idolpro | Kino's Heart Game

[We are in a field of flowers now... but this seems normal, in that way that dreams do. It's beautiful and vast. And those voices sound so familiar somehow...]

[Is the pedestal with the satchel, book, and dagger still here?]

[Nope. But he's now wearing the satchel, and he's got the dagger and its sheath on him.]

[oh okay cool. Right where they belong.]

[He starts walking in the direction of the singing voice]

[At the sound of movement among the flowers, the singing suddenly cuts off. Though, the reason isn't so mysterious, because Kino quickly sits up to see just what the source of the sound was.]

...Oh. I didn't realize there was another traveler here.

Are you losing your lunch?

[Kino pauses for a beat.]

...You mean, "losing your touch?"

Yeah, that!

[Anyway, Kino's standing up, patting stray petals from their long brown coat.]

[He smiles warmly when he sees them.]

I had no idea you had such a good singing voice.

It passes the time on the road.

Huh? Kino, do you know this guy?

Yes. He's a friend.

...You have friends?!

[Looking closely, the other voice seems to belong to a motorrad fallen among the flowers next to Kino.]

...Is it that surprising?

It's super surprising! I don't think you've made friends since that one country!

Ah! This must be Hermes!

[Addressing the motorrad directly]

It's great to finally meet you, Hermes!

[He's leaning over a bit to take in the sight of him]

Wow! I've never met a motorrad before. How cool to finally get to meet one in person.

There! That's the kind of respect you should have, Kino!!

[Hermes sounds pleased.]

Could you stand me up, please? Kino refuses to help me out here.

We were taking a break.

[Grumble grumble.]

Oh, sure.

[He glances at Kino to make sure it's okay, and if he's not stopped, he reaches down to carefully take Hermes by the handlebars and stand him up]

[Kino doesn't stop him, just sighing softly. Hermes, meanwhile, is elated.]

Thank you! Ahh, this is much better.

You're being overdramatic...

Hey, you try falling on the ground with no one to help you up!

[Still holding Hermes up to make sure he doesn't fall back down, but he looks over at Kino]

How have you been? It's great to see you.

I'm well. I've been traveling, as you can see. There's a kickstand you can use to keep him upright, by the way.

Are you traveling too, Mister?

[hell yeah. He toes the kickstand down and makes sure Hermes is balancing on it correctly before he lets go]

I—

[...he pauses for a beat with a vacant expression on his face, like it's only just now occurring to him think about that.]

[After a moment, his brain lands on:]

—I guess I am!

Where are you headed next?

A faraway country... it would be hard for you to get there on foot, though.

And I can't carry any extra passengers.

You'll probably have to use an alternate method to travel. Like... turning the page, for example.

Right, right! That's how you normally progress through a good story, isn't it?

Oh, is that right?

[Dream Brain decides that this makes sense.]

You're just going to the place on the very next page?

It's possible we'll meet again there, it's true.

Are you going to give it a try?

Probably. I like checking out new places.

Seems like a shame to leave just now when we've only just now met up, though. It feels like it's been ages since I've seen you.

Have you already been to all the other places in this book?

...Are you asking for spoilers?

Isn't that like, a big no when it comes to books?

Haha. I'm asking if there are any places in particular you think I should check out!

If there's somewhere that's made a big impression on you, I'd like to see it! You've been to so many places and seen so many things... I want to see what Kino thinks is significant.

You'll have to choose that for yourself. Even if you meet people along the way, where you go on your journey is up to you, isn't it?

Aww, alright. I'll wander around on my own, then.

[He pulls the book out of his satchel]

It was good to see you both. You guys have fun, okay?

You, too.

Bye, mister!

Take care!

[He opens the book and turns the page]

There was the sound of a film roll coming to an end. And beyond it, lay...

Kino's Heart Game - Session 4

Re: Prologue: “Amidst a Crimson Sea” • b ─Blooming Prairie • b─

Re: Prologue: “Amidst a Crimson Sea” • b ─Blooming Prairie • b─

Re: Prologue: “Amidst a Crimson Sea” • b ─Blooming Prairie • b─

Re: Prologue: “Amidst a Crimson Sea” • b ─Blooming Prairie • b─

Re: Prologue: “Amidst a Crimson Sea” • b ─Blooming Prairie • b─

Re: Prologue: “Amidst a Crimson Sea” • b ─Blooming Prairie • b─

Re: Prologue: “Amidst a Crimson Sea” • b ─Blooming Prairie • b─

Re: Prologue: “Amidst a Crimson Sea” • b ─Blooming Prairie • b─

Re: Prologue: “Amidst a Crimson Sea” • b ─Blooming Prairie • b─

Re: Prologue: “Amidst a Crimson Sea” • b ─Blooming Prairie • b─

Re: Prologue: “Amidst a Crimson Sea” • b ─Blooming Prairie • b─

Re: Prologue: “Amidst a Crimson Sea” • b ─Blooming Prairie • b─

Re: Prologue: “Amidst a Crimson Sea” • b ─Blooming Prairie • b─

Re: Prologue: “Amidst a Crimson Sea” • b ─Blooming Prairie • b─

Re: Prologue: “Amidst a Crimson Sea” • b ─Blooming Prairie • b─

Re: Prologue: “Amidst a Crimson Sea” • b ─Blooming Prairie • b─

Re: Prologue: “Amidst a Crimson Sea” • b ─Blooming Prairie • b─

Re: Prologue: “Amidst a Crimson Sea” • b ─Blooming Prairie • b─

Re: Prologue: “Amidst a Crimson Sea” • b ─Blooming Prairie • b─

Re: Prologue: “Amidst a Crimson Sea” • b ─Blooming Prairie • b─

Re: Prologue: “Amidst a Crimson Sea” • b ─Blooming Prairie • b─

Re: Prologue: “Amidst a Crimson Sea” • b ─Blooming Prairie • b─

Re: Prologue: “Amidst a Crimson Sea” • b ─Blooming Prairie • b─

Re: Prologue: “Amidst a Crimson Sea” • b ─Blooming Prairie • b─