Another Eden story · Side quests
The Snowbird Takes Flight
Thillelille is thrilled that the day of the Moonlight Gathering has arrived, but things are not playing out as planned...
1 scenes, 111 lines
1. Scene 1
111 linesThe day of the Moonlight Gathering is here!
Rosetta! Melina! I trust you're both prepared?
Of course. I've memorized the lines of both the nightbird and the narrator. How about you, Melina?
I'm prepared as well. There's just one thing...
Thillelille, I'm still having trouble with the lines for when I have to call out to you.
You'd better focus then! You're playing the part of Thillelille's younger sister, so I expect a heartfelt and loving "sis"!
They do say a monster haunts the stage, one that can rattle even the best actor, so why not practice once more? Here, read this line.
"Please don't be upset..." ...... "...Sis."
You're not even trying!
Oh, Melina! There are children looking forward to this, so I hope you can do better than that.
I promise I'll do my best not to disappoint anyone. After all, I take my duties as a priest very seriously.
That's all this role is to you?! Just another one of your duties?!
Well, then as your big sis, I guess it's up to me to guide you through the show!
(But...)
(Whenever I read the script... I get this strange feeling in my chest when I think of Melina as my younger sister...)
(Why? What could this feeling be...?)
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.
(The elder snowbird knew that their parents would never return, but this was all she could do to comfort her sister...)
(Is that what this strange feeling is? Is it guilt from lying to her? ...No, that's not it.)
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...
(If I tell her the nightbird won't survive, she'll be heartbroken. But if she keeps this up, she won't make it either...)
(Is this the cause of that strange feeling in my chest? ...No, that's not it.)
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...
(Thillelille doesn't agree with that at all.)
(Melina is kinder than anyone I've ever known and always puts others first, but that's exactly what makes her so special.)
(But...even so...this is...)
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?
(...Oh... I finally understand...!)
(This is my moment. This is when I give everything I have to save someone else.)
(To save Melina...!)
...Wait!
......?!
Thille, snowbird?
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...
......
(I...I don't want that to happen!)
(Thillelille has always wanted to help Melina because no one else would, and I finally have my chance!)
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!
......!
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...
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.
(Oh no, oh no...)
(I started speaking from the heart without giving it much thought...)
(And turned the story into a completely different one!)
Thillelille.
Eep! ...I-I take full responsibility for what happened! Thillelille is ready to accept whatever consequences come her way!
Hmm...it's one thing to pull something like that when telling a story in town, but quite another during a show for the church.
Altering the ending altered what the children learned and, by extension, could be seen as an alteration to the doctrine.
Ohhh...
But not to worry. I'll make sure you stay out of the interrogation room♪
Y-You will?
Of course♪ Think of it as an expression of gratitude for putting on such a wonderful show.
...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!