Chapter Text
Life’s better with Joja! Join us. Thrive.
Seven didn’t think she would reach her breaking point so quickly, but she did. Grandpa was right.
He was always right and she missed him. He always mentioned his farm and swore there was amazing magic that surrounded the valley around the land. Seven wasn’t sure if she even believed in spiritual things like that or higher powers like Yoba. With the direction her life was headed, she was starting to become skeptical.
She glanced up at the camera pointing towards her cubicle and got the strong urge to give it the middle finger.
“Fuck this place,” Seven muttered under her breath. How much longer was she supposed to endure this hellhole? She didn’t want to be stuck at a job that she hated. However, the woman had no idea what she wanted to do with her life!
Seven’s mind wandered to the envelope grandpa gave her right before he passed away. He said she would know when to open it and now seemed like a good time. The crushing pressure of Joja Cola was too much and she needed an opportunity to get out. Her home, Zuzu City, had become too suffocating. As much as she loved her city, she was beginning to feel like she wasn’t meant to be there anymore. She opened the drawer underneath her desk and eyed the envelope.
Maybe it was finally time. Seven ignored the camera beginning to shift and focus on her for not dedicating every second to working her life away. She opened the envelope anyway.
“Dear Seven, if you’re reading this, you must be in dire need of change,” the yellowed piece of paper read. “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.” The young woman reached up and nervously fingered the kinks in her hair.
Grandpa, where are you going with this?
“I’ve enclosed the deed to that place… my pride and joy: Haven Farm.” Seven almost felt her heart stop, but she forced herself to keep reading. “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. Good luck.”
Time felt like it was slowing down as she digested the letter. The deed to Haven Farm. She didn’t know whether to jump up and click her heels or panic at the thought of having to take care of her own land now. Zuzu City doesn’t leave much room for any land to own. So, how was she supposed to do this?
Seven quickly made up her mind when she saw the district manager, Morris, marching directly towards her. Probably to berate her about why the hell she wasn’t working, but that would be his last time. She decided this would be the last time seeing his disgusting, smug face. This would be the last time she would have to listen to his bullshit.
“Miss Seven…” He started, but quickly trailed off when he realized she was packing up her belongings.
“Don’t bother, Mr. Morris. You won’t have to worry about me again,” she said with the phoniest smile she could muster up.
“Excuse me?” He sounded very shocked. He was so used to employees kissing his ass that being blown off was something he wasn’t prepared for.
“You heard me. I quit!”
“I’m sorry?”
“Should I say it a third time?” Seven’s smile was no longer fake. She was getting genuine enjoyment out of this. She had always dreamed of this moment, but never did she think it would become a reality: being able to give a strong “fuck you” to her boss right before walking out.
They were starting to attract attention from nearby cubicles, some even sneaking to record the altercation on their cell phones.
Morris collected himself and put his smug mask back on.
“How unprofessional of you, but I already knew that. I warned the leaders about bringing in diversity hires,” he smirked, proud of his cheap shot at her race.
The prejudiced comment stung, but Seven knew at that moment she’d won. Multiple people were recording, including her closest friend, Monica, at the cubicle adjacent to them. She flashed her a quick thumbs-up that translated to “I got that on camera” and quickly put her phone away when security appeared, ready to stop any further escalation.
Seven swallowed her feelings and looked him straight in the eye.
“That’s too bad. Pretty soon, you and this company will be nothing without ‘diversity hires.’ Joja Cola is gonna drown.” She turned and exited the building, escorted by security.
“Holy shit, Seven!” Monica exclaimed over the phone. “This video is finally taking off. By the end of the night, I’m sure it’s gonna be viral. Asshole Morris shall be dust by tomorrow!”
Seven giggled at her friend’s dramatic declaration. She leaned up against the bus window watching the scenery go by. It had been almost a week since she’d quit Joja Hellhole. She contacted the man named Lewis, her grandad mentioned in the letter and made arrangements to visit the farm. She packed up as much as she could and bought a bus ticket out to Stardew Valley. Although, she was still on the fence about subleasing her apartment. She knew once she did that, there was no going back. So, for right now, she considered herself “in-between living situations.”
“I hope so. Fuck that racist prick,” Seven replied vehemently. She hated talking about it, but she wanted to make sure he would finally suffer consequences. Monica had to convince the few other employees who recorded the incident to upload their videos for more traction. They were afraid of the backlash of such a powerful corporation, but it didn’t outweigh the need to see Joja Cola crumble.
“Well, enough of him. Have you made it to Stardew Valley yet?” Monica chirped. Always so bubbly, that one. Nothing ever got her down.
“I’m about ten minutes out. Zuzu City is only an hour and a half away, so it wasn’t too long of a trip.”
“Well, text me when you make it. My break is almost up.”
“Funny that you still work there while actively taking down Joja Cola from inside. It’s like some Mission Impossible shit,” Seven teased her.
“I know, huh? It’s hard being a double agent!”
Both girls laughed one more time before Seven ended the call with a promise that she would keep her updated on the farm. She examined the passing trees and admired how beautiful they looked. Zuzu City didn’t have nearly as much nature and fresh air. A fleeting optimistic thought crossed her mind that indicated maybe she could see herself staying here.
The bus slowed and eventually came to a stop leading out to a dirt path. Seven stepped off the bus and was greeted by a woman with bright orange hair and an even brighter smile. She had a very solid build with strong arms and a confident walk.
“You must be Seven!”
Wow, she would certainly hold her ground in Zuzu City , Seven thought. So straight forward.
“I’m Robin, the local carpenter. Mayor Lewis sent me here to show you around,” Robin held out her hand and Seven grasped it for a firm handshake.
Seven almost winced at how strong her grip was, but she wasn’t about to let that show.
Robin smirked at her, as if sizing her up. “Strong grip. You’re definitely from the city. Only city folk handshake like that.” Seven let out a laugh of relief in response.
“Good. Couldn’t let my first impression be a weak handshake,” Seven grinned.
Robin quirked an eyebrow, but smiled back. “I think I’m gonna like you. Come on, the farm’s this way.”
Seven followed behind Robin, observing the beautiful field around her. They stayed on the dirt path and made a right. Seven noticed a sign pointed in the opposite direction labeled “Pelican Town.” She figured that must be the townsquare and noted that her farm wasn’t too far from town.
“ This is Haven Farm,” Robin announced dramatically with a proud grin. Seven took one look at the land in front of her and almost passed out.
“Oh, kiss my ass, Grandpa…” She mumbled just loud enough for Robin to hear.
“What? Come on! Sure it’s a little overgrown-”
“ A little? ” Seven exclaimed.
“But there’s some good soil underneath that mess! With a little dedication, you’ll have it cleaned up in no time!” Robin then turned towards the little cottage behind them. “And this is your new home!”
Seven was glad the house at least looked cozy from the outside. Although, there was some work to be done. A hole on the far side of the porch had formed. Some wear and tear formed on the wood around the door frame.
And another hole on the porch close by the door…
Yoba .
The more Seven stared at the cottage, the more flaws and hazards she noticed. It looked like nobody lived here in years, but maybe it could be fixed up.
The front door suddenly swung open and a tall man with a grey, handlebar mustache stepped outside.
“Ah, the new farmer!” He said with a boisterous voice. “Welcome! I’m Lewis, Mayor of Pelican Town. I’m glad to see you’re moving into your grandfather’s old cottage. It’s a good house. Very rustic.”
Seven gave him a sideways glance. So, he thinks it’s a piece of shit too, eh?
Robin snorted. “Rustic? That’s one way of putting it…”
“Wow, way to make me feel better about my new house, you guys,” Seven said with a deadpan expression.
“Oh, don’t listen to her, Seven! She’s just trying to get you to buy one of her house upgrades,” Lewis quickly retorted. Robin looked embarrassed, but then looked away in defiance.
“Anyway, get some rest and get settled in. The townspeople have been talking about you. We don’t get too many new residents in Stardew Valley.” Lewis began to make his way towards Pelican Town with Robin close behind. “Maybe take the time tomorrow to introduce yourself to everyone? They would appreciate it!”
Seven watched their figures fade down the dirt path until they were out of site. She turned and examined the land again. The grass had grown so high that it reached her hips. Stones and pieces of fallen wood were scattered everywhere. The trees were beautiful, but they overpowered the land and would need to be cleared. She could keep the lumber for supplies to build other things. Maybe she could use that wood to build a fence? Her mind raced with ideas and research she had done about farming before coming to Stardew Valley. She bought a new journal with the intention of notating everything she learned.
Seven suddenly felt a surge of excitement at what could possibly be a fresh start. She wheeled her luggage in the house and realized just how small it was. The living room and bedroom were right on top of each other. Thankfully, the bedroom was separated by a wall into its own tiny space with a bathroom that held a toilet, sink, and a standing-only shower. She noticed that Lewis and Robin seemed to have done some cleaning to prepare for her arrival. Every surface was recently dusted and the windows were opened to let out the stale odor. The sheets on the bed were freshly washed and the floors had been swept.
That was nice of them , Seven thought to herself. There was a lot of work to be done on the land so they figured they’d at least lighten the workload on the house. She focused on a chest that sat in the corner of her bedroom. Inside it were Grandpa’s hand-me-down farm tools: a sickle, an axe that needed to be sharpened, and a watering can among other things. She grabbed the tools and headed outside to be greeted by the unforgiving sun.
This is gonna be a long day .