Episode 2 - Gilded Luck

INT. DUNGEON CORRIDOR – DIMLY LIT
[The scene opens where Episode 1 ended. A dimly lit dungeon corridor. Their footsteps echo softly. The tension from the Minotaur battle has shifted into an uneasy quiet.]

Porter (softly, almost to herself)
“…Ever since I can remember.”

Darin freezes mid-step, glancing at her with wide eyes.

Darin (stunned)
“How far back is that?”

Porter (hesitant, reluctant)
“I… remember being sold to a merchant. I think his name was… Hanz.”

Darin’s expression twists with recognition and shock, his voice raising slightly.

Darin (flabbergasted)
“Wait — Hanz?! The Hanz? The infamous merchant who was executed for colluding in the murder of a noble girl?!”

Porter flinches at his sudden volume, then slowly, softly nods, as if admitting something shameful.

Darin (muttering, still processing)
“…That was over a decade ago.”
(he looks at her in disbelief, voice quieter now)
“You’ve been… passed from one hand to another… since then?”

Porter lowers her head, clutching the worn straps of her pack tightly. She nods faintly.

Porter (quietly, almost detached)
“…After he was arrested, I was sold to the guild. At first, I was just cleaning the guild halls, then was sent into the dungeons a couple of years later.”

Without another word, she walks a little faster, moving ahead of him.

Darin (watching her, his voice a low murmur)
“…Executed for murder… and you were just… I can’t stand it.”

A flicker of memory flashes in Darin’s mind — his coworker back in the office, trembling as their boss berates her. That image merges with Porter’s small, fragile frame walking ahead of him now, her shoulders slumped under invisible weight.

Darin (V.O., inner thought, jaw tightening):
“I couldn’t protect her then… but this time, I won’t fail.”

[The corridor widens as faint beams of sunlight filter down from cracks above. The oppressive darkness of the lower floors fades. The scrape of claws, low growls, and dripping water echo.]

Darin (casual, breaking the silence)
“Keep close. These upper floors are nothing like what we just came from… but a careless step can still get you killed.”

Porter nods faintly, clutching her pack tighter.

A faint growl echoes ahead. Darin raises a hand. Two goblin-like creatures emerge from the dark, snarling.

Darin (sighs)
“Just scavengers. Stay behind me.”

The goblins screech and charge. Darin strikes them down with efficient precision — one, two, both drop dead.

Porter (wide-eyed)
“…Fast.”

Darin (glances back, faint smirk)
“Compared to that Minotaur? These are barely a warm-up.”

(beat)
“Speaking of Minotaur, I never did thank you.”

Porter tilts her head, confused.

Darin
“You practically saved us, had you not gotten that strength vial to me we’d both be dead. That beast would have been a handle for even a group of seasoned adventurers.”

She smiles — the first sign of genuine gratitude she’s received.

They move on. A swarm of bat-like creatures bursts overhead. Porter yelps, trembling. Darin steps in front, cutting them down with calm precision.

Porter (soft, breathless)
“…You didn’t even flinch.”

Darin (shrugs)
“Years of practice. You’d be surprised what you can get used to.”

They reach the pitfall site where her party perished. Porter freezes, trembling. Darin steps in front, blocking her view, letting her clutch his cloak until they pass safely.

At last, sunlight pours in. A final goblin lunges — Darin cuts it down without breaking stride. They climb into daylight.

Fresh air. Relief. They walk toward town.

Darin
“We’ll need to report what happened. The guild will want to know about that Minotaur plus the trap.”

Porter (nods quietly)

Darin (gestures at her pack)
“May I carry that for you? It looks heavy.”

Porter (clutching straps)
“Please don’t, I want to be useful.”

Darin (assuring)
“You’ve been more than useful. Plus, you stared death in the face and still shirked away. That’s the most impressive.”

A smile crept along her face. As her shy demeanor slowly begins to fade. They began to make their march towards town.

A passerby merchant grants them aboard as Darin and the Porter sit on the back wagon hitching a ride to town.

They hop out and go through the ID Check with the guards.

Guard 1 (grimacing)
“Wait, wasn’t she with a party?”

Darin (somber)
“Unfortunately, they didn’t make it out. A Minotaur got to them.”

Guard 2 (spits)
“Figures. The others didn’t make it because she was there.”

Guard 1 (sharply, stepping back)
“Keep her away from me — that Black Cat brings ruin wherever she goes.”

Darin jerks with anger but presses his lips shut, saying nothing as they move through.

4. The Gilded Halls (Guild Hall) (~8:00–12:30)

Opening — Guild Hall Entrance

The guild hall looms — three stories of stone and glass, banners hanging, a place of wealth and authority. Inside, the chatter is loud, clattering mugs, armor clinking. Statless porters sit against the walls like cattle, waiting to be “hired.”

Adventurers in mismatched armor crowd the space; scribes shuffle parchment.

The porter clings close to Darin, her movements quiet, head slightly lowered.

As Darin and Porter step inside, a faint black aura flickers around her. On-screen: a dice roll → [14]. The crowd shifts uneasily. There is a stillness in the air.

They approach the guild clerk/teller.

At the Counter

Teller immediately notices the porter girl: See’s the rental document signed.

Teller
“She must be a Black Cat then. At first I couldn’t believe it, but results don’t lie! Thank you for bringing her back safely.”

Close-up on her reaction: a brief flinch, averted gaze — the audience sees her discomfort with the attention.

Darin remains calm, measured:

Darin
“That being said… I don’t want to bring her back to you. I want to purchase her.”

Teller freezes — stunned at the audacity of the request.

‘I’m sorry, what did you say?”

Darin, calm and cool, gestures toward the girl.

Darin
“I want to purchase this porter."

The clerk stiffens, lips tightening. A bead of sweat forms. He excuses himself, boots echoing across stone as he disappears upstairs.

Moments later two guards arrived, hard-eyed.

Guards
“The Guild Master wishes to see you.”

Climb to the Office

The ascent up the guild’s grand staircase feels oppressive. The sound design here is heavy — steps echoing, the girl’s chains rattling.

Cut: They approach a tall, oak door. The GM’s voice snarls from within before they even knock:

“If it’s for the girl, the answer is no.”

Inside the Office

 The GM sits behind a mountain of paperwork. His face is already sour, ink-stained hands gripping a quill like a weapon. He’s short, stocky, dressed too richly — rings on every finger, neck fat gleaming with sweat.

GM (snarling, low voice): “Do you know how much trouble I’ll be in if she disappears?
The guild profits every time she’s …!”

Before he can finish his statement, He drops a heavy pouch of gold down on the desk with a solid thud.

Darin
“Fifty pieces. For her.”

The GM freezes mid-scribble. His eyes flicker to the bag, greedy hunger in them, though he tries to sneer.

Guild Master (scoffing)
“Fifty? For her? You could buy forty or more statless for that. Why her?”

Darin (resolute)
“She’s the one I want.”

Escalation

· The GM scoffs, pushing his chair back. He waddles toward the desk, pushing his glasses back onto his face and glaring down at the gold like it’s poison. His voice drips contempt:

Guild Master
“She’s worth far more than this.”

He’s lying, of course. Everyone considers the statless as “worthless.” His greed is showing.

The door slams open. The clerk, breathless, rushes in, whispers frantic news into the GM’s ear. The GM’s face turns crimson. He pounds the desk with a fist, scattering papers.

Guild Master
“Fine! Pay me double and get out of my sight!”

Darin doesn’t flinch. He picks out another pouch of coins — this one a little heavier, drops it on the table as well. More coins spilling from the small satchel. Deliberately and fuming from the GMs comments, he takes six coins back.

Darin
“One hundred. Even.”

He beckons Porter over, unclasping the iron circlet from her neck. It hits the floor with a loud twang.

Darin
“I bestow your gift.”

Climax of the Deal

The GM’s scowl deepens. He bites his thumb, a nervous tic, eyes darting between Darin and the gold.

Guild Master (snapping)
“Don’t just stand there! Count it!”

The clerk scrambles, fingers trembling as he shuffles through coins, muttering numbers. The sound of metal on wood fills the silence

Exit

Darin turns his back on the GM, motioning for the girl to follow. The guards fall in step behind them.

The GM waddles to linger at the window once the doors shuts, his breathing heavy, sweat dripping down his temple. He chews his thumb bloody as he stares out over the town below — his reflection in the glass warping.

[Commercial]

Darin and the porter strolled away from the guild.

Darin (smirking)
“I had a feeling he couldn’t pass up on our deal. If he didn’t consider it, he wouldn’t have invited me to his office.”

He glanced at her, then down at himself. Grimy with battle and dungeon dirt, while she looked even worse — dusty, filthy, her clothing tattered beyond the point of dignity.

The sky above had turned, now shaded with gray clouds that threatened more rain.

Darin (concerned)
“Let’s get you some actual clothing. And I think we both need a soak. Even after the dungeon, just being around that guild master made me feel unkempt.”

They proceeded into the town, drifting past stalls and storefronts. Clothing lined the displays; every outfit designed with the stat crest visible on their chest — whether men’s or women’s wear.

When they entered another shop, a light shower began outside. Darin approached the counter.

Darin
“I’d like her measured for an outfit. Something pretty, yet durable.”

The clerk’s lip curled in disdain.

Clerk
“Pretty? This thing…? What is she, your personal whore or something?”

Darin (Irritated)
“You are welcomed to retract your statement.”

The clerk doesn’t flinch. Just stares with cold intent.

Darin exhaled sharply.
“Come on, seems our coin isn’t welcomed here.”

As they turn to leave the owner vehemently rushes the two, 

Owner
“Hang on!” 

Out scurries a man with has slicked back dark hair, a light-colored shirt with a patch-like colorful vest that is decorated with pins and needles.

He dismisses the woman. 

Owner
“Please, don’t go. I apologize for her rudeness. How can I, Paul the Needle, be of service to you?”

Darin (reluctant)
“As I said… I’d like her dressed in something pretty, yet durable for the dungeon.”

Paul scribbled down the request with eager focus, nodding. Then he whistled. A boy trotted in from the back — a statless child, though his Agility gem on his crest had long since faded. Unlike the others Darin had seen, the boy was well-dressed, showcasing the shop’s latest fashions.

Paul
“Get the girl’s measurements.” 

He wasn’t harsh or overbearing at his command, there was a tone of sincerity in his voice. Darin was reluctant to see a person treat a statless with a little more respect than he had been seeing in the rest of town. The boy takes the porter girl to the back to measure her.

Darin
“It actually touches me, the way you speak to your porter.”

Paul (smiling)
“My daughter isn’t too thrilled to have this boy around, but he is so diligent and thorough he is very good at what I need him to do. He helps me stitch, sew, and piece the clothing better than my daughter did, that I made him my assistant. He has a sense of fashion that she can’t comprehend but as you can see the many styles in here are mine and his design.” 

Paul points to a particular dress on the front display

Paul
“He designed that dress from top to bottom. I had no hand in making that. My daughter has never designed anything let alone picked up a needle. She handles the store front but is jealous of the porter. Again, I’m sorry for her rudeness.”

Darin could feel the compassion radiating from Paul. The trust Paul and the porter built made him feel like he wasn’t alone in wanting the world to be a better place for the statless.

Darin
 “Have you named the boy, rather than just calling him porter?”

Paul (eyes sparkled)
 “I have but have been terrified of the response from not only my daughter but the town. Imagine calling a statless by a name and having the world turn on you and your store. I’d probably have to close shop and move towns, but your reputation still follows you.”

Darin (nervous chuckle)
“I didn’t know if we would be trying on anything so I wasn’t sure if we should have cleaned up first before coming or not."

The porters both return, and he is holding a notepad with her measurements on it.

Paul
“I have a thought!”

Paul turns to look at the porter boy.

Paul
 “How would you like to see this girl in your dress?” 

The porter boy’s eyes light up with excitement His eyes begin tearing up as he brings the notepad over his lips. He is overwhelmed with emotion he merely nods with tears trickling from his eyes. 

Paul (beaming)
“That settles it! The boy here wants the girl to have his dress. Take the dress with you and get cleaned up. Come back in the morning and I can assure you we will have you an adventuring outfit just perfect for her. Just make sure she returns to show off the boy’s work.”

Darin looked at the porter. She was smiling, softly, eyes locked on his as if she had never felt such care directed toward her before.

Darin
“You feel like wearing a dress?”

She nodded shyly, eager despite her meekness.

Darin (resolute)
“I’ll pay for the dress, and the outfit together.”

Paul shook his head.
“It was the boy’s choice to give it. I won’t dishonor that.”

Darin
“Okay…”

Darin dropped two gold coins on the counter, splitting them into separate stacks.

Darin
“I’ll prepay for the dress, and I’ll tip the boy for his work. Make sure he uses it for himself.”

The porter boy is in shock sobbing into his notepad.

Paul (proud)
“Consider it done.” “Boy, go grab the dress and pack it nicely for them.”

Paul sounds like a proud father. The porter scurries in a sobbing, sniffling mess over to the dress. The dress was disrobed from the display and folded neatly, tied with a yellow ribbon fashioned into a bow. Darin handed it to her, and she clutched it tightly to her chest. For a moment, her blackened aura flickered faintly.

(Dice roll in the bottom left corner Blackened dice with golden cracks - 3)

As they left, she hummed softly, smiling wider than she ever had.

“Lets go to the place I’m staying. We can get cleaned up and get a good nights rest,” Darin marches next to her. They approach a flea market with fruit stands, meat stalls, jewelry, and random goods. It’s very lively as Darin ushers her to walk in front of him.

A man snags an apple from a fruit vendor and darts off, causing the merchant to give chase. The theif dashes right beside Darin and the porter, but the roads are so busy with people that vendor collides into Darin. He stumbled into her, sending her teetering toward a muddy puddle. Clutching her new dress, falling towards a pool of muddy water that was left from the rain. Darin quickly gathers her as he falls to his knees drawing the porter onto his lap to shield her and her new dress from the muck.

The vendor stopped, ready to apologize — until he noticed she was statless. His expression soured, and he scoffed before chasing the thief again.

The rest of the crowd is stun-locked looking at Darin. You can start to hear faint whispers among the crowd.

Darin forced a smile.
“Maybe we’ve had enough fun for today. Let’s head back.” 

She’s blushing at the situation and nods quietly. Around them, the crowd froze, staring. Whispers began to rise.

6. Returning to the Inn (18:00-22:00)

At the inn, they rinsed mud from their feet at a water barrel. Darin approached the counter, still grimy from the dungeon.

Darin
“I’d like some food delivered to my room.”

Inn staff (eyeing her)
“And for the porter? Bread and water?”

Darin (quick correction)
“Bring two plates for me. And yes, bread and water as well.”

Escorted the porter up with him to the room he began to discard his gear. 

Darin
“Damn this gear got so dirty. You can set your dress on the bed."

She set down her dress and began to pick up his gear and move it off to the side to attempt to clean it. 

Darin
“No, no, I’ll take care of that. You relax. We will be going to the bath in a moment; I’ll clean it afterwards.”

She sets the gear down to the side.

CUT TO – Bathhouse 

The atmosphere was oppressive — porter girls, barely clothed, washing patrons and folding garments. Some were harassed, others ignored. Darin and the porter walk through the cloth divider. 

Darin turns to the porter girl.

Darin “I’m not quite sure what to do in this situation. I can’t enter the women’s bath to protect you from others, but I don’t want you left alone.”

She nodded, removing her ragged clothes until only her underwear remained. He respectfully turned away, but what he saw in the men’s side only deepened his scowl — porters mistreated, worked to exhaustion, harassed and more than times often worse.

Understanding the situation, he begins to undress himself and folds his own clothing setting it in the bin. He places her articles in the bin as well. He asks a porter politely to take their bin and clean their clothing and while they bathe.

 He escorts the porter girl to the back of the bathhouse, where there are not as many people. 

Darin
“Have a seat, I’ll wash your hair and back."

She complies and sits, not understanding what is really going on.

Darin (smiling faintly)
 “Close your eyes. I can’t remember the last time I did this. It’s been so long ago when I was helping my brother and sister.”

The nostalgia waves over him as he remembers the family he left behind, tearing up. 

Porter
“Are you okay?” 

Darin (comforting)
“Yeah, just reliving some old memories.” 

As he continued to wash her back, he can see scars and old wounds from her history with the guild, carefully tracing some of the wounds his protective sense is compounding.

A patron approaches them.

Patron
“Cute whore, you cleaning her up for a sale? Might I offer…?” 

Darin (Disgusted)
“She isn’t an option, and she isn’t for sale. Please leave us.”

Patron
“Keeping her to yourself? Fine, I’ll pay triple!”

Darin (Infuriated)
“If you do not dismiss yourself NOW I will sever you tongue with a fork!” 

Darin visibly distraught and hate gleaming from his eyes. The Patron just sighs, raising his hands in forfeiture and walks away. Darin sighs.

Darin (Exasperated)
“Sorry about that. Despite living in this world for so long I still can’t accept the societal normality.” 

She stands up and hugs him. Darin caught by surprise raises his arms as she presses onto him. She buries her face into his chest. 

Porter
“Thank you, I cannot thank you enough.”

He returns the embrace and scene fades.

FADE TO – Inn Room

Darin sits in a wooden chair at the table, carefully cleaning his armor and gear. Across the room, the porter girl clutches her new dress, staring at it with wide eyes. Darin glances at her, smiling faintly.

Darin
"Why are you still wearing those porter clothes?"
"You can put your new dress on if you like."

Her face lights up. She unwraps the dress, gently laying the yellow ribbon on the bed. She glides across the floor toward him, almost floating with excitement.

Porter
"Can you help me?"

Darin sets his gear aside and rises. He carefully helps her slip into the dress, fastening the last button. She spins free of his hands and runs to the window, standing before the bright moon. Her silhouette shines through the fabric, her frame outlined in soft silver light. Darin can only watch, mesmerized.

His gaze drifts to the bed, spotting the ribbon.

Darin
"Bring me the ribbon too."

She obediently retrieves it and returns, placing it in his hand. Darin’s voice softens.

Darin
"Turn around."

She does so. He gently ties her hair up with the yellow ribbon, tugging it into a neat bow.

Darin
There. We can use this ribbon when we go to the dungeons too.

She spins suddenly, leaping into his arms, hugging him tight.

Porter
Thank you, master.

Darin freezes, taken aback at the word. He looks down at her.

Darin
You can call me Darin.

Porter
Thank you, Darin.

Her voice fades as her strength does. She collapses into his chest, exhausted. Darin catches her with ease, lifting her gently and laying her down onto the bed. He tucks her in carefully, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face.

KNOCK KNOCK.

Darin turns his head. A voice calls through the door.

Soften Feminine Voice (O.S.)
Your clothing’s been cleaned and returned.

Darin exhales softly, a rare peace washing over him as he looks back at the sleeping porter.

7. Pub - Ending (22:00-23:00)

He changes into his normal attire and decides to go get a drink from the pub next door. The pub is loud, filled with laughter, clinking mugs, and drunken chatter. Darin sits alone at a corner table. He lifts a mug of brew to his lips, eyes low, trying to relax.

Nearby, a group of Drunkards laugh raucously, voices cutting through the noise.

Drunkard #1
(boasting, slurring)
You seen the Black Cat with that solo act!? Hah! Be only a matter of time before he falls like the rest of ‘em.

Drunkard #2
(chuckling)
I still can’t believe the guild rents her out to adventurers. Unless they’re banking on them dying, hah!

The table bursts into laughter. Darin lowers his head further, his shoulders tense. His attempt to go unnoticed only draws attention.

Drunkard#3
(pointing, louder)
Oi—Idn’t that the guy?

The laughter grows. Whispers ripple through the room as more eyes turn toward Darin. His jaw tightens. He sets his mug down, leaving half the brew untouched. Quietly, he tosses coins on the table for his tab and stands.

As he walks toward the exit, the drunkards continue to jeer and laugh behind him.

Drunkard #1
(shouting after him)
Better enjoy it while it lasts, mate!

Darin clenches his fists, his voice low, almost a growl as he steps out into the cool night.

Darin (speaking under his breath)
They don’t know her…
(beat)
They don’t see her.

The door shuts behind him, muting the laughter as the screen fades to black.