Just a flicker   von Calyses
                         (A modded Stardew Fanfiction)
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                             Kapitel 6: Small Talk
                             ---------------------


“Ehm,... are you doing this on purpose?” Elliott asked, firmly looking into
his teacup, as Sam pulled a shirt out of the trunk and put it on. She looked at
him puzzled.
“I mean, are you not embarrassed to be topless around a stranger? I know a lot
of women, who are very shy while dressing and you on the other hand act as if I
am not even here.”
“Oh,...”, Sam shrugged, “Sorry, if I put you in an awkward situation. It's
just I'm not thirteen anymore and I have brothers. Besides, being in a bra is
not topless and if I'm so stupid as to not take my shirt with me, it couldn't be
helped anyway.” She helped herself to a cup of tea and slumped on the only
chair, her room provided, facing her guest.
“Are you not even a bit afraid or cautious, that I could do something to you?
You said it yourself. I am a stranger to you, therefore I could be
dangerous.”
Sam looked at him.
He was sitting on her bed, snuggled in a blanket, sipping on his tea. Sam had
given him an old tracksuit, she had snatched from her father, while his wet
clothes were draped around the radiator for drying. With the cup clutched in his
hands, a towel wrapped around his hair and the slight pink tint around his nose,
he looked rather cute than dangerous.
“I'm new in town. How should I get to know people, if I'm too scared to talk
to them?” She locked eyes with him:
“And even with the long hair and the slight flamboyant mannerism...”
“Hey, I have really dialed it back since I live here!” he interrupted
grinning. “but go on.”
“Even with those, I don't think you're a vampire.”
He brought one hand up to his chest and sported a theatrically expression:
“Darling, I am offended by this. I am a noble werewolf.” He stated as dry as
he possibly could, while trying to keep the corners of his mouth down.
“Okay, Mr. Werewolf”, Sam snickered, “it's not a full moon night out
there, so there's no need to eat me, but if my life would be a horror movie,
there would have been ample opportunity to make terrible things happen to me,
already. We have been in the woods, alone... That would have been a perfect
moment.”
“You are mistaken. It is neither night, none of us was naked, nor had we have
sex. These are basic requirements.”
“If that's what makes the screenwriter happy, we could make up for that next
time.“
The moment the words left her mouth, Sam realized what she just said. Oh,
shit... She clutched a hand in front of her mouth, eyes wide open.
Thinking first, then talking! Thinking first! She repeated mantra-like in her
head.
Elliott's jaw dropped while Sam worked on a way to sink into the ground. For a
few moments only the hard rain pattering on the window was audible.
“I...I...”, Sam was mumbling, her face now red like a tomato and burning
hot. “Sorry, I got carried away.” She stared very hard into her teacup, not
to accidentally lock eyes with him.
The silence carried on. The moment was almost unbearable for Sam as she was
contemplating, if she could salvage the situation somehow.
Suddenly Elliott bellowed with laughter:
“I am flattered, but if that is an offer, I have to decline. At the moment I
am neither looking for a fling, nor a relationship. Besides...” his expression
grew serious. “... I do not think I am a good catch. At least not now. My life
is to unstable.” He thought about the phone call a few days back.
“I really must finish my book.”
Sam was relieved. He could have really taken that worse.
“Now you know one of my flaws. Sometimes my mouth runs without checking with
my head first. And I'm neither interested in a relationship nor something
similar. I've plan to stay here to write my thesis and after that, I don't even
know where my live takes me, but that reminds me, we almost forgot your
notebook.” Sam got up and shuffled over to her nightstand, glad to change the
subject. From the drawer she produced the small book with the worn gilded pages
and handed it over.
"Here. You must have it a long time. It's well worn, as far, as I can see. I'm
glad I didn't take is with me today. It would be ruined otherwise."
"It was a gift from someone who means a lot to me. He gave it to me, when I left
home to become an author. So I am glad to have it back. Not only for the
scribbling inside", he sighed in relief.
"You have some pretty good lines in there."
"Oh,..." his voice sounded slightly less warm in an instant. "You read my
stuff?"
"In hope to find some clues about your whereabouts, I flipped through the first
few pages. When I didn't find anything I tried to stop reading, but I was drawn
in. I'm sorry if I've overstepped my boundaries here."
"Thanks again for bringing me the book back, but yes, you have overstepped. I do
not appreciate it, if someone is looking through my stuff - especially my
writing - without my permission. I know you meant well and your reasoning was
sound. So just keep it in mind for the future." There was a hint of grieve and
hurt in his voice. Barely audible and easy to miss.
"Point taken, won't happen again." Sam responded, while watching him closely.
"Without arguing or defending your behavior?" Elliott was somehow baffled by the
simple acknowledgment.
"I made a mistake... And I think I hurt you with that more than I can fathom.
So, I must own up to it." she answered, now herself a bit puzzled why he would
ask her such a question.
Elliott relaxed a bit. The bitterness that had crept through his face left
almost as quickly as it had come. "That is a relief to hear... You said you
liked my writing?" his curiosity for Sam's opinion had won over, so his tone
changed almost immediately, as he asked her about his work.
"Yes, your style is pleasant to read. It flows easy and naturally. The way you
describe your settings really let me see those places before my inner eye and
the snippets of dialog, that I've seen, are witty or really emotional. So I'd
really like to read your finished book, when you are done." she answered.
"Tell all these things to my editor. She has a different opinion." he said.
"Well, she's a professional and I've seen only snippets. If you'd like, I would
read your draft. Maybe your editor is just a big oaf, but I have to see more of
your work to form a sound opinion."
"Ah, it is a ruse to continue reading my stuff." he laughed.
"But a clever one if I end up with your permission." Sam answered smiling
cocky.
"Nah", Elliott hold out one hand flat, palm down and tilted it slowly from side
to side, "I would not say clever. Quite see-through I would rather say."
Sam laughed. “Okay, you caught me. I would really, really like to read some
more. So why not helping you at the same time. I will give you my honest
thoughts and opinions.”
“I will think about it.” Elliott responded. “But in the meanwhile: What do
you enjoy to read? Mystery, science fiction or romance even?”
“Oh, I'm a sucker for a nice piece of humorous fantasy, preferably with a good
amount of social and economical criticism weaved masterfully into an intriguing
story with love- and hate-able characters, to get you start thinking. Ironic and
sarcastic, but warmhearted at the center...”
“Let me stop you right there. I get the feeling, you have a very specific book
or book series in mind.”
“Yeah, and I still postpone to read the last book.” she lowered her voice
and looked away while saying the last part.
“Why, though?”
“My favorite author died a few years back and if I read the last book, than
it's over. I can't bring myself to do it.”
“Then it is time for you to find a new favorite author.” Elliott grinned,
his eyes glittering cheekily. “But you will not find me writing anything
related to comedy soon.” He added. “It is the highest form of literature if
pulled of the right way and I know my limits in this capacity.”
“Fair point. I've read my share of not so good books in this genre, I've to
admit. But, does that mean I've got the permission to read your draft?” She
smiled at him cheekily, too.
“I have brought that on myself, have I not?” he asked.
“Yes, you have. Do you have any suggestions on what we could do now. The rain
doesn't seem to stop anytime soon and your clothes are still soaked.” Sam
asked.
“How about you tell me a bit more about you? You said, you are writing your
thesis? Is it why you are here? Where do you work? And I would die to know why
you wanted to go to the mines. Why I have found you in the mountain lake, you
already explained, although I do not know if I should believe it.” He took the
chance to ask more questions.
“I finished my last semester at university and have only the thesis left to
write. I want to write about the valley and what impacts the more recent
historical and economical developments had on it's small communities and their
inhabitants up until now. Therefore I decided to move here to do my research at
the source. And to be able to do that, I have to work at least a half-time job.
I got lucky that there was an opening at the museum. The curator and librarian
there – Gunther – let me use the library in my spare time. I'm also
exploring the valley bit by bit to link my experiences with the things I read. I
think that explains why I wanted to go to the mines. I was told there had been
an accident that caused one of the residents to end up in a wheelchair.
Afterwards the mines were abandoned and only explorers and adventurers go there
now. So I wanted to take a look myself.”
“So you hired a guide and where supposed to meet up with them today?”
“No, why should I? The mines are stabilized now, as far as I know.”
“Alone? That is stupid and dangerous! Do you want to get hurt or worst?”
Elliott proclaimed a tad louder than necessary. Sam was startled by his
outburst.
“But, the mines are open to the public and I think the most dangerous parts
are closed off.” She tried to explain.
“There are things down there! I thought every new member of the town is told
that. You should not go there alone.” He became agitated even more.
“I can handle myself. Thank you very much.” Sam got defensive.
Elliott bit his tongue. He had gotten loud again. He could see the flicker of
anger in her face. Now he had done it again. The first person in ages don't
looking at him funny, while they were talking and he ruined it.
“I am sorry”, he said. “I did not mean that you are incapable. It is
just... have you been to the mountain path behind the train station?”
“No, I haven't.” Sam answered, still sour.
“It is lined with graves. All of so called adventurous who had gotten too
self-assured. Too confident for their own good. So, please forgive me for losing
my temper. The mayor should really close the mines or at least there should be
signs warning about the dangers deep down. But nothing...
Sam's features grew softer. She could clearly see that most of his anger stemmed
from worry.
“Hey, don't worry. I'll be cautious and if it makes you feel better, I won't
go alone. By the way I wouldn't call this little outburst losing your temper. I
think you overreact slightly, that's all.” Sam sported a reassuring smile.
Elliott sighed and took a deep breath: “No, when I get irate I get loud and I
do not like it.” It reminded him to much of his father, a truth he liked to
ignore. “Especially if I get loud with a person the anger is not really
directed at. I am – excuse my colorful language here – pissed at Lewis, the
adventurers guild and whoever is responsible for making the mines look safer
than they are. “ he scratched the back of his neck and downed the rest of his
tea.
Sam motioned to the kettle and he acknowledged the unspoken question with a
small nod. As she poured she spoke:
“As compensation for your little anger management problem.” she winked.
“you could answer me a question.”
Elliott shrugged. “Sure, as long as you do not want me to do the mine diving
with you. I hate the thought of meters and meters of suffocating stone above my
head.”
“No, it's about something else.”
Elliott got suspicious. As far as he had figured Sam was nobody to beat around
the bush. Now she hesitated quite a bit.
“Out with it or have you grown shy over the last few minutes?” he teased.
“So, there was this girl on the train. She really wanted to talk about you,
when you left. And not necessarily in a good way. “
He raised an eyebrow. Sooner or later it had to come to this.
“So you want to know about what happened in the graveyard and the other
strange stuff she probably told you about, I assume?”
“Yeah, I'd really like to hear your side of the story. Some of the villagers
seem to be not on the best foot with you.”
“Figures”, he paused. “It is a rather embarrassing story and those spread
quickly and stick for a long time. I would rather like for the memory to fade
into the mists of time.” He paused again. He pondered, if he really should
tell her. After a brief second he decided to credit her trust.
“I told you my lecturer did not like my draft. It was not the first one to get
shredded. I had been to a meeting and it was devastating. The following days my
mind was enwrapped in doubt. The thought of failure barely let me sleep. I tried
to figure out where I went wrong and how to fix it, but my head was a pure mess,
ready to crumble away under the pressure I felt myself in.
The cold grasp of winter had already taken hold and sunk its claws deep into the
valley. After a sleepless night, filled with fruitless attempts to write
something new, I decided to get out. I left the cabin of mine to clear my head.
It was still dark, with only a hint of  sunrise when I left. The cold and crisp
morning air and the glittering stillness of that particular morning hushed the
valley and helped me to collect my thoughts. The sun came up, while my steps
took me to the graveyard. I have been there many a times, when I needed
peace.”
He took a moment to continue. 
“You have seen the graveyard, I assume?” 
Sam nodded
“For a town so small it is quite big and has some impressive graves and
headstones on it. Some old, crumbly statues, either. There is one grave in
particular I like to visit. Have you been to the graveyard or just walked
past?”
“I've taken a look, the day I made my rounds with the mayor.” 
“Have you seen the one with the weathered and worn down stone angel, looking
like it is about to spread its wings and enwrap the poor soul laying
beneath?”
“The one with all the floral motifs around the sides?”
“Yes, that one. It is my favorite among the old graves. I made a very dumb
decision that day. I do not tell you this to justify my behavior, just to make
it a bit more understandable. I was weary, worn out and deprived of sleep, the
cold air made me sleepy and suddenly it looked like a good idea to sit down and
rest a bit.“
“On the grave?” Sam interjected
“Yes, like I said. Not the brightest or most glamorous idea I ever had. So, I
sat on the stone plate and leaned against the angel. My thoughts trailed off and
the next thing I remember is Haley laughing and filming me.”
“You had fallen asleep on a grave, in the dead of winter?”
“I have to admit, yes. I know it can be dangerous, but luckily I was only out
for maybe half an hour before being awakened by that woman. I came away with a
cold anyway.”
“What happened then? There's more to the story I assume?” Sam asked. 
“Unfortunately, yes… I do not like to be filmed or photographed without my
permission. She also made comments about me being a drunkard. So I told her to
stop and delete the video. She ignored my pleas and just laughed.
In an attempt to stop her, I might have broken her phone. Now she is telling
everybody, I am a lunatic and that I have attacked her."
He paused. The story clearly was hard for him to tell.
"Ah, that's why I've been warned about you. But you didn't?"
"Actually I kind of did." He swallowed the lump forming in his throat, "After
she ignored my pleading to stop, I tried to snatch the phone from her hands to
delete the recording myself. That is when it dropped.
I apologized and paid her for a new one, but the damage was done." He painfully
remembered the large dent it had left in his finances and the looks the other
villagers had shot him, after the word got round.
"Yeah, I can see that. The whole thing wasn't cool... from neither of you."
Elliott nodded silently.
"So now you know.” 
Silent fell upon them. Elliott watched Sam closely, while he was waiting for a
response. 
“I feel you. You put yourself into a really difficult situation there.”
“Yeah, I feel like everybody is watching me now, whenever I am in town, so I
avoid being around people much, since.”
“Do you think it's really that bad? I mean I've been told that you are kinda
weird, but nobody deemed you violent or outright dangerous. And you have at
least a few friends or acquaintances here, don't you? Anyone who knows you
better than stupid rumors?”
“There are a few. Leah, my artist friend from university, who lives on the
edge of Cindersap Forest and Willy the old fisherman, but both are away from the
valley right now.
I consider Harvey somewhere between friend and acquaintance. And Gunther of
course. When I first came here I spent a lot of time in the museum. But do me a
favor. Let us change the subject. I do not wanna talk about it anymore.”
Sam nodded. It wasn't surprising after what she'd heard. 
“How about you tell me about your time before you came to the valley?” She
asked.
“Oh no. I think I should ask you something first, before answering another of
your questions. What was it back on the train…? You said I am the nosy
one?“
Sam snickered. 
“You are right. Ask away then.” 
Elliott  thought about his question. 
“Okay you know about my most embarrassing moment now. So tell me yours.” 
“Fair. I've to think about it for a bit though. I've a few to select
from.” 
Elliott raised an eyebrow. 
“What have you done?” 
“When I was in University, I lived in an old dorm with showers and kitchen
outside  on the floor.”
“I know these. Fortunately I had the luxury to live in a more fancy apartment
with a tiny bathroom and a small stove. “
“Do you mean the apartments with the whole bathroom made out of a tub of icky
plastic, that doubles as a shower?”
“Exactly.”
Both had to laugh. 
“Anyway, I managed to lock myself out of my room, while showering. So I had to
ask around for help with only a towel wrapped around me. Another time I somehow
threw my bra out of the open window instead of my laundry basket and I had to
fetch it as stealthy as I could manage. Safe to say: It didn't work. I was the
laughing stock of my peers the next few days.  
One of my teachers saw my shortened name and mistook me for a guy, so I became
Mr. Vaughn at some point.  Took a time for me to realize I was meant. Mr.
Vaughn please. Is Mr. Vaughn in today? 
And a thing I'm very proud of “, she winked, “happened when I tried to dye
my hair for the first time. Do you know what happens when you hop into a pool of
chlorinated water with fresh bleached hair?”
“No, it is nothing I ever tried.” 
“The hair turns green.” 
Elliott chuckled, picturing Sam with green hair. 
“I told everybody that I dyed my hair green on purpose. It was so
embarrassing.”  Sam chuckled too. 
“Should I go on?” 
“No need. You are a little magnet for chaos, are you not?”
“You can say so. One learns to live with that, but it makes for hilarious
stories.“
Now Elliott was laughing hard. 
“You are hilarious, you know.”
Sam couldn't help, but laugh herself. 
“You say, you dye your hair? It does not look like that.”
It's not at the moment. I was unsure how the townspeople might react and since I
need the job here  to fund my endeavor, I thought playing it safe was my best
option. Now I wait for the colors to arrive.”
“Lewis and Pierre can be a bit conservative at times. I give you that. I
myself am not a huge fan of dyed hair either. I prefer natural colors.”
“Easy for you to say with that gorgeous red mane. You see my hair. It's the
most boring shade of muddy brownish blonde anyone could come up with. And
growing it out it gets all thin and fuzzy. “
“The undercut suits you, though.” 
“Thanks” 
For a moment they sat in silence, enjoying the warm tea, until Sam remembered
something. 
“You said you lived in a dorm, so you studied at university, too?”
“Yes, I was enrolled at ZCU.” 
“Oh, you, too? Let me guess. Linguistics?”
“No, not at all. I hold a masters degree in economics. Was not by choice,
though.” his thoughts trailed off. 
“I never would have guessed, but that's brilliant. I think we can help each
other out. Just tell me, what do you mean with ‘not by choice’.”
“My parents have a small business, so they made me, because: ‘All comes down
to economics, son.’. It was not that bad though. To stick with it and see it
through was my own choice.”
“And now you're doing something entirely different.”, Sam laughed. “I
thought, I am studying a subject with no use for my future.”
“Well, what is the use of staying in a carrier you are unhappy with?”
“Exactly, but tell that to my parents.”
Elliott rolled his eyes. He could feel that very well. 
“Don't get me wrong. My parents are supportive and all, but they use every
opportunity to nag, if they're not 100% on board with my choices.”
I wish I could say the same, Elliott thought, but only said “Parents.” and
shrugged. “So you said, my studies may help you? How so?” 
“You can put my findings about the economics of the valley into perspective.
From a professional point of view, I mean. So I thought, "I can help you with
your writing and you can help me with my research.”
He thought about the proposition. 
“I will consider it.”
“Cool, let me give you my number then. It's fun to run into you by chance, but
for us maybe working together, I've rather a way to contact you on purpose, with
less water involved.”
“My pleasure, my lady.” Elliott quickly fetched his phone and typed in the
number Sam gave him. 
“By the way, I plan to visit Aurora Vineyard, an old, abandoned property in
the woods southwest of Pelican Town this Friday. Would you like to accompany me
there?” Sam asked while Elliott called here. 
“An old, abandoned vineyard in the depths of the forest? I am intrigued. Count
me in.”
“I work until around 14.00. Where should we meet?” 
“I will come and get you. I have not been to the museum for a while, so I 
can use the opportunity to talk to Gunther for a bit.”
“Sounds good. What should we do now? The rain doesn't seem to stop soon?”

 

 
... AQUARE INFINITI! Rasmodius bellowed. He hold his breath moments before the
ball of water engulfed him. He could feel the heat of the flame surging towards
him, but the water kept him save.
The eyeless sockets gleamed dark red, as the beast shuck his massive skull,
looking angrily for a new target. It tried to grab the warrior next to it, but
he jumped in a swift motion on it and jabbed his sword in the place right
between the sockets. The creature screamed and tried to shack it's opponent off.
The warrior held on. The creature rose one of it's enormous hands and brought it
down on it's own snout, but the warrior was gone, He had jump off right in time.
The creature slammed the warriors sword even deeper through it's thick skin. It
howled in agony before keeling over to it's side and drawing it's last breath.
The warrior took his sword from the corps, turning to the next monster.
The other warrior was surrounded by spirits known to Rasmodius as wraiths.
Dreadful spirits of swirling smoke, able to breath green fire balls. She held
off four of them with well timed swings of her sword. The enchantments on these
weapons are impressive, the wizard thought.
He dissolved the water and sent it as waves of sharp shards of ice into a new
oncoming line of enemies.
"WHAT HAPPENED HERE? WHY ARE THERE SO MANY CREATURES OF WRATH?", he screamed at
the top of his lungs, as the monsters fell. One of the warriors landed beside
him.
"Act now, talk later!", he said calm, but firmly and was gone again.
The wizard pondered his next move. They need something bigger or their efforts
would prove futile in the end.
"By the light of a thousand suns! It's worse than at night time! ", the warrior
fighting off the wraiths exclaimed.
"Just a little bit. Belinda is coming to!" the girl named Bliss was shouting.
LIGHT! That's it! Rasmodius knew what to do:
"Close your eyes, quick!", he shouted. Without waiting for a response he
conjured his spell:
"CLARA LUX!"
The wave of light was merciless. In an instant the harsh brightness had
swallowed all in it's way. Monsters dissolved screeching with wails of agony. In
a blink of an eye it was over. Rasmodius slumped to his knees, breathing
heavily. He had to put his all into that spell.
The warriors made short with the few remaining beasts and brought their
attention back to Lady Belinda, who now was surly coming around. It took a few
more minutes before she was able to sit without support not to mention talking
in straight sentences again. One of the warriors hold up a waterskin.
"Thanks, Jio." She took a sip.
"Let's get back to base." she was referring to the wooden house on the other
side of the moat. "I've to tell you something."
 
“We've a problem. I couldn't get hold of the mountain spirit. She tried to
reach out to me, but something powerful was blocking her from me."
"Someone spoke through you, my lady." Bliss said. "If it wasn't the mountain
spirit, who was it?
"Oh? I don't know. What was it, the conjured spirit said? I can't remember
something using me as vessel."
"It was a warning. Something about helping the magic. Helping the farmer to
intervene something." Jo provided.
"The farmer? I'm not sure of that." Rasmodius mused. "They haven't shown any
interest in the magic of the valley." Belinda thought about that.
"Please try to exactly repeat to me, what I said and how I said it.“
 
 
Elliott turned around and looked back. He wasn't sure when he last had met
someone acting so nonchalantly around him. It was kinda refreshing. Nonetheless
there had been a few awkward situations, but it had been a fun afternoon and
talking had been so easy. He had back his most precious belonging, too. No
matter how much he had tried to fool himself into thinking, that losing it
wasn't a big deal, his thoughts had lingered on his loss far to often. A smile
formed on his face, as he started walking down the path to Pelican town. Sam had
given him a few things to think about. He wasn't quite sure what to make of her,
yet, but he could feel ideas and inspiration coming back to him as he made his
way home. Could that be the spark he was missing? A trivial talk full of dumb
ideas and nothingness, to free his mind from the shackles he had restricted
himself with? The next days surely would tell.
Museum, she had said. Maybe he should leave his abode more often to pay Gunther
a visit once in a while...

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