Story Reader / Event Story / Magpie's Fortune / Story
Commandant!
A light tap on your shoulder makes you turn around quickly, and you see a familiar face.
Liv is holding a bouquet of pale pink roses that match her hair, merging perfectly with the early morning light.
I passed by a flower shop on my way and decided to pick up a few.
Oh, that reminds me...
Liv opens her portable terminal and brings up a poster.
There's a flower show going on at the nearby park—if we take the cable car, we'll arrive in no time... Then it's just a short walk to the dessert street...
She pores over the notes on her terminal with a determined look, clearly ready for today.
Liv nods, and you head off together toward the platform at an easy pace.
...
A sharp jingle rings out as two coin-textured tickets drop from the ticket machine.
I've only seen them in books.
They look like they're from the Golden Age...
Liv and you board the suspended train and sit facing each other at a small table. She props her bouquet by the window.
The cabin is cramped, with room for maybe five or six people at most. At this time of day, though, it's just the two of you—no other passengers in sight.
Before long, the cable car sets off at a relaxed, strolling pace, gently pulling away from the station.
Wow...
Your eyes adjust to the sudden morning light, and the vibrant panorama of Constellia spreads out before you.
You and Liv are both looking out the window. Between the buildings, the skyscrapers' floor-to-ceiling windows shimmer, reflecting light like gentle waves on water.
It's nothing like what you see from the transport craft.
Liv leans against the window, and in her reflection, you catch not just curiosity but a hint of daydreaming in her eyes.
Now it actually feels like we're truly entering this city.
Those windmills, so close they seem within reach, are spinning quietly. Right now, they really do feel just an arm's length away.
The cable car slowly glides past the rows of buildings, heading over a wide expanse of lake.
Gazing down, a few boats drift across the water while vehicles cross the bridge spanning the lake, their horns echoing faintly in the distance.
Right now, all that commotion feels tucked away, separated by this little cabin.
To those in the Golden Age, this must seem like just another ordinary city scene, right?
Liv shares her thoughts.
It's absolutely beautiful...
I wish we could live like this all the time...
The buildings ahead grow smaller, and a graffiti-splashed neighborhood appears. When you look up, you can see undeveloped mountains rising through the faint clouds in the distance.
Look, Commandant.
A flock of bright blue-winged birds is flying past.
It's as if they're influencing everything around. All at once, the cable car lurches, and the machinery lets out a piercing squeak.
？！
The cabin jerks to a stop and sways briefly before easing back into balance.
Commandant!
Liv carefully steadies herself while moving closer to you. She gently holds your arm, but the rocking doesn't let up.
What was supposed to be a soft, reassuring birdsong now makes the atmosphere even more tense.
Sh-should we call for help?
Okay, if we need to, I'll call for backup right away!
The birds circle the cable car, their chirping echoing all around. After one pass, they fly off again to someplace farther away.
They gradually disappear in the warm sunlight.
The cabin is getting steadier as it moves forward, and the danger you initially worry about never happens.
Liv and you both let out a long sigh of relief at the same time.
Liv has a serious look on her face as she observes the cabin ropes, and after a moment, she finally relaxes.
That's when you notice this gentle pressure on your arm.
Liv is still clinging to your arm like she's forgotten to let go.
Her silence doesn't mean she's ignoring the situation; the young girl beside you simply eases her grip.
Even with Liv lowering her head, you can still spot that subtle blush creeping onto her cheeks.
You're in the latter half of your journey now, and the finish line is visibly close.
C-can we just stay like this...?
Liv pretends to look out the window as she blurts these words out.
