Secrets, Lies, Forgotten Things

Oh dear... Why did I have to end up here?

Mm? Sorry m'am? You okay?

Just noticed you were pacing back and forth. Is something the matter?

Apologies. My eyes aren't what they used to be. I can't really see much these days. Am I in your way?

No, nothing like that. I was just worried about you.

Um... Should you really be out on your own?

My granddaughter usually accompanies me, but she hasn't been home for days. I was about to go look for her.

If that's the case, how about I look for her for you?

What a helpful young man. I wouldn't be taking you away from anything important?

Nope, I was just hanging around anyway. My grandpa's about your age, so I feel like I should look out for you.

You're a good kid. Your grandpa must be proud.

What can you tell me about your granddaughter? How will I recognize her?

She's about twenty, and she's extremely quiet.

Also...the townspeople say she wears odd clothes.

Odd clothes? What do you mean?

They're tight-fitting and seamless. No one can work out the weave or the fabric they're made from. All her other possessions are rare items, also. Oh, I actually have something of hers with me. Would you like to see it?

Whoa! This is what people in Amy's era use to contact each other! How would your granddaughter have this?

Oh? You recognize it?

Y-Yeah. I've seen something similar.

(I can't tell her I saw it in the distant future, that will only confuse her.) So, do you have any idea on where she might have gone? Places she likes to go to?

She said she likes to gaze at the water over at Lake Tiilen.

Lake Tiilen? Okay, I'll head there first.

Thank you. She's always helping people, like you. I do hope she hasn't landed herself in any trouble.

She sounds like a good person.

She is.

Too good for someone like me.

Okay, I'll go look for her. You wait right here.

Hm? That girl over there...

The way she's dressed. She doesn't look like she's from this era. The lady did say her granddaughter was dressed in unusual clothes...

Well, there's no point dwelling. I should just talk to her.

Excuse me, do you have a minute?

Sure thing! What can I do for you?

Huh? Shannon?

Aldo? What a coincidence running into you here.

I highly doubt it's a coincidence.

Fate then? How wonderful.

Don't try to laugh this away Shannon. What are you doing in this era?

Um... Who are you?

I'm Aldo, a traveling swordsman. I'd like to ask you something.

Aldo, was it? I'm...um...well, you can call me Shannon. So what can I do for you, Aldo?

Oh, right...

You don't look like you're from this era.

Oh, you don't beat around the bush. But you're right, I'm not.

I was born far, far into the future.

So what are you doing here?

Huh? Shannon?

Before I answer that, how did you know my name? Have we met before?

(She doesn't recognize me? Is this not the Shannon I know?)

Oh, um... Sorry, I guess I must have confused you for someone else.

Oh, really? Fair enough. So what can I do for you?

Oh, right... I'm Aldo, a traveling swordsman. I'd like to ask you something.

Ask away.

You don't look like you're from this era.

So what are you doing here?

Huh? Shannon?

Before I answer that, how did you know my name? Have we met before?

Don't you recognize me? Does that make you a Shannon from a different time layer?

Time layer?

Ah. Sorry, nevermind. I guess I must have confused you for someone else.

It's fine. So what can I do for you?

Oh, right... I'm Aldo, a traveling swordsman. I'd like to ask you something.

Ask away.

You don't look like you're from this era.

So what are you doing here?

That's a little hard to answer. I didn't exactly choose to come here. I'm here on work. I was looking for someone when I suddenly realized the scenery had changed.

You crossed space and time without even realizing it? What a disaster!

Most would assume time travel to be the work of science fiction... Yet you seem to accept it as fact.

No, you make a good point. It's not exactly normal for most people. I've traveled across space and time so much, I guess I've gotten used to it.

Oh my. You're a pro time traveler, are you?

I wouldn't put it like that. It's not like there are professional levels in time travel...

You know, I've heard a lot of pick up lines in my time, but never any about time travel. You look so cute, but I guess looks can be deceiving.

Wait, I'm not trying to...

The reason why I approached you is because I'm looking for someone. There's an elderly lady looking for her granddaughter. She dresses like she's from the future.

Teehee. You don't need to deny it so fervently. I was only teasing you. Normally I'd assume this was just an excuse to hit on me but it's not, seeing how you reacted. Maybe she's from my time. Maybe she's lost like me.

Lost?

Would you like me to send you back to your own time? Synth Hydra loves pretty ladies like you. I'm sure he'd be more than happy to take you.

Synth Hydra?

Hm, how to I explain Hydra? He's like a living battleship that can travel through time.

Fascinating.

But I can't ask you to do that. Aren't you looking for someone right now?

I am, but if I could at least get you...

Ooh, I know! Why don't I help you look for her? Then I wouldn't feel so guilty about asking this favor of you.

Are you sure? I thought you had work to do?

I do, but it's not urgent.

In that case...

What are you doing here?

Hm?

Those clothes...

Ngh!

Wait!

That woman. She was dressed in a style I've seen before. That all-in-one outfit is all the rage in my time...for some reason.

Yeah, I recognize it, too. Loads of women seem to dress like that in the future.

Do you think she's the missing granddaughter?

We can't be sure yet. However, she certainly seemed to be frightened by something.

My curiosity is piqued. I think we should follow her.

She headed toward Ratle. Let's go.

Where'd she go?

Aha! Over there!

Why is she running away?

Aldo, you carry on down this road. I'll take the other one.

Got it.

Excuse me! Wait up!

Stay away from me! I'm not going back there!

Oh no!

I don't know what it is you're afraid of, but please don't run away.

We just want to talk to you.

Talk? Dogs that live only to obey authority don't talk.

Dogs?

I think there's been some kind of misunderstanding here. If we agree to keep our distance from you, will you at least hear him out?

......

An elderly lady in Acteul sent me to look for her missing granddaughter.

Why would she do that?

She's really worried about you. She thinks you've gotten yourself into some kind of trouble. She was about to head out of town to look for you, in spite of her poor eyesight.

She shouldn't go to such bother for a liar like me.

It sounds like there's a lot going on here. Would you mind explaining?

Stay away! You could still be hounds for all I know!

What do you mean by hounds?

An enemy of liberty. A tracker.

I don't really follow, but you're saying these "hounds" are after her?

They relentlessly pursue what they judge by their own standards to be evil. I've been chased by them, too. I understand your fear all too well.

You...have?

It's only natural for you not to trust me.

But, trust him at least. He's a good guy who just wants to help.

Okay then. I'll trust you.

I ended up in this era while I was fleeing from the hounds. I was lost on the streets when an old lady came to help.

But she referred to you as her granddaughter...

She has bad eyesight, remember? She mistook me for her granddaughter. Her neighbors told me that her real granddaughter left a long time ago and never came back.

She looked at me and smiled so kindly, and I just couldn't help it. I lied. I let her believe I was her granddaughter, when in truth, I'm nothing more than a stranger.

Huh, so that's what was going on.

I don't have a home, so I thought if it made her happy, then what did my deception matter? At least, that's how I felt in the moment. But then, I started to feel more and more guilty.

That's understandable. You stole your place from someone else.

It's never a nice feeling, knowing that you've taken someone else's place.

That's why I came to Ratle. I wanted to find her real granddaughter.

I heard from her neighbors that she works in Ratle as a perfumer.

I did some digging, and found out she uses Lake Tiilen to gather materials.

So you were in Lake Tiilen...

To look for the granddaughter, yes.

But I saw you two there instead, and I ran away in fear.

Then you still haven't found her?

Why don't we help you look for her?

But...

I'd like to make it up to you for scaring you before. And also... It seems like fate, meeting someone in the same situation as me in this place. I would like to help you, if you're willing to let me.

It's more if you're willing, after I misjudged you so badly.

That's water under the bridge.

......

Now, once this problem's been solved, how about some tea at a nice little cafe? That should get rid of any animosity between us!

I don't think they have cafes in this era.

Then let's go back to a time when cafes do exist. Aldo here has a means to travel across time, don't you, Aldo?

As for location... How about that popular bakery in Elzion?

La Vie En Rose? Their cakes really are delicious!

Okay, but if you want your tea and cake, we'll have to go look for the granddaughter at Lake Tiilen first.

Hm. I wonder where she'd be?

You said she's a perfumer? If she's here to collect scented ingredients, she must be looking for flowers.

No, her perfumes are pretty unique. She makes them out of monsters.

Perfume made of monsters? I don't think I want to smell that...

Was that a scream? Let's go! This way!

That monster looks pretty agitated.

Get back! We'll handle this!

Hey! It's not safe to approach!

It smells so fragrant. This will work nicely.

(Did she just tear off that monster's leg?)

You wouldn't happen to be the famous perfumer of Ratle, would you?

I am. Are you customers? Are you here for a blend?

No. We're looking for the granddaughter of a lady who lives in Acteul. We heard that you're her.

Hm. Okay, I'll hear you out.

Grandma mistook you for me? Well, we are around the same age. I guess that could happen.

Um... I think you should go to see her. Her health's been deteriorating lately.

Her real granddaughter should be the one with her.

Not her imposter.

I understand. I'll go. I don't want to cause you any more trouble.

Problem solved! What a relief. A total stranger shouldn't be able to replace someone you love without you even noticing.

There's nothing worse.

Do you have personal experience on the matter, Shannon?

......

Sorry, that was insensitive of me. You just looked so serious.

No, it's fine. I just... I don't know what to say.

I lost someone incredibly important to me, and I didn't even realize.

Someone else told me later, that there was something I was missing. Though even now, it still doesn't feel like I've lost anything.

It's hard to explain.

Like amnesia or something?

Yeah, I guess it's a little like that.

Okay, shall we go back to your grandmother?

To...Acteul, was it?

Grandma!

Oh, you're back. Welcome home, my dear. I was worried about you.

I'm sorry. I went to the next village over because there's someone I really want you to meet.

There is? Who could that be?

Oh!

It's been a while. Do you...know who I am?

Of course I do! Who do you think you are, leaving for all these years and not visiting your old grandma?

Heh. Amazing, isn't it? She recognizes her real granddaughter in an instant. As sad as it makes me, this is how it should be.

Let's go. We should leave them to reunite alone.

Wait.

I've made you sad, sweet thing. I'm sorry.

If I hadn't been so weak and dishonest, this wouldn't have happened.

What do you mean?

Did you realize she wasn't your granddaughter right from the start?

I did. I knew she wasn't my granddaughter.

Yet when I fell and she rushed over, fussing over me, so kind and caring, it made me feel so happy. So loved.

I don't know why, but I heard myself greeting her as my granddaughter. I made her pretend to be her, all for my sake. I'm sorry for forcing you into a lie.

You didn't! I liked the lie as well. I'm the one who should be apologizing. I took the place of your real granddaughter.

Why don't you two stop apologizing to each other and just talk?

They both wanted the lie. They wanted to forget their painful reality.

Maybe. But it was a kind lie. They both went along with it for the other's sake. It's heartening, don't you think?

You're so very kind, Aldo.

Really? Isn't that normal?

That's the impression you give, sticking your neck out for total strangers not even from your time. It's not normal at all. You're surprisingly good-natured.

You're kinda dangerous. I can't take my eyes off of you.

Shannon?

I think I have a little crush on you. You don't mind, do you?

Y-You're getting a bit close there...

I want to know you. All of you.

Erm...

Oh? Are you done talking?

Yes. She's going to stay with her grandma now.

Really? That's a relief.

Shall we head back to our own era?

Our own era?

You haven't forgotten, have you? We were going to go to La Vie En Rose.

This era's not so bad, but I'm starting to miss tea and chocolate.

Then you're in luck. Their chocolate gateau is the best you'll ever taste!

Oh, I can't wait!

Okay, let's ask Synth Hydra to take us to the future.

I just wanted to say...thank you.

"Grandma" and I would never have been able to move on without your help.

All we did was help you look for someone.

Right. It was you who chose to move on.

I guess...

Don't frown so.

A new life is waiting for you.

Cake will soon turn that frown upside down!

Yeah. Enjoy yourselves.

If you ever need anything, you can always come to us.

He's so sweet. I can see why you like him.

Teehee. You see it, too? Isn't he just amazing? He's so kind and dependable, yet he has a mysterious charm that keeps me coming back for more.

I just hope he'll feel the same way about me someday.

Um... This isn't the way to La Vie En Rose...

No. But don't you think this view suits us better? There's something nostalgic about it. Like it's leading us toward the end.

Did you think that if you kept walking, you'd be able to return to that time? To where we belong?

Oh no! You're a...

Hound...

This is DW-981. Please respond.

Reporting in. I have secured the fleeing target in the parallel time layer. I have wiped her memory, so she is now a low flight risk. Please collect her at your earliest convenience. During the pursuit, I discovered an individual in the possession of a battleship that can cross spacetime. It is currently unclear whether it possesses the ability to cross the time layers. I will monitor closely.

Teehee. Now I won't have to take my eyes off you, Aldo. Here's hoping you don't get in my way. If you do...

Teeheehee. This is going to be fun.