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This AU came to me when I started thinking about what would have happened if the Seeds had never gone crazy... In my mind, this still means that a lot of the Seeds' backstory remains the same: the Seeds had horrible parents, Jacob did burn down their foster parent's barn, John did get beaten by his adoptive parents, and Joseph did lose his wife in the accident. The only things that would be different in this AU are that some of the worst things never occurred: no Jacob cannabalizing his friend (although he was in the war and did get PTSD); no hearing the voice and baby-killing, so Joseph's daughter is still alive and no cult was created; John didn't become a maniac obsessed with cutting sins into people; and all the past Faiths are still alive with their original names intact (e.g. the Faith we see in game is called her original name "Rachel" in this, and the other Faiths - Lana and Selena - are also waitresses at Garden of Eatin').
Joseph owns a diner called Garden of Eatin’. It’s a family business so:
- John greets and seats customers who, after he’s gone, ask each other, “Was it just me or was he really creepy?”
- Faith is the waitress who dupes people into giving reallygood tips - Sharky gave her a $20 tip on a five-dollar order once
- Jacob is the cook (so you better not send his food back - or else)
Nick Rye is a former customer who leaves a bad yelp review about the watery mac n’ cheese
Rook names their diner sandwich shop across the street PAYBACK’S A ‘WICH.
Rook hires Hurk as the guy who wears the sandwich board and stands out front enticing customers to come in. He’s surprisingly effective.
After Sharky realizes Faith has been shaking him down, he wanders across the street to stand with Hurk. He’s not getting paid. He just likes hanging out.
Sharky heckles John from across the street because, “That guy is a fuckin’ asshole, dude.”
Wheaty works the counter during the summer when school is out. He’s in charge of the cash register and the music.
Eli Palmer is a regular at Payback’s a ‘Wich. He keeps coming back because Rook always has his order ready, and more importantly, he has an insane crush on her and doesn’t know how to ask her out.
Tweak’s in the alley out back of Payback’s a ‘Wich hawking ~oregano~.
Sharky’s got a crush on Grace. He asked her what kind of men she was into - you know to test the waters - and she told him the strong, silent type. When he’s not hanging out with Hurk in front of Payback’s a ‘Wich or blowing shit up at the Moonflower Trailer Park, he’s lifting weights. He’ll never be the silent type, but one day he’ll impress Grace. He’s like 62% sure of it.
Mayor Virgil Minkler declared July 17th “Rook Day” after Rook completed all the Clutch Nixon stunts in the county. She was the first person to complete them all since Clutch Nixon himself.
Rook really enjoys messing with John. Like A LOT.
- In the winter, when she sees him across the street in his fancy coat, she’ll chuck a snowball his way and then hide when it connects with his back. He’ll immediately fly into a rage and run into the Garden of Eatin’. Rook assumes that he’s going to hide inside…
- But it’s all fun and games until Jacob gets involved. He can throw snowballs farther, has a slightly better aim (not that Rook would ever admit that, thank you very much), and he’s absolutely ruthless.
- Once Jacob hit Rook square in the face with a snowball. Physically she was fine - he didn’t fastball it her way or anything - but her pride was hurt when John saw and doubled over in a fit of laughter. Faith ran out of Garden of Eatin’ to see if Rook was okay and to scold Jacob. Jacob only cracked a smile and walked back into the Garden of Eatin’.
- Later as Rook is closing up Payback’s a ‘Wich, Jacob runs across the street to apologize for hitting her in the face. She curses him out. And when he offers to teach her how to throw with a smug grin on his face, she chases him off, as he laughs. It’s the first time she’s ever heard him laugh.
Adelaide started a new ladies-only flying club. Right now, it’s Kim Rye, Rook, and Adelaide, but that’s good enough for them! Whenever Kim tells Nick she’s going out with the club, he always yells after her as she leaves, “ROOK IS MY FRIEND TOO KIM! YOU CAN’T HAVE HER ALL TO YOURSELF!”
Mary-May over at the Spread Eagle hosts a bi-weekly trivia contest. Joseph created his own team and it includes his brothers, Faith (Rachel), and Lana (a former Faith in the game). They go up against Rook, Nick and Kim Rye, Jess Black, and Larry Parker. Joseph’s team is best at answering questions about religion, military history, and music.
Joseph is unbelievably patient with the kooks from Hope County. He listens to Zip Kupka’s conspiracy theories about the lack of baby animals in the forest when he sees him around town and was the first person to sign up for Zip’s newsletter. He is also friendly with Larry Parker and inquires about Anne when he sees him at the Spread Eagle. Although he’d never admit it, he’s pretty sure Anne is a made-up girlfriend.
Joseph personally delivers Ms. Mable’s meals when she orders from Garden of Eatin’ despite the fact that Garden of Eatin’ is a diner, not a frigging Meals on Wheels. John asked why he bothered and Joseph told him that she was old, she had pushed everyone away, and he felt bad for her. John reminds him she pushed everyone away because she’s a horrible human being to which Joseph responded, “Even mean old broads deserve to eat, John.” John was shocked that Joseph had even called Ms. Mable mean, to be honest.
Fall’s End End of Summer Block Party – Fall’s End Main Street is lined with merchants selling food
- Garden of Eatin’ is selling comfort food and some barbecue type foods (Nick to Rook: “Hopefully their barbecue wings are better than the Mac N’ Cheese.”)
- Payback’s a ‘Wich is selling wraps and BLTs
- Rae Rae is selling caramel apples
- Spread Eagle is selling Testy Festy foods
- Chad Wolanski is selling turkey legs
Jacob crosses Main to Church to walk home when the fireworks begin to go off. Rook notices him walk by her, as she’s got her back to the brick of her store and watching the fireworks. She notices he’s upset and goes after him around the corner. She asks him if he’s okay and he says he’s fine, it’s just he doesn’t like fireworks. She tells him he doesn’t have to be alone and they share ~a moment~ when she thinks he’s going to kiss her, but he doesn’t.
During their ladies-only flying club, Adelaide asks, “Fuck, Marry, Kill?” with Jacob, John, and Nancy from the Sheriff’s station
- Adelaide: F - John, M - Nancy, K - Jacob
- Kim: F - Jacob, M - Nancy, K - John
- Joey: F - Nancy, M - Jacob, K - John
- Rook: F - John, M - Jacob, K - Nancy (But only because at this point no one knows but she’s already F’d Jacob lol)