Ep. 76- The Star and the Fool

ext. seawood forest

Alice and Alchiba in the clearing of the forest. Alice ceases her disruptive howl, her eyes reverting to their normal gray red. She turns to regard the wispy Alchiba, who anxiously clutches her clay pitcher.

ALICE
Right. So. You’re a star then. My star. Alchiba.

ALCHIBA
(nods)
Y-yes. Your star. I’ve watched you since your…well, all your life.

There’s an awkward pause as the implications flit about in their minds. Alice can’t help but snicker a bit.

ALCHIBA
A-anyway. Are you feeling better?

ALICE
Yes. Much. Not nearly so tired, now. What was that anyway?

ALCHIBA
(holding up the pitcher)
It’s hard to explain…but, think of it like raw starlight put in a form that’s consumable for humans.

ALICE
(impressed)
It was amazing. Like, the best shot I’ve ever taken. I could get used to it.

ALCHIBA
Oh, uh…well, there’s only a finite amount. Once it’s out, it’s out. I can’t get more so…we have to be very careful with it.

ALICE
What happens if your pitcher runs out?

Alchiba is uncertain how to answer this uncomfortable question, and instead blurts out an awkward reply.

ALCHIBA
Thank you for not, um, dying.

ALICE
Of course, Alchiba.

ALCHIBA
A-and for remembering my name. I figured you’d forget it.

ALICE
Who else could you be but Alchiba? I adopted you when I was 8, I think? Certificate is still hanging in my room. It was probably a scam of a birthday present but I thought having my own star was pretty cool. You’re from the Corvus constellation, right? The Crow?

ALCHIBA
I’m only the fifth brightest Crow. Sorry, I’m sure you were expecting me to be more like my bigger sisters.

ALICE
Nope, you’re just how I thought you’d look. You’re practically perfect.

Alice skips over to Alchiba and with a swift motion tips Alchiba’s chin up so that their eyes meet.

ALICE
I said “practically perfect”, but there is one change we could do with.

ALCHIBA
(pause, nervous)
W-what?

ALICE
I need you to start looking up. It’ll hurt my neck if I have to keep looking down when we talk.

Alchiba smiles a bit at this and her downcast gaze does level out to meet Alice’s. Alice smiles at this, and then breaks off to do a carefree twirl in the moonlight.

ALICE
So…I feel amazing. What’s next…what’s next…I was traveling with a clumsy knight and a pale horse. Have you seen them?

ALCHIBA
No…I…I was, well, watching you. I lost track of them after you fell off the back of the horse.

ALICE
Well. I had horrible nightmares, woke up in a forest and met the star I adopted when I was 8. All the friends I thought I had have run off. I think we are supposed to meet them in a place called Waite, but I’ve never been there before, so…

Alice closes her eyes, spins in a circle, stumbles and points to her decided direction.

ALICE
THIS WAY!

ALCHIBA
But you said you don’t know the way-

ALICE
Exactly. If we’re lost, the best thing to do is just pick a direction and keep going straight.

ALICHIBA
I thought you were supposed to stay in one place-

ALICE
Chiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiba-

Alchiba stops speaking, her eyes blinking in question.

ALICE
You worry too much. If you’re scared, then don’t worry- I’ll protect you. People keep saying I’m a big deal here, ya know?

ALCHIBA
Alice…

At this, Alice sprints off into the depths of the Seawood Forest. Chiba waits for a moment, looks up into the night sky. Sighs. And then takes off after her charge.