The Poet: 1-8 Invisible Cage

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Inspired by the foreign poems and literature in the Royal Library, Idris resigns as court poet, choosing instead to search for his ideal homeland.

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Style: No dress-up component Rewards: 3,000 , 600 , 1 , 1 , 1 , Blueprint: Celebratory Wishes

Celebratory Wishes

Dialogue Choices

You: I understand your plight. If you want to leave, then...

• Put in your resignation
• Ask Kahir for help

Transcript

Expand for script.

• It's been a few days since the dinner, and I'm still worried about Idris.
• I'm out wandering the market to clear my head when I spot a familiar face.
• You: (Idris?!)

• He wanders the market in a daze.
• He's limping and moving slow, as if every step requires effort.
• He's limping and moving slow, as if every step requires effort.
• You: (Where's he going?)

• I change direction and quietly follow him.
• Idris: Both my tongue and my sword are incredibly sharp, but my tongue can pierce what my sword cannot harm.

• He mutters to himself, attracting dismayed looks from passersby.
• I don't want to lose sight of him, so I hurry to catch up and reach for his arm.
• You: Idris?

• He turns to face me.
• You: What are you doing here? Is everything okay?

• Idris: I cannot have roots without soil.

• Idris: I cannot grow if I'm dangling in midair. I'm afraid I'll never be able to write another poem.

• You: Dangling in midair?

• I stare at Idris, confused.
• Idris: I've done a lot of thinking since my poem for the ceremony was rejected, and I've realized the royal palace is not the place for me.

• Idris: I want to be somewhere I can put down roots and really grow as a poet. I can't grow where I'm not appreciated.

• You: I heard about the hurdles you've faced since going to the palace.

• You: But you have to believe Kahir recognizes and truly appreciates your talent.

• Idris: I'm very grateful to His Royal Highness, but I'm also ashamed of how I've failed him.

• Idris: I wanted to validate his faith in me, so I devoted myself to studying the traditional schemes of the Full Moon Kingdom. I wanted to honor them with my work...

• Idris: But they restricted my creativity like a noose around my throat.

• Idris: Kahir says he's determined to see the royal customs reformed, but that change won't happen overnight.

• You: With time and his help, you'll eventually be able to showcase your talent in the palace.

• Idris: Thank you, Gina, for always being so thoughtful and encouraging.

• You: Idris, I owe you an apology.

• You: I was so excited about you finding work as a poet that I didn't stop to think about how the dramatic change in environment might be difficult for you.

• Idris: Well, it's not all bad.

• Idris: While I was studying in the library, I encountered many foreign poems and literature that I found inspiring.

• Idris: They were a welcome departure from the constricting royal customs, and they served as a muse.

• Idris: I heard a voice in my head that wouldn't go away...

• You: What voice?

• Idris: A voice telling me it's time for me to go.

• You: Go where?

• Idris: To my grandfather's homeland.

• You: But... that's so far away...

• I look to the desert with its rippling dunes that lead to far off places and feel overwhelmed with emotion.
• Idris: Thanks to His Royal Highness, I've been well fed and clothed. I've enjoyed many days of study during my time in the palace.

• Idris: But I struggled to write, and I felt my sense of self slipping away.

• Idris: I must learn more about my roots. Only then will I know myself.

• You: I understand.

• You: If the court customs have strangled your ability to create, then it's time to break free and find a different path.

• Idris: It's not just the customs for poetry, the palace has rules for everything.

• Idris: Hmm...

• Idris heaves a long sigh.
• You: I understand your plight. If you want to leave, then...

Put in your resignation

• You: You should submit a formal resignation to Kahir.

• Idris sinks deep in thought.

Ask Kahir for help

• You: I'm sure Kahir will understand and offer help if you need it.

• Idris lowers his head as if he's ashamed to be letting Kahir down.

• Idris: You're right. It would be rude to leave without saying goodbye.

• Idris: I don't want to disappoint the Prince again.

• We return to the palace together, and Idris shares his plan with Kahir.
• As expected, Kahir is supportive and doesn't try to stop Idris.
• Kahir: In a way, it's a relief.

• Kahir: I'm not in a position where I can enact the kind of reform I want. Not yet anyway.

• Kahir: It's been hard seeing the court customs restrict your work.

• Idris: Please know that I don't blame you.

• Idris: These last few days as a court poet will be some of my most treasured memories.

• Idris: From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for the opportunity. I'll always be grateful for your faith in me.

• Kahir: There's no doubt in my mind you're a great poet, Idris.

• After leaving the palace, Idris and I walk outside the city gates and watch the sun sink behind the dunes.
• The night breeze is gentle and cool.
• You: Idris tells me more about the place he plans to journey to.

• Idris: In my grandfather's homeland, talented poets were regarded as magicians.

• Idris: People believed they were spawned by the muses who filled the poet's hearts with all the wisdom of the ages.

• Idris: And all that wisdom is shared with the world through poetry.

• Idris speaks with passion. It's wonderful to see him smiling again.
• Idris: I can't resist following this inner voice. It's like an oracle guiding me to my destiny.

• Idris: An artist's heart should not be shackled by traditional schemes. It should be free.

• The wind kicks up and brings down a loose date.
• I pick it up and lift my eyes to the overcast sky.
• You: The weather always feels gloomy when it's time to say goodbye.

• You: Even my heart feels overcast.

• You: Is there any kind of parting that's beautiful?

• Idris: Remember the story about the cactuses?

• Idris: As time passed, their tears of sorrow transformed the land into an oasis that brought forth new life.

• Idris: So maybe there can be beauty in parting...

• Idris: If we look beyond our immediate sorrow and take in the larger picture.

• You: I'll always remember that story.

• It's as if the clouds lift from my heart, and a gorgeous oasis takes root there instead.
• The desert is quiet, but I hear Idris softly reciting poems.