Night's Lullaby

Act II
Scene 1

The scene opens deep within a dark forest of twisted trees. A lone shadowdancer
marked by his athame dagger kneels within the underbrush. He wears a dark cloak
that conceals most of his body, hiding his figure. In his hands he carries a
flickering candle that hauntingly illuminates his pallid face.

[Shadowdancer]: Mother night. It is time I go. I pray for your blessing
in what I must do. I beg of you to conceal my actions from those that would seek
to hinder me.

The dark dancer lowers his head, and continues to speak whispered words of
prayer that are lost to our ears. Suddenly a breeze plays through his hair.
Scattered dead leaves swirl about his shrouded form, marking the pattern of the
sudden stray winds.

The shadow dancer remains motionless, his expression unwavering almost as if he
were unaware. Suddenly a low howl is heard. The gentle swirling of the leaves
scatters into a maddening frenzy. The last image seen is the dancers billowing
cloak as the candle light is blown out.

[Unknown Presence]: Jasper…..

The voice that reveals the shadowdancer as Jasper is but a whisper, but there
is authority in that voice, an underlying pulsing beat of power.

[Jasper]: Mother Night…. long have I awaited your presence.

He replies calmly with reverence, his actions are lost within the darkness.

[Night]: My Child….

She whispers softly and gradually a small ball of ethereal light is formed. It
grows in size, once more illuminating Jasper. His face appears sunken and pale
within the soft glow. His eyes widen as he gazes at her form. She appears as a
feminine figure of darkness, formed of shade and starlight. Her movements are
fluid and alien as her own substance swirls about her dissipating and appearing
like smoke. The rest of the forest is beyond our perception, lost within the
surrounding darkness.

[Night]: You seek my blessing? You think yourself worthy of my
touch child? Do you even understand what it means to be touched by the night?

[Jasper]: I am worthy Mother. I seek to spread your influence.
Everything I do is for you. I live in your name. There is nothing I desire more
than your touch.

[Night]: Would you also die in my name Jasper? Would you have me give
myself to one who is unfaithful?

Tendrils of blackness curl tauntingly around her as she slowly drifts
backwards, already beginning to blend back into the darkness.

[Jasper]; Mother please! I would die for you! I would kill for you.
Nothing would be safe, nothing would survive if it were your will for not to.
Not even myself!

She emits a chill derisive laugh that tinkles softly, hanging about the trees
like deadly icicles.

[Night]: So be it! Receive then My Blessing Jasper, Prince of Shadows

She glides towards him, rapidly closing the space that that had just prior
expanded between them. She stands before him and places a dark hand, swirling
with starlit mists upon his forehead.

[Night]: Child of Glomdoring,
Who seeks my caress,
My cold probing touch,
So much like death,

It shall be yours,
You will see through my eyes,
You will embrace,
Night's Lullaby

[Jasper]: I'll sing,
My praises most high,
I'll bind,
My soul to your will,
[Night]: My longing you'll feel,
And hunger until,
You die

[Night]: The Zombie's pained wail,
The souring bat's screech,
All are affected,
By my dark reach,

Hear the spiders skitter,
A woman's death cry,
It's all a part ,
Of my lullaby,

I'll hold you close,
You will suffer my kiss,
A sweet longing pain,
Reminiscent of bliss,

So rest now my child,
Midnight will soon come,
Await the dark hour,
When we will be one.

[Jasper]: I'll sing,
My praises most high,
I'll bind,
My soul to your will,
[Night]: My longing you'll feel,
And hunger until,
You die,

You'll fly child,
High in the sky,
Soar beside,
Black feathered wings,
The wonders you'll bring,
As you proudly sing,
My Lullaby

The suspended ethereal globe of light shimmers as her form slowly dissolves.
Her humanoid figure is lost as her starlit form seems to bond with the winds,
suddenly swirling rapidly around Jasper. His pale flesh blackens as the dark
winds caress his skin. His eyes once more widen in surprise as a small moan
escapes his throat. With a loud, deep breath he slumps to the ground, lowering
his head far too slowly to hide his tear-streaked face.

[Night]: You are now mine for forever and eternity.

A haunting laughter echoes through the forest, the sound growing faint as the
ethereal globe slowly winks out of existence.