I do not own Story of Seasons, Harvest Moon, or anything in this fic except my own ideas.
She both frightened and intrigued Kamil, and he was still wondering how that could be. Perhaps it was the way that this farmer physically reminded him of Lillian, with fawn-colored locks that shone in the sunlight and the same sparkling eyes. She wore a tiny smile nearly identical to that of the woman had known so long ago. But at the same time, she was nothing like Lillian. Where the Bluebell farmer had been outspoken and friendly, this new woman was shy and polite. She cared far too much about what people thought of her, and went out of her way to help. It was like she couldn't say no.
Her name was Annie.
When Veronica had introduced the pair, she had simply acknowledged him with a nod and a tiny wave. Lillian would have offered a hearty handshake at least, or more likely gone for a hug and a slap on the back. She had just been that kind of person; a stranger was a friend she hadn't met.
He couldn't help but say something to break the ice. "So you're a farmer? I knew a farmer back in my old hometown. The two of us were great friends!"
He thought that he had pretty well insinuated that he thought this farmer would be a friend as well, but after the initial glimmer of interest in her hazel eyes, she continued with her system of nodding, with the occasional near-silent hum.
Veronica had taken no notice, leading Kamil to believe that this was common for the farmer. "Mr. Kamil here is a florist. He decided to move her because of our town's rising prosperity as a center of trade."
That was half of the truth. The other half—well, where better for a runaway to hide than a crowded town? For the goddess's sake, they even had a plantation!
But nevertheless, he quickly confirmed what Veronica had said. "I'm staying at the inn. I guess I'll see you around?" He shot her a sincere smile, quietly taking pride in the fact that he had changed from the antisocial boy in Bluebell to this new, smooth-talking version of himself.
"I'll show you the rest of the town, now," Veronica offered, though it wasn't much of a question. "Goodbye, Annie." She led Kamil out of the area and past Annie, who just stood there and stared at the ground. It was slightly worrying, but maybe that was because Kamil had spent his life surrounded by people who looked you dead in the eyes when they spoke to you.
"That Annie…" He began one they were out of earshot, "where's her farm? This town looks huge."
Veronica had no trouble answering his questions. "The farms are all outside of the main part of town." She pointed out the road to Elise's farm, and the one leading to Frtiz's and Giorgio's. "It might be better to have someone show you to Annie's. It would be easy to get lost on the way there."
Kamil frowned. "What? Has she ever gotten lost?" He couldn't deny that the prospect of having to spent hours finding your way home seemed horrible.
This time, Veronica stopped to think before answering. "No, I don't believe so. And if she has, then she's always found her way again."
"Hmm." Those last words stuck with him. Found her way.
He hoped that he'd manage to find his way in this town.