Author's note: Welcome to chapter 4 of this Stardew Valley story! I hope you will enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it. I recommend reading the previous chapters as the story blazes ahead without much recapping. Also, for fans of the game, this chapter represents a severe (temporary) digression from game canon and mechanics.
By way of a content warning, this series features intersex characters, large to massive breasts, oral sex, incestuous relationships, rimming, large cumshots, long stretches of non-sexual content, cum swapping and swallowing, and development of strong affections. These warnings will be updated per chapter as necessary. If any of these are of little interest to you, the reader, I offer my apologies.
Disclaimer: All characters engaging in sexual activity or described in a sexual manner are at least 18 years of age.
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Chapter 4: Friends, Lovers, and Family
Spring 7, Year 1
The cat and the raven stared each other down, each having claimed the farm as their personal domain and insulted that an interloper now threatened their sovereignty.
Kaylia Gardner, farmer, formerly Kaylia the Red, Bladesister of the Gotoro Empire, watched the standoff with amusement. The raven sat perched upon the hat of an otherwise effective scarecrow, strange white or silver streaks clearly visible in its wing plumage. Luna, Red Dragon Farm's newly installed farm calico, rested on the cabin porch railing. It was easier to read the disdain in Luna's face than it was the raven's, but one could tell they had an instant dislike for each other. Not enough to do anything about it, apparently, other than glare at each other.
Kay occasionally glanced over at the other raven hopping amongst the potato crop. That one was a newcomer; it had a similar silver patch on its head and tail feathers, and took up a lively conversation with the first one earlier in the morning before building and settling in to a small makeshift nest by the woodpile. It seemed a more amiable sort of bird, and chirped happily at Kay whenever she passed by. She was surprised a raven could sound that cute at all.
She turned her gaze southward when she heard a cheerful call. Marnie Jones, the rancher who lived at the edge of Cindersap Forest, and Leah Richards, the young artist who lived across the way from Marnie, were walking her way. Marnie was expected, Leah was not, but Kay welcomed the company anyway. Before long, she noticed someone hiding behind Marnie, peeking her head around Marnie's dress to steal quick glances of the farmer before darting back into cover.
Marnie stepped to the side to reveal a young girl, no more than 8, with very dark purple hair, almost raven black, secured with a big green bow. She seemed very nervous.
"This is that nice farmer lady we talked about," Marnie said gently, "would you like to say hello?"
The young girl's eyes went wide looking at Kay. "S-she's so... tall..." Her voice was soft and trembling. She was clearly intimidated by the purple-skinned, silver-haired elf lady.
Kay smiled and took a knee. She figured coming down to earth might help a bit. After a moment, the girl slowly shuffled forward and curtsied.
"H-hello, ma'am," she said, "my name is Jas, and I'm nine years old."
"Hello, Jas," Kay replied, "my name is Kay, and it's very nice to meet you." She gave Jas a warm smile, and the young girl's face brightened.
Something brushed against Kay's leg. "Meow." Luna looked up at Kay before nodding her head towards Jas. Kay stared for a moment before dismissing the idea that she was being chastised by a cat for not making introductions. At least the stalemate was over.
"Oh, I'm sorry, ma'am. Jas, this is Luna." Luna promptly approached the young girl and presented herself for pets.
"Kitty!" Jas happily sat down and provided the requested pets, receiving contented purrs in response.
Kay rose to her feet and turned to Marnie and Leah. "What brings you by? Apart from meeting your niece."
"Got that feed you wanted!" Marnie said, offering a small bag to Kay. She'd stopped by the day before, figuring a bribe for the raven (well, ravens, now) wouldn't hurt.
"What do I owe you?" Kay asked, accepting the bag.
"On the house this time," Marnie replied, "I'm awful curious what you're gonna do with it."
Kay opened the bag, took a handful of the cracked grain, and threw it onto a bare patch of ground. "Zeus! Apollo!" she barked, and the two ravens immediately flew over to peck at the offering. She wasn't sure where the inspiration came from, but she figured they should have names if they were going to stick around.
"Is that... wise?" Marnie asked, clearly dubious. "Ravens aren't exactly known to be loners, especially if there's a food source nearby."
"True," Kay agreed, "but I figure these gents will keep in line given the chance to wet their beaks a little." Almost on cue, Apollo (the new guy) flapped up to carefully perch on Kay's shoulder and nuzzle her cheek. Zeus turned to give a short caw, then returned to the feed.
"Well!" Marnie was impressed. "Seems you have a way with animals, Ms. Doolittle! I hope you decide to start raising some other animals soon." Kay appreciated the subtle sales pitch.
"Someday, when I'm a little more financially secure." By that point, Jas had wandered back to Marnie's side, Luna having gone to sun herself on the porch.
"We should probably head back. Jas said she'd help feed the chickens, isn't that right?"
Jas smiled and nodded. "Next month, I get to help with the cows, too!"
"That's a step up in responsibility," Kay responded. "What happens next month?"
"I turn ten!"
"Oh, then that's seems very appropriate. Thanks again for the feed, Marnie."
"No problem, sugar. You come on back if you need more, though it'll cost you next time." Marnie gave Kay a playful wink as she and Jas headed back to the ranch. Kay smirked, wondering what kind of 'payment plans' Marnie would offer. She noticed Leah had a similar smirk.
