Chapter 1: To The Valley

'Everything will be alright.'

Not for the first time did Asher Koll tell himself that, and as he looked despairingly out the window, watching as the city fell away into the lush, wild countryside, he knew it wouldn't be the last. The bus trudged forward, it's pace quicker now having reached it's last stop within the city limits, and at long last did the young man breath a sigh of relief. 'If they haven't come by now, they're not going to.' Gently, he pulled the glasses from his face and wiped them mindfully upon his shirt to clear them; he'd left in such a stark hurry that he'd barely allowed himself anytime to pack. Indeed save for the clothes on his back, and the small duffle beneath his leathery seat, everything else had been left behind.

Forgotten, like he hoped to be.

It didn't matter; nothing did now. Again, his gaze fell to the window, and he allowed himself a small smile as the last of the tall, imposing buildings behind him vanished from his view. Beside him, his fellow passengers did their best to to occupy themselves; the couple in the seats nearest him busily chatted away. Only once had they tried to stir him into conversation, but a kind shrug he had all but refused them – He wasn't here to make friends.

He was here to get away.

'Will it even be that easy?' He wondered, 'Starting over, just like that?' Sure, he had a plan – Even a place to start. His grandfather, God rest him, had left Asher some land in his passing, and asked only that the young man claim it as his own once he had tired of the hustle and bustle of the city. At the time, Asher had only scoffed at the letter – Though he had loved his grandfather dearly, the mere idea that he would ever be ready to do such a thing was laughable at best. His life was good; a great job, a beautiful fiance who adored him, and enough money to live comfortably.

Then the incident happened, and all of that had been swept away. Now, life on a farm seemed like a dream – Or at least an escape from the nightmare.

He shuddered at the memory, and quickly pushed it from his mind. Again, he found himself looking out at the road, looking for cars that simply weren't there. For a moment, his thoughts of panic and dread threatened to overtake him, but just as quickly he suppressed those as well; now was not the time to freak out. The less attention he drew to himself, the better.

Asher looked down at himself; grimacing. Pelican Town was supposed to be small, almost isolated, and a tight-knit community from what little he had gleamed at the bus station – It would make for a good hideaway if he could learn to blend in; but what if he couldn't? The land he'd inherited was meant for farming; something he hadn't had a hand in since his boyhood. He remembered so little, and once he'd arrived it would be all upon his shoulders.

'Don't fuck it up.' His mind said coldly, 'It's this or...' Asher looked down at his bag, thinking quickly of the contents within.

He shuddered; why did he bring that anyway?

'You know why.' He thought to himself, trying to will the thoughts away by gazing out into the pastures again; outside the world had given itself away to nature in full. Spring was just beginning and the lush green of the season was everywhere he looked. It was almost relaxing – Almost. 'Because you're a coward – Because you might need a way out.'

He knew it was true, but a lie all the same.

"Pelican Town!" Called the driver, "Coming up in ten!" Asher snapped to attention, looking first to the older woman behind the wheel, before glancing up ahead through the forward window. A tunnel was coming up on them, just down the road – And beyond that was his new home.

His new life.

He allowed himself a small look around the bus; no one else seemed interested in the destination, despite the crammed seats – Clearly theirs was a goal far beyond the small town. With a small sigh, he sat back against the flat of his seat and pulled the duffle up onto his lap – The sooner he got off the bus, the better.

A light rumble in his pocket suddenly caught the man's attention; Asher fished for his phone in the cramped space. He was lean, almost skinny, yet somehow these seats never felt smaller to him – The worst kind of travel. He had a message; Asher looked to his side. The couple continued their conversation, content to ignore him; it was enough to get him to check the text.

'At the stop.' It said simply; the text was signed Robin. It took him a moment to realize who it was; when he had first decided to leave the city, he had called ahead to ensure the land was very much there – And actually his, as promised. Sure enough, the mayor of Pelican Town – A man named Lewis – Had been quick to assure him of his inheritance, and welcomed him with open arms to the community. It was a relief to hear; it meant he didn't know anything. Lewis had agreed to meet him off the bus to show him to his new home – A strange thing for the mayor to fuss over, but something Asher was grateful for regardless.

The plan had changed however; apparently the cottage was in need of some work before it was at all livable – So a woman named Robin would be meeting him instead. Asher didn't mind the change; so long as they all remained ignorant of his reasons for moving, he would have taken just about anyone.

The bus came to a stop, prompting him to rise. Quickly, he slid the phone away and gently pushed passed the others, making for the door. The driver gave him a look, giving Asher some pause; he raised an eyebrow and stared back.

"Well?" She asked, seeming to expect something.

At once, Asher wondered if he had to tip – Was that customary out here in the sticks? He opened his mouth to ask, when she waved him off. "You're burnin' daylight sonny – Off you get!"

Without any further hesitation he hopped down off the bus, and watched quietly as the doors shut behind him. He turned, and sure enough, a smiling woman with orange-red hair was standing just to one side – She gave him only a cursory look before deciding he was the one. "Asher, right?" She asked.

He nodded. "That's right; I suppose that makes you Robin?" The smile seemed to brighten, if only slightly, and he allowed himself a quick look around. The stop was deeply entrenched in the nature of the place; tall trees sporting various leaves upon each were mere steps from the road itself. He saw bushes amassed with colorful berries all about him; even running alongside a fence that gave way to a well-worn path. Asher stopped short and stared as the Bus drove off behind him, for barely obscured by a few dangling branches was... Was that a mine cart? Here? He craned his neck, wondering if his eyes were playing tricks on him; it wasn't unheard of, but in his mind he'd always pictured such a thing deep inside a cave – Not out in the open for anyone to tinker with.

Then again, it looked in dire need of repair.

"You like what you see?" Robin's voice brought him back to reality, and Asher flushed with some embarrassment.

"I... Uhh..." He thumbed over his shoulder, suddenly awkward about losing himself before her like that. "I'm just not used to all of this – This green, I guess. It's not like this in the city, you know?" She gave a nod of some understanding; he made a face. "Is that a mine cart?"

A small chuckle escaped her, and Robin waved him off, "Yes, but you can't go for any joyrides if that's what you're thinking – The thing hasn't worked in... Well, a few years at least!" She shrugged almost casually and nodded towards the dirt-swept road, "Come on, let's go get you settled."

Quickly, he followed after her, stepping up to keep pace as she led on. He considered for only a moment to keeping silent and letting her talk if she so chose – But somehow that struck him as suspicious. A new person would have questions; he needed to play the part if he was to blend in. "What do you do?"

Robin gave him a look; she had brilliantly bright eyes – Ones that made her whole face seem more expressive somehow. "I'm the town greeter." She told him plainly, "Welcome to Pelican Town. Shops over there. Don't pee in the river – Things like that." Her gaze never faltered, and Asher suddenly found himself at a loss for words.

"That's... Fulfilling?" He finally managed, after several seconds of struggled thinking.

Again, she laughed, but this time it was much more full. "Asher; don't be so naive! I'm a carpenter. Did you really think anyone would have such a silly job, even here?" The revelation brought a frown to his face, but he covered it with a shrug; he'd have to watch this one. "I can't believe you really believed that; I just made it up on the spot!"

"Well I didn't real-"

"We're here." She announced, as they neared the end of the trail. Asher nodded, content with the knowledge his embarrassment was at an end, and looked out upon the land that was now his own.

And grimaced.

"What in the..?" Were all the words he could manage. The place was a disaster! Weeds had risen up like an army before him, unkempt and massive no matter which way he looked. The grass reached up to his knees, and looked to get no better no matter which way he went. Trees of every kind, of every height and of every age were all around – Some had even fallen as though felled by the very elements themselves! He looked with dismay at the massive logs nearest him; even if he threw his whole body against them he doubted they would ever move.

Robin gave him a curious stare, "Something wrong?"

He almost didn't hear her; his eyes had wandered further – Were those boulders? Massive stony shapes jutted mockingly out of the ground around the trees and ruin, some looking as though they had lain undisturbed for decades. There were fissures as well, spread out across the land, filled with water and... 'That's garbage, isn't it?' He realized, giving only a cursory look to the lake nearest him before giving the notion a small, grim nod. 'Even if the water has seen better days...'

Still, beggars couldn't be choosers.

"It's fine." He said, after taking only the smallest of breaths. "It's... bigger then I expected, that's all."

If Robin believed him, she showed no sign; instead she turned her attention to the monstrous growths all around them. "It's a bit messy, but there's good soil underneath it all. If you can get some of the overgrowth cleared away, you'll have yourself a nice place to farm." She gave him a sidelong glance and smirked devilishly. "Besides..." She punched him playfully in the arm, catching him by surprise, "You look like you could use the workout, skinny."

Any retort he had died on his tongue as he at last caught sight of the cottage. It was small and squat – Definitely not built for more then one – But it was just the same as his memories. In all the time since his childhood, his grandfather hadn't changed a thing about it; it was almost comforting, in a weird way. If nothing else, it looked in decent repair; though even from a distance he could make out a sizable hole upon the deck, the structure itself appeared sound. 'It's spring.' He reminded himself, 'If there's a problem you've got time to fix it before you freeze to death.'

A small comfort indeed.

The door to the small cottage opened, and Asher watched as an older man with a mustache and a brown cap upon his head stepped out to greet them. He threw up an arm and waved as he approached, a beaming smile upon his face. "Ho there!" He called gleefully, all but bounding up towards them, hands on his suspenders as though fearful they might drop at any second. Asher couldn't help but struggle to suppress a smile; the man had to be well into his fifties but he seemed surprisingly spry. "You must be Asher; the new farmer!"

Even before he could manage a reply, Asher found his arm being pumped vigorously as the man shook his hand with gusto. "I'm Lewis; the mayor of Pelican Town! Welcome! You know, everyone's been asking about you ever since the word spread that we'd have a new resident!"

Though he initially felt content to let Lewis rattle off whatever greetings he wished, Asher now felt compelled to speak. "I – What?" He pulled back his arm, almost forcefully – Too quickly, he realized, and flashed the man an apologetic smile. "I mean, I'm sorry but... Did you say everyone? The whole town knows I'm here?" That was anything but good; he'd come here to keep a low profile and to start anew, and yet somehow he'd blown it before ever even arriving!

Robin gave him a curious look, "Are you really that surprised? It's not a very big town – People were going to notice a new face." Asher stood dumbfounded, unsure of how to respond; the woman quickly turned her attention to Lewis, "That aside, you really could have waited before announcing it, Lewis. Maybe Asher didn't want the attention thrown on him all at once."

'Or at all...' The new farmboy thought glumly.

"Pish posh!" Lewis waved a hand dismissively, as if their protests were so much hot air, "Our community thrives upon it's unity – It's for the best if our new friend here steps out of whatever shell he's in and becomes apart of it. That's what Vernan would've wanted as well, I'm sure."

At the mention of his grandfather, Asher felt he had lost whatever will to protest he might've had – Vernan Koll had indeed been a people-person. From what little he could remember of his days growing up here, Asher couldn't recall a single time where his grandfather hadn't made time for someone else, even at his own expense. He knew everyone's name, everyone's face, and was close with every single resident of the town – He was the most welcoming sort of man Asher had ever known, and everyone seemed to love him for it.

It was quite the legacy to live up to now, and not at all what Asher wanted for himself. He just wanted to be left alone.

Lewis gestured towards the cottage, "I've gone a spruced things up inside for you, and dropped off whatever essentials you might need to get yourself comfortable. Consider it my way of welcoming you to our town." He smiled up at the building, as though it were an old friend standing before him. "Being here brings back memories; it's nice. Very rustic, wouldn't you say my boy?"

Asher gave a small nod; he had a soft spot for this place, but even that was being tried as his plans were readily falling away. Already he was reconsidering his options, but each and everyone seemed worse then the last. 'Make the most of it.' He told himself again, 'You can't go back – Not now. Not ever.'

There wasn't anything for him there anyway.

"Rustic?" Robin managed a snort of some derision, "More like crusty!"

Lewis shot her a cold look; his face reddened some and he seemed on the verge of shouting over Asher just to get to Robin – When all at once his composure returned. He took a breath, thumbed his suspenders once more and looked back at the ramshackle house. "Don't listen to her Asher; she's just trying to make you dissatisfied so you'll get her to upgrade the place; more money in her pocket, after all!" He huffed and shook his head.

Asher gave her a look; Robin smiled guiltily and shrugged. "Tomorrow." Lewis went on, "You oughta come into town and have a look around – I'm sure everyone is eager to meet you, Asher." So saying, he turned and started off down the road. Asher watched, realizing that, just beyond where the bus had dropped him off, he could already make out the buildings of Pelican Town – It was barely any walk at all! Much closer then he remembered, at any rate. "Oh, by the by." The mayor turned back and indicated a large crate nearest the household. He gave the lid a firm pat with on hand. "While you're out here, if you ever feel like there's things you don't need leave them in this box and I'll haul them off each night for you."

Asher blinked in surprise, before turning to Robin. "That doesn't sound like a mayor's kind of job."

The woman narrowed her gaze, frowning, "He means he'll get someone out here to do it."

Lewis coughed into his hand, clearly perturbed at being ignored so directly, "As I was saying... If there's any money to be made, I'll be sure to deliver it to you at once. I had this arrangement for Vernan as he was getting on in years and now it's just sort of a routine now – Sound fair?"

Asher nodded, suddenly grateful to the man. It was clear to him that Lewis had really cared for his grandfather, and whatever the man's shortcomings might turn out to be, that spoke a great deal for his character. If nothing else, he could be counted on – Asher only hoped it wouldn't come to thank. He offered the older man a soft smile. "Thank you – Really. I appreciate it." He felt a rumble in his pocket, signifying another message, and willed himself to ignore it – For now, at any rate.

Satisfied, Lewis offered him one final nod of his head and took off down the road towards the town. Robin too, decided to take her leave and gave the young man one final wave before following after him. It was clear to Asher there seemed some annoyance, if not animosity between the two, but at the very least they could be civil about it – It was more then he could say for most people back in the city. He watched until the pair had vanished from sight before finally climbing the wooden steps and heading inside.

The door was unlocked; Asher frowned. "Gonna need a key..." He turned and flicked on the light before surveying the room. It was much the same as how he remembered, with only the smallest of differences. A single room, with all the amenities within save the bathroom – Just off to one side and mercifully closed off from the living space. The bed in the corner looked new, as did the television set upon the floor – He didn't recall his grandfather owning such a thing, yet it seemed unlikely Lewis would have considered such a thing a necessity – Maybe Vernan had changed some as he aged?

To his surprise, Asher found a single iron key upon the otherwise bare table beside the appliance. Dropping his duffle upon the floor, he approached and quickly scooped it up. Asher looked it over once before moving to try it on the door – And smiled once he discovered its use; at least Lewis wasn't incompetent. Moreover, as he scanned the room even further, he noted a variety of tools laid purposely against the far wall – All essentials to the hand of a farmboy. "I guess that's what he meant."

He strode closer and looked over each in turn, trying to recall their uses. A hoe for tilling the soil, a pick for unearthing or breaking rocks, and axe for clearing away and harvesting wood, and a watering can on the floor beside them all. Asher thought of all the grass just beyond his doorstep; he'd need something to deal with that as well, and soon. For now, however, he thought of the phone in his pocket, and quickly snatched up the hoe from it's spot on the wall. He plucked free the device and looked it over.

The message icon blinked tantalizingly at him, begging to be opened; Asher ignored it and made for the door.

Night was already beginning to fall as he once more descended the stairs; where did the time go? "Seems like I just got here... Guess I should learn to make the most of my days here." He muttered, walking around the cottage and looking up at it from another angle. Strange; he didn't remember the building lacking windows – But there were none to be seen. 'It was so long ago... And now I'm back after all this time...' He rounded the cottage, stopping behind it and leaning with a sigh against the back wall. Again he looked at the phone in his hand, and stared unblinking at the flashing icon.

Then, all at once, he dropped it to the ground, raised the hoe and slammed the metal down atop the device, crushing it beneath the force. With a grimace, he turned slightly and dug the tool into the ground, pulling it back deep enough to make a hole. "No more mistakes." He assured himself, as he kicked the remains of the shattered phone into the hole and began to cover it over anew. "Just keep to yourself. Don't get involved. Stay focused." Another sigh, a shudder, and the hoe slipped from his fingers. He struggled to catch it before the tool clattered against the dirty ground and Asher sunk to his knees, holding his head. "I can do this... I can do this..."
But no matter how many times he said it, it didn't stop the tears from coming.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Welp, that's it for chapter 1! Hopefully you all enjoyed it ^^; I'll admit I was SUPER hesitant about trying my hand at anything Stardew, but after reading through a few other fics, I figured why not? I didn't want to make just another standard OC that everyone was going to love right away - I'm trying for a bit more mystery and intrigue with this guy if at all possible, and hopefully Asher comes off that way to you all in the end. Stay tuned for more and let me know if this is something you'd like to see more of!