The Strategy Meeting (a visual novel)

this is a rough script for a kinetic novel i want to make someday, featuring dawn and cai. this is a conversation between the two after the player characters left the guild. essentially, this conversation marks the true beginning of the second part of the parhelion gate-- aubade's birdcage. it is written in ren'py format. if theres no initial before a quote that means its narration

holdon listen. this is deeply embarrassing and cheesy. being very vulnerable rn. but i needed to write this ok. i needed this. for the past 3 years ive thought about how they may have resolved the tension that we left them with when we stopped playing dnd, and here it is. i just want them to be happy, man

---

"There were three clear, even knocks on the office door. Cai stood up from his desk."

c "Dawn?"

"The door opened and Cai felt Dawn's eyes on him. He waited for her to speak, clearing his throat uncomfortably."

d "Cai. Can we talk about how we just lost our three best people in two days?"

c "I suppose we should."

d "We need to make a real plan of attack and try to get ahead of things before the next flare appears. I know you and Ress are doing that research thing, but I want you in the field with me."

c "Oh? You suddenly want to work with me now?"

"Dawn narrowed her eyes and took a step towards the desk."

d "Excuse me?"

c "Sorry, that was- I just- you've barely talked to me since I told you all about... you know."

c "I was worried you were going to quit. Or something. Because of me."

d "That's ridiculous. When we started the guild I made a commitment. Personal feelings have never factored into that."

c "Dawn..."

d "Can we just work together? Do we really have to talk about it? Everything's fine."

"Cai sighed and scratched one of his horns."

c "Okay, okay. You want me out there with you? You know I'm scared as hell of fieldwork."

d "Yeah, and now I know why."

c "I thought we weren't going to talk about it?"

d "Shit. Right. Well, I wouldn't let anything happen to you."

"Her voice was wavering slightly. Cai frowned."

c "It wouldn't be up to you. I have a feeling that Gloria knows about me, unless Aubade's keeping it a secret for some reason."

"He spun around for a moment, thinking. Dawn eyed him from across his desk and took another step forward."

c "I guess trickery is one of her things. But we should probably operate on the assumption that Gloria and Torian know that I am alive and here in Swadlin."

d "Are you sure? Why haven\'t they killed you, then? Or turned you into a flare?"

c "My thoughts exactly. If they're targeting heretics, I\'m the biggest one there is. No, one or all of them want me alive for some reason. I need to figure out what it is."

"Cai was picking at his nails. A nervous habit. Dawn stared at his hands and shifted her weight back and forth."

c "I'm a little afraid of being out there. But if you say you'll watch my back, I'll do what I can. I trust you."

d "Cai..."

"Cai chuckled ruefully and turned to face her."

c "I'll practice my spells beforehand, this time. No more loose fireballs, I promise."

d "That's not what I-"

d "Look, Cai, I'm sorry for being distant about all of it. It's not fair to you."

c "Eh, I think it's pretty fair. I'm directly related to the head of the organization that our organization was literally created to eliminate."

d "Well, yes, but I meant more like...It\'s not like I haven\'t kept things about my past from you."

"He let out a forced laugh."

c "Oh. Well, that's okay. I never asked, and neither did you. I figured we had a peaceful, unspoken agreement."

d "We did. But you still should have told me."

c "I know. I'm sorry."

#"He had said sorry so many times. She didn't know how many times would be enough for her."

d "Well, since it's only fair....ugh...now that I think about it, it's kind of embarrassing."

c "You don't have to tell me about your childhood just because I told you about mine, Dawn."

d "I know, but I kind of forced your hand. I just want us to be even."

c "Well, I cant say I'm not curious about baby Dawn."

d "I'm not telling you about baby Dawn."

d "There's this stupid rule where I'm from.. you get a period of five years to wander the world when you turn 17. You aren't really supposed to visit or send letters during that time."

d "If you don't come back within that time, you are considered dead. If you return when you are 'dead,' well, you are basically shunned by the entire community."

c "...Ah..."

"Weren't you 21 when we met?"

d "21. Yeah. I was preparing to return home, back then."

c "...But you..."

d "I had to make a decision. I'm sure my family moved on. It happens all the time."

d "It just means that I found something more worthwhile here."

c "Dawn..."

"Dawn snorted."

d "Don't flatter yourself. I didn't throw my life away for you on a whim or something like that."

c "But... you didn't go home."

d "Yes. And I don't regret it. I was never going to stay there, anyway. I was just going to drop off some souvenirs and then get permission to wander for another few years anyway."

d "And it turns out you were dead, too. Funny that we were together for so long without knowing how much we actually had in common."

d "I should have just told you. I don\'t really know why I didn't."

c "Me too. I'm sorry."

d "I can't-"

"Dawn tried to speak, but choked up. Cai waited with his head down for her to try again."

d "I just can't believe you were a Wick this whole time."

c "Dawn-"

d "Don't. I believed in it, you know?"

d "i believed in you. I thought you were so passionate. I thought you had a strong sense of justice. I dedicated my life to you- to your cause."

d "Were all these years a lie? Were you just using my me to get revenge on your family? Did you ever consider my feelings?" "Dawn was on the verge of tears. Cai put his hands on his desk and leaned forward, taking a deep breath."

c "Of course I did. I never stopped thinking about it. I tried to tell you so many times, but I could never bring myself to go through with it."

d "You didn't trust me. You didn't think I would keep your secret."

c "I mean...at first, yes. After I got exiled, I never trusted anyone. I planned on taking Rosemary Wick with me to the grave."

c "But... I came to trust you more than I've ever trusted anyone... I didn't expect that at all."

c "By the time we started the guild, I trusted you so much that I was going to tell you. Remember that first night, after we signed the deed?"

d "Ah. I thought you were coming on to me or something. It was very confusing."

c "Yeah...sorry about that. I chickened out. I wanted you to know the real reason why I couldn\'t show myself in town, I wanted you to know how much of a risk I was taking."

c "I feared I was putting you in danger by associating with you. It was my responsibility to tell you."

c "But I admired you so much... and you were so excited. You were always so noble in your intentions. I wanted you to think the same of me. And if I told you the truth, well..."

d "Well, you had me fooled. I thought you were the pinnacle of social justice."

c "..."

c "I wish I could tell you it wasn't always about vengeance, but I'll never lie to you again."

c "All my life I was angry, and when I realized a movement against the Parish was brewing ... I knew I had to be at the forefront. Even if it brought me back to the city I was banished from."

c "It's not that I didn't care about the religious freedom of the people in Charlemont, but I was mostly concerned with my own agenda. I wanted to kill Gloria and Torian Wick for what they did to me."

c "The destruction of a church state entity and the promise of religious freedom would have just been a bonus. And I know, it's terrible. But it's the truth."

d "..."

c "Working beside you always helped me remember that I wasn't the only one who was hurt by the Parish. I am a better person because of you."

c "But it is true that my intentions were never as pure or righteous as yours. And I'm sorry for deceiving you for so long. I felt horrible about it every day."

d "You lied to me. Over and over and over."

d "..."

d "I loved you. You knew that."

"Her voice broke as she said that. Cai suddenly looked panicked."

c "I did. I mean, I do. I'm so sorry, Dawn."

"He said the words fast, like he was running out of time."

c "..."

d "..."

c "Did I ruin it? Are we ruined?"

d "Stop that."

"Cai sniffed. His fingers were bleeding in several places. He circled his desk to face her, and she remained motionless."

c "I don't have any excuses. I just want you to know that our time together meant everything to me. You give me a reason to keep going."

c "I probably would have gone on a suicide mission against the parish by now if I didn't have you."

c "I know I've been...closed off. To you. And to your feelings. I just didn't... I didn't know what to do...I didn't know how to tell you."

d "Tell me about what? Your family?"

c "You know I wasn't going to leave you after we took down the parish, right?"

c "I haven't stayed with you all these years just because you're easy to work with, or because we share the same goal."

c "I want to stay with you until the day I die, Dawn. You are... the most important thing to me..."

"Cai was shaking. Dawn stared at him, waiting."

c " And I... love you. I know I should have said it sooner."

c "I should have said a lot of things sooner, and I think I ruined it."

c "But I love you so much."

d "..."

c "Can you please tell me what your face is saying right now."

d "I can't believe you. You're saying it now. Now, of all times."

c "Oh, I'm sorry, is there a better time? Should I have waited till I was on my deathbed? An old man? Would that have been better?"

d "Oh my god. I see why your mom kicked you out."

"She punched his arm a little bit too hard and he staggered."

c "Hey- No, I deserved that."

c "But you didn't answer my question. Are you...?"

"Dawn took his hands in hers."

d "I'm smiling and shaking my head, because I love you."

"Cai hugged her before she knew what was happening. He buried his face in her shoulder and made a strangled noise that resembled a laugh." "No tears fell, but Cai was sobbing."

d "It's okay. I've got you."

c "Dawn, I was so scared that I ruined it. I was so scared you were going to leave me."

c "I'm so sorry. I'm so fucking sorry. I love you."

d "I know, Cai. It's okay. I understand."

c "Is it? Is it really okay? Is it enough?"

d "It is. I love you, too."

"They stood there, holding each other, for quite some time."

-

"There was a loud knock at the door."

d "Shit, wait, I told Ress-"

"Without waiting for a response, an older man walked into the office."

"Dawn shoved Cai away as he tried to shove her away. It looked extremely stupid and Ress stifled a laugh."

d "God damnit."

c "Ress, man, we talked about this. You can't just walk in."

r "Oh, sorry, am I interrupting something? Weren't we supposed to be starting a meeting right now?"

c "You are getting way too comfortable around here, old man."

r "Good heavens, fine. I'll come back later."

d "No, no, it's fine. We need to figure out what to do now that Dane, Furn, and Bigtoe are gone. Come in. We'll start right now."

"Cai made an irritated noise and sat on his desk unceremoniously. Dawn ignored him."

d "First of all, we need to talk about Torian."

"Cai and Ress groaned in unison."

d "You're gonna have to confront him at some point, Cai."

c "You mean kill him? Yes. I am going to do that."

d "Like hell you are. I saw the way you were moping after we thought he died. You were playing taps on your fucking trumpet."

c "That wasn't-"

d "Something's up with him. I've been watching him for a while now, and he's acting weird lately."

r "That boy is always acting weird."

d "You know how he didn't even show up to fight Dane and the others in Wishport?"

c "Oh, yeah, because he knew he'd get his ass kicked by them?"

d "No. He is still extremely strong."

r "Well, out with it. What is the brat up to this time?"

d "I think he's going to betray the Parish."

-

"On the other side of the city, a man was standing in an opulent bedroom. Gray feathers littered the floor."

"Disembodied eyes hovered around his head, all of them staring at something inside of a large closet."

"He cafefully took out a large staff with the head of a lion."

t "I'm ready to listen now. Please... tell me about what Aubade did to you."