@jimboedits for the Daryl edit avatar! I'm in my 30s just to clarify in case anyone is trying to avoid interacting with minors. If you make an NSFW request I'm uncomfortable with or not interested in, I'll let you know, but it won't offend me. I'm using whichever names/changes I like from the remake mixed with the older games. Feel free to make requests, but please be patient.
Always open to requests!! I might be slow to get them done since I have a one year old underfoot and limited to spare time to divide between hobbies.
Anons are always welcome and I'm comfortable writing for x reader or the farmer (if unspecified I'll stay gender neutral). I don't mind NSFW topics to an extent. I'll let you know if it's something I'm uncomfortable with.
Marvelous USA is Accepting Messages from Fans of Story of Seasons/Rune Factory for Use in Anniversary Video
This August marks the 30th anniversary of the STORY OF SEASONS franchise* and the 20th anniversary of the Rune Factory series. While we’ve a
Today, Marvelous USA has opened two forms, one for Rune Factory and one for Story of Seasons, asking fans to submit messages based on their experiences with the series. Notably, this is not a competition, so there are no prizes to be won, but a selection of entries will be used in a video to celebrate the dual anniversary.
Entries are open between July 27th and August 12th, and they seem to be accepting submissions in photo, video, and audio form. Nothing purely text from the looks of it, unfortunately. Be sure to read the full post on Marvelous's website in the link at the top of the post.
There's been a number of people reporting over on the AO3 subreddit that they're getting messages like this posted in the comments shortly after posting new fics.
The AO3 team are NEVER going to try and contact you about TOS violations via the comment section (or about anything else for that matter)
Don't click any links. Report the accounts involved (which might claim to be things like "LucySupport"), delete the message and move on.
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Okay, I got a job, so I'll have to go even slower on things, but I'm loving this already. Once I finish this one-shot collection (and hopefully create some more MuffyxDaryl fans), I'll switch back to working on The Bachelor of Forget-Me-Not Valley. For those who don't want Ao3, the work is available below the cut.
“What a beautiful baby!”
“Oh, what an adorable child!”
“You're so pretty!”
Muffy Roberts heard such comments throughout each stage of her life, even with frizzy hair from before she learned how to properly care for her curls and freckles dusting her face from the sun. Muffy had always been told some version of the same compliment. It hadn't been upsetting until she was about ten. She could remember smiling politely. Her feelings hurt as her cousin was praised for being smart a breath after she was told she was pretty.
They exchanged their qualms in secret whispers of sleepovers. Muffy had learned and shared with her cousin beauty tips and tricks, and by the time they were young teens, both were called beauties. Despite her cousin's best efforts, Muffy still couldn't get other compliments. She fumbled at sports, couldn't grasp drawing, and struggled to earn academic awards. Beyond her beauty, Muffy was just average at best. As the young woman sank into depression, her mother arranged a trip to the city. The trip cheered Muffy up but not in the way her mother intended.
A passing talent agent stopped Mrs. Roberts on the bustling sidewalks to offer a place for Muffy in their program. Mrs. Roberts turned him down, though Muffy loudly and hurriedly interjected. This could be her last chance. The agent awkwardly handed his business card over to Muffy. She would need a parent or guardian’s permission, but he’d hold the spot if they reached an agreement. Weeks of arguments, interviews, and tours later, Muffy found herself enrolled in an agency and what the fifteen-year-old felt like was her last chance to be something more than pretty. It might have been her looks that got her into the idol program, but her hard work would let her be a star.
Muffy remembered the first time her confidence faltered as another girl sang. She had the voice of an angel, leaving even the vocal coach in a momentary lapse of awe.
Muffy gathered her courage to ask the other young woman for help. It was no secret this girl was already guaranteed to debut. The brunette quickly proved to be vocal in all matters of her life. Karen was bossy and strict in any help she offered Muffy. The blonde struggled to reach the impossibly high standards. By the time of her first monthly evaluation, Muffy Roberts had already decided she'd go home when they confirmed her dismal performance.
“I'll be honest, I didn't expect anything from you when John brought you on. You need to be more than pretty to succeed.” The manager's words cut into the fragile remnants of her ego more than Muffy expected. She squeezed emerald eyes shut, waiting for the final cut. “However, I was wrong. You've more than exceeded my expectations for just being here one month. If you keep up the hard work, you'll have a space in the group.”
“T-thank you!” Muffy quickly mumbled before walking away in a daze.
“Hey! You okay?” Karen asked.
“I haven't been able to complete a single dance without messing up or sing perfectly despite you helping. I didn't think I'd be staying.”
“Oh, that! I've been holding you to the same standards I set for myself. I'm glad you're hanging in there! Us small town girls have to stick together!”
True to her words, Karen quickly became Muffy's best friend. The addition of a childhood friend of Karen's named Popuri to the program gave Muffy another friend. Then, when Karen and her were twenty and Popuri eighteen, Lollipop Echo debuted. They climbed the charts in what felt like a blur to Muffy. Even now, almost ten years later, their popularity astounded Muffy.
“Stop!” Karen's voice broke through her thoughts. Muffy already had a sheepish smile as Karen turned to face her. “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, I just got lost in thought for a moment. We're about to announce our retirement, and I was just reminiscing on the time we had together.”
Karen's stern green eyes softened at the words as Popuri enveloped Muffy in a hug. The bright and bubbly Pickett held her at arm's length to lecture, “We'll always be friends! You better be at both our weddings! I won't accept excuses!”
“Of course! I wouldn’t miss it for anything!”
“Don't worry yourself sick, Muffy. You have time to figure out your next steps. It doesn't need to be done tomorrow. We'll still have at least a year or two to wrap everything up and give a good final tour. Now, let's get back to it!”
“I think we should take a break,” Popuri pouted. “It's late, and Kai isn't going to be in town for long before he leaves for his next destination.”
“I also had something I wanted to try tonight also,” Muffy sheepishly added.
“We have time, Karen; the final songs aren't even done yet!”
“Ugh, fine! But I'm making you work extra tomorrow,” Karen called after the rapidly disappearing Popuri. She turned to frown at Muffy as she packed away her items. “Are you sure about the subway? Wouldn't it be better to take a car?”
“Probably, but I want to try relearning how to be normal before I have to. It's the last train of the night, and Bernard said it's basically empty at this time.”
Muffy could tell by the woman's frown that she wasn't happy about the security guard's supposed report. Poor Bernard would probably be getting an earful from Karen for encouraging her foolish idea. Muffy would have to make it up to him somehow. She struggled for a moment to tug her large curls into a ponytail before snapping a ball cap on. Muffy flashed Karen a smile before tugging a mask over her face.
“See? Just another girl going home from a workout.”
“Just be careful. You have your alarm? Call me when you're home safely.”
Muffy waved goodbye as she hustled from the rooms and onto the street. A few people cast her glances. Her heart thundered in her chest. There was no exclamation, no recognition. People just cast her an annoyed glance or disgusted sigh for her standing motionless on the sidewalk. Muffy quickly joined the people, and as she traveled to the subway stop she would need the mass of strangers trickled down to almost nothing. As she took the stairs down, Muffy sighed.
It figured Karen would have known what the real issue was. Muffy was sad to see the group part, but Karen and Popuri were ready to settle down. Well, Karen was ready to settle in Mineral Town with her longtime sweetheart Rick. Karen had spent years denying paparazzi interviews or a crumb of her attention if they so much as breathed in the direction of Rick, who wanted a quiet life on the family chicken farm.
His sister Popuri was a different story, though. The enthusiastic girl who looked up to Karen (and soon after entering the program, Muffy) was ready to be with the traveling chef who swept her off her feet last summer. Most of their relationship had been long-distance but very public. Kai and Popuri both stayed interactive with fans and the press as they shared details of their lives. Despite Rick's distaste for the chef influencer, Karen encouraged the relationship. She said Kai and Popuri were a perfect fit while Rick just didn't want his sister away from home for longer.
Muffy, on the other hand, just had a handful of failed relationships. A string of men, boys really, who wanted to use her to advance themselves. Some cared about Muffy Roberts as a person but not more than what she could do for them. She only had her high school diploma at the agency’s insistence. What job prospects were there for a retired pop star? It would have to be something within entertainment. She wasn’t sure she wanted to do that alone. While Muffy knew she had the money to never work, she feared that without something to bring her out of the house she’d become a recluse. The woman sank onto a bench with a sigh. Quick, furtive glances from green eyes ensured it was just her on the platform’s end. The few other people for the last train were further up and a good distance away. A finger slipped around the mask’s loop, removing it from her ear to breathe without it.
She had barely removed the mask to relax a moment, reveling in feeling like any normal person before her heart leaped into her throat. Her hands scrambled with urgency to return the mask as a man approached where she sat. Muffy fought to control the thudding adrenaline in her chest as she observed him. His black hair stuck out at odd angles. Either ungroomed or from constant agitation, she figured as one of his hands passed through the locks. His eyes were focused on papers in his other hand as he mumbled to himself. What could he be so focused on? Muffy found herself wanting to discover the answer. Before she could observe further, the subway rattled into the station and the man walked forward to enter. Her focused attention and awe at how the man never once seemed to look up but navigated entry and finding a seat without once looking up left Muffy tripping over herself to make it on as well.
“You’ve been as bad as Popuri leaving right on the dot,” Karen frowned at the week’s end as Muffy hurriedly prepared to catch the last train. “What’s so interesting about the subway?”
“Well, there’s this guy- Oh, not like that!” Muffy gave an exasperated sigh as Karen’s eyebrow rose. “He just never seems aware of anything or anyone around him, and I’m curious what his papers are. Maybe a doctor? He has a white coat, and they seem awfully important.”
“Why are you concerned about that?”
“I don’t know. It just caught my attention, and I got curious.”
“You know curiosity killed the cat,” Karen teased.
“But satisfaction brought it back!” Muffy called over her shoulder as she hurried for the subway. It wasn’t until Muffy stood on the platform that she realized Saturdays were busier than the rest of the week had been. She hesitated, considering calling Bernard for a ride home instead of risking exposure in the crowd when the familiar head of messy hair caught her eye. He sat on a bench with an open spot beside him. Muffy found her feet moving to occupy the seat before making a conscious decision to remain. She’d just take a glance to see what his papers were and then be satisfied and stop people-watching him. No sooner had she glanced to the side than his hand snapped the folder shut with an annoyed sigh.
“Can I help you with something?”
Muffy’s green eyes blinked in shock, meeting his black ones as the man frowned at her. Her head slightly shook in response. She could feel an embarrassed blush heating her face and was thankful the mask surely hid it from view.
“No? Are you sure? You’ve been staring at me all week. If someone didn’t hire you to steal my work, then stop stalking me.”
“Stalking?!” Her raised voice drew some glances. Muffy composed herself before quickly continuing, “I assure you I’m not a stalker!”
“Isn’t that what most stalkers would say? Why else would you cover up so much in the summer heat and watch someone so intently for a week?”
“I- Okay, so you’re right. That looks bad, but I was just curious what you did and the papers you carried.”
His eyes narrowed behind round rims as though searching her words and eyes for a lie. Muffy wasn’t sure what conclusion he reached, but he must have seen some truth to her words. His tone sounded like something from her father as he asked, “If that was the case, why didn’t you ask?”
“I didn’t think of that. I’m sorry, I won’t bother you again,” she sheepishly apologized. Her fingers fumbled to open her phone and dial Bernard. She hadn’t felt so embarrassed since she first stood before a stage to perform. She could see the folder open again. Despite everything, her curiosity won out as she glanced over the papers eagerly. Almost timidly, she questioned, “Is that a can opener?”
“Yes. I decided they could be vastly improved as an appliance, but prototypes have not shown an increase in proficiency.”
“So, you’re an inventor or something?”
“I’m a PhD student in environmental science researching sustainable forms of energy. Things such as this are more of a hobby. My name is Daryl Bowditch. Do you have a name, Ms. Not-a-Stalker?”
Muffy lightly gasped at the nickname. If she hadn’t caught the slightest flicker of a smirk, she would have actually been offended. Well, she’d show him. The blonde leaned in a touch closer to say as softly as she could, “I’m Muffy Roberts.”
“Nice to meet you,” he matter-of-factly said, placing his papers away haphazardly in an already stuffed satchel. Muffy sat offended. How could he have no recognition of who she was? Even people who weren’t a fan of Lollipop Echo recognized her. She wasn’t used to such a lackluster response to her name. Daryl stood, glancing down at Muffy, who remained seated. “Do you not need to be on the last train?”
“Oh, yes! I do!” she exclaimed, following after him into the car. A sharp wave of his hand offered Muffy the available seat while his other hand wrapped around one of the bars. Daryl seemed as though that was the end of their conversation. The train lurched into movement, rattling down the line to other destinations. His eyes seeing something beyond the windows and subway walls. She pouted, calling his attention back to her, “Mr. Bowditch, do you not know who I am?”
“No, I don’t usually make a habit of stalking others in the subway.”
“Are you serious?”
“I believe most people manage to refrain from stalking.”
“Not that! You’ve really never heard my name? Or Lollipop Echo?”
“A lollipop couldn’t produce an echo. Do you mean something about quilting? You don’t look like someone who quilts.”
“You- You’re absolutely infuriating,” Muffy huffed, standing from her seat as the train approached her stop. She stood too soon, stumbling forward as the car rocked to a stop. Her hand grasped for something to steady herself. Settling on grabbing the sleeve of his white lab coat for that stability. Daryl didn’t seem phased by her words or her grabbing him. That only upset her more, though Muffy couldn’t understand why. Muffy tossed her blonde curls back over her shoulder, snatching her hand away from him.
“Thank you, but you should educate yourself on pop culture, Mr. Bowditch. I hope you have a pleasant evening,” she muttered.
“Doesn’t sound like you mean that.”
She couldn’t be sure as the doors shut behind her, but Muffy could have sworn he chuckled at her displeasure as he called out her surface-level manners.
in More Friends of Mineral Town, the developers fell asleep at the keyboard at some point, and the resulting programing error allows you to still date Ann during the Starry Night festival.
this happened for me 2 in-game years in a row, and the circumstances were the same: i spoke with Ann on the 23rd of Winter while she was at the Goddess Spring (she's there from 7:30am - 10:00am on clear days), and she asked:
"Come over to my house t morrow for the Starry Nigh Festival, OK?" <- the typo here is from "Night " (with a space) looping back around to the front of the Text Box."
You can say "I can't wait!" and you can, in fact, show up the next night at 6pm to date Ann. Doug even mentions that you should think about marrying her (though the text box is a little glitched)…
Based Doug. Bottom Text.
unfortunately for him (and me…) the programmers woke up just in time to bar off the marriage itself. showing Ann the blue feather will only make her excited for you, and tell you to hurry to your future bride because she's sure she's waiting…
no that's not a joke. Ann says "I'm sure she's waiting for you" as if you're going to get engaged to a lucky lady.
were the game as based as Doug was, i'd be able to tell her that she's that lucky lady, but alas, that level of besed-ness is reserved for the Story Of Seasons dimension…
as far as i can tell, this isn't documented anywhere online.
In case I don't finish today and can't post it, I've been in a slump. I've been putting pressure on myself about some of the things I feel I need to write and decided to take a break. So, I'm indulging myself with a very short AU Muffy x Daryl collection. This is part of the first chapter centered on Muffy. The basic premise is below with the wip in the read more.
EVERYTIME WE TOUCH
Top charting pop group Lollipop Echo is starting their farewell tour. Members Karen Hansen and Popuri Blume have made no secret of their upcoming marriages and eagerness to start the next chapter of their lives. What then of third member Muffy Roberts? For the first time in a decade, Muffy feels adrift and unsure of what to do.
PhD student Daryl Bowditch is on his last chance to earn his doctorate. This critical time in his research becomes interrupted by a stalker at the subway. The stalker insists she isn't one but rather a famous pop idol. Daryl hasn't ever heard of her but regardless, she needs a new hobby.
As their paths continue to cross, what will their relationship become?
“What a beautiful baby!”
“Oh, what an adorable child!”
“You're so pretty!”
Muffy Roberts heard such comments throughout each stage of her life. Even with frizzy hair from before she learned how to properly care for her curls and freckles dusting her face from the sun. Muffy had always been told some version of the same compliment. It hadn't been upsetting until she was about ten. She could remember smiling politely. Her feelings hurt as her cousin was praised for being smart a breath after she was told she was pretty.
They exchanged their qualms in secret whispers of sleepovers. Muffy had learned and shared with her cousin beauty tips and tricks, and by the time they were young teens, both were called beauties. Despite her cousin's best efforts, Muffy still couldn't get other compliments. She fumbled at sports, couldn't grasp drawing, and struggled to earn academic awards. Beyond her beauty, Muffy was just average at best. As the young woman sank into depression, her mother arranged a trip to the city. The trip cheered Muffy up but not in the way her mother intended.
A passing talent agent stopped Mrs. Roberts on the bustling sidewalks to offer a place for Muffy in their program. Mrs. Roberts turned him down, though Muffy loudly and hurriedly interjected. This could be her last chance. The agent awkwardly handed his business card over to Muffy. She would need a parent or guardian’s permission, but he’d hold the spot if they reached an agreement. Weeks of arguments, interviews, and tours later, Muffy found herself enrolled in an agency and what the fifteen-year-old felt like was her last chance to be something more than pretty. It might have been her looks that got her into the idol program, but her hard work would let her be a star. Muffy remembered the first time her confidence faltered as another girl sang. She had the voice of an angel, leaving even the vocal coach in a momentary lapse of awe.
Muffy gathered her courage to ask the other young woman for help. It was no secret this girl was already guaranteed to debut. The brunette quickly proved to be vocal in all matters of her life. Karen was bossy and strict in any help she offered Muffy. The blonde struggled to reach the impossibly high standards. By the time of her first monthly evaluation, Muffy Roberts had already decided she'd go home when they confirmed her dismal performance.
“I'll be honest, I didn't expect anything from you when John brought you on. You need to be more than pretty to succeed.” The manager's words cut into the fragile remnants of her ego more than Muffy expected. She squeezed emerald eyes shut waiting for the final cut. “However, I was wrong. You've more than exceeded my expectations for just being here one month. If you keep up the hard work, you'll have a space in the group.
Have you read any Story of Season fics on ao3 lately? Anything you can recommend?
I personally havent, Nonny.
I've been so busy irl that my free time is so limited, and what free time I do have I've been spending in writing mode. I tend not to read much fic when I'm writing.
So I'm going to open this up to the blog.
Y'all, what SoS fics have you been reading that you would recommend? What fics have you been writing that you wanna share?
And Nonny, if you feel like searching the blog's archives, plug a game into the search bar and see what comes up.
I mostly write and read for AWL and some FoMT. Here is my ao3.
I'm a big Gustafa and Daryl fan so I read @foxcassius and @daryls-favourite. During the last exchange @el-dritchknight did a Daryl piece for me that was amazing! I think they also have some Grand Bazaar that while I haven't personally read can say their style is great.
What’s your favorite line/passage from one of your fics or original writings??? (This can be for its prose, dynamics, humor, angst, catharsis—no wrong reasons whatsoever!)
If you’re comfy doing so, plz feel free to share those beautiful words! I’d be honored to see some delicious writing bits!) 🐁💖
