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The first interaction Elliott has with the local fisherman of Pelican Town is absolutely fit to be considered one of the strangest conversations the aspiring writer has ever had in the entirety of his life. As the auburn-haired stranger begins moving his meager belongings into the beachside cabin, he hears a pair of boots thump through the sand, kicking up gritty particles with each step. Tendrils of wispy grey smoke swirl gently in the air, escaping the pipe held between the teeth of the old sea dog. Elliott looks up from his task, pausing from carrying his moving box of clothing into the cabin to make conversation with the man whose shop shares the beach the writer will soon inhabit in his quest for a new start.
“Good morning, my good sir!” Elliott says, taking two steps closer to the stranger and holding out one of his hands, prepared to give the older man a firm handshake.
It had been ingrained upon him during his entire childhood by his high-profile father just how important a first impression is and how it can hinge on the strength and duration of a man’s handshake. Such a concept had seemed quite strange to a young Elliott, but in his move to Stardew Valley and Pelican Town, he thought he’d adapt a few of the more useful mannerisms his family had imposed upon him, that they had insisted he follow despite how very un-Elliott-like such a demeanor truly is. Perhaps this way he could find some friends in this town to make his move to the countryside more bearable.
“I’m Elliott, I’m just moving here from…”
"Do ya like crabs?" the stranger inquires, shaking Elliott’s hand before he exhales a plume of smoke into the salty sea air, his gaze travelling over Elliott’s minimal belongings in the process.
"Crabs?" Elliott asks, withdrawing his hand, scratching his fingers across the top of his scalp.
The skin on his forehead wrinkles in confusion at the same time, unsure of why that is the first thing the man has said to him.
"Yeah, crabs," the dark-haired man says simply, his blue eyes shining in the summertime sun.
"I, well...." the writer attempts to come up with an answer, his green eyes narrowing as he tries to think of something, anything to say in response to that question.
Why, for someone who words come so naturally to, is it so extremely difficult to carry on a conversation with the local fisherman, for goodness sakes?
"Or how about lobsters?" he asks as a follow-up question, further stumping Elliott.
"Lobsters? Why, I didn't even get to answer the first..." Elliott attempts to answer again before being cut off once more, unsure as to why he even ever ventured to compose a response in the first place.
"Lad, I just need a simple yes or no answer. Not a trick question."
"I... I must sincerely apologize, for it is clear I’m not understanding. In what context are we speaking of liking these crustaceans?"
“Gus and I wanted to make crab cakes or lobster for ya to celebrate your first night in Pelican Town. It’s tradition to host a gathering in the saloon whenever someone new moves in. And you’re our first since the good ol’ Doctor Harvey showed up!”
“Oh,” Elliott exhales more forcefully than he intended to. “I, yes, that sounds truly lovely. I adore both crab cakes and lobster,” he reveals, a genuine smile appearing on his lips at the thought of fresh seafood. “Thank you for the kind offer, Mr. …?”
“Willy,” the man grunts out.
The crab cakes and lobster that Gus and Willy cook in the saloon is the first homemade meal anyone has ever made just for Elliott and it nearly brings him to tears. Perhaps his new life in Pelican Town would be all that he hoped for and maybe more than he’d dreamed.