Xena of Amphipolis - Wanderer [FIN]

Xena of Amphipolis

a play in three acts

by: Gaius Vassiliadis

August 28, Year of the 58th Hunger Games


396 Carconnin Way
Theatrical, Capitol 7D3 2WL
842-743-1056

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Characters: [/font]

Thalassa/Xena: played by Thalassa Vassiliadis (Female, 27)
Gaius/Romeus: played by Gaius Vassiliadis (Male, 28)

SCENE I ACT I: Regal Countenance [/color]



THALASSA is sitting at a vanity. There are brightly labeled bottles scattered everywhere with the sheets of the queen bed behind her askew. She stares nervously into the mirror, fiddling with her fingers and casting glances to the sheathed sword on the mattress when there is a knock on the door.

THALASSA:
Enter, Gaius.

ROMEUS [offstage]: Harken! doth the raven sing
and speak of one as lovely as she
With hair of spun night, tattered and torn
Death's own cloak worn as a shawl

(GAIUS enters quietly, noting the disarray of the room)

GAIUS
Are you okay, Thalassa? The show ended two hours ago.

(THALASSA rubs her small nose wearily)

THALASSA
I'm fine, love. Just a bit tired.

GAIUS
Are you sure that's all?

ROMEUS [offstage]: And though the shadows might rob her of sleep
still her eyes doth shine, blue as arctic pools
Yet whence has she the power
founded within puissant lines of her jaw, or the starkness of her cheeks?

THALASSA
(sigh) What are you trying to say, Gaius?

GAIUS
You just don't look well. Your skin is dull, you have shadows under your eyes. Have you eaten?

THALASSA
I think so.

GAIUS
I think so isn't good enough, Thala.

(GAIUS goes to touch THALASSA but she shies away, getting up so that she can pace about the small room. Her armor clinks with every step and her face is stern, almost as if a troubled general hearing reports from her scouts. She bites her bottom lip with straight, white teeth in something GAIUS knows is worry.)

ROMEUS [offstage]: A strait expression of emotions kempt
but the lips of a come hither siren
meant to disarm sailors avaunt of their journey
as they drown gladly within her depths

THALASSA
I feel strange.

GAIUS
Strange?

THALASSA
Not bad, just... strange. I keep having these dreams. I'm in a forest; on a horse, maybe? There's somebody behind me, I can feel their arms. We're moving down a path, and I'm tracing patterns onto the horse's mane. Everything's so vivid, Gaius. I can almost feel the wind against my cheeks and the scabbard rubbing against my thigh. But those arms... they belong to somebody I know. I can just feel it. There's a sense like I belong there, almost as if I was made for it and it's just... right.

SCENE I ACT II: Vision of Strength [/size][/color]

GAIUS
But you're horrible with horses. It was just a dream, darling. You can't read too far into it.

THALASSA
I... I don't know. I don't think it was just a dream.

GAIUS
What was it then, a vision of sorts?

THALASSA
No, not a vision. Maybe a... a memory? It felt like one. But I've never been in the forest before, or ridden a white horse.

ROMEUS [offstage]: Turn your eyes, unworthy one,
from strong shoulders that doth carry the burden of sin
and lengthy fingers who hath carressed the hilt of many weapons
like one would a lover afore the sun

(GAIUS sits down on the bed, noting the sword that is still sheathed in its scabbard. Upon closer inspection, he sees that THALASSA has put on muscle in her arms and her stomach looks flat rather than pillowed as it used to be.)

GAIUS
Thala, have you been losing weight? That's not healthy under so much stress.

THALASSA
Have I?

(THALASSA absently touches her abdomen, as if realizing it for the first time.)

ROMEUS [offstage]:Ah! to touch the plains of her stomach
whence has she hidden the lines of her ribs
mortality covered in a gentle sea of sun-kissed skin
with nary a piece overgrown yet none too stark

THALASSA
I guess so. I didn't fit into it right, it felt wrong on me.

GAIUS
It's not supposed to fit perfectly. They didn't custom craft it to fit you.

(THALASSA remains silent, brows furrowed.)

GAIUS
What?

ROMEUS [offstage]: through wind and rain she flies, a volatile mistress
taut thighs carrying her aloft o'er the rolling hills
calves strong and true as the world she doth believe
bowed feet as silent as the Earth's midnight murmurings

(THALASSA gets up to start pacing again, strong thighs flexing with every step. GAIUS can see the muscles in her calves shuddering with every step she takes.)

THALASSA
It feels like it should be.

GAIUS
What?

THALASSA
Like it should fit. Like nobody else should wear it because it's mine.

GAIUS
...what?

THALASSA
(spins to him) Will you stop repeating yourself? It grates on my nerves!

GAIUS
I will when you start acting yourself!

SCENE I ACT III: Dressings of the Warrior [/size][/color]

THALASSA
How can I be anybody but myself?

(The leather whispers quietly when THALASSA walks, metal catching the dim lighting in the room. It seems to light her eyes, giving her an ethereal glow that sets GAIUS on edge.)

GAIUS
I don't know, but you certainly don't look like yourself today.

ROMEUS [offstage]: cower, ye mongrels and thieves!
and tremble afore her garb of finest leather
the swirl which guards her heart rests faithfully betwixt her breasts
snaking 'round from chest to naval in the most intimate embrace

GAIUS
Why are you still wearing that?

THALASSA
It doesn't feel right to be out of it. It's turning into a second skin for me.

GAIUS
But you have much more comfortable clothing, don't you think? The metal breastplate must be heavy on your--

THALASSA
I'll take it off later. I'm fine now.

ROMEUS [offstage]: a siren's song of swirling seas
biceps clapsed in a titan's grip; forearms bound in same design
she is of royal vision, celestial grace, a saint on tainted wings
yare skirts rest upon graced thighs; tired feet made whole of complex shell


(GAIUS watches THALASSA fiddle with the leather armbands, fingers skating along the curving patterns made with gold plating. The layered leather shoulderpads, adorned with the same designs as the rest of her armor don't even seem to be bothering her at all, almost as if she's long grown used to the weight.)

THALASSA
I need to find whoever this person is, Gaius. It feels like it's the thing I should do.

GAIUS
Thala, please, try to see reason. It was a dream. You've never touched a white horse, or have you been in a forest! What's gotten into you lately?

(THALASSA stops pacing, her studded boots quieting against the wooden flooring.)

THALASSA
I can't let it go. It feels like somebody is trying to show me something.

ROMEUS [offstage]:a blade of sharpest edge to match my lady's eyes
nary a portion remains untouched of battle
and a razor'd circlet of steel that rests at her hip
as a crown would for the queens of ancient lore upon the lonesome siege

GAIUS
Show you what? You aren't Xena. You don't go around riding horses and saving the maidens in distress. You're an actress! It's normal that you get into a role, but I think it's gone too far. Should we cancel tomorrow night's show?

THALASSA
NO!

(Both are startled by the intensity in her voice.)

THALASSA
No, love. I need this. I have this... this connection with her I can't explain. I feel more at home in her skin than mine these days.

GAIUS
You can't be her. She's not real.

(THALASSA picks up the sheathed sword and attaches it to her belt. She checks to see that her hoop is safe on the other side before turning to the door.)

THALASSA
I used to think so, too. But now, I'm not so sure.

(THALASSA exits, leaving GAIUS alone in the room.)

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ACT II SCENE I: The Field Marshall [/size][/color]

The stage is busy with crew, setting up the rigging for the next show. THALASSA is watching them all, clad in her armor with her arms crossed over her chest. There is impatience in her eyes, and she fiddles with the scabbard of her sword at her hip.

THALASSA
Hurry up, we only have a few more hours until the show starts! Somebody said that the light isn't working very well?

STAGEHAND
Yeah, that's right.

THALASSA
Get somebody up there with a flashlight and a spare bulb. We need to have these working so we can go through stage-check soon. It takes a few hours, and I don't want to be caught with a faulty light when the audience comes in.

ROMEUS [offstage]: she requires nary a horn or whistle afore the men flock to her side
loyals dogs to a cunning general within the throes of battle
merely her voice of smoothest silk with a velveteen touch
is long capable of drawing all to her glory

STAGEHAND
We can't stop the power so we can't touch it. We'd get fried.

(THALASSA throws her hands up in irritation)

THALASSA
Then pull the main power cord! I want somebody up there now.

(STAGEHAND scurries off and GAIUS enters)

GAIUS
He'll still get zapped, Thala. Shouldn't you just not use that light for the show tonight? You're the lead actress, not the director. Let them worry about it.

ROMEUS [offstage]: mayhap many believe she lacks a heart made of flesh
o, cruel mistress, why dost thee wound us so?
and cast us ashore as pawns to your games
so focused on the distant truth, she stops not to consider the woes of others

THALASSA
No, they need to get this done. That's the main light. We need it.

GAIUS
Even if it'll cause bodily harm to somebody?

THALASSA
He'll pull the plug. It'll be fine.

ACT II SCENE II: Decisions of a Rapid Nature [/size][/color]

GAIUS
What's gotten into you recently?

THALASSA
You asked that before, and you still don't have an answer.

GAIUS
This isn't how you usually act! Where is the kind, compassionate Thalassa I know? You're acting more like a general now than anything. You used to debate for hours over even the smallest ideas, but now you're making snap decisions left and right!

ROMEUS [offstage]: sweven ideals or quick wit, it is unsure
but nary a decision is left undone
as a leader of men she touches upon even the durest of thoughts
without concern o'er compassionate sway


THALASSA
And aren't they usually right now? I don't know why I've suddenly felt the need to be a leader, but it feels right. It feels good!

GAIUS
But you were never a leader.

THALASSA
Well, maybe I'm becoming one. People are starting to look up at me. I need to be able to make choices, Gaius. I know he's going to get zapped, but he'll be okay and we'll have our light.

(THALASSA paces like the warrior she looks like and GAIUS wonders how she can make such quick decisions. Sometimes they do work in her favour, as she's said, but he knows that her hasty thinking and guilt can outweigh her logical side.)

ROMEUS [offstage]: there are flaws to those that judge without listening
and harken to the call of others she does not
maugre the wrongdoings of her past, the winds of her thoughts travel faster
and carry her avaunt of sooth with the weight of her sin


GAIUS
It's his job, darling. Shouldn't you have listened to him?

THALASSA
Why are you questioning me so much about it? We need the lights, and this way we'll have them. What's the problem?

GAIUS
Maybe because you're making decisions before thinking them out thoroughly, and the Thalassa I know would never let that happen.

THALASSA
I... I guess you're right.

(THALASSA turns to STAGEHAND, who is shaking out his fingers after touching the socket.)

THALASSA
Hey, get down from there! I'll do it.

GAIUS AND STAGEHAND
What?

THALASSA
You said it yourself. I'll feel bad if he gets hurt, so I'll do it. Righting my wrongs and all that.

GAIUS
Honey, you aren't Xena. You don't have any wrongs to atone--

THALASSA
I've heard the lecture before. Just give me a boost.

ACT II SCENE III: Tempered as the Seven Hells [/size][/color]

(Despite reservations, GAIUS lifts THALASSA up so she can balance on the ladder.)

THALASSA
Whoever did these lights last has horrible vision.

GAIUS
Pardon?

ROMEUS [offstage]: know, good sir, that when she speaks she speaks true!
let not your feeble doubts come into play lest you sharpen the blunt of her words
afore ye judge her decisions, know how it must be
to be unwilling to hold the burden of misdirection within thy mind


THALASSA
I'm just saying. They're all crooked.

GAIUS
And you could do it better?

THALASSA
Probably, yes.

(THALASSA works in silence for a moment, choosing not to think of how she feels the need to be blunt with her ideals. It's difficult to pinpoint, but she feels no desire to hide her opinions to avoid hurting an ego or two.

The lights flicker on and she draws her hand back, burned.)

ROMEUS [offstage]: if e'er one was to deny her of want
tremble in fear, for she would surely rend the flesh from bone!
born with the flames of the warrior thro her veins
she doth desire mayhap too much from those who hath little to give


THALASSA
My god! Could somebody keep the current off for ten minutes?

STAGEHAND
They need the power off for other checks, miss. Are you sure you're okay up there? That outfit doesn't look like it allows for much movement.

XENA
A few minutes isn't that much to ask. Tell them the director will have their head if they don't get this fixed.

ACT II SCENE IV: Heart of the Lion [/size][/color]

GAIUS
Thalassa, please. Get down from there. You haven't felt yourself recently.

THALASSA
(quietly) I never feel myself anymore.

ROMEUS [offstage]: fore she was clear of her mother's womb
legends tell the woman could feel the steady beat of her drum
lending strength, privy to what kind of legend
that her kin might become; she is of god-blood, lion's courage, fearless truth

THALASSA
There, I think I've fixed it.

(Grinning, THALASSA jumps from the ladder with a sharp cry. GAIUS starts and goes to catch her, but she has already landed without harm or any sign of fear.)

GAIUS
Are you out of your fool mind?!

THALASSA
Not quite. Into a different mind, maybe. I don't know, Gaius. I feel different. Like I could take on the world! Every single time I dream, they get more vivid and this feeling grows stronger--

GAIUS
-- You've been having those dreams again?

THALASSA
Yes. I'm still in the forest, but I'm fighting off men and gods alike. The horse I have is white as snow, and the person behind me has blonde hair. She looks so familiar, Gaius. I'm convinced it's a memory. I wouldn't be able to picture her face so clearly. And she keeps calling 'Xena! Xena!' and it feels wrong not to answer to her. Like I've done it before, and it's been planted into my brain. The urge to protect her is... unreal.

(They both pause, unsure what to say.)

THALASSA
I need to find out what all of this is, my love. Who she is. I can't deny it anymore.

(The lights cut out, covering them both in darkness.)

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ACT III SCENE I: Reincarnation of a Legend [/size][/color]

The room is dark, nothing but a sliver of rapidly dimming sun shining down through the window to bathe the bed. A sword out of its scabbard catches the sunlight, and THALASSA periodically goes to touch the metal. She paces around, skirt swishing by her thighs and hands clapsed behind her back, brows set in a frown. There is a nervous energy about her, almost as if she's on the brink of discovering something huge.

THALASSA
I don't understand. Why me? These dreams... I'd say I don't want them, but that's a lie. All these new feelings, this sense of power. It feels natural. Like I've had them before.

THALASSA
But what does that mean? I've lived my life here. I've never gone outside of the Capitol walls!

ROMEUS [offstage]: birthed amongst the jewels and whispers of wealth
a shining crown of invisible power atop her skull
O, my Grace! look not upon me, lest I wither in thy glory!
call this place of greed and puissance thy home forevermore


THALASSA
It could be what Gaius said. Maybe I'm just too far into the role.

(THALASSA frowns, glancing over once again at the sword.)

XENA
No. That can't be it. Even when I was a little kid, I always took to the roles like my life depended on it.

ROMEUS [offstage]: maugre the quiet confident she doth possess
she was ill at ease in her own skin
and much preferred to parade around in those of others
turning tribulations into adventure with a whisper of a word


THALASSA
And it's not like this was my first break out role. I mean, I was already famous before this kicked off.

(THALASSA throws her hands in the air in frustration, running her fingers through her hair in an attempt to pull out all the answers she can't find. As a child she was always peaceful and quiet, but nowadays she's been seized by the uncontrollable urge to move and put all those snooty directors in their place.)

THALASSA
And it feels good, too. Like I'm not supposed to be staying quiet. Almost... almost like it's not in my nature.

THALASSA
Ugh, look at me. I'm talking to myself now. Maybe I am really going insane.

ROMEUS [offstage]: whence has she the presence of mind and spirit
to embody those not of her own heart, nobody will know
but even as a young child, her starshine covered the Capitol stages
in a call of prowess that nary a fool could deny


THALASSA
Do all actors feel like this? I got into acting when I was seven, but I've never felt so natural in a role before. It's always been so easy to be somebody else, but this is different. Better.

(THALASSA looks at a newspaper clipping of many years ago and snorts, eyeing the title and looking back at a younger version of herself.)

XENA
Born to be a star, huh? Born to be crazy, perhaps.

ACT III SCENE II: Descent into Darkness [/size][/color]

(Upon looking at the old pictures, THALASSA spies a familiar face within many of them. GAIUS grins back at her, youthful eyes hidden by a shock of curly hair and arm around her younger shoulders. This was before she had hit her growth spurt to stand at nearly 5"10, and he towers over her.)

ROMEUS [offstage]: he was kind of heart and gentle of soul
with eyes the colour of oceans deep
betimes they swept away the world with nary a flex of their fingers
erelong they were vowing upon the Goddess to carry the sins they commit together


THALASSA
We were good together.

GAIUS
Yes, we are.

THALASSA
Gaius! Ripred, you startled me!

GAIUS
I'm sorry, love. You were never so on edge.

ROMEUS [offstage]: and as if it would clepe to something deep within
nestled betwixt her lungs, the lady's heart doth beat in time
to the one of the Warrior Princess, the Godslayer, and she was given the task
of being her voice; none knew how her confidence came to her like air


XENA
I suppose not. I didn't have much to be on edge about.

THALASSA
Gaius, I have to ask you something.

GAIUS
Anything.

THALASSA
Do you really think this role has changed me? Visibly?

GAIUS
Absolutely. Your personality is completely flipped at times, you make references to events that haven't happened before. You dream of things that make no sense, and even your physique has changed! You're acting like her even offstage, and wearing the armor way more than you have to. It's like you're becoming somebody else, Thala. It's frightening.

ROMEUS [offstage]: lucid sweven of a time long afore the dawn
she sleeps through ideals of days long past
and touches the hilt 'neath her hand that has sworn to protect
the one that waits patiently within the crevices of her skull


XENA
They aren't dreams!

GAIUS
What? You're making no sense. Of course they are.

THALASSA
Don't ask me how I know. They aren't dreams. They're more like memories. It's almost like I can get inside her head and remember what she's thinking. It's... it's like... oh Goddess.

GAIUS
What?

(THALASSA sits down heavily on the bed and cradles her head in her hands while GAIUS watches her nervously.)

THALASSA/XENA
I... I am...

ACT III SCENE III: Embrace the Past [/size][/color]

ROMEUS [offstage]: o, to be made whole again!
the lady doth shake off the chains of muddled waters
and rejoices upon the flow of memories that invade, a gentle stream
as her true name is spoken as a prayer upon her lips; Xena

XENA
Leave me.

GAIUS
Thalassa?

XENA
Gaius, please.

(With one glance, GAIUS leaves and XENA is left alone.)

XENA
I can't believe it. All this time, it was so obvious. How could I not remember? Just the fact that I'd put on the armor again should have clued me in.

(XENA glances outside to the growing dusk, feeling like a burden has just been lifted off of her shoulders.)

XENA
How do you forget yourself? I was never Thalassa. I thought that I had repaid my karmic debt... Goddess, what do you want me to do?

(A ray of moonlight hits XENA's hair to make it burn as bright as silver. She blinks for a moment before coming to her senses.)

XENA
Gabrielle...

ACT III SCENE IV: Look to the Future [/size][/color]

(Much later, GAIUS quietly enters the room. There is a single, old fashioned bag sitting on the bed. XENA's sword is laid out carefully beside it, with food and a carton of water. If he peers he believes he can see a shape of deeper dark in the back of the room, but the moonlight simply spills onto the sheets.)

GAIUS
Thala?

XENA
Please, don't call me that. I'm not her anymore.

ROMEUS [offstage]:
silence be to those who know naught of her ideals
or the reasons for her banishment
afore this exile reaches the ears of men, let it be known
that she did it so out of her own heart, and not under duress of others

GAIUS
What? I don't understand?

XENA
Neither do I. But all I know is that I was never Thalassa. Not truly, anyway. I was always Xena at heart.

GAIUS
Xena? Please don't tell me--

XENA
Hush, my love, and believe what you will. But I remember my life now. Who I used to be. I can't stay here; it isn't my place.

GAIUS
Is that what the bag is for?

(XENA doesn't answer, but GAIUS can see it in her eyes.)

GAIUS
When are you going?

XENA
Tonight.

GAIUS
Where?

XENA
I don't know. Wherever my heart takes me. I have to find her.

GAIUS
Please, just think about this. What do you hope to accomplish? You don't know anything of hunting or shelter. And I don't think the swordplay they've taught you is enough to survive out in the wilderness.

XENA
I've stuided botany for a long time. I'll be able to get by.

(XENA gathers her bags to herself, slinging it over her shoulder and fastening her scabbard to her belt. She turns back to GAIUS sadly, but the set to her jaw says that he won't be able to convince her otherwise.)

XENA
Thank you for being so kind to me through all these years. Perhaps we'll meet again.

GAIUS
I love you, you know? No matter who you are.

XENA
I know.

(XENA exits, and GAIUS is left alone.)

ACT III SCENE V: The Lament of Romeus [/size][/color]

ROMEUS/GAIUS [offstage]:
now you know of her tale, mortal, of her lonely siege and burdern
ruth not the girl, as she has the sooth in her heart
even as she wanders o'er the hills and thro the spiralling trees
that makes her soul sing contentment as even the most stunning siren pales

with a horse as the purity she so seeks to deserve
lost but ne'er with nary a direction
afore her story is finished, ye must know of her past
and know that neither has yet been written certes for none know of her mind

mayhap ye wish me pity but I say avaunt with ye!
erewhile I have been blinded by the weight of my sorrow
but the fairest creatures mean not to be held by the hand of man
lest I allow the bulk of my desperation to smother

I know naught of how she will bloom in a land so unforgiving
but ne'er will I know of a lady so proud
and mayhap when countless winters will besiege thy body
I will come to understand how I have lost so much yet so little

I carry within my heart the weight of regret and the bittersweet nectar
of uncouth hope estranged with age
and ifsoever thou couldst answer a single prayer of mine, my love
my blood would warm in the eternal embrace of thy absence


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Postscript [/size][/color]

Codeword: odair
Description: Wanderer
Face Claim: Lucy Lawless
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