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odorekijinCARD STORY
The Best Musical, With You
CHAPTER I
Akira: (I can hear the Western wizards laughing from the lounge. I wonder if they’re having a tea party.)
Chloe: “If you keep this up, you'll regret it!”
Murr: “I will not! Precious memories and bygone days made me stronger!”
Shylock: “I’m telling you, you’re being reckless…”
Rustica: “Oh dear, how many times have we warned you already?”
Akira: (T-they are all singing...!?)
Murr: Master Sage! You won’t see a thing hiding there, come over!
Akira: Ah, sorry, I was just snooping. I hope I’m not interrupting anything.
Chloe: Don’t worry, you’re not! We’re sorry we didn’t notice you sooner.
Akira: Why were you guys all singing?
Shylock: As a matter of fact, we just returned from a trip to the West to attend a musical.
Rustica: We merely were exchanging our impressions of the play, but got so thrilled that we ended up re-enacting it ourselves.
Murr: I’m playing the hero! I can defeat any evil with my legendary sword!
Akira: Ahaha, that sounds like fun. I'd love to see that musical, if I get the chance.
Chloe: Oh, but isn’t the next performance in a while…? We should have invited you to come along, Master Sage.
Akira: I had some things to take care off anyway… I hope I’ll get to go with you all someday.
Murr: Then, let’s just become actors!
We can close out Shylock’s bar for the evening and put on a show for Master Sage!
Akira: You sure!? I’m glad, but do you need to go that far for me?
Shylock: My, my, wouldn't Master Sage be interested in our little musical play?
Rustica: In that case, I shall compose a special song for the occasion. I'm sure the music will be delighted to have Master Sage as their audience.
Chloe: We can’t be as authentic as actual actors, but I hope you’ll enjoy our performance.
Akira: (Everyone’s very enthusiastic...!)
Then, I'll take your word for it... I'm really looking forward to it!
Murr: Yaaay! Me too, I can’t wait!
Chloe: What should we do about the program?
Murr: Since it’s for Master Sage, let’s use a story they like best! Do you have anything in mind?
Akira: Hmmm...
(...Ah. What about that tale...)
CHAPTER II
Akira: Back in my world, there's an old tale about the moon.
Murr: A story about the moon? Sounds interesting! Tell us more!
Akira: (I knew Murr would be hooked.)
It's a story about a young princess born from a plant, raised by a kind old man and his wife, who ultimately returns to the moon… (1)
——
Shylock: I see. So the messengers from the moon use magic like us wizards. That was an enthralling story.
Chloe: The princess ended up going back to her own home, didn't she? The old man and the lady must have felt very lonely.
Rustica: Most certainly, however the warmth of these days spent together will remain in their hearts forever. I believe this is a ‘goodbye’, rather than a sad farewell.
Chloe: Thank you, Rustica. I hope you’re right! Thanks for sharing this wonderful story with us, Master Sage.
Murr: I want to give it a go! Moon and princesses, it’s a story for us, Western Wizards!
As he spoke, Murr pulled out of thin air a piece of paper and a pen.
Akira: Could it be that you’re going to write the script, Murr?
Murr: Yup!
Chloe: Wait a minute, the main character is a princess. If we’re going to act it out, shouldn’t we turn her into a prince?
Murr: Then, Chloe will be the lead role! As the prince!
Chloe: What!? M-me, a prince...?
Murr: It suits you perfectly! And I’ll be the one playing the messenger from the moon!
Shylock will be the old man, while Rustica will be his wife!
Shylock: ...Fufu, so I will play the grandfather. It is quite the new role for me—decisions have been taken, so I shall give it my all.
Rustica: Well then, I need to study how to behave like an old lady.
Akira: (It’s a surprising cast, but at least everyone is really into it...!)
——
After that, each of the Western Wizards prepared for their play. Today, they invited me to the bar, finally announcing the completion of their musical.
Murr: Hey there, Master Sage! Thanks for coming today!
Akira: Pleasure is mine, thank you for inviting me!
Murr: Today’s story is titled “Prince Chloe”! This is the tale of a beautiful prince born from a moonlight tree who has to return to the moon!
You’ll be so glued to the story you’ll forget to blink, make sure to watch until the very end!
——
Shylock: “My, what a lovely young boy. Here, prince. Take my hand.”
“Like a gem in a treasure chest, we will take good care of him, and raise him beautifully.”
Rustica: “Let’s celebrate this day, as a way to thank the world for this miraculous encounter.”
——
Chloe: “Look, grandpa, grandma! I’ve made you new clothes!”
Shylock: “Fufu, Chloe truly is talented with his hands.”
Rustica: “And he grew up to be such a fine, kind young man.”
——
Murr: “Lord Chloe, you have been sighing every time you look at the moon lately, is there something bothering you?”
Chloe: “The day I will return to the moon… Is getting closer.”
Akira: (They all are very into their characters, and seem to be enjoying themselves. Their singing and dialogues are pleasant to listen to.)
(It must be fun to get to sing so passionately, like that...)
Murr: …
CHAPTER III
The story is about to wrap up. After the scene where the old man and his wife defeat the evil spirit, the prince, played by Chloe, will finally return to the moon.
Chloe: “Grandpa, grandma, thank you for everything you did.”
Shylock: “Are you really leaving, Chloe?”
Rustica: “Why don't you stay with us, by our side? ”
Murr: “I see, I hear you loud and clear. I understand how you two feel.”
“In that case, let us hear a song that will convince me. If you do, I will reconsider bringing the prince back.”
Chloe: “Eh... ?”
Akira: (Chloe looks confused, maybe it wasn’t part of the script?)
Next thing I knew, Murr was off stage and already heading my way.
Murr: “Now, esteemed guest, sing with us. That way, both the prince and the couple will reach happiness.”
Reverent, Murr gracefully offered me his hand as he uttered his proposal.
Akira: Me too!?
(I'm not much of a singer, or rather, I barely have experience singing in that kind of situation, but...)
Chloe: …
“It doesn’t matter if you’re good or not! We simply wish to hear your voice! Please, lend us your strength.”
Akira: (Chloe jumped on Murr’s bandwagon!?)
(I’m a bit nervous, but now that these two have my back… Guess I have no choice but to be brave and give it a shot!)
Murr: “Come, sing with us!”
Taking Murr’s hand, I danced and sang bold as brass. Recklessly, whole-heartedly.
I don’t remember when I last felt so refreshed. I was having a blast.
The Western Wizards’ musical was a success. After chatting about the play over a toast…
I had to ask Murr about something that was bothering me for a while.
Akira: That was such an interesting play, Murr! Thank you for this wonderful evening!
Not only that, but I got so surprised when you invited me on stage. Was that scripted?
Murr: Nope, it was impro’! I thought it would make the play more interesting if Master Sage joined too!
Akira: I’m amazed by how easily you can come up with songs and lyrics…!
Murr: Your voice was good too, Master Sage! I even did three backflips to it!
Akira: Ahaha, thank you. I’m glad I mustered the courage to sing along.
Ah… By the way, there’s one more thing I wanted to ask you.
During the play, I felt like I met your eyes for a moment. Was that when you decided to ad-lib...?
Murr: Hmm, who knows! I had so much fun I forgot!
More importantly, what kind of musical do you want to do next? What role do you want to play, Master Sage?
Let’s act, sing, dance, have more fun together, in this world!
.................................................................................................................................................................
EPISODE STORY
You’re this story’s hero
Akira: That’s weird, I was sure that book was around here...
Murr: Master Sage!
Akira: Woah! You spooked me! Did you need me for something, Murr?
Murr: I just wanted to see Master Sage’s surprised face! So, my job here is done. What is Master Sage up to? Looking for something?
Akira: I am. It seems that Riquet's favorite picture book has recently gone missing. I'm pretty sure I've seen it around here before, but...
Murr: Is this the thing? Since there's a prince in it, I thought it might help me in writing the musical’s script, so I took it!
Akira: Yes, that’s the book! I’m glad you found it. Was it any useful to you?
Murr: Hmmm, you could say it was helpful, or you could say it wasn’t! I’m done reading, so I’m returning it!
Akira: Ahaha, I’ll be borrowing it then.
By the way, I really enjoyed the play you wrote for me, Murr. Aren't you going to write any other story?
Murr: I’ll write when I feel like it! What kind of story would Master Sage like to see?
Akira: Let’s see... For example, a setting where Murr is the main character, this time. I wonder what kind of tale that would be?
Murr: Me, the hero? Then, just make my life a story!
Though, no matter how many scenes you’d manage to squeeze in, it may take hundreds of years to reach the end of the show!
