Ep. 74 - The Tiny Crow Star
ext. seawood forest night
Alice remains within the clearing of the Seawood Forest, looking up at the astral escalator and the weird being it conveys…slowly…conveys. So slowly. In fact, the pace is interminable and Alice cannot help but fidget as she waits for the arrival. Finally, she stands up and calls out.
ALICE
Should I meet you halfway?
STAR
N-no! I can, uh, I can make this go faster. I think. Uh.
The Star holds up a hand, snaps her finger and a wand with a pointed star at its end appears in her hand. She daintily flicks the wand, bits of stardust flaking into the air, and the moving stairway begins to move faster- and faster- entirely too fast, really. The Star, startled, shouts in alarm before being hurled off the contraption entirely. Her slight, tumbling for hurls straight into Alice and she lands ontop of her, the two nose to nose.
STAR
(breathless)
Uh. Too fast.
The two do not move for a moment, their eyes locked.
ALICE
I really didn’t think people still met like this.
STAR
Ahhh, they don’t, at least, not usually! I just have bad luck.
(pause)
I’m your lucky star, by the way.
A pause. Alice then erupts in laughter despite herself. The Star contorts her face with a mix of frustration and embarrassment.
STAR
Don’t you believe me?
ALICE
No, no, I do. I absolutely do. You are…exactly…the star I imagined I had.
STAR
(doubtfully)
Is that good?
ALICE
(calming her laughter, sincerely)
You are perfect.
The Star cannot fathom this compliment.
STAR
P-p-perfect?
ALICE
Come on.
The two untangle themselves.
STAR
Are you hurt?
ALICE
By you? No way. You weight like, nothing.
Alice rubs a red spot on her forehead from where the Star’s head conked into hers.
Realizing where the sore spot came from, the Star immediately turns to a stammering mess, pulling at her hair in a panic.
STAR
I am so, so sorry. That was stupid, SO STUPID! I knew they should have sent literally anyone else, I am so sorry.
ALICE
(perplexed)
What is wrong with you?
STAR
EVERYTHING! I told Mother Moon that and she STILL sent me. I’m so sorry please forgive me.
Alice walks over to the Star, taking her by the wrists. She looks into the Star’s eyes.
ALICE
There’s nothing to forgive. Ok?
STAR
Ok…
ALICE
Let’s start over. You’re my star, right? All stars have a name. Which star are you?
STAR
My pitcher!!
The Star begins to search frantically for the clay pitcher she brought with her, only to find it overturned amongst a clump of daisies. She attempts to take it back only for the flowers to latch onto it, refusing to relinquish their old.
STAR
Hey. Give it baaaaack!
The plants pull, unwilling to give in. Alice meanders over to the scene.
ALICE
Hey everyone…I, uh…I guess I’ll just ask you, right? Give back her pitcher, please?
Alice’s legs wobble a bit as her eyes flare with a bit of arcane energy, and she begins to slump down. The plants relinquish their hold on the pitcher and retreat.
STAR
N-no, no no no, hey, you’re not supposed to use any more arcane energy until you’ve rested!
ALICE
(dazed)
You can’t even beat a flower, ha ha…
STAR
(indignant)
It’s not because I can’t. It’s because I don’t want…to hurt them.
ALICE
(fading)
You’re sweet. Yup…definitely my Star.
The Star springs to Alice, taking her by the shoulders, she shakes Alice with an uncharacteristic firmness.
STAR
Alice, listen to me. You can not go back to sleep- if your arcane energy is depleted and you go to sleep, you’ll be vulnerable to pretty much anyone in the Between with the knowledge and strength to crack that very precious soul of yours. And Mother Moon was very specific tonight that we can’t let that happen. So please, wake up.
Alice begins to close her eyes…
ALICE
Sorry, star lady…
STAR
Alchiba…my name, your star’s name…is Alchiba.
