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TWSB 226
🕑 Added 2025-03-27 10:25:01 +0000 UTC<Commedia dell'arte (5)>
(Act 2 Scene 1)
In a winding street of Zeboim...
A rare mild winter night. The citizens of the Corleone vassal state paired up in twos or threes, fours, or fives to whisper words of love and indulge in drinking and … other pleasurable activities. The magic lights that dimly lit up the streets created an atmosphere unique to Zeboim. There were street vendors here and there selling arancinis and lampredottos. The cries of seabirds and the faint sound of the sea could be heard in the distance.
Divine beasts, Rhea and Perry de Riester enter.
Rhea: Squeeee. (Fate plays its usual prank and gathers the youths of Riester in this decadent yet beautiful land of two islands. The Imperial Crown Prince, with his fiery temper and noble presence, wishes to rescue his flower-like friend from danger. Tis then that he senses a familiar aura of water beneath the shadows of the island. How ironic that the most delightful harmony is to take place in this land that has been forsaken by the Almighty God.)
Perry: Whimper. (In this fated meeting place of Christelle de Sarnez and Cédric Riester, Prince Jesse Venetiaan - praise the esteemed one who carries the will of the Almighty God! - faces the greatest trial of his life. What shall partake on this stage is an impromptu retelling of his tale. Please inform us of any shortcomings you may find as we shall return with a better and more refined version in the next performance.)
Rhea and Perry quickly exit onto Scaramuccia's shoulders.
Cédric: (Off to the side) I must confirm if it truly is him.
Scaramuccia, our dear Imperial Crown Prince Cédric, hides in the darkness of the alley eavesdropping on the people walking past and observing their movements. Percy de Riester is still maintaining the appearance of a crow.
Passerby1: (Excitedly) Does this mean that the Signora will gain a foreign husband? That has to be the case if the blonde widower attendant is to attend to her tonight!
Passerby2: I guess that’s possible! Anyway, it is true that he will enter her private chambers tonight! - Wait, look over there! (He shakes Passerby1 and points toward the entrance of the alley) I haven't seen such a stunning signora in a long time.
The crowd looks toward a distant figure. A mysterious young woman and a more mature woman enter with a extravagantly dressed noble lady. The crowd starts to murmur.
Passerby1: Who are you talking about? The signora in the middle?
Passerby2: She is amazing as well but I prefer the lady on the right. (Pointing toward Isabelle) Ah! Her light green hair is as fresh as the newly sprouted buds of spring while her black eyes are as deep as the autumn night sky singing you a sweet lullaby. How sweet shall the voice flowing out of those lips be?
Passerby1: (Wagging his finger) You truly don't know a thing. No wonder you are out here with me instead of a lover during this season. Look at the lady on the left of the noble madam. (Pulling the sleeve of Passerby2) Her rare pink hair look ready to cast the spell of love at any moment and a single look into her blue eyes that are more mysterious than the waters of Zeboim make you feel like you are going to drown. But nothing can beat her white skin and pretty little lips!
Christelle, dressed as an attendant, scowl at them. She quickly changes expressions when they make eye contact.
Passerby1: The angel doth smile at me. Shall I try talking to her?
Passerby2: Sure, why not?! No. Maybe this is the greatest fortune we will experience tonight.
Passerby1: Tonight? Don’t you mean this year?
The two of them chuckle and approach Christelle's group. Christelle discreetly fixes Ellen’s clothes pretending not to see them.
Christelle: Signora, are you not cold? Shall I place another blanket around your shoulders?
Ellen: No, baby miss. (While slapping her lips) Ah, no, that’s not right. (In an awkward tone) Ah, no. Thank you.
Isabelle: (Smiling and patting the back of Ellen's hand) Ollie, this is fun. I know I shouldn't feel this way, but...... I am having fun despite having escaped abroad. I should be focused as your guardian, but...
Christelle: It’s okay. (Smiling while channeling ether inside her) Each of us being one-third focused would be a whole person’s worth between the three of us but I'm already doing enough for three people. (Off to the side) The pirate ship we came on still seems fine as well.
Passerby1: Deepest greetings to the three ladies shining as beautiful as the stars.
Christelle: Ah, yes.
Christelle slowly steps in front of the two women.
Passerby2: Tis such a cold night. May we invite you for a cup of amaretto in a warm place?
Christelle: No thank you.
Passerby1: Ah, ah, signora. It looks like it is your first time in the northern part of Zeboim. (Extending his hand toward Christelle's cheek) We can lead you to a shortcut to pleasure and deligh- ahhh!
Christelle instantly kicks Passerby1's hand. Passerby1 clutches his hand and rolls on the ground. People nearby gasp and scatter.
Passerby2: Hey lady! What was that for?!
Christelle: (Coldly) Listen when a woman says no. I would have said yes if I wanted it! Where do you think you are trying to touch? Do you want to die?!
Passerby2: But to act like this...... (Huffing) You were the one who smiled at us first! I must avenge my friend right here!
Christelle: Bullshit, would you have offered me some money if I was crying?!
Passerby2 clenches his teeth and charge at Ellen and Isabelle in the back. Scaramuccia enters with his cape fluttering. Cédric swings his sheathed Sword of Wisdom from the Flaming Star to fend off the attackers. Isabelle and Ellen get scared but Christelle remains firm and shields the two of them. A large crow flies above their heads, creating an ominous mood. Dust rises from the bodies of the beaten men.
Passerby1: Scaramuccia- (stumbling backwards while looking pale) ahhh, aaaaaah! Run! Run as fast as you can!
Passerby2: You dumbass, I'm already running! Eek! (At the same time as Passerby1) Scaramuccia has appeared!
The two of them shout as they run past the alley. The onlookers have already escaped into buildings. The divine beasts run up to Christelle's ankles to show that they are happy to see her. Silence.
Christelle: (Tightly hugging the divine beasts) Aigoo! I could have had another hit!
Cédric: (Scowling) What?
Ellen: It’s okay, baby miss. (Patting Christelle's back) This place is full of lustful fools so you can have a payday at any time. (Looking at Scaramuccia) As for this strikingly handsome gentleman......
Christelle: (Dryly) The VIP who made us lose our allowance.
Isabelle: That’s a bit disappointing but he still came to help us out. Let’s thank him.
Isabelle is consoling Christelle and is late to notice the divine beasts. She looks back at Scaramuccia in shock. His orange eyes sparkle underneath the mask.
Isabelle: Holy Almighty God. (Urgently bows) I greet his Royal Highness, Crown prince Cédric.
Ellen: Excuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuse me?!
Wet nurse Ellen gasps in astonishment and plants her face on the ground. Christelle helps her stand back up, puts the divine beasts down and shows her respect. Then shoots a not-so-hostile glare at Cédric.
Cédric: ‘Another hit’
Christelle: People like that. (Lowering her voice) Anybody who tries to mess with us, we lead them to secluded areas to teach them a lesson and take their wallet. We used that money to buy these clothes and get a decent lodging.
Silence. Christelle quickly added on.
Christelle: Only the guys who dare to put their hands on us or act like disgusting little pigs. We respectfully rejected any respectful people.
Cédric: What are you doing in Zeboim?
Christelle: Obviously I escaped from my father, your Royal Highness. Ah! (Opens her eyes wide and takes one step closer to Cédric) That guy was creating a weird pamphlet to slander his highness. He is sick but I think he is using that as a disguise as well. He is completely out of his mind. We got here thanks to Percy. (Off to the side) Although we lowered our anchor thinking this was Sérénité. (Pause) I heard rumors that a Marquis of the Empire was here as a guest of the Admiral. Could that possibly be his highness and the others?
Cédric: As I expected.
Cédric extended his arm and the crow that had been flying above them lands on his arm. Christelle’s jaw dropped.
Christelle: Is this guy perhaps......
Percy: Pi― po! (That is correct. I am happy to see that you have gathered together. But what is to happen from here is solely on all of you and I do not wish to concern myself with the matter. I am a free being.(
Christelle: Percy! Thank you so much for helping us. I am so happy to see you again! How did you end up as a crow this time? You are so amazing.
Christelle, Isabelle, and Ellen affectionately pat the crow's wings and back. Percy enjoys the warmth. Christelle looks up at the crown prince.
Christelle: (In a barely audible voice) As for you your Royal Highness, I'm sure you didn’t’ chase us...... You must be here to save his highness, right? (Off to the side) But what is up with the mask? Why is he the only one with this critical hit? Well, I guess showing his face would be an even stronger critical hit.
Cédric: Yes. I heard that he will soon enter the Admiral’s bedroom.
The three women drop their jaws in shock.
Isabelle: (Covering her mouth with her hand) Why, why would such an esteemed sir make such a decision?
Cédric: It is probably to use the international portal. All of the land routes and portals from the southern part of the Empire to the Imperial Capital have been sealed.
Ellen: Oh my goodness!
Christelle: I have a lot of questions for you, but it sounds like that will have to wait, your Royal Highness. (With a solemn look on her face) Let’s come up with a plan and make our move. According to what you just said, every minute counts right now.
Cédric flicks his chin. The group exits together.
*
(Act 2 Scene 2)
A few hours later... Admiral Emma Corleone's bedroom.
Sound of waves could be heard from the sharp cliff on top of the island. The golden candlesticks placed around the room dimly light the dark room. A man whose whole body is covered by a black veil sits alone on a bed with red curtains. The Admiral approaches him without hiding her presence.
Jesse: (Anxious voice) That, mm. Hmm!
The Admiral scoffs.
Emma: How adorable. But there’s no way this is your first time.
Jesse: Excuse me? Sorry, what did you just say? (Off to the side) I can't hear very well.
Emma: I don't enjoy repeating myself.
The Admiral uses her hook to yank open the curtains. The man's back is visible. Emma tries to push him down.
Jesse: (Dodges quickly) Admiral, one moment please! There is something I am curious about.
Emma: (Clicking her tongue) How annoying. Are you the type who needs to talk to get in the mood?
Jesse: Yes ma’am, I'm sure it will be a very interesting story. You may end up so curious about the details that you will forget about everything else. You may even decide that you want to open the portal for us.
Emma: (Snorting) An attendant like you thinks that you can satisfy me with a mere story? (Lowers her hook and motions with her chin) A cheesy joke won’t be enough. Do not forget that I am someone who commands the Navy.
The Admiral perches on the bed. She then drinks the white wine on the side table like water before cracking a fig and throwing it into her mouth. The man continues to speak.
Jesse: Of course. (Pause) Then please let me ask you a question. For example, do you think that the Almighty God has abandoned the vassal state?
Emma: ......What?
Jesse: I have asked many people about this while staying in this place. I wanted to know the relationship between the Church of the Almighty God and the vassal state. Even the < Biweekly Riester >, which claims to have gossip from around the world, completely excludes the vassal state. I have also never heard the citizens of the Empire talking about the vassal state before. The only thing I know are the short descriptions I have read in history books. I have been thinking that to be weird. Based on what I have seen after coming here, the people of the vassal state try their best every day as well...... The values and culture might be different, but at the core, they are no different from anybody else. I wanted to know why they were excluded from the ‘center of flow.’ I also wanted to know what the people of the vassal state think about this as well.
Emma: (Frowning while swallowing the fig) I knew it would be boring. Let’s just proceed as planned.
The Admiral tries to remove the veil. The man uses quick movements to get out of her reach.
Emma: Are you going to break the deal?
Jesse: No ma’am. Then let me ask it like this. If a war breaks out on the continent, what will you do, Admiral?
Emma: (Twisting her neck) The Empress holds my leash so I suppose I will follow any orders given.
Jesse: (Asking something with deep implications) Would Seigneur Lorenzo tell you to do the same?
The Admiral scowled menacingly. She uses lighting-fast reflexes to rip off the man’s veil. The knight, Johann Geens reveals himself. Only his lips were smiling.
Emma: You bastard.
Johann: I guess I've been found out. (He removes the red magic tool ribbon from his mouth) There are quite a lot of fascinating items in the world these days. Don’t you agree, my lady? (“Admiral, Are you listening?” The voice comes out of the ribbon.)
The large window of the room shatters as the Admiral is about to get angry. The sound of the ocean is very loud as if the sea has reached up to the window. Blackout.
*
- Clang!
- Baaaaang!
“Huh?”
I gasped and ran to the window.
I was tightly holding Marquis François's newest invention, the magic tool ribbon, in my hand.
The Duhem siblings, who had been waiting with me, grabbed the divine beasts and followed me.
Chh! I opened the curtains without any hesitation. The sight in front of me almost made my eyes burst out.
“Wait, we were just talking...... We were going to resolve it with words?”
An unexpected fire was burning in the direction of the Admiral's bedroom.
