Chapter Text
Varian gazed down at the clear water of the pond. He briefly wondered if he should go back to his old life. Was pursuing his mother's dream worth it? Was going back on his promise to his dad worth it? He had so many questions.
Instead, he took a deep breath and took off his farming boots. He dipped his feet in the water.
The feeling of spring flooded his senses. He thought back to just a few months ago, in winter, when he was still confined to a desk…
Varian sat in his cubicle, staring at the computer screen in front of him. He sagged lower into his chair. The workers in front of him could very well be skeletons by now. It was times like these that he recalled his mother’s words, just before she disappeared.
“I want you to have this sealed envelope,” his mom had said. “No, no, don’t open it yet… have patience. 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, Varian, you’ll be ready for this gift.”
Er. Something like that.
The Joja Corp. building was tall, he knew that. Varian came there almost everyday, nine to five, for the past five years. He was twenty-three now. He certainly didn’t want to waste the rest of his life on… well, this. When he was home, all he felt was emptiness growing in the pit of his stomach. Sadness, and… probably his less than appealing diet.
He glanced around, all too aware of the way the dark haired men behind glass just a bit higher up watched over him and the rest of his coworkers like ants. Everything around him was dirty and dark and overall… hideous. Varian felt crushed. He wanted to spend his life outdoors, not stuck in front of a stupid box.
Sealed envelope… Crushed… Growing emptiness… Ready for this gift.
He was ready.
Carefully sliding open the top drawer on his desk, there sat the envelope he was given so long ago. The seal was purple, with the initials “P.T” on it. Varian had no idea who they belonged to, but he wasn’t going to ask. Not like he could get an answer anymore. He tore right through it, staring at the contents on the paper inside. It read as such:
“Dear Varian,
If you’re reading this, you must be in dire need of a change. The same thing happened to me and your dad, quite long ago! We’d lost sight of what really mattered most in life… real connections with real people and nature. So, we dropped everything and moved to the place we truly belonged.
I’ve enclosed the deed to that place; my pride and joy, Galanis Farm! It’s located in Stardew Valley, the southern coast. It’s the perfect place to start a new life. And there are so many discoveries to be made – a truly magical place.
This was my most precious gift of all, and I hope it finds you well. Please honor it, Blue.
Love, Mom ♡
P.S - If Lewis is still alive, say hello to him for me!”
...Now here he was. The farm. The place his mom had wanted him to have.
And it looked like crap!