To Pursue the Sun and Moon
Fables are the window to imagination.

=-=-=
CAST:
=-=-=

Grandmother Jiini
Grandson
Granddaughter
Mother Night
Father Sun
Mitul, the Mixed One
Oriana, the Lost Child
Approacher #1, #2, #3, #4

=-=-=-=-=
COSTUMES:
=-=-=-=-=

Grandmother Jiini: This old, human crone has silver hair, gnarled hands, and
wrinkles so embedded into her face she makes the moon look young. She is
swathed in a large dress of bright blue, a deep red cloak, and covered over
with a white shawl; she wears a pair of thin spectacles, her blue eyes glinting
with superior intelligence. By her side is a basket full of books.

Grandson: This little human boy has traces of Elven heritage. Small, lithe, and
graceful, he will one day grow up to be the object of desire for many hearts.
Coal black hair and intelligent, vivid blue eyes belie his age. He wears a pair
of simple trousers and a white tunic, embroidered with gold within the folds.
They are crisp and clean on his perfect form.

Granddaughter: This thin human girl has traces of Elven heritage, although she
is not as beautiful as her brother. Fuzzy, mousey brown hair is tied back into
a tight braid on her head, and a nose too large for her small face makes her
almost difficult to look at. Her brown eyes are slightly dull, and she is
clumsy in almost everything she does. Like her sibling, she wears a white shirt
embroidered richly with gold, and a simple skirt, although it hangs from her
thin frame in disarray, and has been dirtied up from play.

Mother Night/yvertous: Mother Night takes the form of the moon, but when she is
in her form which mortals cannot fully understand, she resembles a shadow
crafted from pure onyx gems, glinting in the light. Stars seem to outline her
and give her face form and livens her shape, every detail meticulously shown of
this naked woman. Overall, she has a terrible, shadowy beauty in whatever form
she takes.

Father Sun/orbidus: Father Sun takes the form of a delicate, slender human man
when he is not in his natural orb state. His form is outlined in a sunny glow,
and so specific details cannot be made out.

Mitul, the Mixed One: Mitul is a mix between an Aslaran, a Furrikin, and a
Loboshigaru. His eyes are a cat-like amber colour, his furr a soft white with
swirls of black, red, yellow, and grey. He is constantly moving, unable to stay
still, and his demeanor is one of an excited monkey. A long tail extends from
behind him, and glittering black claws can be seen. He crouches when he sits,
but otherwise stands like a human, slightly hunched over. He is entirely naked.

Oriana, the Lost Child: Oriana is a lithe Elf blooming into adolescence, with
long blue-black hair tied into a tight braid at her head, and glittering, honey
brown eyes. Beauty emanates from her alabaster skin, and while she seems to
radiate an aura of moonlight on her own, she carries herself with humility and
respect. She is clad in a set of deep red robes, the traces of a dress of the
same hue are hinted near her ankles. She goes barefoot and does not don any
jewelry.

Aproachers 1, 2, 3, and 4: All the Approachers look the same. Each one rides a
horse as a mount, and each horse has had his eyes gouged out. Bloody teeth and
various cuts over their skin ooze blood, dribbling slowly to the ground. Each
Approacher takes the appearance of a strong human man, jaws set tight. From far
away they look valiant and handsome, but up close, their eyes are yellowed over
and their teeth are rotting out of their mouths, dry, cracked lips covering
foul breath. Dirty nails grip the reigns to their horses, and they ride without
saddles. Their thin, brown trousers are covered in blood from gripping their
mounts between their thighs, and they each wear blackened boots caked with mud.
Dirty, stained white tunics adorn their torsos, and they seem to be emaciated,
but with strong, well-muscled arms and backs. Each one has a bow, an arrow, and
a sword strapped to their back.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
PRONUNCIATION:
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Jiini: Genie
Mitul: My-tool

=-=-=-=-=-=-=
ACT I: FABLES
=-=-=-=-=-=-=

|---------------|
|---SCENE ONE---|
|---------------|

{Set: This richly appointed cottage is old, but sturdy. Looking more like a
summer house than a place to raise a family, it is clean, with expensive
furniture. In front of the fireplace, a rocking chair with two plush cushions.
The entire cottage contains the scent of ink and pressed pages, and indeed,
almost every wall in this cottage has a bookshelf jammed with books, scrolls,
tomes, and other forms of journals.}

[Grandmother Jiini sits reading in a rocking chair. As the fire crackles, a
sudden THUD is heard, followed by the laughter of children.]

GRANDSON: runs into the room and immediately stops before Grandmother Jiini,
beaming proudly at her.

GRANDDAUGHTER: follows her brother into the room, stopping to smile slowly at
Grandmother Jiini.

GRANDMOTHER JIINI: (happily, extending her arms to give each a hug) Ohh, hello
my dears! How are you? Come for a story?

GRANDSON: (nodding and walking to close the door, locking it shut) Yes Grandma!
Mama and Papa told us you were going to be here alone, so we thought to come
visit you.

GRANDMOTHER JIINI: looks out the window contemplatively, before nodding. She
reaches for her Granddaughter and urges her to sit on the pillow case.

GRANDDAUGHTER: haltingly, the girl finally sits, facing her grandmother, the
one furthest from the fire.

GRANDSON: hands his sister a blanket before joining them to sit on his cushion,
bringing his full attention to Grandmother Jiini.

GRANDMOTHER JIINI: Now, my dears, I have been waiting for you so I could share
this story with you. It is a story about the sun and the moon.

GRANDMOTHER JIINI: opening the book in her lap to a certain bookmarked page,
she sets her spectacles on her face more securely.

GRANDSON: (in awe) What sort of story?

GRANDMOTHER JIINI: (smiling) A simple one, but a good one nonetheless.

GRANDSON: (excitedly) Is it a true one?

GRANDMOTHER JIINI: (laughing softly) If you wish it to be, yes. You can
certainly use it as information on why the sun chases the moon.

GRANDDAUGHTER: (picking at her skirt) Is it one of your favorites, Grandmama?

GRANDMOTHER JIINI: That it is, dove.

GRANDMOTHER JIINI: opens her book and begins to read a story out loud.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
ACT II: RUNNING
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

|---------------|
|---SCENE ONE---|
|---------------|

{Set: A forest area. It is day time but the canopy of the forest makes it seem
more ominous than usual. The sounds of exotic animals come from every which
way, followed shortly by running footsteps.}

{Prop: A bush: This is an abnormally thick bush. It is good for people looking
to hide.}

{Prop: A tree trunk: This large tree trunk is ancient and large. It is hallowed
out in the bottom, and each of its limbs is extraordinarily long and thick. It
would be useless to try and cut this tree down.}

ORIANA: bursts through the undergrowth, her cheeks, hands, and feet cut up. A
bruise is beginning to form on her left cheek, and her left eye is swollen
shut.

[The sounds of high-pitched whining and neighing are sudden, causing the forest
sounds to cease.]

ORIANA: gasps, looking behind herself before diving into a thick bush.

[Two Approachers ride through the set.]

APPROACHER #3 and #4: {enter and exit on their mounts}

APPROACHER #1: (from far away) Cut all the bushes! She may be hiding in them!

[The sounds of the Approachers turning around to come back are unnervingly
loud.]

ORIANA: glances from the bush, moving behind a tree trunk and climbing up the
tree, unnoticed thanks to her darkly coloured robes.

ORIANA: {exit silently}

APPROACHER #3: comes riding into the scene. He unsheathes his ebony sword and
chops through the bush Oriana had been in just moments before.

[An arrow appears in flight, shooting into the tree Oriana had climbed. A
gruesome shriek is heard before a monkey falls out of the tree, dead.]

APPROACHER #4: laughs chillingly as he goes near the monkey, scooping it up.

APPROACHER #3: (hotly) No time to play. The girl's not here; she must have run
some other way.

APPROACHER #3 and #4: {exit on their mounts}

|---------------|
|---SCENE TWO---|
|---------------|

{Set: A thick tree branch.}

ORIANA: is lying still, passed out from her ordeal, her limbs splayed out on
the broad bough.

MITUL: cautiously enters, maneuvering around the tree branches like a monkey.
He stops at Oriana, sniffing her with his long snout and then licking her cheek
gently. He coils back at the bad taste.

[The sun moves slightly, landing directly upon Oriana's eyes.]

MITUL: reaches out and summons forth some herbs. Spitting on them, he crushes
them up into a sticky mush and applies them to the wounds on Oriana's face.

ORIANA: wakes up with a gasp and shrieks, grabbing Mitul and pulling both of
them almost off the limb.

MITUL: grabs for the tree branch and swings both of them back up, snarling as
he rises to his hind feet, backing up slowly from Oriana.

ORIANA: backing up slowly, panting, and then touching her face. The wet herbs
fall from her features, her wounds healed. She blinks rapidly several times.

MITUL: (speaking in a strange accent, as if speaking in common is difficult)
You smell nice, but you taste bad. I thought I'd help you.

ORIANA: (softly) Thank you. I needed help.

[Mitul and Oriana stare at each other, both wary.]

ORIANA: slowly walks closer to Mitul, and seeing him not move back, sits down
on the limb.

ORIANA: (apologetically) I'm sorry for almost knocking us out of the tree. I
have... had a few rough days. I'm Oriana.

MITUL: approaches Oriana, lifting a long black finger towards her. He touches
her gently and sits next to her.

MITUL: (observing her) I am Mitul, missus Oriana. I been watching. I saw the
Approachers. I don't understand why your village didn't leave soon.

ORIANA: (looking at Mitul, taking in his odd features) Nice to meet you, Mitul.
We didn't know about the Approachers until it was too late. It looks like you
would be good to have around for that sort of event.

MITUL: (shrugging, picking at the bark on the branch) I heard them from far off
and ran deep into the forest, but they almost found me, so I came back.

ORIANA: (sighs sadly) My village is destroyed.

ORIANA: (looking suddenly hopeful) Did anyone else get away? Do you know where
they are?

MITUL: (hesitates, before shaking his head softly) Just you.

ORIANA: looks around as tears fill her eyes.

MITUL: pats Oriana gently on the leg.

ORIANA: (fiercely, while getting up) We have to go back! We have to check!

MITUL: (shaking his head adamantly) No! You can't! Don't go back there, missus.
You don't want to. Trust in me.

[The sounds of birds and animals fills the scene as Oriana looks at Mitul.]

ORIANA: (in a sickened tone) What did they do?

MITUL: (looking over his shoulder) They... cut the heads off. Made a perimeter.

ORIANA: gulps and sits herself back down.

ORIANA: (rubbing her arms as if she were cold) My family was there. Everything
I knew.

MITUL: sits next to Oriana, trying to soothe her.

MITUL: (reassuringly) Do not worry missus, I know how to get them back.

ORIANA: bursts out crying.

MITUL: (continuing desperately) I have a task to complete! But them Approachers
are making it hard for me. I need help! You should help me!

ORIANA: (looking at Mitul through her teary eyes) A task?

MITUL: (nodding excessively) Yes! A task! It will make the Approachers go away.
I make this promise! But you have to help me, missus. You have to put grief
aside and you help me. Okay?

ORIANA: (gulping and wiping her tears away) Okay. Okay, I can do that.

MITUL: (nodding excessively) Okay, let's go catch orbidus, then.

ORIANA and MITUL: {exit silently}

|-----------------|
|---SCENE THREE---|
|-----------------|

{Set: Forest canopy. The bright sun gives the entire forest a glowing amber
color.}

{Prop: A cracked boulder: A stone has been hit with lighting and cracked down
the middle. The two pieces are still closely connected, providing enough room
to wedge something small between them.}

[The sounds of cracking twigs and animal noises penetrate the area.]

ORIANA: stumbles in, tired and ragged.

MITUL: lopes in, looking refreshed and happy.

ORIANA: (panting softly) We have been traveling for days. Are we almost there?

MITUL: (chanting) When Noon is high with sun
Then we can do what needs to be undone.

ORIANA (shaking her head) What does that even mean?

MITUL: (excitedly) It means we are ready to catch the sun!

MITUL: runs over to a broken stone, reaching with nimble fingers into the crack
and drawing out a net.

ORIANA: (walking over and observing Mitul's findings) What is it?

MITUL: (jumping with glee) The net, the net, we found the net!

|----------------|
|---SCENE FOUR---|
|----------------|

{Set: This abandoned cobblestone road only extends a short ways. No buildings
or other signs of life can be seen. It is strange because the road stretches in
forest area, starting nowhere and leading nowhere.}

{Prop: A black mesh net: This black mesh net is like liquid shadows, easily
able to slip from any pocket, knot, or grip. There seems to be no place where
it starts or ends.}

MITUL: prances about the cobblestones, looking at each one meticulously, trying
to turn some over.

ORIANA: sits off to one side of the road, getting a fire going.

ORIANA: (over her shoulder) Where are we anâ€"

MITUL: cuts her off with a sharp, "Shh!"

ORIANA: sits gloomily, drawing figures in the dirt.

MITUL: (noticing Oriana's mood) I'm sorry. But I must concentrate on this! I
will explain, though.

ORIANA: turns her head to Mitul, listening intently.

MITUL: (still searching, but in an excited tone) The Father Sun, orbidus, loves
the Mother Night. The Mother Night, yvertous, likes to tease the Father Sun, but
she loves him, too. We must catch the Father before we catch the Mother. When it
is night, it is easier to see the Mother. And we will not be blinded. Do you
understand this?

ORIANA: (pursing her lips slightly) If we caught Mother Night first, Father Sun
would blind us in anger, so we have to catch Father Sun first? Because Mother
Night will think it's a game and will come to pursue him when she sees he's
gone?

MITUL (clapping happily) Yes! Yes! Oriana understands. I knew you were clever.

ORIANA: (smiles and goes back to her drawings) It makes sense, even if it's
ridiculous.

[Comfortable silence pervades the area, aside of the sound of Mitul pattering
with the cobblestones.]

MITUL: suddenly squeaks, gasping happily and waving the black mesh net around
wildly.

ORIANA: stands, alarmed by Mitul's sudden behaviour.

MITUL: (in ritual tones at the sky) I see you, I see you,
But I cannot touch you, I cannot touch you!
Although soon I shall, soon you will be mine,
Come on down, Father Sun, decline, DECLINE, DECLINE!

[A sudden burst of light, before all turns black.]

ORIANA: (alarmed) I cannot see anything!

MITUL: (panting and grunting with exertion) You are tem... YOU ARE TEMPORARILY
BLINDED, MISSUS!! WAIT! WAIT!

[The sounds of Mitul wrestling something is heard. Squawking birds suddenly
sounds out beneath the tones of him, and then there is muffled silence.]

ORIANA: (rubbing her eyes and blinking) Oh, I can make out shapes again.

MITUL: (panting) Yes, missus. I sense Approachers, but they are far off, but
coming fast. We need to be careful! But we cannot move! I need your help,
missus Oriana!

ORIANA: (walking to Mitul, somewhat clumsily) What can I do!

[Mitul hands Oriana part of the mesh net. There is a circular shape moving
around in part of the net, stretched out. Some golden rays of sunshine shine
through, pulsating gently.]

MITUL: (sweating and shouting at the sky) A game, that's all, just a game!
But for who? Who would ever know this sport's name?
Play with us, banter and prance, for we have him,
All of him, hands and limb â€"

[Before Mitul can finish, warm darkness reigns over them. Shining stars dazzle
their eyes and the large moon descends upon them.]

MITUL: wielding the net efficiently, Mitul loops it around part of the moon.

[The black mesh net bleeds on to the moon, and the moon suddenly turns into
Mother Night in her nearly-human form. Her onyx body and outline of stars
writhes and she shrieks in rage, attempting to throw the net off. The net slips
easily through her fingers until she is entirely covered. She transforms back
into the moon and stars, and the net forms around her, conforming her into a
small circular shape beneath the net.]

ORIANA: (gasping from holding the net, burns clearly marking her arms and
hands) Did we hurt them?

MITUL: (gleeful, but shaking his head) You should never hurt that which brings
life! We shall do well, missus Oriana! You had done well! We did well! Task is
almost complete!

MITUL: suddenly stops, his ears pricking up and swiveling.

ORIANA: (concerned, handing the mesh net back to Mitul who expertly ties it up
to a tree branch) What is it, Mitul?

MITUL: (suddenly afraid, looking around) The Approachers, the Approachers are
coming!

[Mitul suddenly grabs Oriana, his furry cat-like face twisting in urgency,
fangs showing, tail twitching.]

MITUL: (urgently) Hurry! We need flowers!

ORIANA: (confused) Flowers?

MITUL: (hissing as he jumps behind a bush) Yes, flowers!!

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
ACT III: SOOTHE
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

|---------------|
|---SCENE ONE---|
|---------------|

{Set: This abandoned cobblestone road only extends a short ways. No buildings
or other signs of life can be seen. It is strange because the road stretches in
forest area, starting nowhere and leading nowhere. The sky is inky black. No
moon, no stars. The only bit of light is a little fire off the side of the
road.}

{Prop: A black mesh net: This black mesh net is like liquid shadows, easily
able to slip from any pocket, knot, or grip. There seems to be no place where
it starts or ends. There are two circular figures on each side of the net,
stretching it impossibly thin in the middle. On one side, golden rays seep
through. On the other, dark purple shades slither about.}

{Prop: A white, bulbous flower: This white flower mimics an unbloomed
moonflower. It is large, bulbous and pulsing. The green stem is vivid against
the snow white.}

{Prop: A black, bulbous flower: This black flower mimics a dark, unbloomed
moonflower. It is large, bulbous and pulsing. The pink stem is vivid against
the coal black.}

MITUL: suddenly appears from the undergrowth, bearing two flowers. A black
flower and a white flower. He hands the white flower to Oriana.

MITUL: (under his breath, not so urgent) You must give them to the yvertous and
orbidus.

ORIANA: (lifting her flower to the black mesh net, near the purple shades) I
offer this to you.

MITUL: (lifting his flower to the black mesh net, near the golden rays) No, no!
Missus Oriana, like this!

MITUL: (chanting in deep tones) With these flowers so rare,
My world becomes a shrine for your prayer;
Let yourself loose into the sky with pride,
Where you have all the room to hide.

[The sun suddenly beats gloriously and the black mesh net sinks into its
surface as it rises into the air. It blooms hot and with blinding light before
becoming a mass of darkness, blending perfectly with the starless black sky.]

ORIANA: (chanting) With these flowers so rare,
My world becomes a shrine for your prayer;
Let yourself loose into the sky with pride,
Where you have all the room to hide.

[The moon bursts like a bubble, floating up into the air and blending in with
the Father Sun, leaving Oriana and Mitul in nearly utter darkness.]

[The fire off the side of the road crackles gently.]

ORIANA: (worried) What shall we do for light?

MITUL: (summoning herbs) I shall fix you, missus Oriana, so you can see in the
dark like I can!

MITUL: sticks some herbs on Oriana's eyes, globbing it on thickly.

ORIANA: (panicking) I can't even see anything now!!

MITUL: (laughing somewhat like a hyena) Wait for it, missus! It takes time to
work.

[After a few pausing moments, Mitul removes the herbs from Oriana's eyes.]

MITUL: moves to stomp out the fire, leaving them in cold darkness.

MITUL: (urgently) Now we must go. You will see better in a few minutes, but now
we must go. The Approachers are near. Too near.

MITUL: grabs the remaining strands of black mesh and ties them expertly around
his tail and foot, securing it. He uses mushy herbs to hold it together, hiding
the herbs beneath his tail.

[The high-pitched squeals of grotesque mounts permeate the air.]

ORIANA and MITUL: {exit silently}

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
ACT IV: THE GROVE
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

|---------------|
|---SCENE ONE---|
|---------------|

{Set: This abandoned grove contains the remains of a shrine, which has cracked
and fallen into disuse and disarray. Emerald green grass grows wildly, almost
as high as the lit lamps that hang from the surrounding trees, providing a
yellow light that can't quite cut into the inky black sky.}

{Prop: A black mesh net: This black mesh net is like liquid shadows, easily
able to slip from any pocket, knot, or grip. There seems to be no place where
it starts or ends. There are two circular figures on each side of the net,
stretching it impossibly thin in the middle. On one side, golden rays seep
through. On the other, dark purple shades slither about.}

{Prop: A broken shrine: This shrine is tipped on its side, various pieces of it
all over the grove. Various chips on it show that it has been hacked in to with
all sorts of weapons and magical attacks. The shrine is that of a young woman
basking in a fountain, although her face, most of her hair, her arms, and part
of her torso and legs are now missing. A rusted iron spout shoots forth from
the stone, looking deadly, once having served the purpose of providing water to
the shrine.}

ORIANA: runs into the grove, nearly smacking into the broken shrine. She stops
herself just in time and leans against the cool stone, panting, sweating
heavily.

ORIANA: (calling out) Mitul? Mitul! Mitul, where are you!

MITUL: comes crashing from the trees.

MITUL: (panicked) The Approachers are here! The Approachers are here! Help!
Hurry! Help!

[Arrows begin to shoot from all different directions, and the sound of running
hooves echo from far off.]

MITUL: grabs the black mesh net around his tail and hops behind the shrine.

ORIANA: follows Mitul and disappears behind the shrine.

APPROACHER #1, #2, #3, #4: all enter on their mounts.

APPROACHER #2: dismounts from his horse, walking towards the shrine and
sniffing deeply. He turns to the other Approachers and nods, grinning as he
unsheathes his ebony sword.

[Suddenly, a clash of dark and light fill the grove, momentarily blinding the
Approachers, who all stumble back in surprise.]

ORIANA and MITUL: (shouting together) Love! Love! Love! Love!

[As Oriana and Mitul chant together, the light and dark become coalescing dance
of love and beauty. As Mother Night laughs softly and dodges Father Sun's
attempt to grasp her, she tips the shrine back to its rightful place, exposing
Mitul and Oriana.]

ORIANA and MITUL: both step back in surprise.

APPROACHER #4: notices Oriana and Mitul, and begins to prepare a bow and arrow,
taking his time so as to not attract attention.

[As the sun and the moon dance together in playfulness, they place the shrine
pieces back together. Blurry movements and confusion dance before the eyes.
Suddenly, the shrine is pieced back together and stands as a whole, save for
the rusted iron spout that still sticks out from the front of the shrine.]

MITUL: begins to dig behind the shrine, furiously and fast.

[There is suddenly a large THUNK, and water from the iron spout begins to pour
out from the shrine, shooting out forcefully like a geyser before settling down
to soak the ground.]

[As water hits Approacher #2, his skin boils and begins to slack off his
bones.]

APPROACHER #2: begins to scream in pain, and finally falls to the ground, his
skin nothing but a puddle of ooze and blood.

MITUL: (raising his hands from the ground to the sky as he speaks) Grow tall
and grow fast,
For it is you who shall keep our enemies past!

[As Mitul finishes the words, thick undergrowth and trees sprout from the
ground, blocking off all exits.]

APPROACHER #1: unsheathes his sword and tries desperately to hack away the
thicket, only to have it grow back.

APPROACHER #1: (authoritative) Shield yourselves from the Waters!

ORIANA: jumps up to grab the iron spout, grabbing fistfuls of water and
throwing them at the Approachers, who move as far back as they can.

[The sun and moon continue their dance above, the sky dark above them still.]

APPROACHER #4: aims for Mitul, watching him with a careful eye as he aims.

MITUL: begins to climb the shrine, making his way to Oriana to help her.

APPROACHER #4: nocks off the arrow, grinning as it lands in Mitul's side.

ORIANA: screams, seeing Mitul be brushed away by the harsh arrow. She lunges
forward towards Approacher #4, her face and hands covered in the shrine waters.
She gets close enough to touch him, watching as his skin begins to burn off.

APPROACHERS #1 and #2: stop their mission of cutting down the undergrowth to
watch as Oriana attacks their comrade, both turning their mounts around and
putting arrows in their bows, aiming for her.

[In a sudden blur, light overtakes the Approachers, and both are swept off
their mounts. Their mounts are pushed to their sides, where they squeal; warm
purple darkness overtakes them, vanishing just as quickly, leaving behind
nothing but two bloody skeletons.]

ORIANA: pants, watching as Approacher #4 writhes on the ground, before laying
dead, yellow eyes staring into nothing.

[The two remaining horses from the dead Approachers shriek in scared,
high-pitched whines, running together through the thicket and away. Bloody bits
of skin hang from where they forced their escape.]

|---------------|
|---SCENE TWO---|
|---------------|

{Set: This abandoned grove contains a shrine, which has been reconstructed
almost into its former full glory. Emerald green grass grows wildly, as high as
the lit lamps that hang from the surrounding trees, providing a yellow light
that can't quite cut into the inky black sky. The grove is now submerged in
water.}

{Prop: A repaired shrine: Now standing upright, the pieces of stone put back
together, and the young woman of the shrine can be seen in its glory. The young
woman is beautiful, her hands reaching out towards some unseen lover, her dress
billowing in the wind, same as her long hair. Rapture encases her features and
she stands in a pool meant for water. There is still a rusted iron spout
sticking straight from the shrine, covering the entire place with water, which
is sticking out the wrong end of the shrine, as it cannot fill the shrine with
water.}

MITUL: breathes slightly, passed out across the stone floor of the
fountain-shrine.

ORIANA: cries gently, leaning over Mitul's body.

[Light and dark coalesces in front of Oriana, disbanding from each other as
Father Sun and Mother Night.]

MOTHER NIGHT: (smiling gently at Oriana) Oriana, my child, why do you weep?

FATHER SUN: steps close to Mitul's body and Oriana, crouching down.

ORIANA: (squinting her eyes while crying, slightly blinded by Father Sun) Mitul
has been shot with an arrow and I... I don't know herbs well enough to heal him!

MOTHER NIGHT: leans down and gently touches Mitul's forehead.

MOTHER NIGHT: (reassuringly) He shall be all right. You have everything you
need here in this grove.

ORIANA: (looking at Mother Night with a confused expression) What do I have,
Mother Night?

FATHER SUN: stands up and points at the iron spout.

FATHER SUN: (to Oriana) I burned you earlier, and you touched those waters.
Your hands and arms no longer bear those marks.

ORIANA: looks down at her hands, turning them this way and that in marvel.

ORIANA: (excitedly) They healed me! The waters, they healed me!

FATHER SUN: nods, his body glowing a bit brighter.

ORIANA: runs to the water spout, grabbing it and twisting it delicately so that
it faces inside the pool.

[The fountain begins to fill with the crystal clear water, and the shrine
suddenly becomes lively. The butchered stone, cracks, and other blemishes are
suddenly cleaned and smoothed over, making the entire shrine sparkle with
life.]

ORIANA: rushes to Mitul's side, making sure to keep his head out of the water.

MOTHER NIGHT: (to Oriana) Wait until he is submerged from toe to neck in the
water. Then pull the arrow out.

FATHER SUN: (to Oriana) And be gentle.

[The pool finally fills up to Mitul's neck.]

ORIANA: gently grasps the arrow and pulls it from his side.

[The arrow disintegrates in the water.]

MITUL: gasps and opens his amber eyes, looking at Oriana, then to Mother Night
and Father Sun.

MITUL: (whispering weakly) Orbidus, yvertous, you have come for me.

MOTHER NIGHT: nods, the stars making up her mouth turning upwards in a smile.

FATHER SUN: (to Mitul) That we have, water guardian.

ORIANA: (to Mitul) What has happened?

MOTHER NIGHT: (to Oriana) You have destroyed the Approachers. We thank you for
that.

ORIANA: (to Mother Night) I still don't understand. I don't understand any of
this. What were those things? Where did they come from?

MOTHER NIGHT: looks up at the sky.

FATHER SUN: (to Oriana) We will explain, but we must return to the heavens
above, soon.

MITUL: nods.

MOTHER NIGHT: (to Oriana) The Approachers were created to keep orbidus and
myself separated. When we roamed the earth, we were killed many times for being
lovers, for being so opposite one another, and enjoying it.

FATHER SUN: (to Oriana) In retaliation, we sacrificed ourselves here at this
shrine. We were granted as the Sun and Night, to constantly chase one another
in an endless cycle of lust, love, beauty, pain, happiness, and grief.

MOTHER NIGHT: (to Oriana) The Approachers went mad, unable to reach us for
their sole purpose of slaughter, and it turned against them. They began to lash
out at others, tormenting all of you.

FATHER SUN: (to Oriana) And so we summoned forth Mitul, who understood us and
our ways, who knew our suffering and our joy. And now that his task is
complete, he must come back with us, to serve as a star.

MOTHER NIGHT: (smiling gently at Mitul) A star which shines even in the day, to
beat as a heart.

ORIANA: (to Mother Night and Father Sun) But I will lose my best friend.

[The sound of trickling water fills the air.]

MOTHER NIGHT: nods at Father Sun.

FATHER SUN: (to Oriana) He shall always be there for you. You are a mortal, and
we cannot take you back with us, not yet, at least. When you are old, and wise,
and know of this world and are ready to pursue the next... then we will take
you. But no sooner, and no later.

MOTHER NIGHT: (to Oriana) We have given life back to your loved ones. We can
never do such things again; we only did this once because of the Approachers.
Now, Oriana... it is time to let Mitul go.

ORIANA: hesitates, before looking down at Mitul.

MITUL: looks at Oriana, using her shoulder to sit himself up.

MITUL: (to Oriana) We shall see each other again, missus Oriana!

ORIANA: (tears filling her eyes as she smiles at Mitul) That we shall, Mitul.
It has been a beautiful adventure.

MITUL: stands to join Mother Night and Father Sun.

[Light and darkness descend upon the three figures, lifting them back to the
skies. The sun and moon rotate together several times before settling at dawn.
A lone star twinkles brightly in the sky.]

ORIANA: {exits silently}

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
ACT V: CLOSURE
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

{Set: This richly appointed cottage is old, but sturdy. Looking more like a
summer house than a place to raise a family, it is clean, with expensive
furniture. In front of the fireplace, a rocking chair with two plush cushions.
The entire cottage contains the scent of ink and pressed pages, and indeed,
almost every wall in this cottage has a bookshelf jammed with books, scrolls,
tomes, and other forms of journals.}

[The fire crackles merrily.]

GRANDMOTHER JIINI: (closing the book) And that concludes this simple tale.

GRANDSON: looks at his grandmother with awe.

GRANDDAUGHTER: lies across her pillow, smiling happily.

GRANDSON: (to Grandmother Jiini) Thank you for sharing that with us, Grandma.

GRANDMOTHER JIINI: (to Grandson and Granddaughter) Did you both enjoy that?

GRANDDAUGHTER: nods happily, sucking on her thumb.

GRANDSON: (to Grandmother Jiini) That was a wonderful tale, Grandma.

GRANDMOTHER JIINI: smiles and nods, sitting back in her chair and putting the
book away, gazing out the window to the lukewarm dusk.

GRANDMOTHER JIINI: (to herself) That it is. That it most certainly is.