ACT 1: Apistefuan Sirenix

everything will be okay.

CHARACTERS IN THIS ONESHOT (EPISODE 4, 'Onward.' PART 1):
Frida Auquene, Halfling Cleric of Eldath (Acolyte)
Zakariah Faunill, High Half-Elf Bard (Performer)

CHAPTER: THALASSES DE MER
(2014 words)


Dawn has arrived, and as Frida rose to awake, she began acting like a feline. Yawning like tigers while stretching like cats.

Frida sees Miraille and Nereus arguing about something, with Nereus wielding a sword that looked extremely familiar to her, so she knows it's not his. She would have to step in between them and resolve whatever conflict they had, but not right now. She thinks to herself as she notices Zakariah sitting on a log near their campfire, staring into it as if he was pondering about something.

Frida had been dying to talk to him about last night's 'dream' or whatever people called it; and so she sat down on the same log, her staff leaning on the sides of her thighs as she crouches slightly to feel the fire's warmth. I suppose Zakariah noticed the tension arising between them, like he knew why Frida came to him.

ZAKARIAH: "You know, as a bard, I've grown to create a variety of dazzling songs!" Zakariah says with such enthusiasm in his tone before his face darkens as he shifts to a more depressing one. "But sometimes, I feel like I'm just.. a character in one of them. The kind that's craving for solace, but never quite finds it.." Zakariah looks away in distress, wishing to avoid Frida's pitiful gaze.

He loved the attention from being successful, but despises when people shared too much pity. Hence, the idea of sharing his past used to terrify him. For Zakariah, pity feels more like mockery, as he never really had someone who cared for him that much. One who would worry and pace anxiously whenever he was gone for even a moment. One that would tend to his scars, listen to his vents, and tell him that everything will be okay.

Someone.
Anyone.
He begged the gods.

Frida gazes at Zakariah with eyes that tell stories of sorrow.

FRIDA: "Life can feel like a never-ending performance, Zakariah. If it's alright to ask, what's been troubling you lately?" She knew damn well what was troubling him; she just wanted him to willingly tell her.

Last night, when a mysterious being showed them Zakariah's past..

Frida's heart aches at the thought alone. To think that one of her companions had gone through such a thing filled Frida with rage, the want of revenge for someone temporary. And she hated herself for feeling this way.

Frida never liked solving things with violence as it goes against her own morals, but if someone were to hurt her beloved ones? She would do anything to protect them, and go against her own morals if necessary.

Call it strength, call it weakness, but it is admirable nonetheless.

ZAKARIAH: "Why ask when you already know, don't you, Frida?" asked Zakariah with giggles and a smile, only for the hafling to smile softly in return, the look of shame and embarrassment plastering her wrinkled face.

FRIDA: "I.. didn't want to force the topic upon you. I hoped you'd be open whenever ready.." Zakariah sighs deeply.

ZAKARIAH: "Well, it's certainly not something I talk about often."

That's because you never had someone to talk to about it, Frida thought.

ZAKARIAH: "But.. my past is filled with terrors I can't seem to abandon. Guilt? Regret, maybe? There was a time when music was a refuge." Zakariah continues as he looks up to the clouds above, his eyes sparkling alongside the amber skies.

Frida notices just how much beauty her friend truly wields.

ZAKARIAH: "Now? It feels like a mirror haunting me of my worst memories.." Zakariah finishes with a sad glance as Frida showed her encouragement by nodding slowly.

FRIDA: "Sometimes, our passion can reveal the most intimate parts of ourselves. What is guilt if not regret after all? And yet, you feel conflicted amongst the two, which is a trait as rare as shooting stars. If you wish, tell me more about your family." Frida opens her mouth to continue, but pauses for a moment. Glancing at the ground, wondering if she should really say it. "..Then, I shall tell you mine as well."

He immediately snapped his head to the side the moment he heard the cleric's last words. It was no doubt that Frida was a kind soul, the grandmother many wandering children would dream of having and yet, he could feel there was something more to that. A tale hidden behind the scar that traveled across her face from cheekbone to ear.

ZAKARIAH: "You know you really don't have to-"
FRIDA: "I do. That way, I shall make us equals."

He stares into her now furrowed brows as her irises screamed to know the truth. Truth be told, seeing Frida like that was intimidating. Perhaps it was one of the many reasons he eventually caved in after a few moments of silence. As Zakariah took a deep breath, he finally uttered the words he'd been craving to tell anyone.

ZAKARIAH: "My family.. never supported my dreams. Hated for who I became. Said I was a disappointment? I guess they weren't entirely wrong, as I harbored the same sentiments too when I realized I left the people who were meant to be my mentor, my guide in this hectic world.." Zakariah stops, feeling a cry in his throat trying to slip out, as his eyes began to water slowly before continuing his words. "Since then, I've wandered. Singing to mask the pain, hoping that the melodies might somehow help me like the old days.. but I should've known nothing would stay the same forever." Zakariah looks away as he shook his head in disbelief. The belief that he believed in something so childish.

Frida could only look at him with empathy glazing her now wet pupils. She wished she could've been the one to guide him. She would show him the wonders of this world and shield him from any amount of darkness that clouded his path. In another life, she would've baked cookies and cakes alongside him as his butterfly features patterned on his clothing would flutter to gather the ingredients. In another life, he wouldn't feel ashamed of his gift. Those ideas alone were enough to fill her with some hope and joy. She would've loved to have a son like him. A son who stood strong for his beliefs, a son so poetic he'd move birds to flap their wings for an applause.

Oh, how she wished for a son again.
Or rather, wished to be a mother once more.

FRIDA: "..I can never compare my past with yours, but to say that one doesn't relate would be a blatant lie. My family too grew weary of my change in loyalty. My court saying I don't belong with my own people, as they called me traitor. All I wanted was a life of peace where all may live without a worry in the world, is that too much to ask, father? Does the idea of slaughter not disgust you, mother?"

Zakariah bites and licks his lips while his fingers fidgeted on the ruffles of his skirt. He never knew Frida came from such a prestigious line. He wonders if her clothing back then were like that of royals. Instead of gardening boots, maybe Frida wore velvet heels laced with gold. Instead of overalls, she would wear a sultry gown that accentuated her grace. And maybe the flower crown that she wore now was to symbolize her previous status. As a constant reminder of who she was and where her origins lie. How he would've killed for luxury like that.

ZAKARIAH: "So.. how did you get through it? To be too unique for respect yet odd enough to stand out? I personally just sing to fill the void. Try to drown out the memories with harmonies as I heard that music has a way of... expressing things that we've lost."

Frida chuckled as she looked impressed at Zakariah.

FRIDA: "It's no wonder your songs became so well-known! Such wisdom portrayed in your lyricism, I assume? One feels but little when told that one's method was simply moving onwards and ignoring the criticism." Frida said with a grin. "Loss can indeed be a relentless shadow, my red lacewing. But it's important to accept it. The healing process is more about facing the pain rather than escaping it after all. How you manage to hide your feelings all this time? Even the elder ones wouldn't know."

He looks at her thoughtfully, feeling as if his secrets would always be safe with her. No matter how far apart they would get.

ZAKARIAH: "Performers like me are always good at hiding emotions behind a mask of charm. But lately, it's been a bit harder to maintain that facade." Zakariah admits.

As he lets Frida get closer, he leans towards her slightly, wanting to hear more wise advice that came from her. Specifically from her.

FRIDA: "The mask cannot hold itself forever. Without support, it would fall and crack like the fragile branches of a tree when the wind blows too harsh. A lot of people see vulnerability as a weakness, when it is in fact the opposite."

ZAKARIAH: "..But what happens when you get so used to pretending, it's hard to show the real you?" Zakariah says with a sigh of frustration. Or perhaps it was sadness? His eyes went dark and became unreadable during this moment.

FRIDA: "Well, sometimes, it's through the cracks that light can enter. You've always believed that music has a way of bringing that light into darkness, correct? Only when you have embraced your past for shaping you and find inner peace to finally heal, you will find a new source of inspiration and strength. Your music alone has touched so many lives, my sweet. Will you allow yourself to do the same as well?"

Zakariah glances at the fire, then back at Frida to show her his glistening eyes that were dripping in tears till it reached his downturned smile. He made sure to answer her question with a nod. He wipes away his nose gently and uses his sleeves for his tears streaming down his glass skin.

ZAKARIAH: "..Thank you, Frida.." Zakariah sniffs and stutters. "You don't know how much your words mean to me.."

Frida uses her staff to summon a cup of water for Zakariah so that he could finally speak with ease. Once Frida offered the water, Zakariah graciously took it from her hands and began drinking slowly, making sure to clear his throat and straightening his posture before continuing his words.

ZAKARIAH: "One day, I'll find that the tales I share through my voice will be a bridge to healing, not just for others but for myself as well. And I'll make sure of that!"

FRIDA: "I have complete faith that you will. Here's to finding solace and strength in the melodies of your spirit." Frida exclaims, as her smile was warm like the flames. Zakariah proceeds to raise a metaphorical glass to the fire.

ZAKARIAH: "To healing and new beginnings!" Zakariah laughs as he radiated the bright energy Frida always adored.

In response to him, Frida scoffs and slightly shakes her head with yet another smile, also raising an imaginary toast.

FRIDA: "To new beginnings and the light that guides us through darkness!"

As the fire crackles softly, the two sit in contemplative silence, each finding a sense of peace in the shared understanding and the warmth of the fire. Frida finally began hoping for change. Once more, she had found a person to protect and cherish. She saw her son's spirit lingering in Zakariah when she looked at him smile with watery eyes, resulting in her succumbing to tears as well.

FRIDA: "Don't worry, dear." Frida says as she unconsciously cupped the cheeks of Zakariah's soft face.

The next words to come out of her mouth made Zakariah realize that he finally found someone who cared. Someone who would pace back and forth, waiting anxiously for him to come back. Someone who would tend to his scars and listen to his vents at his most vulnerable moments.

FRIDA: "Everything will be okay."