Helping in the Fields

Even in the future, people still tend fields like in the old days.

That's right! Thank you for noticing.

Who're you?

My name is Sarana. I'm in charge of caring for these crops.

I'm Aldo. Nice to meet you. These fields are in great condition. I bet you'll get a good harvest out of them!

I hope so, too!

If nothing goes wrong, that is...

What could go wrong? Have you been having problems?

Lately, when I'm out in the fields, I feel...like I'm being watched. But whenever I look around, there's no sign of anyone. Maybe it's just my imagination...

Sounds strange, all right... Farming's hard enough without extra worries. I'll see if I can do something about it.

You will? Thank you! I feel better already.

The feeling of being watched... First up, let's gather some intel in town.

Sarana's husband passed away. That must be pretty tough... And this mysterious stalker can't be helping, either.

I say we stake out the fields and catch whoever it is in the act!

Sarana, the farmer? It must be hard for her working the fields by herself. What's that? A stalker? I can't say I've seen anyone suspicious... Maybe it's some kind of monster?

Creepers in the fields? Nah, I haven't seen anyone like that. Looks like hard work, though. Dankes should help Sarana out sometime, he's a big, strong fella and all...

Whazzat? You want to know 'bout the wheat fields? Sarana's been tending 'em all alone since her husband died. She has it tough, no doubt. A lot of tragedy for one so young...

That looks like a good spot to stand watch over there. I hope we find whoever's pestering Sarana soon...

Nothing. Maybe it was just her imagination after all?

What was that noise?

Target Acquired. Initiating Dispersal...

That's a Synth Human search bit! What's it doing here?

I don't know what you're trying to do, but I won't let you mess with these fields!

You think those monsters were the ones who've been watching Sarana? I'm not totally convinced, but I guess we should go tell her about this, anyway.

Another search bit?

Hey! What d'you think you're doing?!

Waaargh!

Oh, it's just some guy from town. Sorry to frighten you, buddy. But it looks like we found our stalker. What's the deal? Why have you been spying on Sarana?

P-Please, don't tell her it was me!

No way, she has a right to know. She's been really on edge because of your shenanigans.

You don't have to tell her. Make something up! Please, I'm begging you...

You're in no position to negotiate. Just who are you, anyway?

My name is Dankes. I own the field next door. I've seen Sarana working hard all alone, and I wanted to do something to help. So I decided to tend to her crops here and there in secret.

Why in secret? If you felt like you needed to hide it, you must have had some ulterior motive!

I just thought...if I stepped in and offered help so soon after her husband passed, she'd get the wrong idea.

Oh, okay... But don't you think sneaking around like this is even more shady? You're making her really uncomfortable.

I-I didn't know...

Geez... Look, I'll come up with some story for Sarana. Just quit sneaking around. Come right out and talk to her like a normal person.

Easier said than done...

You got a problem?

No! Sorry, thank you. I'll take your advice. And you promise not to tell Sarana about my, uh, indiscretion?

Well, we've got to tell Sarana something. The search bit explanation is believable enough. I'll give that a try.

Did you find out anything?

Uh, yeah... We found a Synth Human search bit in your field. It was probably that thing all along.

Synth Human tech... I see...

So... I heard your husband passed away recently.

Oh, yes... He went to Elzion for a business trip and got caught up in a Synth Human attack. I inherited these fields from him. They're all I have to remember him by.

Sorry for your loss... It seems like a lot of work to tend the fields on your own. Is there anyone you could ask to help out?

These fields were mine and my husband's. I want to care for them with my own hands.

I get how you must feel, but don't you think it'll defeat the purpose if you exhaust yourself and the fields go to waste?

There's something in that. Getting help makes logical sense, but...

In any case, thank you for setting my mind at ease. At least now I can work in peace.

This might be harder than I thought...