Alumni Homecoming (2)
1686 Words
Of course, I'm baffled by why the explosions abruptly end after that shout.
“Hey! You're walking right into a moving pictures shooting! That's illegal, you know?”
Ah, that explains it.
And I recognize that guy, too.
Charles Joensen Caparath, one of the pioneers of what are called “moving pictures”.
Moving pictures are essentially theatrical plays, only recorded onto a special kind of sphaeramnis (the magical audiovisual playback device I've first encountered back at the Grand Library) called the “sphaeramnis commentariis” and played back later onto a large magical screen in front of a large audience.
The moving pictures phenomenon is relatively new; it started around ten years ago, when researchers found a way to record footage via the sphaeramnis.
Just then, a man comes up to him and says...
“Director, I-I forgot to place a 'no entry' sign on one of the doorways that lead to this set. I should be the one to blame, not him.”
“Well, never mind. It seems he's quite capable at fighting himself, so I guess I'll pay him for the trouble.”
“Thanks.”
His eyes are now focused on me.
“Sir, please come here.”
I immediately approach him, who is at ease on his director's chair.
“May I know what's your name?”
“Walter Deschantes. Full-time adventurer, Royal Academy Class of 1014 CE.”
“First off, I'm terribly sorry for shouting at you moments ago. If you have no idea what moving picture I'm filming, it's an action flick titled Virtue of Mud. And right now, we are filming a scene where there is a commotion at a huge gathering – specifically, a wedding reception. The Royal Academy has granted me full permission to use the open space of the college campus to film this scene; and we have hired many actors, both professionals and those who are still in school, i.e. are part of the high school, senior high school, and college theater clubs, to appear in my latest magnum opus as part of the Academy's centennial celebrations.”
“Ah, I see.”
“And since you've unknowingly walked into this set, you can also be credited and paid as an extra. We'll just have to re-shoot part of this scene with the explosions already in place. And before you ask, those explosions aren't real. Stage magicians are casting harmless spells that look like explosions behind the scenes, but you must act as if you're getting away from them all the same.”
“OK, I get your instructions.”
The director then instructs everyone in the set.
“All of you, please return to your last known positions before the cut! We'll be shooting the explosions scene again, and do everything you've been instructed to just like before. Understand?”
All within the set – actors, technicians, and stage magicians – all say “Yes, sir!” in response.
One of the director's assistants then directs me to a table, then tells me to dodge the explosions as much as possible, and also to engage in hand-to-hand combat with the black-armored suit actors.
I nod in agreement.
“Return to your positions, everyone! Take 2... aaaaand... ACTION!”
The explosions resume, and I must get away from them with my nimble legs.
Now, I have to face the black-armored fiends myself, without any weapons or weapon summoning.
Thankfully, I'm quite adept in unarmed combat.
Two of them show up and try to assail me with their (aluminum prop) swords.
As they thrust their blades, I evade, and then grab their right hands and take them down with simple yet effective arm throws.
Good. Now to dodge more explosions...
“Help! I'm hit!”
I hear a screaming woman in a dress, whose legs are dripped with (fake) blood.
Instinctively, I do a princess carry on her, taking her to a safe place (i.e. the edge of the set).
Well, that should do it for me.
The harmony of explosions and dialogue continues for seven more minutes, until the director says...
“CUT! That's a good take. Congratulations, everyone!”
Phew. Now that's a wrap for me as an accidental actor.
Once I get out of the set, the same assistant who gave me instructions on how to act in the scene hands me a letter.
I readily accept it.
The letter says:
Congratulations for your bit role in Virtue of Mud! As a reward, I will send you 4,000 guintos at the alumni homecoming party this 29th. Furthermore, you'll be invited to the premiere of the moving picture, which will be on the 14th of Dressmonth, 1020 CE. Please keep this letter as your ticket. Hope to see you there!
Sincerely,
Charles Joensen Caparath
The first day of the Royal Academy Alumni Homecoming and School Festival sure is a doozy.
Let's see how the second day fares.
26th of Frostmonth, 1019 CE.
I'm back at the Royal Academy again, and students are still handing me pamphlets advertising their class exhibitions.
And by the way, I didn't throw away the pamphlets I received yesterday.
I just kept them in a wooden chest that previously contained... nothing.
Now to check out the other school festival activities.
I browse through the pamphlets I received seconds ago, and one strikes my eye.
“Go see the art exhibition by Grade 8-B's painter extraordinaire, Padraig Portillo. Free admission!”
Guess it's time for me to appreciate the finer things in life.
After a bit of sleuthing, I finally find the Grade 8-B classroom, which was turned into a mini art gallery for the festival.
Most of the paintings depict vivid landscapes of the countryside, mostly of places within Matutum Prefecture, where the painter originally hails from.
Also, I notice that all the paints he used to create these stunning scenes on canvas are water-based acrylic paints that are water- and weather-resistant.
I ask the class homeroom teacher, who now temporarily acts as the curator, why the colors look like they're washed out.
She explains that this was a result of the protective varnish being hastily put on the paintings a week before the event.
Initially, there was no need for a sealing varnish because the painter had great confidence in the paints he used, but an agent advised him to put one on at the last minute.
But despite that, the colors still look bright and vivid, and the paint and varnish have already hardened, guaranteeing the paintings' longevity.
As I get near the largest painting to ever grace the art gallery...
...a familiar voice reaches my ears.
“Walter! How's the festival?”
It's His Highness again!
This time, he wears casual clothing.
“Hi again, Virgil. I can say with great confidence that it's awesome! Lots of things going on for everyone to enjoy, me included.”
“Great. And I noticed that yesterday, you unknowingly snuck into a set of a moving picture filming.”
“Aw crap! Even you, Your Highness, have spotted me?!”
“Well, I was taking a sneak peak at Director Caparath's latest action flick, and caught a glimpse of you running through the explosions.”
“Augh... that's embarrassing.”
“But at least you're getting paid for the trouble, right?”
“Yeah.”
“As for me, it's nice seeing the creators, inventors, and entrepreneurs of tomorrow showing off their various talents. It warms my heart that the many cultures that comprise our kingdom are encapsulated in this celebration.”
“Yeah, you're right. Well, I'll have to stay here and appreciate this large painting.”
“Enjoy every minute of this festival, OK?”
“OK. See ya.”
As His Highness leaves to find another festival exhibition, I stare at the largest painting in this gallery.
The title is Triumph of Eternal Life over Death.
It depicts a male and a female soaring up to the skies, being cradled in the arms of the Most High, as the Grim Reaper looks on down below, disappointed.
This is quite a radical departure from the other paintings here.
Fortunately, the artist explained in the title plaque that he had nightmares of him and his childhood friend dying violently, but they were told by the Most High when they both prayed at a temple that this was a result of self-doubt that leads to the death of the soul, which is way worse than the death of the mortal body, according to the temple's ministers. The Most High cleared their minds with His powers, and the two thanked Him for that.
Sometimes, the worst of experiences can be the bases for the best of creations.
After this brief moment of art appreciation, I flock to the next exhibition.
Medea's Health and Wellness Shop
Brought to You by Grade 11-A
This is a no-brainer, considering I've wanted to gift someone after completing a quest in the future as a complement to the many gifts I've received over the years from previous clients and participants who were satisfied with my performance in the quests they've started.
Now let's see... what do they have on offer?
Scalp Freshener Anti-dandruff Shampoo: 65 guintos per bottle
Downer-Proof Immunity Booster Tablets: 57 guintos per blister pack (12 tablets); 155 guintos per bottle (30 tablets)
Circula-Boost Flax Seed Oil Capsules: 160 guintos per bottle (30 capsules)
Ogre's Club Men's Food Supplement: 199 guintos per bottle (30 capsules)
Liver Shielder Food Supplement: 299 guintos per bottle (30 capsules)
Eagle's Eye Berry Food Supplement: 162 guintos per bottle (30 capsules)
SuperKid Children's Vitamin Syrup: 125 guintos per bottle
I'm too tempted to get the Ogre's Club supplement because I want to make Belle happy, but...
I have to prioritize the happiness of others, too.
So, I settle on five bottles of Downer-Proof tablets instead.
One for myself, four for the lucky future quest clients and/or participants.
775 guintos later...
I walk away a happy customer.
And that's all for day 2 of the school festival.
I'm 100% sure to check out day 3 tomorrow.
- Writer
