The unlikely trio of URI, WICKSTON, and THE FIDDLER continue their trek throughout the Enchanted Forest. They are just coming to the end of crossing a big wild open clearing, filled with grass, spitting out right to a small river, that separates the two areas of land.
The wind blows across the water, causing waves of ripples throughout the serenity of the river and lightly messys Uri's fluffy, red and black hair. He takes a hand, fixing his hair.
The Fiddler takes his perfectly manicured hand, lively flourishing a gesture to the other side of the river, and at the strange Stone Hands breaching from out of the water, forming some kind of unofficial bridge to the other side.
THE FIDDLER
Come on! We need to cross this to continue!
URI
Whoa... these winds are a little strong for that don't you think? ...And those stones look like an obvious trap.
Uri holds Wickston closely in his arms to his chest, while peeking from behind The Fiddler.
THE FIDDLER
It's ok, really! I've crossed these tons of times!
Without a second thought, he takes off into a leap onto one of the Stone Hands, landing effortlessly! In the same motion throws a casual flick of the wrist, flipping his stunning, pinkish-brown dreadlocks.
THE FIDDLER
Your turn! Come on Uri, it's perfectly safe!
Uri eyes the stones and the river apprehensively, when he looks down at Wickston who seems very eager to do this jump. He's practically bouncing in Uri's arms!
WICKSTON
Ooooh~ Come on~ Let's jump!!!
Uri sighs to himself, takes a few steps back.
URI
Here goes nothing...
He takes off in a short sprint, leaping off of the river bank, then landing way less coordinated, and more awkwardly than The Fiddler! He clumsily tries to regain his footing on the Hand rock. All of a sudden, the Winds begin to howl and blow! From the great force, Uri stumbles back a little! But seconds before he can fall off, The Fiddler takes hold of his shirt, keeping him from getting blown off into the water.
THE FIDDLER
I got you!
He glances back at them from over his shoulder, then smiles sweetly as he shields them. His body blocking the flow of the strong Winds from pushing them. Uri finds himself staring unintentionally long at him from behind...
THE FIDDLER
Mind your footing, the winds are rough this time of year. We'll be out of the area shortly. Just gotta make it over a few more!
Uri’s expression falters, caught in the warmth of the moment, he quickly regains his footing as the wind stops blowing so hard. The Fiddler turns back around to them, he quickly dusts off Uri's shoulders and shoots him a corny wink.
THE FIDDLER
There you go, no need to get such a lovely cardigan dirty.
URI
Uhh... Thanks man.
As they continue hopping from Stone-to-Stone across the river, Uri begins to ponder things in his mind. His eyes trails over to The Fiddler.
URI
(Thinking)
I still don't know what to make of that one... He's... uh... seems nice enough.
NOBODY
What's there to make of him? That man is Far too charming, anyone that pleasant is hiding something.
URI
(Thinking)
Right? When he said he wouldn't let anything hurt me, I didn't think he really meant Any-Thing.
NOBODY
Yes because THAT'S what we need in our life right now, another Pixller.
URI
(Thinking)
The Fiddler isn't like Pix!
...Is he...?
NOBODY
Gods, Tell me that was a joke! Open your eyes man! All Pixller did was treat you like you needed protecting. What's the difference here?
URI
(Thinking)
Pixller's fussing over me did always get on my nerves... but I know he never really meant anything by it...
He watches The Fiddler land on the other side of the river, puts his hands on his hips triumphantly.
THE FIDDLER
Hell yeah! We're making great time.
URI
(Thinking)
Hmm. I don't really get that from The Fiddler. He seems like a nice guy...
NOBODY
Oh please, like you're a good judge of character!
Or need I remind you that of your late “Best Friend”?
Uri's face sours...
NOBODY
You know, the one who you thought was the only person you could trust, but who purposely, actively lied, used, and manipulated you for who knows how long!?
(Beat)
...Like you could forget dear old Pix...
URI
(Thinking)
...I wanted so badly to believe he was different...
NOBODY
But he wasn't. Was he? Turns out he was just the kind of person you always feared he'd be.
URI
(Thinking)
...The sooner I stop pretending otherwise... the sooner I can stop feeling like such an... idiot...
His mind begins to shift, as he finds himself back in the grand hall of Torrezora Coven House less than 24 hours ago... The emotionally horrifying moment replays again in his mind, as if he had traveled back in time. All the voices are as clears day, Hunica's smug berating... Meward's condescending aggression... Astoria's matter-of-fact bluntness... and Pixller's unmistakable deceitful cowardice...
The moment lingers within for what seems like ages... as he continues to blindly hop from one stone to the next.
The Fiddler notices that blanketed stare off into space look on his face, as he's about to walk right off the side of the last stone!
THE FIDDLER
Oh dear... Uri! Look sharp!
In that very instant, Uri quickly shakes his head, returning to the present moment. He looks down at the water he almost threw himself in. He takes a deep breath, and finishes the jump to the other side.
THE FIDDLER
Uh... you ok man? We kinda lost yah for a sec.
URI
Uhm. Yeah. Sure. Just Fuckin Peachy.
THE FIDDLER
You sure you're good? ...Not to be rude but... you kinda have a gloomy glow in your eyes...
WICKSTON
He's probably just sad about the fight he had with his friend.
Uri's eyes get really wide.
URI
Wickston!!
WICKSTON
What?! But Uri, you DID have a big fight with your friend! I heard it! The tall Purple haired boy with the pants with all the pockets on it. Pixel!
URI
(Sighs)
Pixller, and Wickston those weren't pocket- Wait... you heard that...?
WICKSTON
Yes, It was quite loud...
THE FIDDLER
Some back-home troubles bothering you?
URI
It's nothing you need concern yourself with... I'm fine.
THE FIDDLER
Would you like to talk about it?
URI
I would not.
WICKSTON
Why not?
Uri pinches the bridge of his nose and groans, as he tries to not get angry at Wickston's while pointed, very harmless and innocent questions.
URI
Wickston, sweetie... that is a whole-complicated mess that I don't want to think about right now.
WICKSTON
Why?
URI
Because I don't.
WICKSTON
But you were just thinking about it.
URI
No I wasn't...
WICKSTON
Yes you were, I could feel it. Uri, don't lie.
The Fiddler stops walking, he pauses for a moment, then turns to them.
THE FIDDLER
...If something is bothering you, I'm here if you need to talk. I won't judge you or anything.
URI
I said There's nothing to talk about!
WICKSTON
Yes there is.
URI
Wickston, hush! If I wanted to talk about that I would, but I'm NOT because there is NOTHING to talk about! Ok!? OK!!
THE FIDDLER
Uhm... I'm getting the feeling, thou protest too much.
There’s a storm behind Uri’s eyes as they fix on The Fiddler... quiet, but unmistakable.
NOBODY
And I'm getting the feeling thou needs to mind Ye Ol' Fucking business! Can you believe the Balls on this guy!
URI
He stabbed me in the back, alright?! And I don't wanna talk about it!
(Pauses)
So, can we move on before this turns into a therapy session?
The Fiddler's eyes linger on Uri for a few moments, but he eventually turns back around and goes back to walking.
THE FIDDLER
As you wish...
After that the walk was eerily silent for a while. Until Wickston decides to get to know The Fiddler better.
WICKSTON
You sure know a lot about this Forest, Mr. The Fiddler!
THE FIDDLER
Heh. Well, I've been all over. They don't call me a “Traveling Bard” for nothing. There isn't too many places I haven't been, with old Zephyr here.
He gestures at his violin resting on his back. Wickston jumps down from Uri's arms to get a better look at it.
WICKSTON
Oooh!! You must have some great stories!
THE FIDDLER
Oh I do! Everywhere you go, you have the potential to create something new for yourself. New people, new stories, new adventures!
(Pause)
...even a new life.
The Fiddler trails off for a moment; his voice goes a little hollow when he says that last bit. Uri takes notice of it. As he kind of just stares off into space for a brief moment.
URI
Uhm...you ok?
He shakes his head really fast to try to shake it off.
THE FIDDLER
Of course! Never better!
The starburst Pendant, Uri's Grandmother gave him, glows a little. It flickers just low enough for no one to notice, but Uri feels a quick BEAT in his chest for a moment.
He grips his chest lightly; he pauses in his tracks for a second. The Fiddler stops walking to turn back to look at him.
THE FIDDLER
Everything alright back there?
URI
Of course! Never better!
They all start walking again. It's really quiet, almost awkwardly quiet... Uri begins to think to himself.
URI
(Thinking)
Is it me... or is this kind of awkward... I feel like he's hiding something, and I'm just walking here in silents! This is madness... Ugh!
(Sighs)
I just don't know how I'm supposed to act around this guy... Should I maybe say something? What do you talk about with a Demon?!?!
He glances over at them chatting.
WICKSTON
It must be really fun getting to travel all over!
THE FIDDLER
(Chuckles)
You bet little Wick! You think these winds are bad? Try fighting a Wind Elemental, with nothing but two sticks, a random drum, and a broken hand!
WICKSTON
You play the drums too!?
URI
(Thinking)
No, No come on Uri! You need to stop seeing him as just a Demon... If Wickston can do it, why can't you!?
(Beat)
It's not fair to him... Perhaps I could ask him about where he comes from...?
(Beat)
Perhaps that's too personal...
NOBODY
Why don't you find out what he wants out of this?
URI
(Thinking)
I mean... that is a good question... I don't think he's trying to harm us... but...
(Beat)
...He ...he couldn't know who I am... could he?
NOBODY
Of course, he does! Everyone knows what you really are! That's what this is about. That's ALWAYS what it's about. Just another shameless panderer, trying to get on your good side!
Uri thinks back to when The Fiddler said, “What are friends for.”
URI
(Thinking)
It's a little foolish of me to think he'd really wanna be friends with someone like me...
NOBODY
How many times do I have to say it!? You don't have any friends. You have users and abusers. And you can bet your ass he stands to gain SOMETHING here... we just don't know what...
His head kind of lowers down in a state of disappointment, The Fiddler notices.
THE FIDDLER
You sure you're alright back there, Uri? I'm sensing some trepidation from you...
URI
Huh!? Oh...yeah, yeah... just uh... thinking about... things... and uh...stuff.
THE FIDDLER
Things and stuff, huh? Is it about that Pixller fellow...?
He turns his body to face him but keeps walking only backwards.
URI
I uh... wasn't thinking about that...
THE FIDDLER
I know you said you didn't wanna bond, but If something is bothering you, don't be afraid to speak up.
He gestures to his pointy, pierced Demon ears and wiggles them playfully.
THE FIDDLER
One could say, I'm all ears!
NOBODY
Yeah, no, that's not happening, was that his attempt at being funny?
Gods, how much longer do we have to bum around this insolent-fucko?
Uri winces at the idea, but then tries to play it off.
THE FIDDLER
I'm serious... I know we only just met, but I always have a sympathetic ear for others. And I can't shake this feeling you have something weighing on your heart...
Wickston quickly climbs back onto Uri just to start poking at his face, ever so gently.
WICKSTON
It's ok to be sad Uri.
He chuckles a little at the sight of the cute candle Familiar. He pets his head a bit, and Wickston giggles to himself. Then he takes a deep breath and lets it all out.
URI
(inhale exhale)
Could I ask you something?
THE FIDDLER
By all means.
URI
You seem really nice and all but, like... And I don't wanna sound ungrateful or anything but...
THE FIDDLER
But...?
URI
Why the hell are you helping us? You don't even know us. Don't you have more important things to be doing?
THE FIDDLER
(Laughs)
Damn Uri. You really don't mince words, do you?
(Beat)
I get you. You are interested in my motivation.
URI
I don't know, call me paranoid, but it just feels a little odd. We don't know you and you don't know us... Yet you are going out of your way to come with us?
WICKSTON
But Uri, you're helping me, and you don't know me that well. How is that any different?
URI
Uh... Well... Huh. I guess... I didn't really think about it like that...
THE FIDDLER
Did you ever consider that, maybe I'm helping because I just wanted to?
A look of shock washes over Uri's face, he just kind of blinks staring at him as they walk. He really hadn't considered such a reasoning.
THE FIDDLER
Not everyone's goals are to gain something. Sometimes the goal is to just do what feels right. And this feels right to me.
URI
I'm sorry... I'm always skeptical of well... everyone...
There is a bit of an awkward pause; they all continue walking in the silence for a few moments...
THE FIDDLER
If you were wondering if I wanted something out of you. It's not like that.
(Short Beat)
I'm just here to help. You were lost, needed a guide, and I'm a guide! As a Wanderer it's not like I was going anywhere specific anyway, so you're not holding me up or anything.
URI
T-Thanks. Maybe... we...
NOBODY
Don't even think about it!
THE FIDDLER
We...?
URI
...Weeeee should stop focusing on the WHY and focus on what's happening now! Heh.
THE FIDDLER
Now that's the spirit! I know you aren't quite a fan of me now, but I think you'll grow to like me! I'm already rather fond of you!
URI
Me...? How? You don't even know me.
THE FIDDLER
Hmmm, how do I explain this?
(Beat)
There's just something about you, I like. Your inner music is... complex!
Uri is taken aback by that.
URI
What does that mean...?
THE FIDDLER
You see, I believe that, everyone has an inner music, a song that plays in their hearts.
Like... yours sounds a little muffled, like a soft melody being played in secret. Faint, hidden away, almost afraid to be heard.
(Beat as he leans in)
...but if you listen real close, you can hear those soft tiny tones reaching out, begging to be heard.
As he leans in closer, The Fiddler holds his ear in his direction.
THE FIDDLER
So tiny and quiet right now...but it almost sounds like the beginnings of a solid Five-part harmony.
URI
I...I don't know how I feel about that.
WICKSTON
What does my inner music say!?
The Fiddler quickly grabs him from Uri and begins tossing him up in the air.
THE FIDDLER
(Laughing)
Yours say that you're a little cutie!
WICKSTON
(Giggles happily)
He catches Wickston and hands him back to Uri, who's kind of just watching him.
THE FIDDLER
Don't worry... one day everyone will finally be able to hear you the way I already do.
The Fiddler keeps leading the way, behind him Uri smiles to himself a little.
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