A Cloudless Heart
Su Fang: So you want me to put on a display in your town? Certainly. I'll be along on the day of the festival.
Youth: Thanks a million! I can't wait! Your fireworks are supposed to be suuuuuper crazy beautiful!
Su Fang: Well, I don't know if I'd go THAT far.
Youth: Ha ha! I'm just trying to tell you how excited we all are. See ya!
Euden: Who was that?
Su Fang: Someone from another town who wants me to put on a pyroblossom display.
Euden: People are coming to you now? That's amazing!
Su Fang: He said he heard about me through someone else. It's all rather remarkable. It's humbling to know word is spreading, but it also makes me happy.
City Noble: I say! I hear there is some manner of pyroblossom artisan in this castle?
Euden: Sounds like you just got another visitor.
Su Fang: I am that artisan, sir.
City Noble: Then I shall get straight to the point. A festival will soon be held in the city where I live, and I want one of your displays to close the occasion.
Su Fang: I would be delighted.
City Noble: I did not expect you to agree so readily. We've not even discussed payment!
Su Fang: I require no payment.
City Noble: You would hand over something so valuable for free?!
Su Fang: People's happiness is reward enough.
City Noble: What utter madness! Still, if this is how you wish to do business, I'll not argue. And now, I must take my leave of you. Good day.
Su Fang: ......
Euden: Is something wrong?
Su Fang: It's just... Well, I find myself wondering if that man truly wants to see my work. Usually people tell me that they want to see them because they're beautiful, but that man used the word "valuable."
Euden: Hmm. I suppose he didn't seem excited in the same way other people usually are.
Su Fang: Oh, but I'm not going to give less than my best because of that, of course. I'd be a failure as an artisan if I gave anything less than 100 percent to a job! Well, I must get ready. Excuse me.
Euden: I have to respect the way Su Fang thinks. Still, calling his pyroblossoms "valuable" WAS a little bit odd...
Time passed, and the day came for Su Fang and the prince to pay a visit to the noble.
City Noble: Ah, Su Fang! How good to see you again. The festival will be held a short distance from here. Might you accompany me?
Su Fang: Of course.
Euden: We'll be coming as well.
City Noble: Oh, that won't be necessary; I've readied the finest seats in all the city for you to watch the show!
Ranzal: Well, ain't that sweet of ya! C'mon, Euden.
Euden: We're being led somewhere else? Hmm...
Su Fang: Are we nearly there? We seem to be getting further and further from the center of the city.
City Noble: Actually, I think we have just arrived. Yoo hoo! Oh, boys! Come on out!
Su Fang: Wh-who are these people?!
Noble's Underling 1: Don't worry 'bout that none, little man! You just drop them fancy fireworks 'ere.
Su Fang: I'm sorry, but I cannot do that. These mean everything to me.
City Noble: Surely not more than your life?
Su Fang: You... This was your goal all along!
City Noble: Indeed! Oh, but I have heard SUCH tales about your magnificent creations. To think you would take such a powerful weapon and use it as a mere amusement! Ah ha! Aha ha ha! What madness! I have FAR better plans in store... Like taking over the city and laying waste to all who try to stop me! Aaaaa ha ha ha!
Su Fang: ...this...
Noble's Underling 2: 'Ow's that, little man? Couldn't hear ya!
Su Fang: YOU WILL PAY FOR THIIIS!
Noble's Underling 2: Aaaagh!
Su Fang: How dare you even THINK of using my pyroblossoms for something so shameful?!
City Noble: And here I was hoping we could reach a peaceful agreement. It's SUCH a shame. ...Ah, well. Teach him a lesson, boys!
Noble's Underlings: With pleasure, boss!
Euden: Stop right there!
Noble's Underlings: Aaargh!
Su Fang: Euden?!
City Noble: N-no! You're not supposed to be here!
Euden: Clearly I was right to be suspicious of you. That's why I followed you here.
City Noble: Argh! This is SUCH a silly way for my beautiful plan to fail! Run awaaaay!
Euden: Are you okay, Su Fang? Are you hurt?
Su Fang: I'm fine, but that lout escaped!
Euden: I don't care—I just need to know you're all right. I've never seen you so angry!
Su Fang: Ah, yes. That. I guess that man just raised something up in me. He was about to breach one of the key rules of a pyroblossom artisan, you see.
Euden: Key rules?
Su Fang: Yes. Before we learn how to create and light pyroblossoms, we learn the state of mind required to handle them. They can be exceedingly dangerous, and so a true artisan must clear the mind and heart of all possible distraction.
Euden: Interesting... I wish there were more people in the world like you, Su Fang.
Su Fang: Oh, I'm nothing special! I've done things I'm not very proud of, after all. Still, this taught me a valuable lesson: There are people out there who would use my craft for great evil. I must increase my vigilance and ensure they are used only to spread joy—not fear. It seems my dream is further away than I first supposed.
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