STORIES
151 - Giant
2009
The following afternoon …
KARANTHIR:
My prince, you can stop sneaking about. She’s not here.
ZYFAN:
Who is not?
KARANTHIR:
Why, Phae of course. You’re trying to avoid her, and succeeding.
ZYFAN:
I do not know what you mean.
KARANTHIR:
Oh no? Then I suppose it wouldn’t interest you to
know that Syrrah took Phae shopping.
ZYFAN:
Good. I mean, it matters little to me.
Then ...
VANNI:
Afternoon boys.
ZYFAN:
Greetings to you too.
VANNI:
Zyfan, you missed our run this morning.
ZYFAN:
I am sorry. I must have over slept. I hope you did not wait for me.
VANNI:
Not very long. I did see Shichi though.
He said he had to leave and asked me to look after Phae for him.
He told me he isn't coming back.
KARANTHIR:
He just left? I wonder what could've happened to send
him on his way in such a hurry, and with no good bye
To me. I didn’t even get to thank him for last night.
ZYFAN:
Why should you need to thank him?
KARANTHIR:
If it wasn’t for his arrival, you wouldn’t have been so ...
possessive. It made for a most amorous evening.
VANNI:
No wonder you over slept.
ZYFAN:
blushing
I would like to change the subject, now.
KARANTHIR:
I do love it when you blush, my prince.
ZYFAN:
blushing
I do not blush.
VANNI:
Zyfan, do you know anything about Phae?
ZYFAN:
Only why she is here.
VANNI:
Good. Syrrah looked into all of Phae’s claims,
and so far everything checks out.
ZYFAN:
What does that matter? If her name is not of the List, then she
is not eligible to be considered for my future bride.
VANNI:
According to what Syrrah discovered - she is, if you choose her.
ZYFAN:
How - when she is not on the List?
VANNI:
Further investigation revealed that the Councilors came up with this List as way of guiding the One to whoever they felt would be the best choice. Meaning, it's nothing more than a … recommendation.
KARANTHIR:
Isn’t that interesting? So my prince, you actually do have a choice in the matter. How odd that they failed to mention this to you. Our Miss Phae’s actually done you a great service by showing up here. Otherwise, you may never have known this.
VANNI:
That’s true. Syrrah wanted to be sure you understand it's entirely
up to you. You can stick to the List, and not meet Phae at all.
We can just send her home.
KARANTHIR:
So what will it be, my prince?
ZYFAN:
I admit this is a bit of a surprise. Do you think I should meet with her?
KARANTHIR:
It’s your decision.
ZYFAN:
Vanni?
VANNI:
I see no harm in talking to her.
ZYFAN:
Karanthir?
KARANTHIR:
Zyfan, I simply refuse to influence your decision in any way.
ZYFAN:
But you have already met her. Please tell me something.
What is she like?
KARANTHIR:
Alright, I'll give you this. You’ll be happy to know she’s a blonde.
ZYFAN:
That is not very helpful.
VANNI:
She did travel a very long way …
ZYFAN:
I suppose it would be rude not to meet with her.
VANNI:
Glad to hear it. Syrrah's planning a dinner for tonight.
Phae will be presented to you then.
ZYFAN:
Tonight! What would she have done had I said no?
VANNI:
We both agreed that you were too polite to refuse
Phae an audience.
Later ...
ORRIE:
Hey - who you?
PHAE:
My name's Phae.
ORRIE:
I'm Orrie. Wanna play Tic-Tac-Toe with me?
PHAE:
Yes, I would.
ORRIE:
X’s or O’s?
PHAE:
I think I’d like the O’s.
ORRIE:
OK, here. Guess what?
PHAE:
What?
ORRIE:
Fin’s coming today. Brynie too. Gonna be here soon.
PHAE:
Who are they?
ORRIE:
My brothers.
PHAE:
How nice for you. How many brothers do you have?
ORRIE:
Three. First is Fin, then K’ranthir, then Brynie, then me.
Brynie’s with Fin. They driving all the way from California.
PHAE:
You’re Karanthir’s brother?
ORRIE:
Just told you so.
PHAE:
Haha yes you did. Have you any sisters?
ORRIE:
Nope, don't need 'em.
PHAE:
I see. And where are your parents?
ORRIE:
Dead.
PHAE:
Oh I’m so sorry.
ORRIE:
Why? You didn’t kill ’em.
PHAE:
Uh no ... still, it’s sad.
ORRIE:
I guess. We don’t talk about them. Makes Fin and
K’ranthir feel bad, maybe Brynie too. Hey look - I win!
ZAM:
There you are my dear. I’ve been looking everywhere for you.
ORRIE:
Who that?
PHAE:
This is Zam. He helped guide me on my journey here. Zam this Orrie, Karanthir’s brother.
ZAM:
How do you do?
ORRIE:
I do good. Where's your tail?
ZAM:
Tail?
PHAE:
Orrie, Zam doesn't have a tail.
ORRIE:
Yes he does ... did. I saw it. It's blue.
- DOOR SLAMS -
ORRIE:
You hear that? I’ll bet it’s Fin. I gonna go see …
At the front door ...
SHICHI:
… You can’t just walk in, uninvited, without even knocking.
- ? -
I just did.
SHICHI:
Well we're here - so untie me, it's not like I'm going anywhere. Thyssa, are you listening to me?
THYSSA:
I hear your voice but ignore the words. They have no substance.
ORRIE:
from down the hall
Fin!
SHICHI:
Listen ... that’s Orrie. He’s just a little boy. Don’t scare him, please?
ORRIE:
Shichi you're back? Why you tied up? And who this …
Wow - you're a giant!
THYSSA:
Some think so.
