Duet Night Abyss story · Side stories
As Always
Journey Across the Lands
2 scenes, 126 lines
1. Catch up to the man who just dropped off the gift
63 linesAw... why isn't he here yet...?
(Eyes half-closed, the little girl mumbles under the eaves. As you walk past, she suddenly slumps forward.)
Ah!?
(You rush over. A light tap on her shoulder makes her blink awake, and she pushes herself upright.)
Nnh...
Are you all right?
Mm... I'm fine. Just really, really sleepy... Thank you, miss.
If you're tired, why not go home and get some rest?
I'm waiting for my big brother! He's a Starweaver, always travelling around. But every year around this time, he brings me presents and a letter.
Can't you wait for him at home?
Then I'd miss him. He never comes inside, he leaves the presents at the door really early in the morning. By the time I wake up, he's already gone.
So this year I'm waiting right here. I have to see him for real!
But I don't know when he'll come, so I started waiting in the middle of the night... yawn... and he still hasn't come... yawn...
(Think about how you can help her.)
(Yawn... you're feeling sleepy too.)
What if he's not coming because he sees you waiting?
Huh? What do you mean?
Maybe he wants to surprise you.
But I want to see him more than I want a surprise...
Then I've got an idea.
You go inside and pretend to sleep. I'll keep an eye on the door from over there, and if your brother comes, I'll grab him for you. What do you think?
Yaaawn... huh!? You mean... you'll wait here for me? Really!? You're so kind, miss!
What's your brother's name?
Zhaoyu.
Got it.
(Nodding drowsily, she totters indoors. You move to a corner and watch in silence.)
(And sure enough, not long after she leaves, a young man appears. He glances around, sets a parcel at the door in haste, and turns to go.)
Wait!
Huh!?
You're Zhaoyu, aren't you?
(He freezes at the name, then after a long silence finally speaks.)
No... I'm not Zhaoyu.
How did you know that name? Do you know him?
I know his little sister. She's been expecting him.
...So Qingqing sat here because she wanted to see her brother. I see.
But... she won't be able to.
Why? Who are you?
An old friend of his. Years ago, our caravan took ship for an overseas trade. The ship went down, and... Zhaoyu died saving me. I couldn't swim.
I can never repay him. But I couldn't bear the thought of the little sister he cherished falling into grief. So I started doing this.
Until she grows up, I'll bring gifts and letters in his place. Every year.
...I see.
So please, don't tell her.
I understand.
(After thinking for a moment, you knock gently on the door.)
Qingqing?
What is it, miss? Eh, what's that in your hands...? Did my brother come? Where is he?
He's already gone.
What!? But you said you'd stop him... sniff...
Your brother's working hard and doesn't want you to worry.
He said he's out in all weathers and has grown thin, he didn't want you to see him like that. He looked exhausted, so I didn't force him to stay.
Is that so...? But not seeing him makes me worry even more... He's so silly...
He said once he's better, he'll come back to see you. Until then, make sure you look after yourself.
Your brother's in a big business war, every second counts!
A... business war? What's that?
A game to see who can earn the most money the fastest. He wants first place, he can't spare even a second!
He dropped the present and rushed off, I only learned what happened from his colleague.
I see! Then I'll go cheer him on!
He said you just need to take good care of yourself. When he wins, he'll come home to see you.
Okay! I'll go sleep a little... or he'll worry...
Thank you for helping me, miss! See you... yaaawn...
(She pays you, takes her gift with a contented smile, and slips inside.)
(When she learns the truth one day... may it not take that smile from her...)
(Qingqing walks out, yawning.)
2. Go back to Qingqing
63 linesAw... why isn't he here yet...?
(Eyes half-closed, the little girl mumbles under the eaves. As you walk past, she suddenly slumps forward.)
Ah!?
(You rush over. A light tap on her shoulder makes her blink awake, and she pushes herself upright.)
Nnh...
Are you all right?
Mm... I'm fine. Just really, really sleepy... Thank you, miss.
If you're tired, why not go home and get some rest?
I'm waiting for my big brother! He's a Starweaver, always travelling around. But every year around this time, he brings me presents and a letter.
Can't you wait for him at home?
Then I'd miss him. He never comes inside, he leaves the presents at the door really early in the morning. By the time I wake up, he's already gone.
So this year I'm waiting right here. I have to see him for real!
But I don't know when he'll come, so I started waiting in the middle of the night... yawn... and he still hasn't come... yawn...
(Think about how you can help her.)
(Yawn... you're feeling sleepy too.)
What if he's not coming because he sees you waiting?
Huh? What do you mean?
Maybe he wants to surprise you.
But I want to see him more than I want a surprise...
Then I've got an idea.
You go inside and pretend to sleep. I'll keep an eye on the door from over there, and if your brother comes, I'll grab him for you. What do you think?
Yaaawn... huh!? You mean... you'll wait here for me? Really!? You're so kind, miss!
What's your brother's name?
Zhaoyu.
Got it.
(Nodding drowsily, she totters indoors. You move to a corner and watch in silence.)
(And sure enough, not long after she leaves, a young man appears. He glances around, sets a parcel at the door in haste, and turns to go.)
Wait!
Huh!?
You're Zhaoyu, aren't you?
(He freezes at the name, then after a long silence finally speaks.)
No... I'm not Zhaoyu.
How did you know that name? Do you know him?
I know his little sister. She's been expecting him.
...So Qingqing sat here because she wanted to see her brother. I see.
But... she won't be able to.
Why? Who are you?
An old friend of his. Years ago, our caravan took ship for an overseas trade. The ship went down, and... Zhaoyu died saving me. I couldn't swim.
I can never repay him. But I couldn't bear the thought of the little sister he cherished falling into grief. So I started doing this.
Until she grows up, I'll bring gifts and letters in his place. Every year.
...I see.
So please, don't tell her.
I understand.
(After thinking for a moment, you knock gently on the door.)
Qingqing?
What is it, miss? Eh, what's that in your hands...? Did my brother come? Where is he?
He's already gone.
What!? But you said you'd stop him... sniff...
Your brother's working hard and doesn't want you to worry.
He said he's out in all weathers and has grown thin, he didn't want you to see him like that. He looked exhausted, so I didn't force him to stay.
Is that so...? But not seeing him makes me worry even more... He's so silly...
He said once he's better, he'll come back to see you. Until then, make sure you look after yourself.
Your brother's in a big business war, every second counts!
A... business war? What's that?
A game to see who can earn the most money the fastest. He wants first place, he can't spare even a second!
He dropped the present and rushed off, I only learned what happened from his colleague.
I see! Then I'll go cheer him on!
He said you just need to take good care of yourself. When he wins, he'll come home to see you.
Okay! I'll go sleep a little... or he'll worry...
Thank you for helping me, miss! See you... yaaawn...
(She pays you, takes her gift with a contented smile, and slips inside.)
(When she learns the truth one day... may it not take that smile from her...)
(Qingqing walks out, yawning.)