. I hope she doesn’t think I don’t care about her , Sebastian thought, rubbing the back of his head, turning back to the kids who were now picking up rocks and putting some in their pockets. I do care, I care a lot. I wonder if she cares as much as I do? I mean, I could ask, but is that enough, would she think I am being serious? I don’t know if I have ever been so serious about something in my life . He turned to face the kids, watching Vincent put a rock to his eye and a finger like a hook and going “argh!” loudly to Jas, who giggled fitfully. Sebastian smirked. 

“Hey, man,” came behind Sebastian, making him jump. 

“Woah, bit jumpy there, bud,” Shane said, taking a sip of beer. 

“Isn’t it a bit early to drink?” Sebastian asked, flushed in embarrassment. 

“It’s my day off, who cares,” Shane shrugged. He motioned his beer to the kids, “You watching the tikes?”

“Yeah,” Sebastian sighed, turning to the kids. 

“Sam ran off, I’m guessing? I saw him playing the bullseye game. Badly.”

Sebastian blew out of his nose, not wanting to sell out his friend, but frustration was hard to mask. 

“Gotcha. Well, I’m here with Jas, I do have a thing with the chickens in 30 minutes if you want to have a break. Can’t offer more, though,” Shane said, taking another sip. “Hey kiddo, have you had any water today?” he asked Jas, who jumped up to nod her head as Vincent shook it furiously.  

Sebastian hurried off to the grange display with more zeal than he was accustomed to. His legs moved him faster than they used to, feeling his calves burn as he reached the display boxes. Willie has a large assortment of fish in a rainbow of colors, stacked in horizontal lines, with a few fishing rods on display to flag off the side. Marnie had a behemoth cheese wheel that must have weighed 50 pounds, with a few rows of different colored eggs. 

Damn, people really brought their A-game , Sebastian thought, still looking around for a pillar of pink that the farmer liked to wear. Her bouncing hair, her dimples when she smiled, how she twirled the hair by her ear when she was nervous, anything to give off her much sought after presence to his mind.

He felt her though, when he saw a display with a wide assortment of things, all things that he knew she was good at. Five large pumpkins that shimmered in the sunlight framed around a large, unpolished rock that refracted little rainbows onto the pumpkins. A purple mushroom he never saw before sat next to a bottle of wine, and the strangest smoked fish headed the back. Even the display looked artistic, and it just felt like Alice. 

Yup, that is her alright. Damn, I hope she wins , Sebastian smirked as he read the nametag at the front of the display written in sharpie, with a small smile on the side. That looks like Abigail’s drawing…

“Quite the display, huh,” came from behind Sebastian, making him turn around with zeal. Pierre stood there, smirking at the display, the sunlight turning his glasses white so Sebastian couldn’t see what his expression was. “I think the farmer sold all her best work, though. It’ll be hard to compete with mine.”

“You do have a lot,” Sebastian noted, more to himself than Pierre. How did this guy have enough time and land to produce that many blueberries? Alice had all those bushes - 

Sebastian grew a little stiff at the thought, making eye contact with Abigail who was talking to her mom. Abigail looked between the two, said something to her mom, and walked over. 

“Hey, dad, mom wants to talk to you about something,” Abigail said, staring at her dad. Sebastian looked at her, but she was set on staring at her dad. 

“I can come over in a minute,” Pierre said. 

“It was something Lewis said about the box, something being out of bounds or other,” Abigail yawned, looking at her nails. 

“Oh, I better go talk to her now,” Pierre said with zeal, shuffling past the two to get to his wife, who shuddered a breath when he brushed her shoulder before turning to face him. 

“She’s not here,” Abigail said flatly to Sebastian. He blinked twice before saying. 

“Yeah, thanks for the save.”

“I don’t want him to win either, he’s been driving me crazy. Those are Alice’s blueberries.”

“I thought so,” Sebastian muttered, looking at them again. 

“Well, I’ll see you later, then,” Abigail said, turning away. 

“It was good seeing you,” Sebastian said, making Abigail hesitate a step, wave a hand, and kept walking. 

I wonder what got into her, she is talking to me again , Sebastian thought as he walked down the fair. There were so many sounds, bodies moving around, colors dancing on different textures, all at once. heat was radiating off of the fair, and the deeper in he went, the hotter it got, feeling the building in his lower back of the heat. 

He started to walk away from it, down the main thoroughfare to lighter areas of the fair. Ginger caught his eye, and he watched Leah speak fervently with Robin around the freshly carved wood that seemed to start to resemble a mermaid. 

Alice loves mermaids, he thought to himself, smiling. In that instant, Leah caught his eye, her purple eyes flaring for a moment before a smile sparked across her face and she pointed in a direction, mouthing Alice, as she pointed further down the way. 

Heat ran across Sebastian’s face like a sunburn, bringing to his attention the exact contours of his face. Well, if the best friend knows and is supportive, that has to be a good sign. Sebastian felt the lean in his step as he continued further down the path. 

“Now I see you and Leah in a dimly lit room. You look serious… but not unhappy. Something important must be happening-” Sebastian heard from someone he thought he recognized, but could not pinpoint. 

Is everything okay, what's wrong with Leah? Sebastian felt deeply interested in the voice as he pressed forward, turning the corner to find a strange man with purple hair staring at him. He was leaning against a telephone pole, a black hat sitting on his head and a rather strange outfit, with his button up vest, the cloak on his shoulders, the pinstripe pants. The purple hair was oddly familiar, as well as the jawline. 

“Um, hello?” Sebastian said, feeling oddly out of place.

“Yes, indeed,” the man said, turning away, and Sebastian felt the odd sense of mind to look elsewhere. Almost immediately, his eyes settled on something that relaxed him instantaneously like taking a hit, Alice was standing in front of a booth at a tent, her hair fluttering in the wind as he black dress with small jack o lanterns all over it settled so nicely on her supple and and muscular frame he felt both relaxation and a increase in his blood pressure looking at her. 

“Now I see you and Leah in a dimly lit room. You look serious… but not unhappy. Something important must be happening,” the woman said, leaning into her crystal ball. Alice was standing there, completely still, with her eyes closed. Her face twitched here and there, and he realized that having your fortune read was a bit more than meets the eye. 

The man looked at Sebastian again, a sense of interest in his eyes as the woman spoke again, “Yes, I see you with a certain someone special, it looks like you are very happy.”

Chills ran down Sebastian’s spine, turning away almost immediately his back to the tent as he tried to stop his head from spinning. Did she mean me? What if she didn’t mean me? I should, I should hurry up and let Alice know how I feel…

“Hey man, can you come back to the kids? I’ll watch them after my thing, I just need eyes on them,” came a hiss from a couple towns over, and Sebastian kicked himself at the duty but came anyway. 

“Sam, where the fuck were you?” Sebastian hissed at the blond, who put his hands up in his defense. 

“I lost all my star tokens, sorry,” he said. 

“And I missed Alice winning the grange display, do you have any idea how shitty I feel? You were the one who made the promise to watch the kids, and somehow got me to write that check for you?” 

Sam’s shoulders dropped, sorrow leaking into his eyes. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know it meant so much to you. I guess I just…”

“Just what, exactly?” Sebastian seethed, happy the kids were on a bench eating snow cones and couldn’t hear them. The crowd was starting to die off, the sun was setting, and he was sure as hell that Alice went home and he didn’t get to talk to her once today. 

“I don’t like feeling trapped, like I have to do things that I can’t get away from. I feel like I am suffocating. But I feel so obligated, too. My mom was so overwhelmed, I wanted to take that away from her, without realizing what impact that would have on me until it was too late. Then I kind of just passed it off to you so I wouldn’t have to think about it. I dunno, it doesn’t feel good any way you slice it.”

Sebastian stood there, looking at his friend. Without knowing why, he grabbed Sam and hugged him. 

“I’m sorry, mate,” he said, patting Sam on the back. Sam froze in the huge for just a moment, before hugging back so tightly that Sebastian faltered a step. 

“I’ll be better, I’m sorry,” he whispered, when Vincent ran over. 

“Hey what are you doing?” he asked, red sugar running down his chin and arm from his half eaten snowcone. 

“Congratulating him on winning so many carnival games,” Sebastian said, putting his hands in his pockets. 

“Wow, that's great! You are so cool,” Vincent gawked, showing his red tongue off as he did so. 

Bouquet, I should get her a bouquet. But I don’t want to get one from Pierre’s , Sebastian thought, walking around as the tents started to deflate, fluttering flatly to the ground so they could be wound up and boxed away until next year. One by one they went in the purple dusk light, making Sebastian look around in awe for a moment. The smell of funnel cakes were mixing with canvas and moth balls, nestling up leaves and dust and revealing the cobblestone road once more. 

Something caught his eye, something pink, then something blue. Blinking, he approached it to find a bushel of fairy roses, and his jaw dropped. 

“Alice would love these,” he whispered to himself, watching the soft petals bloom amongst themselves, ethereal and smelling otherworldly, reminding him so much of her. 

“She probably would,” came from behind him, making him jump. George was behind him, arms in his lap, an orange scarf around his neck as the only piece slightly out of place. “I ordered them for Evelyn, they are her favorite, too, but why don’t you take a couple. Just, not too much, I don’t want Evelyn to feel hurt.”

Sebastian swallowed, looking at the old man and to the bushel on the cart, the shimmering purple ribbon behind them. To 40 more years, my love, written on the card. 

“I can’t, I just, why are you helping me?” Sebastian asked, feeling the internal tug inside him. 

“I’m old, and I have my girl. And I like Alice a lot, Eve and I both do. She’s great for Alex, too, gets him talking more and looking at other things besides sports. I dunno, hurry up and take some before I change my mind!”

“Right,” Sebastian said, eternally grateful for the kick in the motive, and without deliberation, Sebastian grabbed two, a pink one and a light blue one, and left out of the town before he could allow his anxieties tell him to do something else. 

Chapter Text

Hello, 

It’s blackberry season right now. The bushes are full of them. I want to pick some, but I lost my basket. Can you help?

Linus

Damn, that sucks , Alice thought, turning the cardstock over. The paper was aged and yellow, but was of nice quality, and Linus’s handwriting was regal and smooth, which she wasn’t fully expecting. I wonder if the basket by the tunnel is his? It’s been there for a week…

Tessa kept nudging Alice as she milked her, making the farmer laugh and push her back playfully. The temperature started brisk in the mornings, but settled into a very comfortable upper 60s in the afternoon, with the filtered sun still coming through the fir and golden leaves. Alice grabbed a long oatmeal cardigan to slip over her farming clothes, enjoying the worn, chunky pattern that ran past her fingertips if she didn’t roll it up. There was a hole on the wrist she always meant to repair, but never really got around to it. 

Alice walked past the broken down bus, staring at the rotten tires and the ominous, clouded windows as she turned toward the tunnel. She felt as if the bus was watching her go down the road, haunting her as she went down the road, staring at the dips and cracks caused by all of the rain. Bushes lined the way, plump with berries a deep purple; it was like specks of space in a nest of golden leaves. Reaching over, she popped a few off of the stems, the berries coming off easily, and popped them into her mouth. The tart sweet flavor exploded in her mouth, refreshing and calming, as she continued down the road towards the mossy, stone necklaced tunnel to find Linus’s basket. It sat amongst the fallen leaves at the base of a bush, willow woven and a beautiful sienna, and so light as she picked it up, plucking leaves out of it and letting it settle. 

Wind howled out of the tunnel, blowing Alice’s hair into her face and tugging at the basket in her hand. Whipping her head towards the tunnel, frowning, the wind stopped immediately. In the dark, something flicked on the side of the tunnel, something that looked less like a refraction of the light and more like a sprinkle of junimo magic, although even that wasn’t quite right. 

Hooking the basket under her arm, Alice started down the tunnel, letting the darkness envelope her as her eyes started to adjust. A few small, slight emergency lights dotted the brick, the smell of moist stone and moss falling on her. In the middle of the tunnel was a power box, but the key was in it and turned, the lock protruding out, leaving the box open. 

That’s not great , Alice thought, grabbing the key and opening the door. Wait, I have a battery on me …. She pulled out the pack from her pocket and popped the metal into the tightly formed hole. Immediately, a note fell out of the box and landed softly at her feet. Blinking, Alice reached down to scoop it up.

Your first task: Bring a rainbow shell to the train platform. Leave it in the box. - Mr. Qi . 

Who the fuck is Mr. Qi? Alice thought, looking above the box, around her at both sides. Nothing was out of the ordinary, the windy forest on either side, the patchy road, the tunneled stone. All typical, all normal. But the blue paper in her hand. 

I mean, I guess I can grab one while I take this basket to Linus…

Alice stared at the train station, frowning. She had come up this way a few times to go to the bathhouse, but the train station looked like it was a high quality old west prop that wasn’t cared for in at least a few decades. The aged warm wood was gnawed on, but it continued to stand tall, despite the deep decline of supported public transportation. 

The steps creaked as she went up them, staring down the lines of the platform, the unused benches with a thick layer of dust, the faded bulletins, the empty light fixtures, all feeling a bit liminal in the autumn breeze. As the note said, there was a box on the platform, very soon after the stairs, sitting as plain a day next to a bench. 

Alright then, I have done weirder things here , Alice thought to herself, pulling the shimmering blue shell from her bag. It was a hollow tube, with a film of iridescent on it that shimmered like magical waters inside. 

I’ll get another next year , she thought sadly as she placed the shell in the box. Immediately, a note wafted down from the ceiling of the train station, and the farmer let out her hand to catch it. 

Place 10 beets in Lewis’s fridge. - Mr. Qi

Alice stared at the note as the wind picked up behind her. 

Sebastian waited until he heard it was quiet upstairs for a while, and all the appropriate numbers of doors opening and closing had occurred to let him know that he was free for the day. He closed out of his project files, and scooped up the two fairy roses that Mr. Mullner gave him and headed briskly upstairs, the flowers nestled against his chest for fear of being seen. 

The wind picked up as he left, feeling the fear ripen as he grasped at the delicate petals. He pressed on through the trees, through the path, to reach the farm. 

She was there, under the great blue sky, a floppy hat on her head and a scythe in her hands. She was leaning against it to talk to her cow, who nestled her. He felt his heart swell, his chest warm and fill with a sense of calmness and happiness. The cow turned to face him, and he felt his heart start to race as she turned to face him, the movement exaggerated by the wide brim of the hat. 

Alice pet Tessa’s neck where she liked it, watching the cow tilt her head, stretch her neck, and flick her ear in response. The cow turned to face something behind the farmer, her doe eyes soft and eyelashes blinking. Alice turned to see what she was staring at, feeling the wind blow on her hat as she met eyes with Sebastian standing next to her Turnip head scarecrow, with two fairy roses wrapped in a black ribbon in his hand. She covered her mouth, looking at him, the roses, the ribbon, him blushing, the determination on his face. 

“Hey,” Sebastian said, walking towards her. He held the roses with confidence, and his hands weren’t in his pocket. She swallowed strongly, trying to think of words to say, but nothing came to her mind or tongue as he stopped in front of her.

“Here,” he reached the roses out to her. Alice leaned the hoe into her shoulder and grabbed the roses. Pink and blue, her favorite colors, the petals swirling around themselves in poignant velvet, the scent glistening out of them, fluttering all around her. 

“I’m, not really good at these things,” Sebastian said, looking away for a moment and putting his hands in his pockets. “But, I like you, a lot. A lot. And I want you to know. And I guess…”

Alice looked up at him over the roses, and his heart fluttered even faster.

“I was wondering if…”

Alice smiled, and said, “I like you, too. I’d love to be your girlfriend.”

“Oh, wow, that's,” Sebastian started, running his hand through his hair but quickly grabbing Alice’s face and kissing her deeply. His tongue parted her lips, opening her mouth as she sighed into it, feeling her knees grow weak as they leaned heavier into it. 

The cabin was bigger than Sebastian remembered last seeing it, and breathed in the vanilla, lavender, and espresso smells between breaths between kisses. Alice threw off her hat only when they crossed the threshold, breaking free for just a moment to gently put the roses down. 

Alice was backed up against him as she did so, feeling the size of her butt against his groin made him feel feral, lifting up her orange dress to reveal her pale ass and white underwear. 

Lace? He barely thought to himself, feeling the blood leave his head and go elsewhere, his member pressing against his pants in fervor at the contouring details of fabric. Alice pressed against him, watching her cheeks squish against his black pants, the monochrome difference was almost artistic if he was in a place to appreciate it more. But he wasn't.

He slipped her pants down wrapping an arm around her chest and guiding her to the bed for her to bend over. She did so, raising her heels to position herself better. He stopped a moment to appreciate her, rubbing a hand down her soft ass before reaching lower to her vulva opening, only to find it wet to the touch. 

“Are you already ready?” Sebastian asked, pulling his finger away to see a small tendril connecting them.

“Maybe,” Alice said, rubbing against his groin again. Sebastian’s vision tunneled as she did so, the heat screaming at him as he pulled his penis free and guide it quickly into her.

She bent wildly as he did so, clutching the blanket with balls of fists, purring as he gasped at the pleasure of the first thrust. It felt right to be inside her, to be in this house, to watch her ass jiggle with each thrust, watching himself move in and out repeatedly.

“Harder,” she said with an aggression, a demand he wasn't used to. He felt a feral response to that demand, putting his hand on her neck as he went harder, listening to her gasp until she sighed so loudly, body twitching as his dick started to soak and it was too much, and he felt himself cum inside her. Again,it just felt right.

Gently, he let go of her and backed out of her, which caused her to twitch again. Geny, she turned over, her dress falling to cover their deeds, and held his face as she kissed him, her lips soft as clouds.

Chapter Text

Sebastian almost stayed the night. They spent the day together, Alice showed him her crops and introduced him to a few chickens. Sebastian was a bit confused as to why she didn’t want to take him into the coop, but respected her no. A few pumpkins were ready to be harvested, and he felt great pride in being able to lift the orange vegetables into the wagon, their freshly severed stems curling around the top of their fat, orange bodies. Maria followed them around the farm, wagging her tail and sniffing here and there as their hands were intertwined. 

The honey stuck with him, watching Alice pull the long gloves on and open the hives, a swarm of bees buzzing out, forming a sentient cloud around her. Dozens of their bodies landed on her, cleaning their antennas, shaking their abdomens on her. 

“They know me, they won’t sting me,” Alice said, reassuring Sebastian as he stayed farther back, despite the mesh hat she provided for him. The hives were nestled next to the fairy rose bed in a line, the geometric shapes of beige and khaki next to the sage green plants with their pink, blue, and purple flowers reminded him of impressionist paintings. Alice as the subject line, raising the thick pallet of honey, which the crystalline wax drip fat with nectar, made the painting all the more dreamy. 

Alice scraped the honey and wax into the white bucket at her side, taking each tray out of the hive and giving it that satisfying clean. Once she finished the last tray, she placed the lid back on, and the bees started to return to their hive as if on cue. 

“It's fairy rose honey, it's a delicacy, and it's my favorite,” Alice said, pulling a honey dipper out of her apron, sticking it into the pocket, and bringing it back out with a drip of golden honey swarmed around its wooden notches. She handed it to him with such a smile of calm confidence, her eyes singing with thoughts he couldn’t decipher. 

It was intoxicating to be in her presence, life seemed to thrive around her like the pumpkin vines, the grandiose leaves and the curling vines, as if the energy of that grew up her body like a trellis, blooming in her presence. 

The flavor was divine, the honey had a rich taste that was balanced off perfectly with the floral softness of rose, with a strange hint of strawberries. He couldn’t get the taste out of his mouth, nor the feeling of stickiness on his fingers, despite washing his hands twice. She had almost begged him to stay the night, bringing up all the different things she could make for dinner, which was so anticiting, but the anxiety of what would happen if he didn’t go home was uncomfortable to him. 

Sebastian reached the front door, feeling the cold doorknob on his hands as he turned it open. As if the universe could read his thoughts, he saw Demetrius and his mother waiting for him in the entryway. Robin looked unsettled, her body weight shifting, and her arms crossed as if she were holding herself together. Demetrius looked firm. 

“Where were you,” echoed in the atrium, even before the front door fully closed. 

“I was out,” Sebastian said, looking at his mother. She wouldn’t make eye contact with him. 

“Don’t try to play smart. You should have enough money to move out by now, but instead of working, you are out all day doing absolutely nothing.”

Sebastian looked down, counting in his head. He tried to think of a response, but he couldn’t find one that wouldn’t escalate the situation, or find a way to get out of it. Instead, he chose to head towards his room. 

“Well, since you can’t seem to have an adult conversation, I will cut to the chase. You have until the end of the year to move out, period. We are also increasing your rent, to help motivate you to leave. You are currently behind, so your mother cleaned out some of your things to cover it.”

Sebastian’s hand sat on the doorknob into the basement, feeling nothing but the ghostly feeling of honey on his fingers. 

“What,” he said, turning to face his mother. She looked at him with a state of confusion on her face. 

“You hadn’t read them in like a year,” she said, looking away. 

“Your mother did a good thing, you have too much stuff and this will help you move out,” Demetrius said, crossing his arms. Sebastian turned back to the door, feeling his vision tunnel as he focused on the doorknob. 

“What did mom do?” came a quiet voice, making everyone stop. Silence enveloped them all, Sebastian turning to see Demetrius and Robin stand frozen for just a moment before turning to face Maru themselves. 

Maru stood there, a look of concern on her face as she stared at Sebastian through her red framed glasses. He didn’t look away.

“Oh, sweetie, everything is fine. We are just helping motivate Sebastian to his goal of moving out, is all. He needs more push, unlike you.”

Sebastian felt heat building in his face, and took the opportunity to quietly make his exit to his room. Maru watched him go, frowning.

“I don’t think you are doing anything he wants to have happen,” Maru said coldly to her father, turning on her heel and storming down the hall to her own room. Demetrius turned towards Robin, who refused to look at him, her orange ponytail flat on her shoulder. 

Alice carried the pumpkin towards Pierre’s, feeling the sweat pool in her lower back despite the fact that it was rather cool outside. She thought an oatmeal sweater and some orange pants would be highly appropriate for the day, both festively and temperature, but she now wondered if the wagon was worth it, after all. 

The door was unlocked, despite the fact that it was Wednesday. Alice popped her hip on the door, looking around the store. Sunlight pooled into the warm wood of the floor and the shelves, with the cute blue labels under each item with the price to match the blue stained walls she was fond of. The yellow counter was bare, beside a sweeping pothos trailing down the side that Caroline put that. It was so peaceful with no one there, a calmness to it without any pretension of the usual steward of the store. 

The door in the back corner that led to the house was cracked open, and Alice heard voices. One sounded like Abigail, and with the thought of losing the heaviness of the load was ripe in her mind as she went through the door, feeling the warm wood seep through the fabric from sitting in the sun as she did so. 

The main room of the house always astounded Alice, the high ceiling going two stories up with a profound slant, creating a huge sense of openness and vague familiarity. Pictures lined the walls of little houses and some pictures of Abigail as a toddler. One of Caroline in her 20s, a small smile on her carefree face under the natural filter of a polaroid. It seemed dreamlike. Another of her and Pierre’s wedding on the table next to a photo of lines of older family members, none of them smiling. Even the wedding seemed like a business transaction, Caroline had a small smile on her face, but it didn’t feel like a polaroid. 

Alice heard the talking coming from the kitchen, and she started to head over there when she heard, “Stop telling me how to live my life!”

The farmer stopped in her tracks in the hallway, the weight of the pumpkin tugging on her arms. 

“Hey, cut it out! We’re letting you live here free of charge until you finish school. It seems like you don’t appreciate that at all!” Caroline sounded a bit firm, but tired, as she spoke. 

Abigail grumbled loudly before saying, “stop trying to make me feel guilty. I appreciate that you and dad are helping me out, but expecting me to dress the way you want is ridiculous.” A sigh. “I’m not a little girl anymore, mom.”

Silence.

“You're right. I’m sorry,” Caroline sounded ever more tired. 

Alice’s pumpkin slipped in her hands, and with a panicking stumble, she shuffled to get it back, her feet stomping against the wood as she did so.

“Is someone there?” Abigail gasped. Alice looked around in a panic, and went down the hall and behind a wall. She heard Abigail walk a few steps then stop. 

“I swear this house is haunted…” she whispered.  “I’m going to head out, mom, I’ll see you later,” and with that, the purple haired girl walked right past Alice, head high and purple curls bouncing, and right out of the house with a light smacking of the store’s screen door.

Alice slowly walked into the kitchen, holding the pumpkin close as Caroline saw her.

“Oh, Alice, I'm so sorry you had to see that,” she said, flushing. 

“It happens,” Alice said, looking down at the pumpkin.

Caroline looked at the vegetable for a moment before saying, “Is that for Abigail's birthday tomorrow?”

“I wanted to get her a pumpkin but I didn't know it was her birthday,” the farmer said, averting her gaze. “sorry, I guess I'm not a very good friend “

“Oh no, it's not that at all! Abigail sometimes struggles to make friends, it's why she's going to college remote. Part time. It's nice to know she has someone, especially someone so grounded.”

Alice thought of the junimo,the dwarf she can speak to, the alien fruit. “It's nice of you to say that, thank you “

“Here, please, put the pumpkin down.” Caroline offered the dining room table, which Alice happily took, feeling the immediate lightness of losing that weight. “Would you like a cup of tea?”

Alice smiled, nodding, her ponytail bouncing as she did so. The chair creaked a bit as she settled down, placing her hands on the eyelet white tablecloth. Caroline set a red kettle on the gas stove, the smell of gas hit before the blue flames clicked and started, licking up the side of the kettle as Caroline went into a backroom, the screen door snacking behind her.

Alice sat quietly in the kitchen, listening to the soft hiss of the flames on the metal kettle. She looked around at the stained softwood and white accents of the kitchen. There were a few green gingham patterned towels, but overall a slightly out of date kitchen design from out of a magazine. Her eyes trailed, not seeing any art, any baby photos, any recent photos, it felt a bit droll. Alice's eyes caught a letter that was pinned to the fridge with a magnet of an apple, and morbid curiosity rose in her as she rose to the occasion.

To Mr. Pierre:

It pains me to be the bearer of bad news, but I feel obligated to inform you of a recent development most threatening to your livelihood. Joja Co. has decided to expand into Pelican Town. It’s too late for protest. Joja Builders have already broken ground for the new JojaMart.

This must be devastating news for you. So many years in business… a local standby… and now, obscured by the shadow of a powerful, efficient, economically viable corporation (Alice snorted through her nose reading that line) . What a shame!

As manager of the new JojaMart, I feel, to some degree, personally responsible for your predicament. As Such, I’d like to offer you a position as Assistant Grocer. Wages start at 5g an hour. I look forward to seeing your resume!

-Mr. Morris, Manager

Pelican Town JojaMart

I wonder if that's why he was such a jackass , Alice thought when she heard footsteps and flung herself back to the chair.

Caroline was back in time for the kettle to whistle, making her jump with her two green bowls, setting them on the counter quickly as she removed the kettle and turned off the eye, the whistling settling down.

She brought a couple of teacups to the table, sighing as she sat, turning the cup handle towards herself, and taking a sip. 

Alice smiled as she did the same, watching the green hued tea swirl gently in the porcelain cup. She took a sip, the hot water filling her mouth and pouring down her body, feeling a tingle as she felt calmness all the way down. She looked at the cup and smiled, taking another sip to further the relaxing feeling. 

“It’s good, isn’t it?” 

“Yes, thank you. What is it?”

“It’s green tea, I grow it myself. I don’t have a farm, but I do have a small inclining. I love nature, the calmness, I was surprised when Pierre moved out here all those years ago, but I am so happy he did. He always liked the more, structured, life of the city we left behind. But I didn’t. He wanted to make it big, like his parents, and they were hard on him to do so. I don’t know how much of it rubbed off.”

Caroline whispered the last part, her eyes lost as she stared off into nothing, past Alice, past the walls, past time. 

“I used to talk walks in the forest west of town alone to have some peace,” she looked back at Alice, and her awareness landed back on the table in the older magazine kitchen. “I’m sorry, please don’t tell Pierre, he is always a jealous type.”

Jealous?

“Oh no, look at the time, I need Abigail to come back and finish her assignment, otherwise she will get a late grade again. She told me to tell her, is it okay if you go look for her? I can get the pumpkin set up for a birthday surprise in the meantime, so it's a bit more fair.”

Alice jumped at the opportunity to step out of the uncomfortable conversation, to have a light birthday surprise for a young college girl sounded way more appealing to her. She took a last swig of the tea, thanked Caroline again, and headed out the door. 

Chapter Text

Alice felt a spring in her step as she headed towards the woods, the caffeine spurt in the afternoon had a strong effect on her. She walked south out of the shop, reaching the bubbling creek and took a right towards the entrance of the forest. Golden trees and umber bushes leaned over the faded stone path into the orange grass of the woods, like a portal into another world. Passing through the shimmering bells of leaves, Alice was met with expansive sky as the start of pine trees marked the outskirts of the forest. Over the blue green tops of the trees, Alice could see the roof of the wizard’s tower jetting out, a thin line of yellow smoke coming out of his chimney, creating a small line in the blue ombre sky. 

Where did Abigail go , Alice thought, walking briskly through the trees. Pine needles crunched underneath, and mushrooms dotted her view as she made her way through, snapping up the mushrooms and forages as she went.  

Alice stepped into the clearing outside of the Wizard’s tower, looking up at the tall, crooked stone building and surprised that she got so far without realizing. 

“Oh, do you like to walk over here, too?” Alice heard, looking down to see Abigail leaning on the rockface that the tower sat on. 

“How often do you come here,” Alice asked, almost a whisper. She watched her hair pick up on the ends as she took a few steps closer to the tower, feeling the ripple of magic seep out of it. She realized that she hadn’t seen Rasmodius since the stardrops, the realization pouring over her like cold water. 

“I just feel drawn here, I dunno,” Abigail said, picking at her nails before sighing and looking around. 

“Have you ever thought about what is in that tower,” Alice asked point blank, staring Abigail down. The farmer felt a ripple in the air of disapproval as Abigail blinked. 

“Actually, no, I thought I would leave it alone. I like to think of it as abandoned, but also not, but. I mean I used to walk around your abandoned farm before you moved in all the time, I don’t know why I didn’t think to go to the tower…”

“You did what?” Alice asked a little more shrill than she was expecting. Abigail grew stiff in response, her shoulders shooting up as she said, 

“Well, no one was there, there was no harm in it, right? Sorry? I never thought anyone would come back? Uh, anyway, why are you here???”

“Your mom told me to come tell you your assignment is due tonight,” Alice said, shaking her head to get the awkwardness out of her system. 

“Oh, yeah!” Abigail almost jumped, running her hands through her hair, pulling the purple bangs back. “I haven’t worked on that at all and it's due at midnight, I gotta go!”

Alice watched her jog back on the path she was on, hearing the crinkling of the leaves and pine needles as she turned to see the wizard right where Abigail was standing. 

“You shouldn’t tell people to approach my tower,” he said firmly, as Alice stood there, looking at his purple hair. 

“Is your hair natural,” she asked quietly. 

“Of course it is, why would you ask that?” Rasmodius said, to which Alice crossed her arms. “I have reason to suspect one of the villagers might be my offspring, so I would greatly appreciate it if you kept it to yourself.”

“Don’t you want to have a relationship with your child?” Alice asked it so quickly she was surprised at herself, but she let it take up the space in the air, feeling her hair float around. Rasmodius locked his jaw before replying. 

“They already have a full family, they don’t need me in it.”

“A full family doesn’t mean an understanding family, or a happy family. I think if you had a child, they would feel so relieved and understanding of themselves, if they knew.”

“Yes, well,” Rasmodius turned away. “I must get back to my spells. Don’t tell people to come to my tower.”

“Don’t tell your daughter to come to your tower, okay.” Alice said, crossing her arms. Rasmodius tripped on a rock before grabbing his cloak and dramatically swirling it to vanish. A light in the tower turned back on a moment later, and the smoke color changed from yellow to purple coming out of the chimney. Alice sighed, feeling a heaviness in her own heart, as she returned to her farm. 

If Rasmodius won’t tell me, I will see if I can find out for myself! Alice thought with a huff, heading with zeal to the library. She had to walk quickly, knowing how much of the day she already spent, and not wanting to have a time limit in her research.  

She reached the beautiful green building with warm wood accents. The book over the door was aged, but the weathering gave it so much more personality. Smiling, Alice grabbed the worn doorknob and went inside. The smell of books and stone filled her nostrils as Gunther sat quietly reading something, a pen in his hand and his hat turned down. 

Alice went to the familiar columns of books and went to work, looking for anything from M. Jasper. 

Mysteries of Dwarves? Didn’t I read this one?

The Dwarves call themselves 'Smoluanu'... which translates to 'sky people'. An odd name for a group that lives deep underground, isn't it?

Another mystery of the dwarves is the advanced technology they supposedly possess. Evidence such as this had led me, despite the ridicule of my colleagues, to propose a new theory:

I believe the dwarves are the remnants of a once advanced civilization whose interplanetary vehicle crashed on this planet long ago.

I propose that this dwarvish spaceship bore down, deep underground... and over time, the dwarves became adapted to their new underground environment.

My colleagues ask, 'Why didn't they come above ground and live on the surface?' ...Perhaps their old planet had a thicker atmosphere that protected them from stellar radiation, and they simply could not survive in our sunlight.

That would explain why they only surface at night to take what they need from our houses...

-M. Jasper

That actually makes a lot of sense , Alice thought, shelving the book. I should ask him about it next time I am in the caves.

Alice kept looking, and saw a small note in nice handwriting - 

Wow, this library has really become great, thanks to your help! Thanks a bunch!

Alice flushed, smiling, folding up the note and putting it in her pocket, planning on putting it on her fridge when she got home. 

The Secret of the Stardrop , Alice almost jumped out of her skin when she saw the title, pulling the book out. 

For thousands of years, people have been intrigued by the mysterious powers from the stardrop... but no one knows where they come from!

Professor R. J. Kutler, a leading researcher on strange fruit, says this: "We've discovered traces of genetic material on meteorites that closely resemble the Stardrop, but it's not a proven match".

Regardless of where they come from, the peculiar fruit is said to be uncommonly delicious... and some even claim they grant special power to those who eat them.

There has to be more , Alice thought, flipping through the book. I’ll check it out , she thought, looking at the time. Then I can spend the time I need on it . 

Nodding to herself, she held the book close to her chest to ensure it would not vanish from her as she walked to the front of the library, walking down the center of the wooden desks with the green lampshade lamps towards Gunther who was waiting for her. 

“I would like to check this one out, please,” Alice said, pressing her fingers against the book as she slid it forward across the desk. Gunther looked at the title of the book, his glasses sliding down his nose as his eyes flicked up to look at her. Alice stared back, and Gunther saw something in her eyes that wasn’t that before. 

“Yes, of course,” he smiled, slipping back into the casualness of a quiet library with the light hum of his computer behind the desk. “I was meaning to send you a letter, actually, I am glad that you are here.”

“Yeah,” Alice asked, leaning against the desk, letting her one leg kick up, enjoying the book being opened, pulling out its checkout card from the stiff yellowing parchment envelope, and stamping it with the slightly misaligned date and time on the paper. Alice looked over a bit more seriously, and saw that the last person to check the book out was over ten years ago. 

“Well, I wanted to thank you in person for all the wonderful artifacts and minerals you’ve discovered… you’ve done so much for one person!”

Alice stood up straight, blinking a few times. 

“In fact, I’ve just received a letter from the office of the regional secretary of artifacts… We’re being honored with the coveted ‘golden shovel’ award for our significant contributions to the field! And its all thanks to you!”

Gunther handed Alice the book with a warm smile on his face, turning his well kept mustache even more upwards. Alice took the book, feeling its weight as she pressed it against her chest. 

“Well, I am glad, and,” she nodded once and said, “and you are welcome. I am happy to help.” I need to work on this …

“Well, I should probably let you get back to your work…”

Alice started to turn, but Guunter said, “Actually, I have a gift for you… it’s an old key that’s been sealed in the museum vault for at least 100 years. It’s a little rusty, but still beautiful.”

He pulled out a small, clunky envelope, handing it to Alice. She resituated the book in her hand to make room for the key, pinching the envelope open to see it. It was a little rusty, but the material was thick and could likely survive a nuclear war, with ornate detailing all around it. 

Where have I seen this detailing before? she thought to herself as she smiled and thanked Gunther again before heading out, head percolating with thoughts.

Chapter Text

Alice woke at her usual time, grabbing her coffee in the warmed blue mug and a yawn on the cusp of her face when she opened the front door to find Leah standing there. 

“Oh, Yoba,” Alice gasped loudly, her coffee swirling dangerously close to the lip of the mug.

“Hey, sorry,” Leah said, shrugging her shoulders for a bit before smiling, back to her excitement.“Are you free this afternoon?”               

“I certainly can be, why?” Alice asked, , holding onto her cardigan as the fall breeze picked up.  

“Well, I finally got my act together and I’m doing my art show tonight in the town square! And I really wanted you to be there.” The smile on Leah’s face was soft and sweet, her eyes gleaming as Alice smiled despite the fact it was the morning. 

“Absolutely, I would be honored to be there!”

“Yes, thank you!” Leah squealed, reaching over to hug Alice, her strong hands pressing tight against the farmer, her coffee mumbling along the edges again. Alice sighed, leaning into the hug, enjoying the safety and love within it. 

“I need to go set up, but I’ll see you at about 3p?” Leah said, releasing the hug and looking at Alice again with the excitement and stars in her eyes. Alice nodded, smiling, as Leah grinned and headed out, her braid bouncing as she went down the steps and down the hill. 

Alice stepped fully, dressed and caffeinated, out of her house, taking a deep breath the moment the wood creaked open. The cool, morning air caressed her face in its bright and burnt notes of fall. Sighing, she looked at the shade of the house stretching over her field, the dew clinging to the blue green leaves as orange started blossoming out of the gnarled, velvet ivy. Stalks stood rigidly from under the scarecrow, nodding to the wind as the sweet gem berries started to show under the tucks of crested leaves. Rolling her shoulders, her callused hand snatched the watering can and she trekked to work. 

Crops started to come in, some on their second or third round, which was a relief as the season was dawning to a close. Alice looked through the pumpkin columns, the high, fat leaves of the rare seeds, the purple waves of amaranth, and stopped when she looked at the beets. Their plump leaves rolling out of the rich red base that stuck into the ground, with the crowns of the root bearing out of the soil as if midbirth. 

You all can go into Mayor Lewis’s fridge, now, Alice thought, reaching down for the roots in her thick gloves. For some insane reason, she added, plopping the beets in her harvesting basket. After washing them off, she put them in her backpack and after putting on tights, a plaid brown skirt and chunky oatmeal sweater, she was off back into town.

Her boots held tight to the socks on her ankles as she crunched through the orange grass to town. Trees sighed as they dropped a curtain of peachy orange leaves. Smiling at the ornate detail of each crisp foliage, fat blackberries spitting out of bushes, Alice adjusted her scarf as the fresh air cleaned through her body and washed away so much of her human worries. She felt the weight of the key in her pocket, and the deep determination to find its partner before the art show.

Alice went down to the river, listening to the gurgling as she reached the crest in the path and was able to see the crystal clear water dancing over the smooth gray stones. Gold and red leaves hurried down the water, settled in clumps on rocks, like ships rushing out to sea.

Key , she thought, feeling the weight. Aged, key, ornate. Aged .

A thought perked up in her mind, remembering a conversation with Abigail a few weeks ago, walking past some aged fences and thick bushes that brushed her pants as she reached the graveyard.

The stones were old, and worn from rain and speckled lichen burning through the stone with the slow progression of time. The style was familiar like the key. 

I gotta be crazy , she thought, looking around quickly to ensure there were no witnesses. Nothing was exposing her over the fence, so she looked down and started looking at the stones more carefully, checking the back thoroughly in search of a keyhole. 

Alice reached a gravestone that she vaguely remembered, although she wasn’t entirely sure from when until she remembered her time in the graveyard with Abigail. 

Maybe this is it, she thought to herself as she started to head towards the back of the tombstone until something caught her eye. Inscribed on the faded stone in the cool gray was dwarvish, and she could read it. 

Stand between the pillars three

With gift as precious as the sky:

A rainbow forged from land, not sea.

Then galaxies will heed your cry.

Alice chewed on her lip, hands on her hips, as she read that again. 

Rainbow forged from land not sea, so not the rainbow shell. A rock, a gem maybe? Rainbow gem? I haven’t found anything like that. Pillars, what pillars, Alice thought, looking around the quiet town as the autumn breeze blew, hinting a slight chill at the end of it. Winter is coming. 

“Hey farm girl, whatcha doing,” made Alice gasp, jumping in shock as she turned to see Alex grinning a crooked grin at the fence. 

“Alex, you scared me!” Alice hissed. 

“Yeah, I figured that when you jumped,” he laughed, making Alice huff, but struggling to not laugh herself. “But for real, what are you doing?”

“Nothing much,” Alice said, averting her gaze. 

“Yeah, sure, because we all just hang out in this old graveyard. Most of the people here are apparently the town’s original founders, though that is just what my grandma says. She also said the sewer system is as old as the town, which is wild to me.” He flipped a gridball into the air, the ball spinning up higher than Alice could throw, and catching it without much thought. 

“Plumbing has been around since ancient Greece, they even had heated baths,” Alice said, walking towards Alex and out of the graveyard. They were next to Lewis’ house, the blue painted boards almost familiar to her now. 

“Damn, they had their priorities straight then. I wonder how old the bath house is?” He put the ball under his arm, lost in thought. “You catch the game?”

“No, sorry, I don’t usually watch sports. I need to drop something off to Lewis if you want to come,” Alice said, feeling the weight of the key in her pocket and wanting to try that with no witnesses, but for real this time. 

“Oh damn, dropping off anything gnarly, like oil?”

“I really hope I never do that, no its beets,” Alice said, eyebrows knitting. 

“Damn, old people really like beets, huh,” he said, bouncing the ball back and forth on his fingertips. Alice chuckled as they headed inside. 

Lewis wasn’t there, much to Alice’s relief. 

“Old man ain’t here, we should probably go,” Alex said, working to head back out, but Alice hesitated. 

“Wait, uh, his request is to put it directly in his fridge,” Alice thought up on the spot, walking towards the fridge and unhooking the backpack from her arm. The sooner this was done, the better. 

“That is kinda weird, but okay, I guess.”

Alice opened the fridge, and noticed the glass containers of milk, the eggs, and a few things folded up in fabric. She smiled at the old style of food preservation when she noticed the empty glass bowl at the top shelf of the fridge. 

Um, okay then , she thought to herself as she put the 10 beets in. As Alice’s hand pulls back from placing the last beet, a note she could have sworn wasn’t there before was taped to the milk. It was addressed to her. 

“Good job, kid. Your final task: give the sand dragon his last meal. - Mr. Qi”

What the actual hell is this supposed to mean , Alice thought, frantically stuffing the note in her pocket as Alex turned towards her. 

“Hey, are you going to the art show today? I saw a flier for it on the bulletin board,” Alex said, turning his head to see what Alice was looking at in the fridge. 

“Oh yeah, I will definitely be there!” Alice said, closing the fridge with zeal and started out the door, Alex following closely behind. 

“So what do you do with all of your free time now that the ice cream stand is out of season?” Alice asked, sitting on the stone bridge. She kicked her feet over the bubbling water, watching the clear liquid pass without thought or worry. 

“I was looking into maybe, something. I don’t know if being pro is a dream I can achieve anymore, and sometimes I wonder if I was just being childish about it. I was thinking maybe, going to school again,” Alex said, his elbows on the stone, his head down towards the water. 

Alice whipped her head towards him, astounded to hear him say that. 

“Well, it would be for something physical. I heard Harvey mention physical therapy for my grandpa, then I could stay home more and help him live a longer life. Like maybe I could work a couple days in the city then a couple days here. I don’t know. There is a mostly online program I could do, with a full day in person session in Zuzu City. If only the bus was running.” He sighed, head dropping, hair pointed down to the water.

Alice thought of the room in the community center she was putting off, the money deposits that made her face pale for Junimo. The bushel said Bus repair, and she couldn’t imagine going back on a bus to go back to the life she left behind, but maybe it wasn’t about her. Maybe there are a lot more positives to fixing that than herself. 

“Hey, I need to go do something before I get ready for the art show, I’ll see you later?” Alice said to Alex who looked up at her, a half hearted smirk on his face as he waved at her and her departure, remaining with the creek and his flowing thoughts. 

The sewer has been here as long as the graveyard , Alice thought as she peaked around another aged fence, her hunch rewarding her as she looked at the ornate, cast iron lock on the side of a latch. Slipping past the bushes around the fence that were not trimmed or maintained and pulled at her sweater as she slipped past. The grass around the latch was well maintained, and led up to the lock as the farmer bent down and inserted the key. 

The lock released with a clean pop, giving way for Alice to pull up the latch and see the man hole with a clean metal ladder going down. There was a light green hue that was at the bottom, showing off the stonework at the bottom. 

Alice peered in with some caution, not wanting to go into a sewer until she realized that no pungent smell was emanating out of the hole. In fact, it smelled slightly of moss. Pressing her brows together, she swung a leg onto a ladder rung and started her descent. 

It was farther down than she was anticipating, her head looking up as she went down to the cathedral like ceilings of stone that showed a high ceiling, green water shadows dancing along the ceiling. Finally, she reached the bottom and turned to look around at her surroundings better. She was on a platform in a large chamber, with glowing green water taking up a majority of the large antechamber. There was a path off to her right, with a dark entrance to a tunnel past a statue. Alice walked up to the statue, looking at the round, mossy rock of what appeared to be a large, elderly dog sitting on its hindlegs. 

The doorway was dark, and even up close in the fairly well lit antechamber, Alice couldn’t see in. She saw slight ripples in the dark, like a barrier that reminded her of a membrane. 

There is probably a reason that is blocked off , Alice thought, turning around. The turnoff that entrance was on was a pipe-like hallway that continued past the green lake of the sewer, with a small drain that went down that way to a bright light. That looks like the entrance by the cliffside? I think I saw that once , Alice thought, walking back towards the ladder. 

As she walked back to the entrance of the sewer, she saw another part of the sewer, which reminded her of the cave set up with the Dwarf. Curiosity got the best of her as she kept walking, listening to her steps echoing against the stone walls. 

The small hallway led to a small nook in the chamber, with statues aligned in a circle made of stone, their mouths agape to the hollow eyes all around, singing their silent song. In the center of the circle was a shadow person, causing Alice to jump slightly in shock, remembering the strength and aggression of the shadow people in the caves. The farmer stood there staring, as the shadow person stared right back, sitting calmly in the center of the circle, legs stuck out forward as it sat, like a child. 

“A human visitor? This is most unusual.” It shrugged, getting up with a slight hop. “I am Krobus, merchant of rare and exotic goods.”

“Oh, um, I am Alice, I am a farmer,” she said, walking up and offering her hand, only for her to drop it quickly when she realized that Krobus didn’t have any hands. 

“Hm, Fridays I have sprinklers. Iridium. Very good, I hear. But I don’t speak on Friday’s, to observe Yoba.”

“That is very, dedicated of you,” Alice responded. 

“Hm. Do you want to see my wares?”

“Sure,” Alice nodded, her brow knitting as she looked at the strange and unique items on display on the ornate table, the fabric swirls hypnotizing her as she stared at everything, particularly at a shimmering gold and purple ceptor. 

“I should probably get going,” Alice said, feeling her leg hum from lack of movement. 

“Yeah, it sounds like something big is going on topside,” Krobus said, looking up.

“What?!” Alice screeched as she bolted for the ladder, climbing the cold bars quickly. 

Resurfacing into the fresh air, the wind moving around her as she heard the chatter of a crowd just past the weathered fence and reaching bushes. Fixing her hair with quick hands, Alice turned the corner and slipped into the crowd quietly and quickly. 

A statue of a woman in stone stood high over the heads, the woman looking off with her arms crossed. There was a dreamy feature about her, whatever she was thinking seemed to encompass her entire existence. Next to it was a stack of three dancing potatoes in hats, similar to that of a nesting doll in its full state. Alice passed a hot pink, swirling maze of vines to get to Leah, who was in the center of it all. Leah turned, her face bright, and a huge grin on her face as she saw her friend. 

“Alice, you’re here!” she gasped, breathless, encompassing Alice in a hug, her orange hair tickling Alice’s face. “Okay… I guess I’d better introduce my pieces. Wish me luck!” Leah whispered, holding Alice’s hands. 

“All the luck in the world, but you don’t need it, but you have it,” Alice whispered back, grinning. Leah squeezed her hands, nodding furiously for a moment before letting go and turning. 

“Um, hello everyone!” A few heads turned to face her, the entire town was there. Alice saw Robin and Demetrius close, Demetrius peering, engrossed, at the pink vines. Alex and Haley were by the statue of the woman, Haley waving quickly at Alice with a little smile before going back to holding Alex’s hand, who seemed to be almost purring to be next to her. Alice kept looking to see Abigail also waving at her, and Sebastian next to Shane. Sebastian stood a bit far back, with a wary look past Alice. Once he saw her, he winked and she blushed. 

“I want to welcome you to my art show!” Leah said, her voice loud and proud, and everyone was listening, which was great. “As some of you know, I came to this town because I wanted to draw inspiration from the beautiful surroundings.”

She turned, her braid resting on her shoulder brushing her face as she did so, smiling at everyone in the town around her art. “This place really feels like home now.” She paused for a moment. “Okay, I am going to introduce my sculptures now.”

She approached the gray statue first, the woman standing high above her that as Alice got close, the head of the woman blocked out the sun, haloing the statue. 

“I haven’t named this one, yet. She started out as an exercise in human anatomy, but I ended up seeing her through to completion. Her expression is intentionally unclear… is she embarrassed, amused, pained? I’ll leave that for you to decide.”

Leah walked towards the pink vines. “This one’s called ‘Post-Dimensional Nullspace.’ It represents the boundary of human imagination. The shape and color came to me vividly when I was in a ‘trance state.’”

She stepped away and headed to the nesting dolls that were bouncing. 

“I’ve been calling this one ‘Egg Heads.’ I wanted to create an animatronic humanoid statue to toy with the viewer’s ability to properly attribute personhood to a physical entity.” She turned and smiled to Alice, who grinned back. Lifting her chin up a bit higher, Leah headed to the last sculpture, which was a smooth wooden sculpture that seemed to never end in the swirls and shapes it made. It reminded Alice of the ocean, creating shapes in its waves but always being one with itself. 

“And the last one is called ‘Wood Sculpture 3’. It’s a celebration of my favorite sculpting material… wood.” A pause. “Well, these are my sculptures!” She turned a moment, before turning back. 

“Oh, wait, I wanted to say one last thing. I wanted to thank my best friend, Alice!” She grabbed Alice’s wrist and guided her into the center with her. “She gave me the idea for the art show and the courage to finally do it. I know it sounds cheesy, but it's true!” she said, smiling at her friend. 

“I’m so proud of you, Leah! Events like this really breathe life into our little town!” Lewis said, clapping as he came forward. As he did so, everyone erupted into a empowered applause, making the crowd sound much larger than it was. 

“These are fantastic!” came out of the crowd, with “Great stuff!”

Alice hugged Leah from the side, who leaned her head on her friend, smiling so hard it hurt her face. 

“Now let’s start the bidding on these wonderful art pieces… A marvelous addition to your home! do I hear 5000g for the pink one?”

Demetrius jumped, raising his hand with zeal.

“Did you-?” Alice whispered to Leah, looking a little confused. 

“I asked him to do it, I was a bit too anxious,” Leah whispered back. 

Alice turned to see Sebastian, grinning at him in the high of joy that she felt, and her desire to share that with him. But he made eye contact with her, broke it, and walked away quickly. 

Alice watched him go, watching her vision tunnel and all the voices fade into noises she didn’t understand. 

For a moment, she thought she saw someone familiar on the far end of the crowd, waiting with their arms crossed on the corner of Pierre’s store. Shane caught her line of vision and looked over to see someone he never saw before. 

Crushing his beer can, he walked over to the person in the blue jacket and the scowl on their face, and said, “Hey, man, you aren’t from around here.”

“What’s it to you,” the person snapped back, staring at Shane as he stared right back, unbothered. 

“Just watch yourself,” Shane said, walking back to the crowd. Kel stayed right where they were, watching Leah and Alice in the center. 

Chapter Text

Sebastian closed the tab on places to rent in Zuzu City, the apartments were easily 300g more a month than the last time he looked. He also looked at the jobs in the area, and the wages were pretty much identical. He pinched his brow, feeling his calluses brush his face as he leaned back. He tried to not look at his now empty bookshelf, a line of dust showing the outline of where his comics were. What else would they throw away while he is gone, even just to use the bathroom? Maru had one attached to her room when it was expanded, but his wasn’t. The basement was only partially finished. 

A tear ran down his face, sliding down his cheekbone as he leaned back forward, wiping it away. What else are they going to do? I feel so powerless. The comics were the only thing I had left after mom’s divorce when I was a kid, and they are gone. I didn’t even at least get to see where they went, or how much they went for, which might have been a sense of pride for him. 

What would Alice think? Can we still keep dating, would Demetrius try and ruin that, too? He would probably see their relationship as an anchor keeping Sebastian in the valley against “his best interests. ” 

They gave him the hard deadline of the end of winter, after the holidays. By the first of spring, he needs to be gone, or they will formally evict him. 

I don’t know what to do , he thought desperately cradling his face in his hands. The weight of it all felt intense, and the pings from all the gigs he was picking up felt neverending. How am I going to break it to Alice that we have to break up? I can’t force her to do a long distance relationship, it's not fair to her. 

Another ping came in through his computer, an instant message over an email. It was from Sam. 

Hey man, I know you are busy, but do you want to go for a walk? My mom got this apple cinnamon coffee, I saved some if you want to come over and try.

Sebastian smiled, looking at the weather getting up to grab his coat. He stopped for a moment and looked at the date on the corner of the computer screen. 

It’s Spirit’s Eve today .

“Hey, congrats on winning the fair grange display!” Jodi said, waving at her as Vincent was dragged along by her hand. 

“Thank you,” Alice said, raising her shoulders so she could tuck herself behind her beige scarf. She dropped her shoulders to smile as they spoke about the day. Her eyes darted around, looking for something. Her hands were warm against the mug she brought, as Jodi had called her over to try the new coffee she bought. The hints of apple were crisp, and a great combination with the rest of the drink, 

“I know you are sad there is no haunted house, but our Spirit’s Eve event really is something else. It's a feast with a maze and these displays that almost look like magic. I don't know how the town can afford it, even after the fair’s large turn out. I’m hoping that the festival sells out well, and I’m glad the mayor finally allowed those who contribute to not have to pay. I never get any sleep on those nights, with all the screaming and what not!”

Alice nodded and agreed when a shot of black caught her from the warm palette. Sebastian walked down the path, a black peacoat wrapped around his figure. His shoulders were broader than she remembered, and she swallowed as a curve in his hamstring started to appear on his backstep. Jodi looked slyly at Alice before,

“Did I tell you how I got married at 19?” Jodi leaned in, Vincent pulling on her as he rolled his eyes gasping “moooooooooom!”

“Be good, don’t play in the mud, now!” Jodi said as she let go of his hand, but the moment her grip unleashed him, he ran off to the pile of leaves under the tree. Jodi sighed as he face-planted in the crunching pile of gold and brown. 

“But yes, I got married to my favorite boy in the small town. Had Sam almost right away. Now I have two kids and a white picket fence, and I just. I don’t know if I did what I wanted. I don’t know what I want, and I don’t think I will ever be able to know.”

Alice stared at Jodi, her chest whispering a hollow tune. Jodi nodded, flipping her braid over her shoulder as she said, “I’m not trying to discourage you or make you feel pity for me, I just want you to make the right choice. And I almost feel like I already spoiled Sam too much, he is almost your age and still in the house. He did get a job at JoJa, but a janitor? It’s just, unpromising.” She leaned into her hand as she sighed. “Well, don’t mind me, you should go talk to him, 

Alice squeezed Jodi’s hand before walking over, her face lighting up when Sebastian looked up. His grey eyes caught her, and she felt the connection before he looked away quickly. The look away pulled at her, breaking the contact and leaving a sense of emptiness in its wake. 

“Hey man, come on, isn’t she your girlfriend?” Sam asked to Sebastian as he turned away. 

“Girlfriend?” Jodi gasped, making Vincent look up, and Emily look over as she walked past. Caroline looked over the hedge at Jodi, then to Alice and Sebastian, who were both flushed. 

“I gotta go, sorry,” Sebastian muttered, walking away quickly. Alice felt her cup shake as she watched him go, watching her vision tunnel. 

“There you are, I guess you forgot about our girl date, come on!” Haley said, coming out of nowhere. Her hands grabbed the mug and took it out of the farmer’s hands and led her into the quiet reprieve of the house. 

“I just have no idea what I could have done that would have caused such a reaction,” Alice whispered, holding her mug again, feeling the reheated steam dance in her face as Haley microwaved it for her. There was a pumpkin candle burning, and a spooky movie playing in the background that neither were watching. 

“I don’t know what to say other than men, once they have something stuck in their head, you can’t do a thing about it. I wonder if his step dad said something to him again,” Haley said, leaning into her vanity to run a blender brush back and forth in her eyelid crease.

“What do you mean?” Alice asked, her mind replaying a scene with Demetrius she experienced before. The backhanded comment about Sebastian rubbing her a type of way, when she realized if he is doing that in public, what is he doing behind closed doors. 

“Oh, there was a rumor that he was trying to get Sebastian to move out. Though Emily said prices in Zuzu City skyrocketed, so not sure how that is going to pan out for him.”

“Unless he doesn’t care,” Alice said, almost to the coffee in her cup before taking another sip, feeling the comfort of the heat doing down her threat. 

“Unless he doesn’t care, you do make a point,” Haley sighed, sitting back in her chair. “Well, let's hope not, at least for you. That is pretty bad, though.” She pulled a black box over to her on her pink desk, the box looking stark in comparison to the rest of her calm, pastel room. It usually smelled of pink sands and coconuts, and had a beach tactical white fabric, but as Haley pulled out some little black wings from her box, she put them up to her chest like a shirt to match the makeup. 

“Do you know what you want to go as?”

“I was thinking maybe like a gothic vampire, I should maybe get ready,” Alice said, shedding the comforter that she was wearing and starting to stand. 

“Wait, I can do your makeup,” Haley said, putting the wings back into the box and opening a drawer of her vanity, bringing out a cup of clean brushes as her hand returned to rummage through the drawer again. Alice smiled, feeling the comfort of the room and Haley and the brushes against her skin like a small ship in the ocean of confusion she was placed into. 

The sun had set, veiling darkness over the crisp air in the valley. Alice had to go back home to put the rest of her costume on, and Maria watched her glide out of the door in curious silence, her ears perked up and tail wagging slowly. Golden leaves dashed past her black dress that hugged all the way down then spread out like a spider web at the bottom, fabric rustling around as she walked. A half size cape that ended just above her breasts kept her warm from the cold, but the dress was cut low and hugging her. A deep pearl choker with red beads cascading down ordained her neck that was shimmering under the velvet bow of the cape, with her hair up in a large bun made of curls and pearls. Dark makeup and crimson lips guarded her vampire teeth and she hoped that no one asked her to speak for fear of having an intense, teeth induced lisp, and lose the mythical factor she was hoping to convey. 

Immediately into the town, Alice had to cross a large archway made of jack-o-lanterns, the yellow lights whispering between the cut out faces on the orange flesh, the color rich in the dark of the night. Crossing the threshold was like crossing through a magical barrier, Alice feeling the familiar tingle of it ripple through her skin as she walked through. She turned as she passed, lowering her hood as she looked up at it, and the crows that perched on the almost naked branches overhead, watching her. 

“Thasmodious?” Alice lisped out, feeling the spit pool in her mouth from the teeth. One of the crows cawed at her, lifting its wings in protest. 

“Wow, I haven’t been able to make it do that,” Leah said from behind, making Alice whip around to hug her friend. Leah was dressed as a ghost, her sheet covered in patchwork with a hood to expose her face and her orange braid sticking out. 

“‘ou ook gweat,” Alice said, covering her mouth as she spoke, making Leah laugh. 

“I love the teeth! You look hot! I tried to do a take on a traditional look, I even got this green under glow, check this out,” Leah said, lifting her lantern and pressing a button. Both her and the lantern glowed and eerie green, and Alice slow clapped. 

Alice looked around to see several large tables overflowing with food and decorations. Giant sculptures appeared out of nowhere, and crowded the town behind walls of hedge that covered the view of all the not decorated parts of the town. 

“Yeah, I dunno, I just showed up and it was like this. I didn’t know the town had this kind of budget! I wonder if you farm really is bringing in this kind of revenue? Because damn,” Leah said looking around. There was even a cage filled with skeletons from the cave, Alice raising an eyebrow at Marlon who looked at her and gave the slightest of shrugs. Alice slowly shook her head, and he slowly turned away, towards Marnie who was standing by the cage with a glass of wine and a gloomy face. 

“Farmer!!” Alex yelled, grabbing Alice by the waist and picking her up as she shoved her hand over her mouth to keep her teeth in. 

“Hi Awix,” Alice said, making Alex putting her down and look at her. He was dressed as Frankenstein’s monster, and was a very traditional green. She smiled at him, looking at the blending of the green. 

“Huh, oh yeah, Haley helped! She really likes this holiday, who would have thought, yeah?”

“Alice can’t talk well because of the vampire teeth,” Leah said to Alex, holding her lantern up as she continued the glow effect. 

“Oh damn, kinda kills the babe appeal you got going on. Hey, don’t talk then? I dunno. Apparently the punch is spiked, so,” Alex said before quickly leaving. Alice watched him go toward the table to Haley in her black devil costume, her black dress had cute wings, fishnets, and little black horns in her large blonde hair. Standing next to her was Emily, dressed as a red devil, hers with layers of lace and chiffon. 

That is so cute, Alice thought, when she turned to face Penny in her little Red Riding Hood outfit. 

“Hi Penny,” Leah said, smiling, but Alice felt her friend’s hand in her own, guiding her to the table. 

“Hello, ladies,” she said meekly, “Have you seen Sam?”

Alice felt the cold pour over her, swallowing and shaking her head. Penny frowned at the response, watching the two go into the crowd by the table. 

“I’m sorry about earlier, here, have something to eat - can you take those teeth out?” Leah asked, leading them to a quiet table with a small candle display in the middle, the towers of old white candles wax cascading red as it descended. 

“For a little bit, yeah,” Alice said, holding the teeth in her mouth. She felt a little lightheaded from the stress, and the stuffed bell peppers and pepper poppers adorned as mummies looked very promising. 

Feeling properly fed, Alice slipped her teeth back in and wandered back into the festival with Leah. As they approached the skeleton display, a voice was heard overhead:

The haunted maze is open - it will only be open for an hour. Whoever figures out the maze will win a grand prize, worth more than its monetary value, which is substantial. Good luck.

Alice and Leah looked at each other. 

A wall of hedge over 15 feet high rose up at the top of the stairs that lead into the park. Alice and Leah weren’t the first in line, and a few others were in before them. Alice felt anxious they wouldn’t solve it in time, wringing her hands. Leah watched her threading fingers before asking her to hold her lantern and pretend to retie her costume. 

“fanks, needed ‘o calm down,” Alice said, handing the lantern back as they were the next in line. 

“It’ll be fine, it's just a game,” Leah said, smiling encouragingly. A few screams rippled through the maze, and Alice smiled at it. 

They reached the top of the stairs, and saw ivy twisting at the entrance, keeping them back. After a moment, the ivy twisted back, allowing them entrance into the maze. 

It was dark, but lit enough that they could see everything and that the green looked richer for it. Blue fire that floated on top of the hedge cast an ominous glow over everything, deeping the colors further and making the air thick. 

“Where did Lewis get the budget for this…” Leah whispered, almost to herself. 

“Indeve,” Alice lisped, looking around for Rasmodius anywhere so she could ask him why he cared about this holiday so much. 

“Alice,” came from a hole in the hedge that seemed to come out of nowhere. “Did you break up with Sebastian? Why is he so skittish and jumpy?”

“I -vat?” Alice said, head spinning for a moment. Her mind raced through all the strange encounters she had with him, reading into every move, every look, wondering why she hadn't seen him yet when this was his favorite event of the year. 

“Why don’t you ask your father that question instead of his favorite person in the world,” Leah said, bringing them past Maru, who blinked. She stood there for a moment when the pair passed and felt a few thoughts begin to connect, before leaving the maze early to find a particular someone to talk to. 

“I dun fink dis is va right vay,” Alice said, looking around the hallway they were in that had three exits that appeared to all lead to dead ends. The last dead end had Harvey tucked very neatly into the corner of it, his back facing out. He had his green blazer on still, and it did blend fairly well. 

“Dr.?” Leah asked, raising her lantern to illuminate the back of his head. 

“I was too scared to continue, please pretend you don’t see me,” he said in a defeated voice. Alice covered her mouth to hold in a laugh as Leah’s face got tight. 

“Well, okay, we can get you later,” Leah almost choked out as they both quickly left. As they returned to their initial passage, Alice saw a wisp of blue in the air, leading down the way and to a left. She blinked repeatedly, and felt her eyes buzzing and realized she was seeing magic again. 

They walked down the way and made the turn, to see a long, windy hallway with green hands reaching and twitching out of the ground. 

“Yeah, I don’t like this a lot,” Leah said, walking a bit behind Alice. The farmer swallowed and picked up her dress to start to meander around the hands, careful to stay away from their groping fingers. 

“Are you wearing your farming boots,” Leah asked from behind her, looking down. 

“No, dis my nife boofs,” Alice said, making Leah laugh again. 

They reached the final bend out of the hallway was a large, vintage television with static playing. Leah walked closer to it, looking into the screen as Alice stood there, watching Leah’s shadow run long out of the TV light and cast a shadow that was not hers. 

“Ve should go,” Alice said, watching the blue mist suggest a way out. 

They took some turns about, walking past a hedge with skulls embedded in the leaves and a passage with floating candles overhead. They reached a wide opening where the fountain was, and found Abigail standing there in a classic witch costume. She had her back to the opening, and her eyes lit up when she saw them.

“I got really far in the maze, but I can’t go on, there are spiders,” she half laughed nervously. 

“They aren’t real, are they?” Leah asked, leaning to see past the hedge wall that was the back of the nook Abigail was in. Large orange eggs lined the walls of the opening, and the splashing of the fountain was heard beyond. 

“They are real enough,” Abigail said, turning away a bit. “I was loving this event until then,” she added, mostly to herself. Leah went on to look at the spiders and Alice looked at Abigail’s furlone face as she went on. 

In the opening by the fountain, amongst the eerily glowing orange eggs, was a large spider. It moved slowly, ever so slowly, its large hairy arms almost the circumference of Alice’s forearm, moved ever so slightly to and fro over the eggs. Leah shivered, and continued on, and Alice followed, looking into the spider’s eyes, and watching them twitch towards her, watching her. 

Real enough indeed , Alice thought, feeling a shiver go down her spine and continuing on. Leah stopped in the mouth of a passage, the green ghost sheet shuffling in the breeze. Alice walked up to her, looking at her face before turning to see where she was looking. They were in a graveyard now, with gravel and tombstones littered unevenly throughout as the blanket of the night sky could be seen overhead. Sam, who was dressed as a werewolf with furry ears in his wild hair and a torn outfit and a chain on his neck was smirking as Sebastian stood there, frozen, staring at Alice. Sebastian was in a 19th century suit with a long cape and pointed ears. His mouth was slightly open, and his vampire teeth showed in his mouth. 

“Welp, gotta go to the bathroom,” Leah said, walking out of the room. Sam looked between the two vampires before taking a hint and leaving. 

“Do you vant to bweak up wif me,” Alice asked quietly, looking down. “I dun know vat I div.”

“Nuh,” Sebastian said, running a hand through his hair, “I vant to be vif you more than anyfin,” her moved his hand to his mouth and took his teeth out. “I just don’t want to hold you back.”

“You fink you hold me vack?” Alice said, walking over to him, watching him swallow as she got close. 

“Where did you get that dress,” he whispered, coming close to her, Alice feeling shivers down her spine as the gravel crunched under them. He leaned in, his hair tickling her as he gently kissed her neck. “You might as well be naked,” he breathed, heat running down her skin as he opened his mouth and bit her, and she let out a small whimper. 

You should find the end of the maze, before I shut it down , came sharply through her mind, making her jump. Sebastian blinked and stepped back. 

“You okay?”

“Yeah, I hope LEAH can help us FIND THE END of the MAZE,” Alice said, shouting behind her, as the ghost of Leah came in, looking smug. 

“Can we join please? Can we join, we can’t figure it out,” Sam said, hurrying behind, his foam chain dangling in front of him as he did so. 

“I guess, if you don’t howl at the moon,” Leah said, lifting her lantern. Sam sighed loudly, as Alice covered her mouth to laugh. 

“So what can y’all not figure out,” Leah asked, looking off to the next opening in the maze. 

“Yeah, that room? Its a dead end. We thought for sure there would be a button on the gravestones or a secret entrance or something,” Sam shrugged, as Alice picked up her dress a bit and headed into the room. It was a small dead end of tall hedge, and wind picked up in the room, pulling her hair around. 

“Yeah, it did that to us, too!” Sam called from the graveyard as Sebastian walked in with Alice, feeling intoxicated to be in her presence, and if he was too far from her, it would fade away. Alice looked at a wall in the room for a moment, and then just walked into it. She vanished into the hedge, the green warping slightly around her before closing shut fully. 

“Woah,” Sebastian whispered, before following her. The green parted for him too, a curtain of color and then they were in a new passage of hedge that led into a hole in the side of the cliff. 

That wasn’t there before, Sebastian thought as he followed her into the tunnel. She stopped at the mouth, and reached her hand out, and he smiled, going to take it when Leah grabbed it. She smiled at him, holding her lantern up, and he nodded, feeling a bit disappointed he didn’t get to hold her in the dark. 

Alice continued on through the dark tunnel, the light of Leah’s green ghost only illuminating enough that he could watch the farmer guide them through, back into the light. Outside of the tunnel, was a final room in the maze again. Its floor was black, a pit, filled with over a dozen pairs of large, red eyes that blinked at them. In the middle of the room was a chest, suspended in the air. Leah knelt down and put her hand on the pit, only for it to descend past the breaking point. 

“How are we going to-” she started, but Alice was already walking towards the chest, her feet seeming to float as she walked to the chest. Sebastian had to blink to check, because he was certain that the chest opened before Alice got there, and her hands reached into its bowels and pulled out a glowing, golden pumpkin. The gold illuminated her face as she looked back and smiled at him, caressing her face in a glow that made his heart melt. 

I have to tell her , he thought, as the voice from overhead said that the maze was completed, and the pit vanished into grass, and parts of the hedge maze melted away to create a pathway back to the entrance.

Chapter Text

“I heard the bus is up and running!” Emily said cheerfully, leaning over to put beers on the table. The blacksmith flushed nervously as her arm brushed against his shoulder. 

“Oh yeah, I did! And Pam is the driver, good for you Pam! I’m so glad you can put all your experience to use,” Leah said happily, propping her head on her hand. Her orange braid leaned against her green blouse, specks of paint on her forearm and sawdust on her overalls. 

“Yeah, it’s good to have some money coming in besides the kid,” Pam nodded, her out of style blonde curls bobbing as she hiccupped. But that darn kid, that new farmer, came up first thing in the morning to the bus stop. Just started that morning to go back to my rounds since the thing broke, and she’s all buttoned up like she’s going to church. Took a bit of a shock when we got to Calico desert, ha.” Pam took a long swig of her beer, “but she came back with one hell of a large seed bag. I’m telling you now, next year will be interesting. I plan to be at the bus stop first thing tomorrow morning! I am so pumped to get right back in there.”

The cold set in quickly, as if it was racing down the mountain and settling into the ground. Alice woke up groggy at her usual 6:00a time, feeling the pull of Sebastian’s arm as she did so. 

He spent the night, it was still processing through her mind. They left the maze in a hurry, in the chaos of the hedge maze vanishing. The golden pumpkin barely made it onto the table before Sebastian’s hands were around Alice’s face, holding her close so he could kiss her deeply. His breath tasted of spiced apple cider, the warmth spreading her lips as his fingers did the same under her dress. There was a deep sense of comfort to do this in her house, as his hands helped slide her dress off, the velvet and lace pooling on the floor. They barely made it to the bed when he went inside her. Alice bit Sebastian’s neck as he thrust, leaving a mark as he felt the heat of climax rush over him, settling them both down into a deep, dreamless sleep. 

Alice continued to lay in bed, enjoying the rhythm of Sebastian’s breathing and the intense silence brought on by the snow outside. She thought of what she needed to do, and besides the animals in the barn and coop, she couldn’t think of much. At least, not anything as important as what she was doing now. 

Eventually, the guilt got the best of her, and she begrudgingly got up and put on her coat and boots and opened the front door to the portal of the outside world. Snow coated everything, the brightness of it, even through the clouds, and refracted light back into Alice’s eyes, causing her to close the door to put her sunglasses on and then return into the snowglobe world. 

The gray sky held over the world of white and dark, the brightness of the snow shifting the world into an almost monochromatic filter. Snow fluffed on treetops or the naked branches, following and softening each and every ornate detail or twig and branch in the shimmering coldness. The snow crunched under Alice’s boots as she trekked to the coop first, as it was closest, and Lady Maria sprinted through the snow, her orange ears flopping as she leaped and bound through the snow, biting at piles that dared to grow too tall in defiance. 

The fowl and dinosaur were still asleep as Alice crept in, kicking the side of the coop gently to clear her boots of crushed snow before closing the door. Lights came on automatically, but softer, as the little bushels of feathers were cuddled in the straw. The barn was not too different, with a large yawn coming from Betsy as she mooed so softly at her farmer when she came in. Quietly, the farmer milked them, getting the milk ready to go into the cheese press before she could return to the cozy bed with her lover. 

Sebastian felt Alice’s departure from the bed like an energy cord pulling from him - feeling its absence more profoundly than he was anticipating. Yet, he knew if he wanted this to continue, he had to do this. He got dressed in the silence of the snowy morning, watching the white frost reach in the corners of the window pane as he looked out at the covered farm, feeling a sense of peace he didn’t know he was missing until now. 

No wonder she kept wanting me to spend the night , he thought to himself as he stood, finished getting ready, and started to head back to the mountain house. He felt a sense of sorrow and hope as he slowly left the house, making sure that Alice was in with the animals, before slipping out, focusing on the crunch of the snow under his feet. 

Alice returned to an empty house. The silence was deafening, even Maria sat sadly beside her as she looked at the ruffled comforter and sheets on the bed, the beige duvet and sheets did not care what she felt as they rested in their abstract shapes. 

She did notice a small note, and felt a sigh of relief as it said:

  I have to work on some things, I will get you when I can. You’re the best thing that has happened to me, and I want you to know that. 

Sebastian.

Alice felt relief ripple down her body, but the sorrow of his absence remained. She looked around the cabin, her room, the expansion sketch lines that Robin left. 

I should probably paint this place this winter , she thought to herself, holding the note close to her chest.  

Despite working on ideas for the house for an hour, sipping coffee slowly, Alice couldn't help but feel the overwhelming lack of presence in the house. Shaking her head, she got dressed and thought a walk to town would cheer her up. Maybe she could see Alex? Go to the library? Fish? She felt a bit unsure, a bit insecure, and a bit in need of diversion. 

Birds fluttered across her vision in strikes of red and brown as she crossed the initial path out of her farm, and turned to see the bus up and running at the bus stop. She herself stopped to look at the blue paint that looked fresh, the new tires, the purring of the vehicle. She did finish the Community Center room before the Spirit’s Eve festival, feeling the ping on her wallet as she did so, but she was not anticipating such a quick resolution. 

“Hey there, kid,” Pam called in her out of style magenta puffer jacket with loud orange stripes down the front. “You coming with us to the desert? I’m getting the bus checked out at the station to make sure it's working, but I’ll be going to the desert almost everyday. I already told the town, Alex is coming to check out the community college.”

Alice’s mouth dropped open, blinking once, twice. “Yeah, I do!” 

“Oh hey, there is actually a small mine there I think, if you want to grab your stuff first, we don’t leave until 10:00a so you got a -” Pam said, but the farmer was already power walking back to the farm with particular zeal. 

Alice felt herself almost purring like a barn cat as she sat in the front of the bus, holding her backpack on her lap so Alex could sit next to her. It was fun to have a whole bus to just him and her, and to talk about college and adventures in the desert, and they were particularly thankful as Pam’s driving was a bit concerning, taking corners a bit sloppy and they could have sworn she went over the lines in the road a few times. 

“Maybe she will get better with time, hasn’t it been awhile since she drove?” Alice whispered, but Alex kept shaking his head, his eyes uncommonly wide as he held his bag a little too tightly himself. 

They reached the desert first, as Pam had told the farmer they would. The door opened and the wave of hot air came in, making Alice shake her head repeatedly as she started shedding her wool coat. 

“Be back around 6p, kid!” Pam said as Alice finished shoving her coat into her backpack, fluffing it up a bit but was thankfully still light. Alice waved as she stepped into the hot shade of the bus, feeling the curtain of sun on her as the bus left, unveiling the curtain of protection over her. 

It was very warm and yellow, the rich color of sand reflecting and permeating every facet of the area - even the air felt like it had a yellow tint. The rock structures that cradled that desert were red or orange, and the farmer saw why it was called the Calico desert. 

There was a tent off the road, with a camel tied up near it, flapping its tail on its sides and chewing towards nothing. Alice wasn’t too sure about the camel, and kept looking around. There was a pink building that was a few stories with a glass roof, with a small sign on the side by the road saying “Sandy’s Oasis.”

I’ll have to check that out later , Alice thought, noticing a large skeleton sticking out of the sand next to it. She walked over towards it, looking at its sun bleached bones with cracks rippling against its hot surface. Its jaw was open, reaching towards the sun, which was odd as the bones sticking up were rip bones and were pointed to the sky. Shaking her head, Alice turned to see a small, clear patch of water next to some palm trees, and a hole in the rock right behind it - a large, doorway shaped hole. Walking towards it, she passed by three pillars in a triangular shape to her right. 

This place is really odd , the farmer said, slipping into the hole in the rock. Sure enough, it was a cave, with a door across from her, the straight lines and the skull design overhead was ominous in a way the mines in the valley never were.

She pressed her palm on the door, but it didn’t budge. Surprised, Alice backed up and looked over the door and saw a keyhole. 

Why is it locked? Alice thought, remembering she had a key in her wallet from the mines. Reaching into her bag to get it, she stared at the skull over the door, the smooth design and the deep eye sockets seemed so unnatural. She pulled the key out of its spot, putting her wallet back in the bag as she stared at the key. The skull on the key matched the one on the door, as if she needed more reassurance, and the key fit perfectly into the hole. 

The door slid open, key still in the socket, without any force from the farmer. She blinked as it had done so, opening into a small room with a hole in the ground.  A rope was tied to the top, and Alice blew her bangs out of her face, wishing it was a ladder. 

Alice slid down the ladder, feeling the material against her hands, into a strange, brightly light floor. Rocks littered the floor, as well as waves of sand. Unhitching her golden pickaxe, Alice took a swing at a rock and felt the reverberation up her arms. 

Damn, this stuff is strong , she thought, hitting it a few more times before it broke. She kept going, looking for something, anything, that made this place unique. 

A rock shattered, splitting down the middle and falling into a hole in the ground. Alice leaned over the hole, unable to see the bottom. She looked around for a rope or ladder but it was just a hole. Out of nowhere, a large monster approached her, its silence making her jump. It was humanoid, zombie like and covered in aged bandages?

A mummy? Alice thought, unsheathing her obsidian blade, and swung at it. It flinched slightly to her blow, and she struck another, and another. Sweat started to pool down her brow, and the mummy kept getting closer. It struck her once, knocking the air out of her lungs, as she thrust the sword into it, and it collapsed in a pile of limbs. Alice put her hand on her hip, breathing steadily, trying to catch her breath. I hope I don’t have to find a lot of these , she thought, when she watched the pile of limbs start to shake. 

There is no way, she thought, looking around for a quick exit, and four more mummies were headed her way, slow, in complete silence like a thought. Frantic, she looked around wildly again, and saw the hole, and as the mummy she just slayed rose completely fine as if she had done nothing, she leapt down the hole. 

Colors, lights, and darks all blurred past her and then she hit the ground, feeling her knees buckle, as she fell over. 

I must have fallen down several floors , Alice winced, using her blade to get up, the black metal digging into the earth as she rose. At least it's not more bloody sand, hopefully no mummies , she thought, looking around. She found the rope going up, thankful, and noticed something she hadn’t seen before. There was an ore vein she was not familiar with, the purple color rippling against the rock. Sheathing the sword again, but keeping it close by, she fully grabbed her pickaxe and started to hit the rock. Like the rock in the first floor, it took longer than she was used to to break, feeling the heat all over her body as the rock shattered, breaking into pieces as the ore exposed itself. 

“What is this,” Alice whispered, kneeling down to pick up the ore. It was deep purple and shimmered like trapped starlight deep in the recesses of space and nothingness. 

A scratching call caught her attention, making Alice jump up and grab her sword, looking around frantically until she saw it. It was flying directly at her, a speed that was disconcerting, and was a bright green with long, yellow whiskers. Alice tightened her grip on the sword hilt, not feeling confident in the blades ability to stop it as she did in the mines, and took a strong swing at it once it got close. The blade sliced across its face, bouncing it back as Alice brought the sword back to reset another swing. A few rounds of that and Alice felt pressure as she watched it come back, again. Her hesitation brought her a delay just long enough that the green monster hit her with its body, knocking the wind out of her so badly she had to spit, and feeling a cut on her cheek. 

Looking up, Alice wiped her cheek and kept the dance of swinging to keep it at bay going until it finally died, dropping a few pieces of the purple ore, solar essence, and a rainbow rock. 

Another scratching call went off, and Alice quickly scooped up the loot and made it for the exit faster than she would like to admit. 

Alice sat in the cave mouth for just a moment, catching her breath as she processed what happened. 

I have to get a strong blade , Alice thought, staring at her obsidian blade as if it was suddenly worthless, and feeling guilty as she did so. She looked at her watch, and sighed that it was only 2p. 

I can’t go back in there , she thought, rubbing her temple with her dirty hands. Sighing, she stood up, feeling the damage done from just the two floors of the skull caverns and made her way back out to the desert. She decided to look at Sandy's Oasis while she waited for the bus to go home, hopefully there would at least be air conditioning or a bathroom she could clean up in. 

The store was as pink inside as it was outside, with pink painted wooden walls and purple counters and shelves. Alice looked around, expecting to see a high ceiling with a glass roof, but realizing that there was actually a second floor. 

A woman with bright pink hair who was almost asleep at the counter shot up, surprise plastered on her face, her mouth agape and eyes wide as she looked at the farmer. Alice looked behind her to see if anything from skull cavern followed her without her knowing into the store. 

“A… customer?” the woman said, her face lighting up. 

“Uh, yes?” Alice thought, wondering what the store even sold. The woman squealed, jumping up from behind the counter in her blue polka dot romper and said, “Hi, welcome to “Sandy’s Oasis’! Oh, hey, you look just like the new farmer that Emily wrote to me about!” Sandy had her finger at Alice, her brain processing for a moment before her grin grew even wider. “Then… the bus line to Stardew Valley is back in service! Oh, I’m so happy! Gosh, that even gives me enough time to plan the spring event,” Sandy said almost to herself as she went back to the counter, planting her elbows on the counter and her smiling face in her hands. 

“So, what do you sell?” Alice asked. 

“Oh, rare seeds,” Sandy said, shrugging. Alice walked to the counter quickly at that. 

“What kind?” Alice asked. Sandy smiled even further. 

The sun was starting to set even though it wasn’t quite 6:00pm yet. Alice felt the weight of her backpack now that it was full of rocks, coconuts, and seeds, holding her coat as she knew she would need to wear it soon. The weight of the backpack pressed on her back as she stood at the bus stop, watching the sun lowering into what looked like the mouth of the dragon skeleton. 

Alice’s face dropped as she had a thought, slowly lowering her backpack to get a solar essence out. Carrying it over to the skeleton, she quietly put the solar essence into the dragon’s mouth. 

The shimmering yellow rock plopped into the sand under the jaw, and Alice stared at it for a moment before sighing. Suddenly, a note fluttered down from the jaw, Alice snatching it before it fell to the ground. Looking back at the sand to grab the solar essence, she noticed that it was gone.

“You’ve proven yourself, kid. Check out the pile of lumber next to your house. - Mr. Qi”

This guy was at my house? Alice thought, when she jumped to the honking of the bus behind her. 

“Coming!” Alice called, putting the note in her pocket and running back to the bus, and to the valley. 

Chapter Text

Despite all the snow, the path felt dark, and colorless as Sebastian crested the hill to his mother’s house. The warm wood was stark against the cool backdrop, with smoke billowing out of the chimney. Sebastian stood in the snow a moment, hands in his pockets, taking in the serene scene before he ventured inside, where he knew he would not receive the promise of tranquility the outside of the house was sending. 

The door opened silently, a prideful point on Robin’s part. He looked around, the house seemed fairly still, the shop front not quite set up with blueprints and buildings on the wall, the lights on and a smell of coffee in the air. 

Maybe I can get downstairs - Sebastian thought, making a quiet turn for the hallway. 

“We need to talk, Sebastian,” came from the left of the hallway, by the kitchen. Sebastian closed his eyes for a moment to turn and see Demetrius and his mother in the hallway. Maru was on the far end of the hallway, arms crossed, looking at her father sternly. Confused, Sebastian turned to face them. 

“Ok,” he said, putting his hands in his pockets and looking down. The sooner the conversation started, the sooner it would be over. 

“Well, it has come to our attention that giving you such a short notice to leave was not in the best interest of making sure you are successful on your own. It has also come to our attention that jobs generally don’t hire as often in the winter, as less people leave, and there are less housing options for that same reason. Therego, we are allowing you to stay here until the start of Spring. But no more,” Demetrius said formally, eyes looking behind him quickly at the last part of his speech. 

Sebastian, shocked, looked up. Demterius’s face was unreadable, Robin looked stern as she looked at him from behind, her arms crossed, and Maru had a smirk on her face, nodding once. 

“Um, thanks,” Sebastian said, putting his hand on the doorknob in the basement. Silence held for a few moments before Sebastian took it as a sign that he was free to go, and went to his room in silence. 

Sebastian kneeled on his floor in front of his bookshelf, quietly wiping the dust off of the shelf where his comics were. 

Do I even want to keep this shelf? It hurt to think about the bookshelf and know its books were all gone. It was like a part of him, his childhood, was completely washed away. The fact no one said anything to him when they did that was horrifying, he felt less than most of the time in the house, but it was hard to deny such damning evidence right in front of him. 

Knocking came from the door, a slight pause, and then the door creaked open. 

“Hey, Sebastian, is it okay if I come in?” came a voice more meek than he was used to when someone just walked into his room without waiting for an answer. Maru?

“Yeah, that’s fine,” Sebastian said, struggling to make sure he was loud enough that she could hear him. The door fully opened and closed, and he heard footsteps then a plop onto his couch. 

“It's smaller, down here than I remember,” she finally said as Sebastian continued to stare at the black shelf. 

“Yeah, it's been awhile,” he said, finally standing, feeling the creak in his knee as he did so from being bent so long. “Did you talk to your dad? Was that what all that was about?”

“Yeah, I don’t know why he would even have told you all those things, and spring isn’t that long, either! I tried to get him to agree to the end of summer, but he wouldn’t do it. I don’t know why, mom’s business is booming with all that work she is getting from Alice, and now she is upgrading her house again? Why would they not just let their kid stay in this economy? It’s not like you are even seen around the house hardly at all.”

Upgrading her house again? How big is Alice’s house going to get? He closed his eyes, and imagined himself in it, filling the black shelf with rocks and books and things they found together. He smiled a bit at the thought, feeling a small sense of pride in the bookshelf and how at the very least, it's clean, and it's still something that is his. 

“Why did you talk to him, though?” Sebastian asked, turning to face Maru. His half sister sat stiffly on the blue couch, hands under her knees, eyes wide behind her red framed glasses. 

“What do you mean, why? You were sad, and it's not fair,” Maru said, shaking her head. 

“I’ve been sad awhile, though,” Sebastian said, grabbing his computer chair and dragging it out from behind the desk so he could sit and look at his little sister. She was young, but older now, and it was weird to see it. They almost never hung out.  

“You don’t always look sad anymore,” she said quietly, looking at her feet. She wore slippers to come down, and Sebastian felt a twinge in his jaw. It was always cold in his basement room. 

“I don’t know what you mean by that,” Sebastian muttered, turning away.

“Yes, you do! It's the farmer! I’ve seen you two together and how happy you look, and it made me realize how unhappy you were and I thought that was just normal…” Maru got quiet. Sebastian continued to look away, silent. 

“I’m sorry I haven’t been a very good sister, but I guess I want to change that,” Maru finally whispered, making Sebastian turn to face her. He watched her bend forward a bit more, and her shoulders started to get tight. 

Sebastian got up and walked over, sitting next to Maru and wrapping his arms around her. She was surprised for a moment, but then relaxed and hugged him back as they both sat there for a time, silent and cold. 

Alice stared at the card she found slipped among the geometric circles of logs in her log pile, mouth tight. It was green, and said “Club Card” on it, and had her name on it. 

What the actual hell is this , she thought, looking up to see if there were any footsteps, anything to give away any sort of track or detail or proof outside of the card in her hand that this happened. 

She rubbed her temple as she decided to take a walk, feeling a stiffness in her legs as she was used to doing so much more than just checking on animals everyday. The snow crunched underneath her as she walked under the bowed branches from the weight of the snow, the silence the padded white weather provided her was its own version of therapy. 

Out of the corner of her eye, she thought she saw something, and froze. Among the whites and stiff grays of the snow and trees was a fluid black shape. It turned to face her, jumped, then ran off deep down the path, and to town. 

Is that Krobus? Alice thought, taking her hands out of her pockets as she walked a little bit faster to catch up to the shadow person. 

The town was also silent, there was only one set of tracks in the fresh snow early in the morning. Alice shook her head, watching the tracks turn left quickly and take the stairs up to the park, smiling a bit as she saw two prints per step, meaning the shadow person has to get their short legs up the steps with some effort, and likely slowed them down. 

The prints pressed into the snow led to the playground, and Alice saw a shimmer in a bush as she closed in the back of the park. A firm hand shook the bush, causing the shadow figure to bust out, stiff evergreen leaves flying everywhere as it did so. It shook around, dropping a magnifying glass into the snow.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean anything by it, just take it!” the shadow person said before bolting, the farmer losing track of them quickly as she stared at the magnifying glass. 

A magical sheen sparked around it, the purple film enticing her, calling her forward. Picking it up, she inspected the object which looked like an ordinary magnifying glass with a maple handle, but it seemed to have been enchanted. 

Sebastian sat at the bar, quiet, looking around. It had been almost a week into winter, and his heart was aching. He wasn’t looking at jobs, he wasn’t looking at apartments, he was rotting in his basement or as casually as he could muster walking to Alice’s farm and to the bus station, looking for her. It was as if she went up in smoke, vanished from the town as quickly as she appeared, with no rhyme or reason. The bus was gone, and Alex was gone most days, and the isolation was palpable, and the rum and pop was only so numbing. 

The saloon door swung open, cold air rushed in and a wave of snow. 

“Alice, you look horrible, what happened,” was whispered so quietly from the drool of the saloon that Sebastian almost missed it. He spun around, almost knocking his drink, to look at Alice. She did indeed look roughed up, her hair was in a braid but ends were sticking out, and her baby hair was flying away and her bangs were pinned back. She was covered in marks and dirt, and she had her pickaxe with her, and it was oddly a purple color. 

I’ve never seen that before, Sebastian thought, getting up to walk over to her as Leah whispered to her, making her eyes pop. They continued whispering and then both departed into the snow in a hurry, making Gus’s shoulders drop, already starting her drink. 

“I’ll go get them!” Abigail said, hitting the bar table to him and grabbing her purple coat before bouncing out of the bar. Sebastian sat, putting his face in his hand, drowning in his uncertainty of what to do. 

“Where did you see them?” Alice asked, looking around with a sharpness that Leah wasn’t used to seeing. They walked through the darkness of Cindersap forest, the snow and full moon creating a blue hue on everything, deepening it. The silence was palpable, the crunching of the snow under their feet felt like it reverberated between the silent trees, unsure where Kel was amongst them as they neared Leah’s cabin. 

“They were at my front door when I was headed back, I was unsure what to do. I wanted to ask Alex, but I couldn't find him, and then I thought of Shane, but I have no actual relationship with him. I wasn't sure if he would come,” Leah said, following the farmer close. 

“Why were they just at your door, what did they hope to accomplish?”

“Well if it isn’t the art lesbians,” came from behind them, making Alice roll her eyes before turning to see Kel behind them, Alice having no problem shining her light ring directly in Kel’s face, making them flinch. 

“What do you want,” Leah said, crossing her arms. 

“Didn’t you see me at your art show? I came all the way from Zuzu City to see your sculptures. I want you to come back with me. I want things to go back to the way that they were, I miss you, babe,,” they said, putting their hands on their hips. 

“Ew, don’t call me that!” Leah said, but Alice watched her shoulders get stiff under her green coat. “You never supported my art before, and now that I have some success, you want me back? You make me sick.”

“Good for you, Leah,” Alice whispered.

“Don’t you think it would be better with me than her?” Kel said, walking forward. Leah started walking away, with Kel advancing with a faster pace. Alice cut Kel off, staring at their sallow face, frowning as she put her hand up. 

“Don’t get between us,” Kel growled, raising their hand to slap the farmer, but Alice saw it happening just a second before Kel. Heat built up in the back of her neck as she took a step back, pulling her arm back, and fed into it, punching Kel in the cheek. Kel fell quickly like a stack of cards, smashing into the snow with almost no fuss. 

“That was violent,” Leah whispered, coming back to stare at her ex, putting her arm around Alice’s arm for support. “But I guess it was necessary.”

“What the hell are you all - oh, that one,” came a voice, and the pair looked up to see Shane with a beer and a flashlight over by them. Alice frowned as Shane seemed to sway where he stood. 

“You see them before?” Alice asked, raising her hand to bring the glow further out. 

“Yeah, punk was creeping the art show. We should probably dump them by Harvey and send them back, let Pam know they aren’t welcome.”

“Good plan,” Alice said, shifting her backpack so she could drag them back into town. 

Sebastian stood at the edge of the path to the forest, watching just in time to see Alice cut off the person he didn’t recognize, and watch her knock them completely out. He grew stiff all over, watching her stand her ground, protect herself, protect her friend.

Chapter Text

Alice held the purple sword in her hands, silent, still sore and slightly chilled from waking up and immediately coming to the desert. It was so light, but it cut through the air like warm butter, ushering her to move faster. 

The note fell from a tree when she was clearing a section of her farm for more farmland. Her understanding of farming had grown significantly from when she first moved to the valley, and her tool quality and quantity has grown, especially since Krobus started carrying iridium sprinklers. That's what they said the purple stuff was. 

“Do you know where it's from?” she asked.

“Space,” they said point blank, sitting on the green stone of the sewer. 

The paper wafted down, seemingly out of nowhere, telling her to read the tombstones again. She took the rainbow rock to the pillars and raised it high above her, right in the middle, frowning at stone as the camel stared at her, chewing away. The rock vanished instantly, and a coolness pressed into her palms as she looked up and saw the sword. 

Her brain hurt, thinking deeply of the sword, the caverns, the notes. She looked towards the sunrise that crested the hill and cradled the pink of Sandy’s Oasis in a halo of sunlight. The farmer turned to the caverns, knowing the Oasis wasn’t open yet, and with a slight hesitation, headed inside. 

Alice landed in the dusty yellow floor of the caverns, and immediately looked around for a hole, an enemy, or any cracks of ore sputtering color into the single palette room. Nothing caught her eye, so she kept going. 

A few floors later, Alice heard the screech of the dragon, her hand lifting the sword on instinct as she turned to face it, the eyes of fire, the yellow whiskers flaring outside of its body as it shot towards her. She swiped her new sword, feeling the purple cut through the air with such force it seemed to speed up, cutting the dragon on its cheek and knocking it back. She pulled the sword for another swipe, so much faster than she had ever been able to before, catching the dragon right as it came at her again, and slicing it back. Only a few more swipes and the dragon poofed off, dropping its items, and Alice stood in the cavern in nothing but eerie silence. She hadn’t even been touched by the monster, and she still felt so much energy in her body.

How far down can I go now? she thought, fingers pressing deeply against the hilt of the sword. 

Alice looked at her watch and almost jumped when she saw it was already 2:00p, and remembered why she came to the desert in the first place. Sheathing her sword, clipping her pickaxe, she picked up the last of the ore she had mined and headed back to the rope, taking a deep breath before the climb back up.

The sun in the desert afternoon was a slap in the face and eyes in comparison to itself only a few hours before, feeling as if the great star in the sky was right above her face rather than millions of miles away in the universe. Heat sweltered all around her, gripping her body and causing waves in the lines on top of the sand. Taking a deep breath, Alice walked quickly towards the pink oasis in the bright day.

The air conditioned air felt too cold when Alice walked in, feeling it wrap around her as the heat in her skin slowly left her body. Sandy’s face shined when she saw Alice, and her eyes darted towards the card that Alice already had in her hand. 

“Oh, wow! You got one of those cards. Not even I have one,” Sandy whispered the last part, her eyes looking over down the hallway where a man in a suit stood. 

“This card is for here?” Alice asked, flicking her wrist with the card in it to gesture down the hall. The man did not move or make reference that he heard the woman speaking about him, standing there as if he were a decoration or inanimate.

“Yeah, they pay me substantially in rent, but I have no real clue what is up there. I don’t see anyone, I don’t hear anything, I sometimes feel like I hallucinate the money, but its why I am still here given the bus line went out a few years ago and the foot traffic vanished overnight,” Sandy sighed, and the phone rang, taking her away from the conversation as she walked behind a door in the back towards the shrill demand for her attention. 

Alice wiped a spot on her cheek, feeling the liquid smear, and walked towards the man. He wore sunglasses on his patchy skin, despite being indoors, and stared off to the wall on the opposite side of him. The farmer approached him, holding her card up to his face, a frown meeting him. 

“Is that…. a club card?” he asked in a shrill voice, gagging for a moment before vanishing in a puff of smoke. 

Behind where he was standing was an elevator with a key reader next to the too shiny door on the matte, sandy pink wall. Alice pressed her card against it, and the elevator dinged open, inviting her in with its cool blue hued lights. The farmer walked in, the elevator much roomier than she was anticipating for a small door, feeling the elevator lift her up quickly before settling to a stop, a stomach settling with it. 

The door opened to a dark room with purple walls and black carpet and a smoky mirrored, black ceiling. Despite all the black, it was well lit with blue lights and LED lining every machine, every table, picture frame, and button in the room. 

Is this a small casino? Alice thought, walking past the slot machines that emitted their mechanical chimes as she walked by. The carpet was an old, tight woven design with small planets and stars in neon colors upon closer inspection, and the walls had an intense texture of matte to sheen paint to generate patterns. 

There was a man on the far side of the room with a wide brimmed hat that matched his whole outfit, it looked like her purple sword. He was dressed in a dark, well fitted suit but it looked like liquid space on him, with stars shimmering and flickering as if he were simply wearing a mirror or window into a space station. 

“Aw, Alice, I have been expecting you,” he said, making Alice stop and look at him. The farmer looked at him, although she only saw her reflection in his sunglasses. His face was blue, and she immediately had thoughts about if he was an alien. 

“I took an interest in you immediately, especially with all of your work with the junimo and Rasmodius, you have a spark! Such a spark to life! I wanted to see if you had what it takes to get here, and you did. You’re something special.”

“Thank you,” Alice said, not sure what else to say. “I don’t always feel special, I feel like things keep happening and I respond to them.”

“Aw yes, but that is the point! So many people do nothing, ignore, they don’t rise to the challenge, grow, work on themselves. And yet you do, you think of others in your actions, you press on. I see great things coming from you.”

“Like what,” Alice asked before she realized she had the thought. 

“That is up for you to decide, do me a favor and think about what you want, what you really want. And then go for it. Nothing can stop you.”

It was snowing and dark by the time that Alice got home. The snow was starting to slow down, the white flakes settling as the sky cleared, a bright moon illuminating everything in a shade of blue. Alice cleaned off and braided her hair back, hands shoved deeply in her coat pocket as she took the silent walk up the mountain. 

Think about what you want, what you really want. And then go for it. Nothing can stop you.

Her face was tight, she knew it was late, but she didn’t seem to care. Butterflies nibbled all around her insides but she kept going, determined, sure, unsure, but just went. 

A loud crackling came through, and Alice turned the last corner of the path, the fir tree that was blocking the view showing Sebastian on the back of a blue Harley, the motorcycle was on and warm, the exhaust heat creating a pillowing of steam as he looked up, his eyes bright and face stoic. He wore a leather jacket with a fur trim tight around his neck, and Alice felt tingling in her thighs as she looked at him. 

“Hey Alice. I was just about to head out. Hop on, I want to show you something.” He reached down and held out another helmet, Alice reaching out to grab it with slightly shaking hands. He steadied the bike, watching her put on the helmet with the patience of the lake. She took a deep breath and finished putting it on, and when she was done Sebastian offered a hand to help her on the bike. She felt the bike oscillate slightly, but he kept it steady and secure as she settled in. 

“Hang on tight,” he whispered, making Alice blush as she pressed her body against him, feeling the warmth and the rich smell of leather and Sebastian’s hair. He slowly peddled forward as the bike started to pick up speed, revving the engine as her whole body vibrated, and they were off. 

It was a beautiful night, the sky was clear and fresh, all the snow had cleaned it out as the rich smell of mountain and pine mixed with the leather and snow. The sound of the bike was soothing, matching the vibrations in a dull roar as they weaved on the clear roads, the light of the bike illuminating the road dividers as they went out of the valley. 

They reached the side of the mountain before the decline into the city area, the rock completely dropping off the side so there was nothing between them and the horizon below. Alice stared at the moon, the calming white glow as the side of her face was pressed against Sebastian, listening to his steady heart beat, feeling at ease and wonderfully small in the world. 

The bike started to slow down as Sebastian turned off. The bike was going slower, and the vibrations were less stable as they turned off into the rocky road. It was a turn off, not an official one but it was worn down enough that it was a clear stopping point. He parked the bike and swung his leg off before turning and picking Alice up and off of the bike. 

“Oh wow, you can pick me up now!” Alice whispered, smiling. 

“Yeah, that was my goal,” Sebastian smirked, taking his helmet off and shaking his head to free his hair. Putting the helmet down, he reached over and helped Alice with her helmet, she raised her chin and felt his warm fingers expertly unhook the latch. 

“Come on, its over here,” he said, offering his hand that Alice happily took. She felt him guide her, confident in his steps, warm as their fingers interlaced. His hands were calloused now, matching hers, and each for their own personal reason. 

He brought her to a cliff edge, the darkness of the land below was a silhouette against the blue sky. Far off, there was Zuzu City, the skyscrapers jutting out geometrically cutting through the blue, with yellow lights of windows and advertisements creating a yellow buzz around the horizon. Higher up, away from the city, were stars spilling against the blue. 

“I come here when I want to get away from everything and just… think.” Sebastian said, sneaking a look at her here and there as he stared at the city. Silence followed.

“So, what do you think?” he asked, facing the city. 

“It gives me a strange, sad feeling. Of my old life, how sad I was there, how I never felt like I belonged. My old coworkers, wondering if my boss is happy that I left, wondering if I even made a difference there. Wondering why I still care at all when I was never happy there. Just feels like a lot of stagnant energy, a fake hope was there.”

“Yeah, that is exactly how I feel, too. The city used to draw me in… so much hope and potential there, it used to be so intoxicating, like if I can just get there and have options, I’ll be happy. If I can just do this, then I will be happy. It felt like chasing an illusion. But now I’m finding myself happier at home in the valley.”

“Um, Alice, do you know what I am saying? I don’t usually bring girls to this place… In fact, you’re the only one.”

He turned to face her, and she looked back at him. His face was serious, his eyes bore into her, and she felt like she was the only thing in the world to him. He leaned towards her, an arm on either side on the ground, leaning over her as she started to lean back. 

“You mean to say you never brought Abigail here?” Alice smirked, and Sebastian howled in laughter, his head shooting back. 

“Oh no, not at all. I can imagine there was a time that she would have done anything to be that person, but I don’t think this is what she wants anymore.”

“It’s what I want,” Alice whispered, putting her hands on Sebastian’s face. He leaned against her hand, rubbing against her skin, eyes closed and lips parted slightly. 

“I love you,” she said finally, his eyes opening to look at her. His mouth twitched upwards as he looked at her, his gray eyes never so bright. 

“I love you, too,” he said, pressing his lips against hers. His body followed suit, the heat blanketing her in the cold as the pebbles pressed against her other side, keeping her safe and steady. Heat traveled down her body, settling in her hips as she opened her legs, her ankles settling nicely on Sebastian’s back. A groan rippled through his throat, parting her lips as his tongue slid against her teeth. 

His warm hands slid under her shirt, the warmth making her skin tingle as he laid a path around her stomach and found its way to her pants. With an expert flick of his fingers, he loosened her buttons and trailed lower down, reaching her panty line and pressing his thumb gently on her clit over the fabric. 

“I've wanted to say I love you for so long but I was scared. I can't tell you how relieved I am,” Sebastian whispered as he slowly rotated his thumb in a circular motion. Alice purred as he did so, nudging him as her legs opened wider.

“Oh, that got you wet pretty fast,” he whispered, stroking her up and down against the damp pink fabric. 

“Please put it in,” she breathed, stroking the back of Sebastian's neck, running her fingers through his hair.

“Anything for you,” he smirked, shifting around on top of her as her carefully pulled her pants down, the cold air making her feel naked as Sebastian pulled his pants down, his hard dick sticking out towards her.

“You're so pink,” he said as he leaned down quickly and gave a long, broad lick between her labia, her body convulsing as he did so, leaving a warm and wet trail. Winter air flooded in for a moment before he was back over her and in a breath, inside her.

Heat washed over her as he thrusted into her, the vein on his dick rubbing against her at such an angle her legs began to shake. She tilted her pelvis, inviting him to go in deeper as he pressed a spot deep inside her that didn't take long for her to gasp for air. Hearing Alice finish, feeling her body convulsing under him, was too much for Sebastian and with a gasp, he finished, too.

With soft kisses and gentle words, the pair drove home in the quiet of the night, the moon their only witness to the vows they gave one another on that cliff side.

Chapter Text

Alice rested her elbows on the cart’s counter, looking up at the list of items as the merchant did the same back.
“Do you have a date?” the green haired merchant asked, her accent haunting the corners of her words.
“Spring, I think, marks when we met, but it's also the new season and there are apparently new crops coming in, and I want to grow them all,” Alice said, smiling as her cheek pressed against her jaw.
“Hey, I actually do have a new item,” the merchant said, smiling as she pressed into the counter to get up, walking out of the window space for a moment. She returned, holding boldly a crisp purple ball. Alice’s head shot up, her mouth unhinged as she stared at it.

Lewis sat alone at his breakfast table, sitting folded at the cushion chair and slowly sipping his tea, feeling the warmth feel his mouth and transfer through his body and permeate throughout as if he was consuming pieces of sunlight and radiating from within. A rock rapped on his door with aggressive zeal and no warning, making him jump enough that his tea spilled on his morning paper, the gray ink darkening as the liquid spread.
“Oh,” he said, putting his cup down as the knocking happened again, making him bang his knee on the table.
“What is it?” Lewis almost yelled as he opened the door quickly, seeing Marlon at the door. Lewis got stiff and quiet in an instant as Marlon’s bright eye bore into him.
“I think you should see this,” he said in his deep voice, walking away, as Lewis watched him turn the corner, the snow crunching behind him.

There was a crowd around the Community Center, which was odd in itself. However, there were other pieces that seemed completely off. The wood seemed freshly stained, a rich evergreen trim was stark against the bright snow, striking against the plum boards of the rest of the building. The clock face was not only clean, but working, the second hand making staccato clicks along the face. Pelican Town hung on a sign proudly on the side, making Lewis’s eyes water, trying to remember the last time he saw that. Windows were washed, the door had a fresh hinge, and the town was slowly approaching the double doors, meandering in through the snow.
Lewis walked in and immediately felt the warmth of the heater, the wood burning smell nostalgic as he looked around, wide eyed, around the main room. A crackling fire met him first, warming the room and adding a layer of warmth and soothing sound to the wide area. A large aquarium looked fully stocked, the trickle of water bubbling as the fish lazily floated amongst the fallen tree and rocks in the realistic set up. Willy was close to the glass, scratching his beard, a hand in his pocket.
The children’s area was freshly furnished in polka dots and bright colors, bookshelves lined with picture books and a fat toy chest was tucked amongst the overstuffed chairs, waiting to explode all over the room. More rooms were open, the kitchen and the pantry were clean and fully stocked, Emily, Leah, Abigail, and Robin were deeply entranced in the art room, with paint and wood starting to be unpacked and explored. There was even a furnace room, with Clint smiling in there as he checked the HVAC pipes, muttering to himself with a bushy smile. Almost choking, Lewis found another room, an office in a beautiful gingham blue that reminded him of his mother. The desk was real oak, he felt the warmth of the wood seep through his fingers as he ran his hand across it. It was large, and had an organization system and topped off with a green billiards lamp. Filing cabinets were full of old files, old flier designs, ledgers, he felt himself become dizzy as he closed the metal drawer, hearing the click of the catch, closing his eyes and enjoying a sense of zen.
Alice walked in with Sebastian, her arm around his, as she watched his face as he took in the Community Center.
“Oh wow, this is insane,” Sebastian muttered, his fingers slipping from Alice’s hand as he stepped in, immediately looking up.
“Are those stars on the ceiling?” he asked, pointing to the high ceiling split by stained beams, the matte paint of gray blue marked with satin gold stars that shimmered in the firelight.
“Yes,” Alice said, smiling, watching him continue around the room.
Sebastian hesitated, looking at his girlfriend, the soft smile on her face, the gratitude in her eyes. He paused, thinking, and then whispered, “did you do this?”
There was a pause before Alice’s response, a hesitation, a shock in her eyes before she just casually laughed and said, “why would you think that?” before looking away.
The doors slammed open disrespectfully, the cold air rushing in as the wood reverbated around. Morris stormed in, his signature purple black suit overly crisp and artificial in the craftsman style building.
“My sales have been plummeting! Where are all my customers?”
“Ah, Morris,” Lewis said calmly, coming to stand by the farmer as she turned to watch the middle manager look around and gasp.
“Everyone, here? This isn’t good…”
Pierre departed from the company of his wife to walk towards Morris, his fists tight and shoulders taunt.
“How does it feel?” Pierre hissed, getting close to Morris. Sebastian came to Alice’s other side, watching her.
“Let’s settle this the old fashion way,” Alice said in a deadpan voice, causing Sebastian to cover his mouth and turn away for a moment.
“Alice!” Lewis whispered.
“Hah! This means nothing! I’ll just run a 75% off everything sale and everyone will come crawling back and forget about this place, you’ll see!” Morris sneered, but in Pierre’s face. The storekeeper had an almost visible shiver run down his spine.
“No, not this time Morris, I think its time we settle this once and for awhile.”
“He isn’t actually going to follow your advice?” Sebastian whispered to Alice, who smirked and crossed her arms.
“And how do you propose we do that?” Morris asked, and Pierre took a step back to brace himself and raised his fists, prepared to fight.
“Maybe,” the farmer whispered back to Sebastian, her lips on her check, making him almost purr for a moment at her touch.
“How primitive,” Morris responded, turning away.
“If you are too scared to fight, why not bring one of your other coworkers, or is everyone at Joja a coward?” Pierre snapped, making the room that wasn’t watching definitely turn in to watch now. Heads poked around corners, curiosity burning, as the two men stood on the red vintage rug.
“Insult me all you like, but don’t you dare slander the good name of Joja!” Morris sneered, making Alice make a small, “oh!” sound.
Morris sent the first punch, which was unsupported and weak as it hit Pierre on the shoulder. Mr. Mullner wheeled closer, nodding to himself saying, “Yeah, good stuff.”
Pierre punched back, a punch that was only slightly more supported than Morris’s, hitting him in the arm and causing the man to wince a little.
“Pierre!?” Caroline shrieked as she jumped over a chair to get closer, her green hair slipping off of her shoulders as she watched, powerless, from the outskirts of the fight.
“Wow, this is so lame,” Alice heard Abigail say to Leah, who snorted fairly loudly.
Sebastian watched them fight like that for a moment before Pierre in his confidence picked up his pace and hit Morris in the nose, making him stumble back before leaving in a hurry. He shook his head, watching the farmer laugh a little bit as Pierre brushed his shoulders off literally, and remembered how she sent Leah’s ex straight into the ground just a couple of weeks before. Pride filled his heart at her power, and the awe of it, feeling warmth in his heart like a permanent sun as she turned back and smiled at him.

Alice sat in the main room of the Community Center late at night the day before, laying on the floor with tears in her eyes as she stared at the starry ceiling, knowing it was for her. Junimo had long finished bouncing around her, long finished playing with her hair when she sat with them in her lap after each bundle was done. There was such drive and purpose for her, but now with the soft twinkling of the windchimes that were by the back windows, there was nothing but the deafening silence of nothingness. Wiping her eyes, she stifled a sniffle and went to the only place she knew she could talk about this.
“You have a purpose to serve this valley,” Rasmodius said, which caused Alice to plant her cheek on her braced fist.
“You said that before,” she said, muffled. Even the tea he was serving was the same as before, and the sense of repetition was eating at her.
Rasmodius grumbled as he looked down at his tea cup, but she could feel the edge to it.
“Is something wrong, you seem to be holding back on saying something to me, which is really unlike you,” the farmer said, causing the wizard to look up, surprised.
“Well, um, actually,” he said after a moment, clearing his throat as he sat up straighter, but the farmer continued to lean on the arm braced on the table. “I can’t be around forever, and the valley will need a guardian one day, and I want to ask you to be my apprent-”
“Are you asking me to take over your job?” Alice asked, picking her head up and her arm dropped a little loudly onto the table.
“Well, not exactly,” he started, but the farmer interrupted.
“No, I did enough, I want to do what I want to do, its my life, and my choice. And I plan to do that, I did a lot for you and the valley, I know who you should ask instead.”
“What do you mean,” Rasmodius asked, looking up at the farmer whose green eyes bore into him.
“I think you should ask your actual daughter, who wants to have a life like this, and she is so drawn to you that she stands outside your tower, in case you actually don’t notice.”
“I do notice,” Rasmodius almost pouted.
“I can ask her for you if you want,” Alice started, while the wizard shook his head.
“I think you should go home for me to be with my thoughts,” Rasmodius said, raising his hand, but not before Alice said, “Wow, big surprise.”
“Why did you have to be as sassy as your grandfather,” came in through the transport, causing Alice to smirk as she landed on the front step of her porch.

Chapter Text

“Thank you for having this quick meeting with me today,” Lewis said, his mustache very apparent in showing his smile. Alice nodded, sitting back heavily in her seat. The new office space in the Community Center was a huge improvement for Lewis, there was a skip in his step, and he poured over the filing cabinets of old events almost endlessly. 

“So according to our records, we used to do a Night Market and invite quite a few vendors to it. The layout in the old logistics document is perfect, even though we have less than a week I bet I could get this up and running. There is also a spring festival in the desert, squid fishing tournaments with contacts which Willy said he is more than happy to have.” Lewis said between sheets, the white panels criss crossing in front of him like a large deck of cards. 

“I just, wanted to thank you, its so hard for me to really put into words what having you come back to the town means to us, even to me. I know I can get this town back on the map, Leah’s art will take off, maybe people will move here. Robin is already putting up a community project bulletin that I hope you will take a look at,” his brown eyes flashed to her for a moment. “But really, I just wanted to thank you so much, and if there is anything you need, please let me know.”

“I can’t think of anything, maybe somewhere for people to hang out besides the community center? I don’t know. I’ll think about it,” Alice said, nodding. “Is the date still good?”

“Oh, yes, absolutely. I won’t let anything get in the way of that,” Lewis smiled, a warmth about him. 

Alice left the community center, remembering the junimo that she used to spend time with in there, their colored bodies hopping around, the chirps they made. She watched Haley read a book in a chair by the front door, the filtered winter light spilling over her blue dress, as Emily was hand sewing in the seat next to her. A couple of mugs were between them, and they were too preoccupied in their joined silence to notice as the farmer slipped out of the door. 

Without much thought, Alice just started walking, taking a path away from town, walking by the stream so she could hear the gurgle of the clear water and hope that it would in some way clear her mind as if she dunked it into the water. Her hands were tucked into her pockets, the bath and fourth of her steps a light rhythm as she went, until she was stopped in front of Jojo Mart, or at least the building. It was boarded up, and the letters were gone from the gray front, but the filth that gathered around them left the stamps of the store name behind. 

What a waste of space, Alice thought, staring at the building. I wonder what Shane and Sam do now that their job is closed. The farmer continued to stare as the wind started to pick up, sheeting snow across her face and lining the world in spikes of white. Shaking her head, she broke the trance she felt on the building and continued home. 

How would Alice even have anything to do with restoring the Community Center, Sebastian thought, holding the damp rag in his hand, feeling the weight and cold water pressing against his skin. She’s a farmer, not a carpenter. Though, mom used to say that only magic could bring that old building back, it was so dilapidated that it was behind anything other than almost a complete gut, and that is if the foundation was still solid. 

Sebastian leaned into cleaning the last shelf of his bookshelf, deciding he would take it with him. Throwing the rag back into the bucket, the water splashing around dangerously as he did so, he went to his bed and leaned down to start to clear out his old pair of shoes he kept down there. It was hard for him to see all the stuff he had that he just didn’t have the heart to bring with him into his new life. He pulled a pair of shoes out from under the bed that were a bit dusty, looking them over and realizing that they were actually too small for him. Sighing, he tossed the pair into one of the two mountains behind him, the shoes toppling down a pile of boxes and shirts that he had designated as donated. The Community Center had a donation room with organizational bins that sparked the idea, and helped motivate him to pack in a more deliberate fashion. 

Grabbing the hand broom, he laid on his stomach and started sweeping roughly under the bed - just enough to get most of the dust out from under the bed. His mom spoke about wanting to have more wood storage, and he figured that his room would likely be turned into that, so he did want to get it mostly clean for her. With a weird whooshing sound, Sebastian realized that he hit something. Stopping, he pressed into the ground to get back up to standing, looking at his bed as if it were withholding information from him. 

What even is that , he thought, grabbing the frames and with a heave, pulling the bed frame out. Whatever made the noise fully flopped over, and he had to get on the bed to look at the other side. On the floor, a bit disheveled and dusty but still in great condition, was his first edition book, one of the Solarian Chronicles comic books. 

“No way,” he whispered, picking up the comic and seeing the chapter he was in when the book must have fallen under the bed, when the warrior met the summoner. She was in a white cape with red trim, and her brown hair framed her beautiful face even though she was trying to hide the fact that she was a princess. 

Looks just like Alice, he thought with a grin so wide it hurt his face, even though the first time he realized that, he tossed the comic. Closing it tenderly, he put it in the small keep pile he kept by the desk. 

The Night Market was beautiful, and cold. Lights littered the air with colors, mostly whites and blues and pinks, strung up on lines that coated and criss crossed the piers as ships of purples and blues and greens crowded the wood. Brine mixed with rich coffees and chocolates, and Sebastian felt his heart skip a beat as he found the farmer in her black pea coat and navy pants staring up at the lights, her blue blow trailing down her back as it kept her dark hair in a big bun. 

“Hello, darling,” he whispered into her ear, making goosebumps ripple down her body. 

“Hi,” she breathed, turning to smile at him, a twinkle in her eye. The pink and blue lights highlighted her face, her high cheekbones, the fine arch of her eyebrows, making his heart flutter. 

“Shall we?” he offered his arm, which she took with both of hers, nuzzling against him. 

They walked on the creaking pier, the waves seeming almost silent in the hubbub of the market. So many different ships bobbed in the light waves, planks offering a bridge to town onto the ship, which Alice took without thought or reservation, giving Sebastian a hint of courage as she did so. He watched her grab seeds, grab decor, put her hand on her chin for just a moment before buying a painting of a blue haired mermaid, the bare chest showing soft, pink nipples and an even softer mouth. 

“So I was wondering if you would be interested in that,” Sebastian said, watching Alice’s bangs bounce as they took the long bridge path to the “Adults Only” boat. Alice put her hand down quickly, and he saw a crumpled piece of torn notebook paper clung in her hand. 

“I’m sorry, what?” she breathed, turning towards him, her eyes distracted. 

“If you wanted to paint the sideroom gray,” he repeated, feeling a drop in his shoulders. 

“Oh, yes, absolutely, that is a great idea,” Alice smiled before the door to the mermaid show opened for them, urging them inside the dark room. She grabbed his hand, the gloves she wore offering a barrier between him and her, as she led him inside.

The mermaid show was more distracting than he thought it would be, although not as much as he would have liked. The black room had black crushed velvet seats and a crushed velvet curtain that, once it's opened, seemed to be a mirror into another world. Mermaids sang on the other side, spinning as they swam, currents of colors and bubbles of light amongst them. He peered at Alice, who smiled, completely engrossed, in the show, and slid a hand onto her thigh, his fingers inkling inwards. She put her hand on his hand, leaning forward as she watched, her fingers curling around his. 

The show ended, and as Sebastian leaned in to kiss her, he watched the farmer hop out of her seat and press the shell decorations on the stage, looking at her hand quickly before pressing the last two in a strange order. With a pop, the middle shell opened, offering her a large pearl, the size of a baseball. 

Grinning, Alice took it, putting it in her pocket as she turned to Sebastian and paused. 

“What?” she whispered, starting for the door. 

“Um, nothing I guess,” he said, following her back outside. 

Why would she need to hide anything from me? She has a different life than me, and I haven’t been around her enough to actually see it, Sebastian thought, walking around the park quietly. It was Friday morning, and no one seemed to be up yet, to which he was grateful. I wonder if Alice is up, he thought, catching a flavor of bitterness in his thought, which he sighed out in shame. 

Something caught his eye, a flash of blue. He blinked, looking up, to see if he could see it. Snow coated everything, as it had snowed all night and continued to do so, with flecks of brown from mud and sticks, and specks of green from the evergreen bush, but he knew those were not the colors. 

Suddenly, the blue shot out of the bush and started hopping down the path, making Sebastian stumble as he went after it. Is that a blue apple, but sentient? he thought, watching it clear the stairs and start to roll down the base of the railing, and he coughed to prevent himself from laughing. 

He chased it through town, and despite all the open space, it had found so many ways to keep out of his sight. Behind light posts, under bushes, wiggling between garden beds full of straw for the winter. It slipped behind some fences and overgrown bushes, a fence that Sebastian wasn’t aware of, and heard a loud bang just before he squeezed past the bushes to a worn hole in the evergreen leaves. 

There was a large hole in the ground in the middle of the fences and bushes, and an old, ornate door flung open on a hinge. Ladder prongs stuck out, and it wasn’t the blue creature staring at him that intrigued him to go into the hole, but shouting, and a very familiar voice. 

Alice! he thought, rushing towards the ladder. 

“So this scepter will take me home if I just pick it up and drop it quickly?” Alice asked, holding the purple scepter. 

“Yeah, that thing gets small when put down, and then bigger in your hand, really neat. Found it in the desert,” Krobus said, standing near her as she looked it over. She held her new iridium sprinkler under her arm, turning the scepter over and over. 

“I will need to save up for this, 2 million is a lot. I will need to get that winery shed finished,” Alice said, putting it back on the pedestal, the scepter immediately withdrawing in size to about 10 inches long. 

The loud clanking of metal caught both of their attention as they looked over.

“You tell anyone about me?” Krobus asked.

“No, why,” she said, when a face they weren’t expecting turned the corner. 

“I knew I saw something wrong the other day - A Shadow Person, above ground? This is outrageous!” Dwarf spat at Krobus, who just stood there next to Alice. “Your people were responsible for the death of my entire family.”

Alice’s mouth dropped open a little bit, looking between the two.

Krobus made a frustrated noise, stepping forward, “If you dwarves hadn’t driven us from our ancestral home, we’d never have had to resort to violence! I am sorry about your family.”

The Dwarf took another step forward, the two were only a few feet apart, as Alice backed off a bit. 

“‘Sorry’ isn’t going to cut it,” the Dwarf spat. He lunged towards Krobus, who started to fight back, tousling and yelling as Alice jumped and immediately shoved them to the side, holding her arms out on their shoulders and using their own momentum to keep each other away. 

“That’s enough!” Alice barked, looking between the two of them. 

“Let me at him! He’s despicable,” the Dwarf hissed. 

“Come and get it, shrimpy,” Krobus jeered, making the Dwarf make a guttural noise. 

Sebastian definitely heard yelling, one in a language he didn’t understand, and the other seemed to speak Common. He tried to look down and see what was happening, but struggled to see much past the stonework that surrounded him. He did, however, see a blue apple of a creature sitting on a brick, looking up at him, not far down. He descended a bit more and reached the blue creature, which hopped on its small legs and raised its hands to him. 

“Come on, let's get you down,” he offered his hand to the creature, which gleefully jumped into his outstretched palm as he slid it into his front coat pocket and continued down the ladder. 

When he turned, he wasn’t sure what he was expecting, going into a strange sewer after chasing a blue apple and hearing his girlfriend fresh and sober on a Friday morning, but it wasn’t the farmer holding back a short, all shadow person, and a creature that looked like a dwarf. 

“Come and get it, shrimpy,” the shadow person said, which made the Dwarf make a strange noise, and start yelling at it in its strange language. Alice turned to face the Dwarf and, beyond his wildest imaginations, started yelling back in the strange language. 

Suddenly, a sound like a whistle shot off, and a figure he only vaguely recognized appeared, but he watched Alice’s head shoot up towards him, as he lifted a hand, anger carved in his face, twisting his purple beard, and both the Dwarf and the shadow person feet caught fire for just a moment. They both gasped and shrieked, but quieted down as soon as the fire was out. 

“Silence! Both of you!” his voice boomed, and Alice stood up straight as they both turned to face the man. He stood and straightened his robes. 

“The Elemental Wars have long been finished. You have no reason to be fighting any longer. The two of you must make peace for the sake of the humans that live around you. Surely you can see that.”

Both of them looked down for a moment, before the Dwarf sighed and said something in their language. 

The shadow person turned and said, “...And I’m truly sorry about the past, Dwarf. I have no personal gripe with you.”

“Very good. I shall cast a ‘Seal of Promise’ to finalize this agreement,” the man said, raising his hand once again. There was a slight shift in the air, an then a release. 

The creature in his front pocket chirped, pressing its head against the pocket cover of his jacket, and Sebastian froze as everyone turned to face him. 

“Oh look, another human,” the shadow person said. “Are you gonna buy stuff?”

The Dwarf said something again, and Alice flushed and snapped back at him. 

“I um, never thought that I would see you down here,” Alice said, completely in shock from her face to her body. 

“Aw, yes, the boy who has the prodigy of the valley wanting to give up her responsibilities,” the man said, walking towards Sebastian, only for him to stop as he got closer, eyes glued to his pocket. “You have a junimo with you,” he almost whispered. 

“Uh yeah, it led me here,” Sebastian said, lifting his pocket cover for the junimo to wave, bouncing out of his pocket and immediately to Alice who caught it with outstretched arms. 

“I thought you all left,” Alice whispered, rubbing her cheek on the junimo as it hugged her face. 

“So, I’m really confused right now,” Sebastian said, half laughing. 

“Right, yes,” the man said, and he realized it was the rumored man, the Wizard. 

The sat in the Wizard’s tower, which Sebastian always imagined the inside of that it felt surreal to sit at the table. 

“So the day is coming up,” the Wizard said, sliding him a cup of tea in a chipped, jade cup. Alice had her cup already, the aromatic rose, lemon balm, and lavender creeping up as she kept petting the junimo, her eyes smitten as she occasionally looked at Sebastian and smiled with those soft eyes. 

“Yeah, Spring,” he said, taking a sip of the tea, the hot liquid filling his mouth. 

“Well, Alice’s grandfather was a steward for the valley, and bought that large farm to help protect it in exchange for some of the forest’s magic. This is a very potent area, and it serves as an oasis for a lot of magical beings. The jellyfish, for example, that the town is aware of, are magical beings that take in some of the valley’s magic to keep them sustained. Alice has been doing a great job, and with her help the junimos revived the community center and drove off Joja’s foothold, which would have killed the magic quickly. Alice got attached to her job, as you can see,” the Wizard said, making a gesture towards the farmer who said,

“Deal with it, Rasmodius,” which made the Wizard cough as Sebastian laughed.    

“Yes, well, you will likely have some responsibility to support her, to keep the valley protected. She is still unlocking and uncovering pieces, and as she does so, the magic will grow and it will be able to further help on the farm. I am surprised that the junimo chose to appear to you, but I take it as a sign that they have blessed the relationship. Now, I do wonder who can work on the apprenticeship…”

“Did you talk to Abigail?” Alice asked, looking up from the junimo to face Rasmodius, who blushed as Sebastian said, “Wait, hold up, what?”

“I’ll explain when we get home,” Alice said, smiling at Sebastian, a twinkle in her eye. “It’s so nice I can be fully honest with you, now. I haven’t been able to talk about any of this magic with anyone. Well, except Rasmodius here.” The Wizard grumbled in response.

The sun shone so brightly on the first of Spring that it gave a white halo to everything, glistening the light green leaves that surrounded the town in the morning dew. Alice stood under an awning that Lewis found in the community center in a silk gown that looked like an upside down calla lily. No one knew how or why, but white roses decorated the awning, seemingly out of nowhere, and seemed to glow around the couple as they smiled at one another. Sebastian tried to tame his hair, but eventually gave up the idea, much to Alice’s joy. Sebastian wore a high waist tailcoat suit with a red waistband. Alice grinned so hard it hurt her face when she saw it, and it was impossible to stop as Lewis continued. 

“When Alice first came here, no one knew what to expect, unsure how the dynamics of the community would change. Yet, it feels like since you arrived, everyone has flourished. Friendships bloomed, dreams were realized. The Community Center returned, Joja left town, the economy is flourishing, tourism is back. The joy that this union will bring I feel will only boom further, the energy and love radiating out like the sun. As the mayor of Pelican Town, and the regional bearer of the matrimonial seal, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss.”

The crowd cheered as Sebastian and Alice kissed, the farmer hopping a little bit to wrap her arms around Sebastian’s neck. As they separated, they both gasped a little as a few junimo appeared in the trellis around them, their bright colors like stars in the sky. 

“Do you think anyone can see them?” Sebastian whispered. 

“No, just us,” Alice smiled, her cheeks rosy. 

“Just us,” Sebastian repeated, kissing her on the nose, “I like saying that. Just us.”