===ACT 1===
=SCENE ONE=

SCENE Porch:
This well-proportioned porch lies attached to the regal mansion atop a

cliff, overlooking the isolated road which flows into a bustling village.

The summer breeze playfully whistles through its floorboards and a

smattering of vines adorns the roof, a decoration rather than weed. A

round table and four rocking chairs seem ready to serve, offering both a

spectacular view and a sense of privacy. Closing off the mansion's

entrance is a large door adorned with a symbol resembling a closed eye.

PROP Chair:
Professionally fashioned out of sturdy, dark-brown wood, this curvy

rocking chair is in its prime. Some stains and dents show a decent amount

of use, and the chair wears them with pride as if vainly letting all other

chairs know it has an owner who uses it frequently.

ROLE Svetenkin (M) Lord Svetenkin Paavik
COSTUME SvetenkinRibbon:
Tall and lean, dressed in the finest of garments and sporting a

fashionable hairstyle, Lord Svetenkin Paavik is a krokani youth who bears

his highborn status with pride, if a little vainly judging by his

oversaturated appearance. His golden locks hug his face neatly and several

ends curve to point to his green eye, seemingly an afterthought but in

reality the product of many hours spent in front of the mirror. A striped,

sleeveless white waistcoat with golden buttons and formal black pants are

the apparel he has chosen to reflect his mood today. Tied firmly around

his left wrist is a black ribbon with a zigzag pattern woven into it.

ROLE Lukovic (M) Sir Lukovic Paavik
COSTUME Lukovic:
His gaze always strangely downcast, Sir Lukovic Paavik would appear as no

more than a common labourer to the casual glance, for his wide nose, bony

jaw and large maroon eye are hardly exceptional and his outfit - an

unbuttoned, checkered green shirt and knee-high brown cotton shorts -

rarely if ever seen on a highborn krokani. Wavy and ruffled, his brown

hair flits carelessly around his head. A dull silver earring hoops his

left earlobe.

Svetenkin: ENTER SILENT
Lukovic: ENTER SILENT

EFFECT 111:
The curtain rises on the breezy porch of a mansion set high atop a cliff.

Trimmed vines descend from its roof and wrap it in an antiquated yet never

abandoned air. Four rocking chairs around a round table take up the left

part of the porch while the right is currently occupied by two krokani, a

curly-haired blond dressed in chic clothes belonging more at a gala than a

porch, and a brawny brunet with a downcast gaze who seems more a guest

than a resident here.

Lukovic, to Svetenkin: (grinning mischievously) "Why the evil eye, Svet?

You used to like my entrances."

Svetenkin: circles Lukovic, nervously tugging on the black ribbon tied

around his left wrist.

Svetenkin, to Lukovic: "Used to being the key words, Lukovic. Your

childish disregard for etiquette belongs in an age past and these days I

can hear Mother's nerves screeching every time she sees you."

Lukovic, to Svetenkin: "Mom's nerves, or your perception of them, Svet?

You seem to be finding me far more a nuisance than mom."

Svetenkin: grins bitterly, his eye drawn to the roof of the porch for a

moment.

Svetenkin: "It is merely a matter of taste. Those... rags you wear, you

find them in good taste, yes? The rest of society-"

Lukovic: "The rest of society?! When'd you become such a stick-in-the-mud,

bro? I come here for a vacation and hope to be a breath of fresh air for

this family, and all I end up doing's attract those looks. You know the

looks."

Svetenkin: (shaking his head slowly) "You should know better than to

consider yourself a breath of fresh air where the noses are used to

expensive perfumes, Lukovic. I thought we straightened that out a long

time ago. What's with this sudden spark of hope, hm?"

Lukovic: sighs and shrugs, walking past Svetenkin's circle of steps and

leaning back on the fence.

Svetenkin: stops for a moment, before walking to his brother's left side.

Svetenkin: forcefully pulls the ribbon off his wrist and ties his long

hair back in a series of fluidly deft moves.

COSTUME Svetenkin:
Tall and lean, dressed in the finest of garments and sporting a

fashionable hairstyle, Lord Svetenkin Paavik is a krokani youth who bears

his highborn status with pride, if a little vainly judging by his

oversaturated appearance. His thick golden curls are tied back in an

ephemeral cloud, the rest of his hair falling neatly across his handsome

face. A striped, sleeveless white waistcoat with golden buttons and formal

black pants are the elements he has chosen to reflect his mood today.

Lukovic: (slowly breathing the words) "It was a good day..."

Svetenkin: nods emphatically, smiling at some amusing thought or memory

that entered his mind.

Svetenkin: "I was surprised to see you. I had heard you'd been promoted?

My... I thought we wouldn't be seeing you for another year, and a week

later you..."

Svetenkin: starts shaking rhythmically, laughing on the inside.

Svetenkin, to Lukovic: "You should've seen Mother's face, Lukovic! She was

positively beaming when she saw you, but that outfit? And the way you

went-"

Lukovic: (smiling) "Howdy ev'ryones, what y'all been up to?!"

Svetenkin: bursts into laughter, but quickly regains his composure.

Lukovic, to Svetenkin: (motioning his head towards the mansion) "What's

with the party? Is dad better?"

Svetenkin: sighs and shakes his head, pouting his lips thoughtfully.

Svetenkin: "Mother's just trying to cover the rot of her sorrow in a silky

glamour. His cough is horrible - you saw him the Avechary before last, I

think? Much worse now..."

Svetenkin: snorts and waves his hand gallantly, as if to chase off an

imaginary fly.

Svetenkin: "Mother is at his side day and night. The few hours Irminka

spends at home, she complains that Father is too loud and she can't

sleep."

Lukovic, to Svetenkin: "Few hours? She used to spend entire days locked in

her room!"

Svetenkin, to Lukovic: (a sour grimace on his face) "Quite the little

coquette now, I fear. She is the talk of the village, the little Paavik

girl who went astray. Mother is too busy tending to Father to notice."

Lukovic, to Svetenkin: "And you, Svet?"

Svetenkin, to Lukovic: (shaking his head) "I've given up."

Lukovic, to Svetenkin: "Was actually asking how you were doing."

Svetenkin: "Same old... Father's hourglass is down to its last few grains,

I think. Mother still hopes you'll be taking the reins when Father leaves

us. Your thoughts on that are unchanged, yes?"

Lukovic, to Svetenkin: (nodding) "I love my job. Leading the House would

be an unneeded distraction, especially since there is a much better

candidate."

Svetenkin: smiles softly, turning his gaze away from Lukovic.

Svetenkin, to Lukovic: "I was quite taken aback when you first approached

me about it, I remember. But soon enough-"

Lukovic, to Svetenkin: "You found the role fits you perfectly."

Svetenkin: nods slowly, his smile widening.

Svetenkin: "I'm not sure what to do about Irminka, though... She must be

taught, yet there are none to teach her."

Lukovic, to Svetenkin: "In time, surely she will come around."

Lukovic: gives Svetenkin a mighty pat on the back, shooting him an

encouraging smile.

Svetenkin: nods slowly and casts his gaze away from Lukovic, his eye

glazing and his mouth pouting.

EFFECT 112:
The curtain lowers on the scene, leaving the two krokani to their

brotherly chatter. A soft rumbling emanates from behind it as masters of

stagecraft rebuild the scene into a new one to fit the following segment

of the play.

EXEUNT

=SCENE TWO=

SCENE Store:
Many shelves line the walls of this freshly painted store, beset with body

jewelry of extremely diverse designs, from the inconspicuously elegant

sapphire earrings on the west wall, to the grimly tusk-shaped belly ring

on the east. Several painters' aids lie tucked into the corners, most

noticeably a ladder splattered with brown paint and a bucket at its feet.

The counter, apparently failing to avoid the flying tools of eager

painters, is a mess of brown and gold, several distinctly brush-like

shapes adorning its curvaceous form.

PROP Bucket:
Conspicuously inconspicuous, this bucket seems like a painter's aid at a

glance but closer inspection reveals that it is made of a lustrous,

untouched wood, perfectly clean and, what's more, has golden hoops holding

it together.

ROLE Irminka (F) Lady Irminka Paavik
COSTUME Irminka:
Greatly resembling a doll in both perfection and unintended flaws in

design, Lady Irminka Paavik is a krokani woman in the prime of her youth,

beautiful and elegant, yet her face is completely covered in make-up due

to her desire to look older and more experienced. Long, thick lashes

almost cast a shadow on her pale blue eye, her vibrantly red lips always

pout attempting to look ever more serious, and her golden hair is tucked

neatly behind her ears, caressing her shoulders with its tips. Barely

visible on her face is a beauty mark she had attempted to cover. An airy

silk dress hugs her youthful body and pronounces its soft contours, yet

its screaming green colour is anything but pleasant. A pearl necklace

hangs from her long, thin neck, falling deep into a budding cleavage.

ROLE Gavriil (M) Gavriil, Jeweler of Paavik
COSTUME Gavriil:
Youthful and obviously lacking life experience, this chubby krokani's

large brown eye gazes at everything in awe and his comically large ears

perk up at every new sound. The pockets of his shaggy attire are cluttered

with tools of various shapes, some strangely unbecoming of a shopkeeper,

like the toy shovel poking out from his front left pocket. Unwashed, dirty

brown hair sticks to his head much like a rag, some strands escaping

rebelliously.

Gavriil: ENTER SILENT

EFFECT 121:
The curtain now raises on a jewelry store freshly painted in a lush brown,

judging by the stained ladder and bucket tucked away in the corner.

Surrounded by a myriad of diverse jewelry lining the shelves along the

walls, a young, wide-eyed krokani fumbles with something behind the

counter, twitching and turning at every sound, be it rats or a creaky

floorboard.

Gavriil: [mumbling] "Today she... And give... her... Accept? Let's hope...

Hope..."

Gavriil: turns swiftly to the earrings and necklaces on the shelves behind

him and starts rearranging them nervously.

Gavriil: hops over to each of the shelves and gazes at them expectantly,

ultimately returning to his post behind the counter and playing with

something there.

EFFECT 122:
Four quick raps on the door break the silence in the store, tap-tap, tap-

tap, and Gavriil turns completely pale, beads of sweat forming on his

forehead.

Irminka (from the outside) [intoning]: "Oh jewelkeeper, won't you let me

in?!"

Gavriil: flows to the door in three steps and slams it open.

Irminka: ENTER walks right past Gavriil, blue eye focused on a random

piece of jewelry in the store, her golden hair and silken dress rippling

in her wake.

Gavriil: slowly shuts the door and walks to the counter, head lowered

reverently.

Irminka, to Gavriil [whispering]: "Are we alone?"

Gavriil: nods in confirmation, loudly gulping at the same time.

Irminka: passes her hand through her hair gently, gazing upwards.

Irminka, to Gavriil: "Why are you so quiet?"

Gavriil, to Irminka: "M-my... I'm jus' happy to see you, 's all."

Irminka: tilts her head curiously to the left, shooting Gavriil a

quizzical look.

Irminka, to Gavriil: "I come here every day. Did you bump your head while

painting the shop? Marvelous work, by the way, the counter is a work of

art."

Irminka: snorts derisively, but smiles politely at Gavriil.

Gavriil, to Irminka: "N-no. Jus'... Happy to see you... How you doing?"

Irminka: "I am well. Father's cough kept me up all night, though! The man

persists. Healers say he is not long for this world, but I simply cannot

take them seriously. He refuses to die and that's that."

Gavriil, to Irminka: "M-my Irminka, you shouldn't talk like that about

your pa!"

Irminka: looks Gavriil up and down, eyeing him curiously.

Irminka, to Gavriil: "When did you start paying attention to my ramblings?

Dearest jewelkeeper, you know I merely jest!"

Gavriil: "Y-yes..."

Irminka: taps her fingers on her thigh with mild impatience, looking

around the shop, but ultimately approaches Gavriil and leans her back

gently on him.

Gavriil: shudders for a second and wraps his arms around Irminka, leaning

on the counter.

Irminka: "I am so lonely, jewelkeeper! Lukovic and I were never close, but

still, he is so intoxicated with those Paladins of his you'd think he was

in love with them all! Dear Svetenkin is busy these days too with his own

schemes and endeavours... We used to do them together, yet recently...

Must be something secret and important, for him not to tell me!"

Gavriil: strokes the strands of Irminka's hair, gazing somewhere into the

distance, barely listening to her words and in a world of his own.

Irminka: "And Mother, oh, she is aaalways tending to Father. When I ask

her for some juice, she says no, Father needs it more now. When I ask her

to take me to a party, she says no, Father needs her attention now. The

mansion is so boring! So dead..."

Gavriil, to Irminka: "D-dearest..."

Irminka, to Gavriil: "Hm? Oh, sorry, I got so carried away! Sorry! How are

you?"

Gavriil: lowers one of his hands and reaches into a back pocket with it.

Gavriil: pulls a small square container out and holds it in front of

Irminka.

Irminka: lets out a quick, sharp gasp.

Irminka, to Gavriil: "A present! Oh, jewelkeeper, too much, too much!"

Gavriil, to Irminka: "M-my Irminka... Will you be mine?"

Irminka: laughs loudly, winking at Gavriil and snuggling closer to him.

Irminka, to Gavriil: "I already am yours, silly! You call me 'your'

Irminka, and then ask that! You are so funny."

Gavriil, to Irminka: "N-no... I mean... Will you be... my wife?"

Gavriil: nervously snaps open the container to reveal a fiery crimson ruby

ring.

Irminka: stares incredulously at the ring, jaw dropped in a most uncouth

grimace.

Irminka: swiftly breaks free from Gavriil's embrace and steps away from

him, raising her eye from the ring to his face.

Irminka (smiling softly at Gavriil): "Dearest jewelkeeper! Your jokes go

too far. Really, humor can be appreciated only when it is in good taste!"

Gavriil, to Irminka: "J-jokes? Humor... Wha'?"

Irminka (her lip twitching slightly): "Now, if you're done, can we retreat

to your quarters? I yearn for simple bedroom pleasures."

Gavriil, to Irminka: "M-my Irminka... I'm asking you to marry me! Please,

don't toy around..."

Irminka, to Gavriil (screams): "Toy around? It is you who is toying

around, Gavriil!"

Irminka: bangs her head around, as if plagued by bugs and wishing to get

rid of them.

Irminka, to Gavriil: "You really thought I would be yours? I am...

nobility! I like you because you listen to me and you have other notable

talents, but marriage?! Tell me you're joking. Just say it and we'll...

ignore this."

Gavriil, to Irminka: "But I'm not! I love you! My life hasn't been the

same since you came into the store that day..."

Irminka, to Gavriil (laughing): "Neither has mine! You do make me feel

loved-"

Gavriil (interrupting): "Because I love you!"

Irminka to Gavriil: "Love has nothing to do with marriage, Gavriil! Mother

wouldn't approve, Father would just cough out a negative, it couldn't be!"

Gavriil, to Irminka: "We could elope! Be together... elsewhere. We could

do anything!"

Irminka (walking towards the door): "We could..."

Gavriil, to Irminka: "Where are you going? Why are you leaving?"

Irminka (opening the door) [whisper]: "We could do it all... If I felt the

same about you. But I don't."

Irminka: EXIT turns away from Gavriil like a nymph on a breeze and slams

the door behind her.

Gavriil: stares at the door for one moment, blinking the next and

retreating back to his counter.

Gavriil: draws his hand across the counter, wiping away all residue, then

forcefully turns and, in one fell swipe, sends all the jewelry from one of

the shelves crashing into a wall.

EFFECT 123:
The curtain lowers, leaving the enraged shopkeeper to his misery, as the

sounds of delicate jewelry breaking linger in the air for a few more

moments.

Gavriil: EXIT SILENT

=SCENE THREE=

SCENE Porch
PROP Chair

ROLE Irminka (F) Lady Irminka Paavik
COSTUME Irminka

ROLE Svetenkin (M) Lord Svetenkin Paavik
COSTUME Svetenkin

Irminka: ENTER SILENT
Svetenkin: ENTER SILENT

EFFECT 131:
The curtain rises on the familiar porch, still just as breezy and home to

four rocking chairs and a table. The sun has set, however, and the porch

is now lit by starlight. Two of the rocking chairs are taken, sitting in

one a lordly krokani with a silver-lit mane of curly hair and in the other

a young krokani woman, rocking rhythmically back and forth.

Svetenkin, to Irminka: "Proposed to you?"

Irminka (laughingly): "Can you believe it? Absurd!"

Svetenkin, to Irminka: "Quite so. Out of curiosity, how exactly did you

react?"

Irminka: looks at Svetenkin, a weird smile on her face.

Irminka, to Svetenkin: "Are you asking if I accepted?"

Svetenkin (smiling softly): "You must hold me in low regard if you think

me so foolish as to assume that. My question was more along the lines of

how you rejected him, Irminka."

Irminka: moves her hand through her hair, catches a long strand and starts

playing with it.

Irminka (pouting): "I told him off good. I said that I was highborn and he

a peasant, and how dared he ask for such an honour after only a month..."

Svetenkin: raises his eyebrow pointedly.

Irminka (chuckling innocently): "Alright, two months!"

Svetenkin, to Irminka: "And his reaction?"

Irminka (chewing on her hair): "Umm... He looked shocked and then started

crying and begging me to marry him. Annnd... When I was leaving, I thought

I heard a crashing sound... Like... umm, jewelry breaking, I suppose."

Svetenkin: smiles coldly for a fraction of a second, the smile going

unnoticed in the darkness.

Svetenkin, to Irminka: "Irminka! Don't tell me you broke the poor man's

heart?"

Irminka (cheerfully): "Haha! You think I could have? Maybe he really loved

me."

Svetenkin, to Irminka: "Quite possible... However, the subject is wearing

out. Talk! We have catching up to do, I think."

Irminka: nods quickly, letting go of the strand of hair she'd been

molesting.

Irminka, to Svetenkin: "Your fault, really! Always so busy... Mind if I

ask what it is you're up to these days?"

Svetenkin (smiling gently): "Yes. But I am not the interesting one here,

sister, you are! Tell me about yourself."

Irminka, to Svetenkin: "Oooh, always so mysterious, and you claim you're

uninteresting! I am not stupid, you know."

Svetenkin: reaches over the table and pinches Irminka's cheek playfully.

Irminka, to Svetenkin: "Bah! What is there to say... I've mostly been

spending my days with Gavriil, he was so fun. He would take me out to some

village parties, and we'd drink and dance and - oh, it was so fun! But

then the next day I'd be sick..."

Svetenkin: grins mischievously at Irminka.

Irminka, to Svetenkin: "Come to think of it... I've been sick a lot

lately, regardless of the parties."

Svetenkin: suddenly perks up in his chair and his eye widens with apparent

interest.

Svetenkin, to Irminka: "Sick? Perhaps it is Father's illness brushing off

you?"

Irminka, to Svetenkin: "Umm, no... My stomach often feels sick, like I've

eaten some bad food. Which isn't a stretch to imagine, really,

considering..."

Irminka: falls silent suddenly, lowering her gaze.

Svetenkin (eye turning to a slit): "Considering... how much you've been

eating?"

Irminka (gulping): "No! No... My appetite's just been out of control,

whatever I eat, it's not enough. I don't want to, but I have to..."

Svetenkin, to Irminka: "Two months... Irminka, did you give yourself to

the jeweler in only two months?!"

Irminka (gasping): "I... I would do no such thing with just anyone!"

Svetenkin: relaxing in his chair and letting out a loud breath of odd

satisfaction.

Svetenkin [whispering]: "But if he wasn't just anyone to you..."

EFFECT 132:
The curtain lowers once more on this porch, brother and sister falling

into a deadening silence as both realize the significance of recent

events, each from a distinct perspective.

=SCENE FOUR=

SCENE TatRoom:
This large bedroom is both airy and oppressive, well-lit through the

numerous windows but ruled by a giant four-post bed and a bookcase

overflowing with scrolls and books. The floor gleams with cleanliness and

soft particles of dust float through the air, bathing in sunlight. Thick

black draperies frame each window, blotches of grim seriousness in this

otherwise comforting and calm atmosphere.

PROP Bookcase:
As tall as it is wide, this massive bookcase is perhaps too plainly

divided into seven equally spacious shelves. So crammed are the

multitudinous books and scrolls that to find one actually leaning onto

another seems like an impossibility. None of the books are dusty, yet the

lack of space between them can hardly be taken to suggest that they are

often perused.

ROLE Tatlana (F) Baroness Tatlana Paavik
COSTUME Tatlana:
The aged Baroness Tatlana Paavik wears her years with pride and class,

refusing to paint her elegantly beautiful face with the various

preparations kids these days use. She has a stern look to her face due to

her thin lips and piercing green eye. Her love of jewelry is clear, though

always in good taste, her ears adorned with small ruby earrings and a

golden brooch attached to her long black-and-white gala dress.

Irminka: ENTER SILENT
Tatlana: ENTER SILENT

EFFECT 141:
The curtain rises on a well-lit bedroom framed by a large, four-post bed

and a bookcase overflowing with books and scrolls. The many windows

provide ample sunlight which reflects off the polished floor, creating a

comfortable atmosphere. Sitting on one end of the bed, slumped, is Lady

Irminka Paavik, while an elderly krokani woman paces back and forth

irately.

Tatlana: [snarling] "What were you thinking, you stupid, stupid girl?!"

Tatlana: stomps towards Irminka, glaring with apparent displeasure.

Tatlana: [exclaiming] "I didn't have a caring mother to teach me at your

age, yet I still knew better!"

Irminka: makes the slightest of shifts on the bed, eye glazed and staring

at the farthest of things, as if wishing to switch places with them.

Tatlana (throwing her hands up in exasperation): "Well!"

Tatlana: sits on the bed next to Irminka and lets out a loud, theatrical

sigh.

Tatlana: "My girl, my girl, I thought I'd done a good job with you!

Svetenkin is a respected entrepreneur, Lukovic high-ranked among the

Imperial Paladins... You know I value tradition, Irminka, but I hoped you

would amount to more than wiping an infant's slobber."

Tatlana: "Have you nothing to say? I didn't mean to do it? It was an

accident? You used to be so full of meek excuses, Irminka, where has all

your justification gone? Aslaran cut off your tongue?"

Irminka: attempts to say something, but nothing comes out as she resigns

to staring out one of the windows.

Tatlana (sighing): "We will announce that the father is a ne'er-do-well

nobleman whom you fell in love with. Irresponsibly, he abandoned you and

we prefer not to reveal his name. You will raise the child as your own and

none shall speak of it again."

Tatlana: stands up and walks to one of the windows, forcefully closing the

draperies and stealing the light from a part of the room.

Tatlana (mumbling to herself): "Yet another trips on the grand

staircase..."

EFFECT 142:
Closing the curtains on all the windows, Baroness Tatlana Paavik casts the

room into darkness as the theatre's curtain lowers on the scene.

EXEUNT

=SCENE FIVE=

SCENE PorchAlt:
This well-proportioned porch lies attached to the regal mansion atop a

cliff, overlooking the isolated road which flows into a bustling village.

A smattering of vines adorns the roof, grimly slithering in the darkness

of night. The air is still and dead, and starlight fails to illuminate

everything properly. A round table and four rocking chairs seem ready to

serve, offering both a spectacular view and a sense of privacy. Closing

off the mansion's entrance is a large door adorned with a symbol

resembling a closed eye.

PROP Chair:
Professionally fashioned out of sturdy, dark-brown wood, this curvy

rocking chair is in its prime. Some stains and dents show a decent amount

of use, and the chair wears them with pride as if vainly letting all other

chairs know it has an owner who uses it frequently.

COSTUME SvetenkinRibbon

EFFECT 151:
The curtain rises on the infamous porch, touched by Night and swathed in

shadows. The air is still and dry, the playful breeze now gone, replaced

by an almost preternatural silence. Suddenly, the distinct sound of

footsteps marches in from behind the mansion's front door.

Svetenkin: ENTER exits onto the porch and carefully closes the door behind

him, walking over to one of the chairs and making himself comfortable.

Svetenkin: looks left and right theatrically and starts whistling an eerie

waltz.

Svetenkin [intones]: "What a racket you make, Sisters of Fate, it is all

too clear to the careful ear. Your choices are amateurish at best. Why do

you weave this see-through tapestry?"

Svetenkin: "I have never been able to understand one thing - do you find

it a game? Do you weave in hopes one of your strands will rebel against

the entire tapestry and amuse you for a day? Do you weave it to learn

something?"

Svetenkin: hums a fast and upbeat interlude before returning to his

whistling.

Svetenkin: "Most importantly, do you even know why you weave? Have you

ever been asked this? I myself don't know why I take the needle and thread

you've given me, my looks, my charm, wit and mind, and use them so

instinctively. I don't know why I do these things, and I wish to know."

Svetenkin [whispers]: "I was born second and given these tools... it seems

like a joke."

Svetenkin: "In a year, maybe two, you will take Father, I think. Lukovic

seems comfortable with the idea, and Mother will simply need to deal with

it. I will be the next Head, and I will lead the House to a summit so high

it will elude even Raven's eyes."

Svetenkin: coughs rapidly and quietly, taking several deep breaths.

Svetenkin: "I will make you take the blot and that brat of hers. She has

dug her own grave in breaking an innocent heart. Or will you, friendly

Fates, make me make you take them? At times I think myself silly, stupid

even, to think, to hope... But at others, I know I can wield the divine

thread, and I know I can do great things."

Svetenkin: "What they are..."

Svetenkin: stands up and walks over to the door, glancing back over his

shoulder.

Svetenkin: "... remains to be seen."

EFFECT 152:
As Svetenkin enters the mansion, the curtain descends painfully slowly, a

pregnant pause after the disturbing soliloquy. Swirls of colour suddenly

burst in front of the curtain, forming the image of a green river flowing

swiftly through an orange wasteland, glimpses of indigo people and red

stains flashing periodically. The glamours soon calm and form an

inscription in the air that lingers for a few moments before popping out

of existence - "eight years later".

Svetenkin: EXIT SILENT

=ACT TWO=
=SCENE ONE=

SCENE TatRoomEight:
This bedroom looks a lot like someone's pocket - cluttered with items,

claustrophobic and with only the slightest specks of light peeking through

the extremely long draperies covering the windows. A large bookcase looms

over the entire room, empty save for some cluttered books and scrolls on

the third and fourth shelves. Taking up most of the room is a four-post

bed, majestic even in this less than flattering darkness. A long cane with

a raven-shaped handle leans on the nightstand next to the bed.

ROLE Gapkovic (M) Baron Gapkovic Paavik
COSTUME Gapkovic:
The skin on Baron Gapkovic Paavik's face is shriveled and pale brown, ugly

black stains under his eye, his lips bruised and chapped. His balding

scalp makes him look extremely vulnerable as his frail body cowers inside

glamorous blue robes.

ROLE Lukovic (M) Sir Lukovic Paavik
COSTUME LukovicEight:
A sturdy krokani in every respect, experience etched in his ruggedly

handsome face, Sir Lukovic Paavik maintains a constant frown for whatever

reason. Dressed in a plain black sweater and trousers, he is slouched and

his head retracted like a turtle's.

ROLE Svetenkin (M) Lord Svetenkin Paavik
COSTUME SvetenkinEight:
Cold and expressionless, Lord Svetenkin Paavik flaunts his youth, wealth

and status with the most expensive of attires and jewelry. Blond hair

tucked behind his ears, he is dressed in a long blue satin coat and a

matching pair of pants, rings on his fingers and an expensive-looking

necklace hugging his neck.

Gapkovic: ENTER SILENT

EFFECT 211:
The curtain rises on Baroness Tatlana's room, lightless due to the drapes

over the windows and pervaded by a heavy air, the once crammed bookcase

now tragically empty. Under the covers of the four-post bed is an old,

sickly krokani man, bald and shriveled, shaking feverishly. Beside the

bed, a long cane leans onto the nightstand.

Gapkovic: breaks out in a violent cough, wheezing and squealing in agony.

Lukovic: ENTER opens the door and swiftly steps into the room. Casting a

worried glance at his father, he readies to leave back out.

Gapkovic [rasping]: "Son!"

Lukovic: closes the door and slowly walks over to his father.

Gapkovic [rasping] (wheezing): "Do we need to talk?"

Lukovic: ponders for a moment, ultimately nodding and taking a deep

breath.

Lukovic: "Eight years ago, you fell ill much like now. The illness was

extremely taxing on your aged body and, frankly, you were not expected to

live for much longer. If you'd died, I would have been appointed the new

Head..."

Gapkovic [rasping] (nodding slightly): "And Svetenkin approached you..."

Lukovic: raises his eyebrow instinctively, his eye widening in surprise.

Lukovic: "Actually, it was I who approached Svetenkin."

Gapkovic: nods sagely, a slightly worried look on his wrinkled face.

Gapkovic [rasping]: "You... are changing your mind?"

Lukovic: sighs and looks around, seemingly unable to compose his thoughts.

Lukovic: "When I approached him, Svetenkin was quite dazed by the prospect

and only later did he understand how right he was for the position. I

thought this showed character and that I'd been right to approach him. But

when your illness left... and you lived past the two years which were said

to be your remaining lifespan..."

Gapkovic [rasping] (nodding): "I have noticed..."

Lukovic: "A week ago, when the healers told us this was it, I could've

sworn I saw ecstasy on his face for a fraction of a second. I believe his

ambition has gone overboard and damaged his mind..."

Gapkovic [rasping]: "I am overjoyed that you approached me, son. I did not

wish to burden you... I will ready my will as soon as possible."

Lukovic (tilting his head curiously): "You changed it?"

Gapkovic [rasping]: "I knew Svetenkin would desire the position, unlike

you. I merely wished to ease the process. But now, I must make haste, my

moment may come when I least expect it!"

Lukovic (nodding): "I will ask the notary to come. He is with his family

in Celest, though, it might take him some time."

Lukovic: EXIT gives his father's shoulder a comforting squeeze before

leaving the room hastily.

Gapkovic [rasping] (whispering to himself): "My heart is at peace..."

EFFECT 212:
Relaxed, the drained Baron soon falls asleep and strong snoring fills the

room.

EFFECT 213:
Barely noticeable in the darkness, something suddenly moves in the room.

Gallantly, Lord Svetenkin Paavik steps out from behind one of the long

draperies over the windows.

Svetenkin: ENTER SILENT

Svetenkin: glares madly at the door, his face twisted by rage.

Svetenkin [mutters]: "It has come to this, it has! Lukovic betrays me too.

Always seems honest, yet plots against me behind my back. Loathsome,

loathsome..."

Svetenkin: gently pulls a sharp dagger from the left sleeve of his coat

and starts walking towards the bed.

Svetenkin [whisper]: "But this time I will not count on the Fates. My fate

is in my hands, and my hands must set it in motion. The jeweler should

take care of Irminka and the brat, my words fired him up easily. And

Lukovic... should come back soon..."

EFFECT 214:
The curtain lowers as the insane krokani approaches his father's bed with

a murderous intent. As he readies his hand to strike, the curtain covers

the scene completely.

EXEUNT

=SCENE TWO=

SCENE Cellar:
Several storage barrels sit around this cold basement, bottles of various

alcoholic beverages randomly set atop them. Elegantly built into the

western wall is shelving which holds tagged and neatly lined up bottles of

likely valuable contents. A plain wooden door in the eastern wall is

apparently the only entrance.

ROLE Gavriil (M) Gavriil
COSTUME GavriilEight:
Gavriil is gaunt-faced and drawn, and these are obviously not the best

days of his life. A heavy shadow lies under his eye and he is dressed in

rags, head to toe. His hands are stained and skin sags from the bones, one

of the fingers on his right hand noticeably broken.

ROLE Irminka (F) Lady Irminka Paavik
COSTUME IrminkaEight:
The fair Lady Irminka Paavik looks fresh and rested, her skin shining with

health. Free from the confines of jewelry or make-up, she is wearing a

comfortably roomy dress.

ROLE Maryava (F) Maryava Paavik
COSTUME Maryava:
Wide-eyed and short in stature, Maryava Paavik is a krokani girl dressed

in an almost comical combination of the cute and the serious - something

resembling a small-sized black suit on a strawberry-red skirt. Two

oversized bracelets sit on her arms, toy hoop earrings on hear ears, her

cheerfully auburn hair cascading down her head, a few strands stuck in her

long eyelashes.

EFFECT 221:
The curtain rises on a chilly cellar filled with storage barrels and

bottles of alcohol on shelves built into the western wall. A conspicuous

door is built into the eastern wall and surrounded by thick stone blocks,

the sole entrance and exit.

Gavriil: ENTER bursts open the eastern door and drags in Irminka and a

short krokani girl dressed in a silly black suit and red skirt

combination.

Irminka: ENTER SILENT
Maryava: ENTER SILENT

Irminka: shrieks and attempts to escape, pulling the girl by her arm.

Gavriil: slams the door shut and grabs Irminka, pushing her and the girl

into a set of barrels.

Gavriil: reaches into one of his dirty trench coat's pockets and swiftly

pulls out a small, sharp-looking axe.

Irminka: pulls the girl into her arms and holds her tight.

Irminka [screams]: "What are you doing?! She is your daughter!"

Gavriil [mutters] (approaching): "You ruined my life, filthy tramp! You

used me... And this girl is the product of my unrequited love for you.

She's better off dead..."

Irminka (looking desperately for a way out): "But I loved you, Gavriil! I

loved you, I just wasn't ready to admit it!"

Gavriil [snarls]: "LIAR!"

Gavriil: swings the axe around, smashing some bottles and filling the air

with the scent of their spilled contents.

Gavriil (gasping): "Liar... He told me... everything. You... didn't want

people to know it was me."

Irminka: "Who told you this?! They're lies, Gavriil! Mother commanded me

to be silent while she took care of it all. I was too young, too stupid to

rebel, I was confused and didn't know how I felt at all! You must

understand!"

Gavriil: "No. You're just trying to save yourself..."

EFFECT 222:
As Irminka shakes her head in fervent negation, Gavriil comes at her in a

fit of rage. She manages to avoid the axe's swipe, but Gavriil spins

around and hits her with his clenched fist. Flying into the western wall,

she breaks the shelving and dozens of bottles come crashing down on her,

shards flying everywhere.

Maryava [scream]: "Mama!"

Maryava: runs towards Irminka, baffled tears in her eye.

EFFECT 223:
Gavriil pushes Maryava away and throws the axe at her, hitting her on the

forehead with the blunt part. Maryava flies headfirst into the eastern

door and, with a resounding crack, her small skull snaps and a bloodstain

appears on the door.

COSTUME MaryavaDead:
Broken like a ragdoll, the young Maryava Paavik lies in an awkward

position, her neck somewhat twisted and her face and hair covered in

blood.

Irminka [screams] (gurgling): "NO!"

Irminka [yells]: "Mother! Svetenkin! Lukovic! Help me!"

Gavriil: "They are all out... Lord Svetenkin left to Celest..."

Irminka: "How do you know this?"

Gavriil: "He paid me a visit on the way."

Irminka: shoots Gavriil a shocked look, her face covered in blood and

wine.

Irminka: "What do you mean?"

Gavriil: "He came... and told me what happened eight years ago..."

Irminka: gasps quickly, flinching as she feels the cuts and bruises from

the bottle shards.

Irminka: "He told you all those lies?"

Gavriil: "Not lies!"

Irminka [screams]: "LIES!"

Irminka: "Gavriil... Svetenkin is a practical man... He advised Mother to

keep you away from me, to isolate us and spread the false story of the

nobleman who abandoned me... Don't you see?"

Gavriil: tilts his head curiously, a sudden glimpse of innocence in his

eye.

Gavriil: "But... why?"

Irminka: "I can't even begin to imagine... But I think it has something to

do with what you're doing now..."

Irminka (closing her eye): "Like I said, Svetenkin is a practical man..."

Gavriil: flinches, a disgusted look on his face as he gazes at his axe,

then at the bleeding Irminka and finally the dead Maryava.

Gavriil: "Betrayed..."

Gavriil: "... again?"

Irminka: shakes her head and smiles at Gavriil with the last bits of her

strength.

Irminka (tears rolling down her cheeks): "Just this once..."

EFFECT 224:
The curtain lowers on Gavriil's incredulous yells of protest as he runs to

Irminka's side, holding her in his arms as she breathes her last breath.

=SCENE THREE=

SCENE Hallway:
Covered in fine tapestries and a silver-and-green carpet running down its

length, this hallway ends in a staircase leading down. Placed

strategically along the hallway on ravenwood posts are vases containing

artificial plants, an attempt to liven it up. On each of its sides, a door

bars entry into the rooms beyond.

ROLE Gavriil (M) Gavriil
COSTUME Gavriil

ROLE Svetenkin (M) Lord Svetenkin Paavik
COSTUME SvetenkinEightBlood:
Cold and expressionless, Lord Svetenkin Paavik flaunts his youth, wealth

and status with the most expensive of attires and jewelry. Blond hair

slightly messy, a large bloodstain mars his long blue coat. His fingers

are saturated with rings of various sizes and a rich necklace hugs his

neck tightly.

ROLE Tatlana (F) Lady Tatlana Paavik
COSTUME TatlanaEight:
The aged Baroness Tatlana Paavik wears her years with pride and class,

refusing to paint her elegantly beautiful face with the various

preparations kids these days use. She has a stern look to her face due to

her thin lips and piercing green eye. Her love of jewelry is clear, though

always in good taste, her ears adorned with small sapphire earrings, a

vibrant green bracelet on her left arm. A comfortable yellow dress

cascades down her form, ignoring all curves.

EFFECT 231:
The curtain rises on a hallway covered in elegant tapestries, vases placed

along the sides of the carpet running down its length to a staircase

leading downwards. Two doors are here, one on each side of the hallway.

Gavriil: ENTER arrives from the staircase, looking around in slight

confusion.

Svetenkin: ENTER exits into the hallway from one of the rooms, a

conspicuous bloodstain on his coat, closing the door behind him as he

spots Gavriil.

Svetenkin (smiling): "I heard her screams..."

Gavriil: looks at Svetenkin, gaze passing through him as if no one is even

there.

Svetenkin: "What is wrong with you? You did the deed, yes?"

Gavriil: "Why aren't you in Celest?"

Svetenkin: glares at Gavriil with disdain.

Svetenkin: "None of your business. Did you do it?!"

Gavriil: "Why are you covered in blood?"

Svetenkin: backhands Gavriil swiftly across the face.

Svetenkin [snarls]: "DID YOU DO IT?!"

Gavriil: stares at Svetenkin, his face completely blank.

Gavriil: "You lied to me..."

Svetenkin: smirks and shoves Gavriil aside and makes his way towards the

staircase.

Svetenkin: "Crawl back into your little hole. I will do it myself."

Gavriil: "With her final breath, she told me... it was all you."

Svetenkin: turns and raises his eyebrow at Gavriil.

Svetenkin: "So you did do it? And the brat?"

Gavriil: "My daughter... Dead..."

Svetenkin: beams and claps his hands together merrily.

Svetenkin: "Why didn't you say so!"

Gavriil: "You lied to me..."

Svetenkin: "Oh boo-hoo. I just gave you a nudge in the right direction."

Gavriil (breathing heavily): "Right... direc..."

Gavriil [snarls]: "I killed the woman I loved and my child because of

you!"

Svetenkin (smirking): "How easy it is, blaming your own crimes on others."

Svetenkin: "Speaking of which... I think I'll go change and inform Mother

that some terrifying lunatic has slaughtered the family."

Svetenkin: winks conspiratorially at Gavriil.

Svetenkin: "I think it's in your best interest not to be here."

Gavriil: "You are insane."

Svetenkin: "And you, my boy, are so naive you practically asked for it."

Svetenkin: turns and starts walking towards the staircase.

Gavriil: swiftly pulls out the bloody axe and comes at Svetenkin from

behind.

EFFECT 232:
Turning just in time to see the axe flying towards him, Svetenkin raises

his eye to the ceiling as if asking for Divine aid before the axe cuts him

straight across the neck, splattering Gavriil and the tapestries of the

hallway with blood.

Tatlana: ENTER enters from the other side of the hallway.

Svetenkin: drops to his knees and collapses on the floor, bleeding heavily

and paralyzed with pain.

Tatlana: screams and runs towards him.

Svetenkin (with his last breath) [whisper]: "How disappointing..."

COSTUME SvetenkinDead:
His beautiful hair smeared with blood and his face at complete rest, all

of Lord Svetenkin Paavik's robes, jewelry and influence couldn't save him

from the hand of justice.

Gavriil: lets the axe slip from his hand and fall to the carpeted floor.

Tatlana: notices him and wrenches her eye away from Svetenkin.

Tatlana: "Who are you?! Get away! Don't come near me!"

Gavriil: "Please... Baroness... I won't harm you."

Tatlana (stumbling back): "AWAY!"

Gavriil: "He plotted against you all! He made me kill Irminka and-"

Tatlana [screams]: "Irminka? Where is she?! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH MY

DAUGHTER?!"

Gavriil (gasping for air): "Listen to me..."

Tatlana: reaches for one of the vases, showing surprising strength for her

age as she flings it at Gavriil.

Gavriil: avoids the vase and runs for the staircase, looking back to see

Tatlana dropping to her knees beside Svetenkin, despair clawing at her

face.

Gavriil: EXIT stumbles down the staircase, wheezing and gasping as he runs

from the horrifying scene.

Tatlana: softly passes her hand over Svetenkin's cheek, her whole body

shaking.

Tatlana: pulls Svetenkin's bloody torso into an embrace, laying her head

on him and weeping helplessly.

EFFECT 233:
The curtain lowers on the hopeless Baroness as she mourns the loss of her

son, thoughts of what Gavriil said about her daughter whirling in her

head.

EXEUNT

=SCENE FOUR=

SCENE TatRoomLast:
This bedroom looks a lot like someone's pocket - cluttered with items,

claustrophobic and with only the slightest specks of light peeking through

the extremely long draperies covering the windows. A large bookcase looms

over the entire room, empty save for some cluttered books and scrolls on

the fourth shelf. Taking up most of the room is a four-post bed, sheets

ruffled and covered in a smattering of blood. A fire crackles on the

floor, fed by a pile of books apparently taken from the bookcase.

ROLE Tatlana (F) Baroness Tatlana Paavik
COSTUME TatlanaEight

EFFECT 241:
The curtain rises on Baroness Tatlana's lightless room once again, a fire

burning on the floor between the large bed and almost empty bookcase. The

Baroness is lying beside the fire, reading a parchment in the sickeningly

orange lighting.

Tatlana: moves her eye slowly across the text written on the parchment,

blinking as she arrives at the end and shaking her head.

Tatlana: goes back to the beginning and focuses, her face wrinkling, eye

narrowing to block out some of the sharp firelight.

Tatlana: sighs, a tears appearing in her eye as she reads a passage aloud.

Tatlana: "... she was the Sun of my darknesses, the Moon which caressed me

with gentle light when I needed comfort, the Night which shrouded me when

I was too ashamed to show myself, and during those two months our love was

a thousandfold stronger than the most powerful of emotions..."

Tatlana: lowers the parchment and casts her gaze upwards, choking back a

tidal wave of emotions as her body shivers.

Tatlana: breathes loudly into the fire and watches it sway, refusing to

die.

Tatlana: raises the parchment and starts reading again.

Tatlana: "... in my mindless stupidity, I believed him and fell into

despair..."

Tatlana: "... eight years later, he prodded my weakened self inside the

bubble of despair and instilled me with the most corruptive idea of all -

revenge..."

Tatlana: gasps as she reads a section, her eye swiping the text faster

before resting and closing to push out the tears.

Tatlana: opens her eye and glides across the rest of the parchment,

sadness enhancing the aged look of her face.

Tatlana: "... I hope you will forgive me, someday, somehow, and accept

these events for what they were..."

Tatlana: "... never forgive his vile treachery, although I understand what

might have led him to it. With deepest respect and praying for our souls

and the souls of those that you loved, yours sincerely, Gavriil Ikilva."

EFFECT 242:
Gifting the parchment with one last look of sorrow, Tatlana throws it into

the fire which cracks and shifts with newfound power, consuming the text,

its words now known to only two people.

Tatlana: stands up and sits on the bed, taking a small vial from a fold in

the sheets.

Tatlana: "Ikilva's love for a Paavik was true..."

Tatlana: opens the vial and sips some of the greenish-brown liquid,

casting the fire a concerned look.

EFFECT 243:
Tatlana stands up and pours the rest of the liquid onto the fire,

extinguishing it surprisingly quickly. In the darkness pierced only by the

slightest specks of light from the windows, the Baroness collapses and, as

her body hits the floor, a dramatic 'thunk' shakes the scene.