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Spring 17, Year 4

Beep was walking around Cindersap Forest, not quite looking for forage, just to enjoy the day. Things felt bittersweet. He's happy he's going back home to his mates, but he'd spent so long here, getting to know the people, the land, the strange rules of it all. He'd fished these waters for hours, spent so long hunting for forage in these woods alone.

The door loudly closing caused him to pause, freezing with his ears perked and tail alert. He lowered his head out of instinct, but raised it, tail wagging, once he saw it was Leah at her cabin. She was struggling to hold art supplies and a picnic basket. Beep trotted over, tail still high and wagging to show friendliness. The people of Pelican Town have known for a while that he'd never hurt anyone here, but he still wanted to make sure it was obvious.

Penny saw a rainbow over near the waterfalls earlier, and wanted to paint it while it lasted. So, she'd packed a lunch and gathered her easel and painting supplies, hoping she could make it in one trip. Beep swung his body around, turning so he faced the same direction Leah was. He stuck his head through the bag carrying her paints and brushes so it settled against his chest, and she acquiesced when Beep grabbed the easel with his mouth. (He needed to change where he grabbed it a couple times, but he got there eventually.)

With Beep's help, the two of them crossed the bridges south of Leah's cabin, past Fairhaven Farm, and across the smaller bridges. As Leah was taking her time getting the art supplies set up, Beep walked "in the shot" and laid down on the edge of the cliff. The rainbow cast by the mist reminded him of his noodly mate, and the way his mane and tail moved like living auroras. Absolutely beautiful to see in person. He was eager to see it once more, but he was once more hit with the sadness he'd be leaving here.

The scratching of a pencil had Beep turn his head towards Leah, and as he lifted his wing to start getting up, she told Beep to stay there. He was perfect to offset the rainbow against the cliffs, and if he lifted his head just a little bit... a little more, and moved his wing back to where it was before... Beep held the pose as Leah sketched the layout for the painting, ear turning just a moment at her mixing colours. The birds chirped, the sun was warm on his back and wings, and the gentle roar of the waterfall down the cliff was relaxing. Beep held his pose, enjoying existing in the moment, and occasionally Leah would have to remind him to keep his tail still.

A sudden silence had Beep turn his head, Leah scolding him for moving. She hadn't noticed the approaching foot steps. The wildlife here was used the inhabitants of the valley, this was someone new. Beep stood up, looking up the river with his hackles raised. By now, Leah noticed something was wrong. The mystery person stayed a respectful distance away, but as Leah argued with them more and more, they took a few quick steps towards her, voice raising, and Beep charged. Fangs bared and feathers splayed across risen wings, poised to smack with, Beep put himself between Leah and her ex-partner. They stumbled back, but rather than back off and flee like the bluff charge was trying to get in response, they picked up random sticks and rocks and began hurling them at Beep. Beep flinched after a few managed to hit him, but he only turned tail and ran when they grabbed a larger branch and began actually swinging at Beep.

Leah's shouting had Beep turning once he was much further away, and he managed to just barely catch as Leah pulled her arm back and punched her ex square in the face. They landed on their ass, and while initially it looked like they were going to continue arguing with Leah, they spotted Beep looming in the trees. They got up and skedaddled, fucking off where they belonged; not here.

When Beep re-emerged, Leah was hesitant at Beep's approach, but relaxed once she saw that he was the still the same deer who had helped her and was posing earlier. Beep had managed to avoid getting actually hurt (maybe his pride), but Beep was more worried about her. Thankfully, from what Leah said, her ex would stay away and never bother her again. They never showed interest in her art, but now that she's successful, they wanted her back. Like some status symbol or prize. Disgusting.

Beep returned to his position, and Leah helped him adjust to exactly how he had been before all this. Never once did she mention the peytral steadily becoming more visible, and her hand passed right through it as she help him angle his head just right. As Leah returned to painting while the rainbow remained and the sun was still up, Beep felt himself smile inside. The people here would be okay without him.

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Things different from canon; (AU???)
Gramps never had an heir, or they never show/ed up.
Stardew Valley Expanded; new maps, new NPCs, new events, a LOT of new stuff.
The new “Farmer” is just a Weird Ass Deer. NPCs will respond/react accordingly.

This is my first time playing Stardew Valley Expanded. Please no spoilers if you play SVE.