“I can’t believe you’re not half as shocked as I am.” She said to him when they reached the base level of the mines.

“You hear things at Zuzu city. Takes time for some getting used to with the culture’s eccentricities but it isn’t impossible. Have you ever been?”

She stopped dead in her tracks as they emerged out of the cave mines. The moonlight reflecting on the lakes in front of them. “I really don’t get your nonchalance about this whole thing. They’re aliens!”

“Thought you liked aliens. I see you play those alien games back at the saloon.”

“Yeah. In. My. Games. This could be dangerous. We can’t be carrying them back to our homes.”

“Sure, we can.”

“Garrr!” The purple creature protruded its head out of her pack, her amethyst still in its clutches.

Alex bent down and caught the creature’s red glowing eyes, “You got a name, lil’ bud?”

“He’s no buddy.” She mumbled. “More like a pranking monster. A prankster.”

He yipped, tongue lolling out of its mouth.

Alex smiled, “I think he likes that word. Do you want to be called prankster, lil’ bud?”

“Gar! Gar!” It said all too happily.

“Prankster doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue.” Her frown grew deeper. “How about Jester?” she said and she was rewarded with a wet tongue swiping across her cheek. “Gross.”

Alex chuckled, “That settles it. Looks like we got a Jester on our hands.” He winked before starting to walk back home.

Abigail lifted Jester by his armpits, chonky legs swinging. “You are not gonna make trouble for me, are you?”

He giggled.

She bit back a sigh, “Do you want to come home with me or won’t you like to stay here in the mines?”

Jester scampered across her arms and dove in back inside the pack where her amethyst stones were neatly piled.

With a bitter sigh, she began hiking back down the mountains following a single trodden path. By the time she got down, sunlight was already peaking around the horizon. There she met Alex who was standing by in front of the community center, his keen eyes observing the dilapidated place.

“No one ever comes here.” He said when she reached him. “They should be safe here.”

Without missing a beat, she said “Go on. Let’s go inside.”

Abigail and Alex quickly went to work inside the community center by clearing out a space next to its main living room fireplace.

The ex-football jock had gathered spare pillows he dusted off, setting it on the floor like a bed. Then he raised a brow at her, “You know you gotta give one of those gems away?”

She nodded. “I guess I can mine some more later.”

“You saving up for something?”

“I’m buying an apartment at Zuzu city. When I have time, I mine for Clint and save up money.”

“Yeah? How much do you need?”

“10,000. I got about 8,000 left to make.”

He chuckled, shaking his head. “You know what? I can write you a check for it.”

A spark of ire bloomed in her temples. The nerve of him! “Of course you can. You’re famous and rich.”

“Not so much anymore.” He smiled kindly. Starfa came out from the left hallway holding an armful of flowers and was decorating near Alex. “I meant I would write you a check for whatever you need left.”

She grunted, frowning at the pillow bed she was making with bitter distaste “Don’t you need the money for taking care of your grandparents?”

“I do. But I got friends to help me when I’m lacking. I want to be that friend for you.”

“Fine. But don’t tell anyone you’re helping me.”

“It’s all good.” He smiled. “It will be our secret to keep.”

Jester crawled to the pillow bed that Abigail was making. He seemed to be taken with the dried wisteria sprinkled on it.

“I’ll make sure to bring fresh ones next time.” She said to him, handing him the biggest piece of raw amethyst.

With widening eyes, the little monster dropped his amethyst piece like a hot potato, and gave a full-body hug to her biggest piece. “Garrr” he rumbled contentedly.

For a brief moment there, Abigail thought she saw the gem glow to vibrant pink but it was gone the next second.

“Strange.” She mumbled.

Alex shrugged as he rose to stand, “Stranger things happen in Stardew Valley.” He held out a hand for her to stand and she took it. “If you want out, you’re out. I can help you.”

“I’ll have to talk to my mom first. I’m not leaving without her.”

“Suit yourself. I’ll be here living next door to yours, when you’re ready.”

She blushed, “Thanks, Alex. It’s very generous of you.”

“Don’t mention it.” Then he held up a finger, “One more thing.” He went back on his haunches to address Starfa. “Hey lil’ cotton ball, I know you can understand me. Don’t you go back to the cave mine, ok?”

Starfa tilted her head, a questioning glint in her widening eyes. “Cle fffffa?”

“The cave mines are home to bigger, stronger creatures that will bite and eat you at first sight. So don’t go at it alone, ok? Have me come with you. And maybe your friend here?” He gestured at Jester.

Starfa followed the direction he was pointing and found Jester trying to bite into his amethyst. Then she stared hard at Alex, pouting and shaking her head vigorously.

“Not a fan? Give him some time, I’m sure you’ll get along.” He said, finally pushing to his feet. “Well then, it’s getting— Abigail?”

He turned around, searching for the punk girl living next door to him but she was gone.

He shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. What he knew was that her family was a primary cluster of the town’s gossips. He wouldn’t hold it against her if she wanted to get away. Heck, he did when he was younger. And he had to work all-out and fight tooth and nail to get to where he is. It was a path of cruelty and lots of unnecessary suffering he didn’t want another to suffer. So if by any means, he could help then he would help. Yoba knows that no one did for him when he was younger. He might as well be the change he wanted to see in the world. And it starts with Stardew Valley. It starts with him.