[hider=Kazumin's Dance][color=00aeef][b][center][h1]A Puppet’s Daydream, A Lady’s Nightmare[/h1][/center][/b][/color]

[color=gray]
[b]Greetings readers. welcome to this special viewing, but before we begin, an advisory for the best immersive reading experience start with the play then read the backdrop though that is up to you. Apologies for this interruption, but with that out of the way..[/b]

[b][center]-Please Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show- [/center][/b]

[hider=Behind the curtains]The outside did little to do the theater justice; entering felt like he stepped into the luxuriously decorated hall, where further in sounds of numerous excited chatting. Kazu suddenly felt his breath get stuck as he slowly made his way toward the nearest entranceway.

There he paused, finding himself leaning against the curtained doorway. His gaze took in the countless important figures, all gathered, here. His mind no longer buzzing with anxiety; thought back to that first-day ball. Of his attempt to soothe the situation with a story.

The stage loomed waiting. And on that empty stage, he could see his story taking shape. No longer just thoughts and where his body had grief-stricken anxiety, was now nervous anticipation. He could not help but chuckle inwardly in amusement, that he got this chance to express his storytelling skills. 

Like hell, he would let Calbert and his little so-called *love* letter keep him from giving this crowd the best damn dance these rich prudes had ever seen in their lives.

“ [color=limegreen]And they shall weep! Weep I say![/color]” He stated in promise only to notice he said it out loud from excited haste, some nearby folks looking at him queerly. 

A cough into his closed fist covering his slightly blushed face.”[color=limegreen] I said what I said, get those tissues ready. Be sure to pass the advice down the line, you’re gonna need it.[/color]” He whispered to the nearest lady in a playful smug manner, a woman of fair beauty in the somewhat older who just scoffed and shrugged him away.” [color=limegreen]Hmph! Fine ya old bat, don’t blame me if your face gets runny.[/color]” Whispered under a hushed tone, a quick petty mlem aimed during departure.

With a dismissive shake of the head, Kazu thought what he should do next and then it hit him like a ton of bricks.* Oh Shit! I have so much to do! What am I wasting time with some old lady?!* At that, the blonde rushed his way around to the back. The cowlick farmhand, knowing his time was time short, stopped by the concession stand, rudely pushing the next person up.” [color=limegreen]No time for explanations! I apologize, but this is an emergency, I need coffee…your strongest, stat! The dance depends on it![/color]” Slamming his hands on the counters using his manic and tired body to his advantage, appearing almost unhinged in his demand for the precious fuel. At the sight of them trying to pour it into a normal cup.” [color=limegreen]Screw that! Put it in the biggest bucket you have, damn it!! I need all I can get! put it on the tab, and tell Princess Anastasia it's for the play![/color]”

Confusion and grumblings could be heard, and a few more apologies as a big bucket of coffee was placed down. Immediately snatching it up to down a big gulp.”[color=limegreen] Ahh-ahh h-hot f-fu no! NO time for hot! Only time for work! Fight through the pain..ahhhhh.[/color]” Letting out a small motivating muffled scream before rushing off, drinking the black bitter liquid. The burning heat already making his inspiration burn or that could just be his stomach.

Behind the scenes, Kazu had moved to get paper and pencil, where he would write; write like the wind he did. Pausing to sip coffee to get a new burst of energy, otherwise, his focus was writing down the script. Even before performing, and already his body was regretting this.* Shut it! We’ve been through far worse, now suck it up! The stage demands it! Besides…if we look bad to the king…* Pausing to rub at his neck where he flinched and gulped for several unsettling reasons.

Slapping his cheeks to dismiss the scary thought, choosing to drown it down with more coffee, so much coffee.

Resuming his writing, he was sure to include appreciation for the princess as this chance only came about thanks to her. Picturing their dance, awkward as it was, a fun time still, further fueled him to go all out…with the best he could do given his limited resources. But he would show them, peasant, or not, that he had ideas that would possibly…frighten them.

Upon finishing, Kazu burst up from the chair, now fully jacked up on coffee.”[color=limegreen] Alright! Yes yes! Gather around folks. Don’t get long now, no no not long now. Won’t be long before this coffee kicks in fully and I know this all must be odd, yes. All shall be clear as I perform, but for now, I quickly need a young lady and a man who looks old enough to be her father, any is fine. Only the narrator got lines…Narrator! Right Right! Crap…[/color]” Fingers drummed against his lips in a rushed thinking manner while pacing back and forth, nigh running as he did so.

A good thing this place was already a high-class performing hotpot right now leaving Kazumin options. The next few minutes spent rushing to any older gentleman that fit the type of narrator that fit what he needed. The search did not take too long, but each passing second left him anxious when he came upon [url=https://i.ibb.co/1Y3CXsmn/9f5b50a7e93ca3d14bc3a69a948fe595.png]Stefan[/url] .

Mostly it was his silky smooth voice he needed though Kazu used the guy’s handsomeness to convince him to accept the role. Particularly so after revealing the costume he would be wearing.

Stefan gave an incredulous grimace after peering into the box the strange blonde man had brought him.” You can’t be serious! You expect me to..to wear this-this…[url=https://i.ibb.co/N2B8dCD6/faaa69f8172721ea3572cd2775f61dee.jpg] Halloween Prop[/url]? 

“[color=limegreen] Well sorrree! We can’t all have fancy costume shops. This the best I can do on short notice. Now shut it and get dressed! It’s almost showtime folks, if we all work together we will wow those uptight prudes right out of their britches.[/color]” He exclaimed pointing up after jumping onto the nearest desk.” [color=limegreen]And damn it, Stefan! If you want to impress the princess and ladies, you will put costume on!.[/color]” Pointing at Stefan then his own eyes, doing this a few times in warning.

[color=e77298]"And let’s not forget, we’ve been treated to some incredible talent so far, and there’s so much more to come! Everyone who volunteered their time today deserves a huge round of applause."[/color]

Speaking of the devil, her voice could be heard, signaling his turn was now imminent.” [color=limegreen]Agh! Move, let’s move, but first one moment to appreciate Farim and her mighty bird Thara, Drake and his piano performance, was very comforting back here I’ll admit.[/color]” Giving them a late applause, now that he wasn’t running ragged.

Some lapping later.” [color=limegreen]Places, people! Get those instruments ready and keep this in mind most..just do your best and try to have fun…[/color]” Making his way to the dressing room.” [color=limegreen]Have to..seeing as it could be my last…[/color]” Weakly laughing with one last nervous laugh, he stopped to grab the bucket of coffee still a quarter full and downed it in one go. Might as well enjoy his last drink..just in case.[/hider]

[color=e77298]"Now, without further ado, I’m so excited to introduce our next performer—my good friend Kazoo, who’s going to dazzle us all with some amazing performative dance! But he may need a moment for set up, so everyone holds tight!"[/color]

After a short delay and the faint rustling behind the closed curtains, the lights would begin to dim, the chatter dying down to silence, where the faint footsteps of a lone figure stepping forth from the darkness to the left of the stage, a podium waiting with the soft ruffling of papers.

Light illuminates the podium, Revealing the [url=https://i.ibb.co/1Y3CXsmn/9f5b50a7e93ca3d14bc3a69a948fe595.png]Narrator[/url] dressed in a puppeteer outfit, its cheap make like that one would find in a [url=https://i.ibb.co/N2B8dCD6/faaa69f8172721ea3572cd2775f61dee.jpg] Halloween shop[/url]. With an awkward fist cough and throat clearing, the Narrator rested his hands on the papers.” Ahem, before we begin, Kazumin wishes to give his apologies for the delay, secondly, wishes to give his many thanks to the most wondrous host, Lady Princess Anastasia. For you, and honoured royal guests, I bring to you a tale filled with wonder and tragedy. Of hope and how one mistake can lead to a nightmare. Sometimes, trying to help, instead can lead to travesty. Misunderstandings. 

N: This is a story of life, of friendship, of love…and how fragile each can be. And with this, from the writer of Kazumin Nagasa.


[h3][b][center]A Puppet’s Daydream; A Father’s Nightmare[/center][/b][/h3]

As the curtain spreads open, instruments begin playing 
[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rj9zsvXKn78&ab_channel=TheVaultofAmbience]Magical Forest Ambience[/url] as they reveal a [url=https://th.bing.com/th/id/R.67068fdd2d2bc86d81891eb9abb83fb0?rik=rrPWU4rI%2b24POg&pid=ImgRaw&r=0] Forest Backdrop with a small lake[/url]. The stage was empty, save for some fake rocks and cardboard grass, and a single prop oak tree set in the middle. A single figure could be seen leaning back against it, the lack of light purposefully kept dim. Sounds of bird tweeting, insect chirps, and ambiance fill the theater. 

N: This tale begins like any ordinary day, within the Sorian forest. It was a fine and sunny morning, sleeping critters already began to stir, but today, something else would stir. A being wholly new seemed to have awakened, though it did not understand.

The light turns on, illuminating the tree and lying there, propped up against it was [url=https://i.ibb.co/p6sWC4JV/il-1080x-N-5816077531-mna5.webp] Puppet costume[/url] what appeared at first a human-sized doll, until closer inspection by those closest could see it to be a human, the outfit like the narrators looked to be cheaply made and was worn with rips in a few places. Short fake strings stuck out from the back of his wrists (glued) and bottom hems of the pants. But, what made it more striking were the black lines drawn down his chin and along his arms which further gave the impression of a puppet.

The face, much like the doll he was playing remained stuck in the usual smile such toys held, albeit a sadness lay in his eyes. 

N: What’s that? Why does it appear to be an old puppet, left and abandoned? How long has it been? Minutes? Days? Months? For this puppet, it may as well be eternity and none, long forgotten by its owner, its friend. 

A lifeless toy, yet, within lays a deep longing, a wish to be played with, to bring laughter. If a toy were alive, what would it crave most of all? Today, however, we may discover this answer and it all starts….

The narrator trailed off as a fake butterfly (managed by stagehands) fluttered about the puppet’s head where it gently landed on his face, all without flinching with that big grin.

*Giggle* The faint sound of a woman giggling could be heard then silence, nothing. Crickets chirp and bird wings flap.

*Giggle* Again the sound came, a bit louder this time. A twitch of the left hand.

*Giggle* A twitch of the right foot.

*Giggle* Mouth twitching

As the sounds of giggling went on followed by faint splashing, the puppet had started shifting in place, his movements stiff and rigid much like a doll would be lifted up slowly, body lightly rattling before finally shifting into a sitting position. Instrumental wood creaking is used in tandem with his motions.

N: Curious, the puppet thought. All this time it had watched and observed, unable to do little else, and now, here it sat!

The puppet twitched and shifted in place, attempting to lift and move its previously useless limbs. The faint wooden creaking of the arms and legs; a strange sensation bubbling within, a building with every shift, until an overzealous push had the poor puppet collapse onto his side with a frustrated clack! Lying there, arms sprawled out, that smile now turned to a frown.

N: It appears moving proves difficult, who could have thought? This was but one battle among many, the puppet might have huffed if it breathed, but then again he heard that angelic sound that had gifted him this spark. With it, the bubbling returned, renewing the puppet’s vigor!

*Giggle* Now closer, a short distance away only, perhaps…

A thump of the puppet’s right arm slamming down in defiance, turning his head towards the audience, face determined and eyes filled with excited glee.

“ H-ha–h-he” Its mouth opened, mimicking a ventriloquist dummy style. A soft, raspy attempt at a joyful giggle, like that of an excited child, let out to play for the first time.

N: What a wonderful sound. Like music! Thought the puppet, his wooden ears strained for more, but when none came. The puppet tried again.

“ Ha-ha-hee–ha-ha-hee-hee.” The giggles started barely a whisper that grew into volume till the sound of happy giggling reverberated among those in the closest rows.
N: Newly motivated, the puppet with a mighty push shoves itself back upright and stumbles back against the tree. It was there, it would catch sight of the butterfly fluttering nearby, gently gracing its nose. Such a lovely little creature, pure and innocent and beauty unmarred.

 All that this doll was not, mangy clothes left to rot. The colors washed, even with rain it sat unwashed. And that bright strapping blue cap once sat with a snap, but now left a sad sap. Though the hat sagged and its body lagged, joy etched its wooden face, and with training, it may step with grace. 

N: In longing, its hand reached out; away the butterfly flew, sensitive creatures they are. A silent gasp of worry showed on the puppet’s face, extending his hand further and further until..

‘Clack’

 The puppet having reached too far, its legs still unstable had fallen and tumbled forward, his face hitting with a smack (wishing this was grass and not the stage) where he lay sprawled once more.

N: Dazed and confused a hint of embarrassment in its delighted haste. Perhaps a good thing this doll can’t feel pain, clumsy as he seems. A newborn child surrounded by countless new things, a world waiting to be explored. Now if it could simply get up!

A giggling grunt as the puppet rolled onto its back, where he then stamped his feet down flat and proper, hands pressed against the floor. He a low grunt as his body bit by bit stood up, loud wooden creaking to the point of almost sounding painful, starting with the legs and upward. Eventually creaking his way to a half-standing pose, his upper body still sagging its way upright. Every motion it maintained the slow rigid motions though softening a tad in the second half.

N: On it pushed, determined to stand. After much struggle, the puppet now stood on its two wooden feet!

Its hands creaked at his head twisted and turned downward where with a good *crack* twist his head and body now stood upright, arms thrown up in victory. An act that threw the toy off-balance causing his upper body to bend forward as he started stumbling around as if suddenly standing on ice fighting to stay standing.

N: Almost on its feet. Slow down, the puppet thought and keep in mind to take it step by step, or find the ground your friend again.

A soft thunk from the puppet bumped its head with another little giggle fit as it came to a stop. Grabbing at his sides and a quick heave, pushed himself back up, this time holding his arms out to the side for balance.

N: How it wanted to shout with glee! Instead, settled for merry laughter. For challenging these tasks, the experience was unforgettable. Soon it could walk, explore, and play.

*giggle*

N: There it was again, and was only around the hill. Was it a human? Oh, how the puppet hoped it was a human. Could it be? A friend? What joy it would be to see a human’s smile.

The puppet, following the narrator, had put its hands over where the heart would, his excited giggling matching the unknown visitor’s. In anticipation, the puppet did some slow testing steps, the first few proving shaky, nearly having the toy fall, but its stride had begun to take shape.

N: How the puppet could not wait to make a friend. To walk and skip, to learn and play. Yet, as it practiced, a sudden dread began to seep in. Barely perceptible at first, a whisper on the wind “What if she was scared of you” An unsettling and harrowing thought invaded its mind like a parasite. And why wouldn’t she be afraid? It was a puppet, a dirty and unwanted puppet, else why had it been here? They plagued the poor the puppet and with it the courage so tediously built up. But, she drew close, only a few steps away, Quick! Hide Hide!

The puppet whose motions were now frightful and hesitant, legs slightly shaking and hands hugging its head in panic. Frantic, the doll scrambled, stumbled, tumbled, and rolled his way behind the tree. There, it could be seen poking his head out watching.

The light dimmed around him, darkness. From the right side of the stage, a young lady, around her early 20’s would daintily skip out, humming and giggling merrily as she went, wearing a casual light-blue sundress with a small basket hanging over her left wrist where some flowers and fake mushrooms shuffling within. Her hair was bright blonde flowing down past her shoulders like a golden wheatfield that almost glistened in the sun and a gentle smile that felt as warm as the blazing star, her skin a soft pale, a sign she had not gotten much sun.

Happily, she went across the stage, skipping her way towards the tree, illuminating the oaken figure, its size thankfully large enough to obscure the trembling toy.

N: There she skipped, a human! What a wondrous sight to behold, yet equally terrifying for how was the puppet to know. How would she react? Would she scream? Such thoughts continued and with dread, it hoped the lady would change her mind. Turn back, for it meant no harm, a curse on its useless wooden tongue.

The lady continued to skip, pausing to peer at birds and small critters or when spotting a lovely flower to add to her collection.

N: And just when the puppet thought it was over, the young lady changed her mind. Perhaps she became thirsty or took a fancy to the lake, the puppet could not say. Yet, there she turned and was soon splashing her feet in the water, giggling and wading at the lake shore.
As said, she would skip her way to the front of the stage, pretending to be wading and splashing at a lake shore. Behind her, the tree and the puppet stood, watching.

N: How delightful and cute this human was. Kind and gentle, maybe…maybe they could be friends after all, the puppet mused. As the puppet watched; curiosity at her actions and sounds of fun soon proved too much to resist, and the toy in his gullible eagerness made its decision.

N:  Will this choice be this toy’s dream or man’s nightmare…what will come of this meeting?

The forest ambiance would fade, changing into a [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3VOcICsdBM&ab_channel=SloMora] Slow emotional instrumental[/url]

The puppet quietly waited a moment longer, were that it had a heart it would be pounding like drums, limbs creaky and shaky; a reluctant fix of its skewed cap. A shy little hop out, the toy bobbing on his feet. Halting momentarily, ensuring its balance and with one slow wide lift of its left leg took one large step forward, his arms stiffly at his sides.

Step after awkward step, the toy begrudgingly walked to the beat of the music. Soon the toy started to walk like it was tip-toeing on a tightrope with arms spread for balancing. It was uncertain why the toy chose to do so; perhaps to better practice its balance. Mayhap out of awkward anxiety or some innate need to get the lady’s attention?

N: This puppet could not say and much to its relief, her back was still turned. 

With every step, came improvement, less stiffness in the limbs and joints. The long, unneeded gait settled into a normal rhythm, and by the time the puppet was nearing the lake shore, it could almost skip only to nearly stumble upon coming to a stop near the water’s edge. Puppet eyes wide with wonder and fright, the clear blue liquid shimming bright. (or what he pretends to see)

N: And there, the puppet could see its reflection for the first time. It was filthy and worn, though the toy was not bothered or deterred. 

Tilting and twisting its body side to side, acting like he was stretching watching his own body in a reflection. Where he then started hopping in amusement with a jumping.” Hah!” 

N: What a sight to behold for the newly animated doll, but in his glee, had forgotten the young miss. Not until her face was stunned in shocked disbelief. With great shock, the puppet turns and when their eyes meet, the pair remained frozen in a queer staring contest. Many thoughts likely running through their minds!
Ceasing his hopping, the puppet stood upright, that wide smile faltering. The instrumental playing was softer as the puppet and lady peered and studied the eyes of each other. The girl’s bright green eyes looked on with curious wonder, while uncertain hope filled the chocolate brown doll’s. Neither moved for both did not know what to do or how to react. This was a first on each side.

N: A stalemate that felt like hours, yet only seconds passed; twas the lady who took the step. For much like the doll, she had been brimming at what she saw. A hand tenderly reached forward and unable to help.” You’re a toy!” She exclaimed giddily as if saying it aloud would make it true. Could it be true? Was her eyes deceiving her? She worried she might be hallucinating. She would quickly get her answer, however, for her voice while joyful was a surprising jolt to the puppet and left the scared thing to scramble back out of fear and perhaps to give her more space. It knew not what she would do!

Following the narrator, the lady acted out what was said; a curious tilt of the head then a small hopping step forward as if she spoke the words. A muffled gasp was her reply and from fright a sudden-

Taptaptaptaptaptaptaptaptaptap 

A rapid flurry of the puppet feet stamping and clacking filled the hall as the doll in a panic scrambled backward, its feet hopping all haphazardly in tap-dancing fashion, his feet clacked and hopped as he stumbled, no longer sure-footed and mind scatterbrained. Inevitably getting tripped by its own feet the puppet with a thumping clack, fell on its butt.

N: *Oh no!* thought the puppet in despair, clutching its head in humiliating shame. Now it was over, a fool the puppet was, now surely the sweet lady would not be with him. Any moment she would scream or insult and instead heard-

The lady gave a playful clap giggling as if shown an impressive dance.

N: “ A toy that can dance! How wonderful!” She cheered with another round of claps out of delight, not mockery like the puppet feared. She was entertained; able to make her laugh, and learned to dance! Her laughter, music to its ears quickly perked back up and with a quick hop and skip, back on its feet!

A delighted gasping hum left the puppet’s mouth who lifted himself from his hiding grasp to see the lady's graceful small hop as soft-

Clap clap clap 

Echoed and faded shortly after and with bright awe etching its face, the puppet gave a push of its hands and legs, bursting back onto its feet, almost stumbling a few steps forward, having overextended, seeming as if he would fall again. Had instead extended his hand out and by accidental chance the toy had pulled off a cartwheel! The doll's body rolled in one quick motion, ending with a stunned puppet back on its feet, the landing shaky. 

N:  What luck?! *Not this time* the puppet thinks with a big hop and guffaw, motion it has now conquered and with it came a desire for more. One equally shared that would be signaled with a delighted squeal. “Yay! Again! Again!.” Cheered the lady again, with every clap she goads the puppet on as pounding drums its heart would beat!


[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8Qah9A1vhU&ab_channel=AndriesdeHaan]  Drumms and Claps [/url]   

Clap clap clap clap 

The puppet began to clap, matching the lady’s at first then began building up tempo, matching with the beat.

Clap clap clap
Tap tap tap tap 

The doll clapped and began to tap, hopping and bouncing on its feet. Every clap fueling the doll with energy. Giving another cartwheel and a skip.

Clapclapclapclapclap
Tap tap tap tap

Skip clap tap skip clap tap skip clap tap 

Hoppity and rolling the puppet danced, hopping his way to the front of the stage starting to the far left. Laughing and hopping side to side; feet stomping hands clapping towards the rows nearest him.

Clap tap tap tap clap tap clap 
Clap clap clap clap clap clap

Giddly and merrily hopping down along the stage clapping to and fro, with every person joining in the raucous clapping pushed the puppet faster, laughing and spinning, the lady clapping and bobbing, the narrator stomping his feet.

CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP 
CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP

Louder and louder the puppet goaded everyone to clap, cheering the toy on, the building booming with energetic fun. 

With a ha hee hah hee ha! The doll bellowed doing multiple backflips away from the audience, joining back to the center.

N: What Joy! What merriment this dancing was! More! More! The puppet thought as he continued his furious dancing, years being stuck were let loose; boundless with energy this toy was. Fun was had, but alas, a dancing puppet that lacks restraints, who in its drunken daze, too eager to impress would fail to notice….

As the puppet continued his dancing, his speed and temp continued to pick up. Sounds of endless tapping as the toy tapped and hopped forward and back, cartwheels left to right and flips, clapping at parts of his body like a drum, chest, arms, and knees. On it danced, spinning one foot then the other, even cartwheeling into a handstand, the body held up in place before bopping gently with the beat.

With every move, the puppet continued to showcase its nimbleness and agileness (farmer life stay fit!) further with the gradual speed the doll picked up until he appeared like a breakdancer on crack. (coffee you godsend)  

On and on the puppet dance, the clapping and laughing kept pushing the puppet. Feeling this needed dance needed a big finale, had began to start spinning on its right foot  and spun and spun and spun around and around, like a top.

N: Stop

Faster: More

N: Stop!

More! More! 

N: STO- 

More the puppet spun, not knowing where it was going until-

N: Her plea would fall on deaf ears, the toy too lost in its fun and jolly to pay heed. On the puppet went and in his dancing spree, having spun time too many crashed into the unfortunate lady.

Spinning on the puppet kept going, faster as each turn gradually brought him closer to the woman acting as if she was warning him before getting pretend struck on the arm.

 Following the impact came a loud shocked scream and splashing sound.

*Sniffling* *sob*

[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtBKz9FNycM&ab_channel=MXAudioLibrary] somber instrumental [/url] 

N: The lady who was just filled laughter and joy, had been knocked back, sat soaked in the lake shallows. Her sweet face was wet from tears and water with great sniffling sobs that crashed down on the doll, wounded and humiliated. And ah, her favorite dress, ruined?! This day of merriment now turned sour. What was a toy to do?

Reacting in horror and clutching at its head, the puppet, who had been dancing and laughing jollily, now shook and trembled. At times glancing at the poor lady sitting on the stage floor pretending her right arm was hurting and wiping away tears with the other.

A wooden foot lifted as if to step forward instead halted mid-way.

N: “ No! Stay away!” She cried in fright; fear now gripped the girl’s innocent heart. Was it surely friendly? The cruel thought, like a wicked plague quickly took hold. The puppet, grief-stricken only sought to amend, to apologize. It only wanted to be friends.

Slowly he took a step forward only to be met with another harsh scream she let out, acting afraid as if she was seeing a terrifying monster. But only a lone sad puppet peered back at her, appearing smaller than ever, its body shrinking beneath the lady’s scared gaze.

N: How things can change in the blink of an eye. The pair, where plentiful fun was had, now joyless and sad. The warmth of laughter, now cold sniffles and sorrowful sobs. Grief and guilt crack the wooden heart, and fear and uncertainty pump the woman’s full. A friendship quickly made…can be just as quickly broken. Now, fearful for her life, the lady could not risk anymore; make haste she must and so, crawling her way free she picks herself up to flee…

The faint whimpers as the lady pretended to crawl her way from a lakeshore, pretending as if her dress was soaked and heavy. Sniffling, she would do a casual run to appear like she was running away.

N: A wooden hand reached out, lonely as ever, the puppet could do little else but watch and with her the last of its strength. Down the toy collapsed to its knees, the fleeing back all its despairing eyes saw. The warmth gifted by laughter was now all but gone, sorrow now filled its place. Then, a fleeting moment, the lady looks back with pity in her eyes. Confusion and fear etched her pretty face. Then she was gone, a beautiful nymph that appeared a joyful breeze…left with a bone-numbing chill. 

With guilt and despair, the puppet dropped to its knees, hands sprawled and sagged on the floor at his sides. A sad, wistful tilt of the head; watching the only human flee when only minutes ago had been clapping for it. Near the left end of the stage, she would stop and turn, their gaze brief then reluctantly, she turned away exiting the stage.

N; What was meant to be an ordinary day, instead became one of magic with laughter the spark that made it so.  There, the puppet sits, alone, abandoned; a lady with her heart and wonder blemished. A choice was made. A friend was made, but haste and inexperience proved too much. Where it merely desired to entertain and bring laughter, instead brought pain and tears. Oh! Were this puppet could shed them, its heart, if it had one would break. 

The stage lights dim save for one around the puppet, a raspy sniffling, and faint wooden creaks. There he sat, alone on the stage, staring forlornly in her direction, a frown now resting frozen on its sniffling face. 

N: Here, the puppet would sit in its sorrow, plagued by the memory of this horrible day. This, however, was not the end of this toy’s story. Grief may hold its heart, but an ember spark still burns within. With time, this puppet may one day escape from its guilty prison and venture forth, ever seeking a friend. 

With the somber music flourishing to a finale, the puppet propped back up against the tree; now frowning where there was a smile and smudges on its face giving the impression of tears as it started laughing, hollow and empty, the puppet laughed but only for it could not sob. A toy was only meant to make others laugh.

N:  This day of merriment and tragedy has come to an end. But this puppet’s story has only begun; a gift that could not be wasted. Where will its wooden legs take it? Does this adventure lie in hope or further tragedy…that will be for another day. For now, the sun has set and with it a tired doll rests, ruminating in its regrets and pondering its future with sadness and a bittersweet memory.

Ending where it started, the curtains began closing, all the while hearing that sobbing laugh growing louder, its pain-filled sorrowful laughing wails echoing through the theater. Slowly, the curtains closed over the puppet, its wide laughing face; tears streaking the cheeks the last thing seen and with it the theater went dark.

A haunting sobbing laugh filled the pitch darkness.

[/color]
[/hider]