Natalia Kuznetsova (36) is the town blacksmith. She's strong, capable, and cheerful, but thinks she has been cursed to suffer eternal bad luck. Her happiness in Fairhaven has made her wonder if the curse has lifted.
Recently, Natalia joined the League of the Conscious Mind due to a fondness for Cameron Conner.
Life Before Fairhaven
Before moving to Fairhaven, she was an insurance claims adjustor with no blacksmithing experience. She has a family history of blacksmithing, however - her hammer belonged to her great-grandfather.
Favorite Gifts
| Item | Sources | Recipe |
|---|---|---|
 |
Distillery, The Bar | 2x Potato |
 |
Cooking | 1x Blueberry, Blackberry, Mulberry, or Apple 1x Cheese 1x Egg 1x Flour |
 |
Cafe Moretti Cooking |
1x Beef 1x Mushroom 1x Paprika 1x Tomato |
 |
Cooking | 1x Bread 1x Butter 1x Chicken Fillet |
 |
Cooking | 1x Any Protein 1x Cabbage 1x Rice 1x Tomato |
Relationship Cutscenes[]
New Acquaintances (expand)
- How to initiate cutscene: Visit Natalia at her shop
- Dialogue:
Natalia: Yee-ouch!
Tara: Is everything okay, Natalia?
Natalia: Ugh, I just smashed my thumb with my hammer. I don’t know why I ever thought I could do this, I was an insurance claims adjuster! Sat behind a desk my whole life!
-[Choice: Joke about insurance claims]
Tara: Tell me the truth, would you deny your own claim right now based on the thumb owner’s negligence?
Natalia: Haha! Don’t make me laugh, I’ll drop my hammer again! And yes, I suppose I would have had to deny this claim!
-[Choice: I’m just as bad]
-
-[Choice: Desk life is safer]
-
Natalia: Thanks for letting me vent some steam. Speaking o’ which, I better get back to my forge! Look, I know coming to Fairhaven was the right choice for me. Maybe someday I’ll yell ya that story! It’s hard for me to even believe it sometimes!
Casual Friend (expand)
- How to initiate cutscene: Speak to Natalia directly outside the Mine
- Dialogue:
Natalia: Hi Tara, hope you don’t mind me hanging around here.
Tara: Not at all. Hey, where did you get that hammer?
Natalia: Oh, it was my great-grandfather’s, but it was kept for many years by… I guess we’ll call her a friend of the family. Wish I had it when I was younger to fend off bad dates!
--[Choice: Dating is the worst]
-
--[Choice: My trowel won’t help my love life]
-Tara: I have a feeling if I posted a pic of myself with my trowel I wouldn’t get too many dates!
-Natalia: Hey, you never know what folks might be into, haha!
--[Choice: Even Sophia couldn’t make us matches]
-
Natalia: I’ll admit, I gave up on finding love long ago due to my poor luck. But ever since I came here my luck’s been looking up in other ways! Maybe it’s foolish, but I’m feelin’ hopeful!
Good Friend (expand)
- How to initiate cutscene: Speak to Natalia inside League of the Conscious Mind
- Dialogue:
Cameron: Natalia, we really appreciate all the time you’ve spent volunteering here at the Consciousness Center! But the real work now is to go into the community and try to bring more folks in!
Natalia: I’ve been doing that, Messenger! See… um… my friend Tara, she’s here!
--[Choice: I came because of Natalia]
-Tara: Yep, I’m here because Natalia has been raving about the Book of the Mind!
-Cameron: Wonderful! Great work, Natalia!
--[Choice: I came because she talks about you]
-Tara: Oh, Natalia has told me so much about the new Messenger, she hardly talks about anything else!
-Natalia: Hehe, well, I just meant it's such a great community here, is all!
--[Choice: I need Natalia for a job]
-Tara: Um, well, technically I came to find Natalia! I just need to talk to her about some smithing work.
-Cameron: Ah. Well, she certainly is the person for that job! But come back again anytime!
Cameron: If you’ll excuse me, I need to go prepare for my next session.
Natalia: Can I tell you a secret? I’m trying to impress Messenger Cameron – because I have a bit of a crush on him! ‘Course, I doubt I’m alone in that!
Best Friend (expand)
- How to initiate cutscene: Visit Natalia at her shop
- Dialogue:
Parker: I would help you if I could, Natalia, I just don’t have any wood to spare in my shop right now.
Natalia: Curse that unreliable ferry! I’ll never have enough coal to make it before my next shipment comes. Tara! Any chance you have some spare wood I could burn down into charcoal? I can’t keep my forge hot enough without it!
[Complete quest - Keep Your Coal]
Natalia: Hi Tara, did you bring the wood?
Tara: Here’s your wood, Natalia. Will it make enough charcoal?
Natalia: Yes, this should be enough! It would burn down just before I run completely out of my last batch of coal! Lucky timing! You believe in luck, Tara?
--[Choice: I’m starting to]
-Tara: To tell you the truth, Natalia, I’m starting to believe in all sorts of things I never thought were possible.
-Natalia: Me too! Funny, I think it’s something about this place. Being here makes me feel like anything could happen.
--[Choice: You make your own]
-Tara: I believe in luck, but I think you can't just rely on it, you've got to help it along!
-Natalia: Yes, Messenger Cameron says something similar! How you can have the best shoes but you still have to walk the path.
--[Choice: It’s superstition]
-Tara: No, I think superstition clouds people's judgement.
-Natalia: Ah. Messenger Cameron says something like that. He's not big on old superstitions. I have to keep some of my old family traditions to myself sometimes.
Natalia: The old babka who held onto my great-grandpa’s hammer all those years said when I picked it up my luck would get better. I think she was right. After all, I live in this beautiful place now, and I’ve made such wonderful friends, like you, Tara!
Conversations[]
The following is a list of quotes and conversations the player can have with Natalia Kuznetsova throughout the game outside of quests.
| Spring Year 1 |
|---|
| Hello there! Nice to see a new face around here!
Tara: Hi, I'm Hazel Wylde's granddaughter, Tara. Natalia: Oh, Hazel was so kind to me when I first moved here! Used to let me cut through her property to get to the old mine… 'Course that was before the supports in the enetrance gave out. There's still good ore down there I suspect! Tara: Ore? Natalia: Oh, sorry I didn't introduce myself! I'm Natalia, and I own the blacksmith. I can melt down ore into ingots and upgrade any of your farm tools for ya. |
| Hello again!
Tara: Hi! You know, you don't see many blacksmiths these days. Natalia: Yeah, I know. Well, my great-grandpa was a blacksmith so I guess you could say it runs in the family… 'Course he died before I was born. But it's his hammer I've got. Tara: That's really cool! So your family taught you? Natalia: Oh, na. I'm self taught. A city export like yourself. It's harder work than sitting at a desk but it's more rewarding. You'll come to love it here! Tara: We'll see. |
| You know, there's quite a few of us who moved here from the city. Francis, Kim, Parker, and Messenger Cameron, of course! We're taking over, haha! |
| Your gramma was one of the first folks who came to greet me when I moved here. She brought me some fresh veggies and some soup! It made me feel real welcome. I'm glad you've come to take care of her. D |
| So I'm not much of one for gossip, but I heard you had some bad luck right before moving here. Small town and all.
Tara: Yeah, I guess you could say that. I lost my job, and my fiance, and then my lease didn't get renewed… Natalia: Ooof. That is a bad run. Well, hopefully your luck will turn around now that you're here! Mine sure has! |
| Ugh….
Tara: What's wrong, Natalia? Natalia: The twins put bath bombs in my slack tub. Again. I just finished cleaning it out from the last time! |
| Angus makes the best bread. Even if he gives me a hard time for always leavin' the first slice in front of the door of my house.
Tara: And why do you do that? Natalia: Oh, it's just an old superstition my dad taught me. It's 'sposed to appease the house elves! 'Course, I don't believe in any of that. Not really. Messenger Cameron says that the first step in climbing the Mountain of Consciousness is leaving behind old beliefs that no longer serve you. |
| They say Spring is a time when love is in the air. But the only thing in the air around here is smoke from my forge, haha! |
| You've got a lot going on, but if you ever want some moral support, come by the Consciousness Center. Everyone there is really nice. |
| Is it time to go to Damon's yet? Blacksmith work sure helps ya work up a thirst! |
| Have you seen the stray cat who lives in the neighborhood? I've been putting out a bowl of milk for it. My father always said that cats can communicate with the spirits.
Tara: I once had a cat who used to stare at a spot in the wall. I thought it was a ghost, but then it turned out we had mice. |
| I can't thank ya enough for fixin' up the mine! What can I say, dark caves are my happy place. Maybe I was a bat in my past life! You should come by Damon's bar sometime. I'm usually the only other single gal there! |
| It's a beautiful day for working metal! But then, it always is! |
| Saw Vanessa on her way to your farm with a plate of cupcakes. She really is such a thoughtful first lady, to take that kind of time. And she works with the twins everyday! The League of the Conscious Mind doesn't have saints, but if we did, she would certainly qualify, haha! |
| Violet said you got some honey for her. I feel for her and Sebastián. My dad's job took him on the road most of my childhood too. Well. They've got each other, at least. |
| You know, a girl's gotta learn to rely on herself. That's what swinging the hammer has taught me. Ever thought of picking one up?
Tara: Me? No. Nope. No. Definitely not. Natalia: Well, you let me know when you're ready to give it a go. |
| Have you met the new Messenger? I was never one to attend religious service growing up, but I think he's a real asset to the community. |
| Parker is a great neighbor. He really helped me get settled when I first moved here. That Lina is a lucky gal! |
| Summer Year 1 |
|---|
| Hi. I've been meanin' to stop by, but I didn’t want to intrude. My heart goes out to you. Hazel was a truly decent person. Strong too. I see a lotta her in you.
Tara: Thanks. Natalia: Made you something. 'Course, I'm not much of a cook, but I can keep a fire lit under a pot at least. (Gives 2x Pumpkin Soup.) |
| We're barrelin' right towards the longest day of the year! I'm like a sunflower. I need light in order to feel like myself. And by Summer, I'm practically hummin', there's so much light! |
| It's a perfect day! Gosh, if I weren't working, I'd put on a bikini and head down to the beach. One thing I love about Fairhaven is that nobody tells me bikinis aren't for me. Which I got in the city sometimes.
Tara: That's messed up! Natalia: And plain wrong. I may be unlucky in love, but I look great in nylon spandex. |
| So Thomas is the one making the bonfire for the Summer Festival, huh? I hope he's studied the correct fuel placement. Ya mess that up and we'll get 'sad smoulder' instead of 'roaring flames.' |
| I always get so excited for the Summer Festival! Ukrainians have Kupala Night, which is pretty similar. My neighborhood in the city was mostly Ukrainian. Every Summer, we did a dollar-store version of Kupala Night in someone's backyard firepit. Who doesn't like hanging around a big fire? |
| On the dating apps, I keep matchin' with guys from Milkwater. But when I say I live in Fairhaven, they stop messagin' me! C'mon, the ferry's not so bad. Sometimes the captain lets you toot the horn. |
| Augh! Are you kiddin'?
Tara: Are you okay? Natalia: Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. I just didn't heat up this metal enough 'cause it's so hot out. So when I hit it, the stupid thing snapped right in half. |
| Tara: Do you ever miss your job back in the city?
Natalia: Sure do! Whenever I make rookie blacksmithing mistakes, which is still weekly. But at least I get to do more with my hands than type all day! |
| You know, it's funny. Kuznetsova means 'blacksmith.' Until a few years ago, I never thought I'd be a blacksmith. But here I am.
Tara: I feel that. My last name is Wylde, and I didn't even like camping trips as a little kid. But… here I am, too. Working on a farm. Natalia: Cheers to quarter-life crises and fresh starts! |
| I want to be better friends with Vanessa. She's the only other woman who regularly comes to the Consciousness Center. But she's so… regal, y'know? Does she have friends? Does she even need them? |
| Marty's brave, isn't he?
Tara: Huh? What makes you say that? Natalia: He moved here without much experience, just hopin' everything would work out. Like me. And you! |
| Giva seems busy already, but nobody's too busy for new friends, right? This mornin', I dropped off a basket of pastries by her door. Fresh from Angus' bakery. I hope she takes the hint 'n stops by my workshop! |
| Feel free to axe me any questions you have about mining! Sorry, I couldn't resist! |
| So, that new rancher is kinda cute, right? 'Course, he's not really my type in that he's gainfully employed and appears mentally stable… But hey, why not try something new? |
| In Summer, I get the worst flyaways. I've tried every smoothin' spray in every drugstore, but none of 'em work! So when my hair goes really haywire, I pat it down with water. I know, I know. I look like a kitten whose mother just bathed her. |
| Happy Summer Festival Day! 'Course, I like the Winter one better. There's no mistletoe in Summer, hehe. |
| You know what? I might swing by the bar tonight. It's perfect weather for sippin' a beer and listenin' to the rain fall. |
| It's so hot I might have to hop into Damon's bar more often for a cold one!
Tara: Ah, like a beer! Natalia: Nah! I like my drinks like I like my ore: on the rocks! Hehe! |
| I feel badly for Francis. He just doesn't have the stamina to mine up precious metals for his jewelry. We'll help him out, won't we, Tara? |
| Who would rob Messenger Cameron? I just don't get it! He's the most upstanding guy you're likely to find on this island! |
| I gotta be careful on a hot, windy day like this. If any embers from the workshop fire get blown out the door, we could have a five-alarm fire on our hands! And I'm not lettin' my luck rub off on the rest of the island. No, sir. |
| Fall Year 1 |
|---|
| I'm so happy for Angus! And the way he 'n Francis look at each other… they're happy, too. I… try not to get jealous of what they have. |
| Vanessa's done so much for Otto's campaign already. I wish I could take some work off her plate, but she always says no! I don't know how she manages all that and the entire school. |
| Tara: Why the long face?
Natalia: Oh, just thinkin' about my ma. On the coldest Fall days, she'd always buy me a cup of pipin'-hot cider. I hope she's doin' okay, back in the city… Tara: Hey, my mom's there, too. Maybe our moms will meet and drink cider together! |
| Make sure you're stayin' safe, okay, Tara? It's getting' colder, and I just… have a bad feelin'. You're always welcome in my shop, ya know! Ya hardly feel the cold in there. |
| Ho there! Found anything good in the mine lately? It's worth checking every stone, other miners may have overlooked something good! |
| I've never seen anyone get allergies like Cameron at the debate! I keep tellin' him to go see Amira, but he won't do it…
Tara: He's going to be fine. Trust me. |
| Wasn't that wedding lovely? Don't mind me, weddings always make me a little teary! |
| Did you know Juliet could play like that? 'Cause I sure didn't! Maybe I'll ask her to learn some Ukrainian folk songs. The kind my da liked to hum on rainy evenin's. |
| Gosh, I hope that cat is okay! This weather's no good.
Tara: That cat knows how to look out for itself. You don't need to worry. Natalia: Oh, I'm sure! But there's this legend that cats can… well, never mind. Let's just say I'm a cat lady, hehe. |
| Tara: Last time we talked, you mentioned cat legends?
Natalia: This sounds silly, but… my da believes that cats can talk to the spirits that watch over our houses. So I like to watch out for stray cats roamin' around. Tara: That's not silly at all. I bet your dad was onto something. |
| Tara: Are you feeling okay, Natalia?
Natalia: Sure, sure! Just grateful I saw what Sophia was up to. It's a shame. I really liked her. Goes to show that anyone can be a Malcontent. |
| Tara: Are you sure you saw Sophia out there? What if it was Emmi or Finn playing tricks?
Natalia: I thought it might be them at first. But I have this feeling. I'm certain it was Sophia. I don't feel certain about a lot of things, so… this is different. New. |
| Tara: Do you think witches and Malcontents are the same thing?
Natalia: Sure do. They exist everywhere, right? We just have different words for 'em. A Malcontent is someone who isn't happy. They manifest their negative energy, and it drags other people down. That's what witches do, too. |
| I feel… lighter. Like there was somethin' sittin' on me, and it's finally stood up and walked on. I guess it was whatever part of me felt the need to accuse Sophia. I'm glad that part's gone. |
| I'm tryin' to focus on all the orders comin' in. But lately, I've felt bone-tired. I think I was holdin' myself so stiff in the days leadin' up to Sophia's trial, and now I can finally relax. |
| Winter Year 1 |
|---|
| I heard Sophia isn't organizing the Winter Feast this year. It's all my fault, I suppose. If anyone should have to skip the feast, it should be me. |
| Did you get assigned your secret gift recipient yet? You won't believe who mine is!
Tara: Well, I think it's supposed to be a secret, Natalia… Natalia: It's Messenger Cameron! Ohmigosh, I don't know what to get him! I mean, what do you give a man who has given this community so much? I'm going to think of something really good! |
| I just love going to the onsen on a cold Winter day! Warms me up even better than my forge! |
| Thanks again for helping with the soup kettle! I've been telling Messenger Cameron we oughta have some borscht next!
Tara: Isn't borscht served cold? Natalia: No, you can serve it hot or cold. The nice part is it tastes good either way, so we don't have to worry about keepin' the fire lit under the pot! |
| I just go from work, to the Consciousness Center, or to Damon's bar. It's too cold to do much else. |
| Have you seen that stray cat around? I was thinking it might want a warm place to stay until this storm season is over. |
| Oh, I just love snow. I only got to go back home once, but it was Winter then. My pa's old village looked just like a fairy tale. |
| I can't help but wonder if someone did tamper with the ferry. If anyone can fix it though, it's Parker. And I'll be happy to take a torch to anything that needs welding. |
| I hope Parker fixes the ferry soon. Not that I ever went to Milkwater much, but… it might be nice to take a vacation. |
| Everyone says Emmi and Finn are annoying, but I think they're fun. And during the Winter Feast, I can have a snowball fight with 'em! That way, no one's sayin', "Why's that grown woman throwin' snow around like a kid?"
Tara: Ahh. The classic 'I did it for the children' excuse. |
| The Winter Feast was so much fun! And did you see that Messenger Cameron made soup!
Tara: Uh, huh, with Giva. Natalia: Yes, I um… didn't know they were such close friends. |
| What do ya think, Tara? Maybe Marty was the Malcontent and he threw me off the scent onto Sophia! You think you know people… |
| Angus was real brave to come forward with what he saw. If you see something, ya gotta say something. That's the only way we can all be safe. |
| Vanessa has seemed so stressed out lately. Can't blame her, what with the ferry bein' out and her husband wrapped up in Marty's scheme. I hate to say it, but she deserves better. |
| The mines are even colder than usual this time of year. Make sure you bring some nice warm snacks! |
| Hi there! You here to turn some ore into ingots? 'Course, if you just came in to thaw out, that's fine, too! |
| Malcontent or not, what Marty was up to was downright shady. And Mayor Otto was in on the plan! Well, I'm not selling my forge or my house to anyone. And if someone tries to force me out, I've got a hot poker and a mean right hook. |
| Kim said Winter is "cuffing season". I'll be cuffed up at home with a book and a nice heated blanket, ha! |
| You know when it's nice to have a roaring hot force in your workplace? Winter! |
| Messenger Cameron doesn't believe Giva could be a Malcontent. But Parker wouldn't just lie about something like that. I've known him for a long time. I hate to say it, but maybe the Messenger is biased towards his friend. But that's just how insidious Malcontents are!
Tara: Or... maybe Giva is innocent? Natalia: Hmmph. We'll see. |
| Parker is always going on about his wife and his kids whenever I see him. But he hasn't had much to say about Lina lately. I wonder what's goin' on. |
| Epilogue |
|---|
| It's funny, but… I feel bad for Vanessa. The whole time she lived here, she was lookin' for acceptance. We all woulda been her friends, if she'd let us. |
| Aiieee! Who's behind me?!
Tara: Omigosh, Natalia, it's just me! Natalia: Sorry, sorry, Tara. I just… whew! I'm still getting' used to the idea that witches are real, and that I don't need to be afraid. My body's thinkin' faster than my brain, y'know? |
| Ooh, it's almost time to make pysanky! In the Spring, Ukranians decorate eggs with beeswax, then dip 'em in dye. I loved makin' pysanky so much as a little girl - that's how I learned that I was good at workin' with my hands! |
| Tara: So… how'd it go with Sophia?
Natalia: Oh, Tara, she loved the pans! You were right! Knowin' that Sophia forgives me - it's a big weight off my shoulders. Tara: And now you don't have to avoid the diner. No more missing Sophia's pies of the week! |
| Now that the ferry's fixed, maybe I'll go visit my parents. I have so much to fill them in on!
Tara: Will you tell them the truth? Natalia: My ma probably wouldn't believe it. But my da… well, we'll see! |
| That goblin - Zephyr, right? - is so sweet! Fixin' up Thomas' stuff all these years… Omigosh, house spirits are real! And I met one! |