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himehikoshrine · 4 months

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Sissia of the Central Nation Stage Script (EN) -- Suzu Route

This is the full Stage Script from the game menu for Sissia of the Central Nation, from Suzu's Route (occasional typos and all, though I tried not to add any that weren't already there, but no promises).

There are seven versions of this script, with substantial changes in each, but we'll start with Suzu, for his birthday.

There are some things in this script that are not in the game version - in-game, parts of the script are elided in favor of summary. The Stage Scripts don't include any character ad-libs from the in-game performance, though. For the Univeil Performance there is a good deal of confessional ad-libbing in every route, so in addition to the usual extended sequences, this contains a lot of alternate versions of those scenes.

(AKA the version of the route love confession if Neji wrote it instead, which is very fun).

Suzu and Kisa improvise a whole scene over what's written in this version, so if you want to see the full version of what Suzu wanted to replace, here it is.

This performance doesn't skip as much for summary as the others, so it's more a few lines here and there that are new, outside of the ending they ad-lib entirely over, but unique to the Univeil Performance, an epilogue with at least one serious twist which for some reason isn't explored in ANY version. Plus full character names. Kielce's is a story you learn more details of in different routes, but this is as good a place to start as any! Happy birthday Suzu. Here's Sissia of the Central Nation script 1 of 7. No promises on when the rest will be ready, sorry. You can find Mary Jane's Stage Script here [x] and Oh, Rama Havenna's here [x] This play is over 800 lines long, so the formatting may get a bit wonky.

Sissia of the Central Nation (Suzu Route)

By Neji Kokuto

(1) The Central Nation of Kielce

◆Along the Border

???: Over there! Don’t let them get away!

???: Hahh, Hahh…Ugh!

A shadow crosses over the border.

The sound of hurried footsteps chasing after them.

Border Patrol A: Damn it! A rat from the servant country crossed the border into the Arbine Nation!

Border Patrol B: If word of this gets to the commander and the king of Arbine…

Border Patrol A: We need to find them, fast!

Blackout

◆National Standing Theater

Restless murmurs

Chance: …

Chance: Heh heh.

Chance: Here comes the beginning of another day for Kielce!

◆National Standing Theater (The scene goes from dark to lighter. As if lights have turned on.)

The dazzling show by Kielce begins.

Isaac: Welcome, one and all to the theater of the Central Nation of Kielce! I am the goat-headed Isaac!

Isaac: …What’s that? Why do i have such a head, you ask?

Isaac: It’s a bit of a long story, but when my father visited a farm one day, he fell in love with a female goat, and…

Laughter from the crowd.

Isaac: Ah! The local officers told me not to tell this story! They asked that I not disrupt the moral standards of Arbine.

Isaac: Well, let’s put aside the idle chatter, all the kings and nobles, the living and the dead, the passing mugwort sellers…

Sound of fireworks.

Smoke comes pouring in and acrobats enter the scene with style.

Chance: Let the Central Nation of Kielce’s show begin!!!

Chance: Hah!

Audience A: Ah, It’s Chance! His somersaults are the best! You wouldn’t expect any less of Kielce’s star!

Audience B: What are you talking about? Everyone in Kielce is a star!

Adra: You couldn’t be more right!

Adra appears on the stage, dancing brilliantly.

Audience A: Adra! Oh, I can’t believe how beautifully he dances! He’s certainly Arbine’s treasure.

Audience B: He certainly is from a family of officials! The flower of Kielce!

Crowley catches Adra dancing across the stage.

Crowley: Now, then. Allow me to lend you a hand, Adra!

Audience A: Crowley just caught Adra! He’s the genius who creates these performances, and even joins them himself!

Crowley: Now’s the time to forget the time! Next, let’s all sway to a beautiful tune!

Someone singing can be heard, and Carlo appears.

Fan Carlo: …!

Audience A: Oh, how beautiful…!

Audience: She really lives up to her reputation as the most beautiful voice in all the nation…!

Levi appears at the center of the stage.

Levi: We are the Central Nation of Kielce! Is everyone ready for some twisted fun?!

The crowd cheers in response.

Sissia watches Kielce’s performance from the audience.

Sissia: …

Sissia: The Central Nation of Kielce… I’ve dreamed of them for so long!

Sissia: Ah, I can’t believe this! I can’t believe I’m able to see them perform again!

Blackout

◆Kielce Base

Chance: Ahhh! Today was another rousing success, huh?!

Chance: What did you think?! How were my somersaults?!

Fan Carlo: They were full of energy. You’re like a monkey.

Chance: Thanks… Hey wait, Carlo!

Isaac: A monkey, huh? That’s not too bad. Want to switch places with my goat, then?

Chance: I can’t give long monologues like you can, so I’ll pass…

Isaac: That’s unfortunate. I’ll take my leave for now, then.

Chance: Hey, you going already, Isaac?!

Adra: He’s always so calm after getting off stage, that Isaac.

Crowley: Haha, that’s just fine for a comedian. Isn’t it, Levi?

Levi: Yeah.

Crowley: You’re not part of the comedy act, so you can stand to give it a little more energy!

Levi: … There was something I noticed about the performance today.

Chance: Something you noticed?

Adra: …Ah, I see.

Crowley: You’re right.

Chance: Hey! Stop just agreeing with each other and tell me what you’re talking about!

Fan Carlo: They’re talking about a problem the Central Nation of Kielce has in general.

Chance: I’m telling you, be more specific! I wanna know, too!

Isaac appears among everyone chattering.

Isaac: All right now, sorry to interrupt your conversation. As always, we have some prospectives hoping to join our troupe.

Chance: Oh! Some future Kielcesters have come, eh?

Chance: Let’s see what they’ve got, then!

Fan Carlo: I’m tired, so I’ll pass.

Crowley: Don’t be like that, Carlo. They’ve come all this way to see us.

Adra: There may be some among them with talents like Chance and Isaac.

Isaac: That’s right. If Levi hadn’t found me back then, I might still be working at a factory. Wearing a goat head.

Chance: …I kinda want to see that, too.

Levi: Carlo, you seem to understand the problem with the Central Nation of Kielce we were talking about just a minute ago, so I’ll ask you to join.

Chance: Oh yeah! I forgot! So what IS our problem?

Isaac: I’d like to know, too.

Crowley: It’s that… we lack a ‘gear’.

Isaac: A ‘gear’…

Isaac: …Is what we lack?

Fan Carlo: It means we aren’t well harmonized.

Adra: You know how the Central Nation of Kielce’s performance style is just a showcase of our separate talents?

Crowley: It’s been that way for a very long time, but it’s even more pronounced now that Carlo and Chance have joined.

Crowley: As we are now, we can’t put on the best performance ever!

Levi: We definitely need it. A gear that unites our individual parts to move together as one whole.

Isaac: I see…

Chance: All the more reason to hold auditions, then! Come on, Carlo!

Fan Carlo: Hahh, fine. I couldn’t handle it if someone as tone-deaf as you joined.

Chance: Exactly! It’d be a disaster if TWO of us were tone-deaf and couldn’t harmonize or… Carlo!

Isaac: I think you’ve gotten much better, though.

Chance: Are you trying to cheer me up, Isaac? Gee, thanks a lot.

Crowley: So how many are we going to let in through the audition, Levi?

Levi: Your eyes tell me one person.

Crowley: That’s our ringleader for you! I do hope that one person shows up.

Adra: All right, let’s go then. Can’t keep our future star waiting, can we?

Everyone: Yeah!

Carlo says “Right”.

◆In front of the Kielce Base

Prospective members are gathered in a line.

The members of Kielce test their talents.

Candidate: Listen to my song, Leviii!

Levi: Next.

Candidate: Only one person will pass, right?! I’m confident in my acting! Oh, God! Give me the kiss of death!

Crowley: Neeext.

Candidate: I’ve danced for 18 years with the national dance troupe!

Adra: Who’s next?

Fan Carlo: Hahh… Levi, I’m sure we’ll all die of boredom if we try and test everyone here.

Crowley: Wow, I think I’d be able to write a song with that as the theme!

Adra: Carlo’s right. We’re making our prospectives wait, too…

Mean Candidate: Hey! Is it my turn yet or what?!

Mean Candidate: I’ve run out of patience! Only one of us is going to pass anyway! Skills are all that matter in this world!

The prospective starts singing and dancing.

Chance: Ah, he just started singing and dancing!

Isaac: He’s like Chance.

Chance: Hey!

Candidate A: Hey what gives?!

Candidate B: Wait your turn!

Mean Candidate: Shut up! If you’re confident that you’re better than me, then why don’t you try singing?!

Candidate C: I’ll show you what talent looks like!

People start singing in protest.

Crowley: Now things are getting interesting!

Fan Carlo: …Can I leave?

Sissia watches the commotion.

Sissia: …

Candidate: My singing is the best! Aaah…

Candidate: Watch my dancing!

Mean Candidate: Out of the way! I’m gonna be the one who joins the Central Nation of Kielce!

Adra: What do we do, Levi? Want to cancel this for now?

Levi: Yeah. It’s getting late. We can do this another day…

Sissia: …!

Sissia: Excuse me! I…

Mean Candidate: Who are you? Get back!

Sissia: …Urk!

Sissia: Please… Please let me sing.

Sissia comes out to the front.

Sissia begins a beautiful dance while singing in a clear and free voice.

★Song “Departure”

Candidate: …

Mean Candidate: …Whoa.

Chance: Who is she…?

Chance: She’s cute…

Chance: Ah, wait! That’s not what I meant!

Chance: That one’s super good!

Isaac: You’re right about that… I can just imagine the scene they’re creating.

Fan Carlo: …

Crowley: Now that’s unusual, for even Carlo to sit silently and listen!

Adra: What do we do, ringleader?

Levi: …

Levi: An applicant has been chosen. Anyone have any objections?

Sissia: Huh? Who is it…?!

Candidate: …

Mean Candidate: …No! You all saw that too, right? Talent is everything in this world!

Mean Candidate: Even if I can’t join the Central Nation of Kielce, I’ll keep singing and dancing! Do your best, got it?

Sissia: Oh, r-right!

Candidate: …It’s frustrating, but he’s right. I’m rooting for you!

Candidate: I’ll come watch your show!

The prospective members start leaving.

Sounds of departing footsteps.

Sissia: U-um…

Chance: Hey!

Sissia: …!!!

Chance: My name’s Chance! What’s yours?!

Sissia: Ah…Sissia. My name’s Sissia!

Levi: Sissia, huh? Congratulations on passing the auditions.

Sissia: Really…?! Thank you so much…!

Crowley: You’re going to be an apprentice for a while!

Adra: If you are deemed worthy of being a member of Kielce, it’ll be official.

Sissia: I'll do my best!

Chance: Congratulations, Sissia! Let’s get along!

Fan Carlo: I’m glad we didn’t get another tone-deaf member.

Isaac: …Welcome.

Sissia: Thank you all for the support!

Adra: …Levi, Crowley, we've found what we needed, don't you think?

Crowley: The little 'gear' we were looking for to make the best performance ever!

Levi: ..Yeah.

Levi: Sissia, come with me. I'll show you around Kielce.

Sissia: Right!

As everyone leads the way, Sissia stops a short distance away from them.

Sissia: …

Sissia: I can't believe I've really joined the Central Nation of Kielce...!

Sissia: The dream I've had for so long has come true! My next dream is...

Sissia: To stand on the stage!

(2) Path to the Stars

◆National Throne Room

Subordinates arrive in front of Major Azur

Aide: Major, there’s something I think you should know…

Major Azur: …What is your report

Aide: Well…

Major Azur: A fugitive?

Major Azur: What’s border patrol even doing…? How insufferable!

Major Azur: We’ll take care of this before the commander and king of the Arbine Nation finds out about this.

Aide: Yes, sir…!

Major Azur: Don’t think you can return alive…horse of the slave country.

◆Kielce Base

Adra: What’s the matter?! You tired already, newbie?! We can’t put on the best show with you like that!

Sissia: …No, I can keep going!

Isaac: …Adra’s more fired up than usual.

Fan Carlo: That’s just how much Adra is hoping to get out of Sissia.

Chance: But I’m catching the flack and forced to join their rigorous training, too!

Training ends

Adra: All right, let’s take a break!

Sissia: Hahh! Thank you so much, Mr. Adra!

Adra: You don’t need to call me ‘Mister’. No need to be so polite with me.

Adra: It’s about time you become a full member, too…

Sissia: Huh?

Adra: No, it’s nothing. Anyway, just address me casually.

Sissia: …Okay, Adra.

Chance: Great work Sissia! Wow, I can’t believe you can keep up with Adra!

Sissia: Oh no, not at all… Oh, that’s right!

Chance: Yeah, What’s up?

Sissia: Chance, when you have some time, I’d like you to teach me how to do your somersaults.

Chance: Hey, you’re not trying to steal all my acts, are you?

Isaac: Well, I’m sure they’ll cut our singing parts. What do you think, Carlo?

Fan Carlo: With Sissia with us, I’m sure they would.

Chance: Whoa! Crap! At this rate, Sissia’s going to take up all my acrobatics time out there…!

Sissia: Ahaha, your time won’t get cut. no one can fly as high as you.

Levi arrives and everyone gathers around him.

Levi: …Is everyone here?

Adra: Oh, what’s up, ringleader?

Levi: Crowley has something to discuss. Crowley?

Crowley: Yes, all right! This is about our next performance!

Crowley: We will have Sissia join our next production.

Sissia: …!

Chance: That means…!

Isaac: We’re going to bring Sissia in as an official member of Kielce, right?!

Crowley: Exactly!

Levi: It’s your first performance. Make sure to polish up your act and give it your all.

Adra: I’m looking forward to it. Let’s show everyone the fruits of your labor.

Sissia: Right!

◆Kielce Base

Chance and Sissia rejoice together.

Chance: You did it, Sissia!

Sissia: It’s all thanks to you for always helping me practice!

Chance: Heh heh, really? Well, watching you rehearse makes me want to work harder.

Sissia: I feel happy watching you work harder, too.

Sissia: You move your body with such wide movements, you sing as loudly as you can, and you give your all in whatever you do!

Chance: Those are the only things I’m good at, though. I can’t do everything well like you can, Sissia.

Chance: Come to think of it, why did you want to join Kielce?

Sissia: Me? I…

Sissia: It’s because I watched the Border Performance that day.

Chance: You mean, THE Border Performance?!

Sissia: Huh? You know of it?

Chance: I heard about it from rumors back when I was a kid!

Chance: It was done on top of the border wall between the Arbine Nation and the nameless country, right?

Chance: So you saw the Border performance yourself? How was it?

Sissia: It was wonderful! And because it was on the border wall, not only did people from Arbine see it, but people from Quatra did too…

Chance: Hm? Quatra…?

Sissia: Oh, that’s the name of the nameless country, before it was taken away after losing the war.

Chance: Oh, I see. Sorry, I don’t really know much about history…

Chance: …After a 77-year-long war, Arbine won, and the nameless country… Quatra, was it? They lost, huh.

Chance: The war ended about 20 years ago. That was before I was born.

Chance: They’ve been treated like slaves ever since, right?

Chance: They all bear a mark of their servitude, the Quatral. A tattoo of a horse meaning that they’re supposed to be worked hard to their bones…

Chance: …So were the people of Quatra also happy? Watching the Border Performance?

Sissia: Yeah! Everyone’s smiles were so bright.

Chance: I see…! I guess song and dance can really reach people, even over a nation’s borders!

Chance: I might be arrested for treason if I’m caught saying something like this, but…

Chance: I think the Arbine attitude toward Quatra and all the discriminating practices against them are so ridiculous!

Chance: This constant talk about race and territory just doesn’t matter at all.

Chance: All that matters is having fun and being able to share moments of joy! That’s what I think.

Chance: That’s why I decided to join the Central Nation of Kielce, the brave few that would dare even put on something like the Border Performance!

Chance: And someday, I want to perform the Border Performance, too!

Sissia: You too, Chance?!

Chance: Huh? You too, Sissia?!

Sissia: Yeah! I decided to join Kielce because I wanted to stand on the border just like everyone I saw that day!

Sissia: High atop a dividing wall, far away from laws and customs, I want to sing loud enough for everyone to hear! And dance freely with everyone together!

Chance: That would be the best! Even I’m getting all excited!

Chance: Let’s perform the Border Performance together someday!

Sissia: Yeah!

Blackout

Pause

Finishing rehearsals, Sissia takes a break in a private room.

Sissia washes her bare legs.

Pitch black.

Sissia: Hahh…

Sissia: I need to soak my feet…

Sissia: …

As Sissia washes a leg even further, makeup comes off, revealing a tattoo in the shape of a horse on Sissia’s left shin, the sign that this person is a Quatra, a servant citizen.

Sissia: My leg… This tattoo I hide with makeup…

Sissia: The Quatra… must bear the mark of servitude, the Quatral.

Sissia: I want to appear in the Border Performance. For that…

(3) The Quatral of the Servant Nation

◆National Standing Theater

Chance: All right, then.

Chance: Here’s to another day for Kielce!

Cheers.

A performance is held on a dazzling stage by the members of the Central Nation of Kielce. The audience is at full Capacity.

Sissia is one of the members performing as well.

★Dance “Kielce the Nation at the Center”

Audience: Wowww!

Audience: Sissia! Sissiaaa!!! That was amazing!

Sissia: Thank you…!

Chance: …Heh heh!

Levi: Good day to you all!

◆Break Room

Adra: Sissia, you’ve gotten pretty used to being onstage now. My spot as the star of Kielce might be in danger.

Sissia: Oh, no! I’m still trying hard to catch up with everyone!

Crowley: No, no you really ARE something!

Chance: You’re completely in sync with me and my jumps!

Fan Carlo: The songs… have much more depth to it now that you’re here, so that’s a big help.

Isaac: It seems like you’re fitting in well with all the different moving parts. Really…

Levi: Looks like the Central Nation of Kielce has finally found its ‘gear’.

Sissia: Its… ‘gear’?

Adra: Kielce is a bit fragmented.

Crowley: Even if you have solid parts, a machine won’t run if you just place them next to each other, right?

Crowley: You may be the very one who can connect those parts together!

Sissia: Oh, no…That’s much too kind of you, but…

Sissia: I’m so happy to hear it!

Chance: Heh heh. Well, we’ve found our ‘gear’ now! How about we all celebrate with a meal? What do you say, Isaac?!

Isaac: I’d like some steak from an Aibee cow.

Adra: Do goats eat beef? In any case, I’m getting pretty hungry myself.

Fan Carlo: I guess… it can be nice on occasion.

Crowley: I mean, we had a big audience today, right? How about it, ringleader?

Levi: …Stomachs of the Central Nation of Kielce. Are you ready for dinner?

Everyone: Yeah!!!

◆Market Street

The members are satisfied after their meal.

Chance: I ate so much!!!

Sissia: That was good… That was the first time I had meat like that!

Crowley: It was such a generous portion broiled to perfection!

Fan Carlo: Phew… I think I’d prefer not to see any animals with horns for a while.

Isaac: Huh? Are you talking about me?

Adra: We’ll bring everyone back here sometime. Okay?

Levi: Yeah.

Chance: All right! I wonder what I should get next time!

A loud bang is heard.

[An old man is being beaten with batons in the middle of the street.]

Other citizens crowd around and watch, murmuring to themselves.

Sissia: …?!

Old Man: A-Aaah…! Spare me…

Patrol Officer: You, horse! Do you even know what you’ve done?!

The Quatral is the tattoo of a horse, with ‘horse’ used as slander to refer to a member of the servant country.

Sissia: …!

Isaac: That’s…

Chance: Hey, what do you think you’re doing! Hey, you!

Adra: Chance!

Patrol Officer: What’s your problem!

Old Man: Y-you’re…!

Chance: I’m Chance Orlando of the Central Nation of Kielce! Why are you hurting this old man…?

Patrol Officer: The Central Nation of Kielce? Hmph, that makes sense.

Patrol Officer: I’ll show you the reason why he’s being beaten! …Look at this!

A tattoo of a horse drawn on the man’s left shin is shown.

Fan Carlo: A tattoo of a horse on the shin of his left leg…

Crowley: A Quatral… So he’s…

Levi: …

Patrol Officer: He’s a citizen who escaped from the nameless country into the Arbine Nation!

Patrol Officer: Fleeing your country is a serious crime! We’ll deport you and sentence you to heavy labor, perhaps even death!

Sissia: …

Chance: Well, there’s no need to do THIS, is there?!

Crowley: Right! What’ll happen if you kill him?

Crowley: Isn’t it also a serious crime to kill anyone, regardless of where they’re from?

Patrol Officer: …Urk! Shut it! I can arrest you for treason, you know?!

Crowley: What did you say?! We have the son of one of your superiors here, you know?!

Crowley: The son of the trusted confidant of the commander and king. The aristocrat, Major Azur Hybird!!

Adra: …Crowley. Stop using my father’s name to get us out of trouble.

Adra: …But, oh well. Would you mind treating him carefully?

Adra: I’ll be sure to tell my father, Major Azur Hybird, that you were real nice to me.

Patrol Officer: …

Fan Carlo: It could be an opportunity to get promoted, underling.

Patrol Officer: Urgh…!

Patrol Officer: How merciful of the Central Nation of Kielce to pity him, after being the very ones who encouraged is crime in the first place!

Levi: …What do you mean?

Patrol Officer: He fled the servant country in order to see your performances!

Levi: …!

Patrol Officer: And the reason he did that was apparently because he saw your ridiculous Border Performance!

Crowley: Our Border Performance…

Patrol Officer: That’s right! Other members of the audience found them sneaking in to watch the play, and did their civic duty in reporting it to us!

Patrol Officer: How’s that?! How’s it feel to be an accomplice to his crime?!

Patrol Officer: This ‘Border Performance’ of yours is pathetic! Singing and dancing on top of the wall is nothing short of rebellion!

Patrol Officer: You all should have held your performances on a proper stage! Your little shows are nothing but boorish spectacles.

Chance: Shut up!

Sissia: Ah…! Chance, no…!

Patrol Officer: Aagh!

Sound of the patrol officer being hit.

Sound of the patrol officer hitting the ground.

Patrol Officer: …?!

Sissia: Chance just hit that patrol officer…!

Chance: …Singing and dancing isn’t ridiculous. They’re the best thing anyone can do to make others smile…!

Chance: The most ridiculous thing here is you!

Patrol Officer: Wh-Why, you…! I’ll arrest all of you!!

Citizen: That’s enough from you!

Sound of rocks being thrown.

Patrol Officer: Ow…! Rocks?!

Sissia: The people around us started throwing rocks…?!

Sound of rocks being thrown one after another.

Patrol Officer: Wh-What do you think you’re doing?!

Citizen: Shut up already! Listening to those guys from Kielce is way better than listening to you!

The citizens in the area come to protect Kielce and jeer at the patrol officer.

Patrol Officer: You little… Agh, stop throwing those rocks! Damn it!

The patrol officer runs away.

Sound of footsteps running away.

Citizen: Haha, that patrol officer ran away!

Citizen: Take that!

Citizen: He was always so arrogant. I never liked that guy!

Chance: Everyone…!

Levi: Heh, I didn’t expect them to come to our rescue.

Sissia: …Are you all right, sir?

Old Man: Ah… Thank you so much.

Old Man: I came from Quatra since I wanted to watch you all just one more time…!

Crowley: Did you enjoy our performance, good sir?

Old Man: Yes, absolutely…! It was a wonderful performance. Now I can pass on without any regret…

Adra: Don’t say that, old man. You got a lot to live for…

Major Azur: …So this is it. The place where some traitors have gathered to protect a fugitive.

Cutting through the people, Major Azur Hybird approaches.

The father of Adra and a military aristocrat.

Adra: …!

Citizen: It… It’s Major Azur…!

Citizen: The closest confidant of the commander and king, the strategist of Arbine…

Adra: Father…

Patrol Officer: It’s those guys, Major…!

Major Azur: Traitors who protected a fugitive… Did everyone here participate?

Citizen: …!

The citizens flee the scene in all directions.

Adra: …

Major Azur: …To think I’d see you here, Adra.

Major Azur: And the other clowns of Kielce.

Levi: …

Crowley: Oh, good day to you, Major!

Major Azur: Levi, Crowley. Every time I see you, I’m reminded of the Border Performance.

Major Azur: And of all the commotion you all caused atop the border wall between Arbine and the nameless country.

Major Azur: Ever since that day, the commander and king has pushed to imprison everyone in the Central Nation of Kielce.

Crowley: Oh my… We must thank the commander and king of Arbine for such kind sentiments.

Major Azur: …Hmph. You too, Adra. Even my own flesh and blood won’t be spared in charges of treason.

Major Azur: Soldiers. Take away the horse that escaped.

Guard: Yes, sir! Come on, you.

Old Man: Augh.

The old man gets taken away.

Sissia: Sir…!

Guard: Get out of the way!

Sound of Sissia getting knocked back.

Sissia: …Urk!

Chance: Sissia, look out!

Sissia: Ah! Thank you, Chance…

Chance: Hey, what the hell do you think you’re doing?!

Fan Carlo: Chance! Not now… Not now…

Chance: …Urk!

Old Man: All of you from Kielce…

Old Man: I promise I will never forget the brilliance of your performance today, or your kindness…

Isaac: Old man…

Guard: Move, horse!

Old Man: …

Old Man: …Weee, aaare, the Central Nation of Kielce!

Guard: …?!

Chance: …

Chance: Is everyone ready for some twisted fun?!

Sissia: Chance…

Old Man: Hahaha…

Guard: M-Move!

Sissia: Old man…!

Major Azur: …

Azur senses something from Sissia.

Though the tattoo on Sissia’s left shin is covered with makeup, he knows of cases in the past where Quatra have hidden their tattoos in the same way.

However, all he has now is a feeling.

Patrol Officer: Heh… You’d better not disrespect the military anymore!

Chance: Why, that little…

Major Azur: Soldiers, arrest that patrol officer as well.

Patrol Officer: …?!

Chance: Huh…?

Major Azur: Of course he’ll be arrested. He committed the serious crime of fleeing the scene with a fugitive in front of him. A serious punishment awaits.

Patrol Officer: N-No…

Major Azur: We’re heading back.

The troops leave.

Sounds of footsteps leaving.

Chance: Damn it! They have no respect for the people…

Isaac: Chance… it pains me to say it, but in this country, that’s the right way for an Arbine to be.

Chance: But that’s just…!

Chance: …

Chance: …Let’s do it.

Sissia: Huh?

Chance: The Border Performance! Let’s put on that show!

Sissia: …!!!

Issac: The Border Performance…

Fan Carlo: Another show…?!

Crowley: I do know that you came to us because you admired the Border Performance…

Chance: I mean... It's just so frustrating, isn't it? Not being able to fight back.

Chance: And that old man wanted to watch the Central Nation of Kielce's performances, too…!

Chance: I want to make that officer with his ugly mug foam at the mouth!

Levi: Chance. To put on another Border Performance... You know what that would mean, right?

Chance: Yes. Moving people through song and dance that crosses borders and race... That's the Central Nation of Kielce I've admired.

Chance: We might be called traitors. We might be thrown into prison.

Chance: But even so, I want to fly as far as I can on the stage! I want to dance! I want to sing!

Chance: I want to show everyone how freely you can express yourself, regardless of who's on which side of the wall...!

Chance: I want to inspire dreams in others, just as I was through stories I heard about the Border Performance!

Sissia: Chance…

Chance: I know all of this is me being selfish, but… Is it impossible to hold another Border Performance…?!

Adra: Impossible, you say…? What do you think, Crowley?

Crowley: Hmm, perhaps we should look to the ringleader for his opinion?

Levi: …Let’s bet on Chance’s wish.

Chance: …!!!

Levi: You’re a man like a shining star, always bright and honest. Your feelings shine upon those in the darkness.

Adra: Yeah, that’s true. You’re the man who will likely be the face of Kielce.

Crowley: Precisely! There aren’t many whose eyes aren’t drawn to you, even if you’re just standing there!

Chance: What do you mean, even if I’m just standing there?!

Fan Carlo: Although we will have to keep an eye out so our supposed star candidate doesn’t overdo it and injure himself.

Fan Carlo: …While onstage during the Border Performance.

Chance: Carlo…

Isaac: You really are amazing, Chance. We joined on the same day, and you just keep moving on ahead.

Isaac: Let’s do the Border Performance. I’ll put everything I’ve got into it!

Chance: Everyone… Thank you!

Chance: Sissia…

Chance: Say, will you stand next to me when we put on the Border Performance?

Sissia: Chance…

Sissia: Let’s sing and dance and jump together at the Border Performance!

Sissia: Side by side, let’s make our dream come true together!

Chance: All right! It’s decided!

Chance: The next performance of the Central Nation of Kielce will be…

Chance: The Border Performance!

Everyone: Yeaah!

(4) The Military Nation

◆Training Room

The Kielce members are all focused on working towards the Border Performance.

Crowley: All right, and here’s the big fight! We need more dynamic movement!

Adra: Don’t forget the details! Feel the movements all the way to your fingertips!

Sissia: Our seniors really are amazing…!

Chance: I can practically feel their enthusiasm radiating!

Isaac: It’s painfully clear how much they’re betting on this performance…

Fan Carlo: We can’t let those efforts be in vain. I’ll be training you all hard for the singing, too.

Chance: Aaugh, looks like I’m not getting any sleep tonight, either!

Levi arrives at the training grounds.

Levi: Everyone, gather around.

Crowley: A quick break! Are we talking about what I think we are, Levi?

Levi: Yeah. I’d like there to be two lead roles for the Border Performance.

Crowley: It’s a story about a fugitive, seeking asylum elsewhere! Here, the script!

Crowley: A tragedy between a woman who escapes a country with closed borders, and a man she meets along the way.

Levi: The two of them fall in love, but the woman continues to be pursued by the country’s officials.

Adra: The woman falls into the hands of the officials, and the man puts his life at risk to get her back. But…

Chance: …The man suffers a grave injury and dies.

Chance: That’s a pretty dark story…

Isaac: But it’s as if this is…

Chance: The story is based on Arbine and Quatra.

Crowley: Heh heh, that’s right! That’s the idea behind the Border Performance!

Crowley: On top of all that, there’s a giant bomb hidden in this performance. I’m sure you’ll all understand once we get into the singing rehearsals.

Chance: A bomb?! I wonder what it is… Aagh, I’m so excited!

Sissia: …Um, who will be playing the leads?

Chance: Ooh, ooh, ooh! Me!

Sissia: Chance?!

Crowley: He’s so noisy about it, he gave us no choice.

Sissia: Chance is the lead…So then, the other lead is…

Fan Carlo: You’re the only one who can keep this runaway train from flying off the tracks.

Sissia: …!

Adra: It’ll be tough.

Levi: We hope you’re up for it.

Isaac: Does it seem to anyone else like we’re burdening her with minding him?

Chance: Heeey! I’m the lead, so you can stand to treat me a bit more like one!

Chance: Sissia! How do you feel about it?

Sissia: It’s obvious, Chance.

Sissia: I’d love to!

Chance: …All riiight!

Sissia smiles in approval.

Blackout

◆National Standing Theater

Sissia is practicing with Chance.

Chance: it feels like a dream, huh? Our talk about the Border Performance is actually coming true.

Sissia: Yeah.

Chance: Adra’s choreography and Carlo’s singing lessons are crazy, though!

Chance: But I want to overcome it all and touch the hearts of everyone watching!

Chance: Ahhh, what do I do? I need to make sure everyone else is enjoying themselves! But I might be the one enjoying this the most!

Sissia: Ahaha, it suits you better that way, Chance.

Chance: But well, you know… If I’m the only one smiling and everyone in the audience is deadpan and quiet…

Chance: Thinking about it that way the responsibility of the leads is super important, huh?! Oh man, am I gonna be okay?!

Sissia: You’ll be okay, Chance. You’re singing and dancing are both getting better.

Chance: That’s because you’re always helping me out lately!

Chance: All the things I couldn’t get to on my own, you’ve thought them over with me and led me to an answer.

Chance: I’m really grateful to you, Sissia.

Sissia: I was able to find out a lot thanks to you too, Chance.

Chance: Heh heh… This is kind of embarrassing.

Chance: Honestly, I think the idea of wanting to show up those officials doesn’t really matter much anymore.

Chance: I’m just so happy about you and me being leads and being able to stand onstage together, I can’t help it!

Chance: Darn it, I wonder if it’s’ possible to express these feelings to the audience somehow!

Sissia: I’m sure they’ll understand! We’ll just look carefully at what we have to do and find our way through it the way we’re doing now.

Chance: …I see. Yeah, you’re right!

Chance: I’m not scared at all if you’re with me!

Chance: Let’s enjoy this as much as possible so that the others will too, Sissia!

Sissia: Yeah!

Blackout

◆National Standing Theater

A sudden change in mood as an ominous aura envelopes Kielce.

Sounds of murmuring.

Levi: …What is it?

Isaac: …It’s the officials.

Major Azur: …Levi, Crowley.

Crowley: Well, we sure have been seeing a lot of each other lately.

Levi: Did you need something?

Major Azur: Don’t be so defensive. We’re only here for a simple questioning.

Adra: …About what?

Major Azur: I want to know the contents of your next performance.

Adra: …!

Crowley: Oh? Have you been bitten by the theater bug?

Major Azur: No. I have not the least bit of interest, but it seems it’s drawn the attention of the citizens of the Arbine Nation.

Major Azur: As a servant of our commander and king, I wish to know what sort of performance is being planned.

Isaac: We’ll be doing a really fun play.

Chance: R-Right! Like with…puppets. That sort of thing!

Fan Carlo: …Even a ‘puppet show’ is out of the question now.

Major Azur: …

Major Azur: Confiscate everything on the premises!

Chance: …Hey!

Crowley: How tragic! We won’t be able to hold our performance like this!

Crowley: I trust you’ll be issuing refunds for all the tickets we already sold, Major?

Major Azur: Not to worry. We have but one purpose.

Sissia: What do you…?

Guard: Major Azur! It’s here, the script!

Sissia: …!!!

Major Azur: …Hmph. Pretty provocative for a puppet show, don’t you think?

Major Azur: I think we need to investigate further. We’ll be taking all the scripts here.

Chance: Without our scripts, we can’t practice for the performance…! I haven’t even memorized all my lines yet!

Isaac: Chance, I think it’s a bit late for that…

Levi: …Crowley, what about the original?

Crowley: No use. They swiped it right away. Should’ve expected as much from Adra’s father.

Adra: Yeah, really unfair…!

Major Azur: Really, I have no idea why our citizens wish to see such a clown show.

Sissia: …

Sissia: … I’d like to ask you something, Major!

Chance: …!!!

Major Azur: …What is it?

Sissia: …Have you ever seen a performance by our troupe?!

Major Azur: I have not.

Sissia: Then…

Sissia: We’ll show you one!

Sissia: Watch! This is a special Kielce dance!

Sissia starts singing and dancing. Major Azur stands confused.

Major Azur: …Hey, stop twirling around me!

Sissia: La-la…

Major Azur: Stop! Don’t sing! What are you doing?!

Sissia: You just said you’ve never seen a performance before, so I wanted to give you a glimpse of how fun they are!

Sissia: Right, everyone?!

Levi: …Heh.

Levi: Are you ready for some twisted fun, Major?!

Major Azur: …?!

Chance: H-Huh?!

Crowley: Ah, that’s the way!

Isaac: Sing, dance!

Adra: …So that’s the idea.

Fan Carlo: Are you serious…? I’m not responsible for whatever happens next!

Everyone bursts into song and dance.

Guard A: W-Wha-! The members of Kielce started a show around us…!

Guard B: B-But it’s amazing…

Sissia: …Now’s my chance!

Chance: All right, let’s keep the show rolling!

Major Azur: …Enough! Stop this at once!

Major Azur: That’s an order! Or you’re all under arrest!

Crowley: All right, stop!

Chance: Sir!

Isaac: We were just getting started, too.

Fan Carlo: I had finally gotten warmed up.

Adra: You done yet, Father?

Levi: I hope you enjoyed yourselves.

Major Azur: Hardly! How ridiculous!

Within the confusion, one of the scripts was taken back by Kielce.

Major Azur: We’ve confiscated all the scripts, right? Let’s go!

Sissia: …

Sissia sighs with relief.

Major Azur: Come to think of it…

Sissia: Huh?

Major Azur: You have an eastern accent.

Major Azur: Where are you from?

Sissia: I…

Major Azur: Show me your leg.

Sissia: …!

Chance: Hey, what’s the big idea?!

Major Azur: …Don’t misunderstand. This is an inspection. Show me your left shin.

Sissia: …

Sissia shows her leg as directed. Her skin shows no sign of a tattoo.

Chance: There’s nothing there!

Major Azur: …

Major Azur: Let’s go.

Chance: H-hey!

Levi: …They’re gone.

Adra: Jeez, they sure made a mess of things…

Chance: …Ah wait, the scripts!

Sissia: Here you go.

Isaac: A script…!

Sissia pulls out a script from underneath her clothes.

Sissia: …I only got one, though.

Adra: You took advantage of the chaos and got it back.

Crowley: My, that was some quick thinking. How very fun.

Levi: As long as we have this, we can still hold the Border Performance.

Chance: Man, I didn’t have any of the program memorized! I’m so glad the script is back!

Fan Carlo: …The fact that you said that is even scarier.

Chance: And what was that last bit about? Having Sissia show him a leg!

Chance: It’s like Sissia’s…

Sissia: …

Levi: …

Adra: Right.

Fan Carlo: …

Isaac: But there’s no Quatral there.

Chance: Y-Yeah. It’s no problem if you don’t have that ‘koala-troll’.

Sissia: …!

Sissia: I…!

Levi: You are the Central Nation of Sissia. That’s all there is to it.

Sissia: …!

Adra: …Even if you come from a country far, far away, all that means is you’re a new flavor, right?

Fan Carlo: …An accent just makes you interesting.

Crowley: Yeah, it’s fine! We’ve all seen how much you’ve worked!

Chance: You don’t have to say anything!

Isaac: All you need to do is get up on the stage. Right?

Sissia: Everyone…

Sissia: …Thank you.

Blackout

◆Town at Night

Aide: …Major. About that Kielce member named Sissia…

Major Azur: That was oil make up made out of dried fat of an Aibee cow. One would have to soak their leg in hot water to melt the cow fat or it won’t come off.

Major Azur: At a glance, you won’t notice at all, but there’s a slight thickness to it. My eyes cannot be fooled.

Major Azur: That one is a fugitive.

Aide: Then, shouldn’t we have just arrested the fugitive on the spot?

Major Azur: You’ve seen them in town, too. Year after year there are more servant citizens fleeing their country.

Major Azur: Simple patrols are far too ineffective to take care of them. We’ll need to make an example of the Central Nation of Kielce and that fugitive.

Aide: …What do you mean?

Major Azur: What do you think of using a fugitive’s corpse to adorn the very wall the servant citizens climb over?

Major Azur: We can certainly open fire on them once any of the members of Kielce climb the wall.

Aide: Major, you’re so…

Aide: If we do that, I’m sure this would alleviate another worry from our commander and king.

Major Azur: That is our duty and purpose in being here.

Major Azur: The wall will be the grandest tombstone for any servant citizens who cross the border.

Major Azur: Hahahahaha…!

(5) The Central Nation of Sissia

Cheers

◆Border Proximity (Arbine Side)

Arbine Citizen: Hey, what’s that?! Some people are climbing the wall!

Arbine Citizen: It’s Kielce! It’s the Central Nation of Kielce!

Arbine Citizen: You don’t know? They’re about to do their Border Performance!

◆Border Proximity (Quatra Side)

Quatran Child: What’s the Border Performance?

Quatran Mother: Your mother saw it long ago as a young girl… It was like being in a dream!

Quatran Elder: I never thought we’d have such entertainment in these days of forced labor…

◆On top of the Border Wall (About 50m high)

The members have just finished climbing.

Kielce Member: Wow…

Kielce Member: We’re finally here…

Adra: … This sight sure takes me back.

Levi: Yeah.

Crowley: Hahaha! How have you been, little wall?! It’s like you’re a part of our origins!

Chance: Whoa… It’s taller than I thought!

Isaac: We’re really going to do it… here!

Sissia: …Urk.

Sissia: …This is the top of the border wall.

Sissia: The wall that separates Arbine and Quatra.

Sissia: You can see both countries from end to end.

Sissia: The town I grew up in…

Sissia: Is that the Central Nation of Kielce’s standing theater?

Sissia: …The wind feels nice.

Sissia: And even further is… an ocean?

Sissia: The mountains are over there…!

Sissia: The sky is still so far…

Sissia: I’m so… small.

Chance: We’ve got to show everyone we’re here, using the loudest voices and biggest movements we can manage!

Sissia: Chance…

◆Observation Tower Some Distance Away

Aide: Major, they look like they’re about to start.

Major Azur: The sniper will need some more time to prepare. Let them start.

◆On top of the Border Wall

Crowley: Now then… Are we all ready?!

Kielce Member: Yeaaah!

Kielce Member: Ready anytime!

Levi: …Let’s begin, everyone.

Crowley: Goat-headed Isaac! The prologue, if you will!

Isaac: …

Isaac: …Right!

The crowd stirs.

The crowd cheers at the appearance of Isaac wearing his goat head.

Isaac: Welcome, one and all, to the theater of the Central Nation of Kielce! I am the goat-headed Isaac!

Isaac: …What’s that? ‘Where is the theater?’ you ask? We are THE Central Nation of Kielce, you know!

Isaac: Wherever we sing and dance, be it a shoddy castle, a lounge, or a chapel haunted by ghosts!

Isaac: Even a place like Pontartia is our stage! Oh rama Kielce!

Laughs from the citizens.

Isaac: Now, let’s start the show before the officials arrive! We will now present to you a tragedy between two nations!

Isaac: A woman who seeks freedom! A man who falls in love with her! The cruel fate that tears the two of them apart…!

Isaac: We have high-flying, dazzling acrobats and enchanting dancers!

Isaac: We have the most beautiful singing voice in all of Arbine… No, in all the world! And a magician who weaves his story as he stands upon the stage!

Isaac: Our gorgeous ringleader who leads us all! Oh, and I, who issued from the loins of a goat…

Laughter from the crowd.

Isaac: And with the beautiful ‘gear’ of the Central Nation of Kielce, we will take you all to a fantastic dream world.

Footsteps stopping.

The members of Kielce are all lined up together.

Crowley: Now’s the time to forget the time.

Sound of fireworks.

Everyone: We are the Central Nation of Kielce!

Chance: Heh heh!

Chance: Is everyone ready for some twisted fun?!

The crowd cheers in response.

★Dance “Quartz Anima”

The crowd continues to cheer.

Audience: Central Nation of Kielce!

Audience: That was amazing!

Isaac: Everyone’s so happy…!

Fan Carlo: I never knew singing could reach people like this…

Adra: Haha, in your face… In your face!

Crowley: Now then, it’s finally time for the climax!

Levi: We’re counting on you, Chance and Sissia!

Chance: Amazing…

Chance: This is so amazing, Sissia!

Sissia: Yeah…

Sissia: Everyone’s sharing the same joy!

Sissia: Our feelings… They’re reaching them, Chance!

Chance: Yeah!

Chance: …Hey, Sissia.

Chance: You’re… from the other side of the wall, aren’t you?

Sissia: …

Sissia: Yeah.

Chance: Heh heh, this sure is something. A person from Quatra and a person from Arbine, singing and dancing on top of the border wall…

Chance: it’s… what would you call it… Ah, peaceful?

Chance: I want people to know that people, regardless of nation or race, can stand on the same stage.

Sissia: Yeah…

Chance: But wow, this really is the most amazing view!

Chance: We made our statement, too! We are the Central Nation of Kielce! Is everyone ready for some twisted fun?!

Sissia: We practiced a lot for this.

Chance: Heh heh, we got so used to it all!

Chance: …This performance is so fun, I hope it never ends.

Chance: But it has to end sometime…

Sissia: We have one last song left.

Chance: Carlo put us through all that ruthless training! We’ll end it all here with a big finish!

Chance: Let’s go, Sissia.

Sissia: Yeah…!

Chance: Heh heh…

Chance: …?!

Chance: Look out!

Sissia: …?!

He pushes her away.

Sound of a gunshot.

A bullet flies towards Sissia, but Chance protects her and takes the bullet instead.

Chance: …Urgk!

Sound of him falling over.

Sissia: Chance?! Chance…!

◆Observation Tower Some Distance Away

Major Azur: What are you doing?! I told you to aim for the fugitive!

Sniper: But that man…

Major Azur: All we’ve done at this rate is kill an Arbine national!

◆Border Wall (Arbine Side)

Startled murmurs.

Spectator: What’s wrong…? They stopped.

Spectator: Show us the rest!

◆Border Wall (Quatra Side)

Spectator: Did one of the lead actors die?

Spectator: It’s part of the act, right? I’m… sure…

◆On the Border Wall

Crowley: …There’s something wrong.

Isaac: They should already be performing the song…

Levi: …

Levi: I’ll call Sissia back here.

Isaac: What… do you mean?!

Fan Carlo: No… It can’t be true…

Isaac: I’ll go!

Adra: You stay here!

Isaac: …!

Levi: …Take care of everyone.

Crowley: …Got it.

◆Night Sky

Sissia: Chance! This can’t be happening…

Sissia: Chance… Wake up…

Chance: Heh… Heh heh… They got me.

Sissia: Chance…!

Chance: I was ready for this… I did say I don’t care if I was called a traitor…

Chance: Even if this is the outcome… To be able to have been in this performance…

Sissia: Don’t be ridiculous!

Chance: Sissia…

Sissia: You’re coming back with us, alive! You didn’t come here to die, right?!

Sissia: We’ll do so many more fun things, and show everyone how we feel… together!

Chance: Together… with you, Sissia…

Chance: Yeah… I can’t die in a place like this…

Chance: Ahh… but can I ask you one thing?

Chance: For the last song… Sing it for them. Looks like I won’t be able to join you.

Sissia: Sing…?! The performance doesn’t matter anymore…

Chance: No, we have to see it through…! That’s what they’d want, for us to quit because someone was injured…

Chance: You’ve prepared all this time, this is why you fled your country, right? To be on the stage! So then…!

Sissia: But…! if you can be saved, then I have to…!

Chance kisses Sissia

Sissia: …?!

Chance: …M-my old man told me this is how to stop a fight.

Chance: …Er, well, it’s not that I don’t feel anything special about you… Ahh, what am I trying to say?!

Sissia: …That just made me not want to sing anymore.

Chance: Huh?!

Sissia: I’m just kidding.

Chance: Oh, you’re kidding…Haha.

Chance: …Hey, you wanted to sing loud enough so anyone over the wall can hear, and dance freely enough so that everyone in the nation would dance with each other, right?

Chance: Now is the time.

Sissia: …

Sissia: Okay. I’ll…sing.

Chance: Yeah.

Sissia: I want to hear why you did what you did, too.

Chance: R-Right…

Chance: I mean… It’s nothing really. It’s just because I like you… Yeah.

Chance: I love you.

Sissia: I see.

Chance: I see?!

Sissia: …I love you, too.

Sissia: Your bright enthusiasm, how you can get along with anyone…

Sissia: How you make weird mistakes when you talk, and how you feel passionately about things.

Sissia: How you get angry sometimes, how pure you are, and how you always give me so much energy.

Sissia: Your gentle eyes, how tall you are, I love all of that.

Chance: Th-Thanks… Hearing that is making me feel embarrassed.

Chance: …But I’m happy. Yeah.

Sissia: Right? Someone telling you what they like about you makes you happy.

Sissia: I’d like your father to learn how to do that, too.

Chance: Urgh…

Sissia: So, later, tell me why you love me, too. Promise?

Chance: …Yeah. There are so many things about you I love, I can barely remember them all… I’ll tell you, no matter what.

Sissia: …

Sissia: … I’ll be back soon.

Chance: …Yeah.

Sissia walks away.

Chance: … You can do it. I’m rooting for you.

Sissia: …

Sissia: I will sing!

Sissia slowly stands back up.

There is no hesitation in Sissia’s eyes.

★ Song “Over the Wall”

◆Border Wall (Arbine Side)

Cheering

Arbinian: Yeah… Why are people talking about how two countries right next to each other are better or worse than the other?

Arbinian: It’s true that the war lasted so many years, and we wished that another would never take its place.

Arbinian: But… is this really what we wanted?

Arbinian: These ideas about borders and nameless servant countries are absurd. At this rate, Arbine’s just a nation built and ruled by discrimination!

Candidates: We’ve got tools!

Arbinian: …!!!

Mean Candidate: Let’s break through it! That blasted wall!!!

Arbinians: Yeaahh!

◆Border Wall (Quatra Side)

Loud thudding sounds that shake the wall.

Quatran: The wall, it’s…

Quatran: Shaking…?!

Quatran: Wait… Are they trying to break through the border wall?!

Quatran: The People of Arbine…? Why…?

Old Man Forced Into Heavy Labor: …It was that performer’s song.

Quatran: …!

Old man: That performer’s song must have touched the hearts of the people of Arbine…!!!

Old Man: Get anything you can! Bring any kind of tool you can find!!!

Old Man: We’ll tear down this wall… alongside the people of Arbine!!!

Quatran: Yeaahh!

◆Observation Tower

Loud thudding sounds that shake the wall.

Major Azur: The wall…!!!

Major Azur: Urk… What are the soldiers doing?! Capture the traitors!

Aide: W-We can’t… Their numbers… They vastly outnumber all of Arbine’s troops!

Major Azur: Urrgh…!!!

Major Azur: Curse you, Central Nation of Kieeelce!!!

The observation tower collapses in a loud crash.

Blackout

Levi: …Urk, at this rate…!

Adra: No…!!!

Crowley: …We won’t make it.

Isaac: So you’re saying we’ll just leave them behind?!

Fan Carlo: …

◆The Reddened Sky

Sissia: …I still haven’t heard.

Sissia: You were going to tell me all the reasons you love me, right?

Sissia: It’s not fair that you get to decide to…

Sissia: …

Sissia: …Your bright enthusiasm.

Sissia: How you get along with everyone.

Sissia: How you make weird mistakes when you talk, how easily you get excited, how you get angry sometimes, how pure you are, and how you always give me so much energy.

Sissia: Your gentle eyes, how tall you are, the shape of your nose, your face when you smile.

Sissia: How you sing when you feel the slightest bit in a good mood, how exaggerated your dances are, and your somersaults were always so amazing.

Sissia: There’s still more. How you sometimes wear strange clothes, how you buy food when you’re out and can’t eat dinner, and…

Sissia: And…

Blackout

Monologue

Chance: After the destruction of the wall, the Arbine Nation collapsed from the combined efforts of the Quatrans and the Arbinians who supported them.

Chance: The Arbine commander and king was captured with his officials, stripped of their powers, and became normal citizens.

Chance: The nameless country’s 20-year servitude ended, and the former Nation of Arbine allied with the former Republic of Quatra.

Chance: And with the collapsed border between them, the two countries became one.

Chance: Levi Caineman, ringleader of the Central Nation of Kielce, invited people into the troupe from Arbine and Quatra without discrimination, and grew Kielce into an even larger troupe. He also continued to shine as a performer himself.

Chance: Adra Hybird retired as a member of the Central Nation of Kielce and went out on a journey to wander the lands, learning the art of local dances in each place he visited. He returned to teach his former troupe members what he learned in order to help sharpen their skills.

Chance: Though he was the illegitimate child of the commander and king of Arbine, Crowley Arbine asserted himself to the throne in order to help the Arbine Nation rebuild itself after its collapse. With the superb eloquence he had polished while in the Central Nation of Kielce and his perfect writing abilities, he helped the nation rebuild into a new kingdom. He continued as a benevolent king, and throughout his life, would lend ear to the citizens, and at times feel the need for a good prank.

Chance: Fan Carlo Albus showed off her beautiful singing voice to its fullest as a songstress of the imperial court of the new nation, capturing the hearts of its people. Though reluctantly accepting her duties to teach singing to the nation’s new national choir, she contributed to the growth of the generations that followed her. Continuing to face the path of singing in earnest, even in her elder years her voice continues to stay as young as someone in their youth.

Chance: Isaac Bazmaz continued activities in easing intercultural tensions even after the new nation was formed. Performing as a clown to bring people joy, he created spaces for people to come together like Kielce had done in the past. people say that on occasion, he continues to visit the remains of the border wall, which serves as a grave for an old friend.

Chance: In the collapse of the former nations and the rebuilding of a new one, the place that became the spiritual home of them all was named after the person whose sacrifice became the catalyst for a new beginning… And so, it was called the Central Nation of Sissia-O-Chance.

The End.

#jack jeanne #stage script #reference #sissia of the central nation #suzu route #kielce #my posts

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whitestlotus · 1 year

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Fragment of a Memory (Scaramouche/Wanderer x F!Reader) | Prologue

Synopsis: The Teyvat Empire has fallen and split into seven kingdoms. In the serene electro kingdom, Inazuma – resides the crown prince of the original empire, Kabukimono. At a young age, he was introduced to the newly chosen crown princess of the Kingdom of Liyue, Princess Ningjing. Over the years, the prince has grown fond of the princess and later on asked her hand in marriage. This strengthens the political ties between Inazuma and Liyue amidst a faltering peace treaty among the seven nations. Alas, it only took a matter of time until a war broke out ultimately ending the life of the beloved princess. Devastated, Kabukimono vows to protect Ningjing in another life.

In the year 2023, over a thousand years after the Teyvatian War, Celestia – formerly known as Teyvat – was a flourishing country. Y/N, a 21-year-old college student studying Psychology, cross paths with Kunikuzushi. He is not the most positive person for lack of a better word. But what happens if suddenly as each day passes, a fragment of a memory that feels familiar returns to you?

And you are not the only one.

Chapter Warning: Major Character Death, War

Book Masterlist | General Masterlist

Book Playlist

┉┈◈◉◈┈┉

In the serene kingdom of the electro – Inazuma, an ambiance that can be compared to the solemnity and holy cathedral of Mondstadt can be observed. The royal court was decorated in both Inazuman and Liyuean tapestries. Shrine maidens can be seen aligned on the right-hand side of the throne carrying Suzus, adjacent to them are the Royal Adepti of Liyue carrying blessing sigils. On the throne, sat the reigning monarchs of each kingdom – Raiden Shogun and Rex Lapis. Both are dressed in a Hitoe and a Dragon’s Robe respectively; capturing the culture of their domain. The aisle was adorned in sakura bloom and glaze lily flower arrangements, a long red carpet embellished with intricate patterns hinting at both geo and electro, and several large chandeliers hovering over.

At the foot of the elevated thrones, stood crown prince Kabukimono. Dressed in a dark violet Sokutai, matching the color of his mother’s Hitoe. He stood in anticipation – stealing glances at a large painting on the wall behind the thrones displaying the late King who passed away during the split of Teyvat. How he misses him dearly. He admires the Gagaku Orchestra on the balconies above them, playing music fit for an intermission. The hushed murmurs and chatter within the royal court from both the royal guests and the selected common folk were silenced when a flash of light and a loud creaking sound was heard from the massive double door. In comes a figure in a white Cheongsam gown with gold embellishments and a long flowing golden tule cape draped over their shoulders. It was the crown princess.

The orchestra began playing a mixed rendition of traditional Inazuman and Liyuean wedding music. As the crown princess walked down the aisle, she couldn’t hold back her tears. She was alone, and so was the crown prince. He allowed a tear to slip past his eyes out of happiness.

“She is ethereal,” he thought to himself.

As the princess arrived at the foot of the throne, she bowed to respect both her father and her soon-to-be mother-in-law. Kabukimono does the same and outstretches a hand for the princess to grab ahold of. Both Raiden Shogun and Rex Lapis stood in front of the both of them and took out their staffs. It shared the same motif as their respective spears. The Shogun accolades the crown princess, whilst Rex Lapis accolades the crown prince. Both granting them the permission and blessing to wed. The crown princess then turns to Kabukimono and bows. He fights back his tears as he watches her stand upright. He then, to everyone’s surprise, bows immediately after. A prince, the crown prince even, bowing to the princess during their wedding is unheard of. When they assume the roles of king and queen, it is expected of the queen to be below and not equal to the king. It showed the people that Kabukimono, the future king of Inazuma and Liyue, sees himself as equal to the crown princess.

“Ningjing…” He whispers.

The crown princess, Ningjing, looks at him in shock. A red hue covers her cheeks as tears threaten to fall. He saw her as his bride, as his equal, as her. Her grip on his hand tightens. He placed a hand on her cheek and caresses it gently as if she was as delicate as a flower and fragile as glass. He leans in and kisses her lips. They were both embraced by warmth as they kissed. The court erupts in cheers and claps as sakura bloom petals fall. Like any couple, they were elated. Liyue held a 3-day long festival celebrating the wedding of Kabukimono and Ningjing. The Royal Adepti escorted both royals throughout the festival. As they walked around, they overheard hushed whispers,

“Do you think Princess Ningjing will bear a prince or princess?”

“Oh, how excited I am to hear them announce the princess’ pregnancy!”

“I hope both the prince and princess will be able to bear a child…”

Ningjing blushes and looks at the ground to avoid Kabukimono’s gaze. They just got married how could the people want them to have a child already? This behavior does not go unnoticed by the prince, however.

“How inconsiderate, they already want you to bear a child just 2 days after our wedding. Should I behead them dear?” He says glancing at the princess’ pale face as she jolts up and faces him.

“Absolutely not! Let them be vocal with their thoughts and sentiments. It doesn’t mean we would HAVE to comply with their wishes. We can always wait when we are comfortable.” Ningjing mumbles the last part as she adverts her eyes from his shyly.

“What if I am already comfortable?” He smirks.

“Kabuki!” She scans the vicinity to see if anyone heard the preposterous and scandalous words that were uttered by the crown prince. He laughs as he watches her panic and pets her head. Reassuring her that no one heard him and that he is willing to wait. As they continue down the path leading to a stage occupied by performing opera singers, a loud crash was heard. Everyone turned their head toward the source of the sound. They were then greeted by a massive fire that engulfed three of the buildings. The ground vibrated as yelling was heard from afar. In the field on the horizon, was an entire army charging straight toward the Kingdom of Liyue. The Royal Adepti quickly escorted the royals to the palace. The royals were given a basic armor breastplate and a sword to at least protect them.

“Your Highness, the army was identified. They are Snezhnayan.” An Adepti, named Ping, informs.

All blood from the princess’ face drains. Kabukimono places a hand on her shoulder and asks her to stay in the palace while he helps the Liyuean army fight. Ningjing shakes her head begging him to stay with her. He reassures her that the Inazuman army will arrive shortly for aid. As he walks away accompanied by some of the Royal Adepti, she tugs on his wrist.

“Let me fight with you.” She looks at his eyes sternly, determination visible.

“I can’t risk losing you. Respectfully, we are both well aware that I have the most experience on the battlefield. You on the other hand could barely swing your sword. I don’t know what I would do without you!”

“What makes you think I don’t share the same sentiments as you?! What if you don’t come back? What would I do without you?” Tears roll down Ningjing’s cheek as she begs. "I want to protect our people with you"

She drops her sword and grasps his free hand tightly with both her hands. She brings it close to her chest as she mutters ‘please’. Kabukimono glances at the Royal Adepti – all looking away not knowing what to do to help. Kabukimono sighs and pulls his hand back. He bends down and picks up her sword and hands it to her.

“You have to come back in one piece.” He mumbles.

“No, WE have to come back in one piece” Her eyes are still glossy from her tears but proceeds to wipe them off with her sleeve and nods her head.

The deafening sound of sword clanking and slashing, the stench of blood and sweat, the smoke that renders sight useless – Ningjing swings her sword, beheading the opposing soldier. Her grip on the handle of her sword tightens as she examines the area. There was no sight of Kabukimono. Her heart rate quickens as she ran opposite to the ongoing fight, quickly reuniting with an Inazuman soldier.

“Have you seen His Highness, Kabukimono?” She panics.

“I apologize, Your Highness. I have not-” The soldier quickly pulls the princess behind him and stabs a Snezhnayan soldier in the abdomen. The body falls limp and passes away on its knees.

Ningjing runs back to the battlefield in search of Kabukimono. ‘How careless of me’ she thought. There were hardly any soldiers from both sides left yet the smoke was still evident. She coughs as she walks over the countless dead bodies piling up on the ground. Her mind was filled to the brim with negative thoughts. What if something happened to him? Or worse, what if he died? She swallows back her tears and shakes her head to rid herself of those thoughts. She continues to tread over the bodies as quietly as possible while also scanning each face hoping she would not see him as one of them. She arrives at a much clearer area. Her hold on her sword strengthens should there be an enemy that spots her. In the distance, she spots a familiar dark purple-haired figure.

“Kabuki!” She exclaims as she runs towards him.

His head swiftly turns around and locks eyes with Ningjing. Unfortunately, what was not taken into account was the possibility of an archer present. A Royal Adeptus, Alatus, was quick to notice a silhouette of a person aiming a bow and arrow at the crown princess. He dashes towards the person but before he could reach them, the arrow was fired.

It was as if time was slowed in Kabukimono’s eyes. The arrow flying towards the princess, the fear in the princess’ eyes as she turns around, when the arrow penetrates her straight to the chest, and the sound of the prince’s sword dropping to the ground as he darts towards the princess. He catches her in his arms before she could hit the ground, and his heart quickens out of fear. It didn’t help when blood pooled under the princess. She looked up at him and caresses his face with her bloodied hand.

“Ah…haha…I’m sorry Kabuki. Did I scare you?” She lets out a strained laugh as tears brim her eyes. “It really hurts…”

Kabukimono didn’t know what to say, all he could do was stare at her as he lets out quiet sobs. He held her hand that was on his face, feeling it lose its heat. She lets out a small smile as she wipes his tears. With the little strength she had left, she pulled his face towards her and kisses his lips. As she pulls away slowly,

“I love you, Kabuki…” She exhales, implying that was her last breath.

They took his princess away, his Ningjing. He watches as all life fades from her eyes as her body grows limp. He held her in his arms as he chokes on his sobs. Alatus managed to eliminate the enemy but at what cost? He watches the distraught prince cry at the loss of the princess from afar. The battle was over and the Royal Adepti that were in the vicinity could only bow their heads as their crown prince grieves. The prince whispers to the body in his arms,

“I will love you again in another life and I vow to protect you better than I did in this life. Your death was not in vain, Ningjing. I love you too…”

┉┈◈◉◈┈┉

Next Chapter

#scaramouche royal au #scaramouche #scaramouche x reader #wanderer #wanderer x reader #genshin impact #genshin fanfic #reincarnation #scaramouche modern au

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houseoflibra · 7 months

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Saint Seiya: Dark Wing Chapter 25: The Scale of Truth

Page 1

Page 2

Lucas: - Huff… huff…

Eulalia: - Hello?

Lucas: - *surprised* - Huh?! - (Too close!!) - Oh, sorry. - I was lost in thought.

Eulalia: - Well, it's only natural you were left speechless - after seeing my beautiful fight!

Page 3

Lucas: - Eulalia… - Well…

Eulalia: - Heh! - I was… - (Oh no, now I remember! Soujiro told me to keep a low profile!!) - L—let's keep this - between us, please!!

Page 4

Eulalia: - Until next time!

Lucas: - Eulalia… - Just as I thought, - she's straightforward, - noble, - beautiful… - Normally, there's no way - I would even be able to talk…

Page 5

Lucas: - …to a girl like her. - But… - maybe… - …I could make her mine…

Page 6

Karaoke

Students: - Hahahah!

Vassilios: - *singing "Blue Forever"*

Leo Gold Saint, Vassilios

Page 7

Vassilios: - *still singing "Blue Forever"*

Esther: - The anime song selection here is tasteful, but - watching a handsome man sing is even better, huh?

Celestial Beast Star Sphinx, Esther

Suzuri: - I'm not so sure about the song, - but I suppose he can sing… - (So loud…)

Earthly Hound Star Laelaps, Suzuri

Suzuri: - I was ordered to be here because…

Julius: - That sounds interesting! - Hahah!

Suzuri: - …or so he said… - Why did Pandora's Sphinx Specter and - the Leo Gold Saint - have to come to a karaoke?!

Vassilios: - *previously singing "Pegasus Fantasy"*

Page 8

Vassilios: - *singing "Blue Forever"*

Suzuri: - I... - I'm off to the bar…

Page 9

Suzuri: - I… - I can't… - Master Julius told me to do this, - so I should be able to sing at a karaoke!

Esther: - Suzuri Okino! - Hey, pretty lady. I was hoping to hear you sing, - Suzu.

Suzuri: - Ah!! - Su… - Suzu…? - (P—pretty…?)

Esther: - Oh, sorry.

Page 10

Esther: - I was trying to be friendly since we're both specters, but - was it too much?

Suzuri: - Celestial Beast Star, Sphinx Esther!… - I didn't notice you at all!! - What do you want, - Celestial Beast Star, Sphinx?…

Esther: - Oh, nothing. - Actually… - I was hoping to give you a cute nickname and then have some girl talk…

Suzuri: - Not if I get to you first!

Page 11

Suzuri: - Gordian Bond Amputation!

Page 12

Suzuri: - Did I get her…?!

Page 13

Suzuri: - Huh…?

Esther: - The incredible speed - of your swift iai sword draw - almost had me making a careless mistake.

Suzuri: - ?! - No way! - She wasn't cut?!…

Page 14

Esther: - Actually, you'd already gotten stiff back at the karaoke room due to being… - ...under the effect of my Balance of Curse!!

Suzuri: - Guh!

Page 15

Suzuri: - A magic harp…! - My body…!

Esther: - That's why your body feels heavy, - and you cannot reach the dangerous top-speed you're capable of.

Suzuri: - Y—you did this back then?

Page 16

Esther: - As long as you're in my trap, - you won't be able to move at full speed.

Suzuri: - (This overwhelming cosmo…) - (So this…) - (…is the true power of the guardian of the Underworld's second prison…) - (…the Sphinx specter!…)

Esther: - If you try to fight now, - your heart will pop out of your chest… - All right?

Page 17

Esther: - Three, two, - one! - And then it will jump out.

Suzuri: - Wha?!

Esther: - Three, two… - one!

Suzuri: - ?!

Page 18

Vassilios: - Oh! - Well done!

Esther: - You shouldn't interrupt girl talk, - hot guy.

Vassilios: - Well, - if two Specters are having a secret chat… - …as the Leo Gold Saint, - I should come in and say hello, don't you think?

Esther: - Actually, I'm a Specter of Justice.

Page 19

Esther: - Perhaps you could assist us?

Vassilios: - Oh? - A Specter talking about Justice? - Now that - sounds interesting!

Esther: - Are you here to get the girls' attention? - Or are you here - to protect them?

Vassilios: - Heh! - That's obvious. - As a saint, - I'm here to investigate and settle - the incidents involving those girls who went missing, but…

Pages 20 + 21

Esther: - Balance of Curse!… - If you're telling the truth, - then Ma'at's feather, the symbol of Truth, - will be in balance in my scale!

Vassilios: - Are you trying to pull out my heart?!… - Heh…

Page 22

Esther: - Now, let's see your true colors. - Whether or not you are the villain behind these incidents… - …will be revealed now!

Vassilios: - Ugh!

Suzuri: - She's standing up against a Gold Saint - on her own?!

Vassilios: - Huff… huff… - All right! - OK!

Page 23

Vassilios: - If that will get you to trust me - then my heart is as light as a feather!

Suzuri: - What?! - You're saying you'll expose your heart?!

Vassilios: - Well, I'm happy to see - a Specter go to such lengths!

Page 24

Vassilios: - I want you to believe me! - So you're welcome to use your impressive cosmo on me! - Go on!

Esther: - I don't hate - arrogant hot guys.

Suzuri: - Huh?!

Vassilios: - Oh? - Are you going to trust me then?

Esther: - *nod* - At least this once…

Page 25

Esther: - I'm satisfied that you two are not my enemies.

Vassilios: - Yay!

Esther: - Now, - I hope the owner - of the fiercely dangerous and terrible cosmo - coming this way is not a friend of yours.

Suzuri: - Fiercely dangerous and terrible…?

Vassilios: - Yeah. - Somebody is coming, all right. - Somebody with a huge cosmo and eager to fight…

Page 26

Page 27

To be continued...

#saint seiya #dark wing #saint seiya dark wing #scripts #(i love esther)

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emetophobiahelp · 2 months

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Belle (2021)

The scene is at 12:55 after Suzu is forced into the karaoke party she screams. Its snowing and she’s on the bridge and attempts to sing. She then gasps and g*s then covers her mouth (if you’re watching japanese subs it says she v* a few seconds before). She drops to her knees and her cheeks puffs up before she v*. Audio and full visual. She then collapses on the bridge and cries and you can see the green v* in her hair, hands, and on her face. Scene is over at 13:18 however the v* remains on her face until 15:14, it goes away once she creates her U avatar.

Audio is very quick and doesn’t last, imo the visual is the worst part and that it stays on her face (it looks like dark green marks and clumps).However I am severely emetophobic and was not triggered if that helps to scale the severity. I just wanted to give more details and timestamps to go along with everyone else!

#submission #Belle

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rakishhellion · 4 months

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i just got all the achievements on neo twewy after weeks and heres some stuff i learned (no spoilers btw)

lets see

the one for being a frequent customer you get when that repeat option shows up on their menu

at tokyu hands you can trade 2 gem pins for another one, the pairs are rare metal and tektite, adamantite and orichalcum, and shadow and dark matter scarletite is an ultimate drop only

if you want to grind stats:

style - 300 cap (you only need 222) - air in a can (vegelovers - tower records)

attack - 500 cap - that spicy black ramen i forgot the name (suzu slurps - dogenzaka)

hp and defense - 999 and 500 cap respectively - tuna head (sby bbq - tipsy tose hall)

scramble slam sucks but heres how you get the rewards:

put the game on ultimate and reduce your level, you get more points this way

the way you get points is by doing beatdrop combos which means you need a lot of enemies that last

also theres a multiplier that goes up by 0,4x everytime you do a combo in battle up to a max 5x, save the enemy with the 3x until you max the multiplier

make the biggest chain you can with JUST ONE slam noise, thats enough to make the whole chain track points, also you can do chain battles with rival players too just let the noise get you then walk up to the player, once youre done, leave the area then come back so the noise respawn

anyways, equip the basic shockwave and force rounds pins so you slowly kill enemies, equip the rest of your party members with pins you want to grind just make sure they dont have x or y inputs

start attacking with shockwave, once the beatdrop circle shows up switch to force rounds only when its past half (delaying a pin gives it a bit of time to regen, enough to give you one extra full use), repeat the process with force rounds, you can make the most of the pins this way, its like, 5 uses of shock and 4 of rounds, a lot of combos

youre gonna make a fuckton of points this BUT chains are gonna be LONG AS FUCK, 40 minutes up to an hour, be warned

second slam is going to be a massive pain in the ass it took me 8 chains to do it (would be less if i remembered to reduce level)

theres a limited amount of the ion trade pins, theres a few you can miss, look it on gamefaqs i dont remember them, youre gonna need all of them for all the pins and threads

you cant get all the fp you need to complete the network by just doing quests and gold dives on regular days, youre gonna need some extra 15 points you get from a LONG dive in another day, its 10 rounds long and kinda hard, the last round is the worst, its two angry bears and a t rex noise (also angry) save a killer remix for this round, the t rex deals a fuckton of damage and if it eats one party member you wont survive the roar that comes next, watch out

hog healer and affinity weaknesses are your best friends for tough fights remember this

for the love of god grind pp on easy on another day, difficulty doesnt change the pp you get (i think the same applies to xp)

the noisepedia completion gives you a graffiti when you hit 80% but youre gonna need 100% for it to count on the save file complete percentage

ive seen ultimate shibuya hikarie w3d5 and ultimate cat street another day be recommended for money grinding but for the most part i disagree (bc i died often, you need high drop rates for these methods)

the way i do it is ultimate o-east w1d5, the chains last less than a minute and only give like 180 to 200 thousand yen, a lot less than the other methods but the short chains make up for it, this method is also good for grinding food (you do need to take the longest route for the tuna heads which can be infuriating considering the load times)

most secret reports are unlocked by defearting boss noise, 3 of them unlock by network completion, the last one only when you get all others, also boss noise respawn if you come back to the area so you dont have to redo the day like in og twewy

its safer to increase drop rate by threads than decreasing level remember that for annoying fights dont worry most abilities arent that good anyway (I NEVER GOT THAT ONE THAT SAVES YOU FROM A FATAL ATTACK TO WORK FUCK THIS GAME)

plague noise only show up on story fights so you cant chain them, go in with high drop rates, you fight almost all of them in quick succession in the day you have to go after that guy, w3d6 i think?

the last boss is the only boss noise you cant chain also for some reason you can soundsurf when it starts throwing balls at you, use that to get groove

for the superboss on another day i recommend using hog healer (to heal), fang defender (to protect yourself from its HIGHLY damaging dash attack wich you can also dodge, but i found it harder and using this pin fully heals you if you get it right), and a lot of pins you can use at once in an all out attack, if one party member gets attacked the other ones will keep going, i recommend using darkness pins since they can stun and pins with easy beatdrop conditions, use killer remixes only when the armor is up, most of the fight is dodging

just do the time trial on easy no one cares anyway

for the remind graffiti theres like one or two you can miss, again, look it up on gamefaqs bc i forgor💀

you dont need to get 100% drop for the worst fights, thats what killer remix is for, 75% is fine, its worse to make a long ass chain than it is to just do another fight

i need to explain how the killer remix drop rates work so heres how:

YOU DONT GET 0,5x PER PARTY MEMBER

thats why youre probably wondering why it isnt always 3x

the way it works is that you get a 0,5 per pin that has that little ready above it (thats what its for, i always wondered that) to get that ready you need to use that pin in a beatdrop combo either as the one that starts or the one that ends it

synergy abilities apply for the whole party strangely enough

theres a thread that gives you more time with pig noise, anyway brute forcing with killer remixes usually work no matter what

shiba is a toxic bottom

anyway thats all

as for what i think abt the game now that im DONE with it, love it honestly, and despite the fact it didnt meet sales expectations i think, im still hopeful for it, twewy survived bc it was so beloved by the devs i guess so theres that, also imagine if next games were on other cities famous for their urban culture that would be so fashion like

#post #neo twewy #uh what else #play digital devil saga #i beg you #guide #i guess #ntwewy #neo the world ends with you

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puterboy1 · 11 months

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Comparing Chirin from Chirin no Suzu/Ringing Bell with other characters

Many commentators have compared and contrasted Chirin from Takashi Yanase's storybook Chirin's Bell with Bambi from the Felix Salten novel of the same name (I won't say Walt Disney because Salten made the character first), but there is little to connect the two animals other than being cute quadrupeds who lose their mothers to a vicious villain. For one thing, their stories and ultimate fates are complete opposites and they do not end up becoming the very thing that took their parents away from them. Here are a list of characters that fit Chirin better than Bambi, just to clear up some misconceptions.

Anakin Skywalker (later Darth Vader) is the first person I compared Chirin to; both turned to the dark side after losing their mothers and sought vengeance on their murderers. One key difference is that Anakin already kills the Tusken Raiders (like what Woe did to Chirin's family in the book) and this story is what if Anakin became a Tusken Raider to avenge Shmi. But since he is already a Jedi, that ship has sailed. It isn't until Episode III that he finally becomes Darth Vader and Chirin's wool is just as black as his armor. Another key difference is that Palpatine was manipulating Anakin into betraying the Jedi while Woe just simply gave him the harsh truth of the world and with this knowledge, Chirin became corrupted. Another similarity is that Chirin idolizes Woe the same way Anakin idolizes Palpatine because he thinks he's better than the other Jedi (or the other sheep), looking up to him enough to agree with everything he says and this seals their doom. Unlike Vader however, Chirin is not redeemed by his son (even if he had one), but like Vader, he realizes that his quest to save Padme (in Chirin’s case, a quest for revenge) was all for nothing and he is stuck as a robotic monstrosity. Another Star Wars character is Darth Revan, who started as a Jedi, then a Sith and finally became somewhere in between, just like Chirin. Chirin could also be compared with Galen Marek from the video game *The Force Unleashed*, growing up and training under his father's killer, then turning to the light. Unlike Chirin, however, he dies. Obi-Wan Kenobi could not have put it better: "You've allowed this dark lord to twist your mind until you've become the very thing you swore to destroy" and this applies to both Chirin and Anakin.

Elphaba Thropp from the book and musical Wicked shares similar ambitions with Chirin in seeking power, becoming failure heroes and ending up becoming a horrible monster (Chirin became a wolf-like ram, Elphaba became the Wicked Witch of the West). Some of the songs from the musical version of *Wicked* seem to fit well with Chirin. "The Wizard and I" fits with Chirin's ambitions of being Woe's partner, while "Defying Gravity" resonates with his passion of becoming a greater force while "No Good Deed Goes Unpunished" represents Chirin's feelings at what he has done. The song also could provide an alternate interpretation to the ending where Chirin decides to live up to his reputation as a monster, just as Elphaba did to the denizens of Oz. Glinda, the book/show's deuteragonist could also be a representation of Chirin's mother's spirit trying in vain to bring him back to the light. Like Elphaba, they express heartbreak over losing their loved ones (Fyero and Wor) in the climax, but unlike Elphaba, the only ending Chirin gets is worthy of the real Wicked Witch of the West.

Eren Yeager from Attack on Titan also has an all too familiar story. Chirin's mom was eaten by Woe, Eren's mom was eaten by a Titan. For this, they became determined to become stronger, but while Eren joins the Survey Corps, Chirin joins Wor and they both end up becoming the very things they swore to kill. There are two key differences, though: Chirin's transformation is motivated by revenge and a desire to prove himself as a predator (in the Sanrio adaptation, he is manipulated by Woe), while Eren's is motivated by a desire to protect his friends and his people from the Titans. Additionally, Eren's story takes place in a much larger and more complex world, with political intrigue and a wide range of characters with their own motivations and agendas.

Thorfinn Thorsson from The Vinland Saga was raised by the man who killed his father (Woe in this version is Askeladd) and is probably more accurate than Eren because I've other commentators make similarities between him and Chirin. However, as Thorfinn's story progresses, he undergoes a significant transformation. He starts to question his own motivations and realizes that his pursuit of revenge has consumed him and caused him to lose sight of what's truly important. This realization leads him to start seeking a different path, one that's focused on building a better future rather than avenging the past. While there are similarities between Thorfinn and Chirin in terms of their initial motivations and desire for revenge, Thorfinn's story is much more complex and nuanced, with a wider range of characters and themes. Additionally, while Chirin's transformation is largely physical, as he becomes a stronger predator, Thorfinn's transformation is more internal and psychological. Unlike Chirin however, Thorfinn is unsuccessful at killing Askeladd (Canute kills him for him) and when he does die, Thorfinn feels just like Chirin: empty.

Bruce Wayne/Batman from the DC Comics universe is also an accurate example. Like Chirin in the Lyrica and kamishibai adaptations, plus the very first version of the story found in Takasih Yanase's Twelve Pearls, he loses both of his parents. But while Chirin was consumed by vengeance and trained under Woe, Batman did his best to keep his emotions in check and was trained by a great deal of masters. Chirin's adult form is just as terrifying as Batman's costume in the eyes of his enemies. Like Batman, Chirin does confront Joe Chill, the man who murdered his parents, but the gangster ends up getting killed by his own men. Chirin also has some similarities with Batman sidekick Jason Todd, who started as Robin, then he and his mother were murdered by the Joker and he came back as the Red Hood to avenge her death.

Inigo Montoya from The Princess Bride. Obvious reasons but with a more comical effect.

Ken Amada from Persona 3 also lost his mom to a monster and sought revenge on her murderer. Both characters also undergo transformations as a result of their experiences. Chirin becomes a fierce predator, while Ken becomes a Persona user and gains the ability to fight against the Shadows. However, there are also some key differences between the two characters. Chirin's story is more about his personal journey and transformation, while Ken's story is more closely tied to the overarching plot of *Persona 3*. Additionally, Ken's transformation is not solely driven by revenge, but also by a desire to protect his friends and to make a positive difference in the world. Not to mention the fact that Ken understood that revenge will not bring his mother back while Chirin does not outright say this out-loud.

Jack Marston from Red Dead Redemption is also another similarity. Lost their dads and sought revenge on the persons who murdered him. At least Jack is more sociable then Chirin though.

Hope Estheim from Final Fantasy XIII. Same as Ken, but fails to exact his revenge and looks up to Snow as a father figure, just like Chirin and Woe, but on a sweeter level.

Clay Lincoln from Mafia III. Like Chirin from the book and other literary adaptations, he loses his family to a criminal and spends the entirety of the game teaming up with other criminals to take over New Orleans. Like Chirin, he even questions his actions after killing the mob boss and the guy seems perfectly willing to let Clay kill him.

Ichigo Kurosaki from Bleach is a more heroic version of Chirin that aligns more accurately with the Bambi comparison. After losing his mother, he too gains power in the form of seeing the supernatural, whereas with Chirin, it's becoming stronger and that is what Ichigo does. Had Chirin protected his flock in the aftermath of the story from afar, then he would be more in tune with Ichigo's desire as a Soul Reaper to protect the people from evil spirits.

Miss Bellwether from Zootopia. Nothing much other than the evil sheep angle.

Superman in the Injustice video game revolves around the Man of Steel losing his wife to the Joker and then killing the clown. Like Chirin, Superman ends up becoming a feared and darker shadow of his former self. But at least he redeems.

Arya Stark from A Song of Ice and Fire, although I think she's more like Thorfinn in the sense of losing their favorite parent and being raised by that parent's killer.

Yona of the Dawn also begins with a protagonist being thrown from her carefree life into the harsh reality.

Any other comparisons?

#Chirin's Bell #Anakin Skywalker #Elphaba Thropp #Eren Yeager #Bruce Wayne #Batman #Inigo Montoya #Ken Amada #Jack Marston #Hope Estheim #Ichigo Kurosaki #Dawn Bellwether #Arya Stark #Yona of the Dawn

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spacetimewithstuartgary · 3 months

Text

Earthquake Lifts the Noto Peninsula

The first day of 2024 brought catastrophe to parts of Japan. At 4:10 p.m. Japan Standard Time (07:10 Universal Time), the land on the Noto Peninsula in northwestern Honshu began to lurch, shaking violently for about 50 seconds. The 7.5 magnitude mainshock was followed by dozens of strong aftershocks in the following minutes, hours, and days.

The earthquake on January 1, 2024, was the strongest to hit Ishikawa Prefecture since 1885 and mainland Japan since the 2011 Tohoku earthquake. Shaking was felt across much of Honshu including Tokyo, located about 300 kilometers southeast of the earthquake’s epicenter. Shaking was most intense in the towns of Suzu, Noto, Wajima, and Anamizu, close to the epicenter on the northern Noto Peninsula. Damage to infrastructure ignited fires that burned through communities. Heavy snow that fell after the quake complicated emergency response efforts, making it difficult for aid to reach some communities.

As first responders reacted to the disaster from the ground, several teams of scientists tracked the situation using satellites. The map above shows the amount of ground displacement—the shifting of the land—caused by the earthquake. Red areas were pushed upward and toward the northwest. The scattered dark blue and red areas around the airport and other cleared areas and settlements throughout the peninsula are likely false signals caused by how the shapes of buildings or other features reflect radar signals.

“The surface moved upward as much as 4 meters (13 feet) on some parts of the north coast of the Noto Peninsula,” said Eric Fielding, a geophysicist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). “The uplift is large because the fault ruptured close to the surface—at a depth of about 10 kilometers (6 miles). It occurred on a fault with a steep dip angle, and the south side of the fault moved upward—what we call a thrust earthquake.”

Earthquakes occur at a variety of depths. Those that occur between 0 to 70 kilometers are shallow, between 70 and 300 kilometers are intermediate, and between 300 and 700 kilometers are deep. Earthquakes that occur at shallow depths, like this one, tend to be more destructive because the seismic waves generated have less time to lose energy as they travel from the source of a quake to the surface.

The map is based on data from the Advanced Rapid Imaging and Analysis (ARIA) team at JPL and the California Institute of Technology’s Seismological Laboratory, a team that develops state-of-the-art deformation measurements, change detection methods, and physical models for use in hazards science and response. The ARIA team used synthetic aperture radar data from the PALSAR-2 sensor on the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s ALOS-2 (Advanced Land Observing Satellite-2) and a pixel offset tracking technique to measure surface displacement in the line-of-sight between the ground and the satellite.

Additional analysis of ALOS-2 observations by scientists from the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan indicates that the earthquake uplifted land along 85 kilometers (52 miles) of coastline. It shifted the location of the coastline roughly 200 meters seaward at Minazuki Bay, one of the areas that saw the most uplift. They also reported a large amount of uplift and new land in Waijma and Nafune.

Goto Hideaki, a geomorphologist from Hiroshima University, with colleagues from the Association for Japanese Geographers, used aerial photographs and satellite data to estimate that the quake exposed a total of 4.4 square kilometers of land along the coasts of the Nota Peninsula.

Some of the coastline changes around Minazuki Bay are visible in the pair of Landsat images above. The image on the left, from the OLI-2 (Operational Land Imager-2) on Landsat 9 was acquired on January 10, 2022, before the earthquake. The image on the right, from OLI (Operational Land Imager) was acquired on January 17, 2024, after the event. The bay hosts two small fishing ports that were left much higher and drier than usual. More than 15 fishing ports in Ishikawa Prefecture reported uplift, according to The Asashi Shimbun.

Satellite data often proves useful for emergency aid organizations assisting with disaster response immediately after an event because it can be used to rapidly locate the most severely damaged areas. Over longer time spans, satellite data can also help authorities make more informed decisions about recovery and rebuilding as they prepare for the possibility of future events.

NASA Earth Observatory surface displacment map by Lauren Dauphin, using data provided by the ARIA team at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and California Institute of Technology. The map is based on ALOS-2/PALSAR-2 data provided by JAXA that was processed by the ARIA team. Dauphin generated the pair of Landsat images using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Adam Voiland, with science review by Eric Fielding.

#science #space #news #nasa #earth observatory

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pmkscanlations · 1 year

Text

PMK DVD Booklet Interviews 5

Thanks to @/pmkloveadmin and their kind friend yuunsoba who provided the raws for these interviews! Here’s the fifth set; please enjoy! I’ll be posting the final set tomorrow!

STAFF COMMENTARY Kimiya Shigeru (Director)

I believe the production work has currently reached its climax, but please tell us your frank impressions as the director of the Peacemaker Kurogane movies.

I’ve always wanted to direct something based on the end of the Edo period, so I was delighted to come across this. In particular, I’m a fan of the Shinsengumi, so seeing all the typical characters like Kondo and Hijikata made me excited. I’m also glad that I got to know the lesser-known member Ichimura Tetsunosuke through it.

In working on this movie, were there any things you kept conscious awareness of?

Above all else, I tried not to change the flavor of the original work. I also thought carefully about the art setting and tools etc., because even though it’s a fictional work, the audience won’t be immersed without creating the world view of the Bakumatsu era. Finally, I was careful not to turn the enemies into mere villains. After all, even with the differing factions, the end of the Tokugawa Shogunate was an era where everyone simply lived according to their own ideas and ideals.

Tell us about a scene you had a particularly hard time directing and put a lot of time into. Please let fans know if there are any points in particular that you want them paying attention to.

There are plenty of parts that mirror real historical fact, so I took care to pay extra attention to Saito’s death chronology records and its consistency with historical timelines. I had the hardest time deciding how far to adjust historical facts and which parts to arrange. Though it’s a small detail, I tried to add a natural Tennen Rishin-Ryu flair to the way they drew and cut with their swords.

In a nutshell, how would you describe Peacemaker Kurogane from the view of a director?

An ensemble drama full of tragedy. As far as easily understood examples go, there’s the budding love between Saya and Tetsunosuke, the brotherly love between Tetsunosuke and Tatsunosuke… All of the main characters in this work are fighting for someone else while suffering. I think even Suzu, who has fallen into the dark path of revenge, still does it out of his admiration and affection for Toshimaro Yoshida. I think there’s something for everyone to enjoy, no matter what relationship diagrams and so on they think up for their favorite characters.

Finally, please leave a message for the fans who watch this series.

In part two, the Shinsengumi will be swallowed up by the times as the battle of Toba-Fushimi starts. It focuses on the previously invincible Shinsengumi suffering its first defeat, and the friendship between Tetsunosuke and Yamazaki, who are each struggling with their own ways of life. Last year marked the 150th year anniversary of the Meiji Restoration. I would like to consider this work a bouquet dedicated to it.

Eiji Umehara (Script & Series Composition)

Please tell us your first impressions for being in charge of the script for this work.

It was a very meaningful and rewarding script to do. I remember rushing to buy Shinsengumi-related books at the bookstore on the day I got the script order. The original work is quite dense and complex. If you move this, you can’t draw that, and if you add this, then that becomes a contradiction. On top of that, it has some heavy drama. While scripting, I often thought things like, “Chrono-sensei often draws things like this, huh?” and “the staff who chose to make this into a movie were brave”.

Where did you stick close to the source material, where did you struggle, and where did you pay the closest attention to?

I always asked, “do they both reflect the feelings of the characters?” The plan was to start filming immediately after the Aburanokoji Incident. So at this point, for example, Shinpachi and Sanosuke had just lost Heisuke, Tetsunosuke discovered the depth of Suzu’s darkness, Tatsunosuke saw how powerless he was… Everyone’s feelings and situations were quite dire. After writing, I was immediately thrust into having to put them all together in the movie and it was a bit more of a barrier than I expected.

As the screenwriter, are there any scenes you want people to pay particular attention to?

First of all, probably the scenes with Tetsunosuke and Saya in general. Even with all of the various things happening, these two make up the main axis of the drama in the first part. Then, the scenes with Hijikata and Okita. As I mentioned, because the original work was so dense, I didn’t have much space to add original elements. However, I wanted to dig down and see a bit more in-depth interaction between these two in particular, so I added back a few scenes that would have been omitted originally.

Finally, please leave a message for the fans who watch this series.

Thank you all for taking time out of your busy lives to watch. While writing the script, I read and re-read the original series and related books many times and became entranced by the world views there. I’m proud to say I’m a decent Peacemaker Kurogane fan, but I’m sure all of you are even bigger fans that I can’t even compare myself to. All staff members brought their all in facing this behemoth of a work by Chrono-sensei. I’d appreciate it if there were parts that tugged on everyone’s heartstrings even a little.

Yoko Shiraishi (Producer)

This work has numerous different forms of media. How did you settle on a movie?

Actually, I’ve been working on Nanae Chrono’s other series since Vassalord. Though that serialization is ending, I heard about Peacemaker Kurogane starting up again and asked if I could take part. We started with talk of a drama CD first but then eventually started discussing a movie instead. It’s been a long time since I’ve made a movie, so I wanted to draw the main character Tetsunosuke with my full heart. That’s why I designed the movie after the theme of the two partings that occur after the Aburanokoji Incident, and Tetsunosuke growing up during it.

From the producer’s point of view, what is Peacemaker Kurogane? Where does its power lie?

I drew the Shinsengumi head-on, parallel to their historically factual story. The Shinsengumi began its decline after the Ikedaya Incident. In it, characters are running away and worrying without caring about looking cool, which felt very human. I was able to empathize. I also cried several times when reading the original when people would die, because my feelings for that character and those around them were so chaotic. As far as characters go, I like both Shinpachi and Susumu, but Tetsunosuke is the one that makes me feel the most emotion.

Did any scenes or lines leave a particularly big impression on you? Please explain why.

The scene where Tetsunosuke and Susumu use Tatsunosuke’s loincloth to play a prank while they’re practicing shooting. I loved how the three had this relaxed conversation in the middle of an otherwise tense movie. Outside of that, the scene where Okita asks Hijikata, “can I have a rifle too?” Even if Okita’s body is yielding, he still wants to be of use to Hijikata and the Shinsengumi. On the other hand, Hijikata wants Okita to live as long as possible, so he doesn’t want to force him too hard. When feelings differ like that, it’s painful and leaves a deep impression.

Finally, please leave a message for the fans who watch this series.

Thank you for watching part one of the Peacemaker Kurogane movies. Part two begins with the Battle of Toba-Fushimi, and things just get rougher for the Shinsengumi from there. But there are still plenty of scenes well worth watching, like their actions and the appearance of a certain nostalgic person. Please look forward to it. I hope everyone will continue on to watch part two.

Toshiki Denyama (Sound Director)

What was your first impression after reading Peacemaker Kurogane for the first time? Did the drama CD or anime change that?

When I think about the path from prosperity to ruin that the Shinsengumi, which bloomed like a flower in a troubling time, took – it imbues the characters with a sort of endearing sadness as they struggle bravely and desperately to live. The already harrowing story of loss becomes even more poignant in movie form. But it’s impressive that a certain level of transparency exists in depicting the hearts of these characters.

Various scenes exist in this show, ranging from daily life to serious matters of life or death. As sound director, what did you keep in mind while working?

Seeing these characters all trying to move forward with deep trauma, it lit a fire in my heart and I decided it was my mission to bring that theme into my work. At the same time, when drawing the Shinsengumi – a dying force – I always kept “partings” and the reason why “here and now” is so precious in mind to explain the regret seeping through the story. That’s remained the same even through the movie.

There are plenty of interesting characters, but do you relate to any on a personal level? Please tell me why.

It’s the second division captain, Nagakura Shinpachi. Rather than just calling him a favorite, it’s more like I want to watch over him. Historically, he survives, so I’m sure he’ll survive in the series. But then I think about what he would have thought, crossing the turbulent times into the Meiji era. I imagine that the weight of his losses and the proof of his life are immeasurable, along with the depth of his feelings.

Finally, please leave a message for the fans who watch this series.

I think people may not be able to fully realize just how precious the “now” is. Even if you think it’s important now, you’ll have to wait until later to truly feel the weight of that importance. I think that’s why stories like this, which depict the bright souls of people who once lived, shake our hearts. Please stay tuned for more!

#pmk dvd booklet interviews #dvd interviews 5 #peacemaker kurogane omou michi #peacemaker kurogane

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tales-of-asteria · 2 years

Photo

[Special Gacha] Halloween Costume Duration: 10/30 (Sun) 16:00 ~ 11/18 (Fri) 15:59

Chance to get Bond Awakening enabled 5☆ Asbel [Halloween], Alphen [Halloween] and Suzu [Halloween].

The already-running awakening partners Sophie, Shionne and Cress can be used to awaken Asbel, Alphen and Suzu respectively.

✶ This gacha features a 5 Step Up gacha, where you pay a discounted rate to draw 10 characters and continuously raise your chances of pulling a 5☆. Steps will not be resetted even if you get a featured 5☆.

✶ You will also get rewards after a certain number of steps, and with the 15th you will be able to choose one of the featured characters (you need a total of 660 Asteria Stones to reach the 15th step).

In this gacha will also reappear other Bond Awakening enabled 5☆ characters. The rates of this gacha’s featured characters will be higher than other 5☆.

A special pick up event will be held, where one of the featured characters will have the summon rate higher than the others on certain days:

Asbel: from 11/3 (Thu) 16:00 to 11/6 (Sun) 15:59

Alphen: from 11/6 (Sun) 16:00 to 11/9 (Wed) 15:59

Suzu: from 11/9 (Wed) 16:00 to 11/12 (Sat) 15:59

For the event, the single daily pull will cost 3 Asteria Stones instead of 5.

There’s also the paid option to get a 5☆ character with a multi-roll.

(More on Awakening here, and on Bond Awakening here)

Characters artes and skills details:

Light 5☆ Asbel Lhant

Stats at LV80 HP: 21,100 | Power: 2,410 | Defense: 2,120

Mystic Arte: 白夜殲滅剣 Lunar Requiem Power: 700% (Target: Single) | Hits: 6 | OL: 40 (finish type)

Arte1 - 四葬天幻 Heaven's Wrath Power: 220% (Target: Single) | Hits: 4 | Activation: 55%

Arte2 - 冥斬封 Abyssal Seal Power: 330% (Target: Single) | Hits: 3 | Activation: 30%

Arte3 - 覇道滅封 Incineration Wave Power: 550% (Target: Single) | Hits: 10 | Activation: 15%

Co-op skill: High Shine Attack 9 (attack type) Performs a light physical attack with 400% of power. (wait time 05:00)

Light 6☆ Asbel Lhant

Stats at LV80 HP: 24,100 | Power: 2,810 | Defense: 2,420

EX Skill: At the beginning of the turn, adds 6 points to the light members' OL gauge if their HP are at 100%

Mystic Arte (OverLimit gauge at MAX): 白夜殲滅剣 Lunar Requiem Power: 700% (Target: Single) | Hits: 6 | OL: 40 (finish type) Bond Awakening Bonus: Own power +100% (1 turn)

Mystic Arte (Awakened Mode OverLimit): 白夜殲滅剣 Lunar Requiem Power: 1450% (Target: Single) | Hits: 6 | OL: 70 (40+30) (finish type) Bond Awakening Bonus: Arte power +100%

Arte effects added by Bond Awakening:

Arte1 - 四葬天幻 Heaven's Wrath Own power +30% (3 turns)

Arte2 - 冥斬封 Abyssal Seal Own power +60% (1 turn)

Arte3 - 覇道滅封 Incineration Wave Own power +100% (activated turn)

(Co-op skill is the same as the 5☆)

Dark 5☆ Alphen

Stats at LV80 HP: 22,700 | Power: 2,220 | Defense: 2,250

Mystic Arte: 緋炎衝・開 Scarlet Outburst Power: 440% (Target: Single) | Hits: 70 | OL: 44 (high hit type)

Arte1 - 断空剣 Severing Wind Power: 240% (Target: Single) | Hits: 6 | Activation: 60%

Arte2 - 迅雷崩襲撃 Thunderous Devastation Power: 240% (Target: All) | Hits: 7 | Activation: 30%

Arte3 - 焔の波動 Burning Wave Power: 340% (Target: Single) | Hits: 12 | Activation: 10%

Co-op skill: Physical Defense Boost 7 (defense type) Increases physical defense by 90% for 180 seconds (wait time 06:00)

Dark 6☆ Alphen

Stats at LV80 HP: 26,400 | Power: 2,540 | Defense: 2,560

EX Skill: When a dark party member is on a frame with an Attack UP buff on it, the frame's boost effect will be increased by 80%, if it's on a OverLimit boost frame, the gauge will be powered with an addition of 4 (points)

Mystic Arte (OverLimit gauge at MAX): 緋炎衝・開 Scarlet Outburst Power: 440% (Target: Single) | Hits: 70 | OL: 44 (high hit type) Bond Awakening Bonus: Dark members' attack +30% (activated turn)

Mystic Arte (Awakened Mode OverLimit): 緋炎衝・開 Scarlet Outburst Power: 440% (Target: Single) | Hits: 150 | OL: 77 (44+33) (high hit type) Bond Awakening Bonus: Recover the dark members from the "attack down" status

Arte effects added by Bond Awakening:

Arte1 - 断空剣 Severing Wind Dark members' attack +20% (2 turns)

Arte2 - 迅雷崩襲撃 Thunderous Devastation +3 points to the dark members' OL gauge

Arte3 - 焔の波動 Burning Wave Dark members' attack +100% (activated turn)

(Co-op skill is the same as the 5☆)

Wind 5☆ Suzu Fujibayashi

Stats at LV80 HP: 22,100 | Power: 2,360 | Defense: 2,170

Mystic Arte: 児雷也 Summon: Jiraiya Power: 350% (Target: Single) | Hits: 35 | OL: 20 (fast OL charge type)

Arte1 - 飯綱落とし Crow Blade Power: 200% (Target: Single) | Hits: 3 | Activation: 50%

Arte2 - 雷電 Merciless Thunder Power: 250% (Target: Single) | Hits: 6 | Activation: 30%

Arte3 - 鎌鼬 Omega Storm Power: 300% (Target: Single) | Hits: 11 | Activation: 20%

Co-op skill: Wind Attack 9 + Chain Plus (attack type) Performs a wind physical attack with 245% of power. Also, the chain counter number will increase by 10 (only if the chain is active). (wait time 00:50)

Wind 6☆ Suzu Fujibayashi

Stats at LV80 HP: 25,000 | Power: 2,800 | Defense: 2,440

EX Skill: When a wind party member is on a frame with an Attack UP buff on it, the frame’s attack boost effect will be increased by 150%

Mystic Arte (OverLimit gauge at MAX): 児雷也 Summon: Jiraiya Power: 350% (Target: Single) | Hits: 35 | OL: 20 (fast OL charge type) Bond Awakening Bonus: Wind members' attack +30% (activated turn)

Mystic Arte (Awakened Mode OverLimit): 児雷也 Summon: Jiraiya Power: 600% (Target: Single) | Hits: 60 | OL: 40 (20+20) (finish & high hit & fast OL charge type) Bond Awakening Bonus: Wind members' attack +60% (activated turn)

Arte effects added by Bond Awakening:

Arte1 - 飯綱落とし Crow Blade Critical rate +50%

Arte2 - 雷電 Merciless Thunder Wind members' attack +30% (1 turn)

Arte3 - 鎌鼬 Omega Storm Wind members' attack +60% (activated turn)

(Co-op skill is the same as the 5☆)

#tales of asteria #Tales of Graces #tales of arise #tales of phantasia #asbel lhant #Alphen #suzu fujibayashi #gacha #special gacha

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leecherish · 9 months

Note

1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 for the revstar ask <3333333333

kissing u kissing u kissing u kissing you kissing you k /p

1. what character do you relate to most / least?

most relatable: mahiru & junna & tamao (most accurate to my overall personality), koharu & maya (perfectionist & crushed by expectations bracket)

least relatable (doesn't mean i don't like them): kaoruko, mei fan, ichie, suzu, hikari

2. what is your favorite quote from any part of revue starlight (anime, game, stageplays, movie, 4koma, credit card, etc.)?

i answered this before but here is another one, this time from arcana arcadia:

"This world is a stage. Even the king is a player. Our lives could very well just be another play written by someone. How our lives will end has already been decided. Nothing unexpected ever happens."

4. what is your favorite revue starlight-related headcanon?

i'm not really a headcanon guy, i just perceive characters and understand them. but i do have the headcanon that mahiru saw revolutionary girl utena as a child and it changed her brain chemistry

5. what is your favorite revue song?

HOH-

anime: starlight (the most violins you will ever hear in your life)

movie: we are already on the stage

starira: eternity is dying and living

character song: koi wa taiyou circus

stage play: saikai aizu (even if you don't care abt revstar and you're just seeing this on your dash in passing you NEED to watch this. im serious. in this scene the 9 main characters are fighting their dark sides so that means they had do choreograph the stage fight of 18 actresses at once and holy fuck watch how they can sing while doing all that dancing and fighting at the same time. im serious the revstar stageplays are insane)

youtube

i just realized this might mean revue as in the songs that play DURING revues but idc you get all of this.

7. what is one thing you wish could have been handled differently storywise?

i talked a lot about this in previous answers so i'll just say that i wish seiran was more involved with the big events in starira recently. i know they are stageplay characters first and everything else second but they are so dear to me and the only way to learn more about them is basically watching the stage plays and it saddens me bc not many people do that

11. what character or scene would you want to see animated?

the entirety of arcana arcadia

no but i'm serious. arcana arcadia (the play). like just the play itself. it would be so so so so so cool... act 6 especially...

12. what character(s) do you wish you knew more about/had a better read on?

Frontier :( but also i need to catch up with siegfeld junior high but in my defense a lot of what is standing in my way is the language barrier

13. how did you get into revue starlight? how long did it take you to get into the game after watching revue starlight (if you did)?

answered!

14. if you had to pitch revue starlight to someone, how would you do it?

answered but let's try a less vague one:

i think you could recommend revstar to anyone who likes magical girl shows and idol anime, since it has some things in common with both while being its own unique, never-done-before thing and that's what makes it so thrilling to experience. revstar's director, tomohiro furukawa has worked under kunihiko ikuhara (director of revolutionary girl utena) on titles such as yuri kuma arashi and mawaru penguindrum and you can definitely see the effects of that, but at the same time, toppy-san's surrealism has its own flavor that is distinct of ikuni's.

revstar loves taking character archetypes and dynamics you are used to seeing in other anime and then it kicks them around for fun. the main pair seems like a common sun/moon dynamic but the more you learn about them the more you realize that could not be further from the truth. it's so so fun to dig deeper into all those characters by rewatching the anime and seeing all the details you missed the first time around, understanding character motivations you didn't. all the insert songs in the anime are incredibly well-composed with a lot of love behind them (case and point - revue starlight unlimited movie music budget), and they expand on the character singing it flawlessly.

the tv anime was on a really tight budget to the point that for the few last episodes they literally had to hire people from overseas to help them finish it but the end result is truly a labor of love that comforts me every time i watch it. it also wouldn't be an overexagerration to say it fundamentally changed my life. it's just good. oh and its also yuri. okay i'm done rambling

15. what do you like about revue starlight?

basically everything i just rambled about sdsgdsgh but uhh yeah. EVERYTHING. the story, the messages, the music, the animation of the stage fights, the characters, the visuals and symbolism, how much it contributed to my overall knowledge about theater and theater history, how it made me interested in other "classics" (totally did not watch rose of versailles after starira did the collab), how it made me appreciate my own creative expressions, how it made me appreciate hard work and effort and striving for more, but also how it comforts me when i fall and tells me to stand back up. i love how varied the franchise is with its anime, manga (which i'm still yet to read *sweats*), video game, stage plays, reader's theaters and so on. there is clearly so much love poured into it from both the creators and the actresses themselves and it just makes me glow every time i engage with anything revstar-related.

except relive gameplay <3 i hope i can get myself to uninstall soon. but the story IS amazing and should be experienced by everyone and you can do that without actually downloading relive onto your mobile devices!!! yay!!!

#revstar #AAAAAAAAA thank you for enabling me. sorry it got this long. i love u #answered

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hitomisuzuya · 1 year

Text

Dom! Scaramouche x sub!fem! reader. Smut. Harsh degradation. Praise. Bondage. Fingering. Rough sex during a thunderstorm. Overstimulation. Mind break-ish? Yeah there is some big mind break here, you don't even have to squint.

a/n: It's been rainy, stormy, and windy all week since Tuesday night. Which is why rain has been turning up as some sort of constant theme lately. Please enjoy.

A thunderstorm had been rapidly building in the distance, painting the sky with various shadows of dark gray and greenish clouds. Lightning brilliantly flashed, cutting and cracking the sky.

The air inside your bedroom was already charged with electricity.

Scaramouche's Electro.

Gritting his teeth, his grip on your hair tightened as you began to squirm against him, pressing your back against his chest. Your hips were shamelessly bucking sloppily into his fingers.

"Stop squirming, you stupid, fucking slut," He growled, frustrated, giving your hair a threatening tug to remind you of your place.

Scaramouche let out a shaky breath, quivering with ecstasy at the absolute power he always had over you. He slowly scissored your gummy walls apart before withdrawing the two fingers he'd been abusing your weeping cunt with, soaking them in a fresh coat your slick before shoving them in back inside of you.

You let out a strangled cry of pleasure, making him laugh. He unceremoniously added a third finger, biting into your shoulder, groaning when he felt your walls clamp down on his fingers. "Scara...ah!...mouche! Please, let me cum already!"

He yanked his fingers out of you just to hear how sweet you sounded when all your hopes of cumming were shattered, making your body quiver upon denial.

"Listen to how pathetic you sound, kitten. The storm isn't even on top of us and already you are begging like a filthy slut to cum," Scaramouche scoffed, smirking as he groped one of your breasts, rolling and pinching your nipple to harden against the pads of his fingers.

You mewled, reaching down to massage your clit. Scaramouche's eyes flashed, making his eyes cloud darker with lust. He smacked your wrist away, licking against your neck. "Didn't I tell you to stop squirming," He sighed, bringing your fingers up to his mouth so he could lick them clean.

Scaramouche pushed you so that you tumbled down onto the bed. "If you insist on writhing about like that," He said thoughtfully, snatching up the rope he liked to use when he was feeling extra dominant."I still want you restrained while you fall apart for me."

You moaned when you felt him tightly yank on the rope to tighten around your wrists before securing it to the headboard. The rope felt rough against your wrists, making your skin burn as you strained against them. It wasn't soft like that velvety ribbons he normally used. You wrists were guaranteed to be rubbed raw, just another clear mark of possessive dominance Scaramouche loved to mark your skin with.

He squeezed your thigh to make you spread your legs. His eyes flashed with angry pleasure when you suddenly turned your head, your tongue flicking to curl warmly around his cock.

"You fucking obedient whore," He groaned, lifting your head so he could thrust into your mouth. "I would've preferred to order you to suck me off, but this works for me to," He moaned as you flattened your tongue to lick his cock before you started wetly sucking.

"Archons, here I was laying into you for sounding so shameless," He groaned, his eyes rolling into the back of his head as he sighed in pure pleasure. Your throat convulsed and relaxed, coughing and spasming as he rutted deep into your throat, giving you a rare amount of control. "Fucking hell, I have to stop you or I am gonna cum down your throat before I even fuck you."

Scaramouche's thumb jammed into your jaw, forcing your mouth to open so he could pull his cock from your mouth. Thunder rumbled loudly outside. "Perfect timing!" He sounded somehow smug with delight.

He leaned down to kiss you, biting your lips harshly. He could feel he had stolen the very breath from your lungs as you gasped into his lips, giving him the opportunity to lick and prod his tongue in your mouth.

"I hope you are ready to beg for me to fuck you raw while take my time working your cunt over with my mouth," He bit, licked, kissed and sucked his way down your body before sinking his teeth into your inner thigh.

You yelped, more so in pain that melted into pleasure as he pressed this thumb to rub slow circles on your clit. His teeth left a deep imprint on your thigh, enjoying the way drool of beginning to pool at the corners of your mouth.

Your senses were starting to feel hazy from overstimulation. You suddenly had an idea. A dangerous one. Panting softly, you gulped, looking down at him before snapping, "Scaramouche, either fuck me or don't do it at all."

His hand shot out to wrap around your throat. "Fucking excuse me?!" He growled, using your neck as leverage as he crawled up your body. You coughed, smirking as he glared down at you. "Try and order me around again, slut. Go ahead do it."

Scaramouche laughed darkly, his fingers squeezing harder as he roughly thrust himself all at once inside of you. "What was I thinking, giving a shameless whore like you some kind of control. Just as well though.." He was babbling as he mindlessly thrust into you.

His fingers relaxed and brushed lovingly against your throat, letting go just in time for your orgasm to wash over you, making your scream and writhe underneath him.

"That just means I can remind you of your rightful place beneath me. Now start begging for me like the good little slut you are. I'm close," Scaramouche moaned, his cock twitching as he fucked you through your orgasm. "I'd better be able to hear you over the thunder."

His breath was warm against your ear, his teeth nipping at your ear lobe. Tears of pleasure fell from your eyes. "Please cum inside of me, please. I'll be a good girl and..and.."

Scaramouche came undone as you trailed off, your body completely submitting to him as his cum spilled inside of you. "That's my good girl. I'll bet you can't even hear yourself anymore. That's good, yes, that's good. You submit so well for me."

You moaned when you felt his teeth gnawing next to your throat. You let a few gasps of pleasure. Scaramouche nuzzled your neck, the pace of his thrusts picking up again. "I'm not done yet. I know you are to enjoy just laying here until I am spent."

Scaramouche flicked your forehead. "I'll make sure you are nice and aware when I make you cum again. Careful not to pass out on me now."

#genshin impact #genshin smut #fem!reader #scaramouche #scaramouche smut #scaramouche x you #scaramouche x reader #scaramouche x y/n #suzu after dark

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himehikoshrine · 4 months

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Sissia of the Central Nation Stage Script (EN) -- Yonaga Route

Is everyone ready for more Twisted Fun?!

Second post, same as the first, except from Yonaga's route. I'll save you the whole "stage script vs in game script" spiel you've seen three times now, and just link you to the others.

Mary Jane can be found here: [x]

Oh Rama Havenna can be found here: [x]

Suzu's Route's version of this script can be found here: [x]

I will say the lack of Isaac's longer opening monologue is a shame in this. Gotta go get that from the game performance.

I've kept in the chunks that are the same across routes, rather than make you go back and cross reference, so don't worry about that. Made this one go a lot faster. Apologies if I added any typos.

Isaac has some absolutely fantastic lines that really make this version shine.

God is a clown, indeed.

Tragically, this is the only version of the route's script in the game menu. The pre-rewrites, as with all the others, isn't there to compare.

Sissia of the Central Nation (Yonaga Route)

By Neji Kokuto

(1) The Central Nation of Kielce

◆Along the Border

???: Over there! Don’t let them get away!

???: Hahh, Hahh…Ugh!

A shadow crosses over the border.

The sound of hurried footsteps chasing after them.

Border Patrol A: Damn it! A rat from the servant country crossed the border into the Arbine Nation!

Border Patrol B: If word of this gets to the commander and the king of Arbine…

Border Patrol A: We need to find them, fast!

Blackout

◆National Standing Theater

Restless murmurs

Isaac: …

Isaac: Well, guess I should get going.

Isaac: I’ll perform tonight again for her!

◆National Standing Theater (The scene goes from dark to lighter. As if lights have turned on.)

The dazzling show by Kielce begins.

Isaac: Welcome, one and all to the theater of the Central Nation of Kielce! I am the goat-headed Isaac!

Isaac: …What’s that? Why do i have such a head, you ask?

Isaac: It’s a bit of a long story, but when my father visited a farm one day, he fell in love with a female goat, and…

Laughter from the crowd.

Isaac: Ah! The local officers told me not to tell this story! They asked that I not disrupt the moral standards of Arbine.

Isaac: Well, let’s put aside the idle chatter, all the kings and nobles, the living and the dead, the passing mugwort sellers…

Sound of fireworks.

Smoke comes pouring in and acrobats enter the scene with style.

Isaac: Let the Central Nation of Kielce’s show begin!!!

Chance: Hah!

Audience A: Ah, It’s Chance! His somersaults are the best! You wouldn’t expect any less of Kielce’s star!

Audience B: What are you talking about? Everyone in Kielce is a star!

Adra: You couldn’t be more right!

Adra appears on the stage, dancing brilliantly.

Audience A: Adra! Oh, I can’t believe how beautifully he dances! He’s certainly Arbine’s treasure.

Audience B: He certainly is from a family of officials! The flower of Kielce!

Crowley catches Adra dancing across the stage.

Crowley: Now, then. Allow me to lend you a hand, Adra!

Audience A: Crowley just caught Adra! He’s the genius who creates these performances, and even joins them himself!

Crowley: Now’s the time to forget the time! Next, let’s all sway to a beautiful tune!

Someone singing can be heard, and Carlo appears.

Fan Carlo: …!

Audience A: Oh, how beautiful…!

Audience: She really lives up to her reputation as the most beautiful voice in all the nation…!

Levi appears at the center of the stage.

Levi: We are the Central Nation of Kielce! Is everyone ready for some twisted fun?!

The crowd cheers in response.

Sissia watches Kielce’s performance from the audience.

Sissia: …

Sissia: The Central Nation of Kielce… I’ve dreamed of them for so long!

Sissia: Ah, I can’t believe this! I can’t believe I’m able to see them perform again!

Blackout

◆Kielce Base

Isaac: We had another lively performance today, didn’t we?

Chance: What did you think?! How were my somersaults?!

Fan Carlo: They were full of energy. You’re like a monkey.

Chance: Thanks… Hey wait, Carlo!

Isaac: A monkey, huh? That’s not too bad. Want to switch places with my goat, then?

Chance: I can’t give long monologues like you can, so I’ll pass…

Isaac: That’s unfortunate. I’ll take my leave for now, then.

Chance: Hey, you going already, Isaac?!

Adra: He’s always so calm after getting off stage, that Isaac.

Crowley: Haha, that’s just fine for a comedian. Isn’t it, Levi?

Levi: Yeah.

Crowley: You’re not part of the comedy act, so you can stand to give it a little more energy!

Levi: … There was something I noticed about the performance today.

Chance: Something you noticed?

Adra: …Ah, I see.

Crowley: You’re right.

Chance: Hey! Stop just agreeing with each other and tell me what you’re talking about!

Fan Carlo: They’re talking about a problem the Central Nation of Kielce has in general.

Chance: I’m telling you, be more specific! I wanna know, too!

Isaac appears among everyone chattering.

Isaac: All right now, sorry to interrupt your conversation. As always, we have some prospectives hoping to join our troupe.

Chance: Oh! Some future Kielcesters have come, eh?

Chance: Let’s see what they’ve got, then!

Fan Carlo: I’m tired, so I’ll pass.

Crowley: Don’t be like that, Carlo. They’ve come all this way to see us.

Adra: There may be some among them with talents like Chance and Isaac.

Isaac: That’s right. If Levi hadn’t found me back then, I might still be working at a factory. Wearing a goat head.

Chance: …I kinda want to see that, too.

Levi: Carlo, you seem to understand the problem with the Central Nation of Kielce we were talking about just a minute ago, so I’ll ask you to join.

Chance: Oh yeah! I forgot! So what IS our problem?

Isaac: I’d like to know, too.

Crowley: It’s that… we lack a ‘gear’.

Isaac: A ‘gear’…

Isaac: …Is what we lack?

Fan Carlo: It means we aren’t well harmonized.

Adra: You know how the Central Nation of Kielce’s performance style is just a showcase of our separate talents?

Crowley: It’s been that way for a very long time, but it’s even more pronounced now that Carlo and Chance have joined.

Crowley: As we are now, we can’t put on the best performance ever!

Levi: We definitely need it. A gear that unites our individual parts to move together as one whole.

Isaac: I see…

Chance: All the more reason to hold auditions, then! Come on, Carlo!

Fan Carlo: Hahh, fine. I couldn’t handle it if someone as tone-deaf as you joined.

Chance: Exactly! It’d be a disaster if TWO of us were tone-deaf and couldn’t harmonize or… Carlo!

Isaac: I think you’ve gotten much better, though.

Chance: Are you trying to cheer me up, Isaac? Gee, thanks a lot.

Crowley: So how many are we going to let in through the audition, Levi?

Levi: Your eyes tell me one person.

Crowley: That’s our ringleader for you! I do hope that one person shows up.

Adra: All right, let’s go then. Can’t keep our future star waiting, can we?

Everyone: Yeah!

Carlo says “Right”.

◆In front of the Kielce Base

Prospective members are gathered in a line.

The members of Kielce test their talents.

Candidate: Listen to my song, Leviii!

Levi: Next.

Candidate: Only one person will pass, right?! I’m confident in my acting! Oh, God! Give me the kiss of death!

Crowley: Neeext.

Candidate: I’ve danced for 18 years with the national dance troupe!

Adra: Who’s next?

Fan Carlo: Hahh… Levi, I’m sure we’ll all die of boredom if we try and test everyone here.

Crowley: Wow, I think I’d be able to write a song with that as the theme!

Adra: Carlo’s right. We’re making our prospectives wait, too…

Mean Candidate: Hey! Is it my turn yet or what?!

Mean Candidate: I’ve run out of patience! Only one of us is going to pass anyway! Skills are all that matter in this world!

The prospective starts singing and dancing.

Chance: Ah, he just started singing and dancing!

Isaac: He’s like Chance.

Chance: Hey!

Candidate A: Hey what gives?!

Candidate B: Wait your turn!

Mean Candidate: Shut up! If you’re confident that you’re better than me, then why don’t you try singing?!

Candidate C: I’ll show you what talent looks like!

People start singing in protest.

Crowley: Now things are getting interesting!

Fan Carlo: …Can I leave?

Sissia watches the commotion.

Sissia: …

Candidate: My singing is the best! Aaah…

Candidate: Watch my dancing!

Mean Candidate: Out of the way! I’m gonna be the one who joins the Central Nation of Kielce!

Adra: What do we do, Levi? Want to cancel this for now?

Levi: Yeah. It’s getting late. We can do this another day…

Sissia: …!

Sissia: Excuse me! I…

Mean Candidate: Who are you? Get back!

Sissia: …Urk!

Sissia: Please… Please let me sing.

Sissia comes out to the front.

Sissia begins a beautiful dance while singing in a clear and free voice.

★Song “Departure”

Candidate: …

Mean Candidate: …Whoa.

Isaac: …?!

Isaac: That can’t be… But no matter how I look at her, she’s…

Chance: That one’s super good!

Isaac: You’re right about that… I can just imagine the scene they’re creating.

Fan Carlo: …

Crowley: Now that’s unusual, for even Carlo to sit silently and listen!

Adra: What do we do, ringleader?

Levi: …

Levi: An applicant has been chosen. Anyone have any objections?

Sissia: Huh? Who is it…?!

Candidate: …

Mean Candidate: …No! You all saw that too, right? Talent is everything in this world!

Mean Candidate: Even if I can’t join the Central Nation of Kielce, I’ll keep singing and dancing! Do your best, got it?

Sissia: Oh, r-right!

Candidate: …It’s frustrating, but he’s right. I’m rooting for you!

Candidate: I’ll come watch your show!

The prospective members start leaving.

Sounds of departing footsteps.

Sissia: U-um…

Isaac: …What’s your name?

Sissia: My name’s Sissia!

Levi: Sissia, huh? Congratulations on passing the auditions.

Sissia: Really…?! Thank you so much…!

Crowley: You’re going to be an apprentice for a while!

Adra: If you are deemed worthy of being a member of Kielce, it’ll be official.

Sissia: I'll do my best!

Chance: Congratulations, Sissia! Let’s get along together!

Fan Carlo: I’m glad we didn’t get another tone-deaf member.

Isaac: …Welcome.

Sissia: Thank you all for the support!

Adra: …Levi, Crowley, we've found what we needed, don't you think?

Crowley: The little 'gear' we were looking for to make the best performance ever!

Levi: ..Yeah.

Levi: Sissia, come with me. I'll show you around Kielce.

Sissia: Right!

As everyone leads the way, Sissia stops a short distance away from them.

Sissia: …

Sissia: I can't believe I've really joined the Central Nation of Kielce...!

Sissia: The dream I've had for so long has come true! My next dream is...

Sissia: To stand on the stage!

(2) Path to the Stars

◆National Throne Room

Subordinates arrive in front of Major Azur

Aide: Major, there’s something I think you should know…

Major Azur: …What is your report

Aide: Well…

Major Azur: A fugitive?

Major Azur: What’s border patrol even doing…? How insufferable!

Major Azur: We’ll take care of this before the commander and king of the Arbine Nation finds out about this.

Aide: Yes, sir…!

Major Azur: Don’t think you can return alive…horse of the slave country.

◆Kielce Base

Adra: What’s the matter?! You tired already, newbie?! We can’t put on the best show with you like that!

Sissia: …No, I can keep going!

Isaac: …Adra’s more fired up than usual.

Fan Carlo: That’s just how much Adra is hoping to get out of Sissia.

Chance: But I’m catching the flack and forced to join their rigorous training, too!

Training ends

Adra: All right, let’s take a break!

Sissia: Hahh! Thank you so much, Mr. Adra!

Adra: You don’t need to call me ‘Mister’. No need to be so polite with me.

Adra: It’s about time you become a full member, too…

Sissia: Huh?

Adra: No, it’s nothing. Anyway, just address me casually.

Sissia: …Okay, Adra.

Chance: Great work Sissia! Wow, I can’t believe you can keep up with Adra!

Sissia: Oh no, not at all… Oh, that’s right!

Chance: Yeah, What’s up?

Sissia: Chance, when you have some time, I’d like you to teach me how to do your somersaults.

Chance: Hey, you’re not trying to steal all my acts, are you?

Isaac: Well, I’m sure they’ll cut our singing parts. What do you think, Carlo?

Fan Carlo: With Sissia with us, I’m sure they would.

Chance: Whoa! Crap! At this rate, Sissia’s going to take up all my acrobatics time out there…!

Sissia: Ahaha, your time won’t get cut. no one can fly as high as you.

Levi arrives and everyone gathers around him.

Levi: …Is everyone here?

Adra: Oh, what’s up, ringleader?

Levi: Crowley has something to discuss. Crowley?

Crowley: Yes, all right! This is about our next performance!

Crowley: We will have Sissia join our next production.

Sissia: …!

Chance: That means…!

Isaac: We’re going to bring Sissia in as an official member of Kielce, right?!

Crowley: Exactly!

Levi: It’s your first performance. Make sure to polish up your act and give it your all.

Adra: I’m looking forward to it. Let’s show everyone the fruits of your labor.

Sissia: Right!

◆Kielce Base

Isaac chases after Sissia.

Sound of Isaac running over.

Isaac: Sissia!

Sissia: Isaac? What is it?

Isaac: I need to talk to you about something. Do you have a moment?

Blackout

Sissia: What is it? Why are we here…?

Isaac: …I don’t think anyone can hear us now.

Isaac: How did you get here, Sissia Christoph?

Sissia: How do you know my full name…?

Isaac: You may not have noticed since my voice has changed since then, but…

Isaac: I’m Isaac, the one you used to play with across the border… Do you remember?

Sissia: …Isaac? THAT Isaac?!

Isaac: Yes, Sissia. It’s been a long time…!

Sissia: Yeah! But what a surprise… I didn’t know you were a part of the Central Nation of Kielce…

Isaac: Yeah. I was surprised, too. In more ways than one.

Isaac: …You fled the country, didn’t you?

Sissia: …

Isaac: You’re from the nameless country… The nation that was once called the Quatra Republic.

Sissia: …Yeah.

Isaac: What are you thinking…?! Do you know what this place is?!

Isaac: The 77-year-long war between the Arbine Nation and the Quatra Republic… The one the Arbine people call the ‘War of Joy’.

Isaac: It was 20 years ago that Arbine won and Quatra lost.

Isaac: The losing Quatra Republic had its name taken away and became referred to as the ‘nameless country. Its people are treated practically like slaves by the Arbine.

Isaac: Given how Arbine is, if you’re found out as someone from the nameless country, you’ll be killed!!!

Sissia: I’ve drilled into me the way Arbine people talk and behave.

Sissia: I still have a bit of an accent, but you do too, right?

Isaac: But your Quatral… If they see that tattoo of a horse that symbolizes servitude as a citizen of the nameless country …!

Sissia: …Isaac, look at my leg

Sissia shows her left shin.

Isaac: …!!!

Sissia: What’s on my left shin?

Isaac: There’s nothing…

Sissia: I covered it with thick oil makeup. That’s why no one will see the tattoo

Isaac: Wow, I can’t believe…

Isaac: …You came to the Arbine Nation just to get into the Central Nation of Kielce? Why would you go that far…?

Sissia: Isaac, do you remember the Border Performance from long ago?

Isaac: …I could never forget. It was the most amazing night of my life.

Isaac: The large wall on the border that divides Arbine and Quatra…

Isaac: I lived near the border of the two countries. My father was always drunk and treated me badly, and I didn’t have friends because I was so timid.

Isaac: That’s why I always played near the wall alone, where no one else came near.

Isaac: Though the wall was terrifying, rising up as high as I could see, there was also a kindness to it, as if it accepted me.

Isaac: One day, I found a hole in it about as big as a fist.

Isaac: The whole went straight through to the other end, and while I spent my days curious about what could be on the other side…

Isaac: One day, I saw you appear behind it.

Sissia: I was so surprised seeing another eye when I looked through that hole.

Isaac: You were exhausted from the forced labor you had to do, but I was so excited about making my first friend!

Sissia: …I was so happy you became my friend, too!

Isaac: We talked to each other day after day, and it was around that time when the performance was held.

Isaac: The Central Nation of Kielce’s Border Performance.

Sissia: Kielce’s show on top of the wall!

Sissia: The singers in Kielce reached even us, trapped behind the walls. Kielce’s dances made even the hearts of the Quatra people dance.

Sissia: That day, we both saw the same thing and made a promise to each other, didn’t we?

Sissia: That one day, we would join the Central Nation of Kielce and become leads in the Border Performance…

Isaac: …I remember. I remember it.

Isaac: But Sissia, we’re not kids anymore.

Isaac: Arbine, Quatra… I studied the history of both nations, and after understanding the way the world was, I knew it couldn’t happen…

Isaac: My dream changed… to being in the Border Performance FOR Sissia

Isaac: If someone from the nameless country is seen on Kielce’s stage in Arbine, they’ll be killed…!

Sissia: Isaac…

Sissia: Still, I want to stand on the stage.

Sissia: With you.

Isaac: …!

Sissia: Please, Isaac. Let me stay here…!

Isaac: …Hahh.

Isaac: …All right, Sissia.

Isaac: I’ll protect you here. I swear I’ll do everything I can to get you on that stage.

Sissia: Thank you! And, I’m sorry to have dragged you into all this.

Isaac: No, don’t be! I’m Isaac the clown. I’m used to a little mischief!

Isaac: Let’s stand onstage together, just like we promised that day.

Sissia: Yeah!

Blackout

Pause

Finishing rehearsals, Sissia takes a break in a private room.

Sissia washes her bare legs.

Pitch black.

Sissia: Hahh…

Sissia: I need to soak my feet…

Sissia: …

As Sissia washes a leg even further, makeup comes off, revealing a tattoo in the shape of a horse on Sissia’s left shin, the sign that this person is a Quatra, a servant citizen.

Sissia: My leg… This tattoo I hide with makeup…

Sissia: The Quatra… must bear the mark of servitude, the Quatral.

Sissia: I want to appear in the Border Performance. For that…

(3) The Quatral of the Servant Nation

◆National Standing Theater

Isaac: Today begins another performance by the Central Nation of Kielce…

Cheers.

A performance is held on a dazzling stage by the members of the Central Nation of Kielce. The audience is at full Capacity.

Sissia is one of the members performing as well.

★Dance “Kielce the Nation at the Center”

Audience: Wowww!

Audience: Sissia! Sissiaaa!!! That was amazing!

Sissia: Thank you…!

Isaac: …Heh heh!

Levi: Good day to you all!

◆Break Room

Adra: Sissia, you’ve gotten pretty used to being onstage now. My spot as the star of Kielce might be in danger.

Sissia: Oh, no! I’m still trying hard to catch up with everyone!

Crowley: No, no you really ARE something!

Chance: You’re completely in sync with me and my jumps!

Fan Carlo: The songs… have much more depth to it now that you’re here, so that’s a big help.

Isaac: It seems like you’re fitting in well with all the different moving parts. Really…

Levi: Looks like the Central Nation of Kielce has finally found its ‘gear’.

Sissia: Its… ‘gear’?

Adra: Kielce is a bit fragmented.

Crowley: Even if you have solid parts, a machine won’t run if you just place them next to each other, right?

Crowley: You may be the very one who can connect those parts together!

Sissia: Oh, no…That’s much too kind of you, but…

Sissia: I’m so happy to hear it!

Chance: Heh heh. Well, we’ve found our ‘gear’ now! How about we all celebrate with a meal? What do you say, Isaac?!

Isaac: I’d like some steak from an Aibee cow.

Adra: Do goats eat beef? In any case, I’m getting pretty hungry myself.

Fan Carlo: I guess… it can be nice on occasion.

Crowley: I mean, we had a big audience today, right? How about it, ringleader?

Levi: …Stomachs of the Central Nation of Kielce. Are you ready for dinner?

Everyone: Yeah!!!

◆Market Street

The members are satisfied after their meal.

Chance: I ate so much!!!

Sissia: That was good… That was the first time I had meat like that!

Crowley: It was such a generous portion broiled to perfection!

Fan Carlo: Phew… I think I’d prefer not to see any animals with horns for a while.

Isaac: Huh? Are you talking about me?

Adra: We’ll bring everyone back here sometime. Okay?

Levi: Yeah.

Chance: All right! I wonder what I should get next time!

A loud bang is heard.

An old man is being beaten with batons in the middle of the street.

Other citizens crowd around and watch, murmuring to themselves.

Sissia: …?!

Old Man: A-Aaah…! Spare me…

Patrol Officer: You, horse! Do you even know what you’ve done?!

The Quatral is the tattoo of a horse, with ‘horse’ used as slander to refer to a member of the servant country.

Sissia: …!

Isaac: That’s…

Chance: Hey, what do you think you’re doing! Hey, you!

Adra: Chance!

Patrol Officer: What’s your problem!

Old Man: Y-you’re…!

Chance: I’m Chance Orlando of the Central Nation of Kielce! Why are you hurting this old man…?

Patrol Officer: The Central Nation of Kielce? Hmph, that makes sense.

Patrol Officer: I’ll show you the reason why he’s being beaten! …Look at this!

A tattoo of a horse drawn on the man’s left shin is shown.

Fan Carlo: A tattoo of a horse on the shin of his left leg…

Crowley: A Quatral… So he’s…

Levi: …

Patrol Officer: He’s a citizen who escaped from the nameless country into the Arbine Nation!

Patrol Officer: Fleeing your country is a serious crime! We’ll deport you and sentence you to heavy labor, perhaps even death!

Sissia: …

Chance: Well, there’s no need to do THIS, is there?!

Crowley: Right! What’ll happen if you kill him?

Crowley: Isn’t it also a serious crime to kill anyone, regardless of where they’re from?

Patrol Officer: …Urk! Shut it! I can arrest you for treason, you know?!

Crowley: What did you say?! We have the son of one of your superiors here, you know?!

Crowley: The son of the trusted confidant of the commander and king. The aristocrat, Major Azur Hybird!!

Adra: …Crowley. Stop using my father’s name to get us out of trouble.

Adra: …But, oh well. Would you mind treating him carefully?

Adra: I’ll be sure to tell my father, Major Azur Hybird, that you were real nice to me.

Patrol Officer: …

Fan Carlo: It could be an opportunity to get promoted, underling.

Patrol Officer: Urgh…!

Patrol Officer: How merciful of the Central Nation of Kielce to pity him, after being the very ones who encouraged is crime in the first place!

Levi: …What do you mean?

Patrol Officer: He fled the servant country in order to see your performances!

Levi: …!

Patrol Officer: And the reason he did that was apparently because he saw your ridiculous Border Performance!

Crowley: Our Border Performance…

Patrol Officer: That’s right! Other members of the audience found them sneaking in to watch the play, and did their civic duty in reporting it to us!

Patrol Officer: How’s that?! How’s it feel to be an accomplice to his crime?!

Patrol Officer: This ‘Border Performance’ of yours is pathetic! Singing and dancing on top of the wall is nothing short of rebellion!

Patrol Officer: You all should have held your performances on a proper stage! Your little shows are nothing but boorish spectacles.

Isaac: Quiet!!!

Sissia: …Isaac!!!

Patrol Officer: Aagh!

Sound of the patrol officer being hit.

Sound of the patrol officer hitting the ground.

Patrol Officer: …?!

Sissia: Isaac just hit that patrol officer…?!

Isaac: How rude of me!

Isaac: This must be another ‘boorish spectacle’, the kind of physical comedy that the goat-headed Isaac is known for… How utterly ridiculous, isn’t it?! Ahaha!

Patrol Officer: Wh-Why, you…! I’ll arrest all of you!!

Citizen: That’s enough from you!

Sound of rocks being thrown.

Patrol Officer: Ow…! Rocks?!

Sissia: The people around us started throwing rocks…?!

Sound of rocks being thrown one after another.

Patrol Officer: Wh-What do you think you’re doing?!

Citizen: Shut up already! Listening to those guys from Kielce is way better than listening to you!

The citizens in the area come to protect Kielce and jeer at the patrol officer.

Patrol Officer: You little… Agh, stop throwing those rocks! Damn it!

The patrol officer runs away.

Sound of footsteps running away.

Citizen: Haha, that patrol officer ran away!

Citizen: Take that!

Citizen: He was always so arrogant. I never liked that guy!

Chance: Everyone…!

Levi: Heh, I didn’t expect them to come to our rescue.

Sissia: …Are you all right, sir?

Old Man: Ah… Thank you so much.

Old Man: I came from Quatra since I wanted to watch you all just one more time…!

Crowley: Did you enjoy our performance, good sir?

Old Man: Yes, absolutely…! It was a wonderful performance. Now I can pass on without any regret…

Adra: Don’t say that, old man. You got a lot to live for…

Major Azur: …So this is it. The place where some traitors have gathered to protect a fugitive.

Cutting through the people, Major Azur Hybird approaches.

The father of Adra and a military aristocrat.

Adra: …!

Citizen: It… It’s Major Azur…!

Citizen: The closest confidant of the commander and king, the strategist of Arbine…

Adra: Father…

Patrol Officer: It’s those guys, Major…!

Major Azur: Traitors who protected a fugitive… Did everyone here participate?

Citizen: …!

The citizens flee the scene in all directions.

Adra: …

Major Azur: …To think I’d see you here, Adra.

Major Azur: And the other clowns of Kielce.

Levi: …

Crowley: Oh, good day to you, Major!

Major Azur: Levi, Crowley. Every time I see you, I’m reminded of the Border Performance.

Major Azur: And of all the commotion you all caused atop the border wall between Arbine and the nameless country.

Major Azur: Ever since that day, the commander and king has pushed to imprison everyone in the Central Nation of Kielce.

Crowley: Oh my… We must thank the commander and king of Arbine for such kind sentiments.

Major Azur: …Hmph. You too, Adra. Even my own flesh and blood won’t be spared in charges of treason.

Major Azur: Soldiers. Take away the horse that escaped.

Guard: Yes, sir! Come on, you.

Old Man: Augh.

The old man gets taken away.

Sissia: Sir…!

Guard: Get out of the way!

Sound of Sissia getting knocked back.

Sissia: …Urk!

Isaac: Sissia!

Sissia: Ah…! Thanks, Isaac…

Chance: …Hey, what the hell do you think you’re doing?!

Fan Carlo: Chance! Not now… Not now…��

Chance: …Urk!

Old Man: All of you from Kielce…

Old Man: I promise I will never forget the brilliance of your performance today, or your kindness…

Isaac: Old man…

Guard: Move, horse!

Old Man: …

Old Man: …Weee, aaare, the Central Nation of Kielce!

Guard: …?!

Isaac: …

Isaac: Is everyone ready for some twisted fun?!

Sissia: Isaac…

Old Man: Hahaha…

Guard: M-Move!

Sissia: Old man…!

Major Azur: …

Azur senses something from Sissia.

Though the tattoo on Sissia’s left shin is covered with makeup, he knows of cases in the past where Quatra have hidden their tattoos in the same way.

However, all he has now is a feeling.

Patrol Officer: Heh… You’d better not disrespect the military anymore!

Chance: Why, that little…

Major Azur: Soldiers, arrest that patrol officer as well.

Patrol Officer: …?!

Chance: Huh…?

Major Azur: Of course he’ll be arrested. He committed the serious crime of fleeing the scene with a fugitive in front of him. A serious punishment awaits.

Patrol Officer: N-No…

Major Azur: We’re heading back.

The troops leave.

Sounds of footsteps leaving.

Chance: Damn it! They have no respect for the people…

Isaac: Chance… it pains me to say it, but in this country, that’s the right way for an Arbine to be.

Chance: But that’s just…!

Isaac: …Why don’t we do it?

Chance: Huh?

Isaac: …The Border Performance.

Sissia: …!!!

Chance: The Border Performance…

Levi: Another showing…

Crowley: Little Isaac. This isn’t another clown joke of yours, is it?

Adra: Just look at him Crowley. Does he look like he’s joking…?

Crowley: …If this is a joke, I’d call you the best clown in the world.

Fan Carlo: …Are you serious, Isaac?

Isaac: I’m… actually from the eastern side. I lived along the edge of the border.

Isaac: I could see the giant wall from my window, and beyond that wall was a dear friend of mine.

Isaac: A citizen of the nameless country. A Quatra.

Isaac: The reason I joined the Central Nation of Kielce was to fulfill a promise we made to each other after watching the Border Performance.

Isaac: To stand on Kielce’s stage together.

Isaac: I don’t know what happened to her. I assume she’s being forced to work even now.

Sissia: Isaac…

Isaac: But I got into the Central Nation of Kielce so that I could make my dream come true, even if I was alone.

Isaac: Just once… Please. Please go along with this clown act of mine!

Levi: …

Fan Carlo: …You really are the most ridiculously serious clown there is. Are we really going to let him do this alone?

Adra: That’s a good question. The show really can’t start without its star dancer, can it?

Chance: And somersaults that catch people’s eyes!

Crowley: Oh, but who will write the script? One can’t put on a show all by themselves!

Levi: …Your passion’s always reached us.

Levi: Let’s hold it together, Isaac. All of us in the Central Nation of Kielce.

Isaac: Thank you… so much!

Isaac: Sissia… Would you join me in keeping my promise?

Sissia: …!

Sissia: …I will.

Sissia: …I want to do it!

Sissia: …That’s why I came here to join the Central Nation of Kielce!

Isaac: …Then it’s settled.

Isaac: The next performance of the Central Nation of Kielce will be…

Isaac: The Border Performance!

Everyone: Yeaah!

(4) The Military Nation

◆Training Room

The Kielce members are all focused on working towards the Border Performance.

Crowley: All right, and here’s the big fight! We need more dynamic movement!

Adra: Don’t forget the details! Feel the movements all the way to your fingertips!

Sissia: Our seniors really are amazing…!

Chance: I can practically feel their enthusiasm radiating!

Isaac: It’s painfully clear how much they’re betting on this performance…

Fan Carlo: We can’t let those efforts be in vain. I’ll be training you all hard for the singing, too.

Chance: Aaugh, looks like I’m not getting any sleep tonight, either!

Levi arrives at the training grounds.

Levi: Everyone, gather around.

Crowley: A quick break! Are we talking about what I think we are, Levi?

Levi: Yeah. I’d like there to be two lead roles for the Border Performance.

Crowley: It’s a story about a fugitive, seeking asylum elsewhere! Here, the script!

Crowley: A tragedy between a woman who escapes a country with closed borders, and a man she meets along the way.

Levi: The two of them fall in love, but the woman continues to be pursued by the country’s officials.

Adra: The woman falls into the hands of the officials, and the man puts his life at risk to get her back. But…

Isaac: …The man suffers a grave injury and dies.

Isaac: That’s a pretty dark story…

Isaac: But it’s as if this is…

Chance: The story is based on Arbine and Quatra.

Crowley: Heh heh, that’s right! That’s the idea behind the Border Performance!

Crowley: On top of all that, there’s a giant bomb hidden in this performance. I’m sure you’ll all understand once we get into the singing rehearsals.

Chance: A bomb?! I wonder what it is… Aagh, I’m so excited!

Sissia: …Um, who will be playing the leads?

Isaac: It’s me, but… Is that okay?

Sissia: Isaac… You, Isaac?!

Adra: Crowley was talking about how unique it’d be for a clown to take the lead role.

Crowley: That said, we’ll still need you to act out the role charismatically!

Crowley: It’s a big role! It’ll be tough!

Adra: It’ll be fine. Isaac will do well.

Fan Carlo: He’s so serious about everything and can still be a clown, so I’m sure he’s up for it.

Levi: Right. We can trust Isaac.

Chance: Whoa… I can’t wait to see you onstage.

Sissia: Me, neither.

Isaac: Heh heh… Ah, we still haven’t mentioned it!

Isaac: Sissia. I asked if you can be my partner.

Isaac: …Is that all right?

Sissia: … Of course! I want to stand on stage along side you, Isaac!

Isaac: Ahhh… I’m glad…

Sissia smiles in approval.

Blackout

◆National Standing Theater

Sissia is practicing with Isaac.

Isaac: It’s like a dream…

Isaac: I never thought this day would come.

Sissia: Yeah.

Isaac: Our promise when we were little… I shut it away deep into my heart, thinking it would never come true.

Isaac: But I just couldn’t give up, so I joined the Central Nation of Kielce so that at least one of us could be onstage.

Isaac: I was so surprised to see you here. Of course I was overjoyed, but I was anxious at the same time.

Sissia: How about now?

Isaac: … I’m even more anxious, to be honest.

Isaac: I’ve pulled you up onto a stage that’s already dangerous as it is…

Isaac: But now I feel even stronger about not letting this chance slip away from us.

Isaac: …All this time, I thought that I was doing this for you, but not anymore.

Isaac: The ones behind a wall that day were both of us.

Sissia: Both of us… that day?

Isaac: Yeah. I just feel that way for some reason.

Isaac: The both of us, so small, looking up at that wall, just waiting and waiting for the Central Nation of Kielce to appear…

Isaac: And now, we’re the ones standing up on that wall, reunited as adults! Heh heh. Funny, isn’t its it? Like a clown act.

Sissia: We can’t play around like we did when we were little. We can’t let anyone down.

Isaac: Yeah. There’s no other pressure like this, is there?

Isaac: I’m going to win against my own memories of the Border Performance I saw that night. And yours, too.

Isaac: Let’s hold it together, Sissia. The performance we promised to hold together, that will surpass the Border Performance!

Sissia: …Yeah!

Blackout

◆National Standing Theater

A sudden change in mood as an ominous aura envelopes Kielce.

Sounds of murmuring.

Levi: …What is it?

Isaac: …It’s the officials.

Major Azur: …Levi, Crowley.

Crowley: Well, we sure have been seeing a lot of each other lately.

Levi: Did you need something?

Major Azur: Don’t be so defensive. We’re only here for a simple questioning.

Adra: …About what?

Major Azur: I want to know the contents of your next performance.

Adra: …!

Crowley: Oh? Have you been bitten by the theater bug?

Major Azur: No. I have not the least bit of interest, but it seems it’s drawn the attention of the citizens of the Arbine Nation.

Major Azur: As a servant of our commander and king, I wish to know what sort of performance is being planned.

Isaac: We’ll be doing a really fun play.

Chance: R-Right! Like with…puppets. That sort of thing!

Fan Carlo: …Even a ‘puppet show’ is out of the question now.

Major Azur: …

Major Azur: Confiscate everything on the premises!

Chance: …Hey!

Crowley: How tragic! We won’t be able to hold our performance like this!

Crowley: I trust you’ll be issuing refunds for all the tickets we already sold, Major?

Major Azur: Not to worry. We have but one purpose.

Sissia: What do you…?

Guard: Major Azur! It’s here, the script!

Sissia: …!!!

Major Azur: …Hmph. Pretty provocative for a puppet show, don’t you think?

Major Azur: I think we need to investigate further. We’ll be taking all the scripts here.

Chance: Without our scripts, we can’t practice for the performance…! I haven’t even memorized all my lines yet!

Isaac: Chance, I think it’s a bit late for that…

Levi: …Crowley, what about the original?

Crowley: No use. They swiped it right away. Should’ve expected as much from Adra’s father.

Adra: Yeah, really unfair…!

Major Azur: Really, I have no idea why our citizens wish to see such a clown show.

Sissia: …

Sissia: … I’d like to ask you something, Major!

Isaac: …!!!

Major Azur: …What is it?

Sissia: …Have you ever seen a performance by our troupe?!

Major Azur: I have not.

Sissia: Then…

Sissia: We’ll show you one!

Sissia: Watch! This is a special Kielce dance!

Sissia starts singing and dancing. Major Azur stands confused.

Major Azur: …Hey, stop twirling around me!

Sissia: La-la…

Major Azur: Stop! Don’t sing! What are you doing?!

Sissia: You just said you’ve never seen a performance before, so I wanted to give you a glimpse of how fun they are!

Sissia: Right, everyone?!

Levi: …Heh.

Levi: Are you ready for some twisted fun, Major?!

Major Azur: …?!

Chance: H-Huh?!

Crowley: Ah, that’s the way!

Isaac: Sing, dance!

Adra: …So that’s the idea.

Fan Carlo: Are you serious…? I’m not responsible for whatever happens next!

Everyone bursts into song and dance.

Guard A: W-Wha-! The members of Kielce started a show around us…!

Guard B: B-But it’s amazing…

Sissia: …Now’s my chance!

Isaac: Now then, the goat-headed Isaac will put on another eerie performance!!!

Major Azur: …Enough! Stop this at once!

Major Azur: That’s an order! Or you’re all under arrest!

Crowley: All right, stop!

Chance: Sir!

Isaac: We were just getting started, too.

Fan Carlo: I had finally gotten warmed up.

Adra: You done yet, Father?

Levi: I hope you enjoyed yourselves.

Major Azur: Hardly! How ridiculous!

Within the confusion, one of the scripts was taken back by Kielce.

Major Azur: We’ve confiscated all the scripts, right? Let’s go!

Sissia: …

Sissia sighs with relief.

Major Azur: Come to think of it…

Sissia: Huh?

Major Azur: You have an eastern accent.

Major Azur: Where are you from?

Sissia: I…

Major Azur: Show me your leg.

Sissia: …!

Isaac: …Stop it.

Major Azur: …Don’t misunderstand. This is an inspection. Show me your left shin.

Sissia: …

Sissia shows her leg as directed. Her skin shows no sign of a tattoo.

Chance: There’s nothing there!

Major Azur: …

Major Azur: Let’s go.

Chance: H-hey!

Levi: …They’re gone.

Adra: Jeez, they sure made a mess of things…

Chance: …Ah wait, the scripts!

Sissia: Here you go.

Isaac: A script…!

Sissia pulls out a script from underneath her clothes.

Sissia: …I only got one, though.

Adra: You took advantage of the chaos and got it back.

Crowley: My, that was some quick thinking. How very fun.

Levi: As long as we have this, we can still hold the Border Performance.

Chance: Man, I didn’t have any of the program memorized! I’m so glad the script is back!

Fan Carlo: …The fact that you said that is even scarier.

Chance: And what was that last bit about? Having Sissia show him a leg!

Chance: It’s like Sissia’s…

Sissia: …

Levi: …

Adra: Right.

Fan Carlo: …

Isaac: But there’s no Quatral there.

Chance: Y-Yeah. It’s no problem if you don’t have that ‘koala-troll’.

Sissia: …!

Sissia: I…!

Levi: You are the Central Nation of Sissia. That’s all there is to it.

Sissia: …!

Adra: …Even if you come from a country far, far away, all that means is you’re a new flavor, right?

Fan Carlo: …An accent just makes you interesting.

Crowley: Yeah, it’s fine! We’ve all seen how much you’ve worked!

Chance: You don’t have to say anything!

Isaac: All you need to do is get up on the stage. Right?

Sissia: Everyone…

Sissia: …Thank you.

Blackout

◆Town at Night

Aide: …Major. About that Kielce member named Sissia…

Major Azur: That was oil make up made out of dried fat of an Aibee cow. One would have to soak their leg in hot water to melt the cow fat or it won’t come off.

Major Azur: At a glance, you won’t notice at all, but there’s a slight thickness to it. My eyes cannot be fooled.

Major Azur: That one is a fugitive.

Aide: Then, shouldn’t we have just arrested the fugitive on the spot?

Major Azur: You’ve seen them in town, too. Year after year there are more servant citizens fleeing their country.

Major Azur: Simple patrols are far too ineffective to take care of them. We’ll need to make an example of the Central Nation of Kielce and that fugitive.

Aide: …What do you mean?

Major Azur: What do you think of using a fugitive’s corpse to adorn the very wall the servant citizens climb over?

Major Azur: We can certainly open fire on them once any of the members of Kielce climb the wall.

Aide: Major, you’re so…

Aide: If we do that, I’m sure this would alleviate another worry from our commander and king.

Major Azur: That is our duty and purpose in being here.

Major Azur: The wall will be the grandest tombstone for any servant citizens who cross the border.

Major Azur: Hahahahaha…!

(5) The Central Nation of Sissia

Cheers

◆Border Proximity (Arbine Side)

Arbine Citizen: Hey, what’s that?! Some people are climbing the wall!

Arbine Citizen: It’s Kielce! It’s the Central Nation of Kielce!

Arbine Citizen: You don’t know? They’re about to do their Border Performance!

◆Border Proximity (Quatra Side)

Quatran Child: What’s the Border Performance?

Quatran Mother: Your mother saw it long ago as a young girl… It was like being in a dream!

Quatran Elder: I never thought we’d have such entertainment in these days of forced labor…

◆On top of the Border Wall (About 50m high)

The members have just finished climbing.

Kielce Member: Wow…

Kielce Member: We’re finally here…

Adra: … This sight sure takes me back.

Levi: Yeah.

Crowley: Hahaha! How have you been, little wall?! It’s like you’re a part of our origins!

Chance: Whoa… It’s taller than I thought!

Isaac: We’re really going to do it… here!

Sissia: …Urk.

Sissia: …This is the top of the border wall.

Sissia: The wall that separates Arbine and Quatra.

Sissia: You can see both countries from end to end.

Sissia: The town I grew up in…

Sissia: Is that the Central Nation of Kielce’s standing theater?

Sissia: …The wind feels nice.

Sissia: And even further is… an ocean?

Sissia: The mountains are over there…!

Sissia: The sky is still so far…

Sissia: I’m so… small.

Isaac: …I’m about to cry. Ahaha…Even though I’m a clown…

Sissia: Isaac…

◆Observation Tower Some Distance Away

Aide: Major, they look like they’re about to start.

Major Azur: The sniper will need some more time to prepare. Let them start.

◆On top of the Border Wall

Crowley: Now then… Are we all ready?!

Kielce Member: Yeaaah!

Kielce Member: Ready anytime!

Levi: …Let’s begin, everyone.

Crowley: Goat-headed Isaac! The prologue, if you will!

Isaac: …

Isaac: …Right!

The crowd stirs.

The crowd cheers at the appearance of Isaac wearing his goat head.

Isaac: Welcome, one and all, to the theater of the Central Nation of Kielce! I am the goat-headed Isaac!

Isaac: …What’s that? ‘Where is the theater?’ you ask? We are THE Central Nation of Kielce, you know!

Isaac: Wherever we sing and dance, be it a shoddy castle, a lounge, or a chapel haunted by ghosts!

Isaac: Even a place like Pontartia is our stage! Oh rama Kielce!

Laughs from the citizens.

Isaac: Now, let’s start the show before the officials arrive! We will now present to you a tragedy between two nations!

Isaac: A woman who seeks freedom! A man who falls in love with her! The cruel fate that tears the two of them apart…!

Isaac: We have high-flying, dazzling acrobats and enchanting dancers!

Isaac: We have the most beautiful singing voice in all of Arbine… No, in all the world! And a magician who weaves his story as he stands upon the stage!

Isaac: Our gorgeous ringleader who leads us all! Oh, and I, who issued from the loins of a goat…

Laughter from the crowd.

Isaac: And with the beautiful ‘gear’ of the Central Nation of Kielce, we will take you all to a fantastic dream world.

Footsteps stopping.

The members of Kielce are all lined up together.

Crowley: Now’s the time to forget the time.

Sound of fireworks.

Everyone: We are the Central Nation of Kielce!

Isaac: …Now, then.

Isaac: Is everyone ready for some twisted fun?!

The crowd cheers in response.

★Dance “Quartz Anima”

The crowd continues to cheer.

Audience: Central Nation of Kielce!

Audience: That was amazing!

Chance: Heh heh, they’re all excited, no matter which country they’re from…!

Fan Carlo: I never knew singing could reach people like this…

Adra: Haha, in your face… In your face!

Crowley: Now then, it’s finally time for the climax!

Levi: We’re counting on you, Isaac and Sissia!

◆Night Sky

Isaac: We’re standing here… on the stage we saw that day.

Sissia: It’s like a dream… I never thought it would come true…

Isaac: But this is real.

Isaac: So that’s what Quatra is like.

Sissia: …Yeah

Isaac: The buildings look so sad and cold somehow.

Isaac: But with each one of those lights, there lives a person, a family, children.

Isaac: You once lived in this country, too.

Sissia: Yeah. It feels strange, looking over Quatra here with you.

Isaac: It really is. I wish I could go back and tell my younger self all about today!

Isaac: …I’m so happy that I kept hope alive in my heart.

Isaac: Being with you in the Central Nation of Kielce made me feel more than just anxiety.

Isaac: I’ve been so happy to see you every day. Seeing you sing and dance has been so wonderful, and all this time…

Isaac: I’ve just had so much fun!

Sissia: …Me, too.

Sissia: Thanks to you, Isaac, I haven’t felt lonely here.

Sissia: You remembered our old promise and our dreams, after all.

Isaac: …I wish these days could last forever.

Isaac: Rehearsing with everyone, joking around with Chance, getting chewed out by Adra, listening to Carlo’s complaining…

Isaac: How our ringleader and Crowley watch over all of it with smiles! And…

Isaac: We’ll hold another performance like today.

Sissia: That sounds so nice.

Isaac: Heh heh…

Isaac: I feel reluctant, but… let’s finish the performance we’ve worked towards all these years!

Isaac: The last song is waiting!

Sissia: You’re right. Let’s go…!

Isaac: Yeah!

Isaac: …?!

Isaac: Sissia!

Sissia: …?!

He pushes her away.

Sound of a gunshot.

A bullet flies towards Sissia, but Isaac protects her and takes the bullet instead.

Isaac: …Urgk!

Sound of him falling over.

Sissia: Isaac?! Isaac…!

◆Observation Tower Some Distance Away

Major Azur: What are you doing?! I told you to aim for the fugitive!

Sniper: But that man…

Major Azur: All we’ve done at this rate is kill an Arbine national!

◆Border Wall (Arbine Side)

Startled murmurs.

Spectator: What’s wrong…? They stopped.

Spectator: Show us the rest!

◆Border Wall (Quatra Side)

Spectator: Did one of the lead actors die?

Spectator: It’s part of the act, right? I’m… sure…

◆On the Border Wall

Crowley: …There’s something wrong.

Isaac: They should already be performing the song…

Levi: …

Levi: I’ll call Sissia back here.

Chance: What… do you mean?!

Fan Carlo: No… It can’t be true…

Chance: I’ll go!

Adra: You stay here!

Chance: …!

Levi: …Take care of everyone.

Crowley: …Got it.

◆Night Sky

Sissia: Isaac… Isaac!

Sissia: No… This can’t be…

Sissia: We finally got to stand onstage together like we promised…!

Sissia: You were just saying you didn’t want these days to end… They’re just starting aren’t they…?

Isaac: …Urgk

Sissia: Isaac?!

Isaac: This must be the Major’s doing…

Isaac: …I really don’t have any luck, do I… Maybe this is the fate of a clown… What a terrible joke, haha.

Isaac: …

Sissia: Isaac!

Isaac: I’m okay…

Isaac: I finally… made it. Finally… Finally I was able to stand there with you.

Isaac: Sissia… I think I’m actually a pretty arrogant person.

Sissia: What are you talking about…? You’re the kindest person I know.

Isaac: …No. I know myself the best.

Isaac: I think that I’m the only one who’s suited to be with you.

Isaac: No matter how talented anyone else might be, that’s the one thing I won’t give up.

Isaac: I love you so deeply, there’s no one else whose existence depends on you more than mine.

Isaac: You’ve always been at the center of my heart.

Isaac: You’re my treasure…

Sissia: Isaac…

Isaac: …I can’t stand beside you like this.

Isaac: But I want to hear you sing at least. To hear the voice that I love so much.

Sissia: …

Sissia: All right.

Sissia: I’ll sing this song, just for you.

Isaac: …Thank you.

Sissia: …

Sissia: I will sing!

Sissia slowly stands back up.

There is no hesitation in Sissia’s eyes.

★ Song

“Over the Wall”

◆Border Wall (Arbine Side)

Cheering

Arbinian: Yeah… Why are people talking about how two countries right next to each other are better or worse than the other?

Arbinian: It’s true that the war lasted so many years, and we wished that another would never take its place.

Arbinian: But… is this really what we wanted?

Arbinian: These ideas about borders and nameless servant countries are absurd. At this rate, Arbine’s just a nation built and ruled by discrimination!

Candidates: We’ve got tools!

Arbinian: …!!!

Mean Candidate: Let’s break through it! That blasted wall!!!

Arbinians: Yeaahh!

◆Border Wall (Quatra Side)

Loud thudding sounds that shake the wall.

Quatran: The wall, it’s…

Quatran: Shaking…?!

Quatran: Wait… Are they trying to break through the border wall?!

Quatran: The People of Arbine…? Why…?

Old Man Forced Into Heavy Labor: …It was that performer’s song.

Quatran: …!

Old man: That performer’s song must have touched the hearts of the people of Arbine…!!!

Old Man: Get anything you can! Bring any kind of tool you can find!!!

Old Man: We’ll tear down this wall… alongside the people of Arbine!!!

Quatran: Yeaahh!

◆Observation Tower

Loud thudding sounds that shake the wall.

Major Azur: The wall…!!!

Major Azur: Urk… What are the soldiers doing?! Capture the traitors!

Aide: W-We can’t… Their numbers… They vastly outnumber all of Arbine’s troops!

Major Azur: Urrgh…!!!

Major Azur: Curse you, Central Nation of Kieeelce!!!

The observation tower collapses in a loud crash.

Blackout

◆On Top of the Border Wall

Levi: …Urk, at this rate…!

Adra: No…!!!

Crowley: …We won’t make it.

Chance: But…!!!

Fan Carlo: …

◆The Reddened Sky

Sissia: …How was it?

Isaac: …It was really good…

Isaac: Now go… Leave me…

Sissia: No.

Sissia: I want to stay by your side.

Isaac: …

Isaac: …Haha, ahaha…

Isaac: God must be something of a clown himself… He’s just too good at the irony.

Isaac: What a beautiful place this is… I’m sure heaven and hell look like this.

Isaac: Ah, I wonder how I should spend… the happiest moment of my life.

Sissia: I wonder…

Sissia: Well, my dear clown… Won’t you tell me your best joke?

Isaac: Heh heh, sure.

Isaac: There once lived a little boy and a little girl.

Isaac: The two of [them] were from different countries, separated by a wall…

Blackout

Monologue

Isaac: After the destruction of the wall, the Arbine Nation collapsed within a number of years from the continued movement between the nameless country seeking freedom, and the people of Arbine who supported them.

Isaac: The Arbine commander and king and his officials were captured and had their power taken, making them normal citizens.

Isaac: The 20 years of the nameless country ended, and the formerly known Nation of Arbine, and the formerly known Republic of Quatra, held hands together.

Isaac: And with the collapsed border line at its center, the two countries became one.

Isaac: Levi Caineman invited people into the troupe as the ringleader of the Central Nation of Kielce, whether they were from Arbine or Quatra, without discretion and grew Kielce into an even bigger troupe. He continued also to shine as a performer himself.

Isaac: Adra Hybird retired as a member of the Central Nation of Kielce, and went out on a journey to wander the lands. And in each place he went, he learned the local techniques of dance. He lived his journey as a form of training to help show his former troupe mates, whom he had so much fun with in the past, to help sharpen their skills.

Isaac: Though he was the illegitimate child of the commander and king of Arbine, Crowley Arbine asserted himself to the throne in order to help the Arbine Nation rebuild itself after its collapse. With the superb eloquence he had polished while in the Central Nation of Kielce and his perfect writing abilities, he helped the nation rebuild into a new kingdom. He continued as a benevolent king, and throughout his life, would lend ear to the citizens, and at times feel the need for a good prank.

Isaac: Fan Carlo Albus showed off her beautiful singing voice to its fullest as a songstress of the imperial court of the new nation, capturing the hearts of its people. Though reluctantly accepting her duties to teach singing to the nation’s new national choir, she contributed to the growth of the generations that followed her. Continuing to face the path of singing in earnest, even in her elder years her voice continues to stay as young as someone in their youth.

Isaac: Chance Orlando began to spread the skills he polished in Kielce to the citizens of the newly formed nation. Giving joy to the hearts of the people through song and dance, he binds the hopes and hearts of the nation as one. Upon the establishment of the new nation, he served as a counsel to the king, both giving him advice, and spouting nonsense at other times.

Isaac: In the collapse of the former nations and the rebuilding of a new one, the place that became the spiritual home of them all was named after the person whose sacrifice became the catalyst for a new beginning… And so, it was called the Central Nation of Sissia-Isaaque.

The End.

#jack jeanne #stage script #sissia of the central nation #kielce #reference #my posts #sou route

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gildead · 8 months

Text

“Rules”: repost with the information of your muse, including headcanons, etc. If you fail to achieve some of the facts, feel free to add some other of your own! When you’re done, tag 15 other people to do the same!

tagged by: yoinked from @disturbnot

tagging: @emptyzone, @thetravelershub, @staticmonitor, @tetramulti, @dayfourwmv, and you!

THE BASICS

Name: ████ ███ "Gold" Age: 13 Birthdate: June 6, 2006 Species: Human (formerly), Ghost/half-Celebi fusion Gender: AMAB, Questioning/uncertain Orientation: Uncertain most likely bi Profession: Pokémon trainer (in life), KanJoh League Champion (formerly), wandering spirit (currently?)

PHYSICAL FEATURES

Hair: Thick black hair. Floppy bangs, with feathery ends that flip out/curl up past ears Eyes: Black/Dark Brown (in life), Empty sockets with white pupils Skin: Chalk white and sensitive. Patterns of purple bruising often appear around his neck and throat as a result of internal decapitation. Pierced earlobes (thanks Lyra :) ). Height: 5'6" (in life), 2'8.5" Weight: 110 lbs (in life), 55 lbs

FAMILY

Siblings: Cotton Candy @rosadolces, Papeeno @thetravelershub, and Prompto @madeimpact (all adoptive/surrogate) Parents: Kanemaru Suzu (biological mother), Kanemaru Hiroki (biological father, deceased), Princess Shokora ██████ @queenshokora (adoptive mother), Wario Desmond Mambo @wariodemambo (adoptive father) Grandparents: Unknown. Other Relatives: Shinto @tetramulti (surrogate aunt), MX @nintendodeathsystem (surrogate uncle); Lord X, Maz, & MX @staticmonitor (surrogate auncles); Alan & Alice @staticmonitor (surrogate cousins)

SKILLSET

After death, Gold's spirit was revived by the mythical Pokémon Celebi, using the move DESTINY BOND to impart half its power into Gold. As a result, he has gained some minor psychic abilities, including the ability to understand and speak to Pokémon, cast minor physical glamors/illusions, and manipulate his own place in space/time (teleportation). Of particular note are his empathic abilities -- while Gold has yet to fully explore his capabilities, he so far can make people feel the pain they inflicted unto others.

Due to the excess psychic energy Gold radiates, he often attracts the mysterious Pokémon known as Unown, which feed off this excess residue. As a result, he has formed an odd symbiotic relationship with them where he can call on them to help communicate in exchange for their food source.

Celebi's botched resurrection, however, has caused Gold's form to render itself unstable. The usually clean exterior is but one of his illusions; when it dissipates, his true mangled visage lays underneath. Due to internal decapitation from [REDACTED], Gold is able to detach and reattach his head at will--- often as a last resort. He can also contort and distort parts of his body (particularly his face and jaw), as well as bend at unnatural angles.

TRAITS

Positive: kind-hearted, adventurous, selfless Negative: painfully shy, easily overwhelmed, socially stunted, strong vengeful streak when wronged Neutral: impulsive, self-conscious, trusting

LIKES

Colors: Black, white, red, gold Smells: Sandalwood, white amber, pine needles. The kind of scent from an early morning walk in the forest after a rainstorm. Also like. Blood and ichor, but that's obvious. Textures: Very, very soft cotton fabric, occasionally punctuated by sharp, smooth bone and sludge-like coagulated blood when upset. Chapped lips. Raw flesh, like squeezing a pound of ground beef. Drinks: Ice water and apply juice. Occasionally Sprite.

EXTRA DETAILS

Smokes?: NO!!!! Drugs: NO!!!!!!! Driver License: Died before he could ever qualify for one. Is forklift-certified thanks to the Dancing Banana. Been Arrested?: he's a good boy and innocent of all crimes.

#UNOWN RADIO. memes.#SO YOU'VE RISEN UP TO GLORY. headcanons.#blood tw #gore tw #death tw #child death tw #decapitation tw #traumatic injury tw #throat injury tw #body horror tw #facial horror tw #scopophobia tw

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eldritchlittleblackdragon · 2 years

Photo

Images made with the following Picrews: Here and Here. Also here.

Tagging: @oblivionmobile, @wittythreads, @shylittlemayfly, @possiblythreefourthspeahen

Annabelle Nishimura

Also Known as: Belle (preferred nickname), Emi (Alias she goes by in Kamakura Era Tsushima/the Ghost of Tsushima Setting), Emi Sakai (alternative of Alias, after being wed to Jin Sakai)

Age: Late 20′s/Early 30′sish

Gender: Cis Female (She/Her pronouns)

Sexuality: Gray-Bisexual (has very rarely experienced sexual attraction, she was originally thinking she might be demi but the few times she’s experienced attraction weren’t always people she had a close bond/connection to.)

Neurotype: Autistic

Ethnicity: Japanese on her Father’s side, Dutch/French on her mother’s side

Nationality: American

Languages Spoken: English, Japanese, A Smattering of French (learned in K-12 but never really used)

Height: 5′8.5″ (~174 cm)

Build: Notably Tall, Kind of average in terms of not being especially skinny or fat, has some muscle/strength to begin with but gains more when she starts going back into the past.

Eyes: Dark Brown

Hair: Medium Brown in Shade, curly, medium length - will usually wear it loose or ties it back into a low ponytail

Complexion: Fair (with lots of Freckles)

Other Physical Characteristics: Left-Handed (for writing), but can use her right hand for most other tasks if need be, Prominent scar on right hip and a small, barely visible one near her right ear (both from a car accident)

Hobbies: Art, Poetry, Literature, History, Hiking, Camping, Nature Photography

Likes: Nature, Animals, Beauty in Everyday Things, Learning New Things, Appreciating Art, Good Food (especially spicy food), Painting, Swimming, Hearing and Telling Stories/Folklore (especially ghost stories), Parallel Play, Discussions on Philosophy/Ethics, Visual Novels and Puzzle Games (and puzzles in general)

Dislikes: Inflexibility, Masking (especially feeling like she has to in order to navigate the world while being autistic) and generally feeling unable to be genuine in a given situation, Lacking Knowledge/Experience, Being Caught Off Guard, People Who Are Elitist About Things, Feeling/Being Powerless

Relatives (non-canon characters): Yuta Nishimura (Father), Susan ‘Suzie’ Nishimura (Mother), Rin Nishimura (Paternal Grandmother), Kosuke Nishimura (Paternal Grandfather), Kei Nishimura (Paternal Cousin - child of Yuta’s younger sister, also Annabelle’s coworker in her current job), Maryanne Peters (Maternal Grandmother), Bram Peters (Maternal Grandfather), Damian Peters (Maternal Uncle), David Peters (Maternal Uncle)

Friends/Associates ((non-canon characters):

Modern Side: Joey Andrews (Childhood friend recently reconnected with, is currently engaged to a guy named ‘Lu’), Dante Iwai (Mutual Friend of Annabelle and Joey, reconnected the two of them), Claire Larson (Work Friend - works at the museum gift shop), Logan Holt (Friend/Apartment Building Neighbor)

Other Coworkers: Vanessa Parker (museum Janitor), Sangha Kim (fellow tour guide, specializes in school field trip tours)

Ghost of Tsushima Side: Miyako, Miki (Ghost- Deceased sister of Miyako, Emi Adachi and Aunt of Sho Adachi, also deceased), Tatsuya, Chihiro and Suzu (Fisherman family, took Annabelle in when she first arrived), Nozawa-senei

Personality: Annabelle is a quiet, gentle, and compassionate individual. Her quiet nature is often mistaken for shyness. But she’s actually not shy at all (typically) and has no qualms about initiating interactions. She actually likes being in the company of other people quite a bit, but doesn’t have a large social battery for spending time with more than one person. (So breaks, especially in her line of work, are a must!) She has a pretty significant fear of having to heavily rely on others/not being able to do things by herself. She feels an intense need to prove she is capable on her own merits. She does experience generalized anxiety, and while it does cover certain social situations for her (particularly matters of romance and sex, and her lack of experience with the latter), it doesn’t encompass social situations in general.

Pre-Canon Backstory:

More of a pre-pre canon backstory. (Because her story with the Ghost of Tsushima characters starts prior to the canon events of the game.) This is also a lot more quick and dirty than the last OC post I did so apologies if its choppy and very bare bones.

Annabelle was born to Yuta Nishimura and his wife Susan in the 1990s. Originally, she spent much of her childhood/teens in the American midwest before her family moved to California around the time she was high school. She always had an interest in art, and her parents were very encouraging of her interests. They tried to be supportive of her needs as an autistic person, particularly as both her parents were autistic themselves. While she got along with her parents most of the time, they had a tendency to be a bit overprotective and even smothering at times, which heavily contributed to Annabelle’s desire for self-sufficiency and a need to prove herself.

During high school, Annabelle developed a close relationship with her paternal cousin, Kei. They were practically like siblings, and trusted each other almost completely. She also spend some time trying to get to know her paternal grandparents, but found herself standoffish with them. Still, she tried, and by the end of it found some kinship with her paternal grandmother, Rin.

Eventually, Annabelle returned to the midwest for college, attending college in the same town where her maternal grandmother and maternal uncles lived. She was close to all of them growing up, and it helped her transition into college life to have trusted relatives living in the same town.

She returned from school her sophomore year of college to visit her parents for the holidays. On the way to the airport in the wee hours of the morning to send her back to college at the end of the break, Annabelle and her parents ended up in a terrible car accident, where Annabelle was the only survivor.

Annabelle was devastated by the loss of her parents, to the point she dropped out of college for a couple of years (during which time she stayed with Kei, who had moved out to the midwest by that point after accepting a job at an art museum as an administrator - the same museum at which she would later come to have her current job).

Annabelle eventually returned to college and finished her studies, at which point she worked odd jobs here and there while living with her maternal grandmother and maternal uncles. After three years or so of this, she moved back in with her cousin Kei, and looked for work for a bit until Kei told her there was an opening at the museum they worked at for a tour guide.

She applied and was accepted, and to this day the museum is where she currently works.

Her story begins when the Museum is set to put on a special exhibit on ‘The Art and Folktales of Tsushima’ (an exhibit on, well, art and folktales from Tsushima, an island of the coast of mainland Japan that in the current day is part of Japan’s Nagasaki prefecture).

On the night before the exhibition is set to open to the general public, Annabelle attends a party with her cousin Kei that celebrates the opening of the exhibit. After passing by a display of a beautiful comb, she has a strange waking dream about a woman in traditional Japanese shrine maiden garb beckoning her towards a door that appears to open to somewhere underwater... a shinto temple submerged under the sea.

She’s snapped out of it by Kei, who gives her a worried look when she comes to.

Unfortunately when she goes to bed that night, she wakes up to find herself underwater again, this time with nothing in sight by light filtering from above. After floating for a bit, and seeing a brief vision of the shrine maiden, she suddenly has the awareness of holding her breath and frantically swims to the surface.

She reaches it in a state of panic and shock, looking around but everything’s a blur. She can hear voices however. Shouts and exclamations of alarm in Japanese. She feels hands attempting to pull her out of the water, and before she knows it, she’s pulled onto what appears to be a fishing boat. This, unbeknowst to her, is the start of her alternating between two different times and places - between her modern day life and Kamakura Era Tsushima, first arriving about fifteen months before the Mongols would set foot on Tsushima and attempt their invasion, kicking off the events of Ghost of Tsushima.

In that fifteen months, a lot would happen to her. She’d be taken in by a fisherman’s family and cause controversy among the the residence of a humble fishing village. A controversy to be settled by the local Jito, Lord Shimura, who decides to go about doing so by taking her into his household as a ‘guest’ until he can determine her trustworthiness. She is confined to his castle for a matter of several months, and appointed a ‘guardian’ of sorts to keep an eye on her and report back to the Jito on observations made about her, her characters, and whatever other information can be gleaned about her.

And who does Lord Shimura appoint to the position but his own nephew, Lord Jin Sakai, a dutiful, skilled, and scarily perceptive samurai who appears to give his uncle the highest reverence. But in spite of every reason to be wary of him, Annabelle finds herself disarmed and at ease in his presence. His gentle voice and forthright, high-minded nature draw her in, and she finds herself trusting him perhaps more easily than she should, given the circumstances.

But it seems he is equally drawn to her in kind, and the two of them develop a strong bond to one another. Little does she know how close the two of them will become, eventually falling into bed together and later bound to each other not as minder and charge, but as husband and wife.

And that’s all before the Khotun Khan shows up with his army to invade Tsushima.

All the while, Annabelle struggles to unravel the mystery of how her split reality came to be in the first place and the identity of the Shrine Maiden. She grapples with what the consequences of finding out might entail. She feels she must, that of course things must go back to the way they were. Right?

But she struggles with allowing her life in the past to unfold, and trying the minimize the heartache that will come eventually when she must cut herself off from it. But try as she might, she increasingly has much to leave behind when that days comes. Chiefly among them, a man she’s come to love madly, a man who slowly comes to be remade by the radically perspective redefining experiences thrust upon him.

And whose very much in love with her in kind and will be absolutely devastated to lose her.

#oc: annabelle nishimura/emi sakai #ghost of tsushima #ghost of tsushima oc #jin sakai/oc #self-indulgent time travel oc let's gooooooo #anyway the ship name is jinnabelle and i'm proud of it. it's cute.#i left out a lot of details about stuff but there's a lot more to this and i hope stuff makes sense as written

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