The Poet: 1-7 A Lavish Dinner

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The reason for Idris' absence during the speech is…

Info

Style: Recommended: Lunar Phase Set Rewards: 3,000 , 600 , 3 , 1 , 1 , Blueprint: Heirloom Stories

Heirloom Stories

Dialogue Choices

His eyes are so full of worry, I can't help but express...

• Concern
• Understanding

Transcript

Expand for script.

• Tonight is the long-awaited dinner.
• You: (I take out a grand dress that's perfect for the occasion.)

• Night has fallen, but the palace is illuminated as bright as day.
• People are chatting happily, many of them dressed in rich clothing and decked out in glittering jewels.
• A man staggers past me and Sinbad, swaying as if he's drunk.
• You: (It looks like the dinner has been going on for a while.)

• Noblewaman: Well, if it isn't the rich merchant who's always late. Greetings to you and your maidservant.

• You: (Why am I always mistaken for Sinbad's maidservant when I stand next to him?)

• I suppress my irritation and force a smile.
• You: (I'm finding it difficult to pretend. My face is already sore from grinning all night.)

• Sinbad: Allow me to introduce this distinguished lady properly.

• Sinbad: This is Gina, a dear friend to me and Kahir.

• Noblewoman: Oh? So she's a noble. Forgive me, but she doesn't look the part.

• They've already walked off, but I can still hear their voices.
• You: (It's so torturous to be in the company of the rich and powerful. I hope this dinner will be over soon.)

• Many people gather around Sinbad to catch up and exchange pleasantries, but I don't have anything to talk to them about.
• I quickly find a spot at the corner and sit down.
• You: (Phew, that's better...)

• Just then, I hear some scattered applause.
• Noblewoman: Is the intermission over already?

• The guests quickly sit, their backs straight, and look to the center of the room.
• Sinbad: This looks like the congratulatory session you've been waiting for, Gina.

• The court poet comes up to the stage, surrounded by attendants and clerks.
• He stands with an air of self-importance, dressed in fancy clothes.
• You: (This man is clearly not Idris. I haven't seen him all night. Where could he be?)

• Court Poet: "We're people, of sands, of seas."

• Court Poet: "Sun gives light to the moon. Nations give their jewels."

• Court Poet: "All is ours. Most say yea. Others nay. It matters not, for the full moon reigns."

• The court poet never looks at the audience but keeps his gaze on Kahir alone.
• Not far off, I notice the Prime Minister. He's pacing back and forth, checking the time as if he's anxious for the dinner to end.
• The other guests clap and cheer, completely drowning out the recitation.
• You: (This poem is really long. When will it end?)

• I look around. I don't see Idris anywhere.
• I can't sit still any longer. As soon as the court poet finishes, I'm going to leave and find Idris.
• You: (I'm out of place at this dinner anyway...)

• I slip away and set off for the Royal Library.
• The library door is locked. I knock but don't hear a reply. Idris must not be inside.
• The palace seems bigger at night. It's not long before I feel lost.
• You: (Maybe I should go back.)

• I make my way back to the dinner by following the sound of boisterous conversation.
• Many of the guests are gradually making their way out, but a few are still talking away.
• Not far off, the King and the Queen talk happily with some guests. Sinbad is among them.
• You: (I can't find Idris, but at least I can find Sinbad.)

• The King rests on his magnificent seat. He looks feeble, yet his face is radiant.
• The Prime Minister hovers beside the King like a devious phantom haunting the party.
• Sensing my presence, the Prime Minister shoots me a wary glance. I hurry to avert my eyes.
• Sinbad: I'll handle Kahir. We talk about everything, as you well know.

• What could Sinbad be talking about? He's beating his chest as if he were proclaiming an oath.
• You: (Is Sinbad going to see Kahir later?)

• You: (Maybe I should join him. I can use the opportunity to ask Kahir why Idris wasn't the one presenting the speech.)

• I walk to the exit to wait for Sinbad.
• He soon appears at my side. We exchange a knowing glance then begin walking in the same direction.

• The door to Kahir's room is ajar, and I can see him walking gloomily back and forth.
• Sinbad: Why so forlorn, Kahir? Everyone is celebrating you today.

• Sinbad: I'm at the door if you need to talk

• Kahir hurries over and swings the door open.
• You: Kahir, are you okay?

• Kahir's eyes are red and weary. I'm instantly worried.
• Kahir: Did my father tell you what happened?

• Kahir: I had a falling out with him and the cabinet. The matter is settled now.

• Sinbad: Knowing the two of you, I can guess what happened.

• Sinbad: You say the matter is settled, but you still look upset. Is there more to the story?

• You: Does it have something to do with Idris?

• Kahir nods.
• Kahir: Idris wrote a heartfelt speech that was beautiful and nuanced.

• Kahir: I was so pleased with it, I hurried to share it with the cabinet. I was sure they'd appreciate its qualities.

• Kahir: But instead, they rejected Idris's speech.

• You: Not because of poor content, I assume?

• Kahir: No. They insisted the speech was inappropriate because it didn't adhere to traditional etiquette. I disagreed.

• Kahir: I think traditional etiquette is old-fashioned. Anyway, we argued about the speech.

• Kahir: The standoff alerted my father, and the matter was left for him to decide.

• Kahir: I expected my father to support me, but instead he asked the most senior court poet to rewrite the speech.

• Sinbad: During my conversation with your father, he expressed admiration for Idris's work.

• Sinbad: He said it demonstrates poetic prowess.

• Sinbad: But he felt your coronation was not the right time to break from tradition.

• Kahir: Our ancestors created the traditional format, so I do respect it.

• Kahir: But isn't it up to successors to improve on the traditions?

• Kahir: We can't expect future generations to keep doing it the same way over and over again.

• Sinbad: Your aspirations and your visions for the future are admirable, Kahir.

• Sinbad: But you're about to become the Crown Prince. Your coronation is a time-honored ceremony, one that's founded on tradition.

• Sinbad: Honoring tradition will demonstrate to your people that you respect your ancestors.

• Sinbad: You may implement new ideas of literature and governance, but you must balance that with preserving the honor of your ancestors.

• Kahir takes a long moment to reflect on Sinbad's words.
• Kahir: Introducing the new without erasing the old... I'm not sure how I'll balance the two.

• Kahir: On top of that, I can't seem to persuade Idris to continue his work.

• Kahir: He's so talented, but not being chosen to read at the ceremony really discouraged him.

• Sinbad: We fall so we can get up again. Isn't that a proverb in the Full Moon Kingdom?

• Sinbad: Idris's talent can't be suppressed. His future will be paved with opportunities, especially now.

• Sinbad: Creating art is a bumpy road, not unlike being Crown Prince.

• You: I didn't expect the congratulatory speech to be so fraught with drama.

• You: But I think what Sinbad said is right.

• Sinbad: I've had my fair share of setbacks. Some of them almost killed me.

• Sinbad: But each time, I pulled myself up again and carried on. I'm a little wiser for every setback I've overcome.

• Sinbad: The road to triumph is full of detours and hurdles. If we have the strength to journey past them, the road to triumph is made clear.

• Kahir falls silent in contemplation of Sinbad's words.
• His eyes are so full of worry, I can't help but express...

Concern

• You: I'm sure Idris is grateful you advocated for his work, Kahir.

• You: Maybe it's good he wasn't burdened by something as significant as the ceremony so early in his career.

• Kahir: I'll do whatever I can to give more opportunities to people like him.

• Kahir: And though it may take time and effort, I'm determined to see the royal customs reformed.

Understanding

• You: I understand why you think so highly of Idris and his work, Kahir.

• You: It would be a shame if he was held back by old customs that restrict his writing.

• Kahir: That's what I'm worried about. If the old customs limit him too much, he'll never flourish as a poet.

• Kahir: This was supposed to be an opportunity for Idris to thrive, but instead I set him up for failure.

• Kahir: But it makes me realize more than ever that royal customs must be reformed.

• Kahir makes sure to heavily stress the word "reformed."
• His eyes are bright with determination. Kahir's ambition is unyielding. He's not ready to give up.