Another Eden story · Side quests
The Thoughtful Snowbird
The day of the Moonlight Gathering is here, but as Melina still has doubts. Suddenly...
1 scenes, 98 lines
1. Scene 1
98 lines(I was invited to the Moonlight Gathering once, soon after I joined the church.)
(The play was "The Snowbird Sisters" then too. The younger sister who sacrifices herself... The elder sister left all alone...)
(I couldn't stop thinking about them, and whether or not they were truly happy.)
(I wanted to know, but I couldn't bring myself to ask the Bishop. Even as a child, I felt it was inappropriate.)
(And I suspect I was right. We are to carry out our duties well and with honor. Our individual happiness is secondary to that.)
The day of the Moonlight Gathering is here!
Rosetta! Melina! I trust you're both prepared?
I promise I'll do my best not to disappoint anyone. After all, I take my duties as a priest very seriously.
(Right. All I have to do is perform the task I was assigned.)
(I checked all the records in the church's archives, but the ending is always the same. There's no room for interpretation.)
(...This isn't like me at all, to be so fixated on the story's end. My childhood memories must be getting in the way...)
Once upon a time, there lived two young snowbirds who were waiting for their parents to return from a warm land far away.
It's awfully cold, isn't it?
Not with you by my side. Come closer and cuddle with me until our parents come home.
One day, the sisters find an injured nightbird caught in a fierce blizzard, and they bring her home to shelter her from the storm.
Poor thing. If I stay by her side and keep her warm, perhaps she'll open her eyes.
No, you mustn't. You'll freeze if you do. I'm afraid it's...
I know the winds are cold, but I hope these soft, tiny wings can provide some comfort...
Had it just been the two sisters, they could have kept themselves warm and made it through the storm.
However, the younger snowbird chose to share her warmth with the large nightbird, who grew colder and colder.
Oh, Sis, please open your eyes. Why won't you accept my warmth? Why are you still so cold?
Why did you give the nightbird everything you have? Why couldn't it have just been us?
Please don't be upset, Sis. This is what I wanted.
Having known warmth, I couldn't bear to watch someone freeze.
It was you who taught me this kindness, a kindness born from love.
Oh, my sweet and foolish sister. If I hadn't taught you kindness... If I hadn't loved you so...
(This is how it should be. Blessings are meant to be shared.)
(I was given more than enough warmth to make it this far. Now it's time to pass mine on to someone else.)
It feels as though I've been lost in a long dream, a dream in which I was wrapped in the warmth of snow.
Was it you who saved me?
Nightbird... You're awake. How do you feel?
I fear I don't have much longer. But now that I have awakened, I may fulfill my final duty.
I am the bearer of hope, and I have traveled from a faraway land in search of a pure heart worthy of my power.
But I have no need to look any further... because I have found you.
Me...?
Yes. I have never seen a heart as beautiful as yours. Now, tell me your wish. What is it that you truly desire?
...Wait!
Ooh, it's too much to bear! Melina, I can't stand by and let you do this!
Calm down. It's...
I know! I know it's just a play! But...this ending...!
Giving all of yourself to me only to disappear in a beautiful light...
......
(Oh, Thillelille... This is just a play, and yet...)
(It's as if your words crossed time...)
(...to touch the heart of a little girl who lacked the courage to ask a question.)
(...How unlike me to get so sentimental.)
Ros, I mean, nightbird! Thillelille's heart is just as beautiful as her sister's! Therefore, I would like to make a wish in her place!
So please, make me a deal instead!
Oh, my... Well, this is truly unexpected.
Very well then. I will grant you your wish. In return, however...
You must prepare an ending worthy of the children, one that will not disappoint.
Your toastiness?
That's right! Since you gave all your toastiness to Rosetta, I'll give you half of mine!
So Melina...we'll make it out of here, you and me!
And then we'll find our way to the blessed land together!
......!
(Thillelille... You always do this.)
(You always manage to embrace the childish and selfish nature that I tossed aside... No, that I couldn't bear to cling to.)
(You know the world isn't always kind, yet you never lose faith.)
What a beautiful wish♪ But...are you certain?
The blessed land is far away. Without the lightbird's guidance, will you make it through this blizzard with such little strength?
I'm not sure if I could on my own, but with Melina by my side...I know we'll make it there.
No matter how many times we get lost or discouraged... No matter what nature has in store for us...
We WILL keep moving forward. Together. So yes, I'm absolutely certain.
Thillelille...
(This is why I don't know how to act around you. We're opposites. It's like looking into a mirror. To me, you are...)
I-I'm talking about on this stage, of course! That's all! I hope you know that!
Of course. Then allow me to play my part too.
Nightbird, I share her wish. My life may be fragile and my wings may be small, but I want to set off as I am.
Together...with my other half.
Melina...!
*chuckle* Thank you for opening up to me. I understand now what's truly in your hearts.
Then it's decided♪ May a warm light await you at the end of your journey.
No one knows what became of the sisters after that.
However...the snowbirds were no longer cold, for they were cloaked in a warmth far stronger than the harshest wind.
*gasp* Melina! U-Um, I...
...Why are you acting so strangely? Why aren't you being your usual brazen self?
She's worried about her performance.
She's afraid that you might be quite angry... Melina, is there anything you'd like to say?
...You know exactly what you're doing, don't you?
I have no idea what you're talking about.
Thillelille, listen carefully because I'll only say this once. Your snowbird...
...Wasn't bad at all. Truly.
Huh...?
M-Melina, what did you just say?! Did I hear you right?! Say it again! Just one more time! Please!
(There's an unfamiliar warmth lingering in my chest... But...it's not unpleasant.)
(Thillelille, I believe you are the me from that day, the innocent self I thought I had lost.)
(So let me watch over you, that you may keep being yourself in this cold world of ours...)
There you are, Melina! Remember what you said just now? Can you say it again? Please?!
...Perhaps I should reconsider.
Huh?! Reconsider?! What do you mean?!
Hey, where do you think you're going?! You owe your big sis an explanation!