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]

[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.

[artisticliberty]

You are eager to find something meaningful to do with yourself?

[bluerosestyle]

[Tiny Sol tilts his head]

What do you mean?

[artisticliberty]

Forgive me if I assume too much, but it sounds to me that you wish to do something important, to support your family. Is that what you mean by a "Calling"?

[bluerosestyle]

[He stares at him for a moment... then he shakes his head.]

I want to be a swordsman. Like Bercouli the Hero. But the Village Elder decides them, and everyone gets the same Calling as their parents.

[artisticliberty]

Is that so... but you do not have to do what the Village Elder says, you know. You can be a swordsman if you are determined.

[bluerosestyle]

B-But that's not true! The Taboo Index says--

Yes, the Taboo Index says! And so, now you feel a sharp pain behind your right eye. Blood red color covers your vision. The sensation of your limbs fades. You feel faint. Your Life has dropped by 800.

[artisticliberty]

--gh!

[fox clutches a hand over his eye, pained, and doubles over]

The... Taboo Index... will even overwrite your free will? Your hopes and dreams?

[bluerosestyle]

I'm turning 10 in two years, so I'm getting my Calling soon. Everyone has dreams, but if they can't come true, there's no point...

[hesitantly approaches]

Are you okay, Mister Fox...?

[artisticliberty]

[slowly rises, still holding a hand over his eye, his nostrils flared but he's trying to stay calm and breathe]

... I will be fine. Thank you, Eugeo.

[bluerosestyle]

Do you need to sit down? We can go back, I can tell my sister to come.

[artisticliberty]

It's alright.

But, Eugeo... even your dreams that do not come true are meaningful in some way.

[bluerosestyle]

...

[He's listening...]