Song of Moon: A Chromaicora Adventure

Celia Moon has just scored a recording contract with the world-renowned Startone Records thanks to a mysterious, unseen benefactor. After her sister Astyr returns from parts unknown, the pop idol is forced to hide from the limelight, which she fears could put her career in jeopardy. Could a chance encounter with the suave noble Vincent von Oren provide a way for Celia to safely proceed with her newfound stardom?

Cast

Celia Moon - A young woman whose voice has the power to mesmerise and enchant virtually anyone who hears it, she has fought hard to achieve her dream of becoming a pop idol, and will do whatever it takes to bring that goal to fruition.

Astyr Moon - A starweyne wizard and the adoptive elder sister of Celia, she is aware of the danger that the young bard faces as a result of her powerful voice, and strives to find a source that will provide unbiased safety for them both.

Vincent von Oren - A vampire noble and paladin of Marilina, he initially comes across as having the snobbish aloofness typical of his kind, yet proves to have layers of kindness, compassion and valour that even many human nobles lack.

"You seriously expect me to TRUST this creep?!"

Scene 1: Startone Records: Early Afternoon

The scene fades into a view of a skyscraper; on its front is an enormous neon sign that reads "Startone Records". A skiff zooms past the sign. We hear a female voice speak with an American accent.

Startone Records, the make-or-break destination for many young hopefuls looking to get into stardom.

Voice #1: NOOOOOOO-HO-HO-HOOOOOOO...

Yeesh... I knew this place was ROUGH, but that guy has some SERIOUS talent!

We cut to a view of a young homonid woman standing inside an enormous office. Her wavy, shoulder-length blonde hair and outfit have a vibe reminiscent of a pop idol's, with a predominantly yellow and white base and accents of pink, lavender and gold. She appears calm, though her inner nervousness shows through a little in her face and mannerisms, right down to her metallic-lavender, gold-trimmed microphone, which she grips in both her hands.

I guess that puts my OWN chances into perspective, doesn't it? Oh, the name's Celia, Celia Moon. And no, it isn't my REAL name, just an alias.

We hear a deep voice clear its throat, which causes the woman's faintly-pink lips to twitch slightly.

Anyway, I've wanted to be a singer for as long as I can remember - which, by the way, isn't as long as you'd think - and this was my big make-or-break moment. Given that this is my dream, and that this is my opening scene, I'll give you three guesses how it went...

Voice #2: Hm...

Celia shows her teeth a little.

Voice #2: Celia Moon...

Celia responds without letting her nervousness show.

Celia: Yes?

Voice #2: …I've performed a background check on you. What did I learn? A literal NOBODY has waltzed into my recording studio, performed a vocal audition with ME, the feared and reviled Galvanni "Sparky" Startone, as their JUDGE, and expects to find a place UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT on her first World Tour?!

Celia grins.

Celia: Pretty much.

We cut to a view of Sparky, revealing him to be a Greatkin.

Sparky: Ha-HA! THAT is the kind of minty talent I NEED in my lineup! Welcome...to Startone Records, CeCe!

Celia's eyes and mouth widen.

Celia: Are you serious?!

Sparky: Rule #1 of Sparky Startone: Sparky Startone is NEVER serious! But yes.

Celia squeals with delight.

Celia: This is amazing! Thank you SO much, Mr. Startone!

Sparky: Rule #3.14 of Sparky Startone: Mr. Startone is Sparky Startone's father! Please, call me Sparky! Or Boss. Wait...nah, don't call me Boss. Call me Sparky, chill?

Celia: You got it, Sparky!

Sparky: 'Ey, that's the attiTU-DI-OH!

We cut to a view of Celia as she raises her mic to her mouth. Just before she starts to sing, however, the scene freezes and becomes monochrome.

Celia's voice: THAT was a month ago. The preparations for the World Tour were underway, and we had to do the WHOLE THING with my sister having mysteriously disappeared. Then I received a memo from some guy I've never met who calls himself "The Kelpie" telling me Astyr's on her way back "safe and sound". The first concert of my World Tour AND my sister coming home to see it? I was literally over the moon! So what happened next?

Scene 2: Creepy Estate: Night

The scene wipes to a view of a pair of metal gates outside a large, somewhat imposing Gothic-style manor. The inky black sky flashes with distant sheet lightning, followed seconds later by the faint rumbling of thunder. Celia and a figure in a violet cloak marked with a sparkling silver pattern near its base approach the gates. We cut to a view of Celia's face, which becomes a mix of horrified and frustrated.

Celia: Oh, you have GOT to be kidding me...

To be Continued...

Scene 3: Quantity Skyport: Late Morning

We see a view of Celia standing in what resembles an airport, holding a huge, brilliantly decorated purple sign reading "ASTYR".

Okay, lemme back it up a little. That morning, I got to the Skyport bright and early, waiting SUPER patiently for Astyr to get back.

Celia: Oh, come ON, Astyr! I've been standing here waiting for-

Celia looks at her wristwatch.

Celia: Huh... feels like longer than that. Well, my point still stands!

Then, a voice in my mind gave me news that was both amazingly good and super frustrating in equal proportion.

A voice echoes in Celia's mind.

Voice: Celia?

Celia speaks with her physical voice.

Celia: Astyr? That you?

The inner voice giggles lovingly. Celia smiles.

Celia: Yeah... it's you. Where are you?

Astyr: I deign to ask you the same.

Celia: Uh, hold on...

Celia looks around.

Celia: Near Gate 11. The ticketguide said the skyship from Rionnag Cnoc was arriving here.

Astyr giggles again.

Celia: What's so funny?!

Astyr: I didn't arrive via skyship, Bonnie One.

Celia: WHAT?! Then where ARE you? ... You can't be! I only just... but I was JUST there, and-

A circa human couple stops and stares at Celia, puzzled.

Celia: You're calling ME odd, when YOU'RE the one who keeps leaving her SOCKS in the-

Celia suddenly notices the couple and grins awkwardly.

Celia: Oh, uh... interverb. My sister's a starweyne. Well... I'm adopted, so...

The couple laughs with mild relief, before walking away.

Celia: Yeah, still here... well, how LONG are you gonna-

Suddenly, a swirl of rich, glittering violet cloud appears before Celia, illuminating the immediate vicinity, before it takes the form of a young-looking, human-looking woman, with curly, shoulder length chestnut hair, vivid emerald eyes, and glittery silver freckles on her cheeks. A smile slowly spreads across her face as she readies herself to speak.

Celia: Darn it, Astyr! Do you REALLY think it's fine to do that in public?

Astyr: What could possibly be the harm?

Celia: What if someone sees you?!

Astyr: Bonnie One, I am certain that everyone in this area, including the security personnel, observed my entrance and thought nothing of it.

Celia: Oh yeah? Well, I beg to dif-

Celia looks around. Everyone seems indifferent to Astyr's dramatic entrance. Two others of her kind suddenly appear in the area in a similar way, in differing hues, and are met with similar apathy.

Celia: So this... is normal?

Astyr: For starweynes, yes.

Celia: Boy, do I have a lot to learn...

Astyr: Now come. We have a long journey ahead of us.

Celia: Good. I've already booked our pre-flight entertainment and meal. I hope you like pickled-

Astyr: We are not venturing by skyship, Celia.

Celia: Wait... are you humouring?

Astyr: Far from it. Our benefactor requests to meet with him in-person in the Auldlands, and he specifically states we arrive via vak-drawn carriage.

Celia: What?! But... wow, actually, that'll make a refreshing change from four weeks of, "please keep seatbelts fastened until skyship reaches minimum safe altitude".

Astyr: Indeed.

Celia: Seriously, I have the entire flight recording database of Adamantalloy Skylines memorised by rote. A nice, relaxing carriage ride is just what I need... two hours of the gentle roll of wooden wheels and the soft tread of vakhooves... ah, now THAT'S my jam...

Celia closes her eyes and smiles with bliss.

Astyr: TWELVE hours, Bonnie One. Now come.

Astyr begins walking away.

Celia: Yeah...

Celia's eyes fly open as her smile suddenly disappears.

Celia: Did you say TWELVE HOURS?!

A syl human couple stops and stares at Celia, their eyes bulging slightly. She grins and laughs awkwardly.

Celia: I... I better follow her, heheh.

After a brief, awkward pause, Celia dashes after Astyr. The couples' eyes widen.

Syl #1: Elliott... was that-

Syl #2: -Celia Moon? Yes, Quinn, I think it was.

Both humans sigh and shake their heads.

Elliott: We should've asked for her autograph...

Quinn: Yeah... oh well, where there's a syl-

Elliott: -there's a way.

Scene 4: Creepy Manor: Night

So, after a mostly smooth, mostly BORING carriage ride, we got to the front door of this manor where our benefactor was waiting. My gut was knotted more tightly than that skyport pretzel I ate, and the taste in my mouth was WAY less pleasant than both.

Astyr leads Celia to a pair of ornately-carved mahogany doors.

Celia: I don't... Astyr, what do you mean? Why this place?

Astyr: Because the Kelpie said it would be the safest haven for you.

Celia: You must be humoring! How can some... creepy manor be safe?!

Astyr knocks on the door.

Astyr: If the Kelpie says it is safe-

Celia: Just who IS this Kelpie person?! How can you trust him?!

Astyr whirls around and grabs her sister's shoulders.

Astyr: Herikios Woodhollow saved my life. He is not what he appears at first glance.

Celia: Is he from another planet, like your peoples' ancestors?

Astyr: He... hm... I trust him entirely, Bonnie One.

Celia: Why? How?! He's a stranger to you!

Astyr: Celia, the Kelpie swears that the owner of this estate is entirely trustworthy. Believe me when I say that we are both in safe hands.

The doors swing open, revealing a pale-skinned gentleman in regal attire.

Gentleman: You must be the Moons. Vincent von Oren, at your service.

The gentleman grins, revealing a pair of short fangs on his upper jaw. Celia's eyes widen.

Celia: He's...a vampire.

Celia's thoughts: I KNEW we shouldn't have trusted the word of that fishy, blue-eyed freak...

To be Continued...