Summary: After accepting the Sorcerer’s offer, you’ve spent the last few weeks practicing hard. Just as he promised, your magic has stopped feeling untamed…and, in spite of yourself, you even find yourself enjoying the time spent with the Sorcerer. During one of your regular lessons, he finally opens up to you about his past. Regardless of what he’s done to you, you choose to show him kindness…and your compassion may make a greater difference than you realize.

CW: Physical violence; magical violence; mention of abandonment, fire-related trauma, and death.

Usage:

• OK to record & monetize, as long as you give me credit in the video/audio description as the scriptwriter! I would also love to listen to the recording when it’s done–please send me the link on Reddit!
  
• Gender-flipping and small tweaks are okay, but no large edits are permitted.
• Feel free to use music or insert sound effects if you’d like. Any sound effects given are suggestions–use at your discretion.
• FYI, these are designed to be one-person scripts. Any dialogue or reactions given by the Listener are purely for the benefit of the VA, to help them feel like they have something to respond to while they’re acting.
• Please let me know if you have any questions!

——————————

Alright, once more, my dear. Hold the rose in your hand. Now…focus. As you turn your hand over, imagine you are folding it into the fabric of reality. That’s it…

\Magical sound effect\**

And…gone! Well done, my dear. You’re getting quite good at this. But vanishing something is fairly simple…summoning it back is the hard part. Are you up to the challenge?

“You have to ask?” says the Listener, a gleam in their eye.

\laughs** Do I even have to ask? Your determination never fails to impress me, my treasure. Very well…whenever you’re ready.

The Listener puts out their hand. \Different magical sound effect, indicating an unsuccessful spell\**

Almost there. Try again…

The Listener strains to summon the flower back. \Sound effect–unsuccessful spell\**

Not quite. Rather than command the object, you must invite it to return to you. It’s like you’re reaching out your hand…and then, when it comes to you, you gently pull it from the aether, back into being. Like this…

The Sorcerer reaches out, taking the Listener’s hand. His voice grows closer.

…There. You don’t mind me showing you, do you? That’s it. Palm open…perfect. Fingers like so...your hands are so soft, my dear. Oh, my…are you blushing?

“I–I thought we were supposed to be focusing!” the Listener protests, despite their red cheeks.

\chuckles** Now you’re telling me to focus…touché. Very well, then–on three. One…two…three!

\Magical sound effect\**

And there it is. Look at that–not a single petal out of place. Congratulations, my dear. I must admit, I’m quite impressed. Most new mages find conjuration to be hard enough with inanimate objects, let alone living ones. You are truly talented. Your spirits seem to have lifted recently, as well. I take it our lessons are helping? Do you feel less afraid of losing control?...Good. I’m glad.

The Listener looks at him, curious. “I don’t understand.”

…Hmm? You don’t understand? Whatever do you mean?

“Why are they all so afraid of you? You’re not actually that bad.”

How could the kingdom be so afraid of someone like me? What, do you not find me to be evil as they say? \laughs sadly, voice tinged with regret** Oh, my dear…if you only knew.

“What do you mean?”

What?...Oh, er–it’s a–it’s a long story. Quite sad, too. I wouldn’t want to bore you with the details.

You insist? I, er…

“Unless–if you’re not comfortable sharing, then that’s alright. I just thought…”

No; no; it’s alright. Then…where to begin? \sighs** I was fairly young when magic was first banned. My father abandoned us when I was a baby, so it was just my mother and my older sister and me. We were quite poor, barely scraping by, but still…they did everything they could to keep me safe. Like you, I tried to suppress my powers, tried to pretend I was just a normal boy…but eventually, I couldn’t contain it any longer. The townsfolk noticed, and before we knew it, the mage hunters were breaking down our door. They were going to arrest us all…harboring magic was as great a crime as using it, they said. When I saw them threatening my mother and sister–coming at me, with their blades, and shackles–I–I couldn’t keep it in. They say the explosion could be heard all the way down by the river. When I came to, I was standing in flames. Our home was ablaze. People were running, screaming…most of the hunters were dead, but then, through the billowing smoke, I–I saw them. My family. Or…what was left of them.

After that…it’s all a bit of a blur. The next thing I remember is being chained up in the king’s dungeon. The law demanded that I be executed…but I was young, he said, and given the circumstances, perhaps a lighter sentence was warranted. So instead, he banished me to the Wastes. Death would have been far too kind…no; let me live a long, miserable life alone, hounded by my bitter guilt. He knew exactly what he was doing, the demon! So I swore then and there, I would make his life hell in turn.

The Listener puts a hand on his arm. The Sorcerer snaps out of his reverie, and notices there are tears running down the Listener’s cheeks.

…Hmm? My dear–you’re crying! Fiends below, I said too much, didn’t I? Forgive me. I should never have–

He’s cut off as the Listener leans forward, wrapping him in a gentle hug.

\startled noise** What–what are you doing? Are you–hugging me? Oh. I, er…I confess, I don’t know exactly how this works. Do I…hug you back?

The Listener nods over his shoulder.

All right, then. Let me just–wrap my arms around your back–and– \pause** Oh, my dear… \soft, genuine, a mix of trepidation and relief** I…I haven’t felt this way in so long. My dear…I don’t know what to say.

“I’m so sorry,” the Listener whispers, pulling away.

You’re sorry?...No, my treasure. You have nothing to apologize for. It’s your father who must answer for everything. Had he not banished magic in the first place, neither of us would have had to hide who we are. You must have suffered just as much as I. According to rumor, the king blamed magic for causing the queen’s death. Is that true?...

The Listener nods, their face falling. They explain.

…So that’s it. They needed the aid of magic to give them a child–you. And then, the queen died in childbirth…and the king blamed the very force that had given him what he asked for. I suppose we’ve both lost someone dear to us, then. My family, the victims of my own foolishness…and your father, lost to his own staggering hypocrisy.

“What were their names?”

Hmm? What were their names? You mean–my mother and sister? Oh. Eleanor and Lydia. I think they would have been delighted with you, had you met them. Lydia, especially…she had your same spark. She never did hesitate to tell me when I needed to shut my mouth.

The Listener smirks. “Well, when it comes to that, I’m happy to take over.”

\wryly, the hint of a smile returning** Oh, trust me. I’m keenly aware that you’re more than qualified for that job.

“Thank you for telling me about them. It can’t have been easy.”

…You’re welcome. Truthfully, I should be the one thanking you. It’s been a very long time since I’ve been able to speak so openly with someone. Or had anyone to speak with, for that matter. I don’t deserve your kindness. You…you truly have a heart of gold, my treasure. As beautiful inside as you are on the outside.

They gaze at each other for a long moment.

Now, er–where were we? Ah yes, your lessons. I think it’s safe to say that you’ve achieved mastery of vanishing and conjuration. In that case, the next step would be transformation–changing one thing into another. But I–I think we’ve done enough for today, wouldn’t you agree? I find I’m in need of a rest. If you wish, however, you may continue to practice on your own. I have faith in you. Just refrain from conjuring anything flammable, hm?

The Sorcerer gets up, starting to walk away. The Listener calls after him.

What? If–if I ever need a listening ear, I need only ask? \pause, lost for words** Thank you, my treasure. I shall see you tomorrow.