The Actor who Came by Sea

(Hm? What's that?)

This will decide much...

Um... Did you speak true, before?

I-is there no hope for any of us?!

We have no hope, save to trust him. But can we truly trust in you?

Sooner trust the sun not to set than trust a half-blood to speak true!

Are they fighting? That could turn ugly.

Wait!

Please don't interrupt them. They're actors, rehearsing a play. It's set to show at the Royal Theater.

Oh, they're rehearsing...

Something like that, yes. They said they're trying to get into the characters' heads and ad-lib.

Okay! That's a wrap.

How was my acting? I felt like I was really incisive!

I'll share my feedback once we all get back to the theater.

You did great, Lokido. You felt so natural.

(Hm? Lokido?) (But he seems pretty different from the Lokido I know.)

I'm honored to hear you say so. Believe me, though, I was as nervous as anything on the inside. I am merely a beginner, after all.

Hmm...

Huh... That's an interesting way to do it.

Interested?

...... You need help with something, right?

Oh, you're a perceptive one! Let me get out the list. There's a lot this time!

Ha! I had you fooled for a minute, right? We should actually be just fine without your help this time.

We have a script, we have a director, and we have a full cast already. We even have enough people coming to buy tickets without doing any canvassing!

Wow! That's amazing.

Word of the theater has spread just that far, I suppose.

It sounds like everything's going well. If there's nothing for me to do, then I might just...

Now, now. Everything's going well BECAUSE of everything you've done, Aldo. And that won't change. I, and all of us working at the theater, are counting on you. Deeply.

Yeah... Okay.

Speaking of, actually, that practice session... I get that it was just acting, but I wish that guy hadn't said that about half-beastfolk.

I know what you mean. I'll have a talk with him later.

Maybe it's only natural that people fear the beastfolk, with everything that's happened between us... But Lokido is a good man, and a good actor.

He wants to shine on stage more than anyone I've ever met. The first time he auditioned, he went through ten roles in five minutes, from king to stray cat, and I believed every one!

That's pretty amazing.

(How exactly do you act out being a stray cat?)

If you want, you should stop by and watch a rehearsal or two. I tell you, you'll see the light inside him.

A rehearsal, huh... That could be fun. And I'm a bit worried about the relationship between Lokido and that other actor, too.

Let's swing by the theater.

Oh, you came!

I was hoping to see a rehearsal for your new production.

Also, I'm a bit worried about what we saw during the rehearsal. That one actor who was cruel to Lokido over his race, I mean.

Oh, him? I spoke with him. I can't say if he fully changed his mind, but he agreed to watch what he says.

Like I said, it's hard to blame people for being suspicious, with all the attacks the beastfolk have put us through.

But Lokido is a friendly sort, and I've never had trouble from him.

Most of all, he loves the stage with all his heart. I have faith his fellows will see that, in time.

You said he showed you a lot of different roles when he joined, right? Do you think he's been acting for a very long time?

I don't know much about his past. He's mentioned an accident at sea that led him to this country, but...

Manager! The director wants to talk to you. Something about casting.

Oh, and here's the man of the hour.

Beg pardon?

Right, I hadn't explained yet. Aldo here has been such a help to us.

Right, I haven't introduced you yet. This is Aldo, the one I told you about who's been such a help to us.

Now, I'd better go see what the director wants with me.

You're Lokido, right? The manager was just telling me what a talented actor you are. And something about an accident at sea, too.

Aah, that... I was caught up in a strange light while out on the sea, yes. By all appearances, it brought me to a familiar, yet unwelcoming world...

...Haha. Hardly a believable tale, is it?

No, I believe you. The truth is, I know another half-human, half-beastfolk man named Lokido.

Well, then... He must be the me who belongs to this world, I would think.

I think so. Would you like to meet him?

Not to the point of forcing it. If it's meant to be, it will happen.

But I can't imagine it likely. He's not an actor, by any chance?

No, I believe you. Maybe...there's another you in this world. Another Lokido.

Someone else with both human and beastfolk blood in his veins...

Even if he does exist, it seems to me that he's not an actor.

You mean, traveling to another world? I don't think it's impossible.

You're a straightforward one, Aldo.

Maybe...there's another you in this world. Another Lokido.

Someone else with both human and beastfolk blood in his veins...

Even if he does exist, it seems to me that he's not an actor.

Well, if he was an actor I'd already have met him backstage, I imagine.

...It really is so different here. This place is just too... And you all, I just can't...

Huh? Did you say something?

Ah, no... I beg you, pay me no mind.

I offer this, my life entire, for the sake of one and all.

......!

Haha. A line from the play we'll be performing. I take it I delivered it well? Now, rehearsal will be beginning soon. Please excuse me.

I'll be sitting in, if that's okay.

Bastards! We're nothing but...

...Uh, what was it? Line?

...For the sake of one and all.

Hold it! Give it to me again.

(I see, the director is giving everyone his feedback from out in the audience.)

Cap'n wouldn't do that. Right?

Yeah! Yeah! Agreed!

Hey, stick to the script...

(I don't see Lokido... I was hoping to talk to him again.)

Hmph. That Lokido guy rubs me the wrong way.

He's not a bad actor, though.

Who cares? He's a beast. Half a monster is still a monster. You know, I saw him skulking around Moonlight Forest the other day.

He's plotting something for sure. We need to get him out of here... But the Manager's on his side. I'll have to talk to the Director.

Hold on a minute. Lokido's not plotting anything.

And who the hell are you?

Lokido's just an actor, the same as any of you. He would never do anything to ruin a performance. There must be some misunderstanding.

Then what was he doing in the forest, huh? What was he doing picking poisonous herbs, genius?

Poison?!

And just look around you. Do you see him here? No, because he snuck off right after rehearsal. Who knows what he's up to? I trust him as far as I could throw him.

Why would he be...

There must be a reason. I should find him and hear his side of the story!

The Moonlight Forest, he said. I'll start looking there.

I wonder if Lokido is here.

If what that actor said is true, I need to ask him why he's been picking poisonous herbs...

No, I can't say that for sure yet. They could have just been regular medicinal herbs...

Here we are. Do take care not to stray from me.

I-I know! You don't have to keep telling me!

Then of course, you also remember what will happen to you should you fail to heed my instructions...

Do as I say, if you wish to return home alive.

Hmph. I wouldn't listen to a thing you have to say if it weren't for...

Lokido! There you are.

Aldo. What a tragically mistimed cue...

What? No, this is perfect timing!

F-forget this! I trust this guy a lot more than I trust a beast like you!

Hey, "a beast like you"? And what do you mean by safe...

THIS is what he means! Stand back, Aldo!

No can do! I'm with you!

That looks like the last of them.

H-hey, good job! While you were fighting, I found what I was looking for, too.

In that case, it ill behooves us to remain overlong. Let us return.

Hey, those herbs! Are those poisonous?!

They sure are. Well spotted!

All will be made clear at his house. While we wait for him to fulfill his end of the bargain, of course.

This man is a perfumer, you see. I've commissioned a particular scent from him, it so happens. In exchange, I escort him on his expeditions to harvest the valuable herbs the scent requires.

The herbs have a particular scent, one that my bestial nose is well suited for following. And I am pleased to safeguard him in the otherwise perilous forest, so we both benefit.

I see... I heard you were paying a visit to the forest, so I wanted to come see.

Were you informed I was gathering poisonous herbs, by any chance?

Um, well... Yeah. I figured there must be some reason for it, though...

So you came out of concern for me?

It's true, a noxious poison may also be extracted from these same herbs. I could certainly not blame anyone for making assumptions.

And the good sir perfumer prefers that no one know he accepts work from beastfolk, as well. So he and I were obliged to work in some degree of secrecy. Haha, it certainly is suspicious, isn't it?

...Doesn't it bother you?

Bother me? However so?

Well, what that guy said... It doesn't seem like he treats you very well.

I require a particular fragrance to complete my becoming. He has the skills to create that fragrance. So, I do what I may to obtain what I need. That is all the motivation I require.

I imagine he is much the same. As a craftsman, as a creator, he will do what he must.

He would brave the wilderness, with an escort, yes, but still a terribly risky prospect. He would even, as can be seen, deal with someone whose veins carry the very essence he fears.

All in pursuit of the ultimate refinement of his craft, the reification of his drive to create. We should all learn from his example, and strive to make ever more perfect the craft of our selves.

Here, it's done. The fragrances you asked for, two different in every way.

(Two different scents, huh...)

Mm. Yes, just as I'd imagined. You are a master of your craft.

Well... You helped too, you know. It was a good deal for both of us.

I'm sorry for being short with you. I, uh...I had the wrong idea about you. Good luck with your play.

Thank you very much. If the opportunity comes, I will be sure to seek you out again.

I'll be at the theater on opening day. I want to see you act for sure.

I'll have the box office hold a ticket for you. Simply let them know you're my guest when you arrive.

(Maybe I was a little too worried... He seems to be managing alright.)

(Ah, I forgot to tell him about the other actors misunderstanding things!)

(Did he go back to the theater? I should have told him...)

I'm going to complain to the Director. I'm not acting opposite an animal.

But he's not a bad actor...

And what about his sneaking around? You want me to act with someone shady like that? I won't do it!

(It's that actor again! He's still trying to get Lokido fired?!)

Ah, here you are. I've been looking for you.

Might I beg a moment of your time? I was hoping we could speak.

What? I don't have anything to say to you.

I simply wanted to give this to you.

What's this?

It's a fragrance created with your role as the main inspiration. I thought you might find it helpful.

Unfortunately, my trips into the forest on procurement for the perfumer delayed me more than anticipated.

(So the other fragrance was a present?)

Trips into the forest? Is that what you were picking those poisonous herbs for?

Oh, did you happen to espy me? Yes, it seems that even those vile herbs may give rise to exquisite fragrances.

I know better than anyone how strongly you desire to make this performance a success. I feel the same way. Let us strive, together, as fellows.

......

Hey...

You and I aren't "fellows."

Perhaps I overstepped.

But, you're right. I want this to succeed. So...I'll take it. I'll even use it.

I'm sorry about all that. He has family who were gravely hurt in a beastfolk attack. I know you're not a bad guy, Lokido. I'm sure he knows that too...

It doesn't bother me. Such feelings are rarely easy to change.

Thanks for understanding...

(Yeah, maybe I didn't need to worry. He seems to be handling things himself.) (He's considerate and kind, and it seems like he's winning over the other actors despite themselves.) (Somehow, I can't really picture him getting into an actual fight with anyone, either.)

...Hmph. One little gift and he rolls over. He must not care too deeply for his poor injured family, then. ...Feelings are rarely easy to change. I...would never give up my distaste for humanity over a single gift. Never... ...... But it's simple enough to act out. To smile and bow, and pretend... How would you judge my performance, if you could see me now?