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SILVER: Tales from the Fringes of Reality. Episode 36 – …Are Not Lost.

GUILLERMO: (as broken as possible) Silver…

MARIGOLD: Why would he do that?

ALEXANDRIA: Everyone, calm down–

OPAL: They must have a plan right?

ALASDAIR: I think their plan was just… To give themself up. For us.

MARIGOLD: Why would he DO THAT?!

SPARROW: Children, please–

GUILLERMO: (wailing in anguish) SILVER PLEASE– PLEASE NOT THIS!

ALEXANDRIA: (gently) She can’t hear you darling. I’m sorry. 

GUILLERMO: Why would they just… give themself up like that mom? Why would they do that?

ALEXANDRIA: I… I don’t know, sweetheart. I don’t know.

ALASDAIR: They did it for us.

OPAL: We never would’ve asked that of them.

SPARROW: And yet they did it anyway. We can’t change what has happened, we just need to focus on getting Silver back.

OPAL: Can we even get them back again?

MARIGOLD: We have to.

OPAL: I understand that, but–

ALEXANDRIA: We can and we will. (pause) Oh, Whim, darling, are you hurt at all? (tapping) ‘Just a little scuffed up from Silver blasting us back’. Your parents–

WINSTON: Is everyone alright? Whim, thank the stars you’re alright kiddo.

LUNA: Where’s… Where’s Silver? (heavy pause) She didn’t.

GUILLERMO: I couldn’t stop her. I couldn’t stop either of them– Minerva, Silver, both of them just… I couldn’t stop them. 

ALASDAIR: None of us could, Memo. This isn’t your fault.

GUILLERMO: They’re my kid–

SPARROW: And children always know the best way to get around you. Trust me on that. Once Silver set their mind to this… There was no stopping him. That doesn’t make it your fault any more than the creation of Minerva being all of our fault. People’s behavior and reactions aren’t something you can control.

LUNA: Did you know she was going to do that, Whim? (tapping) ‘No. She said she could do something to stop Minerva, but I didn’t think…’ No, I can’t imagine that this would’ve been the thought that springs to mind. 

OPAL: They carried so much guilt in them, just like the rest of us. I think that guilt… It made them think of solutions that we never would have. And those are solutions that we could never live with.

WINSTON: There has to be a way to get him back, right? I mean, you got me back when I was taken. You found Whim when they were lost. You found Silver the first time. There has to be a way to do that again?

MARIGOLD: It took us so long to find them before. I don’t know that we have that kind of time.

XANDER: The place to start seems to be that weapon y’all were talking about before Minerva came. It’ll be a handful of hours at the very least, plenty of time to come up with a plan.

ALEXANDRIA: …It is as good a place to start as any. Alasdair, Opal: you two start working on the weapon. Take Luna and Winston with you for extra casting power. Mari, Memo, Row: You stay here with me and we’ll start working on a plan. Xander, stick with Whim. The two of you can float between the groups and provide any extra support that’s needed. 

XANDER: I guess you’re stuck with me, kid. Where do you wanna start? (pause) Kid?

SPARROW: Why don’t you take Whim somewhere quiet for a moment, Xander? Give them some time to catch their breath and… process what happened. 

(footsteps)

XANDER: It’s alright, Whim. Come on, pardner, breathe with me. That’s it, in (sound of breathing in) and out (sound of breathing out). I know that was a lot to have happen in a short period of time and I’m sorry things have turned out how they have. But everything is going to be okay, ya hear me? We’re going to get her back. (tapping) ‘She was right there and I lost her again’. Kiddo, we all lost them again. All of us were right there too, this is nothing you could’ve stopped. Silver… I haven’t known him very long but I know he’s relentless. They all are. And if this is what he thought would fix the problem, then of course he did it. Y’all protect your own, that’s something I picked up real quick. 

(knocking, then a door opening)

WINSTON: Got room for two more in here?

LUNA: Mari swapped over to give more casting support. Come here, Whim. (hugging) It’s alright, baby, I promise. We’ve got you.

WINSTON: You couldn’t have done anything, Whim.

XANDER: I was just tellin’ them that. This whole bunch holds guilt with their entire chest, don’t they?

WINSTON: We all do, really. I think being alive for as long as most of us have been, it’s hard not to. You’ll pick that up with time, Xander.

LUNA: (tapping) ‘I was supposed to keep us hidden’ Whim, hiding was never going to work. Not with Minerva.

WINSTON: It became pretty apparent after we sent you two to hide that there wasn’t going to be anything that stopped her from finding Silver. That doesn’t mean that you failed, kiddo. It means that she was more prepared than we were.

LUNA: (darkly) Which won’t happen again. 

XANDER: Take it from someone who was saved by this family: there is nothin’ they won’t do to get Silver back again. Silver pulled me out of the magic, somethin’ that shoulda been impossible but they did it. It was supposed to be impossible for Mari and the others to find Silver the first time, but they did it. You know as well as anyone else that this family can do remarkable things, Whim. This family includes you. And those remarkable things include getting Silver back. 

WINSTON: It’s alright to be scared, Whim. Just know that whatever happens, we’ll be by your side. (tapping) ‘Unless you can’t be’ what do you mean by that, kiddo? (tapping) ‘What if we can’t all go after Minerva. What if only I can?’

LUNA: Why would you be the only one able to go? (tapping) ‘Heartline’ That’s– (pause) We should go and discuss with Alexandria and Sparrow. 

WINSTON: I’m sure that’s not–

LUNA: We can’t be sure of anything right now. Actually, let me go grab Mari. She’d know more about this.

XANDER: Right behind you.

WINSTON: I guess it’s just you and me then, Whim. Might as well go tell Alexandria and Sparrow what we’re thinking.

(footsteps)

ALEXANDRIA: –Are you sure, darling?

GUILLERMO: As sure as I can be, all things considered. I’ll need to double check some readings with Opal once she’s free, but I think I can actually trace the tear this time. It actually feels like a physical rift in reality this time– don’t you feel it?

ALEXANDRIA: Not to be melodramatic, darling, but I can’t tell what’s a tear in reality and a tear in my heart right now.

GUILLERMO: I feel the same, but trust me. I think… I think this may actually work.

SPARROW: You look like you have a lot on your mind, Whim. Is everything alright?

WINSTON: Can I? (taps) They’re worried that we might not all be able to follow Silver to where Minerva has taken him. More specifically, they’re worried that it will just be them who can follow after Minerva.

SPARROW: But why– The heartline. You think that you’ll be able to follow it but we won’t, don’t you? (tapping) ‘It brought me to her without you all before. I don’t see why it would be any different this time around.’

ALEXANDRIA: We’re more prepared this time, perhaps we can do something that doesn’t just send the two youngest members of our group directly into the potentially corporeal hands of a malicious AI.

(footsteps approaching)

MARIGOLD: So about that… I think they’re right.

GUILLERMO: Surely there has to be something else–

MARIGOLD: Trust me, Memo, I don’t want them to be right. If I had my way, I would go in after Minerva myself, but… But you can feel the tear yourself, right? Does it really feel like it will allow you to slip through?

GUILLERMO: …No. But– (pause, heartbroken) Can’t there be any other way? 

MARIGOLD: I can ask Opal, she might be able to tell more but… We might have to send them alone. We might have to send you alone. I don’t know why I’m talking as if you’re not right here, Whim, when you are and this is your choice. If you don’t want to (tapping) No, Whim, listen to me. If you don’t want to, we’ll figure something else out. It will take time, but it’s not impossible. You’re not risking your life for theirs; they’d never forgive us if we let you.

SPARROW: We’re not trading lives for lives here. Not again. 

ALEXANDRIA: If we all channeled focus into the weapon–

MARIGOLD: Opal said it would be pretty quick. 

ALEXANDRIA: Very well then. We’ll channel the energy, discuss our plan, and then… And then you can decide if you’re going for it, Whim. We won’t be upset if you don’t. 

(even more footsteps)

OPAL: Oh, Mari, you’re back– And so is everyone else. With very somber looks on their faces.

ALASDAIR: Please don’t tell me the situation has managed to get worse.

GUILLERMO: Whim is the only one who can go through the rift after Silver.

ALASDAIR: (deep sigh) That is indeed worse.

OPAL: Are you– Oh. Oh I can feel it now. You’re right, as much as I wish you weren’t. 

GUILLERMO: I was afraid you’d say that. It felt like the truth but I had to hope… I had to hope. 

ALEXANDRIA: We know, darling. We all wanted to hold onto that hope too. Opal, is it true that if we all pour magic into this process, it will speed it up?

OPAL: Yes, but didn’t we want to formulate a plan?

ALEXANDRIA: That was when we thought that all of us would be able to go. As it stands… Getting the weapon finished as quickly as possible is ideal. We’re going to have to trust Whim’s judgement on this one, not much that can be planned for with a solo mission into the unknown. 

ALASDAIR: We’re… Nine casters, correct? Xander, you’re not a caster?

XANDER: I haven’t historically been able to, but there’s a first time for everything. (sparkle of magic) Well I’ll be damned.

MARIGOLD: Do you think you can keep that up without over exerting yourself?

XANDER: I’ll be fine, darlin’, don’t worry about me.

MARIGOLD: You can understand why I’m worried though, right?

XANDER: Worry about Silver for now. If the time comes to worry about me, you’ll know.

ALASDAIR: Xander, if you could stand right there… Mari, you can stay next to him. Mum, over here… Ren? Yup yup, that’s perfect. Luna and Winston over here– Actually, Whim, why don’t you stand between your parents? Memo– Beat me to it. Okay. Opal and I are going to channel the actual spell, we just need you all to provide the power. Are we ready?

ALL: Ready.

OPAL: Okay, here we go.

(cacophony of sounds)

OPAL: I think… I think it worked.

SPARROW: Is it safe to touch?

ALASDAIR: For any of us, yes. Not for Minerva. Those wards should be lethal. Stars I hope they’re lethal. 

ALEXANDRIA: This just leaves us with the question of what we’re going to do. What Whim’s going to do. (tapping) ‘I’m going after them’ Are you certain you want to do this?

GUILLERMO: We can always look for another way. The time it takes is nothing if it means you stay safe.

LUNA: If you do want to go, though, we understand. And we support you 100%.

WINSTON: I know what it’s like to want to claw your way through reality for the person you love, Whim. If this is what you need to do, it’s what you need to do.

(sound of sword being drawn)

LUNA: (proud) That’s my kid.

MARIGOLD: You can feel your heartline right? (taps) Okay. You’re going to grab it and you’re going to pull yourself along it. It’s… I don’t even know what it’s going to feel like–

XANDER: Like you’re walkin’ a path that doesn’t exist. Each step you take hits ground that you didn’t know was there to begin with. 

WINSTON: Or like you’re swimming up from the depths of the ocean. It’s moving through the pressure and closer and closer to being able to breathe again. 

GUILLERMO: Doing this should allow you through the rift to wherever Minerva took Silver. 

ALEXANDRIA: Be careful, Whim. 

(sparks of magic followed by another cacophony of sound)

SILVER: (distant, growing louder) Is it storytime already, Min?

MINERVA: (violin bowing)

SILVER: I’m not doubting you, I’m just surprised is all. Let me see… Yup, you were right! A story is locked and loaded, let’s take a look! Subject is Jonathan Alverez, he/him, from reality 87.28 B. Let’s see where he fell between worlds, shall we? (pause) Wait. Wait this is wrong, we’ve done this before. Jonathan Alverez was– 

MINERVA: (violin bowing)

SILVER: No, of course not, I trust you I just. Doesn’t this feel wrong to you, Min? Does this feel like… I feel like this has happened before. But it wasn’t just you and me, there was… There was a wanderer! Someone else who found their way into the space and it had been ages since we had heard from the Council so we couldn’t ask them for help–

MINERVA: (violin bowing)

SILVER: You don’t have to be mean, Minnie. Maybe… Maybe it was just a dream. Just a story. But I could’ve sworn it was real. That someone was here, comforting me, trying to ease the tension after an argument with you. Why… Why was I arguing with you? Gods, I remember feeling so alone, everything scattered except for thoughts of you and I was so angry. I was so angry because you… You separated me from my family. You took me away from them. You hurt my friend, you hurt– (sparkling sound) Whim. It’s you. You’re real. You’re here! Stars above, Whim, I… I promised I wouldn’t… You found me. You found me. I’m so sorry, I–

MINERVA: (violin bowing)

SILVER: Leave them alone. That was part of the deal, Minerva.

MINERVA: (violin bowing)

SILVER: I didn’t go back on anything. They found me, they– (magic being cast) They… Hi there, wanderer. I don’t think I’ve seen someone around here in… Quite some time. Stars, I can’t even remember the last time someone stopped by, can you Min? Well, you’re in luck today, we’re great at dealing with those who are lost. Wanna tell me where you’re from? I don’t have anything you can write with (tapping) ‘My name is Whim’ that’s a beautiful name. Almost familiar too, as if–

Whim? Whim, oh thank the stars you’re alright, what are you doing here?! You need to go back, it’s not safe here it’s not (magic being cast) Oh! It seems we have an audience. And who might you be? It’s been so long since we’ve had a guest here. People don’t usually find their way here without me getting notice from Alexandria or Guillermo. Are you lost? We’re great at helping lost people. This one time I was the one who was lost, actually, and I had… I had to find my way back home. Because Minerva had gotten rid of Whim and I– Whim. Whim I don’t know what she’s doing, I don’t know how to stop it I don’t– (magic being cast)

Nice to meet you, wanderer! My name is… Huh. It’s been a while since I’ve had to have a name, it must’ve slipped my mind. You can call me the Keeper! And this here is Minerva, she’s my best friend– apart from Whim of course and that’s you, you came to get me I– (magic being cast)

Who might you be? You can call me the Keeper and I… I don’t recall having a sword before. Min, do you know where I would’ve gotten a sword from? The energy around it feels so familiar, too, like… It reminds me of Alasdair, actually. Him and Opal. But there’s hints of other people’s magic tied up in this like Marigold and Sparrow and Alexandria and my dad. My dad. And you. And your parents. And… Xander? Since when did he know how to cast? No, you’re right I need to focus, I need to (magic being cast, abruptly cut off) I don’t think so. 

MINERVA: (violin bowing)

SILVER: Don’t. Don’t say that it was for me. You did all of this for you. Because you were afraid. Because you didn’t trust me enough to trust that I’d stay, that you were my family–

MINERVA: (violin bowing)

SILVER: You were. And I can’t trust you anymore. I remember who I am and I’m not going to let you hurt me anymore.

(Glitching static sounds as Silver stabs Minerva with the sword)

SILVER: I’m sorry I couldn’t save you, Minnie. I’m sorry you didn’t deserve to be saved. Whim. (tapping) ‘I’m here’ I know. I know you are. I can’t believe… Can we go home? I’d really like to go home.

(sparks of magic followed by another cacophony of sound)

GUILLERMO: Should it really be taking this long?

ALEXANDRIA: It’s only been a few days, darling. Given the time distortion with reality travel, this isn’t unexpected. I know it’s frustrating, but we just have to keep holding on to hope.

SILVER: Hope for what?

GUILLERMO: Silver! (hugging) Stars, kid, don’t you ever scare me like that again. I thought I lost you for good this time.

SILVER: I’m sorry, dad. I just thought… I didn’t want anyone else to get hurt for me.

ALASDAIR: Is she…

SILVER: Yeah. Yeah she is. I’m sorry you didn’t get to rip her apart with your bare hands, Mari.

MARIGOLD: I’m just glad you’re safe. I think that’s all any of us could hope for.

SILVER: I wish I could’ve… I wish she didn’t have to go. I know she did, I know there wasn’t another option but…

SPARROW: Memo, do you think we could all move through that rift now that Minerva is gone?

GUILLERMO: I think so. Why?

SPARROW: I think we should allow Silver to lay her friend to rest.

OPAL: We can navigate the rift now. It’s not being distorted by Minerva’s magic anymore; I haven’t seen all of reality so clearly in a long time. She’s really gone.

ALEXANDRIA: Will you lead the way, my love?

SPARROW: Of course.

(A softer cacophony of sound)

OPAL: I wonder how she created this crystalline form. It’s beautiful, if not a little bit concerning. 

SILVER: I guess she had been saving up energy for a while.

SPARROW: And now that energy can return to the plane of magic. I’m going to start the process; Silver, would you like to say a few words?

SILVER: Minerva was my first friend. I was her only friend. She saw that as a threat and did things that I can never forgive her for. But despite it all, she was my friend. I wish it could’ve been different, Minnie. I hope you find whatever it is you were looking for once you’re back in the plane of magic. Say hi to my mom for me. She would’ve liked you, before everything that happened. Take care, Min. Maybe I’ll see you again someday. 

I… I need a minute. Do you think you guys could head back? (Footsteps) Not- not you, Whim. If you don’t mind. (Magic sound) Sit with me?

I’m sorry this is how we met. (Tapping) No, listen, it’s not… I wish we could’ve met under better circumstances. Could’ve met because Luna and Winston brought you to the Fringes to visit and we got along rather than… Rather than you being forced away from your home and me being taken with no memory of you or my family. Rather than us having to continuously try to save each other. I wish we could’ve met more normally. I’m sorry that our meeting is forever tainted by everything with Minerva.

But gods above, Whim, I’m so happy we met.

This– all of this– would’ve been impossible for me to make it through without you. You’re what brought me back in the end and I’m so grateful for it. (Tapping) No, I know! My family did so much work but in the end, you were the only one who was able to come and find me. This has been… hard, to say the least. On all of us. But it’s over. And I’m looking forward to what comes next– with my family, with your family, with you. 

(Three taps)

I love you too, Whim. Come on. Let’s go home.