Part 6: Secrets, huh...?

Much obliged.



Welcome back. Last time, thanks to Cassius bailing us out, we managed to save the kids and not completely fuck up our first day. But now, Cassius is gone on business, and we need to not completely fuck up multiple times! Can we do it?

_{Almost certainly not.}





We are also now at a farm. Although it says we can talk to the cows, we actually can't ask him about his opinions on religion or politics. Instead he will just moo. Not that it matters, because you're a cow and cows are stupid.



It's been a while, hasn't it?

Tio: Estelle? And Joshua, too? Did you guys come for a visit?

Not exactly. We're here on bracer business. We heard that you've been having some trouble with monsters.

Estelle and Joshua explain that they are here to do their father's work because he is away.

Tio: You've finished all your training? That's wonderful news! Maybe you can help after all.

So there really are monsters giving you trouble, huh?

Tio: Regrettably, that's been the case the past several days now. Thanks to which, I'm suffering from a lack of sleep.

Which means...the monsters only come out at night?

Ace detective right here.

Besides, what monsters come out during the day? That's like having monsters over your bed.

Tio: You're very perceptive, Joshua. It'd be better if you got all the details from my father, though. I imagine he should be back from delivering the milk and vegetables any time now.

Welp, let's wait for them then.



Will: Did you come to play with me?

I wish I had the time, but I'm afraid today I'm here for work.

Will: Work...? That's no fun if we can't play.

All work and no play makes Joshua a dull boy.



Are your mom and dad home?

Chere: They're inside right now.



How is everyone getting on these days?

Hannah: Well, if it isn't Estelle and Joshua.

Franz: What brings you to our neck of the woods? Did you come to see Tio?

We were actually just chatting with her outside.
To tell you the truth, we're here on an errand today from the Bracer Guild.

Estelle hands Mr. Perzel the Guild Referral, and Joshua explains that they are taking over for their father while he is away.

Hannah: Is that so? But don't you think this job is a little dangerous for just the two of you to handle?

Franz: I agree. I'd feel terrible if one of you were to get hurt...

Don't sweat it. We're bracers, after all. And taking care of monsters is right up our alley.

I'm pretty sure being paid to beat up monsters is like, 99% of the reason Estelle became a bracer in the first place.

The guild has even authorized us to carry out this task. If you wouldn't mind leaving it to us, we'd be more than grateful.

Franz: Hmmm... Well, all right then. Go ahead and have at it.

Thank you very much, Mr. Perzel! Then could you tell us a little more about the monsters that have been wrecking your fields?

Franz: I haven't been able to get a clear look at one yet...but, they seem to resemble something like a chubby cat.

Aw man, I don't want to hunt some chubby kitties

Franz: As far as I can tell, three or four appear at night and raid our fields, gnawing on anything they can get their grubby little paws on.

Hannah: They don't seem threatening exactly, but they're extremely nimble. We've tried many times to capture them over the course of the last several nights but to no avail.

Also while we were doing it, Yakity Sax was playing somehow.

Sounds like a pretty strange bunch of creatures if you ask me.
Since they only appear under the cover of night, we'll have to wait for it to get dark.

Franz: Then how about taking a load off until then?

Hannah: I assume you'll also be joining us for dinner, right?

You said the magic word!? You bet I will! I'm a huge fan of your cooking, Mrs. Perzel. I can't wait!

Hannah: You sure know how to please a woman who spends a lot of time toiling in the kitchen.

Well, it looks like me and Estelle both have something in common.





We like good food.

Hannah: And for that, I'll whip you up something special that'll live up to your expectations.





Several hours later, at the farm...





Oh, that was delicious! Your mom's cooking is as good as ever, Tio!

Tio: Ha ha. That's because she gets excited to cook whenever we have guests over for meals. I feel really bad for Joshua, though... .with the little ones jumping all over him like that.

Ah ha ha. It's probably a good thing. Surprisingly enough, kids tend to latch on to him a lot. If anything, I'm more blown away by the fact that the children enjoy playing with such a stick-in-the-mud.

Tio: I think that's a bit of an over- exaggeration, don't you? He's definitely courteous and maybe even a tad reserved, but... If you get to know him, he's really a caring young man. The fact that he's not self-conscious about it, too, gives him points in my book.

Joshua-sempai

You really think so?

Tio: Think about it. With those striking facial features, mysterious amber eyes and lush black hair.. It's only natural that he'd be a target for all the young girls.

I guess me and Joshua have something in common too, heh.

_{we don't.}

Is Joshua really that popular?

Tio: ...Are you blind, Estelle? Rumor has it that more than just a few girls have asked to go out with him. I hear that he turned them all down though.

I-I had no idea...

Joshua never said a word to me about it... I don't know how I should even begin to describe his secretive nature after hearing this, but how utterly cruel of him not to confide in me!

Tio: If you were a boy, I imagine it would be a different story, but as a girl, I don't think that's something he would talk to you about. And the fact that you haven't fallen for him yourself is beyond me.

Huh? Why would I?

How awkward.



Joshua: Estelle, you're in there, aren't you? It's about time to do our rounds.

A-all right! I'm coming!
I'll be back after Joshua and I get the job done, Tio. I'd like to continue this conversation, okay?

Tio: Oh, all right. Be careful out there, Estelle.



Tio: That girl... She's either completely out of touch with matters of the heart or just plain dense... Poor Joshua. He really has his work cut out for him.



We'd better get outside and take a look around.
... (Grrr...)
Wh-what's going on, Estelle?
I've gotta ask, Joshua. You don't happen to...have any secrets you're not telling me about, do you?
Come on now. Where are you coming up with this stuff?
Since you came to live with us... we've always done everything together, right? Even though we've had our fair share of fights...they're all good memories for me now and... What I mean to say is, I've come to think of you as 'family' in every sense of the word.
Estelle...
So...if there's ever anything on your mind you'd like to talk about, I'm available to lend an ear!
You know, about things like...
Trouble with your love life and whatnot...
...What are you trying to say?
N-nothing! I just wanted to let you know that I'm here to listen if you need someone to talk to, that's all! Let's hurry up and get out there so we can kick some monster butt!

Welp, that was sufficiently awkward. To be young and stupid again! Now I'm just stupid.



What kind of nonsense is Tio putting into that girl's head?
...Secrets, huh...?

Considering his mysterious origins, I get the feeling Joshua's got bigger secrets to hide then how all the girls in Rolent all apparently want him.



So, Joshua, how do you think we should go about making the rounds?
Let's see... How about we start by checking around the house first and then move on to the fields, stable, and greenhouses. We should be able to cover the entire farm by doing it this way.
All right.
Let's go!

Go inside the house, you mean.



Chere: Aren't you scared?

No, I'm fine. This is what bracers do.

Chere: You're so brave, Joshua...

Okay, let's actually do our work now. For once.



It doesn't look as if they've shown up yet. I wonder if they're aware of our presence.
Hey, Joshua. Did anyone ever tell you that story as a kid? You know, the one about babies being born in a cabbage patch?
Now there's another question entirely out of the blue...
And no, I was told about an angel with silver wings who delivers them.
Interesting. So the explanation for where babies come from differs depending on the region, huh?
...
How about we get back to work?
Okay.

It hardly counts as surprising, but this all but confirms that Joshua isn't from around these parts.



Next, we go to the greenhouses. The plot will automatically progress as soon as you do.



I should have figured monsters wouldn't bother coming in here.
The glow of the orbments sure give this place a romantic ambiance.
It makes me feel like it was all worthwhile just setting foot in here.
You are definitely a ditz, Estelle...



At least it's better than being dense like someone I know!







Hey! Get back here, you little furball!
I can still sense its presence... It's staying put on the farm for the moment.
Well, good!
Because it's about to get caught!

That's a terrible one-liner, you should be ashamed. We would have accepted:

They're about to buy the farm.

I'll show them how many ways you can skin a cat.

Just call me curiosity, because I'm about to kill the cat

Something something bad pun.

Anyway, we can now wander the farm looking for them. Eventually, we find them in the cabbage patch.



I think it's time to teach this critter a lesson!
Here's where our job really starts, so stay alert and don't let your guard down!







This is a super easy fight. The Giant Crop Muncher is the only real threat, it'll use long range magic and can also blind your characters. The normal Crop Munchers won't actually attack you unless you're close to them, otherwise, they'll just play dead or heal by eating crops.



And it turns out, even their attacks aren't too rough. Forty damage is about a quarter of our HP, but there's only two of them so...

Oh, and by the way, I have a question for E/N. My girlfriend and be are fighting, what should I do?



Thanks Joshua!



And since I cut my way into a Critical bonus in the turn order, I can one-shot it.



I feel bad about this



With the big-guy dead, we can't really lose.

---





Franz: My goodness! The work of a bracer is something else. You kids have done a fine job of rounding up these critters!

Tee-hee, it was nothing, really. I wanted to ask you though, now that they've been caught, what do you plan on doing with them?



These are pretty much the same choice, but the first feels somewhat more assertive. Since we're totally super professional bracers, we go with that.

Now that we've given these critters a good thrashing, I don't think they'll cause any more trouble.
Estelle...how's that going to benefit anyone if we show these creatures any mercy now? We're here to do a job by exterminating the monsters, remember?
B-but...
In any case, we're here to do a job in Dad's place. If the same thing happens again, what will you have to say for yourself?

At least I didn't burn down the house?

I see what you're getting at, but...

Tio: You know, it was only some vegetables that were damaged so... What do you think about letting it slide this time?

Hannah: You know... After taking a beating like that, I'm sure they've learned their lesson.

Tio, Mrs. Perzel...
But in this case, I strongly suggest otherwise...

You need to calm down Joshua. Maybe stop telling people to sever all the time. Whatever happened to working things out?

Franz: I, myself, am against killing them, too. Whether it's us or them, the fact of the matter is: we're all living beings trying to survive on the same land. To some degree, I think we need to be mindful of those creatures living around us as we go about our daily lives. I know you may disagree with me, Joshua...but would you mind sparing these critters just this once?

...
Understood... Since this is coming from the ones who suffered the actual loss, I won't object to your request.

Franz: I'm really sorry about this, Joshua. I know I had you two come all the way up here. I'll make sure to reinforce the fence and devise a way to prevent this from happening again.

Then that's that.
All right you critters, you'd better count your blessings!



If we catch you around here again, you won't be so lucky! Now scram!





Franz: Well, I'll consider this matter closed. Tonight's been a long night, so how about we head back to the house and hit the sack. The two of you are more than welcome to spend the night.

Sounds good to me.
I appreciate your hospitality.

---





It's really late, so how about we hit the sack?
...
Joshua? What's wrong...?
I'm sorry... I made the situation really awkward for everyone.
Huh? Are you talking about what happened back outside?
Don't sweat it. I guarantee you nobody thought anything of it. Really, your judgment was the most sound of anyone's.
No, it wasn't... I'm just cold-hearted and indifferent is all. Even now, I still think we shouldn't have shown any mercy and simply put those creatures out of their misery. Unlike you and Tio, I don't feel any compassion.

...
It's at times like this that... I really begin to loathe myself... it's almost as if there's something wrong with me as a person.
Ha ha... Maybe some part of my heart is broken or something...

Oh great, he's going to be one of those JRPG characters





Don't you dare say things like that about yourself!

Or maybe he won't be, because Estelle is just great

E-Estelle?
I've watched almost everything you've done for the past five years! And I'm confident in saying that I know your strengths and weaknesses better than anyone else. Probably even more than you, yourself!
...
I won't allow you to just disregard everything with a bunch of nonsense! I don't ever want to hear you say you're 'broken' again!
... I'm sorry. It was foolish of me to say that.
As long as you understand what I said, that's what really matters.
...
Hmm-hmm-hmm, but believe it or not... I was happy to hear you admit how you felt.
Why?
Your real problem, Joshua, is that you always try to keep your feelings locked up inside. Whenever you're troubled or worried... You just go around with this nonchalant look and try to fix everything by yourself.
That's a little upsetting for someone who's supposed to be your family.
...
Estelle, I...
Joshua, you were able to lay bare your own weakness today. You learned to trust in someone other than yourself.
And for that, I'm happy.
I-I don't know what your point is, but... I'm amazed that you can just stand there and say something as embarrassing as that.



Estelle has a giant book of embarrassing speeches, ready at a drop of the hat.

Sometimes she gets them mixed up, and instead of lecturing the final boss about friendship, confesses that she loves him. That was awkward.

But how about we call it a night? After all this endless running around, I'm ready to drop.
All right then. Have a good night, Estelle.
And thanks...
You're welcome, Joshua.
Sleep tight.

I really like this scene. Estelle yelling at Joshua over his brief bout of angst is sweet, and I like how it establishes how close Joshua and Estelle actually are (and has a nice parallel with Joshua cheering Estelle up over her goof earlier.) Between the two scenes, the game does a good job of showing that they pretty much bring out the best in each other. It's a nice bit of characterisation, and their relationship is well enough written that unlike a lot of designated JRPG romances, I actually think it's pretty cute. But I'm basically a particularly naive teenage girl when it comes to that kinda thing.

---





Franz: Once again, I apologize for things not turning out the way they should have.

Please don't worry about it anymore. We were able to learn a lot from this experience ourselves. If there's anything else we can help you with in the future, please let the Bracer Guild know.

Franz: That'll definitely be the first place we contact.

Hannah: We'd love to have you over for the night again when things are convenient for you. I'll treat you to some of my best cooking next time you come.

Thanks for the invitation, Tio and Mrs. Perzel.
We'll definitely be back to take you up on that when our work load settles down.





After we report this one we can start on the next.
Sounds like a plan.

Before we do that, if we head west, instead of east and back to town, we can find one of the bounties we accepted at the guild.



These bounties are optional in every sense of the word, they don't move, and even if we hit them we aren't forced into a fight. But, as they say: no guts, no glory .





The Pine Plant is a pretty straightforward fight. It launches water magic at us, and we fire fire magic right back at it. You really shouldn't lose this fight, you've got two fighters to the Pine Plant's one, and so if you really want, you can just make on unit dedicated healing, and the other attacking.



Since we only have one fire Quartz, Joshua is going to support Estelle while she casts.



500 HP is a lot, but not when you're hitting for 200 a pop.



And there we have it.



Uh...



Uhhhhhh......



Fuck.



Well, there you have it, that's our LP, Estelle's dead. Good night.