Overgrown

Chapter 1 - The Botanist

ClapClapClap

Congratulations! Whohoo! 

You hear the crowd clap and the voice of your dad cheer you on as you walk across the stage of Imperial Z University, you are feeling proud to finally finish your studies and you beam as you are handed your diploma from the dean. "I did it, I am officially a botanist." you think to yourself. You have always loved plants and nature there is no surprise there, but now you are officially educated and can name thousands of plants and their properties. "I'm pretty elite now." you giggle to yourself, walking back to your seat.

The graduation ceremony concludes shortly after and you search the crowd for your dad. He wraps you in his arms with a big hug and you can tell he is very proud of you. "Congratulations, you are amazing my Dovebird. Your mom would be even more proud." Those words bring you comfort but also make your heart ache. It has been 2 years since your mom passed away, although she hadn't really been herself in many years. "Thanks dad I couldn't have done it without you." "Let's go get some celebratory dinner you've earned it!" he says leading you to the car. 

As you drive to your favourite sushi restaurant, you enjoy the sunset along the water of Zuzu city. You have been here for about a decade now and it's become your home as much as Stardew was. You enjoyed many things about Zuzu, the nightlife, the big schools, the restaurants and the shopping were all awesome, the crowds, noise and lack of plants and nature not so much. But with your mom's unexpected death, you can't help but reminisce on the happier memories you had with her and they all seemed to be back in the Valley. 

You sit at the table with your dad and enjoy your meal. You loved sushi and were always excited when he would take you here on special occasions despite it being a little pricey. Your dad was a good man, although him and your mom had their rough patches they never divorced. They separated for about 7 years when you were a child but when things got bad for your mom in Stardew he welcomed you both back to Zuzu with open arms and you have been by his side ever since. As you're about to finish your delicious meal your dad reaches across the table and hands you an envelope. "I think it's time for you to have this Dove." he says softly. "What is it?" "Think of it as a graduation gift from your mom ... and your grandpa. I actually promised both of them i'd give it to you when the time was right." You open the letter, and tears begin to fill your eyes. 

Dearest Evelyn and Dove, 

My daughter and my granddaughter, thank you for so many years of happiness, I cherished them greatly.

To my wonderful daughter, I hope one day you can bring your sweet family back where they belong in our hometown of Stardew Valley. I pass you along our family's farm, our family has had this farm for many generations and the soil here has special properties that need to be taken care of. One day, when you become old like me, you will pass this farm along to Dove and she will pass it on to her daughter. Remember it must stay in our family, your job is to make sure our bloodline continues. Evelyn your mother, my wife, was very specific about that so please do not let our line end.

To my granddaughter Dove, your smile brought life back to our gloomy town and it has not been the same since you have gone. I know you would have stayed had the circumstances permitted. You truly shine among others. Although I may not be there when you return, the town awaits you. 

Love you both, 

Grandpa. 

"It's, his final letter? His will? He's giving us the farm?" "No Dove, he's giving you the farm. He gave that letter to your mom before he died and she gave me to me to hold onto, but now it's yours. I mean it's up to you, it's your life Dovebird, but I know you'd loved it there and you're done school now and with your connection to nature I thought it would be a good chance to give the small town life a chance again. Plus your grandpa made it sounds sorta important." 

"But what about the issues? What about the family secret? Isnt that why we had to leave?" "It's been over 10 years now Dove, I think were in the clear and plus if it gets rocky you can always come back to your old mans place, I'm here for you. Just don't get too friendly with the town wizard, and I don't think there will be any problems." "I mean, if this is what mom wanted for me I think I could at least give it a try? Plus if I have space to grow my own plants I can accept the internship program for the pollution impact on seasonal crops!" (This was an internship where you do field work and send your finding to the school every week and get paid a decent amount for being a new graduate.) You are suddenly feeling like you have a new goal. "I hope this will make Mom and Grandpa happy, I really hope this is the right decision." you feel excited but also anxious, at least your dad is very supportive and he too thinks this is a good fit for you. 

Your dad drives you back to your apartment on campus. You walk in to multiple stacks of boxes piled high. All your things were already being packed up as your accommodations on campus end at the end of the semester and you were planning to stay with your dad until you saved up enough for your own place. "I guess I have my own place now, a literal house, well more like a shack." you laugh as you remember the small 1 bedroom cabin you lived in. It was cramped but you loved it all the same."

Guess I will have to let my friends all know... not that we're all that close anyway. Two of your friends from the class were going abroad for work but your close friend Anna would be sad you're leaving too.