TC 239 Script

239

ree in her dark cell, on the floor against the door

cell neighbour: are you done with the noise finally? I’m trying to sleep.

R: I’ll tell you a bed time story, if you like

CN: is it a good one at least

R: probably not.

CN: icarus, what else am i gonna do. go on, then.

R: (narrating): once, there was a little princess. she lived locked away in her castle, never allowed out. she had too many brothers, so was never told any fairy tales. she had too many brothers, so the expectations her mother had were drilled into her. 

she was raised as a lady while watching her brothers play from her window. she was taught how to sew. she was taught how to manage a household. she was taught to be placating, agreeable. to never talk back. never have an opinion. she was told she would soon marry, and felt the last of her life shrivel within her.

there was a ball, one night. Candles lit every inch of the ballroom, reflected in the marble. it was beautiful. she wanted nothing more than to run. she escaped to a balcony for some air, and met a shadow. 

“What are you doing?” she asked the shadow, because for all her lessons, she was not taught to fear the dark.

she could see the shadow trembling, a flash of panicked eyes in the moonlight. 

“I’m here to put a stop to this ball,” the shadow whispered, and the princess had never felt such hope before. 

“Let me help,” she replied and the shadow, disbelieving, let her.

the ballroom went up in flames and together they flew far, far away and never looked back. they lived for each other, but the expectations of their families loomed over them, and no matter how much they loved each other, how much they pretended to not see the smoke looming, it was never enough. one day the fire caught up with them and they were both burned.

the princess had a taste of the life she’d craved, while the shadow grew fainter. the shadow tried to tell the princess that her light was too blinding, it was causing the shadow to wither, but the princess wouldn't listen. the shadow left and it was the princess’ fault.

no matter how much she’d told herself otherwise, the princess was just a princess. And no matter how much it had once been a part of her, without the princess’ light, the shadow was now afraid of the dark. the flames consumed them until there was nothing left.

CN: you dont have any happier stories? this place is depressing enough.

ree: (startled) im sorry? what part of being imprisoned made you think it would be a happy-ass story?

CN: the princess doesn’t really blame herself, does she?

R: of course she does. she let her go

CN: but the shadow left her, too.

R: the princess drove her away

CN: it was still her choice. if she’d loved her, she would have stayed.

R: you can love someone, but still need to leave them.

CN: there must have been a way for them both to prosper.

R: maybe, but not without sacrifice from both.

CN: would the princess sacrifice something for the shadow, now?

R: anything. 

CN: where is your shadow?

R:...i don’t know. but i really hope shes alright.

farrah curled in corner of cell, breathing quickly. flashbacks of the doves. flashbacks of ree being gentle with her. flashbacks of her shouting. flashbacks of their first meeting. flashbacks of when she left. voiceover of ree telling her “us, together. always. we only need each other. fuck the rest of them, I’ll look out for you, and you’ll look out for me. forever.”

F: ree…ree…i miss you…i miss you…i dont want to be tough…or brave…anymore. i’m tired. i’m so tired. 

scra in cell, lying on back in bed staring at dark ceiling. 

S: (thinking) he came back here, knowing he’d be tried for desertion. why did he want to keep pretending to be bonded if he knew it wouldn’t help him, and he wasn’t going to use it to plead his case anyway? he just smiled at they took him. took him away from me. he knew. he knew…he expected to never see me again. ky you idiot. you idiot. you idiot. (tears fall) i better see you again. you better not give up. i wont give up on you. 

ky hanging by chains, beaten. flashbacks of making out with scra. touching his feathers/hair. flashbacks when he did it other times too. voiceover of scra saying “nothing’s changed” over and over. his mom opens the cell door and approaches, disgusted.

KyMom: first, you deserted your post, then you dared return? the embarrassment, the shame you’ve cause me. you should have gone and stayed gone. you face brings me nothing but disgust.  your actions have caused my ability to lead to be questioned. if i cannot instil respect into my own son, how do i expect troops to follow me? you have made me look weak, i will not be lenient with your punishment. 

K: i never expected you to, mother.

KM: that’s Cardinal, to you. 

K: someone had to go and take care of Keelee. when father left with her to chase after grandfather, i couldnt let her go alone. 

KM: we have been been implementing protocols in order to have her returned to us -

K: she’s been there for years. you abandoned her and she knows it.

KM: how dare you - her father has been worried sick -

K: but not you? her mother? 

KM: i have been -

K: preoccupied with your work. right. it was your work that caused my father to resent you and steal her away in the first place. Cardinal.

KM slaps him. ky spits blood.

K: your trial commences the day after tomorrow. do not expect the outcome to be in your favour, son. 

Sorry for the break in TC content, I took last week to finalize the plot completely and do basically the next three years worth of writing until the end of the comic lmao. Excited for what's to come! (And I hope y'all like it too (Reamer fans will feel some type of way lmaooo)).