#elessa

TAVVLES So here’s a fun story – when I decided to return to writing SimLit, I had two ideas in mind: my previous story (You, Me, the Ending Between), and Elessa. My reasoning was that they would be easy, simple projects to commit to, because one had only four characters, and the other only needed a stage build that I could switch out the furnishings for. HAHAHAHAHAHA funny joke, Tavvles, you clown

Anyway! It’s time for acknowledgements. First, many thanks to the Supreme Leader and the Last Skywalker for appearing in the show. Look, I had to use the Batuu pack for SOMETHING. (I guess that makes this story a Reylo fic??)

Second, the biggest thanks to every reader. Your comments and your support mean everything to me. Also, I am blessed with the most talented readers / mutuals. What did I do to deserve you all??!?! The things you create are such inspirations.

Writing Elessa has been a real journey. Since posting the prologue, I have graduated, moved twice across states in a foreign country, got the worst job of my life, quit the worst job of my life, then fell into a new job in which I’m somehow in charge of 3D stuff because I mentioned in the interview that I mod the sims as a hobby…?? I’m getting whiplash from how fast life is moving, so I’m very glad I was able to stick through to the ending. Really thought I wouldn’t make it back there. And I couldn’t have done it without y’all. So once again, thank you.

Additional special thanks to @freezerbnuuy, for making me the sim of Harry Qin (Montgomery)! He is truly one of the best actors I have had the privilege of directing.

What’s next for me: Due to the aforementioned life changes happening one after the other, I’ve fallen behind on a lot of stories I’ve been reading. I’m going to take a little break and catch up, and start reading other stories on my list as well! While I do have another sims story in mind, I’d like to get somewhere with that Lightlark fanfic I’ve been toiling away at for the past few weeks. Hopefully I’ll be back to sims stuff soon!

Last, before I go, the four people who have followed me all the way from my old blog to here – CathyTea, @freezerbnuuy, @simscognito and @feroshgirlsims – Elessa is dedicated to you.

THE NARRATOR That’s it! That’s the end of the show. I do hope you’ve enjoyed.

What’s the moral, you ask? There is none. This is purely to entertain. There is nothing to learn here, no conclusion to be had.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, it’s time to go. Thank you, and goodnight.

TW: May contain disturbing imagery. Fire.

(The stage is silent as the lights rise to VICTOR lying on the ground, dying. Bleeding out. The orchestra and players settle around the room, ready for the finale.)

(As the room waits with bated breath, a shuffling sound comes from stage right as ELESSA enters.)

(She drags one leg behind her. As she steps into the light, she collapses on the stage.)

(As ELESSA struggles to get upright, the music begins, shattering the silence. Jarring, almost discordant. Loud. Through the wail of the electric guitar plays the grand piano, like a silver wire. ELESSA’S THEME. ELESSA sings in a high soprano, words VICTOR said to her throughout the show, back to him.)

[ELESSA]

ELESSA I am so close, my love Until I hear your voice I will give anything If only I could see your smile again Elessa…

Every heartbeat is a wave of grief Every star mocks me with your absence How does the sun rise without you? I ask As the emptiness claws at my innards

I am so close, my love Until I feel your warmth I will give anything If only I can hold you close again Elessa

Every second in this eternity Laughs at me in my misery How does the sun rise without her? It asks As it falls away into nothingness…

(VICTOR crawls towards his lost love, but before he can reach her, she is whisked off her feet by LORD ASHTON. The music continues to play, desperately, as the two waltz.)

(LORD ASHTON leaves; the lights dim. The whole orchestra except for the piano falls silent. ELESSA continues her haunting aria, but the words she sings are no longer ones we have heard before.)

Should this little window close Will you be lost to me forever? I cannot stand to live A lifetime without you

We are near the end, my love Until I hold you once more If not in this life, then

(Piano cuts to silence.)

In the embrace of death itself

(The full orchestra resumes, modulating a key higher, a frenzy louder than before.)

I am so close, my love Until I hear your voice

I will give anything If only I could see your smile again

(VICTOR, with all his remaining strength, knocks over the candelabras; fire begins to spread.)

And if you are to forsake me If you are to leave me broken

I will hold you once more In the embrace of death itself

Elessa!

Elessa!

(The music is anguished; a runaway train hurtling towards its inevitable conclusion. ELESSA’s theme repeats over and over in its madness.)

(The music cuts. The curtain falls. The audience erupts into applause. And why wouldn’t they? It was an incredible performance, after all.)

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(Back in the entrance hall, someone pounds on the door. VICTOR goes to it, furious, and throws the door open. Edwin barrels in.)

EDWIN Lord Victor Wakefield, you are under arrest!

VICTOR What is this behaviour? Not only do you interrupt my work, you threaten to arrest me? I demand you get out of my house.

(The music is dark, dizzying; like a vertigo. EDWIN’s voice rings out, bold in its conviction.)

[THE ACCUSATION]

EDWIN You hide malice behind your name And blood upon your hands Your lies are poison one can’t trust But this falsehood will not last

Your wrongs will be revealed tonight You thought your secret safe, But I’m the one who’ll end your crimes Against all honest men!

VICTOR What misdeed do you charge me with? You haven’t any proof This accusation— it's absurd! Why would you slander me?

EDWIN Save your defense for the afterlife For when the truth is told The only place that’ll have you Are the hangman’s gallows!

[THE ALTERCATION]

(The music quickens, grows more frenzied. With a sudden lunge, EDWIN jumps forward; a struggle ensues.)

EDWIN All shall see you clearly now A beast that hides behind a mask Your reign of terror draws to a closeYou’ve nowhere left to run!

(VICTOR raises his own gun and points it at EDWIN, who takes a step back.)

Put that down, Wakefield—

VICTOR Your accusations cannot hurt me For I have naught left to lose You’ll pay for all you have undone For if I am to fall, then so must you!

(All lights go out; two simultaneous shots ring out.)

(The lights rise as JOSEPH enters stage left through the door still open from CORDELIA’s wild exit.)

VICTOR You? What do you think you’re doing here?

JOSEPH Why, I’m here to pay you a visit, m’lord!

VICTOR I’m not in the mood. Get out!

JOSEPH Let’s not be so hasty now! Trust me, m’lord, you’ll want to hear what I have to say.

(The trilling of cellos leads into the instrumental. The music is tense, as though the notes are played on strings stretched too tight; strings about to snap at any moment.)

[THE CONFRONTATION] Oh, m’lord, the things I know could turn your blood to ice And how I’m burdened with their weight and long to let it out But if some money were to pass from your hand to mine Maybe you could shelter the knowledge from your lady love

VICTOR What nonsense do you whisper here? Speak clear or step away Your filth has stained my floors too long, more than I will tolerate

JOSEPH Oh, but it’s very clear! How do I spell this out? A Lord that deals in corpses is a scandal to behold What will your lady say when I tell her of your trade? Shall I pen a letter? Or go knockin’ at her gate?

VICTOR You foul cur, you wretched snake! How dare you come to me And threaten me with secrets that you don’t intend to keep!

JOSEPH and VICTOR (overlapping) It’s just some gold / You menace me? I won’t lie down You won’t miss much / And do what you demand A bit of coin / By everything that I hold dear Should do the trick / I’ll stop your wicked tongue!

(The music rises as a struggle breaks out. The lights go dark. There is a slam, a sickening crack, and the lights turn on to reveal JOSEPH, dead on the ground. VICTOR looks down at him in horror.)

VICTOR Oh what have I done? A grave crime The weight of it crushes, crushes me down There is blood on my hands, this cannot be undone The walls are closing in on my plight…

(He sinks down onto his knees. The music stops; there is a beat of silence. Then, VICTOR’s breath catches as realisation dawns.)

VICTOR (whispering) A sign? Is this a sign? Elessa…

(The music swells again in manic triumph, eerie with hope and obsession, morphing into the tune of GIVE US A SIGN. VICTOR gazes upwards, his voice rising.)

Is this a sign you’re sending my way? Another chance you’re giving me? With bloody hands I'll pull you free, Just wait, Elessa, wait for me!

(He exits stage right with a frenzied vigour as the light dim. The music continues, escalating, then cuts off, leaving behind a ringing silence.)

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Hi everyone, I’m back! Sorry I went radio silent for a while, I was going through some stuff, including but not limited to: leaving toxic job, signing onto a new job, two international flights, and something I suspect is the flu. I was stressed and tired the whole time, but now I’m in a MUCH better place, in a job full of friendly people, in a city that I’m really enjoying so far (Perth! Perth! Perth! Perth! Perth!).

My current plan: finish off Elessa, I only have a handful of chapters to go. Then take a bit of a writing break where I can recoup some creative energy, during which I can relax and read! Not only catch up on stories I’ve been reading, but start new ones, too!

(The lights turn on to reveal THE NARRATOR.)

THE NARRATOR Welcome, all, to the theatre, where a tragic tale will soon unfold. A tale of love, loss, obsession and death.

Be warned, audience, for this tale won’t have a happy ending. Tales like this rarely do.

But if you do stay, we will do our very best to entertain you. Begin, the OVERTURE!

(The OVERTURE begins as the curtains rise.)

(The music unfurls to the rumbling of the percussion. The tune, led by brass, is unnerving and dark. Through it all the sound of the synth runs like a silver wire, sometimes so thin it is almost imperceivable, but sharp enough to cut - a fast, repetitive motif, the tune of ELESSA’S THEME.)

(As the stage lights rise, the strings overtake the brass. The sound mellows to the soaring of the violins, quietening to a gentle lull from the preceding cacophony.)

(Enter CORDELIA, a new debutante. She is the daughter of a merchant who has recently come into wealth. A flute plays alongside her song, sweet and melancholy.)

[CORDELIA’S LAMENT]

CORDELIA Oh Victor, my love! In my mind I replay every moment, every word we spoke But in reality I am met with only condemning silence.

Had I known, had I realised sooner, had I held you closer, Would things have been different?

AUNT IMOGEN There you are, Cordelia darling!

CORDELIA Aunt Imogen!

(The scene is once again Victor’s basement, the floor filled with fog. The Dead Three lie in their coffins, waiting for the end. The percussion drums a foreboding beat, like the thrum of a dying heart. The double bass plays mournfully over top.)

[THIS IS THE END / WHAT’S DOWN HERE?]

MONTGOMERY It's over now, I see the light And there’s comfort to be had For this has been nothing but misery And I am sick of this dreary unlife

SANTINO It’s finally time, I’m falling apart I’m not much long for this world But I can’t help but feel afraid Even though I’m already dead

THEODOROS This is the end, I think And in the end, I’ve failed For the Master has given up on his plan But is unable to let go of his obsession And for that I can’t bear the blame But I can’t help but feel regret…

(The three start as the basement door opens.)

CORDELIA Hello? I’m here early. Victor? Are you down there? The door is unlocked.

(She hesitantly begins to descend the stairs.)

THE DEAD THREE A lock left unchecked, a door left ajar The beckoning call from beyond The flickering glow of candles below, And patterns that dance on the walls

CORDELIA What’s down there? What is this place? What secrets are whispered here? The shadows are swaying, the silence is damning But what is the darkness beneath?

THE DEAD THREE Here lies the table with the vials and the pages And a tale that cannot be discussed Here lie the stories of blood, flesh and bone, And us… this is our end…

(THE DEAD THREE close their coffin lids over themselves, exiting the narrative forever.)

(CORDELIA shivers as she approaches Elessa’s coffin.)

CORDELIA The breath of the past like a breeze on my cheek It feels like it’s calling my name The further I go, the less that I know And nothing will ever be the same…

(The music fades, but the percussion builds as CORDELIA’s fingers inch closer to the lid of the coffin. There is a thundering of footsteps, and VICTOR descends the stairs.)

VICTOR (shouting) What are you doing here?

CORDELIA I only—

VICTOR Get out! Get out!

(CORDELIA runs out, almost stumbling on the stairs, frightened.)

(Night has fallen at the police station, attended only by EDWIN. In the dim light, he tosses and catches a ball as he whistles the tune of SUCH A MESSY CASE THIS IS. He abruptly stops as CORDELIA enters in a panicked frenzy.)

CORDELIA Edwin!

EDWIN Cordelia! Are you alright? You are pale and shaking!

CORDELIA Where’s Arthur?

EDWIN He’s gone on an investigation. What’s wrong? You can tell me.

(The sound of the piano leads the orchestration into a haunting melody. The accompaniment changes as they sing– CORDELIA is accompanied by VIOLIN II, VIOLA I and FLUTE. EDWIN is accompanied by CELLO I, BASE GUITAR and BASSOON.)

[EDWIN’S CONCLUSION]

CORDELIA Edwin I— I saw something, down in his basement Creeping shadows, flickering candles, and eerie voices There were coffins, and one beckoned to me Then he saw me— oh Edwin, he was so angry!

EDWIN (furiously) Who? Who saw you? Who has done this to you? Tell me, Cordelia! I swear I’ll tear him in two!

CORDELIA No Edwin, don’t! You mustn’t, please Lord Victor still means the world to me No matter what I shouldn’t have seen I love him more than anything!

EDWIN Love him? Cordelia, can’t you see This man is a monster, a crazed fiend! For who would keep coffins in his basement If not for a seasoned killer?

CORDELIA What do you mean? Surely you don’t—

EDWIN Exactly that, he’s the man we all sought The one who evaded us over a year But now his time will come to an end!

CORDELIA No, it can’t be!

EDWIN Cordelia, see sense! I’ll see this done by the end of the night I won’t turn away, I swore an oath to the law To protect and serve, no matter the cost!

CORDELIA No!

(CORDELIA screams, but EDWIN is already gone, striding out the station door. She watches, helpless, tears streaming down her face, as he disappears into the night.)