His Reason for Performing

Hey, Lokido. Is there something out there?

Ah, hello, Aldo.

You were really staring out there.

Oh, were you getting into character? I hope I didn't interrupt.

No, no, nothing of the sort. I was simply sending my thoughts on flights of fancy across the sea.

(He did say he came to this world through a vortex of light while out at sea.) (Maybe he was thinking about his original world...)

Though, it is almost time for rehearsal. I had best turn my feet toward the theatre.

Kyaaa!

What was that?!

Help! Monster!!

Get down! I'll handle this.

Lokido!

......!

Let me help!

He couldn't be... No...the monster comes first.

You're safe now.

T-Thank you.

Let me see you back to town.

I...

I-I can manage on my own! Don't come any closer!

Hey, wait!

The town is close by. She'll arrive there before either of you catch up to her, I imagine.

Must've scared her with my looks...

Our looks, indeed. But that must not be so rare a thing.

Honored to meet you, good sir. My name is Lokido.

...I'm called Lokido too.

A similar appearance, and the same name. You must be the version of myself that belongs to this world, yes? Ah, by all accounts I've found myself transported here from another world entirely. Strange, yes?

Is that actually possible?

It would certainly seem so. I find myself bereft of any other explanation, at least.

I'm Aldo. Nice to meet you.

Looking at the two of you, you don't look THAT similar.

Clothes, and hairstyle, maketh man, as they say. I also happen to have my fur dyed at the moment, for my role.

(It's dyed? All of it?!)

Thanks for the help, you two. That would've been a rough fight on my own.

That child wasn't someone you knew, was she?

No, just happened to be around.

And yet you stepped into a perilous fight to protect her...

Well, yeah. Someone's getting attacked, you step in to protect 'em. Simple as.

I protect people. It's my job, and it's what I want to do. Is it different for you?

...No. I feel the same way.

......

Really?

......

But of course. Now, if you'll excuse me. I have my rehearsal.

What was all that about?

I can't be sure. But something's bugging me. Something's...not quite right.

How's he handling himself, among all these humans?

Pretty well, I think. He's an actor. You know, putting on plays.

He's faced some prejudices, but others know he's not a bad guy.

......

If you're worried for him, want to go look in on him? The theater manager doesn't mind people sitting in.

If I go, it'll just spook everyone.

I don't think so. They know the actor Lokido already.

Well, maybe...

Okay, how about I come with you?

I can hear voices already... Rehearsal must have started.

I asked them to do it, to allow me to join this unit.

But why...

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

Mm... Once more.

Vice-Captain, a little to stage left!

Everyone else, downstage one step!

The Director sure runs a tight ship.

But he knows his stuff. Even I feel like I understand what he's pointing out.

The theater sure is a funny thing. People you know can turn into total strangers in a moment... And painted backdrops can feel like a whole different world.

Such feelings are an actor's highest accolade, my friend.

That was...really something.

I didn't expect you would also grace our little theatre.

Yeah...

......

(They both seem kind of awkward.) (It makes sense they're self- conscious, but...)

You said your name is Lokido too, right? You look so similar. Are you relatives?

Are you an actor too?

No, uh... I couldn't do that.

You never know! Sometimes people just find they have the talent when they never expected it.

You two could do a two-man show!

Haha, perhaps not.

Yeah, no thanks.

Aw, what a waste!

(It might be kind of fun...)

Lokido! There you are. You really did it this time.

Has something happened?

Yeah, I'll say it has. The set I just finished painting is broken!

......

I don't think too many people backstage could have just snapped it like a twig, but you? Come on, just admit it.

......

(Lokido?)

Hang on, that doesn't sound like enough to accuse him over.

Yeah, I never saw Lokido near the set area today.

Oh, there you are! I've been looking everywhere!

I'm sorry, I snapped off a piece of that set you were finishing! I meant to tell you, but I couldn't find you.

Oh...

H-hmph!

Hey, I said I was sorry!

He was just looking for a fight. Don't let it get to you.

But you know, you should stand up for yourself if someone blames you for something you didn't do.

Were you too surprised to reply?

Oh, I thought you were covering for her.

Me?

Yes. You're such a sweetheart, after all.

I...covered for her? I...

Haha, I'm afraid you all think too highly of me. I'm truly flattered. Thank you for your kind words. In any case, the matter appears settled, so let's speak no more of it. For now, I'm afraid I must go. I have...business to attend to in Rinde this evening.

It must have been hard, getting suspected like that, and in front of everyone else, too.

Really? He looked fine to me.

Aldo, I want to follow him. Something's catching at me. Something in his eyes, when that woman called him sweet...

His eyes?

Can I come with you? If we hurry, we should catch him along the Serena Coast.

Yeah...

Lokido, wait!

Aldo? What brings you out here?

We were hoping to talk to you.

What happened back there...

Gyaaah!

Another attack?!

P-please! Let me go!

This is what you get for being near me when I'm in a bad mood!

A beast!

Let's help him!

...Yes.

N-not more beasts!

Don't worry! We're here to help!

A human!

Well, look at that. Beasts looking to cover for a human?

Yeah. I'm here to protect people.

Unruly beasts ought to be taught a lesson.

Are you okay?

Thank you so much.

B-but, why did those beasts help me, too? Aren't they our enemies?

They're not. You saw them fight alongside me, right?

I...I guess so.

Want us to walk you to town?

No, I should be fine. It's not far now.

Um... Thank you for saving me.

You, and also you two...

Attacks like that happen sometimes, around this area.

Unforgivable. Beasts who cause trouble like that just make things worse for everyone.

Unforgivable. I'd drive the lot of them out if I could.

Indeed. I agree.

......

Oh? You won't ask if I'm sincere this time?

No. I can hear it in your voice.

Which I didn't hear, when you agreed with me wanting to protect people.

Lokido...

It's fine, Aldo. It seems the time has come to bare my soul and speak the truth.

As he has so keenly thrust to the heart of the issue: I despise both humans and beastfolk in equal measure.

Humans...and beastfolk too?

I was born of a union between human and beast, and in my adulthood, they are united in scorning my very existence.

My parents passed away when I was very young, and since then, I have been well and truly alone in this world. I was never extended a hand that did not seek to strike me.

The only reason I stand here now, among the humans, is because of them.

Them?

Those who first accepted me as a person, but more, as an actor.

Picture if you will, a small town's inconsequential festival...they called me to the stage simply for my height. They cared not a single whit for the blood in my veins.

I had intended to take my leave after that performance, but they were so passionate...I was drawn in.

I can see why they were so eager to talk to you.

You have so much presence when you're on stage, Lokido. It's amazing.

They lived for the theatre. We used to dream of working on productions across the world together...

Those were...wonderful times.

They sound like great friends.

They dreamed of me becoming a famed actor, and so, it is a dream I wish to achieve.

Unfortunately, I will never be able to show my successes to them.

(Right...Lokido's from another world. His friends are so far away...)

You can always share all your stories when you meet back up. Everyone says you're a good actor, right? Even the theater manager.

......

They always did tell me that if I meant to make it in the humans' world, I would need to become a master. And so I did... Playing the role of the likeable half-beast.

You mean, the way you talk, the way you behave, it's all an act?

What do you think?

...I don't know.

They do say that if you inhabit a role for long enough, you may start to become the role in truth. I think it's best for everyone if we all agree to believe that, yes?

So you mean...

Now, I've monologued a little too long. If you will excuse me.

Maybe he means that he was acting at first, but now it's how he really feels? That could be it.

I wonder...

(Feels like he brushed us off.) (Never did get around to talking about what happened back there...) (That look in his eyes when the woman called him sweet, like he'd been stabbed in the gut.) (Can't imagine he'd look like that if what he claims is true.)

...I shall look out into the sea and collect my thoughts.

Hey, this script would be just perfect for you, Lokido!

Of course it would. Who do you think I wrote it for? Let's put this on at the next festival!

Let's see, for the sets...

Hmm. Yeah, I'll make it work.

Some think Amicco and I are just bored nobles playing pretend and wasting our parents' money.

But we'll show them. We're actors... We're real, genuine artists! Show them, Lokido!

I don't know about that...

You can do it, for sure!

Lokido... I understand your hesitation. But you can't keep on like this.

Like it or not, if you want to survive in human society, you'll have to play by their rules.

Just think of it as acting! It'll be like training weights. You'll get better just by going about your day.

I heard an interesting tale from a traveling merchant today. She told me about a playhouse in a faraway country!

I would love to go see it. Wouldn't that be wonderful?

Well, why don't we? What's keeping us?

Yeah. I want to go too.

Well! I didn't expect so much enthusiasm from you.

We'll really have to make this happen.

Hmph...I just want to go because you two do.

...What is this, Lokido? I thought you said you didn't know anything about this.

I-It's the truth. I'm telling the truth.

Then what is it doing here?!

This is why I hate humans!

Am I...managing? Is this what doing well as an actor and getting along with humans is supposed to feel like? I wonder...

I offer this... My life entire... For the sake of one and all.

Hold it!

Forgive me. Please let me try again.

No, I think it will be the same no matter how many takes you give it. It's only this line, Lokido, but it's ALWAYS this line with you.

I've done my best to try it out in several different ways...

And that's why. You're so conscious of this one line that it's tripping you up. Your artifice is getting in the way. Enough for today. Go get dressed down. Everyone else, five minute break! Get me someone who knows Lokido's lines to stand in for today.

Lokido, come back when you've sorted out what's eating you.

Understood...

Does that mean if Lokido doesn't shape up, he'll be replaced?

Who knows...

I offer this, my life entire...

My artifice, he says... What else am I to rely on? I can't say it from the heart.

Not feeling the way I do.

...And it's this line, out of all of them...