Notes: This script is okay for monetization. Can be used on Patreon, just let me know if you do. If you use it, please give credit. You can change pronouns if preferred but otherwise please don't edit the script. My scripts are meant for adult audiences and all characters are 18 . For clarification on the format of the script, any place that says (Pause) is a place for the Listener's response. Anything in \asterisks and italics** isn't meant to be read aloud, it's there to either hint at the tone or provide context that might help the script make more sense.

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Summary: After having been "mysteriously" freed from Losoria's dungeon, Narrator meets Listener at a masquerade ball. When they need to dance with each other to avoid unwanted social interactions, Narrator begins to question Listener about Narrator's time being held captive in Losoria. This brings forth more discussion about feelings, and where they stand with each other.

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Word Count: Approximately 2,685 words (Not including any actions or cues left in asterisks and italics)

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Writer’s Notes: This script is a part 2 to this script and is part of 'The Lands Beyond' Universe. I wanted to write this series in a way where each part could be voiced independent from each other - and you still certainly can, but some of the lore might not make sense without the first part. Still, if you want to, feel free!

I'm probably going to edit this a bit tomorrow, but for now, this is all I've got in me. I've been working on this scripts for wayyy too long now, and I just need to get it done. I'm really worried this script was tainted by my writer's block, but there are at least parts of it I really like, so I'm not too mad with how it turned out,

Also, a fun fact I forgot to mention last time; all characters in this universe have epithets that they're recognized by (i.e., the listener's character is called Bright Blade/Bright Blade of Losoria), and the Narrator's character is actually called the Wild Flame.

TL;DR: This script is part of a series, but you don't have to fill the rest of the series to fill this script, though it might make more sense. Script may be janky, I'd wait a day or so before filling it in case I make any changes.

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Pronunciations:

Losoria - Low-Zor-Ee-Aa

Qenkirus - Ken-keer-Ee-Us

Asilyen - Aa-Sigh-Lee-En

Script Below:

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\Slow classical music plays as dancing and chatter fills the ballroom. Listener stands off to the side, watching the party as it unfolds around them. Someone walks over and stands next to Listener, their approach muffled by the sounds of music and people talking.**

“Hm. I can’t say I expected to see you here.”

\Surprised, Listener recognizes the voice and immediately says so.**

\Surprised** “How did you know it was me…?”

\Narrator chuckles.**

“Well I suppose I can’t be too surprised, can I? I recognized you from the moment you stepped foot through those doors. I should only expect that you should be able to do the same with me. It’s not as if a mask and fancy outfit can hide the things that matter. No costume can hide the way someone holds themself, nor the way they move or the way they speak. Nor, in your case, can a mask hide the way you stand at the edge of the room and glare out over everyone as if they might try to stage an attack at any moment.”

(Pause)

“Yes, I said ‘glaring.’”

(Short Pause)

“Because you are glaring.”

(Pause)

“I know you; I don’t need to see under your mask to know that you’re glaring. It’s quite obvious.”

(Short Pause)

“Yes, it is. The way you're standing, the way your head is positioned, the way you’re holding your shoulders - it’s clear as day.”

\Listener turns their head, looking at Narrator from behind their mask.**

“Ah, now you’re glaring at me. Yes, that is most definitely glaring.”

\Listener doesn’t respond, turning their glare back to the bustling ballroom.**

“No response?”

\Narrator laughs quietly, keeping the volume down so the conversation remains between them.**

“I know that you’re a quiet person by nature, but in this instance, your silence sounds like defeat.”

(Pause)

“If you remain silent, I will continue to assume that you’ve accepted your defeat.”

\Listener turns their glare back towards Narrator.**

“Careful where you direct that glare of yours. I’ve seen swords with less ability to cut me than your eyes.”

(Pause)

“No, I’d imagine that the sword at your hip could cut me quicker than your eyes, but it’s the burning pain that hurts the most, and the way you look at me…”

\There’s a short pause as both look at each other for a long moment, Narrator’s words dying into a sigh when faced with Listener’s familiar gaze. They look away from each other as Narrator clears their throat.**

“But I didn’t come over here just so you could glare at me.”

(Short Pause)

“No, actually. I came over here because there is something that I wanted to discuss with you.”

(Pause)

\Firm** “I believe you know exactly what I’m referring to.”

\Listener, trying to avoid the conversation, says that there’s nothing to talk about.**

\Baffled, bordering on frustration** “‘Nothing to talk about?’ ‘Nothing to talk about?’ Are you joking?”

\Narrator scoffs.**

“Did you truly think that I wouldn’t ask you about-”

\Narrator is interrupted when someone walks up to the pair.**

\Blunt** “Yes, hello. Can we help you?”

\The interrupter says that they came to ask for a dance.**

“A dance? Ah, thank you. I appreciate the offer, but I’m afraid that I must decline. The Bright Blade and I were just-”

(Pause)

\Slightly surprised, a hint of awkwardness** “Oh, you wanted to dance with the Bright Blade. I see. Well, I suppose that is for the Bright Blade to-”

\Listener quickly cuts in, stating that Narrator invited them to dance first.**

\Caught off guard** “I did? Right, I did! Yes, I just invited the Bright Blade to dance with me and they…accepted?”

(Short Pause)

“Yes, they accepted. We got so lost in conversation that I forgot why I came over here in the first place.”

\Narrator chuckles, regaining their composure.**

“Sorry, dear noble. Better luck next time.”

\Laughing, Narrator allows Listener to lead them away from the conversation.**

“And we make a clean escape. So, where are we going?”

(Pause)

\Mild surprise** “We’re actually going to dance?”

(Pause)

\Slightly pleased/hopeful** “No, I don’t mind, I simply didn’t expect that you actually wanted to dance with me.”

\Listener replies that they’re only dancing with Narrator so the noble they just lied to wouldn’t think that they were lying.**

\Disappointed, mostly able to hide it** “Ah, you’re right. If that noble were to see you not dancing with me after turning them down, it might reflect poorly on your kingdom.”

\There’s a short pause before Narrator chuckles quietly. Listener asks why Narrator is laughing.**

“Hm? Oh, I just thought about how odd it is to see you consider things like reputation. Things like that never crossed your mind before, back when we were Waywar-”

\Listener subtly kicks Narrator’s shin to shut them up, making Narrator grunt in pain.**

“Hells! What was that for?!”

\Listener quietly scolds Narrator for so openly talking about how they were Waywards.**

“Ah, right. No one can know that you and the Twice-Dead were Way-”

\Quiet, almost whispering** “Were mercenaries.”

\Listener asks Narrator if they’re not afraid of people finding out about time as a Wayward.**

“No, I’m not at all afraid of my people finding out about my time as a Wayward. Did you not hear?”

(Pause)

\Dry, slightly amused** “I guess no one has said anything out of fear of ruining my reputation. But it’s not as if you could judge me for my past, could you?”

\Narrator chuckles dryly.**

“When I returned to Qenkirus, I hadn’t known that the reputation of the Wayward’s had become so tainted. While I know we weren’t exactly praised and adored before, I realized that many people thought that they were the ones that kidnapped me, the former heir of Qenkirus, as well as killing the ruler of Vyien. There were a few other heinous things they accused us of, but no one was quite as certain on those.”

“But before I knew any of that, I told everyone that I was a Wayward. I spoke openly about it to Asilyen and the court, explaining the situation. However, despite everything I told them, they didn’t believe me. They said nothing to me about thinking that I was lying, but I could see it in their eyes. Asilyen was the worst of all, with that worried smile. Now, though, I think that Asilyen is beginning to realize that I was telling the truth.”

(Pause)

“Asilyen, my younger sibling? The Star-Cursed? They were the one who held the crown before I returned and was declared the true ruler. Don’t you remember?”

\Listener rolls their eyes, remarking that they aren’t here to socialize.**

\Amused, playful** “Right, I forget myself. You’re not exactly what I’d call a diplomat. Learning names and titles isn’t exactly your expertise, is it?”

\Narrator laughs, and Listener stumbles over Narrator’s foot, making Narrator laugh harder.**

“And, so it seems, neither is dancing. If I haven’t seen you in a fight before, I’d say you never learned your left foot from your right. Surely you remember how to dance, yes? I spent more than a decent amount of time trying to teach you how. It’s truly not that hard.”

\Listener says that yes, it is.**

“But it isn’t! It’s just dancing!”

\Narrator laughs again.**

“Here, just follow my lead.”

\For a short while, there’s no conversation as the two focus on dancing, the classical music still playing in the background.**

“Hm. You know what I’ve realized just now?”

(Pause)

\Sly** “I have you trapped. Trapped by societal norms, since you can walk away at any moment, but since doing so might cause embarrassment towards your sovereign, I doubt you will.”

\Listener scowls but says nothing. Narrator smirks.**

“Oh, but you know I’m right. You may not play these ‘social games’ like I do, but we both know that leaving a dance after denying a dance with someone else would send a few rumors running through the mill. And right now, with all those gossips beginning to wonder about the past of your sovereign, I’d say that drawing more attention to Losoria would be an ill-advised move.”

(Pause)

\Slightly smug** “Exactly. So as I said, you’re trapped. Which, funnily enough, is what I wanted to talk to you about earlier. Being trapped, that is. Or maybe that isn’t a good term for it. ‘Captured’ is a better word, don’t you think? Yes, I was captured. Captured and held captive in the dungeons of Losoria. An odd situation for a royal to be in, certainly, but there’s been accounts of such happening. However, I’ve hardly ever heard of one escaping after being captured. In fact, I believe that I might be the first case that I’ve ever heard of where a royal not only escaped, but was in the attendance of a wedding in a neighboring kingdom only a week later. Bizarre, isn’t it? It certainly was to me. Especially since I was released against the wishes of the Twice-Dead. And the strangest part - the thing that confuses me the most - is that…”

\Quiet** “I know you were the one who released me.”

(Pause)

“Don’t. You can’t deny it, I know it was you. You may be able to trick everyone else, but I know you. And I know that it was you that night, you were the one in the mask who freed me from the cell and guided me to the outskirts of the kingdom.”

\Listener again tries to deny this, but Narrator cuts them off.**

“Ah, ah, ah, no interrupting. I’m talking, and you know how much I love to hear myself talk. As I was saying, I know that you were the masked stranger who released me that night. I know you were the one who unlocked the door and led me through all those dark alleys until we reached the forest at the edge of the kingdom. I know it was you who set me free.”

(Pause)

\Insistent** “But I do know. I’m certain of it. It's as I said earlier; a mask can’t hide the pattern of your walk, or the way your hand rests on the hilt of your sword. A mask can’t hide the way you move, can’t cover every instinct ingrained in your mind and body alike. A mask does nothing besides cover your face.”

\Closer, quieter** “My dear Bright Blade, if I only knew you by your face, I’d consider myself the most pathetic type of lovesick fool. There may be many things in this world that I don’t care about enough to know beyond what meets the eye, but you? You are so deeply ingrained into every part of my life, into every part of me, that I could never be so shallow with you. My heart won’t allow it.”

“It’s with that in mind that I tell you that I know without even the slightest trace of doubt that it was you. You can say whatever you want, but there is nothing in this world that can disguise you from me. I know that it was you who rescued me, and now the question I have for you is ‘why?’ Why did you set me free, knowing that your sovereign wanted me captured?”

\Listener says nothing. Narrator sighs.**

“You can’t just stay quiet about this forever. I’m not going to leave without answers.”

(Pause)

“Ugh, you’re far too stubborn sometimes, you know that?"

(Pause)

"Yes, yes, 'takes one to know one.' You’re very funny. Now don’t try to change the subject. Why did you release me?”

\Aggravated, Listener asks Narrator why it matters so much.**

\Frustrated** “Because I want to know! You went out of your way to disobey your sovereign and set me free! That went against everything you’d done up until that point! You must have had some sort of reason for doing so, and my lovesick heart wants me to believe that your reason must be that you have feelings for me as well! So I need you to tell me what your actual reasons were before my heart gets the better of my head and makes me more infatuated with you than I already am!”

(Pause)

“Of course I’m still in love with you! Did you think after everything that I said, it would go away just like that?”

(Pause)

“No, they didn’t. So that’s why I need to know your reasons for releasing me.”

(Pause)

“To prevent a war?”

\Disappointed** “Ah. Yes, that makes sense. A war could break out soon, given the relationship between our people, as well as the Twice-Dead Crown and I. We aren’t exactly allies at this point, are they?”

(Short Pause)

“But, perhaps, they could be. There’s a simple solution to ease the tensions between our kingdoms.”

(Pause)

“Well, if I were to propose to you, Losoria and Qenkirus would enter an alliance and the risk of war would be eliminated.”

(Pause)

“Yes, as in marriage. I wouldn’t force you to fulfill the romantic parts of the marriage, though I won’t lie that I would be thrilled if you were to develop such feelings for me. But so long as we’re together again, that would be more than enough. As much as I despise your sovereign, I’m sure that if you would agree to marrying me, they would be willing to hear you out. Not to mention, such a powerful alliance would be something for them to consider, given how beneficial a trade system between our kingdoms would be. Given how many upsides there are to such an agreement, I think it would be a wonderful agreement. So, will you marry me?”

\Listener replies that they’re not of high enough standing that an arranged marriage would constitute an alliance.**

\Disbelieving** “‘Not of high enough standing?’”

\Narrator scoffs.**

“You are the Bright Blade, Losoria’s infamous executioner, and the right hand of the Twice-Dead Crown. Your reputation is widely renowned and widely respected. I highly doubt anyone would claim that you’re not worthy of marrying me.”

(Pause)

\Taken aback** “Foolish? But that was an honest suggestion…”

(Pause)

\Hesitant, but trying to be firm** “Yes, I suppose it is a reckless idea, but I truly want you at my side, and I don’t want to wait any longer.”

\Listener, frustrated, points out how all of Narrator’s solutions would require sacrifice from Listener, but not from Narrator themself. Narrator feels a rush of shame run through them at the realization that Listener is right.**

\Ashamed, slightly hurt** “Oh… No, you’re… You’re right. I was only thinking of what I wanted, and not of what you wanted. I didn’t even offer any solutions or compromises - I just demanded that you join me. I’m sorry.”

\Narrator chuckles, sounding a bit sad.**

“You were right about what you said when we talked last. I am more reckless than I should be, I see that now. I can also be incredibly inconsiderate, which is particularly shameful in regards to you, since I claim to love you as much as I do. And I do - I love you like my heart is in your hand, and it’s only you that keeps its beat steady. I should love you enough to think of your wants, and to prioritize them, but my own desires blinded me. I shouldn’t have suggested the things I did, and I’m truly sorry.”

\Listener forgives Narrator. Narrator, knowing Listener to be the type to hold a grudge, is surprised that Listener is forgiving them.**

\Surprised** “You’re forgiving me? So soon?”

(Pause)

\Slightly amused** “Ah, yes. I suppose you have to pay me back for that little ‘capturing’ incident somehow. Though I don’t think that forgiving me for this single incident makes up for the fact you held me captive.”

(Pause)

“True, you weren’t the one that ordered me to be taken, and you did set me free, disobeying your orders, even though it meant disobeying your sovereign. I suppose that this makes us even, though it’s a murky deadlock, isn’t it? Just as it always used to be.”

\Narrator laughs, fondly remembering how they and Listener used to have a friendly rivalry.**

“Do you remember how we used to be, when we were still Waywards? Always teasing each other and competing to see who was the better archer, the faster runner, the stronger swordsman, We were always tied, just barely, with each of us being skilled in ways that the other wasn’t.”

\Listener smiles along, recalling some of their own memories.**

\Fond, amused** “I never could best you in a sword fight, but you can’t deny that I had better aim than you ever did.”

(Pause)

\Playful** “Why, that sounds like a challenge! Dear Bright Blade, are you challenging me?”

\Smiling, Listener replies that they might be.**

\Pretending to me scandalized** “A challenge like that issued at such a formal event? What would your people think? Their infamously diplomatic, peaceful executioner, behaving so brutishly-”

\Listener purposefully steps on Narrator’s foot.**

\Still playful, laughing** “Hey! Now that time you stepped on my foot on purpose.”

\Grinning, Narrator steps on Listener’s foot in return.**

“What, you didn’t think I’d do the same to you? Well then you clearly aren’t- Quit trying to step on my foot again! You are an absolute fiend-”

\Both Listener and Narrator start laughing again.**

“Quit laughing, people are starting to look at us!”

\Despite saying this, Narrator is laughing as well. After a few moments, Narrator and Listener’s laughter dies down.**

\Fond, growing slightly sad** “Hells, but I’ve missed this. Just being with you like this- I can’t even explain how good it feels to talk to you like this again. I miss how it used to be, when it was just us and whatever mission we were on. Sometimes, I wish we could have just stayed like that forever.”

(Pause)

\Melancholic** “Yes, I know. Time goes on and change must come with it, and there’s no use in fighting the change. But I can’t help my wanting, even if those wants could never come to pass. My dreams may only ever remain dreams, but they’re still nice to think about. Don’t you have dreams?”

(Pause)

“No? You don’t have dreams?"

(Pause)

“I don’t believe you. Everyone has dreams.”

\Listener replies that they prefer to live in reality.**

“You prefer to live in reality?”

\Narrator scoffs.**

“That is the most ridiculous-”

\Listener and Narrator accidentally bumps into another dancing couple.**

“Oh, pardon us. Here, move closer to me so we don’t bump into anyone else.”

(Pause)

“Oh.”

(Pause)

“No, sorry, I’m fine. It’s just been so long since we’ve been this close, and it caught me off guard for a moment.”

(Pause)

“Hm? What was I going to say about what?”

(Pause)

“Ah, right.”

\Narrator chuckles.**

\Loving** “You know, I suppose that there may be some benefits to your way of thinking. There are many moments in this world that are better than dreams could ever be, and this is certainly one of them.”

(Pause)

“You agree?”

(Short Pause)

“Dear Bright Blade, I’m begging you not to say such things. You don’t know what you’re doing to my heart. Please, just let me enjoy this moment and the person I’m spending it with.”

\There’s a long pause as they dance before the song ends, marking the end of the current dance. The sound of chatter picks up around them as they look at each other.**

\Disappointed** “Ah. It appears that our dance has come to an end. Then I will see you… some other time.”

(Long Pause)

“Wait.”

(Pause)

“Sorry, I don’t mean to be so indecisive, but… Please, don’t go. Dance with me for just a while longer. After tonight, I don’t know when I’ll see you next, and I…”

\Narrator trails off, choked up by emotion. They’re not crying, but their voice wavers.**

“Please…”

\Listener agrees to another dance.**

\Quiet** “Thank you.”

\There’s several long moments of silence, only the sounds of the masquerade ball in the background, before Narrator speaks again, still quiet.**

“If a marriage proposal is too soon for you now, then I understand, and I can accept that. But I can’t help myself, and I must ask; is there a chance that someday, you might accept an offer of courtship from me?”

\Listener says that there might be a chance.**

“Then for now, I’m content with dancing. So long as I have you near, even for a moment, it will give me something to hold onto when we’re apart again. It might be a bit early to ask, but could we share the next dance as well?"

\Listener says nothing, knowing that Narrator’s words aren’t unreciprocated. Narrator and Listener continue to dance as the classical music fades out and the audio ends.**