Apple's Heart

[dramatispersonae]

Your arrival is marked by the feel of sand under your feet, with the sound and smell of the ocean wafting in from behind you. A dampness hangs in the air and the sky is overcast. Directly in front of you the sand fades into a grassy hill, on top of which a white castle rests. To the left, a little ways off, you can see tall sandstone cliffs. Off to the right is a large field of sunflowers that stretches out into the distance. There are no paths or signs anywhere to be seen.

((#applecore))

Comments

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[appleofhiseye]

He stares at you.

"I'm twelve. I'm still a kid."

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[performing]

There's being a kid and there's being a kid.

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[appleofhiseye]

"I don't really...play."

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[performing]

Why not?

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[appleofhiseye]

He shrugs.

"I have work. And I like plants."

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[performing]

Liking something's not really the same thing as playing. You'll have the rest of your life to work.

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[appleofhiseye]

"Okay..."

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[performing]

Try to relax once in a while.

[digging in his pockets ... and producing five small sapphire-colored balls]

Teach yourself a fun hobby or something, yeah?

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[appleofhiseye]

"O-oh. For me?"

He takes the balls. '^'

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[performing]

[handing them over]

Have someone play catch with you, or learn to juggle or something. Do something you like that's not work once in a while! Even when you're not a kid, that's important sometimes.

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[appleofhiseye]

"...I'll ask Mister Obi. Thank you."

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[performing]

Have fun with 'em, yeah?

[waving as he sets out again]

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[appleofhiseye]

Are you heading any particular direction in the fields?

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[performing]

[not really, no, just heading out and seeing if the path is still visible; if it's not, picking a direction based more on gut instinct than actually knowing here to go. because if you're the sort who gets lost, you might as well just trust you'll get somewhere eventually.]

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[appleofhiseye]

The path is gone; if you're wandering around eventually you'll hear the faint sound of laughter again.

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[performing]

[I GUESS WE'RE HEADED THAT WAY? if there's no other way to go]

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[appleofhiseye]

There is only that direction, sunflowers, and a really heavy mist far off in the distance.

But that direction leads you to a large open air stage made of polished wood. There are a bunch of children running around. They're all dressed up and playing with one another, bright and happy.
The stage looks rather run down. Off to the side there is a rack of instruments, a wardrobe, and a big box full of toys.

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[performing]

[staring at the wardrobe]

Ohhhhhhh no.

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[appleofhiseye]

The children all spot you and run over.
"Look, it's another person!"
"But he's not as cool as the other ladies..."
"No way, he's very cool! He'll play with us!"
"Will you play with us?"

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[performing]

... what sort of playing?

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[appleofhiseye]

"Dancing!"
"Music!"
"No, a swordfight!"
"I want a dance, we didn't get a dance!"
"What kind of play do you like?"

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[performing]

You could turn a swordfight into a dance, you know.

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[appleofhiseye]

There is a collective gasp.
"Show us, show us!"

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[performing]

Does anyone have a sword?

Re: THE SUNFLOWER FIELDS

[appleofhiseye]

A boy with blue hair jumps forward and holds out his sword.
"I've got this one!"