NOTE: Please forgive the quality of the photos. My camera broke and I borrowed one. I apologize for the fun-house effect in some of the pics.
STORIES
216 - Peasants
2017
Brynie Washi Fin Karanthir Zyfan
Sunday afternoon ...
BRYNIE:
… and then you hit the return key, see?
WASHI:
Interesting. This human device may be of use here, but it will
never gain importance among our clans in the Elvin realm.
BRYNIE:
Sure it will. My grandparents have wi-fi on our farm
back home. It’s how we stay in touch.
FIN:
He's right. It took some doing to get them hooked up but it
was well worth the trouble.
BRYNIE:
I can show you some more if you like.
WASHI:
That won't be necessary. I prefer the ways of my kind.
BRYNIE:
Your kind? You’re an Elf just like us.
WASHI:
No, I was born of the Desert Clan. You were not.
BRYNIE:
So?
WASHI:
The Desert Clan Elves are different from all others.
BRYNIE:
How?
FIN:
Yeah, how?
WASHI:
We are a superior breed.
BRYNIE:
Breed, like in breeding animals?
KARANTHIR:
Breeding? Are we talking about sex?
BRYNIE:
No Karanthir, Washi just informed us that his clan is better than ours.
KARANTHIR:
Really?
WASHI:
I meant no offense. I only speak the truth.
KARANTHIR:
Why would anyone take offense to that? Do continue
to enlighten us with this… truth of yours.
WASHI:
It comes down to survival of the fittest.
WASHI:
… My people have thrived in the harsh conditions of the desert for centuries. Your people have dwelled in lands full of vegetation, with an abundance of animals to supply you with nourishment, all while assisting you in your labors.
FIN:
For your information - those lush lands needed to be farmed
and cultivated, the animals - trained and kept. I suppose
you think everything just happened on its own?
WASHI:
Perhaps it was a challenge, for your people, but it is nothing compared
to the conditions of life in the desert. You would have a difficult time
sustaining yourself there, without the help of my people.
FIN:
I’ll have you know that I've traveled through your desert,
more than once - without any help from your people.
KARANTHIR:
That’s true. I was with him. So tell me this - because with my inferior
mind, I’m confused. Aren't you now part of the Sea Clan?
WASHI:
I live with my wife’s Clan now. Yes.
KARANTHIR:
I see. Perhaps the harsh conditions of your birth clan were simply
too much for your delicate constitution, so you found a way out?
WASHI:
My marriage to Usagi was an intricate part of a treaty between
our two Clans. It is understandable that you know nothing of such
political matters. You, who are nothing more than a peasant.
KARANTHIR:
Peasant!
FIN:
Easy Karanthir ...
KARANTHIR:
Out of my way brother, this peasant demands the right to speak.
WASHI:
Let him speak. I want to hear what he has to say.
KARANTHIR:
Thank you. The way I see it your family needed to be rid of you, being
the extra prince and all, so they married you off to the only clan that
would have you. Then you disgraced yourself by losing the family genie.
KARANTHIR:
… Honestly, it takes one of great superiority to misplace such a
valuable commodity. And in the process, you nearly ruined all
relations with the One, the most powerful being in the United
Elvin Nations, when you stupidly dishonored his nephew, Zyfan.
WASHI:
My, you have a flair for twisting the facts.
KARANTHIR:
I meant no offense, really. I was only speaking the truth.
WASHI:
The truth is your menial influence has caused Zyfan to lose
status among his peers. I see now you have bewitched him. Why
else would he chose to live among these … humans with you.
He’s ruined. A prince shamefully taken down by a mere peasant!
FIN:
Oh no - I didn't mean to do that.
KARANTHIR:
I was supposed to do that!
BRYNIE:
Wow Fin - you knocked him out with one punch!
KARANTHIR:
Really Fin - I’ve been looking forward to doing that ever
since he got here. You stole my thunder.
FIN:
It just happened. I wasn’t thinking.
BRYNIE:
Look at the bright side Karanthir. Fin knocked him out. You couldn't
have done better. Zyfan can't be angry with you. It’s a win win situation.
KARANTHIR:
Except I didn't get to hit him! And I really wanted to …
FIN:
Why isn't he getting up? Maybe we should throw some water on him?
KARANTHIR:
Oh please let me ...
ZYFAN:
Karanthir, what have you done?
BRYNIE:
It wasn’t him. Fin knocked Washi out with one punch.
You shoulda been here. It was awesome!
ZYFAN:
Fin?
FIN:
I didn’t mean to. It's all my fault. I’m so sorry.
KARANTHIR:
Now Fin, I won’t allow you to take all the blame for this.
Let me be completely honest my prince - Washi started it.
BRYNIE:
He really did. He called us peasants.
Then he insulted you. I was sure Karanthir was
gonna smash his face in, but Fin beat him to it.
ZYFAN:
This is bad. Washi is here on a diplomatic mission. My
Uncle invited him here. How will I ever explain this to him?
BRYNIE:
Does he really need to know?
KARANTHIR:
The little monster has a point. After all, I’m sure Washi will be quite humiliated, being taken down by a mere peasant. Honestly, I don’t
think he’ll be able to live with his superior self for quite some time.
ZYFAN:
You are right. He will not want anyone to know about this.
I think it would best if you were not here when he wakes.
FIN:
Don't you think I should apologize?
ZYFAN:
Another time.
FIN:
Of course. C'mon Brynie.
Brynie and Fin leave.
ZYFAN:
And you, you did nothing to antagonize him?
KARANTHIR:
Moi? Really my prince, he deserved everything he got and more.
My only regret is it wasn’t me who knocked him out.
Although, I will admit Fin did a magnificent job of it.
ZYFAN:
I am sorry I missed it.
