Kino's Journey Episode 14

(キノの旅のエピソード 14)

Chapter Two: The Land Where Dreams Come True

Part One

Kino and Hermes wandered outside of their room. The hallway outside was plain and cozy looking. The wallpaper was a different color than inside the room, it was a pearly light green color. The floor had freshly waxed wooden floors. Right front of them were stairs.

"Don't you think this is a nice hotel?"

"Well, it's alright I guess…"

Kino's voice trailed off so Hermes didn't catch what she had said. Kino carried Hermes downstairs when she seemingly finished talking. When they reached the bottom of the stairs, they arrived at the front desk. It was a quaint little room. The walls were now lined with milky white wallpaper. Hermes thought that the humans who owned this must have had a lot of time to be putting all the wallpaper on.

Kino turned her head. On her right, there was a picture of a small family. In the picture, the mother was holding a broom and the father placed his hands on his daughter's shoulder; they were all smiling.

"My, my, have we woken up?"

"Quite early for someone like you to be up, would you like a cup of coffee or tea while you're here?"

Kino politely told them that she couldn't sleep and asked for coffee, she'll need all the caffeine she can get. The people who stood on front of her looked like the mother and father on the picture; both are kind faced and smiling. But something's wrong. When the innkeeper and his wife left the room to fix the coffee, then Hermes whispered to Kino.

"Kino, how come I think I've been here before?"

"I don't know Hermes, I have that feeling too."

Their hosts arrived awhile later with a cup of steaming hot coffee, milk, sugar cubes, and spoons. The wife placed the sugar and milk on the table while the husband put the coffee and the tea spoons down.

"Excuse me, do you mind if I asked you a question?" Was all Kino managed to say while fighting sleep.

The innkeeper looked up, "Sure, please do."

"Where am I?"

The innkeeper studied Kino's face for awhile and answered obviously, "In our humble home and inn."

"I thought I was camping outside before."

"Hmm… I don't remember that, all I remember was that you checked in here four hours ago."

Kino nodded and added milk and several sugar cubes into her coffee; mixed with the spoon and took a sip. She decided that she had enough energy to ask another question.

"May I ask another question?" Asked Kino, as she put her cup down and sat back.

"Kino, you already did." Hermes answered quickly, but Kino ignored him.

"Sure." This time it was the wife who answered.

"I remember in the picture over there," Kino motioned her head towards the picture at the end of the wall, "you have a daughter right?"

"Yes, but she isn't here."

"Where is she then?"

"Oh, she ran away from home several years ago, we've never heard from her since."

Kino was surprised how the wife replied without hesitation. Kino decided that staying up until four in the morning was enough for her and her hosts; she drank the last of her milky coffee, thanked the innkeeper and his wife, and went up stairs to her room.

Part Two

Kino got up; her eyes were sore and dry from the lack of sleep. She let out a yawn. What did happen last night, thought Kino, as she buttoned up her shirt. She walked over and gave Hermes a light tap.

"Huh? Oh, good morning Kino, you're up awful early today."

Hermes voice was slurred, noting that he was still half asleep. Kino nodded and smiled, "Couldn't sleep." She had a feeling that today would be a wonderful day.

As soon a Kino finished breakfast, she took Hermes outside for a ride around the place, to get to know this country better. When she went left the hotel, she felt a pang of nostalgia; she had arrived at the country where she was born.

[Does anyone like Vocaloids? I'M OBSESSED WITH THEM!! My favorite Vocaloids are Lin and Ren Kagamine. Miku's also really cute too (^w^)b Sorry… Off topic… Ah well! But is anyone excited about the coming 07-Ghost anime!?

07-ghost . net

X3!! I really can't wait! It comes out in April. I'm also gonna watch Pandora Hearts and Tsubasa Chronicles: Shunraiki! Is anyone else planning on watching them? ^-^]