#event script

Joe: Milady, Nikki, it’s 30 minutes to the opening.

Kimi: Ok, thank you.

Nikki: I’m so excited. What’s the story of Swan Love?

Kimi: The show is based on a fairy tale called ‘Swan on the Island’.

Nikki: Fairy tale? Is it a romantic one?

Kimi: Yes, it’s a story about two swans who can transform into humans and try to break the curse of time.

Nikki: Curse of time?

Kimi: In the story, one of the two swans will turn into a human in the dawn and turn back in the dusk, but the other was the opposite.

Nikki: So they can never know each other as they are different all the time!

Kimi: Yes. But a ball in the dusk enabled them to meet each other and they fell in love instantly.

Nikki: What a coincident! What then?

Kimi: I’ll leave the rest for you to see yourself in the show.

Nikki: Yeah, it’s boring when you know the beginning aforehand.

Joe: Milady used to love the story very much and her mother often read it to her as a bedtime story.

Kimi: Ahem, it’s needless to mention these irrelevant things.

Joe: I think Nikki would be really interested in these things.

Nikki: So Kimi has known the story for years!

Joe: Yeah. I remembered that after milady heard the story, she went to the zoo to see swans immediately.

Nikki: Why in the zoo?

Joe: Haha, because milady thought all the swans will turn into a human, so she stayed very late!

Nikki: Never thought Kimi was so cute!

Kimi: Did I do that? I didn’t remember at all.

Joe: Ah, those old days. Milady loved the bedtime story so much. Hey, why don’t you compete over cute pajama.

(Year 680. Welton Square.)

(On the product release conference of Apple Apparel Group, haute couture series named ‘Swan Love’ was released.

(The venue was decorated as a lake. The elegant models in the dress remind people of noble swans.)

(For the finale, two models, one in black and one in white, attracted the eyes of all the visitors.)

Nikki: What an eye-opener! Kimi, thanks for inviting me to the conference.

Kimi: No worries. It’s our houte couture designed for valentine, named ‘Swan Love.’

Nikki: Swan Love... The models walk in them really resemble swans. Does the name come from that?

Kimi: Nope. It’s a crossover product with a theatre show. So the inspiration is also from the play.

Nikki: A theatre show?

Kimi: Yes, a show in which main characters are one black swan and a white swan. So the design focused on an evening dress.

Nikki: Okay. Though the color is straight black and white, it feels not dull at all. Another AAG artwork!

Kimi: Oh, the show Swan Love will be premiered tonight and the actors will answer the curtain call in he sets. Do you want to come?

Nikki: Yes. It sounds so interesting!

Kimi: I’m wondering what it looks like when actors, instead of models, wear the dress.

Nikki: It will be completely different, I think.

Kimi: I’d also want to know what Nikki feels about the dress. Let’s try Swan Love theme dress!

Peachy: Another newcomer? Looking for the doctor, right? He’s pretty busy these days, what with all the new test subjects...

I: Test subjects?

Gray Raven: Do we have another guest, Peachy?

Peachy: Heehee, I’m only kidding! (Whispers) Don’t tell the doctor, okay?

Gray Raven: You, huh?

Gray Raven: (Looks up and down) Hmm...

I: ? ? ?

Gray Raven: Very good...people come from all over to my lab seeking greater power and abilities. Tell me, why have you chosen to come here today?

I: Because I want to become like you.

Gray Raven: I sense...a great deal of ambition in your soul.

Gray Raven: But I’ve studied more than my fair share of ordinary souls like yours. Do you have anything more interesting to offer me in exchange?

I: Well...

(Peach giggles quietly at Gray Raven’s words.)

Gray Raven: Don’t trouble yourself too much over this. Just accept my...changes...and obey my instructions, and I will fulfill your desires one by one.

I: Then...what do you need me to do?

Gray Raven: An elf once passed through here. His name was...Kloris? I had never met an elf before...Does his body differ much from a human’s? (Chuckles) I’m sure he’d make a fine specimen...

I: Huh? You want me to fight an elf?!

Gray Raven: Don’t get ahead of yourself! You need only bring me one of his companions; I’ll handle the rest, personally. Ahhhh, just thinking about it makes me shudder with excitement!

Peachy: The operating room is just down the hall over there. Come find me when you’ve made your decision.

(Under the guidance of the flyer girl, Nikki went to the opposite side of the theatre and a familiar figure approached.)

Momo: The is Xiwu!

Bai Jinjin: I’ll inform the staff!

Young Lady: Well...

Nikki: Miss Xiwu, don’t worry. We mean you no harm. The staff will take you to the backstage.

Young Lady: I... I didn’t... I’m not...

Momo: Give me a signature! I’m a fan of you for years!

Young Lady: Well, I think you should...

Worker: Xiwu, you are here! Look at your makeup. Go backstage and change a suit!

Zhaoyin: ...

(The girl seems to lose the confidence to explain anymore and went to the backstage.)

Bai Jinjin: Can we go to the backstage? I’m pretty interested in your designs.

Stylist: No problem. You did us a great favor!

(When the dresser and stylist were busy around the girl and Nikki discussed the style with Bai Jinjin...)

Nikki: Eh?! This is...Xiwu?!

Momo: Gosh. Why there are two Xiwu!

(At the door of the dressing room is another girl who looks exactly like the girl being dressed.)

(People went all silent. It’s too surprising)

Xwu: Zhaoyin, is that you?

Zhaoyin: Xiwu, I finally met you!

Momo: They are talking. Am I crazy?

Bai Jinjin: Just two girls who look very similar, like Nikki and I. Maybe they are sisters.

Momo: Ah, I thought the girl was an image walking out of the mirror. Nikki, wear sweet cute skirt to calm me down.

Ozeca: Colonel, this is our new recruit.

(Nidhogg glances coolly in their direction)

I: G-Good afternoon, Colonel Nidhogg!

Ozeca: I’ve seen plenty of good soldiers retire in my days, so let me confirm one thing with you. Are you fully aware of the decision you have made?

I: Yes, sir! Crystal-clear, sir!

Ozeca: Not bad. Never lose that determination. Now come with me.

I: The conference room? Will I be studying the basics from a book?

Ozeca: Enough questions. Just open that file, and sign your name.

I: This is...a final will and testament?

Ozeca: Starting from where you’re standing right now, you will be riding against the so-called ‘light’ of the seven nations.

Ozeca: Subjugated by a false peace, the people of this world yield to their curse, indulging in absurdity without even realizing it. We must shatter this reality.

I: Your words...does this mean you are as war-hungry as the rumors make you out to be, Colonel?

Ozeca: You ask too many questions.

Nidhogg: I care little for the opinions of others. If bloodshed and sacrifice cannot be avoided, then we must face it head-on.

Ozeca: Everything will fall into place once we achieve our objective. For now, just sign your name. There’s plenty more for you to do.

(Wenying Hall in Cloud Empire.)

(The drums sound four times. Though the sky is still dark, the palace begins to stir with activity.)

(Bai Yongxi goes to Wenying Hall as usual, walking along the dark, familiar path. He looks up at the sky.)

(Only a few stars illuminate the night sky, as dark clouds approach from the horizon. A light can be seen inside the hall, which should be empty. Bai Yongxi pauses at the door.)

(A figure leisurely sits atop the Dragon Throne, draped lazily in a fur coat as the Supreme Phoenix ornament spreads its wings in the candlelight.)

(He seems to be smiling, and appears to have been waiting a long time.)

(The door opens with a crash, disturbing the candlelight and making Zhu Yuxian’s shadow flicker slightly.)

Bai Yongxi: You’ve come.

Zhu Yuxian: You don’t seem surprised.

(Outside, swords clash against the silence of the night. In an instant, the few stars overhead are blotted out by dark, rolling clouds.)

Bai Yongxi: Did you truly believe I wouldn’t come prepared?

Zhu Yuxian: I’m only here to look for something. I didn’t want to resort to force, but your subordinates seemed anxious for a fight.

Zhu Yuxian: But it isn’t too late to ask, so tell me...where is the blood of the empress?

(Bai Yongxi picks up a scroll, and skims it before setting it off to the side.)

Bai Yongxi: The empress is in Brocade City preparing for the ceremony. Didn’t you send someone?

Zhu Yuxian: We both know her true identity, there’s no need to continue wasting time like this.

Bai Yongxi: I believe the only one wasting time here is the insincere man who claims he didn’t want to resort to violence.

Zhu Yongxi: Hahahaha, I brought my bargaining chips as well, but I’m afraid they’re too expensive for you, my friend.

Bai Yongxi: The day when the curse of blood is finally broken has come. Why so anxious?

Zhu Yuxian: I know what weighs on your heart. I have the answer to your problem.

(The hall is silent. Zhu Yuxian’s soldiers and the palace guards shout and fight outside, their deadly conflict threatening to breach the palace walls.)

Bai Yongxi: The blood of the empress, which should have been severed, were it not for a fortuitous coincidence. Is that enough to trade for your bargaining chips?

(An arrow rips through the paper wall, landing between them. The sounds of soldiers fighting and howling winds drown out their conversation to all but them.)

(The drums sound five times, as if in tacit understanding. The fighting outside gradually dies down, as the hall falls into silence.)

Zhu Yuxian: With things as they are, allow me to make the first move.

Bai Yongxi: Wait.

Zhi Yuxian: Something else, your highness?

Bai Yongxi: Take your men with you.

Zhu Yuxian: The ones at Jinlin Palace? Heh, I don’t need you to tell me about what I already intended to do. Trust me this once.

Bai Yongxi: Not until I receive word from Brocade City.

Starlet: Huh? Why did the song suddenly stop?

Momo: As soon as it did, that lady in black left the church.

Starlet: I’m still not completely back to my senses.

Momo: Her song was way too beautiful to be human! Like the most captivating grilled fish in the world!

Nikki: That’s not a very good comparison, Momo...but her song was truly something else. I’m still under its spell right now.

Starlet: Nikki! Aislen! Come look at this!

Nikki: (a Chinese character, please, feel free to tell me if you know what it means)

(The two girls dash out of the church and manage to see a black horse-drawn carriage charging through the night sky before disappearing before their eyes.)

Starlet: It’s a shame we couldn’t talk to her a little more. Just once, I’d love to read her fortune!

Nikki: You should follow your astrolobe here when she comes back and try meeting with her again.

Starlet: Not a bad idea, I think I’ll give it a try.

Islen: Nikki, Starlet, Momo...thank you all so much! I’m not confused of upset any longer; I’m actually looking forward to my wedding tomorrow!

Nikki: That’s wonderful, Aislen!

Islen: Then...would it be too much to ask for you three to come tomorrow?

Nikki: We’d love to! I’m sure a wedding in Hela Vi is one of the most beautiful, romantic things in the world.

Momo: Will there be grilled fish?

Islen: We can prepare some, if you’d like?

Momo: We’ll be there for sure!

Starlet: Strange...the astrolabe says Momo’s brain is 99% grilled fish.

Momo: I bet the astrolabe is also saying we should change into simple, elegant formalwear for tomorrow, too!

(Inside, the gentle moonlight shines through the church’s glass windows and onto a piano.)

(Then, a person slowly approaches the piano.)

Starlet: Mmm, we should be safe hiding right here! Now all we have to do is wait quietly for the song to begin.

Momo: Look, guys! There’s a woman wearing black, Gothic-style clothes over there!

Nikki: She looks so elegant and refined, and her smile is so enchanting.

Starlet: She started playing the piano! So she’s the one who has been singing the Lover’s Sonnet all along.

(The woman in black sings lightly as she plucks the keys.)

Nikki: How beautiful...I can feel emotion overflowing from every note...

Starlet: Yeah, even though I’ve never been in love before, I can sense the emotions she’s trying to convey to her listeners.

Momo: Meow...how wonderful...

Islen: I’m starting to remember...all those sweet, precious moments with him, as if they happened just yesterday. How could I forget...

(As Aislen speaks, her eyes well up with tears)

Nikki: Aislen, are you okay?

Islen: Yes, I’m fine. I think I understand...Marriage isn’t the end of our romance, but an affirmation and continuation of it.

(The woman in black smiles an almost imperceptible smile.)

Momo: Meow! I think she found us!

Girl in Black: There’s no need to hide over there. I have an even lovelier song for your to listen to, is you can beat me at matching a Gothic-style outfit.