Beyond the Page

...

Fina.

Outsider? You're home early... Did something happen?

Something very important, actually. Today marks Apprentice Magician Fina's very first adventure, so I came back early to wish her luck.

Huh?

I saw your storybook. You really want to see the world out there, don't you? Well, I've decided, your adventure begins today.

But... didn't you say it's dangerous outside? That there are bad sorcerers everywhere...

That's exactly why this Great Mage has cast the strongest protection spell he knows. Those nasty sorcerers won't dare come near.

But just like in the story, magic doesn't last forever. So you can only go out during the day, and don't wander too far, or the spell will wear off.

...Got it!

Alright, now I'm leaving her in your care.

You've probably figured it out, Fina's had a... complicated past. It's behind her now, but I still worry someone might recognise her. And that could cause trouble.

Then why not go with her yourself?

It's supposed to be a fun little make-believe adventure. Not quite the same with some grown-up hovering over her...

Aww, poor ol' Outsider. You've turned into one of those boring grown-ups.

Shush. I promised she could go on her own. If I follow her around, she'll think I don't trust her.

Besides, she seems to really like you, "Miss Unicorn." So, just do me a favour, Captain, you're the best!

I don't work for free, you know.

Fair enough. Name your price, dinner, chores, or I'll call you Boss for a whole month... Anything but asking me to bark like a dog.

What a pity. I was hoping to polish up my animal training skills.

I'm never gonna live that one down, am I...

Alright, time to shadow her. I'm counting on you, Miss Unicorn, Guardian Extraordinaire!

Huh? Mark's not coming today...?

Huh? Mark's not coming today...?

Nope. He said he's helping his mum at the stall. So it's just the three of us today.

Aww, only three? That's no fun! We need one more player... Let's see...

Hey! Look! It's Outsider's vampire sister!!!

Huh...?

What's a "vampire sister"?

Just Outsider's sister, duh! I've never seen her come out of the house during the day. Only vampires do that, right?

Really? A real vampire? Think she can help count our pebbles? I swear they keep disappearing...

B, But... you said she never comes out. And now she's right there...

Well... maybe she levelled up! She's not scared of the sun anymore!

Whoaa... that's even scarier...!

Um... hi.

Waaah! Don't bite me...! Heeelp!

No no, you've got it wrong. My name's Fina. I'm just a regular human, like you.

So you're not a vampire...? Then who's gonna help with my pebbles...

I'd rather the kitten stole them all than let a vampire count 'em...

Then how come you never come outside, if you're not a vampire?

I get sick a lot. So I usually stay home and rest.

...That sucks. Being sick is the worst!

My mum says if your body's weak, you've gotta exercise more.

Exactly! Fina, you just need to run a hundred laps round the square every morning! You'll be super strong in no time!

Ah... hehe, thanks for the advice. But I'm not much of a runner. Just walking around here is already a lot for me.

Then... Fina, wanna play with us? Playing counts as exercise too... right?

Ohhh, good point! And we're one short anyway! Fina, come and play Greedy Gobbler with us!

I'd love to! But... what's Greedy Gobbler? I don't think I've heard of that one...

It's super easy, I'll teach you! One person plays the Greedy Gobbler, and the rest of us are roasted potatoes. When the game starts, the Gobbler closes their eyes, and the potatoes sneak off to hide!

Once the Gobbler finishes counting to sixty, they open their eyes and go hunting! If they find a potato, chomp! they gobble it up!

If the Gobbler eats all the potatoes in three minutes, they win. But if even one potato's left, the Gobbler faints from hunger, and the potatoes win!

But... potatoes don't have legs. Why would they run and hide?

She's got a point. The potatoes my mum makes just sit on a plate. Totally still.

Uh... that's not the point!

Oh, I get it! They must be magic roasted potatoes, blessed by a kind-hearted magician!

Ooooh! Then I wanna be the strongest magic roasted potato!

Magic roasted potato... sounds tasty...

Then we'll all be roasted potatoes and Fina can be the Gobbler! Is that okay, Fina?

Okay, then eyes closed and counting starts~ One... two... three...

Hmm... where could those roasted potatoes be hiding?

Just a wobbly old plank...

Hm? Something wrong, miss?

Oops, sorry! I thought you were a roasted potato...

Meowww~~

Aww, what a cute kitty... What's your name, little one~? Ah! I'm supposed to be looking for the roasted potatoes! Focus, Fina, focus!

Hmm? Miss Unicorn? What are you doing here?

Ahaha... hey, Fina! I was just, uh, out for a stroll! Total coincidence!

Oh, okay! Nice running into you! But I'm in the middle of a game. Let's have a tea party next time and catch up, okay?

Sure, looking forward to it!

Yes! The magic roasted potatoes win!

All three of us made it! The Gobbler's still got an empty tummy~

Right... I was too slow. The potatoes were just too clever!

It's okay, Fina! First time I played, I didn't find a single one either...

Yeah! Let's have another round! I bet you'll catch one this time!

Alright! I'll do my best this time!

This time... I'm definitely going to catch at least one roasted potato!

Squeak, squeak...!

Ah...! Sorry, Mrs Rat! Didn't mean to crash your family gathering!

Meow?

Oh, it's you again, little kitty~

Aww... still no sign of any roasted potatoes...

Maybe this game's just too hard for me...

But in stories, heroes never give up. No matter how tough it gets, they always keep going, with help from their friends!

That's it, friends! Maybe one of my magical friends can help! The Great Magician has the sharpest nose in the whole wide world... He'll sniff out those potatoes in no time!

All I have to do... is call him from the pages...

*sniff* *sniff*

Woof~!

That way? Got it! Let's go and find those roasted potatoes!

Wow! You found me! You're so good at this!

Hehe... That's Fina's secret magic at work!

Don't forget the rule, you've gotta say "Chomp!"

Chomp~!

Aaah~ I've been gobbled up!

Chomp~!

Aww... now I'm mashed potatoes...

Wha...!? You actually found me!? But this was my super-secret fortress! No Greedy Gobbler's ever caught me here... I can't believe it...

Hehe... Chomp~!

Aahh... I've been gobbled up...

Fina, that was amazing! You gobbled every roasted potato, and on just your second try! You're the most awesome Greedy Gobbler ever!

Let's do one more round!

It's getting late... I have to go home or my mum'll be mad.

Fina, will you come play with us again? We've got loads more games besides Greedy Gobbler...

I'd love to! Just call me whenever you need an extra player!