Chapter 1: Rhiannon
Summary:
Siobhan rethinks on the past of her time at Prosperity Grove. With her grandpa passing, he had left her his property, but only when she was ready. She was ready. So, she began her journey. Robin quickly becomes a source of motherly comfort for her as she's adjusting to her new life on the farm. The only thing deterring her is Robin's son.
Notes:
Spotify Playlist:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7MHwP1cnrvAAV9VoywqXEO?si=436676fbd9b04b01YouTube Playlist:
(coming soon)
Chapter Text
It was a refreshing Summer spent on Grandpa's farm. She'd spent so much time with him over the last two months helping with chores; collecting eggs from the coop, holding the bucket for milking, and harvesting whatever she could reach. Simple tasks for a girl of her age. Time had flown by so fast and she wished she could go back - she wasn't ready to go home. This week wasn't going to draw on long enough. She often wondered why she didn't come here sooner.
She sighed, blowing her blonde bangs away from her face as she watched her grandpa inspect his crops. Kicking her heels across the dirt, she gripped the edge of the porch beneath her before leaning over to turn down his old, beaten-up radio, obviously trying to grab his attention.
"Hey, Grandpa." She groaned, crossing her arms.
"Here this 'un goes..." He mumbled. The old man turned to her, still crouched in front of a pepper plant. "What ye on 'bout now, Siobhan?" He spoke in a thick Dublin accent, accompanied by a hearty chuckle.
"When are we going into town? We've gotta get the sugar before we head over to Uncle Gus's." Gus wasn't her actual uncle, but he sure felt like one to her. He was the only one they went into town to see - Marnie and Willy were not included because that was outskirts territory. Gus and she were supposed to make tiramisu this afternoon. It was discussed at last week's baking session when they made ladyfingers. It was her mom's favorite dessert from what Grandpa said, so she was nipping at the bit to try it. She even made sure to keep enough eggs in her basket this morning before Gramps took the rest for mayonnaise-making.
"Well, I'd say yuv' done fine here. Slip on some shoes and we'll get headed." He stood, ruffling the nine year-old's messy hair. "A brush might do ya some good too."
No, she wasn't about any of that. She was a wild child, a free spirit, and her scope of imagination reached far beyond things like... Well, shoes and brushing her hair. That would make her look uniform, presentable, and soon be held to adult expectations. She didn't like many adults and she wasn't going to change for them or anyone else, not even Gramps. Though, she did love her grandpa so... She'll consider it if he asks again when they go into town next year. Who knows? Could just be a rebellious phase and she might be a totally different girl by then.
"No, gramps. We go now. I wanna feel the grass between my toes." The smallest trace of an Irish accent snuck out at 'toes'. Hopping up from her spot, she grabbed her basket and was already on the path to Pelican Town. She wasn't waiting up anymore.
"A strange one like ya, isn't she Darce..." He spoke under his breath. The little one reminded him so much of his daughter he'd missed. She was exactly like her mother at this age. There wasn't going to be any changing her.
_______
"-and so that's why I think you should get some Ameraucana chickens!"
"Just for a blue egg?" Siobhan always tried to persuade him into wild investments. She puzzled him. He was a simple man who wanted things simply done. He didn't get into farming for breeding animals. He was in it for the crops and it was generational - his father before him, his father's father, and so on. Sort of like a family business, only he'd relocated it to this small village in Ferngill.
"Yes, but that's my favorite col-" She tumbled backward as a blonde boy collided into her and there went her eggs. She felt immediate regret for not wearing shoes when a wheel ran over five of her toes. It was like she had to learn the hard way what they were meant for - to protect your feet! Who was to know she'd have a literal run-in with a skateboard today?
"Siobhan." Her grandfather was quick to swoop in, grabbing her foot as her pinky toe bled. They'd just arrived in the square. If this hadn't happened, they'd already be in the general store by now and then on their merry way to the saloon. What an inconvenience to her.
"So sorry! I didn't-" The boy panicked, taking off his helmet. He knelt down beside her and the look on his face didn't make her feel any better about the situation because tears started streaming down her cheeks then. "I- I'll go get a band-aid!" He scrambled to his feet, taking off towards the doctor's. She recognized him as... Sam, she thinks? They'd met once when he kept hogging up the new Junimo Kart arcade machine that Gus had just got.
She hadn't noticed the red-headed boy standing some distance away. He was definitely a year or two older than her, she could tell. He just exuded edgy pre-teen, much like the middle-schoolers she was used to in Zuzu. He had his arms crossed over his chest, not helping his moody demeanor. He didn't even seem to care in the least that she was hurt.
"Shouldn't you be wearing shoes? Are you dumb?" He spoke, blatantly irritated by her. She expected as much from someone like him. Oh, she had beef with his kid. He deserved a smack across that smug face.
"Sebastian. Is that any way to be speakin' to my granddaughter?" Grandpa narrowed his eyes at the boy, trying to tell him 'I'll have a word with your mother' in just a look. He picked the small one up in his arms before she could take off running. He already knew what would come if he hadn't just by seeing the look of disgust on her face.
"How 'bout you shut up and mind your own business, boy!" She spat, embodying her strong Irish heritage. "I'll come over there and you'll be the one crying next!" She shook her fist at him, wrestling against her grandpa's hold. She sounded like him in his scrapping days.
"I got one!" The blonde boy emerged from the tiny hospital, rushing over as he opened the bandage, and wrapped it around her poor toe. His bright blue-green eyes met hers, causing her to stop mid-rage. Her favorite color... She felt her face heat up. She tucked her arms under her chin, pulling her toe away from him, which he still had ahold of.
"Thank you..." She spoke quietly, pouting. He did run over her foot with a skateboard after all. He should've been watching where he was going. He ruined her batch of eggs too! That'd be another thing to add to the grocery list.
"Don't mention it." He spoke sheepishly, a small smile on his lips. She now knew what they meant by 'butterflies in your stomach' because it did feel like something was fluttering around in there. He bent down and grabbed the basket, passing it to her, which she gingerly took. Their fingers brushed and she blushed a bright red.
"Sammy, your mother's done such a good job raisin' such a good lad." Sam... It is Sam. She'll have to remember that for next Summer.
They both were off again, about to make their way into Pierre's, but she had one last thing to do. She peeked over her grandpa's shoulder, only to see that bratty ginger still watching them. She glared, "This isn't over!"
-11 years later-
She was at her breaking point. This was the last straw. Joja had cut her again, not paying her the bonus for the overtime she put in these past two weeks since her department was short on staff. She was beyond upset, but if she'd read any contract before signing, she'd known Joja couldn't be held accountable for this. It was very hit-and-miss if she'd be receiving any bonuses for the work she'd done. The pattern was clear now - they'd never pay bonuses when short of staff. They would ask someone to stay late and mislead them with a bonus, only to be paid the regular hourly rate. Don't even get started on the Christmas bonus... A pizza party! Just cheese, no pepperoni, because toppings were "extra". Ask for that, you're bound for a $2.00 deduction from your paycheck. Speaking of which, she was pretty sure the $25 Joja Mart gift card she won from a raffle was also taken out of her pay. Her manager even told her to write it off on her taxes. Yep, she was so done.
She would struggle to find something else. She went to school for a corporate job and so a corporate job she got. She wasn't loving it. 'Join us. Thrive.' - yeah, her left asscheek. She'd never done it if it weren't for her lack of direction and her father's stubborn encouragement.
It all made her think of the farm and how full her life might have been if she'd followed in her grandpa's footsteps. Prosperity Grove. It was an enchanted place and she cherished the three Summers she'd spent there. She'd seen all sorts of mystical things, made all kinds of friends... Made enemies of others.
She fished inside her dresser drawer, looking for something - a letter. It was the only thing she'd had from her grandpa after his passing. She wasn't aware that there was a funeral until a lawyer got ahold of her and she had to attend a hearing of will. That's how she got the letter.
Her fingers traced the words on the envelope and she felt a ping of guilt. She wanted to cry, to go back in time, change everything just to talk to him again. She wished he'd been there to shed words of wisdom when she needed them or just to hear his frustrated rambles when things weren't going his way.
"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 dear, you will be ready for this gift."
She knew what it entailed - she could feel it in her sturdy bones. No one told her, but she didn't need to be told. Her gramps always said 'Siobhan, this'll all be yers one day' and she never accepted his promise because she couldn't envision that wonderful place without him. All the reason why she struggled to rip open the little packet all these years. It wasn't stopping her anymore.
Sobbing, she desperately shredded it open with clammy hands, pulling out the crinkled papers inside before skimming through them.
"Dear Siobhan,
I know how much the Grove meant to you then and I'd hope it means as much to you now. It's been calling for you for all this time. I can hear it in the soft whispers of the wind, the croak of the bullfrogs at dusk, and even when I lie awake at night, listening to the tunes we sang while we harvested. I can feel the presence of the mystics beyond my door as I write this. I can hear their pitter-patter across my porch. They miss you, too, just as I do. I hope you've not forgotten about little old me and the adventures we've had. I wouldn't blame you if you did. You were a tadpole after all.
Enough of that nonsense.
You've opened my letter and I bet you're wondering what the point of all this is. Well, I've grown old and tired. Worn out my good bones, you see. I can make no use of these calloused hands any longer, so I'm hoping that's where you step in. You could recapture the essence this farm once had, restoring how much it meant to this valley and the people in it. It is here for you, in Stardew Valley, if you'll have it. I've enclosed the deed to our special farm inside and pray you're still the little girl who saw so much potential in it.
Love Grandad
P.S. I think it's time this farm had some of those blue eggs you talked about."
Each word hit her like a punch to the chest. She struggled to breathe, pulling on the collar of her sweater to loosen the sudden constraint on her airway. She felt so guilty for not keeping up with sending him letters. After the third move with her dad in Zuzu City, she completely dropped contact with her grandpa, Gus,... And with him. She was focusing on school, pointlessly improving academically, and busying herself with soccer. The past was the past at that point and Zuzu City was her future - or so she thought.
She wasn't gonna waste any more time. She was done with this city and the tough luck attitude it possessed. It'd caused her confidence a devasting blow every time she tried climbing up its slippery slope of expectations. If she wasn't making it now, she'd never make it. She didn't have the stomach to be as manipulative as others to survive here. Maybe the city life just wasn't meant for her. She still seemed to be that tomboy who loved being in the dirt and muck after all, no matter what her exterior conveyed.
Pulling out her phone, she called the old saloon she used to know. She'd remembered it by heart because of how many times she had to dial it on Grandpa's old rotary phone. Hopefully, Gus would answer.
-First of Spring-
She yanked her luggage off the last bus step, popping the handle extension as she looked down at a printed map of the town she'd packed. She hadn't noticed anyone in front of her until she heard a small cough, dragging her attention away to... Robin? The woman hadn't aged a decade, save the start of crow's feet.
"Woah." Was all she had to say.
"Well, that sure wasn't the greeting I was expecting," Robin chuckled, smiling ear to ear. Her eyes inspected Siobhan, seeing her for the woman she'd grown into. She looked oddly disappointed like she'd been let down slightly. "I also wasn't expecting to see such a beautiful young woman arrive in town. I thought-"
"Lemme guess," Siobhan shook her head, her gorgeous wavy locks framing her face perfectly. "Overalls and bare feet?" She looked up as if in thought. "Maybe a rat's nest set atop my head?"
"No, not quite."
"Well..." A quick smirk lifted a corner of her mouth. "That's not me anymore."
An awkward pause. They stared at each other a bit before it was Siobhan's turn to clear her throat.
"So," A breath escaped her pinkish lips. "On we go then?" Holding the suitcase out in front of her in an almost defensive way, rubbing her thumbs across the handle nervously. She didn't understand why this was so unnerving. This was the woman who'd brought her grandpa and her pumpkin soup when they were far too busy to stop by the saloon for a home-cooked meal. Which brought up another thing - how was she supposed to cook?
"Yeah," Robin scratched at the back of her neck, turning towards the direction of Prosperity Grove. Siobhan quietly followed the lead, but the silence didn't give any answers to her questions and, oh, she had way too many to even count. They surely couldn't all be asked within the day, so she began with the ones she itched to have answered first.
"So, like, since I've been gone for an eternity, how's Gramp's old farm?" Gus had told her it was pretty much abandoned, but she wanted a carpenter's perspective. Was the cottage still in good shape? How'd the coops, barn, and shed fair? Did she at least have something to work with minus not having a kitchen? The fruit orchard was bound to have survived, so she'd have that.
"Oh, there's pretty much nothing there now besides the cabin. The barn and coop caught fire some years ago, which we're still unsure how. I had to tear them down the rest of the way and had thought maybe a wildfire since it was a dry Summer, but no grass had burnt around the area. Then, again, I'm no firefighter, so how would I know how fire works?" The older woman noticed the shift in the younger one's mood. She needed to turn this ship around and insert positive thinking quickly. "Hey, you'll have no problem with that. You and me, we can build something small until you can get bigger from there. One or two chickens is a decent start in my book."
"The orchard?" She spoke a little more quietly, wishing everything was not lost.
"Some grow fruit and others don't in their season from what I know Abigail and Sebastian have told me."
Yuck. Sebastian. She'd nearly forgotten about that revolting little weasel if he hadn't been her sworn enemy since day one. It was unbelievable how a person as sweet and caring as Robin could birth a freakishly sadistic imp for a child. He was a demon yet to shed his meat suit. She remembered the stories her mother told her of changelings and, without a doubt, Siobhan had been convinced poor Robin had fallen victim to the faes. There really was no other explanation for how evil Sebastian was.
"So, your son's been on my property then?" Here it goes...
"No, no, no! Don't you go starting stuff when you've just got here." Not even here thirty minutes and she was already waging war. "He has grown up and I'm ninety-nine point nine percent sure he's ready to put it all in the past and become friends."
"Nah, I'll pass. Sworn until we die. That's what we promised each other." Came out an Irish lilt as she spoke quickly. She thought back to that last summer here when she pushed Sebastian up against Abigail's treehouse, her fists wrapped in his shirt, telling him that promise, and he swore it back.
"Jeez, Siobhan. You kids are dark..." Robin shook her head, sighing like Siobhan's reply saddened her. "It's been 8 years. I'm sure things have changed."
"We'll see." Optimistically, it'd be great if they could move on as friends. She didn't make much in her life and, especially, none worthy enough in Zuzu City. Yet, remembering the chaos that ensued the last time she was in Pelican Town, it was going to be a big, fat no.
"So, leave anyone behind in the big city? A boyfriend?" The question pulled her out of her thoughts. There was a glint in Robin's eyes and it unsettled Siobhan. There was an intention there, which the girl didn't like.
"No... Why do you ask?" Obviously bothered.
"Just curious... Sam and Sebby started a band. Maybe you could stop by the house and listen to them play. I know Sam is excited to see you."
Ah, Sam. Her first kiss. There the intention was. Robin knew Sam and Siobhan were childhood sweethearts. They held hands everywhere they went and did everything together. Sam even tried helping out on the farm once or twice when Siobhan couldn't come to play. All the moms in town knew and were sure if Siobhan stuck around, they would've married. Sure, they were pen pals for some time, but even that eventually stopped.
"Yeah?" Something bubbled in her. "I might drop by sometime then. Probably for a minute or two. I know I'm gonna be busy once I get the ball rolling." Becoming flustered at the idea of seeing Sam again. He was excited? How could he be with how she left things? Also, she wasn't gonna tempt sticking around when Sebastian would be there. That's asking for trouble.
"In that case," Robin turned to her. They were nearing the cabin - she could see the peak of the roof from here. "Free up Friday night and we can talk at the saloon. I'd love to discuss all this over a drink and help out as much as I can. We don't have many DIY women around here, so I'd love to chat more. End the night off with a game of pool, huh?" She couldn't quite put a finger on it, but she had a feeling Robin was up to no good - call it intuition. The woman was crafty, but the change of pitch in her voice was giving it away. She'd recall, Friday nights were saloon nights for all the adults in town. Everyone she hung out with were well in their twenties by now, so without a doubt, they'd be there this Friday - Sam, Alex, Abby,... Satan himself.
"Sure." She drew out, squinting. This was all very fishy. Then, again, Robin could have the purest heart and mean it - she just wanted another chick friend. No, Siobhan knew better - she remembered Robin well.
A couple of more minutes and they were there - at the steps of the cabin that'd seen better days. She raised a hand above her eyes, trying to block the sun to get a better look. It wasn't that bad, but she could tell some work had been done recently. The roofing looked new for sure. The porch was a concern, but it looked like it could hold her weight. Poor thing. The porch was her favorite spot - she could see past the crops and out to the orchard from there. They were no crops now, so did it matter?
"I fixed up what I could within the time I had before you'd arrive." She got a lot done in a week. The carpenter was impressive and it was a wonder why she stayed in such a rural town. Rich people in Zuzu would pay a fortune for quality work like hers. "The porch will be done within the week."
"What do I owe you?" She wouldn't be able to spare the cash for things like this. She only had enough to get her by the first few weeks, but she'd hoped perhaps she'd be able to set up an IOU.
"Not a thing. It's nice to have another farmer in town." Robin brushed a stray red hair behind her ear, still smiling like she always did. "I hated seeing this place go to waste. This piece of land used to be the talk of the town. If you can bring it back, that is payment enough."
"Thanks, Robin." Robin would never begin to understand how much that meant to her. To her, she was still in her debt. She'd have to think of something to do for Robin in the near future - she wasn't sure what yet. No one was this generous where she came from, not without expecting things in return.
"Nada. Now, you go relax. You've had a week getting everything arranged, I'm sure. Come by the house if you need anything or wanna talk." She was sure she wasn't going to need anything, but it'd be nice to ask the rest of her questions and, fingers crossed, there'd be coffee. She had a good feeling about all of this. Her spirits were lifting already just being here. She'd get started on work tomorrow.
"I'll walk the grounds for a bit. Make myself at home. I'll come over for that talk though. You got any coffee?"
"Yep. You got your phone? I'll give you my number," Siobhan dug her phone out of her pocket and they exchanged numbers. "Shoot me a text when you're on your way and I'll get a pot brewing." The ginger pointed past the cabin, "There's a path back there. You follow it and it brings you directly to my house." She patted Siobhan's shoulder, headed that way. "Catch ya later, alligator."
"After a while," Yoba, she forgot Robin made dad jokes. "Crocodile." It was refreshing. She smiled to herself. Yeah, things were looking up.
_______
It only took her about an hour to settle in. She was correct in her assumption - there was still no kitchen. It was similar to what living would be like in a cheap New York apartment; just big enough to fit a bed, a table, and a bathroom. She wasn't sure how her grandpa did it, but she did faintly remember him saying he hated cooking. He was an old-fashion type and much would rather be cooked for than to cook. It made her wonder what recipes Grandma must've made him when she was alive. Lots of stews? Gramps had a grudge against anything stewed and acted like Gus's food was better than anything he'd ever had, even though Gus got a little carried away sometimes. One time he'd made Grandpa and her Chicken Cordon Bleu and she'd never seen her grandpa spit so fast in her life. She loved it and downed her plate in no time while her grandpa tried stomaching it, at least thankful for the meal. You'll eat whatever if you're hungry enough... She missed him so much.
She'd taken her time roaming the fields she once ran around barefoot in. It gave her the impulsive thought to kick off her shoes and start running, but she thought better of it. She'd become a refined young woman from her time in Zuzu City.
She looked out to the tree line, woods she once explored endlessly. A forest full of mystery, full of the tales her grandpa told her; of sprites, cryptids, and myths. She'd hoped once they were true. She'd always sought them out behind every shrub, tree, or stone, but would come across nothing. What she'd thought she'd heard was actually a fallen branch, a bird, or a rabbit. Nothing out of the ordinary. Well, there was that one time, but to this day, she wasn't quite sure of what she saw.
It was getting late.
Snatching her phone out of her back pocket, she sent a brief 'on my way' to Robin. She began heading up the path past her "new" house and found it pretty scenic besides the road and tunnel just below the cliffside. Tall pines lined the trail all way up to an opening where she'd discover Robin's house nestled in the hillside. She took a moment to think, trying to pick a greeting, before landing a hand on the front door, but before she could, the door swung open.
Oh.
"Siobhan?"
Well, he looked different. She almost didn't recognize him at first and she must've had the same effect judging by his reaction. His hair was as dark as obsidian, which she had to admit complimented his dark eyes. He had a few faint scars around his lips from, what she could guess, where piercings used to be. The only ones he kept were the ones on his ears. She wasn't expecting him to look so... Well, he was obviously still an edge-lord.
"Sebastian." She regained her cool and pretty much prayed she looked as disinterested in him as she wanted to be. "You heading home?"
He pulled a cigarette out of a pack in his hoodie, lit it, and took a drag. His thumb pointed behind him to the house, lifting his chin as he did so, and exhaled the smoke slowly.
It took her a moment to understand what he meant, but then, "Oh..."
"Still assuming before asking any questions first, huh?" He narrowed his eyes at her as he pinched the cigarette butt between his lips.
"Well, I just," She had nothing. She did just assume he'd had his own place since he was a little older than her. I mean, she had just got her place, at the age of 20, two months prior to now in Zuzu until she left for good. There was nothing she could say to get out of the hole she'd just dug for herself.
"I see your gears turning. Don't worry about it. Not in the mood to get on your ass about it tonight." He brushed past her, his shoulder nudging her slightly off balance. "You smoke?"
"No, it's a killer." She was just sinking herself deeper into that mud pit. "I mean, I don't judge others who do it - it's just not for me."
"Okay..." He raised his eyebrows, looking her up and down - not checking her out, but judging her. It was very obvious he'd been turned off by the conversation. He took another drag. "See ya around." Then, he'd walked off into the night before she could say another word.
"Bye," She said mostly to herself. He was beyond the trees by now.
She looked back to the door, raising her hand again, and knocked on the strong wood. This had put a damper on things. She'd definitely be inviting Robin over to her house from now on - once she acquired a coffee machine.
Chapter 2: I'm Just Trying To Be Cool
Summary:
Siobhan comes out of her shell and reunites with the gang. Later, our first rivalry challenge; pool.
Notes:
Spotify Playlist:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7MHwP1cnrvAAV9VoywqXEO?si=64ba6203688a4f9dYouTube Playlist:
(coming soon)
Chapter Text
The first few days had passed by fast with everything she'd been doing. She had created the start of a routine; water the crops, tidy the land little by little, and meet up with Robin for coffee and breakfast before they'd go back to the farm and get to work on the porch. She wasn't any good at this whole woodshop stuff, but she was trying her damndest. She knew Robin appreciated the effort and, dare say, seemed to enjoy teaching someone the trade. They'd been only 10 minutes in before they heard a knock on the metal mailbox nearby.
"Hard at work, are we?" Ah, Mayor Lewis. He'd come to visit a couple of days ago to give Siobhan a proper greeting and a packet of parsnip seeds as a housewarming gift. They were the only crops she had planted besides green beans and potatoes - that'd be it for now until she could get some cash. Chickens were her prime focus - this would create a stable profit.
"We're trying, but you've gone and interrupted us, Mr. Mayor." The carpenter joked, shoving a board in place and ready to have Siobhan nail it down.
"You know I'd never mean to, Robin. I just wanted to see how our new farmer was getting on." Both looked at her and she felt put on the spot.
"I," She didn't know what to say - she'd barely even got started here. "I'm doing good. Haven't met the entire town yet, but I'm going to get to it."
"She's gonna be at the saloon tonight. I'm sure anyone she hasn't met, she'll be introduced to soon enough." Wow, thanks, Robin. She hadn't even made up her mind on whether or not she'd be going. Now, she felt like she had to go.
"Good! Marnie has been wondering why you haven't gone to visit her yet. I guess you'll catch up later tonight!" He fixed his hat atop his head. "Welp, I'll leave you to it."
"Later." They spoke in unison as the mayor waved over his shoulder.
"Not cool, Robin." She scolded, throwing a pebble she'd found on a porch step at her.
She ducked, "Hey! Get out of your shell. You used to know these people." She tilted her head a bit, "Some of them. I'm telling you that they're good people. You just gotta take the first steps with a few of them." She smacked the board under her hands, "Now, get to nailing!"
______
They'd finished the porch by evening. Robin had gone home about an hour ago to wash up - she most definitely expected Siobhan to be there tonight. Great. Her nerves were through the roof.
She took a twirl in front of the mirror Robin had gifted her. Was it too much? She wore a baby blue chiffon crop top with long sheer sleeves. She put on her embroidered bell-bottom jeans - the pops of color from the flowers around her pockets just gave her outfit the little pazazz it needed. She paired it all with some cork wedges. She did her makeup, but she didn't do much with her hair besides curling her bangs a little. They wanted to know the farmer they were getting, well, here she was.
She knew the directions to town. It'd be a short trip and she'd be at the saloon probably by the time everyone else got there. She'd have to go now. Maybe if she was there first, no one would even notice her, right? She could just hide in the game room and play arcade games all night. Just do enough to say she was there. Wait, wouldn't Sam be hanging out there? Even worse, Sebastian - if that man even came out of his hermit cave. Ugh, yeah, this was tough.
Gus's saloon looked the same and there was always something so homey about it - she couldn't place it. Most likely because of all the cooking and baking she'd done there. It made her feel sad that she had lost touch, but in the end, here she was, ready to rebuild the relationship she once had with the cook. Plus, where else was she going to find a meal? Robin had been feeding her, but she knew that wouldn't be kept up for much longer.
"Well, well..."
Run. Bolt. Get out of here. Flee to Ireland. She wasn't ready for this. She knew that voice behind her, even if it'd deepened over the years.
"If it isn't the girl who took off with my heart." He was on her, looking down at her with those deep aqua-green eyes. She loved looking into them - the most beautiful eyes she'd ever seen. "Tell me you've missed me too." She more than missed him - she yearned for him. She hadn't realized how much she had until now.
"You're tall." A small peep from her. Really? 'You're tall'? All these years and that's all she had to say.
"Uh," Arching a brow, "I mean, aging is a normal process in the human life cycle. I'm not twelve anymore. Speaking of which, you can't drink, so what is bringing you to the saloon on a Friday?" Robin's persistent ass is what. "You wanna play pool with us?"
"You." She blurted. She wanted to sound so confident, too, yet it came out desperate and meek. He was so handsome; a sharp jawline, broad shoulders, and a devilish grin. He looked like the front cover of one of her smut books. Still had very much of his boyish charms too.
"I'm flattered." Sam chuckled, shaking his head. He must've thought her strange. Before an awkward moment could pass, there was a shout from across the town square.
"Sam! Who you talkin-" They stopped short when they'd caught up, eyes growing to the size of saucers. Siobhan could spot that hair out of a crowd.
"Hey, Abby," She stepped back away from Sam, who was too close for comfort. Doing so, she recognized the pale ghost lingering behind her old friend, "Sebastian." She grimaced at even speaking his name.
"Holy shit, you're hot!" The purple-haired girl yanked her by the arm, attaching to her side instantly. "Can I call you 'mommy'? We're so going in as dates. You're chilling with me for the rest of the night."
"Fuck yeah, but only if you buy me a drink first." Quirking an eyebrow, Siobhan took Abigail's hand in hers as they walked in together.
Talking with Abby was always smooth sailing; she never judged and she was lively enough for the both of them. It felt as if they'd never stopped being pals. Plus, this was immediate entry into the billiard room.
"Done!" Abby took the reigns and rushed her in quickly past a small crowd, going straight for the hangout spot. Siobhan caught Robin's eye just beforehand and they nodded in acknowledgment of one another. It was a definite Robin had planned this to happen.
Abby tossed her over to the couch, "You stay. I'll get drinks. No one will bother you here. Well, besides me." She wanted Siobhan all to herself.
"Umm," Her brain lagged from how to-the-point Abby was being, "Amaretto Sour for me."
She snorted, "No," Giggling. "What are you? Old?"
Well, it is what her mom liked and she'd never tried it before. She'd never done much before, actually, besides a couple of tequila shots in college.
"Emily knows how to make Liquid Marijuanas. You're getting that." Guess she wasn't hip enough to know that one. Abby left real quick, leaving her to Sam, Sebastian, and...
"Sorry. I don't think we've met. I can tell you're trying to figure me out." The stranger sat down beside her. "Name's Victor. I just moved here a year ago." He offered her his hand, holding a beer in the other.
"Siobhan. Nice to meet you." She cautiously shook his hand, noticing he had a good grip - must've been in business like herself. Correction - like she used to be.
"Careful, Siobhan," Sam twirled a pool stick behind his back like a baton, "He'll bore you with bridge talk."
"I don't talk about bridges all the time." The new guy rebutted.
"You do." She'd forgotten Sebastian was even there - he was so quiet, leaning against the wall with a pool stick in hand. She didn't know how she could forget when his eyes were boring into her without her even realizing it a minute ago. He was intentionally trying to make her uncomfortable.
"Ha," Sam pointed at him like Sebastian was his hype man - that man was anything, but hype. He readied the billard table for 8-Ball. "See, though, it's okay, Vic, because we love you all the same. Bridges just get you horny and that's your thing. Whatever gets your rocks off, man."
Horny? Gosh, this conversation was bound to get out of hand. No wonder Victor would go back to playing The Journey of the Prarie King.
"You feeling tense, Siobhan?" Oh, this was starting now. "You're looking a little stressed." What a way to get the attention back on her. Sebastian was already learning how to get under her skin and, oh, how she resisted dead-arming him for that mischievous grin.
"Shut up, dude." Sam knew where this was going. "She's good," He eyed her, "You good, Siobhan?" Her savior. She nodded, sending a smile Sam's way. "Good." The smirk he'd sent back made her skin feel on fire. Seb, on the other hand, was mock gagging in the background.
"Get a room." His distaste was made clear toward the two ogling each other.
"Alright," Abby reentered the room, three bright green drinks hugged to her chest, handing one off to Sebastian and then another to Siobhan. "Let's start, boys."
"Fuck," Sebastian spit the sip he took back into his cup. "That's fucking gross." All the more to make Siobhan curious as to how it tasted if Sebastian didn't like it.
She took a sip and, oh great heavens, it was delicious; flavors of pineapple, coconut, and a sweetness.
Abs stuck her tongue out at him.
"I have an idea. Why don't you play me, Siobhan?" You'd cry 'devil' if you'd seen the sinister look on his face, attempting to beckon her to pick up a stick.
"Awesome! Like old times!" Just like that, Sam had rapidly gone from being her hero to the bottom of her shit list.
Her nerves got the best of her, all due to Sebastian's teasing, leading her to chug the tropical cocktail down. She hadn't played pool in forever! If Sebastian wanted the attention on her, she'd make it about her. She was going to kick his ass at pool.
"Woah, slow down, party girl. It's not a shot." Abby took a seat next to the new farmer. She rubbed her back, visibly worried.
She emptied her glass and tried to ignore the slight warmth in the back of her throat - it was difficult not to make a face. She thought getting plastered was the only way she'd make it through this evening.
"That was wild." Sam commented with a grin that told her she impressed him. Score. She was going to win for him.
With that boost of confidence, she reached across the pool table and grabbed Sebastian's cup, keeping eye contact with him as she took a drink. He spit in that and she just drank it. Somehow, this should be more degrading for her, yet it wasn't.
"You done?" Seb acted completely unfazed, resting his hands and chin on the end of his pool stick. He looked bored.
"Dunno. You gonna play pool or what?" Challenging Sebastian, calling him out for taking his sweet-ass time.
"Quit leaning on my table and I will." Pointing the stick away from him as he pushed off the wall. "I break as always."
"As always." She was getting cocky, gesturing for Sam to hand over his pool stick, which he did happily.
She stepped back, smirking, anticipating how he'd play - he was piss-poor at pool if she remembered right.
He bent, taking his time to get in the right stance, and lined up his shot. It felt like it was taking forever when, suddenly, he struck, knocking two solids into separate pockets - no stripes. He playfully nudged her with his elbow, letting her know she was in the way of his shot.
She moved aside, thinking, 'Simple luck.' It wasn't like she hadn't done that before.
"Six. Head of table. Right corner." Mumbling as he went again, the blank knocking the other ball into the hole on impact. He moved past her, grinning all the way, using his cue as a walking stick. "One. Kick shot into center." Another successful hit. Well, she'd stood corrected.
She looked at Sam in disbelief and he responded by raising his shoulders. She'd come to understand it'd been some time, and with time comes practice. For a brief moment, she felt she wasn't going to be the one winning anymore in any possible scenario with Sebastian from this point on. When they were younger, she was better than both Sam and him at pool - courtesy of Gus and Gramps for playing it with her often.
Seb hadn't called out his shot this time, playing it safe with how many stripes were in his way. His line-up shot forced the solid 3 to travel further down a rail, nearing a pocket, after ricocheting off the stripe 12.
"You gonna play or what?" Mocking her.
"I can't wait to see the look on your face when she beats your ass, Seb." Sam commented.
Far from it. She'd been out of practice and, here he was, probably playing every Friday for the past 8 years. She was bound to lose. She needed to win to save herself from embarrassment, seeing how she played things up. Most importantly, she needed to impress Sam tonight, so she had to be at her best - she needed liquid courage. Yep, she was going to need more alcohol.
"Could we get some tequila shots?" Siobhan asked anyone who could spare a run.
"Gotcha." Abby pat her shoulder while passing behind her, taking up the task.
Siobhan and Sebastian were once again glaring at each other from across the table. Her palms sweat as she gripped the stick tighter. She was going to be a stumbling mess, at this rate, from the drink and her anxiety.
Blocking him out by looking at her options, she knew she could hit that 15 in the center hole furthest from her if she'd just had the right angle - possibility uno. Possibility dos, she could pot the red 11 if she could slim the chance of butting into his 5.
Sebastian leaned forward, aiming to get within her view, "Take. The. Shot."
"Shush," She sunk, leveling with the table, "I didn't rush you when you were taking your shot." She chose uno, pulling her stick back as she propped the tip between her thumb and knuckle. She could feel his eyes on her, watching her every move, and she was unable to keep steady. Then, baam, she fucked up her shot.
"Sorry. Wasn't meaning to make you nervous." He snickered, getting ready to make his move since she'd scratched. Liar.
The whole rest of the night went on like this; she was taking shots and taking shots. The alcohol was doing nothing to settle her nerves. One'd figure she'd remember having to walk home by herself later, having a ways to go compared to her companions. She didn't care - she was too busy gambling her pride away at this stupid game, which she was losing miserably. She potted four out of seven, whereas Sebastian was already on the 8 ball.
"Head. Left corner." That was all he had to say and, just like that, she lost.
"Fuckin' kidding me." She whined, slouching over the table as she used it to hold herself up while covering her eyes. She wasn't going to look at Sam right now, knowing he'd bet on the wrong player.
"Shit, Sebastian. You have no mercy." All she could hear was Sam's voice. Obviously, Sebastian had become Pelican Town's pool champion in the time she was away.
"You know me," She could feel a presence beside her, "I love taking egos down a notch." He was reveling in his victory and, if she wasn't drunk and shy, she'd shove him away.
Instead, she stood up, bracing herself on the table's edge, lazily turning to look the winner in his dark, stormy eyes. She took a moment, observing the absolute sense of delight within them. She'd let him have this one.
"Good game." She slurred before stumbling away into the short hall leading to the main area, immediately reaching out for a wall to keep from face-planting the floor.
"Hey!" Feminine hands held her shoulders, pulling her against their owner's petite frame. "I should've never let you talk me into letting you drink that much." Abigail didn't need much convincing though, wanting to get hammered herself.
"Here. I got her." Suddenly, a strong arm wrapped around her waist, taking her away.
Electric. It was comparable to caffeine jitters, how the on-coming adrenaline rush surged throughout her body from just a simple bit of skin-to-skin on her exposed lower back.
"Fuck." She shivered.
"You cold? Here," Sam released her, untying his blue flannel from around his hips, and throwing it over her shoulders before holding her steady again. "Man, I'd 'ave thought you'd be nice and toasty from all that alcohol you threw back. What? Two marijuanas and three tequila shots?"
"I could go for another."
"Nope. I'm taking you home." He waved Abby away, reassuring her that he was handling the situation. A gentleman.
"Later." Getting the memo, she took ahold of the drunken girl's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Bye, Siobhan. See ya sometime or by next Saturday." Then, she was off. Next Saturday? What were the plans for next Saturday?
______
Somehow, the two managed to make it back to hers in the dark with only Sam's dim phone light providing them guidance. You could tally how many roots and twigs almost tripped them on their walk down the dusty path. There was a sense of relief once they'd seen a lit window off in some distance after passing a tall bush.
They made their way up the steps, carefully, as she fumbled for the keys in her back pocket. The jagged pieces of metal resisted, hooking onto her jeans, as she tugged on the key loop.
"Let me." That was the closest thing she was getting to him touching her butt as he snuck his fingers into the pocket, retrieving them before it got weird. She couldn't help, but blush.
He opened the creaky door, guiding her along inside, searching for a light switch. He flicked it on and looked around the place; it was barren, except for a bed, fireplace, table with chairs, and a worn rug.
"I know. It needs some love." She scratched her forehead, squinting at the bright lights above.
"S'alright. Just been a while..." He hadn't seen the inside since he was a boy - when he'd invite Siobhan out to ride bikes or come play with him and the others. It was always quaint like this.
They sat on the edge of the bed and he supported her on her way down to a pillow, slipping off her heels next. Judging by the silence, he seemed to be staring at her for a while, in thought. She opened her eyes to peek up at him, noticing he looked sorta... Troubled.
"What?"
"Nothing." Smiling, he stooped down to land a kiss on her forehead.
It was like that first day she really saw him all over again. Butterflies. What a silly feeling, making her rest a hand over her tummy.
"Kiss me?" She struggled to speak, her breathing so hitched - so anxious to see how he kissed as a man. Damn, she was sloshed.
"Heh," He bit his lip, "Sorry. No can do." He appeared to be fighting the urge to do so for reasons unknown.
He fluffed her pillow and tucked her into bed, all snug like a bug, before getting ready to go on his way. "Goodnight, you drunk." He gave a lop-sided smile, turning out the light as he stood at the doorway.
"G'night." She replied softly.
With that, he closed the door behind him, leaving her to her thoughts - very lonely thoughts.
"Everything's so different now." She mumbled to herself, warming up her arms for comfort.
It is. She's grown into an insecure woman, uncomfortable in her skin, trying to fit in with people who used to know the real, carefree her. Had living all her life in Zuzu made her this way? Maybe the disconnection from her grandfather? She used to have the backbone of her mother and the mouth of her grandpa. What'd done her so much damage to change that? Is that what turned Sam off? Could he see how weak she's become? Whatever it was, she had to find a way back to her old spirit. Whatever it took.
Wellobviously on Chapter 1 Fri 28 Apr 2023 08:50AM UTC
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GarbedInBlack on Chapter 1 Fri 28 Apr 2023 02:28PM UTC
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Wellobviously on Chapter 2 Sat 29 Apr 2023 08:44PM UTC
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mistylh on Chapter 2 Tue 02 May 2023 02:28PM UTC
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