#kielce

[semioticapocalypse]

Wojciech Karliński. Kielce. Poland. 2024

I Am Collective Memories   •    Follow me, — says Visual Ratatosk

[himehikoshrine]

Sissia of the Central Nation Stage Script (EN) -- Suzu Route

This is the full Stage Script from the game menu for Sissia of the Central Nation, from Suzu's Route (occasional typos and all, though I tried not to add any that weren't already there, but no promises).

There are seven versions of this script, with substantial changes in each, but we'll start with Suzu, for his birthday.

There are some things in this script that are not in the game version - in-game, parts of the script are elided in favor of summary. The Stage Scripts don't include any character ad-libs from the in-game performance, though. For the Univeil Performance there is a good deal of confessional ad-libbing in every route, so in addition to the usual extended sequences, this contains a lot of alternate versions of those scenes.

(AKA the version of the route love confession if Neji wrote it instead, which is very fun).

Suzu and Kisa improvise a whole scene over what's written in this version, so if you want to see the full version of what Suzu wanted to replace, here it is.

This performance doesn't skip as much for summary as the others, so it's more a few lines here and there that are new, outside of the ending they ad-lib entirely over, but unique to the Univeil Performance, an epilogue with at least one serious twist which for some reason isn't explored in ANY version. Plus full character names. Kielce's is a story you learn more details of in different routes, but this is as good a place to start as any! Happy birthday Suzu. Here's Sissia of the Central Nation script 1 of 7. No promises on when the rest will be ready, sorry. You can find Mary Jane's Stage Script here [x] and Oh, Rama Havenna's here [x] This play is over 800 lines long, so the formatting may get a bit wonky.

Sissia of the Central Nation (Suzu Route)

By Neji Kokuto

(1) The Central Nation of Kielce

◆Along the Border

???:   Over there! Don’t let them get away!

???:   Hahh, Hahh…Ugh!

A shadow crosses over the border. 

The sound of hurried footsteps chasing after them.

Border Patrol A:   Damn it! A rat from the servant country crossed the border into the Arbine Nation!

Border Patrol B:   If word of this gets to the commander and the king of Arbine…

Border Patrol A:   We need to find them, fast!

Blackout

◆National Standing Theater

Restless murmurs

Chance:   …

Chance:   Heh heh.

Chance:   Here comes the beginning of another day for Kielce!

◆National Standing Theater (The scene goes from dark to lighter. As if lights have turned on.)

The dazzling show by Kielce begins.

Isaac:   Welcome, one and all to the theater of the Central Nation of Kielce! I am the goat-headed Isaac!

Isaac:   …What’s that? Why do i have such a head, you ask?

Isaac:   It’s a bit of a long story, but when my father visited a farm one day, he fell in love with a female goat, and…

Laughter from the crowd.

Isaac:   Ah! The local officers told me not to tell this story! They asked that I not disrupt the moral standards of Arbine.

Isaac:   Well, let’s put aside the idle chatter, all the kings and nobles, the living and the dead, the passing mugwort sellers…

Sound of fireworks.

Smoke comes pouring in and acrobats enter the scene with style.

Chance:   Let the Central Nation of Kielce’s show begin!!!

Chance:   Hah!

Audience A:   Ah, It’s Chance! His somersaults are the best! You wouldn’t expect any less of Kielce’s star!

Audience B:   What are you talking about? Everyone in Kielce is a star!

Adra:   You couldn’t be more right!

Adra appears on the stage, dancing brilliantly.

Audience A:   Adra! Oh, I can’t believe how beautifully he dances! He’s certainly Arbine’s treasure. 

Audience B:   He certainly is from a family of officials! The flower of Kielce!

Crowley catches Adra dancing across the stage.

Crowley:   Now, then. Allow me to lend you a hand, Adra!

Audience A:   Crowley just caught Adra! He’s the genius who creates these performances, and even joins them himself! 

Crowley:   Now’s the time to forget the time! Next, let’s all sway to a beautiful tune!

Someone singing can be heard, and Carlo appears.

Fan Carlo:   …!

Audience A:   Oh, how beautiful…!

Audience:   She really lives up to her reputation as the most beautiful voice in all the nation…!

Levi appears at the center of the stage.

Levi:   We are the Central Nation of Kielce! Is everyone ready for some twisted fun?!

The crowd cheers in response.

Sissia watches Kielce’s performance from the audience.

Sissia:   …

Sissia:   The Central Nation of Kielce… I’ve dreamed of them for so long!

Sissia:   Ah, I can’t believe this! I can’t believe I’m able to see them perform again!

Blackout

◆Kielce Base

Chance:   Ahhh! Today was another rousing success, huh?!

Chance:   What did you think?! How were my somersaults?!

Fan Carlo:   They were full of energy. You’re like a monkey.

Chance:   Thanks… Hey wait, Carlo!

Isaac:   A monkey, huh? That’s not too bad. Want to switch places with my goat, then?

Chance:   I can’t give long monologues like you can, so I’ll pass…

Isaac:   That’s unfortunate. I’ll take my leave for now, then. 

Chance:   Hey, you going already, Isaac?!

Adra:   He’s always so calm after getting off stage, that Isaac.

Crowley:   Haha, that’s just fine for a comedian. Isn’t it, Levi?

Levi:   Yeah.

Crowley:   You’re not part of the comedy act, so you can stand to give it a little more energy!

Levi:   … There was something I noticed about the performance today.

Chance:   Something you noticed?

Adra:   …Ah, I see.

Crowley:   You’re right.

Chance:   Hey! Stop just agreeing with each other and tell me what you’re talking about!

Fan Carlo:   They’re talking about a problem the Central Nation of Kielce has in general.

Chance:   I’m telling you, be more specific! I wanna know, too!

Isaac appears among everyone chattering.

Isaac:   All right now, sorry to interrupt your conversation. As always, we have some prospectives hoping to join our troupe.

Chance:   Oh! Some future Kielcesters have come, eh? 

Chance:   Let’s see what they’ve got, then!

Fan Carlo:   I’m tired, so I’ll pass.

Crowley:   Don’t be like that, Carlo. They’ve come all this way to see us.

Adra:   There may be some among them with talents like Chance and Isaac.

Isaac:   That’s right. If Levi hadn’t found me back then, I might still be working at a factory. Wearing a goat head.

Chance:   …I kinda want to see that, too.

Levi:   Carlo, you seem to understand the problem with the Central Nation of Kielce we were talking about just a minute ago, so I’ll ask you to join. 

Chance:   Oh yeah! I forgot! So what IS our problem?

Isaac:   I’d like to know, too.

Crowley:   It’s that… we lack a ‘gear’.

Isaac:   A ‘gear’…

Isaac:   …Is what we lack?

Fan Carlo:   It means we aren’t well harmonized.

Adra:   You know how the Central Nation of Kielce’s performance style is just a showcase of our separate talents?

Crowley:   It’s been that way for a very long time, but it’s even more pronounced now that Carlo and Chance have joined. 

Crowley:   As we are now, we can’t put on the best performance ever!

Levi:   We definitely need it. A gear that unites our individual parts to move together as one whole.

Isaac:   I see…

Chance:   All the more reason to hold auditions, then! Come on, Carlo!

Fan Carlo:   Hahh, fine. I couldn’t handle it if someone as tone-deaf as you joined.

Chance:   Exactly! It’d be a disaster if TWO of us were tone-deaf and couldn’t harmonize or… Carlo!

Isaac:   I think you’ve gotten much better, though.

Chance:   Are you trying to cheer me up, Isaac? Gee, thanks a lot.

Crowley:   So how many are we going to let in through the audition, Levi? 

Levi:   Your eyes tell me one person.

Crowley:   That’s our ringleader for you! I do hope that one person shows up.

Adra:   All right, let’s go then. Can’t keep our future star waiting, can we?

Everyone:   Yeah!

Carlo says “Right”.

◆In front of the Kielce Base

Prospective members are gathered in a line.

The members of Kielce test their talents.

Candidate:   Listen to my song, Leviii!

Levi:   Next.

Candidate:   Only one person will pass, right?! I’m confident in my acting! Oh, God! Give me the kiss of death!

Crowley:   Neeext.

Candidate:   I’ve danced for 18 years with the national dance troupe!

Adra:   Who’s next?

Fan Carlo:   Hahh… Levi, I’m sure we’ll all die of boredom if we try and test everyone here. 

Crowley:   Wow, I think I’d be able to write a song with that as the theme!

Adra:   Carlo’s right. We’re making our prospectives wait, too… 

Mean Candidate:   Hey! Is it my turn yet or what?!

Mean Candidate:   I’ve run out of patience! Only one of us is going to pass anyway! Skills are all that matter in this world!

The prospective starts singing and dancing.

Chance:   Ah, he just started singing and dancing!

Isaac:   He’s like Chance.

Chance:   Hey!

Candidate A:   Hey what gives?!

Candidate B:   Wait your turn!

Mean Candidate:   Shut up! If you’re confident that you’re better than me, then why don’t you try singing?!

Candidate C:   I’ll show you what talent looks like!

People start singing in protest.

Crowley:   Now things are getting interesting!

Fan Carlo:   …Can I leave?

Sissia watches the commotion.

Sissia:   …

Candidate:   My singing is the best! Aaah…

Candidate:   Watch my dancing!

Mean Candidate:   Out of the way! I’m gonna be the one who joins the Central Nation of Kielce!

Adra:   What do we do, Levi? Want to cancel this for now?

Levi:   Yeah. It’s getting late. We can do this another day…

Sissia:   …!

Sissia:   Excuse me! I…

Mean Candidate:   Who are you? Get back!

Sissia:   …Urk!

Sissia:   Please… Please let me sing. 

Sissia comes out to the front.

Sissia begins a beautiful dance while singing in a clear and free voice.

★Song “Departure”

Candidate:   …

Mean Candidate:   …Whoa.

Chance:   Who is she…?

Chance:   She’s cute…

Chance:   Ah, wait! That’s not what I meant!

Chance:   That one’s super good!

Isaac:   You’re right about that… I can just imagine the scene they’re creating.

Fan Carlo:   …

Crowley:   Now that’s unusual, for even Carlo to sit silently and listen!

Adra:   What do we do, ringleader?

Levi:   …

Levi:   An applicant has been chosen. Anyone have any objections?

Sissia:   Huh? Who is it…?!

Candidate:   …

Mean Candidate:   …No! You all saw that too, right? Talent is everything in this world!

Mean Candidate:   Even if I can’t join the Central Nation of Kielce, I’ll keep singing and dancing! Do your best, got it?

Sissia:   Oh, r-right!

Candidate:   …It’s frustrating, but he’s right. I’m rooting for you!

Candidate:   I’ll come watch your show!

The prospective members start leaving.

Sounds of departing footsteps.

Sissia:   U-um…

Chance:   Hey!

Sissia:   …!!!

Chance:   My name’s Chance! What’s yours?!

Sissia:   Ah…Sissia. My name’s Sissia!

Levi:   Sissia, huh? Congratulations on passing the auditions.

Sissia:   Really…?! Thank you so much…!

Crowley:   You’re going to be an apprentice for a while!

Adra:   If you are deemed worthy of being a member of Kielce, it’ll be official.

Sissia:   I'll do my best!

Chance:   Congratulations, Sissia! Let’s get along!

Fan Carlo:   I’m glad we didn’t get another tone-deaf member.

Isaac:   …Welcome.

Sissia:   Thank you all for the support!

Adra:   …Levi, Crowley, we've found what we needed, don't you think?

Crowley:   The little 'gear' we were looking for to make the best performance ever!

Levi:   ..Yeah.

Levi:   Sissia, come with me. I'll show you around Kielce.

Sissia:   Right!

As everyone leads the way, Sissia stops a short distance away from them.

Sissia:   …

Sissia:   I can't believe I've really joined the Central Nation of Kielce...!

Sissia:   The dream I've had for so long has come true! My next dream is...

Sissia:   To stand on the stage!

(2) Path to the Stars

◆National Throne Room

Subordinates arrive in front of Major Azur

Aide:   Major, there’s something I think you should know…

Major Azur:   …What is your report

Aide:   Well…

Major Azur:   A fugitive?

Major Azur:   What’s border patrol even doing…? How insufferable!

Major Azur:   We’ll take care of this before the commander and king of the Arbine Nation finds out about this. 

Aide:   Yes, sir…!

Major Azur:   Don’t think you can return alive…horse of the slave country.

◆Kielce Base

Adra:   What’s the matter?! You tired already, newbie?! We can’t put on the best show with you like that!

Sissia:   …No, I can keep going!

Isaac:   …Adra’s more fired up than usual.

Fan Carlo:   That’s just how much Adra is hoping to get out of Sissia.

Chance:   But I’m catching the flack and forced to join their rigorous training, too!

Training ends

Adra:   All right, let’s take a break!

Sissia:   Hahh! Thank you so much, Mr. Adra!

Adra:   You don’t need to call me ‘Mister’. No need to be so polite with me.

Adra:   It’s about time you become a full member, too…

Sissia:   Huh?

Adra:   No, it’s nothing. Anyway, just address me casually.

Sissia:   …Okay, Adra.

Chance:   Great work Sissia! Wow, I can’t believe you can keep up with Adra!

Sissia:   Oh no, not at all… Oh, that’s right!

Chance:   Yeah, What’s up?

Sissia:   Chance, when you have some time, I’d like you to teach me how to do your somersaults.

Chance:   Hey, you’re not trying to steal all my acts, are you?

Isaac:   Well, I’m sure they’ll cut our singing parts. What do you think, Carlo?

Fan Carlo:   With Sissia with us, I’m sure they would. 

Chance:   Whoa! Crap! At this rate, Sissia’s going to take up all my acrobatics time out there…!

Sissia:   Ahaha, your time won’t get cut. no one can fly as high as you.

Levi arrives and everyone gathers around him.

Levi:   …Is everyone here?

Adra:   Oh, what’s up, ringleader?

Levi:   Crowley has something to discuss. Crowley?

Crowley:   Yes, all right! This is about our next performance!

Crowley:   We will have Sissia join our next production.

Sissia:   …!

Chance:   That means…!

Isaac:   We’re going to bring Sissia in as an official member of Kielce, right?!

Crowley:   Exactly!

Levi:   It’s your first performance. Make sure to polish up your act and give it your all.

Adra:   I’m looking forward to it. Let’s show everyone the fruits of your labor.

Sissia:   Right!

◆Kielce Base

Chance and Sissia rejoice together.

Chance:   You did it, Sissia!

Sissia:   It’s all thanks to you for always helping me practice!

Chance:   Heh heh, really? Well, watching you rehearse makes me want to work harder.

Sissia:   I feel happy watching you work harder, too.

Sissia:   You move your body with such wide movements, you sing as loudly as you can, and you give your all in whatever you do!

Chance:   Those are the only things I’m good at, though. I can’t do everything well like you can, Sissia.

Chance:   Come to think of it, why did you want to join Kielce?

Sissia:   Me? I…

Sissia:   It’s because I watched the Border Performance that day.

Chance:   You mean, THE Border Performance?!

Sissia:   Huh? You know of it?

Chance:   I heard about it from rumors back when I was a kid!

Chance:   It was done on top of the border wall between the Arbine Nation and the nameless country, right?

Chance:   So you saw the Border performance yourself? How was it?

Sissia:   It was wonderful! And because it was on the border wall, not only did people from Arbine see it, but people from Quatra did too…

Chance:   Hm? Quatra…?

Sissia:   Oh, that’s the name of the nameless country, before it was taken away after losing the war. 

Chance:   Oh, I see. Sorry, I don’t really know much about history…

Chance:   …After a 77-year-long war, Arbine won, and the nameless country… Quatra, was it? They lost, huh.

Chance:   The war ended about 20 years ago. That was before I was born.

Chance:   They’ve been treated like slaves ever since, right?

Chance:   They all bear a mark of their servitude, the Quatral. A tattoo of a horse meaning that they’re supposed to be worked hard to their bones…

Chance:   …So were the people of Quatra also happy? Watching the Border Performance?

Sissia:   Yeah! Everyone’s smiles were so bright.

Chance:   I see…! I guess song and dance can really reach people, even over a nation’s borders!

Chance:   I might be arrested for treason if I’m caught saying something like this, but…

Chance:   I think the Arbine attitude toward Quatra and all the discriminating practices against them are so ridiculous!

Chance:   This constant talk about race and territory just doesn’t matter at all.

Chance:   All that matters is having fun and being able to share moments of joy! That’s what I think.

Chance:   That’s why I decided to join the Central Nation of Kielce, the brave few that would dare even put on something like the Border Performance!

Chance:   And someday, I want to perform the Border Performance, too!

Sissia:   You too, Chance?!

Chance:   Huh? You too, Sissia?!

Sissia:   Yeah! I decided to join Kielce because I wanted to stand on the border just like everyone I saw that day!

Sissia:   High atop a dividing wall, far away from laws and customs, I want to sing loud enough for everyone to hear! And dance freely with everyone together!

Chance:   That would be the best! Even I’m getting all excited!

Chance:   Let’s perform the Border Performance together someday!

Sissia:   Yeah!

Blackout

Pause

Finishing rehearsals, Sissia takes a break in a private room.

Sissia washes her bare legs.

Pitch black. 

Sissia:   Hahh…

Sissia:   I need to soak my feet…

Sissia:   …

As Sissia washes a leg even further, makeup comes off, revealing a tattoo in the shape of a horse on Sissia’s left shin, the sign that this person is a Quatra, a servant citizen. 

Sissia:   My leg… This tattoo I hide with makeup… 

Sissia:   The Quatra… must bear the mark of servitude, the Quatral.

Sissia:   I want to appear in the Border Performance. For that…

(3) The Quatral of the Servant Nation

◆National Standing Theater

Chance:   All right, then.

Chance:   Here’s to another day for Kielce!

Cheers.

A performance is held on a dazzling stage by the members of the Central Nation of Kielce. The audience is at full Capacity. 

Sissia is one of the members performing as well.

★Dance “Kielce the Nation at the Center”

Audience:   Wowww!

Audience:   Sissia! Sissiaaa!!! That was amazing!

Sissia:   Thank you…!

Chance:   …Heh heh!

Levi:   Good day to you all!

◆Break Room

Adra:   Sissia, you’ve gotten pretty used to being onstage now. My spot as the star of Kielce might be in danger.

Sissia:   Oh, no! I’m still trying hard to catch up with everyone!

Crowley:   No, no you really ARE something!

Chance:   You’re completely in sync with me and my jumps!

Fan Carlo:   The songs… have much more depth to it now that you’re here, so that’s a big help.

Isaac:   It seems like you’re fitting in well with all the different moving parts. Really…

Levi:   Looks like the Central Nation of Kielce has finally found its ‘gear’.

Sissia:   Its… ‘gear’?

Adra:   Kielce is a bit fragmented.

Crowley:   Even if you have solid parts, a machine won’t run if you just place them next to each other, right?

Crowley:   You may be the very one who can connect those parts together!

Sissia:   Oh, no…That’s much too kind of you, but…

Sissia:   I’m so happy to hear it!

Chance:   Heh heh. Well, we’ve found our ‘gear’ now! How about we all celebrate with a meal? What do you say, Isaac?!

Isaac:   I’d like some steak from an Aibee cow.

Adra:   Do goats eat beef? In any case, I’m getting pretty hungry myself.

Fan Carlo:   I guess… it can be nice on occasion. 

Crowley:   I mean, we had a big audience today, right? How about it, ringleader?

Levi:   …Stomachs of the Central Nation of Kielce. Are you ready for dinner?

Everyone:   Yeah!!!

◆Market Street

The members are satisfied after their meal.

Chance:   I ate so much!!!

Sissia:   That was good… That was the first time I had meat like that!

Crowley:   It was such a generous portion broiled to perfection!

Fan Carlo:   Phew… I think I’d prefer not to see any animals with horns for a while.

Isaac:   Huh? Are you talking about me?

Adra:   We’ll bring everyone back here sometime. Okay?

Levi:   Yeah.

Chance:   All right! I wonder what I should get next time!

A loud bang is heard.

[An old man is being beaten with batons in the middle of the street.]

Other citizens crowd around and watch, murmuring to themselves.

Sissia:   …?!

Old Man:   A-Aaah…! Spare me…

Patrol Officer:   You, horse! Do you even know what you’ve done?!

The Quatral is the tattoo of a horse, with ‘horse’ used as slander to refer to a member of the servant country.

Sissia:   …!

Isaac:   That’s…

Chance:   Hey, what do you think you’re doing! Hey, you!

Adra:   Chance!

Patrol Officer:   What’s your problem!

Old Man:   Y-you’re…!

Chance:   I’m Chance Orlando of the Central Nation of Kielce! Why are you hurting this old man…?

Patrol Officer:   The Central Nation of Kielce? Hmph, that makes sense.

Patrol Officer:   I’ll show you the reason why he’s being beaten! …Look at this!

A tattoo of a horse drawn on the man’s left shin is shown.

Fan Carlo:   A tattoo of a horse on the shin of his left leg…

Crowley:   A Quatral… So he’s…

Levi:   …

Patrol Officer:   He’s a citizen who escaped from the nameless country into the Arbine Nation!

Patrol Officer:   Fleeing your country is a serious crime! We’ll deport you and sentence you to heavy labor, perhaps even death!

Sissia:   …

Chance:   Well, there’s no need to do THIS, is there?!

Crowley:   Right! What’ll happen if you kill him?

Crowley:   Isn’t it also a serious crime to kill anyone, regardless of where they’re from?

Patrol Officer:   …Urk! Shut it! I can arrest you for treason, you know?!

Crowley:   What did you say?! We have the son of one of your superiors here, you know?!

Crowley:   The son of the trusted confidant of the commander and king. The aristocrat, Major Azur Hybird!!

Adra:   …Crowley. Stop using my father’s name to get us out of trouble.

Adra:   …But, oh well. Would you mind treating him carefully?

Adra:   I’ll be sure to tell my father, Major Azur Hybird, that you were real nice to me.

Patrol Officer:   …

Fan Carlo:   It could be an opportunity to get promoted, underling.

Patrol Officer:   Urgh…!

Patrol Officer:   How merciful of the Central Nation of Kielce to pity him, after being the very ones who encouraged is crime in the first place!

Levi:   …What do you mean?

Patrol Officer:   He fled the servant country in order to see your performances!

Levi:   …!

Patrol Officer:   And the reason he did that was apparently because he saw your ridiculous Border Performance!

Crowley:   Our Border Performance…

Patrol Officer:   That’s right! Other members of the audience found them sneaking in to watch the play, and did their civic duty in reporting it to us! 

Patrol Officer:   How’s that?! How’s it feel to be an accomplice to his crime?!

Patrol Officer:   This ‘Border Performance’ of yours is pathetic! Singing and dancing on top of the wall is nothing short of rebellion!

Patrol Officer:   You all should have held your performances on a proper stage! Your little shows are nothing but boorish spectacles.

Chance:   Shut up!

Sissia:   Ah…! Chance, no…!

Patrol Officer:   Aagh!

Sound of the patrol officer being hit.

Sound of the patrol officer hitting the ground.

Patrol Officer:   …?!

Sissia:   Chance just hit that patrol officer…!

Chance:   …Singing and dancing isn’t ridiculous. They’re the best thing anyone can do to make others smile…!

Chance:   The most ridiculous thing here is you!

Patrol Officer:   Wh-Why, you…! I’ll arrest all of you!!

Citizen:   That’s enough from you!

Sound of rocks being thrown.

Patrol Officer:   Ow…! Rocks?!

Sissia:   The people around us started throwing rocks…?!

Sound of rocks being thrown one after another.

Patrol Officer:   Wh-What do you think you’re doing?!

Citizen:   Shut up already! Listening to those guys from Kielce is way better than listening to you!

The citizens in the area come to protect Kielce and jeer at the patrol officer. 

Patrol Officer:   You little… Agh, stop throwing those rocks! Damn it!

The patrol officer runs away. 

Sound of footsteps running away.

Citizen:   Haha, that patrol officer ran away!

Citizen:   Take that!

Citizen:   He was always so arrogant. I never liked that guy!

Chance:   Everyone…!

Levi:   Heh, I didn’t expect them to come to our rescue. 

Sissia:   …Are you all right, sir?

Old Man:   Ah… Thank you so much.

Old Man:   I came from Quatra since I wanted to watch you all just one more time…!

Crowley:   Did you enjoy our performance, good sir?

Old Man:   Yes, absolutely…! It was a wonderful performance. Now I can pass on without any regret…

Adra:   Don’t say that, old man. You got a lot to live for…

Major Azur:   …So this is it. The place where some traitors have gathered to protect a fugitive. 

Cutting through the people, Major Azur Hybird approaches.

The father of Adra and a military aristocrat. 

Adra:   …!

Citizen:   It… It’s Major Azur…!

Citizen:   The closest confidant of the commander and king, the strategist of Arbine…

Adra:   Father…

Patrol Officer:   It’s those guys, Major…!

Major Azur:   Traitors who protected a fugitive… Did everyone here participate? 

Citizen:   …!

The citizens flee the scene in all directions.

Adra:   … 

Major Azur:   …To think I’d see you here, Adra.

Major Azur:   And the other clowns of Kielce.

Levi:   …

Crowley:   Oh, good day to you, Major!

Major Azur:   Levi, Crowley. Every time I see you, I’m reminded of the Border Performance.

Major Azur:   And of all the commotion you all caused atop the border wall between Arbine and the nameless country.

Major Azur:   Ever since that day, the commander and king has pushed to imprison everyone in the Central Nation of Kielce. 

Crowley:   Oh my… We must thank the commander and king of Arbine for such kind sentiments. 

Major Azur:   …Hmph. You too, Adra. Even my own flesh and blood won’t be spared in charges of treason.

Major Azur:   Soldiers. Take away the horse that escaped. 

Guard:   Yes, sir! Come on, you.

Old Man:   Augh.

The old man gets taken away.

Sissia:   Sir…!

Guard:   Get out of the way!

Sound of Sissia getting knocked back.

Sissia:   …Urk!

Chance:   Sissia, look out!

Sissia:   Ah! Thank you, Chance…

Chance:   Hey, what the hell do you think you’re doing?!

Fan Carlo:   Chance! Not now… Not now… 

Chance:   …Urk!

Old Man:   All of you from Kielce…

Old Man:   I promise I will never forget the brilliance of your performance today, or your kindness…

Isaac:   Old man…

Guard:   Move, horse!

Old Man:   …

Old Man:   …Weee, aaare, the Central Nation of Kielce!

Guard:   …?!

Chance:   …

Chance:   Is everyone ready for some twisted fun?!

Sissia:   Chance…

Old Man:   Hahaha…

Guard:   M-Move!

Sissia:   Old man…!

Major Azur:   …

Azur senses something from Sissia.

Though the tattoo on Sissia’s left shin is covered with makeup, he knows of cases in the past where Quatra have hidden their tattoos in the same way.

However, all he has now is a feeling.

Patrol Officer:   Heh… You’d better not disrespect the military anymore!

Chance:   Why, that little…

Major Azur:   Soldiers, arrest that patrol officer as well.

Patrol Officer:   …?!

Chance:   Huh…?

Major Azur:   Of course he’ll be arrested. He committed the serious crime of fleeing the scene with a fugitive in front of him. A serious punishment awaits.

Patrol Officer:   N-No…

Major Azur:   We’re heading back.

The troops leave.

Sounds of footsteps leaving.

Chance:   Damn it! They have no respect for the people…

Isaac:   Chance… it pains me to say it, but in this country, that’s the right way for an Arbine to be.

Chance:   But that’s just…!

Chance:   …

Chance:   …Let’s do it.

Sissia:   Huh?

Chance:   The Border Performance! Let’s put on that show!

Sissia:   …!!!

Issac:   The Border Performance…

Fan Carlo:   Another show…?!

Crowley:   I do know that you came to us because you admired the Border Performance…

Chance:   I mean... It's just so frustrating, isn't it? Not being able to fight back.

Chance:   And that old man wanted to watch the Central Nation of Kielce's performances, too…!

Chance:   I want to make that officer with his ugly mug foam at the mouth!

Levi:   Chance. To put on another Border Performance... You know what that would mean, right?

Chance:   Yes. Moving people through song and dance that crosses borders and race... That's the Central Nation of Kielce I've admired.

Chance:   We might be called traitors. We might be thrown into prison.

Chance:   But even so, I want to fly as far as I can on the stage! I want to dance! I want to sing!

Chance:   I want to show everyone how freely you can express yourself, regardless of who's on which side of the wall...!

Chance:   I want to inspire dreams in others, just as I was through stories I heard about the Border Performance!

Sissia:   Chance…

Chance:   I know all of this is me being selfish, but… Is it impossible to hold another Border Performance…?!

Adra:   Impossible, you say…? What do you think, Crowley?

Crowley:   Hmm, perhaps we should look to the ringleader for his opinion? 

Levi:   …Let’s bet on Chance’s wish.

Chance:   …!!!

Levi:   You’re a man like a shining star, always bright and honest. Your feelings shine upon those in the darkness. 

Adra:   Yeah, that’s true. You’re the man who will likely be the face of Kielce. 

Crowley:   Precisely! There aren’t many whose eyes aren’t drawn to you, even if you’re just standing there!

Chance:   What do you mean, even if I’m just standing there?!

Fan Carlo:   Although we will have to keep an eye out so our supposed star candidate doesn’t overdo it and injure himself. 

Fan Carlo:   …While onstage during the Border Performance.

Chance:   Carlo…

Isaac:   You really are amazing, Chance. We joined on the same day, and you just keep moving on ahead. 

Isaac:   Let’s do the Border Performance. I’ll put everything I’ve got into it!

Chance:   Everyone… Thank you!

Chance:   Sissia…

Chance:   Say, will you stand next to me when we put on the Border Performance?

Sissia:   Chance…

Sissia:   Let’s sing and dance and jump together at the Border Performance!

Sissia:   Side by side, let’s make our dream come true together!

Chance:   All right! It’s decided!

Chance:   The next performance of the Central Nation of Kielce will be…

Chance:   The Border Performance!

Everyone:   Yeaah!

(4) The Military Nation

◆Training Room

The Kielce members are all focused on working towards the Border Performance.

Crowley:   All right, and here’s the big fight! We need more dynamic movement!

Adra:   Don’t forget the details! Feel the movements all the way to your fingertips!

Sissia:   Our seniors really are amazing…!

Chance:   I can practically feel their enthusiasm radiating! 

Isaac:   It’s painfully clear how much they’re betting on this performance…

Fan Carlo:   We can’t let those efforts be in vain. I’ll be training you all hard for the singing, too.

Chance:   Aaugh, looks like I’m not getting any sleep tonight, either!

Levi arrives at the training grounds.

Levi:   Everyone, gather around.

Crowley:   A quick break! Are we talking about what I think we are, Levi?

Levi:   Yeah. I’d like there to be two lead roles for the Border Performance.

Crowley:   It’s a story about a fugitive, seeking asylum elsewhere! Here, the script!

Crowley:   A tragedy between a woman who escapes a country with closed borders, and a man she meets along the way.

Levi:   The two of them fall in love, but the woman continues to be pursued by the country’s officials.

Adra:   The woman falls into the hands of the officials, and the man puts his life at risk to get her back. But…

Chance:   …The man suffers a grave injury and dies.

Chance:   That’s a pretty dark story…

Isaac:   But it’s as if this is…

Chance:   The story is based on Arbine and Quatra.

Crowley:   Heh heh, that’s right! That’s the idea behind the Border Performance!

Crowley:   On top of all that, there’s a giant bomb hidden in this performance. I’m sure you’ll all understand once we get into the singing rehearsals.

Chance:   A bomb?! I wonder what it is… Aagh, I’m so excited!

Sissia:   …Um, who will be playing the leads?

Chance:   Ooh, ooh, ooh! Me!

Sissia:   Chance?!

Crowley:   He’s so noisy about it, he gave us no choice.

Sissia:   Chance is the lead…So then, the other lead is…

Fan Carlo:   You’re the only one who can keep this runaway train from flying off the tracks.

Sissia:   …!

Adra:   It’ll be tough.

Levi:   We hope you’re up for it.

Isaac:   Does it seem to anyone else like we’re burdening her with minding him?

Chance:   Heeey! I’m the lead, so you can stand to treat me a bit more like one!

Chance:   Sissia! How do you feel about it?

Sissia:   It’s obvious, Chance.

Sissia:   I’d love to!

Chance:   …All riiight!

Sissia smiles in approval.

Blackout

◆National Standing Theater

Sissia is practicing with Chance.

Chance:   it feels like a dream, huh? Our talk about the Border Performance is actually coming true.

Sissia:   Yeah.

Chance:   Adra’s choreography and Carlo’s singing lessons are crazy, though!

Chance:   But I want to overcome it all and touch the hearts of everyone watching!

Chance:   Ahhh, what do I do? I need to make sure everyone else is enjoying themselves! But I might be the one enjoying this the most!

Sissia:   Ahaha, it suits you better that way, Chance.

Chance:   But well, you know… If I’m the only one smiling and everyone in the audience is deadpan and quiet…

Chance:   Thinking about it that way the responsibility of the leads is super important, huh?! Oh man, am I gonna be okay?!

Sissia:   You’ll be okay, Chance. You’re singing and dancing are both getting better.

Chance:   That’s because you’re always helping me out lately!

Chance:   All the things I couldn’t get to on my own, you’ve thought them over with me and led me to an answer.

Chance:   I’m really grateful to you, Sissia.

Sissia:   I was able to find out a lot thanks to you too, Chance.

Chance:   Heh heh… This is kind of embarrassing.

Chance:   Honestly, I think the idea of wanting to show up those officials doesn’t really matter much anymore.

Chance:   I’m just so happy about you and me being leads and being able to stand onstage together, I can’t help it!

Chance:   Darn it, I wonder if it’s’ possible to express these feelings to the audience somehow!

Sissia:   I’m sure they’ll understand! We’ll just look carefully at what we have to do and find our way through it the way we’re doing now.

Chance:   …I see. Yeah, you’re right!

Chance:   I’m not scared at all if you’re with me!

Chance:   Let’s enjoy this as much as possible so that the others will too, Sissia!

Sissia:   Yeah!

Blackout

◆National Standing Theater

A sudden change in mood as an ominous aura envelopes Kielce.

Sounds of murmuring.

Levi:   …What is it?

Isaac:   …It’s the officials.

Major Azur:   …Levi, Crowley.

Crowley:   Well, we sure have been seeing a lot of each other lately.

Levi:   Did you need something?

Major Azur:   Don’t be so defensive. We’re only here for a simple questioning.

Adra:   …About what?

Major Azur:   I want to know the contents of your next performance.

Adra:   …!

Crowley:   Oh? Have you been bitten by the theater bug?

Major Azur:   No. I have not the least bit of interest, but it seems it’s drawn the attention of the citizens of the Arbine Nation.

Major Azur:   As a servant of our commander and king, I wish to know what sort of performance is being planned. 

Isaac:   We’ll be doing a really fun play.

Chance:   R-Right! Like with…puppets. That sort of thing!

Fan Carlo:   …Even a ‘puppet show’ is out of the question now.

Major Azur:   …

Major Azur:   Confiscate everything on the premises!

Chance:   …Hey!

Crowley:   How tragic! We won’t be able to hold our performance like this!

Crowley:   I trust you’ll be issuing refunds for all the tickets we already sold, Major?

Major Azur:   Not to worry. We have but one purpose.

Sissia:   What do you…?

Guard:   Major Azur! It’s here, the script!

Sissia:   …!!!

Major Azur:   …Hmph. Pretty provocative for a puppet show, don’t you think?

Major Azur:   I think we need to investigate further. We’ll be taking all the scripts here.

Chance:   Without our scripts, we can’t practice for the performance…! I haven’t even memorized all my lines yet!

Isaac:   Chance, I think it’s a bit late for that…

Levi:   …Crowley, what about the original?

Crowley:   No use. They swiped it right away. Should’ve expected as much from Adra’s father.

Adra:   Yeah, really unfair…!

Major Azur:   Really, I have no idea why our citizens wish to see such a clown show.

Sissia:   …

Sissia:   … I’d like to ask you something, Major!

Chance:   …!!!

Major Azur:   …What is it?

Sissia:   …Have you ever seen a performance by our troupe?!

Major Azur:   I have not.

Sissia:   Then…

Sissia:   We’ll show you one!

Sissia:   Watch! This is a special Kielce dance!

Sissia starts singing and dancing. Major Azur stands confused.

Major Azur:   …Hey, stop twirling around me!

Sissia:   La-la…

Major Azur:   Stop! Don’t sing! What are you doing?!

Sissia:   You just said you’ve never seen a performance before, so I wanted to give you a glimpse of how fun they are!

Sissia:   Right, everyone?!

Levi:   …Heh.

Levi:   Are you ready for some twisted fun, Major?!

Major Azur:   …?!

Chance:   H-Huh?!

Crowley:   Ah, that’s the way!

Isaac:   Sing, dance!

Adra:   …So that’s the idea.

Fan Carlo:   Are you serious…? I’m not responsible for whatever happens next!

Everyone bursts into song and dance.

Guard A:   W-Wha-! The members of Kielce started a show around us…!

Guard B:   B-But it’s amazing…

Sissia:   …Now’s my chance!

Chance:   All right, let’s keep the show rolling!

Major Azur:   …Enough! Stop this at once!

Major Azur:   That’s an order! Or you’re all under arrest!

Crowley:   All right, stop!

Chance:   Sir!

Isaac:   We were just getting started, too. 

Fan Carlo:   I had finally gotten warmed up.

Adra:   You done yet, Father?

Levi:   I hope you enjoyed yourselves. 

Major Azur:   Hardly! How ridiculous!

Within the confusion, one of the scripts was taken back by Kielce.

Major Azur:   We’ve confiscated all the scripts, right? Let’s go!

Sissia:   …

Sissia sighs with relief.

Major Azur:   Come to think of it…

Sissia:   Huh?

Major Azur:   You have an eastern accent.

Major Azur:   Where are you from?

Sissia:   I…

Major Azur:   Show me your leg.

Sissia:   …!

Chance:   Hey, what’s the big idea?!

Major Azur:   …Don’t misunderstand. This is an inspection. Show me your left shin.

Sissia:   …

Sissia shows her leg as directed. Her skin shows no sign of a tattoo.

Chance:   There’s nothing there!

Major Azur:   …

Major Azur:   Let’s go.

Chance:   H-hey!

Levi:   …They’re gone.

Adra:   Jeez, they sure made a mess of things…

Chance:   …Ah wait, the scripts!

Sissia:   Here you go.

Isaac:   A script…!

Sissia pulls out a script from underneath her clothes.

Sissia:   …I only got one, though.

Adra:   You took advantage of the chaos and got it back.

Crowley:   My, that was some quick thinking. How very fun.

Levi:   As long as we have this, we can still hold the Border Performance.

Chance:   Man, I didn’t have any of the program memorized! I’m so glad the script is back!

Fan Carlo:   …The fact that you said that is even scarier. 

Chance:   And what was that last bit about? Having Sissia show him a leg!

Chance:   It’s like Sissia’s…

Sissia:   …

Levi:   …

Adra:   Right.

Fan Carlo:   …

Isaac:   But there’s no Quatral there.

Chance:   Y-Yeah. It’s no problem if you don’t have that ‘koala-troll’.

Sissia:   …!

Sissia:   I…!

Levi:   You are the Central Nation of Sissia. That’s all there is to it.

Sissia:   …!

Adra:   …Even if you come from a country far, far away, all that means is you’re a new flavor, right?

Fan Carlo:   …An accent just makes you interesting.

Crowley:   Yeah, it’s fine! We’ve all seen how much you’ve worked! 

Chance:   You don’t have to say anything!

Isaac:   All you need to do is get up on the stage. Right?

Sissia:   Everyone…

Sissia:   …Thank you.

Blackout

◆Town at Night

Aide:   …Major. About that Kielce member named Sissia…

Major Azur:   That was oil make up made out of dried fat of an Aibee cow. One would have to soak their leg in hot water to melt the cow fat or it won’t come off.

Major Azur:   At a glance, you won’t notice at all, but there’s a slight thickness to it. My eyes cannot be fooled. 

Major Azur:   That one is a fugitive. 

Aide:   Then, shouldn’t we have just arrested the fugitive on the spot?

Major Azur:   You’ve seen them in town, too. Year after year there are more servant citizens fleeing their country.

Major Azur:   Simple patrols are far too ineffective to take care of them. We’ll need to make an example of the Central Nation of Kielce and that fugitive.

Aide:   …What do you mean?

Major Azur:   What do you think of using a fugitive’s corpse to adorn the very wall the servant citizens climb over?

Major Azur:   We can certainly open fire on them once any of the members of Kielce climb the wall.

Aide:   Major, you’re so…

Aide:   If we do that, I’m sure this would alleviate another worry from our commander and king.

Major Azur:   That is our duty and purpose in being here.

Major Azur:   The wall will be the grandest tombstone for any servant citizens who cross the border.

Major Azur:   Hahahahaha…!

(5) The Central Nation of Sissia

Cheers

◆Border Proximity (Arbine Side)

Arbine Citizen:   Hey, what’s that?! Some people are climbing the wall!

Arbine Citizen:   It’s Kielce! It’s the Central Nation of Kielce!

Arbine Citizen:   You don’t know? They’re about to do their Border Performance!

◆Border Proximity (Quatra Side)

Quatran Child:    What’s the Border Performance?

Quatran Mother:   Your mother saw it long ago as a young girl… It was like being in a dream!

Quatran Elder:   I never thought we’d have such entertainment in these days of forced labor…

◆On top of the Border Wall (About 50m high)

The members have just finished climbing.

Kielce Member:   Wow…

Kielce Member:   We’re finally here…

Adra:   … This sight sure takes me back.

Levi:   Yeah.

Crowley:   Hahaha! How have you been, little wall?! It’s like you’re a part of our origins!

Chance:   Whoa… It’s taller than I thought!

Isaac:   We’re really going to do it… here!

Sissia:   …Urk.

Sissia:   …This is the top of the border wall. 

Sissia:   The wall that separates Arbine and Quatra.

Sissia:   You can see both countries from end to end.

Sissia:   The town I grew up in…

Sissia:   Is that the Central Nation of Kielce’s standing theater?

Sissia:   …The wind feels nice.

Sissia:   And even further is… an ocean?

Sissia:   The mountains are over there…!

Sissia:   The sky is still so far…

Sissia:   I’m so… small.

Chance:   We’ve got to show everyone we’re here, using the loudest voices and biggest movements we can manage!

Sissia:   Chance…

◆Observation Tower Some Distance Away

Aide:   Major, they look like they’re about to start.

Major Azur:   The sniper will need some more time to prepare. Let them start.

◆On top of the Border Wall

Crowley:   Now then… Are we all ready?!

Kielce Member:   Yeaaah!

Kielce Member:   Ready anytime!

Levi:   …Let’s begin, everyone.

Crowley:   Goat-headed Isaac! The prologue, if you will!

Isaac:   …

Isaac:   …Right!

The crowd stirs.

The crowd cheers at the appearance of Isaac wearing his goat head.

Isaac:   Welcome, one and all, to the theater of the Central Nation of Kielce! I am the goat-headed Isaac!

Isaac:   …What’s that? ‘Where is the theater?’ you ask? We are THE Central Nation of Kielce, you know!

Isaac:   Wherever we sing and dance, be it a shoddy castle, a lounge, or a chapel haunted by ghosts!

Isaac:   Even a place like Pontartia is our stage! Oh rama Kielce!

Laughs from the citizens.

Isaac:   Now, let’s start the show before the officials arrive! We will now present to you a tragedy between two nations!

Isaac:   A woman who seeks freedom! A man who falls in love with her! The cruel fate that tears the two of them apart…!

Isaac:   We have high-flying, dazzling acrobats and enchanting dancers!

Isaac:   We have the most beautiful singing voice in all of Arbine… No, in all the world! And a magician who weaves his story as he stands upon the stage!

Isaac:   Our gorgeous ringleader who leads us all! Oh, and I, who issued from the loins of a goat…

Laughter from the crowd.

Isaac:   And with the beautiful ‘gear’ of the Central Nation of Kielce, we will take you all to a fantastic dream world.

Footsteps stopping.

The members of Kielce are all lined up together.

Crowley:   Now’s the time to forget the time.

Sound of fireworks.

Everyone:   We are the Central Nation of Kielce!

Chance:   Heh heh!

Chance:   Is everyone ready for some twisted fun?!

The crowd cheers in response.

★Dance “Quartz Anima”

The crowd continues to cheer.

Audience:   Central Nation of Kielce!

Audience:   That was amazing!

Isaac:   Everyone’s so happy…!

Fan Carlo:   I never knew singing could reach people like this…

Adra:   Haha, in your face… In your face!

Crowley:   Now then, it’s finally time for the climax!

Levi:   We’re counting on you, Chance and Sissia!

Chance:   Amazing…

Chance:   This is so amazing, Sissia!

Sissia:   Yeah…

Sissia:   Everyone’s sharing the same joy!

Sissia:   Our feelings… They’re reaching them, Chance!

Chance:   Yeah!

Chance:   …Hey, Sissia.

Chance:   You’re… from the other side of the wall, aren’t you?

Sissia:   …

Sissia:   Yeah.

Chance:   Heh heh, this sure is something. A person from Quatra and a person from Arbine, singing and dancing on top of the border wall…

Chance:   it’s… what would you call it… Ah, peaceful?

Chance:   I want people to know that people, regardless of nation or race, can stand on the same stage.

Sissia:   Yeah…

Chance:   But wow, this really is the most amazing view!

Chance:   We made our statement, too! We are the Central Nation of Kielce! Is everyone ready for some twisted fun?!

Sissia:   We practiced a lot for this.

Chance:   Heh heh, we got so used to it all!

Chance:   …This performance is so fun, I hope it never ends.

Chance:   But it has to end sometime…

Sissia:   We have one last song left.

Chance:   Carlo put us through all that ruthless training! We’ll end it all here with a big finish!

Chance:   Let’s go, Sissia.

Sissia:   Yeah…!

Chance:   Heh heh…

Chance:   …?!

Chance:   Look out!

Sissia:   …?!

He pushes her away.

Sound of a gunshot.

A bullet flies towards Sissia, but Chance protects her and takes the bullet instead.

Chance:   …Urgk!

Sound of him falling over.

Sissia:   Chance?! Chance…!

◆Observation Tower Some Distance Away

Major Azur:   What are you doing?! I told you to aim for the fugitive!

Sniper:   But that man…

Major Azur:   All we’ve done at this rate is kill an Arbine national!

◆Border Wall (Arbine Side)

Startled murmurs.

Spectator:   What’s wrong…? They stopped.

Spectator:   Show us the rest!

◆Border Wall (Quatra Side)

Spectator:   Did one of the lead actors die?

Spectator:   It’s part of the act, right? I’m… sure…

◆On the Border Wall

Crowley:   …There’s something wrong.

Isaac:   They should already be performing the song…

Levi:   …

Levi:   I’ll call Sissia back here.

Isaac:   What… do you mean?!

Fan Carlo:   No… It can’t be true…

Isaac:   I’ll go!

Adra:   You stay here!

Isaac:   …!

Levi:   …Take care of everyone.

Crowley:   …Got it.

◆Night Sky

Sissia:   Chance! This can’t be happening…

Sissia:   Chance… Wake up…

Chance:   Heh… Heh heh… They got me.

Sissia:   Chance…!

Chance:   I was ready for this… I did say I don’t care if I was called a traitor…

Chance:   Even if this is the outcome… To be able to have been in this performance…

Sissia:   Don’t be ridiculous!

Chance:   Sissia…

Sissia:   You’re coming back with us, alive! You didn’t come here to die, right?!

Sissia:   We’ll do so many more fun things, and show everyone how we feel… together!

Chance:   Together… with you, Sissia…

Chance:   Yeah… I can’t die in a place like this…

Chance:   Ahh… but can I ask you one thing?

Chance:   For the last song… Sing it for them. Looks like I won’t be able to join you.

Sissia:   Sing…?! The performance doesn’t matter anymore…

Chance:   No, we have to see it through…! That’s what they’d want, for us to quit because someone was injured…

Chance:   You’ve prepared all this time, this is why you fled your country, right? To be on the stage! So then…!

Sissia:   But…! if you can be saved, then I have to…!

Chance kisses Sissia

Sissia:   …?!

Chance:   …M-my old man told me this is how to stop a fight.

Chance:   …Er, well, it’s not that I don’t feel anything special about you… Ahh, what am I trying to say?!

Sissia:   …That just made me not want to sing anymore.

Chance:   Huh?!

Sissia:   I’m just kidding.

Chance:   Oh, you’re kidding…Haha.

Chance:   …Hey, you wanted to sing loud enough so anyone over the wall can hear, and dance freely enough so that everyone in the nation would dance with each other, right?

Chance:   Now is the time.

Sissia:   …

Sissia:   Okay. I’ll…sing.

Chance:   Yeah.

Sissia:   I want to hear why you did what you did, too.

Chance:   R-Right…

Chance:   I mean… It’s nothing really. It’s just because I like you… Yeah.

Chance:   I love you.

Sissia:   I see.

Chance:   I see?!

Sissia:   …I love you, too.

Sissia:   Your bright enthusiasm, how you can get along with anyone…

Sissia:   How you make weird mistakes when you talk, and how you feel passionately about things.

Sissia:   How you get angry sometimes, how pure you are, and how you always give me so much energy.

Sissia:   Your gentle eyes, how tall you are, I love all of that.

Chance:   Th-Thanks… Hearing that is making me feel embarrassed.

Chance:   …But I’m happy. Yeah.

Sissia:   Right? Someone telling you what they like about you makes you happy.

Sissia:   I’d like your father to learn how to do that, too.

Chance:   Urgh… 

Sissia:   So, later, tell me why you love me, too. Promise?

Chance:   …Yeah. There are so many things about you I love, I can barely remember them all… I’ll tell you, no matter what.

Sissia:   …

Sissia:   … I’ll be back soon.

Chance:   …Yeah.

Sissia walks away.

Chance:   … You can do it. I’m rooting for you.

Sissia:   …

Sissia:   I will sing!

Sissia slowly stands back up.

There is no hesitation in Sissia’s eyes.

★ Song “Over the Wall”

◆Border Wall (Arbine Side)

Cheering

Arbinian:   Yeah… Why are people talking about how two countries right next to each other are better or worse than the other?

Arbinian:   It’s true that the war lasted so many years, and we wished that another would never take its place.

Arbinian:   But… is this really what we wanted?

Arbinian:   These ideas about borders and nameless servant countries are absurd. At this rate, Arbine’s just a nation built and ruled by discrimination!

Candidates:   We’ve got tools!

Arbinian:   …!!!

Mean Candidate:   Let’s break through it! That blasted wall!!!

Arbinians:   Yeaahh! 

◆Border Wall (Quatra Side)

Loud thudding sounds that shake the wall.

Quatran:   The wall, it’s…

Quatran:   Shaking…?!

Quatran:   Wait… Are they trying to break through the border wall?!

Quatran:   The People of Arbine…? Why…?

Old Man Forced Into Heavy Labor:   …It was that performer’s song.

Quatran:   …!

Old man:   That performer’s song must have touched the hearts of the people of Arbine…!!!

Old Man:   Get anything you can! Bring any kind of tool you can find!!!

Old Man:   We’ll tear down this wall… alongside the people of Arbine!!!

Quatran:   Yeaahh!

◆Observation Tower

Loud thudding sounds that shake the wall.

Major Azur:   The wall…!!!

Major Azur:   Urk… What are the soldiers doing?! Capture the traitors!

Aide:   W-We can’t… Their numbers… They vastly outnumber all of Arbine’s troops!

Major Azur:   Urrgh…!!!

Major Azur:   Curse you, Central Nation of Kieeelce!!!

The observation tower collapses in a loud crash.

Blackout

Levi:   …Urk, at this rate…!

Adra:   No…!!!

Crowley:   …We won’t make it.

Isaac:   So you’re saying we’ll just leave them behind?!

Fan Carlo:   …

◆The Reddened Sky

Sissia:   …I still haven’t heard.

Sissia:   You were going to tell me all the reasons you love me, right?

Sissia:   It’s not fair that you get to decide to…

Sissia:   …

Sissia:   …Your bright enthusiasm.

Sissia:   How you get along with everyone.

Sissia:   How you make weird mistakes when you talk, how easily you get excited, how you get angry sometimes, how pure you are, and how you always give me so much energy. 

Sissia:   Your gentle eyes, how tall you are, the shape of your nose, your face when you smile.

Sissia:   How you sing when you feel the slightest bit in a good mood, how exaggerated your dances are, and your somersaults were always so amazing.

Sissia:   There’s still more. How you sometimes wear strange clothes, how you buy food when you’re out and can’t eat dinner, and…

Sissia:   And…

Blackout

Monologue

Chance:   After the destruction of the wall, the Arbine Nation collapsed from the combined efforts of the Quatrans and the Arbinians who supported them.

Chance:   The Arbine commander and king was captured with his officials, stripped of their powers, and became normal citizens.

Chance:   The nameless country’s 20-year servitude ended, and the former Nation of Arbine allied with the former Republic of Quatra.

Chance:   And with the collapsed border between them, the two countries became one.

Chance:   Levi Caineman, ringleader of the Central Nation of Kielce, invited people into the troupe from Arbine and Quatra without discrimination, and grew Kielce into an even larger troupe. He also continued to shine as a performer himself.

Chance:   Adra Hybird retired as a member of the Central Nation of Kielce and went out on a journey to wander the lands, learning the art of local dances in each place he visited. He returned to teach his former troupe members what he learned in order to help sharpen their skills.

Chance:   Though he was the illegitimate child of the commander and king of Arbine, Crowley Arbine asserted himself to the throne in order to help the Arbine Nation rebuild itself after its collapse. With the superb eloquence he had polished while in the Central Nation of Kielce and his perfect writing abilities, he helped the nation rebuild into a new kingdom. He continued as a benevolent king, and throughout his life, would lend ear to the citizens, and at times feel the need for a good prank.

Chance:   Fan Carlo Albus showed off her beautiful singing voice to its fullest as a songstress of the imperial court of the new nation, capturing the hearts of its people. Though reluctantly accepting her duties to teach singing to the nation’s new national choir, she contributed to the growth of the generations that followed her. Continuing to face the path of singing in earnest, even in her elder years her voice continues to stay as young as someone in their youth.

Chance:   Isaac Bazmaz continued activities in easing intercultural tensions even after the new nation was formed. Performing as a clown to bring people joy, he created spaces for people to come together like Kielce had done in the past. people say that on occasion, he continues to visit the remains of the border wall, which serves as a grave for an old friend.

Chance:   In the collapse of the former nations and the rebuilding of a new one, the place that became the spiritual home of them all was named after the person whose sacrifice became the catalyst for a new beginning… And so, it was called the Central Nation of Sissia-O-Chance.

The End.

[life-of-holly-shell]

NOVEMBER NOSTALGIA

I just found my first camera (it's probably from 2009) and took some photos of northern part of Kielce

[philoursmars]

Marseille, le MuCEM et sa nouvelle collection permanente (à mes yeux, bien plus intéressante et mieux présentée que la précédente…)

Suite (et ,NON, je ferai la fin dans 2-3 jours !)

homme chevauchant une poule - Kielce, Pologne, début XXe s.

paon en bois - Pologne, mi-XXe s.

vielle - Serbie, début XXe s.

joug - Minho, Portugal, 1888

bâtons de berger - Puy-de-Dôme (Auvergne) + Lagrand, Hautes-Alpes, fin XIXe s.

[wielka-walka-miast]

Jako idiota, który miał nieprzyjemność przeprowadzić się do Kielc nie wierzę, że to miasto nie wygrywa. To jest kurwa czarna dziura. Nic tam nie ma. Tam już nawet przejażdżka autobusem to ekskluzywna przyjemność, bo bilety drogie w chuj, a autobus w centrum raz na godzinę. Mógłbym tak rantować dłużej, ale nie zależy mi specjalnie na krzywdzeniu ludzi z Kielc. Mam tylko nadzieję, że kiedyś się wyprowadzą. Bo to miasto ogranicza jak jasny pieron

.

[postcard-from-the-past]

Karczówka Monastery in Kielce, Poland

Russian vintage postcard, mailed to France

[polish-spirit]

Ul. Duża w Kielcach (1932-1938).

[pangeen]

Morning near Kielce // Piotr Michalec

[aleksandrawpaszke]

Sorbet z gówna

Olala! Robiłam sobie, jak zwykle, bułę z topionym, słuchając sobie w radio, co nowego kto odjebał, aż tu nagle słyszę reklamę, gdzie jakiś tato, że niby u doktora, dostał dla bachora lizaki na kaszel i udaje, że czyta skład, zdziwiony, że nie ma cukru.

I tak sobie przypomniałam o Grzegorzu. U niego bowiem by się dziwili, że w składzie nie ma gówna. A tak, słyszałam o tym nie raz. Grzegorz, jak już mnie wyruchał, zobaczył że było tak sobie, i zaczął mną gardzić, to często patrzył na mnie z wyższością, jak jadłam coś, albo oglądałam telewizor. Ciągle pierdolił o tym, że u niego jak był mały, to jadło się tylko żwir z łzami, a zamiast telewizora, zaglądali do studni i rozmawiali z echem. Mówiłam mu, że w mieście są raczej takie studzienki, że trudno podnieść ten właz, zresztą zaraz ktoś się dojebie, że próbuję to opędzlować na złom. Ten nic nie rozumiał, mówił, że telewizja ryje mi mózg i wychodził wieczorami, niby posłuchać co w kanale szepcze, ale potem się i tak okazało, że stał pod drzwiami tej Eli, tej niby modelki, co tu mieszkała przez pół roku i niby pozowała do zdjęć, ale bardziej brała do ryja pęta jakichś okularników z aparatami na szyi.

No i Grzegorz kiedyś mówi, że studnia, że żwir i nagle jakby nigdy nic zaczyna nawijkę, że lizaki z gówna u nich we wsi się robi. SIĘ ROBI, zaznaczam, zaznaczam i podkreślam, bo nie użył czasu przeszłego, znaczy się w XXI wieku tam pod Kielcami ludzie liżą gówno na patyku! Ja tylko mrugałam nerwowo, licząc w myślach ile razy się skurwiłam i dałam się pocałować typowi, który jadł całe życie kał, ale potem przestałam, bo zaczął opowiadać, że te lizaki to wręcz raz poróżniły rodzinę. Ponoć jeden dziecek od nich chodził do podstawówki, jadł tam obiady na stołówce i karmili go lepiej niż w domu, więc i stolec miał lepszy, to się bili na drugi dzień o jego nocnik, żeby z tego te lody kręcić.

Nieprawdopodobne, co? Być może, ale przecież by mnie nie okłamał, a i ja mówię wam jak jest, jak na spowiedzi. Chciałam coś dodać od siebie, pokazać, że prowadzę dialog, więc podrapałam się po odrostach i zanim się zorientowałam co mówię, to było za późno. "Ale Grzechu, przecież wy tam sracie w dziurę w ziemi, nie trzeszczy w zębach to?" - usłyszałam swój głos. Grzesiek wstał tylko i wyszedł.

Trochę mi głupio było, bo sobie zaraz zdałam sprawę, że co im piach, jak żwir jedli?

Ja to zawsze coś pierdolnę. Ech.

[skamielina-z-koszalina]

zalewajka - mój przysmak z południowej Polski (woj. świętokrzyskie)

zalewajka soup - my delicacy from southern Poland (Holy Cross Voivodeship)

[himehikoshrine]

The Central Nation of Kielce - a History

[I/D : Screenshot for Sissia of the Central Nation showing Levi, Adra, and Crowley on the wall. Crowley is saying "Hahaha! How have you been, little wall?! It’s like you’re a part of our origins!"]

Having now read through every route's game script of the Central Nation of Sissia, I figured I'd tried to put together all the Kielce lore across the different routes into one. If you want to read them yourself, you can do so either on the game menu if you've finished the game, or [here]. This will contain details unique to most of the routes, so technically, there are spoilers, but they are discussed entirely within the world of the play. I will edit in a few minor clarifying details with no route plot information from routes as I find them now that I'm going through things with a finer tooth comb. It will spoil some things that are in the stage script only epilogues too, so please read at least one of them before reading this, or you'll be really confused. Two, ideally, especially if the first one you picked was Crowley's.

Don't ask me why a rather big piece of character information, that is kind of a twist, is hidden within epilogues only on the stage script in the menu. We're nearly the full year into Havenna Lore drops, apparently this is just how Neji writes. (And given all the lore hidden in weird bonus material, also how Ishida and Towada write.)

The Nation of Arbine and the Republic of Quatra, which is to its east, were at war for 77 years. Many lives were lost on both sides, and there were plenty of children made orphans in the process. We know little about Quatra before the end of the war, but Levi describes it as having "warmth" and Crowley says it had a very strong culture in the arts, including song and dance. After Arbine wins the war, 20 years before Sissia joins the troupe, Arbine begins calling the 77-year-war the 'War of Joy.'

They force the people of Quatra into servitude, build a wall around the country, and mark them with a tattoo of a horse on their shin. The hostility gets so bad in the upper military ranks of Arbine, that they begin calling Quatra "the nameless country" or "the nameless servant country." The culture of Quatra is stamped out within the nation, possibly beyond simply forcing everyone into labor for the sake of Arbine, and anyone in Arbine who even discusses it with anything but scorn is suspected of treason.

Arbine is ruled by its "commander and king" (always said together like that) who has the surname "Arbine" like the nation he rules. His top advisor, confidant and strategist is Major Azur Hybird. The military elite make up the aristocracy of Arbine, and their positions are expected to be passed down.

Arbine is a strict military state, with border patrols and street patrols in addition to a standing military that citizens are quite acquainted with. They are able to freely interrogate and detain anyone, but murder seems to be considered a crime in Arbine, regardless of the nationality of the person killed, even, seemingly, for low ranking patrol officers. (We only have Crowley's potentially joking word here, though). The high ranks can order and carry out death sentences sans trial of any kind, of course.

The military aristocracy is also the high society of Arbine, and they attend parties and engage with what they consider 'high culture' including national dances - Arbine does have a national dance troupe.

Arbine's language is called "Arbine". It appears to be different than the language of Quatra or at least a different dialect, though one suspects they have some degree of mutual intelligibility. Carlo says the further east one goes in Arbine, the simpler the pronunciation of its language gets. Accents are shared to some extent in the border region, as well as words. Carlo says Arbine has 'a certain roundness' and that the first letter of Carlo is pronounced 'more elegantly' than Sissia's accent usually does.

Carlo illustrates the linguistic drift with the word Kielce - which is the Arbine term for Circus, a word used in Quatra. Carlo says no one but a historian or a suspected traitor would know that word these days, so maybe once it was also used in Arbine, or maybe a historian would merely be more familiar with the arts from Quatra.

So, 20 years ago, the war ends. As for the future members of Kielce at this time, Chance, at least, wasn't born yet.

Levi Caineman, who was born to Arbine parents, was orphaned by the war and was taken in across the then-wall-less border when he traveled there in search of food. Once the war ended, he was taken into an orphanage on the Arbine side of the wall, while his foster mother, a Quatra, was left behind it.

At some point, Levi will meet Crowley. Crowley is, though it's unclear who knows this but him, an illegitimate son of the 'commander and king' of Arbine, so his full name is, in fact, Crowley Arbine. It's never explicitly stated in the play if Crowley creates Kielce as a troupe or not, or the origin of its name "The Central Nation of--" but in the practice dialogue it is confirmed that Crowley and Levi are the founding members of the troupe.

As for when it was founded, Crowley considers the first Border Performance, which takes place ten years before the present of the play, and thus ten years after the end of the war "part of our origins." It is likely the name, too, partially a form of protest. Given the troupe's founders - an openly avowed revolutionary with a personal connection to the throne, and a fascination with Quatran arts, and an Arbine boy raised for a time by a Quatran foster mother, I'm sure this was very much part of their motivations.

Crowley is, after all, enthusiastically a traitor. (He maintains everyone in Kielce knows this, and no ones statements fully discredit that assertion in other routes. No one ever quite says the first performance WASN'T an act of rebellion or treason.)

Crowley says he's the one who brought Levi in and raised him up to be ringleader. At some point, Kielce, including Crowley and Levi, ends up performing at a party for military aristocrats. How this happened or how it went down, we don't know, other than apparently everyone was thoroughly amused. At this point, they aren't suspected of anything treasonous, but are considered 'low' entertainment.

In attendance is Major Azur Hybird's son, Adra Hybird. At this point, Adra has already been dancing for most of his life. It is unclear how old he is. But he decides that this is the kind of dancing he wants to do. He leaves the life of a Military Aristocrats son behind and runs away to join the circus -- Kielce.

(It is not implied Adra is younger than the other two - on Levi's route, Adra remarks that Levi has grown into quite the man, which, if anything, implies Adra may be a bit older than Levi.)

By the time of the first Border Performance, which is ten years before the present, Adra is a well established member of the troupe, enough that he is involved with choosing to do it. He seems to be one of the senior members in the troupe.

Fan Carlo Albus, on the other hand, is a newcomer to the troupe ten years ago. It seems she joined enough after Adra that she's talked about as another sort of 'generation' - when talking about Kielce's style being a talent showcase, Crowley says its more pronounced now that Carlo and Chance have joined.

Carlo watches the border performance from the side, not on the wall. Also watching that day is Isaac Bazmaz, an Arbine child from the border region who lives near the wall. He is watching with a friend of his. On Isaac's route this friend is explicitly Sissia, a girl from Quatra who he met through a crack in the wall. Isaac talks about the wall as having always been near his house, suggesting that he is under 20 years old, or at least, not much older. Chance Orlando, as stated, is under 20. He doesn't watch the border performance, but hears rumors about it as a kid in Arbine that later inspire him to join.

Crowley is one of the leads in the performance, which he also wrote. This is, to him, intentionally an act of rebellion and revolution. The fact that it doesn't overthrow the nation makes it kind of a failure in his book. Adra says his motivation is sort of to stick it to the military aristocracy and their backwards ideas, both about Quatra and discrimination and their authority and control in general. Adra is also quite annoyed at their elitism. Levi doesn't give an explicit reason for it the first time, but when asking to do it again, he mentions love of theater and love of freedom as absolute principles he leads Kielce by. One imagines his foster mother on the other side is a motivation, as well.

The performance is seen as treasonous and puts the entire troupe on a watch list. According to Major Azur, the 'commander and king' of Arbine has pushed to imprison everyone in the troupe since that day. (It is completely unclear if either the Major or even the 'commander and king' himself have any idea who Crowley is.) Every member who was around at the time tells Sissia that it was quite the controversy and ordeal, and caused a lot of trouble.

Isaac makes a promise to his friend to one day stand on the wall with Kielce together. Sissia, watching from the Quatra side, is already being forced into labor, despite seemingly being a child. Sissia dreams of one day standing on that stage, too. Both Isaac and Sissia will eventually follow that dream to Kielce.

It seems that despite the displeasure of the ruling elite, Kielce continues to operate and have many fans. Their popularity is seen both as a threat, and, one assumes, a bit protective, as it's quite clear that Arbine is aware of the precarity of it's absolute control.

Adra notes that even members of the military attend the shows. Not all the fans share their ideals, of course, and will report things to the authorities.

Kielce has a standing theater within Arbine, but their base seems to keep a very 'traveling circus' aesthetic. It is possible they are both a traveling company and one with a home base. It's unclear when this was built.

Chance and Isaac are recruited the same day by Crowley. Isaac says that if it weren't for Kielce, he'd 'still be working at a factory'. They are still considered relative newbies by Carlo by the time Sissia is recruited, but they seem to have been around long enough to be pretty established as staples of the troupe.

[life-of-holly-shell]

RETURN DURING THE BLUE HOUR

[piotrjea]

[miastaslow]

O dziedziczeniu traumy w kieleckim Klubie z Kawą nad Książką

Książka: Nie zaczęło się od ciebie. Jak dziedziczona trauma wpływa na to, kim jesteśmy i jak zakończyć ten proces Autor: Mark Wolynn Data spotkania: 26 maja (niedziela), 16:00 Miejsce spotkania: Choco Obsession, ul. Św. Leonarda 15 Osoba kontaktowa: Kasia, tel. 507 124 991, leskatarzyna@gmail.com

Wraz z rozwojem nauk psychologicznych coraz bardziej powszechna staje się wiedza o tym, dlaczego jesteśmy ukształtowani właśnie tak a nie inaczej, jakie piętno odcisnęło na nas dzieciństwo; wiemy już, że wiele aspektów naszej przeszłości musimy przepracować, aby móc iść dalej bez tego całego ciężkiego emocjonalnego bagażu. Do jednych z najczęściej omawianych gałęzi psychologii w ostatnich latach należy temat dziedziczenia traumy. Na pozór przewrotna i błędna zbitka słów, no bo jak to? Tyle wiemy o DNA, a nagle mamy uwierzyć w to, że zespół stresu pourazowego możemy nosić w sobie od samego początku i to nie musi być choroba wynikająca z naszych doświadczeń? A jednak – Mark Wolynn bardzo przystępnym językiem opowiada o tym, jakie wnioski płyną z badań czołowych ekspertów w tej dziedzinie.

26 maja, w Dzień Matki (och, czy to nie przewrotne również?) porozmawiamy o książce tego znanego terapeuty. O potrzebie terapii, ranach dzieciństwa, problemie, jakim jest niska świadomość społeczna dotycząca psychologii człowieka. To z całą pewnością będzie żywa i interesująca dyskusja.

Zapraszamy do naszego stolika!

Kasia Leśniak

[wielka-walka-miast]

Rybnik

Województwo: śląskie

Powierzchnia: 148,4 km²

Liczba ludności: 132 923 / 896 os./km²

Kielce

Województwo: świętokrzyskie

Powierzchnia: 110 km²

Liczba ludności: 184 520 / 1 677 os./km²

[lelejskagora]