《Sinistea in Stardew》 Chapter [1] Henchman Joe At the railroad, north of Pelican town lies a hidden cave opening with dark gates powered and guarded by strange witchy magic. The cave leads to a swamp owned by an emerald witch and there in that witch swamp was a primal hut made of leaves and magical marked stones. Georgie lives in that humble house hut, taking care of three dark shrines with offerings made of memories, selfishness, and night terrors. The offerings are special concoctions done with rare herbs and even rarer liquids. As an emerald servant of the emerald witch, it was hard grueling work to be doing it everyday. But having a pet certainly takes the edge off the load of stress she was under on a daily basis. A sinistea like her little Teacup getting into clumsy antics was a wonderful distraction to Georgie¡¯s laser-focus mental zone whenever she gets to working in her alchemy. A chonky table made of wood lay before her. It was furniture built with no finesse. She stared hard down at it, frowning. Taking note that it was the 55th time she was splintered by the offending furniture. At the 134th time, the emerald witch promised her she would get her a new one. Until then, Georgie can gather her half-blood and fill it up in vials. ¡°Sin? Siiiin?¡± Teacup¡¯s high-pitch sugary voice cut through her muddled thoughts. With a pout Teacup shook her head side-to-side, catching sparks of sunshine off her golden rim, she began releasing an aromatic mist. The purple liquid inside her teacup swirling and boiling to accentuate the aroma of Georgie¡¯s favorite flower: red tulips. Her shoulders loosened, a boulder weight inside her chest lifting off. ¡°Thanks, little Teacup.¡± She proceeded to step off her stool and moved towards the front door, grabbing her herbal satchel on the side and checking its contents: wild horseradish from her foraging, beets and brown mushrooms from the small garden she cultivated at the back of the witch¡¯s hut. She won¡¯t mind, surely. She thought. If she did, then she would have told me so by now. Reaching up on her tiptoes, she pulled the door handle and exited. Teacup floated over and settled herself on top of Georgie¡¯s head. Whenever Georgie moved down the sandy path, Teacup¡¯s bottom plate rattled noisily with her cup, announcing her arrival to Joe, the witch¡¯s henchman, since it was so quiet in the swamp.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road. His voice was gruff with disuse, a scratchy rumble in this throat when he spoke. ¡°Off to see your perr¡­ ents?¡± ¡°Of course.¡± She schooled her features, and tried to look dignified and put together which was hard to do when she had to tip up her chin way up to meet his eyes, the top of her head only reaching below his hips. ¡°Most importantly, I¡¯m off to see to my duty, as intended. The way it is. I like how you made your tusks this morning.¡± He blushed, scratching off an invisible schmutz on his cheek with a finger. ¡°Take care, Gie.¡± ¡°Sin! Siiin!¡± Little teacup rattled off, grabbing his attention. ¡°You too, Cup.¡± he said with a smaller voice that matched Teacup¡¯s smaller senses. Ever since last summer, Joe had been growing his tusks bigger for his 900th birthday celebration. Big tusks were a sign for great potential in a lover and since he was retiring in a few years, he was going to make his prospects look as best as can be. After all, he was henchman to the emerald witch for several centuries and that was no easy feat for the faint-hearted. But the big tusks he was growing posed a communication barrier between them. Eventually, Joe grew difficulty in speaking more the one syllable. ¡°Much much care you both care Cup and Gie.¡± ¡°Is there something the matter?¡± ¡°Big rock fall from sky. New mons..¡± spittle flew from his mouth, ¡°New monsh..¡± Georgie answered helpfully, ¡°Are there new monsters from the sky?¡± ¡°Yesh, yesh¡± he nodded. ¡°Don¡¯t know if bad or nice. Gie, be care.. be kerrr--¡± ¡°All right, all right. It¡¯s all good. I got this. New monsters. It happened before decades ago and I handled it well then, I¡¯ll handle it now. No worries. You got enough to worry about all these hundreds of dimensions.¡± She gestured to the waters surrounding the swamp. Every so often, the magical properties in the water would open up dimensions and endanger the witch¡¯s precious magical shrines. Henchman Joe stood at the gates with his red trenchcoat filled to the brim with specialty weapons for whatever hostile beings would pass through the water portals. Whatever his metal helmet was used for, he never said. ¡°Still want a void?¡± ¡°Yesh.¡± ¡°Pay up.¡± she said, extending her small toddler hand to his. He made a gruff sound, ¡°I paid you done good in the past.¡± ¡°Oh really?¡± she said lightly. ¡°Are you sure about that?¡± He went down on his haunches and still had to have to look down on her, ¡°I may be quit job for old age but I still not dumb dumb. Now, go get my void.¡± She smiled at his serious grumpy face. His age has drawn his green skin to harsher features, making him look severe than ever before. ¡°Yeah. Yeah, whatever. I don¡¯t know when I¡¯ll be back though.¡± Then she waved back at him as she left. Teacup waving her purple handle to him in a bid for goodbye. Joe watched them leave the swamp gates and unto a dimension where the emerald witch has cursed the world so thoroughly that it began attracting new monsters from outer space. With a heavy sigh, he muttered more to himself than for anyone. ¡°You never do.¡± Chapter [2] Shadow Krobus Georgie stepped out of the cave and found a train passing by the railroad. It was springtime in Stardew valley, she strolled down mountains off-side the worn-down path and traveled instead between big rocks and wild trees, keeping out of sight. No emerald servant will be seen by humans. They paid to get rid of children like her, after all. Teacup floated in front of her face just as she was about to jog behind the next tree, effectively stopping her. Teacup directed her gaze behind Georgie, pointing at the farmer marching by the dirt path with a resolute expression on their face and a bloated red backpack that was incredibly bigger than their full size. Georgie watched them march with bated breath, wondering how a single person can carry that much weight on their back and be able to jog down with full speed. Whatever special concoction they were drinking, she wanted one of it. Her tiny legs barely made much progress compared to them. There was nothing she could do about it. She was permanently stuck in a toddler body. Peering down at her bare feet, she cursed the starry skirt she was wearing. It was a reminder that she was sold off and indebted to the emerald witch for several more years. 788 years to be exact. ¡°Tea tea sin-uhs-tea!¡± Teacup chanted beside her. ¡°Yeah, yeah. I hear you. Let¡¯s go.¡± They went their way towards the sewers in Pelican town undetected with no one the wiser to her half-human, half-beastly presence. It was high noon and the villagers were out and about going on their merry way under the sun. If she were human, she figured she¡¯d be terrible at hiding but since she was part cat, she had an easy way going through the most narrow passages to avoid notice. Pelican town was alive with fresh vegetation and community manicured bushes at this time of year so it was smooth-sailing for her in reaching the sewers as she jumped from bush to bush. Underground, Georgie and Teacup both entered the sewers with an impatient jump from the long descending ladder. She quickly regretted it. The abandoned concrete floor was gritty and abrasive, hurting the soles of her feet. Teacup snickered at the displeased look that crossed at her face. ¡°Glad to amuse you, lil¡¯ Teacup.¡± she muttered to her companion. Off in the distance echoed Krobus¡¯ voice, unsure and trembling but his sound bounced right off the spacious cavernous walls. ¡°Georgie? Is that you? Come quick, don¡¯t keep me waiting please. You¡¯re making me nervous.¡± Both she and Teacup rounded the corner with a wince on her steps. Why she kept forgetting to bring human shoes for these concrete floors, she doesn¡¯t know. It must be her age. Krobus, a lonely shadow person, meditated in the middle of surrounding stone vessels. His crooked stance quickly reminding her of his awful past. It was a monstrous tale as old as time. An entire horde of shadow people bullying him until he had no choice to leave his home and make a new one in the sewers. The moment Teacup spotted him, she floated to him in giddy excitement. ¡°Ah, Teacup! Georgie! Wonderful to see you again, oh my.¡± Krobus made a full body shiver as Teacup started blabbering to him with small dainty noises. It seemed the longer Teacup stayed underground, the more her purplish liquid inside her cup glowed and kindled a bitter-sweet aroma that cut through the sewage stink. Clapping his shadow palms together, ¡°Always happy to see you both.¡± ¡°Good morning, Krobus.¡± She greeted to him, then started walking across each of his eight statues that surrounded him. ¡°Good morning Duchess. Good morning Executioner. Good morning Cook. Good morning Pig Baby. Happy day to you Red Knight and White Knight. What a great day today Mr. White Rabbit. And Alice, fine morning to you.¡± Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. Krobus bounced in his heels, ¡°Most pleasant day is today because you are here, Georgie.¡± ¡°It gives me great honor to be in your presence.¡± She smiled, pulling a handful of dried horseradish from inside her satchel and offering it to him. ¡°I trust Mr. Red Knight and White Knight are keeping you safe.¡± His returning smile was broad but crooked, ¡°Most definitely. They succeed at keeping bad people away. Well, in fact, umm.. I had quite a pleasant surprise last week. A farmer from Stardew Valley visited me.¡± Tired of resting her bare feet on concrete floor, she hopped onto Mr. White Rabbit¡¯s slab of stone where his statue lie and sat on it leaning back.¡°I¡¯m not surprised. I¡¯ve seen them around. Poking everywhere like they owned the whole damn valley, why don¡¯t they?¡± ¡°Farmer is not so bad. He¡¯s nice.¡± She rolled her eyes, ¡°They make it real difficult for me. Especially once that farmer started building paths and lamp posts in the backwoods. It made foraging for horseradish real hard.¡± ¡°Oh dear.¡± He peered down, looking completely chastened but then lights sparked in his gaze, a bright idea clearing away his uncertainties. ¡°Why don¡¯t I tell the farmer? I¡¯m sure they¡¯d mind giving you trouble like that. They¡¯re real nice. Won¡¯t like making trouble. I¡¯m sure. I met them. Oh my, I¡¯m sure.. I¡¯m sure they won¡¯t mind me visiting their farm. Oh, oh. I¡¯ve never been. I should go, right? I should go. It¡¯d be good for me. Real nice making friends. Don¡¯t you agree Duchess?¡± he nodded at the stone vessel to his right. As if he received a satisfactory answer, he released a long sigh and said. ¡°I should go to the farmer. Have real nice conversation. Oh!¡± He puttered towards his stone chest and rummaged for a tray full of void eggs. ¡°It gives me great honor to give you this, Georgie.¡± Her jaw fell. ¡°This is too much. I only need the one.¡± He shook his head. ¡°The farmer been visiting me, talking my ear off with them chicken houses they got. Apparently, they got lots of them chicken. Deluxe coop full of blue chickens. Another coop for brown chicken. Another coop for white chickens and guess what?¡± Her eyebrow raised ¡°They got a coop for all their void chickens.¡± ¡°They do! They do! Who woulda thunk?¡± ¡°It¡¯s ¡®who would have thought¡¯, Krobus. I¡¯m really glad to hear you got more people to talk to.¡± She took a quick sweep over eight of his stone vessels that were smoothly polished and washed. In the meantime, Krobus and Teacup started talking to each other in a gibberish ghostly conversation she didn¡¯t understand. It took a couple hours of them catching up in the gossip surrounding Pelican Town, conversing about the farmer¡¯s progress that it left Teacup with no time to play with Krobus. ¡°Come on, Teacup.¡± she said to the two, ¡°It¡¯s time to go.¡± Unhappy noises began bouncing off sewage walls. Both of them groaning at the realization there was no time left for play. ¡°Five more minutes?¡± asked Krobus with a pleading look. She suppressed a grin, trying to seem unaffected by how adorable he looked. ¡°Nice try, shadow merchant. I¡¯m afraid I¡¯m on a strict schedule. I don¡¯t have enough time to spare. It was a pleasure doing business with you.¡± ¡°Be seeing you whenever next time.¡± he said, shyly. This time she couldn¡¯t help the smile crossing at her face. Especially when Teacup barreled right into her chest, purple liquid sloshing ¡°Yeah. See you Krobus.¡± He twiddled his fingers, not really meeting her eyes. ¡°I tell you many times, Georgie. Call me your friend Krobus.¡± ¡°You first.¡± His lips thinned, shoulders lifting close against his ears. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t presume.. I won¡¯t assume before you consent Georgie. It is the way of the shadow people.¡± Gloom fell upon her cold as a winter night and she had to turn her back to him before he could see how upsetting his statement was to her. ¡°I¡¯m not shadow people, Krobus.¡± Before he could say more, she was already rounding the corner with haste. ¡°Take care. Be well.¡± Chapter [3] Lil Teacup Freshly coming out of the sewage made Georgie appreciate how beautiful Pelican town was in broad daylight. Even if she had to keep in the shadows to stay out of human sighting, she can¡¯t help but bring her face out into the afternoon sunstream and feel the refreshing beams warm her skin. The town air was alive with aromatic flowers and she took her sweet time bringing in air into her lungs. If she could, she would choose to sit out there all day with nothing to do but breathe. The tempting fantasy made her throat constrict in knots and she had to shake it off. After Krobus, she should be going back to the swamp and finish at her alchemy table. But this was Pelican town. This place was special to her. On the way back, she always made sure to pass by the Mullner house. Right on time Haley strikes up a conversation with Alex, effectively distracting him. They hung out on the front door right by the front window so Georgie had to creep by the fences, keeping inside bushes until she spotted their kitchen windowsill which was a considerable distance away from the bush she found herself hiding in. ¡°It¡¯s way too hot.¡± she heard Haley say ¡°Come on.¡± Alex was pulled by his hand, both of them sitting under the shade of a cherry blossom tree that was directly across the Mullner¡¯s kitchen windowsill. ¡°Siiiin?¡± Teacup¡¯s eyes widened at her, questioning. She huffed, hating this setback. Plan A always worked. At the back of her mind she always hoped she never had to do Plan B. ¡°I hate to do this. But.. I¡¯m gonna be relying on you, lil¡¯ Teacup.¡± Teacup¡¯s face were made of lacy patterns that resembled eyes and mouth then it transformed to a determined, no-nonsense look. ¡°Sin.¡± Hiding behind a bushy undergrowth, she whispered to her ¡°Use trick room.¡± Lacy patterns on her cup glowed blue ever so slow, increasing in intensity. Georgie had to hug lil¡¯ Teacup against her chest so her light doesn¡¯t attract attention. Then she peeked out of the bush and watched a transparent screen of walls beginning to form and surround their area. She released the breath she was holding, ¡°You did it!¡± she whisper-hissed, ¡°I¡¯m so proud of you! And in record time! Amazing.¡±Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road. Teacup trilled in excitement as she floated and exited their hiding place to hover in widening circles out in broad daylight. She had to make this quick. She gripped inside her hands the beets and mushrooms from her satchel and stepped out of her bush. Then she stopped short. Frozen, mouth agog as her eyes roamed the skies. Georgie thought she knew what to expect of what trick room does to their surrounding area but the grips of Teacup¡¯s power was so astounding that it bent every creature to an alien ghost¡¯s whims. ¡°Teacup?¡± she muttered, a little bit dazed and a whole lot confused. She expected herself to be able to run extremely fast as the bigger humans move in a pace slower than a snail¡¯s. But the trick room power extended to more than initially expected. Teacup rolled around in the air, floating happily with a trilling sound. She flew faster than she ever could, giggling as she zigged and zagged fast as a buzzing bee. Above them, clouds rolled by fast as a speeding carousel. Trees moved with unnatural speed, shaking about branches creaking in a riotous noise. Some worms ran. Like really ran and consumed leaves off plants like champions in an eating contest. Frogs hopped around in frenzied glee with reckless abandon and one of them made a perfect hop straight into Teacup¡¯s. Georgie¡¯s little alien pet gasped in surprise by the unwelcome intrusion, and it was quickly followed by a dazed joyous expression transforming her face. The lacy patterns starting to glow gold and blue. ¡°Oh no, not now lil¡¯ Teacup.¡± By the time she pulled the frog off her, it was already too late. Teacup was overwhelmed with fullness, bloated to complete drowsiness that her trick room effect fell off just as the frog she was holding turned ashen like a dry husk, then to dust it disintegrated carried by the wind. In frustration she hastily went back to hiding in her bush and frowned at the kitchen windowsill where she was supposed to discreetly pile her food gifts for George and Evelyn. There was no Plan C. Teacup snored in her hands and she settled the little thing back unto the top of her head where the little alien pet subconsciously latched and balanced on even as Georgie moved. Her little pet was a young alien who fed off creatures that matched her size, but she was still young. That meant after eating, she immediately goes to sleep. Just then, she spied a giant green bow at the corner of her eye. It was Jas walking by in town square, wearing her purple dress and right along behind her trailed 7 blue chickens like ducks to their mother. Each of the blue chickens strapped with pretty girlish bows in various shades of green. The sight of them trailing behind Jas gave Georgie a bright idea. She was sure no one has ever thought of it before. Chickens. She just needed chickens. Chapter [4] Jasmine Green The Cindersap forest used to be ripe with hundred year-old trees, they grew so high and full of volume that the sky could barely be seen looking up. Since the farmer moved in, they made it their hell-bent mission to cut those trees down. Some of them, even thousand years-old. Krobus had told her that the farmer had recently upgraded to a gold axe which made the rate of trees getting cut down much faster. If it weren¡¯t for the junimos, the forest spirits, working extra hard to regrow the trees then the Cindersap forest would have looked balding. Now young trees dotted the lands with the freshness of summer air, tiny junimos lie sleeping under mushrooms among the roots of young forest trees. They will be working extra hard when comes tonight. There will never be a bigger expert in growing trees than junimos so she wouldn¡¯t worry about it so long it¡¯s in their hands. But she was still a little bit salty about it. The most rarest ingredients in her list was a freshly cut bark of at least a thousand year old tree. They were all gone now. She had gone and got distracted for a few solid moments staring at the unnerving change in trees getting cut down in bulk because the sky had darkened to red amber, sunset kissing the horizon. ¡°Are you cosplaying as a cat?¡± came a droning voice from directly behind Georgie ¡°Or a bear?¡± A sleeping Teacup inside her satchel got jostled at her surprise. It was Jas, looking nonplussed and staring right at her at a close very personal proximity. She should leave and scamper. But that would only raise the girl¡¯s alarm. ¡°Well?¡± ¡°I..¡± her throat dried up, her Plan C failing spectacularly ¡°I search for chickens.¡± A tiny smile lifted at the corners of Jas¡¯ mouth, ¡°Marnie¡¯s ranch closed an hour ago. But that¡¯s just auntie Marnie. You can come with me. My Uncle Shane¡¯s chickens are nothing like you¡¯ve ever seen before.¡± She had a feeling what kind of chicken she was talking about. ¡°Okay. Do you.. I got my eggs.¡± She blushed. She doesn¡¯t know what about a girl like Jas who levels at exactly Georgie¡¯s height that would embarrass. But the flames-on-her-face mortifying effect took Georgie off-guard. Maybe because the girl had no qualms making direct eye contact at her. She couldn¡¯t remember the last time a human had met her eyes. It had always been goblin eyes, shadow people¡¯s, and little Teacup¡¯s. ¡°D-do you take void eggs in exchange for chickens?¡± ¡°I guess so. I saw aunt Marnie buy animal products off the farmer so I might as well.¡± she dipped her chin, then looked up at Georgie through her lashes. ¡°When I grow up I¡¯m gonna be like aunt Marnie.¡±If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. ¡°Okay.¡± Satisfied, ¡°Follow me then.¡± They entered Marnie¡¯s house, it led to a quaint foyer complete with a sturdy table and a cash register sitting on top of it. Off to the left was a hallway that led to the basement door. When Jas was about to reach for the door handle, she yelped like she had been stung ¡°Oh! I forgot. Uncle Shane took his blue chickens on a play date at the farmer¡¯s. I¡¯m afraid I can¡¯t show them to you.¡± ¡°That¡¯s too bad.¡± Jas seemed to mull over something then nodded ¡°I got something else. Something more special. I¡¯m not sure if they¡¯re ready yet but there¡¯s no way to know if we don¡¯t try.¡± ¡°Are there more chickens?¡± ¡°My special chickens. I¡¯m going to be breeding them. But I just haven¡¯t got the time befriend them yet.¡± Georgie¡¯s brow met her hairline ¡°Are they in the ranch?¡± Her jaw seemed to lock in, pouting ¡°No. They¡¯re still in the forest. Aunt Marnie says I have to befriend them.¡± She shrugged, ¡°This time of night, the forest gets dangerous.¡± Jas made a serious, dead-pan straight-to-the-soul glance at her ¡°No. It¡¯s not.¡± Chills ran past Georgie¡¯s spine, ¡°Whatever you say.¡± she muttered, peering down refusing to meet her cutting gaze. ¡°Try not to be stupid, will you?¡± Jas said taking her hand and pulling her out the front door. ¡°I¡¯ve already got a stupid friend. I don¡¯t want another one.¡± Before they could step out, Marnie appeared from the kitchen ¡°Found a friend, did we?¡± Her wild, thick hair was loosened in her braid and red bangs clung to her temples from dotted sweat ¡°Please stay for dinner.¡± Georgie¡¯s throat locked in, suddenly dry ¡°I¡¯m not¡­ I¡¯m not¡­ uhmm¡± She never did make plans for the chances any humans find her out, did she? No. She never made any plans and she cursed at herself for it. She always knew that her pride might get her into trouble someday but not a trouble so severe like this. Jas smirked at her flustered face and shifted fully to face Marnie in a twirl that had her purple dress rustling around her ankles, ¡°Actually we got way into playtime that we forgot it¡¯s past her curfew. She¡¯s in trouble, but we can¡¯t possibly let her leave in the night like this. The farmer will worry. Perhaps Georgie and I will explain tomorrow morning about our little oopsie. It was an honest mistake, after all. And I heard the farmer¡¯s real nice. They won¡¯t be as mad, will they?¡± ¡°What a pleasant surprise. Georgie, isn¡¯t it? I would have thought I¡¯d at least have heard about you.¡± Georgie can¡¯t swallow the humiliation burning at her throat. When she spoke, it came out small ¡°I don¡¯t wish to bother. I should go.¡± Marnie¡¯s features grew intense and spirited, ¡°Heck no. The farmer is a good friend they is. And a friend of the farmer¡¯s is a friend of ours. We¡¯ll take care of you. After you both get your dinner, I¡¯ll have Shane take you home before the farmer gets any more worried than they already are.¡± Jas wiggled her nose in obvious disgust, ¡°Fine.¡± Then she twirled back to Georgie once more, ¡°But you get back to me tomorrow. We got friends to make.¡± Chapter [5] Blanket Fort Shane never came home to the ranch house in time to take her to the farmhouse. Which was an obvious relief to Georgie but the realization seemed to have worried Jas and Marnie, sharing looks of dismay that threw a cold blanket over their dinner. As a change of subject, Georgie offered a story about junimos. The mythical concept intrigued them, drawn them into immediate speculation. Junimos were the biggest myth and superstition Stardew valley was best known for. The existence of forest spirits was a mystery that has long been plaguing them ever since the first settlement landed on their valley. Soon their dinner went by swimmingly in no time with Jas and Marnie indulging her story with theatrical curiosity. They obviously didn¡¯t believe a word she said but it was nice to distract them from whatever ball of tension they got from Shane not arriving home at this time of night. Though for the first time ever that night, she got invited to a slumber party. Jas lived in a pink frilly room complete with dollhouses and tons of bookshelves overstocked with books. They made a forthouse using pillows plus blankets and told strange stories about ghosts. Teacup slumbered in her satchel hard with Georgie attempting to discreetly check inside her satchel every so often without raising suspicion from Jas. The rest of their slumber party was spent telling stories and town gossip inside their forthouse. Few times Jas looked at her funny for not getting and understanding several landmarks in her stories. Georgie had no idea what France was or what a pet store in the city looked like. Good thing she didn¡¯t get called out on it. But it definitely came across as strange. Morning finally came without Georgie getting a wink of sleep. Her tummy burned with intense pressure from dinner. She had to keep her pain under wraps, she didn¡¯t need Jas knowing how even stranger she was for not being used to the food they eat. Thankfully the burning pressure singing her stomach linings passed over time before breakfast. ¡°Are we going to go get chickens now?¡± she asked Jas who was getting ready in front of her ornate crystal mirror. Her smile turned upside down, ¡°No. I have got to attend my classes at the library this morning.¡± ¡°Oh.¡± She waved her arms helplessly in defeat, ¡°What do you need chickens for, anyway?¡± ¡°I need them to make a delivery for me. A chicken delivery.¡± She said proudly. They would have packages strapped to their backs. Nothing like it has ever been seen before. ¡°Why can¡¯t you just use a postal delivery?¡± This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work. ¡°What¡¯s a pose wall delivery?¡± She leaned in, slowly enunciating ¡°Post- tal. What¡¯s the matter with you?¡± ¡°I.. uhh¡± her cheeks heated in embarrassment, trying to cop out with a lie. It was hard. She never had to lie before in hundreds of years. ¡°I was raised in a farm. Don¡¯t know much about townie stuff or city living.¡± A blanket of understanding fell on Jas, eyes widening. ¡°I see. You¡¯re not stupid, you¡¯re ignorant.¡± she turned back to her mirror, ¡°Would have thought the farmer had taught you better. You should come to classes at our library with Miss Penny. All I know about geography and culture I get from her. I¡¯m sure she could tell you about loads of things.¡± ¡°I shouldn¡¯t.¡± ¡°You should.¡± Georgie fiddled with the straps of her satchel. She never took it off the entire time. ¡°Jas, I really had a great time.¡± ¡°Me too. I don¡¯t get slumber parties with girls my age. Miss Penny is fine but I prefer someone like you, you know? You get it. Oh you know what we should do? We should go to the haunted community center. For fun!¡± ¡°I just want to make my delivery, Jas.¡± Pouting, ¡°Fine. I¡¯m on my way to the library, anyways. I can get some stamps on the way.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t how stamps will help me but..¡± She pulled a tray of eggs from her satchel, ¡°Will you still take eggs as compensation?¡± Jas shook her head, ¡°This one¡¯s on me. I¡¯m happy, really happy for you being a good sport. I never hang out girls my age. Never. I don¡¯t know how to act or do. I¡¯m just really happy that you¡¯re not weirded out by me.¡± ¡°Are you kidding? I thought you were weirded out by me.¡± She tilted her head, pausing ¡°You and I are different. But that don¡¯t mean we can¡¯t be friends.¡± Extending her hand for Georgie to shake on, Jas encouraged her ¡°Go on. Let¡¯s shake on it.¡± Her own hands tightened to fists holding on to the satchel straps. Humans remember other humans very well, Georgie thought. But the likes of her? They tend to remember as myths and superstition. She peered down her starry skirt and hated what she saw. She was no longer human. She was a cross between beast and a human girl. An abomination a human like Jas would never able to wrap her mind around, or even remember. To Jas, she will be like the characters from her fairytale books. A fantasy, a faint intuition, a familiar echo of a girl that never was. Finally she caved in and shook her hand when Jas stepped even closer. ¡°Fine. Friends. We¡¯re friends.¡± Her pulse was going miles upon miles per hour, cannon fire booming in her ears. Lying feels like shit, she thought. Why anyone would do it went beyond her scope of understanding. And she never will. Chances were big that the emerald witch would have found out about her blunder by now. Punishment would be harsh, restricting. She might never be able to see Stardew valley again. Marnie paused by the bedroom door, ¡°Breakfast time! Georgie I got a complete breakfast just for you and then right after maybe Jas can take you on your way back home. Do your prefer apple juice or orange juice?¡± Georgie¡¯s stomach gurgled in defiance. What¡¯s wrong with eating it fresh off a tree? She forced to tug her lips upward in a smile, ¡°The last one you said.¡± Marnie slapped a dismissive palm off the doorframe, ¡°Orange juice it is.¡± Then she left, puttering off to the kitchen. Jas hugged her from behind, ¡°I¡¯m so glad we¡¯re friends.¡± Chapter [6] Chicken Surprise Marnie called from the kitchen when she and Jas pulled the front door open. ¡°Say hi to the farmer for me, will you, Georgie?¡± ¡°Okay!¡± Georgie replied at the top of her lungs which sounded breathy and shrill even to her own ears. All the while Jas was busy fixing her sun hat, ¡°Ready?¡± she asked, stepping out their ranch house and into a springtime forest morning. ¡°Yeah.¡± She followed Jas. ¡°Will you find me some stamps?¡± Her nose wrinkled. ¡°I told you, didn¡¯t I?¡± Ducking her chin, Georgie hugged her satchel close ¡°I¡¯m just not used to relying on anyone.¡± Jas bounced on her heels in giddiness, the pink dress ruffled and bounced in the wind, light as air ¡°I heard about that. Farmers get to be very self-reliant, don¡¯t they?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± her mouth turned dry. ¡°I am a farmer. Living in a farmhouse. Raised in a farm.¡± she nodded, crossing her arms. ¡°Do you know your way to the farm from here?¡± When she didn¡¯t answer, Jas followed it up with helpful point of direction ¡°Over there.¡± ¡°Yes. Right. The farmer must be so worried about me not coming home yesterday.¡± Jas¡¯ smiled turned dim, concern lacing her voice ¡°Do you want me to come with you? I can explain the situation to him for you. I can be very charming.¡± Shaking her head, ¡°No. I don¡¯t want you to be late on your way to class.¡± ¡°Okay, then. I¡¯ll see you in a few!¡± She hopped and skipped down the path leading to town. ¡°With my stamps!¡± A burst of giggles, ¡°You got it!¡± If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it. ¡°Are you sure you don¡¯t want my eggs?¡± She yelled after Jas. ¡°Keep it!¡± ¡°Too too?¡± Georgie¡¯s heart jumped to her mouth, and she yelled with a cry. Little Teacup exploded out of her bag, alien power lacing the air that was surrounding little Teacup with a smog of purple and blue, the color of poisonous galaxies. ¡°No Teacup look she¡¯s a.. chicken?!¡± The chicken looked far different. It wasn¡¯t otherworldly, it didn¡¯t seem like it had come from an earthly dimension. Where else on earth would she have seen an orange chicken with scruff as yellow as a banana? Plus its rounded eyes were completely on the front plane of its face when a chicken¡¯s should have been on both sides, left and right. ¡°Too too?¡± Ember fires bloomed under its feet, the ground glowing molten lava, snaking a path towards Georgie. Before it could hit her, Teacup sucker punched the burning chicken using her purple arm that looked like a cup handle. Obviously, the chicken was alien, unknown in origin. Most probably must have come from the recent comet sighting, she thought as the orange chicken in question went dizzy and fell on its back. Marnie came running out the front door, ¡°I heard screaming. Something wrong, Georgie? Oh no.¡± she ran past her and scooped up the fainted orange chicken in her arms. ¡°What¡¯s it doing here so close to our ranch? Lewis! LEWIS!¡± The mayor stepped out wearing his purple shorts and purple socks. ¡°What¡¯s happened?¡± ¡°It¡¯s Jas¡¯ chickens, it came here. Something must have happened.¡± Teacup floated back inside her opened satchel without alerting anyone to her presence. ¡°Is it trouble?¡± asked Georgie. Marnie looked stricken, as though she had just remembered she was there. ¡°Oh. It¡¯s fine, Georgie. Me and Lewis got this under wraps.¡± she turned to the half-naked mayor. ¡°Get your hiking boots, we¡¯re heading southeast to check back on them.¡± They wasted no time getting ready complete with their packs and hiking gear as Georgie followed closely behind them, ¡°Check back on who?¡± On the foyer, Mayor Lewis fastened his brown hat for last before walking out ¡°New species sighting, southeast on the forest. They look like chickens, but they seem to show signs of higher intelligence than the usual ones.¡± he nodded at Marnie when she began walking along next to him. ¡°No danger. Well, in fact, they began taking care of the forest even better than we do. Though they don¡¯t trust us humans.¡± In Marnie¡¯s arms lie a swaddled sleeping orange chicken, she bent down to pass it to Georgie. ¡°Lewis and I will be gone for a few hours checking on the new species. It might take us long while. Be a dear and watch over this little one, will you?¡± ¡°We¡¯ll be back after sundown!¡± Lewis called after her just about when they were about to disappear in the forest tree line. ¡°Okay!¡± called back Georgie. The orange chicken in her arms curling deeply into the blanket with a satisfied hum, rubbing its cheeks against fabric with what looked to be a smile beginning to form on its beak. ¡°What am I going to do with you?¡± she whispered. ¡°Too too¡± it said softly in its sleep. When the coast was clear, little Teacup left her satchel and asked Georgie the same question with a longing gaze. They both knew they were out of schedule. A severe punishment awaiting back at the witch¡¯s swamp. She sighed, then started to walk towards Pelican town and onto their library. ¡°I¡¯m in so much trouble, Teacup. Might as well get done what I came for, yeah? It will all be the same no matter what.¡± Chapter [7] Library Stamps Georgie peeked in the library window from outside. Jas and Miss Penny were there along with a boy named Vincent. He was all Jas could talk about in their slumber party, sometimes fondly, mostly out of frustration. She ducked out of the window and crept on the walls to arrive on the far side of the library where no one can could see her. She sat on the ground with her back to its wall. It was a narrow passageway sandwiched between library and a steep looming mountain, both their shadows adequately giving her cover. Shadows like these gave reminder to her primary directive. As an emerald servant, it was her duty to provide sustenance for shadow people. Keeping them alive and feeding them so they don¡¯t die out. In turn the shadow people attract slimes and skeletons like moth to light. Keep the shadow people alive meant keeping the presence of monsters. It was their terrorizing presence to the residents of Stardew valley that the emerald witch took great pleasure in. ¡°Revenge is a dish best served cold, Georgie. Remember that.¡± she cackled that one time when Georgie found herself in the witch¡¯s study room overfilling with thousands of papers plastered on each four walls, they were all decorated and organized with colored strings that made connections to every paper. ¡°What is this, mistress?¡± she had asked the emerald witch. She stopped her cackling to reply, ¡°My thousand year punishment to my ex-husband. All planned out, see? Just have to get it organized soon.¡± she muttered, scratching her wiry head. There was a distracted gaze about her that Georgie didn¡¯t envy. The emerald witch could well be the most powerful witch in all four dimensions but the woman couldn¡¯t keep still. There was always something to be done, something to be worried about. And she hardly takes any rests. If Georgie didn¡¯t know better, she would have thought her boss had an aversion to sleeping. The orange chicken awakening snapped her back from the past. It chirped up at her, wings flapping as she bounced off her arms. ¡°Hold on, wait!¡± she said as the little bird made a beeline towards the library, jumping on the windowsill peering inside and bounced and bounced, wing span opening wide. Immediately, Jas slammed the front door open with a bewildered expression. ¡°Chick¡¯a¡¯lee?¡± Bouncing off the windowsill to the ground, the one named Chick¡¯a¡¯lee made a march towards Jas with a waddling gait. ¡°TOO TOO TOO¡± ¡°You missed me?¡± asked Jas. Vincent gasped next to her, ¡°Is that some of new species mayor Lewis was talking about?¡±You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story. ¡°Don¡¯t touch it.¡± hissed Miss Penny, pulling back both Jas and Vincent by their shoulders. ¡°No, miss Penny. Chick¡¯a¡¯lee is a friend. She won¡¯t hurt us. Ain¡¯t that right?¡± Chick¡¯a¡¯lee clung around Jas¡¯ ankles, chirping at an even higher level. ¡°What¡¯s that, Chick¡¯a¡¯lee? The other torchics been mean to you. Poor baby.¡± Miss Penny bent and leaned forward with her knees ¡°How can you understand it?¡± ¡°She lets me.¡± ¡°She?¡± ¡°Yes, she¡¯s a she. And she prefers to be referred that way.¡± ¡°Interesting¡± said Miss Penny ¡°What else does she prefer?¡± ¡°She likes racing games. Besting her brothers at them. She¡¯s extremely good at it. No faster torchic than this little girl right here.¡± ¡°What is a torchic?¡± ¡°It¡¯s what they call themselves.¡± ¡°Hmm,¡± Miss Penny¡¯s look turned downright contemplative then it shifted to curiosity when it landed on Georgie, she didn¡¯t even bat an eye to Georgie¡¯s beast ears and bare foot ¡°Oh you must be the farmer¡¯s guest. Georgie, isn¡¯t it?¡± Startled, ¡°W-what?¡± ¡°Word gets around fast.¡± said Miss Penny. ¡°Why don¡¯t you come along with us for class and then after we can all get acquainted with ice cream.¡± Vincent tugged on her sleeves, ¡°But miss Penny she¡¯s one of them strangers. Don¡¯t seem okay to me.¡± She rose on her full height, sunlight on her back giving her a warm halo glow. ¡°Perhaps after ice cream we won¡¯t all be strangers to each other. Come along Georgie. Jas tells me you need to get stamps?¡± Jas remembered her? Georgie got struck dumb at the thought. How can that be? Once Miss Penny and Jas went inside, Vincent with his strawberry-blonde hair and orange-striped shirt grunted at her with a look of disdain. ¡°Don¡¯t think those cheap cosplay ears are doing favors for you. It¡¯s not. It makes you look weird.¡± ¡°No weirder than your stubby knees, strawberry boy.¡± she bit back in soft murmurs, not enough for the boy to hear her as he sped past inside the library. Even as her mouth moved, she felt it numbed. Her feet seemed to be glued to the ground, frozen by shock. She peered up at the green building with rustic design. Since the community center was out of service, the town library was the placeholder to become the official business hub of their entire town. This place was held as their function room, lecture room, town meetings and maybe more. Georgie could never step into a place like this. Not where all the humans congregated. But what could she do? She was already neck-deep into trouble. Might as well see through it to the end, she decided. Otherwise, she will have to spend the rest of her hundred years behind bars wondering what could have been. Chapter [8] Emerald Bind [Final] Miss Penny was very accommodating with Georgie¡¯s questions about Pelican town life, didn¡¯t even pause at her asks that received odd looks from Jas and Vincent. Mr. Gunther, the man behind the library desk, had been incredibly silent wearing an extra discerning eye for Georgie and if being inside a room loaded with humans didn¡¯t already freak her out, then the man could have done it by himself alone. As promised, they taught her about Pelican postal delivery complete with stamps and wrapping packages. She made a successful package of beets and mushrooms for the Mullner house courtesy from the farmer¡¯s, then afterwards, they helped her forage for loads more of wild horse radishes that could fit inside a crate box. By the end of the day, the crate was near to spilling over the lid. Close to dusk, they split up and said their goodbyes at the backwoods since it was already near the farm but what they didn¡¯t know was that she won¡¯t end up there. Before she forget again, she finished her primary directive by leaving her crate box of horse radishes in the mines at exactly 87th level where shadow brutes usually pick up their delivery. She had been astonished to see the cave minecarts were functional and a dwarf monster passage had been recently opened. That wasn¡¯t going to be her problem. Whatever. Racing out of the cave mines, she heard flute music. Abigail must be right outside at this time of night. Georgie had to stay inside the shado¡ª ¡°Georgie, is that you?¡± Startling diamond eyes glinting purple flashed in front of her. ¡°He told me I¡¯d find you here. Come out of the bushes I got something for you.¡± With great hesitation, she crawled out of the bushy overgrowth and met her head-on. ¡°Who told you?¡± She smirked, crossing her arms ¡°Watch your voice, kid. I¡¯m here to help out yeah? The emerald witch is out on the railroad waiting for you. I¡¯ll bring in the rain to distract her, and you¡¯ll be crossing back home. We good?¡± ¡°Whu¡ª uhh¡ª I dunno..¡± Rolling her eyes, she pulled a disc out of her pocket and handed it to Georgie ¡°Here. Take this.¡± ¡°What am I supposed t¡ª¡± The disc spun on its own in her hand until it got free of gravity and floated in the air space. It made a special beam of light that reflected rainbow colors. Teacup started peeking out of her satchel and was immediately riveted by the glowing sight of brimming colors. ¡°Sin sin?¡± Abigail flicked her fingers, hitting the spinning ball of light and it spun to Teacup, an antique tableware, absorbing its strange light into her cup frame. ¡°W-what was that? What did you do? Lil¡¯ Teacup are you all right?¡± Abigail raised a finger, ¡°That was Phantom Force.¡± Teacup nodded to her, sagely. Strangely peaceful in whatever she has processed into her body. Anger burned at the sides of Georgie¡¯s face, ¡°Explain yourself.¡± ¡°Sinistea here will be using phantom force while I go and have a conversation with the witch.¡± She lifted a finger at her and scoffed, ¡°You?! A human. Impossible. Her home is in the skies. She will never come down. Let alone talk to a human.¡± The human shadow that Abigail cast behind her flashed red eyes, a laughing howl burbled out of it. She didn¡¯t seem to mind though, instead tilted her head like she was bored. ¡°I¡¯m good. Do what you¡¯re told like a good girl.¡± Georgie curled lil¡¯ Teacup into her chest and stepped back away from the purple punk girl with a sinister shadow looming behind her. ¡°It¡¯s gonna be your funeral!¡± she shouted at Abigail once she was safely tucked away at a considerable distance. Then she jogged past the house off 24 Mountain Road and climbed for the hills towards the railroad area. As expected, the emerald witch hovered in the night sky, waiting. To her relief, she hadn¡¯t seen her yet. But the punishing outcome was inevitable. Sooner or later, she had to face the music and meet her boss¡¯ wrath for breaking directive. Just as she was about to step out of her corner hiding bush and into a stream of silver starlight where the witch could spot her, gathering clouds quickly rolled in bringing thunderstorm and rain. Abigail arrived marching in strides, combat boots crunching over the railroad path illuminated by starlight. Punk girl appeared prepared and ready for confrontation, wearing a glittering raincoat that sparkled with each of her movement and an umbrella as the rain poured hard and fast over them. With a furtive glance over her shoulder, she winked at Georgie. The audacious confidence presented by the punk girl jolted Georgie back to her strenuous situation. Picking up her jaw close, she began mumbling to her friend ¡°Teacup.. umm.. how about that phantom force?¡± ¡°Siiiin!¡± she hummed, a sugary vocalization. Georgie peered back to watch the emerald witch escaping the stormy sky by descending directly on the railroad tracks with her broom. Abigail was already at the bottom waiting for her to land, smugness visibly exuding from her like a rockstar who had just finished off a successful high-octane concert. At a distance, they seem to be talking to each other but over the loud pouring of rain and thunderstorm Georgie couldn¡¯t hear none of them.The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation. ¡°Sin sin sin sin.¡± Teacup flailed and pushed against her cheek, grabbing her attention away to a shadow portal with circle blobs popping at the edges. ¡°Oh nooo¡­¡± Teacup tilted her head at her, questions in her eyes. ¡°I¡¯m not going in there. That doesn¡¯t seem safe.¡± ¡°Sin. Sin.¡± ¡°Of course. I trust you.¡± ¡°Sin. Sin.¡± she began nudging Georgie¡¯s back, her small frame revealing a surprising strength behind it. ¡°I just don¡¯t trust this¡ª¡± The loud crash of thunder stole away her resistance. It sounded so close that she grew paralyzed by the sound of it. Teacup immediately took advantage of her distraction and gave a powerful nudge at her back until she stumbled into the blackened portal. Hitting her knees on gray sand, and crashing down to a pile of sandy heap on the witch¡¯s swamp. Black blobs of goop slid over her arms, leaving a trail of slime. She was about to wipe it off when a blasting wave of shadows blew up like a nuclear explosion. When the surrounding smoke had cleared away, there was a transparent screen standing over her like a bulwark wall of glass. And then a voice cold as a starving child¡¯s desperation in a winter¡¯s night had come, ¡°SIN.¡± Eyes the color of flames getting so hot it turned blue, had flashed like an erupting volcano. The magnitude of Teacup¡¯s anger burned so hot the rocks and sand off the floor lost its hold on gravity and hovered like they no longer existed in a dimension where laws of physics didn¡¯t need apply. ¡°Joe! Stop it¡¯s us, Georgie Teacup!¡± Henchman Joe was enraged, blinded by a goblin¡¯s fury. Georgie took out void eggs from her satchel and threw them upwards, one by one, juggling them in the air. ¡°Lookie, here.¡± She pushed all dozen eggs so far high up in the air she had time to twirl in place. The otherworldly tension of wild aggressive ocean simmered down as both Teacup and Joe had their attention riveted at the void eggs whipping up and up dangerously close to cracking if she slipped for less than a moment. Then she hopped on one foot while juggling and began twirling around while she caught a void egg on the tip of her nose, keeping on juggling while balancing that void egg. Finally, she caught all of the falling eggs with her mouth and it stole their breaths away. ¡°Gotcha!¡± she said, producing a full tray of eggs from behind her back and presented it to them with a flourishing bow. Loud audible sighs were heard from two of her rapt audience, a relieved stretched-out exhale of peace like they had been dangling on the edge for long moments and their taut cords had just been cut and they were finally free. Teacup flew by fast as a speeding car and pushed her cheek against Georgie¡¯s, nuzzling. Joe jogged up to her with haste, his whole heart plastered on his face, riotous emotions crossing them. Concern. Relief. Amusement. Sad. Solemn. ¡°The emerald witch knows.¡± he said. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t have come.¡± ¡°Joe..¡± her fists balled up tight on her sides, Teacup taking her place settling down at the top of her head. ¡°Joe, you know my parents sold me to the emerald witch for a single prismatic shard. She¡¯s all I¡¯ve ever known for hundreds of years. I¡¯m 755 years old. I don¡¯t know where else to go.¡± He paused then he took a sharp exhale and pulled an ornate box from his red trenchcoat, opening it he said ¡°Take this to Calico desert and find three pillars then meditate in the middle, holding this.¡± She took a step back like he was handing her a hot potato, ¡°No. Don¡¯t even joke about that. You¡¯re saving that for your retireme¡ª¡± then she looked up at him and really looked at him and noticed how his mouth was free of tusks. ¡°Joe. What happened to your tusks?¡± Heavy wrinkles formed between his brows, ¡°She took it away. Wouldn¡¯t tell her where you were.¡± In a single blink, a healthy blush bloomed ¡°I told her.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not taking your retirement token. I will never.¡± She pushed to him her tray of void eggs instead, ¡°Here. Woo your future girl goblin with these when you retire. It¡¯s yours.¡± His shoulders slumped forward as if the egg tray in his hands were heavy with rocks, ¡°How am I supposed to rest knowing that you¡¯re out there in danger?¡± Shrugging, ¡°You¡¯ve seen what Teacup can do. I¡¯ll¡ª¡± she gulped wishing blindly for some god to give her courage. ¡°I will find a way. To live out there.¡± ¡°To live while being hunted down by the emerald witch. How is that living?¡± ¡°I won¡¯t stop long enough to be found out, okay?¡± she held his hand and patted it reassuringly, ¡°You know those new monsters coming out from that recent comet? Humans know about them. They¡¯re helping them out. Things have changed out there. I don¡¯t think they mean monsters harm anymore. Just today, I heard Stardew valley¡¯s farmer made friends with a shadow person.¡± ¡°Impossible.¡± ¡°It¡¯s true. I¡¯ve seen them. I¡¯ve talked to them.¡± she worried her bottom lip, ¡°I made friends.¡± He shook his head ¡°It can¡¯t be.¡± ¡°Those humans are helping new monsters. Helping them acclimate. Heck, I saw this punk human standing side by side with a shadow monster. They¡¯re even worse than shadow brutes!¡± ¡°Was he chained up?¡± ¡°No they were working together.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t believe it.¡± ¡°Hey. If I could do it, they might as well can, right?¡± After a long moment, he said ¡°You take of yourself out there. Teacup will take care of you.¡± She wrinkled her nose at him, ¡°I will take care of Teacup. She¡¯s young, she doesn¡¯t need to get insecure about her home.¡± He raised a brow at her, sizing up her height size using his palms ¡°Look at yourself in the mirror lately? Both of you need to take care.¡± ¡°Well. All right. I get what you¡¯re saying.¡± ¡°Do you?¡± ¡°Yeah. I need to get comfortable relying on others.¡± ¡°Well done.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not as stupid as I look. I¡¯m 755 years old. I know stuff.¡± ¡°Sure, Georgie. Pack your things while I open up a safe portal for you.¡± ¡°I¡¯m staying here.¡± He chuckled, ¡°It isn¡¯t safe for you.¡± ¡°Teacup, use phantom force.¡± A slithering beast of a portal resembling shadows opened before them. ¡°Where do you think you¡¯re going?¡± asked Joe. ¡°I told you I¡¯m staying. I wanna meet more new monsters from the comet. I want to be part of the welcome party with the humans.¡± ¡°I¡¯m guessing there¡¯s nothing I could say or do to stop you?¡± She grinned, ¡°No.¡± ¡°Sinnn?¡± Teacup looked to her, a million questions racing in her lacy patterned gaze. ¡°Our family is gonna grow bigger, lil¡¯ Teacup. We¡¯re making friends, you ready?¡± The shadow portal yawned across them like a promise. She wiped blobs of slime off her cheeks before waving goodbye to Joe, ¡°Invite me to your wedding, ¡®kay?¡±