Erika's "Acting" Gig

(Erika's Perspective)

"You should be safe inside here. I'm just going to go to that festival for a little bit and then I'll come back to get you... oh and I'll probably need this." I said, as I reached into his pocket to get our bag of gold.

I shut the dumpster lid and left the alley. I felt a little bad for having to leave Mr. Arno, but he was being a bit of a meany on this trip. Maybe leaving him for a bit would make him consider being a bit nicer.

Finding out where the festival was wouldn't be too hard. It seemed like that was where a majority of the people who were out were heading anyway and if I needed to, I could just flip a coin to figure out where to go. What I really wanted to know was where I could get one of those pretty outfits a lot of girls were wearing? I believe Mr. Arno said they were called "yokatos'' or something along those lines. As I followed the crowd, I kept my eye out for clothing shops. Unfortunately, it seemed like everything was closed at this time at night.

Soon, I made it to a massive park that was crowded with people. There were various stalls lined up all over the place. They were selling everything from food and toys, to charms and crafts. One stand in particular caught my attention.

"Ah, a westerner. Come try your luck at my game" A skinny old bearded man said as I approached his stall.

Laid out in front of me were three bamboo cups and a blue glass marble.

"This looks like fun. Is this enough to play?" I said, as I pulled a handful of gold out and placed it on the counter.

The old man's face lit up.

"Yes... that should be just enough... The game is simple. I'll hide the marble under one of these cups and if you can pick the right one, you win that very expensive hand forged Katana on the stand behind me."

"I don't know what that 'Kotono' thing is, but it sounds good to me."

He pocketed the money off the table and proceeded to place the marble under a cup and mix them up.

He grinned

"Make your choice."

"It's the center one." I said instantly with no hesitation at all.

"Sorry better luck ne-"

He lifted the cup, revealing the marble.

"Oh, wow. Looks like I won!"

"How the?... that shouldn't pos-... I mean... uh the game is actually best two out of three."

He put the marble back under the cup and mixed them up again.

"I'll pick the right one this time." I said.

He picked up the cup and sure enough the marble was under it. The old man seemed kind of surprised for some reason.

"Did I say two out of three... I actually meant...uh... best four out of five.

A small crowd was starting to gather around out of curiosity. The old man was starting to look a little bit sweaty. Two more times he placed the marble under the cup... and sure enough I picked correctly both times.

The old man looked defeated. He sighed,

"Here, just take it. I'm done."

He tossed me whatever that Kotono thingy was and proceeded to pack up his stand and leave. I held up my prize and inspected it. It was long and pink with accents on the handle. To be honest it sort of just looked like a fancy stick.

"Hmmm, I wonder what this thing is used for?... I guess I'll just have to ask Mr. Arno later." I said to myself.

I continued looking around the festival, eating various foods, and playing all sorts of games. I suddenly turned a corner as I was walking past a stall when...

*Bump*

"Oh, my goodness. I'm so sorry." I said.

I had accidentally bumped into someone causing us both to fall down.

"No, I'm sorry. I should have been paying attention to where I was going." A girl with long dark brown hair who was probably close to my age said as she stood back up from the ground.

"That's a really pretty outfit you're wearing. I hope it didn't get dirty."

She was wearing a white yokato (or whatever it's called) with silver spiral patterns all over it.

"It's fine. It doesn't look like anything got on it. Even if, I can just get another one... By the way, I see that you're a foreigner. Is this your first time attending a festival here in Unko?"

"Yes, this is my first time ever in another country. I actually came here with my mentor. We're actually sorcerer's with the Adventurer's Guild. My name is Erika Magier. What's yours?"

"I'm Sato Shiina. It's very nice to make your acquaintance, Erika-san. So, you're a sorceress. You know I just so happen to be an advisor to a very important person. We just so happen to be putting on a 'play' of sorts and I think we have a role you'd be perfect for."

"A play! That sounds like a lot of fun. I'd love to help out." I responded.

Sato smiled.

"Excellent, if you come with me, I need to introduce you to someone first.”

My new friend Shiina led the way, as I excitedly followed her. I always wanted to be an actress... Hopefully I don't have to read any scripts, though. That might be a problem considering I still can't read.

✨✨✨

"Wow, that's one massive building! What's this place used for?" I asked, pointing to the humongous red and gold structure that Shiina and I stood at the entrance of.

"That's Unko Palace. Let’s just say it's sort of a ‘set’." She responded.

Two guards stood at the gates of the palace. As Shiina and I walked past, they simply just nodded at her, as though they knew her. We entered through two towering ornate wooden doors into a wide open room. The walls of the room were dark red and in the center there was a very fancy looking chair with gold accents and a long black rug that stretched up to it.

"He should be here any moment..." Shiina said.

*Tap* *Tap* *Tap*

A group of men dressed in robes entered the room. Leading the group was a bearded old man wearing red and black armor. He sat down on the fancy chair while the robed men took their places beside him.

Shiina took a knee.

"Good evening my lord."

"Good evening to you too, Sato-san. I see you've brought a foreigner here. Is she the 'one'."

"Yes, this is Erika. She's a sorceress from the West Kingdom. I think she'll serve her 'role' perfectly."

He nodded.

"Interesting choice, but as my most trusted advisor, you have my full confidence. It's very nice to meet you Erika-san. I'm Takashi."

"Um, it's very nice to meet you too, Mr. Takashi, but I think you might be confused, my last name is Magier not Sun. Also I'm still not really sure what I'm supposed to do for this role thingy that you mentioned." I said.

Shiina Spoke up,

"'Don't you worry, Erika-san, all you have to do is follow Takashi-sama's and my cues. I'm sure you'll do great."

I smiled at both of them.

"I'll make sure I do my best! You can count on me."

I still really wasn't sure what this play was going to be about, but it seemed like my new friends had faith I could pull off my part.

✨✨✨

People must have been really excited for this play because there was a humongous crowd gathered near the Palace's courtyard. Two men opened the doors to the palace's entrance, as Mr. Takashi walked out to greet his audience. That same group of Robed men from earlier followed him out.

I wasn't really sure why he needed so many people to follow him around. Maybe he was a famous actor or something. I'm pretty sure celebrities have entourages and stuff.

Mr. Takashi stood at the center of the crowd.

"Good evening my loyal subjects. I'm happy to see so many people show up for this sudden announcement."

The crowd cheered. Takashi waited for it to die down until continuing.

"Tonight, a duel will take place right here before all of you. An unexpected challenge has come before me and as your gallant leader, despite my old age, I must accept. Please step forth, my worthy opponent."

"That's your cue." Shiina said while nudging me forward.

I took my place beside Mr. Takashi.

"Pssst, Shiina, what am I supposed to do with my hands?" I whispered, awkwardly holding my hands up.

"Just smile and wave to the crowd."

I did as she said.

"A foreigner?" A few people in the crowd muttered to each other.

"This bold and powerful sorceress from the West Kingdom has challenged me to a duel for my title as shogun. As per tradition I must accept. Sato-san, please go over the terms of this duel."

This guy seemed to really be getting into his role. If I didn't know any better, I'd think he was the actual ruler of this kingdom.

Shiina stepped forward and spoke,

"This duel will be a one on one sword fight between the Shogun and Erika-san. No magic or other tricks are allowed. The loser will be exiled from the East Kingdom forever... If both of you are ready, please take your respective positions and face each other."

The crowd began cheering and chanting Mr. Takashi's name. I was wondering if this was sort of like those fake wrestling performance kind of things.

I stood in the spot that Shiina pointed out to me and Mr. Takashi stood in his and we both faced each other.

"Please draw your swords." Shiina said.

Mr. Takashi unsheathed a really oversized blade from his back. It was probably as big as he was.

Shiina looked at me confused.

"Erika-san, please draw your weapon."

"Ummm, I don't have one. All I have is this stick thingy I won earlier." I responded.

"Pull the handle out of that pink sheathe."

*Shink*

"Woah, I had no idea this Kotono thing was a sword!" I exclaimed.

Shiina stood between us facing the audience.

"Alright, are both of you ready?"

I suddenly remembered something.

"One second."

I quickly tapped the glowing seal on my hand. I was having so much fun, I nearly forgot about Mr. Arno. It had been a few hours, he should have learned his lesson by now.

"Okay, now I'm good..."