[Scene: NEXT DAY - After saying farewells to Mrs. Poppy and the townsfolk who helped, Caelia and Cassian have set off on their next project. Near the home of Mrs. Poppy, a small, local elementary school in Kingsley, was wanting a new playground for the kids.]

[Caelia and Cassian arrive. It is a small school, just about the size of a cottage. Children’s laughter echoed faintly in the distance, but there was no playground in sight. A simple swing that was on the verge of breaking, dangled from a brittle tree.]

TEACHER (bowing):

“Thank you, Your Grace and Cassian for coming over and helping build the playground for the kids. The children keep trying to build their own play spots, but we haven’t had the resources for anything proper. It breaks my heart seeing them with scraped knees and splinters.”

CAELIA:

“Don’t worry, we will build something magical. Have the kids said anything in particular that they would like?”

TEACHER (pondering):

“Well, they haven’t said anything to me but I’m not sure if that is because they are too scared to ask. 

For kids, they are very aware that we don’t have that much money.”

CAELIA - INNER MONOLOGUE:

That breaks my heart. Kids should be able to be kids without having to worry about anything.

If this playground can give them some sort of happiness, I must find a way to build the best playground ever!

CAELIA:

“Would it be okay if we met the kids and talked to them ourselves?”

TEACHER:

“Of course! We can go to the classroom and I can call them all in.”

[Scene: Inside the classroom of the small school. Caelia and Cassian stand in front of the 15 kids, ages 5 - 9 sitting down on their worn out desks.]

TEACHER:

“Kids, this is Ms. Caelia and Mr. Cassian, they’re going to help you guys build the playground you always wanted.”

[Caelia and Cassian smile and wave at the kids. The kids geek in excitement. Looking amongst each other with enthusiasm. Caelia smiles at the cute kids but sees one girl in the corner of the room, not participating with the other kids. A group of three boys who are sitting next to each other glance over at the girl sitting in the corner and start giggling amongst themselves.]

CAELIA - INNER THOUGHTS:

Something… doesn’t feel right here. 

TEACHER:

“Alright, but before they can do that, they have to know what you guys want.

So, our assignment for today is to write down and draw what you guys would want in the playground.”

ALL KIDS:

“Okay!”

[Scene: The kids are drawing at their desks on pieces of paper and old pencils that haven't been sharpened. Caelia and Cassian circle around the room from different sides looking at all the kid’s drawings making sure to internalize all the name tags that they have at their desks that they made to make name calling easier.]

[Lia was drawing a picture of Monkey Bars.

Soren was writing a description of a slide.

The three boys: Dorian, Elric, and Quinn were collaborating on a drawing together.

All the kids had their own imagination of what they wanted the playground to be.]

[Caelia looks at the three boys' work. Their collaborative work doesn’t seem to connect to anything that exists in real life. Caelia slightly laughs.] 

CAELIA:

“So what do you boys want?”

DORIAN (holding the drawing in front of Caelia):

“It’s written right here! How can you not understand it? It’s obviously a teleporter and an ice cream stand…”

[The drawing is a bunch of irregular shapes and scribbles that make absolutely no sense.]

CAELIA:

“Oh-Oh! Of course! How could I not understand?! It’s clear as day.”

[In fact, it was NOT clear as day.]

ELRIC:

“At least our drawings make more sense than Aline’s. That girl is so weird.”

[Caelia immediately looks around the room for a nametag that says “Aline” and as she expected, the girl in the corner of the room has a small, propped up nametag that says “Aline” in small writing, as if she wanted to hide.]

QUINN:

“Yeah, her drawings make absolutely no sense! They look so funny too! Whenever she talks, she just talks about things no one understands. That’s why no one likes her!”

[Aline hears this from across the small room and gets visibly sad. She starts crying and takes her drawing and leaves the classroom.]

CAELIA (scold):

“Hey! That’s not nice to say.”

[Caelia immediately runs out of the room to catch up to Aline.]

“Cassian, could you look over the kids?”

[Scene: Caelia runs out of the classroom and sees Aline sitting on the ground with her knees up to her eyes, crying. Her drawings sprawled out on the floor.]

[Caelia is reminded of her past life as Norma sitting in the bathroom stall with her knees up to her eyes, crying. Her heart tugs seeing someone as little as Aline going through the same thing.]

CAELIA:

“Aline… Could I sit next to you?” 

ALINE (quietly nodding her head):

“Yes.”

CAELIA:

“You don’t have to say anything if you don’t want to. But I am here if you want to talk to someone.”

[After 3 minutes of silence, Aline starts to talk.]

ALINE (crying): 

“I always liked to draw but they always make fun of my drawings. They call them weird and laugh at me. Just because I like different things. During recess, I would draw while riding on the swing but they would always push me off. Then when they ask what I’m drawing and I try to explain, they just say that whatever I say just comes off weird!

Even my family at home don’t like that I draw these things.

I should just.. stop.”

CAELIA - INNER MONOLOGUE:

Man, kids can be so mean. 

Although, I understand and can relate to her even with my grown age.

…What would the original Caelia do or say if she was in this situation?

Someone as strong willed as her probably wouldn’t let herself get kicked around like I did.

I have to set a good example for Aline.

[Caelia grabs one of the drawings sprawled out on the floor to take a look but Aline immediately tries to grab it from Caelia’s hand.]

ALINE:

“Stop! Don’t look at them! 

A-Are you gonna call them weird too…?”

CAELIA:

“No, Aline. I promise I won’t.” 

[Aline gets rid of her grip on the paper. Caelia being able to see the drawing more clearly.]

[The drawing is an extensive swing that is attached to a little structure complete with ladders, monkey bars, a slide, and rock climbing, detailed with arrows explaining what is shown. The drawing is realistic, with perfect scaling.]

CAELIA - INNER MONOLOGUE:

This is incredible, I can’t believe a kid drew this. This is pure talent.

CAELIA:

“Aline, this is absolutely beautiful. You drew this today?” 

ALINE (nods):

“Yes, are you lying?”

CAELIA:

“Absolutely not! Seriously, you are so talented! I see swings and slides and even rock climbing. This is a really good design, we could definitely do something like this!”

ALINE (smiles):

“Thank you. I made sure to include what most people wanted like the monkey bars and slide. I added a rock climbing side just because I think it would be fun! 

Make sure that it can support everyone though! You would definitely need to make sure that the material of the playground can withstand all the weight.

[Aline catches herself rambling and gets embarrassed.]

B-But you don’t have to use my design, it's not the best, make sure to ask everyone else what they want too.”

CAELIA: 

“Could I see other drawings you made?”

[Aline shows Caelia her art portfolio. Filled with drawings of realism of buildings and plants. The artwork is almost jumping out of the page. Features drawn to the appropriate scale with no mistake in sight.]

CAELIA - INNER MONOLOGUE:

These are absolutely amazing. This kid has a natural gift for architectural drawings. 

Why is she so ashamed of them?

[Caelia then remembers her past life, relating to Aline. In the meeting room, she would present her ideas but then immediately crumbled when others presented their ideas, heavily critiquing hers over others, losing confidence in hers.]

CAELIA (smiles): 

“Aline, you are a very smart girl. We can definitely use this design for the playground. Everyone will love it. Whatever you like to do, keep doing it. Don’t listen to anyone and just keep doing what you do. 

If they make fun of you, try your best to ignore it, that’s the best way to get back at someone.

But, if one day, you feel brave enough, you can tell them to stop making fun of you because this is what you like to do.”

[Ending the conversation, Aline feels a sense of someone finally understanding the things she was saying. When Aline felt ready, Aline and Caelia hold hands as they walk back into the classroom, Caelia holding Aline’s drawings in her other hand.]

DORIAN (laughs):

“Oh look! The weirdo is back!”

QUINN (laughs):

“Ms. Caelia! Stay away from the weirdo or else she will talk nonsense to you!”

[Aline gets sad for a second, but with her new sense of bravery, she remembers Caelia’s advice to ignore the insults and stays quiet, standing tall.]

CAELIA (to Aline):

“Aline, do you have anything to say?”

[Aline stays quiet as she doesn’t feel brave enough to defend for herself yet. Caelia takes this silence as Aline saying “no”]

CAELIA (to everyone in the classroom):

“Everyone, Aline had been working very hard on her drawing of the playground and it is absolutely beautiful. In fact, she was nice enough to include almost everyone’s ideas into her drawing.” 

[Aline looks up to Caelia, admiring her. Caelia is the first person who ever supported Aline and stood up for her.]

CAELIA (continues, looking at the three boys, passionately):

“It’s not nice to make fun of someone just because they are different from you. 

Please be kind to everyone as you don’t know what they are going through. 

That is final.”

[The three boys look at each other in defeat and the class draws silent. Aline goes back to her desk quietly. Cassian looks worried at Caelia.]

TEACHER:

“O-Okay kids! It’s almost the end of the school day. Please hand in your assignments and once you’re done, pack your bags and go meet your parents outside!”

[Scene: The kids are packing up their bags after placing their drawings in a messy pile in front of the teacher’s desk. The teacher silently calls over Caelia and Cassian to talk in private.]

TEACHER (to Caelia):

“Did you talk with Aline?”

CAELIA:

“Yes. There are some kids in the classroom that are bullying her.

 I apologize for my behavior towards the kids. I just.. I saw myself in her and got emotional.”

TEACHER (looks down):

“Don’t apologize, Caelia. I failed as a teacher to not see that one of my students was getting bullied.”

CAELIA: 

“Kids are very good at hiding things and you are too busy trying to take care of everyone else. Don’t put the blame on yourself. Now, at least you know.”

TEACHER (looks up at Caelia and smiles):

“Caelia, you are too kind.”

[Scene: Cassian and Caelia leave the school for the day, walking together to their guest home.]

CASSIAN:

“Are you okay, Caelia?”

CAELIA: 

“Yeah, I’m okay. Just seeing Aline getting treated like that makes me upset.

People can just be so mean sometimes. That girl has a true talent.”

CAELIA - INNER MONOLOGUE:

Everyone has their own walk of life and struggles whether poor or rich, or young or old.

That’s why I always lived my life in silence, no matter how unfair it was for me.

Because making myself suffer in silence was better than causing hurt to others.  

But part of me, seeing Aline next to me crying, made me want to tell her to be more selfish and tell them off. 

Although… I know better than anyone that it’s easier said than done. 

CASSIAN:

“Those kids were being stupid and insecure that Aline was more knowledgeable than them.”

CAELIA (holding Aline’s drawing):

“But look at this drawing, a KID drew this.”

[Cassian leans a bit too close towards Caelia to look at the drawing, leaving little personal space. Caelia freezes.] 

CASSIAN:

“Oh wow, this playground looks awesome! Maybe we can actually build something like this.”

CAELIA (shy):

“Yeah… we should.”

[Scene: At the same time at the palace, King Oscar and Queen Valeria get a letter stating that the project at Mrs. Poppy’s home was a success and Caelia led the entire project.]

KING OSCAR (reading the letter):

“It seems like Caelia and Cassian have fixed a home in Kingsley. 

Seriously, where did that girl get the time to be interested in things like this?”

QUEEN VALERIA:

“Hun… Do you think it is ladylike that she is divulging into these manly topics?” 

KING OSCAR:

“Whether a man or woman fixed the house, does it really matter? An elderly woman has a new home now and is happy.” 

QUEEN VALERIA:

“Yes, that’s a good thing, but don’t you think it’s a bit odd that she’s acting like the complete opposite of how she has been? There’s only about 5 more months until we have to choose the next empress!” 

KING OSCAR:

“Dear… Let’s just see how this plays out… It seems like Caelia has really turned over a new leaf. You saw her when we first brought her in here… This is really what she wants to do.”

[Flashback: Caelia bowing to the King and Queen, begging to continue her engineering passion after getting caught.]

QUEEN VALERIA:

“... It may be so, but I’m still not buying it completely yet. I know you want Theo to marry her because she is born into royalty but she is not a good person! She plots against Annalise! Until Caelia truly proves herself as a changed person, I am not on board. 

She’ll probably fix a house or two and then go back to completely being wicked.”

KING OSCAR:

“Let’s just see how this plays out, Hun.. I truly think her soul is changing.” 

[Queen Valeria is unswaying. Standing on her opinion even with her husband’s disagreement.]

[Scene: Later that night, Queen Valeria and Annalise meet in the Queen’s study which they do on a weekly basis. Here is where Annalise usually complains to Queen Valeria of all the antics Caelia did for the week. But.. for the past three weeks, Annalise had nothing to complain about.]

ANNALISE:

“Queen Valeria, how was your week?”

QUEEN VALERIA (after a pause):

“Caelia has been doing well in Kingsley… I’m not sure what’s up with her change in behavior. It’s like she changed overnight.”

ANNALISE (fake):

“Caelia is doing well in a field she is passionate about! We should be congratulating her when she comes back!”

ANNALISE - INNER MONOLOGUE:

What the hell is she doing?! 

Is she trying to change her reputation??

Well, no matter. I have the queen wrapped around my finger.

QUEEN VALERIA (unsure):

“There was an elderly home that needed some renovation, Caelia and Cassian did it in less than a week. The elderly woman, Mrs. Poppy sent us a letter and it came today expressing how Caelia led the whole charge and thanking us profusely for having her over there. Now, she is working on building a playground for the school.”

[Annalise notices Queen Valeria feeling unsure of her feelings about Caelia.]

QUEEN VALERIA (continues):

“Maybe she’s repenting for all the times she sabotaged you.”

ANNALISE - INNER MONOLOGUE:

This new passion of Caelia’s has changed the opinions of people already… 

If this continues… This could be very bad…

I gotta do something to ensure my position.

What home did they fix again.. Mrs. Poppy?