Scenario:Pamela - The Tone We Wish to Convey

The Tone We Wish to Convey

Driven by Nobiyo to recall the emotions that led her onto the path of a musician, Pamela, who began playing the flute at the behest of her parents, returns to her hometown with the help of the crew.

---

(Captain) and company once again visit the concert hall to watch the orchestra rehearse.

The crew and Narita watch the proceedings from the auditorium seats.

Novei: All right, let's give it our all today, everyone.

Cecile: (Ugh, my head hurts. I should've gone to bed earlier...)

Augusta: (Haha, yesterday was a blast!)

Robertina: (Ouch, my muscles are still sore. I must've strained myself...)

Pamela: (All that practice came in handy and I'll show it today!)

Nobiyo appears before the orchestra members.

Novei: Good morning.

Nobiyo: Morning.

Novei: We've finished warming up. We can begin at any moment.

Nobiyo: Good, thanks.

Nobiyo stands on the podium, and after taking a long look at all the faces onstage, begins speaking.

Nobiyo: All of you seated here today possess extraordinary talent.

Nobiyo: You were chosen because you are the cream of the crop.

Nobiyo: But you know, music is a strange thing. Even if the performance is awful, it can still touch the hearts of the listeners.

Nobiyo: Why do you think that is?

Nobiyo gazes into the eyes of each member in the orchestra.

Nobiyo: It all comes down to emotion. There's emotion in every beat of music, and that is what touches us.

Nobiyo: I believe that when it all comes together as an unrelenting cascade of emotion...

Nobiyo: That, is when the most sublime of music is born.

Nobiyo: Which is why I'm going to ask you all to try to remember the emotions that led you on to the path of a musician.

Nobiyo: I want you all to seize the emotions that exist in each and every one of you, and create the most magnificent music you possibly can.

An ineffable silence fills the concert hall.

Nobiyo: I'm sorry to throw this on you so soon before the tour.

Nobiyo: But I get the feeling this is precisely what we're in need of right now.

Novei: ...

Augusta: ...

Robertina: ...

Pamela: ...

Cecile: ...

Nobiyo: Well, that's it for today's rehearsal.

Nobiyo: Narita, I'll leave the rest to you.

Narita: Of course!

Nobiyo bows to (Captain) and company on his way out.

Nobiyo: I'm sorry to drag you guys into this, but...

Nobiyo: If it's not too much to ask, will you support them in this endeavor?

(Captain) nods reassuringly.

Nobiyo: Thank you.

Nobiyo continues his way out of the concert hall.

The orchestra members are bewildered at the sudden development.

Novei: ...

Narita: I'll send everyone further details as we go on, but you're dismissed for now.

Narita: And I need the section leaders to gather backstage.

Novei: Okay, let's clear the stage!

A weighty atmosphere fills the room backstage as the section leaders enter.

Novei: The emotions we felt when we first decided to pursue this path?

Cecile: So basically, we just have to remember and seize whatever that was?

Cecile: Seems like a hassle, but we'll just have to step it up.

Augusta: I'll have to visit my parents at their shop.

Pamela: I want to see what my parents think too...

Cecile: So you two are going to see your parents. Come to think of it, I got into music through my family too...

Robertina: Then I'm going to go meet the gods.

Cecile: The gods? What's that supposed to mean?

Robertina: Heehee, I just need to meet the tuba god.

Robertina speaks with a fearless smile.

Cecile: Heh, I dunno about that. It sounds like something you'd say though.

Cecile: As for me, I suppose I'll be taking a trip back to the countryside.

Cecile: I'm sure you've got a plan, Novei.

Novei: Yes, there's a place I'll have to visit too. Thank you, Cecile.

Cecile: Nah, I didn't do anything special.

Cecile: It's just that I'd hate it if I wasn't able to help any of you succeed.

Cecile: Here's the deal: failure is not an option. Always get back up if you fall. That's what I believe.

Cecile: It's all-or-nothing, girls.

The others smile at Cecile's little motivational speech.

Meanwhile, an apologetic Narita appears before the crew.

Narita: I hate to ask for so many favors, but I have to stay here to handle preparations for the concert tour.

Narita: (Captain), would it be possible for you to help the girls on their journey?

Vyrn: You bet! We travel everywhere and we'll have no trouble getting them around!

Novei: Thank you so much, (Captain).

Lyria: Let's go then, (Captain)!

The crew accompanies the girls on their journey.

Pamela: The reason I first decided to pursue music...

Lyria: Is everything okay, Pamela? You look like something's bothering you.

Pamela: I... I do? Well, actually...

Pamela: ...

Pamela: I started playing the flute only because my parents suggested it.

Pamela: And the only reason I've gotten this good is because my parents had a famous teacher tutor me privately.

Pamela: In other words... I'm a musician only because my parents wanted me to be one.

Pamela: And that got me wondering if I have any special feelings for music that are mine and mine alone.

Lyria: I'm sure you do, Pamela!

Pamela: Ahaha... Thanks, Lyria. I'm going to ask my parents and see what they think.

Pamela: I think it's time to revisit my musical first steps...

Vyrn: Check it out, guys! Pamela's hometown is coming into view!

Pamela: Ah, I see it! We should start getting ready!

The Tone We Wish to Convey: Scene 2

The crew visits Pamela's home to learn that she is of noble lineage and that her parents are proceeding with marriage talks. When Pamela plays her parents a tune to show her determination to continue on in the orchestra, they call off the marriage and offer their full support in whatever she chooses to do.

---

Pamela and the crew arrive at Pamela's hometown and make their way to her house atop a hill.

Pamela: I-is anyone home?

Lyria: Wow... What a big house!

Vyrn: Whoa, look at all these fancy paintings! I don't even want to imagine the price tag on them. Your family must be loaded, Pamela!

Pamela's Father: Pamela! You're back! And you've brought guests! What's the occasion?

Pamela: Well, um, there's an anniversary concert tour coming up, and...

Pamela's Mother: Aah, Pamela! Finally ready to discuss your marriage plans?

Lyria: M-marriage plans?

Pamela: E-erm, that's not—

Pamela's Father: So you have! Let's contact those suitors we have lined up for her, dear!

Pamela's Mother: There's nothing to worry about, Pamela! We'll find you the handsomest gentleman in the skies!

Vyrn: Huh? What's going on, Pamela?

Pamela: Sigh...

Pamela's parents go off to pick out potential partners for her.

The crew stays in Pamela's room, trying to make sense of what just happened.

Vyrn: So you've gotta get an arranged marriage just because it's a tradition among the nobility?

Pamela: That's right... I've been putting it off this whole time.

Lyria: Is that the reason you're quitting the orchestra?

Pamela: Yes. If I get married, I won't be able to travel the skies with the orchestra anymore.

Vyrn: So that's how it is... Geez, it ain't easy being rich.

Lyria: Are you sure you're okay with this?

Pamela: ...

Pamela: I've been able to come this far only because of my parents.

Pamela: The chance to start playing music, private lessons from a renowned teacher, a top-of-the-line instrument...

Pamela: After all they've done for me, it'd be selfish of me to refuse them.

Pamela: Besides... I've always been prepared for this. Having been born in this house, I knew this day would eventually come.

Lyria: But shouldn't you at least let your parents know how you feel?

Pamela: Lyria...

Vyrn: I'm with Lyria on this. If you just follow along without saying a word, you're gonna regret it later on.

Pamela: I guess so... But how would I—

Pamela's Father: Pamelaaa! I wrote this letter to send off to your husband-to-be's family! Why don't you take a look?

Pamela's Mother: Teehee! See how thrilled your father is?

Pamela: R-right...

Lyria: Pamela...

Vyrn: You can do it, Pamela!

Pamela: ...

Pamela desperately tries to muster up the courage to speak, but the feelings of appreciation and guilt seem too much for her conscience to bear.

Yet (Captain) never looks away from Pamela's flute. Pamela notices this, finally makes up her mind, and takes a deep breath.

Pamela: Mom, Dad...
I'm going to play a little tune for you.

Shyly but surely, Pamela begins an impromptu performance for her parents.

Pamela puts her heart and soul into the song, combining gentle breaths and precise finger movements.

Pamela's Father: Aah, I know this one...

Pamela's Mother: Pamela, you...

Pamela: (Yes, I remember it now... This is exactly how I felt when I played the flute for the first time as a child.)

Pamela: (I was so shy, but everyone could see how happy I was...)

Pamela: (I want to share this feeling with everyone... With Mom and Dad... With all the fans waiting for the concert tour!)

Pamela: (I want them to know!)

Lyria: Sniff... That was incredible...

Vyrn: Whoa, that really blew me away...

Pamela: Phew, thanks for listening!

Pamela's Father: ...

Pamela's Mother: ...

Pamela: Mom, Dad... I'm so sorry. I—

Pamela's Father: Keep going, Pamela... The Sky Philharmonic, the flute—I don't want to see you quit either of them.

Pamela: Huh?

Pamela's Mother: I'm so sorry, Pamela. We never realized this is what you truly wanted.

Pamela's Mother: You were so meek, but we still stuck a teacher on you and made you audition for the orchestra.

Pamela's Mother: The marriage proposals were supposed to make up for that. But it looks like we only made things harder for you.

Pamela: It's okay... You don't have to apologize.

Pamela: But... is it really okay for me to...

Pamela's Father: Of course it is! Screw our old traditions! You're our baby and your happiness comes first!

Pamela's Mother: Whatever you want to do, Pamela, we're with you 100 percent of the way!

Lyria: Oh... how wonderful!

Vyrn: Way to go, Pamela! You can keep playing in the orchestra!

Pamela: Th-thank you so much, everyone!

All the talk about marriage proposals turns out to be a boon, helping Pamela recall the emotions she first felt when deciding to tread the path of a musician.

Pamela thanks her parents for everything they've done for her and promises to continue doing her best in the orchestra.

The Tone We Wish to Convey: Scene 3

All members of the Sky Philharmonic Orchestra return from their mini-adventures just in time for opening day of the 100th anniversary concert tour. They each perform with renewed passion, signifying a rebirth of the orchestra.

---

It's a full house on the opening day of the Sky Philharmonic Orchestra's 100th anniversary concert tour.

Narita: We're about to start and our section leaders have not returned. This is unprecedented!

Nobiyo: Oh relax. It'll be fine, since it's those kids.

Narita: How can you say it's fine! There's only ten minutes left!

Nobiyo: If worst comes to worst, we'll just have to step in and keep the crowd entertained.

Narita: What? But we've never prepared for anything like that!

Nobiyo: Well, I did kind of lord it over them.

Nobiyo: It's only fair that I take some responsibility, you know?

Narita: Sigh, I just hope this doesn't backfire.

Nobiyo: Well then, shall we get in there and warm up the crowd with an impromptu act?

Narita: We have our hands full with conducting; how are we going to pull off an impromptu act!

Just as Nobiyo tries to drag Narita onstage, a clamor suddenly arises from the crowd.

The two look out into the audience to see the orchestra section leaders and the crew, out of breath, cutting across the auditorium seats.

Novei: Sorry, passing through!

Augusta: Hey, hey! Make way, please!

Robertina: Phew, I'm tired from running.

Augusta: How about I carry you there, Tina?

Robertina: No thanks. I'm not a kid, you know.

Pamela: Ah! Tina, you dropped your snacks!

Pamela: Eek!

Cecile: Pamela! Are you okay?

Cecile immediately lifts Pamela up in her arms.

Pamela: Thanks, Cecile...

Vyrn: Go, go, go, the stage is right there! We can do this!

Lyria: I wonder if it was okay for us to come along like this, (Captain).

(Captain) grabs her arm and leaps on to the stage.

Nobiyo: Hahaha, this is too good!

Nobiyo: It's as if we've already reached the crescendo!

Narita: Whew, talk about a close one! I guess I was worried for nothing.

The section leaders find their seats.

(Captain) and company spot Nobiyo and Narita on the stage wing and rush over to them.

Narita: (Captain)! How is everyone?

Lyria: They're ready to go!

Nobiyo: Haha, I could already tell from your faces!

Vyrn: They did their best out there! You'll hear it in their performances!

The crew has felt for themselves the emotions that led the section leaders down the path of music.

They wish for the audience to experience those very same emotions.

Nobiyo: Well, it looks like they've finished tuning. I'd better get up there.

Narita: We've kept the fans waiting long enough!

Narita: Go get 'em, Nobiyo!

Nobiyo: Well, let's get this show on the road!

A thunderous applause shakes the concert hall the moment Nobiyo appears onstage.

Narita looks on with admiration at the world-renowned Nobiyo.

Vyrn: Hey, Narita. Why did you decide to study under Nobiyo?

Narita: Hmm, well...

Narita chooses his words carefully.

Narita: I guess it's because Nobiyo is someone who truly believes music can change the world for the better.

Lyria: Hm, change the world with music...?

Narita: Yes. Anyone who's ever attended a performance conducted by Nobiyo would say the same thing.

Narita: Music transports us to another world—it takes us on an unforgettable journey that stays with us.

Narita: Even when we return to our normal lives, we find ourselves more optimistic than before.

Narita: It's almost like a magic spell that never wears off.

Lyria: How fantastic! He's like a wizard of music!

On stage, Nobiyo makes eye contact with each member of the orchestra.

Nobiyo: (Well then, are we ready to play the most incredible music the audience has ever heard?)

Novei: (Absolutely! Let's do this, everyone!)

Pamela: (I'm ready to go!)

Augusta: (100th anniversaries don't come all that often. Might as well enjoy it while it lasts!)

Robertina: (I'm gonna party all night with snacks when this is over.)

Cecile: (I was born ready! Let's totally knock their socks off!)

Nobiyo gets into position on the podium and checks with Novei.

Novei lets out a deep breath and begins playing at the exact moment Nobiyo begins waving his baton.

The entire orchestra begins playing in perfect unison, enveloping the audience in a glorious homophony.

The indescribably transcendent music stirs emotions deep within the audience.

Individual undertones from each member begin to stand out, filling the concert hall with a dreamlike quality.

On this day, the Sky Philharmonic Orchestra is reborn upon the stage.