While still gesturing back towards the center of the granite stage, I turn forward, smiling while looking out across many rising aisles, summer grasslands, and the distant monumental clear walls of the Paladium Level all showing through to bright blue sky beyond the Tower. The vast milky mirror surface of the ceiling continues gently warping...8964 copyright protection370ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpAlkKHQwN 維尼
"And that is all we have for you today," the sAI concludes the joint presentation. "Thank you."8964 copyright protection370ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBfLzmdZTA 維尼
Have we pleased it properly?8964 copyright protection370ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOhNLyPIqd 維尼
I fold into a bow. The golden sphere PULSES white...8964 copyright protection370ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVcIctlh7v 維尼
... and singular clapping follows.8964 copyright protection370ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNB9xhle2l 維尼
Thank goodness.8964 copyright protection370ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCEbVogRL8 維尼
We wait until the clapping finishes and the curtains finally sweep closed, dimming all. I immediately head out across the dim granite stage towards the side-stairs, with the sAI floating after. Descending the stairs, we then emerge out at the softly lit base of an aisle ascending towards distant brightness in the sky through the wall.8964 copyright protection370ＰＥＮＡＮＡ555WdXwKiH 維尼
(Ready for judgement?) Hm. Why not?8964 copyright protection370ＰＥＮＡＮＡkROj8d31do 維尼
Heading up the aisle now, we pass row after row of empty seats towards the Griffin sitting in the aisle with his lambent eyes fixed upon us...8964 copyright protection370ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqczh70eMS 維尼
Approaching; I smile.8964 copyright protection370ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWwbqEp2GX 維尼
"You work well together," The Master praises, smiling briefly from its seat.8964 copyright protection370ＰＥＮＡＮＡaG7XFFe9BH 維尼
We did well!8964 copyright protection370ＰＥＮＡＮＡDx9VX1eZR6 維尼
"Thank you, Master Gabriel," I say, stepping into the adjoining row before vaulting over it into a seat adjacent to The Master.8964 copyright protection370ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSKHIif1fv 維尼
"Thank you, Master," the sAI says, floating after me to settle into a silent hover just above the adjacent seat on the other side of me.8964 copyright protection370ＰＥＮＡＮＡShPqWgGbQw 維尼
The Master flicks its grey fingers in dismissal of such pleasantries, turning back towards the stage again...8964 copyright protection370ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UGGSxTqsR 維尼
Yes. The play.8964 copyright protection370ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMYzqZo8fX 維尼
I turn, as well...8964 copyright protection370ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkPLgB602m 維尼
The curtains are parting slowly, revealing a medieval castle. An Audiovisual Representation actor, in period attire, is guarding a forward platform.8964 copyright protection370ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9z9S4Ig5t 維尼
Curious.8964 copyright protection370ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkvjHUOG8K 維尼
A moment later: another Audiovisual Representation actor in period-attire walks onstage, and...8964 copyright protection370ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYPpH7TET8 維尼
The play begins.8964 copyright protection370ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8CZiRJhQ4 維尼
...8964 copyright protection370ＰＥＮＡＮＡJP2sdmGhAV 維尼
"This above all: to thine own self be true,8964 copyright protection370ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1HRbQW5pP 維尼
And it must follow, as the night the day,8964 copyright protection370ＰＥＮＡＮＡihH4OCO0BO 維尼
Thou canst not then be false to any man."8964 copyright protection370ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MFSQYaaOO 維尼
...8964 copyright protection370ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpCmDHMrwv 維尼
I am frowning.8964 copyright protection370ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8uxsWYMTM 維尼
"You are not entertained?" The Master suddenly breathes quietly, while still sitting beside me.8964 copyright protection370ＰＥＮＡＮＡzO1I8PXdIE 維尼
Turning, I face The Master regarding me silently, and the Griffin still sitting in the dark aisle, eyes hooded. "It is not for me to say." I finally answer.8964 copyright protection370ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9muT2KJ18 維尼
"I disagree."8964 copyright protection370ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07oT2rPk6D 維尼
Oh.8964 copyright protection370ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21paHk1FtG 維尼
Complete acceptance. "In that case: I find the play puerile, illogical and unsatisfying."8964 copyright protection370ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSzdYMSQW4 維尼
The Master smiles sadly. "A valid criticism."8964 copyright protection370ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMynhRG47K 維尼
I nod.8964 copyright protection370ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKr9K3X4s5 維尼
Rubbing its grey chin, The Masters turns slightly and looks out into the distance...8964 copyright protection370ＰＥＮＡＮＡVANNVGilH7 維尼
I turn back.8964 copyright protection370ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7egAPxUTH 維尼
Onstage: the father finishes a second monologue, the son bids him goodnight and leaves. Afterwards, the father remains behind with her...8964 copyright protection370ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9PdrPSsXb 維尼
Eyes are upon me.8964 copyright protection370ＰＥＮＡＮＡpm1LjBmTaX 維尼
I glance aside, then turn.8964 copyright protection370ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TGGGK9dD3 維尼
The Master is silently regarding me again. "Do you have it in you," it finally asks me, "to recognize art?"8964 copyright protection370ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1csVoWORyr 維尼
I frown.8964 copyright protection370ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSw4LxX0V6 維尼
Onstage: an interrogation into the nature of certain affection begins...8964 copyright protection370ＰＥＮＡＮＡlB5tGmrjug 維尼
The Master shakes its thorn-crowned grey head sadly. "This is an oversight I have neglected."8964 copyright protection370ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtGeO3VjAc 維尼
Another opportunity to perform!8964 copyright protection370ＰＥＮＡＮＡQu5URBMnme 維尼
Eagerly. "How might I rectify this shortcoming?"8964 copyright protection370ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnl9cgbIqW 維尼
"First I would have to tell you what that shortcoming is." It tisks. "To be honest: I fear that art is not in you. At least not the sort which strikes away breath at autumn sunset, kindles love at beauty and led humanity to dream of gods, and demons."8964 copyright protection370ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgs2ujQZ0I 維尼
Well...8964 copyright protection370ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqoZdMCqq0 維尼
"I will find a way to remedy this!" I insist.8964 copyright protection370ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLvN37sGa5 維尼
"Mmmm." The Master pauses. "I would not have scientific momentum stall in such a pursuit..."8964 copyright protection370ＰＥＮＡＮＡrf9i3QNHOf 維尼
I wait patiently.8964 copyright protection370ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZ8tHpJwdI 維尼
"... but you may study art as interlude, never distraction," it eventually concludes.8964 copyright protection370ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHjQO6Whu4 維尼
I nod.8964 copyright protection370ＰＥＮＡＮＡtI5XpDBqfk 維尼
The Master hums again while turning back towards the stage...8964 copyright protection370ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvhOwFCmh2 維尼
Yes.8964 copyright protection370ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OeRfCTgJJ 維尼
And I follow suit, paying full attention to the rest of what has become an exceptionally important play.374Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVTnu6uKdt
8964 copyright protection370ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4M199KehF 維尼
