While those events were happening in the front of the stage, audience members with good eyesight might catch a pair of actors hiding in the background of the stage, talking to themselves. As the initial characters are set up and introduced, the stage lights begin to focus on them, and they talk loudly enough for the audience to hear. They refer to each other as Sukune Taro and Haji no Hyoe. Hyoe appears much older in age, his greying hairs clearly visible atop his head, implying that he might be Taro's father. They reveal that for Shihei's honor, they're going to plot to assassinate Kan Shojo. To do that, they knew that the minister's escort would arrive by daybreak and that means the palanquin's arrival would be followed closely by a rooster's crow. In an act to ensure the plan is timed correctly, they ambush and kill Tatsuta, who is then revealed to be the wife of Taro. One could suspect they killed her because of her relation to Kariya, but that reasoning is never explicitly laid out.
Carelessly, they toss her body into the pond, symbolized by a small pool on stage, but not before holding a rooster over her to make it crow. Just as the ancient superstitions foretell, it crowed loudly. Not long after, their false escort departs for Dazaifu, with Kan Shojo supposedly within. However, revenge would strike as Kakuju was nearby when Taro and Hyoe killed Tatsuta. Fiercely, she puts all her strength into stabbing Taro, who shortly afterwards dies as well. Just as that happens, the real escort arrives and discovers that Shojo is missing, and sets out to find him. Before he could, though, the false escort returns to reveal that Shojo had somehow mysteriously replaced himself with a wooden statue. Confused, he exits the palanquin but is promptly arrested. Hyoe is found and executed for his treachery. And for the final scene before the curtains cover the stage one last time, Kan Shojo departs with the real escort to Dazaifu, sorrowfully parting ways with those who survived the attack.
The audience claps and cheers. Tsuya personally stood up and clapped as well, her presence clearly visible since they occupy the VIP booth. She was sure they saw her and hoped that they knew she was proud. The cast all bow deeply as the curtains are drawn over, and not long after the overhead lighting above the audience returns to its normal brightness. The noise and bustle of the crowd begins as people start to file out of the building and talk to each other. She turns around to glance at Cait and Steph.
Cait and Steph were Fascinated by the Play and watched the Stage like it was the most interesting thing they have ever seen. They were angry as the Traitors killed Tatsuta and tosed her away like nothing. They were angry at the Traitors for acting like this and Treating others like Trash, but they were also Hope for a happy end between the Lovers and that they Can have a happy life together. They were happy as the Traitors got what they deserved and that Kan Shojo Survived the Attack and could Leave for Dazaifu. They were a bit sad that they didn't find out what would be the fate of Prince Tokiyo and Kariya, they would have loved to know if they had a happy end and could live together for the rest of their lives. Cait would make sure to buy a book about this Play or find another way so that she and Steph could Experience the rest of the Story at home.
The play was so good and they watched every scene it was Lifelike and showed the Dedication of the Actors to bring their audience the best experience possible. after the play was over they Stood up and A lauded and cheered for the actors like the rest of the Audience and smiled at them as they Bowed in Respect to the Actors. They wanted to show the Actors to see how Greatfull they were and how much they have enjoyed the Play and the Art they have Brought to the Stage. They Looked onto the stage till the Curtains Dropped and the Actors Disappeared behind them. Cait: how do we like it? this was amazing, I have Rarely seen anything that comes even close to this Quality of Performance and Dedication.She smiled and Steph nodded, her eyes were shining with joy and Happiness as she goes through the Scenes of the play in her mind and remembered the Story. She had some Stage Experience herself from her time as a Ballet Dancer and was Deeply impressed by what she saw. Steph: they were wonderful and the Play was so good, I have rarely seen anything better. Not even in my Times as a Ballet Dancer. Do they make this for a Living or are they doing it as a Hobby? I would Like to thank them for this Wonderfull Evening and the Joy they brought to us.She smiled as Cait laid an Arm around her Hipp and they both looked at Tsuya, Both Cait and Steph could understand now why Tsuya wanted to help and protect her people that much. This Litle Village was Unique and the people here were Free and Creative. Cait saw that they were just normal People even when they were living under the Rule of the Dragons.
This Village wasn't so different from many others that she saw during her travels so far, at least not when it comes to the people that just wanted to live a Free and Safe Life. It was sad that they had to Hide themself on the Planet and she saw now why Tsuya had Contacted her in the First Place. She didn't only want to Get Weapons and Resources for the War against Kusari as she first had thought, no she wanted to improve the lives of her Citizens and offer them a Better Life. At least that was what Cait's Feelings told her, and they were mostly Right. Of course, she would never tell that to Tsuya and she would not Alter the Agreement they made, but she could understand her then Cait would do the same if she was in the same Position as Tsuya. She would Act the Same and use anything she could, would Curacao be in a Similar Position as the Dragons are on Tottori. For now, she would pull some strings in the background and would make sure that Tsuaya's agents would meet the Right open Minded People when they come to Curacao to seek more Support. Of course, she would make sure that Tsuya would never know this, she had to Keep the Fassade of a Cold-Hearted Chairwoman, even when she found Sympathy for Tsuya. Cait: you have Amazing People that's for sure, you should keep them close or I might make them a Generous Job Offer to take them for myself.she said with a Laugh and a Friendly smile as if she would joke with an old friend, while she holds Steph close to her and just enjoyed the time they had together.
She found in herself a feeling of relief as she witnessed the reactions of the OS&C heads, and knew now that they absolutely, without a shadow of a doubt, truly respected the culture of Kusari and would not trample over it to make a quick buck, as she had initially thought prior to meeting the two for the first time. But the longer one spends time in the deep darkness, the more paranoid they become. They begin to feel as though they are truly alone. In that moment of mental weakness, it's vital to have friends willing to support and protect the ideals you stand for, no matter how little that help may be. Tsuya understood this as a part of her spiritual training, and began to value this partnership keenly. As that moment of appreciation passes, the sounds of the crowd began to dissipate. Most of the people had already made their way out, and it was soon time for them to leave as well.
She grinned openly in reaction to their initial opinions, and it wasn't a common sight to see her so expressive. "The importance of our culture that you hold proves to me that you're just as willing to protect these values as I am. I'm very glad that you liked it." She bows deeply to them, out of respect for them spending precious time to come all the way out here and witness her request, and the importance of what she had to show them. "It's different for everyone, Stephanie. Some treat it as a living, others treat it as a hobby. Nobody is the same. The theater as a whole, though, does work for profit, but we were excluded from the entry fee." What the Dragons held close was not simply the remembrance of tradition. but also the expertise to blend the old with the new while maintaining its authenticity. One could liken it to a video game created for the precise vision of reinventing the retro experience with new tools and technology.
Despite the immense enjoyment this night has been to the three of them, Tsuya is feeling rather tired. It took a lot of mental energy to ensure that all the cards were in the right place for this meeting, and now the opportunity presented by opening an independent OS&C division is by no means a small benefit. She had many plans to organize, thus, it would be best for her to wrap this up and get some rest for tomorrow. Certainly, she thought, this dynamic duo also has much to attend to soon as well, and they can't stay here to do it. "Well, I believe that wraps up what I had planned for us today... It's up to you to decide if you want to rest at the castle before leaving, or if you want to head out now. I'm happy this has been a fun experience for you both."
Cait smiled as she saw how Tsuya's look at them changed and she saw them now in a Different light than before. Cait understood that Locals were mostly suspicious when a big Company like Orbital Spa and Cruise came to town and wanted to do Business with them. But Cait and Orbital had no Interest in Destroying the Local Traditions or Nature for a Quick Profit. It was not in the Interest of Orbital to Destroy the Most Beautifull Places just to have some quick Credits, they searched for a more Longterm Solution that offered a Balance that benefited both the Company and didn't hurt the Nature in the Longterm. And of course, they were happy about the Culture of the Locals as it was an Extra Selling Point for the Guest to have an Authentic Cultural Experience on their holiday. a Rich Culture like that of Kusari where the Guests could Experience a lot of new things was especially attractive for the Company, all the Different things about the Culture and Religion that dated often back to the times of old Earth itself and were passed on through the Generations. And of course, it also helped that the Chairwoman and her Wife were absolutely loved the Kusarian Culture and therefore often took their own liner to Kusari.
Cait and Steph Looked at their Fiend and Blushed as Tsuya bowed before them, such a Show of Honor was nothing that they really needed or Wanted. Cait and Steph Prefered the more Simple Lives and didn't need such things as Titles or shows of honor. Steph Smiled as she heard that the Theatre works Profit Oriented but that they offer also non-professionals a chance to shine on the stage.Cait: But I would like to pay them, they delivered a great show and deserved to be rewarded for it.She thinks about it for a while as she found just some money was not enough to thank them for this Great show and to show her Gratitude. Cait: you know that money is not enough for them, but how about each of them gets 3 Days for free on the Liner Maldives? I would like to give them the best that Orbital Can offer. She smiled at her friend as the Taller Steph laid her Arms around Cait from behind and smiled at her while she gave her a kiss on the head.Steph; this is a Wonderfull Idea, like this we can show them how thankful we are to your people for all the wonderful experiences we had today.she smiled as she thought back about the Fun and Luxus that the Actors could experience on the Maldives and that she would love to have some days off to talk with them and show the ship to them. Steph was also curious to hear about them and the Kusarian Art Culture.
They smiled both and looked a bit sleepy as they left the Theater and yawned while they stood in the Fresh air and enjoyed the warm night and the Look at the Stars while they think about it. Cait wasn't a big fan to fly when she had Alcohol Before. She looked and Steph and her wife nodded at her.Cait: we would love to stay here for the night as we have both Drank Alcohol and don't want to fly under the Influence.Steph smiled as they walked back to the Castle with her. They would Leave the Planet on the Next Morning and Return to the Liner Maldives before she would Return to Curacao and make everything ready so that she Would Fulfill her Part of the Deal and that everything was ready when Tsuya would send her ships. The two of them Gave Tsuya a big and friendly Hug before they Laid down for the night and And had a Wonderfull and Relaxing sleep.