As Far As I Remember, In The Stardew Valley Expanded Mod, The Area Located In The Backwoods Serves As

Aleia groaned as Sebastian's hands began to wander under her shirt. "It's literally early in the morning, and you have to be "that" excited right now?"

Sebastian chuckled, his breath warm against her neck. "Can you blame me when I wake up next to you looking so... inviting."

I think I forgot to turn off the Spicy Version for this mod. This is based around these dialogues and I think its from Maggs Immersive Sebastian mod.

AYOOOOOOO SEBBY! 👀‼️

Pffftt and there's my character Aleia being dramatic. 🤭

Summary: Cerise is overwhelmed by a flashback of her traumatic past, until Jio who is visiting her at the farmhouse, tries to snap her out of it. However, in a reflexive response, Cerise grabs a knife and throws it at him.

The rain poured down in heavy sheets, mixing with the dirt into a thick, slippery mud that covered her small, bare feet. Cerise huddled in the shadows of an alley, shivering in the cold night air. Her eyes darted around in the dark, searching for any signs of danger. In her arms, she held her little sister, Rosemary, barely five years old and crying softly in the storm. Memories assaulted her mind, but she pushed them aside, needing to focus on the here and now.

Cerise's ears strained to hear any sound over the noise of the rain. She knew she needed to escape, to find shelter somewhere. But every path she could take led her and her sister into danger. The sound of voices and footsteps came from the main street and Cerise knew she had to act fast.

Without conscious thought, she started running, clutching Rosemary tightly to her chest. The cold rain turned the world around her into a blur, but she forced herself to run faster, her mind focused only on one thing: keeping her sister safe.

In the chaos, her bare foot landed on a sharp stone, but she barely registered the pain, only the fear that gripped her heart. The voices behind her were growing louder, their footsteps coming closer. They were getting closer...

Finally, she spotted a narrow alleyway leading off to the side. Cerise darted into it, stumbling a bit as her foot throbbed with pain. She took several quick turns down various alleys, desperately trying to throw off any pursuers who may be following them.

She stopped for a moment, her back against the wall and tried to control her ragged breathing. Her entire body trembled with cold and fear. She looked down at her sister in her arms, who was still crying quietly and tried to offer a soothing smile.

"It's going to be okay." she whispered hoarsely to Rosemary, hoping she sounded more convincing than she felt. "We'll find someplace safe soon. No one is going to hurt you, I promise."

But even as she spoke the words, doubt edged into her mind, her own words of courage feeling hollow in the face of the danger they were in. As she listened intently for the distant voices, her thoughts darted back to the events that led to this moment...

Suddenly, a noise drew Cerise's attention back to the present. Footsteps were approaching, coming from the direction she and Rosemary had come from. Holding her breath, Cerise flattened herself against the wall, her heart racing. The footsteps grew closer, accompanied by murmuring voices.

Cerise's grip on Rosemary tightened, her eyes fixed on the mouth of the alley. She dared not turn and run, fearing the sound of her footsteps would alert their pursuers to their location. She felt helpless, her mind racing for a solution that wouldn't put her sister in more danger.

The footsteps stopped at the foot of the alley, just outside of sight. The murmuring voices grew louder, and Cerise made out a few words that sent chills down her spine.

The footsteps started again, closing in on Cerise's hiding spot, and she realized too late that they'd been discovered. Before she could react, strong hands grabbed her, pulling her and Rosemary away from the wall. A scream ripped from her throat as she struggled to get free.

The men held her tightly, their grips bruising on her arms. She cried out, but the sound was lost in the driving rain.

"Cerise! Snap out of it!"

Jio's voice shattered the dark memories that had consumed Cerise, jolting her back to reality. Instinctively, she flung a knife she'd been holding onto the cutting board, aimed straight at him. The blade went straight through the air, but Jio dodged it just in time, narrowly avoiding a serious injury. The knife nicked his cheek instead, drawing a line of blood down his skin.

"Are you okay?" Jio asked, his voice calm and steady despite the steady trickle of blood on his face. Cerise's eyes widened in shock, realizing what she had done. But before she could say anything, Jio raised a hand to stop her. "It's just a small cut." he reassured her. "I'm fine."

Cerise shook her head, refusing to let the matter drop. "No, we need to clean it up first. It's still bleeding." she insisted. But before Jio could protest, Cerise had already turned on her heel and walked away to grab the first aid kit.

When she returned, first aid kit in hand, Cerise found Jio still standing in the same spot. His expression was guarded, but there was a flicker of something else in his eyes, some emotion that Cerise couldn't quite place.

Cerise began to clean the cut on Jio's cheek, she could feel the tension between them. But neither of them spoke, the silent only broken by the occasional hiss from Jio as Cerise applied the antiseptic to the wound.

As Cerise tended to his wound, Jio's attention was momentarily distracted by her physical appearance. Her eyes, a deep shade of purple as if they held the secrets of the night sky, contrasted beautifully with her soft, beige hair that was reminiscent of a gentle sandy hue, and Jio found himself sneaking glances at her face. Suddenly, conscious of his staring, he shook his head and focused on the present.

Jio cleared his throat, breaking the silence. "You know, you have some great aim." he said, trying to keep his tone light. "I could've sworn you aimed that knife right at my nose earlier."

Cerise chuckled softly, still focused on her task. "I guess I got lucky." she replied, continuing to clean the cut. "Although, I wasn't really aiming for your nose. I was just—" Her voice trailed off as she paused, her expression clouding over momentarily.

Jio picked up on her sudden change in demeanor and frowned. "Just what?" he pressed, his eyes studying her face carefully.

Cerise hesitated, her hand stilling on Jio's cheek. "It's nothing." she said after a moment, her voice sounding almost forced. "I just got lost in thought, that's all." She dabbed a cotton ball with antiseptic and resumed cleaning the cut.

Jio wasn't convinced. He could see that something was clearly bothering her, but he also knew that pushing too hard would only make her clam up. So he waited, letting the silence stretch out as she finished cleaning the wound.

Once she was done, Cerise put down the cotton ball and reached for a bandage. She applied it carefully over the cut, her fingers lingering on his skin for a few seconds longer than necessary. Jio couldn't help but notice, his heart quickening slightly at the touch.

As she finished, Cerise stepped back, her eyes avoiding his. Jio could tell that she was trying to distance herself, trying to hide from him. But he wasn't about to let her get away with such a weak explanation. He reached out and gently touched her chin, turning her face towards him. Her gaze met his, and he could see the mixture of emotions swirling in her eyes. "What's going on, Cerise?" he asked quietly.

Cerise hesitated for a moment, her eyes searching his face. Jio could see the struggle on her expression, the silent battle between the need to confide in someone and the desire to keep her secrets hidden. He waited, his thumb tracing small, soothing circles on her jaw.

Finally, she let out a sigh, her shoulders sagging with the weight of her burdens. "It's just... complicated." she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "There are things about me, that I'm not ready to talk about yet. Not even to you."

Jio stared at her with understanding and empathy in his eyes, holding her hand gently. He tried to convey through his touch that she could trust him, that he was someone she could confide in.

Cerise shook her head, "You remember what I said about us moving here to Grandma's farm to start a new life?" she asked. "That is true, but there's more to it than that. The reason why we had to leave our old lives behind is..."

She paused, her expression darkening as she struggled to continue. Jio gave her hand a reassuring squeeze, encouraging her to go on.

After a deep breath, Cerise continued, her voice tinged with bitterness. "The environment we used to live in was dangerous and toxic." she admitted. "It was a miserable place, and we both knew we couldn't stay any longer. I couldn't let Rosemary grow up in that hellhole, and I had to keep us both safe."

Jio nodded, his expression grave as he listened intently.

"So, I made a plan.", Cerise continued, her voice firm. "A plan to escape and make a fresh start somewhere new. It took years of planning, working in secret, all while doing my best to stay sane and keep Rosemary safe."

She paused briefly, memories of the struggle they had endured flashing in her mind.

Then, Jio gently rubbed the back of her hand with his thumb, wanting to offer her some comfort. "Cerise..." he said softly. "You don't have to tell me the details if you're not ready yet. I just want you to know that I'm here for you, whatever you need."

Cerise glanced down at their joined hands, then back up at him. She could see the genuine concern and understanding in his eyes, and it warmed her heart a little.

She gave him a small, bittersweet smile. "Thanks," she murmured. "I just... I need a little more time before I can talk about it. But I want you to know that I do trust you, Jio."

Jio's heart swelled with both emotions. It was both painful and exhilarating to know that she trusted him, but it also hurt to see her struggling to share her burden. All he wanted to do was to take her pain away, but he knew that these things couldn't be rushed.

"Take all the time you need," he replied, squeezing her hand gently. "I'm not going anywhere. I'll be here whenever you're ready."

Cerise let out a shaky breath, the weight of her secrets feeling a little lighter with Jio's reassurance. She nodded slightly, appreciating his patience and understanding.

Then she let out a small chuckle, trying to shake off the heavy atmosphere. "Right." she said, looking back at the forgotten chocolate project. "Let's finish up. Can't leave them to make themselves, can we?"

Jio couldn't help but sneak a glance at her face as she spoke, his eyes taking in the gentle slope of her nose, the curve of her lips, and the warmth in her eyes. Even in the midst of her pain, she was undeniably beautiful to him.

Cerise continued working on the chocolates, her hands moving with a gentle, practiced ease as she prepared the molds and filled them with the still-warm chocolate mixture. Jio watched her from his seat, his gaze lingering on her face and hands, admiring the way she worked. The concentration in her expression, the skillful precision of her movements, the way she bit her lip in focus... All of these things only made her more enchanting to him.

He wished he could help her but he also knew that his rough hands were ill-suited for this kind of delicate work, so he settled for admiring her from a distance, content just to watch and be near her. The room was quiet except for the gentle clinking of spoons and the soft sounds of stirring, and Jio found himself completely captivated by her presence.

As the hours passed and the chocolates were finally completed, he reluctantly broke the silence. "Looks like they're done." he said, rising from his seat.

Cerise smiled at him, wiping her hands on a towel. "Yeah, they are," she said. "Now, they just need to cool and set before we can taste them."

After the chocolates were set aside to cool, Jio found his thoughts drifting back to their conversation earlier in the day. The way she had opened up just a little, the sorrow and pain in her eyes when she spoke about her past...

Jio had been initially suspicious of Cerise when she first arrived in town, but now, after hearing her story, his suspicions had quieted somewhat. He still didn't know the full details of her past, but the fact that she had trusted him enough to share any part of it had shifted something within him.

'Whatever it is she's hiding.', he thought to himself,

Jio looked over at Cerise, who was cleaning up the mess from their chocolate-making session. Her expression was distant, lost in thought, and Jio wondered how much more there was to her story that he didn't know.

But for now, he would be patient. He would let her set the pace and share what she was ready to share.

He stood up and approached her, a small smile on his face. "Need any help with that?" he asked, gesturing to the spilled sugar and dirty bowls scattered across the counter.

Cerise looked up at Jio, a grateful smile spreading across her face. "Thanks." she said, stepping aside to let him help. Together they cleaned up the mess, working silently side by side. There was a comfortable familiarity in the simplicity of the task, and Jio found himself enjoying the closeness he felt to Cerise in this moment.

As they finished tidying up, Jio brushed a stray lock of hair away from Cerise's face, his fingers lingering on her cheek for just a second longer than necessary.

"All done." he said softly, his gaze on her face. She met his eyes, her expression soft and open, and for a moment, they just stood there, mere inches apart, caught in a private moment that felt both vulnerable and electrifying.

Suddenly, the peaceful moment was shattered by the sound of the front door banging open, followed by a cheerful cry from Rosemary. "I'm home!"

Jio nearly jumped out of his skin at her loud entrance, while Cerise just chuckled and headed towards the living room to greet her younger sister.

"Hey, welcome back." Cerise said as she approached Rosemary, ruffling her hair affectionately.

Rosemary, oblivious to the tension she had just interrupted, beamed up at her older sister, holding out a basket filled with freshly harvested crops. "Look what I got today!"

Jio had followed them into the living room, his irritation at the interruption mingled with a grudging fondness for the young girl. He leaned against the wall, crossing his arms over his chest. Rosemary proudly showed off the contents of her basket, it was filled with a variety of monster crops, each one more vibrant and thriving than the last.

"I collected a bunch of monster crop seeds from the Highlands." she explained, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "This is my first harvest! I'm gonna take some back to give to Lance for his research."

Jio's irritation at the interruption faded slightly as he listened to Rosemary's enthusiasm. The girl had a natural talent for farming, and her dedication to the land was admirable. He found himself softening just a little.

Cerise smiled at her sister's excitement, sharing in her sense of accomplishment. "That's great, Rosemary." she said, patting her on the head. "I'm sure Lance will be thrilled to get these samples."

Rosemary beamed at the praise, her cheeks flushed with happiness. "I hope so! I want to help him as much as I can."

Jio is leaning against the wall, couldn't help a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. The girl's enthusiasm was infectious, even if she had interrupted a very... interesting moment between him and Cerise.

With Rosemary still chattering about her successful harvest, Cerise looked over at Jio and gave him a knowing glance. She mouthed an apology for the interruption, her expression sheepish and apologetic.

Jio shrugged in response, his irritation fading. He could hardly stay mad when Rosemary was so excited, and he was secretly glad for the distraction. Maybe it was a good thing that the moment between him and Cerise had been interrupted... for now, at least.

𝙲𝚑𝚘𝚌𝚘𝚕𝚊𝚝𝚎 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝙲𝚘𝚗𝚏𝚒𝚍𝚎𝚗𝚌𝚎𝚜

"𝘚𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦 𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘵, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘵'𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘧𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘭𝘺 𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘭."

Summary: Lance and Jio, complete opposites, find themselves bound by marriage into an unexpected family. Over drinks, they share stories of how their wives nearly killed them upon first meeting. What starts as mockery slowly turns into understanding, whether they like it or not, they’re brothers now.

A/N: I don’t know what came over me when I wrote this. Seriously. Lance and Jio in the same room, willingly? That’s basically a sign of the apocalypse. But somehow, these two disasters ended up as family, and now they have to deal with it. I imagine it’s as painful for them as it is entertaining for us. Anyway, enjoy the chaos!

The quiet hum of the evening settled over the valley, the golden hues of the sunset stretching long shadows over the land. The world seemed to breathe in this tranquil moment, the rustling of leaves filling the spaces between silence, the distant calls of nocturnal creatures stirring to life. Jio had always found solace in such stillness. It was in these quiet hours that he thrived, slipping into the unseen corners of the world where no one could reach him. Solitude had been both a shield and a weapon, a constant companion in a life built on shadows.

And yet, solitude was a fleeting luxury these days because a certain combat mage was here.

Jio had never been particularly fond of company, and the arrival of Lance into his life did little to change that. Unfortunately, life had its own plans. Whether he liked it or not, the man was now his brother-in-law. At first, their relationship could be described as awkward at best, tense at worst. It wasn’t that either of them had anything against the other, not exactly. But their lives had shifted in ways neither of them had anticipated.

For Jio, it was the fact that Lance, an outsider to the world he lived in, had been sharp enough to see right through him. That had been unsettling. The moment they first met, Jio had been cloaked in illusion, his elven heritage hidden beneath a spell designed to fool even the most skilled of magic users but it hadn’t fooled Lance. The adventurer had taken one look at him, his eyes shimmering with the unmistakable glint of understanding and smirked.

“You know.” Lance had said, arms folded across his chest, “It’s a good spell. Really well-crafted but I can see right through it.”

The ninja assassin had spent years perfecting his ability to go unnoticed, had barely resisted the urge to scowl. As for the mage, he had taken this as an invitation to start asking questions.

The elf had quickly learned that Lance was persistent, annoyingly so. He was not only intrigued by Jio’s lineage but also by his profession, while the Cult of the Lady with the Red Tail was shrouded in secrecy, whispers of their existence had reached the ears of adventurers, mages and guilds alike. Assassins, criminals, ghosts in the night, call them what you will but few truly understood the reality of their work.

Lance, being the ever-diplomatic combat mage that he was, approached Jio with an odd mixture of curiosity and caution. It wasn’t that he feared him, not exactly. But as a key figure in The First Slash Clan, he knew better than to trust blindly. Their interactions had remained strained for some time, both men studying each other like opposing chess pieces. Jio, introverted and secretive, had no interest in entertaining an inquisitive brother-in-law. Lance, on the other hand, saw the elfman as an enigma, one he was determined to unravel.

Which was exactly why they were here now, sitting across from one another in the dim glow of a quiet evening, caught in an unusual yet oddly comfortable silence.

It had started as an accident. Jio had been sharpening his katana in the courtyard when Lance had strolled in, carrying a bottle of wine and two glasses as if he owned the place.

“Mind if I join you?” he’d asked, already sitting down before Jio had the chance to refuse.

Jio sighed. “You already have.”

Lance chuckled, pouring the wine. “Figured it’s about time we had a real conversation, just the two of us.”

The ninja eyed him warily. “Is that so?”

“You’re my brother-in-law. Might as well get to know each other.” Lance leaned back, swirling the wine in his glass. His gaze flickered with something unreadable, amusement layered over a deeper sense of intrigue. “How long were you going to keep pretending to be human?”

Jio exhaled sharply through his nose. So this was where they were starting.

“I don’t know what you mean.” His voice was deliberately flat, dismissive, but he knew it would do little to deter Lance.

The man merely chuckled. “Oh, come on. You really think an illusion spell would fool me? I saw through that the first time we met.” He tilted his head, watching Jio carefully, as if waiting for him to confirm it.

Jio’s grip tightened slightly on the hilt of his katana, the weight of the blade a familiar comfort. Few had ever seen through his illusions so easily, let alone with such casual certainty. It was unsettling.

The mage sensing the tension, lifted a hand in mock surrender. “Relax. I don’t have a problem with elves.” His gaze darkened slightly, his voice losing its usual teasing tone. “Just surprised, is all. Your kind is supposed to be extinct. Imagine my shock when I find out my brother-in-law is walking proof that isn’t the case.”

Jio finally turned to look at him, studying him in silence. He could see the questions forming behind Lance’s eyes, an unspoken list of inquiries waiting to be voiced. He knew this conversation wouldn’t end here.

“I assume you have a dozen questions.”

Lance’s grin was immediate, almost triumphant. “At least a dozen but I doubt you’ll answer half of them.”

“You’re right.”

Rather than deterring him, the answer only seemed to amuse Lance further. He let out a quiet laugh, shaking his head as if unsurprised. The conversation lapsed into silence, the wind carrying the distant sounds of the forest. Jio was no stranger to tense silences, the kind thick with unspoken threats, the heavy anticipation of a fight waiting to break out. But this… this wasn’t quite like that. There was curiosity, certainly, but no hostility. And for all his persistence, Lance wasn’t pressing him, wasn’t demanding answers. He was simply there, waiting. Offering conversation as an invitation rather than an order.

Jio could appreciate that.

Lance shifted, glancing at him again. “Alright, let’s start simple.” His voice was light, but there was a knowing edge to it, as if he had already anticipated Jio’s reluctance. “How did you meet Cerise?”

Jio exhaled, reluctant but not entirely unwilling to answer. It was only fair, he supposed. They were bound by their relationships to the farm sisters, whether they liked it or not.

“She wandered into Ridge Forest,” he said at last. “Too close to the barrier.”

Lance hummed thoughtfully. “And?”

Jio’s gaze flickered toward the horizon, memories surfacing unbidden.

The night air in Ridge Forest was thick with the scent of damp earth and pine, the hush of the wilderness disturbed only by the distant hoot of an owl. Jio moved soundlessly through the undergrowth, his senses sharp as he patrolled the forest’s edge. It was a quiet night, undisturbed by intruders until a flicker of movement caught his eye.

Someone was there.

A lone traveler, cloaked and hooded, moving steadily along the path. At a glance, she seemed unremarkable just another wanderer passing through the forest under the cover of night. Perhaps a lost adventurer, someone who had strayed too far from familiar roads. He had seen many like her before, drawn by the mystique of Ridge Forest without realizing its dangers.

With a quiet sigh, Jio stepped forward, letting his presence be known as he materialized before her in a blur of motion. His voice was calm, controlled. “You shouldn’t be here—!”

The dagger came fast.

Instinct flared, and Jio twisted just in time to avoid the blade as it whistled past his face, embedding itself in the bark of a tree behind him with a sharp thunk. The sheer force of the throw sent vibrations through the wood. A fraction slower and the blade would have found his skull instead.

His eyes widened slightly. Well. That would’ve been unpleasant.

Before he could react, the woman lunged.

Jio barely managed to block the incoming strike, catching her wrist before her fist could connect with his jaw. His grip tightened, and for the first time in a long while, he found himself genuinely surprised. This wasn’t a panicked traveler flailing in fear, this was an experienced fighter, attacking on pure instinct.

“Are you insane?” he snapped.

The woman halted, her posture shifting as she took in the situation. Her gaze flickered to the dagger buried deep in the tree, then back to him. With a quiet sigh, she relaxed her stance, rolling her shoulders back.

“That was a mistake.” Her voice was steady, unapologetic but not dismissive. “Didn’t expect someone to appear out of nowhere.”

Jio studied her for a moment before releasing his grip. “You nearly took my head off.” His tone was even, but there was a dry edge to it.

She huffed softly, rubbing her wrist where he had grabbed her. “If I meant to, I wouldn’t have missed.”

Jio’s expression remained unreadable, but there was a glint of something in his eyes, calculation, perhaps a hint of amusement. Now that he was this close, her hood had slipped slightly, revealing more of her face. His gaze flickered to her eyes, twilight-hued orbs with an amethyst glow, striking even in the dim moonlight. There was no hesitation in them, only sharp focus.

Long strands of beige-blond hair spilled from beneath the hood, brushing against her shoulders. She had the kind of beauty that was easy to overlook at a distance, but up close, it was impossible to ignore, the elegant lines of her face, the confidence in the way she carried herself. Something about her now felt off, as if he had gravely miscalculated her identity.

Recognition flickered in his mind. He had seen this resemblance before, faint but unmistakable.

“You must be the granddaughter.”

The woman blinked. “What?”

“The old farmer.” he clarified. “The one who passed years ago. You’re one of her granddaughters, aren’t you?”

Something unreadable passed across her face before she straightened, the tension in her shoulders still present but tempered.

“I’m Cerise.”

Jio regarded her for a long moment before giving a slight nod. “Jio.”

That night, suspicion had lingered between them like an unspoken challenge. The way she moved, the way she had thrown that dagger, it was clear she wasn’t just some ordinary farmer.

Jio exhaled, his voice barely above a murmur. “She nearly killed me.”

Lance barked out a laugh. “Sounds about right.”

Jio cast him a glare but said nothing. Silence stretched between them for a moment before he glanced at Lance. “And you? How did you meet Rosemary?”

Lance chuckled, setting his glass down. “Oh, our first meeting was… unexpected.”

Jio narrowed his eyes. “Go on.”

Lance leaned forward slightly. “I first met Rosemary at the summit of Mount Kohldur. She had just finished the climb, she looked exhausted but determined.”

The heat of the forge wrapped around Lance like an old friend, the rhythmic clang of metal against metal filling the cavernous chamber. Mount Kohldur’s peak was not for the weak, its treacherous ascent tested even the most hardened adventurers. And inside the volcano, the dangers only multiplied. Monsters lurked in the shadows, the air was thick with the scent of molten rock, and the forge itself pulsed with ancient power. But for those who made it this far, the rewards were unmatched.

Lance had spent the day deep in his craft, the magical flames casting golden light across his work. His hands moved with practiced ease, binding enchantments and forging weapons for his guildmates in The First Slash. The familiar surge of magic hummed through his fingertips as he combined an Iridium Band with a Slime Charmer Ring, the glow of the spell reflecting in his obsidian purple eyes.

He was just about to move on to his next project when the heavy gates of the forge groaned open. The sound reverberated through the chamber, followed by steady, measured footsteps.

Lance frowned. Few ever reached this place, and even fewer had the strength to push open those doors alone. He turned, expecting to see one of his guildmates or a battle-worn adventurer seeking the forge’s power.

Instead, what he saw made him pause.

A woman stood at the entrance, her silhouette framed by the golden glow of the magma pools beyond. Her breath was heavy from the climb, her rose-red hair windswept and untamed. Her clothes now dusted with soot and ash, and the edges of her short cloak were singed, faint wisps of smoke curling from the scorched threads. Her hand hovered near the weapon at her hip, her stance tense like she expected a fight at any moment.

But it wasn’t the battle-worn look that caught his attention. It was her eyes, a striking shade of ocean jade, sharp and wary, scanning the room for threats. And then, just as his gaze flickered over the soft dusting of freckles across her cheeks—

She threw a bomb at him.

Lance barely had time to react. Instinct took over as he flicked his wrist, summoning a protective barrier of shimmering blue light. The bomb struck the shield mid-air, detonating with a fiery burst. Sparks and embers scattered across the chamber, rattling the anvil behind him.

Smoke curled through the air. Silence followed. Then, from beyond the haze, a horrified voice.

“Oh my Yoba—”

Lance blinked as the woman stumbled forward, her wide eyes filled with mortification.

“I—I am so sorry!” she blurted out, hands shooting up in a panicked gesture. “I thought you were a monster! I didn’t—” She groaned, cutting herself off, visibly cringing as she realized what she had just done.

Lance exhaled, then let out a full, genuine laugh that echoed against the stone walls.

The woman froze, clearly thrown off by his reaction.

Grinning, Lance dusted soot from his cloak. “I’ve had a lot of things thrown at me in my lifetime,” he mused, his voice laced with amusement. “But I have to say, this is the first time someone’s greeted me with explosives.”

She let out a strangled groan, pressing her hands to her face. “I swear, I’m not usually this trigger-happy.”

Lance smirked, folding his arms. “No?” He arched a brow. “So, you don’t always attack strangers on sight?”

Dragging a hand down her face, she muttered, “I just—didn’t expect anyone else to be up here. I panicked, okay?”

Lance chuckled, shaking his head. “Well, I suppose I should be honored to have made such an impression.”

She mumbled something under her breath, then straightened, clearing her throat. “Right. Uh. I’m Rosemary.”

Lance’s lips quirked into a knowing smirk. “I know.” At her startled look, he inclined his head. “Marlon spoke quite highly of you, said you were quite proficient with a weapon.” His gaze flickered to the spot where the bomb had nearly incinerated him, amusement dancing in his obsidian-purple eyes. “I see now that he wasn’t exaggerating.”

Rosemary groaned, muttering something about terrible first impressions under her breath.

Lance let out a light chuckle before offering a more formal introduction. “I’m Lance, from The First Slash Clan. We’re a guild of adventurers protecting the Fern Islands.” He studied her for a moment, curiosity flickering in his expression. “Though I have to admit, I wasn’t expecting to meet you under such… explosive circumstances.”

For a moment, they stood there, the tension easing as the embers from the explosion slowly faded into the ever-burning flames of the forge.

Jio, who had been listening with his usual unreadable patience, exhaled slowly and took a deliberate sip of his wine. His forest green eyes studied Lance with a look so measured it bordered on contemplative.

“So...” he finally said, swirling the wine in his glass, “She did try to kill you.”

Lance chuckles, tilting his head slightly. “You sound almost relieved.”

Jio huffed, setting his glass down with a quiet clink. “It just confirms my expectations.” He exhaled again, this time with something dangerously close to amusement curling at the edges of his voice. “Shame. She should’ve aimed better.”

The mage only let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. “You wound me, truly.”

Jio took another sip of wine, watching him over the rim of his glass. “Did you look like a monster?”

Lance placed a hand over his heart, feigning offense. “I’d like to think I looked fairly respectable that day.”

Jio didn’t bother hiding the way his lips twitched, but he said nothing.

Lance leaned back against the wooden pillar, stretching out his legs. “Lucky for me, I immediately conjure a barrier. Introduced myself after she throw that bomb.” His smirk softened as his mind drifted back. “She was flustered, obviously. But we ended up sharing a meal. Talking. Laughing.”

Jio shook his head, muttering, “Your wife nearly blew you up.”

Lance arched a brow. “Yours nearly stabbed you through the skull.”

“Fair...”

A pause. Then for the first time all night, the silence between them wasn’t awkward. It was something else, something easier. Lance tilted his head back, gazing at the night sky. The stars stretched above them, shimmering like diamonds scattered across an endless sea of black. He exhaled slowly, then spoke again, this time without the usual teasing tone. Just honesty.

“You know… I may be nosy, but it’s not just about curiosity.” He turned his head, meeting Jio’s gaze with quiet certainty. “Cerise is important to you. Rosemary is important to me. So, like it or not… we’re family now.”

Jio studied him for a long moment, expression unreadable. Then, finally, he inclined his head slightly. “I know...”

Lance smirked, the easy confidence returning to his voice. “And since we’re family, I reserve the right to continue annoying you for the foreseeable future.”

Jio sighed, finishing the rest of his wine. “I should’ve let Cerise’s dagger hit me.”

Lance barked out a laugh, the sound rich with amusement. “Too late for regrets now, brother.”

Jio didn’t respond, but there, right at the corner of his mouth was the ghost of a amusement before he turned away and just like that, something shifted between them.

No longer just two men forced together by circumstance, but family. And despite all the chaos that came with it, perhaps that wasn’t such a bad thing after all.

As the night stretched on and the distant hum of the valley settled around them, they sat in companionable silence, bound by an unspoken understanding.

Both of them had married dangerous women and neither would have it any other way.

Just saw Caldarus’s official design, and WOW! He looks absolutely majestic. The long flowing hair, the intricate outfit, the dragon prince aura, everything about him is perfect. You’d never guess this man was trapped as a lawn ornament for who knows how long because he came out looking legendary.

Tbh, after seeing his official portrait, I just can’t stop staring at him. Hahaha, he’s just that stunning!

I’m so excited to see all the fanart and fanfics people will create for him! The community is about to go wild, and honestly? He deserves it.

Caution: Below here is a picture of Caldarus in human form. (◕ᴗ◕✿)

(Big thanks to @azem-ghale for showing this pic)

𝙶𝚛𝚎𝚎𝚗 𝚁𝚊𝚒𝚗 𝚂𝚊𝚖'𝚜 𝙳𝚒𝚊𝚕𝚘𝚐𝚞𝚎

Ever since I installed the Maggs Sam Immersive Mod, I've been trying to woo this cute rockstar for the past couple of in-game months, but I hadn't checked his dialogue during some specific events, like the Green Rain event. But today, I toggled the CJB Cheats menu and switched the weather even though its Fall Season. And wow, his dialogues are downright adorable! He showed so much concern, it was incredibly sweet.

Mod: "Maggs Immersive Sam Romance Dialogue and Events (x)Spicy or Sweet 1.6" by @maggplays

How my Stardew Farmers meet Lance

Aleia: *finally reach the volcano top* Damn fucking magma sprites! *swats the fire out from her hat*

Lance: *appears*

Aleia: What the-! *points her galaxy sword at Lance, thinks his an enemy* Who are you?

Lance: Not to worry, Aleia. I'm just a friend.

Aleia: You know my name?

Lance: Yes. I’ve heard a lot about you, Aleia. Marlon speaks highly of your caliber as an adventurer.

Aleia: *laughs* Marlon does love to tell a good story.

🍎

Rosemary: *too tired to even bother once she reached the top volcano*

Lance: *appears*

Rosemary: *groans in frustration and chucks a bomb at Lance thinking its a monster*

Lance: *uses levitation to stop the bomb landing on him, chuckles* Rosemary, calm down. I'm just a friend.

Rosemary: *snaps out of it* Oh shot! I'm sorry! I thought your just some monster like the ones from the volcano dungeons.

Lance: Understandable. *chuckles* Few adventurers have scaled Mount Kohldur, once a great dwarf kingdom. Your achievement is a testament to your ambition and perseverance.

Rosemary: Well it was hard to get passed through those monsters.

🌺

Cerise: *reach the top volcano, after passing all the floors with ease*

Lance: *appears*

Cerise: *with instinct, throws a galaxy dagger at him*

Lance: *blocks it with a magic shield, chuckles* Fast reflexes. Impressive

Cerise: You must be Lance. My sister talks about you.

Lance: She does?

🌼

Thalia: *reach the top volcano a bit unscathed, eats icecream to replenish her health* Finally I'm here!

Lance: *appears*

Thalia: *eyes narrowed, hands clinch to her weapon* Wait. Aren't that hot guy from the volcano. That my friend, Rosemary talks about.

Lance: *chuckles* I did meet her at this very volcano, yes. I hope I'm not startling you.

Thalia: Meh

After months of playing SDV, I have FINALLY achieved True Perfection. 🥲❤️

A congratulations from Grandpa and Mr. Qi.

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗳𝗹𝗶𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿!

Like literally the dude just have to flirt with my farmer everytime they passed each other and whats funny is that he tried it againt but this time infront of Aleia's husband.

Skit idea & OC Caspian by: @antifacatra

Sterling: So…what’s the key to winning you over? I’m ready for the challenge.

Caspian: *snorts at this*

Aleia: *laughs, clearly oblivious* Oh Sterl, another one of your jokes again?

Sterling: Well I heard you love yourself a motorcycle ride? Well I bet you that Sebs never taken you to the coastline, cutie. *winks*

Aleia: *chuckles* Good one but do you have to use me and Sebby as examples.

Sterling: Just messing with ya, Aleia~ *gives her a side hug*

Aleia: Well, I have to go now. I still have stuff to do at the farm. Bye! *walks out*

Caspian: *waits for her to leave out from earshot, looks at his bestfriend* Damn Sterling! You homewrecking bastard can’t keep your sights on a married woman? You outta betray my man, Sebby like this? Hell he even has a kid now. What’s the matter with you?

Sterling: Oh you love giving me shit, Casshole. Remind me how many older women have you tried to court in town?

Caspian: Well Robin comes to min-

Sterling: Exactly! You tried to fuck his mom, can’t blame you she’s got stuff. You’re no better than me a fellow horn dog of a man. You and I.

Okay, so I’ve been gone for a few days because of work and the moment I finally finish everything and plan to enjoy my day off, I decide to take a nice long rest. But guess what? I end up having a freaking dream where I get isekaid, straight into my Farmer’s body. At that point, I just roll with it because honestly being isekaid sounds pretty cool.

Then out of nowhere Caldarus appears. He reaches for my hand, his touch sending a shiver down my spine.

"My beloved, you’re finally awake." His voice is deep, smooth...way too seductive for my sanity.

I freeze. Holy shit! He’s even more ethereal and majestic than I ever imagined, so much more than just a pixelated character on my screen.

Before I can say anything, he lifts my hand to his lips, pressing the softest kiss against my knuckles. "Have you truly forgotten me?" he murmurs, his gaze searching mine. "Or is fate merely testing me once more?"

I swear my brain short-circuits. WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING?!

"I… I don’t understand." I stammer.

His grip tightens just slightly, his thumb tracing slow circles over my wrist. "Then allow me to remind you." he whispers, leaning in. "Body, soul and eternity. I have only ever belonged to you."

And that’s when I absolutely lose it. Oh my god. Is this a sign that I need to update my story since I have the day off?!

Now before you think I’m making this up or just being delusional, this is real. The last time I had a dream like this was back in 2020 when I dreamt about my OC self getting married to a Countryhumans character. I even made a whole comic about it!

Summary: Just March teaching my OC Farmer Velvet how to use the forge until things started to get a bit heated and awkward.

Warning: Slight NSFW

The sounds of metallic clanging and crackling fires fill the air from the forge, creating a chaotic symphony that grabs your attention. The air is thick with the scent of smoke and burning wood, and the light of the fires from within the place casts a warm glow on the surrounding area. Amidst all this, March stands in the center, teaching Velvet the basics of forging.

March sighed as he watched Velvet struggle to hammer the metal. She was doing it all wrong, and he knew it. "No, no, no. You're doing it all wrong." he said, stepping over to her. Velvet looked up at him, a mix of frustration and determination on her face. "I'm trying my best." she said, a hint of irritation in her voice. March rolled his eyes. "Your best isn't good enough." he said bluntly. "Let me show you how it's done."

He moved close to her, positioning himself behind her. He placed his hands over hers, guiding her through the motions. "You have to hold it like this." he said gruffly, his breath warm on her ear.

Velvet felt a shiver run down her spine at the sudden closeness. She tried to focus on the instruction, but it was difficult with him so close. She could feel the heat radiating from his body, and the scent of his sweat and metal was oddly intoxicating.

"Now hit it." March said, his hands still covering hers. "Harder than that. Put your weight into it."

Velvet hit the metal again, but this time, she hit it harder than before, and it made a satisfying clang. "Good." March said, a hint of approval in his voice. He leaned in even closer, his chest pressed against her back. "Again. Do it again."

The farmer repeated the motion, feeling his warm breath on her neck. His body was pressed against hers, and she could feel every muscle, every contour. It was both exhilarating and terrifying. "Like this?" she managed to ask, her voice a bit breathless.

"Yeah." March said roughly. "Just like that." He was so close, she could feel his heart beating against her back. "You're getting the hang of it now." he said, loosening his grip on her hands. "Try it on your own."

Velvet took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. She started to hammer the metal, but her mind was elsewhere. She could still feel the heat of his body against hers, the smell of his sweat. And then, without warning, her hand slipped and the hammer hit her thumb. "Ah shit!" she yelped, jerking away involuntarily.

March swore under his breath. "Dammit, be more careful." he said, grabbing her hand to inspect the injury. "You idiot, you could have broken your thumb."

He examined her thumb, his touch gentle despite his gruff words. His fingers were calloused but warm, and the touch sent another shiver down her spine. "It's not broken." he said, more quietly. "Just bruised."

Velvet tried to pull her hand back, but he held on. "You shouldn't be so careless." he reprimanded, his fingers still gently holding hers in his palm.

Velvet swallowed hard, feeling a flutter in her stomach. His touch was sending strange sensations through her body. "I'm sorry." she mumbled, looking away from his intense gaze. "I was just...distracted."

He grunted. "Distracted, huh?" He looked down at her, those dark onyx eyes staring right into hers. "Care to tell me what you were so distracted by?"

Feeling a bit flustered. "N-nothing." Velvet said, trying to sound casual but she sounded flustered. "Just...just the heat in here, that's all."

March raised an eyebrow, a knowing look in his eyes. "The heat, huh?" He leaned in closer, his face mere inches from hers. "You sure that's all it is? Nothing else?"

She could feel the heat radiating off his body, the scent of sweat and metal making it harder for her to think straight. "What...what else could it be?" she asked weakly, her heart pounding in her chest.

"Well, whatever it is, you better keep your mind on what you're doing." He released her hand, but his body was still pressed close to hers. "Now, try this again, and make sure you're paying attention this time."

Velvet tried to compose herself, taking a deep breath as she picked up the hammer and tried to concentrate on the task, but her mind kept wandering back to the way his body was so close to hers, the way his breath felt on her neck. She managed to hit the metal a few more times, but her mind was a jumble of thoughts and sensations.

March watched her intently, his eyes raking over her body. He could sense her distraction, the way her hands trembled slightly, the way her breath caught in her throat every time he got close. It was like a game of cat and mouse, and he was the cat, toying with her. He moved closer, his chest brushing against her back again. "Concentrate." he rumbled into her ear. "You're losing focus again."

She took another shaky breath. He was so close, she could almost feel his heartbeat against her back. His voice in her ear was making her feel things she had never felt before. She couldn't focus, couldn't think. All she could feel was the heat of his body, the strength in his muscles, the way he was so casually dominating her personal space.

He let his hand rest on her hip, as if to steady her. "Relax." he muttered, his breath warm on her neck. "You're too tense. You have to be loose, loose like the hammer in your hand."

His hand on her hip sent a shiver through her body. She could feel the callouses on his fingers, the warmth of his palm through her clothes. He was so strong, so confident, so sure of himself. How was he so unaffected by their closeness, when she was struggling to keep herself together?

"Like this." March said, guiding her hand again. "Keep your grip loose, let the hammer swing freely. Don't fight it, just let it flow."

March stands behind her, "Can you feel it?" he whispered. "The rhythm, the motion?"

Velvet's mind is swimming. He was too close, too distracting. His voice in her ear, his hands on hers, his body pressed against hers...it was all too much. She tried to focus on the hammer, the metal, the task at hand, but all she could feel was him. "Y-yes." she managed to stammer, her throat dry.

He chuckled, a low deep rumble in his chest. "Good." he said, his voice rough. "You're starting to get it. Keep going, let it flow."

March stepped even closer, letting his body press against hers. She could feel the heat radiating off him, the hardness of his muscles against her back. He seemed completely oblivious to the effect he was having on her, but she was struggling to stay grounded.

Her heart was racing, her mind spinning. Every inch of her body was hyper-aware of his presence, his touch, his scent. Velvet could feel the sweat trickling down her neck, could feel the heat building up inside her. And all the while, he kept murmuring instructions in her ear, completely oblivious to the fact that he was driving her insane.

March guide her through a few more motions, his hands on hers, his breath on her neck, his body pressed against hers. "There you go." he said, his voice a low rumble. "Just like that. You're doing it. Just relax, and let it flow."

Velvet only nodded, trying to focus on his words and not the way his body was making her feel. But it was difficult, so difficult. Every part of her was screaming with want, with need, with a desperation she had never felt before. And he was blissfully unaware, just continuing to guide her through the motions, his hands on hers, his body so close.

Unknown to the farmer, the blacksmith is not faring any better.

As they continued working together, March grew increasingly aware of the electricity that was crackling between them. He could feel the heat of her skin through her clothes, could smell the scent of her hair, and felt the way her body reacted to his slightest touch. It was maddening, the way she responded to him without realizing it. But he tried to keep his cool, tried to focus on the task at hand, and ignore the way his heart thumped in his chest whenever he was close to her.

He tried to concentrate on the metal, on the hammer, on the task at hand. But it was difficult, with her so close, so tangible. He could count the tiny wisps of hair on the nape of her neck, could feel her quickening breaths. He was a blacksmith, a professional, he couldn't afford to let himself be distracted by a pretty farmer. But she was making it hard, so damn hard. He clenched his jaw, and forced himself to focus on the lesson.

He guided her through another swing, his hand on hers. "Just like that." he said, his voice gravelly. "Loose, easy. Don't fight it."

March's mind is now a jumble of conflicting thoughts and emotions. He was a grown man, for gods' sake. He was not supposed to be this affected by a woman. Especially not a farmer. But she drove him mad, made his heart race and his body feel things it hadn't felt in a long time. And the worst part was, he was pretty sure she had no idea what she was doing to him.

He took a deep breath, trying to get his emotions under control again. He could feel the heat between them, the tension in the air, like a live wire. And she was just there, so close, so unguarded, so deliciously vulnerable. He had to get a grip. He was supposed to be teaching her, not lusting after her. But damn, it was so hard when she was standing there, her back against his chest, her body molded to his.

Minutes have past as the lesson came to an end, March reluctantly released his grip on Velvet's hand. He took a step back, trying to regain his composure. His heart was still racing, his body still yearning for her closeness. But he forced himself to act nonchalant, like a blacksmith should be.

"You did well." he grunted, running his fingers through his hair. "Not too shabby, for a farmer."

Velvet looked up at him, her cheeks flushed. "Thank you" she murmured. "I...I had a good teacher."

March looked away, feeling flustered by the praise. He wasn't used to compliments, especially not from beautiful women. "It was nothing." he muttered, scratching his neck. "You've got potential. You just need to keep practicing."

There was an awkward silence, both of them feeling the aftermath of their closeness. They stood there, a few feet apart, avoiding each other's gazes. March could still feel the heat from her body, could still smell the scent of her hair. He was tempted to reach out and touch her again, to pull her close and hold her tight. But instead, he just grunted and turned away, walking over to his workbench.

"You should probably go." he said gruffly, busying himself with some tools. "You've got crops to tend to, or whatever it is farmers do."

Velvet nodded, her heart still racing. She looked at his broad back, the muscles shifting under his shirt as he worked. She wanted to say something, anything, to prolong their time together. But she knew she should probably go.

"Right." she said, her voice a bit shaky. "Um, thank you. For the lesson."

March just grunted, not looking at her. He was trying very hard to act normal, to ignore the way her voice made his chest tighten. "Yeah, sure." he said gruffly. "Come back if you need another lesson."

Velvet nodded, feeling dismissed. She walked to the door, her steps slow and reluctant. But as she reached the door, she turned to look at him one last time. He was still at his workbench, his back to her, his shoulders taut. She wanted to say something, something that would express the tangle of feelings inside her. But before she could open her mouth, March spoke, not turning to look at her.

"Try to be careful next time." he said, his voice quiet. "You almost hurt yourself earlier."

Velvet felt a pang of something, was it disappointment? Upon hearing his stern tone. But she just nodded. "I will." she said softly. "I'll be more careful."

There was another tense silence. March still didn't turn around, but he could feel her gaze on his back. He wanted to look at her, to see those beautiful eyes one last time. But he forced himself to keep his gaze fixed on his workbench.

"Good." he said finally. "Now get out of here. You're distracting me."

Velvet's heart sank a bit at his brusque words. But she didn't want to overstay her welcome. "Right." she said softly. "Goodbye, March."

"Yeah." he muttered, his voice gruff. "Goodbye."

He listened as she opened the door and stepped out, the sound of her footsteps fading away. He wanted to call her back, to tell her to stay, to-

He shook his head, ridding himself of the foolish thoughts. He was a blacksmith, not a lovestruck boy. He had to get back to work.

~END~