Flayn & Manuela A

Flayn
Manuela, do you recall what you told me?

Flayn
You mentioned that "if a place shines brighter than anywhere else, then its shadows will be darker too."

Manuela
You sound so worried. That was nothing, dear. Call it a joke.

Flayn
It most certainly did not sound like a joke. Can you please elaborate?

Flayn
Of course, I love hearing about your glamorous past performing on stage. But all that glamor doesn't account for the shadows you spoke of.

Manuela
Well, I suppose I could share a little.

Manuela
Here's the thing about the opera. Talent isn't enough to earn you a position in a glamorous show.

Manuela
You need money, connections, and, failing those, the stomach to commit a spot of violence.

Manuela
I spent many nights buttering up nobles in power.

Manuela
No matter how humiliating the task, I'd do it. Because I wanted to be a star.

Manuela
I hope that kind of talk isn't too shocking for a sweet girl like yourself.

Manuela
Are you disillusioned with me now that you know my sordid past?

Flayn
Not at all.

Flayn
Understanding you more deeply, I can see how much strength has been required of you all this time.

Manuela
Flayn...

Flayn
I am well aware that survival and striving for dreams sometimes means doing things we would not normally do.

Flayn
Perhaps because you have been so strong—lived with such conviction...

Flayn
Perhaps that is why your songs have touched so many people's hearts.

Manuela
You sound very wise all of a sudden. Thank you, Flayn.

Flayn
I would like to rescind my original request of you.

Manuela
Your request to hear one of my songs?

Flayn
Indeed. Instead, I have a different request.

Flayn
I would like to see you perform an opera. On stage.

Manuela
I don't know about that. It's been a long time since I stood on stage.

Flayn
I imagine you have experienced much since you left the opera company.

Flayn
It follows, then, that you have developed new insights, charm, and wisdom to share.

Manuela
Yes, I probably could play a tragic role even better now than I could back then.

Manuela
But it's hardly the time for operas. We need to put an end to this war first.

Flayn
Agreed! Let us make the curtain fall on this war as soon as possible.

Manuela
Maybe then we can raise the curtain on a brand new performance! That'd be something, wouldn't it?

Flayn
That is exactly what I yearn for!