"Pelican Town to Sims Town" - A Stardew Valley, Sims 3 Fanfic

Pelican Town to Sims Town
Continuation of Chapter 6...

“ANDROIDS!?” Haley squealed with her hands on her cheeks after Harvey finished his revelation. The others all shot glances at each other in surprise.

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“That’s...kinda creepy,” Emily voiced.
“So this is a world that is populated by androids and not people?” Maru asked.
“You know that’s the same question that entered my mind at first,” Harvey said, “but if that were the case there’d be A LOT more residents around and there weren’t any. Just those running a business.” Then he shrugged. “It would seem that the Wizard intended for us to only interact with each other as part of this quest.”
“More like trial,” Sam muttered.
“What’s strange though,” Elliott chimed in, “my research online revealed that people have inhabited this area and made a town out of it. This town has a very rich history. One significant event was a Gunfight that broke out and killed a few guys from a local gang. I saw pictures with blood on the bodies. Androids don’t bleed. There were even protests from old folks about the negative effects the current generation was having on the town and maybe I’m wrong, but androids don’t age either.” Most nodded in agreement. “It seems once we showed up all that changed. Like the people just...disappeared and the Wizard threw in mindless androids to run the businesses for our benefit.”
“Exactly!” Abigail expressed. “Like the Wizard used some kind of magic to blow everyone out of town, keeping us sealed within it to fulfill the quest. We are freaking living in a bubble people!”

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“WHAT!?” most of them cried.
“Yeah!” she exclaimed and recounted her discovery of the invisible, magical barrier.

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“There’s magic everywhere in this world,” Abigail concluded. “I can feel it. It would totally make sense that the Wizard would be viewing us from some crystal ball or portal or something. Because how else would he know if we’ve completed the quest so he can bring us back?”
There were some nods.
“Eww!” Haley squealed again with a flinch. “If he’s watching us like that then,” she instinctively wrapped her arms over her breasts, “does he see me when I’m naked!?”
All the girl’s gasped except Abigail, who just shook her head. “I really don’t think so,” she said, “he’s got more important things to do than watch us over here 24/7.”
“You don’t know that!” Haley countered with a pointed finger. “He could be a per'vert hiding underneath all that Wizard persona!”
“Totally,” Alex agreed.
“He’s NOT a per'vert!” Abigail exclaimed.
“How do you know!?” Haley asked.
“I just KNOW alright!”

“Okay that’s enough you two,” Harvey intervened. “Haley, I’m with Abigail on that. I don’t think he has the ability to watch us that closely. And I know all this adds even more question and confusion to this whole quest thing, but I’m sure in due time the answers will come to us.”
“I’m still confused as to why it’s just the twelve of us here,” Sebastian spoke. “There’s something fishy, almost sneaky, going on with this quest…”
“That’s what I’ve been thinking!” Maru exclaimed, practically praising her brother for saying it.
"Didn't we discuss this already?" Emily tiresomely asked, lifting her face from the palm of her hand.
“You know what I think,” Penny lightly spoke out, “since I wasn’t present during the original discussion to share my thoughts.” She winked. All eyes then focused on her. “I think it’s very possible that this is all an experience for us to get to know each other better. I mean think about it, how long have we all lived together in Pelican Town now? Years. For some of us it’s been our entire lifetime and yet....something always seemed to distance us from one another. Did any of the rest of you notice that? Maybe it was because our families didn’t like each other, or we felt pressure to get married when we weren’t ready, or maybe it was because of all those small town rumors flying around about each other that weren’t always true, so we made snap judgments.” All of them seemed to glance away at that. “Whatever the reason might’ve been, I think the Wizard saw division where there should’ve been unity. Maybe that’s why our town isn’t thriving as well as it used to. And maybe, bringing us together, will aid in uniting our town and create better and happier futures for ourselves and family members back home. Friendship, and love, are two very powerful things, more so than magic. That’s just my thoughts about it.”
Harvey smiled at her.

Penny didn’t expect her opinion to silence the entire group; it certainly got each of them viewing this mysterious quest in a whole new light. Emily sat off to the right gripping her chin in thought about it. Speaking of unity… “Hey, where’s Shane?” she asked the group.
“Uhh,” Alex went to answer, but looked to Harvey to do it.
Harvey leaned over to face Emily and replied, “He’s not feeling very well right now so he shut himself up in his room.”
“And he really doesn’t want to be bothered,” Elliott felt to add.
Emily raised an eyebrow. “He’s going through withdrawals isn’t he?”
There were some blank stares, but once again Harvey replied, “Yes. But we’re looking in on him and taking care of him in the best way we can. Don’t worry.”
Emily slightly nodded. His assurance somewhat comforted her, but after unintentionally finding out something, it made her wonder what was going through Shane's mind at this time.

“On a similar note,” Harvey now addressed the group, “regarding medical care, we searched greatly all over the town and were unable to find any medical clinics or a Hospital.”

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That raised some eyebrows, while Haley was heard whispering to Alex, “What?” The guy nodded.
“This is greatly concerning to me,” Harvey went on, “And I don’t think it’s necessary to spell out why. So the responsibility falls on me for the medical care of each and every one of you, however--”
“We’re kinda already used to that Harvey,” Leah threw in with a wink. Everyone else nodded in agreement and appreciation.
Harvey smiled. “I appreciate your support everyone, really I do, but don’t put too much faith in me just yet. I am grossly lacking in medical supplies and medicine. And there’s many fields of healthcare that I don’t specialize in. That’s the challenge here. I’m going to have to get creative in producing medical supplies and with that huge ‘science station’ in my room I might be able to compound various medicines. I discovered a few medical books up there as well that should have some information that can walk me through how to do that.”
“Good thing we did all that foraging today huh ladies?” Abigail asked and they nodded. “We might’ve already gotten most of the essential ingredients for some of the medicines. And we can always go out and search for whatever else is needed according to the books.”
“Right,” Harvey acknowledged. “And there’s a reading nook in my room, that I could turn into an exam/recovery room, so...I’ll get it all figured out.” He then sighed. “I’ve definitely got my work cut out for me, but I’m willing to do it for the care of all of you. I want us all to get back home in one piece.” He winked.
“Harvey I’d be more than happy to help you with all of that,” Maru offered. “You shouldn’t have to carry this burden alone. It’ll be just like what we do at the clinic back home. Well, sort of,” she chuckled.

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“Thank you Maru,” he smiled. “I appreciate that. I could use a second scientific opinion during my research.”
Maru blushed a tiny bit at his response and Penny took notice, lowering her head while curling her lip.

“Well it’s getting late,” Harvey informed after glancing up at the wall clock. “It’s probably time we send you ladies home.”
“Not me,” Leah declared, shooting a suggestive look at Elliott. “I’ll be sticking around here tonight.”
“Oh is that so?” Elliott asked with a smirk, rubbing his nose with hers. They both giggled.
“Hey, why don’t all of you ladies come over and hang out tomorrow?” Alex happily suggested. “Since Leah will already be here, and Maru will be helping Harvey, and since I challenge Haley to a hoops contest--”
“What!?” Haley cried.
“...you all should just come over. We’ve got all sorts of fun stuff to do here. Whaddya say?”
The ladies all glanced amongst each other and nodded. “Sure,” Abigail voiced for them.
“Oh Abby you totally gotta play this sweet racing game with me and Seb!” Sam expressed. “The graphics are WAY better than the game graphics back home!”
Sebastian nodded emphatically.
“You’re on!”

As the girls went about saying their goodbyes and headed out the door, Harvey called out to Penny, stopping her in the foyer.

“Hey,” he said with a blushed smile as he approached her. “Forgive me for not having the opportunity to say it earlier, but,” he paused nervously, “you look really nice this evening.”
A bright and blushed smile played across Penny's lips as she shyly clasped her hands behind her back. “Thank you.”

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“Actually, correction...you look beautiful this evening.”
Penny’s smile grew even brighter and her heart fluttered all the more wildly. She loved how cute Harvey looked when he was being sweet and flirting.

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Then what really came as a surprise, that sent a pleasurable chill down her spine, was Harvey lifting a hand to stroke her hair, grazing her cheek for a second, where one of her “pony buns” used to be.

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“I can’t help missing those pigtails though,” he said. “They were...cute.”
Pigtails! So that’s the correct term for them. Flattered that he liked her boring old pigtails, Penny touched her hand upon his and assured, “Oh they won’t be gone forever. I just wanted to try out a new look.”

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“Both looks suit you,” he smiled.

For a moment the two stood in silence, holding each other’s flirtatious gaze while trying to figure out what to say next.

“So,” Penny started, rocking on her heels, “that was a good discussion tonight.”
“It was. And your thoughts on the reason for this quest makes a lot of sense! I was very impressed with your insight.” He blushed.
“Thanks,” she blushed in return. “Though I think your opinion on it is more accurate. It sure is a mega bummer there isn’t a Hospital around here. That’s strange!”
“Yeah…it really is.”
“But I know you won’t have any trouble finding a way to take care of us. I mean, you sure didn’t have any trouble taking care of me with only your bedside manner and stethoscope,” she commented while looking away shyly.
“Well, I guess that’s true,” Harvey agreed, leaning in with a grin.

With his lips just mere inches from hers, they still managed to steal a breath from her. She had to draw in another to replace it. “So uh, did you happen upon any interesting places to visit?” She smirked.
“Yeah, some,” came the natural reply. Then when realization set in as to what she was implying - based on a previous conversation - he grinned again and continued, “There’s this really nice Steakhouse that has a fancy outdoor seating area; right in the middle of town. I thought it would be a nice place for someone to take a date.”
“Oh really?” Penny asked intimately, leaning in.
“Really,” he said in the same tone.

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“Is there a particular ‘date’ you had in mind?” she asked, feeling confident in what his response would be.
Harvey co'ck'ed his head to the side for the second and replied, “Well, there’s this lovely auburn-haired school teacher from back home that came to mind, always does her hair up in pigtails, and,” he paused to gaze deeply into her eyes, “has the most stunning and enticing emerald eyes I’ve ever seen.” He loved witnessing Penny’s blush grow even brighter. “Do you know who I’m referring to?”

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The corner of Penny’s mouth quirked up as she quickly tried to come up with a playful response in return. “I do...but she seems to have taken a vacation. Perhaps I might be a suitable replacement date?”
Harvey tried not to chuckle. “Absolutely,” he said in the sincerest tone possible.
“I’m really not very good at this…,” Penny said with a grimace and then a laugh.
“Me neither so it’s okay,” he laughed with her.

Penny then gave off another blushed grin. “So...does tomorrow evening after hanging out with our friends sound good? Around five?”
“Absolutely,” he repeated.
“I’ll be looking forward to it,” she said with a glimmer in her eye.
“Me too.”

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Harvey then went to see her out by opening the door for her, which Penny giddily appreciated within her mind. “Well, have a good night Penny,” he wished.
“You too...Harvey,” she blushed as she stepped out.

As Harvey watched her leave he couldn’t remember the last time he felt so lucky in the dating department. He blissfully sighed while leaning harder against the edge of the door. Tomorrow evening couldn’t come soon enough.


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Back in Shane’s room, he whipped off his sweat drenched, odorous clothes, throwing them into a corner, and continued to pace the floor. Keeping himself in motion reduced the annoyance of the tremors some, but with his depression beginning to overtake his mind it didn’t matter what he’d do, he’d still be in agony, and that just made him want to crawl into bed and die.

He dimmed the lamp beside his bed, almost knocking it over in the process, and just stood in slouched shame for a few seconds. Breathing heavily, he once again uttered Jas’s name. And then he continued in a whisper, “I’m sorry kiddo. This is...getting...too hard. I’m...losing strength. I’m sorry...I could never be...the father figure...you needed me...to be.”

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Falling flat onto the bed from exhaustion, he lay there for a few minutes shaking and shivering. His mind was actually desiring sleep now, but he didn’t know if his stricken body would allow it. He sat up with a couple of tears escaping his eyes. “I’m a failure,” he groaned, “and a loser...at everything. So many times...I’d rise above it...I’d be winning...but then I’d get suc'ked right back in. I couldn’t...conquer it...and I STILL can’t conquer it!” He punched at the mattress with his fist. “There is no...hope for me. I’m no good for you! You’re better off...with Marnie.” His shoulders shook harder now from years of deep, suppressed emotions. “I’m just an inevitable loser…and I’ve failed!”

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Sinking himself into the bed covers, he pulled the blanket up to his mouth, thinking to suffocate himself with it and end his misery.

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DON’T YOU DARE!

He recognized the woman’s voice instantly which caused his eyes to shoot open and he began panting. Mom!? He glanced all around the dark room, not expecting to see her spirit, but feeling a great disappointment that he didn’t. A couple of minutes passed in silence until he shrugged and began to close his eyes again.

Don’t you stoop to his level!

The voice sounded again, less forcefully this time, but still just as commanding. He continued to frantically look around for her.

You’re better than that! FIGHT!

His airway felt constricted making it hard to speak. Sweat seeped into his eyes and he rapidly rubbed at them, hoping the salty liquid might somehow clear his vision so he could see her, but...to no avail. Dejected, he fell back onto his pillow, breathing heavily. He could feel his rapid heartbeat pulsing through his temples and his head ached considerably. “Help…” he breathlessly asked her, the only person in the universe he would ever ask.

Now...sleep…

As if a switch had been flipped, his rising and falling chest slowed to normal and the tremors subsided. Sweat still dripped from his brow, but he lay in silence...falling into an instant deep sleep.

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However as the nightly hours passed, his thirsty and ailing body forced him awake, continuing to torment him. He moaned and groaned as he tossed and turned, trying to grasp whatever his mother’s spirit did to calm his soul. If that’s what actually happened...

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Or was he just losing his mind?


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To be continued...
:mrgreen:

Thanks for reading everyone! <3