A Fresh Start
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Sprout had always known his grandfather’s time would come. What he didn’t expect was an envelope, sealed shut, from him before his passing. Being told by his grandfather to wait until he’s at a point in life, where he’s at his lowest and needs a change in life... to open the envelope and read its contents.
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In a room filled with the sounds of machinery and people typing on their keyboards to reply to e-mails, Sprout sat in his little section. Writing notes and analyzing data, tried from the work that has been laid on him. He's been working for Joja Corporation for at least 3 years, and each year didn’t get better.
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Sprout was losing money. He hadn’t made enough to pay the bills, and the month was coming to an end... he tried to reach out to his best friend/crush, Cosmo, for some help. But it seems that the cake roll had his own troubles with money, and he didn’t want to burden Cosmo with his own problems... he was running out of ideas.
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That is, until he remembered the one final thing that his grandfather gave to him.
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He quickly dug through the drawers he had in his little office, looking for the envelope that would change his life forever. After what felt like hours of digging (it was only 10 minutes of searching through stacks of paper and drawers), he finally found the envelope. Using a utility knife, he smoothly slits through the flap of the envelope and pulls up the piece of paper that was gently folded in it.
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He read through the letter, “Stardew Valley...?” he muttered under his breath. He knew his grandfather owned a farm somewhere, but he didn’t know where. Sprout knew how to farm, tips and tricks learned from his grandfather. He supposes he could give it a shot. He could bring Cosmo too! He could get them both out from the vast sea of city bills, even if the country also will have some-he's sure it’ll be shallower.
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“Wait wait wait-you want us, to go to this place called Stardew Valley, and start a new life?!” Cosmo gushed out with excitement after Sprout told him about his plan of moving and taking the cake roll with him. He couldn’t believe it! He'd get the chance to start over!! ...And his best friend will be with him all the way. Sprout just chuckled after hearing the cake roll’s bubbling excitement that always would put a soft smile on the strawberry’s face, “mhm! You've got it down!” The strawberry next grabbed Cosmo’s wrist, heading for the bus stop. He already got the bus tickets to Stardew Valley-due to him planning this in advance after reading the letter.
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Sprout led Cosmo to the bench of the bus stop and sat him down, before sitting next to him. They started to chat about their soon-to-come new life with each other, mentioning farming from Sprout’s letter, animals, cooking, anything that they wanted to do! It was only just a matter of minutes before they hop on the bus.
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The ride was long... Way longer than Sprout thought. He didn’t expect this place to be that far away. But oh well, no point in turning back now if Cosmo and Sprout came this far. He looks out the window as the cake roll sleeps soundly on his Shoulder, it seems that they were the only ones on the bus (aside from the driver of course). Sprout sat there lost in thought for a moment... until he saw it, outside the window of the bus. A sign that reads, “Stardew Valley 0.5mi.”. They’re almost there!
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Sprout gently shook Cosmo awake, the cake roll yawned and stretched before his mind settled at the new surroundings outside. “Sprout...?” Cosmo spoke; his voice full of drowsiness. “Where are we?” Sprout nudged him a little to wake him up fully, “we’re almost there.” Soon after Spout stated that, the bus came to a halt and the bus doors opened. The two picked up their bags and left the bus. It wasn’t long till they met their first new face here in Stardew valley, a cat origami papercraft stood at the bus stop, fiddling around with some paper before noticing the two food toons.
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“Hey! You must be the new farmers here. Welcome!” She exclaimed before continuing, “I'm Scraps, the carpenter around these parts! Nice to meet you.” Scraps reached out a hand for a handshake, in which Sprout took and shook her hand. Cosmo hid behind Sprout a bit, but did shake hands with Scraps as well. “Anyways, you’re going to inhabit your grandfather’s old cabin, yeah? Brightney sent me to lead you there, she’s been setting up some things in that cabin for you, so follow me!” Scraps then lead them as Sprout and Cosmo followed as instructed.
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“Here we are!” Scraps had stopped right in front of an old cabin. Sprout admired the old building, a relic of what his grandfather left behind... and it’s still standing! Cosmo just looked at the strawberry and smiled. The three toons then turned around to see the condition of the farming space... and well... thick trees... hard rocks... and patches of grass that could be seen stretched out for miles and miles... the trees weren’t much of a surprise, Considering Sprout knew his grandfather’s farm was in a forest from the stories he would tell Sprout about his farm life, but they still take a bunch of energy to chop down. Nor the grass, he could just cut them, but the rocks... when did they get here?! Oh well... All they knew was that it’s going to take a shit ton of time to clean this out.
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Sprout’s jaw was basically on the floor as he imagined the amount of work and time of cleaning this entire farm out, Cosmo patting on his head to give some support to the strawberry. “it’s... a mess, but I'm sure you two will be able to clean this all out in no time, yeah?” Scraps remarked, attempting to lift the mood a little and give encouragement. “Yeah, I'm sure we’ll be able to do it. Right Sprout?” Cosmo said, before Sprout replied, still sulking a little at the effort he’ll have to put in to wipe out the mess clean. “Yeah...”
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The cabin door then opens, making the three direct their attention to the door as Brightney then came out from the cabin, “hello there! You must be Sprout and Cosmo, Welcome to Stardew Valley!” She then approached the three toons. “I’m Brightney, nice to meet you!” and then she went on to shake Sprout and Cosmo’s hand, “This here is your grandfather’s cabin Sprout! Very rustic.” “Rustic is one way to put it, but crusty might just be a better term for it” Scraps comments in a snarky way, snickering as Brightney called out “Mean!” at her. Cosmo couldn’t help but giggle a little, even though it would probably insult Sprout’s grandfather. Sprout on the other hand very much disliked the comment, and would’ve stepped up to her about it, but he let it go and just rolled his eyes.
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Brightney then turns to Sprout and Cosmo, “Don’t mind her, she’s just trying to make you feel unhappy about the cabin to make you buy one of her house upgrades.” She quips back at scraps with her own little snarky comment. Scraps, who heard that, instantly crossed her arms and pouted. Her cat ears drooping down flat. “Anyways, there’s also a second cabin for Cosmo right next to the main one, and another as a spare. Never know if you accidentally burn your house down, at least you’ve got another one to take.” Brightney spoke.
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“That should be it. We should start heading out Scraps, don’t want to keep the farmers from doing their job eh?” Scraps stopped pouting and nodded in agreement with Brightney’s statement. The lamp and origami said their good-byes before hitting the road, walking along the gravel pathing out the farm. As their figures disappear from Sprout and Cosmo’s view, the two food toons look at each other before turning towards the messy farm site. “...We should get some sleep first. ...and maybe unpack our bags.” Sprout speaks as he grabs Cosmo’s arm, bringing him to his own Cabin first.
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It was basic, but Cosmo likes its simplicity. Smooth wooden table, sturdy chair, warm fireplace, comfy bed, hell, even a floor TV! The simpler it is, the less he would need to clean, he supposes. Sprout stood next to the cake roll as he also took in the interior. He thought it was alright, could’ve done better. Like add a fucking kitchen??? (No- Bc how do our avatars even survive if they’re broke and can’t buy food-) But whatever, they brought their own food. “What do you think Sprout?” Cosmo asks, wanting to see the strawberry's opinions on it. “hmm~” Sprout playfully chirped, “What do you think about it?” “Hey! You can’t do that! I asked first!” “Yeah? Well, I asked louder!” The two went back and forth, urging the other to say their opinion first. It went on for a bit, some laughter here and there at the bickering, then Cosmo caved in.
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“Fine! I'll go first.” Cosmo said in defeat. He never really understood why Sprout valued his opinions before his own, but whatever makes him lighten up a bit. Seeing as he’s always happy to listen to Cosmo “It’s a bit on the simpler side, but other than that, it’s alright.” “Agree, Brightney could’ve done better.” Sprout added. The two then moved to the main cabin... which was the same. “...oh wow.” Cosmo muttered, but I guess they should be thankful they at least had some furniture. “Huh...well, not much to explore anymore now that we know they’re the same.” the strawberry said as he turned to Cosmo, “let’s... eat then get some sleep huh? I'm sure you’re tired from all that traveling Cos.” The cake roll nods, “sure.”
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Out in a different forest, south of the farm, a red and white plaided blanket nestled in the grass. The sound of the calm waters next to it and the soft breeze sang a melodic sound, Cosmo and Sprout sat on the blanket. The picnic basket opened, as the cake roll reached in for a drink. “Y’know... I always wondered why Joja Cola was always so popular...” Cosmo began, “You used to work for Joja right? Maybe you know what’s in it.” Sprout just glanced at Cosmo, before going back to munching on the bread he was eating. “...I prefer if you didn’t talk about my old job.” The strawberry said, sounding harsher than he meant. Cosmo knew Sprout hated that job, but it was a genuine thought!
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The cake roll didn’t say anything further after that, popping a Pop Soda. He always preferred Pops over Joja Colas, they just tasted better and were cheaper. The silence stretched out between the two, the only sounds being the lapping waters of the lake next to them. With the food all eaten, the food toons just sat there. Watching the clouds go by as the sun started to set on the horizon. “Wanna call it quits?” Sprout asked as he got up, “yeah, sure.” Cosmo replied, also getting up. They then worked together to clean up the picnic. Rolling up the blanket and stuffing all the trash into the basket to throw away later, they started to walk north after the swift clean.
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Jumping over the fallen logs, moving around scattered rocks, walking through over-grown grass, until finally, their cabins could be seen in the distance. “We’re here!” Cosmo exclaimed; Sprout smiled at Cosmo’s energy, wishing he could share that same mood. “mhm...” Sprout muttered sleepily, he can’t wait to finally get some sleep after all that moving and traveling.
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Bidding good-bye to each other, they both enter their respective cabins. Taking a nice, hot shower and climbing into bed. Getting comfy and snuggly in the bed, as the moon glowed brightly in the night. They soon drift off to sleep, their dreams flooding their minds.