Hannah POV:
6 A.M. rolled around like a thief in the night, stealing the rest I barely had. I had only just slipped into a dream—one of the sweeter ones. My dad and grandpa were there, both smiling like they used to. I was little again, running barefoot through open fields, laughter echoing, no weight on my shoulders. Just sunshine and wind.
Today picked up where yesterday left off. I had to pause things after a long day in the mines, but now I'm back to building a fence around the spot where I plan to have my silo. Robin's coming by Thursday to construct it, and after that, I'll finally be able to set up a barn for my cows. I can't explain how excited I am. I've always been introverted, quiet by nature—but animals? They recharge me in ways people never could.
After watering what's likely the last batch of my spring crops, I fed the hens and collected their eggs. It's a rhythm now, a comforting one. There's peace in this life. When you're used to modern chaos and screen-lit nights, it's easy to forget the magic in the simple things: the breeze rustling through leaves, the sun warming your skin, the soft murmur of birds overhead. Depending on the land to live—it's not just freeing, it's grounding.
The idea of having children has always scared me, but if I ever did, this is the life I'd want for them. A quiet town. A true community. Where things grow slowly and mean something.
Later today, I'm heading over to Mrs. Evelyn's to bring her some leeks from this season's harvest. I've got nearly forty stored up, and I think George will be happy too. We're having dinner together tonight, something I've been looking forward to more than I expected.
I met her grandson, Alex, at the Saloon. He was sweet—tan skin, green eyes, brown hair. Handsome, no doubt. But I'm not looking to fall into anything. Not now. I'm still finding my way out of the grief from my mother leaving. Still learning how to stand on my own again.
Besides, if I had a dime for every time I fell for someone just because they looked good, only to lose pieces of myself in the process... well, I'd probably have twenty bucks and a dozen heartbreaks to match.
I moved here to get a brand-new start, something no one could ever take away from me. I've lived the life where I was belittled; treated like I would have nothing or be nothing if it wasn't for my dependency on someone, and that is a place I will never go back to again. It's hard to allow people to help you when all they've ever done when you asked for help, is use it against you.
After my farm work was completed, I went inside and threw my clothes off on the stool in my small yellow themed bathroom. Pale yellow tile covered half of the wall, while the rest, to the ceiling was a solid pale yellow. A tiny square window sat in the middle of the wall allowing a ray of sunshine to come in and light up the room with no need of lights. I took my time in the shower allowing the hot water to flow down my back and relax every stiff muscle I had from the last three days of work. As peaceful as this life is, it is taxing on the body.
I cut the water off and pulled a warm towel around my figure. My hair fell down my back in wet chords. After wrapping each wet strand into my towel, I walked to my closet to find something to wear. I chose a pale blue plaid sundress with a white t-shirt underneath it. I let my hair air dry into its natural wavy form.
Grabbing the bundles of leaks, I put them into a burlap handbag and a few farm eggs from my chickens, to bring over to Evelyn and George.
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Sebastian POV:
"Pitiful move." I sighed, watching Sam make quite possibly the worst tactical decision a warrior could make in Solarion Chronicles.
"I wanted to try something new," he muttered defensively, eyes still on the game board like maybe he could undo the disaster with willpower alone.
Abigail flopped back dramatically on the edge of my bed, arms crossed, legs swinging. She couldn't sit still if her life depended on it. "When are we actually going to do something?" she groaned.
"We are doing something," I replied, gesturing vaguely at the game. Sam wandered over to my synthesizer and plunked out a few notes, clearly done with defending his lackluster gameplay.
"Let's go on a real adventure or something," Abigail insisted, leaning forward with a spark in her eyes. "All we ever do is sit in your room playing this. Come on—I heard there are actual secrets in that wizard's tower."
"Razmodius?" Sam raised an eyebrow. "I don't know about all that. Dude talks to rats, apparently."
"Sounds like a blast," I said, half-joking. Sam and I exchanged a look, but Abigail wasn't laughing.
"At least he's interesting. Every day here is the same. Same routines, same festivals. Why do you think our parents are so weirdly against the tower? Or the mines?"
That question landed differently. Sam and I both paused.
My mom's never explicitly banned the tower—but the mines? That's a different story. She's begged me more than once to stay away. Funny, considering how little she usually cares about what I do. As for Razmodius, she just calls him "eccentric." Said he moved here as a teen and barely left his house. Not that I've ever seen him up close.
My mom's lived here her whole life I added My grandparents were tight with Mayor Lewis. They're buried in the old cemetery downtown. I was only six when they died, so I barely remember them.
"Alright, fine," I said finally, standing up. "Let's go. But you owe me a pack of smokes."
Abigail lit up like she'd won a prize. I gave in mostly because I remembered how exciting it was when Hannah told me about the Frozen Tears actually being real—crystals from the depths of the mines. I still can't believe she goes down there once a week. Braver than most in Stardew.
Not that I'd ever tell Abigail that. If she found out, Hannah would never have a moment's peace again.
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