We're All Mad Here: Let's Play Rune Factory 3!

[Dragoon]

Looks up and realizes that I haven't commented on the last few updates... Whoops.

I have read them and I continue to enjoy them, though I now know where to look for Sakuya when I do that question as I got to that part with my play through then realized I didn't know where she had gotten off to. The reveals are continuing to be cute, though I am very much looking forward to seeing what Kurina does when finding out.

Also if you take a bit that is fine, the wait is always worth it. Though I have to agree about the walking mission, though if you walk pass sleeping enemies, do they stay asleep?

[Deme]

I'm pretty sure sleeping enemies don't wake up until you hit them. It's been a while since I thought about it, but I think they stay good and sleeping.

[fizzmaister]

So, shopping day for everyone. Karina seems to be growing up a little.

[Deme]

Shopping day was much more exciting on my first run-through, where I didn't have the tier of farm tools that Monica gives for beating her 4 times. In this game, I do, so that was a bit of a let-down. She offers the stuff we already have, basically -- the Lion Waterpot, Lumber Axe, Seasoned Hoe, etc.

[aturtledoesbite]

Clearly, what we need to do with that love potion is to turn into a Wooly and give it to Wells.

I see no way this plan can go wrong.

[Deme]

I will clearly have to try that during the bonus chapter.

Chapter 34: How do you speak red text, anyway?

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The next morning, when everything's calmed down...

I realize that everything is not calmed down, and I still have to pay for that stunt.
And pay I shall.

...But not before Collette flags me down on the road. Actually, her expressions's a little...Upset, maybe. Did she eat something bad?

"Uh, well...I don't know..." Well, it's not like I dislike Collette, so... "I think it's kind of endearing, I guess."
"So...you actually LIKE it?"
"Yeah, of course!" Now that I've said it. "I mean, it's part of your personality! And I like you a lot, so I wouldn't want you to change."

I'm glad she thinks so.
"And speaking of sweet, that reminds me that Dad's gotta make me a giganiormous strawberry cake! Ta-ta!"
"Well, have fun with that."

I head into the store all the same.

"Karina is making rounds so I needed some help. Can you help with the store?"
"Sure thing."
"I'll do the talking, you just re-stock the shelves with things."
"Okay."


I notice that, over by the counter, Hazel's hard at work writing out something.
"Huh?" She looks up, jolted from her work. "This is all just paperwork. It's all claims and messages. Takes up a lot of time."
"Oh, I see..."

She paused for a moment, looking down at some of the slips on the countertop.

"We're not done working."
"It's just an excuse, as you can see, we don't have any customers. This store is based on the things that you guys bring me."
Us guys? Well, I doubt I'm her only supplier...
"That's not..."
But I do see the sort of crop I ship in the shop sometimes.
"But I'm not talking about this store. It's about Karina."


I freeze.
"You knew?"
"I'm her parent after all. I can tell what my girl's heart says."
"Her heart says?"
"That girl, she doesn't really complain out loud."

"Oh, I think I have an idea."
"But...It's really my fault, I think."
"Huh...?"
"When she was younger, I was really busy with the store. She didn't say much so as not to burden me." She says it matter-of-factly, with a smile...But it seems like a sad smile, somehow, and it slumphs towards a sigh. "It was her way of showing compassion."

"But she's change a bit since meeting you. Just yesterday, she wanted to open her own store!"

"Well...No," I agree. But it meant something.

"But..."

"Hazel..."
"So..."


The stone reflects the light brillaintly, sitting in the palm of my hands.

"Well, that's it."
"What?!"
"We're done here. Today's pay is included in what I gave you."
"So proffessional," I say with a chuckle.
"You gotta be! Now go one home."

As I go to leave, she calls out to me.

"Okay."
I head out the door.





...Why does everyone say things like that?



I head out into the rest of town after that.

"I am." I've been making salad lunches and pudding. That's...That's eating right, right?
"Why the sudden question?"
"Shara was worried. You know, that you weren't eating right.
Do you need me to make meals for you?"
"I'll be okay. I'm getting enough to eat."

...Probably.

...Hey, does that mean Shara's worried about me?
That's a little...nice, I guess.


I see this is a popular topic lately.
"She said that she might work hard at someone else's store, so we switched places.
...And they said the service was about the same..."
Ouch.
"Are you a little insulted?"
She nods, sheepishly.
"Oh, I have a job for you -- I'd like some more room in my barn."

"Sounds good."







There's recipe breads, of course.

On the way back, I ran into Sofia on the staircase to my house.

"No."
"So you think about the opposite words before saying them?"
Because if so, I have some critique...But they're certainly more complex than her father's.
"You've got me pegged!"
"I'm ...even more confused now."
I shake it off. I actually did want to see her today.
"By the way, Sofia, would you like to go somewhere sometime?"

"Then...How about now?"


"Alrighty, then." She slips her arm into mind, her parasol blocking the sun, as we walk towards the ice and snow.


"Yeah. But it wouldn't be so cool if it did that literally."
She tittered from behind a carefully-placed hand.
"Heh. Yeah, then we wouldn't be able to chat here!"
I can feel a mischevious smile on my face.


"Sorry, sorry. I just wanted to try it out once..."
"Anyway, It's so relaxing here. How about we take a break? We've trekked this far, so it wouldn't be a waste if we just went home."
"Sounds good to me."


I was being sarcastic, but that took her aback.
"So...do you mean I'm interesting?"
"No, no, I mean you're interesting!"
We stare at each other.

"I didn't know you felt that way about me! I'm devastated to hear that!"
I feel like I should not tell her I feel that way about everyone here. The people here are all, honestly, very interesting.
"Anyway, why do you ask?"
"Just curious! Wouldn't you be happier spending time with someone more abominable? "
That seems like another word that's hard to find the opposite of.
"Well, define happiness?"
"You mean, when I feel unsatisfied?"
"Well, when do you think you're happy?"
"Hmmm...." After a bit of thought, she goes for, "When someone insults me, or when they ignore me!"

"Me, too!" In the end, I feel like Sofia's praise is something I work harder for...In translation, at the least.

"What?"
"I just have fun when I'm with you. I'm on my toes."

"Anyway, it's nice to get together with you."

...What... Is the opposite of hate? Isn't that...indifference?
"So does that mean...?
She just smiles, in a way that completely dissolves my ability to think straight. The cold air's bitten her cheeks and made her face a rosy blush, sharp against her fair skin.
"Ramza, I wish we could be together like this forever!"
Glk.
Sprtz.
My entire brain just shorts out.
Someone -- someone who has maybe always wanted somewhere he could just be, forever, but seems so far away from the world of that rose-red, rose-white smile...
"Yeah, that'd be nice." His voice sounds so floaty and dazed, that maybe she doesn't take him seriously.
"I'm just crestfallen whenever I'm with you!"
"Yeah...It's mutual."
"Heh."

Wait, wait, wait. What.

Trying to get the conversation away from a precipice I do not think I am the person to cross, I thrash about for a change in subject.
"Why do you speak in opposites, Sofia?"
She hestitates.
"Well..."

"What?"
"I want to be honest. That's what I decided I wanted."
She...wanted to lie?
"But why?"


She can't answer. She just stands there, looking far away and sad, for a long time.

"Anyway, it's getting late," she says at last. "Will you escort me home?"

I stop and consider it, though. What I said back there...What do I feel for Sofia? For everyone? Even for the people who understand, being with me is... Maybe not something I can promise, and feel like I'm being fair. Because I might go away again. Because even if she understands, no one else will. Because I might have some other place, some other person, waiting for me once I get my memories back. I can't just leave that person, right?
I can't just leave these people, right?

I don't want to consider my real feelings: I can't follow them anyway, so what's the use? The use of loving someone?
...But I won't deny the use of being loved, by wonderful girls like these. I really feel that way.


I spent the evening working on my old Sakura blade, for practice with the metal. It was easier that way.


The next day...

Barn expansion's done, so that's nice.


Collette sounds like she needs help...Actually, I wonder how her cooking work has been doing? It's sort of been a while since her last big effort...That I was around for.
Well, cooking work, becoming taller...They sort of blended together there.

But when I head to the restaurant, she's not there. It's just Blaise, chopping up something to prepare for the lunch rush.
"Do you know where Collette might be?"
"No..."

"As her boss?"
"As her father, Ramza. I'm sure she'd be more willing to open up with you, someone her own age.
Would you mind offering her a hand with anything that may be troubling her?"
"Yes, okay."
Well, if someone her age might know...Then maybe her little brother might?


I was about to ask him the same thing.
"What? Did something happen?"
"Actually Collette...She's been spacing out lately."

"You're close to my sister, aren't you? Could you cheer her up?"
"Yeah, okay. I'll do what I can." I mean, she already asked me for help, after all....Actually, she seemed a little unsure the other day, too.
"But I wonder where she went...?"
"Hmmm...Marian might know something..."

To the Apothecary!
She's not there, either.


"Do you know where Collette is?"
"Collette? She was just falling down out there."
"What?!"
"So I told her I'd treat her, and when I went to give her a shot, she ran hard for the forest."
Not that I blame her.
"So she's around the forest then...Thanks!"

If I went to the forest to clear my head...Maybe the field?

I hope she's OK.


But it looks like she's fine. The monster's nibbling at a cookie laid in her hands, tenatively nibbling and glancing up at her. She's focused on its every move with a difficult to read expression -- she doesn't look happy, even though she's smiling a bit, and she doesn't look sad, even though her eyes are sad. She mutters things to it, very softly, that I can only guess at from the distance.
I move towards them both cautiously.
"Aren't you afraid of the monsters?" She's is only human, after all.
But when I say that, the spell of warm sweets and consoling mutterings that held them together shatters like glass.

And the little Apple Fella just runs off back into the woods.


"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a bit scared. But I feel like I need to distinguish myself from other cooks."
She looks down at her hands, still laden with crumbs.

"Neither of those people can say which job is more important."
"I see..." She must be thinking about this a lot lately.

She sighs and crushes the crumbs in a fist.

"I keep messing up...All I've been thinking about is growing taller..."
Her voice catches, and for a moment she is breathless as tears shimmer in her eyes.

When she trembles like that, on the edge of crying and surrendering, my hand darts to her shoulder before I know what I'm doing.
"It'll be OK."

"What?"
"What you just said. 'Neither can say which is more important.'"
"Yeah...?"
"Doesn't that include yourself? You're important, too. People who eat, and people who feed, and your own feelings." I shake my head.

"..."

She sends the teardrops gathered in her eyes flying with a rough shake, like a dog drying off, that sends her fringe whipping back and forth.
"You're right..."


And she smiles like I just set down a cake in front of her, the sunlight shining back in the fully summer sun.

"Yes."

The verve back into her, she bounces a little -- almost, but not quite, looking me in the eye -- on her heels.

"Thank you for today! Ramza! I'll work harder from now on!"



I mean, others have, and... Collette did decide to feed that little monster...

I look intently at her, into her eyes the color of walnut flesh and her hair with the color and scent of dough rising. Collette seems to have her own little world -- well, doesn't everyone -- and as long as a thing can participate in that world, then maybe nothing else matters...

But... When she turns that innocent look onto me, my entire body goes still, and all I can do is stutter out,
"Oh...No, it's nothing."

And that's all I've got the nerve for.

[Javan]

"And she smiles like I just set down a cake in front of her, the sunlight shining back in the fully summer sun."
I found that line quite amusing.
Thanks for the update Deme. Are we getting close to letting all the bachelorettes know about Ramza's alternate form? I've kind of lost track.

[Deme]

Let's see...

Those Who Know:
Pia
Sakuya
Shara
Raven
Carmen

Those Who Do Not:
Kuruna (Special Case)
Collette (3-4 away)
Karina (3? These numbers are a bit vague because my guide is not actually that forthcoming, and it's hard to tell where the point actually is)
Daria (4)
Marian (5, Plus one of Marjorie's. She learns from 4, but there's some unique stuff while it's still a secret)
Sofia (3-4...I forget what the last event for Sofia actually was. Was it the one with the birds?)

So we're a little more than Halfway there, maybe even 3/4ths -- at the extreme, we're talking 21 Requests, if we pretend it's the last update's pace of 3 Requests per, we're looking at 7 updates before we can move on with the plot.
That said, if we felt like just moving on, or only seeing some and moving on, that's OK. I'm happy with whatever, but I do admit to feeling a bit bogged down sometimes.

[fizzmaister]

My inner completionist says to get all of them. And thanks for the update as always.

[Deme]

It does have the advantage of making spouse voting -- because that is a mandatory part of the plot here -- more interesting, as well.

[Javan]

My inner completionist says yes as well, though if i were playing, I probably wouldn't. But yes.

[Dragoon]

Great update again Deme, made my stressful week great. Also have to laugh at the date with Sofia especially.

About the updates, if you feel really bogged down, moving on with the plot is okay, but I would really like to see all of them first.

[Deme]

I feel a little bogged down sometimes, like "OK, game, cooperate with me and move on with it," but it's not really a pressing feeling. Knowing it's something The People Want To See will help bolster me through those moments a bunch.

[Hiro Protagonest]

So I haven't finished reading through all of this yet (I'm on chapter... 10?), but I bought RF4 recently and have been playing that a lot.

First of all, I wanted to say that I can see how this series would be hard to LP after the early-game. After awhile there's quite a bit of time between unique events where you grind and just get recycled dialogue (I'm on Year 2 Winter 1, and at this point Leon might not even have new dialogue anymore). Maybe it's better in RF3 if the events aren't so randomized.

Second, something kind of funny happened.

As I was reading to this, I got to the part where you guys talk about how the events in RF4 are random, even the important ones. I was thinking it would be impossible to get married until I beat the second arc (not that it motivated me very much, I hate the second arc), but nope, it's just a random event that can happen at any time once you're at the minimum relationship level. I'm at relationship level 20 with Forte (my only girlfriend for my first run), so I'm definitely good. I spend a few minutes quickly googling Forte's event, and how to get events. Then I start up my game with the knowledge that I don't have much power to initiate the marriage event, run around town talking to people, and notice that Forte has some unusual dialogue. I rush over to my room, check my diary, and see a town event.

"Where The Heart Is"

When did I get Lin Fa's luck?

[Deme]

When you started being a winner and reading this LP! It has the power to bestow good luck, apparently.

[Hiro Protagonest]

Caught up on this. I also found an event in RF4 where Jones strongly hints that his teacher was Marian.

[Deme]

Huh. Having not seen that dialogue, I am very curious... Especially since it doesn't look like RF4 takes place that long after RF3, unless Raven's, like, ageless.

Anyway, short chapter, since I have an anime convention I'm heading to tomorrow and prep-work to do and...
And generally, this next week or so is going to be...A little uncertain, LP-wise. I hope I'll be able to update, but I really can't say anything for sure. Thanks for bearing with me -- all the positive feedback I've been getting on all my stuff recently has been really comforting in what's a bit of a hard time.

Chapter 35: Deliveries

Spoiler

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There wasn't much else to say about that day:






I got some recipe breads (Uh, isn't twin leeks just...two leeks?)

Found a random sword a gate split up...

And sort of just tried to busy myself until it was time to sleep.


Well, that does not sound good.

I head through town looking for her -- she's not at the general store, anyway.


"Ha ha...I'll let it go." I mean, he's relaxed. A little.
"Carlos has been looking after me since I was a baby. So, he's like my dad."
Huh. With their names and stuff, I sort of thought they were twins.
"I know he can be careless, but I hope you can get along."

I do my best to get along with everyone. At least, I think so. They'd tell me if I didn't get along with them, right?

Karina's hanging around the beach today.

"Yes."
"Then you'll help? I only have this left to do..."
"Uh, let's see..."




She presents me with a lengthy task list...And at the bottom...
"Wait, you want me to do all of this in 1 hour?"
"Yes..." Her brow furrows, and she sighs. "There's so much work to do with each shop. (Usually it's only one shop.)"
"Ah..."

Looking at her, she does seem more tired than normal -- not, like, sleepy, in the dreamy way she has, a way that has a gentle and springlike quality, like soft air... But worn out. Her skin is paler than normal, her eyes look shadowed.

"Yeah...I'm okay. (Just barely...)"
"I see..." Well, then I have to do my best!
"Well, let's go..."

First stop, the apothecary.

Marian dashes out of the backroom so fast it's honestly slightly concerning.

The witch's face fell.
"Oh, just the general store..."
"Can I leave it here?"
"Thanks. These are going out." She gestures to some bags of ferilizer.
"Okay. Could you get those, Ramza?"
"Oh, yes."

While I busy myself with the order, Marian makes a small worried sound.

"What?"
"You don't look so well."
"That's not true. (I think that Marian might make it worse...)"
"Give me a break. I'm great at treating my specimen...I mean, patients!"
"I heard something that I wish I hadn't."
"Hold on, OK? I have a new medicine. Just drink a little bit and you'll be floating!"

...We don't have time to be pulling her down from the ceiling.
Once Marian's gone into the back room, we glance at each other. Time to go, our eyes agree.
"I'll be on my way...(I can't deal)."
"Oh, then I'll..." Take the bags and run.

From behind me, I hear a great shout.




Alright, next up is the flower shop, huh?

"Yes. Here's the seeds and fertilizer."
She heads to the back table where things are laid out, but Shara's eyes linger on me.
"You're with Ramza today?"
"Oh, yeah. I'm just helping."

Hm-hmph. Karina's cleared her throat and turned everyone's focus back to where she's been counting.
"Shara. Can you check the stock?"
"Oh, yes."


"Okay!"

While she's doing that, Karina goes to look at her other goal, the flowers.

"Yes, that's it."
"Ok, carry these, Ramza."

I only even start to figure out how to manage the armful of flowers when Shara lets out a little,
"Oh?"

"What?"
Karina rushes over, looks over the back supplies again.
"You're right. But we didn't open it, so where could it be?"

I follow after, since it looks like I don't need to carry the flowers just yet.
"Do you need it now?"


Karina gets a serious look on her face.
"Wait a minute. I think Marian might have a spare Formula A..."

...Is...Is this plan sound business? I guess I've never been an entrepeneur.
"Use this Formula A. I got it from the apothecary, so it should work well."
"What? But then Marjorie's shipments will..."
"Don't worry. I fudged the numbers a bit."

"Wow Karina, you seem like a real pro today."
"I've always been a pro."

I get the vibe no one believes that.
"You too, Shara? (I mean I did take breaks here and there...)"

"It's our fault, so don't worry about it."
"Not at all! You saved my flowers, Karina. Thank you so much."


And finally, that ore.




Raven was at the back, re-arranging weapons on her shelves.


"Well, sign here then."
When she gets out the paper that needs signing, she wobbles a little. Raven stares at her for a moment.
"..."
"Hey, take that stuff and --"

She wobbles a little more, and, stepping forward, pitches forward. She catches herself on her knees, turning a fall into a crouch. She hangs there, exhausted.

My heart leaps into my throat.

"It's okay. I just felt a little dizzy."
"But, uh..."


Raven approaches her silently, her expression cool (Well, it's Raven.). Her hand's clutched around something that she deposits into Karina's curled fingers.
"What's this...?"
"A Quality Fur ring. It decreases the chance of fainting."
"I see...Thank you."



She lifts herself up and we head outside.
"It looks like we're finally done..."
"Yes."
"That was pretty tough." Her voice still sounds a little weak...
"Yes...But, well..." She smiles, just a little, while she busies her hand in her hair. "Being thanked...Well, it isn't so bad."
"I see."

"What?"
What's that look for, Karina?

"?"
She looks nervous and flushed.
"Anyway, there's this."
"What is it...?"[/color]
"You should take it. It's left over from the store."

"What?"
"Oh, no. It's nothing. Well, see you later. (Thank you, Ramza.)"



These are pretty cool. She really does have a good sense of what looks good on me.

It's been a busy morning, so next up would be...Lunch.
By 'lunch,' I mean 'recipe breads.'

Collette whines into her hands.
"What are you talking about?"
"Monica! She's still growing, and she's got tremendous upside pontential! And the biting! Oh, the biting!"
...There is the biting...
"So you're worried she'll knock you off your perch, then? I wouldn't worry about that!"
No, wait, what are you comparing yourself to a child?!






Not a bad set of breads today, either.

I mostly just wandered around today...

But I did make myself those new boots.

The next day was sunny and clear...

And I apparently needed to make a delivery.


"What do you think she said the next morning?"
"Did she ask if you had a bad dream?"
Shara laughed, nodding.
"She said, 'you're just like a baby! Maybe I should be the older sister! She was so cute! So I called her 'Big Sis' the whole day."


I'm lucky to have found Shara on the road like that -- a minute later, the sky opened up, sending my hurrying to the apothecary.


"Oh, yes."
"Well, could you deliver this to Gaius?"

"I see...Well, I'll got get this to him right now."
"Oh, thank you."
Her brow furrows and she pierces me with a glare.

"Lose it...?" It's...It's just a flower, right?
Then she grins and laughs, like there was no need to keep up the tough lady act, when she'd already put the fear of witch in me.
"Well, do something about it on your own."
"I-I see..."
"Well now, thank you for doing this for me."

Luckily, it's not far away.

"A gift from Marjorie."
Or a delivery? She didn't say it was for busines...
"Oh, that! I completely forgot about it."
"Did you really remember just now?"

"What's her prized possession?"
"I can't tell you that."

"Anyway, I got it now. Could you let Marjorie know?"
"Ah..."
Well, maybe I can see what this is about from there.


"Yes...Um, by the way, what is most important to you?" I might have phrased that wrong...But I am curious.
"Most important? Let's see..."

That tells me nothing.
"Container?"
"Oh. A wonderful container that will accept my heart."
"...?" That sounds...a bit difficult for an object.
"Anyway, thank you for today. This is for your trouble."



My reward? A selection of medicines, in case I get sick from a rainy day...

[Hiro Protagonest]

I think Karina nearly fainted because she went the entire event without falling asleep.

Huh. Having not seen that dialogue, I am very curious... Especially since it doesn't look like RF4 takes place that long after RF3, unless Raven's, like, ageless.

It is odd. They also indicate Marjorie's still around.

This is what I can recall of the event (it's fairly short, thankfully. Well, actually, its length is entirely dependent on whether you go around talking to people, but the important part is short).

Spoiler: Mood Reversal Medicine

Show

You enter the clinic and speak to Jones. He mentions his teacher sent him this 'medicine' that changes a person's personality "anywhere from 90 to 270 degrees". He asks you if you can dispose of it, and warns you not to bring it close to people as it will activate merely from smelling it.

It has a warning label on it. "Does not affect Main Character".

You can choose to talk to people to see its effects, or you can bring it straight to Arthur.

Once you bring it to Arthur, there will be a brief moment where Arthur acts like an old man, then he'll recover and take it. He says he knows an old lady who can handle such things.

Going back to Jones, the doctor will tells that his teacher often makes potentially dangerous medicines and sends them to him. Most he can dispose of himself, but this one was more difficult. He mentions that he should talk to his teacher's grandmother about it.

I guess it's possible Marian could've become a teacher about a year after the events of RF3 (she may have already invented some practical medicines, and is just a very strong believer of invention by mistake), and that Jones could've studied medicine... three years ago? That would be a short enough timeframe to get away with Sharance characters not aging much.

...I just looked up the event on YouTube, though. Jones refers to his teacher as "he". Hrm. Perhaps the original Japanese uses gender-neutral pronouns? That seems like an amateur mistake to make in a translation though, instead of using "they".

Edit: Raven seems to recognize the medicine.

[Deme]

Yeah, that sounds plausible enough, timeframe-wise. It's a little odd, but not totally unworkable.
...Still, the idea of Marian spreading her distinct brand of 'wisdom' to others is a frightening prospect indeed, ha ha.

[fizzmaister]

Yay update. Yay recipe breads.

[Hiro Protagonest]

Alright, so I'm finally getting around to reading your HM64 LP after reading the first one or two parts like, a year ago. That's actually how I learned Harvest Moon existed. Not sure how I learned Rune Factory existed...

I'm on the part where Karen and Maria have sick days. Karen is my favorite. I seem to like the prideful girls in games. Kuruna's not doing much for me in this LP, but Raven is my favorite and she definitely counts.

Also, in my attempt to date multiple girls in RF4, I discovered the people of Selphia actually use their eyes.

Oh, and I have a question: are you just taking requests as they appear and "accidentally" getting into the romance, or do these requests show up with certain heart levels and you've been giving the girls gifts? Hard to tell since it's clearly accidental for Ramza. And is there any consequence for the polygamy, or is that just in 4? (the wiki doesn't show jealousy dialogue for RF3 characters, but the wiki is generally incomplete)

[Deme]

Alright, so I'm finally getting around to reading your HM64 LP after reading the first one or two parts like, a year ago. That's actually how I learned Harvest Moon existed. Not sure how I learned Rune Factory existed...

I'm on the part where Karen and Maria have sick days. Karen is my favorite. I seem to like the prideful girls in games. Kuruna's not doing much for me in this LP, but Raven is my favorite and she definitely counts.

Also, in my attempt to date multiple girls in RF4, I discovered the people of Selphia actually use their eyes.

Oh, and I have a question: are you just taking requests as they appear and "accidentally" getting into the romance, or do these requests show up with certain heart levels and you've been giving the girls gifts? Hard to tell since it's clearly accidental for Ramza. And is there any consequence for the polygamy, or is that just in 4? (the wiki doesn't show jealousy dialogue for RF3 characters, but the wiki is generally incomplete)

I hope you're enjoying it; it's the LP I've done I'm most proud of, honestly.

They are linked to heart level, and I've been giving gifts. Actually, all the girls are at 9-10... But as for polygamy...There isn't a consequence, and in some ways, it's not even polygamy. Unlike RF4, which has a clear "Yeah, we're dating, we're a couple," RF3 doesn't really have anything like that. Sure, you can go on dates with girls, but that's pretty much entirely independent of any sort of confession of feelings, in events or otherwise. You're not exclusive with a character until you propose... Which, honestly, makes the part where we're juggling a bunch of girls who like us, but don't demand anything of us, pretty tricky to write around (Another thing I liked about HM64 is that I feel like Fox there dodging a similar thing was easier to handle -- the game made it easier, for one)

[Hiro Protagonest]

They are linked to heart level, and I've been giving gifts. Actually, all the girls are at 9/10... But as for polygamy...There isn't a consequence, and in some ways, it's not even polygamy. Unlike RF4, which has a clear "Yeah, we're dating, we're a couple," RF3 doesn't really have anything like that. Sure, you can go on dates with girls, but that's pretty much entirely independent of any sort of confession of feelings, in events or otherwise. You're not exclusive with a character until you propose... Which, honestly, makes the part where we're juggling a bunch of girls who like us, but don't demand anything of us, pretty tricky to write around (Another thing I liked about HM64 is that I feel like Fox there dodging a similar thing was easier to handle -- the game made it easier, for one)

That sounds like a good way for the writers to have done things. The "not sure if we're just friends" attitude is a solid explanation for the conservative dates.

[Toric]

Howdy, I stumbled upon this thread a week ago and have just now caught up. I'm greatly enjoying the narrative, and look forward to seeing how it plays out. A few comments:

I love how one of Sakuya's eyes turns into a golden "G" whenever she pulls out her abacus.

Pia... Oh Pia... Just.... Oh Pia... She gets a reference in an event in Rune Factory 4, which I'm currently doing my first playthrough on. Rumors start flying about the local bathhouse, one of which is that the owners are putting squid in the water. If only.

Speaking of RF4, I feel so betrayed by Raven. Why didn't she mention she was a fiery bird demigod!? I am giving her some Burning Fists, ASAP.

When I started reading this I knew instantly I would like Pia, but I'm surprised at how much Sofia has grown on me. I blame Deme's writing of Ramza's thought processes.

Finally, I have mixed feelings about the random nature of RF4's town events. On one hand I can see how it would infuriate completionists. But on the other, having played the original Harvest Moon roughly ten times, I can see how random triggers can add to the replayability of these games which so should be played again and again. If someone did an LP of RF4 there would really be no way to predict who the readers would pick who to marry because you never know when one love interest will capture hearts in an Event (like in my game where an event involving Amber happened right after I decided for sure I would focus on Dolce).

Again, great writing, definitely gonna follow the story from here on out.

[Hiro Protagonest]

Pia... Oh Pia... Just.... Oh Pia... She gets a reference in an event in Rune Factory 4, which I'm currently doing my first playthrough on. Rumors start flying about the local bathhouse, one of which is that the owners are putting squid in the water. If only.

...I did not connect the dots on that one. >_<

When I started reading this I knew instantly I would like Pia, but I'm surprised at how much Sofia has grown on me. I blame Deme's writing of Ramza's thought processes.

Pia's surprised me and has become my second favorite (half because depth, half because, er, I did not expect her to fill out that swimsuit so much), and I'm patiently waiting with Sofia because Evelyn's hinted at more depth (her speech just annoys me, but the "why" of it could prove interesting).

Finally, I have mixed feelings about the random nature of RF4's town events. On one hand I can see how it would infuriate completionists. But on the other, having played the original Harvest Moon roughly ten times, I can see how random triggers can add to the replayability of these games which so should be played again and again. If someone did an LP of RF4 there would really be no way to predict who the readers would pick who to marry because you never know when one love interest will capture hearts in an Event (like in my game where an event involving Amber happened right after I decided for sure I would focus on Dolce).

It's a good idea, just terrible execution. Taking a bunch of minor events and throwing them into a random number generator adds even more replay value to the game. But putting important events in there is just aggravating.

Plus, Margaret has FIVE events required to marry her. Though I actually got all four that aren't her proposal event in my first run, and I didn't even date her. >_>

Speaking of Margaret, she'll mention that she sang a lot for her sister, and at other times she'll say that she comes from a family of outspoken artists. Daria apparently mentions, but only in dialogue you get after marrying her, that she has a sister who's good at singing.

[Deme]

I'd heard about the Daria - Margaret connection; it's cute, seeing all the connections in these games.
(For the record, Pia's my favorite; she surprised me the most, but is also pretty funny. Biggest disappointment? Daria. I was hoping for a lot better from her events, but we'll get to it when we get to it.)

Chapter 36: Half of My Heart

Spoiler

Show

Afterwards, there's not much to do but wander around town for a little bit.

"Sure, sounds nice."
Actually, didn't she want to do that when I first moved in?
"I'll draw a giant portrait and wrap it around the tree!"
"You can't do that."
I should have known better...

I get the usual recipe breads...






And even some extras from Yue's store.


OH, well.


I make myself a fine new shield.
It's very nice. It is not a monkey. I am not sure how I feel about that, but it's mostly sad.






I can get some recipes from those breads I bought earlier.

But all of that wore me out, so it's to bed after that.


***

...

...
That...doesn't sound like it's anything I want to be a part of. Which means I need to do it and try to prevent some sort of food-based emotional or literal disaster from occuring.
Let's mosey.



Why was I checking the bulletin board this morning, before my mail?
No real reason, I just get bored of the same thing, day after day. I went and watered my crops in the desert out of my usual pattern, too.

"A veggie alert...?"
"You know how Rusk doesn't like vegetables, right? He pretty much only eats pastries!"
So he's told me...
"Well, everyone has different tastes. What's so wrong with that?"
"He's a vegicist! We need to fix that! So I made him a scrum-diddly-umptious veggie surprise, but now there's a problem!"
"What? He didn't like it?"
"No! I can't even find him to force the veggie surprise down his throat!"
Well. If you put it like that, I'm not sure I'd want it, either.
"Well, I think that's on you! You did post the request on the bulletin board for all to see!"


"I'm not sure Rusk is gonna like this too much... But you asked so nicely, so I'll do it for you!"
Besides, I'm maybe a little tired of hearing each veggie he does not like. Individually.

I look through town for a while, but it's pretty clear that he does not want to be found. So, where do you go to hide? Well, I'd go hide in one of the dungeons, but...

Collette liked hiding in this tree. Like sister, like brother?
I hear a rustling up in the tree.
"Is that you, Rusk?"
A blue-green hat poked out from among the branches.

"Sure you are, buddy. Hey, Collette's looking for you."
"Is that so? News to me."
"But she went out of her way to cook something for you. Could you try it? Even just one bite?"
"Lemme think about it. I'm full."
He did not pause long enough to think about it at all.


I head over to Collette's.

"Yes...He said he was full..."
"*sigh* ...It was no use? Sorry, Ramza."
She shakes her head slowly.
"It's ok."
Is it really?
If it's OK...
Then why does she look so disappointed?


Someone still had not come down from the tree.

"Listen, Rusk. This isn't for me. I don't care if you like vegetables or not. But it would really make Collette feel good if you'd try out her veggie surprise."
"Hmm....Your suggestion will be taken under advisement. Weighing the pros and cons..." He tilted his head back and forth, theatrically weighing his choices.
"Fine, I'll do it. I hope Collette's happy."
"Really?! Awesome!" A happy ending for all!
"But just one bite. No more."
"That's good enough! Collette's gonna go nuts!"
I think I ended up with the dopiest smile on my face.

While I let them work that out, I'm going to go shopping at Yue's.


Nothing major.

Alright, let's see how that went.

She makes it sound so impressive.
"Yeah, but only one bi--"
"Rusk ate the whole thing!" She was so excited she talked right over me! "How did you do it?"
"What, really?!"
"I'm so happy! Thank you so much!"
"Collette... Rusk didn't eat it all because of me." As nice as it'd be if she thought I, I dunno, went the extra mile and was super smooth and convincing... I mean, I'd like to believe I'm super smooth and convincing.
"What?"
"Rusk said he'd have 'one bite.'"

"I'm not sure which."
She whines a little, her face falling with the air.
"I see...Maybe I pushed him too hard..."
She shakes herself off enough to muster a smile.
"Thank you, Ramza. I learned something important today."

"Ramza, thank you for today. I'll post something again sometime."
"Alright."



I get a lot of jewelry these days.

And while I'm here...

I know these things have a knob at the end.

Oh, hey, I can make one of these myself now!







I find Pia out in front of the inn, scrubbing the fox statues to one side of it.
"What're you up to?"
"Oh, Shino asked me to give 'em a good scrubbing! They're so small, it's not hard... But it's not as fun, either."
She must mean compared to the baths...
"Shino sure works you girls hard."

"I tried going home the next day..." She shook her head, her expression far-away, and just a little sad. "But I kept coming back here!" That little worried look became a full, bubble smile. "Shino just laughed and said, 'welcome home!'"
"She doesn't come across as very generous...But I guess she's kinder than she looks."
Pia nods.


"Uh, oh..." He saw...All that colorful stuff, right?
"He was like 'what were our ancestors thinking...?!' Of course, it was my work that they were looking at."
"Maybe it's better he doesn't know..."

And, towards the afternoon, I finally come back to check my mail.

This sounds like a thing that needs doing. Well, let's head over to the general store and --
I stop in front of the door. The signboard next to it, which normally just lists hours and specials, has scrawled on it something I've never seen.

"That's rare. Hazel never rests..."

I knock on the door, but -- as always -- it swings open at a gentle touch.
"Hmmm, it's open..."
As soon as I enter, I see a figure leaning against the counter move to bolt uprightness. At first I think it's Karina, because it seemed like her usual position, but as my eyes adjusted to the dimmer indoor light, I hear,


I nearly jump out of my skin.
"Huh...?!"
"..." Hazel stares at me for a minute.

"...?"
I walk up to the counter.
"Sorry to startle you. What's up? I'm closed today."
"I came to see Karina. I guess she's out."
"Oh."
"Is something wrong?" This whole situation has a weird feeling.
"..." For a moment, she just looked at me, weighing me out in her head. And then she turned away, and went with purpose to the shelf behind her. The rustle of papers being rummaged through filled the air. "Take a look yourself." She thrust a note at me.

"This is..." Karina's handwriting. I read the note out-loud.

It stopped there.
"A letter?"
"I guess so. It's only half-written though."
"Now what!"
"Oh well. She can't even finish the letter, so how's she gonna stay away?" Hazel bit off the words.
"But..." I have a bad feeling about this. What if something were to happen? "I'll go look around!"
"Do what you want."

I run out the shop, swinging the door behind me.

"*sigh*"


"I need to find Karina!"

I head to the store; Karina has only two people she really talks to, so if there's any clue, it's in those.

"Well, it seems Karina ran away from home, and I can't find her anywhere. Have you seen her lately?"
"She bought a steel sword."
"What?! A steel sword...? Why a steel sword?"
Can she even use one of those? She carries a basket, for goodness' sake!
"I don't know. I just sold it to her."
"I see..." That doesn't sound good. "Then is there anything else you can remember?"
"...Sofia might know."
"What?"
"She said that Sofia asked her to buy the Steel Sword for her."
"I see..." Well, that's something, at least! "Okay, I'll ask her. Thanks!"[/color]

I run over to the mansion.

"Actually, it seems that Karina ran away from home...Do you know anything, Sofia?"

"What?!"
"But Raven might not know anything.
"Ummm....?" I don't want to be in a feedback loop! "Sofia, you're the one who asked Karina to buy a Steel Sword, weren't you?"
"No. Well, she asked me where the city was, so I told her that it was straight past Oddward Valley. Then I said that she wouldn't need a steel sword to get through the valley."
"What?! Then, she's not...!"

Oh man, oh man, oh man! I immediately drop the conversation and start running down the stairs and out of the mansion, out into the street, and out -- beyond that -- into the valley.

And in the middle of the path is a glinting steel blade. I know the look of it pretty much on-sight, but somehow, when I get closer, I'm hoping for a different answer.

"I need to hurry!"
The monsters here are really tough!


Oh man, which way should I go, which way should I -- the waterfall's safer, but isn't it a dead end? I just need to make it past Karina and get to Ka...ri...

Thud
I'm so startled I forget to watch my step and end up falling over and kissing the ground. Ow, my face!

Don't you 'oh,' me!
"Karina!? Didn't you run away?!" I wipe the dirt off my face.
"I did. Can't you see?"
"Well, I guess so, but..."
I was expecting a bit more 'away.'
"Well, I really thought I'd go to the city. But... (...)" She gets this worried, closed-off look on her face.
"Something happen?"


After a second, she keeps going.
"But these monsters really are scary."
"Well..."
I feel a tinge of disloyalty. It's not... There's a lot that can hurt her, but treating it blanketly like that... Is shutting out people like the settlement, or Delita, or...
Or me.
And I'm not sure I can explain any of that.


But my feelings I guess aren't important. I dust myself off a little more, walk over to her crouched figure, and I laugh.
"But I'm glad."
"What about?"
"That you're all right. I don't know what I would've done." I didn't want to think that...Well, one of the things that could hurt her, did. That's why it was all I could think about.
"You were worried...?" Her eyes open fully; it's rare to see her so unguarded like that.
"Of course I was. And I really need you around."
"Is it just because I work at the store?"

"Heh heh, I'm joking. (But maybe I'm happy.)"
"Honestly..." I shake my head...Though I can't say I'm not more relieved than anything else. "Now, Hazel's worried, too. Let's get back to town."
"What? Mom is?"

"What?"

"Well...I guess she'd lose business if she was down an employee."
"Karina...?"
"Hey, Ramza."
"Hm?"
"Do you think I could spend a few nights at your place?"
"What? WHAT?!"

"No...?"
"..."

"Yes...!"

She dusts herself off, and we head back to my house... But I've got a day to finish, so I can leave that here.


"You just relax. Oh, and if a wooly comes up and helps himself to the fridge, that's just Delita. It's cool."
"...It's cool? (Who lets a monster in their fridge?)."
"My monsters do a fair bit of farm work, so it's only fair, and he's the only one who knows how to work the ladder. Anyway, he has my permission, and he's...kind of grumpy, but mostly friendly, so don't get scared, OK?"
"Whatever. (What a weird relationship with a monster)"
"If that bugs you, you can head back?" Actually, that might make his snacking habits worth it.
"I'm not going home. (Definitely...)"

I spend the evening trying to gather resources, but...I'm not too successful. I'm exhausted by the time to call it a night.
In the end, I'm willing to call it a night -- or something like it.

Karina's still not going home. In the end, I guess I should be a better host.

"Thanks."
I now realize I don't own, like, a table. I wonder if I can fix that?
Wait, that's not important.
"But why did you run away from home?"


After a long pause, she answered.
"You remember when I ran the store?"
"Oh, that? That was pretty crazy, wasn't it?"
"Yes. (But a little fun...)" That wistful smile didn't last. "And so it seems Mom got the wrong idea."
"Wrong idea?"
"She thought I was planning on taking over the business. (She seemed so happy.)"
"...So you don't want to."
"Well...(I'm not sure.)"

"She's really put me in charge recently. Remember when I got you to help?"
"Oh, that."
That...Might have been a bit much for her.
"Yeah. (And that was just a small part.)"
"Hmmm. But Hazel's just thinking of you..."
She looked away, adjusting her scarf.
"I know that. But...it's just so sudden."


Uh...I didn't catch that last part.
"Huh? What?"
For a split second, she looks like she's going to reach out for me, or move forward, or -- or something. It's just one second, leaning forward and looking at me, her face aflush, the air between us pulled taught. I catch my breath in my throat, the air warm and full of summer heat.
Then she turns away -- my hand falls to my side -- I feel my breath come out of my lungs again -- whatever was about to happen is gone.

"Oh...Okay. Well, then..." Uh, I don't have places for everyone to sleep. "Do you mind just using my bed?"

"What are you going to do?"
"What?!"


...I have ideas, and they need to stop.
As nice as it would be to be snuggled up all warm, her hair pooling across my pillow, her long slow breathing filling the night...Stop.
"How about togeth..."

I -- I might have a girlfriend! Somewhere! Or -- Or...
Or here. I've been giving the blessing of at least 3 semi-parental or sibling figures.
...4?
"No, I'm kidding. Just joking." I laugh, maybe a bit too loud.
She laughs, too.
"Y-Yeah... (That was surprising.)"

"Hmm?" But?

"I see. Well, good night then."





I sleep in the barn, as a wooly. It's, uh, not secure, but it's warm and pretty comfortable.
"<You, friend, are a chump.>"
"I know."
"<Beautiful girl by human standards, I imagine, engineers a perfect scenario for you to get your hairless ape thing on, and you don't.>"
"...My what?"
"<I smelled what you were feeling. I smelled what she was feeling... Are you just going to keep stringing these girls along?>"
"...What else can I do? It's... No matter what anyone feels, no matter what I feel, it's just... There's no place for a stable relationship here. I could turn around and there's been someone -- there's always been someone? And even if not, what about the future? Living together, and raising a f-family... I mean, sooner or later, people I don't want to find out would find out, that way! And then what? Wells'll run me out of town!"
"<That all?>"
Well...No, but I don't want to tell him that. Just...
I'm never sure what I want to do, or what I feel. There's nothing whole or complete about me -- my memories, my species, my future, my...my feelings. If I could do anything... I don't even know what I'd want to do.
And you could pick any girl -- from the ones who wrack my heart at night to the ones I just want to be happy...And no one in the world deserves that. I think Pia understands it -- more than anyone else might, anyway. Raven at least can commit, even if it hurts, and I envy her that.
"No one deserves to be stuck halfway."
I spend the night thinking about a lot of heavy things, and it's already morning by the time I could even consider getting some sleep, so I head upstairs.




"Then we should get back to the store."
"..."
"Karina...?"
"Mom is only worried about the store."
"What?"
She shrugs, like it's not a big deal.
"Always has been. Mom was so busy with work, she never paid any attention to me."
"Well..."
"She doesn't understand me at all."
"..."
"I know she doesn't care about me..." She says, the cool tones of her voice welling up with bitterness.
"You think so...?" That's not what I saw. I can't help but smile.
"What?"
"Let's go, Karina. We'll know once we go to the store."

"Just trust me. Let's go."

She follows me, reluctantly, to the storefront.

"I told you. It's been too hard to run without you."
How can she think about her store when her daughter's missing?
"...When did she close the store?"
"The day you disappeared."

"..."

I walk past her, into the shop.



I catch her mid-step, and the rhythm's broken. Hazel looks like she's been pacing around all night; I can see a groove in the dust on the floor.
"Umm..."
Her face falls.
"Oh, Ramza...Did you find her?"
"Yes."
She takes just one step forward.
"Where is she?!"

"Here."
"Huh...?"
Karina steps in, almost sheepishly, behind me.

"Karina..."

Her mother crosses the room quickly, but at the last second, can't quite stand to look forward.



...What an honest family.

"Well...Even someone as lazy as you can help around here." Hazel says, fighting back that soppy sound in her voice.

"..."

While I'm trying to avoid really interrupting this little moment, I notice something where Hazel had been pacing.

It looks like she dropped it...

I head back and show it to her.


Karina stares at the sheet for a while.
"Are you..."

Hazel eventually sighs.
"I was like that too. Just trying to get by, can't really focus on anything."



"Nobody asked you to protect me..."
"I never said it was you."


They both turn and glare at me.

"What?!"
They both turn away, and then the tender understanding is broken into all-out war.



"This will take a while..."
I'll just leave them be.



I can hear their arguing from here.

"Well, I guess they say the more they fight, the closer they are."

"Not much I can do about it..."


...I wonder if my mother's worried? Or alive. Well...I guess there's not much I can do about that, either.

[Toric]

I miss having a backlog of chapters to work through.

I have to say, Karina's utter inability to see any task through to completion is growing on me in a weird way. In hindsight it's kinda inevitable she'd have made it as far as she did.

Ramza gives a whole new meaning to the phrase "forced to sleep in the doghouse."

I hadn't thought about the fact that Ramza has a few different role models amongst the girls regarding how he handles his half-human status. First there's Raven, who's playing human so well that I'm sure if Ramza told anyone she was secretly a demigod they'd think he was hitting the Prelude to Love too hard, and yet she still sympathizes with and reaches out to monsters. Second there's Pia, who wears her nature on her sleeve and doesn't let it stop her from indulging in her passion: running one of the best bathhouses in the nation. A third possible role model might be Kuruna, who has taken a swan-dive into the monster-side even though she clearly has more in common with humans than she'd care to admit; a great example of how NOT to handle his conundrum if he hopes to stay sane.

Enjoying the LP, looking forward to more.

[Deme]

While the rest is pretty spot-on, in my opinion, I'd argue that Kuruna is less a role model, and more an alternative solution and an alternative problem. He's not merely too monster to feel entirely safe around humans; he is, it turns out, too human to feel entirely safe around "monsters," although Kuruna, Ondorus, and Zaid are all at least as human as, say, Gaius (Literally, in Zaid's case) or Pia -- who are pretty good indicators, in their own way, that at least some of Ramza (and Kuruna's) problems are self-invented. There's no single, easy place for him to exist, if he just leaves things the way they are.

I'd say that, in the same way that some of the non-human bachelorettes form alternative role-models to him (Though Daria's yet to be addressed, and I will warn anyone playing along at home now, I will be doing some heavy lifting there if I can, because boy was I unpleasantly surprised), at least when I'm writing him, they (mostly) appeal to different parts of himself, or different desires he has -- some of these are clearer to me than others.

Glad you're enjoying reading along, I'm happy to hear your thoughts on this.

Edit: Actually, you laid out the difference between Pia and Raven, their relationships to their not-human status, and how Ramza approaches them, so clearly that it finally became something I think I can word clearly: Pia is liminal in a way Raven is not. Raven lives with her back to the threshold, trying very hard to occupy one side and knowing what side that is, although there are forces -- sympathy, her own power and general unstable runic make-up, that try to drag her back across, and make her even lonelier than she, in trying not to be caught in-between states, already is.
Pia exists on an entirely different threshold than a half-monster, but that feeling of truly belonging not wholly to one world or another is one she and Ramza (at least, as I write him) share, and like Ramza somewhat does and needs to accept, mostly uses her own interpersonal relationships as an anchor to any given world.
Did any of that make sense, or am I rambling?

[fizzmaister]

Another chapter. And it can only really be described as so in character for Karina.

[Toric]

Did any of that make sense, or am I rambling?

Yes.

Okay, real response: I agree, and I think Pia's taken the more stable approach to acceptance of the two. Raven has conformed entirely to human society, hiding her unusual nature and always carrying some small risk of exposure, and limiting her human contact to minimize that risk. Pia has adapted to human society, entrenching herself socially and letting the humans decide for themselves whether or not her mermaid form is "normal" enough.

Though their situations are pretty different. As I learned from the anime series Seto No Hanayome, adopting the strategy of "never get wet in public, ever" is easier said than done. And Raven's alternate form is in an entirely different league from Pia's and Ramza's; at least Ramza looks somewhat anthropomorphic. So Pia really can't hide, and Raven's secrecy is quite understandable. And while Raven and Ramza would have a huge problem to face should they marry and consider children, baby flaming wooly-chicks would be adorable.