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

[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]

[bluerosestyle]

[Alice nods with a slight bow, Kirito has to be elbowed into it but also returns the bow. Sol's grandfather speaks.]

"Stories are for sharing. I hope Bercouli's greatest tale can help you on your way. Would you like Eugeo to give you a tour of the house?"

[artisticliberty]

I would like that.

[he turns to sol]

I am in your care.

[bluerosestyle]

[Sol nods! Also to his grandfather.]

Then, um... Come over here.

[He leads him to the kitchen first. Someone's baking something that smells delicious, but it doesn't sound like it's ready yet. An old woman is asleep on a table... Sol sees her and runs towards her.]

Grandma! You fell asleep again!

[The woman drowsily opens her eyes and smiles at Fox.]

[artisticliberty]

[:O he bows again]

Pardon the intrusion. Something smells delicious.

[bluerosestyle]

"Grandma is baking an apple pie... If you fall asleep, it will get burned again!"

[The woman rests her hand on Sol's worried head and ruffles his hair.]

"Thank you for waking me up, dear. Who is that young man?"

"His name is Fox. I'm giving him a tour of the house, he wants to meet everyone."

"It is very nice to meet you, Fox."

[artisticliberty]

Likewise. Are you really baking a pie?

[i love pie]

[bluerosestyle]

[She speaks slowly, but it's a very kind cadence.]

I am. Would you like to try it?

[artisticliberty]

[SPARKLES]

I would love to.

[I LOVE PIE]

[bluerosestyle]

"Then, please wait for twenty more minutes and you can take some pie home with you, for you and your family."

[Sol sighs, but smiles a little.]

"Grandma..."

"Now, don't let me keep you. Go on, Eugeo dear."

"Don't fall asleep again!"

[Sol hugs his grandmother quickly and goes back to Fox's side, now with a happier smile]

"Let's go find my brothers."

[artisticliberty]

[haha i am going to eat that entire pie (of the pie that is given to me)]

I shall look forward to it, then. Where to, Eugeo?

[bluerosestyle]

[GOODBYE PIE! They leave the kitchen and are now in a corridor. Sol looks a little apologetic.]

All of my brothers are out in the fields now, but grandma doesn't remember. I'll introduce you to my sister.

[artisticliberty]

Of course. So, your brothers are farmers? Is your mother around?

[bluerosestyle]

[He looks kind of sad, but smiles anyway.]

My family has barley fields. Mom goes out to help too. I'm the only one who doesn't have a Calling yet, so I stay here with my grandparents after school, and my sister helps with the housework.