Virtue: The Play

From Atlantic Roleplay Wiki

Title: Virtue: The Play

Author: Unknown

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Isk as Patron.

A picture of an actor's frowning mask* Cast: Lord Darian Sandra Girl 1-2. Tanya Vel Man 1-3 Enter Darian followed by Girl 1,2, Sandra and Tanya. Girls position themselves with Girl1, Girl 2 followed by Sandra and Tanya.

DARIAN: Enter, my friends, my court now welcomes all who seek my favour. Brides in deepest reds and blues you stand before me, each a careful stroke in an artist's Masterpiece, the best your houses can offer. Who shall share my heart and bed, I, Darian, the sherif of Britania?

Darian turns to Girl 1, walking up to her

DARIAN: Your eyes are dark as onyx, as deep as night, beautiful and modest the perfect wife. Darian turns away

DARIAN: Your father hoped those lips would kiss away my justice, and forgive his crimes. Be gone! Girl 1 runs off stage crying. Darian turns to Girl 2 and walks up to her

DARIAN: Your dress is trimmed in blue and silver, but your heart is red with treachery and lust just as the elf who gave you birth.

Girl2 runs off stage crying

DARIAN: Will no one here prove worthy of my touch?

SANDRA: Great lord, I greet you, I am Sandra. My years since we last met have all been spent under the charge of my mother, mastering The rules layed down by my house long ago, learning ways of honor and of the arts. Persuasion is my skill and in my hands the lyre sings to charm the crowd, not a single face in the court is strange to me. All that the perfect wife would need I know.

Darian walks up to Sandra

SANDRA: My lord, I have run my father's house for years and cared for my sister's children like my own. All that you need or want, my lord, I do.

Tanya smiles and takes a step forward DARIAN: Your words are true, your grasp of women's arts Is unsurpassed, but how sad for a man returning to a castle that's ruled with honor and with skill, but not without a wife who's charming splendor warms the eye and heart. Beauty is its own reward. Beautiful and delicate like a lily stem. Dark eyes, with lowered lashes And waterfalls for hair. The highest virtue. The one worth fighting for.

Darian turns to Tanya DARIAN: From this day forth, you are my wife.

Smiling all but Sandra exit

SANDRA: What worth is there to life with beauty lost? All thought, all skill, all effort sacrificed Before the simplest lack-wit elegance. Never shall I remain content in shadow, Eclipsed beneath another's empty smile.

Sandra draws her dagger

SANDRA: Their beauty paves their way. Was I cut from A jagged rock with shaking hands? Am I not delicate Enough to touch his flesh? I say so be it. If he says beauty is virtue, let me be the most virtuous woman in Sosaria. In life, in honor, nothing won or gained. I now choose death.

Sandra holds the dagger to her arms and cuts her wrists, drop red cotton. Bell rings

SANDRA: The death of honor. This is my sacrifice. Beauty is now mine. She walks away leaving her mask on the floor. Enter the court men 1-3 with Lord Darian. They talk amongst themselves

Enter Sandra, not wearing a mask

Man1: What have I done that fortune smiles on me so? There is no art that makes such loveliness. She looks at me.

Sandra walks up to the front of the stage and looks at the audience. (Speech color is now red) SANDRA: What fools these Britanians are. Like butterflies, Chasing the brightest flash of colored wings. A pretty face their prize, still they don't know virtue.

Sandra drops her bracelet, Man 1 picks it up for her and both exit stage

Man2: Woe that it is not I who feels those lips upon my skin, those fingers through my hair.

Sandra comes back alone and takes Man 2 off stage.

Man3: Jealousy spreads. Where have the favoured gone? No longer do they stand beside their lord Darian. Instead of swords they hold her hand.

Sandra returns and takes Man3 away

DARIAN: Why am I left alone? Are not my looks as good as any other's? Are my gifts not chosen with more care, my honor wrapped in paper, offered on a silver tray?

Sandra comes back and stands before Darias

DARIAN: Take me! SANDRA: There's only a single gift which gains my hand, A single, simple price which I demand, The perfect tithe, to buy my love. The thing I ask does not have gems nor gold, nor silver plates, nor music, dance nor verse of admiration Nor moonlit walks nor promise pledge or vow. I only ask for your soul as virtue is found within.

DARIAN: It is yours.

Sandra places her hands on Darias' lips. (Darias drinks DP and dies) Out come Man 1-3 dressed as ghosts. Sandra turns to the audience.

SANDRA: Some day you will understand The pleasure of my touch brought at such cost. A denied heart justice inflicts.

Everyone bows