Heart Game: Sol [#06]

[idolpro]

Note: please be as cryptic as possible regarding any specific actions your character takes when discussing them in the game channel to avoid influencing everyone else!

Comments

[artisticliberty]

[PUT KEY IN HOLE]

[bluerosestyle]

[DOOR OPENS!!!

You can see nothing inside, you can hear nothing, it's pitch black. Are you going in anyway?]

[artisticliberty]

[ya]

[bluerosestyle]

[You go in!!

When your eyes get used to the change from complete darkness to the dim light in this room, you realize that you're now inside a house. There are three children sitting on the floor, looking excitedly at an old man who's sitting on a chair. It’s warm and it smells like someone who knows what they're doing is baking something. You've seen these children before-- it's a blond boy, a blond girl and a black-haired boy.

The blond boy, a child version of Sol, turns around to look at you, and glances at the other two as if to ask them what to do about you. But they are too interested in the old man’s stories to pay attention, so he gives up and stands up to greet you on his own.]

Who are you? Did you come to hear my grandfather’s stories too?

[artisticliberty]

[for a moment fox just kind of... stares at them all, blinking. when baby sol speaks, he snaps out of it]

--oh. My name is Fox. I was looking for something... well, I suppose I've found it. This is your grandfather's house?

[bluerosestyle]

[he nods! cutely.]

My grandmother, parents, and my brothers and sister live here. [then, as an afterthought] It's my home, too.

Your name is Fox? Like the animal?

[artisticliberty]

[he kneels so that he's at eye level with sol]

Indeed. I am quite fond of foxes. Will you introduce me to your family?

[bluerosestyle]

I've never seen one! I heard there are some in the city. Maybe I'll see a fox when I grow up, if I get the swordsman Calling...

[then-- he looks to the side, as if what he said is bad. but no one seems to have heard. he sighs in relief]

Are you here to meet my family?

[artisticliberty]

And you, yes.

[bluerosestyle]

[he looks surprised]

Me?

[artisticliberty]

Of course. What name do you go by?

[bluerosestyle]

I'm Eugeo! That's my grandfather. [he points at the old man] I call him grandpa.

And those two are my friends, Alice and Kirito.

[artisticliberty]

[mouths the name "eugeo" before speaking]

It is nice to meet you, Eugeo. Will you introduce me?

[bluerosestyle]

Okay, but we have to wait until grandpa finishes his story. Do you want a chair to sit down?

[artisticliberty]

If you do not mind, I can certainly wait.

[bluerosestyle]

[He nods and pulls up a chair for him! Then he goes back to sit on the floor with his friends.

The black-haired boy (Kirito?) glances back at Fox with suspicion, but Sol waves his hand at him and the other boy shrugs.]

Sorry, grandpa, can you start again?

[The grandfather nods kindly and begins his story again: “Bercouli and the Northern White Dragon.”

Of all the founders of Rulid, Bercouli was the most skilled with the sword, and he served as the first chief guard of the village. He lived there three hundred years ago, a number of stories about his exploits had been passed down and inflated in the telling. This was one of the most fantastical tales about his exploits.

One midsummer day, Bercouli saw a large transparent stone rising and sinking in the Rul River. He fished out the object and was mystified to learn that it was a hunk of ice. Bercouli followed the river upstream until he reached the End Mountains, the very boundary of the human realm, where the river narrowed down until it met the mouth of a massive cave.

Bercouli made his way inside, pushing against the freezing winds that blew out of the cave, and, after braving many dangers, he arrived at the great chamber in the very deepest part. In it, he found an enormous white dragon, which was said to protect all the borders of the human world. When he saw that the beast was sleeping atop an immeasurable mountain of treasure, Bercouli boldly snuck forward and chose a single beautiful sword from the pile: the Blue Rose sword. He carefully picked up the sword so as not to wake the dragon and was about to scamper off for safety when blue roses grew around his feet and locked them in place. He fell over on the spot, and the dragon woke up...

The children look very interested because his grandfather is good at storytelling, unlike this half-assed quote from the books that screams THIS WRITER DIDN'T WANT TO TELL THIS STORY.

The grandfather makes a pause there, and looks at Fox.]

"What do you think happened then, boy?"

[artisticliberty]

[fox is leaning forward on the EDGE OF HIS SEAT, deeply immersed in this story]

Me? Oh...

[thinks]

Perhaps he and the dragon did battle?

[bluerosestyle]

"Oh yes, they did. And what a fight it was!"

"Yeah! Can I tell him who won?"

"Ssssh, Kirito... You're ruining the story!"

"Will you two shut up and let Eugeo's grandp--"

[Sol's grandfather holds out a hand, effectively shutting them up.]

"Who do you think won that battle?"

[The three children turn to look at Fox as well, curious about his reply.]

[artisticliberty]

[thinking...]

If the swordsman was able to overcome his predicament enough to fight... but even then, he would have been facing a powerful adversary. I could see it going either way.

[bluerosestyle]

"It was a very close fight, indeed. Bercouli was a legendary hero, after all."

"Bercouli is the best! Right, Eugeo?"

"Yeah...! He was strong and brave, and had so many adventures!"

[Sol's grandfather indulges them, then smiles at Fox.]

"Then, how would you like this story to end? Would you like the dragon to win? Or the hero?"

[artisticliberty]

[chuckles]

I think it would be a good story if the hero won, against all odds.

[bluerosestyle]

"Right. What if he'd brought the Blue Rose Sword with him... and we had that sword in the village? I'd love to wield it once."

"What are you even thinking about, Kirito...?"

[Sol's grandfather proceeds to tell the rest of the story-- after an epic fight, retold with great skill, the great hero was able to leave the cave, his life pardoned by the dragon, but leaving the Blue Rose Sword behind. And then he smiles at Fox kindly.]

"The White Dragon is one of the protectors of humanity. That is why in a fight between him and Bercouli, who was also a brave soul, a tie was the best outcome."

[artisticliberty]

Oh... I see, I see. So they were both great figures worthy of valor and respect, then.

[bluerosestyle]

[The girl replies! She sounds a little like she's lecturing, or reciting from memory.]

"That's right. The White Dragon lives in a cave up in the End Mountains, forever protecting humanity from any and all invaders from the Dark Territory."

[Sol's grandfather looks at Sol now.]

"Well, Eugeo... Are you going to introduce me to this young man?"

[Sol jumps.]

"Ah--! Yes, I'm sorry, grandpa! I didn't want to interrupt your story..." [His grandfather laughs, and Sol stands up, red in the face.] "Fox, this is my grandfather... Grandpa, this is Fox. Um... and Alice, Fox, Fox, Alice." He pauses. "And Kirito."

[Kirito, of course, complains.] "Hey, don't introduce me like that!"

[artisticliberty]

It is a pleasure to meet you all. Thank you for allowing me to listen to your story, as well.

[he bows from his chair, like a polite boy]