A Sprinkle of Snowflakes: 1-11 The Choice

*Thankfully, it's not all gloom and doom in the world.*

* **Recommended:** Night of Farewell Set
* **Rewards:** 3,000 , 600 , 1 , 1 , Blueprint: Quaternary Glaciation

## Transcript

Expand for script.

* **Martha Kirk:** You just got back, and you're going out again?

* **Martha Kirk:** I can have my contacts gather information about Sarah, and I'll send someone to retrieve it.

* Sarah isn't a famous person and she doesn't have any information that Fort Hawke needs. No one has paid attention to her before.
* **You:** We'll waste too much time going back and forth.

* **You:** Besides, we should strike while the iron is hot. I already know where the problem lies. I just need to confirm it.

* **You:** (The crystal ball has been activated. The task has begun.)

* **You:** Aaron is waiting for me, so I'll leave Winni and Sarah with you for now.

* **Martha Kirk:** I'll look forward to hearing from you.

}}

* The address that Martha gave us is very close to the clinic we set up in the east of the city, just two streets away.
* The buildings in this area are very old. The houses have been weathered by wind and snow.
* However, this unremarkable area is actually the most densely populated part of the city.
* Hardworking but poor residents often have to rely on daily wage jobs to make a living. Young laborers go wherever there is work.
* With so many people on the move, there are many unscrupulous middlemen, but the area is also an excellent source of information.
* Martha and I noticed this, which is why we decided to set up Leto's third clinic here.

* During times when there are no special missions, Fort Hawke's informants are just regular clinic staff.
* Only by presenting Fort Hawke's token and confirming each other's identity will an informant drop their disguise.
* **Informant:** I didn't expect you to come in person.

* **Informant:** I heard that you've been traveling between several towns for the past six months, and I was thinking that maybe I wouldn't get to see you this year.

* **You:** The Edith Festival is coming up, so I had to return to celebrate with Winni and everyone else in Fort Hawke.

* **You:** As for why I'm here this time, there is a reason behind it.

* I go straight to the point and inform her of our purpose.
* **Informant:** I thought her life would become more stable after Martha took her in, but...

* She sadly recounts everything she knows about Sarah.
* **Informant:** We regularly hold free consultations and often provide assistance to the elderly and children in need, just as you and Martha requested.

* **Informant:** Unlike everyone else, Sarah has never come over on her own.

* **Informant:** Either a kind stranger can't bear to see her like that and brings her to us, or Martha happens to come across her during her rounds and brings her along.

* **Informant:** How should I put it, Dahlia... This old woman is like a soulless shell.

* **Informant:** Her life of wandering and sleeping outdoors has left her with many injuries and illnesses, but she seems unable to feel warmth or pain.

* **You:** Maybe she has lost the will to live...

* **Informant:** No, that's not it.

* She shakes her head, her expression thoughtful.
* **Informant:** Dahlia, I've been practicing medicine for many years and have seen all kinds of situations between life and death. People who are determined to die usually don't live very long.

* **Informant:** At least from what I can see, this old woman is doing everything she can to stay alive.

* I suddenly think of an old story in the Tara Kingdom—a story about atonement.
* **You:** Is she punishing herself?

* Using the rest of her life to atone for something she did wrong...?
* **Informant:** Dahlia, her home is near the old oak tree in Starling Alley.

* **Informant:** That's where to go if you want to find out more about her past.

* We leave the clinic and find the old oak tree.
* The door of the house before us is old but it looks fairly clean, and the place doesn't look like it's uninhabited. I glance at Aaron and step forward to knock on the door.
* **???:** Who is it?!

* The person who opens the door reeks of alcohol. He leans against the door frame, half-closing his eyes as he sizes me up while holding a barrel of liquor.
* I furrow my brow, feeling a bit uncomfortable. But given Sarah's situation, I try to keep as calm as possible.
* **You:** Do you know Sarah?

* **Drunkard:** No!

* He picks up the wine barrel and gulps down some wine before pulling on the door, but Aaron stops him from closing it.
* **You:** If you don't know Sarah, why do you look guilty?

* **Drunkard:** You're trespassing! I'm calling the guards!

* I can't help feeling amused at the threat. Before I left Sierce, I dealt with similar threats countless times.
* **You:** Let's stay here and wait.

* **You:** I wonder... Once the guards figure out what happened, who will they help?

* The man starts to panic, his face turning as red as a beet.
* **Drunkard:** Who are you?!

* I breathe a sigh of relief. I can't possibly investigate the owners of every house in Starling Alley in a short amount of time.
* But based on the informant's certainty regarding the address, and the nervousness this man has shown upon hearing Sarah's name, I confidently conclude that the house does not belong to him.
* **You:** How sly of you to take over someone else's home.

* I push open the door and walk in, surveying the room like it's mine, taking in the decorations and even the traces of the previous owner's life.
* I walk to the corner where the stove is. The gaps between the empty wine barrels are filled with a few dusty woven birds.
* **You:** You're the one who kicked Sarah out.

* The accusatory tone infuriates him, and the man angrily grabs a wine barrel, trying to drive me away.
* **Aaron:** Stay away from her!

* Aaron's half-beast nature jumps to the fore, scaring the man so much his knees buckle, and he almost falls to the floor.
* **You:** Just be honest with me and I might not tell the sheriff about you taking someone else's property.

* **You:** But if you don't behave...

* I smile and ask him another question in my most casual tone.
* **You:** Before you kicked Sarah out, did you even bother to find out how many years you could be imprisoned for illegally occupying someone's property?

* The drunkard is crying mournfully, but he cannot break free from Aaron's grip and can only beg for mercy.
* **Drunkard:** Sir, please have mercy. I'll tell you everything, I'll tell you everything! Don't send me to prison!

* **You:** First question, what's your connection to Sarah?

* **Drunkard:** She's a relative of mine...

* Upon answering, he seems to gain confidence, his voice growing louder.
* **Drunkard:** That old woman is crazy and doesn't have any children, so why can't I stay here?

* **You:** You have some nerve, saying something like that while your relative is out there wandering around.

* I know this person's character is beyond saving, so I don't plan on wasting my breath.
* **You:** Tell me, what happened to Sarah?

* **Drunkard:** Heh, it's really her own fault. Losing her granddaughter on a happy holiday, and then losing her daughter...

* The drunkard's account of Sarah's past is even more complicated than I had guessed.
* Sarah's husband passed away early. Her daughter was naive. When she became pregnant, her lover deserted her. She then gave birth to a girl.
* Sarah chose to help raise the little girl.
* It was a happy family made up of three generations of women.
* Sarah's daughter worked as washerwoman at a nobleman's estate during the day, while Sarah sold woven goods to supplement the household income.
* **Drunkard:** I can't remember which holiday it was, but there was a celebration going on in the city and many vendors were eager to make a big profit.

* **Drunkard:** The old woman probably thought the same thing. After all, those little things she made were quite popular.

* The little girl, who was about the same age as Winni, had always been well-behaved and sensible. No one had the heart to refuse her whenever she wanted to go out and play.
* When Sarah saw that her daughter was busy with work, she decided to bring her granddaughter along when she went to set up her stall. The earlier they finished selling their wares, the earlier they could close up and enjoy the festivities together.
* When it was time to close up, her granddaughter was nowhere to be found. Sarah searched all night, until every household had gone to bed, to no avail.
* **Drunkard:** My cousin's health wasn't very good, and when she found out her daughter was missing, she became seriously ill and died shortly after.

* **Drunkard:** If you ask me, that old woman was just cursed from birth. That's why the people closest to her suffer so much misfortune.

* I glance at him. The suffering of loved ones is like a joke to him.
* **You:** You're not wrong.

* **You:** That's why Sarah's remaining family member is about to enter prison. It's simply fate.

* The drunkard's face turns pale and he struggles frantically, but with Aaron present, he can't possibly break free.
* **Drunkard:** You said that as long as I confessed, you would let me go, didn't you?!

* **You:** I only said I'd consider it, but I didn't promise I would.

* **Drunkard:** What...!

* After handing the drunkard over to the guards, I hire someone to clean Sarah's house.
* The sunset casts long shadows behind us. Even though we are almost at Fort Hawke, I feel quite exhausted.
* **You:** How should we handle the situation with Sarah?

* An old woman who is obsessed with finding her granddaughter... She doesn't know, or perhaps doesn't care, how much trouble her behavior causes for others.
* No one is obligated to understand her past, so we can't expect others to forgive her current behavior.
* Is the wish connected to the crystal ball none other than Sarah's hope to find her granddaughter?
* Or perhaps an old woman without many years left to live simply yearns to experience family life again?
* **You:** She has brought harm to many people. While I feel for her, we can't let this continue.

* **You:** The question is, what methods can we use to resolve such a sad matter?

* **Aaron:** Sarah is really nice to Winni. She's not a bad person.

* **Aaron:** However, even good people can do bad things. If they do bad things, they should be punished.

* **Aaron:** If she stops doing bad things, we'll help her.

* **Aaron:** That's my stance, Dahlia.

* Aaron's simple answer immediately dispels my previously cluttered and even disturbing thoughts.
* **You:** You're right. We can't mix these two things up.

* **You:** We should give the decision-making power to the people who have been hurt by Sarah.

* I tell Martha everything.
* **You:** Sarah sees Winni as her own granddaughter.

* **You:** When she woke up and found that Winni was gone, and everyone around her was busy preparing for a celebration...

* **Martha Kirk:** All of that brought her back to the day she lost her loved one.

* Martha sighs and nods at me.
* **Martha Kirk:** I agree with your idea that the people who were hurt should decide what to do about Sarah.

* Martha gathers the people of Fort Hawke away from Sarah and Winni, and calmly explains the situation.
* She has the ability to embellish and describe Sarah's past in a more tragic and moving way.
* But she doesn't do so.
* **Martha Kirk:** The decision is up to you all. Don't worry about anything afterwards.

* **Martha Kirk:** After all, I'm the one who brought Sarah here. If you think she's not a good fit, I'll find somewhere else for her.

* **You:** Aaron and I found Sarah's previous home, and it has already been cleaned up by hired help.

* **You:** I want you to know that even if Sarah can't stay here, she won't end up with no place to go.

* The crowd remains silent for a long time.
* After a while, someone finally speaks up in a dry and dull manner.
* **Citizen A:** The damage she caused isn't really that great... just some decorations. I'll make a few more when I have time.

* Her words are like sparks, quickly igniting in the wilderness.
* **Half-Beast A:** The goddess of the forest is the most compassionate of all. She wouldn't fault a poor grandmother...

* **Citizen B:** Besides, Sarah calmed down after finding Winni, right? We don't necessarily have to drive her away, do we?

* **Citizen A:** Yeah, as long as she doesn't harm my child, I can also have my daughter visit her often.

* **Half-Beast B:** My loved ones also passed away while hunting...

* **Half-Beast B:** Isn't Fort Hawke a home for the homeless? Who are we to kick out someone who has nowhere else to go?

* The crowd talks excitedly and finally reaches a consensus—everyone wishes to let Sarah stay.
* My vision grows blurry, and Aaron tightens his grip on my hand.
* **Aaron:** You're amazing, Dahlia.

* **Aaron:** You gave us all a home.

* The vibration of the crystal ball comes to a halt.
* I place my hand on the crystal ball. It's warm amid the cheering of the crowd.
* People have accepted Sarah and she is now part of our family.
* Sarah's secret wish has been granted.

* The Edith Festival proceeds as scheduled.
* Worried that Sarah might have another episode, Winni has been keeping her company.
* **Winni:** The room is too warm. I'm starting to sweat!

* **Winni:** Let me take a look and see if we've burned too much charcoal.

* Because of the Edith Festival, Winni only has half a day of classes today. After school, she goes directly to Sarah.
* **Winni:** Hey, Granny Sarah, why are you still wearing a scarf? Aren't you hot?

* **Sarah:** I'm not hot.

* **Winni:** Alright! Maybe humans are just not very resistant to the cold!

* Winni is no longer hesitant and, as if suddenly realizing something, she awkwardly approaches and crouches down in front of Sarah.
* **Winni:** Granny Sarah, I want to ask for your help...

* **Sarah:** As long as it's something you want, I will help.

* **Winni:** Will you teach me how to weave little sparrows out of straw? It's so cool!

* **Winni:** Miss Dahlia was envious when she saw the bird you gave me!

* **Winni:** I want to learn how to make them so I can give one to her. Oh! And I should give one to Aaron too!

* **Sarah:** Of course.

* **You:** (This child...)

* Sarah teaches, and Winni learns. The two are as close as grandmother and grandchild.

* I gently close the door.
* Then I turn around and run smack into someone.
* **You:** Aaron!

* We're standing so close together.
* I can hear the thumping of a heart.
* I'm not sure if it's his or mine.
* **Aaron:** Sorry.

* **You:** Ahem, you just can't stop following me around, can you?

* **Aaron:** Why can't I follow you around?

* **You:** Hey!

* **Aaron:** We've been apart for so long, I just can't help it.

* He's right, and I feel a bit melancholy.
* After all, we don't get to spend much time together.
* **Aaron:** Martha told me that person often comes looking for you.

* **Aaron:** I know you feel differently about her, and I can't stop you from seeing her.

* **Aaron:** But I still hope to have a place in your heart.

* Aaron's ears droop, and his puppy-like eyes make him look like a fluffy and vulnerable animal.
* I suddenly lose my composure, and a pang of guilt makes me reflect on whether I have neglected Aaron.
* **You:** (I'm such an idiot...)

* Instinctively, I hug him.
* **You:** I do like you.

* **You:** Why wouldn't I like you?

* **Aaron:** Who do you like more, her or me?

* Wait a moment—
* I let go of Aaron, and cogwheels turn in my mind.
* **You:** Aaron, who taught you to say these things?

* His gaze slides away from mine.
* **Aaron:** No one... It's just me...

* If I hadn't figured things out by this point, I wouldn't deserve to call myself a business person!
* **You:** Martha! Come out and explain this to me!

* Aaron leans down, wraps an arm around my waist, and plants a quick kiss on my lips.
* Before I can respond, he releases me.
* **Aaron:** Martha told me that if I did this, you wouldn't be angry anymore.

* **You:** You two...!

* I don't have the heart to scold them, and my voice grows soft.
* He looks at me beseechingly, and my heart melts.
* **You:** How could I be angry at you?

Ending **[Retrieving What's Lost]**