The theatre quieted down, the actors stepping aside as the curtains shuddered. They were made up of volunteer film students from the capital, curious to see a cultural play be brought to life.
Masks covered them all, not a single face in sight except the musicians who sat, their instruments in wait as the stage lights above shifted.
"Welcome, everyone! What a fine evening tonight is!"
A great voice struck the crowd, the monk standing in the middle of the stage the highlight of the night.
Bright yellow clothing made him stand out, his beet red face revealing his love of alcohol, and the way his arms swung showed off his lackadaisical nature.
Flutes began to play, the drums beating softly, the monk laughing as he began to speak with no regard for the fourth wall.
"Lovely music, is it not? I say we all celebrate with drink, dance, and most of all..."
Turning around, the monk brought out a wooden cup of alcohol, the drink splashing as he spun to face the other monks, then back to the crowd.
"Fine women!"
It was clear the monk was a drunk apostate, breaking the vows and pledges he made to the monastery, running about inebriated and full of lust.
Parts of the crowd couldn't help but laugh, the stage's monk reflecting the actions of real life monks too well. Others were too young to understand, the play continuing.
The other monks stepped out into the middle of the stage, acting silly and unrefined as they drank and danced, laughing satirically as the leader stepped forward towards the crowd.
"Who's our lovely lady? Come on up!"
One of the crowd was quickly swept away, brought on as a guest actor as she was dropped into the middle of the stage. Other people joined in unannounced, the stage free for all to step onto by tradition.
The leader monk looked the woman closely, their mask's bulging eyes poking out of their head as they shouted loudly.
"Let us all drink!"
As the monk shouted, another voice interrupted, the play going off script as they spoke.
"Am I not invited?"
Bursting through the curtains, a giant white mass appeared, their pale fur fluttering as they moved. Beneath their long body were four legs, two different sets peeking out from beneath.
The beast pranced on the stage, circling back to the lead monk who stood in shock, met mask to mask.
There, the beast's face was a large wooden mask, painted to resemble a strangely flat faced lion with great angry brows. It didn't look very happy, which was reflected in its speech.
YOU ARE READING
The Fox's Jewel
عاطفيةYun arrives in a remote village, stepping into the demon infested theatre that stood atop the hill. There, he meets an less than ordinary actress named Hana, the two keen on finding out the secrets each of them hold from one another.
