Story Reader / Festival Event Story / Heart's Whispers Across Time / Story
You get to the meeting with Qu right on time.
A breeze ruffles her hair as you see a familiar figure with her back to you on the mountaintop. She turns, giving a small nod.
Right on time.
Absolutely. You can see all of Kowloong from here. Now, come stand next to me.
It's rare to see her so mysterious, not giving any hints about this invitation.
Hold on, what's in your hand?
Oh? You know Kowloong customs. What is it?
When you open your hand, there is a delicate mechanical peacock in your palm.
Qu looks at the gift, pausing a bit when she sees the mechanical peacock.
...
Thanks...
She takes the gift and looks it over.
Who'd have thought it'd be such a... "priceless" gift.
This mechanical doll, found with Qu in Kowloong's treasure room, has no value beyond "someone's hope and happiness", but she treasures it.
Having shared in the hopes and joys of everyday folks, she finally understands how she truly feels about that little mechanical figure.
You really are the only one who gets me. It's amazing how in sync we are.
I've got a gift for you too.
You can actually go to my treasure room anytime and take anything you like. Gold, silver, jewels, antiques—all those "valuable" things are yours.
Of course.
Feel free to check my treasure room anytime you want. Gold, silver, jewels, antiques—whatever "valuable" thing you fancy, it's yours.
.And it's clear, she hasn't brought anything you can put a price on.
She pulls you close with her free hand, lining you up shoulder to shoulder.
But what I want to give you is way better than that.
Huiyu.
Qu signals, and Huiyu immediately circles them, letting out a sharp cry to the sky.
Midnight comes, and Kowloong City looks blurry, so I rub my eyes.
Looking closer, you see they aren't just lights, but individual lanterns floating up from the streets of Kowloong.
From tiny specks to shining like the Milky Way, it changes in a heartbeat.
They've been getting ready for a while, waiting for me to signal.
All over Kowloong, people are sending up lanterns with their wishes, hoping someone special will see them.
Everyone's combined will changed me, and now their prayers will keep you safe, happy, win every fight, and never get lost.
Since Kowloong was rebuilt, there hasn't been such a big voluntary event—all these connections are because of you.
I'm here on this mountaintop today because of you.
There's always this part of the world that comes together and shines because of you.
How is this not a remarkable "miracle"?
Happy Birthday.
The people of Kowloong celebrate this small miracle, while Qu's silhouette is lit by the rising river of light, seen only by her only companion.
They hold hands, watching the lanterns until they disappear into the night.
It's not just about the lanterns... I've got a lot more to say.
Qu smiles a little, not denying it.
Qu smiles a little.
Take care.
She looks at the little figure, her mind going back to when she barely knew this person, and then she says that same thing she always does.
Mechanoids, Constructs... they can always be fixed. But you're different.
I've always seen something in you that goes way beyond being human.
Even with your fragile human body, you're always at the front when there's trouble, steady like a beacon.
Sometimes, even I watch your back.
So fragile... yet stronger than anything.
If you'd like, I can be more blunt. You earned this.
You're welcome. You deserve every bit of it.
She puts the gift away and gently pats the hand next to her.
The moonlight's still nice, Commandant. Would you like to take another walk through Kowloong with me?
